Cape May Point - Saturday, February 27 2010

Karl Lukens et. al. report:

"CMBO Birding Cape May Point Walk. Cloudy, Cold and windy but still good for ducks. Both drake Eurasian Wigeon were on Lighthouse Pond west as well as Am Wigeon, Gadwall, Shovelers, and Hooded Mergansers. Lily Lake had a number of Am Coots and Ring-necked Ducks. The Peregrine Falcon was on the water tower at the magnesite plant (scope view). Nice looks at Fox Sparrows. - Karl (Tom, Warren, David)"

Location: Cape May Point
Observation date: 2/27/10
Notes: CMBO Trip-K,WC,T,DL,+1.Cldy,32,WSW18.
Number of species: 41
Mute Swan 4
Gadwall 5
Eurasian Wigeon 2 drakes
American Wigeon 40
Mallard 20
Northern Shoveler 12
Ring-necked Duck 15
Black Scoter 30
Hooded Merganser 10
Black Vulture 1
Turkey Vulture 3
Sharp-shinned Hawk 1
Cooper's Hawk 1 /p
Red-shouldered Hawk 1 heard - seen by D Lord after walk
Peregrine Falcon 1 water tower mag. plant
American Coot 15
Killdeer 1 heard - 10 seen by KL after walk
Herring Gull 12
Great Black-backed Gull 2
Rock Pigeon 2
Mourning Dove 10
Red-bellied Woodpecker 3
Downy Woodpecker 1
Blue Jay 8
American Crow 10
Carolina Chickadee 4
Tufted Titmouse 1
American Robin 50
Gray Catbird 1 heard
Northern Mockingbird 1
European Starling 20
Yellow-rumped Warbler 5
Eastern Towhee 1 heard
Fox Sparrow 6
White-throated Sparrow 20
Dark-eyed Junco 1
Northern Cardinal 5
Red-winged Blackbird 5
Common Grackle 10
House Finch 12
House Sparrow 5

Turkey Point - Sunday, February 21 2010

From Dave Lord et. al.:

"Turkey Point Participants enjoyed a lovely day in the provocative time of Late Winter. Natural wonders were all around, including a nest exchange between two Bald Eagles on a new nest toward Beaver Dam; Red-Winged Blackbirds singing their faces off; and a Golden Eagle that was seen pre-walk by a few, perched toward Fortescue Road. Karen Johnson, Janet Crawford, Karen Williams, Tony Klock, Steve Weiss and Dave Lord led."

Location: Glades Wildlife Refuge--Turkey Point
Observation date: 2/21/10
Notes: CMBO Sunday Morning Turkey Point Walk. Karen Johnson, Janet Crawford, Tony Klock, Karen Williams, Steve Weiss, Dave Lord were leaders. Golden Eagle seen pre-walk looking toward Fortescue.
Number of species: 29

Snow Goose 3500
Canada Goose 45
Mute Swan 3
American Black Duck 29
Bufflehead 16
Hooded Merganser 2
Common Merganser 4
Great Blue Heron 6
Turkey Vulture 22
Bald Eagle 11
Northern Harrier 8
Sharp-shinned Hawk 1
Golden Eagle 1
Ring-billed Gull 40
Herring Gull 45
Belted Kingfisher 1
Red-bellied Woodpecker 1
Downy Woodpecker 1
Northern Flicker 2
American Crow 1
Carolina Chickadee 1
Hermit Thrush 1
American Robin 200
Gray Catbird 1
Brown Thrasher 1
Yellow-rumped Warbler 9
Song Sparrow 1
Red-winged Blackbird 46
Common Grackle 12

Cape May Point - Saturday, February 20, 2010

From Karl Lukens et. al.:"CMBO Birding Cape May Point Walk. Cold, clear, and still lots of snow around. A few less ducks, but the Redhead is still here in Lighthouse Pond with Am. Wigeons. Lily Lake has open water and lots of Gadwall, Mallards, Ring-necks, and coots. Scoters are well off shore but some are close enough to ID. Fox Sparrows are numerous and several Brown Thrashers were in the same areas scratching like sparrows, and numerous White-throated Sparrows were seen.- Karl (Kathy, Roger, Tom, Warren, Steve, Shaun, Chuck)"

Location: Cape May Point
Observation date: 2/20/10
Notes: CMBO Trip-K,K&RH,SW,WC,CS,T,SB,+1.Clr,32,NW8
Number of species: 47

Canada Goose 10
Mute Swan 4
Gadwall 10
American Wigeon 15
Mallard 15
Northern Shoveler 2
Redhead 1
Ring-necked Duck 10
Surf Scoter 10
Black Scoter 50
Long-tailed Duck 1
Hooded Merganser 2
Ruddy Duck 2
Red-throated Loon 2
Turkey Vulture 2
Northern Harrier 1
American Coot 10
Bonaparte's Gull 6
Ring-billed Gull 5
Herring Gull 10
Great Black-backed Gull 3
Rock Pigeon 2
Mourning Dove 8
Red-bellied Woodpecker 1
Northern Flicker 2
Blue Jay 3
American Crow 2
Carolina Chickadee 4
Tufted Titmouse 2
Carolina Wren 2
American Robin 75
Gray Catbird 2
Northern Mockingbird 2
Brown Thrasher 2
European Starling 15
Yellow-rumped Warbler 2
Fox Sparrow 4
Song Sparrow 2
Swamp Sparrow 1
White-throated Sparrow 10
Dark-eyed Junco 2
Northern Cardinal 5
Red-winged Blackbird 10
Common Grackle 25
House Finch 5
American Goldfinch 5
House Sparrow 10

Monday, February 15 2010 Reports

Chuck and MJ Slugg report:

Location: Cape Island--Cape May Point
Observation date: 2/15/10
Notes: The President's Day Walk for All People. Both the weather and the birds were cooperative. Highlights include woodcock, fox sparrows, red-shouldered hawks, redhead and ring-necked ducks, and a brown thrasher.
Number of species: 45
Canada Goose 30
Mute Swan 4
Gadwall 20
American Wigeon 25
American Black Duck 2
Mallard 8
Redhead 1
Ring-necked Duck 10
Surf Scoter 5
Black Scoter 20
Hooded Merganser 6
Ruddy Duck 2
Red-throated Loon 2
Common Loon 1
Turkey Vulture 6
Red-shouldered Hawk 4
Red-tailed Hawk 2
Merlin 1
American Coot 30
American Woodcock 1
Great Black-backed Gull 4
Rock Pigeon 20
Mourning Dove 12
Northern Flicker (Yellow-shafted) 5
Blue Jay 6
American Crow 12
Fish Crow 1
Carolina Chickadee 6
Tufted Titmouse 2
Carolina Wren 4
American Robin 40
Northern Mockingbird 8
Brown Thrasher 1
European Starling 30
Yellow-rumped Warbler 5
Eastern Towhee 1
Fox Sparrow 12
Song Sparrow 1
White-throated Sparrow 24
Dark-eyed Junco 15
Northern Cardinal 10
Red-winged Blackbird 10
Common Grackle 10
House Finch 1
House Sparrow 2

The following are from CMBO's Wintering Hawks, Eagles and Owls Workshop - Day 3:

Location: Stone Harbor Point
Observation date: 2/15/10
Notes: CMBO Wintering Hawks, Eagles and Owls
Number of species: 32
Brant 50
American Black Duck 25
Surf Scoter 50
Black Scoter 50
Long-tailed Duck 10
Bufflehead 20
Red-breasted Merganser 10
Red-throated Loon 1
Common Loon 10
Horned Grebe 3
Northern Harrier 2
Black-bellied Plover 5
American Oystercatcher 5 great channel mussel beds
Ruddy Turnstone 10
Sanderling 20
Purple Sandpiper 2
Dunlin 200
Ring-billed Gull X
Herring Gull X
Great Black-backed Gull X
Rock Pigeon X
Mourning Dove X
American Robin X
Northern Mockingbird X
European Starling X
Yellow-rumped Warbler X
Song Sparrow X
White-throated Sparrow X
Red-winged Blackbird X
Boat-tailed Grackle 1
House Finch X
House Sparrow X

Location: Cape May - Lewes Ferry Terminal
Observation date: 2/15/10
Notes: CMBO Wintering Hawks Eagles and Owls
Number of species: 28
Surf Scoter X
Black Scoter X
Red-breasted Merganser X
Turkey Vulture X
Ruddy Turnstone 1
Sanderling 50
Purple Sandpiper 1
Dunlin 4
Bonaparte's Gull 25
Black-headed Gull 1
Ring-billed Gull 15
Herring Gull 50
Great Black-backed Gull 20
Rock Pigeon X
Mourning Dove X
Northern Flicker 2
Fish Crow 3
American Robin X
Northern Mockingbird 1
European Starling X
American Pipit 1
Yellow-rumped Warbler X
Savannah Sparrow (Ipswich) 1
Song Sparrow X
White-throated Sparrow X
Dark-eyed Junco X
House Finch X
House Sparrow X

Location: Cape May Point
Observation date: 2/15/10
Notes: CMBO Wintering Hawks, Eagles and Owls
Number of species: 49
Canada Goose 20
Mute Swan 2
Gadwall 6
American Wigeon 6
Redhead 1
Ring-necked Duck 4
Surf Scoter 200
Black Scoter 800
Red-breasted Merganser 2
Red-throated Loon 1
Northern Gannet 1
Great Cormorant 1
Black Vulture 4
Turkey Vulture 6
Sharp-shinned Hawk 1
Red-tailed Hawk 1
American Woodcock 2
Ring-billed Gull X
Herring Gull X
Great Black-backed Gull X
Rock Pigeon 6
Mourning Dove 4
Red-bellied Woodpecker 2
Yellow-bellied Sapsucker 1
Northern Flicker 2
Blue Jay 5
American Crow 5
Horned Lark 1
Carolina Chickadee 2
Tufted Titmouse 2
Red-breasted Nuthatch 2
Carolina Wren 2
American Robin 50
Northern Mockingbird 4
Brown Thrasher 1
European Starling 50
Yellow-rumped Warbler 25
Fox Sparrow 6
Song Sparrow 10
Swamp Sparrow 3
White-throated Sparrow 50
Dark-eyed Junco 10
Northern Cardinal 8
Red-winged Blackbird 10
Common Grackle 20
Brown-headed Cowbird 5
House Finch 4
American Goldfinch 4
House Sparrow 50

Wintering Hawks Eagles and Owls - Turkey Point and Environs - Sunday, February 14, 2010

Location: Turkey Point
Observation date: 2/14/10
Notes: CMBO Wintering Hawks, Eagles and Owls Day 2 with Megan. temp 30's, wind N 10-15 mph but died to 0-10 at dusk. Tried for screech with no success.

Number of species: 58

Snow Goose 1000
Canada Goose 25
Mute Swan 5
American Black Duck 50
Mallard 10
Bufflehead 15
Hooded Merganser 10
Common Merganser 20
Ruddy Duck 1
Wild Turkey 5
Great Blue Heron 8
Black Vulture 5
Turkey Vulture 10
Bald Eagle 15
Northern Harrier 20
Sharp-shinned Hawk 1 grabbed sparrow along maple avenue
Cooper's Hawk 1
Red-shouldered Hawk 1
Red-tailed Hawk 8
Merlin 1
Peregrine Falcon 1 Newport Landing
Virginia Rail 1 dogleg
American Woodcock 5 doing okay despite snow, foraging along road
Ring-billed Gull 10
Herring Gull 500
Great Black-backed Gull 25
Rock Pigeon 5
Mourning Dove 5
Great Horned Owl 3 one perched at marsh edge at dusk
Long-eared Owl 1 flew out and perched at marsh edge at dusk, could see ears in scope. Seemed like slightly rounder, shorter wings than short-eared when later hunted over marsh, like short-eared but perhaps higher
Belted Kingfisher 2
Red-bellied Woodpecker 5
Downy Woodpecker 2
Northern Flicker 1
Blue Jay 2
American Crow 10
Fish Crow 5
Carolina Chickadee 5
Tufted Titmouse 5
Carolina Wren 3
Hermit Thrush 25
American Robin 1000
Gray Catbird 1
Northern Mockingbird 5
Brown Thrasher 5
European Starling 100
Yellow-rumped Warbler 40
Eastern Towhee 3
Fox Sparrow 20
Song Sparrow 15
White-throated Sparrow 100
Dark-eyed Junco 20
Northern Cardinal 10
Red-winged Blackbird 50
Common Grackle 200
Boat-tailed Grackle 5
House Finch 5
American Goldfinch 5

Turkey Point - Sunday, February 14 2010

From Dave Lord et. al.:

"Cold and blustery morning gave us some neat views of birds seeking shelter for the inaugural Turkey Point Sunday Morning walk. 4 Northern Flickers, 2 Brown Thrashers, and a Gray Catbird, brightened the proceedings, and the birds along the roadside due to snow, while unfortunate, provided good viewing opportunities. Hopefully the Golden Eagle, seen by Tony Klock, sticks around for next week's Rapor Survey . Karen Johnson, Janet Crawford, Tony Klock and Dave Lord led."

Location: Glades Wildlife Refuge - Turkey Point
Observation date: 2/14/10
Notes: First CMBO Sunday Morning at Turkey Point. Golden Eagle seen by Tony Klock only.
Number of species: 28
Canada Goose 64
Mute Swan 2
American Black Duck 11
Bufflehead 15
Common Merganser 7
Great Blue Heron 3
Turkey Vulture 2
Bald Eagle 3
Northern Harrier 7
Red-tailed Hawk 4
Golden Eagle 1
Herring Gull 12
Mourning Dove 1
Red-bellied Woodpecker 1
Downy Woodpecker 1
Northern Flicker 4
American Crow 11
Carolina Chickadee 2
Hermit Thrush 2
American Robin 45
Gray Catbird 1
Brown Thrasher 2
European Starling 30
Yellow-rumped Warbler 3
Song Sparrow 7
White-throated Sparrow 9
Northern Cardinal 1
Red-winged Blackbird 4

Longtails in Love - February 13, 2010

From Dave Lord et. al.:

"Compared to our pleasant, 50 degree Martin Luther King Day walk, today's weather for Longtails in Love was no holiday. Breezy, damp conditions were only worsened by the fact the temperature rarely broke the freezing mark. However, our wonderful, intrepid participants and excellent birding cancelled out the spiteful weather. Highlights include the 35+ Common Eiders at the Eighth Street Jetty, Avalon; the Horned Larks, Snow Buntings, and American Oystercatcher on the Avalon side of the Townsend's Inlet Bridge; the 6+ Horned Grebes at Sunset Lake; the 115 Ruddy Ducks at Cape May Harbor; and the 11+ Fox Sparrows, 3 Woodcocks, and the Adult White-Crowned Sparrow that Tom Reed tipped us off to at the Cape May Point State Park. The birds were excellent. The weather...Well gotta have a passion. Chuck and Mary Jane Slugg and Dave Lord were leaders."

Location: Cape May County, NJ, US
Observation date: 2/13/10
Notes: CMBO "Longtails in Love." Chuck and Mary Jane Slugg, Dave Lord were leaders. Cold, Breezy, 29 Degrees.
Number of species: 62
Snow Goose 2
Brant 255
Canada Goose 60
Mute Swan 5
Gadwall 7
American Wigeon 19
American Black Duck 30
Mallard 3
Northern Pintail 4
Redhead 1 Lighthouse Pond
Ring-necked Duck 9
Common Eider 33 8th Street Jetty
Surf Scoter 20
Black Scoter 31
Long-tailed Duck 45
Bufflehead 26
Hooded Merganser 2
Red-breasted Merganser 18
Ruddy Duck 115
Red-throated Loon 4
Common Loon 9
Horned Grebe 6
Double-crested Cormorant 1
Great Blue Heron 5
Turkey Vulture 9
Northern Harrier 1
Sharp-shinned Hawk 1 Pre Walk Bird
Peregrine Falcon 1
American Coot 12
American Oystercatcher 1 Townsends Inlet Bridge
Sanderling 70
Dunlin 65
American Woodcock 5
Ring-billed Gull 9
Herring Gull 55
Great Black-backed Gull 12
Mourning Dove 2
Downy Woodpecker 1
Blue Jay 3
American Crow 12
Fish Crow 6
Horned Lark 2 Townsends Inlet Bridge
Carolina Wren 2
Hermit Thrush 1
American Robin 145
Gray Catbird 1
Northern Mockingbird 5
Brown Thrasher 1
European Starling 300
Yellow-rumped Warbler 7
Savannah Sparrow 1
Fox Sparrow 11
Song Sparrow 13
White-throated Sparrow 24
White-crowned Sparrow 1
Snow Bunting 1 Townsends Inlet Bridge
Northern Cardinal 4
Red-winged Blackbird 6
Common Grackle 3
Boat-tailed Grackle 10
House Finch 1
House Sparrow 6

Wintering Hawks, Eagles and Owls Workshop Day 1 - Saturday, February 13 2010

Conditions are challenging on the Delaware Bayshore for both birds and birders, with cold, something like 18" of snow still on the ground and marsh, and high winds. We gave it the "old college try" after dark for Eastern Screech-owl at a known locality, and came up empty - either too cold and windy or the birds simply are not longer there, perhaps victims of the storms?

Location: Heislerville WMA
Observation date: 2/13/10
Notes: CMBO Winter Raptor Workshop
Number of species: 41
Snow Goose 200
Canada Goose 25
American Black Duck 25
Greater Scaup 5
dark-winged scoter sp. 50
Bufflehead 20
Red-breasted Merganser 25
Great Blue Heron 1
Black Vulture 2
Turkey Vulture 10
Bald Eagle 5
Northern Harrier 15
Sharp-shinned Hawk 2
Red-shouldered Hawk 1
Red-tailed Hawk 4
Peregrine Falcon 1
Killdeer 1
Dunlin 20
American Woodcock 2
Herring Gull X
Great Black-backed Gull X
Rock Pigeon 6
Mourning Dove 2
Northern Flicker 2
American Crow 6
Hermit Thrush 10
American Robin 30
Gray Catbird 1
Northern Mockingbird 1
Brown Thrasher 1
European Starling 10
Yellow-rumped Warbler 20
Eastern Towhee 2
American Tree Sparrow 10
Fox Sparrow 20
Song Sparrow 6
White-throated Sparrow 25
Dark-eyed Junco 10
Northern Cardinal 2
Red-winged Blackbird 25
Common Grackle X
House Sparrow 5

Location: Old Robbins Trail
Observation date: 2/13/10
Notes: CMBO Winter Raptor Workshop
Number of species: 25
Canada Goose 20
Turkey Vulture 2
Herring Gull 5
Red-bellied Woodpecker 1
Downy Woodpecker 1
Hairy Woodpecker 1
Northern Flicker 1
Blue Jay 2
Carolina Chickadee 2
Tufted Titmouse 2
Carolina Wren 1
Hermit Thrush 2
American Robin 20
European Starling 5
Yellow-rumped Warbler 5
American Tree Sparrow 1
Fox Sparrow 12
Song Sparrow 3
White-throated Sparrow 25
Dark-eyed Junco 5
Northern Cardinal 2
Red-winged Blackbird X
Common Grackle X
American Goldfinch 1
House Sparrow 15

Cape May Point - Saturday, February 13, 2010

From Karl Lukens et. al.:

"CMBO Cape May Point Walk. Three brave souls appeared up for the walk and were not disappointed. The ducks were less than before the big snows but the Redhead was still with us along with the Gadwalls and Wigeons (Eurasian Wigeon was not located). Bare ground areas produced Brown Thrasher, Catbird, numerous Fox Sparrows and White-throated Sparrows and American Woodcock. Raptors were Sharp-shinned, Red-tail, and Red-shouldered Hawks. Several Horned Larks were at the State Park parking lot on our return.- Karl (Kathy, Roger)"

Location: Cape May Point
Observation date: 2/13/10
Notes: CMBO Trip K,K&RH,+3.Cldy,27,WNW10.

Number of species: 46

Canada Goose 100
Mute Swan 4
Gadwall 30
American Wigeon 25
Mallard 30
Redhead 1
Ring-necked Duck 12
Hooded Merganser 4
Ruddy Duck 1
Turkey Vulture 2
Sharp-shinned Hawk 1
Red-shouldered Hawk 1 heard-seen briefly
Red-tailed Hawk 1
American Coot 10
American Woodcock 3 /p
Ring-billed Gull 1
Herring Gull 3
Rock Pigeon 1
Mourning Dove 5
Northern Flicker 2
American Crow 4
Horned Lark 2
Carolina Chickadee 3
Carolina Wren 2
Hermit Thrush 1
American Robin 250
Gray Catbird 1
Northern Mockingbird 3
Brown Thrasher 2
European Starling 15
Yellow-rumped Warbler 12
Eastern Towhee 1
American Tree Sparrow 1 after walk at Rea Farm produce stand
driveway
Fox Sparrow 9
Song Sparrow 5
Swamp Sparrow 1
White-throated Sparrow 20
Dark-eyed Junco 6
Northern Cardinal 10
Red-winged Blackbird 10
Rusty Blackbird 1
Common Grackle 15
Brown-headed Cowbird 15
House Finch 10
American Goldfinch 6
House Sparrow 10

Birding Cape May Point - Saturday, January 30 2010

Karl Lukens reports:

The first snow flakes appeared as we were leaving the parking lot after the walk. It was cold, 20 degrees, but only a light N wind. Lighthouse pond had only a small group of ducks on one edge where there was no ice but a drake Eurasian Wigeon was there. Feeders were doing a good business, House Finches, Goldfinches, doves, White-throated Sparrows and a Fox Sparrow at CMBO Northwood. Lily Lake was free of ice and all the ducks from Lighthouse Pond seemed to be there including 2 drake Eurasian Wigeon (the one from lighthouse must have flown over or there are 3) and the Redhead. On the ocean only a few loons and scoter were seen.
- Karl (Kathy, Roger, Steve, Tom)

Location: Cape May Point
Observation date: 1/30/10
Notes: CMBO Trip-K,K&RH,SW,T,+3.Cldy,20,N5.
Number of species: 44

Canada Goose 8
Mute Swan 6
Gadwall 75
Eurasian Wigeon 2 drakes-lily lake
American Wigeon 75
American Black Duck 1
Mallard 30
Northern Shoveler 4
Green-winged Teal 1
Redhead 1 drake lily
Ring-necked Duck 12
Lesser Scaup 2
Black Scoter 1
Long-tailed Duck 4
Hooded Merganser 6
Red-throated Loon 6
Turkey Vulture 4
American Coot 15
Sanderling 10
Herring Gull 2
Rock Pigeon 2
Mourning Dove 8
Red-bellied Woodpecker 2
Downy Woodpecker 2 heard
Blue Jay 6
American Crow 3
Carolina Chickadee 6
Tufted Titmouse 2
Red-breasted Nuthatch 1 heard
Carolina Wren 2
American Robin 20
Gray Catbird 2
Northern Mockingbird 2
Brown Thrasher 1 heard
European Starling 50
Yellow-rumped Warbler 10
Song Sparrow 1
White-throated Sparrow 20
Northern Cardinal 10
Red-winged Blackbird 20
Common Grackle 50
House Finch 10
American Goldfinch 4
House Sparrow 10)