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.
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