Teaser 101513 Answered

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This is a Lincoln’s Sparrow, banded at NJMC’s banding station. Dennis Cheeseman added the hat, even though this sparrow was not named for our 16th president — James Jay Audubon named it for Thomas Lincoln, who was Audubon’s traveling companion on a trip to Labrador in 1833 and who reportedly collected the first specimen.

Congrats to all who ID’d it correctly. And a tip of the hat to Dennis Cheeseman.

Disposal Road Surprise

Roy Woodford writes:

I found this Black Rat Snake catching a tan on Disposal Road on Sunday.

He was not very happy to see me.  He took a few swipes at the camera while I took the shots.  At least I got a good pose out of it.

Roy’s snake shot follows (scroll down a little).  We posted this way so that folks who hate snakes don’t have to see it. (Thanks, Roy!)
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A Nifty Walk This Morning

DSCN7672More than a dozen folks participated in this morning’s Third Tuesday of the Month walk at Losen Slote Creek Park in Little Ferry, sponsored by the Meadowlands Commission and the fine folks at Bergen County Audubon Society.

Highlights included an (accidentally flushed) American Woodcock, three Sharpies (who sure made a lot of dickie birds go to ground), and some Eastern Towhees.

Saw a lot of Yellow-rumps, and then a lot of White-throats — sort of a changing of the guard.

Will post the full list later this week. (Thanks to all who shared this wonderful, slightly challenging  autumn walk.)

Tuesday Teaser-palooza 101513

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Who’s this sparrow?

To give you an added incentive, we are offering a prize to the person who correctly identifies the most Tuesday Teasers in October and November. (In the case of a tie, the winner’s name will be drawn from a cap.)

The prize? Rick Wright of WINGS Birding Tours is graciously donating a copy of “The Warbler Guide” by Tom Stephenson and Scott Whittle. (Thanks, Rick!)

There will be nine total weeks of Teasers, some easy, some tough. Please e-mail your bird-ID to Jim Wright each Tuesday by midnight (just click” e-mail us” in the right-hand column of this blog). IDs received after midnight will not be counted. Also, the “comments” section of the Teaser will be closed so no one can post their answer.  (Just trying to be fair.)

Nelson’s Sparrow Reported at DeKorte

Valerie Knipping writes:

Today about 1:30 I saw the Nelson’s Sparrow hanging out with a small flock of Yellow-rumped Warblers.

The best way I can describe the location that I saw the bird was on the north side of the loop that extends into the Teal Pool between the start of the loop and the two brown benches in front of the pine trees. There is a somewhat large low shrub on the left side of the path where it was feeding.

I tried to take a picture several times, but since I didn’t have my eyeglasses I was unable to keep my eye on the sparrow and then the viewfinder. How disappointing.

Thanks, Valerie!