Ditch (04/19/83)
Since this is my first submission to the net, let me
introduce myself: I am Rich Ditch at Bell Labs in Holmdel,
NJ. I live in Freehold, about a mile west of the Hospital,
just off Route 537 (for those familiar with the area). I am
a Director of the New Jersey Audubon Society (NJAS), and
Chairman of NJAS's Owl Haven Nature Center in Tennent, NJ.
I was prompted to post to the net following Bob Waldstein's
information on the Summit Feeder Survey. I will put
together similar info on our feeder in the next couple of
days (Our yard list now stands at 95 species).
In the meantime, I'll post some lists I have on line, such
as the 141 species recorded at Bell Labs in Holmdel, a
similar list for Monmouth Battlefield State Park in
Manalapan Township, and the 137 species I have seen in New
Jersey since January 1, 1983.
If you are a New Jersey birder, you should know about NJAS's
Rare Bird Alerts:
- North Jersey (primarily, but with state wide items of
import): (201) 766-2661. This tape is about 5 minutes
long, and is changed Wednesdays at 6 PM.
- South Jersey (Cape May, plus the Shore): (609) 884-
2626. This is usually changed on Thursday evenings.
Of special interest is an invasion of Phalaropes to the
Monmouth County Shore and inland ponds as a result of the
winds of last week. About 2 dozen Phalaropes, mostly Reds
but with a couple of Northerns, were at Avon and Sylvan Lake
on Friday and into Saturday. A single Red was at Sandy Hook
in a pond near North Beach Sunday. A single Red and a
Northern were on the front pond at Bell Labs, Holmdel on
Monday. These birds are easily approached to within 15
feet, making observation VERY easy. Who needs a pelagic
when they show up like this.
Also as a result of the winds, Indigo Buntings and an
Eastern Kingbird were found at Sandy Hook on Sunday, about 2
weeks ahead of schedule.
If anyone is interested, I will post info on NJAS sponsored
field trips.
Rich Ditch
BTL-HO (2H-608)
hound!5111rd
(201) 949-0436