Today was a very successful day of birding in Hunterdon Co.  We began the afternoon near the Solberg Airport where there were no new life species, but I did pick up Northern Mockingbird, American Kestrel, and Northern Harrier for 2013.

We were also hoping for a Ring-necked Pheasant a friend had surprised one there a few days ago, but instead we found the remains of at least 2-3 Ring-necked Pheasants and one wild turkey.  In total there were seven or so carcasses.  The area has been a good one for hawks and owls alike as we found owl pellets near one set of remains, and he has had luck finding short-eared owls in the vicinity.

After a light rain, we changed locations and headed up to Round Valley were we struck gold.  We had debated between stopping for food or pushing onward.  As we arrived, I joked, “We are staying until we find a Common Loon – even if it means ordering a pizza to Round Valley.”  Before the car was even in park, he exclaimed “Look, a loon!” and he presented me with a loon.  Truth be told, I didn’t believe him and almost refused to look the third times.  It was there waiting for us at the boat ramp.   In fact there were two; one of whom swallowed a very large fish.

While we were scanning the swimming area, he directed the scope on a pair of birds, urging me to describe them.  I looked at them…. a dark brownish-red head, gray body, finishing in black…. Redhead.  New life species!

Solberg Airport: Black Vulture (1) Turkey Vulture (5) Red-tailed Hawk (5) Northern Mockingbird (4) Common Raven (1) Blue Jays Song Sparrow White-throated Sparrow Northern Cardinal Mourning Doves Tufted Titmouse American Kestrel (1) Eastern Bluebird (6) Carolina Chickadee (1) – trills faster than its northern cousin Carolina Wren (1) A Murder of American Crows Northern Harrier (3) – females only Ring-neck Pheasant (heard only)

Round Valley: Pileated Woodpecker Turkey VultureRed-tailed HawkAmerican Coot Ring-billed Gull Ring-necked Duck (1) Mallard Lesser Scaup Bufflehead Hooded Merganser Ruddy Duck Canada Geese Snow Geese Lesser Black-backed Gull Common Loon (2) Redhead (2)

New Life Species total: 2
New 2013 Species: 10