Wildlife – The Jersey Birder

Crossing the frozen Delaware River for a lifer

A horned lark forages on a snow-covered field on which black seeds have been liberally scattered.

We’re in a long stretch of frigid weather, and it was 6 degrees when I headed off yesterday morning for a birding jaunt with my ace birding pal Jim. Our first stop was a new one for me: the Trenton sewage ponds. Yes, the cement-framed pools at the Trenton sewage treatment plant near the edgeContinue reading “Crossing the frozen Delaware River for a lifer”

The juncos and sparrows performed in the storm

Song sparrow perched on a shepherd's hook beside a tube feeder full of bird seed.

The big storm that cut a wide swath across the country left about 8 inches of new snow on the ground at our home. The storm didn’t seem to bother the dark-eyed juncos and three varieties of sparrows that fed virtually all-day long at the feeders. I expected the house sparrows and wasn’t surprised toContinue reading “The juncos and sparrows performed in the storm”

Losing track of time while tracking birds

A red-bellied woodpecker clings to one of several trees in a wooded area.

Unexpectedly, I had a transformative experience while birding in the woods today. I had intended to drive to Trenton marsh but mistakenly took an early exit off Interstate 295 and decided to drive to Veterans Park in Hamilton. Once there, I skirted Martin’s Lake and headed onto the trail that runs along the lake’s southContinue reading “Losing track of time while tracking birds”

My 10 favorite bird photos of 2025

A female common yellowthroat, perched on a small brown branch in front of long green leaves, opens her beak wide to sing, almost appearing as if she's angry.

I’ve had a lot of fun reviewing the bird photos I took in 2025, and it took me several passes to sort out the top 10. Weirdly, on my first ranking, I discovered that a few of the birds that made my 2024 top 10 were included in my ’25 list. Was I playing favoritesContinue reading “My 10 favorite bird photos of 2025”

When raptors make a house call — at your own home

A bald eagle flies over the golf course, with a a flag for the 10th green at lower right.

I wasn’t able to leave home today to go birding, which makes what transpired this afternoon all the more remarkable. Early in the afternoon, just before my wife and I sat down for lunch, I looked out the dining room window and was astonished to see a hawk in the laurel tree that marks theContinue reading “When raptors make a house call — at your own home”

Eagles aplenty, and a visitor from the Arctic

My friend Jim and I crossed the Delaware River from Trenton this morning on a hunt for a rare visitor from the Arctic: a rough-legged hawk. Amazingly, we spotted the bird almost immediately, but the morning had much more in store for us. The rough-legged hawk had been reported the previous few days hunting aroundContinue reading “Eagles aplenty, and a visitor from the Arctic”

The Canada goose stands on guard

A "sentinel goose" looks to its righ as the geese behind it forage on the golf course grass.

From the fall through the winter and into spring, the golf course that sprawls just beyond our property line becomes a haven for Canada geese. I daresay the fairways of Cobblestone Creek Country Club see more takeoffs and landings in one day than Pearson Airport in Toronto. My wife and I generally are amused byContinue reading “The Canada goose stands on guard”

For the solstice, a harrier at sunset

A Northern harrier, its wingtips illuminated from behind by the setting sun, soars over a field and in front of bare trees in the background.

Today is the first full day of winter, and I found time in the afternoon to visit Trenton marsh while still buzzing about my visits to the Mercer Meadows Pole Farm yesterday. I joined a group of birders there Saturday morning hoping to spot for a second time the wayward Townsend’s warbler that had beenContinue reading “For the solstice, a harrier at sunset”

A rare Pole Farm visitor from the west: a Townsend’s warbler

Illustration showing yellow and black Townsend's warbler perched on a pine branch, with "Rare Bird Alert" in curved text at top of image.

We had a bit of birding excitement this week when a Townsend’s warbler was spotted at the Mercer Meadows Pole Farm. Word got out Wednesday afternoon, and I hoped when I’d be able go to the park on Thursday that the bird would still be around. I got to the park around 9 a.m. and,Continue reading “A rare Pole Farm visitor from the west: a Townsend’s warbler”

A rare chance to see birds in snow

A dark-eyed junco perches on a slender arc of brown grass, with snowy ground in the background.

With the snow falling this morning, I headed to the Mercer Meadows Pole Farm hoping to get some good shots. These years, we typically get only a few snowfalls, so when the white stuff comes down, I’m extra eager to get out with my camera. The gate to the Cold Soil Road parking lot wasContinue reading “A rare chance to see birds in snow”