mocosocoBirds

Wildcat Ridge
Hibernia, New Jersey, USA
Daily Raptor Counts: Sep 19, 2012

Observation start time: 07:00:00
Observation end time: 17:00:00
Total observation time: 10 hours

Official Counter: Fred Vanderburgh

Observers: Cliff M., Frank B., Harold L., Kevin M, Richard K., Mike L

Visitors:
Visitors = 6

Weather:
Temperature 56-64F, cloud cover 20%, visibility 30 miles, wind
predominately from the NW 5-10 mph. Interesting wind patterns as the higher
level clouds were coming from the S while the lower level clouds were
opposing from the NW and converging in the valley in front of the watch
site.

Raptor Observations:
A few early BW’s low then the remainder at very high altitudes. Majority of
migrants from the NE in small groups with a few kettles of 20+.

BE @ 9:55; 12:30; 12:43; 12:53; 12:32; 14:30; 14:52; 3x 15:10 and 15:15
(DST). Not counted an adult and 3yr BE came in from the NE then turned
North @ 12:05 (DST).

Non-raptor Observations:

Predictions:
Sunny. Highs around 70. Northeast winds 5 to 10 mph… Becoming southeast
in the afternoon.

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

Wildcat Ridge
Hibernia, New Jersey, USA
Daily Raptor Counts: Sep 17, 2012

Observation start time: 07:00:00
Observation end time: 16:30:00
Total observation time: 9.5 hours

Official Counter: Pete Wilner

Observers: Fred V., Kevin M, Richard K., Ed G., Tom G.

Visitors:
Visitors = 11

Weather:
Temperature 62-78F, variable cloud cover 0-50-10, hazy 5 miles visibility
increasing to 15 miles, SW-S wind 5-10 getting stronger gusts to 15 in the
afternoon.

Raptor Observations:
BW kettles from the NE and ENE passed the watch mainly between the hours of
10-12:30 (DST). The flight restarted from 2:00-3:00 (DST) then faded again.
Two late afternoon kettles were observed turning west off the sw direction
they were headed.

ABE’s @10:25;10:30;10:35 and 12:30 (DST)

Non-raptor Observations:
Pileated Woodpecker

Predictions:
Rain

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

From Alan Boyd:

Hi Jonathan,
Early this morning I had a flock of warblers right off my deck in Roxbury that included 3 Blackburnians, 5 Magnolias, 4 Black-throated Greens, 2 Parulas, 1 Black-and-white, and 1 Redstart.

Near the ATT tower at the end of Patricia Drive there was a small flock that included many of the same species plus a Yellow-rump and a Bay-breasted.

One of the local Ravens was vocalizing from the tower.

Alan Boyd
Roxbury

Simply put, this morning’s influx of migrant birds was outstanding in the Morris and Somerset County area. Sayre’s Farm had more individuals than this observer has seen there in over one year of birding the location. As this post is being composed, Jeff Ellerbusch reports that Glenhurst is “spectacular” as well.

Panoramic vision would have helped this morning. It was hard to choose where to focus because there were so many birds. With more eyes, I am sure the species list would be much larger. All numbers are conservative. Most birds were rapidly working through the trees and were not accounted for. The highlight was a Connecticut Warbler (apparent 1st year male) which conveniently posed for a good 30 seconds before disappearing. The number of Magnolia Warblers and Northern Parulas was impressive. Although the list only says 20 and 15 respectively, those are individuals that were actually counted and not the dozens of others that moved on. There was the 1st known report of Yellow-rumped Warbler in Morris County for the season. 2 Lincoln’s Sparrows and 3 Purple Finches round out the morning’s haul.

Eastern Wood-Pewee – 2
Eastern Phoebe – 4
Yellow-throated Vireo – 1 Singing
Blue-headed Vireo
Red-eyed Vireo – 15
Tennessee Warbler – 2
Nashville Warbler – 2
Connecticut Warbler
Common Yellowthroat – 15
American Redstart – 10
Northern Parula – 15
Magnolia Warbler – 20
Chestnut-sided Warbler
Palm Warbler – 10
Yellow-rumped Warbler – 1
Black-throated Green Warbler – 8
Canada Warbler – 1
Lincoln’s Sparrow – 2
Indigo Bunting – 4
Purple Finch – 3 (1 male, 2 females).

Wildcat Ridge
Hibernia, New Jersey, USA
Daily Raptor Counts: Sep 16, 2012

Observation start time: 07:30:00
Observation end time: 17:30:00
Total observation time: 10 hours

Official Counter: Fred Vanderburgh

Observers: Ed and Bonnie G., Nora O., Mike L., Peter W., Tom G.,
Kevin M., Rick S., Richard K., Kevin W.

Visitors:
Visitors = 106 including Glenna and Mr. GLenna from Hook Mt. Hawkwatch and
the Harriman Hiking Club. Thank you all for your help spotting the
migrants.

Weather:
Temperature 57-70F, 35 miles clear visibility, 80% cloud cover, wind from
the NW 5-10 with occasional gusts to 15 mph.

Raptor Observations:
Today was a repeat of yesterday, migrants spotted mid morning and mid
afternoon. Small groups of BW with a few kettles of 20+ but no large BW
kettles. Late day BW’s were spotted turning west from their original SW
course.

ABE @ 10:45;13:34 and 14:20 (DST). Immature BE @ 11:05 and 11:13 (DST).
3ed year BE @ 13:20.

Non-raptor Observations:
Cedar waxwing flock, Scarlet Tanager, RB Grosbeak, Flicker, Winter Wrens,
Black-Throated Green Warbler, Magnolia Warbler, Yellow Rumped Warbler and
two Ravens.

Predictions:
Sunny. Highs in the upper 70s. West winds around 5 mph…becoming southwest
in the afternoon.

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