mocosocoBirds

Following up on Tom Halliwell’s post to the Sussex County Bird list earlier in the day, I went to the Washington St., Port Morris section of Lake Musconetcong this afternoon. A pair of alternate plumaged Long-tailed Ducks and four stunning Horned Grebes that were mentioned in his post were present. As a bonus four White-winged Scoters were found as well (2 males; 2 females) – an excellent record for Morris County especially at this date. When first seen, the Scoters, Grebes and Long-tailed Ducks were together as a group towards the northeast central part of the lake but would eventually drift apart slightly according to species. Approximately ten Buffleheads were also on the lake. Two adult Bald Eagles and an Osprey were also present. A few Cliff Swallows were amongst the many Tree, Barn and Northern Rough-winged Swallows and Purple Martins coursing the lake.

Earlier, Tom reported Lesser Scaup, a female Red-breasted Merganser and Bank Swallow on the lake.

Submitted by Jonathan Klizas

From Jamie Glydon:

Bee Meadow Park 4-22-11 7:00am – 7:35am
Number of species: 32

Canada Goose 8
Mallard 3
Bufflehead 2
Double-crested Cormorant 7
Ring-billed Gull 2
Mourning Dove 4
Red-bellied Woodpecker 1
Eastern Phoebe 1
Blue Jay 2
American Crow 2
Northern Rough-winged Swallow 4
Black-capped Chickadee 2
Tufted Titmouse 6
House Wren 1
Blue-gray Gnatcatcher 5
Ruby-crowned Kinglet 13
American Robin X
Brown Thrasher 1
Yellow Warbler 2
Yellow-rumped Warbler (Myrtle) 15
Pine Warbler 1
Palm Warbler 4
Black-and-white Warbler 1
Chipping Sparrow 2
Field Sparrow 2
Swamp Sparrow 1
White-throated Sparrow 3
Dark-eyed Junco (Slate-colored) 1
Rusty Blackbird 1
Common Grackle 9
Brown-headed Cowbird 2
American Goldfinch 1

From Jeff Ellerbusch:

Pleasant Plains Rd- late morning….very windy

– G-winged Teal- 10
– Sharpie- 2
– Cooper’s- 1
– Broad-winged Hawk- 26
– Kestrel- 4
– Killdeer- 1
– Chimney Swift- 4
– Ruby-throated Hummingbird- 1 male
– R-c Kinglet- 6
– Gnatcatcher- 14
– Thrasher- 1
– Yellow Warbler- 6
– Yellow-rumped- 30
– Black-throated Green- 1 male
– Palm- 7
– Towhee- 7

Jeff

From Mike Hiotis:

The 2 Vespers were present on Pl. Plns Rd. west a bit closer to Lees Hill Rd. They were 20 ft. from the road when they flew and stayed in the field longer. Also at the same spot was an Eastern Meadowlark seen and heard. Its song repertoire was quite interesting….

Mike Hiotis

6:00-8:00 a.m.
Yellow Warblers have arrived at the Great Swamp N.W.R. Two birds were singing at the Wildlife Observation Center (WOC) and at least two more on Pleasant Plains Road. Three Black-and-white Warblers were singing at WOC. Blue-gray Gnatcatcher and especially Eastern Towhee numbers have grown noticeably. Singing Pine Warblers were near the Friends Blind along with Ruby-crowned Kinglets and Rusty Blackbirds. Yellow-rumped Warblers are scattered everywhere.

A brief walk at Jockey Hollow in Harding Township turned up a Winter Wren and a singing Louisiana Waterthrush on the Aqueduct Trail.

Submitted by Jonathan Klizas

From Tim Vogel:

Bershire Valley Wildlife Management Area, Rockaway Twsp.
Saturday 4/16/11 – Red Shouldered Hawk – acting territorial

St. Francis Health Care Center and Denville gardens
Diamond Spring Rd, Denville
Saturday 4/16/11 – Pine Warblers – returning nesters.

Rock Ridge and Cedar Lakes, Denville
Sunday 4/17/11 – Ring necked Ducks and Buffleheads continue

Tourne County Park (sparrow fields) – Boonton Twsp.
a bit of flooding – of note, the fields have been mowed. this is something that the park is hoping will attract some grassland birds.