May 31 - Blue Chip Farm and High Point

I awoke early this morning and quickly decided to head north into Ulster County, New York to look for Upland Sandpiper at Blue Chip Farms. I arrived at 7 a.m and shortly after found the sandpiper. A little bit later a second sandpiper was seen. The last time I saw this species was in the fall of 2007, so it was very nice to see again, particularly since this bird's population in the northeast continues to drop.
credit: http://www.center-ecological-research.org/assets/images/upland_sandpiper1-1may200103.jpg

After that, and being concerned about getting stuck in holiday traffic, I left here just after 8 and headed southwest to hit the High Point State Park. Once in the park I drove the Ridge Road loop and then took Sawmill Road to its junction with Deckertown Pike. Here in the boggy area on the corner I found both Willow and Alder Flycatchers. Driving back toward Route 23 I came across a Cerulean Warbler whose azure colors are always a treat. Next I stopped at Cat Swamp and saw some breeding Brown Creepers and heard them sing as well.

Credit: http://www.birdsource.org/gbbc/gallery/2006-photo-gallery/brcrnjdb.jpg/image_preview

Overall a very good morning of birding.

May 23 - New York Warblers

The specialty bird of Doodletown is the breath-taking Cerulean Warbler:
credit: http://missprint.files.wordpress.com/2008/10/dendroica-cerulea-002.jpg



Also seen was the handsome Worm-Eating Warbler:
credit: http://www.lloydspitalnikphotos.com/v/warblers/worm-eating_warbler/worm-eating_warbler_F5R0544.jpg.html


Next we headed to Sterling Forest for looks at the quickly declining Golden-winged Warbler:

May 29 - Belleplain & Heislerville

Out today with guys that force me listen hard in order to understand my native English...a visiting UK birder in Simon K., and a now resident Scotsman in Bill E.
We took the long ride down to the Delaware Bayshore areas in hopes of some uncommon shorebirds & the breeding specialties of Belleplain Forest. While we did not encounter any rarities at Heiserville we did enjoy the shorebirds, including a breeding plumaged White-Rumped Sandpiper.

At Belleplain we saw some life birds for Simon in the Acadian Flycatcher, Blue Grosbeak and Summer Tanager.
credit: http://www.westsidercd.org/Images/Blue-Grosbeak.jpg

credit: http://people.esam.northwestern.edu/~gbrown/images/tanager.jpg

May 22 - Kentucky & Prothonotary warblers

Early this morning Bill E. and I took a trip to help Simon K. get a life bird in the Kentucky Warbler. After some patience we were rewarded with fine looks at this stunning bird.

credit: http://www.naturescapes.net/phpBB3/viewtopic.php?f=3&t=178344

Also seen in the area today were Chimney Swift, Pewee, Great-Crested Flycatcher, Veery, Wood Thrush and the warblers of Chestnut-Sided, Black-and-White, Redstart, Ovenbird & Common Yellowthroat. Scarlet Tanager & Rose-Breasted Grosbeak also were seen.


Afterward, we ventured to Lord Stirling Park, which is adjacent to the Great Swamp NWR. Here we were able to see 3 of the Prothonotary Warbler. The last time I saw this species was back in 2008, so it was nice to see the beautiful "Golden Swamp-Warbler" once again.

credit: http://mayo.personcounty.net/Bird%20Folder/Songbirds/Prothonotary%20Warbler.jpg

Other birds seen in this area were Ruby-Throated Hummingbird, Willow Flycatcher, Cedar Waxwing, Blue-Winged Warbler, Northern Waterthrush and Baltimore Oriole.

May 16 - Mourning Warbler at Garret Mountain

Another visit to this hotspot in search of, and successful in finding the Mourning Warbler:

credit: http://i.pbase.com/g4/61/525761/2/60965599.MOWA03a_w.jpg

Also seen here today were warblers of Blue-Winged, Northern Parula, Yellow, Chestnut-Sided, Magnolia, BT Blue, BT Green, Blackburnian, Bay-Breasted, Black-and-White, Redstart, Ovenbird, Northern Waterthrush, Common Yellowthroat, Wilson's and Canada.

May 15 - Rare Godwit at Brigantine

May 11 - Garret Mountain

May 10 - Walker Avenue Swallowfest

May 10 - Garret again

2o species of warbler in just over 2 hours !

May 9 - Garret Mountain, rinse & repeat!

May 8 - Garret Mountain

Today I birded with Bill E. and new friend Simon K. and together we had great views of many warbler species today as well as many other species. On the day I recorded 20 warbler species with highlights being Cape May, Bay-Breasted, Wilson's along with Tennessee, NAshville, Parula, Yellow, Chestnut-Sided, Magnolia, BT Blue, Yellow Rumped, BT Green, Blackburnian, Prairie, Blackpoll, Black-and-White, Redstart, Ovenbird, Northern Waterthrush & Common Yellowthroat.

Flycatchers seen were a pair of Olive-Sided, Eastern Wood-Pewee, Least, and Great-Crested.
Thrushes were represented by Robin, Veery, Wood, Swainson's and Gray-Cheeked.

We also got partial & briefs views of a Great-Horned Owl that was being harassed by a mob of crows.

Overall a smashing day even with the short rain showers.

May 7 - Celery Farm

After work tonight I visited the Celery Farm in Allendale, NJ for a try at some marsh birds. While
I did not have any luck with them, among the swallows here I was able to see Tree, Rough-winged, Barn, and Bank.

As dusk approached Rob F. and I were able to see at least a half-dozen Common Nighthawks enjoying the airborne insects over the pond.

May 2 - Garret Mountain morning

I spent just a few hours here today and picked up some new birds for the year. Both species of cuckoo, Yellow-Billed & Black-Billed were seen. Flycatchers of Great-Created and Least put in appearances. My first Magnolia Warbler of the year was seen, as was Swainson's Thush.

May 1 - Sandy Hook

After a fantastic day at Garret yesterday I chose to do some beach birding with friends Rob F. and Kevin R. at Sandy Hook today. We had very good results although we missed some of the more sought-after species.
Overall I had 16 species of warblers. As a group we also got to see the Hook specialty of Piping Plover, as well as an early Semi-Palmated Plover, both Yellowlegs, Least Sandpiper, Snipe, and Oystercatcher.