February 23 - Boreal Chickadee in New Jersey !

This morning began at Long Island New York's Jones Beach.  We took the long walk from the West End 2 lot toward the jetty at Jones Inlet.  Our walk was worth it as we enjoyed the three Harlequin Ducks from very close range.  A surprise seen upon the jetty amongst the many Dunlin was a Red Knot, and it was in very nice plumage for a winter bird.
A stop at the Coast Guard Station yielded news of a nearby Northern Saw-Whet Owl that we viewed while eating a vole.  We weren't eating the vole the Owl was !

On the way home we stopped at Orchard Beach. Here we saw lots of evidence of other owls but we could not locate any here today.  Noteworthy here was a confiding male Pileated Woodpecker that gave very long looks as he searched for insects in a tree along the path by the beach.

Once home there was a report of a Boreal Chickadee being seen in New Jersey, something that hasn't occurred in about 35 years !  My wife was generous and took the ride out west one hour to the Merrill Creek Reservoir's Visitor Center. Alas, the bird had last been seen about 20 minutes before I arrived.
While others stood around looking at the feeders where it was most frequently being seen, I decided to watch the pines and brush about 150 feet away. After about 45 minutes I was able to get a couple of brief looks at the Boreal Chickadee ! 

click to enlarge

credit: Chuck H.