mocosocoBirds

Wildcat Ridge
Hibernia, New Jersey, USA
Daily Raptor Counts: Oct 06, 2012

Observation start time: 09:00:00
Observation end time: 14:30:00
Total observation time: 5.5 hours

Official Counter: Fred Vanderburgh
Observers: Ed and Bonnie G., Nora O., Mike L., Richard K., Rick S
Visitors:
Visitors = 39

Weather:
Temperature stayed stable @ 70F till the last hour of observation and then
fell to 68F, visibility 3 miles, hazy, variable cloud cover 45-100%, wind
from the W-SW 5-10 with gusts to 15 mph.

Raptor Observations:
Almost all migrants were at low altitude in front of the watch site. Many
were naked eye and camera shot distance. A a good view of a Peregrine and
Merlin at eye level. Osprey were passing through @ 2x. 80% of the migrants
counted before noon (DST). The clouds grew thicker and a light drizzle shut
the flight down.

Non-raptor Observations:
Kinglets, Blue headed Vireo, Black and White Warbler, Nashville Warbler
and a flock of Cedar Waxwings.

Predictions:
Rain
Report submitted by Fred Vanderburgh
Wildcat Ridge – New Jersey information may be found at:
http://www.njfishandwildlife.com/wldcthwk.htm

Jonathan’s Woods in Denville Township has hosted Red-breasted Nuthatches since early to mid September. A flock of at least 6 Pine Siskins joins them as of this morning illustrating the influx of that species in New Jersey during the past week. The number of Red-breasted Nuthatches is a guess – at least 8 and probably more. At one time in the north end of the White Pine grove (known as the Cathedral Pines in park literature), Red-breasted and White Breasted Nuthatches along with the Pine Siskins were all foraging in the same group of trees creating a quite a blend of call notes and other utterances. Most of the birds were at the tops of the White Pines. Common Raven and Red-shouldered Hawk were also in the area. A gang of American Crows harassed a Great Horned Owl who eventually flew under the canopy of the White Pines to solitude.

Jonathan’s Woods is administered by the Morris County Park Commission. The Cathedral Pines area is marked by the arrow. If you do not see the embedded map below, click on this link: Jonathan’s Woods Map. One can park near the gate of the gravel road off of Old Beech Glen Road near the Pines.

Wildcat Ridge
Hibernia, New Jersey, USA
Daily Raptor Counts: Oct 05, 2012
Updated count on Oct 07, 2012

Observation start time: 06:45:00
Observation end time: 15:30:00
Total observation time: 10.92 hours
Official Counter: Pete Wilner
Observers: Frank B., Kevin C., Stan G.
Visitors:
9

Weather:
Sunny and hazy. No cloud cover. Temperature 58 rising to 75.
winds west becoming southerly @ 05
visibility 3.5 miles

Raptor Observations:
JBE @ 11:45
Peregrine flew across the Tourne and then south.

Non-raptor Observations:
Downy & Hairy woodpeckers
Eastern Phoebe
Wood Peewee
Cedar waxwings
Great Blue Heron

Predictions:
tough skies

Report submitted by Fred Vanderburgh
Wildcat Ridge – New Jersey information may be found at:
http://www.njfishandwildlife.com/wldcthwk.htm