My latest Bird Watcher column in The Record and Herald-News features some birdy New Years resolutions and readers' bird ornament contributions. I am including a few pix here. 

Thanks to everyone who wrote and sent photos!  Happy holidays!

The link is here.

More photos follow.

Julie McCall is right: This amazing owl has nictitating membranes over its eyes, an expensive but wise addition to this sort of raptor, which can get mobbed by other plastic birds.

Seymour Drakes photographed this nocturnal raptor on Saturday's CBC. Notice anything unusual  (aside from the fact it's made of plastic).

Seymour would not say where he saw it because it is his personal policy to not disclose owl locations. 

Spent the morning with a great group on one of the Ramsey Circle counts -- we had 36 species, a new record for that territory, or at least that's what we are saying. (Thanks, everybody!)

Highlights came mostly in Darlington Park, with Am. Coot, Bufflehead, Am Wigeon, GW Teal, Gadwall and Mallard, plus Red-tailed and Red-shouldered Hawk, Am. Coot and (my favorite) Belted Queenfisher (above).

Pix of four more of these species photographed from a distance this morning follow. (Top that for awkward phrasing!)

Franklin Turnpike is supposed to be blocked off from East Allendale to Crescent through Tuesday for PSE&G work that was supposedly finished last month.

Might need to park on Pittis and walk to the Celery Farm if you are visiting...