mocosocoBirds

From John J. Collins:
“I birded Hacklebarney State Park this morning and came across a Kentucky Warbler. Heard it singing first then spotted it. I saw it from the white trail (the main trail) just beyond the childrens’ playground. There were 11 other warblers present including Hooded and Chestnut-sided, many Wood Thrushes, three Veerys, a Blue-headed Vireo, etc.”

A Kentucky Warbler is also reported from the Middle Valley area of Washington Township, Morris County  (Alison Goessling).

From Susan Treesh in Somerset:
“Had my FOS Black-billed Cuckoo (heard only, but distinctly) in the woods behind my house, along with my first ruby-throat at the feeder, courtesy of a sick day at home.”

From Kirsten Abildskov and Piper Weldy:
“There seemed to be an unusually high number of shorebirds at Negri-Nepote Native Grassland Preserve today. This included 7 Greater Yellowlegs, 4 Lesser Yellowlegs, 4 Least Sandpipers, 1 Killdeer.

In fact the number of Solitary Sandpipers was so big (11) we went back to pick up our scope to verify their identity and number. They were walking in the pond and around the perimeter in the grasses. ”

2 Black-crowned Night-Herons are at Jefferson Road Pond (Julie Buechner).

The Great White Hawk of Old Dover Road

Leucistic Red-tailed Hawk, Parsippany, NJ, May 3, 2015 (photo by Keith Brodersen)

The leucistic Red-tailed Hawk in the above photo is a local celebrity at this point. This hawk was first noticed 3-4 years ago by this writer, who immediately slammed on the brakes and did a double-take. So far in 2015, at least three reports have reached mocosocoBirds including Sunday’s photos by Keith Brodersen. The Buteo is certainly loyal to the Old Dover Road section of Parsippany, which coincidentally, is around the corner from Greystone Park Psychiatric Hospital.

These are just some of the reports for today. View local eBird checklists in the mocosocoBirds region via eBird’s Region Explorer. Use the following links:

• Morris County
• Somerset County

The eBird Hotspot Primer is here and can also be accessed via the Hotspot menu item on the mocosocoBirds.com website.

@mocosocoBirds at Twitter is another communications stream. Instant field reports and links of interest are tweeted throughout the day. The latest tweets appear on the sidebar of this page. One can follow mocosocoBirds at Twitter or link to @mocosocoBirds.

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Bobolink, Harding Twp., NJ, May 5, 2015 (photo by Jonathan Klizas)

Bobolinks made their 2015 entrance today, based on reports from Morris and Somerset Counties. A few, soon to be many, are at Duke Farms. Two Harding Land Trust properties had Bobolinks this afternoon: Frelinguysen Fields had 3 and Margetts Field had at least 1. Bobolinks may have nested at Margetts Field in 2014.

From Bobby Skrabal:
“Eastern Wood-Pewees were back at the Sourland Mountain Preserve this morning. The best bird I had was a Swainson’s Thrush. Also had a Louisiana Waterthrush singing along Roaring Brook, along with 12 other warbler species. Large numbers of Wood Thrush and Ovenbirds were also back today claiming their territories.”

Lawrence’s Warbler at Glenhurst Meadows

Lawrence’s Warbler, Glenhurst Meadows, NJ, May 5, 2015 (photo by Mike Eggers)

Mike Eggers and Mackay James found and photographed a Lawrence’s Warbler (Blue-winged Warbler x Golden-winged Warbler hybrid) at Glenhurst Meadows today.  Also present were 4 Red-headed Woodpeckers, which seem to be making a mild springtime incursion into New Jersey at the present time.

Warbler species are adding up day-by-day. This should continue through the weekend. View local eBird checklists in the mocosocoBirds region via eBird’s Region Explorer. Use the following links:

• Morris County
• Somerset County

The eBird Hotspot Primer is here and can also be accessed via the Hotspot menu item on the mocosocoBirds.com website.

@mocosocoBirds at Twitter is another communications stream. Instant field reports and links of interest are tweeted throughout the day. The latest tweets appear on the sidebar of this page. One can follow mocosocoBirds at Twitter or link to @mocosocoBirds.

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The bird migration radar at 4:45 AM this morning

Yes, the blooms on the radar are very impressive. Certainly more birds were dispersed in the mocosocoBirds area today: Veerys, Scarlet Tanagers, Orioles, Rose-breasted Grosbeaks, Blue Jays and a greater diversity of warbler species although not in any great numbers.

Veery, Morris Twp., NJ, May 4, 2015 (photo by Jonathan Klizas)

Jeff Ellerbusch at Lord Stirling Park had 16 warbler species including a Brewster’s Warbler (Blue-winged x Golden-winged hybrid) along the Passaic River. Bay-breasted, Blackburnian, Worm-eating and Nashville Warblers are other highlights. A Yellow-crowned Night-Heron flew over the Passiac River heading east into the Great Swamp NWR.

Sourland Mountain Preserve had Greater Yellowlegs, 2 Solitary Sandpipers, 1 Spotted Sandpiper and 1 Least Sandpiper in the early afternoon. Baltimore Orioles were numerous around the parking area.

Least Sandpiper, Sourlands Mt. Preserve, NJ, May 4, 2015 (photo by Jonathan Klizas)

1 Solitary Sandpiper, 5 Greater Yellowlegs and 4 Grasshopper Sparrows at Negri-Nepote Native Grassland Preserve were reported via eBird (Ken Walsh).

A Ruby-throated Hummingbird catching the late afternoon sunlight along Patriots Path in Morris Twp.

Ruby-throated Hummingbird, Morris Twp., NJ, May 4, 2015 (photo by Jonathan Klizas)

Nesting season in Warren Twp.

Northern Cardinals, Warren Twp., NJ, May 3, 2015 (photo by Steve Byland)

These are just some of the reports for today. View local eBird checklists in the mocosocoBirds region via eBird’s Region Explorer. Use the following links:

• Morris County
• Somerset County

The eBird Hotspot Primer is here and can also be accessed via the Hotspot menu item on the mocosocoBirds.com website.

@mocosocoBirds at Twitter is another communications stream. Instant field reports and links of interest are tweeted throughout the day. The latest tweets appear on the sidebar of this page. One can follow mocosocoBirds at Twitter or link to @mocosocoBirds.

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The pre-dawn radar looked promising  if you live in the central flyway. The mocosocoBirds region received a meager amount of migrants but many local birds are moving in and getting settled such as Vireos, Wood Thrushes, Great Crested Flycatchers, Yellow Warblers and Common Yellowthroats, etc.

Southerly winds tonight hold the promise of a sizable migration and many new birds in the region by Monday morning.

Louisiana Waterthrush, Rockaway Twp., NJ, May 3, 2015 (photo by Jonathan Klizas)

The Birds

Snake Hill Road and Lake Denmark Road in Rockaway Twp.: Pileated Woodpecker, Great Crested Flycatcher, Yellow-throated, Warbling and Red-eyed Vireos, Blue-winged Warbler, numerous Ovenbirds, Louisiana Waterthrushes, American Redstarts, Scarlet Tanager and Rose-breasted Grosbeak.

Glenhurst Meadows: 9 warbler species including Hooded Warbler, Black-throated Green and Black-throated Blue Warblers, 9 Solitary Sandpipers, a continuing Red-headed Woodpecker, 1 singing Rusty Blackbird and a Purple Finch (Jeff Ellerbusch).

Great Swamp NWR: Spotted Sandpiper, Greater Yellowlegs, Yellow-throated, Blue-headed, Warbling and Red-eyed Vireos, Marsh Wren, Northern Waterthrush, Scarlet Tanager, Rose-breasted Grosbeak, Orchard and Baltimore Orioles (Simon Lane).

Melanie Lane Wetlands: 2 Green-winged Teal, 3 Killdeer, 1 Solitary Sandpiper, 2 Greater Yellowlegs, 3 Lesser Yellowlegs, 5 Least Sandpipers, 2 Wilson’s Snipe.

Susan Treesh reports that Grasshopper Sparrows are back in the “main path” field at Negri-Nepote Native Grassland Preserve as of Saturday, May 2.

Introduction to Birding: May Migration

This writer will give a talk Thursday, May 7, 2015 at 7:00 PM at the Morristown and Morris Township Library. The topic is Introduction to Birding: May Migration. Details and directions can be found here.

Black-throated Blue Warbler, E. Hanover, NJ, May 2, 2015 (photo by Chuck Hantis)

These are just some of the reports for today. View local eBird checklists in the mocosocoBirds region via eBird’s Region Explorer. Use the following links:

• Morris County
• Somerset County

The eBird Hotspot Primer is here and can also be accessed via the Hotspot menu item on the mocosocoBirds.com website.

@mocosocoBirds at Twitter is another communications stream. Instant field reports and links of interest are tweeted throughout the day. The latest tweets appear on the sidebar of this page. One can follow mocosocoBirds at Twitter or link to @mocosocoBirds.

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If one was in the Great Swamp NWR this morning, an element of nature was evident: Yellow Warblers are everywhere. 30, 35, 40, pick a tally for Pleasant Plains Road. The number would still be shy of an actual total.

And they are not alone. Gray Catbirds seem to have snuck in through the night as well. Not in the same abundance as the Yellow Warblers, but certainly more than were at the Swamp the day before.

As for migrants, wait until tomorrow, Sunday. The weekly forecast from BirdCast is here.

It was not a stellar migration day. Even still, Chimney Rock managed the following: Eastern Kingbird, White-eyed Vireo, Ruby-crowned Kinglet, Wood Thrush (12), Gray Catbird (17), Ovenbird (4), Worm-eating Warbler, Black-andwhite Warbler, Yellow-rumped Warbler, Rose-breasted Grosbeak, Indigo Bunting and Purple Finch (Jeff Ellerbusch).

Lord Stirling Park was active with Ovenbird, Blue-winged Warbler, Common Yellowthroat, Yellow Warbler, Black-throated Green Warbler, Purple Finches, etc. (Dave Hall).

Greater Yellowlegs, Melanie Lane Wetlands, NJ, May 2, 2015 (photo by Jonathan Klizas)

Melanie Lane Wetlands had Greater and Lesser Yellowlegs, Killdeer, 2 Great Egrets and a Great Blue Heron this morning.

Fish Tract had 2 Solitary Sandpipers and 2 Great Blue Herons.

The following photos by Chuck Hantis are from Loantaka Brook Reservation on April 30.

Solitary Sandpiper, Loantaka Brook Reservation, NJ, Apr. 30, 2015 (photo by Chuck Hantis)

(Click on the photo for a larger image.)

Black-and-white Warbler, Loantaka Brook Reservation, Apr. 30, 2015

These are just some of the reports for today. View local eBird checklists in the mocosocoBirds region via eBird’s Region Explorer. Use the following links:

• Morris County
• Somerset County

The eBird Hotspot Primer is here and can also be accessed via the Hotspot menu item on the mocosocoBirds.com website.

@mocosocoBirds at Twitter is another communications stream. Instant field reports and links of interest are tweeted throughout the day. The latest tweets appear on the sidebar of this page. One can follow mocosocoBirds at Twitter or link to @mocosocoBirds.

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Great Crested Flycatcher, Lord Stirling Park, NJ, May 1, 2015 (photo by Robert Gallucci)

Here is an overview of arrivals and sightings for today from many observers.

• Solitary Sandpiper, Greater Yellowlegs, Great Crested Flycatcher, Yellow-throated Vireo, Ovenbird, Blue-winged Warbler, Rusty Blackbirds – Lord Stirling Park

• Solitary Sandpiper, Greater Yellowlegs, Great Crested Flycatcher, Ovenbird, Black-throated Green Warbler – Great Swamp NWR.

• Solitary Sandpiper, Great Crested Flycatcher, Eastern Kingbird, Black-and-white Warbler, Black-throated Green Warbler – Loantaka Brook Reservation.

• Blue-winged Warbler, Indigo Bunting, Eastern Kingbird – Bamboo Brook in Chester Twp.

• Greater Yellowlegs, Warbling Vireo, Blue-headed Vireo, Ovenbird, Blue-winged Warbler, Black-throated Blue Warbler, Black-throated Green Warbler, Scarlet Tanager, Orchard Oriole – Sourland Mountain Preserve

Green Heron, Lord Stirling Park, NJ, May 1, 2015 (photo by Rob Gallucci)

These are just some of the reports for today. View local eBird checklists in the mocosocoBirds region via eBird’s Region Explorer. Use the following links:

• Morris County
• Somerset County

The eBird Hotspot Primer is here and can also be accessed via the Hotspot menu item on the mocosocoBirds.com website.

@mocosocoBirds at Twitter is another communications stream. Instant field reports and links of interest are tweeted throughout the day. The latest tweets appear on the sidebar of this page. One can follow mocosocoBirds at Twitter or link to @mocosocoBirds.

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The radar from pre-dawn this morning on this final day of April:

The blooms on the radar seemed to foretell an influx of new birds for a migrant starved region. Ground-truthing showed that the number of migrants, if any, depended on where one was.

From Bobby Skrabal in Hillsborough Twp.:
“After seeing the radar light up last night I thought this morning would be good for migrants. It was even better than I expected at the Sourland Mountain Preserve. I tallied 15 warbler species, including Worm-Eating, Nashville, Black-throated Blue, Blue-winged, and a male Hooded Warbler. Other firsts for me were Wood Thrush, Scarlet Tanager, Veery, Baltimore Oriole, Warbling Vireo and Red-eyed Vireo.”

David Bernstein found the following at Troy Meadows: Great Crested Flycatcher, Northern Waterthrush, Blue-winged, Black-and-white, Nashville, Yellow, Chestnut-sided, Palm and Yellow-rumped Warblers,

3 Greater Yellowlegs and 1 Lesser Yellowlegs are at Melanie Lane Wetlands (David Bernstein).

2 Red-breasted Mergansers continue at Lake Musconetcong (Alan Boyd).

Early morning at Lord Stirling Park produced 3 Solitary Sandpipers, Greater Yellowlegs and a flyover Least Sandpiper, Yellow-throated, Blue-headed and Warbling Vireos, Common Raven, Ovenbird, Northern Waterthrush, Common Yellowthroat, Black-and-white, Yellow, Pine, Palm, Black-throated Green and 80 Yellow-rumped Warblers, Rusty Blackbird, Purple Finch and Pine Siskin (Jeff Ellerbusch).

Steve Byland had the following yardbirds in Warren Twp., April 29.

Ruby-throated Humminbird, Warren Twp., Apr. 29, 2015 (photo by Steve Byland)

Purple Finch, Warren Twp., Apr. 29, 2015 (photo by Steve Byland)

Griggstown Grasslands, NJ, Apr. 28, 2015 (photo by Jonathan Klizas)

(Click on the photo for a larger image.)

Northerly winds create pretty skyscapes. May is a few days away. The long-range forecast has Monday, May 4 as the next day to have southerly flavored winds.

Check your memory bank if you think the forecast is unusual. Here is a direct quote from last year’s mocosocoBirds post on April 27, 2014:

“Every birder who follows weather patterns and watches bird migration radar knows that the northeast is in the midst of a migration stall and crawl. Species are trickling through but in general the timing of arrivals is late and, other than Yellow-rumped Warblers, Palm Warblers and the typical species of the region, the number of migrating individuals is Silent Spring-like. All of migration is to our west and south, so far. It does not look to change until next weekend at the earliest.”

This sounds too familiar.

Cliff Swallows Return to Boonton Reservoir

7 acrobatic Cliff Swallows flew energetically this afternoon high above the Rt. 202 bridge at the north end of Boonton Reservoir. Cliff Swallows have nested here each year under the bridge since at least 2012. This is the only known nest site for this species in Morris County.

Other Field Notes

North New Jersey’s first Red-eyed Vireo was spotted at Troy Meadows today (Roger Johnson). Wilson’s Snipe, Northern Waterthrush, Northern Harrier and Purple Finches are some other highlights.

Shorebirds are scant in the area. Solitary Sandpipers were at Glenhurst Meadows(David Bernstein) and Ann Van Middlesworth Park, Hillsborough Twp. (Vicki Schwartz). Lesser Yellowlegs was at Negri-Nepote Native Grassland Preserve (Elizabeth Roedell).

Wood Thrushes and Purple Finches are reported from Warrenville Rd., Warren Twp. (Jason Denesevich).

The following photographs are by Mitch van Beekum, taken today at Loantaka Brook Reservation.

Wilson’s Snipe, Loantaka Brook Reservation, NJ, Apr. 28, 2015 (photo by Mitch Van Beekum)

Green Heron, Loantaka Brook Reservation, NJ, Apr. 28, 2015 (photo by Mitch Van Beekum)

Blue-winged Teal, Loantaka Brook Reservation, NJ, Apr. 28, 2015 (photo by Mitch Van Beekum)

Blue-gray Gnatcatcher, Loantaka Brook Reservation, NJ, Apr. 28, 2015 (photo by Mitch Van Beekum)

Yellow Warbler, Loantaka Brook Reservation, NJ, Apr. 28, 2015 (photo by Mitch Van Beekum)

There are many reports this time of year, too many to include in a daily newsletter. For further details and to see what people are seeing in the mocosocoBirds region, see local eBirdChecklists viewed via eBird’s Region Explorer. Use the following links:

• Morris County
• Somerset County

The eBird Hotspot Primer is here and can also be accessed via the Hotspot menu item on the mocosocoBirds.com website.

@mocosocoBirds at Twitter is another communications stream. Instant field reports and links of interest are tweeted throughout the day. The latest tweets appear on the sidebar of this page. One can follow mocosocoBirds at Twitter or link to @mocosocoBirds.

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Western Tanager (gone) in Long Valley

Western Tanager, Long Valley, NJ, April 23-24 (photo by A. Rand)

A male Western Tanager visited a private feeder in Long Valley on April 23-24 and was viewed only by the homeowner. It has not been seen since. The bird’s identity was not confirmed until photos were viewed after its departure.

Western Tanager (WETA) is a New Jersey review species. This will represent the fourth record of WETA in Morris County if accepted by the New Jersey Bird Record Committee.

The time of year this individual appeared is also of interest. Most WETA sightings in New Jersey are in the fall and winter. The few spring reports occur earlier than the April 23-24 dates of the Long Valley WETA. One exception is a 1977 WETA which had an extended stay during June in, of all places, Morris County.

Summer Tanager in Rockaway

George Nixon of Rockaway sent a photo of a Summer Tanager that visited his feeder in the afternoon today. This is only the fourth known record for Morris County. See the photo below.

Summer Tanager, Rockaway, NJ, Apr. 26, 2015 (photo by George Nixon)

(Click on the photo for a larger image.)

Other Field Notes

Tom Smith found a candidate for Zonotrichia leucophrys gambelii, otherwise know as Gambel’s White-crowned Sparrow at Glenhurst Meadows today. According to Tom, it has been there for two days. A photo, which is also a link to Tom’s Flickr photostream, is below:

This is a review sub-species for New Jersey. The list of review species is here. One distinct difference between Z. l. leucophrys, the nominate species we see in New Jersey, and Z. l. gambelii, is the color of the loral region (the area between the base of the bill and the eye) – it is black in the former and pale gray in the latter. Also, the bill color for  Z. l. leucophrys is in the pink spectrum.  Z. l. gambelii has a orange-yellow or orange-pink bill. A very interesting find.

Yours truly led a New Jersey Audubon All Things Bird walk at Troy Meadows today. Migration is slow, but nine people enjoyed a beautiful day and a lot of walking. Some of the birds observed were Northern Waterthrush, Palm and Yellow-rumped Warblers, Warbling Vireo, Blue-gray Gnatcatchers, Hermit Thrushes, Brown Thrasher, Bald Eagle on the nest, Savannah Sparrows, Purple Finches, displaying Wild Turkeys, etc.

Brown Thrasher, Troy Meadows, NJ, Apr. 26, 2015 (photo by Chuck Hantis)

Savannah Sparrow, Troy Meadows, NJ, Apr. 26, 2015 (photo by Chuck Hantis)

From Ken Hart:
FOY around my house today on Black River Rd, Long Valley:
Blue-headed Vireo, Yellow-rumped Warbler, Black-and-white Warbler, Blackburnian Warbler, Cedar Waxwing.

The Black-crowned Night-Heron of Jefferson Road Pond was seen early this morning – first, on the south side of the road. Then it flew to the northwest side of the pond and then to the southeast side of the pond. In other words, if it is not seen, it is probably there, somewhere.

Chris Thomas managed a photograph early in the afternoon. See below.

3 Virginia Rails were grunting near the back boardwalk today at Lord Stirling Park (Jeff Ellerbusch). A sound recording of one is here. Also present were Warbling Vireo, Common Raven, Marsh Wren, Hermit Thrush, Wood Thrush, Ovenbird, Common Yellowthroat, Yellow, Palm and Yellow-rumped Warblers, Rusty Blackbird, Orchard Oriole, Purple Finch and Pine Siskins.

Boonton Reservoir continues to have a Red-necked Grebe and 6 Horned Grebes. Where none were seen yesterday, 2 Common Loons were at the north end this afternoon.

Virginia Rail, Ovenbird, Northern Waterthrush, Black-and-white, Yellow, Palm, Pine and yellow-rumped Warblers and Purple Finch were at the Great Swamp NWR (Simon Lane).

There are many reports this time of year, too many to include in a daily newsletter. For further details and to see what people are seeing in the mocosocoBirds region, see local eBirdChecklists viewed via eBird’s Region Explorer. Use the following links:

• Morris County
• Somerset County

The eBird Hotspot Primer is here and can also be accessed via the Hotspot menu item on the mocosocoBirds.com website.

@mocosocoBirds at Twitter is another communications stream. Instant field reports and links of interest are tweeted throughout the day. The latest tweets appear on the sidebar of this page. One can follow mocosocoBirds at Twitter or link to @mocosocoBirds.

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Chilly weather today with little migration on the overnight radar, but birds are still moving – slightly.

A Prothonotary Warbler (PROW) was seen today along the Passaic River on the Fisherman’s Trail of Lord Stirling Park (many obs.). It is possible this individual was present on April 23. PROW annually nests in this section of the park, so please be respectful if you go to look for it.

Besides the ongoing feeder birds, Purple Finches were found in several places in Troy Meadows and Florham Park today. Many were seen in the tops of trees as in the photo below.

Purple Finch, Troy Meadows, NJ, Apr. 25, 2015 (photo by Jonathan Klizas)

(Click on the photo for a larger image.)

And, yes, Pine Siskins continue at several area feeders.

Boonton Reservoir

Cliff Swallows have yet to arrive at the Rt. 202 bridge nesting site. A Red-necked Grebe and 6 Horned Grebes continue at the north end. It is the first time in weeks a Common Loon was not spotted in the water.

Melanie Lane Wetlands

Spotted and Solitary Sandpipers were here this afternoon along with a Greater Yellowlegs, 12 Green-winged Teal and the mocosocoBirds region’s 1st Warbling Vireo of 2015.

Other Field Notes

A Rose-breasted Grosbeak was a guest at a feeder in Millington (Emily and Mike Eggers).

Rose-breasted Grosbeak, Millington, NJ, Apr. 25, 2015 (photo by Mike Eggers)

A Virginia Rail is reported to eBird today from Pleasant Plains Rd., Great Swamp NWR (Tom Smith).  Likewise, another Virginia Rail is eBirded from Lord Stirling Park (John J. Collins).

Yellow-throated Vireos are reported today from Great Swamp NWR; Blue-headed Vireos  from Great Swamp NWR and Troy Meadows.

Greater Yellowlegs,  Northern Waterthrush, Common Yellowthroat, Yellow, Palm, Pine and Yellow-rumped Warblers, Rose-breasted Grosbeak, Rusty Blackbird, Purple Finches and Pine Siskins are reported today from Glenhurst Meadows (Jeff Ellerbusch).

There are many reports this time of year, too many to include in a daily newsletter. For further details and to see what people are seeing in the mocosocoBirds region, see local eBirdChecklists viewed via eBird’s Region Explorer. Use the following links:

• Morris County
• Somerset County

The eBird Hotspot Primer is here and can also be accessed via the Hotspot menu item on the mocosocoBirds.com website.

@mocosocoBirds at Twitter is another communications stream. Instant field reports and links of interest are tweeted throughout the day. The latest tweets appear on the sidebar of this page. One can follow mocosocoBirds at Twitter or link to @mocosocoBirds.

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