Spring Birds in Local Parks

The spring birds have finally arrived along the Raritan River and in the local parks (Donaldson and Johnson) and the winter birds have departed.The colorful mergansers (common, red breasted, and hooded) have flown north (although a laggard common merganser was seen last week in the river). Similarly, the occasional bufflehead and goldeneye are gone. The few wintering great cormorants have been replaced by the more numerous double crested cormorants, which can be seen fishing in the river and ponds of the parks.

The transient migratory warblers have come and gone. However, the common warblers, which nest in the area, the yellow-rumped warbler, yellow warbler, and the common yellow throat have arrived and can be found in the bushes and trees of the parks.

The more musical birds, the catbird, the mockingbird, and the northern oriole (Baltimore oriole) have also arrived in the parks and around town. The orioles with their bright color and striking “I am talking to you!” song are quite numerous this year.The warbling vireos and the Carolina wrens are singing “their hearts out”.

Shore birds such as the yellow-legs and sandpipers have also arrived and can be seen in the ponds, and the occasional puddles from the spring rains. Great egrets and black-crowned night heron are back and can be seen in both parks along the river and in the ponds.

The more majestic ospreys have arrived and can be seen flying high over the river. A few eagles have also been seen spotted up and down the river.

The robins, which never left the area, have returned in great numbers to the open fields of the parks.

Meanwhile in the last two weeks, the first baby Canada geese have been hatched in both parks.Geese families, two adults with two to eight or more goslings are wandering around the fields. Some of the babies have already grown five fold in size. Although the Canada goose is much maligned for its productivity of droppings, they are very good parents and protective of their offspring. As the goslings get to the “teen-age” phase, large numbers of these young adult geese are led around by two adults geese, which is technically known as “goosey day care”. In Johnson Park, over the past several years, a domestic goose has assumed a role as an “au pair”.

Enjoy the sights and sounds of the spring birds.