Tag Archives: ornithology

Great Swamp/Watchung Ridges Christmas Bird Count, Dec. 14, 2013

The 67th Great Swamp/Watchung Ridges Christmas Bird Count took place today in snowy conditions. The cold weather plaguing northern New Jersey since November froze most bodies of water creating a low diversity in waterfowl. Snow began falling shortly after sunrise … Continue reading

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Lesser Black-backed Gull at Lake Hopatcong, Dec. 12, 2013

At Lake Hopatcong, an adult Lesser Black-backed Gull was in the water northeast of Bertrand’s Island sitting with Ring-billed Gulls late this afternoon. This is the first Lesser Black-backed Gull of the season in Morris County. As dusk took over … Continue reading

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Wednesday Field Notes, Dec. 11, 2013

A Cackling Goose was seen today with a group of Canada Geese flying south over I-78 at mile marker 26.7 (Mike Britt). Lake Parsippany is freezing around the edges and is frozen at the south end. On the lake were … Continue reading

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Snow day for birding, Dec. 10, 2013

Today’s light snowfall (2-4 inches in the mocosocoBirds area) occurred during a time frame causing school closures as well as other public facilities. Feeder watching was the birding activity of the day for many. Steve Byland was fortunate to get … Continue reading

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Bonaparte’s Gull, Long-tailed Ducks and field notes, Dec. 7, 2013

Birds of Lake Hopatcong A Bonaparte’s Gull (BOGU) was dwarfed by the Herring Gull it was lying next to in the waters in Great Cove off Nolan’s Point at Lake Hopatcong this morning. A nearby boat must have disturbed the BOGU … Continue reading

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Red-headed Woodpeckers in Franklin Twp., Dec. 5, 2013

From Robert Skrabal: I saw at least three immature Red-headed Woodpeckers today at Colonial Park, Franklin Township. There were also 2 No. Pintails and 7 Am. Wigeons there. From Chris Williams at the same location: Immature Red-headed Woodpecker at Eco … Continue reading

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Long-tailed Ducks, Cackling Geese, Dec. 4, 2013

Long-tailed Ducks at Boonton Reservoir 3 Long-tailed Ducks, 1 drake and 2 hens, were viewed late this afternoon floating on the calm sheet of glass, otherwise known as Boonton Reservoir. They were visible from the footbridge at the north end of … Continue reading

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Tuesday Field Notes, Dec. 3, 2013

Duke Farms was active today with a sweep of the New Jersey woodpecker species (followed by their counts in parenthesis): Red-headed (1), Red-bellied (18), Yellow-bellied Sapsucker (6), Downy (12), Hairy (7), Northern Flicker (11) and Pileated (3). 100+ Fish Crows … Continue reading

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Red-necked Grebes, Red-headed Woodpeckers, Dec. 1, 2013

Two Red-necked Grebes (RNGR) were at Boonton Reservoir today. Since yesterday’s Lake Parsippany RNGR was not found at that location today, perhaps it skipped over to the nearby Reservoir joining the RNGR suspected to be here yesterday as well. This … Continue reading

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Eagles and Cranes, Nov. 29, 2013

Sandhill Cranes in Franklin Twp., NJ (photo by Michael Yuan) 6 Sandhill Cranes are in their usual haunts in Franklin Township. They are anywhere in the Randolph Road and Weston Canal Road area where there is a corn stubble field. ========== … Continue reading

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