Category: Sussex County

Challenging Chat

~Yellow-breasted Chat at Canal Road in Vernon Township, captured by Linda Scrima on 6/26/15.
~Yellow-breasted Chat at Canal Road in Vernon Township, captured by Linda Scrima on 6/26/15.~

On Thursday evening, I received word from Marianne Ofenloch that she had a Yellow-breasted Chat along the Appalachian Trail, off the Canal Road bike path in Vernon Township, New Jersey. I tried for the bird on Friday after work and ran into Marianne while I was there. The bird was heard for sure, and we were actually contemplating the possibility of there being two chats; there seemed to be one calling from either side of the trail, but the calls were never close enough together to be 100% sure there were two birds rather than the one moving around. Since I never got a look at that bird, I went back this morning to try for it again, in spite of the steady rain that was falling. Once again the bird was heard but not seen. At a couple of points, I could hear the bird, no more than 25 feet in front of me, but it stayed hidden from view! This is what I should have expected from a chat; I should have known it would not be as easy as when I went to Hopeland Sanctuary in Staatsburg for my lifer YBCH. On Friday morning, while I was working (poor me, ha ha!), Linda Scrima and Maria Loukeris went for the chat and had great success, as witnessed by the super photograph of the bird at the top of this post, provided by Linda.

It’s worth mentioning that this is a really good birding spot. In my two visits this weekend I had a total of 41 different species. The trail has a very wild and lush feel to it, but with enough open spaces to allow for good bird viewing and photographing. I am putting it on my list of places to frequent. Highlights included a pair of Yellow-billed Cuckoos that I was just a little slow on the draw for photos, a Scarlet Tanager family which included a young Brown-headed Cowbird, and Blue-winged Warblers. I should also mention that on Thursday Marianne also had a Golden-winged Warbler there.

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~A young Scarlet Tanager with what looks like some sort of seed on it’s bill. Canal Road Appalachian Trail, 6/28/15.~
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~Male Scarlet Tanager just off the AT at Canal Road, Vernon Township, NJ, 6/26/15.~
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~A busy female Scarlet Tanager, Canal Road, Vernon Township, New Jersey, 6/28/15.~

Appalachian Trail – Vernon, NJ

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~Ah, one of my favorites – Grasshopper Sparrow on the Appalachian Trail in Vernon Township, 6/19/15.~

I met up with Kyle Dudgeon today after work and we hit a couple of spots. Our first stop was the Appalachian Trail – Pochuck Creek Boardwalk, which was pretty much a bust. Swamp Sparrows were heard but only seen at a distance. Marsh Wrens were heard but not seen. We had distant looks at Wood Ducks and a Great Blue Heron that flew over a couple of times.

So, from there we headed over to the Appalachian Trail on Route 94 in Vernon Township. The first half a mile of this trail is a good spot for Grasshopper Sparrows, Prairie Warblers, and Field Sparrows. We did well with all three, getting very good looks in nice light. I don’t think this is a great spot to see a large variety of species (we had just over 10 tonight), but you can certainly get good looks at a few.

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~Prairie Warblers were numerous and easily spotted at the Appalachian Trail in Vernon Township, 6/19/15.~ 
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~Field Sparrow on the Appalachian Trail in Vernon Township, NJ, 6/19/15.~
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~I haven’t photographed many Eastern Phoebes this year. This one was at the Appalachian Trail – Pochuck Creek Boardwalk, 6/19/15.~

Sussex County Painted Bunting 2/6/15

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~Painted Bunting in Andover, NJ, as seen from the Sussex Branch Trail, 2/6/15.~

QUICK POST: I bolted out of work to run for the PAINTED BUNTING that had been reported in Sussex County, New Jersey. Since it was Friday, the traffic was miserable and I got to Andover a little on the late side (I didn’t think I would ever get there!). I located the bird with the help of  Denis, the only other birder present. It was his first time seeing the bird in New Jersey, and for me it was life bird #316. And what a beautiful bird at that, really it’s hard to believe this bird unless you see it. The bird only came to the feeder one time while I was there, but he spent a good amount of time there before finding a nearby perch. I wish the light had been better for photos, but that’s the way it goes some times. What a super bird and a very nice way to end the week.  Thanks to Linda Scrima, Maria Loukeris, and Marianne Ofenloch for the heads up about the bird and for the details on how to locate him.

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~Grainy shot of the Painted Bunting perched, not too far from the feeder. Sussex Branch Trail in Andover NJ, 2/6/15.~

Orange County Cackling Goose 12/28/14

Cackling Goose with Canada Geese at the Camel Farm in Orange County NY, 12/28/14.
Cackling Goose with Canada Geese at the Camel Farm in Orange County NY, 12/28/14.

I made the rounds in southern Orange County on this gray, drizzly, Sunday morning. I was a little cranky due to the poor weather and not sleeping well, so I was pretty happy to find a single Cackling Goose among approximately 500 Canada Geese at the Camel Farm in Orange County, NY. I put the word out, and luckily both Linda Scrima and Maria Loukeris were close by and ran for the bird. It was a lifer for both of them, so that was exciting. Another highlight was 8 Snow Buntings in with a large flock of Horned Larks in the Black Dirt Region. Aside from that, I had 34 species for the morning, all birds you would expect to see.

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American Tree Sparrow off of Onion Avenue, 12/28/14. 
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A female Common Merganser in the Wallkill River in Pine Island, NY. It was funny because, although not in this photo, the merganser was hanging out with a Wood Duck. They were the only birds that I saw in this location and they were never more than a few yards from one another. 

I was eating my lunch, contemplating my next move, when I I received a text from Maria -She had located a Barred Owl in Vernon NJ! I hustled down and got super looks at the bird and some photos too (in spite of large number of branches in the way). I have no idea how she located this bird, the pics don’t do justice to how well it was hidden. Huge thanks to Maria for the heads up.

It's always awesome to see a Barred Owl. Appalachian Trail in Vernon NJ, 12/28/14.
Awesome bird –  Barred Owl. Appalachian Trail in Vernon NJ, 12/28/14.

 

Glossy Ibis Continue, 8/16/14

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As of Saturday morning, the three GLOSSY IBIS continue in the back pond of the Liberty Loop at Wallkill River National Wildlife Refuge. The light was much better and the birds a touch closer which made for some decent photo ops. Other highlights of my walk around the loop this morning included an adult Bald Eagle, 40+ Bobolinks, and a Peregrine Falcon that whizzed through and caused all the shorebirds to pick up. Here’s my photos from the morning:

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One of at least 40 Bobolink at the Liberty Loop, 8/16/14.
One of at least 40 Bobolink at the Liberty Loop, 8/16/14.
I haven't posted an Indigo Bunting shot in a while - really I haven't taken any, but I couldn't resist this one. Liberty Loop, 8/16/14.
I haven’t posted an Indigo Bunting shot in a while – really I haven’t taken any, but I couldn’t resist this one. Liberty Loop, 8/16/14.

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Liberty Loop Glossy Ibis – 8/14/14

One of three GLOSSY IBIS at Wallkill River National Wildlife Refuge, 8/14/14.
One of three GLOSSY IBIS at Wallkill River National Wildlife Refuge, 8/14/14.

The back pond at the Liberty Loop is certainly the local birding hotspot right now. Only one day after having a Willet there, today there were three GLOSSY IBIS present. The birds were in close, providing super looks and good photo ops. Linda Scrima joined me after a little while and we really enjoyed watching and photographing the birds as they fed nearly non-stop. Gorgeous and exciting birds! Here are some more shots:

This bird took a very thorough bath and then spent some time trying to dry off. Glossy Ibis at Wallkill River NWR - Liberty Loop, 8/14/14.
This bird took a very thorough bath and then spent some time trying to dry off. Glossy Ibis at Wallkill River NWR – Liberty Loop, 8/14/14.
The birds were feeding heavily. From what I could tell, they were eating small frogs and I think in this photo it's a large beetle.
The birds were feeding heavily. From what I could tell, they were eating small frogs and I think in this photo it’s a large beetle.
All three Glossy Ibis at the Liberty Loop today, 8/14/14.
All three Glossy Ibis at the Liberty Loop today, 8/14/14.

Appalachian Trail and Route 94

Singing Grasshopper Sparrow on the AT near Route 94, in Vernon NJ, 6/ 27/14.
Singing Grasshopper Sparrow on the AT near Route 94, in Vernon NJ, 6/ 27/14.

I was off work today, but I am in the middle of painting my house so I only got out very briefly this morning. I headed over to the Appalachian Trail where it intersects Route 94 in Vernon NJ. I was shown this spot last year by Judy Cinquina and the “New Jersey Crew” and I can’t thank them enough. It is a really great spot to bird this time of year, with GRASSHOPPER SPARROWS being the highlight. There were at least 2 present and likely a third. It is also an amazing place for Prairie Warblers, last year I only got distant looks, but this year I got much closer looks and some photos too. Finally, it is also a great place for Field Sparrows, with nice close looks.

GRSP at AT in Vernon, NJ, 6/27/14.
GRSP at AT in Vernon, NJ, 6/27/14.
Field Sparrow on the Appalachian Trail in Vernon, NJ, 6/27/14.
Field Sparrow on the Appalachian Trail in Vernon, NJ, 6/27/14.
I've been trying for a good Prairie Warbler shot all spring, I sort of like this one. AT at Route 94, 6/27/14.
I’ve been trying for a good Prairie Warbler shot all spring, I sort of like this one. AT at Route 94, 6/27/14.
One more of the Grasshopper Sparrow. I love this bird. AT in Vernon NJ, 6/27/14.
One more of the Grasshopper Sparrow. I love this bird. AT in Vernon NJ, 6/27/14.
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One of three Black-capped Chickadees. I haven’t gotten a good shot of one of these in a while. Appalachian Trail in Vernon NJ, 6/27/14.

Here’s my list for the day:

Great Blue Heron 1
Yellow-billed Cuckoo 1
Red-bellied Woodpecker 1
Willow Flycatcher 1
American Crow 2
Barn Swallow 5
Black-capped Chickadee 3
Wood Thrush 2
American Robin 4
Gray Catbird 4
Northern Mockingbird 2
European Starling 3
Prairie Warbler 6
Field Sparrow 6
Grasshopper Sparrow 2
Northern Cardinal 2
Indigo Bunting 2
Common Grackle 3

Saturday 4/5/14

At Orange & Rockland lake there were three Ring-necked Ducks that were very accommodating, 4/5/14.
At Orange & Rockland lake there were three Ring-necked Ducks that were very accommodating, 4/5/14.

I made it out to three locations this morning. My first stop was a quick ride around the Orange & Rockland Lake. There was not too much going on there really, but I was able to get some photos of three Ring-necked Ducks that for some reason did not mind my presence. My best bird was a Sharp-shinned Hawk that flew over as I was pulling away. Here’s my list:

Canada Goose  6
Green-winged Teal  2
Ring-necked Duck  3
Bufflehead  1
Double-crested Cormorant  3
Sharp-shinned Hawk  1
Mourning Dove  1
Tree Swallow  8

My second stop was at Glenmere Lake, in hopes that the Long-tailed Ducks that had been seen there were somehow still around. I had tried for them unsuccessfully the night before. Well, I struck out again with the LTDUs, but it was still a worthwhile stop. Photos were really not an option between the grey rainy weather and most birds being quite distant.

Canada Goose  20
Mute Swan  2
Wood Duck  6
American Black Duck  5
Mallard  3
Ring-necked Duck  45
Greater Scaup  4
Lesser Scaup  8
Bufflehead  12
Common Merganser  1
Common Loon  2
Turkey Vulture  1
Ring-billed Gull  1
Eastern Phoebe  1
Tufted Titmouse  1
White-breasted Nuthatch  2
American Robin  10

Downy Woodpecker at Wallkill River NWR, 4/5/14.
Downy Woodpecker shot through the branches, Wallkill River NWR, 4/5/14.

After grabbing a quick bite to eat, I headed over to my third stop of the day – the Wallkill River National Wildlife Refuge. I wanted to walk the Liberty Loop to see if there were any new waterfowl present. I had walked about halfway up the west end of the loop and was scanning the waterfowl when Linda Scrima and two other folks caught up with me. Linda introduced me to her friends and fellow birders, Jean and Ray, and the four of us continued down the trail for a while. We all got our first RUDDY DUCKS (2) of the season before Ray and Jean headed back. Linda and I continued walking the loop where we eventually ran into another birder named Mike, who was having trouble identifying a bird that he had seen in the back pond along the trail to Owens Station Road. He was sure it was a grebe, but it was diving at all. We eventually relocated the bird, which ended up being my first PIED-BILLED GREBE of the year. Mike continued back to the parking lot and Linda and I  ended up walking that trail all the way to Owens Station Road and birding the pond over there as well. The sun had come out and it warmed up a bit as we headed down the east side of the loop back to our cars. It was a nice walk and in the end I totaled 32 species for the refuge and Owen Station Road combined:

This Red-tailed Hawk was harassing the ducks for a short time, making many of them pick up. Wallkill River NWR, 4/514.
This Red-tailed Hawk was harassing the ducks for a short time, making many of them pick up. Wallkill River NWR, 4/514.
Canada Goose  85
Wood Duck  8
American Wigeon  12
American Black Duck  10
Mallard  25
Blue-winged Teal 1
Northern Shoveler  3
Northern Pintail  90
Green-winged Teal  85
Ring-necked Duck  100
Bufflehead  1
Common Merganser  15
Ruddy Duck  2
Pied-billed Grebe  1
Double-crested Cormorant  3
Great Blue Heron  2
Black Vulture  2
Turkey Vulture  12
Red-tailed Hawk  1
Killdeer  2
Ring-billed Gull  3
Downy Woodpecker  1
Eastern Phoebe  1
American Crow  14
White-breasted Nuthatch  1
Eastern Bluebird  3
American Robin  15
European Starling  20
Song Sparrow  10
Red-winged Blackbird  60
Common Grackle  8
Belted Kingfisher 1

Saturday 6/15/13

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Right before the rain on Friday evening, a Cedar Waxwing posed nicely. Appalachian Trail near Route 94, Vernon NJ. 

After a long week of rainy weather and being sick, I woke up early this morning raring to go. My main objective was to get a good photo of a Grasshopper Sparrow.I did not achieve this objective because I never saw any! I went back to the Appalachian Trail near Route 94 in Vernon, NJ where we had a least four last weekend, but I had no luck. I heard one Grasshopper Sparrow, but I never did locate it.  I had also tried yesterday evening – I heard and saw at least two Grasshopper Sparrows but the light was not very good with the rain coming in. This morning, the light was much better for photos, so I went to work on my second objective which was to bring home some decent photos. I feel like I haven’t done well lately with the camera, so I wanted to work on it. While I was at it, I ended up with 22 species of bird:

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A singing Field Sparrow out at the AT,  6/15/13.

 

 

Mallard  2
Great Blue Heron  2
Mourning Dove  6
Northern Flicker  2
Great Crested Flycatcher  1
Yellow-throated Vireo  1
American Crow  4
Common Raven  2
Barn Swallow  6
American Robin  1
Northern Mockingbird  2
European Starling  10
Cedar Waxwing  5
Yellow Warbler  1
Field Sparrow  4
Grasshopper Sparrow  1
Northern Cardinal  1
Indigo Bunting  2
Red-winged Blackbird  8
Common Grackle  2
Brown-headed Cowbird  1

 

 

A Great Crested Flycatcher as I was leaving the Appalachian Trail near Route 94, 6/15/13.
A Great Crested Flycatcher as I was leaving the Appalachian Trail near Route 94, 6/15/13.

After about an hour, I headed over to Wallkill River NWR to walk the Liberty Loop. It was quite birdy as I walked the loop and I ended up with 36 species and I took a LOT of photos. The results were mixed, but here is my species list as well as some of my better shots.

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Red-winged Blackbird at Wallkill River NWR 6/15/13.

Canada Goose  15
Mallard  14
Great Blue Heron  8
Turkey Vulture  4
Rock Pigeon  1
Chimney Swift  1
Willow Flycatcher  3
Great Crested Flycatcher  2
Eastern Kingbird  4
Yellow-throated Vireo  1
Warbling Vireo  1
American Crow  4
Tree Swallow  2
Barn Swallow  1
Tufted Titmouse  2
White-breasted Nuthatch  1
Eastern Bluebird  3
Wood Thrush  2
American Robin  12
Gray Catbird  6
Brown Thrasher  3
Cedar Waxwing  6
Common Yellowthroat  2
Yellow Warbler  6
Song Sparrow  16
Swamp Sparrow  10
Northern Cardinal  1
Rose-breasted Grosbeak  1
Indigo Bunting  2
Bobolink  3
Red-winged Blackbird  X
Common Grackle  8
Brown-headed Cowbird  2
Orchard Oriole  1
Baltimore Oriole  2
American Goldfinch  3

 

Easily the highlight of my morning, one of three Brown Thrashers out at Wallkill River NWR 6/15/13.
Easily the highlight of my morning, one of three Brown Thrashers out at Wallkill River NWR 6/15/13.
My favorite photo of the day - Willow Flycatcher at Wallkill River NWR 6/15/13.
My favorite photo of the day – Willow Flycatcher at Wallkill River NWR 6/15/13.
This Rose-breasted Grosbeak was really enjoying some mulberries. Wallkill River NWR 6/15/13.
This Rose-breasted Grosbeak was really enjoying some mulberries. Wallkill River NWR 6/15/13.
Indigo Bunting at Wallkill River NWR 6/15/13.
Indigo Bunting at Wallkill River NWR 6/15/13.
I was at first glance confused by this young Eastern Bluebird. Wallkill River NWR 6/15/13.
I was at first glance confused by this young Eastern Bluebird. Wallkill River NWR 6/15/13.

Tomorrow morning I will head out to the Shawangunk Grasslands. I am following a hot tip from Scotty Baldinger who reported to the Mearns Bird Club that he had FIVE Grasshopper Sparrows out there this morning…