Henslow's Sparrow

A Henslow's Sparrow was found singing at the Willowwood Arboretum in Morris County, New Jersey for several weeks in the summer of 2001. This is a very rare visitor to our area and it was important to treat this bird with great care. It is possible the bird may return.

Please be sure when you visit to behave responsibly:

• Park in the designated parking area at the bottom of the hill
• Stay on the road or the mowed edges when viewing the bird... do NOT walk across the fields
• The use of tapes is absolutely forbidden !

© Karl Lukens - July 2001

Song of the Henslow's Sparrow
recorded at Willowwood Arboretum, NJ on July 4, 2001
© Don Jones

© Karl Lukens - July 2001

DIRECTIONS:
The arborteum is located in Morris County, just north of the Hunterdon and Somerset county border - DeLorme Atlas & Gazetteer P.30 I4

- follow RT 206 NORTH above RT 78
- go to Pottersville Road (RT 512) - a well marked stop light
- turn LEFT and go 4/10's of a mile to the first right hand turn - LISK HILL ROAD - at this point you will see the first sign for the arboretum.
- follow the signs, turning right at a "T" intersection and bearing left at a fork in the road
- the entrance to the arboretum will be on your left.

Upon entering the arboretum you will cross over a cattle guard. The field on your left is where the bird was first discovered. Continue down the hill and you will come to a large field on your right. The bird was also found here. Continue past this field to the parking lot and then walk back.

The best way to find this bird was simply to listen. It's song is very distinctive and loud. Then scan the tops of the vegetation for the perched up bird. The best time to find the bird was generally in the morning, before 10:30 AM.

This was the third HENSLOW report in June-July, the others being at Oberly Rd. and Lakehurst Air Station (restricted).