Birdingonthe.Net Recent Postings from New Jersey Birding > Home > Mail > Alerts Updated on Monday, February 8 at 10:12 PM ET The most recently received Mail is at the top.	Great Cormorant,©David Sibley

8 Feb Western Grebe Deal [Scott Barnes ] 8 Feb Photo Study Of Lapland Longspurs At Oberly Rd WMA in Alpha, NJ (Warren County)Today ["Howard B. Eskin" ] 8 Feb Nocturnal House Sparrow [David Blinder ] 8 Feb Gloucester and Salem County-Pipits, Larks, etc. [Matt Webster ] 8 Feb Snow birding in south Jersey [Sandra Keller ] 8 Feb Sunday's Geese [Harvey Tomlinson ] 8 Feb Tagged RB Gull (Hackensack) [Mauro Magarelli ] 8 Feb Meadowlands (Roughleg, eagles, pipits) [Michael Britt ] 8 Feb Bluebirds - may the blue bird of happiness..... [Linda Gangi ] 8 Feb Re: Backyard Buteo... [Carl Bernzweig ] 8 Feb Study on protecting endangered birds locally vs. globally [Bosh Keller ] 8 Feb Feeders: made lots of friends this morning [Marty DeAngelo ] 8 Feb feeders [Joe Delesantro ] 8 Feb Manasquan Inlet - Black-headed Gull [Gail Johnson ] 7 Feb No Subject [JOHN VOTTA ] 8 Feb Spotted Towhee - Feb. 7 - Palmyra Cove Nature Park [Tom Bailey ] 7 Feb Oberly Road, Alpha: Lapland Longspur, Merlin & others [Peter Burke ] 7 Feb North Shore: good gullage; wanting waterfowl [Scott Barnes ] 8 Feb Glaucous Gull @ Raritan Center [Neil Maruca ] 7 Feb Lesser Black Back Gull, Horned Larks and Barnacle Goose ["John J. Collins" ] 7 Feb Backyard Buteo... [Lillian Armstrong ] 7 Feb Re: feeder birds ["susie r." ] 7 Feb feeder birds [Theodore Chase ] 7 Feb Yellow-breasted Chat [Benjamin Barkley ] 7 Feb Re: Common Crane [Patrick Belardo ] 7 Feb Common Crane [Elaine Long ] 7 Feb Re: feeder birds [Susan Garretson Friedman ] 7 Feb pine warbler - very cold pine warbler [Linda Gangi ] 7 Feb Alcid Alert [Michael Fritz ] 6 Feb Sun, Feb 28 Belmar, NJ Pelagic Still Has Space [Paul Guris ] 6 Feb Re: Photo Study Of Some Birds At Barnegat February 4th, 2010 [twbt ] 6 Feb snow birding [Sandra Keller ] 6 Feb yard birds [Linda Gangi ] 6 Feb Re: Feeder birds [Gerald Peterson ] 6 Feb Cumberland County [Richard Wolfert ] 6 Feb feeder birds [] 6 Feb Feeder Birds [Harvey Tomlinson ] 6 Feb Sandy Hook 2/5 [Scott Barnes ] 6 Feb Monmouth County Audubon Meeting Feb.10th [Stuart and Wendy ] 6 Feb Re: Feeder birds [Steve Glynn ] 6 Feb Re: interesting feeder birds [Bob Verdon ] 6 Feb Feeder birds [Jeff Hawk ] 5 Feb Lake Lenape, Mays Landing, Atl Co. [Joe Delesantro ] 5 Feb Red-shouldered hawk Somerset [CATHY BLUMIG ] 5 Feb Photo Study Of Some Birds At Barnegat February 4th, 2010 ["Howard B. Eskin" ] 5 Feb birdy commute on Friday [Neil Maruca ] 5 Feb red-shouldered hawk in Port Norris, Cumberland Co. [Yong Kong ] 5 Feb Bridge to Nowhere: Rough-leg; Cedar Run Dock Rd, Great Bay Blvd [Blake Mathys ] 4 Feb Western Grebe- Elberon [Michael Hiotis ] 4 Feb Turkey Point - Rough-legged Hawk [Sandra Keller ] 4 Feb Re: Sometimes those birdwatchers... [swaine ] 4 Feb Re: Sometimes those birdwatchers... [Robert DeCandido PhD ] 4 Feb T. Roosevelt's List of birds (White House Grounds) [Robert DeCandido PhD ] 3 Feb Re: Sometimes those birdwatchers... [donald desjardins ] 3 Feb Re: 2010 Winer Eagle Festival cancelled! [Tony Geiger ] 3 Feb Re: Sometimes those birdwatchers... [Carl Bernzweig ] 3 Feb 2010 Winer Eagle Festival cancelled! [Jill Weislo ] 3 Feb Re: Sometimes those birdwatchers spot some really upset neighbors] [swaine ] 3 Feb Re: JerseyBirds Digest - 1 Feb 2010 to 2 Feb 2010 (#2010-34) ["Donald P. Freiday" ] 3 Feb Re: JerseyBirds Digest - 1 Feb 2010 to 2 Feb 2010 (#2010-34) ["OSTRAND, THOMAS J (THOMAS J)" ] 3 Feb Sometimes those birdwatchers spot some really upset neighbors] [Elaine Long ] 2 Feb Lincoln's Sparrow, etc. around Cape May Pt. [Christopher Vogel ] 2 Feb Re: Sometimes those birdwatchers spot some really upset neighbors [Laurie Larson ] 2 Feb North Shore - Sandy Hook - Barrow's [Sandra Keller ] 2 Feb Re: Sometimes those birdwatchers spot some really upset neighbors ["Cailin O' Connor Fitzpatrick" ] 2 Feb Re: Sometimes those birdwatchers spot some really upset neighbors (Slightly Off Topic) [Steve Mattan ] 2 Feb Re: Sometimes those birdwatchers spot some really upset neighbors [Susan Treesh ] 2 Feb Backyard Bird -Cooper's Hawk [Linda Gangi ] 2 Feb Re: Sometimes those birdwatchers spot some really upset neighbors [Marty DeAngelo ] 2 Feb Sometimes those birdwatchers spot some really upset neighbors [Cynthia Allen ] 2 Feb Middlesex Cty - Red-headed Woodpecker-- Purpose-Death of extralimitals [Fred V ] 1 Feb Fox Sparrow concentration [Christopher Vogel ] 1 Feb Photo Study of Mergansers at Belmar, Barnegat and Brigantine ["Howard B. Eskin" ] 1 Feb American Pipit [jeke2 ] 1 Feb Spruce Run-Snow Geese [Michael Hiotis ] 1 Feb Gloucester County - Pipit search - none [Sandra Keller ] Subject: Western Grebe Deal From: Scott Barnes <myiarchus16 AT YAHOO.COM> Date: Mon, 8 Feb 2010 20:11:58 -0800 Jerseybirders,   The Western Grebe was present today (2/8) around noon, viewed from Roosevelt Ave in Deal.  Looking north with the sun to the south, the bird initially appeared to have a more orange-toned bill.  Further study showed that the bird did indeed have the smudgy black lores required for WEGR and that the brightness of the bill may have been an artifact of sunlight.  Where this bird goes for long periods of time is anyone's guess, but last year we did determine that the north shore bird was not the same individual as the Staten Island/South Amboy bird--which has also been seen this winter.  It seems likely that this is a returning individual and not a different bird from last year based on dates of occurrence and location.   Shark River Estuary hosted a first-cycle Iceland Gull and an adult Lesser Black-backed Gull.  The "resident" Less-back was sitting on the ice at Sylvan Lake in Bradley Beach as well.  More info about birding these sites at our website.   Good Birding,   Scott Barnes   Senior Naturalist Sandy Hook Bird Observatory New Jersey Audubon www.njaudubon.org/Centers/SHBO   How to report NJ bird sightings: Subject: Photo Study Of Lapland Longspurs At Oberly Rd WMA in Alpha, NJ (Warren County)Today From: "Howard B. Eskin" <hbeskin AT VOICENET.COM> Date: Mon, 8 Feb 2010 22:20:44 -0500 There were at least two adult non-breeding male Lapland Longspurs among the hundreds of Horned Larks at Oberly Road WMA in Alpha, NJ today. A Photo Study of the Lapland Longspur can be found at the following link: http://www.howardsview.com/LaplandLongspur/LaplandLongspur.html Howard B. Eskin Harleysville, PA How to report NJ bird sightings: Subject: Nocturnal House Sparrow From: David Blinder <daveblinder AT YAHOO.COM> Date: Mon, 8 Feb 2010 18:39:38 -0800 There's a seemingly helpless female House Sparrow that I noticed by the feeder on our front porch at 9PM. It's able to fly, but only short distances, no external damage on her though. The flight liftoff is very slow. I know HO SP's aren't endangered birds, but I don't really like watching animals freeze/starve to death either. I put more food out and even some water. May try to catch in a shoebox and keep it inside over night if it can be caught. I imagine that the bird is either physically unable to make it to the roost (window crash?), or perhaps flushed by an Owl or Coyote? Thoughts? Dave Blinder Denville How to report NJ bird sightings: Subject: Gloucester and Salem County-Pipits, Larks, etc. From: Matt Webster <mattweb100 AT GMAIL.COM> Date: Mon, 8 Feb 2010 19:03:06 -0500 Spent a few hours in Gloucester and Salem Counties again today. National Park (Red Bank Battlefield) was unfortunately closed. Riverwinds was relatively quiet but there was about 40 BUFFLEHEAD and 3 drake COMMON MERGANSERS on the river. Featherbed Lane had several (20-25) HORNED LARKS on the roadsides along with dozens and dozens of sparrows (mainly SONG AND WHITE THROATED, but a few SAVANNAH, and a single FIELD). Also 1 NORTHERN HARRIER. http://www.flickr.com/photos/22092251 AT N03/ Haines Neck Road had 7 HORNED LARKS and 1 AMERICAN PIPIT. 2 BALD EAGLES in Woodstown. Railroad Avenue (Elk Twp) had a HERMIT THRUSH, 2 WHITE CROWNED SPARROWS (1 juvenile and 1 adult), and an AMERICAN KESTREL. Good birding, Matt Webster Cedarbrook, NJ mattweb100 AT gmail.com How to report NJ bird sightings: Subject: Snow birding in south Jersey From: Sandra Keller <sandrakeller AT VERIZON.NET> Date: Mon, 8 Feb 2010 17:50:46 -0500 Hello, Monday afternoon - 2-8-10. Took a cruise through south Jersey wondering what would be around in the 2 ft. of snow. Raptors would have been nice. No! Which is worrisome. I did check on 2 BALD EAGLE nests and both were occupied. But I didn't have many raptors at all. No Golden Eagle. I was hoping. Spent a lot of time at the Glades Refuge in Cumberland County. Only 4 HARRIERS around. 2 RED-TAILED HAWKS. Low numbers. WOODCOCK are again by the roadsides. I hope they make it! Tons of passerines around the road edges. Nothing out of the ordinary. 1 TREE SPARROW along Turkey Point Rd. 30 or so HORNED LARKS - Baypoint. Good birding all. Sandra Keller Barrington, NJ sandrakeller AT verizon.net How to report NJ bird sightings: Subject: Sunday's Geese From: Harvey Tomlinson <ShearH2Os AT AOL.COM> Date: Mon, 8 Feb 2010 17:35:10 EST Hi Jersey Birders, Spent the day w/ Ted Young doing the western RTE 78 tour starting w/ Califon. We found the Barnacle goose early Sunday along w/ what we thought was a Cackling goose. After looking at the photos I'm not 100% sure of the call. The size and rounded head seem to say Cackling, but the bill appears a bit too long. It may be an illusion, but I can't be sure. This would be a life bird for Ted so if you have some time to weigh in it would be appreciated. _http://www.flickr.com/photos/shearh2o/_ (http://www.flickr.com/photos/shearh2o/) We also enjoyed a Male Lapland Longspur on Oberley rd in Alpha, and 3 Lesser Black-backed Gulls at Round Valley. Good Birding, Harvey Tomlinson Basking Ridge How to report NJ bird sightings: Subject: Tagged RB Gull (Hackensack) From: Mauro Magarelli <historelli AT COMCAST.NET> Date: Mon, 8 Feb 2010 19:59:58 +0000 Hello all, I just spotted a tagged Ring-Billed Gull in the Home depot/pathmark parking lot in Hackensack NJ.  Around the the same area were the Mew Gull search was going on a few weeks back...  Apparently the tagged gull is part of project that monitors how gulls affect water quality    See link: http://www.mass.gov/dcr/watersupply/watershed/study/index.htm Here is the response i recieved when i reported my sighting Mauro, Thank you for the gull sighting.  It is one of our study birds.  Below are some details on the bird. Captured 1/7/2010 at the Upper Blackstone Water Treatment Plant, Worcester, MA Captured using a rocket net baited with French fries, bread and crackers Adult male ring-billed gull Florescent orange wing-tags: A398 Federal leg band: 0994-04113 Released on site Sightings: This is the first sighting of the bird since its capture. Thanks again for the info, and please let me know if you have future sightings. Mauro Magarelli Little Falls NJ Historelli at Comcast.net How to report NJ bird sightings: Subject: Meadowlands (Roughleg, eagles, pipits) From: Michael Britt <mbritt78 AT HOTMAIL.COM> Date: Mon, 8 Feb 2010 14:40:26 -0500 Spent a couple hours birding the Meadowlands this afternoon. Mill Creek Point held a light morph ROUGH-LEGGED HAWK, 3 BALD EAGLES (all soaring together & interacting at one point), 2 HARRIERS, a handful of RED-TAILED HAWKS, plus some CANVASBACKS, COMMON MERGS, HOODED MERGS, RUDDIES, a few SCAUP, etc., on the river itself. The Rough-leg spent most of its time hovering & kiting way out over the marsh looking in the direction of the power plant (2 o'clock from the Williams tanks)...it also hunted riverside briefly. The DeKorte area had 5 HARRIERS and 16 AMERICAN PIPITS flew out of the old Encap site by the model airplane field and headed across the Turnpike. Mike Britt Clifton _________________________________________________________________ Hotmail: Trusted email with Microsoft’s powerful SPAM protection. http://clk.atdmt.com/GBL/go/201469226/direct/01/ How to report NJ bird sightings: Subject: Bluebirds - may the blue bird of happiness..... From: Linda Gangi <ltgangi AT PEACEMAIL.COM> Date: Mon, 8 Feb 2010 10:38:23 -0800 shoooo away the upcoming snowstorm. What a nice surprise to see two E. Bluebirds at my feeder. They were checking out the suet. Linda Gangi Manahawkin, NJ A man's interest in a single bluebird is worth more than a complete but dry list of the fauna and flora of a town. Henry David Thoreau _______________________________________________________________ http://www.care2.com/toolbar/download.html Care2 Toolbar makes it easy to make a difference (for free)! http://www.care2.com Green Living, Human Rights and more - 12 million members! How to report NJ bird sightings: Subject: Re: Backyard Buteo... From: Carl Bernzweig <cbernzweig AT YAHOO.COM> Date: Mon, 8 Feb 2010 07:46:39 -0800 Now there's a coincidence.  We've had an adult Shoulder on our deck two days in a row.  He's out there as I type this, eating table scraps (babybacks today--he flew off with a chicken carcass yesterday). Carl BernzweigWest Orange NJ How to report NJ bird sightings: Subject: Study on protecting endangered birds locally vs. globally From: Bosh Keller <boshkell AT EDISONWETLANDS.ORG> Date: Mon, 8 Feb 2010 08:09:06 -0700 Jersey Birders, New Jersey's saltmarsh sparrow is one of a number of species that has conflicting protections by different states. According to this scientific study, in some cases a regional scarcity of one species can overshadow another species with far more glaring protection needs across the nation. Here's the article from the Philly Inquirer: http://wildnewjersey.tv/2010/02/08/philadelphia-inquirer-new-jerseys-saltmarsh-sparrow-highlights-quirky-state-endangered-lists.aspx Here's the study itself: http://www.plosone.org/article/info:doi%2F10.1371%2Fjournal.pone.0008608 Good birding! Bosh Keller Edison, NJ How to report NJ bird sightings: Subject: Feeders: made lots of friends this morning From: Marty DeAngelo <martytdx AT YAHOO.COM> Date: Mon, 8 Feb 2010 06:35:30 -0800 I was away all this week and missed the storm, so the feeders were (mostly) bare until this morning. Within 5 minutes of putting out seed, I had: 3 cardinals (1 male, 2 female) 5 chickadees 2 juncos 2 red-bellied woodpeckers (1 male, 1 female) 4 blue jays 1 downy woodpecker 1 hairy woodpecker 4 house sparrows 1 house finch 18+ grackles 1 starling 1 mourning dove 1 Carolina wren Not that I think they were watching me or anything. Two other interesting sites: 1) Watched as the male red-bellied woodpecker SUCCESSFULLY defended the platform feeder against 2 blue jays and then 3 grackles. He laid out flat but would strike at the other birds who came to HIS feeder. Very interesting behavior I've never seen. Guess he was REALLY hungry. 2) Watched as a Cooper's Hawk swept down to get a dead pigeon on Juniper St. between Walnut and Locust. Not sure if he made the original kill or not, but he was in the middle of the road trying to eat but pedestrians scared him away. He flew to the top of the building to keep an eye on the pigeon. I thought about throwing the dead pigeon into the alley (less commotion) but didn't do it. Still, nice to see the hawks doing well in the city. Marty DeAngelo martytdx AT yahoo.com Haddonfield, NJ http://www.flickr.com/photos/martytdx How to report NJ bird sightings: Subject: feeders From: Joe Delesantro <byrder2002 AT YAHOO.COM> Date: Mon, 8 Feb 2010 06:04:39 -0800 The storm hit Mays Landing hard. We had 24" of snow. The feeders were very active. My species total was 20 and 301 individuals for the weekend. Highlight was a first for the yard, a Tree sparrow. A large flock of Grackles with BH Cowbird, Starling and RW Blackbird mixed in. Cardinal 4 Cowbird 8 M Dove 37 Purple Finch 15 Goldfinch 10 Grackle 130 Junco 58 Robin 6 Fox, Song WT and Tree sparrows Blue Jay 3 Downy and RB WP Titmouse, Chickadee and WB Nuthatch Joe Delesantro Mays Landing, NJ byrder2002 AT yahoo.com How to report NJ bird sightings: Subject: Manasquan Inlet - Black-headed Gull From: Gail Johnson <birdhusker AT AOL.COM> Date: Mon, 8 Feb 2010 03:25:49 -0500 Excellent looks at a single adult Black-Headed Gull Sunday afternoon around 4:30pm from the south jetty at the mouth of the inlet. Red bill and feet were clearly visible, along with dark primaries underwing, white panel on leading edge of the upper wing, and dark earspot. The bird flew and landed on the water a few times, then headed out apparently for the open ocean. There was one Red-Throated Loon, several Common Loons and many of the more common gulls, although I didn't see any Bonaparte's. Earlier I saw one female Common Eider just south of the south jetty at the Shark River Inlet. Many surfers in both locations. It seems there are people easily as crazy as birders in the world. Gail Johnson Warminster, Pennsylvania How to report NJ bird sightings: Subject: No Subject From: JOHN VOTTA <wadda101 AT VERIZON.NET> Date: Sun, 7 Feb 2010 19:49:49 -0800 I will confirm the location Scott Barnes suggested for the Eurasian (Common) GW Teal. Today, my son and I found (3) pair of GW teal in the 3rd pond at Lake Tackenasee(sp?)one of which was the male Eurasian. We spotted them about 4:30pm. John Votta Brick How to report NJ bird sightings: Subject: Spotted Towhee - Feb. 7 - Palmyra Cove Nature Park From: Tom Bailey <ammodramus AT COMCAST.NET> Date: Mon, 8 Feb 2010 03:18:18 +0000 The female Spotted Towhee continued today, Feb. 7, at Palmyra Cove Nature Park, Burlington County. Also in the same area were 3 Eastern Towhees, at least 15 Fox Sparrows, and an imm. Red-sh. Hawk. Directions to Palmyra Cove Nature Park can be found at - http://www.palmyracove.org/directions/index.asp Tom Tom Bailey Tabernacle, NJ ammodramus AT comcast.net How to report NJ bird sightings: Subject: Oberly Road, Alpha: Lapland Longspur, Merlin & others From: Peter Burke <peterburke AT GMAIL.COM> Date: Sun, 7 Feb 2010 21:55:11 -0500 What a great day to get outside! (finally!) I spent about an hour and had at least one, possibly two Lapland Longspurs in with the Horned Lark. I noted just one Northern Harrier working the grassy areas on the west side of the road. On my way out, a Merlin seemed not to mind the many long lenses pointed its way as it perched somewhat ironically on a "no hunting" sign. Photos are posted. Peter Burke Peapack, NJ http://www.flickr.com/photos/pgburke/ How to report NJ bird sightings: Subject: North Shore: good gullage; wanting waterfowl From: Scott Barnes <myiarchus16 AT YAHOO.COM> Date: Sun, 7 Feb 2010 18:54:01 -0800 Jerseybirders,   Spent a good part of the day perusing the north shore with Linda Mack under cold but sunny skies.  Most of the coastal ponds were completely or partially frozen--conditions that the gulls seem to love but waterfowl flee.  Compared to other years, there seems to be much lower numbers of waterfowl around, even in Shark River Estuary, which rarely freezes and often concentrates ducks when the local ponds ice over.  I suspect that the deep freeze we received around New Year's pushed a lot of waterfowl to points south and those birds aren't likely to return until late February/early March when northbound waterfowl migration begins in earnest.   We saw seven species of gulls today including a second-cycle GLAUCOUS GULL perched atop a commercial fishing boat at the start of Channel Drive in Point Pleasant Beach, 4 LESSER BLACK-BACKED GULLS (all adults) at Lake Como, Sylvan Lake, and Deal Lake.  In the late day light we watched a beautiful first-cycle ICELAND GULL on a jetty at Marine Dr in Deal.   There were approximately 70 PURPLE SANDPIPERS at Manasquan Inlet, more than I typically see there.  Perhaps the incoming swells were keeping them visible on upper rocks.   The best spots for loons and ducks continues to be the "north north shore" at Deal.  Off the Marine Dr/Clem Conover area was a sea duck flock of 200+ BLACK SCOTERS, 10 SURF SCOTERS, and 7 COMMON EIDERS (including an adult male).  Also 20 Common Loons and 2 Red-throated Loons and an errant Lesser Scaup.  A few Great Cormorants were around Roosevelt Ave in Deal as well.  No luck with the Eurasian Green-winged Teal at "the tak" but it's probably still present.  The third/fourth ponds there are partially open, either because of the clogging Eurasian Millfoil or numbers of Canada Geese (or both!).  If you're still looking for the teal, check the upper end of the third lake near the fireman's memorial or the fourth pond just west of it.   More information on birding this area can be found at SHBO's web pages at the link below.      Good Birding,   Scott Barnes Senior Naturalist Sandy Hook Bird Observatory New Jersey Audubon www.njaudubon.org/Centers/SHBO   How to report NJ bird sightings: Subject: Glaucous Gull @ Raritan Center From: Neil Maruca <Neil.Maruca AT GMAIL.COM> Date: Mon, 8 Feb 2010 02:35:11 +0000 An adult glaucous gull was in the large gull flock on the Raritan River at the Raritan Center. Also present 300 Great Black Backed, and a mixed flock of over 2000 herring and ring-billed. Birding note from Saturday, the Nelson's gull (Glaucous x Herring hybrid) was still present at the Riverside Square mall in Hackensack Neil Maruca Hackensack How to report NJ bird sightings: Subject: Lesser Black Back Gull, Horned Larks and Barnacle Goose From: "John J. Collins" <jjcbird AT VERIZON.NET> Date: Sun, 7 Feb 2010 19:01:04 -0500 I spent the afternoon in Hunterdon and Warren Counties today. At Round Valley Reservoir boat launch there was a single LESSER BLACK-BACKED GULL in with the large gull flock sitting on the ice there. The usual large flock of AMERICAN COOTS was present there as well. On Oberly Road in Alpha, there were 2 NORTHERN HARRIERS, a lovely MERLIN perched on a "Posted" sign, many HORNED LARKS and SAVANNAH SPARROWS. Apparently there have not been any Roughed-legged Hawks of late. At Califon the BARNACLE GOOSE was present in the river opposite the church on River Road just west of the Main St. bridge. It was a lovely afternoon! John J. Collins Raritan, NJ jjcbird AT verizon.net "God desires that all the world be pure in his sight. The earth should not be injured. The earth should not be destroyed." (Hildegard von Bingen) How to report NJ bird sightings: Subject: Backyard Buteo... From: Lillian Armstrong <lillian.armstrong AT NJAUDUBON.ORG> Date: Sun, 7 Feb 2010 18:15:20 -0500 Perched above my feeders was a juvie Red Tail. No, the tail was too long. Must be a big Coop... No, it's not quite right... Fly, would ya? So I can see what you are? Juvie Red Shouldered Hawk indeed. Oddly diving on my feeders. Poor thing must have been very hungry. A first for my backyard. I also am quite confident I had a Chipping Sparrow in with my sparrows today. Caught my eye because it was so small. Glimpsed the rufous markings on the head, and then it took off and just wouldn't come back for me. How much time I wasted waiting for that bird to return this morning is hard to imagine. Tough decision. Wait for the bird or shovel the driveway? -- Lillian Armstrong Cape May Court House www.njwildlifetrails.org How to report NJ bird sightings: Subject: Re: feeder birds From: "susie r." <njt456 AT COMCAST.NET> Date: Sun, 7 Feb 2010 17:46:55 -0500 I, too, have had up to 3 Brown Creepers for a few weeks. Susie R. Tewksbury/Califon -----Original Message----- From: New Jersey Birding [mailto:JerseyBirds AT Princeton.EDU] On Behalf Of Theodore Chase Sent: Sunday, February 07, 2010 5:43 PM To: JerseyBirds AT Princeton.EDU Subject: [JerseyBirds] feeder birds In general I had the same birds I have been having, just more of them (25 or so White-throated Sparrows, they are difficult to count as they are moving about all the time). I have had up to three Brown Creepers, which seems a lot to see at once. This afternoon I had my first American Tree Sparrow of the winter. Ted Chase Princeton How to report NJ bird sightings: No virus found in this incoming message. Checked by AVG - www.avg.com Version: 9.0.733 / Virus Database: 271.1.1/2673 - Release Date: 02/07/10 02:22:00 How to report NJ bird sightings: Subject: feeder birds From: Theodore Chase <chase_c AT AESOP.RUTGERS.EDU> Date: Sun, 7 Feb 2010 17:43:20 -0500 In general I had the same birds I have been having, just more of them (25 or so White-throated Sparrows, they are difficult to count as they are moving about all the time). I have had up to three Brown Creepers, which seems a lot to see at once. This afternoon I had my first American Tree Sparrow of the winter. Ted Chase Princeton How to report NJ bird sightings: Subject: Yellow-breasted Chat From: Benjamin Barkley <bejoba AT OPTONLINE.NET> Date: Sun, 7 Feb 2010 17:01:43 -0500 While birding near the high school baseball field on South Maple Avenue in Basking Ridge I located a what was either a very late or very early Yellow-breasted Chat. It was near the parking lot on the right hand side. Other birds of note were a Hairy Woodpecker and many Yellow-rumped Warblers. Here are some distant pictures of the Chat! http://www.flickr.com/photos/44667635 AT N03/ Ben Barkley Basking Ridge, NJ bejoba AT optonline.net How to report NJ bird sightings: Subject: Re: Common Crane From: Patrick Belardo <pbelardo AT YAHOO.COM> Date: Sun, 7 Feb 2010 09:44:17 -0800 There's an article on the history of this crane population in the Spring 2009 NJ Birds. http://www.njaudubon.org/Portals/10/Research/PDF/NJBSpring09.pdf  Patrick Belardo pbelardo-at-yahoo Piscataway, NJ http://www.hawkowlsnest.com ----- Original Message ---- From: Elaine Long To: JerseyBirds AT Princeton.EDU Sent: Sun, February 7, 2010 10:31:18 AM Subject: [JerseyBirds] Common Crane Re:  Common Crane with Sandhill Cranes, Husted's Landing, NJ. How many years has the Common Crane been with the Sandhill Cranes? Elaine Long E. Brunswick, NJ How to report NJ bird sightings: How to report NJ bird sightings: Subject: Common Crane From: Elaine Long <luvacat1 AT COMCAST.NET> Date: Sun, 7 Feb 2010 10:31:18 -0500 Re: Common Crane with Sandhill Cranes, Husted's Landing, NJ. How many years has the Common Crane been with the Sandhill Cranes? Elaine Long E. Brunswick, NJ How to report NJ bird sightings: Subject: Re: feeder birds From: Susan Garretson Friedman <susangarretsonfriedman AT GMAIL.COM> Date: Sun, 7 Feb 2010 10:18:26 -0500 Amid the only 5 inches of snow we got here Friday - Sat, I had two Eastern Towhees on my feeder and under the neighbor's bushes. They are unusual in my yard at any time of year so I was pleased. Hope they stick around for a while. -- Susan Garretson Friedman Gillette, NJ susangarretsonfriedman (at) gmail (dot) com save a tree, please don't print this e-mail unless you really need to . . . How to report NJ bird sightings: Subject: pine warbler - very cold pine warbler From: Linda Gangi <ltgangi AT PEACEMAIL.COM> Date: Sun, 7 Feb 2010 06:41:42 -0800 I just happened to look at the feeders and sure enough the pine warbler was there. Very cool. It was 12 degrees in Manahawkin this morning. Not sure how much snow, but I guess 16-18 inches, hard to tell from the snow drifts. I'm so glad I moved south for a milder climate. :) Linda Gangi Manahawkin, NJ A man's interest in a single bluebird is worth more than a complete but dry list of the fauna and flora of a town. Henry David Thoreau _______________________________________________________________ http://www.care2.com/toolbar/download.html Care2 Toolbar makes it easy to make a difference (for free)! http://www.care2.com Green Living, Human Rights and more - 12 million members! How to report NJ bird sightings: Subject: Alcid Alert From: Michael Fritz <king-fisher AT COMCAST.NET> Date: Sun, 7 Feb 2010 02:03:08 +0000 Friday I decided to take advantage of the "calm before the storm" so I hopped aboard a boat out of Belmar that was going out Mackerel fishing. I wasn't disapointed. The seas were flat calm and the ocean like glass. I caught a bunch of mackerel, and I birded the way out and back and a little in between drifts. We were fishing just 15-20 miles offshore. My tally for the day without even trying very hard was 68 Razorbills, 9 Common Murre, 1 Atlantic Puffin, another 50 alcid sp., and 2 Iceland gulls that followed the boat all day. I also had 40-50 Common Dolphin and 2 Harbor Seals (at the inlet). It seems the waters are really loaded with fish this winter and there are lots of alcids out there. The sea was so flat that I spotted most of the alcids by the wake they made. I think that may be cheating, but it worked for me. I only wish we went out another 10 miles because there's a temp. break there that probably holds Dovekie too. When this storm blows itself out, it may be a good idea to check the "North Shore" jetties and inlets for alcids (as soon as the roads are cleared). They should get blown inshore and many of the birds I had on Friday were close to shore. Please post any reports! Mike Fritz Seaville, NJ king-fisher AT comcast.net How to report NJ bird sightings: Subject: Sun, Feb 28 Belmar, NJ Pelagic Still Has Space From: Paul Guris <paulagics.com AT GMAIL.COM> Date: Sat, 6 Feb 2010 19:40:27 -0500 We are running a 12-hour winter pelagic on Sunday, February 28 aboard the Suzie Girl out of Belmar, NJ. We plan on visiting both New Jersey and New York pelagic waters. Beyond a certain point, birds actually count in both states! This trip is planned for the best time of year to find Dovekie. We have had excellent success in these waters on past trips, with one trip out of Freeport, NY finding over 9,000 birds! The water conditions that we want for finding these birds appear have set up off the coast, so we have an excellent chance of finding them again. Other target birds include Razorbill, Common and Thick-billed Murre, Northern Fulmar, Northern Gannet, Glaucous, Iceland, and Lesser Black-backed Gulls, and Black-legged Kittiwake. It looks like there are excellent pelagic birds out there. One of our regular leaders recently went on a fishing trip to this area that went out less than 20 miles and saw 9 Common Murres, a Puffin, dozens of Razorbills, and two Iceland Gulls. Our inshore trip out of Freeport, NY in January went to similar waters (the other side of the same underwater feature) and found 33 Common Murres, two Puffin, over 200 Razorbills, several Iceland Gulls, and dozens of Kittiwakes. We have an excellent shot at all of these species, plus the zone we're targeting further offshore is much better for Dovekie, Northern Fulmar, and Puffins. The trip cost is $175, and the boat sails at 6:00 AM, returning at roughly 6:00 PM. To make a reservation, go to our web site or you can contact us by phone or e-mail. Hope to see you aboard. -PAG -- Paul A. Guris See Life Paulagics PO Box 161 Green Lane, PA 18054 215-234-6805 info AT paulagics.com How to report NJ bird sightings: Subject: Re: Photo Study Of Some Birds At Barnegat February 4th, 2010 From: twbt <twbt AT OPTONLINE.NET> Date: Sat, 6 Feb 2010 19:13:25 -0500 Hi all, Nice photos Howard. I visited Barnegat Lighthouse SP too. I saw * Black-bellied Plover * Ruddy Turnstone * Sanderling * Red-breasted Merganser * Purple Sandpiper * Harlequin * Common Loon * Horned Grebe * Surf Scoter * Black Scoter * Dunlin * Atlantic Brant * and a Harbor Seal Here is a pic of a Common Loon eating a winter flounder http://picasaweb.google.com/gnxlgnxl/Barnegat#5435283295935564914 and here is the Harbor Seal http://picasaweb.google.com/gnxlgnxl/Barnegat#5435283255508699746 All the photos from the trip are here Barnegat: http://picasaweb.google.com/gnxlgnxl/Barnegat# Good birding, Tom Howard B. Eskin wrote: > The prospect of being "snow-bound" for a few days with my wife, daughter and a two year > old grandson, was ample reason to get me to drive to Barnegat Light State Park > yesterday. The Scoters, Red-breasted Mergansers, Harlequins, Long-tailed Ducks and some > others were all there in the sunshine. To see some of the photos, please go to the > following link: > > http://www.howardsview.com/BarnegatFeb4th_10/BarnegatFeb4_10.html > > Howard B. Eskin > Harleysville, PA > > How to report NJ bird sightings: > > How to report NJ bird sightings: Subject: snow birding From: Sandra Keller <sandrakeller AT VERIZON.NET> Date: Sat, 6 Feb 2010 19:03:24 -0500 Snow - yard birding I should say. Took 2 hours to dig my car out from under 2 ft. of snow. My snow blower broke.... At least the JUNCOS were singing! First I have heard them singing their full song all year. CHICKADEES and WHITE-THROATED SPARROWS also singing, but they have been singing for awhile. More JUNCOS than normal for my yard. Way more. Other than that, just the usual. Good birding all. I wonder if some of our winter birds have actually gone north?? If they went south, they just hit more snow!! Sandra Keller Barrington, NJ sandrakeller AT verizon.net How to report NJ bird sightings: Subject: yard birds From: Linda Gangi <ltgangi AT PEACEMAIL.COM> Date: Sat, 6 Feb 2010 16:03:16 -0800 I too trudged outside this morning around 7am and filled up the feeders for the little birds that were already feeding. The usual crowd except in greater numbers. Junco's, Titmice, Chickadees, Nuthatches, Mourning Doves, Blue Jay, Crows, House Finch and Sparrow, Carolina Wrens, White-throated and Song Sparrows, one Goldfinch and one lone Yellow-rumped Warbler feeding on the suet. I was on the look out for the Pine Warbler that showed up during the last big storm in December, but it was a no go today. I didn't see any woodpeckers today which was surprising. I do love the snow I must admit. I like it even more since the development is supposed to plow and shovel, we'll see about that. All in all my feathered friends were very well fed today; lucky little birds. Linda Gangi Manahawkin, NJ A man's interest in a single bluebird is worth more than a complete but dry list of the fauna and flora of a town. Henry David Thoreau _______________________________________________________________ http://www.care2.com/toolbar/download.html Care2 Toolbar makes it easy to make a difference (for free)! http://www.care2.com Green Living, Human Rights and more - 12 million members! How to report NJ bird sightings: Subject: Re: Feeder birds From: Gerald Peterson <ghpeterson AT ATT.NET> Date: Sat, 6 Feb 2010 15:39:42 -0500 I'm in Florida, having driven down in the souther winter of last weekend. I was feeling I had bad luck until this weekend came along. My "birds" are dinning somewhere else, I hope. Jeff Hawk wrote: > Hi, > > Let's hear from the feeder watchers! Maybe something good will show up. > > Jeff Hawk > Hamilton, NJ > > How to report NJ bird sightings: > > How to report NJ bird sightings: Subject: Cumberland County From: Richard Wolfert <rwolfert AT COMCAST.NET> Date: Sat, 6 Feb 2010 15:33:44 -0500 This is in addition to Yong Kong's earlier report. 2/5/2010 Elaine Long, Yong Kong and I ventured to Cumberland County yesterday. Weather was in the low to mid 30’s with very cloudy skies (and awful lighting for photography), but while there WAS snow on the ground (quite a bit more than we had in Middlesex County from the last snow event), nothing fell from the skies at all during the trip. Yong knows the area well and we went looking for the Common Crane that Elaine and I missed last year. Within a minute of stopping at their primary spot, we found it. For Elaine and me, it was a life bird. During our weaving through the countryside and shore areas, we did also see Horned Larks, 8 Eastern Bluebirds (at least), 5 Bald Eagles (maybe more), perhaps a dozen Great-blue Herons (often quite close to the road, with 1 directly ON the road), a single Tree Sparrow, 5 Eastern Meadowlarks, several Common Mergansers and Bufflehead, at least 500 Snow Geese, and a Red-shouldered Hawk on top of a tree at an intersection in Port Norris. It was quite unconcerned with traffic or our prolonged observations. Several photos below including a good shot of the back of the RS Hawk. Interestingly, the shore was nearly devoid of birds. Perhaps they had all moved elsewhere in anticipation of the heavy snowfall that was expected. Our thanks to Yong for being such a great guide. There are 15 new photos of the trip on the Sightings & Reports page at www.njnaturenotes.com. Rich Wolfert East Brunswick, NJ rwolfert at comcast dot net www.njnaturenotes.com http://www.flickr.com/photos/rwolfert/ How to report NJ bird sightings: Subject: feeder birds From: kraziezoo8 AT COMCAST.NET Date: Sat, 6 Feb 2010 18:51:18 +0000 Greetings, The snow started here in Lindenwold at 5:55 pm last night and has not let up. At 6 am this morning when I was shoveling a spot to toss extra bird seed there was 12 inches of the white stuff. Lucky for the birds ( and me ) I had also filled all the feeders last night prior to the storm. Nothing unusual has shown up though. Starlings, Blue Jays, Cardinals, Carolina Wrens, WT Sparrow, House Finch, House Sparrows, Tufted T's, Chickadees, Juncos, Mourning Doves, Goldfinch, BlueBirds, WB Nuthatch, Downies, Red Bellied Woodpecker, Yellow Bellied Saps and a lone Yellow Rumped Warbler who's been here for weeks. Susie Lindenwold Camden County How to report NJ bird sightings: Subject: Feeder Birds From: Harvey Tomlinson <ShearH2Os AT AOL.COM> Date: Sat, 6 Feb 2010 13:27:23 EST Hi Jersey Birders, Enjoying ONLY 3-4 inches of snow here. A nuisance snow, unlike the folks down south. I had a newly arrived Red-shouldered Hawk patrolling the back yard, and my resident "Mama Cass" of Coopers Hawks was none to pleased to see him sitting in HER bird bath ! She rained down on him w/ a vengeance and made contact on her last pass. He left and has been sitting high in an oak licking his wounds and pride. I threw a suet cake on the deck and my Carolina wren has been sitting on it ready to take on all comers. She is Queen of the cake. Even the Grackles seem to be waiting their turn. A few suet cakes in weather like this can make the difference. When the spring hordes of Blackbirds arrive I pull them in. But, now even my Chipmunk will come out for a nibble. I really hope Puxatawny Phil was wrong.... Good Feeder Birding, Harvey Tomlinson Basking Ridge How to report NJ bird sightings: Subject: Sandy Hook 2/5 From: Scott Barnes <myiarchus16 AT YAHOO.COM> Date: Sat, 6 Feb 2010 09:38:01 -0800 Jerseybirders,   Yesterday's field trip at Sandy Hook enjoyed nice weather with calm conditions and overcast skies that allowed for good ocean/bay scanning.  All three scoter species were off lots B & C with many Long-tailed Ducks as well.  The local Great Cormorants are beginning to show their breeding garb, with the white facial feathering and frosting on the nape visible on some individuals (none showed the white thigh patch yet).  Raptors included two Red-shouldered Hawks (one is an adult that often hangs around the northern part of Atlantic Drive), 2 Merlins perched atop the telephone poles opposite the gated road to Kingman/Mills around 5 pm, and a Peregrine that spent the day sitting on the Spermaceti Cove sandbar.   One of the two very cooperative first-cycle Iceland Gulls was sitting in the bay off SHBO.  Last week's Tree Swallow was still present in the dunes south of North Beach Pavilion--hope it survives today's storm.  A flock of 20+ Horned Larks and 30 Snow Buntings were foraging in the grass field behind the Sandy Hook Education Center and the Rodman Gun (the black cannon near the Chapel).  I estimated some 60+ Harbor Seals for the day, including 50 loafing on the sandbar at the south end of Skeleton Hill Island.  Photos of some of the seals can be seen on SHBO's facebook page.   Good Birding, Scott Barnes Senior Naturalist Sandy Hook Bird Observatory New Jersey Audubon www.njaudubon.org/Centers/SHBO     How to report NJ bird sightings: Subject: Monmouth County Audubon Meeting Feb.10th From: Stuart and Wendy <weluvowls AT COMCAST.NET> Date: Sat, 6 Feb 2010 12:28:26 -0500 Jeffrey Hall will present "Birds on the Rocks" at the next meeting of Monmouth County Audubon Society on Wednesday February 10th at 8PM at Church of the Nativity 180 Ridge Road in Fair Haven. Please note that this is the new permanent meeting place. The public is welcome and admission is free. The program "Birds on the Rocks" will visit breeding colonies of murres,gannets and other seabirds off the coast of the Canadian Maritimes, along with other creatures that share the marine habitat of the North Atlantic. Featured is the Machias Seal Island colony of the most appealing of seabirds, the Atlantic Puffin. Jeffrey Hall is currently serving his fourth term as President of Washington Crossing Audubon Society. He also currently is the Program Director, which he has been for many years. Jeffrey Hall's articles and photographs have appeared in Living Bird, Underwater Naturalist, NJ Audubon and many other publications. Jeffrey teaches biology at the Pennington School in Pennington, NJ. For more information about this program or future programs and field trips or directions to the new meeting place go to www.monmouthaudubon.org Wendy Malmid Program Chairperson MCAS PO BOX 542 Red Bank, NJ 07701 732-USA-BIRD How to report NJ bird sightings: Subject: Re: Feeder birds From: Steve Glynn <SouthJerseyGlynn AT COMCAST.NET> Date: Sat, 6 Feb 2010 12:07:00 -0500 Well, I woke up this morning here in Millville and the first order of business was to clear a path out the the feeders that I had filled up yesterday afternoon. We have about 19 inches of snow as of noon and about as many species have come in to feed. The marauding Grackles are back, along with a stray Brown-headed Cowbird mixed in. When the Grackles get spooked, the smaller birds come back in. Here's my list: Common Grackles (about 75) Brown-headed Cowbird Starlings (3) Chickadees TT's Cardinal pair Blue Jays WB Nuthatch Brown Creeper Downy Woodpecker pair Red-bellied Woodpecker Eastern Towhee pair Robins Junco's (about 30) White-throated Sparrows (about 15) Song Sparrow House Sparrow pair Chipping Sparrows (about 8) House Finch Mourning Doves (about 5) Around yesterday....Hermit Thrush, but not seen yet today. Also around the neighborhood, but not seen, nor heard yet, are Bluebirds, Cedar Waxwings and Carolina Wren. I dug out for the birds, but I'm leaving the driveway until the snow stops. Been reading birding books on SE AZ, Southern California and New Mexico, and hoping to plan another trip out west maybe in April. Until then, I'm enjoying the appropriate weather for February, here at home, in South Jersey. Steve Glynn Millville, NJ How to report NJ bird sightings: Subject: Re: interesting feeder birds From: Bob Verdon <clarkg AT OPTONLINE.NET> Date: Sat, 6 Feb 2010 16:06:13 +0000 This snowy morning brought us our first flock of brown-headed cowbirds. How to report NJ bird sightings: Subject: Feeder birds From: Jeff Hawk <tokenmaven AT OPTONLINE.NET> Date: Sat, 6 Feb 2010 14:17:15 +0000 Hi, Let's hear from the feeder watchers! Maybe something good will show up. Jeff Hawk Hamilton, NJ How to report NJ bird sightings: Subject: Lake Lenape, Mays Landing, Atl Co. From: Joe Delesantro <byrder2002 AT YAHOO.COM> Date: Fri, 5 Feb 2010 19:56:41 -0800 Today there were 50 Common Merganser in the open water on the lake. They were easily viewed from the boat house parking lot. Joe Delesantro Mays Landing, NJ byrder2002 AT yahoo.com How to report NJ bird sightings: Subject: Red-shouldered hawk Somerset From: CATHY BLUMIG <WOLGAST AT AESOP.RUTGERS.EDU> Date: Fri, 5 Feb 2010 21:46:41 -0500 Must be a good day for red-shouldered hawks because I heard one calling (loud and robust) just before 8 o'clock this morning just off Bennetts Lane in Somerset. Have also had a pair of Black Ducks on our woodland pond, and a pair of Eastern Towhees in a thicket next to that. Wonder what the snow will bring tomorrow... Good birding, Cathy Blumig Somerset, NJ How to report NJ bird sightings: Subject: Photo Study Of Some Birds At Barnegat February 4th, 2010 From: "Howard B. Eskin" <hbeskin AT VOICENET.COM> Date: Fri, 5 Feb 2010 21:35:19 -0500 The prospect of being "snow-bound" for a few days with my wife, daughter and a two year old grandson, was ample reason to get me to drive to Barnegat Light State Park yesterday. The Scoters, Red-breasted Mergansers, Harlequins, Long-tailed Ducks and some others were all there in the sunshine. To see some of the photos, please go to the following link: http://www.howardsview.com/BarnegatFeb4th_10/BarnegatFeb4_10.html Howard B. Eskin Harleysville, PA How to report NJ bird sightings: Subject: birdy commute on Friday From: Neil Maruca <neil.maruca AT GMAIL.COM> Date: Fri, 5 Feb 2010 20:04:48 -0500 Morning commute highlight: Tundra Swan flyover in Paterson where the Passaic river crosses route 80. Evening commute highlight: Rough Legged Hawk over 287 in Basking Ridge, approximately 2 miles west of Lord Stirling park. Neil Maruca Hackensack How to report NJ bird sightings: Subject: red-shouldered hawk in Port Norris, Cumberland Co. From: Yong Kong <yklitespeed AT COMCAST.NET> Date: Fri, 5 Feb 2010 19:34:30 -0500 Birded around Cedarville to Port Norris in Cumberland County today. Personally, the highlight of the day was an adult red-shouldered hawk perched at the intersection of Lincoln Street and Main Street (County Route 553) in down town Port Norris. Why ? The habitat the bird was observed !!!! Spent some of the day searching less travel back roads focusing in areas of brush fields, etc. next to swamp hardwood deciduous woods with hopes of seeing a red-shouldered, but no luck. Red tails instead all day. On the way home decide to pull over to take another look at the usual wintering raptor and it was a red-shouldered. Very cooperative hawk. Could care less about the traffic. Yong Kong Sickerville, NJ yklitespeed AT comcast.net How to report NJ bird sightings: Subject: Bridge to Nowhere: Rough-leg; Cedar Run Dock Rd, Great Bay Blvd From: Blake Mathys <blakemathys AT HOTMAIL.COM> Date: Fri, 5 Feb 2010 17:52:38 -0500 Dimi and I birded the "Bridge to Nowhere" (aka Stafford Ave), Cedar Run Dock Road, Dock Road, and Great Bay Boulevard today. The highlights were 1 dark morph Rough-legged Hawk (Bridge to Nowhere), 2 Peregrines (1 from end of Cedar Run Dock Road, the other on Great Bay Blvd), 1 Merlin (Great Bay Blvd), and an adult Bald Eagle (Cedar Run Dock Rd). We also saw quite a few harriers and Red-tails. Blake & Dimi Mathys Williamstown, NJ _________________________________________________________________ Hotmail: Free, trusted and rich email service. http://clk.atdmt.com/GBL/go/201469228/direct/01/ How to report NJ bird sightings: Subject: Western Grebe- Elberon From: Michael Hiotis <mhiotis1 AT YAHOO.COM> Date: Thu, 4 Feb 2010 14:26:47 -0800 Hey Folks, I took a short trip up the coast today from Allenhurst to Seven Prez's...I did not see any Scoters or Eiders today but got lucky at Pullman Ave,Elberon.This is a dead end street ending on the beach front 3-4 blocks south of Lake Tackanasee(sp).. I spotted the subject bird a little more than 1/4 mile out with bins.It was with a Red- throated Loon .In the scope very decent views were had as the dull yellowish bill and the dark cap surrounding the eye running thru the lores to the bill was evident. It was a nice surprise! I probably had more than 75 loons at all the stops together,a few LT Ducks& RB Mergs also..I nice group of feeding Gannets were distant off 7 Prez's but could find no alcids..I would describe the conditions as clear,blue& crisp.Just a fine day to be out and about ....Thanks Tommy B.! Mike Hiotis Martinsville NJ How to report NJ bird sightings: Subject: Turkey Point - Rough-legged Hawk From: Sandra Keller <sandrakeller AT VERIZON.NET> Date: Thu, 4 Feb 2010 16:47:13 -0500 Hello, Thursday - 2-4-10. NW winds, but sunny, and warmish at 35 degrees or so. Snow cover on the ground from last weekend's storm down there. They got lots more than I did. The Phila. region might make up for it this weekend. Ashame the Eagle festival was cancelled. I was looking forward to meeting folks at my usual Beaver Dam spot! Anyway, today in brief. Citizen's United and Natural Lands Trust show some local school kids raptors and habitats. And there's probably another sponsoring company that I am missing. I apologize. Anyway, the kids have fun and are enthralled over just an EAGLE'S nest! Well, they are big and impressive! Turkey Point Rd. - 1 dark morph ROUGH-LEGGED HAWK - to the east side of the bridge at the end. Hunting. It might stick around. We couldn't age it. Lots of HARRIERS around. Plenty of EAGLES including an adult perched mid way out in the marsh. The kids loved that! Bay Point Rd. - I did on my own afterwards. 90 or so HORNED LARKS - most in one big flock in their usual corner. The snow was sufficiently melted to have them back on the fields and not congregated by the roadsides. I was pleased to see so many after not seeing many in Salem County! 50 or so SAVANNAH SPARROWS - wow. Lining the ditches along the roadside. Wow. They were close and a nice view. 2 more BALD EAGLES - both immatures. One a subadult I and the other I couldn't tell. 1 male KESTREL A lovely day. Good birding all. Sandra Keller Barrington, NJ sandrakeller AT verizon.net How to report NJ bird sightings: Subject: Re: Sometimes those birdwatchers... From: swaine <swaine AT OPTONLINE.NET> Date: Thu, 4 Feb 2010 11:43:47 -0500 ah yes... in fact we did hear a mockingbird doing a car alarm many years ago! KS + repeating my post re same subject yesterday (not sure it got sent): homeland security? way back in 1992 I and my classmates took a botany trip to the Pine Barrens; a birder came along, and he and I both had bins and were checking out the fauna along with the flora, when suddenly, a military jeep appeared and a soldier demanded to know what we were looking for out there (ha) - my only encounter with an official while birding. karen, highland park ----- Original Message ----- From: "Carl Bernzweig" To: Sent: Wednesday, February 03, 2010 5:11 PM Subject: Re: [JerseyBirds] Sometimes those birdwatchers... CBC owling on a semi-rural stretch of road, we whistled for screech but woke up a mockingbird and decided to move on. We made it around one corner when police cruisers appeared from nowhere in front and behind us, a niftily coordinated maneuver cutting us off very nicely. They could tell from first look at us what we were up to--it's a well-birded area and our group included children--but it took us all a moment to figure out it had been our 'screech' and the mockingbird's response that had caused a nearby resident, still groggy from being awakened at 4:30, to phone in a car alarm going off. Carl BernzweigWest Orange NJ How to report NJ bird sightings: How to report NJ bird sightings: Subject: Re: Sometimes those birdwatchers... From: Robert DeCandido PhD <rdcny AT EARTHLINK.NET> Date: Thu, 4 Feb 2010 08:44:51 -0500 Once upon a time when I worked for NYC Parks, I arranged for the Parks Dept boat to take scientists to some of the Harbor Herons islands in NYC Waters. From one of those trips, Paul Kerlinger tells this story: It was a cloudy, overcast day in spring with some rain. He and a crew had just landed on South Brother Island (at the top of the East River; beginning of the western edge of the Long Island Sound) to check on nesting cormorants, herons, gulls, etc. All around them was the lovely NYC skyline including the nearby Bruckner Expressway to the west, Rikers Island (the NYC Prison facility) to the east and Manhattan to the SW. The weather was bad and they were wearing different colored rain gear - Paul happened to be wearing a particular awful color that day - something close to red-orange. They were about to begin the census when they saw Police boats approaching rapidly from the east (the Rikers Island direction) - who stopped a few meters from the Island with raised rifles pointed at them. I think Paul was even a bit flustered...anyway, it turns out that the Police thought Paul and the rest were escaped prisoners, since the inmates at Rikers wear orange jumpsuits... How to report NJ bird sightings: Subject: T. Roosevelt's List of birds (White House Grounds) From: Robert DeCandido PhD <rdcny AT EARTHLINK.NET> Date: Thu, 4 Feb 2010 08:28:45 -0500 From the White House Grounds (52 acres and 93 species) - birds seen 1901 to 1908. There were a couple of posts on this several months ago with the publication of a book about TR...found this in the interim. As an aside, there is an "official" White House pamphlet published in about 1908 on the birds seen by Pres. TR - I think that one has a few more species...but this article may have been the genesis of the idea. President Roosevelt's List of Birds Seen in the White House Grounds and About Washington During His Administration (1901-1908) WHEN Mr. Richard Kearton, the English ornithologist and author, brought his wonderful motion pictures of bird-life to this country, he came directly to Washington, and gave his first exhibition at the White House to a small company of invited guests. President Roosevelt seemed to enjoy the entertainment immensely, and when it was over he congratulated Mr. Kearton warmly. Then the two became the center of a distinguished group of outdoor men, including Ambassador Bryce, and they talked for an hour on a variety of subjects,—beginning with snakes and ending with nature-faking. It was when the party was breaking up that I had an opportunity to speak with the President, and I asked him if I might make, from a magazine article of his, a list of the birds he mentioned having seen about the White House. I explained that I wanted it for a new edition of the local bird book, 'Birds of Washington and Vicinity. "Why yes," he answered cordially. "But I'll do better for you than that. I'll make you a list of all the birds I can remember having seen since I have been here." Then he said I had better remind him, as he might forget it, and he told me how to address a note so that it would come directly to him, without risk of falling into a secretary's waste-basket. I wrote the reminder, and it shows the President's characteristic promptness that within twenty-four hours after mailing it I received this list of ninety-three birds in his own handwriting. Where an unusual name is given, I have added another in brackets. What a Bush Sparrow was I did not know and could not find out, so I wrote Mr. Roosevelt again, but not until after he had left Washington and was at Oyster Bay engrossed with preparations for his African trip. I hardly expected a reply, but some weeks later received a note from the Outlook office saying the writer had been instructed by Mr. Roosevelt, before his departure, to say that a Bush Sparrow is a Field Sparrow. — Lucy W. Maynard, Washington, D. C. * (Denotes a species seen on White House grounds) 1. Night Heron. Five spent winter of 1907 in swampy country about one-half mile west of Washington Monument. 2. Mourning Dove. 3. Quail. [Bobwhite] 4. Ruffed Grouse. One seen on Rock Creek. 5. Sharp-shinned Hawk. 6. Red-shouldered Hawk. 7.*Sparrow Hawk [American Kestrel]. A pair spent the last two winters on and around the White House grounds, feeding on the Sparrows—largely, thank Heaven, on the English Sparrows. 8.*Screech Owl. Steady resident on White House grounds. 9.*Saw-whet Owl. A pair spent several weeks by the south portico of the White House, 1905. 10. Kingfisher. 11.*Yellow-billed Cuckoo. 12. Hairy Woodpecker. 13.*Downy Woodpecker. 14.*Sapsucker [Yellow-bellied]. 15.*Red-headed Woodpecker. Nests (one pair) on White House grounds. 16.*Flicker. Nests (several pairs) on White House grounds. 17. Whip-poor-will. 18. Nighthawk. 19.*Chimney Swift. 20.*Hummingbird. 21. Kingbird. 22. Great Crested Flycatcher. 23. Phoebe. 24. Wood Pewee. 25. Horned Lark. 26.*Crow. 27.*Fish Crow. 28.*Orchard Oriole. One pair nested in White House grounds. 29. Bobolink. 30. Red-winged Blackbird. 31.*Baltimore Oriole. 32. Meadowlark. 33.*Purple Grackle. Nests on White House grounds. Very abundant in early spring. 34.*Purple Finch. 35.*Thistle Bird (Goldfinch). 36. Vesper Sparrow. 37.*White-throated Sparrow. Sings; this year sang now and then all through the winter. 38.*Tree Sparrow. 39.*Chippie (Chipping Sparrow). Nests. 40. Bush Sparrow (Field Sparrow). 41.*Snow Bird (Junco). 42.*Song Sparrow. Nests. 43.*Fox Sparrow. 44.*Cardinal. 45. Towhee. 46.*Indigo-bird. Nests. 47. Tanager. 48. Purple Martin. 49.*Barn Swallow. 50. Tree Swallow. 51. Bank Swallow. 52.*Cedar Bird. 53. Logger-head Shrike. 54.*Red-eyed Vireo. Nests. 55.*Warbling Vireo. Nests. 56.*Black and White Warbler. Nests. 57.*Blue Yellow-backed Warbler (Parula Warbler). 58.*Cape May Warbler. 59.*Summer Yellowbird (Yellow Warbler). Nests. 60.*Black-throated Blue Warbler. 61.*Black-throated Green Warbler. 62.*Myrtle Warbler. 63.*Magnolia Warbler. 64.*Chestnut-sided Warbler. 65.*Bay-breasted Warbler. 66.*Blackpoll Warbler. 67.*Blackburnian Warbler. 68. Prairie Warbler. 69. Oven-bird. 70. Water Thrush. 71. Kentucky Warbler. 72.*Yellowthroat. 73. Chat. 74.*Blue-winged Warbler. 75.*Canadian Warbler. 76.*Redstart. Nests on White House Grounds. 77. Pipit. 78. Mockingbird. 79.*Catbird. Nests on White House grounds. 80. Thrasher. 81. House Wren. 82.*Carolina Wren. 83. Marsh Wren. 84.*Brown Creeper. 85.*White-breasted Nuthatch. 86.*Tufted Tit. Nests on White House grounds. 87.*Chickadee. 88.*Golden-crowned Kinglet. 89.*Ruby-crowned Kinglet. 90. Gnatcatcher. 91.*Wood Thrush. Nests on White House grounds. 92.*Bluebird. 93.*Robin. Nests on White House grounds. (Doubtless this list is incomplete; I have seen others that I have forgotten.) Theodore Roosevelt. March 27, 1908. From: Bird Lore 12 (2) March-April, 1910: pages 53-55. How to report NJ bird sightings: Subject: Re: Sometimes those birdwatchers... From: donald desjardins <ddjcdjjdj AT OPTONLINE.NET> Date: Wed, 3 Feb 2010 19:05:00 -0500 While birding Liberty state park last winter I had a similiar experience.While walking through the fields early in the morning, a port authority helicopter change it intended coarse to see what I was doing.I guess it seems weird to see someone early in the morning, carrying a spotting scope, wearing dark clothes, and carrying binoculars.As they were watching me I was watching them.Their helicopter ended up 50 yards over my head.Kicking up all kinds of snow and debris. Then a friendly wave sent them on there way.So there not only watching you from the ground in cars. Donald E DesJardins Cedar Grove, New Jersey On Wed, Feb 3, 2010 at 5:11 PM, Carl Bernzweig wrote: > CBC owling on a semi-rural stretch of road, we whistled for screech > but woke up a mockingbird and decided to move on.  We made it around > one corner when police cruisers appeared from nowhere in front and > behind us, a niftily coordinated maneuver cutting us off very nicely. >  They could tell from first look at us what we were up to--it's a > well-birded area and our group included children--but it took us all a > moment to figure out it had been our 'screech' and the mockingbird's > response that had caused a nearby resident, still groggy from being > awakened at 4:30, to phone in a car alarm going off.   > Carl BernzweigWest Orange NJ > > > > > > > How to report NJ bird sightings: How to report NJ bird sightings: Subject: Re: 2010 Winer Eagle Festival cancelled! From: Tony Geiger <tony.geiger AT NJAUDUBON.ORG> Date: Wed, 3 Feb 2010 17:40:09 -0500 Another great resource for birders still planning to visit Cumberland County is New Jersey Audubon's Birding and Wildlife Trails website: http://www.njwildlifetrails.org/DelawareBayshoreTrails/Trails.aspx The interactive map links to descriptions and directions to several wildlife viewing locations on three different routes through Cumberland. This trail in particular has many reliable sites for Eagles: http://www.njwildlifetrails.org/DelawareBayshore/Sites/tabid/440/Scope/loop/ Guide/DELBAYSH/Loop/CU_BAY/Default.aspx Good birding, safe travels! Tony Geiger Del Haven, NJ -----Original Message----- From: New Jersey Birding [mailto:JerseyBirds AT Princeton.EDU] On Behalf Of Jill Weislo Sent: Wednesday, February 03, 2010 4:57 PM To: JerseyBirds AT Princeton.EDU Subject: [JerseyBirds] 2010 Winer Eagle Festival cancelled! The 2010 Winter Eagle Festival has been cancelled due to expected snow storms on Saturday. It will not be rescheduled. If you still want to go out birding in Cumberland County you can follow this link to view a map and a list of birding areas. http://wildnewjersey.tv/2010/02/03/wnj-exclusive-2010-winter-eagle-festival- cancelled.aspx How to report NJ bird sightings: How to report NJ bird sightings: Subject: Re: Sometimes those birdwatchers... From: Carl Bernzweig <cbernzweig AT YAHOO.COM> Date: Wed, 3 Feb 2010 14:11:54 -0800 CBC owling on a semi-rural stretch of road, we whistled for screech but woke up a mockingbird and decided to move on.  We made it around one corner when police cruisers appeared from nowhere in front and behind us, a niftily coordinated maneuver cutting us off very nicely.  They could tell from first look at us what we were up to--it's a well-birded area and our group included children--but it took us all a moment to figure out it had been our 'screech' and the mockingbird's response that had caused a nearby resident, still groggy from being awakened at 4:30, to phone in a car alarm going off.   Carl BernzweigWest Orange NJ How to report NJ bird sightings: Subject: 2010 Winer Eagle Festival cancelled! From: Jill Weislo <jill AT EDISONWETLANDS.ORG> Date: Wed, 3 Feb 2010 14:57:25 -0700 The 2010 Winter Eagle Festival has been cancelled due to expected snow storms on Saturday. It will not be rescheduled. If you still want to go out birding in Cumberland County you can follow this link to view a map and a list of birding areas. http://wildnewjersey.tv/2010/02/03/wnj-exclusive-2010-winter-eagle-festival-cancelled.aspx How to report NJ bird sightings: Subject: Re: Sometimes those birdwatchers spot some really upset neighbors] From: swaine <swaine AT OPTONLINE.NET> Date: Wed, 3 Feb 2010 14:27:38 -0500 homeland security? way back in 1992 I and my classmates took a botany trip to the Pine Barrens; a birder came along, and he and I both had bins and were checking out the fauna along with the flora, when suddenly, a military jeep appeared and a soldier demanded to know what we were looking for out there (ha) - my only encounter with an official while birding. karen, highland park -- Original Message ----- From: "Elaine Long" To: Sent: Wednesday, February 03, 2010 8:13 AM Subject: [JerseyBirds] [Fwd: [JerseyBirds] Sometimes those birdwatchers spot some really upset neighbors] > I've had two experiences of being stopped and questioned. Both times it > was by the police and they were polite. They believed me when I told them > I was birding and didn't give me any trouble. > Elaine Long > E. Brunswick, NJ > > -------- Original Message -------- > Subject: [JerseyBirds] Sometimes those birdwatchers spot some really upset > neighbors > Date: Tue, 2 Feb 2010 10:11:16 -0500 > From: Cynthia Allen > Reply-To: Cynthia Allen > To: JerseyBirds AT Princeton.EDU > > > > http://www.pressofatlanticcity.com/news/breaking/article_29100ba6-0fa2-11df-86e1-001cc4c002e0.html > > Sandra Keller chases birds all over America, even to places where birders > are as rarely seen as their subjects. > > The Barrington, Camden County, woman once drove up to New Hampshire for a > chance to glimpse a wayward African bird called a western reef heron. > > In her travels across Commercial Township and other favorite birding > spots, she has become sensitive to how strangers perceive her. > > "Once I was looking at a barn owl in Salem County toward dusk. Because it > was near the Salem nuclear power plants, the State Police showed up. I > don't go to that road now," she said. > > How to report NJ bird sightings: > > How to report NJ bird sightings: How to report NJ bird sightings: Subject: Re: JerseyBirds Digest - 1 Feb 2010 to 2 Feb 2010 (#2010-34) From: "Donald P. Freiday" <don.freiday AT NJAUDUBON.ORG> Date: Wed, 3 Feb 2010 10:46:06 -0500 Hi all, A significant chunk of a talk I occasionally give to bird groups (called "One day I went birding and. . .") involves police encounters. My personal favorite is like Laurie's & Tom's - even Mexican soldiers are interested in birds: Once in a remote area of northwestern Mexico we were even stopped by the Mexican army. This time the guns were drawn - automatic weapons in the hands of guys that looked like they were maybe 14. We were asked for our documents and to explain what we were doing there out in the middle of nowhere with fancy optical equipment. My Spanish is limited, but I tried to explain. "Estamos buscando pajaros," I repeated - We are looking for birds - which drew a mixture of hard skepticism and half smiles from the soldiers. I was imagining all the tales I've heard of things happening to American tourists in Mexico, but I had an idea. With hand signals I secured permission to open my backpack. Inside was the Howell and Webb Mexican field guide, which I showed to the soldiers and repeated again, "buscando pajaros," and pointed at the bird on the cover. Several of them gathered around and pointed at the cover, too. "Ah, si, si, Urracca hermosa! Urraca hermosa!" The soldiers were excited - they knew the cover bird, the Black-throated Magpie-Jay, which the locals called urraca hermosa, because it is beautiful (hermosa), and because its call sounds like urraca, urraca. Once again, birding made me some friends, and we spent some time going through the field guide looking for other birds they knew. Don Freiday, Cape May, NJ -----Original Message----- From: New Jersey Birding [mailto:JerseyBirds AT Princeton.EDU] On Behalf Of OSTRAND, THOMAS J (THOMAS J) Sent: Wednesday, February 03, 2010 10:19 AM To: JerseyBirds AT Princeton.EDU Subject: Re: [JerseyBirds] JerseyBirds Digest - 1 Feb 2010 to 2 Feb 2010 (#2010-34) A similar story to Laurie's: On Dec 31, 2006, I did some post-Christmas Count birding around the Raritan Center area of Edison. On Dec 30, Saddam Hussein had been executed. I parked near a power-line cut, and walked partway down the line to a fenced-in transmission substation. When I returned to my car, it was surrounded by 3 or 4 Edison police cars, and I was asked what I was doing there. Seems they were on hightened alert for terrorist reprisals. After the initial suspicion, on hearing about the Christmas count, one of the officers started telling me about owls he had seen at various places around Edison. I met the same officer two years later, on the CBC date. He remembered our first encounter, and was still enthusiastic about birding (I may have missed an opportunity to sign him up as a CBC volunteer) Tom Ostrand > Date: Tue, 2 Feb 2010 20:32:46 -0500 > From: Laurie Larson > Subject: Re: Sometimes those birdwatchers spot some really > upset neighbors > > One of my favorite birding experiences started out very > scary, when stopped by a police patrol on a back road at > night. But when he heard we were looking for owls he quickly > changed to enthusiasm, with sightings of his own during his > night shift. He seemed delighted to have someone to tell! > > You never know. > Laurie > > How to report NJ bird sightings: How to report NJ bird sightings: Subject: Re: JerseyBirds Digest - 1 Feb 2010 to 2 Feb 2010 (#2010-34) From: "OSTRAND, THOMAS J (THOMAS J)" <ostrand AT RESEARCH.ATT.COM> Date: Wed, 3 Feb 2010 10:18:37 -0500 A similar story to Laurie's: On Dec 31, 2006, I did some post-Christmas Count birding around the Raritan Center area of Edison. On Dec 30, Saddam Hussein had been executed. I parked near a power-line cut, and walked partway down the line to a fenced-in transmission substation. When I returned to my car, it was surrounded by 3 or 4 Edison police cars, and I was asked what I was doing there. Seems they were on hightened alert for terrorist reprisals. After the initial suspicion, on hearing about the Christmas count, one of the officers started telling me about owls he had seen at various places around Edison. I met the same officer two years later, on the CBC date. He remembered our first encounter, and was still enthusiastic about birding (I may have missed an opportunity to sign him up as a CBC volunteer) Tom Ostrand > Date: Tue, 2 Feb 2010 20:32:46 -0500 > From: Laurie Larson > Subject: Re: Sometimes those birdwatchers spot some really > upset neighbors > > One of my favorite birding experiences started out very > scary, when stopped by a police patrol on a back road at > night. But when he heard we were looking for owls he quickly > changed to enthusiasm, with sightings of his own during his > night shift. He seemed delighted to have someone to tell! > > You never know. > Laurie > > How to report NJ bird sightings: Subject: Sometimes those birdwatchers spot some really upset neighbors] From: Elaine Long <luvacat1 AT COMCAST.NET> Date: Wed, 3 Feb 2010 08:13:37 -0500 I've had two experiences of being stopped and questioned. Both times it was by the police and they were polite. They believed me when I told them I was birding and didn't give me any trouble. Elaine Long E. Brunswick, NJ -------- Original Message -------- Subject: [JerseyBirds] Sometimes those birdwatchers spot some really upset neighbors Date: Tue, 2 Feb 2010 10:11:16 -0500 From: Cynthia Allen Reply-To: Cynthia Allen To: JerseyBirds AT Princeton.EDU http://www.pressofatlanticcity.com/news/breaking/article_29100ba6-0fa2-11df-86e1-001cc4c002e0.html Sandra Keller chases birds all over America, even to places where birders are as rarely seen as their subjects. The Barrington, Camden County, woman once drove up to New Hampshire for a chance to glimpse a wayward African bird called a western reef heron. In her travels across Commercial Township and other favorite birding spots, she has become sensitive to how strangers perceive her. "Once I was looking at a barn owl in Salem County toward dusk. Because it was near the Salem nuclear power plants, the State Police showed up. I don't go to that road now," she said. How to report NJ bird sightings: How to report NJ bird sightings: Subject: Lincoln's Sparrow, etc. around Cape May Pt. From: Christopher Vogel <glaucidium AT YAHOO.COM> Date: Tue, 2 Feb 2010 17:32:41 -0800 There was a rather ragged Lincoln'd Sparrow hanging out around the edge of Bunker Pond and the dune between the hawkwatch platform and the first Plover Pond in Cape May Pt. State Park this evening. There were also about 8-9 Swamp Sparrows, 5-6 Songs, and the usual wintering Field Sparrows in this area. The bird was often more or less between a Swamp and a Song, affording an excellent comparison, and an uncanny photo-op. Interestingly, the more robust Song Sparrows did seem to pick on it a bit. There are few mid-winter records of Lincoln's from NJ or Cape May, so a Groundhog Day bird is very much worth noting. There are also fair numbers of "half-hardies" round, ie there were more than twice as many Fox Sparrows as Mockingbirds (and I saw 26 Mockers today), Catbirds are in no short supply, Thrashers, though not as numerous as they might be, are evenly distributed, and I managed to tally over 30 Rusty Blackbrds and 2 Virginia Rails. One of the Rails was walking in the open around frozen Bunker Pond, and flushed right onto the walkway/pier so beloved by Terns in the summertime. Oh, and while yesterday I found three, today I could only come up with two Eurasian Wigeon on Lily Lake. The 6 Tundra Swans from Bunker Pond have relocated to Davey's Lake. Cheers CJV Cape May, NJ How to report NJ bird sightings: Subject: Re: Sometimes those birdwatchers spot some really upset neighbors From: Laurie Larson <llarson AT PRINCETON.EDU> Date: Tue, 2 Feb 2010 20:32:46 -0500 One of my favorite birding experiences started out very scary, when stopped by a police patrol on a back road at night. But when he heard we were looking for owls he quickly changed to enthusiasm, with sightings of his own during his night shift. He seemed delighted to have someone to tell! You never know. Laurie On Feb 2, 2010, at 5:40 PM, Susan Treesh wrote: > It surprises me that law enforcement doesn't reach out more to outdoorsy types like birders. I can think of a number of instances where birders discovered evidence of missing persons. And we are out there with high powered optics scanning reservoirs, airfields, etc. I'm surprised they don't hand out cards with numbers to call if we see something we don't like. If a real problem develops, maybe increased contacts with birding groups is one solution. How to report NJ bird sightings: Subject: North Shore - Sandy Hook - Barrow's From: Sandra Keller <sandrakeller AT VERIZON.NET> Date: Tue, 2 Feb 2010 19:36:19 -0500 Hello, Tues. all day - 2-2-10. Hazy sun to start, then cloudy. Light winds. 35 degrees or so I think. Observers - myself and a couple of friends. Highlights in brief - in no particular order: 25 SNOW BUNTINGS - or so. We got lucky, they were on the side of the road about 1/2 mile north of the entrance at Sandy Hook. Something like that. I don't think as far as a mile. 2 BARROW'S GOLDENEYES - both females - Horseshoe Cove - Kingman battery. The one that was reported with the yellow bill. Plus another that confused us at first - just a very narrow strip of yellow at the tip. Everything else fit for a classic BARROW'S - structure and all. Really didn't know what to make of it til got home and researched some more. First-year female BARROW'S can show just a little yellow like that. Nice. And no I don't get pics. Although these were so close and conditions were so good, if I had even brought my camera with me on the walk out, I might have gotten something re digiscoping. 50 ft. away were the birds. Very close to the shoreline. Mirror calm bay - no waves at all. Hazy sun to the side - perfect. Anyway, thoughts are always welcome. And wanted! Thanks. The usual there. Displaying BUFFLEHEAD were fun to watch. 7 COMMON EIDERS - including one adult male. The ocean off of Deal. Or that vicinity. I lose track of the towns. And the streets! We hit Pullman Ave., the Conover Pavilion, and 2 streets to the south. BLACK SCOTERS - a huge flock (well for up here) off on of those other streets. 45 COMMON LOONS - and only 3 RED-THROATED LOONS - scattered. 6 adult GREAT CORMS were on pilings at the fishing pier just north of the Conover Pavilion. I think I got that place right. Lake Takanassee was partially open. Nice concentrations of waterfowl. Nothing out of the ordinary. No Teal. Shark River was open water. We didn't hit here much though. Most other ponds we hit were frozen. We were hoping for an alcid maybe?? Hey, Dovekie off of Long Island. One never knows! But no luck. Good birding all. Sandra Keller Barrington, NJ sandrakeller AT verizon.net How to report NJ bird sightings: Subject: Re: Sometimes those birdwatchers spot some really upset neighbors From: "Cailin O' Connor Fitzpatrick" <coconnor AT BERGEN.EDU> Date: Tue, 2 Feb 2010 19:18:56 -0500 Haha, oh I have seen some hostility. I was researching kestrels and looking at a nest box that was located on someone's yard in Warren Co. and I thought I was about to get shot by the guy that sped across his field in a pick-up. I'm surprised he didn't point a rifle at me and my team (all young women) as he was screaming at us. ;) Cailin O'Connor Fitzpatrick Kinnelon ________________________________ From: New Jersey Birding on behalf of Susan Treesh Sent: Tue 2/2/2010 5:40 PM To: JerseyBirds AT Princeton.EDU Subject: Re: [JerseyBirds] Sometimes those birdwatchers spot some really upset neighbors I wonder if this is a situation where female and male experiences differ - I've had occasional experiences with cops stopping to ask me what I was doing, or residents coming out to ask me questions, but I've never experienced any hostility, at least in New Jersey, even when I've been standing on the edge of a property for 5 or more minutes doing a bird survey, taking down notes on a clipboard, etc. I would say that people immediately accept my explanation. (Of course, there was the time when I tried to point out a very up-close pileated woodpecker to female pedestrian passerby, who absolutely refused to even look and couldn't get out of my vicinity fast enough, lol!) I wonder if men have a harder time of it? I have become more cautious around schools. Anything involving children is fraught with peril these days. I wouldn't lift bins anywhere near a school unless there were sufficient numbers of birdwatchers for safety. It surprises me that law enforcement doesn't reach out more to outdoorsy types like birders. I can think of a number of instances where birders discovered evidence of missing persons. And we are out there with high powered optics scanning reservoirs, airfields, etc. I'm surprised they don't hand out cards with numbers to call if we see something we don't like. If a real problem develops, maybe increased contacts with birding groups is one solution. Susan Treesh Somerset, NJ Marty DeAngelo wrote: > I'm not surprised to get asked what I'm doing, but I am surprised at the hostility that you sometimes encounter (and outright suspicion that you couldn't possibly be doing something as simple as birdwatching). And what goes for binoculars often goes double for having a camera (and big lens). Photographers in general were having such problems that attorney Bert P. Krages developed the "Photographer's Bill of Rights" to help define very clearly what the laws are in the face of harassment, assault and even having cameras taken or smashed by police, security guards and more. > > At least (digital) photographers have an easier time proving exactly what they were doing - they can simply show their last 5, 10, 100 shots to the authorities on the spot and prove that yes - they were taking pictures of BIRDS. > > Marty DeAngelo > martytdx AT yahoo.com > Haddonfield, NJ > http://www.flickr.com/photos/martytdx > > > > > ________________________________ > From: Cynthia Allen > To: JerseyBirds AT Princeton.EDU > Sent: Tue, February 2, 2010 10:11:16 AM > Subject: [JerseyBirds] Sometimes those birdwatchers spot some really upset neighbors > > http://www.pressofatlanticcity.com/news/breaking/article_29100ba6-0fa2-11df-86e1-001cc4c002e0.html > > Sandra Keller chases birds all over America, even to places where birders are as rarely seen as their subjects. > > The Barrington, Camden County, woman once drove up to New Hampshire for a chance to glimpse a wayward African bird called a western reef heron. > > In her travels across Commercial Township and other favorite birding spots, she has become sensitive to how strangers perceive her. > > "Once I was looking at a barn owl in Salem County toward dusk. Because it was near the Salem nuclear power plants, the State Police showed up. I don't go to that road now," she said. > > How to report NJ bird sightings: > > > > > How to report NJ bird sightings: > > > How to report NJ bird sightings: How to report NJ bird sightings: Subject: Re: Sometimes those birdwatchers spot some really upset neighbors (Slightly Off Topic) From: Steve Mattan <stevemattan AT COMCAST.NET> Date: Tue, 2 Feb 2010 18:31:53 -0500 On Feb 2, 2010, at 5:40 PM, Susan Treesh wrote: > It surprises me that law enforcement doesn't reach out more to > outdoorsy types like birders. I can think of a number of instances > where birders discovered evidence of missing persons. And we are > out there with high powered optics scanning reservoirs, airfields, > etc. I'm surprised they don't hand out cards with numbers to call > if we see something we don't like. If a real problem develops, > maybe increased contacts with birding groups is one solution. There is a similar problem with being in state parks and forests at night. I'm also an amateur astronomer and the Pinelands offer the (relatively) darkest skies around. But on a number of occasions my friends and I have been forced to leave because "no one is allowed here after dark". Now we are exactly the people they want in the forest after dark, because our presence will, and has, frightened away others with less benign pursuits. I've even suggested that an astronomy permit, similar to a camping permit, be made available. But to no avail. It seems the powers that be are very close minded when it comes to such things. It's rather sad in a way. We gone and cordoned off nature, be it wildlife of the night sky, and them we chase people away who's only crime is curiosity about the natural world. Steve Mattan Edgewater Park, NJ -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- "The most beautiful thing we can experience is the mysterious. It is the source of all true art and science. He to whom this emotion is a stranger, who can no longer pause to wonder and stand rapt in awe, is as good as dead: his eyes are closed." - Albert Einstein, What I Believe, 1930 How to report NJ bird sightings: Subject: Re: Sometimes those birdwatchers spot some really upset neighbors From: Susan Treesh <sktreesh AT COMCAST.NET> Date: Tue, 2 Feb 2010 17:40:09 -0500 I wonder if this is a situation where female and male experiences differ - I've had occasional experiences with cops stopping to ask me what I was doing, or residents coming out to ask me questions, but I've never experienced any hostility, at least in New Jersey, even when I've been standing on the edge of a property for 5 or more minutes doing a bird survey, taking down notes on a clipboard, etc. I would say that people immediately accept my explanation. (Of course, there was the time when I tried to point out a very up-close pileated woodpecker to female pedestrian passerby, who absolutely refused to even look and couldn't get out of my vicinity fast enough, lol!) I wonder if men have a harder time of it? I have become more cautious around schools. Anything involving children is fraught with peril these days. I wouldn't lift bins anywhere near a school unless there were sufficient numbers of birdwatchers for safety. It surprises me that law enforcement doesn't reach out more to outdoorsy types like birders. I can think of a number of instances where birders discovered evidence of missing persons. And we are out there with high powered optics scanning reservoirs, airfields, etc. I'm surprised they don't hand out cards with numbers to call if we see something we don't like. If a real problem develops, maybe increased contacts with birding groups is one solution. Susan Treesh Somerset, NJ Marty DeAngelo wrote: > I'm not surprised to get asked what I'm doing, but I am surprised at the hostility that you sometimes encounter (and outright suspicion that you couldn't possibly be doing something as simple as birdwatching). And what goes for binoculars often goes double for having a camera (and big lens). Photographers in general were having such problems that attorney Bert P. Krages developed the "Photographer's Bill of Rights" to help define very clearly what the laws are in the face of harassment, assault and even having cameras taken or smashed by police, security guards and more. > > At least (digital) photographers have an easier time proving exactly what they were doing - they can simply show their last 5, 10, 100 shots to the authorities on the spot and prove that yes - they were taking pictures of BIRDS. > > Marty DeAngelo > martytdx AT yahoo.com > Haddonfield, NJ > http://www.flickr.com/photos/martytdx > > > > > ________________________________ > From: Cynthia Allen > To: JerseyBirds AT Princeton.EDU > Sent: Tue, February 2, 2010 10:11:16 AM > Subject: [JerseyBirds] Sometimes those birdwatchers spot some really upset neighbors > > http://www.pressofatlanticcity.com/news/breaking/article_29100ba6-0fa2-11df-86e1-001cc4c002e0.html > > Sandra Keller chases birds all over America, even to places where birders are as rarely seen as their subjects. > > The Barrington, Camden County, woman once drove up to New Hampshire for a chance to glimpse a wayward African bird called a western reef heron. > > In her travels across Commercial Township and other favorite birding spots, she has become sensitive to how strangers perceive her. > > "Once I was looking at a barn owl in Salem County toward dusk. Because it was near the Salem nuclear power plants, the State Police showed up. I don't go to that road now," she said. > > How to report NJ bird sightings: > > > > > How to report NJ bird sightings: > > > How to report NJ bird sightings: Subject: Backyard Bird -Cooper's Hawk From: Linda Gangi <ltgangi AT PEACEMAIL.COM> Date: Tue, 2 Feb 2010 13:39:46 -0800 I just happened to look out the window to see a Cooper's Hawk fluttering in the back yard, chasing birds. The first attempt I saw didn't work so it landed on the ground, tucked one leg up to it's breast (must be cold) and waited, looking around the yard for a meal . Then to my surprise it started chasing birds on foot. It chased two birds but they just flew away. Last time I saw the Hawk it was rounding the corner of the house, pickin 'em up and puttin 'em down, in a half-hearted pursuit of prey. My husband and I ran to the back porch to see what it was doing but there was no trace of him. Truthfully it looked rather silly, not the stoic bird of prey I had imagined. Maybe he was just tired, or just having a bad day. Linda Gangi Manahawkin, NJ A man's interest in a single bluebird is worth more than a complete but dry list of the fauna and flora of a town. Henry David Thoreau How to report NJ bird sightings: Subject: Re: Sometimes those birdwatchers spot some really upset neighbors From: Marty DeAngelo <martytdx AT YAHOO.COM> Date: Tue, 2 Feb 2010 11:00:08 -0800 I'm not surprised to get asked what I'm doing, but I am surprised at the hostility that you sometimes encounter (and outright suspicion that you couldn't possibly be doing something as simple as birdwatching). And what goes for binoculars often goes double for having a camera (and big lens). Photographers in general were having such problems that attorney Bert P. Krages developed the "Photographer's Bill of Rights" to help define very clearly what the laws are in the face of harassment, assault and even having cameras taken or smashed by police, security guards and more. At least (digital) photographers have an easier time proving exactly what they were doing - they can simply show their last 5, 10, 100 shots to the authorities on the spot and prove that yes - they were taking pictures of BIRDS. Marty DeAngelo martytdx AT yahoo.com Haddonfield, NJ http://www.flickr.com/photos/martytdx ________________________________ From: Cynthia Allen To: JerseyBirds AT Princeton.EDU Sent: Tue, February 2, 2010 10:11:16 AM Subject: [JerseyBirds] Sometimes those birdwatchers spot some really upset neighbors http://www.pressofatlanticcity.com/news/breaking/article_29100ba6-0fa2-11df-86e1-001cc4c002e0.html Sandra Keller chases birds all over America, even to places where birders are as rarely seen as their subjects. The Barrington, Camden County, woman once drove up to New Hampshire for a chance to glimpse a wayward African bird called a western reef heron. In her travels across Commercial Township and other favorite birding spots, she has become sensitive to how strangers perceive her. "Once I was looking at a barn owl in Salem County toward dusk. Because it was near the Salem nuclear power plants, the State Police showed up. I don't go to that road now," she said. How to report NJ bird sightings: How to report NJ bird sightings: Subject: Sometimes those birdwatchers spot some really upset neighbors From: Cynthia Allen <cynthiaja AT COMCAST.NET> Date: Tue, 2 Feb 2010 10:11:16 -0500 http://www.pressofatlanticcity.com/news/breaking/article_29100ba6-0fa2-11df-86e1-001cc4c002e0.html Sandra Keller chases birds all over America, even to places where birders are as rarely seen as their subjects. The Barrington, Camden County, woman once drove up to New Hampshire for a chance to glimpse a wayward African bird called a western reef heron. In her travels across Commercial Township and other favorite birding spots, she has become sensitive to how strangers perceive her. "Once I was looking at a barn owl in Salem County toward dusk. Because it was near the Salem nuclear power plants, the State Police showed up. I don't go to that road now," she said. How to report NJ bird sightings: Subject: Middlesex Cty - Red-headed Woodpecker-- Purpose-Death of extralimitals From: Fred V <avtrader AT COMCAST.NET> Date: Tue, 2 Feb 2010 08:15:26 -0500 References: <9f9.767c4a29.38957d02 AT aol.com> In-Reply-To: <9f9.767c4a29.38957d02 AT aol.com> Content-Type: text/plain; charset=ISO-8859-1; format=flowed Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit X-Proofpoint-Virus-Version: vendor=nai engine=5.3.00 definitions=5879 signatures=593725 X-Proofpoint-Spam-Details: rule=quarantine_notspam policy=quarantine score=0 spamscore=0 ipscore=0 phishscore=0 bulkscore=0 adultscore=0 classifier=spam adjust=0 reason=mlx engine=5.0.0-0908210000 definitions=main-1002020065 On anthropomorphic sadness of extralimitals death or impending death: The sadness is not necessary in many cases if one accepts that vagrancy is a natural process. Extralimitals and a certain frequency of vagrancy within a species can be a very important long term survival characteristic. During changing, climactic conditions or even short term disruption of local resources, individual birds within a population that move extraordinary distances and/or directions can be important to longterm species survival. Dismissing all cases of extralimitals as something to mourn would be a simplification. Without wandering or vagrancy we might not have many species in NA, perhaps like Barnacle Goose, Ruffs, Bristle-thighed Curlew, Ross' Gull, Snail Kite, sporadic Flamingoes, Old World Gnatcatchers, Wrentit, Chipping Sparrow (maybe) from S, several species of Crossbills, etc. In addition vagrants can be a warning that the ecology of an area is being disrupted and new wintering areas are being sought out. On the recent influx of a few Ivory Gulls into the states. The gull has symbiotic relationship with Polar Bears; if Polar Bears are decreasing or are forced to be in greatly disparate areas year to year due to changing ice conditions, the Ivory Gull could be impacted....hence more vagrants. In summary, the loss of a few birds each year, is a negligible cost to overall species survival, that is strengthened by having vagrants. --- Weekend birding and field trip. 14 of us birded the lower Rahway River area from the Middlesex County side; I had Fox Sparrows only, on Sat. Red-headed Woodpecker 1 Fox Sparrows 8 White-crowned Sparrow 1 Tree Sparrows 12 Swamp Sparrow 2 Killdeer 8 Hairy Woodpecker 1 Hooded Mergansers 11 Green-winged Teal 32 Black Duck 6 tks F. Virrazzi NJ Harvey Tomlinson wrote: >Hi Jersey Birders, >I was very sad to read the GA Ivory Gull has died. >We as birders often forget the real Howling Rarities we see are "Dead Birds > Flying" > > > How to report NJ bird sightings: Subject: Fox Sparrow concentration From: Christopher Vogel <glaucidium AT YAHOO.COM> Date: Mon, 1 Feb 2010 18:53:21 -0800 Perhaps the most interesting thing (avian) I saw on a long walk round Cape Island today were no fewer than 18 Fox Sparrows in one 3 sq. yard, snow-free, open patch of lawn just beneath the lighthouse in Cape May Pt. State Park. What really made them stand out was that they were accompanied by one Yellow-rump, a White-throat and a Robin. In other words, nearly every bird, in one tiny patch, in the middle of a broad open lawn essentially, were Fox Sparrows. One doesn't see that every day. Cheers CJV Cape May, NJ How to report NJ bird sightings: Subject: Photo Study of Mergansers at Belmar, Barnegat and Brigantine From: "Howard B. Eskin" <hbeskin AT VOICENET.COM> Date: Mon, 1 Feb 2010 22:32:40 -0500 This has been a super week for finding Mergansers in New Jersey. We hit Silver Lake in Belmar last Tuesday, Brigantine yesterday and the Barnegat Jetty today. To see some of this week's images, plus some others, please go to the following link: http://www.howardsview.com/Mergansers/Mergansers.html Howard B. Eskin Harleysville, PA How to report NJ bird sightings: Subject: American Pipit From: jeke2 <jeke2 AT OPTONLINE.NET> Date: Mon, 1 Feb 2010 20:19:21 -0500 There was an American Pipit in front of Losen Slote Creek park in Little Ferry this afternoon. It was in a narrow grassy area between the ice hockey rink and the parking lot for the new soccer field. Ken Habermann Lodi, NJ How to report NJ bird sightings: Subject: Spruce Run-Snow Geese From: Michael Hiotis <mhiotis1 AT YAHOO.COM> Date: Mon, 1 Feb 2010 15:12:16 -0800 A stop at Spruce Run this PM(1-2:30) produced at least 4000 Hey Folks, A stop at Spruce Run this PM(1-2:30) produced at least 4000 Snow Geese.This is a large number for me in  Hunterdon County at this time of year..Maybe I am not well-versed in Snow Geese travels in winter in the county?I 'goosed'(scoped) the flock for about an hour in order to find a little one(Ross's) with no luck.There was a nice number(16+) of Blue Geese in the flock. I managed to find a nice rep. for Cackling(Richardson's variety) though that was previously reported to me by some of the local birders..A Bald Eagle was giving them a "lift " every now and then keeping them on alert...although it may have just been abandon ship practice!A nice noisy group of Goose folk..Just fun to observe their antics.They were seen from the 1st right turn thru the toll booths at the main entrance off Van Syckles Rd. Mike Hiotis Martinsville NJ How to report NJ bird sightings: Subject: Gloucester County - Pipit search - none From: Sandra Keller <sandrakeller AT VERIZON.NET> Date: Mon, 1 Feb 2010 17:41:36 -0500 Hello, Well, I had such good success Sunday in Salem County, I thought I would try today - Monday - 2-1-10 in Gloucester County. I should have stayed home! No Pipits and only 25 HORNED LARKS - in 3 areas. Very strange. Looked like the same amount of snow cover. Most fields covered. Road edges open. There wasn't much of anything around. Well, I tried! I hit the eastern half of the county. Did pass a couple areas that I want to explore come spring time. Like Elephant Swamp that I haven't birded before. Only 3 RED-TAILED HAWKS for the day. Very strange. I hit the Elk Township area like last week and then went east. Good birding all. Sandra Keller Barrington, NJ sandrakeller AT verizon.net How to report NJ bird sightings: