Date: Mon, 20 Sep 1999 10:31:32 -0400
To: NJ rare bird alerts
From: Laurie Larson
Subject: Northern Wheatear information

Northern Wheatear, Hunterdon Co., update

Here is fuller N. Wheatear information from Don Freiday. I have not yet heard a report today (Monday).

From: "D. Freiday"  
To: 
Subject: Re: N. Wheatear, Correction
Date: Sun, 19 Sep 1999 10:49:01

Hi Laurie,

I searched intensively for the wheatear last night and for an hour this morning with no luck. 
Numerous birders were looking this a.m. As of 10:00 a.m., it had not re-appeared, so 
last sighting is currently 1 p.m. Sunday. 

Alternate/maybe better directions: I-78 to exit 11, Pattenburg. Go around circle after 
exiting and cross over I-78. At light immed. after crossing I-78, turn left. Go a few hundred 
yards, bear right at old church foundation onto Baptist Church Road. Park is on left ca. 0.5 miles, 
big brown sign. Gate does not open until 9:00, but birders can park outside gate & walk in. 
Bird was seen along entrance road and (last) in vicin. of parking lot.

Other birds there include Cape May Warbler in pines near lot, and I heard of a Connecticut 
W. on Sunday in thickets at bottom of hill. Also >15 kestrels, meadowlarks, savannah 
sparrows, etc. It'd be great if people could send me other sightings from Hoffman Park- 
since I'm Naturalist for the HCPS and we just got the place. Love to get some picnic table 
effect going. FYI fields there will be managed for grassland birds - bobolinks and 
grasshopper sp. breed for sure, kestrels and harriers common transients, though I haven't 
had a chance to thoroughly survey. I predict this will prove to be an excellent birding spot.

Don