Female Belted Kingfisher

 

 

This stick provides hours of entertainment. We can always count on someone to be out there.

Buffleheads on Lake Nelson

 

 

 

 

Mike saw two male bufflehead fly in early this morning. We watched them for a while, took some photos, but decided to go to Lenape Park in search of a red headed woodpecker. When we got back home, there were five male and one female bufflehead. We stayed outside watching them for most of the sunny afternoon. They did fly at dusk, but we aren't sure if it was a short flight within the lake or if they were continuing their migration.

(The group photos are better if you enlarge by clicking on them).

Red-Headed Woodpecker

 

Mike has been wanting to see a red-headed woodpecker for some time. Chris got a glimpse of one in Cape May this spring. There was even talk of a vacation to where they spend the winter. However, on the JerseyBirds mailing list (see Jersey Birding Links on the right), someone reported seeing one near us. So, we took off this morning following the directions exactly:

There was one, possibly two, Red-headed Woodpeckers in Lenape Park in Cranford this morning at 9:00. Park in the lot off of Kenilworth Boulevard. Walk on the dyke towards Westfield (going away from Kenilworth Boulevard). Stop about ten feet past the first sign on the dyke and look to the right. The adult bird was very active and vocal. This is the same location where this species showed up a few years ago and was present for the winter.

We are posting this picture for Kenny, who we met there but unfortunately arrived a little too late today for the red-headed woodpecker. We saw flickers, red-bellied, and downies as well, but the red-headed woodpecker was what we were after. Thanks Hank.

Below is a picture of the tree that shows that woodpeckers are present.

 

Sparrow from Lenape Park

 

Here's a nice sparrow photo. Not sure what type.

Backyard Birds: Yellow Bellied Sapsucker and White-breasted Nuthatch

Yellow Bellied Sapsucker

White-breasted Nuthatch

These birds are more frequent visitors to our yard with the cooler weather.

Cormorant for Kenny

 

When we ran into Kenny at Lenape Park, he said he had heard of our blog and our fascination with cormorants. So, that sounds like an excuse for posting one more.

Brown Creeper at Sandy Hook: Photo by Jeff

 

I watched this little guy for several minutes winding his way up,down and around the tree until he decided to hold still long enough to get a pic.