May 16 - King Eider

Today I made a trip to Canon to have a lens worked on. While down the turnpike I decided to go to Sandy Hook to search for the Little Gull and King Eider. While I had no luck with finding the Little gull, I did find the Eider and many assorted sandpipers and plovers. A few Piping Plovers were on the beach as well as Black-bellied, Semi-palmated Plovers and Red Knot. I'm using King Eider as my bird today. As you could see from my friend Peter Burke's wonderful photo, this is a breeding plumage bird.

May 15 - Least Sandpiper

This morning we got the results of the WSB. We finished second in our category just 2% behind. That's 5 birds from a tie for first. I spent the morning at DeKorte looking for the Black Scoter we heard had dropped in. No luck. Rain started so I guess I'll use the Least Sandpiper today for my bird-a-day.

May 14 - Saltmarsh Sparrow

Today's the World Series of Birding day. Woodcock and Barn Owl were 2 of the first birds we saw, both just outside of DeKorte Park, our starting point. We had no luck with any of the Great Horned Owls scouted. Starting at Halifax Rd. in Mahwah, we struggled for passerines all morning. Things didn't get much better on the east side of the county. We were starting to get a little punchy and our hopes of a real good day were fading. In the afternoon were made a boat trip down the Hackensack River and things turned around. Boat-tailed Grackle, Moorhen, Clapper Rail, Yellow-crowned Night Heron and Marsh Hawks were seen in Saw Mill Creek WMA. Wilson's Warbler was found at the boat launch before heading out to MRI. MRI is a secure area on the Hackensack River we have access to because of Mike at NJMC. Upon stopping to put on boots for out trek into the marsh, our first Ring-necked Pheasant called. Within 5 minutes we had our target bird, Saltmarsh Sparrow as well as 3 Wilson's Snipe and Swamp Sparrow. We continued on, spending the remaining time in The Meadowlands, finishing around 8:30 PM with Common Nighthawk and Black Skimmer as our last 2 birds. Our total for the day was 127 species, a little short of our goal, but considering the weather and lack of warblers we felt we did well. Saltmarsh Sparrow will be today's bird. Photo is from the Harrier Meadow banding station a year ago.

May 13 - Black-throated Blue Warbler

Today was some final scouting for the WSB on Saturday. Mike and I made a trip to Palisades Interstate Park to get a feel for the trip. 10 Species of warblers and finally Cedar Waxwings were seen. At least 15 Worm-eating Warblers were seen and heard. Black-throated Blue Warbler will be my bird today.

May 12 - Bobolink

I spent the early morning at harrier Meadow. Upon arrival I heard at least a dozen Boblinks on the landfill. They flew to a large cottonwood and continued to be vocal. I saw Northern Waterthrush out there in Harrier. Mike and I went to the Barn Owl building to be able to view the Barn Owl for our World Series of Birding list on Saturday. Missed him!! But today the Bobolink is my bird.

May 11 - Wilson's Warbler

I spent the early morning at Harrier Meadow. I walked the Erie Landfill first seeing only a few Savannah Sparrows and many blackbirds. After while walking Harrier to help out with the mist nets if needed, I saw Scarlet Tanager, Swainson's Thrush, Ovenbird, both Orioles and a few shorebirds. A Wilson's Warbler was seen near the far nets in Harrier. I believe it was caught and banded a bit later. Wilson's is today's bird. Photo is of a banded bird.

May 10 - Golden-winged Warbler

I started out early today at Halifax Rd. A dozen or so warblers were seen, 50+ bird species seen in 1-1/2 hours. I met up with Rich and while birding the lake, we saw that the Hooded Merganser had only 4 babies left. We continued around the lake and spent a bit of time between the lake and the stream where we heard an odd bird song. Rich called out Golden-winged! This would be a life bird for me. We crossed the stream and followed the song. After 10 minutes we finally located a singing male bird and watched it in 2 trees before it flew off. This has to be my bird today!

May 9 - Black-throated Green Warbler

Today I spent the day scouting the central part of Bergen county. Except for The Celery Farm not too much was happening in my 4 other stops. My highlights from Celery Farm were 2 Ravens and 4 Northern Waterthrush. My bird-a-day is Black-throated Green Warbler today.

May 8 - Cape May Warbler

Today I didn't have too much time to bird, and I received an early morning call that Cape May Warbler was singing in Fred's yard. So off I went and arrived at 6:50 and within 10 minutes I saw 2 Cape Mays and heard them both singing. I left Fred's for a brief stop at Rifle Camp Park where the warblers seen included Blackpoll and Bay-breasted. Still Cape May will be my bird-a-day.

May 7 - Veery

Today I spent the morning at Garret Mountain Reservation. 14 species of Warbler were seen or heard including Tennessee, go figure, a bird that always seems to be a problem for me to find. Also Worm-eating, Blackburnian and numerous Ovenbirds were seen. 10+ Swainson's Thrushes and a few Veery were seen too. Veery is my bird-a-day.

May 6 - Tennessee Warbler

While doing some World Series scouting today at Halifax Rd. and Lake Henry, I came across a Hooded Merganser with 6 ducklings. 13 species of warbler were seen today too including Canada and Tennessee. Tennessee was singing then viewed while perched in a little area south of the lake. Tennessee has always been a problem for me to find and this is my first in Bergen County so it will be my bird-a-day.

May 5 - Yellow-throated Vireo

I spent the morning doing a bit of scouting for the WSB. I took the road at Palisades Interstate Park down to the Alpine boat basin. After a phone call to Ray, my raptor guy, I knew where the Peregrine Falcon nest was located. As soon as I found it the male flew off the cliff and defended the nest from a wandering Osprey. Along the road I found 6 Worm-eating Warblers, probably on territory. Most came close when I pished. 5 or 6 other warbler species were present as well as Red-eyed Vireo, Numerous Baltimore Orioles and 1 very vocal Yellow-throated Vireo. The YT Vireo will be my bird-a-day.

May 4 - Bank Swallow

We had rains coming in the morning that would last most of the day, so I made a quick trip to Harrier Meadow and DeKorte Park early. After checking to see the Harrier feeders were full, I took a brief walk out the trail. On the walk I saw a Grasshopper Sparrow near the first blind, but never got a great look, only pieces of the bird as it sat in some woody groundsel after flying up from the grass. The rains started and I made a quick trip to DeKorte and walked around the Lyndhurst Nature Reserve. Many Yellow-rumps were there as well as 6+ White-crowned Sparrows, 1 Indigo Bunting and a very wet White-eyed Vireo. After dinner the rains ended, I took a walk at DeKorte again. hundreds of swallows were flying low all around. I stood on the Kingsland Overlook among the midges and let the Barns, Trees and Rough-winged Swallows fly within a foot of me as they devoured the bugs. I was so close to some of the swallows I could here their wing flap and bill snapping closed on bugs. Pretty cool. I took a short walk out on the boardwalk and saw 2 Bank Swallows, always a tough bird for me. That's my bird-a-day.

May 3 - Tri-colored Heron

I spent the morning at Garret Mountain today. I picked up 4 new birds for the year today including Veery, Swainson's Thrush and Magnolia Warbler. I saw 18 Warbler species in total today missing a few that others saw. Also missed Pine Siskin today. After dinner I went to DeKorte Park in The Meadowlands briefly. After running into a friend in the parking lot, I went out the boardwalk to find the Tri-colored Heron that was found an hour earlier by Frank Bobowski. Nice bird, very easy to see and a new year bird. Tri-colored Heron will be my bird -a-day. Again thanks to Ron Shields for his great photo!

May 2 - Chestnut-sided Warbler

Today I spent the morning getting familiar with some of the territory we need to cover in the morning on our World Series of Birding day. I went to Halifax Rd. in Mahwah and 2 other Mahwah locations. At Halifax rd. I saw at least 10 species of Warbler including my first Chestnut-sided of the year. Another location produced my first Worm-eating Warbler. Overall at least 15 species of Warbler were found today. Chestnut-sided Warbler is going to be my bird-a-day.

May 1 - Nashville Warbler

Today I went with Bergen Audubon and NJ Meadowlands to Losen Sloat Park in Little Ferry. I helped locate some warblers for the group. Some got their first sightings of Blackburnian Warbler, my first in Bergen County. We also had Black-throated Green, Yellow-rumps, Black and white and Nashville. I'm using Nashville as my bird-a-day.

April 30 - Yellow-throated Warbler

After getting some texts and calls about the refound Yellow-throated Warbler at Garret, I made my way up to Garret. I arrived at 10 AM and by 10:02 I had some great looks. By getting there so late today, I really didn't see much but added another new bird for the year Nashville Warbler. Yellow-throated Warbler is clearly the bird to use today. Thanks to my friend Kevin Watson for the great photo! Next stop MAY!!!

April 29 - Blackburian Warbler

I spent the morning in NJ Meadowlands from sun up trying to relocated the Red-necked Phalarope for some friends that couldn't get to see it Thursday evening. No luck. Did see Orchard Oriole, Sora, Virginia Rail and a few others in The Meadowlands. I got a call about a Yellow-throated Warbler at Garret Mt. This has been a nemesis bird for a friend Bill. Well he found it. I went up and missed it. Funny to say I have to settle for a Blackburian Warbler as my Bird-a-day.

April 28 - Red-necked Phalarope

Yesterday I was asked by Mike from NJ Meadowlands if I was interested in looking for an American Bittern in Harrier Meadow. I'm game for that and put on the boots and met Mike 7 AM on Thursday. We spent 1-1/2 hours walking through the marshes of Harrier to find the Bittern in a small pool. It flew off to another. This would be my bird-a-day bird until an after dinner walk to find a Bergen County Moorhen would lead us towards a Red-necked Phalarope. It's a rare spring sighting in North Jersey. This is a life bird for me and Linda and is my 200th bird of the year in NJ and my bird-a-day bird. Thanks to Ron Shields for getting a great photo.

April 27 - Little Blue Heron

I spent the morning on Garret Mountain, but it seemed that the 18 species of Warblers seen the other day have moved on. In the evening after dinner we took a walk at DeKorte and some surrounding Meadowlands areas. With the water level in the impoundment at DeKorte lowered, Sora was seen along the edge of the phrags. We walked to the Hackensack River along the canal and flushed a couple of Snipe and Savannah Sparrows. An interesting wader flew over, smaller than a Great Egret, but not a Snowy Egret either. Grayish bill and legs with no yellow feet, different, thicker body than a Snowy. Little Blue! My bird today.

April 26 - Rose-breasted Grosbeak

I couldn't sleep much so I went to Garret Mt. at 5 AM. Thick as pea soup fog covered much of the mountain. I found 1 spruce under a light and pished a bit and 25 sparrows popped out to see what's up. I guess the WTSP and CHSP like to roost there. As daybreak came we found the north corner of the park, up a hill to a communications tower to be the hot spot early. BTBL, BTGR, Prairie, Yellow-rumped, Northern Waterthrush and a few others as well as Purple Finch, Baltimore Orioles were all on the top. Once the fog broke we hit the pond. More Warblers were seen on Wilson Ave. I totaled 15 species of Warbler for the day, but loved seeing the bathing Rose-breasted Grosbeak. Grosbeak is today's bird.

April 25 - Great-crested Flycatcher

I went to Harrier Meadow today to meet up with Mike and the bird banding he does. We observed a couple of new birds while walking to the nets. Yellow Warblers have come back to The Meadowlands. With the Yellows we had a quiet Prairie Warbler and a new Bergen County bird for me and Mike, Blue-winged Warbler. Great-crested Fly was a new bird as well and will be today's bird.

April 24 - Purple Finch

Today I spent this Easter Sunday morning at Garret Mt with my wife. A few new birds arrived like Yellow Warbler, Ovenbird, Baltimore Oriole and a few others. We had a singing Purple Finch, a bird I usually have some trouble finding somewhere. That's the one for me today, Purple Finch.

April 23 - Brown Thrasher

After a day of rain I went out to The Meadowlands for a 2 hour walk. We flushed a couple of Snipe, saw a few White-crowned Sparrows, 4 Kestrels, Field Sparrow and a few others but nothing new. Brown Thrashers were around. We saw 3. The highlight of the walk was the 1000's of Land Snails we came across on our walk. Brown Thrasher is the bird-a-day today. Photos of the land snails too!

April 22 - Least Flycatcher

I spent some time at Garret with not much in the way of new birds around. I made a trip into Bergen County to get familiar with areas we'll need on our World Series of Birding day. I checked out Halifax Rd. area in Mahwah and saw a couple of new Bergen County birds, like Black and White Warbler and Chimney Swift. I went to the Mahwah
Green Acres sites and found a Least Flycatcher near the Ramapo River. That's my bird today.

April 21 - Broad-winged Hawk

A very windy day, but clear and I spent some time at Garret today. While at the Overlook Meadow I had a nice low Broad-winged Hawk fly over and headed out north. It was followed in about a minute by a Kestrel and then Peregrine Falcon, both low enough to get great binocular looks. Broad-winged Hawk is today's bird.

April 20 - Black-bellied Plover

I spent the morning at Harrier Meadow with the banding project going on there. While heading out to the nets I do some shorebird scanning in the mudflats. Up to 4 Lesser Yellowlegs were around today with 150+ Greaters. Some Least sandpipers have joined in. When I left in the later morning I stopped at a small mudflat at DeKorte Park as the tide came in. I found 2 Spotted Sandpipers and 1 Black-bellied Plover. BBPL is a tough spring bird there for me so I'll use it for my bird-a-day. Photo is from some wintering birds seen at Shark River Inlet.

April 19 - Blue-winged Teal

I spent the morning at Harrier Meadow. I first went to find Blue-winged Teal, the bird I thought would be yesterday's bird-a-day before seeing the Snow Goose. 1 pair were feeding in the mudflats, 2 more would be seen later. A few new arrivals were Least Sandpiper and Spotted Sandpiper. Blue-winged Teal is the bird-a-day.

April 18 - Snow Goose

After reading a post on Meadowlands Blog about a late Snow Goose, I thought I'd try for it. I went to Snake Hill in Secaucus and the Snow Goose was in a field with 50 Canada Geese. It's good to use a winter bird in April for my bird-a-day so Snow Goose is the bird. Photo is a bird seen a week or so ago in "Brig".

April 17 - Yellow-rumped Warbler

Today I spent the morning around Garret Mountain. It seemed like more birds have left with little if anything moving back in. I had no luck finding Black and White Warbler and only saw the usual 3 Warblers. A brief stop to walk the trail behind Cedar Grove Reservoir produced the same 3 Warblers. There have been many bright and crisp Yellow-rumped Warblers around though. This is my bird today.

April 16 - Ruby-crowned Kinglet

I read Woodcreeper.com this morning and David wrote that a big flight out of NJ had taken place. I went to Garret Mt. and it was proved true. Lots of Robins, Juncos, Hermit Thrushes had moved on with a bunch of other birds. There wasn't much around. The same 4 warblers for the last few days were seen, all around the pond. Ruby-crowned Kinglets were lesser in number but still around the park. Ruby-crowned Kinglet is today's bird.

April 15 - Boat-tailed Grackle

I took some early morning time to try to find what I thought was a Boat-tailed Grackle last night outside DeKorte Park. Upon arriving at the "ball fields" I immediately heard a Boat-tailed calling from the first telephone pole. He was there and would probably be my bird of the day unless something else shows up. At Harrier Meadow I added a couple of new Bergen county birds for the year with Dunlin among 200+ Great Yellowlegs. In addition to the Dunlin, both Kinglets were seen and heard there. Garret produced 2 new birds for the year, Black and White Warbler and Broad-winged Hawk bringing this years NJ tally to 170. Boat-tailed Grackle which I've seen for the second year in a row in Bergen County is today's bird.

April 14 - Pectoral Sandpiper

I spent the morning at Garret but was disappointed to find no new birds. I still saw many Pines, Palms and Yellow-rumps. More Sapsuckers have come in and 8 Field Sparrows were seen too. I decided to check out the Valley Brook area of The Meadowlands after dinner. At the old ballfields area I had a Pectoral Sandpiper in the remediated area with 3 Killdeer. I believe I heard a Boat-tailed Grackle in the phrags where the blackbirds roost. I was caught off guard, so I'm not real sure of it. Pectoral Sandpiper is my bird today.

April 13 - Winter Wren

In a brief trip to Garret Mountain Reservation after lunch today I saw no new birds for the year. More Yellow-rumped Warblers were seen than the previous days with more males in nice plumage. Chipping Sparrows were around as were Song, Fox and White-throated Sparrows. A Winter Wren was seen in Slippery Rock Brook and will be my bird today.

April 12 - Chipping Sparrow

I spent the morning at Garret Mt. Pines, Palms and Yellow-rumps were the birds around the pond. Some Common Loons flying over, but not much else new around. Maybe the birds will move in after the front come through. Lots of Chipping Sparrows around in flocks today. I went to Walker Ave. Wetlands this afternoon, water level is still very high. This won't have shorebirds any time soon. The water level is looking good for ducks and waders. 3 Great Blue Herons and 2 Egrets along with a few Wood Ducks. A Bald Eagle flew in as well. Still today I'm using the Chipping Sparrow.

April 11 - Painted Bunting

I took some time this morning and made a trip to south Jersey for a chance to see a Painted Bunting. I arrived a bit early so I went to "Brig" and saw a few new year birds, Purple Martin, Laughing Gull and Forster's Tern. At 10:30 I went to the Absecon home where the Bunting was being seen and it arrived on the feeder just as I made my way to the yard. Beautiful bird and very simple to find, but then they just love the feeders in Florida so why not here. NJ life bird #307 and today's Bird-a-Day, Painted Bunting.

April 10 - Blue-gray Gnatcatcher

Today is day 100 of Bird-a-day this year. I spent the morning at Garret Mt. Res. and it was noticeably slower than the past week. Although the numbers of birds were down the diversity was still there. 5 species of warbler were still seen, no Louisiana Waterthrush. Only a handful of Sapsuckers were around. My new bird for the year was Blue-gray Gnatcatcher which is also my bird today.

April 9 - Blue-headed Vireo

Today I spent the morning at Garret Mountain, a 54 species day there! I saw 2 new birds for the Mountain this year, Blue-headed Vireo which has been reported the last couple of days, and Cedar Waxwing. There were still 6 warbler species seen today which is a great total due to the date. Flicker and Sapsucker numbers have begun to drop, but still a lot around. With some rain followed by 80 degree temps, next week should bring some more migrants. I probably should use Winter Wren, but I goofed and chose to use Blue-headed Vireo.

April 8 - Savannah Sparrow

Today I made a morning trip the Harrier Meadow to visit with Mike Newhouse of The Meadowlands. He was starting up his banding project in Harrier Meadow. There were still good numbers of ducks around and 35+ Greater Yellowlegs and a single Lesser. Lots of Grackles around. Lots of Robins too. Not too much has moved through this area in the way of migrants except Northern Flickers. Single Savannah Sparrow and Fox Sparrow were seen in Harrier. My first Savannah in Bergen County this year is going to be by bird today.

April 7 - Palm Warbler (Yellow)

Today I spent an hour around Barbour's Pond at Garret Mountain. The good number of warblers are still around. Lots of Palms and Pines as well as a couple of Louisiana Waterthrushes and Yellow-rumps. I heard the Parulas and Prairie Warblers were still being seen. I'm using Palm Warbler today since I didn't have too much time to search out anything better.

April 6 - Bald Eagle

Today I spent the morning at Garret Mountain. Lots of birds again 50+ species. A 6-Warbler day was had with Northern Parula and Prairie Warbler being seen a bit early. 100+ combined Pines, Palms and Yellow-rumps around, but I've been thinking of using Bald Eagle the next time I see one. It had been almost a month since I saw one in The Meadowlands. A somewhat ragged adult Bald Eagle flew over Barbour's Pond in the morning and since nothing else real special was seen, I chose that as my bird-a-day.

April 5 - Northern Rough-winged Swallow

Another real good day at Garret this morning. 50+ Flickers today to go along with lots of Sapsuckers. Chipping Sparrows numbered 70+ and Warblers increased in the park as the day went on. 4 Warbler species seen with Yellow-rumped joining the others this afternoon. 20+ Pine Warblers and 30+ Palm Warblers were seen around Barbour's Pond. Ruby-crowned Kinglets arrived today along with Barn Swallow. 30+ Swallows on the pond this afternoon with a single Barn seen. 5 Northern Rough-winged Swallows or so were on the pond. I'm going to use it as my bird today.

April 4 - Pine Warbler

A good migration at Garret Mountain was seen today. 25+ Sapsuckers, 12+ Fox Sparrows, new arrival of Palm Warbler, Hermit Thrush and Brown Thrasher. Some singing Pine Warblers were around and will be my bird today.

April 3 - Louisiana Waterthursh

I went to Garret early today and searched for Pine Warbler or Waterthrush or any new migrant. My morning highlights were 10 Cormorants flying north, perched Red-shouldered Hawk and a single Chipping Sparrow. I thought the Chipping would be my bird, but I made a second trip to Garret in the afternoon. I ran into another birder, the only other one around, Christina and we had a single singing Pine Warbler, a few Phoebes, and at 4PM a Louisiana Waterthrush on Slippery Rock Brook, the usual place it shows in the spring. Chipping and Pine would be easier to see in the next weeks so I'll use the Waterthrush today.

April 2 - Brown-headed Cowbird

After much searching for a migrant at Garret Mt. today I had to settle for the dreaded Brown-headed Cowbird which I saw at Garret and in my yard. We had nice looks at a Bluebird pair on Garret, 8 Great Blue Herons, 6 together flying over Garret Mt. Reservation and numerous Fox Sparrows, some singing.

April 1 - Greater Yellowlegs

Today in the rain I spent a bit of time at DeKorte Park and Harrier Meadow. The duckage is beginning to shrink. Less than 20 Canvasbacks were seen. Still large numbers of Green-winged Teal remain. A few Greater Yellowlegs were around on the mudflats today. I'm using the Yellowlegs today for lack of a better bird.

March 31 - Eastern Towhee

Today I took a quick trip around Garret Mt. and still had 20+ Tree Swallows on Barbour's Pond and good numbers of Dark-eyed Juncos. Some Fox Sparrows have been singing. Another stop today was Fred P's house for my first Towhee of the year. Kearny East had a Snowy Egret, Common Goldeneye, Pintails, Buffleheads and both Scaup. 60+ cormorants were sitting around at the radio station walkway. I'm gonna try to start using migrants so Eastern Towhee will be the bird today

March 30 - Greater Scaup

Made a trip to Sandy Hook today with a few stops in The Meadowlands along the way. First Snowy Egrets of the year in Kearny East along Belleville Tpk. (Rt. 7). Once at the Hook I found 4 Oystercatchers and 2 Piping Plovers (new for the year) near C lot. Brown Thrasher flew across the road to the fishing beach. Northern Gannets flying about off the beach. Still a large raft of Scoters and Long-tailed Ducks in the ocean. There was still a few Greater Scaup around which will be my bird today. 8 Great Blue Herons migrating north. At the Hawk Watch, 1 Coot and 1 Tree Swallow flew by in the afternoon. Most of the flight today shut down around 1 PM when the winds shifted.

March 29 - Northern Flicker

In a morning trip to Garret Mountain about 30 species were seen including 24 Tree Swallows still hunting Barbour's Pond. Nothing new for the year yet there and no hawks migrating. All birds probably held up by the jet stream currently keeping things cold here. I'll have to choose from my saved list, a list of birds I could use almost anytime. Looks like Northern Flicker today. Flicker photo is from Garret, just not today.

March 28 - Hairy Woodpecker

Today with not much being reported around I went to Mill Creek Point to look for a Bald Eagle, but the only raptor was a Harrier. I checked the Teal at Mill Creek Marsh for the Common Teal, but had no luck. I went to Garret Mountain next to see if any more birds arrived. 24 Tree Swallows were on Barbour's Pond. A lot of regulars were around. I'm choosing Hairy Woodpecker to use today.

March 27 - Fish Crow

With little time today other than the morning to bird I tried a couple of places on my way to White Plains, NY. Overpeck Park I saw 2 Pied-bill Grebes, but they were already used. Very little to be seen other than 2 Titmouse seen at State-line Lookout on the Palisades. While loading the vans a big number of crows came to roost in the area. Among the American Crows were a few Fish Crows. After leaving White Plains I made a sundown stop at Piermont Pier to search for any odd gulls. Almost all gulls seen were Ring-billed Gulls. Fish Crow would be my bird today

March 26 - Purple Sandpiper

A morning trip to Rye Playland and out to the pier again. Windy and cold in the upper 20's!! Purple Sandpipers were out on the jetty. Nice and easy but very cold for springtime.

March 25 - Long-tailed Duck

Today I'm working at a weekend Baseball Card Show at the Westchester County Center. After speaking with Mike N. from The Meadowlands, he suggested Rye Playland as a birding location if I had the time. I made a lunchtime stop at Rye Playland and walked out the pier to spot Purple Sandpiper, Horned Grebes and Long-tailed Ducks. I'm using the Long-tailed Duck today hopiing to see the Purple Sandpiper again tomorrow. It should be around.

March 24 - Field Sparrow

Another trip today to Garret to see what's around after the snow. A brief stop got me the Field Sparrow that has been seen around. A Bufflehead was seen on the pond and a few Brown Creepers were around. Field Sparrow is the bird today.

March 23 - Belted Kingfisher

Today I made another trip to Garret in search of new arrivals. Not much new to see today in the snow. Tree Swallows were feeding over the pond in the snow today. Belted Kingfisher has spent the winter around, I'll use the Kingfisher today

March 22 - Golden-crowned Kinglet

Today was a trip up to Garret again to see if anything new has arrived. 100+ Robins and Juncos were seen in the park. Lots of the other usuals to. We found a Rusty Blackbird and a Golden-crowned Kinglet in the wet area. Kinglet is the bird today.

March 21 - Lesser Yellowlegs

Today I had little time as I spent most of the day getting caught up on my eBay business, since I was out of state for 4 days. contacted Mike from The Meadowlands and asked what was around. He told me Greater Yellowlegs were in Harrier Meadow. I found 15 there with 1 Lesser Yellowlegs (scarce in the early spring) and 5 Snipe. Lesser Yellowlegs is gonna be my bird.

March 20 - Hermit Thrush

Still in Virgina today, I had an hour to bird so I went back to Stratton Woods Park. A few good birds were around. I saw and heard a Rusty Blackbird, Hermit Thrush and Eastern Towhee. Hermit Thrush is my bird today.

March 19 - Eastern Phoebe

As luck would have it Eastern Phoebe was still at Arrowbrook Park. Since I had 20 minutes to bird this morning, this was the easy choice.

March 18 - Cedar Waxwing

First full day in Virginia I know of one decent birding spot near the hotel in Herndon, Stratton Wood Park. On the way, I saw a marsh area near a corporate park, Arrowbrook Park. 2 good birds to use there, Eastern Phoebe and Field Sparrow. I'm hoping to see the Phoebe again tomorrow as I found a small flock of Cedar Waxwings at Stratton Woods. Cedar Waxwing is the bird today.

March 17 - House Finch

Today is a travel day for me. I'll be working the weekend in Chantilly, VA. I didn't leave early enough to find a bird at the beach today, so I ad to use House Finch at Pops house in Toms River today.

March 16 - Ruddy Duck

Today I went to DeKorte Park to look for any odd arrivals. Nothing new, so I used one of my last ducks for Bird-a-day, Ruddy Duck.

March 15 - American Goldfinch

Today I made a trip to The Celery Farm and Halifax Rd. in the morning. I heard an American Coot was seen at Celery Farm. I found it fairly quickly. New bird for Bergen County for the year as well as the Tree Swallow seen briefly over the lake. A few singing Fox Sparrows were heard singing at Halifax Rd. today. with nothing new seen to use, I went with the American Goldfinch I found in my backyard.

March 14 - American Woodcock

Today I made a trip to DeKorte around lunchtime today and found a good Bergen County bird - Horned Grebe. Actually 2 of them, 1 in breeding plumage. 4 Killdeer and 3 Great Yellowlegs were also around. With Horned Grebe being used last month I made an evening trip to Valley Brook Ave area and had 6 American Woodcock flying about at sunset. Not one of the birds I saw today but the photo of the Woodcock was taken in The Meadowlands.

March 13 - Ross's Goose

Today a Baseball Card Show takes me to Toms River again. Ross's Goose has been seen at a local park the past 10 days. I went to Shelter Cove Park and the 2 geese stood right out in the flock of Canada Geese. A new bird for the year and today's bird of the day.

March 12 - Eastern Bluebird

Today I made a trip to Garret Mountain Reservation at lunchtime. Most of the usual suspects were seen with 1 new bird for Garret this year. Eastern Bluebird was seen along Barbour's Pond. Not too common a sighting at Garret, I'll use this one today.

March 11 - Merlin

I went to Harrier Meadow at lunchtime to meet up with Mike N. from The Meadowlands. We checked out the area and the best bird we found was a Merlin. Mike would use a duck today, I'm using the Merlin.

March 10 - Muscovy Duck

Just like yesterday I made a trip to Schlegel LAke to look for the goose. No luck again. Just easy to use the Muscovy Duck today. Although it's a released bird and not countable ABA-wise, it's within the rules for Bird-a-day.

March 9 - Sharp-shinned Hawk

I made a trip up to Schlegel Lake, Washington Township to find the Pink-footed Goose for a friend. We struck out, but we only had an hour. A Sharp-shinned Hawk flew through while we looked for the goose. Today's bird is the Sharpie.

March 8 - Brewer's Blackbird

I had a trip to Salem County set up for today with 2 birders Rich K. and Scotty Bill. Our target birds are Brewer's Blackbird, Yellow-headed Blackbird, Ross's Goose and Sandhill Crane. We spent a good part of the day in search of the 4 birds. While seeing new year birds, Tree Swallow and Great Egret, we were striking out on the blackbirds. Just before leaving we finally found some blackbird flocks and searched through them. I found 2 female Brewer's Blackbirds while Bill found the Yellow-headed. There's always a chance for another Yellow-headed somewhere, so I'm using Brewer's today. Great trip for Bald Eagles. We probably saw 15 during the day.

March 7 - Pink-footed Goose

Well, with hearing of odd goose sightings in NY/NJ area, I decided, while running some errands in Bergen County, to check through any goose flocks. Hackensack River was flooded from yesterday's heavy rains and I was forced north towards Emerson to cross the river. I had my lunch in a cemetery in Paramus and noticed a small goose flock, not like the locals I was seeing all morning. And them I spotted an odd goose. I took some photos and ran into a friend Rob who confirmed the ID of the goose. Pink-footed Goose. 1st sighting in NJ!! Also eBird #300 for Bergen County. We watched it for 20 minutes before it and the migrant Canada Geese flew out north. I had the time to search for the location these geese put down. I found it a short distance away. Schlegel Lake in Washington Township. A number of phone calls around and the word was out. Birders from all around will be coming to see it. So far the best bird of the challenge!

March 6 - Iceland Gull

Well on my way to the Baseball Card Show I'm doing in the Philly area today, I checked out the I-295 Scenic Overlook, just south of Trenton. Trying to get a bird before the rain comes I scanned the water and saw 6 gulls, nothing else. Good fortune was with me as 1 of the gulls was an Iceland Gull, my bird of the day!

March 5 - Common Grackle

Looks like the weather will keep me in today. I'll also need to prepare for an Baseball Card show tomorrow in the Philly area. I'm taking the Common Grackle form my backyard today.

March 4 - Brant

Today I made a trip to Garret Mountain Reservation, nothing exciting happening in the way of new birds to use today. The highlight was a group of 21 Common Redpolls feeding in the birches near the basketball courts at Garret. too bad I've already used Redpoll. My next stop was Asbury Park as I made a trip to the Stone Pony to pick up some tickets for an upcoming show. I spent 1/2 hour scanning the ocean and jettys for some Jersey Shore bird. I had to settle for Brant.

March 3 - American Kestrel

Toady I made a quick trip to NJ Meadowlands, stopping in Harrier Meadow, and the local roads to DeKorte Park. More Red-winged Blackbirds are starting to come around. Still a lot of ducks around. Kestrel, Rough-legged Hawk, Northern Harriers and Red-tailed Hawks were seen through out the region. 20 Snow Buntings were seen along Valley Brook Ave. late in the day, as well as a roosting Long-earred Owl. Since most of the birds seen have been used already or I'm planning on saving, American Kestrel seen on a wire will be today's bird.

March 2 - Yellow-bellied Sapsucker

Made my first real trip to Garret Mountain Reservation today. 30 species around but not much out of the usual. Red-shouldered Hawk migrating and a Yellow-bellied Sapsucker near the basketball courts. Sapsucker is the bird of the day.

March 1 - Black Scoter

Mike called me and was interested in going to Sandy Hook to get his bird of the day. We had loads of Scoters, 50+ Scaup, Long-tailed Ducks, and Horned Grebes. Chose to use Black Scoter today for my bird.

February 28- White-throated Sparrow

Today was a day I spent working at home and was probably going to use a backyard bird. With Junco, White-throated and Fox Sparrow, White-breasted Nuthatch, and Brown-headed Cowbird, I chose to use White-throated Sparrow.

February 27- Rusty Blackbird

Linda and I made a trip to The Celery Farm today hoping for something new. We had no luck, so on the way home we went to Pacsck Brook County Park. I watched a flock of Blackbirds bathe for a while. It was mostly Grackles and Red-winged Blackbirds with a few Starlings in the mix. After most finished 1 bird stood outside the puddle, looked around and then began to bathe. It was a Rusty Blackbird, my first one this year. My bird of thejavascript:void(0) day.

February 26 - Northern Harrier

Today I spent the morning walking out to the Porete Grassland area in The Meadowlands, adjacent to the 1-E landfill. A few hawks around, but having a Harrier on the ground and another one vocalizing were really cool. A few regular sparrows were around as well, nothing out of the ordinary. I'm using the Harrier today.

February 25 - Bufflehead

I had little time today to bird so a quick trip to DeKorte would get me a Bufflehead to use for my bird today.

February 24 - Double-crested Cormorant

A stop today at Liberty State Park after a trip to NYC to meet a customer, I saw a lot of the same birds seen last time I was there. Choosing one of those, I'm using Double-crested Cormorant for my bird today.

February 23 - Golden Eagle

With my wife having the week off, we usually make a day trip to "Brig", E.B. Forsythe NWR (Brigantine Unit), to look for Tundra Swan, Snow Geese and whatever else may be around. Lots of birds around, with some new birds for the year like Eastern Bluebird, Tundra Swan and Snow Geese. Other highlights were Eastern Meadowlark right alongside the drive, 100's of Northern Pintails and my bird of the day our first NJ Golden Eagle. Another stop today in Brigantine, just outside Atlantic City, at Abseocn Inlet, we saw 140 American Oystercatchers, 35 Willets, 2 Marbled Godwits, and 800+ Dunlins. Still the Eagle trumps them all.

February 22 - Surf Scoter

Today I spent a few hours at Sandy Hook and Seven President's Park in Long Branch. Many ducks in the ocean at Sandy Hook. A large number of Scoters, many out of scope range. Among the birds seen at "the Hook" were American Wigeon, Greater Scaup, Surf Scoter, Black Scoter, Long-tailed Duck, Common Goldeneye, Great Cormorant, Horned Lark, and Cedar Waxwing. I'm using Surf Scoter today. Maybe the next trip down will get me a Black Scoter again to use.

February 21 - Common Raven

After lunch we decided to make a trip to New St. Reservoir on Garret Mt. and check the Passaic River in Paterson. Along Rifle Camp Rd. a Common Rave flew right over the road in front of us, making my bird for the day nice and easy. Nothing new was seen at the res or the river as well as NJ Meadowlands later in the day.

February 20 - Cackling Goose

After seeing that a Cackling goose was seen at a pond in Loantaka Brook Reservation, I decided to try for this bird after my Garfield Baseball Card Show. I checked the pond for about 25 minutes at 4:45 PM with no luck. I did see Gadwall, Hooded Merganser and Pintails. A few large flocks of Blackbirds flew over as well. I decided to leave an on the corner of Woodland & Loantaka in Madison, in a corporate park, I saw a large flock of geese. After a quick scan, the Cackling Goose stood out!

February 19 - Pileated Woodpecker

A trip back to Northern Bergen County today. Halifax Rd. and The Celery Farm were visited. Not too many new birds were seen, but good views of the male Pileated Woodpecker at Halifax again. time to use the Pileated today.

February 18 - Brown Creeper

Today was a trade off day. I took Mike again to Bayonne to search for the Black-headed Gull which I found after a brief scan of the gulls. New bird for Mike in USA and NJ. We returned to DeKorte where Mike found me a Brown Creeper to use for my bird of the day.

February 17 - Common Redpoll

After reading yesterday's post about a Common Redpoll at Lorrimer Sanctuary, I decided to give it a try. After about 1/2 hour the bird arrived at the feeders briefly. A scarce bird this year, especially in Bergen County. My bird of the day.

February 16 - Green-winged Teal

Today I spent about 2 hours at DeKorte and Harrier Meadow. Many ducks and hawks around but it looks like one of the ducks must be used today. Green-winged Teal, they were everywhere today

February 15 - Barred Owl

Today I took a trip to The Great Swamp. I made a stop at the Raptor Trust and checked on the Kestrel rescued in the Meadowlands this autumn. He's still not ready to be released. At the swamp I finally found the Barred Owl that had been eluded me for a few years. Not too much else around on a cold day.

February 14 - American Wigeon

A brief lunchtime stop at DeKorte produced a group of 5 American Wigeons on the Saw Mill Impoundment. Tough bird at DeKorte. got to be my bird today.

February 13 - Common Loon

Another Baseball Card show brings me down to Toms River again. Today I went out to Manasquan Inlet after the show. It was very windy and not too many birds around. I'm using a Common Loon, seen in the inlet.

February 12 - Horned Lark

After a miserable trip to a sportsmen show in Harrisburg, PA, we made a stop at Oberly Rd. in Alpha, NJ. Very few birds around until I found the manure pile. 65+ Horned Larks, just like I hoped. My bird of the day.