Along the Road

I hope everyone had a Merry Christmas!  I spent my Christmas on the road, driving down to Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, with my family. After checking the weather conditions along the route, I decided to avoid a possible ice storm along I-95 between Baltimore and Richmond by taking the longer route down through the Delmarva Peninsula. What a great decision, even though the drive took 13 hours.  Driving south along the East Coast Highways at this time of year, you should expect to see good numbers of Red-Tailed Hawks, Turkey & Black Vultures, Pigeons, Morning Doves, Robins, Starlings, mixed flocks of "Blackbirds", Crows and assorted Sea Gull species and if you are lucky, something really unexpected.  Maybe because it was Christmas, but this trip had some real surprises.  It started off with a Common Raven in New Jersey, a juvenile Bald Eagle in Maryland, flocks of Northern Gannets flying next to us while we on the Chesapeake Bay Bridge & Tunnel and the biggest surprise of the day - a Snowy Owl that flew in front of my car while in Delaware. Turned out to be great day of birding along the road.

With one week to go, it will be interesting to see if I will be able to get #1000 for my Life List this year.  However, Myrtle Beach does have one great resident target species - Red-cockaded Woodpecker. It is not quite a nemesis bird, but it is a species I've missed on my previous trips down here.  Hopefully, I will be able to report later this week that I was successful. 

A December Surprise

December can be an interesting time for migrants. On Sunday, as I came out my front door, I heard a familiar call and quickly located the source - a small sparrow that was foraging in my front lawn. While White-throated and Song Sparrows are common around my home at this time of year, this bird was a Chipping Sparrow.  Although it is a very common summer resident, I have rarely see one here between late October and early April. So to
find one here in my front yard in mid-December was a treat. However, what really surpised me was that this bird appeared to be in fresh breeding plumage.  Talk about a confusing bird! I don't know if it was a late Fall Migrant headed South or real early migrant North.

Winter Birding at Barnegat Lighthouse

The mile long jetty at Barnegat Light State Park is one of my favorite winter birding locations when the conditions are right.  The jetty is also an "oasis" of rocky shore where you are certain to find several species that are rare along the rest of 120 miles or so of sandy beaches that we call the Jersey Shore. Saturday's  weather prediction was for sunny skies, with temperatures rising above freezing and most importantly a west wind to flatten out the ocean, nearly perfect conditions for a winter trip to Barnegat Light. After meeting a few friends in the parking lot, we started walking out on the jetty, scanning both the inlet on our left and the beach on our right,  Long-tailed Ducks, Red-breasted Mergansers, several species of Gull and a cooperative Common Loon were quickly spotted, but it was until we were about 2/3s of the way out on the jetty that we found our primary target for the trip - Harlequin Duck, one of the most beautiful ducks in North America.  Further out on the jetty, we found Purple Sandpiper, Red-throated Loon, Common Eider, Black Scoter and Northern Gannet.  On the way back, a pair of cooperative Ipswich Sparrows were hopping about on the jetty; and then on the beach side, our last target species for the trip - Horned Lark.  Total Species for the trip 25.  Another great winter trip to Barnegat Light!

Common Loon

Horned Lark

Harlequin Ducks

Chasing 1000 - #999

I was scheduled to lead a birding trip down to Barnegat Lighthouse; however, today's high winds forced me to change my my plans. Brigantine (Edwin B. Forsythe NWR) was to be our backup trip if the weather was uncooperative, unless something very interesting showed up on the NJ Hot Line. Yesterday, an Ivory Gull was found flying around the harbor in Cape May, and was again located just minutes before we were set to depart this morning. The Ivory Gull is such a rare bird here in the Northeast, let alone New Jersey (4th modern NJ record), that it was an easy decision to change our plans and chase this bird. We arrived at its last reported location only to find out we had missed it by just a few minutes. After about a half hour of waiting at this location, we decided to try a second view point where it had been seen the day before. While there, we got a report that the Gull had returned to the previous location, so we drove back t the first location. The gull had only stayed around for a few minutes and was already gone by the time we arrived. Since it appeared that this bird was just moving around in the harbor, I decided we would stay here hoping it would reappear. It only took about 15 minutes before the a small almost pure white gull appeared and landed just a short distance in front of us. Ivory Gull - #999 on my Life List. After about a half hour of observing and photographing this bird from various angles, we departed content that it had alredy been a great day of Birding.


Ivory Gull


Ivory Gull in Flight

Chasing 1000 - #998

I could see that my wife needed a break from work/school, so on Saturday I took her down to Cape May for the day. After a late lunch, she dropped me back at the Lighthouse and went into town for some shopping. I knew it had been a slow day around the lighthouse, but upwards of 20 Cave Swallows were mixed in with the Tree Swallows flying overhead and 3-4 Eurasian Widgens were on the Gull Pond. When I arrived, the swallows were working over the parking lot and I was quickly able to pick out a couple of Cave Swallows. I then started on the birding trail out to Gull Pond seeking an Eurasian Widgeon. Since I had been following the Cape May Reports, I knew that these Eurasian Widgeons weren't mature males and would not be that easy to identify. Since I had never spent much time observing female American Windgeons before, this was the perfect opportunity for me to study them. So I took my time to carefully work my way through the "females" in the American Widgeon flock before I was able to locate one that definately looked different. At that point, I continued down the trail looking for an opportunity to upgrade my duck photographs. Suddenly a small black bird flushed from along the side of the boardwalk, less then 2 feet in front of me and flew only about 10 feet before diving into heavy cover. As I stood staring at the point where the bird had disappeared, I couldn't believe my eyes, it was a Black Rail (#998 on my Life List). Some days you just get lucky! Just wish I could have gotten a photograph.

Tracking Subspecies

Today I read an article that the Kentish Plover (Eurasia) and the Snowy Plover (America), which are currently considered to be subspecies, should be split into 2 species. I have seen both and include records of both subspecies on my Life List (FYI - I track but don't count additional subspecies on my Life List). The Plain Titmouse taught me that I should track the different subspecies I've seen. Ever hear of the Plain Titmouse? If you look at a 1990's edition of the Peterson Guide to Western Birds, you will find this bird listed. However, in the new (2008) Peterson Field Guide to the Birds of North America, you will find 2 species and a note that "Juniper and Oak titmice were once combined as a single species, Plain Titmouse." I had seen my first Plain Titmouse back in the mid-nineties while in Colorado. Later when I learned that the Plain Timouse had been split into the Oak and Juniper titmice, it was easy for me to determine that my lifer Plain Titmouse was actually a Juniper Titmouse. However, I didn't have any documentation that I may have seen the Oak Titmouse on a previous trip to the West Coast. (I officially got my lifer Oak Titmouse this past September.) The Plain into Oak & Juniper titmice split was a good was a good lesson that I needed to be aware of subspecies, especially in species like the Willet and Savannah where possible splits are being evaluated. Currently, I have 27 species on my Life List where I list 2 or more subspecies that I've seen. Subspecies in at least 3 of these species are very likely to be split and become full species. therefore , I may have already seen #1000 on my Life List. Unfortunately, I just can not count it yet.


Willet (Western)




Oak Titmouse

Plan B

The New Jersey Rare Bird Alert for this week was not very promising. My best shot at a lifer bird was a Le Conte's Sparrow that ws seen up in Leonia, but the report was already two days old. Not very promising, but I decided to give it a shot since I was familiar with the area and knew about another site just down the road in Ridgefileld, where I would find one specific species. Today, Plan A was to chase the Le Conte's Sparrow, Plan B was to visit this Ridgefield site. The directions to the Leonia site were great, and there were plenty of sparrows in the area. I identified six species (mostly song & swamps) and had some very quick glimpses of plenty other sparrows, 1 glimpse may have been my target. Unfortunately, both a Red-tailed Hawk and a Northern Harrier were also actively hunting in the area, so most sparrows didn't pop up for a decent look. After about an hour of fruitless searching, I decided it was time for Plan B - Monk Parakeets. Although the Monk Parakeet has been breeding in New Jersy for years, it wasn't until earlier this year that it officially was added to the New Jersey State List, and I had not previously seen this species here in New Jersey. However, since I've seen this species previously in other states, I was never worried that I was going to miss it today. Especially since I knew that unlike most parrots, the Monk Parakeet builds a colonial nest, that they occupy all year. So if you know where there is a colony, finding a Monk Parakeet is about as difficult as finding a Canada Goose on a New Jersey golf course. I drove up to site, parked my car, located the nest and with one parakeet peeking out. The bird flew up to a wire, started calling and was shortly joined by another 4 parakeets.

Saved by a Gull?

Today we watched as a Peregrine Falcon attacked a flock of Pintails. While most managed to take off and escape, one unlucky drake was forced to dive underwater to escape from the falcon. The falcon missed but continued to press its attack, repeatedly forcing the Pintail to dive. After about a minute of these repeated attacks, the falcon flew off just enough for the Pintail to take flight. The falcon quickly turned and just as it was about to hit the pintail, a Greater Black-backed Gull came streaking in, to uall of us it apppeared the gull had save the pintail. However, this falcon wasn't finished and continued its diving attacks on the pintail, and each time it also appeared that the gull came to its rescue. None of us had ever seen nor head about a gull saving a duck from a falcon. Despite these repeated saves by the gull, this peregrine continued to press its attack, finally forcing the pintail back down onto the water. The duck managed to dive out of harms way several more times before the peregrine finally caught him. At that point, the gull swooped in and again managed to drive the peregine off of the pintail. Another four Greater Black-back Gulls then flew in, finally chasing the falcon away. We all breathed a sigh of relief, thinking what a lucky duck! Until just as suddenly, the pintail's rescuers turn on it. We all stood there in stunned amazement as these gulls then attacked, killed and began eating the pintail.


Northern Pintail



Peregrine Falcon









Greater Black-backed Gull

Although the weather report was not promising, I lead a small group trip down to Brigantine today and except for the strong southerly winds, it turned out to be a nearly perfect birding day. The rains held off and is seemed to me like these birds really wanted to be seen today. I knew it was going to be a good day, when at our first stop, a Song and Savannah Sparrow sat up next to each other for a few minutes, providing my group with great looks at both species for comparison. Our luck then continued to improve at our next stop, with decent looks at a Bald Eagle, Peregrine Falcon and a pair of Common Moorhens. And the day just kept getting better!
A scan of a large flock of shore birds quickly produced Pectoral, Stilt and White-rumped Sandpipers all working the flats close to the Wildlife Drive, Greater and Lesser Yellowlegs standing next to each other, and then Peregrines and a Bald Eagle started harassing the flocks of shore birds and ducks further out. Then when you didn't think the day could get much better, there was the Roseate Spoonbill sitting quietly with a small group of Snowy Egrets just across the channel. Our day finally ended with a flock of 23 Wood Ducks. Trip total: 57 species.

Roseate Spoonbill

Pectoral Sandpiper

White-rumped Sandpiper

Stilt Sandpiper

Savannah Sparrows

A few weeks ago Savannah Sparrows started migrating through my area. During the Fall and Winter they are common and easy to locate due to their behavior and preference for open areas. However just because they are easy to find doesn't make them easy to ID. With a just quick glance, they could be mistaken for our resident Song Sparrows, but with a longer look especially at thier head, these two species are easy to separate. As my photos below illustrate, the real problem is the variable appearance found within the species, with about 17 different sub-species currently recognized across North America, several of which migrate through my area, including grayish or reddish colored adults and the Ipswich Sparrow. Until recently the Ipswich Sparrow, which does winter here, was considered to be a distinct species; whereas other currently recognized subspecies like this Belding's Sparrow from Southern California, will probably be split into a separate species in the near future. Amazing how a common, easy to spot bird can be so difficult to identify.



Savannah Sparrow - Grayish Adult


Savannah Sparrow - Reddish Adult


Ipswich Savannah Sparrow

Belding's Savannah Sparrow

Chasing 1000 - #997

Based on the possible New Jersey species that I could add to my List List, I decided that my best target was the Satlmarsh (Sharp-tailed) Sparrow. Taking advantage of my Columbus Day Holiday, I drove back down to Brigantine, planning today to focus my attention on its sparrows instead of shorebirds and water fowl. Swamps, Savannahs and Song Sparrows all seemed like they all wanted to be seen, with all 3 species providing me with plenty of good looks at close range but not other sparrows seemed to be on the marsh. Then at the far northeast corner of the drive, I spotted another flock of sparrows, one or two Savannahs were out in the open, but there other birds in the Spartina. Getting out of the car to get a better look, these birds suddenly decided to cooperate, first a Neslon's (Sharp-tailed) Sparrow popped up, then a Seaside, then a few more Nelson's, and then suddenly up popped my target, a Saltmarsh (Sharp-tailed) Sparrow (#997). The flock uncharacteristically cooperated for about five minutes, including once when all 3 species were in view, before they fling over into the Spartina across the channel. An incredible Hat Trick!



Saltmarsh (Sharp-tailed) Sparrow

A good day for raptors

I went down to Brigantine today hoping to finally add the Saltmarsh (Sharptail) Sparrow to my Life List. Even though I missed locating a Saltmarsh Sparrow, it was great day to be down at Brigantine with my day total of 58 species, in only one trip around the wildlife drive. I knew it was going to be an interesting day when shortly after I arrived at the Gull Tower, I spotted my first Peregrine Falcon, followed almost immediately by 2 Northern Harriers. Then just a few minutes later, I watched as a Merlin chased after another Norhern Harrier that had strayed too close to the wooded uplands. I ended the day with a total of 6 raptor species incluing 4 Peregrine Falcons, 6-8 Northern Harriers, at least 3 Bald Eagles, the Merlin, 2 Ospreys and a Turkey Vulture. The Peregrines were every active today, affording me the opportunity to watch at least 6 unsuccessful attacks on shore birds, and one Peregrine that chased a Bald Eagle. Definately a great day for Raptor watching. The other surprise for the day was a pair of Pectoral Sandpipers that I found in a small flock of 20-30 Semipalmated & Least Sandpipers close to the road.

Northern Harrier Bald Eagle

Pectoral Sandpiper

Pod Cast - October 12-19th

The 10th Annual New Jersey Lighthouse Challenge will be next weekend (October 17-18, 2009). In anticipation of this event, the Toms River Library asked me to do a brief podcast about the bird watching around my favorite NJ Lighthouse - Barnegat Light. The podcast is about 7 minutes. Here is the link":

http://theoceancountylibrary.org/podcasts/birds.html

The closest thing to a rocky coast to be found along the Jersey Shore is the mile long jetty that starts near the base of Barnegat Light. As a result, species like Harlequin Duck and Purple Sandpiper, that are rarely found anywhere else along the 100+ miles of NJ coast, are almost guarenteed to be found here during the winter. In my opinion, the Harlequin Duck is one of the most beautiful ducks in North America, well worth a winter visit to Barnegat Light. The best time to see them is on a "warm" (above freezing) winter day, when winds are from the west., which flattens out the Ocean.


Peregrine Falcon


Harlequin Ducks



Purple Sandpipers

My new Nemesis Bird

Yesterday afternoon, I drove up to the Meadow Lands, hoping finally get a Least Bittern. I had already missed this species on several previous occasions earlier this year, (even on trips when others in the group saw it) and really thought I had a chance this time. I was in the right location, almost noone was in the area due to the recently ended rains, the tide was low, and there was a small flock of sandpipers (Lesser Yellowlegs and a Stilt Sandpiper) hanging out on the mud flat in the area. Everything seemed to be perfect until Peregrine Falcons showed up!

I had only been waiting about 5 minutes, when suddenly an alarm call went out and the entire flock suddenly retreated to up against the edge of the Phragmites. A second later, an immature Peregrine appeared from over my left shoulder, heading straight towards them. However, the Yellowlegs held to the cover of the Phragmites, which caused the Peregrine to breakoff its dive at the last second and begin a climb back towards the west. Amazing, I had just witnessed my second ringside Peregrine attack in just 8 days! I knew right then that I probably wasn't going to see my lifer Least Bittern; but being stubbern, I decided to stay and watch that area. Boy, was I am glad that I did. It was about 10 minutes later, and the flock was staying tight up against the Phragmites, when a second Peregrine attack occurred. However, this time the attacker was an adult Peregrine. The flock didn't spook which caused this Peregrine to also break off its dive, then quickly circle around to try and miss again. Fantastic, a ringside seat, just 30 feet away, from two separate Peregrine Falcon attacks in just 10 minutes! Although I stayed and watched that area for another hour and a half, the Least Bittern never appeared. Of course if I was a Least Bittern, I don't think I would have come out after 2 Peregrine attacks either. However, after so many misses this year, I am officially declaring the Leat Bittern to be my Nemesis Bird.

Stilt Sandpiper (front) & Lesser Yellowleg

Stilt Sandpiper

To work on my fall shorebird identification, I spent most of the day with a group from the NJ Audubon down at one of my favorite birding locations - Brigantine (Edwin B. Forsythe NWR).

With Dunlin numbers increasing, sorting through shore bird flocks, mostly Semipalmated Sandpipers, with smaller numbers of Short-billed Dowitchers, Black-bellied Plover and Least Sandpiper to glean the few White-rumped, Pectoral and Stilt Sandpipers mixed in with them today, was definately a challenge! However, todays highlight was watching a Peregrine Falcon heading straight for us while chasing a Semipalmated Sandpiper. The Sandpiper managed to escape by flying at knee level right next to us while the Peregrine broke off its chase about 10 feet in front of us. Close enough to feel the air movement and hear the crack as it veered off.

Lesser & Greater Yellowlegs

Birding in Central New Jersey & around the World

Welcome.

Chasing #1000

My goal for 2009 is to finally reach #1000 on my Life List. While in Southern California in early September, I managed to add 23 more lifers bring me to a toal of 995. Last Friday while up in the NJ Meadowlands , picked off #996 - American Golden-plover. The countdown to 100 has begun!