My first trip of the year to New Jersey held the promise of some interesting winter birds. Before every visit, I sign up for eBird alerts for the area, and I was surprised to see very few recent reports from one of my favorite hotspots, Richard W. DeKorte Park. Still, spotting Bufflehead and Common Mergansers from a bridge on the New Jersey Turnpike felt like a good omen.
Frozen Lakes and a Slow Start
The purpose of the trip was an external audit at the Sandy Alexander headquarters. After an early flight and a long day, I headed straight to the hotel to rest up. By 6:30 the next morning, I was bundled up and on my way to DeKorte Park for some winter birding. It quickly became clear why the alerts had been quiet — most of the lakes were frozen solid, leaving very little open water. My hopes for a variety of ducks were reduced to a few Mallards and Hooded Mergansers, but the American Tree Sparrow and White‑throated Sparrow made the stop worthwhile.
Snow, Wind, and a New Birding Spot
The next morning, I tried a new spot: River Barge Park on the Hackensack River in Carlstadt. Birding was tough between the falling snow, steady wind, and 19‑degree temperatures, but the winter scenery was beautiful. I had nice looks at Bufflehead and Common Mergansers, along with three gull species. For the first time, I saw more Great Black‑backed Gulls than Ring‑billed Gulls — a reminder of how dynamic winter birding can be. A bonus Song Sparrow on the way out convinced me to get out of the warm car one more time.
A Winter Stop at Paterson Great Falls
Later that afternoon, I joined the CEO for a quick visit to Paterson Great Falls on the Passaic River. This is the second‑largest waterfall in the eastern United States (after Niagara) and was designated a National Natural Landmark in 1967. The roaring water framed by snow and ice was breathtaking, especially with a rainbow arcing through the mist. Birding was light, but we still found Mallards, Bufflehead, Ring‑billed Gulls, and Rock Pigeons.
Wrapping Up the Trip
After a successful audit, it was time to fly out of Newark and head home — with another birding adventure already waiting the next morning.
Trip Birds: 17
Life Birds: 0
Next up: Lake Apopka Birding Festival
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