mocosocoBirds

A Cackling Goose was with 700 Canada Geese this afternoon behind the stables at North Branch Park, Milltown Rd., Bridgewater, NJ. Cacklings had been reported from nearby Duke Island Park over the weekend but were not found this afternoon despite this birder searching though 685 Canada Geese.
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Click on the digiscoped photo below for a larger image and look for the little guy poking his head up (see yellow arrow).
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Submitted by Jonathan Klizas

Jeff Ellerbusch, Simon Lane and I birded Glenhurst Meadow in Warren Township this morning. The NW winds overnight promised a new influx of migrants. Although not much in diversity was delivered the number of Swamp Sparrows was impressive. Highlights included an Orange-crowned Warbler near the parking lot, Vesper Sparrow in the parking Lot, Lincoln’s Sparrow and a flyover Pectoral Sandpiper picked out by Jeff near the garden at Wagner’s Arboretum.

Other species:
Ring-necked Duck – 2
Northern Harrier
Sharp-shinned Hawk – 7
Red-shouldered Hawk – 2
American Kestrel – 2
Pectoral Sandpiper
Belted Kingfisher
Eastern Phoebe
Ruby-crowned Kinglet – 15
Eastern Bluebird – 8
Orange-crowned Warbler
Common Yellowthroat – 5
Palm Warbler – 15
Yellow-rumped Warbler – 30
Eastern Towhee – 10
Chipping Sparrow – 5
Field Sparrow – 7
Vesper Sparrow
Savannah Sparrow – 15
Song Sparrow – 40
Lincoln’s Sparrow – 1
Swamp Sparrow – 100
White-throated Sparrow – 25
Indigo Bunting – 1
Red-winged Blackbird – 100

Submitted by Jonathan Klizas

From Terry Carruthers:
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Hi Jon,
A group from Greater Watchung Nature Club were in Warren Green Acres today (a.k.a. Glenhurst Meadows – JK, 40.65056,-74.50361), Saturday 22nd. Among the dozens of Swamp Sparrows, Palm and Yellow-rumped Warblers we had some Savannah Sparrows a couple of Common Yellowthroats, and a Tennessee Warbler. Birds of prey included Northern Harrier, Sharpies, Coopers and RT Hawk.
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Regards, Terry

Jeff Ellerbusch, Simon Lane, Peter Burke and myself partook in what can be described as an Ellerbusch-whack this morning at Finderne Wetlands in search of Emberizine treasures. Peter located a Nelson’s Sparrow which showed nicely. This same species was found in the same identical location on October 10 by Jeff and seen also by Simon on that date. Other species included White-crowned and Chipping Sparrow, the usual numerous Savannah, Swamp and Song Sparrows, Wilson’s Snipe, Green and Blue-winged Teal, Northern Shoveler, Belted Kingfisher, Yellow-rumped and Palm Warblers, Great Egret as well as American Pipit and Pied-billed Grebe.

A link to a photo of the Nelson’s Sparrow taken by Peter Burke is here.

Submitted by Jonathan Klizas