MONMOUTH AND MERCER COUNTY WINTER WEEKEND FEBRUARY 15 -16-

Long Eared Owl (one of five roosting together) Photo'd by Chalress Tang

Leader : Ryan Goldeberg

From: Ryan Goldberg
To: Peter Dorosh
Sent: Wed, Feb 26, 2020 11:28 am
Subject: NJ winter weekend trip report

Hi Peter,

Here is my report for the NJ winter weekend on Feb. 15-16 to Monmouth and Mercer counties. We had 10 total participants for what I thought was an outstanding trip to some beautiful spots (but you were there, so you can confirm!) with great camaraderie and spirits in the group.

Ring-necked Pheasant at the Mercer Meadows (Pole Farm) near Princeton .Photo'd by Chalres Tang

We saw close to 60 species at four stops over two days: On Saturday, Manasquan Reservoir in the morning (and a fire-side lunch at their visitor center) and then Pole Farm near Princeton in the afternoon. On Sunday, Mercer County Park and then Assunpink WMA. I'm sure everyone had their favorites, but the Tundra and Trumpeter Swans and Long-eared Owls at Assunpink and the Short-eared Owl at Pole Farm were the standouts for me. Oh, and the 250-odd Ring-necked Ducks at Assunpink!

Thanks to Karen O'Hearn for keeping the checklists:

Manasquan Reservoir: https://ebird.org/checklist/S64623271
Pole Farm: https://ebird.org/checklist/S64602187
Mercer County Park: https://ebird.org/checklist/S64623225
Assunpink WMA: https://ebird.org/checklist/S64602673

Manasquan Reservoir Public Visitors Center fireplace.

Here are some photos courtesy of Charles: https://photos.app.goo.gl/oCncCu1bCwWS3khk8

Attached are a few others. 

Participants: Ryan Goldberg (leader), Chris Laskowski (registrar), Angie Co, Tina Alleva, Dan Smith, Charles Tang, Peter Dorosh, Karen O'Hearn, Bobbi Manian, Adelia Honeywood

Lunch with a view of Manasquan Reservoir