Bird Status & Distribution

The notes below indicate the current status of these birds to the best of my knowledge. Information has been gleaned from various sources including eBird, Records of NJ Birds, and personal communications. …. For a more detailed status of each species state-wide, see Bill Boyle’s book. Any updates and corrections to the information below are appreciated. If a species is not listed, it is because I have found no records of sightings in the county.

Need status descriptions – put on bottom

<<WORK IN PROGRESS - Only done with ducks, geese, and swans so far.>>

Ducks, Geese, and Swans

Greater White-fronted Goose –  rare fall migrant and winter visitor. Usually found in large fields among other goose species. Rutgers Busch Campus and Johnson Park have had multiple reports. 

Snow Goose - Uncommon migrant usually seen in large flocks overhead. Large fields in the more rural parts of the county may house winter populations (e.g., Monroe)

Ross's Goose- No known recent county sightings. Flocks of Snow Geese are worth checking in winter.

Brant – Common to abundant in late fall, winter, and early-mid spring along Raritan Bay and the Arthur Kill. Rare away from the coast.

Cackling Goose – Rare winter visitor typically found in flocks of Canada Geese.

Canada Goose – Common to abundant at all seasons. Resident populations are supplemented by migrants in winter.

Mute Swan – Uncommon resident with numbers increased in winter by migrants. The Raritan River has small populations as well as some ponds and lakes in the county.

Tundra Swan – Rare migrant and winter resident. Large lakes like Tarnofsky and Duhernal are worth checking.

Wood Duck – Uncommon summer resident on wooded wetlands and ponds. Uncommon winter resident.

Gadwall – Common spring and fall migrant and winter resident. They likely breed in small pockets in places like Raritan Center.

American Wigeon - Uncommon spring and fall migrant and winter resident.

Eurasian Wigeon - Rare winter visitor. Recent reports have all been from the Perth Amboy waterfront and Arthur Kill.

American Black Duck – Permanent resident, common in winter and migration, uncommon summer resident.

Mallard – Abundant year-round resident.

Blue-winged Teal – Uncommon to rare migrant and very rare winter resident.

Northern Shoveler – Uncommon migrant and winter resident. Possible summer resident.

Northern Pintail – Uncommon migrant and winter resident.

Green-winged Teal – Uncommon migrant and winter resident. 

Canvasback – Rare winter resident on Raritan Bay and along the Raritan River.

Redhead – Rare winter visitor on Raritan Bay and at inland lakes. In March 2011, a few were present on Duhernal Lake in East Brunswick. Major's Pond in Sayreville also hosted them for a number of years. 

Ring-necked Duck – Uncommon to common migrant and winter resident on lakes and ponds. Rare on Raritan Bay. Large numbers can be sometimes seen at Lake Tarnofsky. 

Greater Scaup – Common to abundant winter resident on Raritan Bay. Rare elsewhere.

Lesser Scaup – Uncommon along Raritan Bay and Raritan River. (Need to validate this one further)

Harlequin Duck – Very rare winter visitor on Raritan Bay. No known recent sightings. 

Surf Scoter – Uncommon on Raritan Bay in winter and during migration. Possible on other bodies of water, but there are no reports in eBird away from Raritan Bay.

White-winged Scoter – Rare on Raritan Bay during winter and migration. Very rare on the Raritan River with one known sighting of 4 birds in May 2011.

Black Scoter - Uncommon on Raritan Bay in winter and during migration. Possible on other bodies of water, but there are no reports in eBird away from Raritan Bay.

Long-tailed Duck – Common winter resident on Raritan Bay. Can become abundant during some winters.

Bufflehead – Common winter resident on Raritan River, Raritan Bay, and other larger bodies of water.

Common Goldeneye – Uncommon winter visitor on Raritan Bay and the Raritan River. They are frequently seen near the Landing Lane Bridge in New Brunswick. 

Hooded Merganser – Common winter resident along the Raritan River and at other lakes and ponds throughout the county.

Common Merganser – Common winter resident on Raritan River and other large bodies of water. Possible breeder along the Raritan. 

Red-breasted Merganser – Common winter resident on Raritan Bay. Rare inland in the winter. Individuals typically linger into April and even into May.