Crested Caracara in Franklin Twp.

One of the more interesting mocosocoBirds reports in recent memory came this morning from the Middlebush Road area of Franklin Township. A Crested Caracara was observed at the corner of South Middlebush Road and Suydam before flying westward from that location (Arlene Oley) . The text from the JerseyBirds archive is here.

Several people searched for the bird into the afternoon without relocating it. Crested Caracara is a state review species and all reports should be sent to the New Jersey Bird Records Committee.

Here is a screen shot of a camera’s LCD screen that Arlene sent to mocosocoBirds. She credits the photo to Susan McCoy.

(Click on the photo for a larger image.)

Orange-crowned Warbler at Glenhurst Meadows

An Orange-crowned Warbler was found and photographed today at Glenhurst Meadows (Margaret Barbuty). According to eBird data, this is the only Orange-crowned Warbler reported in New Jersey north of I-78, outside of Bergen and Hudson Counties, in 2015.

Other Field Notes

Melanie Lane Wetlands in Hanover Twp. has suffered enormous encroachment over the years. It is nearly impossible to view from the north side (Melanie Lane) any longer due to a professional soccer team’s fencing in and gating that access. The Signature Fitness location on Rt. 10 West remains the most easily accessible place, albeit with very limited viewing. Nonetheless, this small wetlands area remains one of the premier waterfowl spots in the local area.

This afternoon, 2 Wood Ducks, 30 Gadwall, 3 Am. Wigeon, 2 Am. Black Ducks, 50 Mallards, 3 Blue-winged Teal, 17 Northern Shovelers, 16 Northern Pintail and 32 Green-winged Teal were counted in the pond. This is impressive for a splitoff of the Whippany River bordered by an industrial area, a state highway and a major county road.

The south end of Troy Meadows consists of numerous nooks and crannies worth exploring. One is the kiosk parking area on South Beverwyck Road which gives access to the grassy/scrubby sparrow areas of the gas pipeline and power line. Another area is the various locations along Troy Road, especially the vague path along Smith Ditch, which forms the southern end of Troy Meadows.

Sparrows in this area were numerous this morning with Song, Swamp and White-throateds represented in healthy numbers. 2 Lincoln’s, 1 White-crowned and a Fox Sparrow kept company with the other sparrow species.

There are several reports of at least 4 Red-headed Woodpeckers continuing on Troy Meadows Road throughout the previous week. They are found between the metal bridge and the old trap shoot range (Chris Thomas, Dave Blinder).

Photographer Dave Blinder has a brief video of Autumn Birds of Troy Meadows which can be viewed here. It includes an immature Red-headed Woodpecker as well as Wood Ducks.

Also, from last weekend at the Great Swamp NWR, Dave created a video of an American Kestrel. The YouTube link is here.

Red-headed Woodpeckers (RHWO) continue along the Passaic River at the Morris and Somerset border. They can be in either Lord Stirling Park (Somerset) or the Great Swamp NWR (Morris), take your pick. Jim Mulvey photographed a distant adult during the week. The RHWO was along the Fisherman’s Trail in Lord Stirling Park.

7 Eastern Meadowlarks were reported at Frelinghuysen Fields, Harding Twp., yesterday, Oct. 30 (Alan Bernstein). None were found today.

Look closely at the photo below and you will see the Electric Starlings of East Hanover. This is part of a power station. Chuck Hantis says the entire power grid was covered with E. Starlings.

Turn your clocks back one hour tonight. Daylight Savings Time comes to an end for 2015.

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Finis