On the Wing #72: Visiting the Negri-Nepote Grasslands
Apologies for the late entry, but I have finally gotten around to writing this week's entry. This past Sunday I got the chance to visit a very cool place called the Negri-Nepote Native Grassland in Franklin Township, NJ. I came here after hearing that a pair of Dickcissels ( Spiza americana ) had been spotted the day prior. After arriving, the first birds I saw were the ubiquitous American Robins ( Turdus migratorius ) and a few pairs of Eastern Bluebirds ( Sialia sialis ), as well as hearing the jabbering song of a nearby House Wren ( Troglodytes aedon ). I'd come for two other species other than the rare Dickcissels. I found them within the first ten minutes and they were a sight to behold. The first life bird I got was a Grasshopper Sparrow ( Ammodramus savannarum ). This lovely male decided to survey his surroundings from atop this bird house support pole allowing for good pictures and lasting views. For such a furtive bird, being out in the open seemed unusual. How...