Bird Walk For All People - Thursday, July 31st, 2014

It was a warm, sunny, beautiful day for a walk in the park! Highlights include: good mix of terns including Forster's, Common, Least, and Royal; Common and Forster's Terns were sitting side by side for a good lesson in comparing features; Great Blue Heron; a few Least Sandpipers; Tree Swallows have started to gather; Purple Martins seem to be leaving; and most walkers were excited by a good look at an Indigo Bunting. Leaders: Chuck Slugg and Warren Cairo.
48 species

Canada Goose  30
Mute Swan  42
Mallard  18
Great Blue Heron  2
Great Egret  1
Turkey Vulture  1
Osprey  5
American Oystercatcher  4
Killdeer  2
Greater Yellowlegs  2
Lesser Yellowlegs  2
Least Sandpiper  5
Laughing Gull  25
Ring-billed Gull  2
Herring Gull  3
Great Black-backed Gull  35
Least Tern  5
Common Tern  10
Forster's Tern  25
Royal Tern  4
Rock Pigeon (Feral Pigeon)  3
Mourning Dove  2
Chimney Swift  5
Eastern Kingbird  2
American Crow  2
Fish Crow  5
Purple Martin  50
Tree Swallow  85
Barn Swallow  4
Carolina Chickadee  4
Tufted Titmouse  2
House Wren  3
Carolina Wren  2     heard only
American Robin  4
Gray Catbird  2
European Starling  5
Cedar Waxwing  5
Common Yellowthroat  4     heard only
Yellow Warbler  2
Field Sparrow  1
Song Sparrow  4
Northern Cardinal  3
Blue Grosbeak  1     heard only
Indigo Bunting  2
Red-winged Blackbird  8
Common Grackle  3
American Goldfinch  2
House Sparrow  5

This report was generated automatically by eBird v3 (/content/nj)

Birding Cape May Point - Wednesday, July 30th, 2014

It was nice weather and a good day for birding. A good number of terns in various plumages were on the beach and on the railing at Bunker Pond, predominately Forster's, Common, and Royal. Some shorebirds were seen as feeders or fly-overs and included Least and Spotted Sandpipers, Killdeer, Short-billed Dowitcher, Willet and Whimbrel. We had a nice scope view of perched and singing Blue Grosbeak. There were also lots of swallows, mostly Tree, and Yellow Warblers. Leaders: Mike Crewe, Karl Lukens, Chris Marks, Mary Watkins, and Mike Hannisian.
61 species

Canada Goose  50
Mute Swan  30
Mallard  20
Great Blue Heron  8
Great Egret  5
Glossy Ibis  7
Turkey Vulture  1
Osprey  6
American Oystercatcher  8
Semipalmated Plover  1
Killdeer  1
Spotted Sandpiper  2
Solitary Sandpiper  1
Willet  1
Lesser Yellowlegs  1
Whimbrel  2
Sanderling  25
Least Sandpiper  6
Short-billed Dowitcher  2
Laughing Gull  50
Ring-billed Gull  2
Herring Gull  5
Lesser Black-backed Gull  4
Great Black-backed Gull  15
Least Tern  2
Common Tern  15
Forster's Tern  25
Royal Tern  8
Black Skimmer  3
Rock Pigeon (Feral Pigeon)  7
Mourning Dove  5
Chimney Swift  2
Ruby-throated Hummingbird  3
Downy Woodpecker  1
Northern Flicker  1
Great Crested Flycatcher  1
Eastern Kingbird  2
American Crow  1
Fish Crow  1
Purple Martin  75
Tree Swallow  150
Bank Swallow  1
Barn Swallow  5
Carolina Chickadee  5
House Wren  1
Carolina Wren  2
American Robin  5
Gray Catbird  2
Northern Mockingbird  2
European Starling  10
Cedar Waxwing  5
Common Yellowthroat  2
Yellow Warbler  12
Song Sparrow  3
Northern Cardinal  5
Blue Grosbeak  1
Red-winged Blackbird  40
Common Grackle  10
Brown-headed Cowbird  5
House Finch  1
House Sparrow  5

This report was generated automatically by eBird v3 (http://ebird.org)

Cedar Waxwing on nest [Photo by Karl Lukens]

Royal Terns [Photo by Karl Lukens]

Back Bay Sundowner by Boat - Tuesday, July 29th, 2014

On CMBO's Sundowner Boat Cruise aboard The Osprey, we had fine looks at Black Skimmers and American Oystercatchers with many Common Tern chicks to boot. Leaders: Mike Hannisian and Dave Lord.
27 species

Mallard  6
Black Scoter  2
Double-crested Cormorant  23
Great Blue Heron  2
Great Egret  13
Snowy Egret  10
Black-crowned Night-Heron  1
Yellow-crowned Night-Heron  1
Black Vulture  2
Turkey Vulture  5
Osprey  50
American Oystercatcher  17
Black-bellied Plover  1
Spotted Sandpiper  16
Greater Yellowlegs  2
Ruddy Turnstone  7
Semipalmated Sandpiper  3
Short-billed Dowitcher  4
Laughing Gull  1250
Herring Gull  23
Great Black-backed Gull  12
Common Tern  56
Forster's Tern  21
Black Skimmer  8
Barn Swallow  13
Red-winged Blackbird  4
Boat-tailed Grackle  11

This report was generated automatically by eBird v3 (http://ebird.org)

Birding the Meadows with Pete Dunne - Monday, July 28th, 2014

We had thirteen Glossy Ibis and a number of shorebirds in the ponds including three Semipalmated Plover, both yellowlegs, Least, Pectoral and Semipalmated Sandpiper, and lots of Short-billed Dowitchers. On the beach we had Sanderling, American Oystercatchers, a Ruddy Turnstone, and four Lesser Black-backed Gulls with the usual gulls. Leaders: Pete Dunne, Karl Lukens, Chuck Slugg, Janet Crawford, Mike Hannisian, and Catherine Busch.
59 species

Canada Goose  15
Mute Swan  10
Mallard  50
Double-crested Cormorant  1
Great Egret  2
Snowy Egret  2
Glossy Ibis  13
Turkey Vulture  1
Osprey  5
American Oystercatcher  10
Semipalmated Plover  3
Killdeer  1
Greater Yellowlegs  2
Lesser Yellowlegs  5
Ruddy Turnstone  1
Sanderling  20
Least Sandpiper  8
Pectoral Sandpiper  1     fly-over
Semipalmated Sandpiper  12
Short-billed Dowitcher  30
Laughing Gull  50
Ring-billed Gull  5
Herring Gull  5
Lesser Black-backed Gull  4
Great Black-backed Gull  15
Least Tern  5
Common Tern  15
Forster's Tern  25
Royal Tern  2
Black Skimmer  4
Rock Pigeon (Feral Pigeon)  1
Mourning Dove  8
Chimney Swift  1
Ruby-throated Hummingbird  1
American Crow  2
Fish Crow  1
Northern Rough-winged Swallow  1
Purple Martin  15
Tree Swallow  200
Barn Swallow  10
American Robin  3
Gray Catbird  1
Northern Mockingbird  2
European Starling  20
Cedar Waxwing  5
Common Yellowthroat  3
Yellow Warbler  1
Field Sparrow  1     heard
Song Sparrow  4
Northern Cardinal  4
Blue Grosbeak  1
Indigo Bunting  1     heard
Red-winged Blackbird  15
Common Grackle  10
Brown-headed Cowbird  2
Orchard Oriole  1     fly-by
House Finch  3
American Goldfinch  2
House Sparrow  5

This report was generated automatically by eBird v3 (http://ebird.org)

Juvenile (standing) and adult (sitting) American Oystercatchers [Photo by Karl Lukens]

Lesser Black-backed Gull [Photo by Karl Lukens]

Tree Swallows [Photo by Karl Lukens]

Birding Cape May Point - Saturday, July 26th, 2014

Migrants may be arriving (we had several Yellow Warblers on this morning's walk) but that doesn't mean the breeding's done! If you look up 'Blue Grosbeak' in Kaufman's "Lives of North American Birds", you'll see "nesting activity may last late in summer in some areas". This is clearly one of those areas because when we came out of the back woods at the State Park, a brilliantly blue grosbeak was displaying in the center of the boardwalk. With cocked tail and fluttering wings, he stretched his head first to one side, then the other. We were impressed, and hopefully so was the female grosbeak that flew out of the cattails as we approached.  Leaders: Kathy Horn, Karl Lukens, and Mike Hannisian.
57 species

Canada Goose  45
Mute Swan  28
Wood Duck  1
Mallard  36
Great Egret  1
Green Heron  2
Black Vulture  2
Turkey Vulture  2
American Oystercatcher  3
Killdeer  1     heard
Spotted Sandpiper  2
Lesser Yellowlegs  1
Least Sandpiper  12
Laughing Gull  X
Ring-billed Gull  1
Lesser Black-backed Gull  5
Great Black-backed Gull  2
Common Tern  8
Forster's Tern  30
Royal Tern  4
Rock Pigeon (Feral Pigeon)  5
Mourning Dove  18
Chimney Swift  2
Ruby-throated Hummingbird  2
Downy Woodpecker  1
Eastern Kingbird  8
White-eyed Vireo  1     heard
Blue Jay  1
American Crow  2
Fish Crow  5
Purple Martin  55
Tree Swallow  7
Bank Swallow  1
Barn Swallow  9
Carolina Chickadee  2
Tufted Titmouse  1     heard
House Wren  4
Carolina Wren  6
Blue-gray Gnatcatcher  1     heard
American Robin  15
Gray Catbird  3
Northern Mockingbird  2
European Starling  15
Cedar Waxwing  6     One on nest
Common Yellowthroat  11
Yellow Warbler  6
Yellow-breasted Chat  2     heard
Song Sparrow  4
Northern Cardinal  4
Blue Grosbeak  2     Male displaying on path, female nearby
Indigo Bunting  5
Red-winged Blackbird  X
Common Grackle  11
Brown-headed Cowbird  5
Orchard Oriole  1
House Finch  4
American Goldfinch  2     heard

This report was generated automatically by eBird v3 (/content/nj)

Blue Grosbeak [Photo by Karl Lukens]

Purple Martins [Photo by Karl Lukens]

Sunset Birding at the Meadows - Friday, July 25th, 2014

It was a pleasant evening with a lovely sunset.  Birding highlights include: movement of American Goldfinches; large numbers of Least and Semipalmated Sandpipers; many American Oystercatchers with two juveniles; and great looks at a Green Heron. Leaders: Chuck Slugg, Catherine Busch, and Beth & Don Freiday.
51 species

Canada Goose  39
Mute Swan  9
Mallard  23
Great Blue Heron  1
Great Egret  3
Green Heron  1
Glossy Ibis  45
Osprey  2
American Oystercatcher  11
Semipalmated Plover  9
Killdeer  2     heard only
Greater Yellowlegs  5
Willet  1
Lesser Yellowlegs  7
Sanderling  17
Least Sandpiper  130
Semipalmated Sandpiper  175
Short-billed Dowitcher  42
Laughing Gull  40
Ring-billed Gull  4
Herring Gull  5
Lesser Black-backed Gull  1
Great Black-backed Gull  35
Least Tern  6
Common Tern  8
Forster's Tern  8
Royal Tern  1
Black Skimmer  10
Rock Pigeon (Feral Pigeon)  3
Mourning Dove  28
Chimney Swift  5
Ruby-throated Hummingbird  1
Eastern Kingbird  7
Fish Crow  3     heard only
Purple Martin  7
Tree Swallow  8
Barn Swallow  6
American Robin  3
European Starling  6
Cedar Waxwing  3
Common Yellowthroat  3
Yellow Warbler  2
Field Sparrow  1
Song Sparrow  4
Northern Cardinal  4
Indigo Bunting  2
Bobolink  1
Red-winged Blackbird  15
Common Grackle  5
American Goldfinch  15
House Sparrow  5

This report was generated automatically by eBird v3 (/content/nj)

Bird Walk for All People - Thursday, July 24th, 2014

There were a variety of terns including Common, Forster's, Least, and Royal. There was also a good mix of swallows with Purple Martins, Barn, Tree, and Northern Rough-winged; and Tree Swallows were beginning to stage with a large flock on the beach. We also saw a Spotted Sandpiper in Plover Pond. Leaders: Chuck Slugg and Warren Cairo.
50 species

Canada Goose  65
Mute Swan  42
Mallard  14
Great Blue Heron  2
Great Egret  4
Snowy Egret  1
Osprey  2
American Oystercatcher  7
Killdeer  3
Spotted Sandpiper  1
Lesser Yellowlegs  3
Sanderling  5
Least Sandpiper  18
Laughing Gull  31
Ring-billed Gull  3
Herring Gull  4
Great Black-backed Gull  25
Least Tern  3
Common Tern  19
Forster's Tern  7
Royal Tern  1
Rock Pigeon (Feral Pigeon)  4
Mourning Dove  5
Ruby-throated Hummingbird  4
Downy Woodpecker  1
American Crow  3
Fish Crow  4
Northern Rough-winged Swallow  8
Purple Martin  46
Tree Swallow  16
Barn Swallow  5
Carolina Chickadee  3
House Wren  3
Carolina Wren  1     heard
American Robin  6
Gray Catbird  2
Northern Mockingbird  1
European Starling  5
Cedar Waxwing  6     heard only
Common Yellowthroat  3     heard
Yellow Warbler  1
Song Sparrow  4
Northern Cardinal  3
Blue Grosbeak  1     seen by leader only
Indigo Bunting  3
Red-winged Blackbird  15
Common Grackle  8
Brown-headed Cowbird  1
American Goldfinch  3     heard only
House Sparrow  4

This report was generated automatically by eBird v3 (/content/nj)

Birding Cape May Point - Wednesday, July 23rd, 2014

Some of us got a brief look at a fly-by Brown Pelican from the parking lot as the walk started. An interesting sight was a Great Blue Heron trying to eat an eel and having a little trouble doing it. We had good looks at Terns - Forster's, Common, Least, and a Royal - on the beach and at Bunker pond. We also had good looks at American Oystercatchers. Shorebirds included Least and Spotted Sandpiper, as well as Lesser Yellowlegs. A few Yellow Warblers and Common Yellowthroats were about. Leaders: Mike Crewe, Megan Crewe, Karl Lukens, Chris Marks, and Steve Weis.
49 species

Canada Goose  30
Mute Swan  12
Mallard  30
Surf Scoter  1
Double-crested Cormorant  3
Brown Pelican  1
Great Blue Heron  1
Snowy Egret  3
Glossy Ibis  15
Turkey Vulture  1
Osprey  7
American Oystercatcher  10
Killdeer  1
Spotted Sandpiper  2
Lesser Yellowlegs  4
Least Sandpiper  7
Laughing Gull  40
Ring-billed Gull  1
Herring Gull  3
Lesser Black-backed Gull  1
Great Black-backed Gull  10
Least Tern  6
Common Tern  20
Forster's Tern  20
Royal Tern  1
Rock Pigeon (Feral Pigeon)  5
Mourning Dove  8
Chimney Swift  2
Eastern Kingbird  1
Fish Crow  2
Northern Rough-winged Swallow  1
Purple Martin  50
Bank Swallow  1
Barn Swallow  5
Carolina Chickadee  1
American Robin  2
Gray Catbird  2
Northern Mockingbird  1
European Starling  5
Cedar Waxwing  4
Common Yellowthroat  2     heard
Yellow Warbler  4
Song Sparrow  6
Northern Cardinal  2
Red-winged Blackbird  10
Common Grackle  6
Brown-headed Cowbird  4
House Finch  2
House Sparrow  5

This report was generated automatically by eBird v3 (http://ebird.org)

Least Sandpiper [Photo by Karl Lukens]

Birding the Meadows with Pete Dunne - Monday, July 21st, 2014

It was a a nice morning for birding. Waders in the ponds included Great Blue Heron, Great Egret, Snowy Egret, and Glossy Ibis. On the beach we had many American Oystercatchers, and one Lesser Black-backed Gull. Among the numerous shorebirds were Spotted and Least Sandpiper, Lesser Yellowlegs, and Short-billed Dowitchers. Overhead were Purple Martins, Tree Swallows, Barn Swallows, plus an occasional Osprey. Passerines included Common Yellowthroat, Indigo Bunting, and Eastern Kingbird. Leaders: Pete Dunne, Karl Lukens, Chuck Slugg, Steve Weis, Janet Crawford, Mike Hannisian, Catherine Busch, Carrie Bell, and Mike McCabe.
46 species

Canada Goose  100
Mute Swan  7
Mallard  30
Great Blue Heron  3
Great Egret  2
Snowy Egret  2
Glossy Ibis  25
Turkey Vulture  2
Osprey  5
American Oystercatcher  10
Spotted Sandpiper  2
Lesser Yellowlegs  10
Least Sandpiper  10
Semipalmated Sandpiper  1
Short-billed Dowitcher  15
Laughing Gull  30
Ring-billed Gull  2
Herring Gull  2
Lesser Black-backed Gull  1
Great Black-backed Gull  8
Least Tern  15     1 juv
Common Tern  5
Forster's Tern  15
Black Skimmer  1
Rock Pigeon (Feral Pigeon)  2
Mourning Dove  10
Eastern Kingbird  1
Purple Martin  25
Tree Swallow  20
Barn Swallow  8
American Robin  4
Gray Catbird  2
Northern Mockingbird  1
European Starling  10
Cedar Waxwing  1
Common Yellowthroat  3
Yellow Warbler  2
Song Sparrow  4
Northern Cardinal  1
Indigo Bunting  1
Red-winged Blackbird  15
Common Grackle  10
Brown-headed Cowbird  5
House Finch  4
American Goldfinch  4
House Sparrow  10

This report was generated automatically by eBird v3 (http://ebird.org)

Yellow-throated Warbler [Photo by Karl Lukens]

Lesser Black-backed Gull [Photo by Karl Lukens]

Birding Cape May Point - Saturday, July 19th, 2014

Something's changed at the State Park - Purple Martins have fledged! Young birds can now be seen congregating in flocks here and there, chattering and begging for food whenever an adult flies by. This species, that supports a multi-million dollar housing industry, is the largest breeding swallow in North America. By the end of summer these aerial insectivores will stage (gather) in huge flocks before flying south to their wintering grounds, mostly in the Amazon Basin of South America. Watch out, Dragonflies!  Leaders: Kathy Horn, Karl Lukens, and Cindy Bamford.
55 species (+1 other taxa)

Canada Goose  24
Mute Swan  29
Mallard  36
Great Blue Heron  1
Great Egret  3
Snowy Egret  2
Green Heron  2
Glossy Ibis  7
Black Vulture  1
Turkey Vulture  1
Osprey  3
Red-tailed Hawk  1
American Oystercatcher  6
Killdeer  2
Spotted Sandpiper  1
Lesser Yellowlegs  2
Least Sandpiper  15
Laughing Gull  180
Herring Gull (American)  2
Great Black-backed Gull  10
Least Tern  4
Common Tern  6
Forster's Tern  18
Sterna sp.  40
Rock Pigeon (Feral Pigeon)  7
Mourning Dove  22
Ruby-throated Hummingbird  3
Downy Woodpecker  1
Eastern Kingbird  5
American Crow  2
Fish Crow  3
Purple Martin  55
Tree Swallow  3
Barn Swallow  5
Carolina Chickadee  2
Tufted Titmouse  1
House Wren  3
Carolina Wren  3
American Robin  32
Gray Catbird  2
Northern Mockingbird  1
European Starling  12
Cedar Waxwing  15
Common Yellowthroat  6
Yellow Warbler  5
Yellow-breasted Chat  2
Field Sparrow  1
Song Sparrow  4
Northern Cardinal  5
Indigo Bunting  4
Red-winged Blackbird  X
Common Grackle  8
Brown-headed Cowbird  7
Orchard Oriole  1
House Finch  6
American Goldfinch  4

This report was generated automatically by eBird v3 (http://ebird.org)

Sunset Birding at the Meadows - Friday, July 18th, 2014

It was a lovely evening for a walk. Highlights include: a huge flock of Glossy Ibis; American Oystercatcher chicks on beach; a mixture of Least, Common, and Forster's Terns; Spotted and Least Sandpipers; Semipalmated Plover; and a small group of Chimney Swifts. Leaders: Chuck Slugg, Kathy Horn, and Michael McCabe.
45 species

Canada Goose  60
Mute Swan  10
Mallard  40
Great Egret  4
Snowy Egret  3
Glossy Ibis  55
Turkey Vulture  1
Osprey  3
American Oystercatcher  11
Semipalmated Plover  1
Killdeer  8
Spotted Sandpiper  3
Lesser Yellowlegs  2
Least Sandpiper  7
Laughing Gull  140
Ring-billed Gull  3
Lesser Black-backed Gull  2
Great Black-backed Gull  35
Least Tern  6
Common Tern  8
Forster's Tern  43
Rock Pigeon (Feral Pigeon)  3
Mourning Dove  6
Chimney Swift  10
Eastern Kingbird  3
Fish Crow  3
Purple Martin  12
Tree Swallow  4
Barn Swallow  8
Carolina Wren  1     heard only
American Robin  12
Gray Catbird  2
European Starling  6
Cedar Waxwing  10
Common Yellowthroat  3
Yellow Warbler  1
Song Sparrow  3
Northern Cardinal  1
Indigo Bunting  2
Red-winged Blackbird  20
Common Grackle  6
Brown-headed Cowbird  2
House Finch  2     heard only
American Goldfinch  3
House Sparrow  4

This report was generated automatically by eBird v3 (/content/nj)

Bird Walk for All People - Thursday, July 17th, 2014

A beautiful morning for a bird walk! Highlights include: Royal Terns; Common and Forster's Terns; Least Terns; flock of Least Sandpipers in Plover Pond; Osprey taking a bath in Plover Pond; variety of swallows including Northern Rough-wing, Purple Martins, Tree, and Barn; and a large group of Glossy Ibis flying over. Leaders: Chuck Slugg and Warren Cairo.
53 species

Canada Goose  50
Mute Swan  26
Mallard  31
Great Egret  3
Snowy Egret  2
Green Heron  1
Glossy Ibis  15
Black Vulture  1
Turkey Vulture  3
Osprey  11
American Oystercatcher  7
Killdeer  5
Spotted Sandpiper  2
Greater Yellowlegs  2
Lesser Yellowlegs  3
Least Sandpiper  26
Pectoral Sandpiper  1
Short-billed Dowitcher  10
Laughing Gull  20
Herring Gull  2
Great Black-backed Gull  15
Least Tern  3
Common Tern  8
Forster's Tern  27
Royal Tern  4
Rock Pigeon (Feral Pigeon)  5
Mourning Dove  8
Chimney Swift  2
Eastern Kingbird  6
Fish Crow  5
Northern Rough-winged Swallow  6
Purple Martin  45
Tree Swallow  5
Barn Swallow  7
Carolina Chickadee  2     heard only
House Wren  3
Carolina Wren  2     heard only
American Robin  10
Gray Catbird  3
Northern Mockingbird  5
European Starling  8
Cedar Waxwing  7
Common Yellowthroat  4
Song Sparrow  5
Northern Cardinal  3
Blue Grosbeak  1     heard only
Indigo Bunting  1     heard only
Red-winged Blackbird  20
Common Grackle  8
Brown-headed Cowbird  2
House Finch  2
American Goldfinch  3
House Sparrow  4

This report was generated automatically by eBird v3 (/content/nj)

Birding Cape May Point - Wednesday, July 16th, 2014

A rainy morning but some shorebirds on the move with fly-over Whimbrel, Lesser Yellowlegs, and Short-billed Dowitcher. Otherwise good looks at gulls, terns, and waders. Three immature Lesser Black-backed Gulls were on the beach, as well as several American Oystercatchers. One Wilson's Storm-Petrel was seen offshore. Leaders: Mike Crewe, Karl Lukens, Chris Marks, and Mary Watkins.
43 species

Canada Goose  25
Mute Swan  25
Gadwall  12     1 & 11 young
Mallard  20
Surf Scoter  2
Black Scoter  1
Wilson's Storm-Petrel  1
Great Blue Heron  1
Great Egret  3
Snowy Egret  1
Black-crowned Night-Heron  1
Osprey  4
American Oystercatcher  4
Killdeer  2
Spotted Sandpiper  3
Lesser Yellowlegs  4
Whimbrel  5     fly-over
Least Sandpiper  30
Short-billed Dowitcher  1     fly-over
Laughing Gull  20
Herring Gull  1
Lesser Black-backed Gull  3
Great Black-backed Gull  5
Least Tern  1
Common Tern  15
Forster's Tern  10
Royal Tern  3
Black Skimmer  5
Rock Pigeon (Feral Pigeon)  5
Mourning Dove  2
Chimney Swift  1
Purple Martin  25
Barn Swallow  5
American Robin  2
Northern Mockingbird  1
European Starling  10
Common Yellowthroat  2     heard
Song Sparrow  4
Northern Cardinal  2
Red-winged Blackbird  8
Common Grackle  10
Brown-headed Cowbird  10
House Sparrow  5

This report was generated automatically by eBird v3 (http://ebird.org)

Lesser Black-backed Gull [Photo by Karl Lukens]

Birding the Meadows with Pete Dunne - Monday, July 14th, 2014

A nice day with a number of birds including Great and Snowy Egrets, and Glossy Ibis, Semipalmated Plover and Sandpiper, Least Sandpiper, both yellowlegs, and Short-billed Dowitchers. These birds were both feeding and fly-overs. On the beach we had two families of American Oystercatchers with one and two chicks, at least six Lesser Black-backed Gulls, and six Royal Terns. We also had singing Indigo Bunting, Blue Grosbeak, and Common Yellowthroat. Leaders: Pete Dunne, Karl Lukens, Steve Weis, Catherine Busch, Mary Watkins, Carrie Bell, and Mike Hannisian.
55 species

Canada Goose  100
Mute Swan  10
Mallard  50
Great Egret  3
Snowy Egret  4
Glossy Ibis  6
Osprey  4
American Oystercatcher  8     chicks 1 young, 2 older.
Semipalmated Plover  5
Killdeer  1
Spotted Sandpiper  1
Greater Yellowlegs  5
Willet  4
Lesser Yellowlegs  50
Least Sandpiper  25
Semipalmated Sandpiper  5
Short-billed Dowitcher  8     3 feeding, 5 fly-over
Laughing Gull  60
Ring-billed Gull  2
Herring Gull  5
Lesser Black-backed Gull  6
Great Black-backed Gull  20
Least Tern  25     2 chicks
Common Tern  1
Forster's Tern  10
Royal Tern  6
Black Skimmer  5
Rock Pigeon (Feral Pigeon)  8
Mourning Dove  10
Chimney Swift  5
Ruby-throated Hummingbird  2
Eastern Kingbird  2
American Crow  1
Northern Rough-winged Swallow  1
Purple Martin  8
Tree Swallow  1
Barn Swallow  8
Carolina Chickadee  2
Carolina Wren  1
American Robin  4
Gray Catbird  1
Northern Mockingbird  1
European Starling  10
Common Yellowthroat  6
Song Sparrow  5
Northern Cardinal  4
Blue Grosbeak  1
Indigo Bunting  1
Red-winged Blackbird  10
Common Grackle  10
Brown-headed Cowbird  6
Orchard Oriole  1
House Finch  4
American Goldfinch  4
House Sparrow  5

This report was generated automatically by eBird v3 (http://ebird.org)

American Oystercatcher chick [Photo by Karl Lukens]

Common Yellowthroat [Photo by Karl Lukens]

Royal Terns [Photo by Karl Lukens]

Short-billed Dowitcher [Photo by Karl Lukens]

Birding Cape May Point - Saturday, July 12th, 2014

While many bird species will have two, sometimes even three broods per summer, today we saw two species on nests that typically have only one brood each. The Eastern Kingbird appears to time its nesting to insect abundance (have you noticed recently - biting flies, mosquitoes, no-see-ums?) and Cedar Waxwings often wait until midsummer to nest when other birds are already on second nests. Join us next week - we'll show you where those nests are!  Leaders: Kathy Horn, Karl Lukens, Cindy Bamford, and Deb Payson.
58 species

Canada Goose  60
Mute Swan  34
Mallard  42
Great Blue Heron  1
Great Egret  4
Snowy Egret  2
Turkey Vulture  7
Osprey  6
Red-tailed Hawk  1
American Oystercatcher  6
Killdeer  7
Spotted Sandpiper  4
Greater Yellowlegs  2
Lesser Yellowlegs  5
Least Sandpiper  17
Laughing Gull  X
Herring Gull (American)  9
Great Black-backed Gull  16
Least Tern  3
Common Tern  3
Forster's Tern  22
Black Skimmer  1
Rock Pigeon (Feral Pigeon)  1
Mourning Dove  6
Yellow-billed Cuckoo  1
Chimney Swift  2
Ruby-throated Hummingbird  3
Downy Woodpecker  1
Eastern Kingbird  5
Blue Jay  2
American Crow  3
Fish Crow  2
Northern Rough-winged Swallow  1
Purple Martin  35
Tree Swallow  4
Barn Swallow  6
Carolina Chickadee  6
Tufted Titmouse  1
House Wren  3
Carolina Wren  5
Blue-gray Gnatcatcher  1
American Robin  55
Gray Catbird  5
Northern Mockingbird  1
European Starling  12
Cedar Waxwing  21
Common Yellowthroat  8
Yellow-breasted Chat  3
Field Sparrow  1
Song Sparrow  4
Northern Cardinal  6
Indigo Bunting  5
Red-winged Blackbird  X
Common Grackle  24
Brown-headed Cowbird  5
House Finch  5
American Goldfinch  2
House Sparrow  2

This report was generated automatically by eBird v3 (/content/nj)

House Finch [Photo by Karl Lukens]

Juvenile Forster's Terns [Photo by Karl Lukens]

Sunset Birding at the Meadows - Friday, July 11th, 2014

Highlights of the walk include: Great Horned Owl perched in full sunlight; Green Heron; Black-crowned Night-Herons; Bald Eagle which forced Osprey to drop fish; Least Tern chicks; and young Willets. Leaders: Chuck Slugg, Kathy Horn, and Carrie Bell.
55 species

Canada Goose  30
Mute Swan  8
Gadwall  3
Mallard  60
Great Blue Heron  1
Great Egret  5
Snowy Egret  2
Green Heron  2
Black-crowned Night-Heron  2
Glossy Ibis  9
Turkey Vulture  1
Osprey  5
Cooper's Hawk  1
Bald Eagle  1
American Oystercatcher  11
Killdeer  7
Spotted Sandpiper  18     six on ground by pond closest to Cape May; small flock
flying over our heads and calling
Greater Yellowlegs  6
Willet  4
Lesser Yellowlegs  4
Least Sandpiper  53
Pectoral Sandpiper  1
Short-billed Dowitcher  4
Laughing Gull  15
Ring-billed Gull  2
Herring Gull  4
Lesser Black-backed Gull  1
Great Black-backed Gull  35
Least Tern  20
Common Tern  6
Forster's Tern  22
Black Skimmer  5
Rock Pigeon (Feral Pigeon)  4
Mourning Dove  6
Great Horned Owl  1
Chimney Swift  2
Eastern Kingbird  6
Fish Crow  1     heard
Northern Rough-winged Swallow  1
Purple Martin  15
Tree Swallow  4
Barn Swallow  8
American Robin  15
Gray Catbird  2
Northern Mockingbird  2
European Starling  6
Cedar Waxwing  15
Common Yellowthroat  3     heard only
Song Sparrow  3
Northern Cardinal  2
Indigo Bunting  2
Red-winged Blackbird  15
Common Grackle  5
American Goldfinch  4
House Sparrow  3

This report was generated automatically by eBird v3 (/content/nj)

Birding Cape May Point - Wednesday, July 9th, 2014

Good variety of waders this morning, including Great Blue Heron, Great and Snowy Egret, Black-Crowned Night-Heron, and Glossy Ibis. Off shore we had seven Black Scoter. Shorebirds included, American Oystercatchers, Spotted and Least Sandpiper, both yellowlegs, and Short-billed Dowitcher, some flying, some feeding. Other birds of interest were three Bank Swallows, Blue Grosbeak, and Indigo Bunting. Leaders: Mike Crewe, Karl Lukens, Chris Marks, and Steve Weis.
53 species

Canada Goose  15
Mute Swan  34
Mallard  10
Black Scoter  7
Double-crested Cormorant  3
Great Blue Heron  1
Great Egret  7
Snowy Egret  1
Black-crowned Night-Heron  1
Glossy Ibis  20
Osprey  5
American Oystercatcher  8
Killdeer  4
Spotted Sandpiper  1
Greater Yellowlegs  5
Lesser Yellowlegs  20
Least Sandpiper  8
Short-billed Dowitcher  6
Laughing Gull  100
Herring Gull  2
Great Black-backed Gull  10
Least Tern  30
Common Tern  10
Forster's Tern  35
Black Skimmer  5
Mourning Dove  6
Chimney Swift  2
Downy Woodpecker  2
Eastern Kingbird  2
American Crow  2
Northern Rough-winged Swallow  3
Purple Martin  50
Tree Swallow  2
Bank Swallow  3
Barn Swallow  3
Carolina Chickadee  1
Carolina Wren  1
American Robin  1
Gray Catbird  2
Northern Mockingbird  2
European Starling  15
Cedar Waxwing  4
Common Yellowthroat  1
Song Sparrow  3
Northern Cardinal  4
Blue Grosbeak  1
Indigo Bunting  1
Red-winged Blackbird  10
Common Grackle  10
Brown-headed Cowbird  10
Orchard Oriole  1
House Finch  2
House Sparrow  5

This report was generated automatically by eBird v3 (http://ebird.org)

Forster's and Common Terns [Photo by Karl Lukens]

Birding the Meadows with Pete Dunne - Monday, July 7th, 2014

Good views from the parking lot of singing Blue Grosbeak and Indigo Bunting. Offshore, we had dozens of Black Scoter with at least three Surf Scoters. Waders included Great Blue Heron, Great and Snowy Egret, Green Heron, Glossy Ibis and a fly-by Black-Crowned Night-Heron. Shorebirds are on the move with several Spotted Sandpipers, Least Sandpipers, both yellowlegs, and over 50 Short-billed Dowitchers. On the beach we had a pair of American Oystercatchers with a young chick, and a couple of Lesser Black-backed Gulls. Best bird of the day was a Sandwich Tern among the Common and Forster's on a sandy edge. Leaders: Pete Dunne, Karl Lukens, Chuck Slugg, Catherine Busch, Janet Crawford, Steve Weis, and Mike Hannisian.
58 species

Canada Goose  10
Mute Swan  6
Gadwall  2
Mallard  20
Surf Scoter  3
Black Scoter  34
Great Blue Heron  1
Great Egret  4
Snowy Egret  1
Green Heron  3
Black-crowned Night-Heron  1
Glossy Ibis  2
Osprey  5
Piping Plover  1     fly by-seen by a few
Killdeer  3
Spotted Sandpiper  2
Greater Yellowlegs  1
Willet  3
Lesser Yellowlegs  6
Least Sandpiper  8
Short-billed Dowitcher  50
Laughing Gull  25
Ring-billed Gull  2
Herring Gull  5
Lesser Black-backed Gull  2
Great Black-backed Gull  15
Least Tern  10
Common Tern  4
Forster's Tern  20
Sandwich Tern  1
Black Skimmer  4
Mourning Dove  5
Chimney Swift  2
Ruby-throated Hummingbird  1
Downy Woodpecker  1
Northern Flicker  1
Great Crested Flycatcher  1
Eastern Kingbird  1
American Crow  2
Northern Rough-winged Swallow  1
Purple Martin  10
Tree Swallow  3
Barn Swallow  5
Carolina Wren  1
American Robin  1
Northern Mockingbird  3
European Starling  10
Cedar Waxwing  5
Common Yellowthroat  4
Song Sparrow  5
Northern Cardinal  4
Blue Grosbeak  1
Indigo Bunting  1
Red-winged Blackbird  15
Common Grackle  15
Brown-headed Cowbird  4
American Goldfinch  2
House Sparrow  5

This report was generated automatically by eBird v3 (http://ebird.org)

American Oystercatcher [Photo by Karl Lukens]

Lesser Black-backed Gull [Photo by Karl Lukens]

Birding Cape May Point - Saturday, July 5th, 2014

It's nice when you're in the right place at the right time. The text message read, "Mississippi Kite headed west from South Cape May Meadows." We looked up, and there it was. We had a good long look from several angles as the kite flew past, wheeled, then continued toward the lighthouse, its long pointed wings swept back in graceful flight. The swallow variety was good also with Northern Rough-winged, Barn, Bank and Tree Swallows in addition to the always-present-in-the-summer Purple Martins. Singing in the scope birds included Blue Grosbeak, Yellow-breasted Chat and Indigo Bunting. Leaders: Kathy Horn & Karl Lukens.
61 species (+1 other taxa)

Canada Goose  35
Mute Swan  11
Mallard  42     42
Black Scoter  6
Great Blue Heron  3
Great Egret  5
Snowy Egret  3
Glossy Ibis  5
Black Vulture  2
Turkey Vulture  5
Osprey  3
Mississippi Kite  1
Red-tailed Hawk  1
American Oystercatcher  3
Killdeer  2
Spotted Sandpiper  1
Lesser Yellowlegs  3
Least Sandpiper  12
Semipalmated Sandpiper  1
Laughing Gull  55
Herring Gull (American)  8
Least Tern  5
Forster's Tern  20
Sterna sp.  35
Mourning Dove  9
Yellow-billed Cuckoo  1
Chimney Swift  3
Ruby-throated Hummingbird  1
Downy Woodpecker  2
Great Crested Flycatcher  2
Eastern Kingbird  3
Blue Jay  2
American Crow  4
Fish Crow  3
Northern Rough-winged Swallow  2
Purple Martin  25
Tree Swallow  10
Bank Swallow  1
Barn Swallow  6
Carolina Chickadee  4
Tufted Titmouse  3
House Wren  3
Carolina Wren  4
American Robin  18
Gray Catbird  1
Northern Mockingbird  1
European Starling  8
Cedar Waxwing  3
Common Yellowthroat  5
Pine Warbler  1
Yellow-breasted Chat  3
Song Sparrow  3
Northern Cardinal  6
Blue Grosbeak  3
Indigo Bunting  5
Red-winged Blackbird  20
Common Grackle  15
Brown-headed Cowbird  6
Orchard Oriole  1
House Finch  5
American Goldfinch  2
House Sparrow  2

This report was generated automatically by eBird v3 (http://ebird.org)

Sunset Birding at the Meadows - Friday, July 4th, 2014

A beautiful, though windy, evening. Highlights of the walk include: Roseate Tern; Black Tern; Common and Forester's Terns; Bank Swallow; young American Oystercatchers and young Willet; and ended with a great look at a Blue Grosbeak. Leaders: Chuck Slugg and Kathy Horn.
49 species

Canada Goose  45
Mute Swan  7
Mallard  115
Surf Scoter  1
Black Scoter  11     2 small rafts off bunker, six in one group and 5 in other,
with young Surf Scoter
Great Egret  3
Snowy Egret  2
Glossy Ibis  5
Turkey Vulture  1
Osprey  2
Bald Eagle  1
American Oystercatcher  14
Killdeer  2
Spotted Sandpiper  7
Greater Yellowlegs  2
Willet  7
Lesser Yellowlegs  15
Least Sandpiper  15
Pectoral Sandpiper  3
Short-billed Dowitcher  11
Laughing Gull  15
Ring-billed Gull  2
Herring Gull  2
Great Black-backed Gull  12
Least Tern  20
Black Tern  1
Roseate Tern  1
Common Tern  5
Forster's Tern  22
Black Skimmer  1
Rock Pigeon (Feral Pigeon)  2
Mourning Dove  6
Chimney Swift  4
Fish Crow  1
Purple Martin  4
Tree Swallow  10
Bank Swallow  1
Barn Swallow  6
European Starling  5
Cedar Waxwing  3
Common Yellowthroat  1     heard only
Yellow Warbler  1
Song Sparrow  3
Blue Grosbeak  1
Indigo Bunting  1     heard only
Red-winged Blackbird  10
Common Grackle  5
American Goldfinch  2     heard only
House Sparrow  4

This report was generated automatically by eBird v3 (/content/nj)

Bird Walk for All People - Thursday, July 3rd, 2014

Hot, sunny, humid weather with a breeze greeted walkers this morning. Highlights of the walk include: Piping Plover on nest; numerous American Oystercatchers with one chick; Black Skimmers flying by; Glossy Ibis feeding along the shore of Bunker Pond; and Least Terns nesting on the beach. Leaders: Chuck Slugg and Warren Cairo.
43 species

Canada Goose  20
Mute Swan  22
Mallard  30
Great Egret  3
Snowy Egret  3
Glossy Ibis  1
Turkey Vulture  3
Osprey  1
American Oystercatcher  9
Piping Plover  1
Killdeer  1
Laughing Gull  21
Herring Gull  2
Great Black-backed Gull  25
Least Tern  27
Common Tern  3
Forster's Tern  24
Black Skimmer  2
Rock Pigeon (Feral Pigeon)  2
Mourning Dove  3
Downy Woodpecker  1
Great Crested Flycatcher  1     seen by leader only
Eastern Kingbird  2     heard only
Fish Crow  4
Northern Rough-winged Swallow  3
Purple Martin  43
Tree Swallow  2
Barn Swallow  4
House Wren  2     heard only
Carolina Wren  2     heard only
American Robin  5
Gray Catbird  1
European Starling  5
Cedar Waxwing  4
Common Yellowthroat  2     heard only
Song Sparrow  4
Northern Cardinal  3
Indigo Bunting  3     heard only
Red-winged Blackbird  15
Common Grackle  7
Brown-headed Cowbird  3
House Finch  2
House Sparrow  4

This report was generated automatically by eBird v3 (/content/nj)

Birding Cape May Point - Wednesday, July 2nd, 2014

A nice day and good terns with Forster's, Least, a few Common, and one each of Royal and Caspian Terns. Waders included Great Blue Heron, Great and Snowy Egret, and Glossy Ibis. On the beach were a pair of American Oystercatchers with two youngsters, a Piping Plover on Nest, and two Lesser Black-backed Gulls. We also had nice views of Indigo Bunting in a scope. Leaders: Mike Crewe, Megan Crewe, Karl Lukens, Warren Cairo, Chris Marks, Mary Watkins, and Catherine Busch.
53 species

Canada Goose  15
Mute Swan  15
Gadwall  2
Mallard  30
Surf Scoter  2
Ruddy Duck  1
Great Blue Heron  1
Great Egret  4
Snowy Egret  1
Glossy Ibis  9
Turkey Vulture  1
Osprey  4
Red-tailed Hawk  1
American Oystercatcher  6
Piping Plover  1
Killdeer  1
Laughing Gull  100
Herring Gull  2
Lesser Black-backed Gull  2
Great Black-backed Gull  15
Least Tern  25
Caspian Tern  1
Common Tern  3
Forster's Tern  15
Royal Tern  1
Black Skimmer  4
Rock Pigeon (Feral Pigeon)  5
Mourning Dove  5
Downy Woodpecker  1
Great Crested Flycatcher  1
Eastern Kingbird  1
American Crow  1
Northern Rough-winged Swallow  1
Purple Martin  75
Tree Swallow  2
Barn Swallow  3
Carolina Chickadee  1
Carolina Wren  3
American Robin  8
Northern Mockingbird  3
European Starling  15
Cedar Waxwing  2
Common Yellowthroat  3     heard
Yellow-breasted Chat  2     heard
Song Sparrow  4
Northern Cardinal  5
Indigo Bunting  2
Red-winged Blackbird  6
Common Grackle  15
Brown-headed Cowbird  4
Orchard Oriole  1
House Finch  4
House Sparrow  5

This report was generated automatically by eBird v3 (http://ebird.org)

Glossy Ibis [Photo by Karl Lukens]

Indigo Bunting [Photo by Karl Lukens]

Royal Tern [Photo by Karl Lukens]

Birding the Meadows with Pete Dunne - Monday, June 30th, 2014

Again good birding from the parking lot, with nice scope views of Indigo Bunting, Blue Grosbeak, and Cedar Waxwing. American Oystercatchers with two fledged youngsters, and Eastern Willets with four chicks were also of note. Eight far-off Brown Pelicans were seen and then one Brown Pelican flew almost overhead. Leaders: Pete Dunne, Karl Lukens, Chuck Slugg, Steve Weis, Janet Crawford, Catherine Busch, Carrie Bell, Mary Watkins, and Mike Hannisian.
53 species

Canada Goose  10
Mute Swan  8
Gadwall  2
Mallard  30
Surf Scoter  1
Brown Pelican  9
Great Egret  3
Snowy Egret  4
Green Heron  1
Glossy Ibis  6
Turkey Vulture  2
Osprey  4
Red-tailed Hawk  1
American Oystercatcher  9     2 almost fledged young
Killdeer  3
Willet  8     4 chicks
Laughing Gull  30
Herring Gull  5
Lesser Black-backed Gull  3
Great Black-backed Gull  15
Least Tern  15
Common Tern  2
Forster's Tern  20
Black Skimmer  1
Mourning Dove  8
Chimney Swift  3
Downy Woodpecker  1
Northern Flicker  2
Great Crested Flycatcher  1
Eastern Kingbird  1
American Crow  2
Purple Martin  20
Tree Swallow  5
Barn Swallow  5
Carolina Wren  1
American Robin  5
Gray Catbird  4
Northern Mockingbird  1
European Starling  50
Cedar Waxwing  8
Common Yellowthroat  5
Yellow-breasted Chat  1     heard
Eastern Towhee  1     heard
Song Sparrow  5
Northern Cardinal  8
Blue Grosbeak  1
Indigo Bunting  2
Red-winged Blackbird  10
Common Grackle  10
Brown-headed Cowbird  4
House Finch  2
American Goldfinch  6
House Sparrow  8

This report was generated automatically by eBird v3 (http://ebird.org)

Brown Pelican [Photo by Karl Lukens]

Cedar Waxwing [Photo by Karl Lukens]

Lesser Black-backed Gull [Photo by Karl Lukens]