mocosocoBirds

Floyd Wolfarth, an historical figure in New Jersey birding and a co-founder of the Urner Ornithological Club, was instrumental in founding the Boonton Christmas Bird Count (CBC) in 1936. The Urner Club has sponsored the event ever since. December 23, 2012 marks the 77^th consecutive year of this count.

Mocosocobirds.com is the Internet home for the Boonton CBC.
A brief history of and an introduction to the Boonton CBC is at this web address:
https://mocosocobirds.com/birds-of-morris-county-n-j/boontoncbc/

A list of the species and their occurrences on the count is found at the link below:
https://mocosocobirds.com/birds-of-morris-county-n-j/boontoncbc/species-list/ 

Maps of the territories of the count are on the following web page:
https://mocosocobirds.com/birds-of-morris-county-n-j/boontoncbc/maps-boonton-cbc/ 

As the compiler of the Boonton CBC commencing this year, I extend an invitation to everyone to take part in the Boonton CBC in any way that you can. Whether it is a feeder watch within the count area, an hour or two spent working an area, a morning or a full day, any contribution to this valuable endeavor is of great importance and warmly appreciated.

Please use the following contact information for the count:
boontoncbc@gmail.com
201.602.9842 (voice and text)

Good birding, good counting and a wonderful holiday season to all.

Jonathan Klizas
Compiler, Boonton CBC
http://www.mocosocobirds.com

Two adult Bald Eagles, probably the local residents, were active at Mt. Hope Lake in Rockaway Township on this cold, blustery afternoon. At one point one of the Eagles was dive-bombing a small group of Ruddy Ducks. The Ruddys dove quickly underwater to elude the Eagle. It was during this drama that a whitish bird with tern-like acrobatic flight caught this observer’s attention. The bird dropped into the water, oblivious to the Bald Eagle nearby, and revealed itself as a Bonaparte’s Gull. It sat on the water offering a definitive profile view. After counting the roughly 650 Ruddy Ducks on the lake I turned to look for the Bonaparte’s Gull…and it was gone – nowhere to be found. This represents the only Bonaparte’s Gull reported in Morris County for 2012. Morris missed the Bonaparte’s extravaganza in Somerset County on the Raritan River during April 2012 where at one time the count of Bonaparte’s Gulls was 327.

Species on Mt. Hope Lake included:
Mute Swan – 10
Gadwall – 2 (probably more flew away)
American Wigeon – Only a few on the lake. Most were airborne when the Bald Eagle started cruising the duck flocks.
Ring-necked Ducks – 50
Lesser Scaup – 5
Bufflehead – 8
Ruddy Duck – 650
Bald Eagle – 2 adults
American Coot – 50, at least.
Bonaparte’s Gull – 1

From Dave Blinder:

1 Lincoln’s Sparrow seen at Troy Meadows (South Beverwyck Rd. lot vicinity ) yesterday (Nov. 17) along with Songs, Fields, and Am. Tree Sparrows.

1 Ribbon Snake photographed at Troy Meadow Rd. today. Dave’s photostream.