WNJ Exclusive: Lark and Lincoln's sparrows among sparrow extravaganza in Dismal Swamp
The P. leucopus, also known as the white-footed mouse, was one of many wildlife species seen
in the Dismal Swamp, but Lark and Lincoln's sparrows ruled the day's findings.
by David Wheeler
On a gloomy day filled with intermittent rain, two birders had quite a day afield in the Dismal Swamp Conservation Area. Lark sparrows - an infrequent New Jersey visitor more commonly found in the American West -and Lincoln's sparrows were among the 10 species of sparrows found by birders Mike McGraw and Scott Quitel in the Hollywood Avenue wetlands and meadows area of South Plainfield today.
The birders also spotted a Cooper's hawk trying to find its lunch from the sparrow smorgasbord, which also included the endangered grasshopper sparrow along with swamp, white-throated, white-crowned, savannah, field, song, and chipping sparrows.
Though the sparrows ruled the day's findings, other birds spotted included a flushed American woodcock, palm and yellow-rumped warblers, and both New Jersey species of kinglets. A significant migration of blackbirds was passing through, with many rusty blackbirds joining the red-winged blackbirds and common grackles.
The Hollywood Avenue and Helen Street area, though edging along industrial streets, has long been a local favorite of birders for its rich wetlands, thick understory,running streams, and overgrown meadows. The wildlife oasis is also noted for its active beavers, woodpeckers and owls utilizing dead trees,and diverse reptile and amphibian species.
Other recent stories on the Dismal Swamp include:
Other recent stories on the Dismal Swamp include:
- WNJ Exclusive: Beaver and turtles on Sierra Club eco-tour of Dismal Swamp with WildNewJersey.tv
- WNJ Swamp Sightings: Midnight frog chasing in the Dismal Swamp
- WNJ Exclusive: December Kayaking the Dismal Swamp (part 1 of 2)
- WNJ Exclusive: December Kayaking the Dismal Swamp (part 2)
Posted by WILDNEWJERSEY at 10/28/2010 3:30 PM 
Categories: WNJ Exclusives, Dismal Swamp
Tags: cooper's hawk owls beavers Lark Sparrow reptiles blackbirds woodpeckers grackles chipping sparrows yellow rumped warblers Dismal Swamp Lincoln's Sparrow
Categories: WNJ Exclusives, Dismal Swamp
Tags: cooper's hawk owls beavers Lark Sparrow reptiles blackbirds woodpeckers grackles chipping sparrows yellow rumped warblers Dismal Swamp Lincoln's Sparrow
Comments