Winter Birdwatching in New Jersey
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PRESENTATION BYMATT LATHAM
Winter Birdwatching in New Jersey
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Skills of Identification
1) Physical appearance Plumage Size Shape
Variability sometimes between sexes, ages and subspecies 2) Voice
Calls Songs
3) Range Preferred habitats Geographic range of a species
4) Behaviors – immediate Flight Hunting (food type) Breeding Idiosyncrasies
5) Behaviors - larger Migration Breeding Nesting Nocturnal, diurnal and/or crepuscular
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Physical Appearance
Things to study: Overall Shape Overall Size Colors
Tail, under side, topside, head, beak, legs, wings (top and bottom), patterns, variations
Feather layout Wing shape Tail size Head size
Beginner Tools Study silhouettes http://www.birds.cornell.edu/AllAboutBirds/birding123/iden
tify/silhouette - Study bird parts
http://www.birds.cornell.edu/AllAboutBirds/birding123/identify/field_marks/document_view
Relative to major familiesField guides often provide these tools (Sibley
Guide)
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Physical Appearance 2Variations
Using Plumage Plumage CAN vary by gender, age, subspecies,
molting and conditions Conditions meaning wear and tear on the feathers due to
weather, life conditions, etc. Molt variation – during, before, after, different stages of
molting Size difference Individual birds simply have variation
That’s why plates are often better for studying than photographs
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VoiceSongs
Mating rituals General
communication
Calls Position Warning Flight calls Basic communication
1) Recognition of voice can help distinguish similar species
example – Greater and Lesser Yellowlegshttp://www.birds.cornell.edu/AllAboutBirds/BirdGuide/Greater_Yellowlegs.html http://www.birds.cornell.edu/AllAboutBirds/BirdGuide/Lesser_Yellowlegs.html 2) Identify birds not in sight
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The Alarm of the Forest
Blue Jay example The Blue Jay is prone to making an alarm call when
there are any intruders, predators or most any movement in their area. Thus, they are often known as the Alarm of the Forest, as they let all other animals know of an intruder presence.
http://www.birds.cornell.edu/AllAboutBirds/BirdGuide/Blue_Jay.html
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Range
Deals with the geographic range in which species can normally occur
Where birds breed, nest, winter and over what area they migrate
Includes large areas of habitat that birds will useImportant in helping to locate birds firstAlso, very helpful in making an identification
A tricky ID may be solved if a possibility for the ID would be very far out of range and habitat
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Migration
Why? Flying north for the
summer Less competition for
resources Less predators
Flying south for the winter Escape harsh
weather, loss of food, resources
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Immediate Behaviors
Flying Gliding vs flapping Smooth vs erratic Bobbing up and down
Goldfinch Breeding
Calls Movements Prominence Positioning
Ex: Perched on display Idiosyncratic behaviors
Specific to individual species or families Diurnal vs Nocturnal
Nesting Type of nest Location of nest
Ground, tree, etc. Materials used
Hunting Hovering Perched chasing
Mobbing Some species prone to this behavior
Crows, Jays, Red-winged Blackbirds
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Long-term Behaviors
Migration habits Distance traveled All at once / in intervals Follow ridge tops / coasts Travel by night or day
Breeding, Nesting and Wintering habitsDiurnal vs NocturnalPair for life vs other breeding habits
Mute Swan vs. Red-winged Blackbird
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Habitat
Knowing the preferred habitat for a species can be one of the best ways to locate AND identify birds
Often, identifying a bird can rely on whether that species belongs in a certain habitat
Some species are very adaptable to a variety of habitats
Some require a very specific habitat Canada Goose vs. Bank Swallow
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Major Types of Habitats In the North America
Forest Boreal Riparian Woodland Mixed Deciduous Northern Hardwood
Wetlands Freshwater Marshes Saltmarshes and Tidal
Flats Lakes and Ponds Rivers and Streams
Ocean Upwelling Coastal
Dunes, shoreline, bays, estuaries, etc.
Estuary Mangrove
Grasslands Few remaining areas in NJ
Edge Habitat Successional
Stages of growth between forest and plains Shrub land important
habitat Area between 2 different
habitats – transitioning Agricultural Human related
Cities Urban parks Parking lots
Killdeer Many more…
Garbage dumps
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The A.O.U. Check-list of North American Birds, Seventh Edition
American Ornithologists’ UnionPreviously classified by visual and behavioral
similarityNow mostly derived from genetic connectionshttp://www.aou.org/checklist/index.php3 -
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My Bird Groupings -Northeastern America
Waterfowl Ducks, geese, swans, loons and grebes
Hawks and Allies Hawks, Falcons, Eagles, Vultures and Osprey
Shore / oceanic Gulls, terns, shearwates, petrals, pelicans, gannets, brandt,
sandpipers, etc.OwlsSongbirds – Warblers
Forest dwelling Flycatchers, Jays, woodpeckers, tanagers
Field dwelling / grassland Sparrows, finches, larks, buntings
Marsh dwelling Herons, ibis, sandpipers, coot, egret
Easy to remember Mostly black colored
Crow, raven, blackbirds, cowbirds, starling, grackle, catbirds Everything else
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Know the Local Common Species
American RobinNorthern CardinalBlack-capped ChickadeeTufted TitmouseCedar WaxwingGray CatbirdBrown-headed Cowbird
American CrowTurkey VultureRed-tailed HawkGreat Blue HeronMallardCanada Goose
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Invasive, Non-Native Species
Invasive, non-native species can take habitat from other native species, occupy niches that push other birds out, and even steal nests.
House Sparrow European StarlingMute SwanRock Dove (pigeon)
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Winter NJ Birding
Where to go: coast, lakes, open water, grasslands, and sometimes edge and forests
What to see: waterfowl, sea birds, finches, owls and wintering hawks, snow geese, larks, etc.
Things to remember: you are looking for either WINTERING birds or YEAR
ROUND RESIDENTS At the beginning and end of winter, you can catch
early/late migrants (spring/fall)
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Types of Habitats Good for birding in winter
Unique wintering bird NJ habitats: Ocean Shore Lakes and Rivers Grasslands *Edge
Can still find birds in every habitat type**Bird feeders
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What Birds to See in Which Habitat
Ducks, Geese, and related species Lakes, Shore, Ocean, rivers
Sparrows, larks, buntings Grasslands, Edge habitat
Wintering Hawks and Owls Edge, open fields, forests
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Year Round Residents
Northern CardinalBlue JayBlack-capped
ChickadeeAmerican CrowMallardGreat Blue HeronRed-tailed HawkCanada Geese
Cedar WaxwingAmerican RobinEastern BluebirdWhite-breasted
Nuthatch Brown CreeperWoodpeckers Herring Gull And a few others…
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Waterfowl – great time of year
Many species Winter in New JerseySouthern Migration:
September early, November peakNorthern Migration
February and March
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Ducks and Allies to Look For
Green-winged Teal Common Merganser Mallard Northern Pintail Bufflehead American Wigeon Gadwall American Black Duck Northern Shoveler Long-tailed Duck Red-head Harlequin Duck Canvasback
Lesser and Greater Scaup White-winged and other
Scoters Ruddy Duck Common Goldeneye Ruddy Duck Hooded Merganser Red-breasted Merganser Ring-necked Duck Common Eider King Eider
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More Waterfowl
Common LoonRed-throated LoonBrandt Snow GooseNorthern GannetPied-billed GrebeHorned GrebeRed-necked Grebe
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Other Species
FinchesSparrowsWintering Hawks
Red-tailed, Harriers, Rough-legged, Sharp-shined, Cooper’s,
Owls Snowy, Short-Eared, Barred, Screech, Saw-whet,
Great Horned
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Common, Hooded, and Red-breasted Merganser
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Mallard and American Black Duck
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Northern Pintail and Long-tailed Duck
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Gadwall and American Wigeon
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Green-winged Teal and Wood Duck
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Northern Shoveler and Harlequin Duck
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Common and King Eider
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White-winged and Black Scoter
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Canvasback and Redhead
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Ring-necked Duck and Lesser Scaup
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Common Goldeneye
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Northern Gannet
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Common and Red-throated Loon
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Grebes – Pied-billed, Horned, Red-necked, Eared
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Brandt and Snow Goose
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Grassland and Shrub Birds
Horned LarkSnow BuntingSwamp Sparrow…Sparrow
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Snow Bunting
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Horned Lark
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Owls and Wintering Hawks + Allies
Great-horned OwlShort-eared OwlSnowy OwlBarn OwlLong-eared OwlBarred OwlEastern-Screech OwlNorthern Saw-whet
Owl
Red-tailed HawkRough-legged HawkSharp-shinned HawkCooper’s HawkNorthern GoshawkNorthern HarrierRed-shouldered HawkAmerican KestrelPeregrine FalconBald Eagle
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Snowy and Great Horned Owl
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Northern Harrier and Red-tailed Hawk
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My Favorite Winter Locations in New Jersey
MeadowlandsRound ValleyMerrill Creek Swartswood Lake / Culver’s LakeLiberty State ParkShark River InletCape MayVarious points along the shoreLiberty Loop Layton/Walpack
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Meadowlands (Dekorte Park/Sawmill Creek)
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Meadowlands (Dekorte/Sawmill Creek)
What to see: A dozen species of duck Wintering hawks
Rough-legged, Harrier, Red-tailed
Sparrows and allies Random rare birds
Eurasian Green-winged Teal
Possible Snowy Owl In spring/fall/summer =
tons of wading and shore birds too
Description: Mudflats, large marsh,
open water, reed marsh, some scrub and tree area
Great in many seasons
Best place in Hudson county
*American Woodcock
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Meadowlands
Drive to Dekorte Park – park near the Meadowlands Commission building and the observatory
Walk along the water facing the highway – same side as Meadowlands commission Teal, mallards, ring-necks
Scan the open water near the building and then in the next ‘pool’ on the left Often mudflat in spring/summer – some of the best duck birding
Continue and scan the pool to the right and then move onto the 2 big pool areas More great duck birding / deeper water
Spotting scope suggested
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Liberty State Park
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Liberty State Park
What to see Ducks Wintering Raptors Some ocean birds *Snowy Owl
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pYiBTTSzxUc
Description Field, edge, riverfront,
meadows, some marshGood for some ducks
and ocean birdsRecent years have
hosted a wintering snowy owl along with the Meadowlands
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Round Valley
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Round Valley
Begin walk at entry beach
Walk around the peninsula hugging the water toward the swimming area
Scan water with binoculars
Spotting scope recommended
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Round Valley
Hunterdon CountyDescription: Deep, in-
land lake (reservoir) Good habitat for
dabbling and diving ducks
One of few inland places to see ducks that require deep water Long-tailed Duck,
Scoters, Eiders (rare)
What to look for: Ducks Long-tailed Duck,
Scoters, Eiders, Grebes, Loons
Gulls
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Spruce Run
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Spruce Run
Hunterdon CountyDescription:
Wandering glacier lake Forest and some open
fieldsDrive around lake
and stop at most points where you can get a good look at the water
Spotting scope suggested
What to see: Common Loon Pied-pilled Grebe
Possible other Grebes Variety of wintering
and migratory ducks until
Summer/Spring/Fall Marsh/shore birds Vireo/flycatchers warblers
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Swartswood Lake
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Swartswood Lake
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Swartswood Lake
Sussex CountyDescription: Glacial lake surrounded by
woodland, and some marsh3 bodies of water: Swartswood Lake, Little
Swartswood Lake, Duck PondRecreation, park, swimming, beach areasIdeal inland lake spot for migrating waterfowl
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Swartswood Lake
What to See: A dozen species of duck / mostly inland ducks Loons and grebes Colony of Cormorants on island Bald Eagle nest on Little Swartswood Forest birds Bluebird resident population Some field birds
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Swartswood Lake
Main Waterfowl to see: Redhead Mallard Bufflehead Common Merganser Hooded Merganser Green-winged Teal Ring-necked Duck American Wigeon Common Goldeneye
Pied-billed Grebe Possibilities:
Horned Grebe Common Loon Long-tailed Duck Common Eider
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Merrill Creek
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Merrill Creek
Warren County NJDescription: large lake with surrounding
woods and some scrub areaWhat to see: Snow Geese, ducks, sparrowsGood site for seeing many different inland
duck species during migration.Excellent place to see migrating Snow Geese
flocksAlso the site of a Hawk Watchhttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fCBa4XfKt
bk
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Manasquan / Shark River Inlet
Monmouth CountyDescription: Large area in several towns
surrounding the estuary Large estuaryShorelinePonds and small lakesMarshes Fields
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Manasquan / Shark River Inlet
Usually open water, even in middle of winterWhat to see: ducks, loons, grebes (Red-
necked Grebe), Purple Sandpipers, Gannets, Gulls, + lots more
Overall great place to go – lots to look atSuggested: car birding (especially in winter),
scope, warm clothes, map
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Shark River Inlet
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Shark River Inlet
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Liberty Loop/Wallkill River National Wildlife Refuge
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Liberty Loop
Northern Sussex CountyDescription: large marshlands, wetlands,
riparian, and scrub area surrounded by forestWhat to see: when not frozen – ducks,
sandpipers. Also, Northern Harrier, Rough-legged Hawk Short-eared Owl, sparrows
Excellent place overall any time of year. One of only places good for Rough-legged Hawk in NJ
Walk the loop (2 miles)
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Alpha Grasslands
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Alpha Grasslands
Warren County NJDescription: one of only “grassland” type
habitats in the stateGood for Larks, buntings, and other
grassland speciesFarmland alongside a road –simply park
along road and wander up and down road – don’t go on grass as its private property
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Brigantine
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Brigantine
Atlantic CountyDescription: Huge tidal marsh and shoreline
wetlandWhat to see: when not frozen, huge #s of
shorebirds, sandpipers, and alliesAlso, wintering hawks, sparrows, wintering
shorebirds$5 donation – drive your car around the several
mile loop, pulling over to get out and scanScope necessaryhttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j7YZ3XzQ3pk
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Cape May
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Cape May
Cape May CountyDescription: best place to birdwatch in NJ,
possible in North AmericaPerfect location for nearly all migrantsLots of different habitats – shoreline,
wetlands, riparian, fields, scrubs, sand dune forest, etc.
In Winter: rare wintering birds, hawks, grassland species, ducks, shorebirds, ocean birds, etc.
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Good Books
Peterson’s GuideSibley’s GuideBird Finding in New JerseyStokes Audio Field Guide
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Bird Watching Clubs and Environmental Centers
Sussex County Bird ClubCape May Bird ObservatoryGreat SwampSandy Hook Essex County Environmental CenterTenafly Nature CenterSherman-Hoffman
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Online Resources
Online Guides / General Info AllAboutBirds – online guide from Cornell Labs
http://www.birds.cornell.edu/AllAboutBirds/ eNature – guide to many animals, plants
http://www.enature.com Weather / Predictions
Woodcreeper blog - http://www.woodcreeper.com/ Birding forecast blog, Cape May Bird - http://www.birdcapemay.org/forecast.shtml
Informative / Reports / Sightings Voice of NJ Audubon Birdingonthenet Jerseybirds
http://www.princeton.edu/~llarson/njb/jbird.html Sussex County bird club
http://www.sussexbirdclub.org Rare Bird Alert (online AND Hotline) Meadowlands Commission Blog - http://www.meadowblog.net Delaware Valley - http://www.dvoc.org/DelValBirding/Sightings.htm eBird
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Events Linked with Birdwatching
Christmas Bird Count http://www.audubon.org/Bird/cbc/
World Series of Birding http://www.birdcapemay.org/wsob.shtml
Great Backyard Bird Count http://www.audubon.org/gbbc/
Pelagics http://www.paulagics.com/
ABA Big Day http://www.aba.org/bigday/
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Local and NJ Events
PelagicsBird walks
Nature Conservancy http://www.nature.org/wherewework/northamerica/states/newje
rsey/events/
NJ Audubon http://www.njaudubon.org/calendar/
Great Swamp http://www.friendsofgreatswamp.org/
Sherman-Hoffman http://www.njaudubon.org/Centers/Scherman/
Sussex County Bird Club http://www.sussexbirdclub.org/
Meadowlands Commission http://www.meadowblog.net/
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Birdwatching Groups
National Organizations Audubon Society
NJ Chapter http://www.njaudubon.org/
American Birding Association http://www.americanbirding.org
Local Sussex County Bird Club http://www.sussexbirdclub.org/
Friends of the Great Swamp http://www.friendsofgreatswamp.org/
Scherman-Hoffman http://www.njaudubon.org/Centers/Scherman/