Summer 2007 - New Jersey Audubon Society

therefore more carefully studied. In accordance withpublished research (Walk et al. 2000), it should benoted that all three males were observed singing aggressivelyat 2:45 AM on 30 July, as were territorialGrasshopper Sparrows (Ammodramus savannarum)in the same area. On 4 August, a noticeable shift inactivity was observed when virtually all singing ceasedand all three males began to behave more secretively,affording limited viewing opportunities.Our most important moment came on 6 Augustat 6:25 AM when we first observed and confirmedthe presence of a fledgling Henslow’s Sparrow. Thefledglings’ appearance is likely the reason the males’activities became more secretive and singing almostcompletely ceased. Two days later, three or four fledglingswere identified and were then seen for severaldays frequenting the territories centered on M1 andM 2. There was strong activity, including consistentfeeding of fledglings, until approximately 15 August.Thereafter the birds were seen infrequently until 24August, after which time no further observationswere recorded.IdentificationThese Ammodramus sparrows were conspicuouswith their large, flat heads and heavy, thick bills(Figures 1-2). Other distinctive characteristics includedthe olive-green coloration on the head withdark crown stripes, white eye-ring, short dark malarstripes, buff-colored breast with fine dark streaking,dark chestnut coloration to the wing, and extremelyshort tail. We do not believe that we conclusivelyobserved any females, however, which is perhaps notsurprising given the species’ highly secretive natureand little or no dimorphism between the sexes. Theobserved juveniles resembled adults except that theyhad little or no streaking below and were duller inplumage overall.The distinctive Henslow’s vocalizations were notedon many occasions. The soft, two-noted, insect-liketse-lick, contrary to what one might suspect, was easilyheard at distances upwards of 150 meters.DiscussionDuring his time spent in New Jersey in the early1800s, John James Audubon indicated that Henslow’sSparrow was a relatively abundant species (Beans andNiles 2003). Indeed, many pairs were documented inthe state in the late 1800s and early 1900s (Rising1996). However, by the late 1950s, populations herehad begun to decline and the trend continues up totoday. The species is now very rare in New Jerseyand breeds here very irregularly. Since 1972, therehad been only two confirmed breeding records in thestate (Walsh et. al. 1999, Beans and Niles 2003) priorto the discovery of these three pairs at Duke Farms.Figure 2. Male Henslow’s Sparrow singing on territory, 28 July 2006, at Duke Farms,Somerset County. Three territorial males were found at this site during the summerof 2006. Photo/Matthew SileoHenslow’s Sparrows have also experienced notablenegative population trends throughout much of theirNorth American breeding range since 1966 (Saueret al. 2006), particularly here in the Northeast andMid-Atlantic regions.ConclusionsAt 2740 acres, of which approximately 500 acresare specifically managed and maintained for grassland-dependentwildlife (Figures 3 and 4), DukeFarms is one of the most important areas in thestate for breeding grassland birds. These grasslandsharbor some of the highest densities of Bobolinks(Dolichonyx oryrzivorus), Grasshopper Sparrows, andEastern Meadowlarks (Sturnella magna) in New Jersey.In addition, stable numbers of Savannah Sparrows(Passerculus sandwichensis), as well as three to fourpairs of American Kestrels (Falco sparverius), breedannually on the property. And during the spring andsummer of 2007 two pairs of breeding Dickcissels (Spizaamericana) were found, with both fledging two youngapiece. The discovery of the breeding Henslow’s Sparrowsfurther underscores the importance of continuedmanagement of these vitally important grasslandhabitats at Duke Farms.AcknowledgmentsWe would like to thank the Doris Duke CharitableFoundation and the Duke Farms Foundation for theircontinued and fervent support of these special areasand the important research they champion. Addition-➟Vol. XXXIII, no. 3 — 39

ally we would like to thank Rutgers University-CookCollege, particularly Dr. Julie Lockwood and herresearch staff including Brian Clough, Tabby Fenn,Alison Siegel, and Ryan Sklar for their vital studyover the past three or more years of these importantbirds and the lands they inhabit.Figure 3. Henslow’s Sparrow habitat at Duke Farms: Open hayfield dominated byOrchard Grass and various tall forbs, which are managed currently by delayedmowing in early September. Photo/Thomas AlmendingerReferencesBeans, B.E., and L. Niles. 2003. Endangered and ThreatenedWildlife in New Jersey. Rutgers University Press,New Brunswick.Rising, J.D. 1996. A Guide to the Identification and NaturalHistory of the Sparrows of the United States and Canada.Academic Press, San Diego.Sauer, J. R., J. E. Hines, and J. Fallon. 2006. The NorthAmerican Breeding Bird Survey, Results and Analysis1966-2005. Version 6.2. 2006. USGS Patuxent WildlifeResearch Center, Laurel, Maryland.Walk, J.W., E.L. Kershner, and R.E. Warner. 2000.Nocturnal singing in grassland birds. Wilson Bulletin112(2):289-292.Walsh, J., V. Elia, R. Kane, and T. Halliwell. Birds of NewJersey. New Jersey Audubon Society, Bernardsville.Wander, W. 1982. Breeding status of grassland birds in NewJersey. Records of New Jersey Birds 8(1):2-4.—80 Route 206 South, Hillsborough, NJ 08844(Aquila, Almendinger, and Sileo)Figure 4. Close-up of Henslow’s Sparrow nesting habitat at Duke Farms, which iscomprised of tall, dense vegetation and a thick layer of ground litter. Photo/Thomas Almendinger40 — Summer 2007

Format of theRegional ReportsSpecies name (major raritiesin all-caps): significance of record(optional; see below), number ofindividuals (if more than one), location,date, observer initials.Abbreviations used for “significance”terms include:high = high count(s) for seasonall-time high = all-time highfor that season in that region (notnecessarily for entire state)low = an unusually low totallate = somewhat or unusuallylateall-time late = all-time late forthat regionearly = somewhat or unusuallyearlyall-time early = all-time early forthat regiondep = last record from that season,although not unusually late (listedonly if of some significance)arr = first record from that season,although not unusually early (listedonly if of some significance)Within a given species, recordswith a similar significance (e.g.,seasonal high counts) are clumpedtogether, separated by commas,and usually ordered by date. Thesereports are separated by a semicolonfrom those with a different significance(e.g., late records).County names appear in italics.Other Oft-used Abbreviations:ad: adultimm: immaturejuv: juvenilef: femalem: maleet al.: and othersfide: vouched bym.obs: many observersv.obs: various observersIs: IslandLk: LakeMt: MountainNWR: National Wildlife RefugePt: PointRes: ReservoirSF: State ForestSP: State ParkTwp: TownshipWinter Field NotesDecember 2006-February2007Northwestern Region, includingSussex, Warren, Hunterdon, and thewestern parts of Morris and PassaicCounties.EDITOR — Frank Sencher Jr, 43Church Road, Milford, NJ 08848.e-mail: fjsencher@aol.comDecember and the first half of Januarywere unseasonably mild. Spring Peeperswere calling and Painted Turtles were seenbasking in the sun on several days in earlyJanuary when record-breaking temperatureswere reached. Winter weather did not arriveuntil mid-January when below averagetemperatures set in through remainder ofthe period. The region was ice-free untilthe latter half of the period when manybodies of water became frozen. Those thatremained open held very good numbers anddiversity of waterfowl.A tagged immature Trumpeter Swanfound at Upper Greenwood Lake was foundto be from the Ontario reintroductionprogram. Brian Hardiman observed a goodlate hawk-flight totaling 115 birds at RaccoonRidge on 2 December, including 15Bald Eagles, which was the second highestcount for the season. Mid-February broughta noticeable influx of Northern Harriers andRough-legged Hawks to the region. Thesebirds were either returning migrants or birdsdisplaced from areas to the north of NewJersey which received heavy snowfall. Eightspecies of gulls were reported in the region,with Round Valley Reservoir and the SussexCounty Landfill being the hot-spots.There were three Northern Shrikes duringthe period, including a presumed returningbird at Flatbrook Wildlife ManagementArea. Common Ravens continue to be seenin the southern parts of the region, withone bird as far south as Lambertville. Thewarmer than normal temperatures producedseveral out-of-season reports including thoseof House Wren, Northern Parula (!), Ovenbird,two Common Yellowthroats, and twoBaltimore Orioles. These lingering speciesquickly disappeared as the temperaturesreturned to normal in mid-January. Despitethe above-average temperatures, half-hardyspecies such as Ruby-crowned Kinglet, GrayCatbird, and Eastern Towhee proved difficultto find early in the period. Red-breastedNuthatches and winter finches were nonexistentexcept for two reports of the formerand two of Purple Finches.The period had several additional highlightsincluding an American White Pelican,a continuing Rufous Hummingbird, anAsh-throated Flycatcher, and two WesternTanagers.The Christmas Bird and Winter Countsproduced the following totals: Walnut ValleyCBC 16 December, compiler Dennis Briede,85 species; Northwest Hunterdon CBC17 December, compiler Pete Kwiatek, 92species; Sussex County CBC 17 December,compiler Alan Boyd, 85 species; SouthwestMorris Winter Count 14 January, compilerDavid Harrison, 82 species.Thanks to everyone who took the timeto send in their sightings.ContributorsAllen Barlow (ABa), Scott Barnes, AlanBoyd (ABo), Jeff Climpson, Brian Clough,Dave Dalrymple, John DeMarrais, SteveFasciana, John Fuller, Brian Hardiman, TomVol. XXXIII, no. 3 — 41

Halliwell, David Harrison, Mike Hiotis, SeanJerzewski, Rich Kane, Henry Kielblock, LarryKing, Arlene Koch, Pete Kwiatek, LaurieLarson, Jimmy Lee, Paul Murray, Alan Rennie,Beverly Robertson, Jean Sabella, FrankSencher Jr, Frank Sencher Sr, Tommy Sudol,Bob Templin, Harvey Tomlinson, FredWeber, Ken Witkowski, Jim Zamos (JZa),David & Emily Zmoda, Joe Zurovchak(JZu).AbbreviationsAssiscong Marsh (AM), Culverís Lake(CL), Delaware Water Gap National RecreationArea (DWGNRA), Echo Hill Park(EHP), Merrill Creek Reservoir (MCR),Northwest Hunterdon Christmas Bird Count(NHCBC), Raccoon Ridge (RR), RoundValley Reservoir (RVR), Southwest MorrisWinter Count (SMWC), Spruce Run Reservoir(SRR), Sussex County Christmas BirdCount (SCCBC), Swartswood Lake (SL),Walkill River NWR (WRNWR), WalnutValley Christmas Bird Count (WVCBC).WATERFOWL – HERONSSnow Goose: 5000 MCR 22 Jan (FSjr,FSsr).Cackling Goose: 2 AM 12 Dec-7 Jan(v.obs), Homestead Pond 19 Dec (FW),Rosemont 30 Dec (LK), SRR 22 Jan (FSjr,FSsr), SRR 31 Jan (FSjr), RVR 19 Feb(FSjr, FSsr).Mute Swan: high 49 WVCBC 16 Dec,236 SCCBC 17 Dec, 80 SMWC 14 Jan.TRUMPETER SWAN: Upper GreenwoodLk 18-19 Feb (BR); introduced birdfrom Ontario.Tundra Swan: RVR 6 Dec (FSjr, FSsr), 2Mt Hope Lk, Rockaway 16 Dec (SF).Wood Duck: 6 SCCBC 17 Dec, AM 17Dec (NHCBC), 3 SMWC 14 Jan, DelawareTwp 16 Feb (SG), SL 20 Feb (TS), 3Readington Twp 22 Feb (SG), 8 RVR 27Feb (FSjr).Gadwall: high 52 SMWC 14 Jan, 76DeMottís Pond 13 Feb (FSjr).American Wigeon: high 21 RVR 28Feb (SG).American Black Duck: high 40 AM 21Dec (SG), 25 MCR 30 Jan (RK).Northern Shoveler: AM 2 Jan (FSjr,FSsr), 2 RVR 11 Jan (FSjr, FSsr).Northern Pintail: 2 MCR 1 Feb (RK),5 RVR 27 Feb (FSjr).Green-winged Teal: 7 WVCBC 16 Dec,12 SMWC 14 Jan, 4 RVR 28 Feb (v.obs).Canvasback: 2 MCR 30 Jan throughperiod, SRR 31 Jan (FSjr), up to 9 RVR7-28 Feb (m.obs), 2 Lk Susquehanna 18Feb (BT), up to 6 White Meadow Lk 20-26Feb (SF).Redhead: high 6 Clinton Twp 17 Dec-8 Jan (DD, PK), 7 DeMottís Pond 13 Feb(FSjr), up to 24 RVR 8-23 Feb (m.obs), 3Delaware River, Kingwood Twp 17 Feb (LK),up to 15 White Meadow Lk 21-26 Feb (SF),8 MCR 28 Feb (RK).Ring-necked Duck: high 183 WVCBC16 Dec, 130 RVR 9 Feb (FSjr), 150 MCR28 Feb (RK).Greater Scaup: high 9 RVR 9 Feb throughperiod (v.obs).Lesser Scaup: high 25 SL 7 Jan (TS), 36RVR 13 Feb (FSjr).White-winged Scoter: RVR 21 Dec(SG), RVR 8 Feb (FSjr, SG), 2 RVR 17 Febthrough period (m.obs).Long-tailed Duck: RVR 19 Dec (SG,PK), SRR 19 Dec (PK), CL 25 Dec (TS),RVR 26-31 Jan (FSjr), 4 SRR 31 Jan (FSjr),2 RVR 17+ Feb (v.obs).Bufflehead: high 39 SMWC 14 Jan,25 MCR 30 Jan through period (RK), 40Delaware River, north of Frenchtown 17Feb (LK).Common Goldeneye: high 50 SCCBC17 Dec, 31 CL 14 Dec (TS), 40 SL 23 Jan(BC), 75+ Delaware River, Frenchtown 17A surprise find at Delaware Lake was thisGreat Egret that lingered from 16-17 December2006. Photo/Brian HardimanFeb (LK), 80 MCR 28 Feb (RK).Hooded Merganser: high 30 WVCBC16 Dec, 52 SCCBC 17 Dec, 40 SL 23 Jan(BC), 22 RVR 9 Feb (FSjr).Common Merganser: high 587 SCCBC17 Dec, 130 Fairview Lk 19 Dec (TS),110 Cedar Lk 7 Jan (BH), 100 SL 23 Jan(BC).Red-breasted Merganser: high 10 RVR9 Feb (SG).Ruddy Duck: 50 SCCBC 17 Dec, 10 CL22 Dec (TS), 172 SMWC 14 Jan, 6 RVR9-13 Feb (FSjr).Ring-necked Pheasant: 4 Heritage Parkthrough period (RK).Ruffed Grouse: w of Peterís Valley,DWGNRA 2 Feb (MH).Red-throated Loon: SRR 10-15 Dec(v.obs), SRR 22 Jan (FSjr, FSsr), RVR 28Feb (LL).Common Loon: high 6 RVR 13 Feb(FSjr).Pied-billed Grebe: 3 SL 7 Jan (TS), 2SMWC 14 Jan, 2 MCR 30 Jan throughperiod (RK).Horned Grebe: 4 RVR 14 Dec (FSjr,FSsr, JD), 3 RVR 8-13 Feb (FSjr), 10 RVR22 Feb (FSjr).Red-necked Grebe: MCR 4 Dec (RK),SRR 10 Dec (FSjr, FSsr), Morris Lk, Sparta17 Dec (SCCBC), MCR Feb (HT), up to7 RVR 13 Feb through period (m.obs), SL17 Feb (JZa et al.).AMERICAN WHITE PELICAN:Clinton Twp, near RVR 14 Dec (FSjr, FSsr);first regional record.Great Cormorant: imm Budd Lk 30 Dec(ABa); only report.Great Blue Heron: 3 Paulinskill Lk 25Dec (TS).Great Egret: WVCBC 16-17 Dec; veryrare in winter.VULTURES – KINGFISHERSBlack Vulture: 148 WVCBC 16 Dec,187 NHCBC 17 Dec.Turkey Vulture: 274 WVCBC 16 Dec,319 NHCBC 17 Dec.Bald Eagle: 15 RR 2 Dec (BH), 12WVCBC 16 Dec; nesting MCR (RK).Northern Harrier: 4 Alpha 21 Jan-16 Feb(JL, RK), 3 Clinton WMA 17 Feb (FSjr), 5Walkill River NWR 19 Feb (JF), 4 SolbergAirport 19 Feb (PK), 5 Readington Twp 22Feb (v.obs).Sharp-shinned Hawk: 6 WVCBC 1642 — Summer 2007

Pileated Woodpeckers are fairly widespreadbut uncommon, mostly in larger woodlandtracts. But this bird—with a Red-bellied—wasin a residential area in Warren during February2007. Photo/Peg WhitingDec, 7 NHCBC 17 Dec.Cooper’s Hawk: 8 WVCBC 16 Dec, 5NHCBC 17 Dec.Northern Goshawk: Lk Mohawk 20Dec (JZu).Red-shouldered Hawk: SRR, RVRthrough period (m.obs).Red-tailed Hawk: high 91 RR 2 Dec(BH).Rough-legged Hawk: Oberly Rd 16-21Feb (v.obs), Clinton WMA 17 Feb (FSjr),Solberg Airport 19 Feb (FSjr, FSsr), WalkillR NWR 20 Feb (KW), 2 Readington Twp22 Feb (v.obs).Golden Eagle: 4 RR 2 Dec (BH), 4WVCBC 16 Dec, Van Campens Inn 17Jan (JZa et al.).American Kestrel: WVCBC 16 Dec, 2NHCBC 17 Dec, 2 SCCBC 17 Dec.Merlin: 3 WVCBC 16 Dec, 2 NHCBC17 Dec, MCR 28 Feb (RK).Virginia Rail: SMWC 14 Jan.American Coot: high 85 RVR 25 Jan(FSjr, FSsr).Killdeer: Readington Twp 17 Dec (FSjr,FSsr, JD), 2 SMWC 14 Jan.Wilson’s Snipe: 3 SCCBC 17 Dec,SMWC 14 Jan.Bonaparte’s Gull: 8 RVR 4 Feb (JD,MH).Ring-billed Gull: high 8750 NHCBC 17Dec, 7526 SCCBC 17 Dec.Herring Gull: 841 SMWC 14 Jan.THAYER’S GULL: RVR 24-27 Feb(FSjr, MH, SG).Iceland Gull: 2 Sussex County Landfill 7Dec (FW), 2 SCCBC 17 Dec, Sussex CountyLandfill 20-25 Jan (JS, FW), up to 2 RVR14-27 Feb (FSjr, FSsr), SRR 17 Feb (FSjr).Lesser Black-backed Gull: high 28 RVR14 Feb (FSjr).Glaucous Gull: CL 18 Jun (FW), RVR27 Feb (FSjr).Great Black-backed Gull: high 63 SC-CBC 17 Dec, 201 SMWC 14 Jan.Mourning Dove: 1922 NHCBC 17 Dec,250 Heritage Park through period (RK).Eastern Screech-Owl: 62 NHCBC 17Dec.Barred Owl: WVCBC 16 Dec, SMWC14 Jan.Long-eared Owl: 2 WVCBC 16 Dec,Blairstown 6 Jan (BH).Short-eared Owl: Oberly Rd 27 Dec-17Feb (v.obs), Readington Twp 17+ Feb (SJ,v.obs).RUFOUS HUMMINGBIRD: ad fbanded feeder Alexandria Twp 21 Oct- 8Dec (PK, v.obs).Belted Kingfisher: high 10 WVCBC16 Dec, 10 NHCBC 17 Dec, 10 SMWC14 Jan.FLYCATCHERS – FINCHESASH-THROATED FLYCATCHER:Stockton 30 Dec-15 Jan (LK, m.obs); firstregional record.Northern Shrike: returning FlatbrookWMA 27 Novñ17 Feb (m.obs), GorneyRd, Lafayette 17 Dec (SCCBC), Walkill RNWR 7 Jan (fide SB).Fish Crow: WVCBC 16 Dec, 4 SMWC14 Jan, Newton 12 Feb (TS), RVR 20 Feb(SG).Common Raven: 4 RR 2 Dec (BH),12 WVCBC 16 Dec, Lambertville 30 Dec(LK), Readington Twp 11 Jan (FSjr, FSsr),2 Tewksbury Twp 11 Jan (FSjr, FSsr), SussexCounty Landfill 20 Jan (JS).Horned Lark: 170 SMWC 14 Jan, 50+Oberly Rd 21 Jan (JL), 39 SRR 13 Feb(SG).Red-breasted Nuthatch: SCCBC 17Dec, 2 RVR through period (v.obs); onlyreports.Carolina Wren: high 47 SMWC 14Jan.House Wren: Clinton WMA 12-22 Jan(FSjr, v.obs).Winter Wren: high 10 WVCBC 16 Dec,18 NHCBC 17 Dec, 12 SMWC 14 Jan.Marsh Wren: 2 SCCBC 17 Dec.Golden-crowned Kinglet: 20 NHCBC17 Dec, 11 SCCBC 17 Dec.Ruby-crowned Kinglet: 2 WVCBCA first record for Region I, this Ash-throated Flycatcher at Stockton, Hunterdon County, survivedfrom 30 December 2006 to 15 January 2007, a testament to the mild early winterweather. It was enjoyed by many birders. Photo/ Jim GilbertVol. XXXIII, no. 3 — 43

A real winter surprise was this NorthernParula, which survived until the bitter Februarycold in Lambertville, from 19 January-4February 2007. Photo/David and EmilyZmoda16 Dec, 2 NHCBC 17 Dec, 2 SCCBC 17Dec.Hermit Thrush: high 20 WVCBC 16Dec.Gray Catbird: Molasses Hill Rd, ClintonTwp 17 Dec-2 Jan (v.obs), SCCBC 17Dec.American Pipit: 2 RVR 11 Dec (FSjr,FSsr).NORTHERN PARULA: feeder Lambertville19 Jan- 4 Feb (D&EZ, AK, etal.).Yellow-rumped Warbler: high 53Yet another exceptional mid-winter half-hardy was this Ovenbird at Clinton Wildlife ManagementArea on 21 January 2007. Photo/Frank Sencher Jr.WVCBC 16 Dec, 26 NHCBC 17 Dec.OVENBIRD: Clinton WMA 21 Jan(FSjr et al.).Common Yellowthroat: WVCBC 16Dec, Rockafellow Mills Rd 17 Dec-2 Jan(FSjr et al.).WESTERN TANAGER: feeder MountOlive 21 Dec-1 Jan (JS, v.obs), EHP 4 Jan- 5Feb (PK, m.obs).Eastern Towhee: 6 WVCBC 16 Dec, 2NHCBC 17 Dec.American Tree Sparrow: high 143WVCBC 16 Dec, 160 SCCBC 17 Dec,36 Heritage Park 17 Dec (RK), 22 AM 14Jan (SG).Chipping Sparrow: 2 WVCBC 16 Dec,2 NHCBC 17 Dec, SMWC 14 Jan, up to 3Flemington 19-25 Feb (JC).Fox Sparrow: Heritage Park 28 Dec (RK),6 SMWC 14 Jan.Song Sparrow: high 265 SMWC 14Jan.White-crowned Sparrow: up to 10 HeritagePark 28 Dec-4 Jan (RK).Dark-eyed Junco: 100+ Heritage Park17 Dec through period (RK).Lapland Longspur: SRR 13-14 Dec (HT,v.obs), SRR 7-11 Feb (v.obs), 3 Oberly Rd19 Feb (FSjr).Snow Bunting: SRR 23 Dec (FSjr),25 Oberly Rd 17 Feb (fide PM), Walkill RNWR 19 Feb (JF).Rusty Blackbird: 15 SCCBC 17 Dec,15+ Flanders 22 Feb (ABo).Common Grackle: 4902 WVCBC 16Dec.Baltimore Oriole: 2 Lantz Rd, Lafayette17 Dec (SCCBC).Purple Finch: 3 Tower Hill 17 Dec (RK),2 Molasses Hill Rd 2 Jan (FSjr, FSsr); onlyreports.One of two Western Tanagers in Region 1 this winter, this individual frequented a feeder inMount Olive, Hunterdon County, from 21 December to 1 January, photographed here on 24December. Photo/Tom Halliwell44 — Summer 2007

Piedmont Region, including Bergen,Essex, Hudson, Union, Somerset,Middlesex, Mercer, and eastern partsof Passaic and Morris Counties.EDITOR — Michael Britt, 95 W. 17Street, Bayonne, NJ 07002. e-mail:mbritt78@hotmail.comThe warm spell that started in late fallextended through the first half of the winterseason, with December being one of thewarmest on record. By late January winterhad finally set in, and by February mostfresh water bodies were iced over. Shallowareas in Newark and New York Bays froze aswell, especially in sheltered coves. Becauseof the aforementioned factors, a diversity ofhalf-hardies lingered and waterfowl numbersfluxed with the ephemeral conditions.The Christmas Bird Counts (CBCs) sawa mixed bag as a result, with some speciesabsent, poorly represented, or in recordnumbers in some cases. The Hackensack-Ridgewood CBC was held on 16 Decemberand recorded 82 species. The Princetonand Lower Hudson Christmas Bird Countswere both held on 17 December, tallying 92and 73 species, respectively. Boonton CBCracked up 101 species on 26 December, andthe Raritan Estuary CBC had 98 species on30 December.A Greater White-Fronted Goose spentmost of the winter in fields along the RamapoRiver in Mahwah. Five Cackling Geese wererecorded in the region. A drake EurasianWigeon was present for a few days in a marshypit behind a Bayonne supermarket alongNewark Bay. A remarkable 12 Great Egretswere still present at Kearny East in early January.Two Ospreys lingered in the region untilDecember with the accommodating conditions.Northern Harrier numbers were verypoor in the Hackensack Meadowlands andRaritan Estuary; meanwhile, Rough-leggedHawk was not reported anywhere in theregion. Both of these species likely remainednorth in substantial numbers as a result ofan ample prey base and the prevalence ofsnow-free conditions. The eight AmericanKestrels on the Lower Hudson CBC was theWATERFOWL – SHOREBIRDSGREATER WHITE-FRONTEDGOOSE: Halifax Rd, Bergen 11 Dec-10Feb (CW, RF, JS, JWo, v.obs), Hackensack-Ridgewood CBC 16 Dec (fide DH).Snow Goose: high 693 Princeton CBC17 Dec (fide LL).“BLACK” BRANT: Raritan EstuaryCBC 30 Dec (fide TG).CACKLING GOOSE: 3 Princeton CBC17 Dec (fide LL), 2 Raritan Estuary CBC 30Dec (fide TG).Wood Duck: high 91 Hackensack-Ridgemostin the past 20 years. Except for one largehistoric roost, many Long-eared Owls mayhave stayed to the north in forests hostinghigh rodent numbers associated with thebountiful seed crops. Short-eared Owls werein short supply as well for the same reasonswhich affected its diurnal sympatric species.Northern Saw-whet Owl was absent fromseveral reliable locations probably becauseof the previously mentioned conditionsin the North Woods. A Northern Shrikeremained at the Great Swamp until at leastthe CBC.Some notable half-hardies discoveredincluded Wood Thrush, Ovenbird, PalmWarbler, and two Lincoln’s Sparrows. ADickcissel visited a feeder in Monroe. Anastonishing 45 Eastern Meadowlarks wererecorded on the Princeton CBC. RustyBlackbirds wintered in several woodedwetlands throughout the region. ThreeBaltimore Orioles successfully overwinteredin South River on fruits put out by thehomeowner.Finally, Purple Finch was recorded onthree CBCs during an uneventful year forwinter finches.ContributorsBill Anderson, Scott Barnes (SBa), MargoBeller, Sandra Bonardi (SBo), Ed Borowik,Pete Both, Frank Budney, Michael Britt, JudyCinquina, Hugh Corolla, Paul Driver, AlexEwing, Rob Fanning, Tom Gillen, GordonGover, Dave Hall, Mary Margaret Halsey(MHa), Mike Hiotis (MHi), Bill Keim,Vincent Koczurik, Laurie Larson, DougLawless, Paul Lehman, Randy Little, GlennMahler, Stuart Malmid, Wendy Malmid,Louis Miller, Dan Morley, Paul Murray, BarbaraPeterson, Fred Pfeiffer, Ted Proctor, RickRadis, Jim Schlickenrieder, Frank Sencher Jr.(FSJr), Stephanie Seymour, Mike Sulewski,Hannah Suthers, Chris Takacs, HarveyTomilson, Tim Vogel, Gilbert Wald, JoanneWilliams (JWi), John Workman (JWo).Locations and AbbreviationsCF is Celery Farm, Bergen; Garret is GarretMountain, Passaic; GSNWR is GreatSwamp National Wildlife Refuge, Morris;Greenbrook Sanctuary, Bergen; HackensackMeadowlands, Bergen & Hudson; KearnyEast, Hudson; Kearny Marsh, Hudson; LenapePark, Union; LSP is Liberty State Park,Hudson; Pole Farm, Mercer; Rahway RiverPark, Union; Troy Meadows, Essex & Morris;Weequahic Park, Essex.This Eurasian Wigeon (left) was found at a small pond in Bayonne in late February and wasphotographed here with an American Wigeon on 1 March 2007. Photo/Jim GilbertVol. XXXIII, no. 3 — 45

wood CBC 16 Dec (fide DH).Eurasian Wigeon: Bayonne, Hudson 25+Feb (MB, v.obs).Northern Shoveler: high 141 LowerHudson CBC 17 Dec (fide MB).Northern Pintail: high 170 Lower HudsonCBC 17 Dec (fide MB).Green-winged Teal: high 336 Hackensack-RidgewoodCBC 16 Dec (fide DH), 599Lower Hudson CBC 17 Dec (fide MB).Canvasback: 104 Lower Hudson CBC17 Dec (fide MB).Redhead: 4 Raritan R, Somerset 12 Feb(FSJr).Ring-necked Duck: high 583 BoontonCBC 23 Dec (fide GM).Greater Scaup: high 600 New York Bay,Hudson 25 Feb (MB).Lesser Scaup: high 70 Hackensack-Ridgewood CBC 16 Dec (fide DH), 201Boonton CBC 23 Dec (fide GM), 53 DelawareR, Mercer 27 Feb (PD).Long-tailed Duck: 7 Raritan EstuaryCBC 30 Dec (fide TG), Washington ValleyRes, Somerset 27 Jan (GG).Common Goldeneye: high 16 RaritanEstuary CBC 30 Dec (fide TG), 34 DelawareR, Mercer 27 Feb (PD).Hooded Merganser: high 485 BoontonCBC 23 Dec (fide GM).Common Merganser: high 9166 Hackensack-RidgewoodCBC 16 Dec (fide DH),3000 Split Rock Res early Jan (TV).Ruddy Duck: 4814 Hackensack-RidgewoodCBC 16 Dec (fide DH), 293 BoontonCBC 23 Dec (fide GM), 82 Raritan EstuaryCBC 30 Dec (fide TG), 160 Weequahic Park2 Jan (GW), 180 LSP 27 Feb (MB).Ruffed Grouse: Boonton CBC 23 Dec(fide GM).Wild Turkey: high 4 Lower HudsonCBC 17 Dec (fide MB), Kearny Marsh 1Feb (EB).Red-throated Loon: high 44 New YorkBay, Hudson 25 Feb (MB).Pied-billed Grebe: Lincoln Park West,Hudson 2 Dec (VK), 3 Weequahic Park 4Dec (GW), 5 Hackensack-Ridgewood CBC16 Dec (fide DH), 3 Princeton CBC 17 Dec(fide LL), 3 Raritan Estuary CBC 30 Dec(fide TG).Horned Grebe: high 32 New York Bay,Hudson 25 Feb (MB).Great Cormorant: high 6 Raritan EstuaryCBC 30 Dec (fide TG), 10 HackensackR, Hudson 8 Jan (EB), 20+ New York Bay,46 — Summer 2007Hudson 25 Feb (MB).Great Egret: late and high 12 KearnyEast 9 Jan (EB).Black-crowned Night Heron: 56 LowerHudson CBC 17 Dec (fide MB).Black Vulture: high 113 Featherbed Ln,Mercer 7 Jan (HS).Osprey: late Garret 2 Dec (PB, FP, CT),Pennington, Mercer 6 Dec (BK).Bald Eagle: all-time high 19 Hackensack-RidgewoodCBC 16 Dec (fide DH); 4Princeton CBC 17 Dec (fide LL), 3 BoontonCBC 23 Dec (GM), 2 Raritan Estuary CBC30 Dec (fide TG), GSNWR 6 Feb (MHi),2 Halifax Rd 10 Feb (JWo), 5 GreenbrookSanctuary 15 Feb (SBo), 7 HackensackMeadowlands 22 Feb (HC).Northern Harrier: 18 Princeton CBC 17Dec (fide LL), low 7 Lower Hudson CBC 17Dec (fide MB), low 9 Raritan Estuary CBC 30Dec (fide TG), 7 Pole Farm 6 Feb (BA).Northern Goshawk: imm GreenbrookSanctuary 10 Dec (SBo).Red-shouldered Hawk: Princeton CBC17 Dec (fide LL), Boonton CBC 23 Dec(fide GM), Watchung Reservation, Union5 Feb (DL).Golden Eagle: Boonton CBC 23 Dec (fideGM), West Orange, Essex 25 Feb (TP).American Kestrel: Hackensack-RidgewoodCBC 16 Dec (fide DH), 8 LowerHudson CBC 17 Dec (fide MB), 5 PrincetonCBC 17 Dec (fide LL), Boonton CBC 23Dec (fide GM).Merlin: Lower Hudson CBC 17 Dec(fide MB), Princeton CBC 17 Dec (fide LL),Boonton CBC 23 Dec (fide GM), RahwayR Park 23 Feb (AE).Peregrine Falcon: 4 Hackensack-RidgewoodCBC 16 Dec (fide DH), Boonton CBC23 Dec (fide GM), CF 24 Dec (RF, SS),2 Kearny East 15 Jan (EB), 2 LSP 16 Jan(MB), Newark Bay, Hudson 17 Jan (MB),Greenbrook Sanctuary 21 Jan (SBo).Virginia Rail: GSNWR 14 Jan (MHi),CF 19+ Feb (RF, JWo).American Coot: high 200 WeequahicPark early Dec (TV), 42 Boonton CBC 23Dec (fide GM).Greater Yellowlegs: Lower Hudson CBC17 Dec (fide MB).Sanderling: 5 Raritan Estuary CBC 30Dec (fide TG).American Woodcock: GreenbrookSanctuary 17 Dec (SBo), 5 Boonton CBC23 Dec (fide GM), Raritan Estuary CBC30 Dec (MB, VK, PM), Stony-Brook MillstoneWatershed, Mercer 24 Jan (BA).GULLS – FINCHESBonaparte’s Gull: 70 Raritan EstuaryCBC 30 Dec (fide TG).Lesser Black-backed Gull: PrincetonCBC 17 Dec (fide LL), 3 Delaware R, Trenton24 Dec (PL), 3 Raritan Estuary CBC 30Dec (fide TG).Barn Owl: Princeton CBC 17 Dec (fideLL), Raritan Estuary CBC 30 Dec (MB,VK, PM).Great Horned Owl: rare nesting Bayonne,Hudson 25 Feb (MB).Barred Owl: 2 GSNWR 5 Dec-end of period(MHi), Troy Meadows 22 Feb (RR).Long-eared Owl: roost 12+ Somerset 17Dec-end of period (fide MB), Boonton CBC23 Dec (fide GM).Short-eared Owl: 2 Troy Meadows 22Jan (PM), Bayonne Golf Club, Hudson 25Feb (MB).Northern Saw-Whet Owl: Somerset 5Dec-end of period (fide MB).Red-headed Woodpecker: 2 Rahway RPark entire period (v.obs.), Boonton CBC23 Dec (fide GM), Ridgewood, Bergen 19Feb (RF, JWo), Dunkerhook County Park,Bergen 19 Feb (RF, JWo).Yellow-bellied Sapsucker: high 10 PrincetonCBC 17 Dec (fide LL).Pileated Woodpecker: pr Garret thruperiod (PB, FP, CT), Lenape Park 12 Dec(FB), 7 Princeton CBC 17 Dec (fide LL), 4Boonton CBC 23 Dec (fide GM), Hopewell,Mercer 13 Jan (LM).Northern Shrike: GSNWR CBC 16Dec (fide MHi).Common Raven: 3 Lower HudsonCBC 17 Dec (fide MB), widespread reports(v.obs.).Horned Lark: high 40 Princeton CBC17 Dec (fide LL), 15 Lower Hudson CBC17 Dec (fide MB), 200 Raritan Estuary CBC30 Dec (fide TG).Red-breasted Nuthatch: 6 PrincetonCBC 17 Dec (fide LL), 5 Boonton CBC 23Dec (fide GM), 6 Raritan Estuary CBC 30Dec (fide TG).Brown Creeper: high 14 Princeton CBC17 Dec (fide LL).House Wren: Bridgewater, Somerset 17Dec (fide SBa), Raritan Estuary CBC 30Dec (fide TG).Winter Wren: high 18 Boonton CBC

23 Dec (fide GM).Marsh Wren: CF 17 Dec (RF, SS),Boonton CBC 23 Dec (fide GM), RaritanEstuary CBC 30 Dec (fide TG).Eastern Bluebird: 184 Princeton CBC17 Dec (fide LL).Hermit Thrush: high 9 Hackensack-Ridgewood CBC 16 Dec (fide DH), 10Princeton CBC 17 Dec (fide LL).WOOD THRUSH: late Boonton CBC23 Dec (fide GM).Gray Catbird: Hackensack-RidgewoodCBC 16 Dec (fide DH), 4 Princeton CBC17 Dec (fide LL), Lower Hudson CBC 17Dec (fide MB), 3 Boonton CBC 23 Dec (fideGM), CF 23 Dec (RF).Brown Thrasher: Raritan Estuary CBC30 Dec (fide TG), Garret 6 Feb (PB, FP,CT).American Pipit: 12+ Pole Farm 7 Jan(BA).Orange-crowned Warbler: Monroe,Middlesex 1 Dec (SM, WM), GSNWR 5Dec (HT).OVENBIRD: late Boonton CBC 23Dec (fide GM).Palm Warbler: late Negri-Nepote Grasslands,Somerset 28 Jan (PM).Eastern Towhee: 2 Hackensack-RidgewoodCBC 16 Dec (fide DH), 5 PrincetonCBC 17 Dec (fide LL), 3 Lower HudsonCBC 17 Dec (fide MB), 2 Boonton CBC23 Dec (fide GM), 4 Raritan Estuary CBC30 Dec (fide TG).American Tree Sparrow: 386 BoontonCBC 23 Dec (fide GM).Chipping Sparrow: 5 Valleau Cemetery,Bergen 4 Jan (JWo).Savannah Sparrow: high 57 PrincetonCBC 17 Dec (fide LL), 37 Raritan EstuaryCBC 30 Dec (fide TG).Fox Sparrow: high 16 Kearny Marsh 1Feb (EB), 16 Hackensack-Ridgewood CBC16 Dec (fide DH), 19 Boonton CBC 23 Dec(fide GM).Lincoln’s Sparrow: late Princeton CBC17 Dec (fide LL), Boonton CBC 23 Dec(fide GM).White-crowned Sparrow: Lower HudsonCBC 17 Dec (fide MB), high 8 BoontonCBC 23 Dec (fide GM).DICKCISSEL: feeder Monroe, Middlesex7 Jan (fide LL).Eastern Meadowlark: high 45 PrincetonCBC 17 Dec (fide LL).Rusty Blackbird: 4 CF thru period (RF,JWo), 12 Pole Farm 12 Dec (fide SBa), 5Lenape Park 12 Dec (FB), 12 Troy Meadows22 Feb (RR).Baltimore Oriole: late 3 South River,Middlesex 6 Jan (BP).Purple Finch: Hackensack-RidgewoodCBC 16 Dec (fide DH), 4 Princeton CBC17 Dec (fide LL), Boonton CBC 23 Dec(fide GM).North Coast Region, including Monmouthand Ocean Counties.EDITOR — Scott Barnes, Sandy HookBird Observatory, P.O. Box 533, FortHancock, NJ 07732. e-mail: scott.barnes@njaudubon.orgThe weather this winter was decidedlymixed. December and January set records forwarmth, whereas February was cold. A majorice storm pummeled Monmouth County on14 February; almost all freshwater was frozen,and portions of Barnegat, Sandy Hook, andRaritan Bays froze. Extreme cold, patchysnow cover, and frozen freshwater persistedthrough the end of the period.Higher than average numbers of halfhardyand late lingering birds were talliedon the region’s Christmas Bird Counts—onewonders how many survived the extremecold that followed. Some of the more unusuallingerers were Brown Pelican, Green Heron,Least Sandpiper, Royal Tern, Ruby-throatedHummingbird, Nashville Warbler, and BaltimoreOriole. Compared to recent wintersthere was no large-scale nearshore movementof Razorbills or other alcids. White-wingedgulls and winter finches were very scarce.Numbers of Redheads and Red-neckedGrebes moved into the region in responseto February’s cold snap.Undoubtedly the bird of the season wasthe Long-billed Murrelet at Sandy Hook.This represents the first record for the statepending acceptance by the New Jersey BirdRecords Committee. Unfortunately, weatherconditions declined rapidly after the bird’sinitial appearance and made subsequent days’searching nearly impossible. Other raritiesthis season included Black Rail, PurpleGallinule, Dovekie, Western Kingbird, andNorthern Shrike.Six Christmas Bird Counts were conductedin the region: Sandy Hook 16 Decemberwith 109 species (Scott Barnes, compiler),Lakehurst 16 December with 94 species(Michael Casper, compiler), Assunpink 17December with 89 species (Susan Phelon,compiler), Long Branch 30 Decemberwith 114 species (George Wenzelburger,compiler), Barnegat 31 December with 131species (Tom Bailey, compiler), and Pelagic5 January with 15 species (Paul Guris, compiler).See below for highlights.This immature male Eurasian Wigeon frequented Silver Lake and vicinity in Belmar startingNew Year’s Day. It was photographed here on 21 January. Photo/Chip KrilowiczVol. XXXIII, no. 3 — 47

ObserversPete Bacinski, Tom Bailey (TBa), ScottBarnes, McDuffy Barrow, Tom Boyle (TBo),Alan Brady, Tom Brown (TBr), Ed Bruder,Joe Carragher (JCa), John Collins (JCo),Donna Desjardins, Patty Dexter, MaryDoscher, Sandra Escala, Howard Eskin, Todd& Meg Frantz, Debbie Grob, Paul Guris,Mike Hiotis, Dylan Jacobus, Fred Kaiser,Nerses Kazanjian, Sandra Keller, ChipKrilowitz, Dave LaPuma, Mike Lenker, FredLesser, Linda Mack, Joe McCaig (JMCa),Jim McCormac (JMCo), Dona Radey, RickRadis, Bill Resotko, Sharon Rubio, AdamSabatine (ASa), Jim Schlick, Sam Skinner,Nancy Smith, Andrew Spears (ASp), LindaStehlik, Don Sutherland, Nick Taylor, DenaTemple, Harvey Tomlinson, Alex Tongas,Tim Vogel, Ben Warner, Fred Weber, SteveWeiss, Chris Yoda.AbbreviationsAssunpink, Collier’s Mills, Great BayBlvd, & Manahawkin refer to the WildlifeManagement Areas; BLSP is Barnegat LightState Park; IBSP is Island Beach State Park;SH is Sandy Hook.WATERFOWL – CRANESGreater White-fronted Goose: TomsRiver 13 Jan+ (SW).Brant: inland Thompson Park 2 Jan(TBo).Cackling Goose: Swimming R Res 17 Dec(TBo), Assunpink 20-28 Feb (TBa, DS).Tundra Swan: 21 Stafford Forge 31 Dec(DD), 18 Lakehurst 11 Jan (SB).Eurasian Wigeon: Rumson 4 Dec-19Jan (SB, LM), Bradley Beach/Belmar area1 Jan+ (LM, v.obs).Redhead: up to 18 Lk Takanassee throughperiod (v.obs), 3 Colony Lks, Beach HavenWest 3 Jan (EB), 3 Assunpink 18 Jan (TBa)decreased to one there 27 Jan (T&MF), 26off Pullman Ave, Elberon 11 Feb (FW), 3Shark River Estuary 17 Feb (JS).King Eider: 2 BLSP 23 Dec-early Jan(v.obs), SH 30 Jan (SK).Common Eider: up to 150 winteredBLSP (m.obs).Harlequin Duck: usual flock of 30+ BLSP(v.obs), m for third consecutive winter Allenhurst3 Dec+ (MH et al.).Surf Scoter: high 2339 BCBC.White-winged Scoter: high 87 BCBC.Black Scoter: high 1835 BCBC.Long-tailed Duck: high 1184 BCBC.BARROW’S GOLDENEYE: f SH 15Dec+(SB), m 21 Jan+ was seen pair bondingwith her subsequently (TBo et al.).Hooded Merganser: high 525 LBCBC.Ruddy Duck: high 530 LBCBC, 495BCBC a record for count.Northern Bobwhite: 7 Colts Neck 25Dec (NK); only report.Common Loon: 202 Belmar Pelagic 3Dec (SB, PG).Pied-billed Grebe: high 28 LBCBC.Red-necked Grebe: arr 9 Dec Belmar(NT); singles Manasquan Inlet, SharkRiver Inlet, and Allenhurst during Feb (JS,MD, MH), 2 SH 25 Feb (PB, SB); inlandThere have been several recent winter recordsin New Jersey of American White Pelicans.These two birds were at Shark River on6-7 January 2007. Photo/Nancy Smith.Assunpink 20 Feb (TBa).Northern Fulmar: 3 Belmar Pelagic 3 Dec(PG, SB), 2 were 60 miles east of BarnegatInlet 3 Jan (AB).Manx Shearwater: excellent count 7Belmar Pelagic 3 Dec (PG, SB).Northern Gannet: high 3000 SH 18Jan (TBr).AMERICAN WHITE PELICAN: 2Shark R Estuary 6-7 Jan (CY, SB, LM).BROWN PELICAN: 1-2 BLSP 23 Dec-3 Jan (T&MF, EB, FK), imm SH 29 Dec-1Jan (DR, SB, JCo); very rare in winter.American Bittern: SHCBC; Belford7-14 Jan (TBo).Great Egret: high 6 BCBC; singleslingered through end of Jan SH & SharkRiver Estuary.Little Blue Heron: imm Barnegat Twp10-28 Dec (MB).GREEN HERON: late Lake Takanassee15 Dec (LM).Black Vulture: all-time high 65 LBCBC;25+ Navesink 1 Jan (DT).Red-shouldered Hawk: ManasquanWMA 10 Dec (SB, LM), Assunpink 1 Jan(TBa).Rough-legged Hawk: Manahawkin 22Jan (SK), 2 Cedar Run Dock Rd 10 Feb(DL).BLACK RAIL: Shark R Estuary onLBCBC (TV); exceptional in winter.Virginia Rail: high 3 BCBC.PURPLE GALLINULE: ad Parkertownon BCBC (RR, TBa—details to NJBRC).hybrid crane: 2 probable Sandhill XCommon Cranes continue Plumstead Twp20 Feb (FL).Multiple Barrow’s Goldeneyes were once again present in the Sandy Hook/Raritan Bay areathis winter. This male was found on 21 January and remained through much of the remainderof the season. It was photographed here at Sandy Hook on 25 February 2007. Photo/TomBoyleSHOREBIRDS – SHRIKESKilldeer: higher than average numbersthis winter, incl 9 Holmdel 16 Jan (TBo).48 — Summer 2007

Lesser Yellowlegs: Great Bay Blvd 31Dec (DS).Least Sandpiper: exceptional high 30 nrGunning R in Barnegat Bay 7 Jan decreasedto 24 there 24 Jan, 2 still present despite thefreeze 21 Feb (MB).American Woodcock: high 7 SHCBC.Wilson’s Snipe: all-time high 40+ onSHCBC.Red Phalarope: 4 Belmar Pelagic 3 Dec(PG, SB), 35 were 60 miles east of BarnegatInlet 3 Jan (AB).Little Gull: Belmar Pelagic 3 Dec (PG,SB), 60 miles east of Barnegat Inlet 3 Jan(AB).Black-headed Gull: Manasquan Inlet16 Dec (T&MF), Monmouth Beach 27 Jan(LM), SH 4 Feb (PB, SE).Bonaparte’s Gull: high 300 SH 3 Dec(TBo).Iceland Gull: single on LBCBC; onlyreport!Lesser Black-backed Gull: ca. 10 season,incl 2-3 regular at Wreck Pond/Lake Comoduring period (v.obs), 2 Belmar Pelagic 3 Dec(PG), 3 Upper Freehold Twp 1 Jan (TBa),Bay Head 17 Feb (JS).Glaucous Gull: Little Silver L, PointPleasant 10 Dec (SB, LM), SH 2 Jan (TBo),BLSP 29 Jan (TBo).Black-legged Kittiwake: 14 BelmarThis Long-eared Owl had picked a very unusualday-time roosting location when it wasfound on a lamp-post at a Shrewsbury Townshipoffice building. The combination of theodd site and the 28 February date suggests itwas a migrant bird. Photo/Mike LenkerAnother lingering hummingbird during the late 2006-early 2007 season was this Rubythroatedwhich remained in Toms River from November 2006 until the exceptional date of 22January 2007. Most of the state’s few true winter hummers have been Rufous. Photo/SteveWeissPelagic 3 Dec (PG, SB).Royal Tern: late lingerers ManasquanInlet 29 Dec (AT), BLSP 30 Dec (ASa).Forster’s Tern: count week on LB-CBC.DOVEKIE: 7 Pelagic CBC, 45+ were 60miles east of Barnegat Inlet 3 Jan (AB).Razorbill: lower numbers than recentwinters, about 18 season; high 9 Sea Bright/Monmouth Beach 22 Jan (LM, SB), 5-6Manasquan Inlet 28 Jan (FW, DJ, JM), 2+SH during late Jan (v.obs).LONG-BILLED MURRELET: SH19 Jan (HT, SB, PB, m.obs); see intro fordetails.Atlantic Puffin: 3 were 60 miles east ofBarnegat Inlet 3 Jan (AB).Eastern Screech-Owl: all-time high 27BCBC.Long-eared Owl: BCBC, roosting onlamp post at a Shrewsbury Twp office complex28 Feb an unusual location and probablemigrant (ML, SR).Short-eared Owl: single on BCBC onlyreport from traditional areas at Manahawkin/Cedar Run; SH 22-27 Jan (BR, NK) unusualin mid-winter; a poor year for species.RUBY-THROATED HUMMING-BIRD: feeder Toms River from Nov-22 Jan(SW et al.).Pileated Woodpecker: 2 Assunpink 10Dec (TBa).Eastern Phoebe: Assunpink 10 Dec(TBa).WESTERN KINGBIRD: 2 Great BayBlvd WMA 2 Dec (BW, JMCo), StoneTavern Lk on ACBC.NORTHERN SHRIKE: Big Brook Park10 Jan+ (BR, JCa).SWALLOWS-FINCHESTree Swallow: 80 BCBC.Sedge Wren: 3 BCBC.Marsh Wren: high 3 Belford 14 Jan(TBo), several other singles (v.obs).Orange-crowned Warbler: ACBC,Waackaack Cr 21 Dec (TBo), BCBC.NASHVILLE WARBLER: Manahawkinon BCBC (SB, LM).Pine Warbler: Wolf Hill Park, Oceanport1 Dec-6 Jan (ASp).Palm Warbler: ACBC, high 2 BCBC.Common Yellowthroat: 3 Manahawkin3 Dec (TBa), Big Brook Park 17 Dec (TBo),LBCBC.American Tree Sparrow: high 64 LB-CBC.Chipping Sparrow: all-time high 14BCBC.Vesper Sparrow: LBCBC.“Ipswich” Savannah Sparrow: 4 SH25 Feb (LS).Fox Sparrow: high 10 Big Brook Park16 Jan (TBo).Vol. XXXIII, no. 3 — 49

LINCOLN’S SPARROW: ThompsonPark 17 Dec (TBo).White-crowned Sparrow: 9 Assunpink10 Dec (TBa); one of the few remaining areasin region where species winters.Lapland Longspur: 2 SH 18 Feb (TBo),singles BLSP (HE), Shark River Inlet (NT),and SH (PD).Snow Bunting: high 50 IBSP 14 Dec(SW); well below average.Dickcissel: Collier’s Mills on ACBC(FL).Eastern Meadowlark: high 10 Big BrookPark 16 Jan (TBo).Rusty Blackbird: 8 Union Beach 13 Dec(TBo), 7 LBCBC, 4 BCBC.Boat-tailed Grackle: 294 BCBC.Baltimore Oriole: 1-2 imms HuberWoods 16 Dec-3 Jan (SHCBC, SS), 2 ad mfeeder Tinton Falls Dec-early Jan (SB), WolfHill Park 6 Jan (ASp), imm Fair Haven 20 Jan(fide DG); exceptional count for region.Purple Finch: 4 BCBC.Lower Delaware Valley, includingBurlington, Camden, Gloucester,and Salem Counties.Editor—Paul J. Driver, 915 MelroseAvenue, Elkins Park, PA 19027.e-mail: pjdeye@aol.comWeather for the season was marked byan amazingly mild December and first halfof January. February, by contrast, was verycold throughout the month. There was verylittle snowfall.The season was highlighted by severalrarities. A December Swainson’s Hawk inMedford, if accepted, would the secondstate record beyond November. MountLaurel hosted an Ash-throated Flycatcher,albeit briefly, in early December. In EveshamTownship, a Black-throated Gray Warblervisited a backyard for most of January, onlythe second state winter record of this species.A Rufous Hummingbird banded inBarrington, Camden County, continued tomid-January. Salem County’s first recorded50 — Summer 2007Le Conte’s Sparrow was the fourth state recordof an over-wintering individual of thisspecies; it proved to be extremely elusive andwas seen only twice in February before beinglocated again in mid-March. As many as sixBrewer’s Blackbirds returned to the same siteas last year in Pennsville Township. As usual,Salem County produced Ross’s Goose in thehuge Snow Goose flocks, and Yellow-headedBlackbirds were reported in the blackbirdflocks of Salem and Burlington Counties.A Glossy Ibis was a real surprise in January.A Vesper Sparrow, very rare in winter,was seen in late February in Hardingville,Gloucester County.There were five regional Christmas BirdCounts: NW Gloucester (GCBC) on 17December had 93 species, Salem (SCBC) on17 December 94 species, Pinelands (PCBC)on 18 December 74 species, Moorestown(MoCBC) on 23 December 102 species,and Elmer (ECBC) on 27 December 83species. The Salem County portion of theMiddletown, Delaware CBC took place on17 December. The most unusual find wascount-first Northern Rough-winged Swallowson the MoCBC, and only the secondstate CBC record of this species. Thesebirds were very likely from a flock that haswintered in recent years at the pollutioncontrol treatment plant across the DelawareRiver in Philadelphia. Other highlights includedClay-colored Sparrow and Dickcissel(MoCBC), Northern Goshawk and SpottedSandpiper (GCBC), House Wren and PalmWarbler (PCBC), and Orange-crownedWarbler (Middletown CBC). CommonYellowthroats were found on three counts,an indication of the exceptionally mildDecember weather.The annual Salem County Raptor Census(SCRC) reported near-record numbers ofBald Eagles and Black Vultures, but AmericanKestrels were the second lowest in the23 years of the count.A bumper seed crop in Canada likelyaccounted for the paucity of winterfinches. Northern Saw-whet Owl wentunreported.ContributorsTom Bailey, Scott Barnes, Jane Bourquin,Ed Bruder, Colin Campbell, Bruce andBob Carll, Ward Dasey, Jim Dowdell, PaulDriver, Richard Ebert, Joe Feldman, HainesFennimore, Steve Glynn, Jean Gutsmuth,Brian Hart, Scott Henderson, Jeff Holt,Michael Ivanick, Ron Kegel, William Keim,Sandra Keller, Laurie Larsen (LLa), DavidLarsen, Frank Lenik, Len Little (LLi),Ruth Lockwood, Dave Magpiong, JackMahon (JMh), John Maxwell (JMx), JoePalumbo, Lloyd Shaw, Steve Socobinski,Pat and Clay Sutton, Bill Tannery, KenTischner, Andy Uquart, Voice of the NewJersey Audubon Society, Chris Walsh, DavidWhite, Jim Williams, Tom Wilson, FrankWindfelder, Ted Young. CBC Compilers:ECBC and SCBC (Jerry Haag), MoCBC(Mark Pensiero), GCBC (Ronald Kegel),PCBC (BobConfer). SCRC organizer andcompiler: Jack Mahon.WATERFOWL – IBISTundra Swan: 59 Franklin Parker Preserve,south of Chatsworth 13 Jan (TB), 44Jenkin’s bogs, Burlington 13 Jan (EB), 100Floodgates, Gloucester 24 Jan-3 Feb (JG), 232Reeve’s bogs, Burlington 26 Feb LLi).ROSS’S GOOSE: Mannington 21Jan (WD, LLa), Sharptown 24 Feb (WD,LLa).New Jersey Birds—This quarterly welcomesnotes on distribution, status, andpopulations of New Jersey birds. Photosare welcome. Deadlines for copy are 1January, 1 April, 1 July, and 1 October.All submissions and photos should besent to: Paul Lehman, Editor/Records,P.O. Box 379, Cape May, NJ 08204.Requests for permission to reprint shouldbe sent to the same address.If possible, please submit acceptedmanuscripts by e-mail attachmentto p.wang@mchsi.com or on CD or100MB Zip disk. Please include a printedcopy, especially if there are graphs andtables. Windows users: WordPerfect orMS Word files are preferred. If unsureabout compatibility, please save as atext or rich-text file. Mac users: save asan MS Word, WordPerfect, or MacWriteII file. Please do not embed graphs orpictures inside your documents; sendthose files separately. Direct questionsabout file conversions or e-mail attachmentsto: Peggy Wang, e-mail: p.wang@mchsi.comManuscripts not on disk should bedouble-spaced and printed in the highestquality available on your printer tofacilitate scanning.

American Black Duck: high 500+Abbott’s Farm WMA, Salem 18 Feb (PD).Wood Duck: 3 Rancocas Cr, Riverside 21Jan (DL), Whitesbogs 22 Jan (LLi), BrendanT Byrne SF 12-16 Feb (LLi).Northern Shoveler: 51 SCBC 17 Dec,6 Creekview Pond, Hainesport, Burlington2 Jan (SK, EB).Gadwall: high 120 Mannington 21 Jan(WD, P&CS).Redhead: 4 National Park 25 Feb(SK).Canvasback: high 200 National Park 4Feb (JH); 11 Money Is Rd, south of Salem17 Dec (MI, B&BC), 25 Riverton 28 Feb(PD, HF).Ring-necked Duck: 190 Pemberton Lk20 Jan (EB), 296 Creekview Pond 2 Feb(SK), 50 Lakes Preserve, Willingboro 4Feb (TB).Lesser Scaup: high 53 SCBC 17 Dec,36 River Winds, West Deptford 3 Jan (PD),102 Fish House Cove, Pennsauken 28 Feb(PD).Common Goldeneye: high 19 Taylor’sRefuge 25 Feb (TB).Bufflehead: high 77 Fish House Cove28 Feb (PD).White-winged Scoter: imm PalmyraCove 30 Dec (PD), ad m Palmyra Cove 8Jan & 11 Feb (FW, BH).Common Merganser: high 150 DODPonds WMA, Carney’s Pt 27 Jan (FL), 57Fish House Cove 30 Jan (PD).Ruddy Duck: 66 Fish House Cove 30 Dec(PD), 74 Creekview Pond 12 Jan (EB).Red-throated Loon: National Park 1-16Dec (v.obs), Florence 28 Feb (PD).Common Loon: National Park 6 Dec(PD), DOD Ponds WMA 27 Jan (FL).Horned Grebe: Fish House Cove 28Feb (PD).Red-necked Grebe: Palmyra Cove 11 Feb(BH), 3-4 Roebling 24-28 Feb (WK, PD).Great Cormorant: high 29 PalmyraCove 17 Feb (TB), 17 Taylor’s Refuge 25Feb (TB).American Bittern: Supawna MeadowsWMA 29 Dec (DM).Great Egret: Raccoon Cr 27 Jan (FL),Pennsville 27 Jan (FL), Abbott’s Farm WMA28 Jan (TB), 5 Mantua Cr 3 Feb (JG), RiverWinds 17 Feb (PD).GLOSSY IBIS: Salem 15 Jan (SG).VULTURES-GULLSBlack Vulture: 159 SCRC 4 Feb.Bald Eagle: Mid-winter Eagle Census:combined total for Salem/GloucesterCounties: 36 ad, 34 imm 21 Jan (JMh); 13Mannington 28 Jan (TB).Northern Harrier: 32 SCRC 4 Feb.Sharp-shinned Hawk: 5 SCRC 4 Feb.Cooper’s Hawk: 10 SCRC 4 Feb.Northern Goshawk: count week GCBC16 Dec.Red-shouldered Hawk: 4 SCRC 4Feb.SWAINSON’S HAWK: Medford 11Dec (WD).Red-tailed Hawk: 185 SCRC 4 Feb.Rough-legged Hawk: Money Is Rd 2 Dec(BC), Amasa’s Landing, New Gretna 23 Jan(CS, JD), SCRC 4 Feb.Golden Eagle: ad Franklin Parker Preserve17-24 Dec (JP), imm Amasa’s Landing23 Jan (CS, JD).American Kestrel: 7 GCBC 16 Dec, 15SCBC 17 Dec, 6 PCBC 17 Dec, 7 MoCBC23 Dec, 9 ECBC 27 Dec, 14 SCRC 4 Feb.Merlin: GCBC 16 Dec, SCBC 17 Dec, 2PCBC 17 Dec, 4 MoCBC 23 Dec, 2 ECBC27 Dec, SCRC 4 Feb.Virginia Rail: 3 Money Is Rd 17 Dec(PD, CC), 2 Taylor’s Refuge 23 Dec (TB,PD), Rancocas Cr 23 Dec (WD).American Coot: high 800 Mannington14 Jan (WD); 50 Taylor’s Refuge 20 Dec(EB), 60 Birch Cr Marsh, Pedricktown 13Jan (FL), 26 Florence 17 Feb (TB).Greater Yellowlegs: 9 SCBC 17 Dec.Lesser Yellowlegs: 16 Mannington 27Jan (BT).SPOTTED SANDPIPER: late Dupontproperty, Carney’s Pt 16 Dec (JH,RK, SH).American Woodcock: 13 GCBC 16 Dec,10+ Mad Horse WMA 17 Dec (PD).Wilson’s Snipe: high 50 SCBC 17 Dec,28 Mannington 27 Jan (WD, C&PS).Iceland Gull: Bordentown 9 Dec (VON-JAS), Florence 14 Dec & 2 Jan, 2 on 24 Feb(SK), Burlington 24 Feb (PD); low.Glaucous Gull: Florence 12 Dec (SK);low.Lesser Black-backed Gull: low high 12Florence 14 Dec (SK); 3 MoCBC 23 Dec,5 Bordentown 24 Feb (PD).OWLS – BLACKBIRDSBarred Owl: 2 Penn SF 9 Dec (SK, CW),PCBC 17 Dec.Short-eared Owl: River Winds 25 Feb(DM).Long-eared Owl: Marlton 23 Dec(KT).RUFOUS HUMMINGBIRD: Barrington,Camden from 18 Nov-16 Jan (RLet al.).ASH-THROATED FLYCATCHER:Mount Laurel 2 Dec (TW).Eastern Phoebe: GCBC 16 Dec, 2 SCBC17 Dec, 2 PCBC 17 Dec, Medford WMA7 Jan (DL), Mad Horse Cr WMA 28 Jan(TB).This Black-throated Gray Warbler was an exceptional find on private property in EveshamTownship from 1-28 January 2007. It established the second winter record for New Jersey; thefirst was in Princeton in 1982-1983. Photo/www.scottelowitzphotography.comVol. XXXIII, no. 3 — 51

Horned Lark: high 1000+ Mannington24 Feb (WD); 60+ nr Pedricktown 28 Jan(TB).NORTHERN ROUGH-WINGEDSWALLOW: 5 Palmyra Cove 23 Dec(TB).House Wren: PCBC 17 Dec, MedfordWMA 7 Jan (TB).Marsh Wren: Money Is Rd 17 Dec(PD).Gray Catbird: 3 GCBC 16 Dec, 2 SCBC17 Dec, PCBC 17 Dec, MoCBC 23 Dec, 5ECBC 27 Dec, DOD Ponds WMA 27 Jan(FL), 2 Salem WMA 4 Feb (SK).Brown Thrasher: Carney’s Pt 16 Dec(JH, RK, SH), 2 ECBC 27 Dec, RancocasSP 23 Jan (SK).American Pipit: 200 Mannington 15Dec (JG).Orange-crowned Warbler: Abbot’s FarmWMA Salem 17 Dec (PD, CC).BLACK-THROATED GRAY WAR-BLER: Evesham Twp 1-28 Jan (JMx,v.obs).Pine Warbler: 3 Franklin Parker Preserve28 Dec (SK).Palm Warbler: PCBC 17 Dec.Common Yellowthroat: Money Is Rd 17Dec (PD), Supawna Meadows WMA 17 Dec(FL), Rancocas Cr 23 Dec (WD), Evesham23 Dec (SS).Chipping Sparrow: 33 GCBC 16 Dec,35 PCBC 17 Dec.CLAY-COLORED SPARROW: PalmyraCove 3 Dec (WD, TW, TY), MedfordWMA 23 Dec (WD).VESPER SPARROW: Hardingville,Gloucester late Feb (RK).Savannah Sparrow: high 30 Abbott’sFarm WMA 17 Dec (PD, CC), 35+ AllowayCreek Rd, Salem 28 Jan (TB).LE CONTE’S SPARROW: Abbott’sFarm WMA 17-21 Feb, continued into Mar(PD, AU).Snow Bunting: 5 ECBC 27 Dec, 20Woodmansie, Burlington 6 Feb (fide LLi),12 Pedricktown 24 Feb (LLa, JW).Pine Siskin: 6 MoCBC 23 Dec.DICKCISSEL: Palmyra Cove 23 Dec(TB), Edgewater Park, Burlington 11 Jan(DW).Eastern Meadowlark: 30+ Mad HorseWMA 17 Dec (PD), 50 Supawna MeadowsWMA 29 Dec (WD, P&CS).YELLOW-HEADED BLACKBIRD:ad m Pennsville 3 Jan (fide SB), Pemberton52 — Summer 2007Township 25 Feb (KT).Rusty Blackbird: 5 Pedricktown 2 Dec(PD), 3 Mad Horse WMA 17 Dec (PD), 19Rancocas Cr 23 Dec (WD), Franklin ParkerPreserve 13 Jan (TB).BREWER’S BLACKBIRD: 3m Pennsville16 Dec (SK), 3m & 3f 3-7 Jan continuedinto Apr (PD, DM).Baltimore Oriole: Medford 31 Jan (JB),Laurel Springs, Camden 6 Feb (LS), Clementon,Camden 14 Feb (JF).Boat-tailed Grackle: 10 Mad HorseWMA 17 Dec (CC).South Coast and Delaware Bay areaincluding Cape May, Cumberland,and Atlantic Counties.EDITOR — Vince Elia, CMBO R&ECenter, 600 Rte. 47 North, Cape MayCourt House, NJ 08210. e-mail: vince.elia@njaudubon.orgThe winter season of 2006-2007 startedoff mild, but turned progressively cold andbitter. Some half-hardies that lingeredinto early January disappeared soon after.Noteworthy for persisting through the coldweather were a scattering of TricoloredHerons, the Blue-headed Vireo at NantuxentWMA, the Eastern Phoebes and a VesperSparrow at the Beanery, and the IndigoBunting in Eldora.A late push of seabirds on 21 December,just one day before the end of the AvalonSea Watch, accounted for many of the highcounts of waterbirds. Unprecedented werethe fairly numerous sightings of Brown Pelicanthrough December and January.There were a number of rare, wayward,and directionally challenged species. The listof highlights included Ross’s Goose, CacklingGoose, Barnacle Goose, Eared Grebe,Band-tailed Pigeon, Cave Swallow, WesternTanager, and Indigo Bunting. The Bird ofthe Season (or BOTS) award this seasongoes to (drum-roll please) the Band-tailedPigeon, in a landslide victory.I extend a heartfelt “thank you” to allthose who took the time to write down orsend in their reports.ContributorsScott Barnes, Bill Boyle (BBo) Bob Brown(BBr), Chris Brown, Jack Conner, RichardCrossley, Jim Dowdell (JD), Gail Dwyer,Vince Elia, Don Freiday, Mike Fritz, MarkGarland, Jason Guerard, Paul Guris, ChrisHajduk, Audrey Johnson, Karen Johnson,Sandra Keller, Paul Kosten, Chip Krilowitz,Paul Lehman, Bev Linn, Karl Lukens,Melanie Marhefka, George Myers, EvanObercian, Michael O’Brien, Tom Reed,Clay Sutton, Pat Sutton, Karen Thompson,Chris Vogel, Karen Williams.AbbreviationsAvalon Sea Watch (ASW), Cape Maycity (CM), Cape May Point (CMPt), CapeMay Point State Park (CMPt SP), Edwin B.Forsythe (aka Brigantine) NWR (BNWR),Higbee Beach (HB), South Cape May Meadows(SCMM), Stone Harbor Point (SHPt),Two Mile Beach (TMB), and West Cape May(WCM). Note that “Cape Island” refers tothe entire geographic area south of the CapeMay canal. “Hereford Inlet” is a broad termtaking into account Stone Harbor Point, theinlet, and Nummy Island.WATERFOWL – CRANESGreater White-fronted Goose: Cape Ismid-Jan – 3 Mar (m.obs); pure bird?Ross’s Goose: Rio Grande 13-19Dec (JG, CV, et al.).CACKLING GOOSE: Lily Lake 1-7 Jan(CV et al.), WCM 1-22 Feb (JG et al.).Barnacle Goose: WCM 17-22Feb (JG, m.obs); origin uncertain?Blue-winged Teal: 2 CMPt SP 2Dec-7Jan (v.obs) w/1 still present 4 Feb (PL).Northern Pintail: high 405 MauriceR/Bivalve 13 Jan (JD, CS).Green-winged Teal: high 759 MauriceR 23 Jan (JD, CS).“Eurasian” Green-wingedTeal: Reed’s Beach 16-18 Feb (TR etal.).Canvasback: high 150 Bayside, Cumberland11 Feb (CS).Redhead: high 11 Lily Lake 25 Feb (RCet al.).King Eider: 1-2 Cold Spring Inlet 17-20Dec (v.obs), 2 Avalon 20 Dec-4 Jan (v.obs),Stone Harbor 4 Jan (SK); number different

individuals involved?Common Eider: high 35+ Cold SpringInlet 8 Dec (CH, KL, GM).Harlequin Duck: Cold Spring Inlet15 Jan (DF), 2 Cold Spring Inlet 25 Feb(CV).Surf Scoter: high 1383 ASW 3 Dec(CB).White-winged Scoter: high 205 ASW21 Dec (CB).Black Scoter: high 3138 ASW 21 Dec(CB).Long-tailed Duck: high 189 ASW 21Dec (CB).Hooded Merganser: high 390 Rio Grande17 Dec (MO).Red-breasted Merganser: high 198 ASW21 Dec (CB).Red-throated Loon: high 7488 ASW21 Dec (CB).Common Loon: high 84 ASW 21 Dec(CB).EARED Grebe: returning 2 Lake’s Bay,Atlantic 13 Dec-26+ Jan (RC, v.obs).Red-necked Grebe: Margate 13 Feb(MM), Tuckerton Lk, Atlantic 17 Feb (JC),Townsend’s Inlet 21 Feb (GD), Corbin City,23 Feb (JD, CS).Northern Gannet: high 5991 ASW 21Dec (CB).Brown Pelican: late high 8 CMPt SP7 Jan (CV); 1-2 off Cape Is 17 Dec-31 Jan(v.obs).Double-crested Cormorant: high 853ASW 21 Dec (CB).Great Cormorant: high 4 Hereford Inlet3 Dec (PL).American Bittern: ~8 regional reports11 Dec-20 Feb (v.obs).Tricolored Heron: Hansey Cr Rd, Cumberland31 Dec (PK), Ocean Dr 21 Jan (PL),Hereford Inlet 31 Jan-4 Feb (v.obs).A four-some of rare geese were photographed in Region V during the winter of 2006-2007. This Ross’s Goose, with a Snow (upper left), provideda nice comparison in Rio Grande from 13-19 December (photographed here on 14 December) and was the first well documented, nonfly-overRoss’s for well-worked Cape May County. The “sort-of” Greater White-fronted Goose (upper right) was present in the Cape May areafrom mid-January to early March; its “purity” was questioned by some observers on the basis of its slightly fat body, slightly more extensivewhite up on to the forehead, and yellowish orbital ring. Following its taxonomic split from Canada Goose, Cackling Goose (lower left) is beingreported from throughout New Jersey in greater and greater numbers, although extreme care must be taken to carefully differentiate suchindividuals from the equally likely “Lesser” Canada Goose (Branta canadensis parvipes). This Cackling Goose was at Lily Lake at Cape MayPoint from 1-7 January and appears to be of the expected race hutchinsii. Last, but not least, a Barnacle Goose (lower right) delighted scoresof observers in the Cape May area from 17-22 February, although debates over the origins of many individuals of this species in the East willcontinue. Photos/Kevin Karlson, Chip Krilowicz, Karl Lukens (2), respectivelyVol. XXXIII, no. 3 — 53

A majority of Eurasian Green-winged (Common) Teal records from the Northeast and Mid-Atlantic come from late winter and early spring. This bird was no exception and was presentnear Reed’s Beach from 16-18 February 2007. Photo/Karl LukensGreen Heron: late SCMM 16 Dec (RC).Black Vulture: high 50 CMPt SP 4Dec (JD).Osprey: late Garden State Pkwy pondat mm 3.3 from 4-31 Dec (v.obs), PickleFactory pond, Cumberland 27 Dec (KW),North Wildwood 11 Jan (GD).Broad-winged Hawk: late CMPt SP 4Dec (JD).Golden Eagle: high 4 lower Mullica R23 Jan (JD, CS).Virginia Rail: high 5 SCMM 7 Dec (RC,PL, CV).Common Moorhen: late SCMM 11-15Dec (KL, PL, et al.)Sandhill Crane: 14 Husted Landing 31Dec (PG) and 14 Jan (C&PS); origin?SHOREBIRDS – WOODPECKERSAmerican Oystercatcher: high 130+Absecon Inlet, Atlantic 7 Jan (SB), 50+Hereford Inlet 5 Feb (MG).“Western” Willet: high up to 7 HerefordInlet 17 Dec-5 Feb (v.obs), 50+ AbseconInlet 7 Jan (SB).Lesser Yellowlegs: late 3 SCMM through19 Dec (PL et al.)Marbled Godwit: high 20 Hereford Inletthrough 13 Dec (PL et al.) down to 1 on 5Feb (MG), 8 Great Bay Blvd, Atlantic 8 Dec(JD, CS), 14 Absecon Inlet 7 Jan (SB).Red Knot: high 120 TMB 15 Jan (DF).Least Sandpiper: late 13 WCM through9 Dec (PL et al.).Short-billed Dowitcher: late 2 HerefordInlet 17 Dec, 5 North Wildwood 27 Jan(RC).Long-billed Dowitcher: late high up to8 SCMM 7-21 Dec (PL et al.).Laughing Gull: late 13 ASW 10 Dec(CB).Little Gull: off CMPt 13 Feb (CV).Black-headed Gull: off CMPt 22-23Feb (CV).Bonaparte’s Gull: high 521 ASW 21Dec (CB).Ring-billed Gull: high 908 ASW 21Dec (CB).Iceland Gull: Cold Spring Inlet 25+ Feb(CV et al.).Lesser Black-backed Gull: high 7 HerefordInlet 17 Dec (MF et al.).Caspian Tern: very late Corbin City 6Dec (JD, CS).Royal Tern: late 1-2 Avalon 3-7 Dec(v.obs).Band-tailed Pigeon: WCM 16-18 Jan (MO et al.); second state record.Short-eared Owl: high 8 Jake’s Landing30 Dec (C&PS).Ruby-throated Hummingbird: lateAvalon 1-4 Dec (GD), off New England Rd4-9 Dec (BL, PL).Red-headed Woodpecker: Goshen 16Jan (AJ).FLYCATCHERS – ORIOLESEastern Phoebe: late 1-3 Beanery/WCM26 Jan-18 Feb (v.obs), Villas WMA 31 Jan(CV).Western Kingbird: BNWR 5 Dec (fideSK).Blue-headed Vireo: Nantuxent WMA,Cumberland 31 Jan (SK).Tree Swallow: late CMPt SP 15 Dec(PL), 2 Scott’s Landing, Atlantic 23 Jan(JD, CS).Cave Swallow: ~10 CMPt/CM city2 Dec (RC, JD, PL).House Wren: 2 Bevan WMA, Cumberland31 Dec (MF et al.)Sedge Wren: Goshen Landing 15 Dec(CS).American Robin: high 10,000+ Cape Is20 Feb (v.obs).Orange-crowned Warbler: ~5 regionalreports 3-31 Dec (v.obs).Nashville Warbler: Beanery 3 Dec (CK),Del Haven 15 Dec-27 Jan (BBr), CMPtSP 16-19 Dec (MG), Seagrove Ave 16-17Dec (MG).Pine Warbler: late Rio Grande 6-17Dec (PL).Palm Warbler: very late Villas WMA 3Feb (BBo, KT).BLACKPOLL WARBLER: record lateHB 16 Dec (EO, CV).Yellow-breasted Chat: late WCM 7 Dec(PL), CMPt SP 18-19 Dec (MG), SouthDennis 27 Dec (KL, GM).Western Tanager: HB 13-14 Dec(EO, CV), Port Republic, Atlantic 23-26 Jan(JD, CS et al.) found dead on latter date.Chipping Sparrow: high 80 Villas WMA3 Feb (BBo, KT), 80 WCM 18 Feb (PL).Vesper Sparrow: TMB 3 Dec (EO, CV,PL), Beanery 13 Dec-21+ Feb (v.obs).Lapland Longspur: CMPt SP 9 Dec(CH).Snow Bunting: up to 55 SCMM/CMPtSP 3 Dec-2 Feb (v.obs).INDIGO BUNTING: over-wintered atfeeder Eldora 6 Jan-23+ Feb (KJ et al.).Dickcissel: Goshen 24 Nov-1 Dec(C&PS), WCM 18 Feb (PL).Eastern Meadowlark: high 55 Cape IsCr 9-16 Dec (PL et al.).Baltimore Oriole: ~ 14 regional reportsof 22 individuals 2 Dec-2 Jan (v.obs); highnumber.54 — Summer 2007

Dear New Jersey Birds Readers,About a year ago, I informed you that New Jersey Birds would beoffered as an online publication at the New Jersey Audubon Societywebsite (www.njaudubon.org/Research/Records.html), in addition tobeing offered in a printed version. I am pleased to report that the pastthree issues of the publication are posted on the web site and can bedownloaded in PDF format. The summer issue before you will havebeen posted at about the same time the print version was deliveredto your mailbox.We anticipate that future online versions will include more colorphotos and more comprehensive natural history and research articles.An electronic version allows us to expand the material offered, primarilybecause of cost savings related to printing and mailing. As I mentionedin my earlier communiqu , it costs NJAS approximately $30,000 peryear to produce and mail the print version of the magazine.Please take a few minutes to access the online version. We hope thatmany of you will decide that an electronic version of the magazine issufficient and that you do not require a print copy. If this is the case,please contact Walter Koenig (walter.koenig@njaudubon.org), ourmembership coordinator, about your decision to discontinue receivingthe print version of New Jersey Birds. Subscribing to the online versionwill help us reduce costs while continuing to provide a quality productthat chronicles the status of birds in the state.—David S. MizrahiVice President for Research, NJASVol. XXXIII, no. 3 — 55

New Jersey Audubon SocietyHeadquarters9 Hardscrabble RoadBernardsville, NJ 07924(908) 204-8998web site: www.njaudubon.orgCape May Bird ObservatoryCenter for Research and Education600 Route 47 NorthCape May Court House, NJ 08210(609) 861-0700Cape May Bird ObservatoryNorthwood Center701 E. Lake Drive, P.O. Box 3Cape May Point, NJ 08212(609) 884-2736Lorrimer Sanctuary790 Ewing Avenue, P.O. Box 125Franklin Lakes, NJ 07417(201) 891-2185Nature center of Cape May1600 Delaware AvenueCape May, NJ 08204(609) 898-8848Plainsboro PreserveBox 446Scott’s Corner RoadPlainsboro, NJ 08536(609) 897-9400Rancocas Nature Center794 Rancocas RoadMount Holly, NJ 08060(609) 261-2495SANDY HOOK BIRD OBSERVATORYP.O. Box 533Fort Hancock, NJ 07732(732) 872-2500Scherman-Hoffman wildlifeSanctuary11 Hardscrabble RoadBernardsville, NJ 07924(908) 766-5787Weis Ecology Center150 Snake Den RoadRingwood, NJ 07456(973) 835-2160Get Involved—JoinBenefitsInclude:New Jersey Audubon magazineEducation courses34 sanctuaries9 nature centersmembers’ eventsbookstore discountsfield Tripsexhibits & fairsvacations with natureHabitat preservationANNUALMEMBERSHIP■ Life $2000■ Golden Eagle $500■ Goldfinch $250■ Friend $100■ Family $45($35 for new members)■ Individual $39($30 for new members)Make check payable to:New Jersey Audubon Society9 Hardscrabble Road, Bernardsville, NJ 07924Name____________________________________________________Address__________________________________________________City______________________________________________________State, Zip_________________________________________________Phone____________________________________________________New Jersey Audubon Society9 Hardscrabble Road • Bernardsville, N.J. 07924Non-Profit OrganizationU.S. PostageP A I DHanover, P.A.Permit No. 4Printed on recycled paper.56 — Summer 2007