A presentation by librarian and amateur birdwatcher Matt Latham on finding wild birds in New Jersey during the winter months. Includes which birds you can find, where/when to look and how to find them.
1. P R E S E N T A T I O N B Y
M A T T L A T H A M
Winter Birdwatching in New
Jersey
2. Skills of Identification
1) Physical appearance
Plumage
Size
Shape
Variability sometimes between
sexes, ages and subspecies
2) Voice
Calls
Songs
3) Range
Preferred habitats
Geographic range of a species
4) Behaviors – immediate
Flight
Hunting (food type)
Breeding
Idiosyncrasies
5) Behaviors - larger
Migration
Breeding
Nesting
Nocturnal, diurnal and/or
crepuscular
3. Physical Appearance
Things to study:
Overall Shape
Overall Size
Colors
Tail, under
side, topside, head, beak, legs
, wings (top and
bottom), patterns, variations
Feather layout
Wing shape
Tail size
Head size
Beginner Tools
Study silhouettes
http://www.birds.cornell.ed
u/AllAboutBirds/birding123
/identify/silhouette -
Study bird parts
http://www.birds.cornell.edu
/AllAboutBirds/birding123/i
dentify/field_marks/docume
nt_view
Relative to major families
Field guides often provide
these tools (Sibley Guide)
4. Physical Appearance 2
Variations
Using Plumage
Plumage CAN vary by gender, age, subspecies, molting
and conditions
Conditions meaning wear and tear on the feathers due to
weather, life conditions, etc.
Molt variation – during, before, after, different stages of molting
Size difference
Individual birds simply have variation
That‟s why plates are often better for studying than photographs
5. Voice
Songs
Mating rituals
General communication
Calls
Position
Warning
Flight calls
Basic communication
1) Recognition of voice can help distinguish similar species
example – Greater and Lesser Yellowlegs
http://www.birds.cornell.edu/AllAboutBirds/BirdGuide/Gre
ater_Yellowlegs.html
http://www.birds.cornell.edu/AllAboutBirds/BirdGuide/Les
ser_Yellowlegs.html
2) Identify birds not in sight
6. The Alarm of the Forest
Blue Jay example
The Blue Jay is prone to making an alarm call when there are
any intruders, predators or most any movement in their area.
Thus, they are often known as the Alarm of the Forest, as they
let all other animals know of an intruder presence.
http://www.birds.cornell.edu/AllAboutBirds/BirdGuide/Blue
_Jay.html
7. Range
Deals with the geographic
range in which species can
normally occur
Where birds
breed, nest, winter and
over what area they
migrate
Includes large areas of
habitat that birds will use
Important in helping to
locate birds first
Also, very helpful in
making an identification
A tricky ID may be solved if a
possibility for the ID would
be very far out of range and
habitat
8. Migration
Why?
Flying north for the
summer
Less competition for
resources
Less predators
Flying south for the
winter
Escape harsh
weather, loss of
food, resources
9. Immediate Behaviors
Flying
Gliding vs flapping
Smooth vs erratic
Bobbing up and down
Goldfinch
Breeding
Calls
Movements
Prominence
Positioning
Ex: Perched on display
Idiosyncratic behaviors
Specific to individual species or
families
Diurnal vs Nocturnal
Nesting
Type of nest
Location of nest
Ground, tree, etc.
Materials used
Hunting
Hovering
Perched
chasing
Mobbing
Some species prone to this
behavior
Crows, Jays, Red-winged
Blackbirds
10. Long-term Behaviors
Migration habits
Distance traveled
All at once / in intervals
Follow ridge tops / coasts
Travel by night or day
Breeding, Nesting and
Wintering habits
Diurnal vs Nocturnal
Pair for life vs other
breeding habits
Mute Swan vs. Red-
winged Blackbird
11. Habitat
Knowing the preferred
habitat for a species can
be one of the best ways to
locate AND identify birds
Often, identifying a bird
can rely on whether that
species belongs in a
certain habitat
Some species are very
adaptable to a variety of
habitats
Some require a very
specific habitat
Canada Goose vs. Bank
Swallow
12. Major Types of Habitats In the North America
Forest
Boreal
Riparian Woodland
Mixed Deciduous
Northern Hardwood
Wetlands
Freshwater Marshes
Saltmarshes and Tidal Flats
Lakes and Ponds
Rivers and Streams
Ocean
Upwelling
Coastal
Dunes, shoreline, bays, estuarie
s, etc.
Estuary
Mangrove
Grasslands
Few remaining areas in NJ
Edge Habitat
Successional
Stages of growth between
forest and plains
Shrub land important habitat
Area between 2 different
habitats – transitioning
Agricultural
Human related
Cities
Urban parks
Parking lots
Killdeer
Many more…
Garbage dumps
13. The A.O.U. Check-list of North American
Birds, Seventh Edition
American Ornithologists‟ Union
Previously classified by visual and behavioral
similarity
Now mostly derived from genetic connections
http://www.aou.org/checklist/index.php3 -
14. My Bird Groupings -
Northeastern America
Waterfowl
Ducks, geese, swans, loons
and grebes
Hawks and Allies
Hawks, Falcons, Eagles, Vult
ures and Osprey
Shore / oceanic
Gulls, terns, shearwates, petr
als, pelicans, gannets, brandt
, sandpipers, etc.
Owls
Songbirds – Warblers
Forest dwelling
Flycatchers, Jays, woodpecke
rs, tanagers
Field dwelling / grassland
Sparrows, finches, larks, bunt
ings
Marsh dwelling
Herons, ibis, sandpipers, coot
, egret
Easy to remember
Mostly black colored
Crow, raven, blackbirds, cowb
irds, starling, grackle, catbirds
Everything else
15. Know the Local Common Species
American Robin
Northern Cardinal
Black-capped Chickadee
Tufted Titmouse
Cedar Waxwing
Gray Catbird
Brown-headed Cowbird
American Crow
Turkey Vulture
Red-tailed Hawk
Great Blue Heron
Mallard
Canada Goose
16. Invasive, Non-Native Species
Invasive, non-native species can take habitat from
other native species, occupy niches that push other
birds out, and even steal nests.
House Sparrow
European Starling
Mute Swan
Rock Dove (pigeon)
17. Winter NJ Birding
Where to go: coast, lakes, open
water, grasslands, and sometimes edge and forests
What to see: waterfowl, sea birds, finches, owls and
wintering hawks, snow geese, larks, etc.
Things to remember:
you are looking for either WINTERING birds or YEAR
ROUND RESIDENTS
At the beginning and end of winter, you can catch early/late
migrants (spring/fall)
18. Types of Habitats Good for birding in winter
Unique wintering bird NJ habitats:
Ocean
Shore
Lakes and Rivers
Grasslands
*Edge
Can still find birds in every habitat type
**Bird feeders
19. What Birds to See in Which Habitat
Ducks, Geese, and related species
Lakes, Shore, Ocean, rivers
Sparrows, larks, buntings
Grasslands, Edge habitat
Wintering Hawks and Owls
Edge, open fields, forests
20. Year Round Residents
Northern Cardinal
Blue Jay
Black-capped Chickadee
American Crow
Mallard
Great Blue Heron
Red-tailed Hawk
Canada Geese
Cedar Waxwing
American Robin
Eastern Bluebird
White-breasted Nuthatch
Brown Creeper
Woodpeckers
Herring Gull
And a few others…
21. Waterfowl – great time of year
Many species Winter in New Jersey
Southern Migration:
September early, November peak
Northern Migration
February and March
22. Ducks and Allies to Look For
Green-winged Teal
Common Merganser
Mallard
Northern Pintail
Bufflehead
American Wigeon
Gadwall
American Black Duck
Northern Shoveler
Long-tailed Duck
Red-head
Harlequin Duck
Canvasback
Lesser and Greater Scaup
White-winged and other Scoters
Ruddy Duck
Common Goldeneye
Ruddy Duck
Hooded Merganser
Red-breasted Merganser
Ring-necked Duck
Common Eider
King Eider
46. My Favorite Winter Locations in New Jersey
Meadowlands
Round Valley
Merrill Creek
Swartswood Lake / Culver‟s Lake
Liberty State Park
Shark River Inlet
Cape May
Various points along the shore
Liberty Loop
Layton/Walpack
48. Meadowlands (Dekorte/Sawmill Creek)
What to see:
A dozen species of duck
Wintering hawks
Rough-
legged, Harrier, Red-tailed
Sparrows and allies
Random rare birds
Eurasian Green-winged
Teal
Possible Snowy Owl
In spring/fall/summer =
tons of wading and shore
birds too
Description:
Mudflats, large
marsh, open water, reed
marsh, some scrub and
tree area
Great in many seasons
Best place in Hudson
county
*American Woodcock
49. Meadowlands
Drive to Dekorte Park – park near the Meadowlands
Commission building and the observatory
Walk along the water facing the highway – same side as
Meadowlands commission
Teal, mallards, ring-necks
Scan the open water near the building and then in the
next „pool‟ on the left
Often mudflat in spring/summer – some of the best duck birding
Continue and scan the pool to the right and then move
onto the 2 big pool areas
More great duck birding / deeper water
Spotting scope suggested
51. Liberty State Park
What to see
Ducks
Wintering Raptors
Some ocean birds
*Snowy Owl
http://www.youtube.com/w
atch?v=pYiBTTSzxUc
Description
Field, edge, riverfront, me
adows, some marsh
Good for some ducks and
ocean birds
Recent years have hosted
a wintering snowy owl
along with the
Meadowlands
53. Round Valley
Begin walk at entry
beach
Walk around the
peninsula hugging the
water toward the
swimming area
Scan water with
binoculars
Spotting scope
recommended
54. Round Valley
Hunterdon County
Description: Deep, in-
land lake (reservoir)
Good habitat for
dabbling and diving
ducks
One of few inland places
to see ducks that require
deep water
Long-tailed
Duck, Scoters, Eiders
(rare)
What to look for:
Ducks
Long-tailed
Duck, Scoters, Eiders, Gre
bes, Loons
Gulls
56. Spruce Run
Hunterdon County
Description:
Wandering glacier lake
Forest and some open
fields
Drive around lake and
stop at most points
where you can get a good
look at the water
Spotting scope suggested
What to see:
Common Loon
Pied-pilled Grebe
Possible other Grebes
Variety of wintering and
migratory ducks until
Summer/Spring/Fall
Marsh/shore birds
Vireo/flycatchers
warblers
59. Swartswood Lake
Sussex County
Description: Glacial lake surrounded by
woodland, and some marsh
3 bodies of water: Swartswood Lake, Little
Swartswood Lake, Duck Pond
Recreation, park, swimming, beach areas
Ideal inland lake spot for migrating waterfowl
60. Swartswood Lake
What to See:
A dozen species of duck / mostly inland ducks
Loons and grebes
Colony of Cormorants on island
Bald Eagle nest on Little Swartswood
Forest birds
Bluebird resident population
Some field birds
61. Swartswood Lake
Main Waterfowl to see:
Redhead
Mallard
Bufflehead
Common Merganser
Hooded Merganser
Green-winged Teal
Ring-necked Duck
American Wigeon
Common Goldeneye
Pied-billed Grebe
Possibilities:
Horned Grebe
Common Loon
Long-tailed Duck
Common Eider
63. Merrill Creek
Warren County NJ
Description: large lake with surrounding woods and
some scrub area
What to see: Snow Geese, ducks, sparrows
Good site for seeing many different inland duck
species during migration.
Excellent place to see migrating Snow Geese flocks
Also the site of a Hawk Watch
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fCBa4XfKtbk
64. Manasquan / Shark River Inlet
Monmouth County
Description: Large area in several towns surrounding
the estuary
Large estuary
Shoreline
Ponds and small lakes
Marshes
Fields
65. Manasquan / Shark River Inlet
Usually open water, even in middle of winter
What to see: ducks, loons, grebes (Red-necked
Grebe), Purple Sandpipers, Gannets, Gulls, + lots
more
Overall great place to go – lots to look at
Suggested: car birding (especially in
winter), scope, warm clothes, map
69. Liberty Loop
Northern Sussex County
Description: large
marshlands, wetlands, riparian, and scrub area
surrounded by forest
What to see: when not frozen – ducks, sandpipers.
Also, Northern Harrier, Rough-legged Hawk Short-
eared Owl, sparrows
Excellent place overall any time of year. One of only
places good for Rough-legged Hawk in NJ
Walk the loop (2 miles)
71. Alpha Grasslands
Warren County NJ
Description: one of only “grassland” type habitats in
the state
Good for Larks, buntings, and other grassland
species
Farmland alongside a road –simply park along road
and wander up and down road – don‟t go on grass as
its private property
73. Brigantine
Atlantic County
Description: Huge tidal marsh and shoreline wetland
What to see: when not frozen, huge #s of
shorebirds, sandpipers, and allies
Also, wintering hawks, sparrows, wintering
shorebirds
$5 donation – drive your car around the several mile
loop, pulling over to get out and scan
Scope necessary
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j7YZ3XzQ3pk
75. Cape May
Cape May County
Description: best place to birdwatch in NJ, possible
in North America
Perfect location for nearly all migrants
Lots of different habitats –
shoreline, wetlands, riparian, fields, scrubs, sand
dune forest, etc.
In Winter: rare wintering birds, hawks, grassland
species, ducks, shorebirds, ocean birds, etc.
76. Good Books
Peterson‟s Guide
Sibley‟s Guide
Bird Finding in New Jersey
Stokes Audio Field Guide
77. Bird Watching Clubs and Environmental Centers
Sussex County Bird Club
Cape May Bird Observatory
Great Swamp
Sandy Hook
Essex County Environmental Center
Tenafly Nature Center
Sherman-Hoffman
78. Online Resources
Online Guides / General
Info
AllAboutBirds – online guide
from Cornell Labs
http://www.birds.cornell.edu
/AllAboutBirds/
eNature – guide to many
animals, plants
http://www.enature.com
Weather / Predictions
Woodcreeper blog -
http://www.woodcreeper.com/
Birding forecast blog, Cape May Bird -
http://www.birdcapemay.org/forecast.sh
tml
Informative / Reports /
Sightings
Voice of NJ Audubon
Birdingonthenet
Jerseybirds
http://www.princeton.edu/~l
larson/njb/jbird.html
Sussex County bird club
http://www.sussexbirdclub.org
Rare Bird Alert (online AND
Hotline)
Meadowlands Commission
Blog - http://www.meadowblog.net
Delaware Valley -
http://www.dvoc.org/DelValBirding/Sigh
tings.htm
eBird
79. Events Linked with Birdwatching
Christmas Bird Count
http://www.audubon.org/Bird/cbc/
World Series of Birding
http://www.birdcapemay.org/wsob.shtml
Great Backyard Bird Count
http://www.audubon.org/gbbc/
Pelagics
http://www.paulagics.com/
ABA Big Day
http://www.aba.org/bigday/
80. Local and NJ Events
Pelagics
Bird walks
Nature Conservancy
http://www.nature.org/wherewework/northamerica/states/newjersey/ev
ents/
NJ Audubon
http://www.njaudubon.org/calendar/
Great Swamp
http://www.friendsofgreatswamp.org/
Sherman-Hoffman
http://www.njaudubon.org/Centers/Scherman/
Sussex County Bird Club
http://www.sussexbirdclub.org/
Meadowlands Commission
http://www.meadowblog.net/
81. Birdwatching Groups
National Organizations
Audubon Society
NJ Chapter
http://www.njaudubon.org/
American Birding
Association
http://www.americanbirding.org
Local
Sussex County Bird Club
http://www.sussexbirdclub.org/
Friends of the Great
Swamp
http://www.friendsofgreatswamp.org/
Scherman-Hoffman
http://www.njaudubon.org/Centers/Sche
rman/