Manasquan River WMA 4/30--Eastern Kingbird, Wood Thrush, Prairie Warbler, Blue Grosbeak

Blurry Blue Grosbeak

On the last day of the month I decided to get away from the local area and see what the Manasquan River WMA had to offer. I added 4 year birds, but the two specialties I was hoping for--Louisiana Waterthrush and Blue-winged Warbler--were not to be found. Frustrating, especially since I know from another birder that I talked to there that Blue-winged was around.

However, I did see a Wood Thrush, which doesn't happen every year, and I tracked down a Blue Grosbeak by song, which made me proud. I heard a Prairie Warbler, which was disappointing in a way; I like to find my first one at Colliers Mills in the spot off Hawkin Road where they breed. 

The waterthrush is probably gone, but the Blue-winged Warblers hang around which means another trip up to Brick. I thought it might be empty in this WMA, yet I had to step aside for someone else on the trail more times than I liked.

34 species

Canada Goose  3

Mourning Dove  2

Herring Gull  15

Double-crested Cormorant  25

Turkey Vulture  2

Red-tailed Hawk  1

Red-bellied Woodpecker  3

Northern Flicker  1

Eastern Kingbird  1

Blue Jay  2    Heard

Carolina Chickadee  3

Tufted Titmouse  4

Ruby-crowned Kinglet  1

White-breasted Nuthatch  1    Heard

Blue-gray Gnatcatcher  4

House Wren  1

Carolina Wren  1    Heard

Gray Catbird  2

Eastern Bluebird  5

Wood Thrush  1

American Robin  25

American Goldfinch  1

Field Sparrow  7

White-throated Sparrow  1    Heard

Eastern Towhee  5

Red-winged Blackbird  10

Common Grackle  1

Ovenbird  10    Heard

Common Yellowthroat  5    Heard

Palm Warbler  2

Pine Warbler  1

Prairie Warbler  1    Heard

Northern Cardinal  1    Heard 

Blue Grosbeak