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July 31: another flip of the monthly calendar as summer moves into a more intense southbound migration phase.

A pair of Louisiana Waterthrushes remain at Timberbrook Lake in the highlands of Rockaway Township. One sang loudly as if it was April.

At the Great Swamp NWR, Simon Lane reports Barn, Tree, Bank, Cliff, Northern Rough-winged Swallows and Purple Martins on the move as well as 20 Eastern Kingbirds and Least Flycatcher.

From Mike Newlon at Glenhurst Meadows:

“Only cicadas are singing – even the Indigo Bunting and Field Sparrows have quit. Swamp hibiscus in full bloom. Only bird of note: a Woodcock flushed from the trail between the ponds. A big patch of Purple Loosestrife in the southeast corner is attracting butterflies – including a very fresh Horace’s Duskywing and Zabulon Skipper. 16 species of butterflies total.”

The same 25-30 Great Egrets, 20+ Great Blue Herons, 30 Killdeer and Least Sandpipers continue to work the Lincoln Park Gravel Pits and, especially, neighboring Walker Avenue Wetlands in Passaic County. A few butterflies on July 28 broke the routine. Incidentally, if last year is any indication, the Pits will soon have impressive numbers of Viceroys.

View local eBird checklists in the mocosocoBirds region via eBird’s Region Explorer. Use the following links:

The eBird Hotspot Primer is here and can also be accessed via the Hotspot menu item on the mocosocoBirds.com website.