January 2016 Birding in Bergen

        104 species have been identified this month to start off the new year. January started off warm, 40 degrees in most areas. Bergen County had lots of open water. Winter ducks had started to arrive but numbers were low in most areas. Only 1 Canvasback was seen in Richard DeKorte Park during the first week. About a dozen were seen by mid-month. This number is very low for the winter. But, on January 29, 203 were counted in DeKorte! The lakes and ponds froze by mid-month and ducks moved to the rivers. Lake Tappan, Oradell Reservoir, Merhoff Pond in Little Ferry and The Meadowlands held most of the ducks. Among the rare ducks seen in January, multiple Redhead were spotted in Franklin Lakes, American Wigeon were seen at The Celery Farm, Darlington Park and DeKorte, a single Common Goldeneye was on the Hackensack River at Saw Mill Creek during the end of the month and a single Long-tailed Duck was in the river south of River Barge Park on the 29th. Pied-billed Grebes were seen at Oradell Res., Saw Mill Creek, Passaic River in Garfield and Merhoff Pond.
        3 Great Egrets were seen the first week on January in DeKorte Park and multiple Great Blue Herons were seen in around the county including the reservoirs, The Meadowlands and Saw Mill WMA along the Hackensack. A single Black-crowned Night Heron was seen in Saw Mill WMA. A dozen or so American Coots were seen on the Hackensack River near Saw Mill Creek.
        Raptors were somewhat hard to find with the exception of Bald Eagles. They were seen along any of the 3 rivers (Hackensack, Passaic and Hudson) as well as the reservoirs. Some folks saw 6-10 birds in a day. Although Disposal Rd. in The Meadowlands had been "slow" for raptors this winter, all 3 Falcons, Sharp-shinned and Cooper's Hawk, Red-tailed and Northern Harrier were seen throughout The Meadowlands region. Most of the hawks were seen throughout the county as well. Red-shouldered Hawks were seen at The Celery Farm. On January 29, the first Rough-legged hawk of the year was spotted in DeKorte. 4 species of Owls, Barn, Screech, Great-horned and Barred have been spotted this month. No sightings of any winter owls (Long-earred, Short-earred or Saw-whet) were reported.
       Ravens continue to be spotted all around the county with numerous sightings in The Meadowlands district, The Palisades, The Celery Farm and the Ramapo Mountains. American Crows and Fish Crows are staging and roosting in Elmwood Park, near the Passaic River. The group numbers over 3000 birds.
       As for the passerines, a single Marsh Wren was seen and heard the first few days of January in DeKorte, but not after the 4th. Brown Creeper was at The Celery Farm as was Winter Wren. Winter Wren was also spotted at Teaneck Creek. Both Kinglets were seen around the area. Hermit Thrush was seen at Losen Slote. Bluebirds were seen in Mary Patrick Park and in Mahwah. Brown Thrasher was spotted at The Celery Farm and Teaneck Creek. Gray Catbird was seen in Mahwah and Oradell. Carolina Wrens seemed to make it through the cold stretch and have been seen throughout the county. Yellow-bellied Sapsuckers were spotted in a few locations but have been scarce. A Pileated Woodpecker gave real nice views at Halifax Rd. mid-month. 3 Warbler species were seen, all in DeKorte Park. Palm Warbler, Yellow-rumped Warbler and Orange-crowned were seen early in the month. Orange-crowned was spotted again the last week. Another bird was spotted on the 21st at Teaneck Creek, a first for that location. Blackbirds have been scarce as well as Grackles, but they will soon come back. Rusty Blackbirds have been seen at The Celery Farm, Teaneck Creek and 41 were seen at Overpeck Park. Others were seen in Franklin Lakes and Demarest. The regular sparrows are being seen around the county in smaller numbers with White-crowned Sparrows being seen in The Meadowlands, the best spot in the county for them. Purple Finches have been reported at The Celery Farm and Pine Siskins have been reported in the northern part of the county at private feeders.

I've added 2 gadgets to the blog to help track bird sightings, Bird Trax and Accubirder. both are powered by eBird. Some of the rare birds seen this month are below.