Ruddy Duck, other field notes, Aug. 31, 2013

Posted on August 31, 2013 by Jonathan Klizas

Mt. Hope Lake, Rockaway Twp.

Ruddy Duck, on the right, Mt. Hope Lake, NJ, Aug. 31, 2013 (digiscoped by Jonathan Klizas).

Ruddy Duck, on the right, Mt. Hope Lake, NJ, Aug. 31, 2013 (digiscoped by Jonathan Klizas).

A Ruddy Duck was on Mt. Hope Lake in Rockaway Twp. this morning. This is the first August record of this species for either Morris or Somerset counties in the eBird database. In fact, outside of many Meadowlands and Kearny Marsh records from Bergen and Hudson Counties, it is one of a small handful of North Jersey August reports – period. Of course, someone may have records buried in a drawer or on a personal computer somewhere, in which case, we will ever know.

Also at Mt. Hope was a juvenile Bald Eagle roosting near the nest site. No obvious raising of young at the nest was witnessed this year, then again, the nest is difficult to view once leaf-out occurs. Mute Swan numbers are down to 26 (185 was the peak count on June 8, 2013). The Trumpeter Swan of very dubious origin continues as it has throughout the summer. This is probably one of the Bernardsville captive Trumpeter Swans’ offspring.

Lincoln Park Gravel Pits

Pectoral Sandpipers, Lincoln Park, NJ, Aug. 31, 2013 (photo by Jamie Glydon)

Pectoral Sandpipers, Lincoln Park, NJ, Aug. 31, 2013 (photo by Jamie Glydon)

2 Pectoral Sandpipers, a Killdeer and 2 Least Sandpipers were seen this morning at the Lincoln Park Gravel Pits despite flooded habitat (Jamie Glydon). This may be it in the Pits for a while considering the rain that is forecast for this weekend. Even a small amount of rain seems to submerge any fringe shorebird habitat in the Pits. It may be that when the Pits flood, shorebirds journey to nearby Walker Avenue Wetlands in Passaic County, which is literally across the Pompton River from the southern end of the Pits.

The Yellow-rumped Warbler found on Wednesday continues. A Northern Harrier was also seen.

Photos

Below is an American Kestrel photographed yesterday, Aug. 30, 2013 by Chuck Hantis in the Great Swamp NWR

American Kestrel, Great Swamp NWR, Aug. 30, 2013 (photo by Chuck Hantis).

American Kestrel, Great Swamp NWR, Aug. 30, 2013 (photo by Chuck Hantis).

American Kestrel, Great Swamp NWR, Aug. 30, 2013 (photo by Chuck Hantis).

American Kestrel, Great Swamp NWR, Aug. 30, 2013 (photo by Chuck Hantis).

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Field Notes, Aug. 30, 2013

Posted on August 30, 2013 by Jonathan Klizas

The shorebird habitat at Lincoln Park Gravel Pits is submerged as of this morning, i.e., no shorebirds. 5 Killdeer looking for a place to land, flew out of the area instead.

Sasso Tract in Rockaway Twp. had Northern Waterthrush, 5 American Redstarts, Black-throated Green Warbler, Common Yellowthroat, Yellow-throated Vireo and a group of Blue –gray Gnatcatchers.

From Terry Carruthers:
Yesterday evening I watched for Common Nighthawks for an hour (6:20-7:20 pm) from my deck, within the bounds of the Great Swamp. Fourteen flew over during the hour, all heading south, mostly in twos. This evening a flock of 15 flew west at 5:50 pm, but none were seen during the following 30 minutes. A bird of note was my first garden Northern Waterthrush, on the 22nd.

From Ken Hart, Aug. 29, 2013:
A small flock of mixed warblers moved through the woods around 239 Black River Rd in Long Valley this morning at 10:30. They included:
Worm-eating Warbler
Canada Warbler
Black-and-white Warbler
and Chestnut-sided Warbler.
Also present throughout the morning were Ruby-throated Hummingbirds, Pileated Woodpeckers, and (at dawn, and most nights) Eastern Screech Owls (heard only).

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Early Birds, Aug. 28, 2013

Posted on August 28, 2013 by Jonathan Klizas

Lincoln Park Gravel Pits

A juvenile Yellow-rumped Warbler (YRWA) appeared at the Lincoln Park Gravel Pits this morning. It was flitting among small Black Willows near the water’s edge, chipping frequently, eventually flying away with its yellow-rump showing (Roger Johnson, J. Klizas). This is an early record for this species. It was the first New Jersey August record for both observers who have decades of experience in this region. The eBird database shows a scant handful of north Jersey records in August for YRWA.

Shorebird numbers were relatively the same as previous days, although both Lesser Yellowlegs and Pectoral Sandpipers were absent. A pair of Common Nighthawks flew over the lake. 10 Great Egrets, 5 Great Blue Herons and a Green Heron represented the Ardeidae family.

Selody Sod Farm, Montgomery Twp.

Merlin
(Photo by Jeff Ellerbusch).

A Merlin, another early bird, was seen at Selody Sod Farm today (Jeff Ellerbusch). This is the 4th August record for 2013 in the mocosocoBirds region – early, but not unprecedented. Here are the dates for August, 2013:

  1. Aug. 19, Morris Twp.
  2. Aug. 25, Skillman Park, Montgomery Twp.
  3. Aug. 26, Duke Farms, Hillsborough Twp.
  4. Aug, 28, Selody Sod Farm, Montgomery Twp.

102 Killdeer, a Pectoral Sandpiper and two American Golden-Plovers were the shorebirds at Selody. Neighboring Skillman Park had 120+ Chipping Sparrows and a juvenile Little Blue Heron in Sylvan Pond (J. Ellerbusch).

Editor’s note: After publishing this post, an update was received from Carolyn Arnesen: A Merlin was present at Skillman Park on Aug. 25; the Little Blue Heron was present on 8/27.

Am. Golden-Plovers, Montgomery Twp., Aug. 28, 2013 (digiscoped by Jeff Ellerbusch).

Am. Golden-Plovers, Montgomery Twp., Aug. 28, 2013 (digiscoped by Jeff Ellerbusch).

Little Blue Heron, Montgomery Twp., Aug. 27, 2013 (photo by Carolyn Arnesen).

Little Blue Heron, Montgomery Twp., Aug. 27, 2013 (photo by Carolyn Arnesen).

Florham Park Fields

Florham Park Fields was an air show this evening at 6:30 p.m. with 40 Purple Martins, 15 Barn Swallows, Bank Swallow, Chimney Swift and 15 Common Nighthawks (Jamie Glydon, J. Klizas). Most of the birds were in the airspace over the fields at the same time, occasionally offering the observer a visual experience such as a Purple Martin chasing a Common Nighthawk.

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Am. Golden-Plovers, other migrants, Aug. 27, 2013

Posted on August 27, 2013 by Jonathan Klizas

Selody Sod Farm, Montgomery Twp.

2 adult American Golden-Plovers were at Selody Sod Farm this morning (Jeff Ellerbusch). This is the first report of this species in the mocosocoBirds region for 2013. 60 Killdeer and 1 Least Sandpiper round out the shorebird tally.

Lincoln Park Gravel Pits

Pectoral Sandpipers, Lincoln Park Gravel Pits, NJ, Aug. 27, 2013 (digiscoped by Jonathan Klizas)

Pectoral Sandpipers, Lincoln Park Gravel Pits, NJ, Aug. 27, 2013 (digiscoped by Jonathan Klizas)

The same basic group of shorebirds as yesterday inhabited the Pits this morning (Roger Johnson, J. Klizas).
Semipalmated Plover – 2
Killdeer – 16
Solitary Sandpiper – 2
Lesser Yellowlegs – 2
Semipalmated Sandpiper – 3
Least Sandpiper – 27
Pectoral Sandpiper – 2

8 Great Egrets, 5 Great Blue Herons, an adult Bald Eagle, a Northern Harrier and 3 Blue-winged Teal were also present. Viceroys are numerous at the Pits right now.

Viceroy, Lincoln Park Gravel Pits, NJ, Aug. 27, 2013 (photo by Jonathan Klizas).

Viceroy, Lincoln Park Gravel Pits, NJ, Aug. 27, 2013 (photo by Jonathan Klizas).

Other Field Notes

From Linda Matula in Randolph:
A surprise Golden-crowned Kinglet was feeding in my shrubs this AM. Also, low cloud cover last evening pushed a Common Nighthawk into view. This is NOT an annual sighting.

From John J. Collins:
There was a Great Egret standing at the side of the pond preening itself at Duke Island Park in Bridgewater this afternoon. Other birds seen along the Raritan were Spotted Sandpiper and an adult Bald Eagle.

From Leslie Webster, yesterday Aug. 26, 2013:
News from Loantaka Brook Reservation: the East breezes were apparently favorable this AM for migrant warblers: 3 Common Yellowthroats, 2 Black-and-white, 4 American Redstart, 2 Magnolia, and 2 Yellow warblers were observed. A Brown Creeper was in one of the groups, as well. At Kitchell Pond, there were 2 Greater Yellowlegs grooming and feeding.

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Forster’s Tern and Shorebirds at the Pits, Aug. 26, 2013

Posted on August 26, 2013 by Jonathan Klizas
Lincoln Park Gravel Pits, NJ, Aug. 26, 2013 (photo by Jonathan Klizas).

Lincoln Park Gravel Pits, NJ, Aug. 26, 2013 (photo by Jonathan Klizas).

This space has mentioned many times how Morris County lacks shorebird habitat. It is an annual game of catch-as-catch-can. In the spring of 2012, Melanie Lane Wetlands was a good provider. Post Hurricane Irene in 2011 showcased McCarter Park, a.k.a. St. Clare’s Fields, in Denville as the flooded area hosted a goodly number of shorebird species. History from decades ago mentions Roxbury Pond in Succasunna and Boonton Reservoir, when it was drawn down and accessible, as viable shorebird locations.

2013 focuses on another historical venue in Morris County, the Lincoln Park Gravel Pits. Thanks to Roger Johnson’s exploration into the Pits yesterday, I set out to enjoy some Morris County shorebird action this morning. The water levels are excellent right now, which is not usually the case for the Pits in recent years.

Here is the list:
Semipalmated Plover – 1 juvenile
Killdeer – 20
Spotted Sandpiper – 1 juvenile
Solitary Sandpiper
Greater Yellowlegs
Lesser Yellowlegs – 2
Semipalmated Sandpiper
Least Sandpiper – 17, a mix of juveniles and adults.
Pectoral Sandpiper – 2
Modest by coastal standards, but a bounty for shorebird-starved inland Morris County.

Semipalmated Plover, Lincoln Park Gravel Pits, NJ, Aug. 26, 2013 (digiscoped by Jonathan Klizas).

Semipalmated Plover, Lincoln Park Gravel Pits, NJ, Aug. 26, 2013 (digiscoped by Jonathan Klizas).

Pectoral Sandpiper, Lincoln Park Gravel Pits, NJ, Aug. 26, 2013 (digiscoped by Jonathan Klizas).

Pectoral Sandpiper, Lincoln Park Gravel Pits, NJ, Aug. 26, 2013 (digiscoped by Jonathan Klizas).

The highlight of the morning was a Forster’s Tern which flew around the lake for 10 minutes before vanishing. This is only the fifth documented record of Forster’s Tern in Morris County. And, yes, digiscoping a flying Forster’s Tern is futile.

Forster's Tern (honestly), Lincoln Park Gravel Pits, NJ, Aug. 26, 2013 (an attempt at digiscoping by Jonathan Klizas).

Forster’s Tern (honestly), Lincoln Park Gravel Pits, NJ, Aug. 26, 2013 (an attempt at digiscoping by Jonathan Klizas).

Also present were a first year Bald Eagle, an Osprey, 3 Great Blue Herons, 1 Great Egret, 7 Green-winged Teal and double digit numbers of Wood Ducks.

Note: There is one known legitimate entry into the Gravel Pits from the northwest end. You are on your own if you enter elsewhere.

Other Field Notes

From Tom Halliwell, Aug. 25, 2013:
Alerted by a couple of “quok” calls, Connie and I noted 2 Night-Herons (presumably Black-crowned) flying along the Netcong edge of Lake Musconetcong at dusk this evening. We were without bins and did not get more than a silhouette look at them.  All the best, Tom.

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Sunday Field Notes, Aug. 25, 2013

Posted on August 25, 2013 by Jonathan Klizas

Two Yellow-breasted Chats in Morris Township

Two Yellow-breasted Chats were in Washington Valley, Morris Township this morning approximately one mile apart from each other. One was found along Patriots Path on Whitehead Rd. , a new location for this observer. The second was found by the paved portion of Patriots Path on Washington Valley Road, hereafter to be labeled Moody Farm (the 19th century proprietors). Moody Farm had at least one Chat, and possibly two, from May 30 through July 2. Breeding was never confirmed. These sightings are interesting because Morris County is not a hotspot for this species. One observation in a year is noteworthy and there were numerous reports in 2013: 1 in Mt. Olive Twp., 2 in Great Swamp NWR and the observations previously mentioned in Washington Valley. Otherwise, migration was a general no-show in the region this morning.

Olive-sided Flycatcher Continues in Rockaway Twp.

mocosocoBirds received a report this morning of the continuing Olive-sided Flycatcher (OSFL) at Sasso Tract in Rockaway Twp.  This marks the 9th day of this individual at this location, assuming it is the same OSFL, a remarkable feat of longevity for this species in this region.

Shorebirds in Lincoln Park

From Roger Johnson at Lincoln Park (formerly the Gravel Pits):
Solitary Sandpiper – 2
Greater Yellowlegs – 1
Lesser Yellowlegs – 1
Pectoral Sandpiper – 3
Least Sandpiper – 28
Semipalmated Sandpiper – 11
Killdeer – 25
Also, an adult Bald Eagle, 1st. yr. Bald Eagle, 3 Green-winged Teal, and 2 Great Egrets.

Blue-winged Teal at Melanie Lane Wetlands

Two Blue-winged Teal are at Melanie Lane Wetlands in Hanover Township, viewable from the south end near the Gopher Hole.

Chimney Rock

A “slow” day at Chimney Rock produced the following (Jeff Ellerbusch):
Blue-winged Warbler
Black-and-white Warbler – 2
American Redstart – 10
Magnolia Warbler
Chestnut-sided Warbler
Black-throated Blue Warbler
Canada Warbler – 1

Shorebirds at Loantaka Brook Reservation

From Leslie Webster:
News from Loantaka Brook Reservation: the woods were relatively quiet this morning. The Eastern Wood-Pewees persist, as well as a couple of Red-eyed Vireos. A Yellow-billed Cuckoo gave an extended first part of its song, but no kwoks followed. At Kitchell Pond, the Yellow-throated Vireo is still singing sporadically and in the shorebird category, there was a crazily-fishing Greater Yellowlegs, 2 more sedate Lesser Yellowlegs, a Spotted Sandpiper, and 2 Least Sandpipers. No warblers were spotted.

Common Nighthawks

The evening of Aug. 24 produced 10 Common Nighthawks in Morris Township on Kemble Mountain (J. Klizas) and 7 at Glenhurst Meadows in Warren Township (Jeff Ellerbusch).

Combined Morris and Somerset Co. Bar Graph

A bar graph combining Morris and Somerset Counties and generated from eBird data is here. This is a useful tool in visualizing the rhythm of migrating species in the mocosocoBirds region.

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Yellow-bellied and other Flycatchers, Aug. 24, 2013

Posted on August 24, 2013 by Jonathan Klizas

Gentle north winds overnight, the pre-dawn radar looked promising, the time of year was right for an August push of southbound migrants, but it depended on where you were.

It was a good morning at Chimney Rock. Jeff Ellerbusch tallied the following species:

Yellow-bellied Flycatcher
Eastern Kingbird – 10, including a flyover group of 9.
Red-eyed Vireo – 5
Cedar Waxwing – 40
Ovenbird
Worm-eating Warbler
Black-and-white Warbler – 15
Tennessee Warbler
American Redstart – 40
Northern Parula
Magnolia Warbler – 2
Yellow Warbler – 2
Chestnut-sided Warbler – 8
Black-throated Blue Warbler – 4
Black-throated Green Warbler
Canada Warbler – 2

Elsewhere, at Sasso Tract, nary a migrating warbler was found. It was generally inactive with all species. Nonetheless, the Olive-sided Flycatcher (OSFL) continued on the same snag as the previous day. This makes 8 days of this individual at Sasso assuming it is the same OSFL.

Alex Bernsweig managed a Least Flycatcher or two across Meriden Road along the Mining Road Trail AKA Righter Mining Trail (see the Sasso Tract map above).

Mike Hiotis found an Olive-sided Flycatcher at Glenhurst Meadows and put the Red-headed Woodpeckers in their proper geographical place in his JerseyBirds post which is here. The mocosocoBirds post Mike refers to is here.

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Olive-sided Flycatcher in Rockaway Twp., Aug. 23, 2013

Posted on August 23, 2013 by Jonathan Klizas
Olive-sided Flycatcher, Rockaway Twp., NJ, Aug. 23, 2013 (digiscoped by Jonathan Klizas)

Olive-sided Flycatcher, Rockaway Twp., NJ, Aug. 23, 2013 (digiscoped by Jonathan Klizas)

Olive-sided Flycatcher, Rockaway Twp., NJ, Aug. 23, 2013 (digiscoped by Jonathan Klizas)

Olive-sided Flycatcher, Rockaway Twp., NJ, Aug. 23, 2013 (digiscoped by Jonathan Klizas)

An Olive-sided Flycatcher (OSFL) was seen this morning at Sasso Tract, Rockaway Township. An OSFL was observed at the same place on Saturday, Aug. 17. Is this the same individual? Didn’t an OSFL recently stay at the Great Swamp for three days at least? Why wouldn’t one stay for a week in Rockaway. Roger Johnson and I also found a very modest collection of warblers: Magnolia, Black-and-white, Canada, Chestnut-sided, American Redstart and Common Yellowthroat. Other species included Wood Ducks, Great Blue Heron, Green Heron, Ruby-throated Hummingbird, Belted Kingfisher, Pileated Woodpecker, Blue-gray Gnatcatcher, Veery, Cedar Waxwing, Rose-breasted Grosbeak and the typical species of the area.

A Herring Gull seen at Lake Parsippany on Aug. 21 will usually not cause a fuss. The BirdLog app for submitting eBird data flagged it is as rare, which triggered a double-take in me. After looking at eBird data I understood why: it was the first Herring Gull reported to eBird from Morris and Somerset Counties since April.

The Little Blue Heron of Melanie Lane Wetlands never returned. A Northern Waterthrush was seen there on Aug. 22 (Jamie Glydon).

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Little Blue Heron in Hanover Twp., Aug. 20, 2013

Posted on August 20, 2013 by Jonathan Klizas
Little Blue Heron, Hanover Twp., NJ, Aug. 20, 2013 (digiscoped by Jonathan Klizas).

Little Blue Heron, Hanover Twp., NJ, Aug. 20, 2013 (digiscoped by Jonathan Klizas).

(Click on the photo for a larger image).

A juvenile Little Blue Heron spent the afternoon at Melanie Lane Wetlands stalking and hunting on the north side of the pond. At approximately 6:30 p.m., the Little Blue flew up, up and away and out of the area. It did not return. This is the second Little Blue Heron for Morris County in 2013. The first was in Millington (Long Hill Twp.) on April 28. This is a rare species for Morris County with only one report in 2012 and scattered few before that. Somerset County has them slightly more frequently. As this is being written, news has reached me that this individual may have been present yesterday. Otherwise, today in Melanie there were 2 Great Egrets, a Great Blue Heron, Solitary Sandpiper and Killdeer.

Little Blue Heron, Hanover Twp., NJ, Aug. 20, 2013 (digiscoped by Jonathan Klizas).

Little Blue Heron, Hanover Twp., NJ, Aug. 20, 2013 (digiscoped by Jonathan Klizas).

————-
As of last evening, Aug. 19, an Olive-sided Flycatcher was still in the vicinity of the north gate and overlook on Pleasant Plains Rd., Great Swamp. This represents the third straight day for whats is alleged to be the same individual. There are no reports today.

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Sunday Field Notes, Aug. 18, 2013

Posted on August 18, 2013 by Jonathan Klizas

This –

American Goldfinch, Troy Meadows, NJ, Aug. 18, 2013 (digiscoped by Jonathan Klizas).

American Goldfinch, Troy Meadows, NJ, Aug. 18, 2013 (digiscoped by Jonathan Klizas).

gets you that.

American Goldfinch, Troy Meadows, NJ, Aug. 18, 2013 (digiscoped by Jonathan Klizas).

American Goldfinch, Troy Meadows, NJ, Aug. 18, 2013 (digiscoped by Jonathan Klizas).

(Click on the photos for a larger image).

From Jamie Glydon at Troy Meadows:
Red-eyed Vireo, Blue-winged Warbler, Black-and-white Warbler (3), Chestnut-sided Warbler, Canada Warbler.

Also at Troy Meadows: Wood Duck (4), Great Blue Heron (2), Green Heron, Eastern Wood-Pewee (5), Eastern Kingbird (3), Common Yellowthroat (5) and Swamp Sparrow (8).

From Leslie Webster:
News from Loantaka Brook Reservation: a Winter Wren was singing in the woods and popped up into full view. A Yellow-Throated Vireo was singing at Kitchell Pond, joining the one or two Red-Eyed Vireos still singing. Two Spotted Sandpipers gave themselves a good bath and grooming, while two Killdeer and two Least Sandpipers foraged nearby. No warblers were spotted on this trip.

From Tim Vogel, Denville:
St. Clare’s fields, Denville
19 Killdeer this morning – numbers keep building. Hopefully they will pull something else in.

Great Swamp NWR:
Simon Lane viewed an Olive–sided Flycatcher near the North Gate of Pleasant Plains Rd., this morning – same individual as the previous evening? – a new arrival?

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