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.

February 11 - Pied-billed Grebe

Today I made a trip to Allentown, PA. On the way I made 2 stops, Round Valley Reservoir and Oberly Rd. in Alpha. Pied-billed Grebe was seen at Round Valley and 65 Horned Larks were seen at Oberly Rd. I'm using Pied-billed Grebe today since I may be able to find the Horned Larks tomorrow when I make a trip to Harrisburg, PA.

February 10 - Varied Thrush

Another trip to NYC today, but I had an hour or so to bird Central Park. So off I went finally to try to see the Varied Thrush. Once in the right area of the park, I saw a man with binoculars on his knees on the icy walk. I had to assume he was looking at the thrush. He was. I had great looks and a photo or 2 for a new life bird and my bird of the day, Varied Thrush.

February 9 - Horned Grebe

I made a trip to NYC today and made a stop on the way home at Bayonne River Walk. Horned Grebes were seen in the bay there. Nothing else of interest was seen there so Horned Grebe is my bird.

February 8 - Ring-necked Duck

Today I had a trip to Motor Vehicles to re-inspect the car. Failed again. This time I was told to drive the card 50-60 miles straight on the highway to reset the computer. So off to Round Valley Reservoir to find something new. I did find a few nice birds but the elusive Ring-necked Ducks were in the open water. I couldn't find this bird in January. Ring-necked Duck is my bird.

February 7 - Northern Pintail

I made a trip to The Meadowlands today searching for anything new there. Not much new so I had to use one of the wintering ducks there. I chose Northern Pintail to use today.

February 6 - American Black Duck

Thanks for ducks!! Another Baseball Card show meant I needed to search for something other than the Ring-billed Gulls hanging around the parking lot. I made a stop on the way home to look for Ring-necked Ducks on the Passaic River and new St. Reservoir. I struck out. Settled for American Black Duck on the river for my bird today.

February 5 - Gadwall

Another day stuck at home due to bad weather. Not much to use in my yard, so off to DeKorte to scan the ducks quickly. Closest duck was a Gadwall. That's today's bird.

February 4 - Lesser Black-backed Gull

Today i made a trip to Wilmington, DE. On my way home I stopped in National Park, NJ to scan the Delaware River. Not many birds around on the river except a group of 3 Lesser Black-backed Gulls. I came home to find that I missed an Iceland Gull in the same neighborhood. Oops!

February 3 - American Coot

Today's birding is limited again by a trip to NYC so a brief stop to Gunnell Oval and Kearny Marsh will get me the American Coot seen last month. Today's the day to use the Coot.

February 2 - Hooded Merganser

Today I spent 1/2 hour at Richard DeKorte Park in The Meadowlands. Most of the ducks were distant except Canvasbacks and a Common Goldeneye, both already used, and Hooded Mergansers. Hoodies will be today's bird.

February 1 - Dark-eyed Junco

A bad weather day kept me home, so I had a choice of Dark-eyed Junco or American Tree Sparrow. I'm going with Dark-eyed Junco.

January 31 - Harlequin Duck

I decided to make my winter trip to Barnegat Light State Park today to see the Harlequin Ducks. I was not disappointed. Common Eiders were seen as well as numerous Black and Surf Scoters. 5 species of sandpiper were also seen. Purple Sandpiper, Ruddy Turnstone, Dunlin, Sanderling and Black-bellied Plover. Harlequins have to be the bird of the day.

January 30 - American Pipit

Another day limited by another Baseball Card show. I tried for the Pipit in the morning on the way to the show, but no luck on Disposal Rd. I spent a half hour with a group of birders on Valley Brook Ave. searching for Owls early in the morning. On my way home from the show in the late afternoon the Pipit was seen along Disposal Rd. almost in the same location as yesterday afternoon. Showed the bird to a few birders. It was a life bird for a few newer birders.

January 29 - Long-eared Owl

Today was a day where my birding was limited due to work at my father-in-law's house all day. Later in the day we decided to go out for an early dinner. While driving through the DeKorte Park area, we spotted an American Pipit along Disposal Rd. 5 minutes birdng, good bird, nice and easy. Well after dinner we made our way back through The Meadowlands along Valley Brook Ave. As luck would have it, I spotted an owl on a pole just around sunset. Long-earred Owl sitting 20 feet from my car. We watched it for a while until a Cooper's Hawk took exception and flew at the owl. Both birds flew off in different directions, but not before I got a photo. With some luck I could still see the Pipit tomorrow, but I have to use the owl today.

January 28 - Lesser Scaup

This morning I decided to search the water at DeKorte. I spent 2 hours scoping ducks. 13 species of duck were seen including Common Goldeneye and Lesser Scaup. Since the Goldeneye was used early in the month, I'm using the Scaup for my bird today.

January 27 - Coopers Hawk

Today I made a stop in the afternoon at Disposal Rd. in The Meadowlands. Hawks again around. Harriers, Red-tails and a Cooper's Hawk along Kingsland Landfill. Later in the day while I was looking out the back window, a Cooper's Hawk was in a tree in the yard. Just before sunset, 2 Cooper's Hawks were vocalizing in a large Oak in my neighbor's yard. Never really get a chance to hear these birds. Coop has to be the bird today!

January 26 - Northern Shoveler

Today I must go to NYC to work. A quick stop at Gunnell Oval in Kearny I saw a lot of Coots and Geese as well as a pair of Northern Shovelers. Shoveler is the bird today.

January 25 - Common Merganser

Another day limited by work has me going to get a duck at DeKorte Park in The Meadowlands. Lots of ducks around, like Pintail, Gadwall, Shovelers, Green-winged Teal and Mergansers. I'm using the Common Merganser today.

January 24 - Red Crossbill

Today I got a call from a friend Fred who wished to photograph Crossbills in Long Branch. Well sharing the cost for gas was an incentive to go to Long Branch again. We saw 2 Red Crossbills, 8 White-winged Crossbills and American Pipit at Seven President's Park. 8 Black-bellied Plovers at Shark River Inlet as well as numerous ducks at Shark River marina. Crossbills are a great bird in NJ so that's the one today. Red Crossbill

January 23 - Fox Sparrow

Another day with limited birding meant I may have to use a yard bird. We've had a Fox Sparrow coming to the yard when the weather gets bad. Well guess who showed up. Fox Sparrow. A yard bird, but a nice one.

January 22- Short-eared Owl

Working around the house today limited birding. I was worried I may have to use an easy bird today. While on our way home from dinner out, we made a drive through The Meadowlands. My wife and I spotted an owl fly over the road. Stopping at the evening owl spot along Valley Brook Ave. we spotted 2 Short-eared Owls flying about. Real good and real lucky!

January 21 - American Tree Sparrow

Another day where I had little time. I made a brief stop at Harrier Meadow and found an American Tree Sparrow. Quick and easy

January 20 - Virginia Rail

Today I had little time to bird. I was in northern Bergen County and decide to stop at The Celery Farm. A short walk brought me to the culvert where the Virginia Rail is seen. After waiting a few moments, it came out to be seen for a while. A very appreciated easy rail for my bird today!

January 19 - Peregrine Falcon

Today I spent some birding time at DeKorte and a few other spots in The Meadowlands. It was a real nice hawk day. 3 Northern Harriers, Sharp-shinned Hawk, Red-shouldered Hawk, 2 Red-tailed Hawks and a Peregrine Falcon at Dekorte. 2 Northern Harriers seen at Harrier Meadow and Rough-legged hawk, Red-tailed hawk and northern Harrier were seen over Berry's Creek. Peregrine Falcon will be today's bird. I'll try to save Sharpie for the hawk watch in the spring.

January 18 - Canvasback

Limited today by work and weather I birded DeKorte quickly. I knew I could get Canvasback pretty easily. I was right. That's my bird!

January 17 - Eastern Screech-Owl

Today I made a trip to Halifax Rd. in Mahwah as well as The Celery Farm in Allendale. Some nice birds at Halifax Rd. inclluding a new Bergen County bird Pileated Woodpecker. A stop just before lunch at The Celery Farm produced Virginia Rail and Eastern Screech-Owl. I'm saving the rail for another day. It's seen frequently. I'll use the Screech Owl, "Ace", as he's called for my bird today.

January 16 - White-crowned Sparrow

Another Baseball Card show will limit my birding today. After leaving Garfield today, I made a stop at Garret Mountain Reservation looking for Ring-necked Ducks. Most of the open water was gone as well as the ducks. I drove Disposal Rd. on my way home and saw some birders watching the Harriers and other hawks on the Kingsland Landfill. I spotted a White-crowned Sparrow alongside the road. My bird today!

January 15 - Common Moorhen

I made a trip to Gunnell Oval to search for the Common Moorhen today. After a bit of searching I found the bird on the ice. Very little open water here. Many Coots, 100+ Canada Geese and a few Pintails were around today.

January 14 - Red-headed Woodpecker

Today I made a trip to the Ridgewood Duck Pond to see the Red-headed Woodpecker again. Nice and easy as I saw and heard the bird within 2 minutes of arriving. Nuthatches and a few other woodpeckers were also around.

January 13 - Red-shouldered Hawk

An afternoon trip to Disposal Rd. in The Meadowlands produced my bird of the day, a Red-shouldered Hawk. this bird has been seen frequently on the Kingsland Landfill.

January 12 - Rough-legged Hawk

Today I spent working eBay on the computer. I took a break, driving to The Meadowlands. Rough-legged Hawk kiting on the Kingsland Landfill. Nice easy good bird for the day!

January 11 - Pacific Loon

Today I made a trip to the Jersey Shore again. More good birds have been spotted over the weekend. I stopped at Shark River Inlet to search for an Earred Grebe seen on the weekend, but found a Pacific Loon, a new life bird, instead. I next drove to Deal in search of Crossbills and found 2 Red Crossbills at Berringer Rd. My next stop was Seven Presidents Park where I found 4 American Pipits, new for the year. My next stop was the beach at Sandy Hook. There was a large raft of ducks distant with a few other birds around. Scope views of 3 Red-necked Grebes, life bird, 1 Razorbill, and many Scoters. Pacific Loon is the toughest of the bunch so that's what I'll use.

January 10 - Great Cormorant

Today I went in search of Long-tailed Duck seen on the Hackensack River from Laurel Hill. I had no luck today for the duck. I did see a few Great Cormorants and Black-crowned Night Herons along the river. Great Cormorant is the bird today

January 9 - White-winged Crossbill

Today I was working at a Baseball Card Show in Toms River. We've had reports of Razorbills in Long Branch, Crossbills there too. After the show I made my way to Long Branch in search of something new. At Roosevelt Ave. in Deal I saw 3 Razorbills. I went to 7 President's Park in Long Branch and just before we lost light I found a White-winged Crossbill in one of the pines. I'm choosing White-winged Crossbill over the Razorbill. I hope it doesn't come to bite me in the butt. Photo of the Crossbill is from a later sighting.

January 8 - Eastern Meadowlark

I made a trip out to Harrier Meadow again and found 4 Eastern Meadowlarks looking very lost in the snow. They flushed from a tree when a Flicker flew in. OCWA was still around as well as Harriers and a Great Blue Heron. Today's choice was easy, Meadowlark - a bird I've only seen 2 times in The Meadowlands.

January 7 - Red-breasted Merganser

In the morning I made a trip to Gunnell Oval in Kearny to look for a Moorhen. No luck today there although I did have numerous Coots, a new bird for the year. Afternoon, I went to DeKorte and scoped the ducks, finding 2 Red-breasted Mergansers. My bird today.

January 6 - Snow Bunting

Today I made a trip in the morning to see the Red-headed Woodpecker in Ridgewood. Nice looks and very easy sighting. Along the way up I stopped on the Hackensack River seeing a Great Cormorant in Little Ferry and Van Buskirk Island in Oradell to see Wood Ducks. I took a phone call from Mike at The Meadowlands. he wanted to see the Black-headed Gull in Bayonne, so we made the trip. No luck on the gull, but we did see 40 or so Snow Buntings. My bird of the day!

January 5 - Orange-crowned Warbler

In the morning I went back to Harrier Meadow to fill the feeders and search for the OCWA. NO luck! Drove to DeKorte and spotted a Rough-legged Hawk on the way. This was going to be my bird until I made a second trip to Harrier after lunch and spotted the Orange-crowned Warbler on the suet. While waiting for the OCWA to arrive a Grey Ghost flew in to check the feeders flying just 10 ft. from and then circled the area just 20 feet above me. Beautiful looks and of course no camera. I left it in the car. I got the camera from the car and was able to get a quick photo of the OCWA.

January 4 - Black-headed Gull

No sign of the OCWA at Harrier Meadow this morning but a phone call from a friend in the morning got me out to Bayonne to search for a Black-headed Gull. I spotted it with 5 minutes of arriving at the Bayonne River Walk just off Rt. 440. Also seen there American Kestrel and 40+ Snow Buntings. Buntings I'll try to use another day. They're pretty regular here.

January 3 - Common Goldeneye

I started out with a trip to Harrier Meadow in The Meadowlands to fill feeders for a friend who was on vacation. Good birds in Harrier! Orange-crowned Warbler was at the feeder, 4 Yellow-rumped Warblers and a Flicker were seen as well. I'm hoping the OCWA sticks around a day or so more, I'm going to DeKorte Park next to check the ducks for a rarity. At DeKorte a female Common Goldeneye was seen in the Saw Mill impoundment with 100+ Canvasbacks. Common Goldeneye is my bird today!

January 2 - Wilson's Snipe

Day 2 was a bit tough because I worked most of the day, a Sunday. Late afternoon I made a trip to NJ Meadowlands. I decided to scope Berry's Creek from the H-Mart parking lot and found 6 wintering Wilson's Snipe. This would be my bird. Other interesting birds seen were Great Blue Heron and Greater Yellowlegs, both seen at Clay Ave. Wetlands in The Meadowlands.

January 1 - Red-throated Loon

I decided to start the year with a trip to the Jersey Shore searching for a bird I didn't use in Bird-a-day last year. I saw some nice birds like Long-tailed Duck, Red-breasted Merganser, Purple Sandpiper, American Kestrel, and Red-throated Loon. Decided to go with the Red-throated Loon on day 1.