A regular winter visitor, the American Coot is found all over New Jersey. There's almost always a flock of a dozen or so at Lake Takanassee in Long Branch, and that's where I encountered the only Common Gallinule I've seen on this side of the Atlantic. Meanwhile, among the Rails, the only species I've seen is the Clapper Rail which I've encountered at Sandy Hook and Forsythe as well as my first memorable encounter at Fireman's Pond in Wanamassa.