The Sabine's Gull was seen this morning at Merrill Creek Reservoir by a group at the "hawkwatch" location, the second access as you drive north on Fox Farm Rd. This is the parking area where scopes can be used to cover much (but not all) of the reservoir. The morning sun was reported to be very unfavorable there after it rose, and the bird was lost in the glare, but it is still present.

For Merrill Cr. Reservoir, refer to P. 28 of the NJ Delorme atlas. The exit for Merrill Creek is the last exit in New Jersey if you are westbound; the first exit if you are coming from Pennsylvania. Go north from Interstate 78 exit 3 on Rt. 22 (not 94 as I wrote yesterday) to Rt. 519 and turn right (north/east). Proceed to a right turn on Fox Farm Rd. (very roughly 2 miles). Fox Farm Rd. leads to the two parking areas, one next to a cell tower on a hilltop, the other about 1/2 mile ahead on the right. The bird was also seen yesterday, I've learned, from the trails near the Environmental Center. To reach this, continue circling the reservoir clockwise on Fox Farm Rd. I haven't been there in several years but I think there are directional signs for the center.

In other news, two LeConte's Sparrows were seen on Saturday 7 October. One was at Higbee Beach (Cape May) in the central hedgerow. The other was present for several days at Sandy Hook, in a field west of parking lot G near the weather station equipment. Both may still be present.