tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-194929812024-03-13T10:50:44.622-04:00Jersey BirderJimhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09140260156815383384noreply@blogger.comBlogger555125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19492981.post-84963095712419585122020-12-19T09:10:00.029-05:002020-12-20T09:19:04.718-05:00December 19 - Bean Goose & Allen's Hummingbird<p> Today I chased the rarities that are being seen just outside of the Philadelphia area.</p><p>First up was the Allen's Hummingbird that is making appearances for 12 consecutive days at a private residence. This bird showed within 10-15 minutes of my arrival and offered fine views as it sipped nectar from the feeder that now has a heater connected to it.</p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-lVm6vWabDkk/X99dSqCJXCI/AAAAAAAAHUA/39iEccYF2qci_3FelJVpdg8XLzQE813DgCLcBGAsYHQ/s1929/2020-12-19-PA-Springfiled-Allens%2BHummingbird.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1355" data-original-width="1929" height="281" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-lVm6vWabDkk/X99dSqCJXCI/AAAAAAAAHUA/39iEccYF2qci_3FelJVpdg8XLzQE813DgCLcBGAsYHQ/w400-h281/2020-12-19-PA-Springfiled-Allens%2BHummingbird.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /> <p></p><p>I then went over to the Crum Creek Reservoir for a try at the putative Tundra Bean Goose.</p><p>The bird was present, along with several dozen other birders, when I arrived. There were initial good views from the dam area, and then better views from the roadside above the reservoir. Finally the best views came from the gracious homeowner's pool deck.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Ol254XJHNV8/X99c-Z2R0II/AAAAAAAAHT4/YYMsiFhMHuYTLe46gKl-r7dx7c7A170sACLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/Screenshot_2020-12-20%2BTundra%2BBean%2BGoose.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1366" data-original-width="2048" height="266" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Ol254XJHNV8/X99c-Z2R0II/AAAAAAAAHT4/YYMsiFhMHuYTLe46gKl-r7dx7c7A170sACLcBGAsYHQ/w400-h266/Screenshot_2020-12-20%2BTundra%2BBean%2BGoose.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><p><br /></p><p> <br /></p>Jimhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09140260156815383384noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19492981.post-61760655950150248202020-11-02T07:27:00.004-05:002020-11-03T07:39:45.995-05:00November 2 - Common Cuckoo in RI !<p> </p><p> Yesterday morning, Sunday, there was a report of a Common Cuckoo being seen at the Snake Den Farm in Rhode Island. Ironically I was here just 5 weeks ago when visiting Greenwich, RI. Unfortunately I got word of this sighting too late in the day.</p><p>This morning, Monday, I waited for a positive report and got one just about 07:30 am...so I immediately headed out on the 175-mile drive. The morning traffic was thick and it took some time to get across the TZ Bridge (I commuted from Rockland to Westchester for 4 years of school, so I'll always refer to it as the TZ !) but once in Connecticut, and especially north of New Haven the drive was just fine.</p><p>I arrived at 10:40 and immediately got on the bird ! The bird was very active to the delight of myself and the crowd there. Every view you could want was provided. Here's some pictures from another birder who was kind enough to share.</p><p>ABA Lower-48 Area Lifer # 670 !!<br /></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-nO1PTPGCS6k/X6FM_pKf0sI/AAAAAAAAHRI/JnGSqHLQkrUQR8cRFf2_q7qWrZ7DHJfSQCLcBGAsYHQ/s1539/2020-11-02-RI-Snake%2BDen-Common%2BCuckoo-2.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1436" data-original-width="1539" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-nO1PTPGCS6k/X6FM_pKf0sI/AAAAAAAAHRI/JnGSqHLQkrUQR8cRFf2_q7qWrZ7DHJfSQCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/2020-11-02-RI-Snake%2BDen-Common%2BCuckoo-2.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-dCJkYt13z0Q/X6FNBdrMXSI/AAAAAAAAHRM/G9g_BNOe34o29R9tQtyQcQ6R72LiNmyUQCLcBGAsYHQ/s1879/2020-11-02-RI-Snake%2BDen-Common%2BCuckoo-1.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1276" data-original-width="1879" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-dCJkYt13z0Q/X6FNBdrMXSI/AAAAAAAAHRM/G9g_BNOe34o29R9tQtyQcQ6R72LiNmyUQCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/2020-11-02-RI-Snake%2BDen-Common%2BCuckoo-1.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-zQ6kZIqgyNA/X6FNDbK7QTI/AAAAAAAAHRQ/Lq2x89vix2UBJd0RP9MicZpKIuD5XKr5QCLcBGAsYHQ/s2043/2020-11-02-RI-Snake%2BDen-Common%2BCuckoo-3.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1338" data-original-width="2043" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-zQ6kZIqgyNA/X6FNDbK7QTI/AAAAAAAAHRQ/Lq2x89vix2UBJd0RP9MicZpKIuD5XKr5QCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/2020-11-02-RI-Snake%2BDen-Common%2BCuckoo-3.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /> <p></p>Jimhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09140260156815383384noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19492981.post-7053984405715979362020-07-08T07:49:00.004-04:002020-11-03T08:02:36.421-05:00July 7 - Ninigret Mudflats for Little Stint.<p>Today I returned to Rhode Island in search of another mega-rarity shorebird of Little Stint.</p><p>Again I left my house just after 04:30 for the drive out to Charlestown, RI's breachway. After arriving in the RV parking lot I then had to walk/wade out to the mudflats. Thankfully it was low tide and the water was just below my waist. </p><p>Immediately I was able to see the breeding plumaged Little Stint</p><p> </p><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-wyuOL7QLhBk/X6FUxTHF9oI/AAAAAAAAHSg/l1JE7LUY9-QjKL6hCBgMtYmv6nOTLVKmgCLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/2020-07-08-RI-Charlestown-Little%2BStint-2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1333" data-original-width="2048" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-wyuOL7QLhBk/X6FUxTHF9oI/AAAAAAAAHSg/l1JE7LUY9-QjKL6hCBgMtYmv6nOTLVKmgCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/2020-07-08-RI-Charlestown-Little%2BStint-2.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ij-UVeBa78o/X6FUxu6s8YI/AAAAAAAAHSk/GhQJXoPNsI0gDTDPZ8UiUXmOB0nTc_eCACLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/2020-07-08-RI-Charlestown-Little%2BStint-3.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1248" data-original-width="2048" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ij-UVeBa78o/X6FUxu6s8YI/AAAAAAAAHSk/GhQJXoPNsI0gDTDPZ8UiUXmOB0nTc_eCACLcBGAsYHQ/s320/2020-07-08-RI-Charlestown-Little%2BStint-3.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br /> <p></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p>Jimhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09140260156815383384noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19492981.post-31713688837859605592020-06-30T07:41:00.001-04:002020-11-03T07:49:30.291-05:00June 30 - Terek Sandpiper at Napatree Point, RI<p> A mega-rarity was reported on Sunday afternoon up in Rhode Island. Unfortunately I had to work all day on Monday... so Tuesday would be my chance to try for this visitor from Siberia.</p><p>I left home at 04:30 and arrived in Watch Hill, RI just past 07:15...only to then take the .75 mile walk out on Napatree Point to the lagoon area where the bird had been seen. Fortunately when I arrived the bird appeared in the distance, and then came closer during its time here this morning. After about 20 minutes the bird flew away to the island in the bay. So it was a great morning, as I got to see a bird that likely I will not see again...unless I go to Siberia ! <br /></p><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-KhCvWbBF67I/X6FRCnoq5eI/AAAAAAAAHRs/WJIlvWmQeqEyJRYfv9_scxiF8dSOlTQQACLcBGAsYHQ/s1030/2020-06-30-RI-Napatree-Terek%2BSandpiper-1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1030" data-original-width="1019" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-KhCvWbBF67I/X6FRCnoq5eI/AAAAAAAAHRs/WJIlvWmQeqEyJRYfv9_scxiF8dSOlTQQACLcBGAsYHQ/s320/2020-06-30-RI-Napatree-Terek%2BSandpiper-1.JPG" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-URvOagSzRy0/X6FRCqI6UhI/AAAAAAAAHRo/z6jZDte5j2IbvyQHZyg0LoCw4z6nHBjNQCLcBGAsYHQ/s1883/2020-06-30-RI-Napatree-Terek%2BSandpiper-3.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1347" data-original-width="1883" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-URvOagSzRy0/X6FRCqI6UhI/AAAAAAAAHRo/z6jZDte5j2IbvyQHZyg0LoCw4z6nHBjNQCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/2020-06-30-RI-Napatree-Terek%2BSandpiper-3.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-PSUbwE_utnk/X6FRCnl3ihI/AAAAAAAAHRw/Um7J1APhsaQGdSLDM0N-cDXWUl7Ctu2jACLcBGAsYHQ/s1462/2020-06-30-RI-Napatree-Terek%2BSandpiper-5.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1454" data-original-width="1462" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-PSUbwE_utnk/X6FRCnl3ihI/AAAAAAAAHRw/Um7J1APhsaQGdSLDM0N-cDXWUl7Ctu2jACLcBGAsYHQ/s320/2020-06-30-RI-Napatree-Terek%2BSandpiper-5.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-b4zQsPERvxk/X6FRC9mlklI/AAAAAAAAHR4/tsQk3JDbQXU0GViAO_faoVcr57wJzwyHQCLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/2020-06-30-RI-Napatree-Terek%2BSandpiper-6.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1338" data-original-width="2048" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-b4zQsPERvxk/X6FRC9mlklI/AAAAAAAAHR4/tsQk3JDbQXU0GViAO_faoVcr57wJzwyHQCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/2020-06-30-RI-Napatree-Terek%2BSandpiper-6.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br /><p><br /></p>Jimhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09140260156815383384noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19492981.post-23254673557238772772020-05-27T15:16:00.002-04:002020-05-28T11:58:20.716-04:00May 27 - Historic Aerial Photos of Garret MountainWith Spring Migration winding down I found myself looking at some old aerial photos of Garret Mountain. My initial thoughts were that these photos would clearly show a significant decline in tree cover over the decades...due to development, pollution, climate change etc.<br />
I was surprised to find that the Tree Coverage appears the opposite of what my impression was, that Garret now appears to be more thickly covered in trees than in the past.<br />
Of course making judgements from some old, two-dimensional photos is incomplete at best.<br />
<br />
Did older photos accurately capture accurate images ?<br />
Were these older images taken before the Spring Leaf-Out and/or After the Fall ?<br />
Are the new images taken, with curren tbetter optics, when leaves are out ?<br />
Do the new images artificially enhance 'greenery' ?<br />
Even if it appears there is more tree cover, they may not be native trees ?<br />
From the photos you cannot tell what the Tree Understory habitat was / is like ?<br />
Several other questions come to mind, but I'll leave them as thoughts to ponder...<br />
<br />
Here's the website for you to draw your own inferences (and to check out any other place you wish to see its changes over the decades)<br />
https://www.historicaerials.com/viewer<br />
<br />
Here's some images to get the thoughts going.<br />
<br />
Click on the Images to enlarge<br />
<br />
1953: appears to show larger open areas, but tough to be certain due to the photo quality <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-MFsmr2X3ZxU/Xs67O9Ho2XI/AAAAAAAAG14/PRd0c1mJ6Ws-RqujUCyUQ2JbKk1fwk9dACLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/2020-05-27%2B14.54.40.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="611" data-original-width="1121" height="216" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-MFsmr2X3ZxU/Xs67O9Ho2XI/AAAAAAAAG14/PRd0c1mJ6Ws-RqujUCyUQ2JbKk1fwk9dACLcBGAsYHQ/s400/2020-05-27%2B14.54.40.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
1966: appears to show tree cover increasing, and this would be before artifical enhancement<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-5EaWwYvD4K0/Xs67oa-CppI/AAAAAAAAG2A/BGqnhMrddToF9oWmGtKnSQTN3BQoYEyEgCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/2020-05-27%2B14.55.04.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="607" data-original-width="1123" height="215" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-5EaWwYvD4K0/Xs67oa-CppI/AAAAAAAAG2A/BGqnhMrddToF9oWmGtKnSQTN3BQoYEyEgCLcBGAsYHQ/s400/2020-05-27%2B14.55.04.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
2013: Greenery appears on the increase, particulary as one approaches Route 80.<br />
Maybe this photo is enhanced to be more appealing to the eyes ?<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-h5kMUMxZ7NY/Xs68AjFP-jI/AAAAAAAAG2I/K_s-GF19kIInwdPU_QDTrLYf4QVfbItVwCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/2020-05-27%2B14.55.31.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="606" data-original-width="1125" height="215" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-h5kMUMxZ7NY/Xs68AjFP-jI/AAAAAAAAG2I/K_s-GF19kIInwdPU_QDTrLYf4QVfbItVwCLcBGAsYHQ/s400/2020-05-27%2B14.55.31.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
Check out the site, have fun, and let me know what you think, either on this blog or via the Garret Mountain Group Me messagesJimhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09140260156815383384noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19492981.post-86475420625937430242020-02-02T13:44:00.000-05:002020-02-03T13:54:36.806-05:00February 2 - Super Day of BirdingWell, Super Bowl Sunday is here ! Today we started down in Toms River in the cranberry bogs off of Dover Avenue because a Northern Shrike has been reported from here. We arrived just about 08:00 am & after a 30-minute wait the Shrike was flushed up from it's low position by a photographer walking the dikes of the bogs.<br />
The bird spent some time perched atop a pine tree offering fine looks before heading to a deciduous tree that gave even better looks.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-pH5yoSya9es/XjhrTKPkBlI/AAAAAAAAGyQ/MvOyuHFQOX8egT0sYVcEldXG9rLF_HMdwCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/2020-02-03%2B13.44.35.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="593" data-original-width="554" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-pH5yoSya9es/XjhrTKPkBlI/AAAAAAAAGyQ/MvOyuHFQOX8egT0sYVcEldXG9rLF_HMdwCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/2020-02-03%2B13.44.35.jpg" width="298" /></a></div>
click to enlarge<br /><br />
Our next stop was another spot in Ocean County at Manasquan Inlet. Here we had nice close views of a Razorbill, perhaps two individuals. In this very mild winter it was a treat to get an alcid.<br />
<br />
We then hit the traditional spots along the long-birded 'North Shore Trip' from Manasquan to points north. Along the way we picked up the Eurasian Wigeon at it's annual spot within the Shark River Inlet near the 7-11.<br />
<br />
We saw lots of other good birds today at the various ponds like Gadwall, Greater Scaup with some Lesser Scaup mixed in.<br />
<br />
One last stop at Sandy Hook produced the over-wintering Ash-Throated Flycatcher as a great way to end the day before going home to enjoy the game (but not so much for the 49er's !!)Jimhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09140260156815383384noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19492981.post-69004101349710694202020-01-18T13:55:00.000-05:002020-02-03T13:57:18.686-05:00January 18 - Ridgewood Duck PondA very brief stop today, with my wife waiting in the car, gave me good looks at the Red-Headed Woodpecker adult that is spending the winter at this local pond.<br />
<br />
Other woodpeckers seen today were Yellow-Bellied Sapsucker, ad Red-Bellied Woodpecker. Jimhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09140260156815383384noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19492981.post-10837226844351732672020-01-11T14:04:00.000-05:002020-02-03T14:10:15.112-05:00January 11 - Guillemot at BarnegatToday involved a longer trip down to the Barnegat Lighthouse to chase a rare NJ species of Black Guillemot.<br />
The last time the bird was at Barnegat was about 10 years ago and I never had the time to go for it, so it was fantastic to finally add this species to my NJ Life List.<br />
The looks were distant across the inlet but we waited long enough for the tide to go slack & for the sun to come out and give us very nice looks.<br />
Across the inlet I could see friend Larry S in his blue hat getting very close photos of the birds from the Island Beach State Park side of the inlet. Hmm, I bet he even got a ride down the beach in his friend 4WD vehicle !<br />
<br />
We had wonderfully close view of the Harlequin Ducks along the seawall here, as well as the 'Queen' Eider (female King Eider), Common Eider is various plumages, along with Northern Gannets, and all three Scoter species, Long-Tailed Ducks, Razorbills, Boat-Tailed Grackles, Great Cormorants, Red-Breasted Mergansers, Purple Sandpipers, Ruddy Turnstone, Dunlin, and both Loons. <br />
<br />
Here's two of Larry's fine images. the rest can be seen on<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/larrybird13/with/49368684941/"> his Flick site</a><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-hUCrUSCvYgM/XjhuagyqJyI/AAAAAAAAGyc/w5liG3IGLzkMfGVVWJjWMsn8NWpL1FeHACLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/2020-02-03%2B13.58.15.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="648" data-original-width="1027" height="251" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-hUCrUSCvYgM/XjhuagyqJyI/AAAAAAAAGyc/w5liG3IGLzkMfGVVWJjWMsn8NWpL1FeHACLcBGAsYHQ/s400/2020-02-03%2B13.58.15.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-oR3-35LJUmE/XjhuiX6YddI/AAAAAAAAGyg/Enj6K_GbUZUqXpSYOgdR-CmhiFZv8UAhwCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/2020-02-03%2B13.58.10.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="619" data-original-width="1011" height="243" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-oR3-35LJUmE/XjhuiX6YddI/AAAAAAAAGyg/Enj6K_GbUZUqXpSYOgdR-CmhiFZv8UAhwCLcBGAsYHQ/s400/2020-02-03%2B13.58.10.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
On the way home we stopped in Franklin Township for the dozen or so Sandhill Cranes that are still enjoying the corn stubble fields despite the construction of the warehouse !Jimhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09140260156815383384noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19492981.post-48476202059720965962020-01-01T14:11:00.000-05:002020-02-03T14:14:24.326-05:00January 1 - New Year beginsWe started out at Jones Beach this morning in hopes of the Snowy Owl, unfortunately we did not see it because it was further to the west at Nickerson Beach.<br />
We did get to see the Painted Bunting again, after seeing it last weekend as well. Razorbills were seen too. I was able to get a very distant view of the Black-Headed Gull seen from the Coast Guard Station.<br />
Overall lots of good species were seen even though we missed out on the Snowy Owl.Jimhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09140260156815383384noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19492981.post-62765505018123194912019-12-21T08:32:00.000-05:002019-12-23T08:45:08.291-05:00December 21 - New York Golden EagleToday started with an attempt for Golden Eagle. This species has been over-wintering annually along the Hudson River and surrounding area for many years now. One of the most reliable spots for viewing the Golden Eagle is the Storm King State Park parking area on Route 9W North in the town of Cornwall-on-the-Hudson (<span>41.423057, -74.000846).</span><br />
<br />
<span>Fortunately for us we waited just over 30 minutes for the Eagle to make its appearance, which happened shortly after 08:15 am. </span><br />
<span>I first spotted the bird over a distant saddle and the bird continued coming closer, finally perching on the rock face to the north of the parking area. This spot offered spectacular views of the Golden Hackles.</span><br />
<span>We then watched the bord for several minutes as it flew around gaining altitide before flying overhead westerly to the Storm Kink area.</span><br />
<span><br /></span>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-DE3oq7mQMP4/XgDEz4eVJhI/AAAAAAAAGxU/c-Tr21ABIHEd9_SjS0x6G_R3kk2sp1qfgCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/goea.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="820" data-original-width="1024" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-DE3oq7mQMP4/XgDEz4eVJhI/AAAAAAAAGxU/c-Tr21ABIHEd9_SjS0x6G_R3kk2sp1qfgCLcBGAsYHQ/s400/goea.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<span><br /></span>
<br />
Jimhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09140260156815383384noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19492981.post-6026782346891116532019-12-15T11:52:00.001-05:002019-12-15T11:55:07.749-05:00December 15 - Bergen County Round-UpToday's birding was brief but successful. We got the three county targets we were after. First up was the Greater White-Fronted Goose at Overpeck.<br />
<br />
next we stopped in Ridgewood at the Duck Pond for the adult Red-Headed Woodpecker.<br />
<br />
<br />
Finally we stopped at the Celery Farm to get a look at the Rufous Hummingbird coming to a private feeder.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-XsMWfdUROKg/XfZlUQphEyI/AAAAAAAAGwc/0NyxIqqrdx8qy3TM4TGse4b7vhhy5WaewCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/49008651106_a589e608a9_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="213" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-XsMWfdUROKg/XfZlUQphEyI/AAAAAAAAGwc/0NyxIqqrdx8qy3TM4TGse4b7vhhy5WaewCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/49008651106_a589e608a9_o.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />Jimhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09140260156815383384noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19492981.post-80141200389459437392019-12-08T12:46:00.000-05:002019-12-15T11:58:28.388-05:00December 8 - State Rarities Chase DayToday we went all the way south to chase the rarities in Cape May. Our first target was the Mountain Bluebird, however we did not see it. Later we found the reason..evidently the Bluebird was predated last evening and all that was left was a file of feathers !<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Zz9VoUCsC9U/Xe6JmL9EiPI/AAAAAAAAGv8/FB5B4vpiBdUxB5RcXD9sV9EvGAwqat1-gCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/IMG-20191208-WA0002.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="721" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Zz9VoUCsC9U/Xe6JmL9EiPI/AAAAAAAAGv8/FB5B4vpiBdUxB5RcXD9sV9EvGAwqat1-gCLcBGAsYHQ/s400/IMG-20191208-WA0002.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>
We also made a stop in the Villas to have a look at Harvey's special guest...a Black-Chinned Hummingbird !<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-2qgsdXzH11c/XfZl41ZquHI/AAAAAAAAGwk/_kqOVJzTzOI395EnYKoX1TQLH5l-w4otwCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/rufous.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-2qgsdXzH11c/XfZl41ZquHI/AAAAAAAAGwk/_kqOVJzTzOI395EnYKoX1TQLH5l-w4otwCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/rufous.png" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
Fortune gave us another chance as a male Painted Bunting was reported at a nearby home. While the bird was not there when we arrived, after a short wait I spotted the bird coming into the feeder:<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-QwNYWXFRFXs/Xe6J3LETXRI/AAAAAAAAGwE/AKMNtDwziN0h7gcOAqg01t4COYHrU4M1gCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/IMG-20191208-WA0001.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="901" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-QwNYWXFRFXs/Xe6J3LETXRI/AAAAAAAAGwE/AKMNtDwziN0h7gcOAqg01t4COYHrU4M1gCLcBGAsYHQ/s400/IMG-20191208-WA0001.jpg" width="225" /></a></div>
<br />
On our way back north we cut across the state westward and made a stop at Burlington County's Croft Farm. Here we joined outher birders and quickly relocated the cooperative Le Conte's Sparrow which had been found here last weekend.<br />
This is just the second time I've seen this species, with my last view back in 2009 !<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-I81IZgMbf8s/Xe6K3SyjsAI/AAAAAAAAGwQ/liLS3Q3aQ30eK9SrhnH8t17zACKeGLUdACLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/2019-12-09%2B12.56.04.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="674" data-original-width="819" height="328" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-I81IZgMbf8s/Xe6K3SyjsAI/AAAAAAAAGwQ/liLS3Q3aQ30eK9SrhnH8t17zACKeGLUdACLcBGAsYHQ/s400/2019-12-09%2B12.56.04.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />Jimhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09140260156815383384noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19492981.post-9779028825022384152019-10-06T08:54:00.000-04:002019-10-10T12:51:39.858-04:00October 6 - Results of California tripI finally got around to knocking an item off my bucket list !<br />
<div>
</div>
<div>
My
CA trip was setup for 2 pelagics, one out of Half Moon Bay, and the other out of Monterey Bay.</div>
<br />
<div>
Sunday September 29th was the first trip out of Half Moon Bay with Shearwater Journeys. I
got to see my most wanted lifer -- South Polar Skua -- so that made the wait all the more worthwhile. We had several Skuas that
day, maybe 6-8, and a couple gave great close looks while the others
were distant flybys.<br />
Here's an image of a Skua that came directly over the boat.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-7i_LtueGWrQ/XZ85CJAu_pI/AAAAAAAAGsw/i8pOByiRnOorkksgBz56YpVRGY3-Jh2YwCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/2019-10-09%2B11.36.23.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="790" data-original-width="1190" height="265" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-7i_LtueGWrQ/XZ85CJAu_pI/AAAAAAAAGsw/i8pOByiRnOorkksgBz56YpVRGY3-Jh2YwCLcBGAsYHQ/s400/2019-10-09%2B11.36.23.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
click to enlarge:<br />
credit: Warren Whaley<br />
<br />
</div>
<div>
I also got the expected species
of Buller's & Short-Tailed Shearwaters (both lifers), and an
unexpected mega (obviously lifer) in the Wedge-Tailed Shearwater !!
The Wedge-Tailed makes up for the miss I had on the Flesh-Footed.<br />
Here is a Buller's Shearwater from the trip.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-mA2C8q5vvVc/XZ85OCNmM5I/AAAAAAAAGs0/1Ry3MhIVUx0VVusVBdO7dy0iRlelTldvQCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/2019-10-09%2B09.50.22.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="806" data-original-width="559" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-mA2C8q5vvVc/XZ85OCNmM5I/AAAAAAAAGs0/1Ry3MhIVUx0VVusVBdO7dy0iRlelTldvQCLcBGAsYHQ/s400/2019-10-09%2B09.50.22.jpg" width="276" /></a></div>
click to enlarge<br />
credit: Warren Whaley<br />
<br />
</div>
<div>
I
was very happy to see some Tufted Puffins (lifer), even ones with a bit
of the alternate plumage tufts ! This means I do not have to return
for a Farallons Trip...<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-j5KhU5w7648/XZ85UhV-cNI/AAAAAAAAGs8/a614PtN7A8gcTRogqMeQTYc04VQmhXJhACLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/48861460277_f77dd41638_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="266" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-j5KhU5w7648/XZ85UhV-cNI/AAAAAAAAGs8/a614PtN7A8gcTRogqMeQTYc04VQmhXJhACLcBGAsYHQ/s400/48861460277_f77dd41638_o.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
click to enlarge<br />
credit: Warren Whaley<br />
<br />
</div>
<div>
Finally I had two lifers in the Ashy Storm-Petrel and the Black Storm-Petrel.<br />
Here is a Black Storm-Petrel<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-nkAF3LdyybE/XZ85bwG3rII/AAAAAAAAGtA/Q_k-h1qaebcMlKOrMl1PWJKaNgqmFhedACLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/2019-10-09%2B09.52.12.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="570" data-original-width="898" height="253" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-nkAF3LdyybE/XZ85bwG3rII/AAAAAAAAGtA/Q_k-h1qaebcMlKOrMl1PWJKaNgqmFhedACLcBGAsYHQ/s400/2019-10-09%2B09.52.12.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
click to enlarge<br />
credit: Warren Whaley<br />
<br />
</div>
<div>
I
did get an upgrade on the Sabine's, but the alternate plumaged ones
were too far away to see that yellow-tip. Oh well, that one will have to
wait, I guess.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-7exsYDgvMus/XZ9dChcyrhI/AAAAAAAAGt4/CTAMIM_v5J44Lo7xFlKNzP0GdgVguEgDACLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/2019-10-10%2B12.31.19.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="686" data-original-width="1047" height="209" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-7exsYDgvMus/XZ9dChcyrhI/AAAAAAAAGt4/CTAMIM_v5J44Lo7xFlKNzP0GdgVguEgDACLcBGAsYHQ/s320/2019-10-10%2B12.31.19.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
click to enlarge</div>
<div>
credit: Warren Whaley<br />
<br />
I had only seen one LT Jaeger (in NJ) before so seeing a
few out there in CA were big upgrades too. </div>
<div>
Surfbird
was also a big upgrade as I had only seen one before, way back in 2004,
and it was far away. Seeing dozens from shore was great !! And I had
seen Black-Footed Albatross on a<a href="http://jerseybirder.blogspot.com/2010/11/november-13-san-diego-pelagic-coronado.html"> San Diego pelagic in 2010</a>, so seeing
another half-dozen on this trip was great but did not give me a new tick
!<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ERsQECy37Io/XZ85nbMHeUI/AAAAAAAAGtE/AM0iBgE6WAQyUe93EjZSbfQhZKmOu7WjQCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/2019-10-09%2B09.51.26.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="789" data-original-width="1189" height="265" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ERsQECy37Io/XZ85nbMHeUI/AAAAAAAAGtE/AM0iBgE6WAQyUe93EjZSbfQhZKmOu7WjQCLcBGAsYHQ/s400/2019-10-09%2B09.51.26.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
</div>
<div>
click to enlarge <br />
credit: Warren Whaley<br />
<br />
So, 7 lifers on the first pelagic was worth the costs & the wait.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
The
following weekend on Saturday, October 5th I went out of Monterey Bay but did not get any lifers.
While I saw many of the same species as Half Moon Bay, I only had better
looks at some species, and worse looks at others. Yet it was still
worth the second pelagic trip.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-HJGdttVf5wM/XZ86TIkLitI/AAAAAAAAGtY/GeeYFvB9uAg9BA4UZl0HQXiAdi-VdvvnACLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/48861254516_c38ae35499_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="213" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-HJGdttVf5wM/XZ86TIkLitI/AAAAAAAAGtY/GeeYFvB9uAg9BA4UZl0HQXiAdi-VdvvnACLcBGAsYHQ/s320/48861254516_c38ae35499_o.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
click to enlarge<br />
<span style="font-size: xx-small;">credit: <a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/144871758@N05/48860857862/">Ryan F Mandelbaum</a></span> </div>
<div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-G6vokmcPSFM/XZ86eoHbTpI/AAAAAAAAGtc/JGKlo2iLnMw_4esbdj0_1cEW32teveeGwCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/48861469982_85456c6cf1_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="213" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-G6vokmcPSFM/XZ86eoHbTpI/AAAAAAAAGtc/JGKlo2iLnMw_4esbdj0_1cEW32teveeGwCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/48861469982_85456c6cf1_o.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="font-size: xx-small;">click to enlarge </span><br />
<span style="font-size: xx-small;">credit: <a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/144871758@N05/48860857862/">Ryan F Mandelbaum</a></span></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
I
did some brief land birding and got 3 more lifers.<br />
I easily got the
Chestnut-Backked Chickadees, and a few Pacific Wrens too. Both of these
were expected. </div>
<div>
I then put in some early morning efforts to get the Marbled Murrelets so I was very, very happy about that.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-f6wSo-VQhAs/XZ88VM-I58I/AAAAAAAAGts/lVkLVrQoqSYLtA45Km7lBHTZ3iki37nqQCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/proxy.duckduckgo.com.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="902" data-original-width="1200" height="240" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-f6wSo-VQhAs/XZ88VM-I58I/AAAAAAAAGts/lVkLVrQoqSYLtA45Km7lBHTZ3iki37nqQCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/proxy.duckduckgo.com.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
credit: Slatremuseum.blogspot.com</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
My
goal for this trip was 10 lifers, simply because we're at the point now
where there really is no places that we can go and reach double-digit
lifers. Everything now will be onesies or twosies, and a very good trip would yield around four life birds.</div>
<div>
So
it was great to reach that goal, and to finally enjoy the results of
all my years of wintertime reading, and research, and dreaming, about
these Northern California pelagics. I guess my next goal is to return
one future day and do a pelagic out of Bodega Bay or other points
farther north to get a few more species I really want (Fork-Tailed
Storm-Petrel, Horned Puffin etc) but that will have to wait awhile. And I
may be better of going really north to places like Oregon or Seattle to
guarantee these species.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Overall
my trip list was just under 115 species, which is good but typically I
would get about 140-150 if I had spent more time land birding. </div>
<div>
Recap:</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Lifers</div>
<div>
South Polar Skua</div>
<div>
Buller's SW</div>
<div>
Short-Tailed SW</div>
<div>
Wedge-Tailed SW</div>
<div>
Tufted Puffin</div>
<div>
Ashy Storm-Petrel</div>
<div>
Black Storm-Petrel</div>
<div>
Chestnut-Backed Chickadee</div>
<div>
Pacific Wren</div>
<div>
Marbled Murrelet</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Upgrades and good birds</div>
<div>
Surfbird</div>
<div>
Sabine's Gull</div>
<div>
LT Jaeger plus the other two Jaegers</div>
<div>
Black Turnstones & Oystercatchers</div>
<div>
both Clarks and Western</div>
<div>
Rhino & Cassin's Auklets</div>
<div>
Fulmars (I've never seen one in NJ yet !)</div>
<div>
Golden-Crowned Sparrows</div>
<div>
Band-Tailed Pigeons</div>
<div>
Nuttalls WP</div>
<div>
Wandering Tattlers</div>
<div>
Townsend's Warbler</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
For the numbers, this trip puts me at 667 for Lower 48/Continental US.</div>
<div>
If I include Hawaii , I'm now at 693.</div>
<div>
I guess I gotta start thinking about how to get 7 more lifers as my next birding milestone !!</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
Jimhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09140260156815383384noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19492981.post-90198692763917712372019-05-04T09:40:00.000-04:002019-05-05T15:48:33.548-04:00May 4 - Wilson's Plover in New Jersey !Yesterday afternoon a NJ-rarity was reported but I could not leave work to try for it. This morning while driving toward Garret it was very foggy so I made a literal last-second decision to veer onto Route 287 south toward Sea Bright where the Wilson's Plover has been seen.<br />
I arrived just before 6:30 to find that Marc C. and Bob D. had already arrived and not found the bird. The pair walked north just outside the Piping Plover enclosure, as other birders of Bob A. and Peter K. also arrived to look for the Wilson's.<br />
After 30 minutes or so Marc & Bob D. left, and shortly thereafter so did Bob A. The weather started clearing so I began walking north in hopes of spotting the Wilson's. After about 200 yards I scoped farther north on maximum zoom and saw what appeared to be a dark-backed plover laying in the sand. I walked another 100 yards north and scoped again, this time I could be certain the bird was indeed the Wilson's Plover. I turned around to alert the other birders yet they had all left already !<br />
I continued walking another 150-200 yards north, stopping intermittently to scope the bird again and confirm it was the Wilson's.<br />
The Wilson's Plover is NJ Bird # 393 for me.<br />
<br />
click to enlarge<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-2bLIJB3nz9o/XM7qZwPC83I/AAAAAAAAGp8/p9g_d_QUR7UCAxTCzEzQe_5kGDaC5UsVQCLcBGAs/s1600/2019-05-04-NJ-Sea%2BBright-Wilson%2527s%2BPlover.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1028" data-original-width="1600" height="256" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-2bLIJB3nz9o/XM7qZwPC83I/AAAAAAAAGp8/p9g_d_QUR7UCAxTCzEzQe_5kGDaC5UsVQCLcBGAs/s400/2019-05-04-NJ-Sea%2BBright-Wilson%2527s%2BPlover.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Other species seen here today were Piping Plovers, Sanderling, Oystercatchers, Willet, Spotted Sandpiper, Gannet, Common and Least Terns, and a Merlin that took a Barn Swallow while in flight !</div>
<br />Jimhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09140260156815383384noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19492981.post-77391734332594108382019-04-28T14:25:00.000-04:002019-05-05T14:44:29.671-04:00April 28 - Local rarities chaseTwo rare birds were found nearby to each other, one in Middlesex County & the other in Somerset County.<br />
First up was the Cattle Egret at Negri-Nepote Grasslands in Somerset.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Yw9gSktyCyE/XM8reShpNWI/AAAAAAAAGqY/o7MOKxK1JG4VOgLyTNw_BruR71VeA-uPwCLcBGAs/s1600/40760151233_5208cb43f9_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="266" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Yw9gSktyCyE/XM8reShpNWI/AAAAAAAAGqY/o7MOKxK1JG4VOgLyTNw_BruR71VeA-uPwCLcBGAs/s400/40760151233_5208cb43f9_o.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
credit: <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/larrybird13/40760151233/">Larry Scacchetti</a><br />
<br />
Shortly afterwards we sent to Bicentennial Park and saw the very cooperative Prothonotary Warbler.<br />
The bird was gathering nesting material and showing this off to a female. <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-P-8IN1dni6E/XM8rS5sbXUI/AAAAAAAAGqU/ULcAr4OqVb4XwgVK2XujEOGvDoGyo3QtgCLcBGAs/s1600/2019-04-28-NJ-Prothonotary.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-P-8IN1dni6E/XM8rS5sbXUI/AAAAAAAAGqU/ULcAr4OqVb4XwgVK2XujEOGvDoGyo3QtgCLcBGAs/s400/2019-04-28-NJ-Prothonotary.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
Both of these birds were drive-up/walk-up birds...so you cannot ask for anything easier.Jimhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09140260156815383384noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19492981.post-6512271914123496212019-04-20T14:09:00.000-04:002019-10-10T12:56:07.481-04:00April 20 - Local RarityThis morning there was a rare bird and for a nice change it was local. Located in nearby Morris Plains was a western vagrant of the Black-Headed Grosbeak.<br />
This is my first sighting of this species in New Jersey.<br />
<br />
<img alt="Black-headed Grosbeak" height="265" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/32719252837_8277c5530c_b.jpg" width="400" /><br />
<br />
credit: Larry ScacchettiJimhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09140260156815383384noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19492981.post-72477346418482834272019-04-14T14:17:00.000-04:002019-05-05T14:24:10.675-04:00April 14 - Garret Mountain and Long-Eared OwlA first for me in Passaic County was this Long-Eared Owl found at Garret Mountain.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-IFDZDN7Lmv8/XM8pmASkgiI/AAAAAAAAGqI/KgHzRy_MsHQqER7MqfrZB69gNWerkXf8wCLcBGAs/s1600/46701836815_0dbc2647ea_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="266" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-IFDZDN7Lmv8/XM8pmASkgiI/AAAAAAAAGqI/KgHzRy_MsHQqER7MqfrZB69gNWerkXf8wCLcBGAs/s400/46701836815_0dbc2647ea_o.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />Jimhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09140260156815383384noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19492981.post-21525137228368290182019-03-16T10:03:00.000-04:002019-03-19T10:16:38.373-04:00March 16 - Washington County RaritiesThis morning we took the 175-mile trek up to New York State's Washington County. First stop was in the town of Salem where we had wonderful views of Pine Grosbeaks. I had not seen this species in 6 years so it was a treat. At one point the birds were having a drink of water practically at our feet !<br />
<br />
click to enlarge<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-yKoT6GiBpgY/XJD3bNNNyvI/AAAAAAAAGoY/wOKvsqoPwdIsxnSuj4qXxlAHIyFYmEXkQCLcBGAs/s1600/Pine%2BGrosbeak%2B7.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1132" data-original-width="1600" height="280" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-yKoT6GiBpgY/XJD3bNNNyvI/AAAAAAAAGoY/wOKvsqoPwdIsxnSuj4qXxlAHIyFYmEXkQCLcBGAs/s400/Pine%2BGrosbeak%2B7.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<span style="font-size: xx-small;">Credit: Scott Varney</span><br />
<br />
<br />
Afterwards we visited the Fort Edward Grasslands, where we had several Long-Eared Owls.<br />
<br />
<img height="265" src="https://download.ams.birds.cornell.edu/api/v1/asset/146122931/640" width="400" /><br />
<br />
<br />
There were also a pair of Short-Eared Owls too !Jimhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09140260156815383384noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19492981.post-78997106908312498182019-03-09T10:13:00.000-05:002019-03-19T10:15:46.817-04:00March 9 - Shawangunk Grasslands<br />
<div style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;">
<img alt="Image result for short-eared owl" height="225" src="https://www.wildlifetrusts.org/sites/default/files/styles/node_hero_default/public/2017-12/Short-eared%20Owl%20%C2%A9%20Danny%20Green%202020VISION.jpg?h=77754cc7&itok=7u3BqRzM" width="400" /></div>
<br />
This evening I brought my wife along to meet up with my regular friends at the Shawangunk Grasslands in Ulster County's Galeville, NY.<br />
<br />
Here we waited for and saw 3 of the Short-Eared Owls that are being seen each evening during the months of February and March. Very Soon they will be gone north.<br />
<br />Jimhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09140260156815383384noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19492981.post-24681661137053383892019-03-03T10:11:00.000-05:002019-03-19T10:12:44.894-04:00March 3 - Return to Merrill CreekWith only brief looks last weekend at the Boreal Chickadee, a return trip to Merrill Creek was on the docket today. I arrived and immediately had the bird at very close range, and at points it appeared on the feeding station.<br />
<br />
Later I also saw the female Barrow's Goldeneye from the Hawkwatch Overlook by the I/O Tower.Jimhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09140260156815383384noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19492981.post-61080530125278775362019-02-23T14:23:00.000-05:002019-02-24T10:36:21.135-05:00February 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.<br />
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 !<br />
<br />
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.<br />
<br />
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.<br />
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 ! <br />
<br />
click to enlarge<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-1J-At6-OtmM/XHK5kq7uPfI/AAAAAAAAGno/DxMC6Sf-qVsmX9JfQVvbb3tSilo0mIFVQCLcBGAs/s1600/2019-02-23-NJ-Boreal%2BChickadee2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="675" data-original-width="1054" height="255" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-1J-At6-OtmM/XHK5kq7uPfI/AAAAAAAAGno/DxMC6Sf-qVsmX9JfQVvbb3tSilo0mIFVQCLcBGAs/s400/2019-02-23-NJ-Boreal%2BChickadee2.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
credit: Chuck H.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
Jimhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09140260156815383384noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19492981.post-16236338319222235272019-02-17T10:44:00.000-05:002019-02-24T10:45:16.570-05:00February 17 - Coastal ConnecticutWith not many rare birds being present in New Jersey this weekend we decided to head 2.5 hours north along the coast of Connecticut. Our first destination was in New London's Ocean Beach Park.<br />
Here a long-staying King Eider has been present since December. The bird was seen eating lots of mussels and was incredibly close and on very calm water.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-4_PkkPf9RGg/XHK6uQ8TiaI/AAAAAAAAGn0/u6vJtsx2auEuDBYqpPE_6kHEt91tJZIwgCLcBGAs/s1600/2019-02-17-King%2BEider-CT-Ocean%2BBeach%2BPark-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="992" data-original-width="1487" height="266" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-4_PkkPf9RGg/XHK6uQ8TiaI/AAAAAAAAGn0/u6vJtsx2auEuDBYqpPE_6kHEt91tJZIwgCLcBGAs/s400/2019-02-17-King%2BEider-CT-Ocean%2BBeach%2BPark-2.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
click to enlarge. Credit: Unknown<br />
<br />
We then headed back towards home, with the first stop being at Madison's Hammonasset State Park.<br />
Here we had great looks at a nicely plumaged Lapland Longspur. In most years this species can be seen in good numbers out at New York's Jones Beach and other coastal beaches. However this year has been bitterly cold but without much snow cover making this Lapland the only one I have seen at all.<br />
<br />
Our final stop was at Greenwich Point Park, a return trip for me as I has been out here just 2 weeks ago. We easily found the Black-Headed Gull, and also the pair of Great_Horned Owls in the Holly Grove. Nearby we check some other pines and Andy was able to spot a Northern Saw-Whet Owl !Jimhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09140260156815383384noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19492981.post-65280605471355848902019-02-10T10:46:00.000-05:002019-02-24T10:50:47.547-05:00February 10 - Townsend's WarblerToday we went out southwest to Trenton to visit it's Sewage Treatment Plant. I'm not kidding !<br />
Attracted to the continually flowing water and the insects that thrive here all winter long was a western vagrant in the form of Townsend's Warbler.<br />
This is my first east coast sighting of this species, and it is quite the beauty:<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-JY1ySAVJY_s/XHK86gJxKgI/AAAAAAAAGoA/TZjA-kVmDF0K8T6ITkT6zWhAr8IULkA8gCLcBGAs/s1600/2019-02-10-NJ-Townsends-Warbler%2527.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="683" data-original-width="1024" height="266" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-JY1ySAVJY_s/XHK86gJxKgI/AAAAAAAAGoA/TZjA-kVmDF0K8T6ITkT6zWhAr8IULkA8gCLcBGAs/s400/2019-02-10-NJ-Townsends-Warbler%2527.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
Afterward we went to Assunpink Wildlife Management Area to see the pair of Trumpeter Swans.<br />
On our way back home we spotted a large flock of over 5,000 Snow Geese. We scanned the flock for a bit and Andy was able to locate a Ross' Goose within the flock.Jimhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09140260156815383384noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19492981.post-65186981065657034292019-01-13T17:27:00.000-05:002019-01-14T18:04:12.531-05:00January 13 - Shinnecock Inlet seabirdsToday was an exciting morning. It's rare in this area to be able to enjoy so many seabirds from land. The inlet is hosting a Thick-Billed Murre for more than a week, and was recently joined by Common Murre. These birds were seen along with the more-likely alcid species of Razorbill.<br />
We also saw Black-Legged Kittiwake, and some Red-Necked Grebes.<br />
<br />
<img alt="img_5229" height="277" src="https://bashakillbirder.files.wordpress.com/2019/01/img_5229.jpg?w=640" width="400" /><br />
<br />
<a href="https://bashakillbirder.files.wordpress.com/2019/01/img_5229.jpg?w=1280">Thick-Billed Murre </a><br />
<br />
My friend <a href="https://bashakillbirder.wordpress.com/2019/01/13/a-great-day-on-long-island-2/">John's blog</a> has more info on the day and some photos<br />
<br />
<br />
Later we went east to Watermill, NY and saw the American White Pelican that was found recently.<br />
<br />
<img alt="img_5255 (2)" height="316" src="https://bashakillbirder.files.wordpress.com/2019/01/img_5255-2.jpg?w=640" width="400" />Jimhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09140260156815383384noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19492981.post-58690720191708688722019-01-12T17:20:00.000-05:002019-01-14T18:04:26.750-05:00January 12 - Mega rarity in Upstate New YorkToday I finally had a chance to try for the Golden-Crowned Sparrow that has been seen since the last few days of 2018.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-JWONU-7i28w/XD0LrRWmhQI/AAAAAAAAGl4/b-g6O5HP9Qw6eW6h4dD03lhG5NplXyCfQCLcBGAs/s1600/2019-01-12-NY-Downsville-Golden-Crowned-Sparrow-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1051" data-original-width="1600" height="262" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-JWONU-7i28w/XD0LrRWmhQI/AAAAAAAAGl4/b-g6O5HP9Qw6eW6h4dD03lhG5NplXyCfQCLcBGAs/s400/2019-01-12-NY-Downsville-Golden-Crowned-Sparrow-1.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
Here is the Range Map for this species:<br />
https://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Golden-crowned_Sparrow/maps-range<br />
<br />
<img alt="image of range map for Golden-crowned Sparrow" height="400" src="https://d1ia71hq4oe7pn.cloudfront.net/photo/31758151-480px.jpg" width="366" /><br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
On the drive back southeast, we stopped in Parksville and saw a few dozen Evening Grosbeaks at the Woodard Road feeders. We also had Pine Siskins at the Grants Road feeders.Jimhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09140260156815383384noreply@blogger.com