Wednesday Field Notes; Weather, Feb. 26, 2014

Posted on February 26, 2014 by Jonathan Klizas
Red-necked Grebe, Mendham Twp., NJ, Feb. 26, 2014 (photo by Alan Boyd).

Red-necked Grebe, Mendham Twp., NJ, Feb. 26, 2014 (photo by Alan Boyd).

The Red-necked Grebe, found on Feb. 22, continues today on Clyde Potts Reservoir, Mendham Twp. (Alan Boyd). Joining the Grebe were the usual Common Mergansers and a Ruddy Duck.

A light-morph Rough-legged Hawk (RLHA) was reported from Hillsborough Twp. this morning. It is the only known RLHA report for Somerset County in 2014.

From Tim Vogel, Tuesday February 25,2014:
Confluence of Passaic & Pompton Rivers
Observing from the Morris County side
Redheads 2
Ring-necked Duck 6
Bufflehead 15
Hooded Merganser 8
Common Merganser 10
Common Goldeneye 4
Pied-billed Grebe 1
Mallards, Canada Geese

Indian Lake spillway, Denville
Trumpeter Swan is back

Tim Vogel, Denville
[Editor’s Note: Trumpeter Swans seen in Morris and Somerset Counties are assumed to be escapees from the captive Bernardsville clan and are not countable. They will be immediately invalidated in eBird].

The Pompton River flows into the Passaic River at Two Bridges, Lincoln Park. This is not only a confluence of rivers but a meeting of three county boundaries: Morris, Passaic and Essex.

  • North of the Passaic River and west of the Pompton River is Morris County (Lincoln park).
  • North of the Passaic River and east of the Pompton River is Passaic County (Wayne Twp.).
  • South of the Passaic River is Essex County (Fairfield).

As long as you watch for traffic, which can be busy, and do not mind climbing over a guard rail, you will be able to view the immediate area from various vantage points. A visit this afternoon produced the same species as tallied by Tim but with a greater number of Ring-necked Ducks, 44, Bufflehead, 19, Common Mergansers, 20 and 2 Pied-billed Grebes. There are Common and Hooded Mergansers throughout the length of the Pompton River if you can find suitable viewing spots. Rivers are your best chances of seeing waterfowl with most of the Morris County lakes frozen, and not looking as though they will thaw any time soon.

Weather is always a pertinent subject for naturalists. This winter continues a trend of recent years where the weather dominates the news. Various 10-day forecasts show the temperature will barely reach 32 degrees Fahrenheit and nighttime lows will dip into the low teens. This does not bode well for the snow to melt or for lakes to thaw – and we will be into March!

Ironically, and on a global scale, January 2014 is the 4th warmest recorded since 1880 according to NOAA scientists. Below is a map illustrating the temperature deviation from the recent norm for January. NOAA’s global analysis for January 2014 is here.
Temp Departure from average for Jan 2014

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Red-necked Grebe in Mendham Twp.; Ducks on the Raritan, Feb. 25, 2014

Posted on February 25, 2014 by Jonathan Klizas

A Red-necked Grebe originally found last Saturday, Feb. 22, continues on Clyde Potts Reservoir in Mendham Township (Mike Hiotis).

The Raritan River remains the stronghold for waterfowl in the mocosocoBirds region. Jeff Ellerbusch found the following along the Delaware and Raritan Canal Towpath in Franklin Township this afternoon:
87 Canada Goose
3 Wood Duck
4 American Black Duck
107 Mallard
1 Redhead
116 Ring-necked Duck
14 Greater Scaup
4 Lesser Scaup
24 Bufflehead
33 Common Goldeneye
3 Hooded Merganser
13 Common Merganser
2 Red-breasted Merganser
1 Killdeer
35 Ring-billed Gull
3 Herring Gull
11 Great Black-backed Gull

Other reports from the Raritan River in the Hillsborough Twp. area include: 1 Greater Scaup, Ring-necked Ducks, Common and Red-breasted Mergansers and Common Goldeneye.

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Red-necked Grebe, Rough-legged Hawk, Feb. 23, 2014

Posted on February 23, 2014 by Jonathan Klizas

Birding and just getting around in general is arduous in Morris and Somerset Counties this winter. Walking trails is exhausting and out of the question in many cases. Most lakes and ponds have been frozen all winter. Field notes are slim these days and any noteworthy species will certainly gain many admirers.

For instance, the Red-necked Grebe found yesterday continues at Clyde Potts Reservoir in Mendham Township where a few dedicated county birders ventured today. An adult Bald Eagle was at the reservoir early in the morning when this observer was there. It is gratifying to see this little known body of water getting attention. This is an interesting natural section of Morris County. After all, the mighty Passaic River, the North Branch of the Raritan River and the modest Whippany River have their sources in the immediate area. The South Branch of the Raritan River’s source is Budd Lake and Lake Hopatcong is the beginning of the Musconetcong River.  Morris County is the fountainhead of northern New Jersey’s major rivers.

Last evening, February 22nd, Simon Lane observed a dark-morph Rough-legged Hawk at the overlook on Pleasant Plains Road, Great Swamp NWR.  Simon also witnessed hundreds of Common Grackles, which were chased occasionally by a Peregrine Falcon. Great Horned and Barred Owls were also present.

The Rough-legged Hawk remained at the overlook today as eBirded by Chris Thomas and Joe Pescatore.

In Morris Township, aroused either from torpor, snow burial, or both, the first Eastern Chipmunks that this observer has seen in 2014 were out and about gathering seed that was scattered over the snow.

The brief thaw we have enjoyed the past few days is coming to a close. The forecast published by various weather sources does not show the temperature reaching 40 degrees Fahrenheit for the next 10 days [sigh].

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Red-necked Grebe in Mendham Twp., Feb. 22, 2014

Posted on February 22, 2014 by Jonathan Klizas
Red-necked Grebe, Mendham Twp., NJ, Feb. 22, 2014 (heavily cropped photo by Jonathan Klizas).

Red-necked Grebe, Mendham Twp., NJ, Feb. 22, 2014 (heavily cropped photo by Jonathan Klizas).

Red-necked Grebes are reported widely from the New Jersey coast this season. The only Red-necked Grebe reported in Morris and Somerset Counties in 2014, so far, was viewed at Clyde Potts Reservoir, Mendham Township this morning. In fact, this is the only Red-necked Grebe report from north-central and north-west New Jersey other than Hunterdon County in 2014 according to eBird data.

Clyde Potts Reservoir has retained one of the few open sections of water in Morris County throughout this glacial winter. Common and Hooded Mergansers are regular. 5 Ring-necked Ducks and 3 Ruddy Ducks were present today. This is a Canada Geese night roost location with the geese usually leaving by early morning. Mike Hiotis found a Cackling Goose here on January 19. A Greater Scaup was here a few weeks ago.

The reservoir is fenced with No Trespassing signs displayed. Viewing the reservoir is difficult at best and requires creativity. All that will be stated is that southern side of the reservoir along Cold Hill Road is preferred.

The wooded area adjoining the reservoir is a part of the Patriots Path and Randolph Trail system, encompassing over 960 acres, and is open to the public. One trail-head and parking area is on Old Brookside Road in Randolph Twp.

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Scaup, ahoy! Feb. 20, 2014

Posted on February 20, 2014 by Jonathan Klizas

Greater Scaup and Raritan River Waterfowl

February 17th’s mocosocoBirds post mentions that Greater Scaup are appearing “more than usual” in interior northern New Jersey this winter. As of today, add an exclamation point to that statement thanks to Somerset County.

This afternoon, Jeff Ellerbusch counted 29 Greater Scaup on the Raritan River, viewing from the Delaware and Raritan (D&R) Canal Towpath in Franklin Township. This is a Somerset County record unless someone knows of a higher count. Of course, this does not even approach coastal numbers of this species but is noteworthy for the inland mocosocoBirds region and its neighboring counties.

Waterfowl species tallied today by Jeff at the D&R Towpath are:

Canada Geese – 102
Wood Duck – 5
Am. Black Duck – 19
Mallard – 163
Redhead – 5 (3 drakes, 2 hens)
Ring-necked Duck – 132
Greater Scaup – 29
Lesser Scaup – 7
Bufflehead – 25
Common Goldeneye – 31
Hooded Merganser – 4
Common Merganser – 13
Red-breasted Merganser – 2
Pied-billed Grebe – 1

Also present were the typical assortment of gulls, raptors and songbirds. Be aware that the towpath is buried in snow and ice. You may want to enjoy the waterfowl numbers vicariously rather than risking your well-being in seeing them for yourself.

Robins and Towhees

This is also a winter of intersting numbers of American Robins and Eastern Towhees. Read Pete Bacinski’s musings on this and other wintering species at his All Things Bird Blog, here.

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Greater Scaup, Feb. 17, 2014

Posted on February 17, 2014 by Jonathan Klizas

A Greater Scaup hen was found this afternoon on the South Branch of the Raritan River in the general vicinity of the Studdiford Bridge, Hillsborough Township (Frank Sencher, Jr.). This marks only the second record of this species for Somerset County in 2014. The first was in the Raritan River along the D&R Towpath on February 6 (Jeff Ellerbusch).

In Morris County, Greater Scaup were seen yesterday at Indian Lake, Denville and earlier in the season at Clyde Potts Reservoir in Mendham Township and Lake Hopatcong. Neighboring Hunterdon County has had as many as 42 on Round Valley Reservoir in 2014. Although modest in totals and number of appearances, this is more than usual for this species in recent history in the interior of northern New Jersey.

For example, the Boonton Christmas Bird Count which covers a number of Morris County lakes and reservoirs, has not recorded any Greater Scaup since 15 were tallied in 2009. There were none in 2008 and one in 2007. Lesser Scaup is by far the more numerous of the two species during winters in the mocosocoBirds area.

Of course, this brings up the discussion of identification differences between the two Scaup species. Scaup identification requires much careful study. The Sibley Guide to Birds offers an excellent illustration comparing head shape, which is useful and accurate and a reliable characteristic in the field. Here is a link to the Kentucky Ornithological Society’s web page with good comparative photographs: biology.eku.edu/kos/scaup.html.

Good Scauping to you!

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Waterfowl in Denville; Field Notes, Feb. 16, 2014

Posted on February 16, 2014 by Jonathan Klizas
Common Goldeneye, Indian Lake, NJ, Feb. 16, 2014 (photo by Jonathan Klizas).

Common Goldeneye, Indian Lake, NJ, Feb. 16, 2014 (photo by Jonathan Klizas).

Any open water with waterfowl in Morris County is a thankful relief to the frozen snowscape currently smothering the region. For reasons unknown, the secondary pond at Indian Lake in Denville is mostly open, while the main lake across North Shore Road is entirely frozen and covered with snow. Viewing is difficult because of piled-up snow blocking vantage points and the private properties bordering the pond. The pond also sneaks behind trees and under I-80 giving the waterfowl places to hide causing a different mix of species during the day.

In the late afternoon, three Merganser species were represented by 1 Hooded, 4 Common and 1 Red-breasted. The Aythya genus included 6 Ring-necked Ducks, 3 Lesser Scaup and 2 Greater Scaup. 2 Common Goldeneyes, a Bufflehead, 7 Mallards and 4 Canada Geese round out the numbers.

Red-breasted Merganser, Indian Lake, NJ, Feb. 16, 2014 (photo by J. Klizas)

Red-breasted Merganser, Indian Lake, NJ, Feb. 16, 2014 (photo by J. Klizas)

The water treatment tanks near Boonton Reservoir on Greenbank Road as well as the neighboring Rockaway River are hosting ducks. Mallards, Gadwall and Wood Ducks were the only species observed during a quick drive-by.

An attempt was made to walk into different areas of Troy Meadows this morning. Thigh-deep snow in places was enough to turn this adventurer 180 degrees back to the parked car.

Steve Byland in Warren Twp. had a bizarre visitor to his feeder today as illustrated by the photo below: a blackened Tufted Titmouse, or perhaps, the Sooty Titmouse.

"Black" Tufted Titmouse, Warren Twp., Feb. 16 2014 (photo by Steve Byland).

“Black” Tufted Titmouse, Warren Twp., Feb. 16 2014 (photo by Steve Byland).

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Greater White-fronted Goose in Hillsborough; Saturday Field Notes, Feb. 15, 2014

Posted on February 15, 2014 by Jonathan Klizas

A Greater White-fronted Goose (GWFG) was seen this morning with Canada Geese on Woodfern Road, Hillsborough Township. The location is opposite the Woodfern Elementary School. The GWFG eventually took off and flew towards the river. All geese were absent from the location in the afternoon.

The Great Swamp NWR had a Common Raven calling and flying over the Wild Turkey in the tree pictured below near The Raptor Trust on White Bridge Road this morning. Pleasant Plains Road is slushy but passable (my Prius made it through without any major issues).

Wild Turkey, Great Swamp NWR, NJ, Feb. 15, 2014 (photo by Jonathan Klizas).

Wild Turkey, Great Swamp NWR, NJ, Feb. 15, 2014 (photo by Jonathan Klizas).

Chris Thomas had a flyover Bald Eagle in the Great Swamp NWR and an American Kestrel on White Bridge Road as well as the following Pileated Woodpecker.

Pileated Woodpecker

Today is day 2 of the Great Backyard Bird Count. Participants are asked to be careful identifying species. Please be especially observant regarding White-throated and White-crowned Sparrows. White-crowned Sparrows in Morris during February are unlikely.

From Steve Byland in Warren Township:
A bit of a surprise at the feeders in the snow today was a Brown Thrasher. Interesting – I have them every few years in the winter and I generally only see them when it is snowing, as it was when this one showed up.

Brown Thrasher, Warren Twp., NJ, Feb. 15, 2014 (photo by Steve Byland).

Brown Thrasher, Warren Twp., NJ, Feb. 15, 2014 (photo by Steve Byland).

From Terry Carruthers:
Local sightings today include a nice male Eastern Towhee on Whitebridge Rd, Meyersville, and a Red-shouldered Hawk at Van Doren’s Mill pond on Hardscrabble Rd. off Rt. 202 in Bernardsville.

From Jane Flynn, Morris Plains:
A lone Rusty Blackbird has been feeding under the bird feeders for the past three days. While multi-tasking yesterday (birding for GBBC and shoveling snow), I saw at least 86 Am. Robins in a flyover.

Amrican Robins, Great Swamp NWR, NJ, Feb. 15, 2014 (photo by J. Klizas).

Amrican Robins, Great Swamp NWR, NJ, Feb. 15, 2014 (photo by J. Klizas).

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Great Backyard Bird Count, Feb. 14, 2014

Posted on February 14, 2014 by Jonathan Klizas
Rusty Blackbird, Franklin Twp., NJ, Feb. 13, 2014 (photo by Zach Batren).

Rusty Blackbird, Franklin Twp., NJ, Feb. 13, 2014 (photo by Zach Batren).

If one checks eBird reports on a daily basis, a huge spike in activity is seen today which would seem in opposition to the icy, snowy, après-storm, house-bound conditions that many people are experiencing. Look at the locations on the checklists and you will notice most are street addresses or locations labeled as My Backyard. With what seems to be a least a 2 feet snow base and mountainous snow banks throughout the area, feeder watching is a safe intelligent alternative to travel right now. It is also the first day of the
Great Backyard Bird Count. This world-wide endeavor occurs from February 14-17. It is not too late to join in. Information can be found at gbbc.birdcount.org.

As the web site says: “Count birds for at least 15 minutes on one or more days of the GBBC. You can count for longer than that if you wish! Count birds in as many places and on as many days as you like—one day, two days, or all four days.”

Here is a report today from Randy Little in Basking Ridge:
Today a male Rusty Blackbird visited our backyard feeders several times from mid-morning until at least early afternoon. It eschewed the elevated feeders for spillings on the ground below, seeming to prefer corn and bits of suet.

An American Robin has been visiting privet bushes near the feeders on a daily basis for the past several days, including early afternoon today.

An adult male Cooper’s Hawk patrols the area most days. Although I have not actually seen him today, I suspect he might have been what scared all the birds from the feeder area shortly after noon. Yesterday he had stopped on a stump near the feeders, giving us a splendid view until he moved on.

Good GBBCing,
Randy

As in the picture at the top of this page, you may find a Rusty Blackbird at your feeding station, just like Zach Batren did in Franklin Township during yesterday’s snowstorm.

Happy counting!

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Snowbird Notes, Feb. 12, 2014

Posted on February 12, 2014 by Jonathan Klizas
Eastern Screech-Owl, Long Hill Twp., Feb. 12, 2014 (photo by Jonathan Klizas)

Eastern Screech-Owl, Long Hill Twp., Feb. 12, 2014 (photo by Jonathan Klizas)

(Click on the photo for a larger image.)

Here are a few reports from the mocosocoBirds region as the latest winter storm chugs up the Atlantic coast preparing to dump another 6-12 inches of white stuff on an already frozen snowscape.

4 Red-headed Woodpeckers were reported from Troy Meadows this afternoon (Julie Buechner).

As is the case most of this winter, a Chipping Sparrow continues at Zach Batren’s feeder in Franklin Township.

Chipping Sparrow, Franklin Twp., NJ, Feb. 12, 2014 (photo by Zach Batren).

Chipping Sparrow, Franklin Twp., NJ, Feb. 12, 2014 (photo by Zach Batren).

A Gray Catbird continues on White Bridge Road, Great Swamp NWR through February 11 (David Bernstein).

4 Common Goldeneye joined Canada Geese, Mallards, Am. Black Ducks, 1 Green-winged Teal, 20 Ring-necked Ducks, 12 Bufflehead, 2 Hooded Mergansers and 2 Common Mergansers at Waterloo Lakes along the Musconetcong River on Feb. 10 (Robert Templin).

American Robins are virtually everywhere at the current time. The individual below was enjoying a drink at the Great Swamp NWR this afternoon.

American Robin, Great Swamp NWR, NJ, Feb. 12, 2014 (photo by J. Klizas)

American Robin, Great Swamp NWR, NJ, Feb. 12, 2014 (photo by J. Klizas)

Be safe and be warm.

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