Garret Mountain Birds

Inspired by Tom Walsh's and Dan Murray's posts to the New Jersey Birding list, we decided to go to Garret Mountain in West Paterson, NJ, in hopes of seeing the Hooded Warbler. We're glad we did because this is an adorable little bird.

We also saw a Ruby-Crowned Kinglet, an Eastern Towhee, and a Phoebe

Ruby-Crowned Kinglet


Eastern Towhee


Phoebe

The first thing we saw was a chipmunk with its mouth full.


Chipmunk

Female Towhee from Rutgers Newark

 

 

We saw a male eastern towhee but the bird didn't stay still long enough to photograph. Here's some photos of a calmer female towhee. Does this situation remind you of any people?

Birding at Liberty State Park

Eastern Towhee

Green-winged Teal

Mute Swan 

Gadwalls 

We went birding at Liberty State Park this AM. It was a bit overcast, but we saw a few migratory ducks. We left, went to city for gluten-free pizza at Pala Pizza, and then stopped at Dekorte Park in the Meadowlands when it was sunnier.

Eastern Towhee at Higbee

 

 

We arrived at Higbee Beach Wildlife Management Area in Cape May shortly before 7am and were surprised that the parking lot was already full. The Eastern Towhee was the first bird we were able to photograph. Mike saw him land at the top of a large tree and he stayed around for a few minutes singing loudly.