Date: 1/7/25 12:03 pm From: Tom Brown <tshrike19...> Subject: [JERSEYBI] Long Branch CBC recap
Hi All,
Just follow up on the Long Branch Count now that count week and the
holidays are over.
On December 28th, 2024, thirty-seven individuals in ten different groups
conducted the 90th Long Branch Christmas Bird Count (LBCBC), the 125th
overall CBC for Audubon. Conditions were subpar, but could have been
worse, with periods of fog, and a steady drizzle, in the morning hours;
with drizzle picking up in the late afternoon hours as well.
The count tallied 115 distinct species on 12/28, with three count-week (cw)
birds coming in shortly after the count. The one-hundred and fifteen
species equals the average number of species counted on the LBCBC since
1990, where the average is 115.06 ± 6.53 species, and is down seven species
from the 2023 count last year. With conditions as they were, especially in
the morning, I was surprised we were able to hit the 115 species mark.
Highlights of the count were:
A well-documented *Chestnut-collared Longspur *was found by one group, if
accepted by the NJRBC it would be the third confirmed record for New
Jersey. Four *Black-crowned Night Herons* were found, a bird that often
evades the count, being found in fifty-eight of the ninety counts: with a
remarkable high of 45 during the 109th CBC. *Pileated Woodpeckers* were
found once again, making it four years in a row that this species has been
observed, and only the eleventh time in the history of the LBCBC; all of
these occurring since 2002. *Eastern Phoebe* were observed by two
different groups, with a total of three Phoebe, making it three years in a
row that Eastern Phoebe has been found on the count, with last years five
individuals being the High Count. Eastern Phoebe has been found on only
thirteen of the counts for Long Branch. Both *Short-eared Owl* and *Northern
Saw-whet Owl* were found by two separate groups, interestingly it’s only
the ninth time either species has been detected on the count. *Laughing
Gull* were observed for the second year in a row, and for the third time
out of the past four years. Since 2002 Laughing Gull has only been found
in the last three of four counts but has been detected in twenty-nine of
the ninety LBCBC’s. Two *Pine Warblers* were found by one group, both
birds together in a mixed flock with nuthatches (white and red breasted)
and Carolina Chickadee’s. This marks the third year in a row that pine
warbler has been found, and five out of the past six years. In all, Pine
Warbler has been found on twelve of the ninety Long Branch Counts.
Two *Baltimore
Orioles*, which have been visiting a feeder in Farmingdale (there’s
actually three birds, but only two observed during count day), three *Cackling
Goose* , a lone drake *Northern Pintail*, and an *Ipswich Savannah Sparrow*
round out the more rare-unusual species for the count. Although not a
distinct species, it’s only the sixth time an Ipswich Sparrow has been
detected on the count.
All high counts reached for this period were tied with high counts of other
years, no unique high counts were reached. Species that tied previous high
counts were: Ring-necked Duck (206), Lesser Black-backed Gull (6),
Golden-crowned Kinglet (39), and Ruby-crowned Kinglet (12). Interestingly
is that almost half of the Ring-necked Ducks found were in one location, a
location that we just received special access to for the count.
Count week birds found in the count circle were: Great Egret, Common
Gallinule, and Orange-crowned Warbler.
A big thank you to all who participated and to Colette Buchanan and
Monmouth County Audubon for sponsoring the count and allowing us the use of
their Zoom account for our roundup.
Date: 1/7/25 5:32 am From: <00001f53b5636e64-dmarc-request...> Subject: [JERSEYBI] Osprey & Bald Eagle follow-up
JerseyBirders:
A timely quote following Gov Murphy's announcement, then subsequent comments about Osprey and Bald Eagle:
A THOUGHT FOR TODAY:
You cannot begin to preserve any species of animal unless you preserve the habitat in which it dwells. Disturb or destroy that habitat and you will exterminate the species as surely as if you had shot it. So conservation means that you have to preserve forest and grassland, river and lake, even the sea itself. This is not only vital for the preservation of animal life generally, but for the future existence of man himself -- a point that seems to escape many people. -Gerald Durrell, naturalist and author (7 Jan 1925-1995)
Date: 1/7/25 3:39 am From: Evan Cutler <evancutler...> Subject: [JERSEYBI] Montclair Bird Club Program this Wednesday Evening
The Montclair Bird Club would like to wish everyone a happy and healthy new
year. Our first meeting of 2025 will take place via Zoom this Wednesday at
7:30 pm. Our program this month is "Audubon Redrawn: New Light on the
Artist and the Birds He Painted," presented by Roberta J. M. Olson, author
of Audubon’s Aviary: The Original Watercolors for The Birds of America
(2012 ) and Audubon as Artist: A New Look at The Birds of America (2024).
For a free Zoom invite, send an email to <montclairbirdclub1920...>
For more info about the club--now celebrating its 105th anniversary, check
out our website at www.montclairbirdclub.org.
Date: 1/6/25 4:52 pm From: ernest hahn <ernestphahn...> Subject: Re: [JERSEYBI] Endangered species status NJ
Well, that news may have a serious downside for the environment. Exceptional resource value wetlands are based on the presence of threatened and endangered species in NJ under the Freshwater Wetlands Protection Act. I would imagine that builders will now challenge the 300 foot buffers associated with that wetlands classification that were based on the presence of Bald Eagle habitat. Loss of the larger buffer will impact habitat as well as flood storage and water quality.
Sent from my iPad
> On Jan 6, 2025, at 6:29 PM, <00001f53b5636e64-dmarc-request...> wrote: > > JerseyBirders: > > > > Some good news announced by Gov Murphy today: > > Osprey status has been changed to STABLE > > Bald Eagle has been changed to SPECIES OF CONCERN > > > > > > Good birding, > > Linda Mack > > Monmouth Beach, NJ > > > List Guidelines: https://lists.princeton.edu/cgi-bin/wa?A2=ind2107&L=JERSEYBI&P=R685&X=OE8E22FEF3A2B10DFE5 > List help: <jerseybi-request...> > List archives: https://lists.princeton.edu/cgi-bin/wa?A0=jerseybi > NJ Bird Records Committee: www.njbrc.com
Date: 12/28/24 6:46 pm From: AOL Mail <00000f9e38b6ef3b-dmarc-request...> Subject: Re: [JERSEYBI] Long Branch CBC (preliminary)
Very nice!
Sent from the all new AOL app for iOS
On Saturday, December 28, 2024, 7:55 PM, Tom Brown <tshrike19...> wrote:
Hi All,
The 90th Long Branch Christmas Bird Count (LBCBC) was held on Saturday,
12/28/2024.
Nine teams covered the CBC circle in fairly soggy conditions, although the
heavier rain predicted held off until later in the afternoon when most
teams were wrapping up.
I am still awaiting the results from one group, but as of now the species
total for the count is 115; which is spot on for the average number
(115.03) of species since 1990.
Highlights include: Snow Goose, Laughing Gull,,Cackling Goose, Northern
Pintail, Northern Saw-whet Owl, Short-eared Owl, Pileated Woodpecker,
Eastern Phoebe, Pine Warbler, Baltimore Oriole, and if accepted by
the NJBRC, a Chestnut-collared Longspur. Multiple quality photos of
longspur were taken and the bird was observed for some time.
Unfortunately the bird was located on private property with special access
granted by land managers for the count.
Once I compile all the numbers I'll update this report with a bit more
detail.
Date: 12/28/24 4:55 pm From: Tom Brown <tshrike19...> Subject: [JERSEYBI] Long Branch CBC (preliminary)
Hi All,
The 90th Long Branch Christmas Bird Count (LBCBC) was held on Saturday, 12/28/2024. Nine teams covered the CBC circle in fairly soggy conditions, although the heavier rain predicted held off until later in the afternoon when most teams were wrapping up.
I am still awaiting the results from one group, but as of now the species total for the count is 115; which is spot on for the average number (115.03) of species since 1990.
Highlights include: Snow Goose, Laughing Gull,,Cackling Goose, Northern Pintail, Northern Saw-whet Owl, Short-eared Owl, Pileated Woodpecker, Eastern Phoebe, Pine Warbler, Baltimore Oriole, and if accepted by the NJBRC, a Chestnut-collared Longspur. Multiple quality photos of longspur were taken and the bird was observed for some time. Unfortunately the bird was located on private property with special access granted by land managers for the count.
Once I compile all the numbers I'll update this report with a bit more detail.
I know this is kind of a late announcement, but recently i noticed that this count was not being done again and i wanted to do something about it. The last count was done in 2016 and then was just forgotten about. I asked if i could take it over, and after they discussed it not being done for so long they let me have it! So i am now the compiler for the Island Beach State Park CBC! So this is exciting news that it's finally going be to be counted again! It deserves to be counted, it's such a great birding location, probably one of the best spots to go birding imo.
I split the park up into 5 sections to count, i still need a team leader for section #2, #4, and #5. If anyone has a beach pass and can drive the entire beach that would be very helpful as well. Also if anyone has a boat they are willing to take out into the ocean as the ocean is a huge portion of the count, about 10 miles of ocean i think. Also if anyone with a boat or kayak/canoe for the sedge islands. So message me if you would like to help. You can start whenever you want. Thanks, here are the 5 sections below with some of the good areas to count:
Section #1: Team Leader: Dianna Lieter Seaside Park Marina and areas in the circle Two bit road Reed's road Coast guard trail to ocean view Swimming area #1 Tidal Pond trail
Section #2: Team Leader needed! Just past swimming area #1 Swimming area #2 Fisherman's walkway A-7 Cranberry trail A-13 Kayak launch trail A-15 Johnny Allen's Cove and nature center A-16
Section #3: Team Leader/Compiler: Shawn Wainwright with Skyler Streich Just past A-16 Spizzle Creek trail Winter Anchorage trail The Sedge Islands To the end of Island Beach
Section #4: Team Leader needed! Boat for a pelagic trip in the ocean or if someone could drive the entire beach to the end.
Section #5: Team Leader needed! kayak/canoe/boat the Sedge Islands
Count Week starts on the 25th and ends on the 31st.
We will have a round up at a restaurant, maybe IHOP to go over the lists at 5pm. Place depends on how many people are going.
HABITAT DESCRIPTION This proposed count will consist of three main areas: 1. The entirety of Island Beach State Park from the entrance gate to the inlet (approximately 2,300 acres). 2. The portion of the Barnegat Bay and sedge islands within the count circle. 3. The portion of the Atlantic Ocean within the count circle. The park is roughly ten miles long with an average of a half mile width. "Island Beach represents a unique example of seashore vegetation, the only undisturbed and well-developed area of this kind of vegetation of any considerable size in New Jersey or the adjacent states." The minimal disturbances to the park as of the present are the jetty inlet, the center two-lane road, two bathing pavilions with parking, two former Coast Guard buildings, four buildings from the Phipps estate era, and numerous but small paved lots and unpaved access trails to the ocean and bay. Vestiges of mosquito ditches dug in the 1930's still exist as well as blowouts from at least two hurricanes including Sandy. The park vegetation is a mosaic of shore, primary dune, secondary dune and bayshore (peaty and sand) ecosystems. The major plant communities are grasslands, marshes, herb-shrub mixtures, thickets and woodlands. Vascular plant species number 267 with only two invasive species of significance: Carex kobomugi (Asiatic sand sedge) and Populus gileadensis (Hybrid popular).
The park has a very good road, as well as beach access and multiple trails to the ocean and bay. It is currently open dawn to dusk. The park is a major stopover for migratory birds as demonstrated by the numerous banding records. It has produced many state birding firsts starting with a Virginia Warbler.
CIRCLE CENTERPOINT Center Point is 5.1 miles offshore in the Atlantic Ocean from Island Beach State Park. Point placed to encompass the entirety of the park and adjacent Barnegat Bay without overlapping Lakehurst and Barnegat CBC territories.
Thanks for any help with this! Shawn Wainwright Toms River <ShawnEagleEyes1...>
Date: 12/21/24 6:05 am From: shayna marchese <shayna.marchese...> Subject: [JERSEYBI] Lower Hudson Christmas Bird Count - New Jersey results
The Lower Hudson Christmas Bird count was held Sunday, December 15, 2024.
For anyone unfamiliar, the Lower Hudson circle is divided up into NY and NJ
portions—New Jersey's are in parts of Hudson and Bergen Counties
<https://www.google.com/maps/d/u/0/edit?mid=1Q8nVfhmOEqbdsxC7FBGZzyEeGSnZpfdB&usp=sharing>.
In New Jersey, 11 groups counted 88 species, with an additional 7 seen
during the count week period. Many thanks to all who participated!
Date: 12/18/24 6:44 pm From: <00001f53b5636e64-dmarc-request...> Subject: [JERSEYBI] Bald Eagle recognition as national bird
Congress sends bipartisan
bald eagle bill to president
Jeremy Yurow
USA TODAY
A bipartisan bill that would officially recognize the bald eagle, one of America's most iconic animals, as the national bird will head to the desk of President Joe Biden for his signature after the House passed the legislation on Monday.
'My bipartisan legislation to recognize the Bald Eagle as our national bird just passed Congress and is now headed to the President's desk to be signed into law!' Sen. Amy Klobuchar confirmed on X. The bald eagle, which has been a symbol of the United States since it appeared on the Great Seal in 1782, has never been enshrined in law as the official national bird.
'Since the founding of our nation, the bald eagle has existed as a symbol of our country's independence, strength, and freedom. Prominently displayed on our official currency, military uniforms, and our government buildings, the bald eagle stands as the undisputed representative of the United States of America,' Rep. Brad Finstad, who helped lead the House effort with Rep. Angie Craig, said in a statement.
The legislation was introduced in June by Klobuchar and Sens. Markwayne Mullin, Cynthia Lummis and Tina Smith. The bill passed the Senate unanimously in July. Klobuchar said the bald eagle symbolizes 'freedom' and 'strength.'
'In Minnesota, we know a thing or two about eagles - we are home to one of the largest populations of bald eagles in the country as well as the National Eagle Center in Wabasha,' the senator added.
The National Eagle Center also played a role in pushing for the legislation. 'This is an exciting day,' said Preston Cook, co-chair of the center's National Bird Initiative. 'With this legislation, we honor its historic role and solidify its place as our national bird and an emblem of our national identity.'
The bald eagle, once on the brink of extinction, has made a 'remarkable' comeback in recent years after decades of conservation efforts, according to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.
The bird's population had been decimated by habitat loss, illegal shooting and food source contamination - largely the use of toxic DDT pesticides, the wildlife agency said. But in 2007, the bald eagle was removed from the federal list of threatened and endangered species.
Highlights of the 49th Sandy Hook CBC 12/15/2024 were count-first American Oystercatcher and Western Tanager, the latter at Spermaceti Cove. Other notables were American Bittern, No. Saw-whet Owl, No. House Wren, Lapland Longspur, and a count-week Prairie Warbler. The 120 species found was the highest species total in the count's history.
