Jersey Birds

[JerseyBirds] Eastern Meadowlarks, South Branch WMA

Fri, 25 May 2012 15:04:19 -0500

I finally found a few Meadowlarks this morning here. First- a bird on a wire
on Clover Hill Road, 200 yards northwest on the Clover Hill Road parking
area driveway. Then- 2 singers and a fluttering displaying bird just off the
north {Three Bridges Road} parking lot. These birds were viewable from the
path

[JerseyBirds] High Point Kentucky Warbler & others

Fri, 25 May 2012 14:41:31 -0500

After seeing the interesting posts from the cedar swamp area at High Point (the Kuser Natural Area), I spent a while yesterday afternoon walking the trail there. Highlights were a very unexpected male KENTUCKY WARBLER singing on the west side of the loop trail; RUFFED GROUSE drumming from the middle

[JerseyBirds] Last minute $500 scholarships available for adults for 6-day Audubon birding programs in Maine

Fri, 25 May 2012 09:49:14 -0500

I'm forwarding this message from Erica. Please don't respond to me.

Tyler Bell
(email address filtered)
California, Maryland

Subject: Last minute ADULT scholarships for June: 6-day Audubon Project Puffin programs on Hog Island, Maine

Two $500 scholarships available for adult birding programs http://projectpuffin.org/OrnithCamps.html :

Joy of Birding
June 10-15
Instructors: Pete Dunne, Steve Kress, Wayne Peterson, Richard Eakin

Field

Re: [JerseyBirds] Black Skimmer continues, Hunterdon County

Thu, 24 May 2012 21:07:56 -0500

For a second day the Black Skimmer at Spruce Run spent most of the day at the boat launch. It was still there when I left it about 4:30 this afternoon, making short flights and returning to the same grassy shore between the restrooms and the boat ramp on

[JerseyBirds] Least Terns - Lake Horicon, Lakehurst

Thu, 24 May 2012 18:50:24 -0500

This evening at about 6:00 there were at least 4 least terns, with what I
assume to be two younger birds that were being fed by adults.

Unmistakable with their bright yellow bills and very high pitched calls. A
super lucky find.

How to report NJ bird sightings: <http://www.njbrc.net/reportto.html>

[JerseyBirds] Garret Mtn 5/24/2012

Thu, 24 May 2012 18:17:27 -0500

Hi very foggy up top this morning and then rain came, so not much chance
for the birds to see Garret. There were a few birds up top but not much
anywhere else and with the rain for the next few days we may be finnished
for the spring.
However if we get

[JerseyBirds] Heislerville shorebirds - slow

Thu, 24 May 2012 18:10:32 -0500

Hello,
Light wind and high tide - perfect! Only very few shorebirds....
relatively speaking. From 2:00 until 3:00 I was scanning the main
shorebird impoundment. I think some species have headed north!
Some numbers:
hundreds of SEMIPALMATED and LEAST SANDPIPERS
3 WHITE-RUMPED SANDIPERS
38 DUNLIN
7 SEMIPALMATED PLOVERS
50 or so SHORT-BILLED DOWS
15

[JerseyBirds] Sandy Hook May 23--late spring migrants

Thu, 24 May 2012 09:51:12 -0500

Jerseybirders,

I led an "All Things Birds" field trip at Sandy Hook yesterday (5/23) and had a good day for late spring migrants. We found 3 Yellow-bellied Flycatchers (2 in the scout camp/raccoon alley area and another in the garden), 15 species of warbler including a very confiding singing male Mourning

[JerseyBirds] Regarding Carolina Wren Question

Thu, 24 May 2012 07:43:26 -0500

Jerseybirders

Thank you to all that responded to our query about the wrens. We failed to mention that we do have a House Wren house on a tree which is not too far from the patio and is currently occupied. Knowing how aggressively territorial House Wrens are, not sure the Carolina

Re: [JerseyBirds] Black Skimmer continues, Hunterdon County

Wed, 23 May 2012 18:58:40 -0500

The bird remained in the afternoon, although it moved to the shoreline between the car-top boat ramp and the restrooms. A most confiding individual, as noted. It took a few short flights in the two hours that I watched, returning to the same spot quite close to observers.

Perched and

[JerseyBirds] Black Skimmer continues, Hunterdon County

Wed, 23 May 2012 08:40:50 -0500

The Black Skimmer continues at the Spruce Run Reservoir main boat launch as of 9:40. It has taken several short flights, but still lands for long periods of time within 50'.

Good birding,

Sam

--
Sam Galick
Cape May, NJ
(email address filtered)
http://www.flickr.com/photos/sgalick/

How to report NJ bird sightings: <http://www.njbrc.net/reportto.html>

[JerseyBirds] peregrine falcons being banded

Wed, 23 May 2012 08:26:41 -0500

http://www.philly.com/philly/living/20120522_ap_babyfalconsbandedinaccasinopenthouse.html

Here's a link to an article in today's Phila. Inquirer on the latest
round of Peregrine
Falcon babies being banded. This batch is in AC.

The baby pics are cute. Which is rare for a baby bird! IMHO.

--
Sandra Keller
Barrington, NJ
(email address filtered)

How to report NJ bird sightings: <http://www.njbrc.net/reportto.html>

[JerseyBirds] Black Skimmer, Hunterdon County

Wed, 23 May 2012 07:35:02 -0500

Rob Fergus reports a Black Skimmer at the Spruce Run Reservoir main boat launch. A second county record.

Good birding,

Sam

--
Sam Galick
Cape May, NJ
(email address filtered)
http://www.flickr.com/photos/sgalick/

How to report NJ bird sightings: <http://www.njbrc.net/reportto.html>

Re: [JerseyBirds] Bald Eagles on the Raritan??

Tue, 22 May 2012 20:50:33 -0500

There are eagles--adult and immature--in the Sayreville/South Amboy/Old Bridge area--along the river, the bay, Waterworks Pond, Cheesequake Creek, and Cheesequake State Park. I've been told a pair nests locally-ish.

Brett

How to report NJ bird sightings: <http://www.njbrc.net/reportto.html>

Re: [JerseyBirds] Bald Eagles on the Raritan??

Tue, 22 May 2012 20:30:05 -0500

Slip of the finger. ... And of all ages.

Patrick Belardo
Piscataway, NJ

On May 22, 2012, at 9:28 PM, Patrick Belardo <(email address filtered)> wrote:

> Bernie, all,
>
> I personally don't know of any confirmed nests but I have seen Bald Eagles along many spots of the Raritan at all seasons

Re: [JerseyBirds] Bald Eagles on the Raritan??

Tue, 22 May 2012 20:28:32 -0500

Bernie, all,

I personally don't know of any confirmed nests but I have seen Bald Eagles along many spots of the Raritan at all seasons and of var

Patrick Belardo
Piscataway, NJ

On May 22, 2012, at 9:04 PM, "B.G. Sloan" <(email address filtered)> wrote:

> At the end of last week I was in

[JerseyBirds] Bald Eagles on the Raritan??

Tue, 22 May 2012 20:04:11 -0500

At the end of last week I was in Johnson Park along the Raritan River in Highland Park. Looking across the river I saw what looked a heck of a lot like a Bald Eagle on a gravel/sand bar about 3/4ths of the way across the river (towards New Brunswick).

[JerseyBirds] Any birders in NJ doing a BIGBY this year?

Tue, 22 May 2012 19:58:06 -0500

Just curious who all in New Jersey might be doing a Big Green Big Year (BIGBY)?

What's a BIGBY? Here's a blog post I did a year ago that explains the concept:

http://bird-bs.blogspot.com/2011/05/bigby-explained.html

Thanks in advance!

Bernie Sloan
Highland Park, NJ

How to report NJ bird sightings: <http://www.njbrc.net/reportto.html>

Re: [JerseyBirds] Nesting Carolina Wrens

Tue, 22 May 2012 19:32:59 -0500

We had a pair of Carolina Wrens nest in a basket that was in a pot stand on
the front porch. Because of the vulnerability of the basket to the local
cats, we hung the basket and it was right over where we sit when we are
outside. The wrens did

[JerseyBirds] Nesting Clinton Township

Tue, 22 May 2012 18:57:35 -0500

We have a few "Bluebird" nesting boxes on the property. No Bluebirds of
late, but

Chickadees took one and I estimate fledged 5 young - I will open the box
when I am sure there is no ongoing feeding. Lots of Chickadees in my
neighborhood, but rate to have

[JerseyBirds] Avalon - terns

Tue, 22 May 2012 18:56:16 -0500

Barb Wiley and I went to Avalon to scan for Shearwaters.
We did not have any, whether that was the fog over the ocean
limiting visibility, or whether they weren't flying close to shore
today we don't know. We spent maybe 2 hours scanning.
The tern show though was great! 3 BLACK TERNS, many
COMMON

[JerseyBirds] Nesting Carolina Wrens

Tue, 22 May 2012 16:18:54 -0500

We have a pair of wrens for the past two years trying to nest in a corner of our patio. This corner is within three feet of our patio door. We also spend a lot of time on our patio. We have discouraged the wrens from nesting

[JerseyBirds] Cumberland Bayshore birding...Dix WMA

Tue, 22 May 2012 15:59:06 -0500

Took a cue from the note about an influx of migrants this morning and headed
to a favorite spot of mine close to home. The areas around Dix WMA are
always birdy and today was no exception.

Plenty of breeding birds were active, including scores of Blue Grosbeaks,
Orchard Orioles,

[JerseyBirds] Scissor-tailed Flycatcher

Tue, 22 May 2012 15:58:10 -0500

It was present at 11 this morning - first out in the field, then
(pursued by blackbirds) it flew into a tree on the other side of
School House Rd, where it was seen by a number of observers.
While looking for it in the field, I saw a

[JerseyBirds] Need help with peep ID

Tue, 22 May 2012 11:49:01 -0500

I just want to make sure, the bill looks like Sanderling to me, could it be something else? I never see Sanderlings at Brigantine.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/shawn_wainwright/7249954070/in/photostream

Thanks for any info,
Shawn

How to report NJ bird sightings:

[JerseyBirds] Scissor-tailed Flycatcher YES

Tue, 22 May 2012 08:16:56 -0500

Saw it yesterday at 7.45pm. Sorry for the delay in posting.

Very cooperative. Came and perched on the wires on Schoolhouse Rd and then Randolph road.

Hope it sticks around.

That patch is becoming quite a heaven for birders. What with Sandhills and now this.

Venkatesh Iyengar

East Windsor

PS: This is Franklin Two I

[JerseyBirds] Brief updates on Somerset area sightings

Tue, 22 May 2012 08:12:27 -0500

Did quick checks for the scissor-tailed flycatcher and phalaropes before
work today. I did not see the SC FL, but another birder had it this
morning, midfield, starting in the eastern part and moving west, keeping
low.

No red-necked phalaropes at Hannah Pond at Negri-Nepote. I didn't
really think

[JerseyBirds] Red-necked Phalaropes, Negri-Nepote, May 21

Mon, 21 May 2012 22:45:57 -0500

Five Red-necked Phalaropes were at Negri late this afternoon, 3 females,
2 males. All were actively feeding until one of them was grabbed by an
underwater assailant (probably a snapper), and dragged halfway across
the pond. The other 4 flew off, circled the pond, and landed a good
distance

[JerseyBirds] Common Nighthawks

Mon, 21 May 2012 22:00:06 -0500

Two Common Nighthawks were coursing low, just over the weed tops in one of the fields on the Ocean Terminal this evening. They were calling incessantly as well...this was at about 9:15PM in the rain. While some birds (e.g., owls) forage poorly or not at all on rainy nights...I have

Re: [JerseyBirds] OT: Sabine's Gull in Milspillion, DE

Mon, 21 May 2012 21:30:31 -0500

For those with interest, this bird showed very well from the time I was there
today (3:30pm until 5:30pm)

Beautiful bird.

Some digiscoped pics are at the Flickr account for those with interest:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/southjerseybirder

If you're in the Cape May area, a nice ride on the Cape May-Lewes Ferry
would offer up a poor

Re: [JerseyBirds] Curlew Sandpiper at Heislerville

Mon, 21 May 2012 21:27:28 -0500

The Curlew Sandpiper showed this morning again on the back impoundment at
Heislerville. It was very tough to find, as it kept within the low, brown,
stumpy growth.

A few poor quality digiscope pics are on my Flickr site for those with interest
and to gain an idea of where

[JerseyBirds] OT: Sabine's Gull in Milspillion, DE

Mon, 21 May 2012 21:03:40 -0500

Hi All,

I thought some of the birders on this list might be interested to know that
there's an alternate-plumaged Sabine's Gull hanging around Mispillion
Harbor in Delaware (which is also one of the best sites to see Red Knots
and other shorebirds feasting on horseshoe crab eggs).

Best,
Ben Schweinhart
Princeton, NJ

How to report NJ bird

[JerseyBirds] Mannington Marsh - Salem County - breeders

Mon, 21 May 2012 19:50:38 -0500

Hello,
A few hours down here this afternoon - we never had any
rain - was spent looking and a lot of listening for breeders.
The place is for sure a birding by ear destination with all the
marsh vegetation and the birds themselves being secretive
on nests. 1 drake

Re: [JerseyBirds] Scissor-tailed Flycatcher

Mon, 21 May 2012 19:09:34 -0500

All,

I observed the Scissor-tailed Flycatcher between 7:30 and 7:45 PM this
evening. It was on the power lines along Schoolhouse Rd. when I arrived,
the location where it was originally spotted, but it then flew down and
landed on the lines on Randolph. It stayed here for a couple minutes before
flying

Re: [JerseyBirds] Red-necked Phalaropes at Negri-nepote - no

Mon, 21 May 2012 18:41:33 -0500

And now they are gone.

Sent from my iPhone

On May 21, 2012, at 7:01 PM, Patrick Belardo <(email address filtered)> wrote:

> Just got a call that there are 5 Red-necked Phalaropes currently being seen in the pond at Negro-nepote Grasslands.
>
> Patrick Belardo
> Piscataway, NJ
>
> How to report

Re: [JerseyBirds] Bird song ID help?

Mon, 21 May 2012 18:19:40 -0500

Well my bet was on Kingfisher.

*Bill Elrick*

*Wyckoff, NJ*

*07481
*

*www.NYNJBirdingGuide.com <http://www.nynjbirdingguide.com/>*
Get a signature like this.
<http://r1.wisestamp.com/r/landing?promo &dest=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.wisestamp.com%2Femail-install%3Futm_source%3Dextension%26utm_medium%3Demail%26utm_campaign%3Dpromo_20>
CLICK
HERE.<http://r1.wisestamp.com/r/landing?promo &dest=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.wisestamp.com%2Femail-install%3Futm_source%3Dextension%26utm_medium%3Demail%26utm_campaign%3Dpromo_20>

On Mon, May 21, 2012 at 7:16 PM, John Workman <(email address filtered)> wrote:

> David Sibley's website (in his post of May 18th) features a comparison of
> the songs of the "eastern trillers" (Chipping

Re: [JerseyBirds] Bird song ID help?

Mon, 21 May 2012 18:16:23 -0500

David Sibley's website (in his post of May 18th) features a comparison of
the songs of the "eastern trillers" (Chipping Sparrow, Pine Warbler,
Dark-eyed Junco, and Worm-eating Warbler). My guess is that your mystery singer
is probably listed there. Check out:

_http://www.sibleyguides.com/bird-info/the-basics-of-identifying-bird-sounds
/trilled-songs-of-eastern-birds/_

Re: [JerseyBirds] Scissor-tailed Flycatcher

Mon, 21 May 2012 18:15:24 -0500

At about 5pm the Scissor-tailed Flycatcher was visible from Randolph Rd--but very distant in the NW corner of the field and only really visible with a scope, foraging and landing briefly in the tops of grasses and other low vegetation to the left of the distant soil mound, tanker and

[JerseyBirds] Red-necked Phalaropes at Negri-nepote

Mon, 21 May 2012 18:01:28 -0500

Just got a call that there are 5 Red-necked Phalaropes currently being seen in the pond at Negro-nepote Grasslands.

Patrick Belardo
Piscataway, NJ

How to report NJ bird sightings: <http://www.njbrc.net/reportto.html>

[JerseyBirds] Brewster's Warbler at Old Mine Road

Mon, 21 May 2012 16:20:49 -0500

Four birders, including myself, observed a singing Brewster's Warbler at milepost 11 ("the power line cut") on Old Mine Road in the Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area on Friday, May 18th. The bird has the gray back, white belly, and song of the Golden-winged, black eye line of

[JerseyBirds] Bird song ID help?

Mon, 21 May 2012 16:09:10 -0500

Can anyone suggest some possibilities for a bird song I heard while in Johnson Park in Highland Park along the Raritan River?

It was a loud dry "rattle" that never changed pitch. Lasted a couple of seconds, and was repeated maybe every 30-40 seconds or so. It seemed to be coming

[JerseyBirds] Sooty Shearwater movement

Mon, 21 May 2012 14:24:17 -0500

All,

A substantial northbound movement of Sooty Shearwaters is currently occurring along the coast. A total of 43 have passed Avalon in the past hour, and I hear that decent numbers are also being seen from LBI. A few Wilson's Storm-Petrels have also been seen from Cape May Point.

Probably a good

[JerseyBirds] Clinton Rd. Sunday

Mon, 21 May 2012 13:35:39 -0500

A Trip to Clinton Reservoir yesterday between 7:30-9:30 A.M. yielded the
following interesting sightings : AcadianFlycatcher, Black and White
Warbler( Same dead tree as last year), 4 Brown Creeepers, Indigo
Bunting, Magnolia Warbler, Prairie, Yellow Warbler, Yellow Throat, Wild
Turkey and Winter Wren. Unidentified Accipter Chasing a Crow; Heard
Only:

[JerseyBirds] Scissor Tailed Flycatcher - YES

Mon, 21 May 2012 12:08:42 -0500

We spotted the ST Flycatcher shortly before 11am in the same field as reported but on the Randolph Rd. side, down low in a patch of what I believed to be golden rod. A very pretty scene.

The bird was staying very low and easily slips into the grass, flowers, etc. and out

[JerseyBirds] Birds, Butterflies, and Dragonflies in the Toms River / Lakehurst area 5-19-12

Mon, 21 May 2012 11:43:26 -0500

Had a nice day out with Eric Reuter and 2 others around the Toms River / Lakehurst area. 61 species of birds, 8 species of Warblers, 16 species of butterflies, and 7 species of Dragonflies. We started in my yard at 8am, then hit Riverwood Park, Lakehurst Railroad Tracks, my

Re: [JerseyBirds] Scissor-tailed Flycatcher

Mon, 21 May 2012 11:03:59 -0500

The bird is still being seen, flying around the field, despite some harassment from blackbirds.

Donna Schulman

Sent from my iPhone

On May 21, 2012, at 6:46 AM, birds <(email address filtered)> wrote:

> I would like to thank Brian Clough for the initial report of the Scissor-tailed Flycatcher and everyone who updated

[JerseyBirds] Fwd: [JerseyBirds] Scissor-tailed Flycatcher YES

Mon, 21 May 2012 06:06:25 -0500

PS: the bird is hunting over the field about 300 ft from the road very low down almost perching on the ground.

John J. Collins
Raritan NJ
Sent from my iPhone

Begin forwarded message:

> From: John <(email address filtered)>
> Date: May 21, 2012 7:00:28 AM EDT
> To: (email address filtered)
> Subject: [JerseyBirds] Scissor-tailed Flycatcher

[JerseyBirds] Scissor-tailed Flycatcher YES

Mon, 21 May 2012 06:00:28 -0500

The STFL is still present right now 7:58 AM in Franklin Township at the corner of Randolph and Schoolhouse Roads . Amazing it stayed!

John J. Collins
Raritan NJ
Sent from my iPhone

How to report NJ bird sightings: <http://www.njbrc.net/reportto.html>

Re: [JerseyBirds] Scissor-tailed Flycatcher

Mon, 21 May 2012 05:46:06 -0500

I would like to thank Brian Clough for the initial report of the Scissor-tailed Flycatcher and everyone who updated the status during the day.

Here are some photographs: http://www.greggard.com/songbirds/ec95a453
and a short video (no sound): http://youtu.be/VR67cQzjg94
of the Scissor-tailed Flycatcher perched on the wire - preening and stretching :)

Greg Gard

How

Re: [JerseyBirds] Heislerville

Sun, 20 May 2012 23:50:22 -0500

Oh. We almost got killed on our way to Heislerville late this morning too. Once we got there (and my stomach stopped churning) it didn't disappoint, though my only addition to others' reports would be that we found 2 Yellow-Crowned Night Herons--one in trees across the water from the heronry;