mocosocoBirds

Despite five birders searching from dawn through the morning hours the Le Conte’s Sparrow photographed on Tuesday, November 1 was not relocated today. 2 Fox Sparrows and groups of Am. Black Ducks and Wood Ducks were the main points of interest.

In the previous nine days Dicksissel, Le Conte’s Sparrow and Golden Eagle have been reported from the overlook area on Pleasant Plains Rd.

Submitted by Jonathan Klizas

Note the date in the subject. This identification just became known today. Unfortunately, the Swamp was closed for hunting today, Saturday, 11-5-2011.

Eric Driver photographed this individual on Tuesday, November 1 in the field opposite the parking lot for the overlook on Pleasant Plains Road. Jeff Ellerbusch received these pictures today and the identification was confirmed. If accepted by the New Jersey Bird Record Committee this represents the second record for Le Conte’s Sparrow in Morris County. Both records are from the Great Swamp, the first by Bill Boyle on December 17, 2000.

Here are Eric’s pictures:

From Alan Boyd:

Hi Jon,

This morning on the Port Morris side of Lake Musconetcong we had 3 tree swallows, 1 osprey and 30+ bufflehead.

Here’s to all of you patient, frazzled Morris and Somerset County residents who are still without electric power (my wife and me included) after the storm of October 29, 2011. A bit of bright news was reported this afternoon by Simon Lane as his wife and he spotted a Golden Eagle at the overlook on Pleasant Plains Road in the Great Swamp N.W.R. To quote Simon: “(the) Sub-adult, circled the area slowly and cruised off SE after a few minutes.”

Bravo on a great sighting and a hopeful sign of better times immediately ahead.

J.Klizas