Birding the Meadows with Pete Dunne - Monday, October 27th, 2014

The usual ducks were present as well as three fly-over Wood Ducks, several Green-winged Teal, and one Ruddy Duck. Off-shore, there were Black and Surf Scoters and two White-winged Scoters. At least three Parasitic Jaegers were chasing terns and gulls in the rips. A few shore birds were seen including one each Greater and Lesser Yellowlegs and two Wilson's Snipe. There were always Yellow-rumped Warblers in the air and bushes around us. But the best bird(s) of the day were three Short-eared Owls that flew all around putting on a great show. Leaders: Pete Dunne, Karl Lukens, Chuck Slugg, Steve Weis, Janet Crawford, and Carrie Bell.

65 species

Canada Goose  40

Mute Swan  8

Wood Duck  3

Gadwall  10

Mallard  10

Northern Shoveler  5

Northern Pintail  6

Green-winged Teal  6

Surf Scoter  10

White-winged Scoter  2

Black Scoter  30

Ruddy Duck  1

Common Loon  2

Pied-billed Grebe  2

Northern Gannet  1

Double-crested Cormorant  100

Great Egret  1

Turkey Vulture  20

Osprey  2

Northern Harrier  3

Sharp-shinned Hawk  5

Cooper's Hawk  2

Broad-winged Hawk  3

Red-tailed Hawk  1

American Coot  11

Killdeer  3

Greater Yellowlegs  1

Lesser Yellowlegs  1

Wilson's Snipe  2

Parasitic Jaeger  3

Laughing Gull  2

Ring-billed Gull  1

Herring Gull  10

Lesser Black-backed Gull  1

Great Black-backed Gull  10

Forster's Tern  30

Royal Tern  1

Rock Pigeon (Feral Pigeon)  1

Mourning Dove  8

Short-eared Owl  3     /p

Ruby-throated Hummingbird  1

Belted Kingfisher  1

Northern Flicker  4

American Kestrel  1

Blue Jay  35

American Crow  10

Tree Swallow  50

Golden-crowned Kinglet  1     heard

Ruby-crowned Kinglet  3

American Robin  75

Northern Mockingbird  3

Palm Warbler  2

Yellow-rumped Warbler  75

Savannah Sparrow  3

Song Sparrow  5

Swamp Sparrow  3

White-throated Sparrow  1

White-crowned Sparrow  1

Northern Cardinal  1

Dickcissel  1     fly-over heard

Red-winged Blackbird  15

House Finch  1

Purple Finch  1

American Goldfinch  6

House Sparrow  5

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

Short-eared Owl [Photo by Karl Lukens]

Yellow-rumped Warbler [Photo by Karl Lukens]

Bird Walk for All People - Thursday, October 23rd, 2014

CMBO’s Bird Walk for All People was a lot of fun despite the howling wind which was gusting to 15-20 mph at times. We were treated to Northern Gannets, a single Parasitic Jaeger and some close-up looks at American Kestrels directly above us along with a good variety of ducks on Bunker Pond including an Eurasian Wigeon. Leader: Warren Cairo.
45 species

Canada Goose  20
Mute Swan  18
Wood Duck  1
Gadwall  6
Eurasian Wigeon  1
American Wigeon  10
Mallard  8
Northern Shoveler  6
Northern Pintail  10
Green-winged Teal  12
Ring-necked Duck  4
Surf Scoter  300
Black Scoter  800
Ruddy Duck  16
Common Loon  2
Pied-billed Grebe  1
Northern Gannet  6
Double-crested Cormorant  40
Great Blue Heron  24
Turkey Vulture  5
Osprey  1
Northern Harrier  2
Sharp-shinned Hawk  2
Cooper's Hawk  1
American Coot  20
Parasitic Jaeger  1
Laughing Gull  30
Herring Gull  10
Great Black-backed Gull  30
Caspian Tern  3
Forster's Tern  12
Royal Tern  8
Rock Pigeon (Feral Pigeon)  5
Mourning Dove  4
Belted Kingfisher  1
American Kestrel  10
Merlin  1
Tree Swallow  80
Ruby-crowned Kinglet  1
Northern Mockingbird  2
Palm Warbler  3
Yellow-rumped Warbler (Myrtle)  22
Song Sparrow  3
White-crowned Sparrow  2
Dark-eyed Junco  2

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

Twilight Watch at The Meadows - Wednesday, October 22nd, 2014

Seems like each Wednesday is a bit of British weather!  Another rainy, cloudy, and windy evening at the Meadows.  Eight hardy souls joined us as we searched for birds, and despite the weather we had a great time and enjoyed some nice birds. The highlight was a great comparison look at Laughing, Great Black-backed and Lesser Black-backed Gulls. Oh yes, there was that Merlin darting around chasing dinner.  Leaders: Warren Cairo and Bill Smythe.
27 species (+2 other taxa)

Canada Goose  30
Mute Swan  4
Gadwall  10
American Wigeon  6
Mallard  4
Blue-winged Teal  2
Northern Shoveler  6
Northern Pintail  10
Green-winged Teal  16
Double-crested Cormorant  1
Snowy Egret  1
Osprey  1
Sharp-shinned Hawk  5
Cooper's Hawk  1
Laughing Gull  20
Herring Gull  10
Lesser Black-backed Gull  1
Great Black-backed Gull  30
Mourning Dove  5
Merlin  2
Tree Swallow  40
Palm Warbler (Western)  3
Palm Warbler (Yellow)  5
Yellow-rumped Warbler  20
Savannah Sparrow  2
Song Sparrow  3
Swamp Sparrow  2
White-throated Sparrow  4
sparrow sp.  15

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

Birding Cape May Point - Wednesday, October 22nd, 2014

As always with a CMBO walk, attention to our participants is paramount and, with a head-spinning number of birds zapping all around us throughout the walk, there really wasn’t time to break off and count them all. So, there’s no full list here, but the morning was, nevertheless, magical. Yellow-rumped and Palm Warblers were often feeding almost at arm’s length – as was a Field Sparrow at one point too. The sparrow flock at the Hawkwatch held White-throated, White-crowned, Song and Swamp Sparrows and at least one Dark-eyed Junco. Golden-crowned Kinglets were busy in the bayberries, and great scads of Black and Surf Scoters ferried in and out of the bay. Forster’s Terns were trickling out of the bay almost throughout the walk, small parties of Great Blue Herons rose from the reeds and, at one point, some 400 Blue Jays scattered themselves around the lighthouse. American Pipits, House Finches and Pine Siskins could be heard overhead, before we got enveloped in a blanket of swirling Tree Sparrows. Then there were the ducks! A great variety of ducks. Blue-winged and Green-winged Teal, three male Eurasian Wigeon among the American Wigeons, graceful Northern Pintail, a group of four Ring-necked Ducks… and the Ruddy Ducks snoozed through it all.

Raptors swirled everywhere we looked; Peregrine, American Kestrel, Osprey, Red-tailed, Broad-winged, Sharp-shinned and Cooper’s Hawks, three Bald Eagles – with two youngsters tussling right over Bunker Pond. There was so much more, I am sure, but one thing is for sure, it’s building up to be a fabulous weekend!!

Leaders: Mike Crewe, Megan Crewe, Mary Watkins, Chris Marks, and Steve Weis.

Sunset Birding at Stone Harbor Point - Tuesday, October 21st, 2014

Another beautiful evening at Stone Harbor Point! The highlight of the walk were the hundreds of scoters both Black and Surf--at times they filled the sky from north to south. Along with great birds, we had a spectacular sunset!  Leaders: Warren Cairo, Gail Dwyer, Shaun Bamford, Kathy Horn and Nancy Watson.
32 species (+2 other taxa)

Brant  500
Wood Duck  1
Green-winged Teal  1
Surf Scoter  4000
Black Scoter  2000
Surf/Black Scoter  1200
Red-throated Loon  1
Common Loon  1
Double-crested Cormorant  30
Brown Pelican  6
American Oystercatcher  14
Black-bellied Plover  20
Sanderling  250
peep sp.  4
Parasitic Jaeger  1
Laughing Gull  30
Ring-billed Gull  4
Herring Gull  30
Lesser Black-backed Gull  8
Great Black-backed Gull  50
Caspian Tern  4
Forster's Tern  10
Royal Tern  3
Black Skimmer  25
Peregrine Falcon  1
Eastern Phoebe  1
Gray Catbird  1
Northern Mockingbird  2
Palm Warbler  8
Yellow-rumped Warbler  20
Savannah Sparrow  1
Song Sparrow  4
White-throated Sparrow  2
Dark-eyed Junco  1

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

EZ Birding at Two-Mile Beach - Tuesday, October 21st, 2014

A large, swirling flock of Tree Swallows greeted us at the parking lot as they landed briefly to eat bayberries. Yellow-rumped Warblers were everywhere. Offshore, coastal migration was exciting as we had multiple close flocks of mixed Black and Surf Scoter, and Double-crested Cormorants. Shorebirds have increased with good looks at Black-bellied Plover, Dunlin, and a lone American Oystercatcher. The salt ponds had a variety of ducks, herons and egrets, and a single Pied-billed Grebe. Leaders: Catherine Busch, Chris Marks, Nancy Watson, Marc & Lynne Breslow, Lee Smythe, and Mary Watkins.
40 species

American Black Duck  40
Mallard  10
Green-winged Teal  6
Surf Scoter  X
Black Scoter  X
Pied-billed Grebe  1
Double-crested Cormorant  X
Great Blue Heron  2
Great Egret  8
Turkey Vulture  10
Osprey  1
Northern Harrier  3
Sharp-shinned Hawk  4
Cooper's Hawk  2
American Oystercatcher  1
Black-bellied Plover  25
Ruddy Turnstone  1
Sanderling  X
Dunlin  X
Western Sandpiper  10
Ring-billed Gull  X
Herring Gull  X
Great Black-backed Gull  X
Forster's Tern  1
Royal Tern  4
Belted Kingfisher  1
Northern Flicker  4
Merlin  2
American Crow  5
Tree Swallow  1000
Carolina Wren  1
Ruby-crowned Kinglet  1
Gray Catbird  4
Brown Thrasher  2     heard
Common Yellowthroat  1
Palm Warbler  1
Yellow-rumped Warbler (Myrtle)  X
Eastern Towhee  2
Savannah Sparrow  2
Swamp Sparrow  3
Dark-eyed Junco  6

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

Tree Swallows [Photo by Catherine Busch]

Tree Swallows [Photo by Catherine Busch]

Birding the Meadows with Pete Dunne - Monday, October 20th, 2014

Migrants were in evidence today with many Yellow-rumped Warblers, and flyover Eastern Meadowlark, Blue Jay, Northern Flicker, and Common Loon. A perched Yellow-billed Cuckoo was spotted close to the west path. Offshore, streams of Double-crested Cormorants were flying south along with a few flocks of Black Scoter. A nice surprise was a small flotilla of Horned Grebe. A single Eurasian Wigeon was seen on the plover pond, perhaps, one of those who have been present for some time on Bunker Pond at the state park. Several immature Bald Eagle put on a show including landing on the beach for scope views. Leaders: Pete Dunne, Steve Weis, Janet Crawford, Catherine Busch, Mary Watkins, Marc & Lynne Breslow, Nancy Watson, and Carrie Bell.
61 species

Canada Goose  X
Mute Swan  13
Gadwall  3
Eurasian Wigeon  1
American Wigeon  20
American Black Duck  1
Mallard  X
Blue-winged Teal  X
Northern Shoveler  X
Northern Pintail  2
Green-winged Teal (American)  X
Black Scoter  85
Common Loon  2
Pied-billed Grebe  2
Horned Grebe  6
Double-crested Cormorant  500
Great Blue Heron  14
Turkey Vulture  1
Osprey  1     seen by leader
Northern Harrier  5
Sharp-shinned Hawk  X
Cooper's Hawk  3
Bald Eagle  5
Red-tailed Hawk  1
Sora  1     heard
American Coot  6
Killdeer  4
Greater Yellowlegs  4
Short-billed Dowitcher  1
Wilson's Snipe  3
Ring-billed Gull  10
Herring Gull (American)  X
Lesser Black-backed Gull  1
Great Black-backed Gull  X
Forster's Tern  X
Royal Tern  1
Rock Pigeon (Feral Pigeon)  X
Mourning Dove  2
Yellow-billed Cuckoo  1
Belted Kingfisher  2
Northern Flicker (Yellow-shafted)  10
Merlin  1
Eastern Phoebe  1
Blue Jay  18
American Crow  X
Fish Crow  X
Tree Swallow  X
Red-breasted Nuthatch  1
Golden-crowned Kinglet  2
Northern Mockingbird  2
Palm Warbler (Western)  2
Yellow-rumped Warbler (Myrtle)  X
Savannah Sparrow  X
Song Sparrow  2
Swamp Sparrow  X
Northern Cardinal  1
Red-winged Blackbird  X
Eastern Meadowlark  13
House Finch  X
American Goldfinch  1
House Sparrow  X

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

Cox Hall Creek WMA - Sunday, October 19th, 2014

Twenty-five mph winds following a night of northwest winds means there were a lot of fast-moving birds at CHC WMA this morning. Though perched birds were scarce, what awed the group was the sheer number of birds zooming by, especially Yellow-rumped and Palm Warblers. One find among the many sparrows was a first-year White-crowned Sparrow showing the brown-striped head of a young bird instead of the black-and-white striped head of an adult. White-crowned Sparrows are uncommon to fairly common fall migrants through Cape May; a small number of birds often winter along the NJ coast, with most birds traveling farther south. Leaders: Kathy & Roger Horn, Deb Payson, Shaun & Cindy Bamford, and Joe Demko.
43 species (+2 other taxa)

Turkey Vulture  2
Osprey  3
Sharp-shinned Hawk  7
Cooper's Hawk  1
Bald Eagle  1
Red-tailed Hawk  1
Herring Gull (American)  2
Mourning Dove  25
Red-bellied Woodpecker  3
Downy Woodpecker  1
Northern Flicker (Yellow-shafted)  30
Merlin  1
Eastern Phoebe  7
Blue Jay  25
American Crow  24
Carolina Chickadee  2
Tufted Titmouse  4
White-breasted Nuthatch  1
Brown Creeper  1
Carolina Wren  4
Golden-crowned Kinglet  4
Ruby-crowned Kinglet  12
Eastern Bluebird  2
American Robin  15
Gray Catbird  3
Northern Mockingbird  1
European Starling  40
Cedar Waxwing  4
Palm Warbler  20
Palm Warbler (Western)  30
Palm Warbler (Yellow)  10
Pine Warbler  1
Yellow-rumped Warbler (Myrtle)  200
Eastern Towhee  2
Chipping Sparrow  4
Field Sparrow  3
Savannah Sparrow  2
Song Sparrow  4
Swamp Sparrow  15
White-throated Sparrow  10
White-crowned Sparrow  1
Northern Cardinal  2
Indigo Bunting  2
Red-winged Blackbird  20
American Goldfinch  11

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

Hawks, Trails, and Beach - Saturday, October 18th, 2014

It was a beautiful fall afternoon! From the top of the dune, we watched Parasitic Jaegers "doing their thing" among terns and gulls too far out to identify in the rips. Bunker Pond was filled with swans, geese, and ducks including American and Eurasian Wigeon, Northern Pintails, Mallards, Ruddy Ducks, Northern Shovelers, Greater Scaup, and Blue- and Green-winged Teal. Other birds were Pied-billed Grebe, Great Blue Heron, and Great Egret. In the wooded area, we had a small mixed flock including Tufted Titmouse, Blue-gray Gnatcatcher, and, of course, Yellow-rumped Warblers. Throughout the walk, we were treated to a raptor show overhead including an incredible flight of American Kestrels. Leaders: Chuck Slugg, Mary Jane Slugg, Cindy Bamford, and Deb Payson.
45 species

Canada Goose  40
Mute Swan  36
Gadwall  4
Eurasian Wigeon  1
American Wigeon  36
Mallard  24
Blue-winged Teal  18
Northern Shoveler  12
Northern Pintail  7
Green-winged Teal  22
Greater Scaup  1
Pied-billed Grebe  2
Double-crested Cormorant  4
Great Blue Heron  1
Great Egret  3
Black Vulture  1
Turkey Vulture  5
Osprey  3
Northern Harrier  4
Sharp-shinned Hawk  5
Cooper's Hawk  3
American Coot  8
Parasitic Jaeger  2
Herring Gull  10
Great Black-backed Gull  20
Caspian Tern  1
Royal Tern  6
Rock Pigeon (Feral Pigeon)  2
Mourning Dove  7
Northern Flicker  2
American Kestrel  35
Merlin  7
Peregrine Falcon  4
Blue Jay  4     heard only
American Crow  11
Fish Crow  3
Tree Swallow  20
Carolina Chickadee  1     heard only
Tufted Titmouse  3
Carolina Wren  1     heard only
Northern Mockingbird  1
European Starling  3
Yellow-rumped Warbler  25
Northern Cardinal  1     heard only
House Sparrow  4

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

Fall Migrants at the Rea Farm - Saturday, October 18th, 2014

While many of the birds on this mornings walk only provided brief glimpses before diving for cover, perhaps the favorite species was the Eastern Meadowlark, found perched in a shrub by one of the participants. Half hidden in the leaves, four birds were eventually viewed in the scopes, with one still in breeding plumage. Meadowlarks can be seen any time of year in the Cape May area, but seldom are. Common fall migrants, with some birds overwintering, they often feed on the ground in tall grasses and dry marshes. Meadowlarks are one of the most widely distributed songbirds with a range from southern Canada to northern South America.  Group 1 Leaders: Kathy Horn and Deb Payson.
44 species (+1 other taxa)

Canada Goose  35
Mallard  6
Double-crested Cormorant  1
Great Egret  1
Turkey Vulture  1
Osprey  2
Sharp-shinned Hawk  3
Cooper's Hawk  1
Bald Eagle  1
Red-tailed Hawk  1
Herring Gull (American)  2
Mourning Dove  22
Red-bellied Woodpecker  2
Yellow-bellied Sapsucker  1
Downy Woodpecker  2
Northern Flicker (Yellow-shafted)  9
Eastern Phoebe  4
Red-eyed Vireo  2
Blue Jay  16
American Crow  15
Fish Crow  13
Carolina Chickadee  2
Carolina Wren  9
Ruby-crowned Kinglet  2
Eastern Bluebird  1
American Robin  5
Gray Catbird  7
Brown Thrasher  2
Northern Mockingbird  8
European Starling  45
Cedar Waxwing  2
Palm Warbler (Western)  9
Palm Warbler (Yellow)  2
Yellow-rumped Warbler (Myrtle)  13
Field Sparrow  4
Savannah Sparrow  2
Song Sparrow  2
Swamp Sparrow  3
White-throated Sparrow  2
Scarlet Tanager  1
Northern Cardinal  4
Rose-breasted Grosbeak  1
Indigo Bunting  2
Red-winged Blackbird  22
Eastern Meadowlark  4

Group 2 Leaders: Karl Lukens and Roger Horn.

35 species

Canada Goose  36

Mallard  3

Great Egret  1

Osprey  2

Cooper's Hawk  1

Bald Eagle  1

Herring Gull (American)  2

Rock Pigeon (Feral Pigeon)  2

Mourning Dove  55

Red-bellied Woodpecker  3

Downy Woodpecker  3

Northern Flicker (Yellow-shafted)  4

Eastern Phoebe  1

Blue Jay  15

American Crow  3

Fish Crow  42

Carolina Chickadee  1

Carolina Wren  5

Ruby-crowned Kinglet  2

Eastern Bluebird  1

American Robin  8

Gray Catbird  7

Brown Thrasher  1

Northern Mockingbird  4

European Starling  6

Palm Warbler (Western)  1

Yellow-rumped Warbler (Myrtle)  9

Song Sparrow  1

Swamp Sparrow  2

White-throated Sparrow  3

Scarlet Tanager  1

Northern Cardinal  1

Red-winged Blackbird  11

Eastern Meadowlark  3

Common Grackle  2

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

Scarlet Tanager [Photo by Karl Lukens]

Sunset Birding at The Meadows - Friday, October 17th, 2014

We had a record number of Friday night walkers on this beautiful fall evening so we split the group in two with Kathy taking the Eastern Trail and Chuck and Deb taking the Western Trail. Chuck's group saw a Common Gallinule, Stilt Sandpipers, Lesser Yellowlegs, Short-billed Dowitcher, and a variety of ducks. We had several Merlins zoom over our heads and a Peregrine Falcon sitting on the beach. Leaders: Chuck Slugg, Kathy Horn, and Deb Payson.
38 species

Canada Goose  40
Mute Swan  13
Gadwall  14
Mallard  16
Blue-winged Teal  10
Northern Shoveler  18
Northern Pintail  9
Green-winged Teal  30
Pied-billed Grebe  1
Double-crested Cormorant  2
Great Egret  1
Cooper's Hawk  1
Common Gallinule  1
American Coot  12
Killdeer  1     heard only
Lesser Yellowlegs  4
Stilt Sandpiper  2
Short-billed Dowitcher  1
Wilson's Snipe  1
Laughing Gull  1
Herring Gull  15
Great Black-backed Gull  30
Royal Tern  5
Black Skimmer  275
Mourning Dove  6
Merlin  3
Peregrine Falcon  1
Blue Jay  1     heard only
American Crow  2     heard only
Northern Mockingbird  2
European Starling  14
Cedar Waxwing  2
Palm Warbler  1
Yellow-rumped Warbler  10
Savannah Sparrow  1
Swamp Sparrow  2
Red-winged Blackbird  10
House Sparrow  4

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

Higbee Beach Birding - Friday, October 17th, 2014

Though a 'classic' Higbee Beach big flight was not under way, Higbee showed that it had many strings to its bow by providing us with some wonderful birding opportunities. Cedar Waxwings, European Starlings, Red-winged Blackbirds and a mass of Blue Jays gave us ample opportunity to study the structure and behavior of flying flocks of birds. Yellow-rumped and Palm Warblers, Ruby-crowned Kinglets and Brown Thrashers moved along the hedgelines and Indigo Buntings and Swamp Sparrows were in the fields. Though views were brief, a Blue-headed Vireo was a nice highlight. Group 1 Leaders: Mike Crewe, Catherine Busch, and Megan Crewe.
47 species

Double-crested Cormorant  10
Great Egret  1
Osprey  4
Sharp-shinned Hawk  5
Cooper's Hawk  2
Red-shouldered Hawk  1
Herring Gull  3
Rock Pigeon (Feral Pigeon)  2
Mourning Dove  3
Red-bellied Woodpecker  4
Downy Woodpecker  1
Northern Flicker  10
Merlin  3
Eastern Phoebe  5
Blue-headed Vireo  1
Blue Jay  200
American Crow  22
Fish Crow  1
Carolina Chickadee  2
Tufted Titmouse  6
Red-breasted Nuthatch  1
Carolina Wren  2
Golden-crowned Kinglet  2
Ruby-crowned Kinglet  10
American Robin  10
Gray Catbird  6
Brown Thrasher  3
European Starling  120
Cedar Waxwing  12
Common Yellowthroat  3
American Redstart  1
Palm Warbler  40
Yellow-rumped Warbler  50
Black-throated Green Warbler  1
Eastern Towhee  2
Chipping Sparrow  10
Song Sparrow  2
Swamp Sparrow  15
White-throated Sparrow  10
Northern Cardinal  6
Blue Grosbeak  2
Indigo Bunting  6
Red-winged Blackbird  80
House Finch  15
Purple Finch  2
Pine Siskin  1
American Goldfinch  1

Group 2 Leaders: Kathy Horn, Chris Marks, and Mary Watkins.
47 species (+1 other taxa)

Canada Goose  12
Double-crested Cormorant  4
Great Egret  1
Osprey  1
Sharp-shinned Hawk  6
Herring Gull (American)  2
Mourning Dove  3
Red-bellied Woodpecker  3
Yellow-bellied Sapsucker  1
Downy Woodpecker  3
Northern Flicker (Yellow-shafted)  24
Eastern Phoebe  5
Blue-headed Vireo  1
Red-eyed Vireo  2
Blue Jay  35
American Crow  22
Tree Swallow  7
Carolina Chickadee  2
Tufted Titmouse  1
White-breasted Nuthatch  1
Brown Creeper  1
Carolina Wren  6
Golden-crowned Kinglet  5
Ruby-crowned Kinglet  10
American Robin  12
Gray Catbird  14
Brown Thrasher  9
European Starling  3
Cedar Waxwing  28
Common Yellowthroat  2
Northern Parula  2
Palm Warbler (Western)  16
Palm Warbler (Yellow)  5
Yellow-rumped Warbler (Myrtle)  35
Black-throated Green Warbler  1
Eastern Towhee  4
Chipping Sparrow  2
Field Sparrow  6
Song Sparrow  3
Swamp Sparrow  11
White-throated Sparrow  7
Dark-eyed Junco  1
Scarlet Tanager  1
Northern Cardinal  8
Indigo Bunting  2
Bobolink  2
Red-winged Blackbird  5
American Goldfinch  4

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

Bird Walk for All People - Thursday, October 16th, 2014

It was a balmy morning with a light cloud cover and a good breeze. From the beach, we watched Parasitic Jaegers harassing the gulls and many Forster's Terns still visible in the rips. We also had Royal Terns. Moving to Bunker Pond, we spotted the Eurasian Wigeon along with American Wigeon, Green-winged and Blue-winged Teal, Northern Shovelers, Northern Pintails, Mallards, and a Greater Scaup. A flock of Eastern Meadowlarks flew over us and a Belted Kingfisher was working the pond. Moving through the wooded areas, and surveying Lighthouse Pond, there was a good movement of raptors including Peregrines, Sharp-shinned and Cooper's Hawks, Osprey, and both Black and Turkey Vultures. Along with Yellow-rumped Warblers, we saw a large movement of Blue Jays and Tree Swallows. Leaders: Chuck Slugg, Warren Cairo, and Cindy Bamford.
45 species

Canada Goose  45
Mute Swan  32
Gadwall  2
Eurasian Wigeon  3     The same Eurasian Wigeon drakes that have been on Bunker Pond for the last few weeks; very vocal; distinctive call
American Wigeon  45
Mallard  16
Blue-winged Teal  10
Northern Shoveler  12
Northern Pintail  7
Green-winged Teal  18
Greater Scaup  1
Pied-billed Grebe  1
Double-crested Cormorant  4
Great Blue Heron  2
Great Egret  3
Green Heron  1
Black Vulture  1
Turkey Vulture  3
Osprey  5
Northern Harrier  2
Sharp-shinned Hawk  8
Cooper's Hawk  4
Killdeer  1     heard only
Parasitic Jaeger  2
Great Black-backed Gull  2
Forster's Tern  20
Royal Tern  8
Black Skimmer  60
Rock Pigeon (Feral Pigeon)  2
Mourning Dove  4
Northern Flicker  5
Peregrine Falcon  2
Blue Jay  65
American Crow  2
Northern Rough-winged Swallow  2
Tree Swallow  110
Carolina Wren  5
Gray Catbird  4
Northern Mockingbird  4
European Starling  18
Yellow-rumped Warbler  20
Northern Cardinal  1     heard only
Red-winged Blackbird  18
Eastern Meadowlark  12
House Sparrow  3

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

Twilight Watch at the Meadows - Wednesday, October 15th, 21014

Tonight's walk began with a downpour, but as usual with Cape May weather, it turned out to be a pleasant evening with a nice mix of birds. Leaders: Warren Cairo and Bill Smythe.
29 species

Canada Goose  50
Mute Swan  6
Gadwall  8
Mallard  25
Blue-winged Teal  5
Northern Shoveler  10
Northern Pintail  8
Green-winged Teal  20
Black Scoter  16
Ruddy Duck  1
Pied-billed Grebe  2
Double-crested Cormorant  2
Great Blue Heron  1
Great Egret  2
Snowy Egret  1
Osprey  1
Cooper's Hawk  1
American Coot  5
Greater Yellowlegs  2
Lesser Yellowlegs  1
Pectoral Sandpiper  3
Short-billed Dowitcher  1
Herring Gull  4
Lesser Black-backed Gull  1
Great Black-backed Gull  5
Caspian Tern  1
Forster's Tern  10
Royal Tern  1
Mourning Dove  5

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

Birding Cape May Point - Wednesday, October 15th, 2014

There were lots of ducks to observe and study with a few notable ones like three drake Eurasian Wigeon, and one Greater Scaup. Offshore, there were numerous scoters, mostly Black but with some Surf Scoters mixed in. Additionally, there was a nice jaeger show in the feeding flock of gulls and terns, with up to six Parasitic Jaegers seen chasing them. Other birds of interest were Northern Harrier, Sharp-shinned and Cooper's Hawks, and a Peregrine sitting on the beach as well as one in a tree. Leaders: Mike Crewe, Karl Lukens, Chris Marks, Steve Weis, Mary Watkins, and Mike Hannisian.
46 species (+1 other taxa)

Canada Goose  25
Mute Swan  20
Gadwall  2
Eurasian Wigeon  3
American Wigeon  15
Mallard  10
Blue-winged Teal  12
Northern Shoveler  15
Northern Pintail  18
Green-winged Teal (American)  6
Greater Scaup  1
Surf Scoter  10
Black Scoter  50
scoter sp.  150
Ruddy Duck  11
Pied-billed Grebe  1
Double-crested Cormorant  400
Great Blue Heron  1
Great Egret  1
Snowy Egret  1
Turkey Vulture  3
Osprey  2
Northern Harrier  1
Sharp-shinned Hawk  6
Cooper's Hawk  3
Red-tailed Hawk  1
Parasitic Jaeger  6
Laughing Gull  150
Ring-billed Gull  5
Herring Gull  20
Great Black-backed Gull  75
Forster's Tern  30
Royal Tern  20
Rock Pigeon (Feral Pigeon)  5
Mourning Dove  4
Belted Kingfisher  1
Merlin  1
Peregrine Falcon  3
American Crow  5
Tree Swallow  20
Northern Mockingbird  1
European Starling  10
Palm Warbler  1
Yellow-rumped Warbler  25
Northern Cardinal  1
Red-winged Blackbird  5
House Sparrow  5

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

Eurasian Wigeon (top) and American Wigeon [Photo by Karl Lukens]

Peregrine Falcon [Photo by Karl Lukens]

Sunset Birding at Stone Harbor Point - Tuesday, October 14th, 2014

It was another fun evening at Stone Harbor Point.  We had great looks at Lesser-black Backed Gulls and the opportunity to compare them to Herring and Ring-billed Gulls.  Shore birds were scarce, but we had a good variety including Red Knots, Dunlin, Short-billed Dowitcher and Black-bellied Plovers. Leaders: Warren Cairo, Gail Dwyer, Kathy Horn, Shaun Bamford and Nancy Watson.
24 species

Green-winged Teal (American)  3
Surf Scoter  30
Black Scoter  30
Double-crested Cormorant  46
Snowy Egret  1
Black-bellied Plover  20
Semipalmated Plover  4
Ruddy Turnstone  1
Red Knot  6
Sanderling  200
Dunlin  20
Western Sandpiper  1
peep sp.  30
Short-billed Dowitcher  2
Laughing Gull  30
Ring-billed Gull  1
Herring Gull (American)  20
Lesser Black-backed Gull  10
Great Black-backed Gull  60
Caspian Tern  20
Forster's Tern  8
Royal Tern  15
Ruby-crowned Kinglet  1
Yellow Warbler  1
Dark-eyed Junco  1
sparrow sp.  1

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

EZ Birding at Two-Mile Beach - Tuesday, October 14th, 2014

A warm day with a light breeze made for a pleasant seawatch from the beach at the Two-Mile Unit of the Cape May Wildlife Refuge. Highlights included multiple large flocks of Black Scoter migrating south, some fairly close, and a Peregrine Falcon over the dunes and later perched on a dead tree at the salt ponds. Yellow-rump Warblers were numerous as is typical when there are bayberries to be had along the coast, and Grey Catbirds called and skulked throughout the scrub habitat. Leaders: Catherine Busch, Chris Marks, Marc & Lynne Breslow, Nancy Watson, and Mary Watkins.
39 species

American Black Duck  72
Mallard  5
Black Scoter  250
Common Loon  1
Double-crested Cormorant  15
Great Egret  5
Osprey  4
Northern Harrier  3
Sharp-shinned Hawk  1
Cooper's Hawk  3
Bald Eagle  1      seen by a few after walk ended
Black-bellied Plover  25
Greater Yellowlegs  6
Western Sandpiper  10
Laughing Gull  X
Ring-billed Gull  4
Herring Gull (American)  X
Great Black-backed Gull  X
Caspian Tern  5
Royal Tern  6
Rock Pigeon (Feral Pigeon)  4
Mourning Dove  2
Belted Kingfisher  1
Red-bellied Woodpecker  1
Peregrine Falcon  1
Blue Jay  35
American Crow  3
Fish Crow  2
Tree Swallow  X
Gray Catbird  X
Brown Thrasher  1
Northern Mockingbird  1
European Starling  X
Yellow-rumped Warbler (Myrtle)  X
Eastern Towhee  3
Savannah Sparrow  X     heard
Swamp Sparrow  X     heard
Northern Cardinal  1
American Goldfinch  5

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

Birding the Meadows with Pete Dunne - Monday, October 13th, 2014

A cool, cloudy day with some rain. A nice variety of ducks were seen including Blue- and Green-winged Teal, Northern Shoveler, Northern Pintail, an American and an Eurasian Wigeon, and a Ruddy Duck. It seemed like there was always a Sharp-shinned or Cooper's Hawk overhead along with numerous Yellow-rumped Warblers. A few shorebirds were also present. Fly-over Eastern Meadowlarks were seen several times. Leaders: Pete Dunne, Karl Lukens, Chuck Slugg, Steve Weis, and Catherine Busch.
50 species (+1 other taxa)

Canada Goose  120
Mute Swan  12
Eurasian Wigeon  1
American Wigeon  1
Mallard  15
Blue-winged Teal  2
Northern Shoveler  12
Northern Pintail  4
Green-winged Teal  5
scoter sp.  50
Ruddy Duck  1
Pied-billed Grebe  1
Double-crested Cormorant  50
Snowy Egret  6
Osprey  3
Northern Harrier  1
Sharp-shinned Hawk  15
Cooper's Hawk  8
American Coot  4
Killdeer  1
Greater Yellowlegs  1
Lesser Yellowlegs  8
Stilt Sandpiper  1
Pectoral Sandpiper  3
Short-billed Dowitcher  3
Laughing Gull  12
Ring-billed Gull  6
Herring Gull  30
Lesser Black-backed Gull  1
Great Black-backed Gull  75
Royal Tern  1
Rock Pigeon (Feral Pigeon)  1
Mourning Dove  3
Northern Flicker  2
American Kestrel  1
American Crow  8
Fish Crow  2
Tree Swallow  35
Carolina Wren  1
American Robin  4
Gray Catbird  1
Northern Mockingbird  1
European Starling  10
Common Yellowthroat  1
Yellow-rumped Warbler  60
Swamp Sparrow  4
Northern Cardinal  1
Indigo Bunting  1
Red-winged Blackbird  10
Eastern Meadowlark  12
House Sparrow  5

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

Cox Hall Creek WMA - Sunday, October 12th, 2014

An Eagle chasing an Osprey, a Coop chasing a Sharpie, a Sharpie going for a Flicker - there was a lot of action at CHC WMA today. More sedate than those though were the many Eastern Phoebes with gently bobbing tails that could be seen throughout the WMA. Many were 'birds of the year' - this year's 'hatch birds' - denoted by the light wash of yellow on the chest and belly. An early migrant often seen as a herald of spring, the phoebe is also a late migrant in the fall. Unlike other flycatchers, the Eastern Phoebe is fairly easy to identify with the bobbing tail, dark head, lack of eye ring and faint or absent wing bars.

Group 1 Leaders: Kathy Horn, Shaun Bamford, and Deb Payson.
51 species

Canada Goose  22
Mallard  1
Great Blue Heron  1
Turkey Vulture  2
Osprey  3
Sharp-shinned Hawk  6
Cooper's Hawk  2
Bald Eagle  3
Red-tailed Hawk  1
Herring Gull (American)  1
Mourning Dove  20
Red-bellied Woodpecker  2
Yellow-bellied Sapsucker  2
Downy Woodpecker  1
Northern Flicker (Yellow-shafted)  22
Eastern Phoebe  15
Red-eyed Vireo  2
Blue Jay  25
American Crow  11
Tree Swallow  3
Carolina Chickadee  4
Tufted Titmouse  10
Red-breasted Nuthatch  1
White-breasted Nuthatch  1
Brown Creeper  1
Carolina Wren  6
Golden-crowned Kinglet  5
Ruby-crowned Kinglet  4
Eastern Bluebird  3
American Robin  12
Gray Catbird  14
Brown Thrasher  2
Cedar Waxwing  4
Common Yellowthroat  13
Northern Parula  2
Palm Warbler  8
Pine Warbler  1
Yellow-rumped Warbler (Myrtle)  20
Prairie Warbler  1
Eastern Towhee  6
Chipping Sparrow  2
Field Sparrow  2
Savannah Sparrow  1
Swamp Sparrow  38
White-throated Sparrow  23
Northern Cardinal  3
Indigo Bunting  2
Red-winged Blackbird  5
Common Grackle  4
Purple Finch  4
American Goldfinch  18

Group 2 Leaders: Roger Horn, Steve Weis, and Cindy Bamford.
42 species (+1 other taxa)

Wood Duck  5
Mallard  27
Great Blue Heron  1
Osprey  6
Sharp-shinned Hawk  5
Cooper's Hawk  3
Bald Eagle  5
Herring Gull (American)  1
Rock Pigeon (Feral Pigeon)  3
Mourning Dove  7
Belted Kingfisher  1     heard only
Red-bellied Woodpecker  4
Yellow-bellied Sapsucker  1
Northern Flicker (Yellow-shafted)  35
Merlin  1
Eastern Phoebe  15
Blue Jay  47
American Crow  29
Carolina Chickadee  2
Tufted Titmouse  4
White-breasted Nuthatch  1
Brown Creeper  1
Carolina Wren  4
Golden-crowned Kinglet  2
Ruby-crowned Kinglet  3
American Robin  6
Gray Catbird  11
Northern Mockingbird  2
European Starling  3
Cedar Waxwing  15
Common Yellowthroat  3
Palm Warbler (Western)  6
Palm Warbler (Yellow)  2
Yellow-rumped Warbler (Myrtle)  59
Eastern Towhee  12
Song Sparrow  4
Swamp Sparrow  40
White-throated Sparrow  30
Northern Cardinal  2
Indigo Bunting  1
Red-winged Blackbird  2
Common Grackle  5
American Goldfinch  14

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

Eastern Phoebe [Photo by Roger Horn]

Hawks, Trails, and Beach - Saturday, October 11th, 2014

It was a chilly, damp, drizzly afternoon for our walk at  the State Park. In spite of the weather, the group was excited to see a Bald Eagle chasing an Osprey for its fish which it finally got. On Bunker Pond we found a variety of ducks including Eurasian Wigeon, American Wigeon, Northern Shovelers, Northern Pintails, Mallards, both Blue- and Green-winged Teal, and Gadwall. We also saw juvenile Pectoral Sandpipers. In the brush, we had Savannah and Swamp Sparrows along with Palm Warblers. In the wooded areas, there were both Golden- and Ruby-crowned Kinglets, Black-and-White Warblers, and Carolina Chickadees. Yellow-rumped Warblers were everywhere. Leaders: Chuck Slugg, Cindy Bamford, and Deb Payson.
52 species

Canada Goose  20
Mute Swan  24
Gadwall  6
Eurasian Wigeon  3     These are the three Eurasian Wigeon that have been seen from the Cape May Hawkwatch for the past week.
American Wigeon  35
Mallard  16
Blue-winged Teal  12
Northern Shoveler  14
Northern Pintail  3
Green-winged Teal  8
Double-crested Cormorant  4
Great Blue Heron  1
Great Egret  3
Snowy Egret  1
Turkey Vulture  2
Osprey  5
Sharp-shinned Hawk  3
Cooper's Hawk  3
Bald Eagle  4
Red-tailed Hawk  1
Killdeer  1     heard only
Pectoral Sandpiper  3
Herring Gull  2
Great Black-backed Gull  6
Rock Pigeon (Feral Pigeon)  3
Mourning Dove  5
Belted Kingfisher  2
Northern Flicker  6
Merlin  3
Peregrine Falcon  3
Eastern Phoebe  1
Blue Jay  8     heard only
American Crow  3
Tree Swallow  30
Carolina Chickadee  4
Carolina Wren  3     heard only
Golden-crowned Kinglet  2
Ruby-crowned Kinglet  2
Gray Catbird  7
Brown Thrasher  2     heard only
Northern Mockingbird  6
Cedar Waxwing  3     heard only
Black-and-white Warbler  1
Palm Warbler  8
Yellow-rumped Warbler  30
Savannah Sparrow  9
Swamp Sparrow  4
White-crowned Sparrow  4     seen by leader only
Northern Cardinal  2
Red-winged Blackbird  5
American Goldfinch  2
House Sparrow  5

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

Fall Migrants at the Rea Farm - Saturday, October 11th, 2014

Participants on today's walk at the Rea Farm will probably never forget it. It rained, it poured, it drizzled. But the birds were all around, just looking a little darker - and a lot wetter - than usual. The Red-shouldered Hawk that perched atop a phone pole seemed unfazed. The Yellow-bellied Sapsucker was no more camouflaged than usual - which is to say it was very well camouflaged. Most apparent, however, was the influx of Yellow-rumped Warblers, which were everywhere. During breeding season, Yellow-rumps are the most abundant wood warbler in Canada; today they were the most abundant warbler in Cape May.  Leaders: Kathy & Roger Horn, and Deb Payson.
48 species

Canada Goose  55
Wood Duck  1
Mallard  6
Osprey  3
Sharp-shinned Hawk  3
Red-shouldered Hawk  1
Broad-winged Hawk  1
Red-tailed Hawk  1
Killdeer  2
Herring Gull (American)  2
Rock Pigeon (Feral Pigeon)  10
Mourning Dove  14
Belted Kingfisher  1
Red-bellied Woodpecker  1
Yellow-bellied Sapsucker  2
Downy Woodpecker  1
Northern Flicker (Yellow-shafted)  12
Peregrine Falcon  1
Eastern Phoebe  6
Red-eyed Vireo  1
Blue Jay  12
American Crow  2
Fish Crow  19
Carolina Chickadee  2
Tufted Titmouse  1
Carolina Wren  4
Golden-crowned Kinglet  1
Ruby-crowned Kinglet  4
Eastern Bluebird  2
American Robin  15
Gray Catbird  11
Brown Thrasher  4
Northern Mockingbird  2
European Starling  28
Cedar Waxwing  32
Black-and-white Warbler  2
Common Yellowthroat  18
Northern Parula  1
Palm Warbler  15
Yellow-rumped Warbler (Myrtle)  45
Savannah Sparrow  8
Song Sparrow  5
Swamp Sparrow  10
White-throated Sparrow  4
Northern Cardinal  2
Indigo Bunting  7
Red-winged Blackbird  15
American Goldfinch  2

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

Sunset Birding at The Meadows - Friday, October 10th, 2014

A drizzly, chilly evening for a walk but the birds didn't care. We saw a small flock of Bobolinks perched on the phragmites. There were also numerous Savannah Sparrows and lots of Palm Warblers. We saw a nice variety of ducks including Mallards, American Wigeon, Gadwall, Northern Shovelers, and both Blue- and Green-winged Teal. We ended the walk with a Black-crowned Night-heron flying over the trail. Leaders: Chuck Slugg, Kathy Horn, and Deb Payson.
42 species

Canada Goose  20
Mute Swan  9
Gadwall  7
American Wigeon  75
Mallard  12
Blue-winged Teal  10
Northern Shoveler  8
Green-winged Teal  16
Pied-billed Grebe  1
Double-crested Cormorant  60
Great Egret  2
Snowy Egret  1
Black-crowned Night-Heron  1
Osprey  2
Sharp-shinned Hawk  2
Cooper's Hawk  1
American Coot  8
Wilson's Snipe  1
Laughing Gull  3
Herring Gull  2
Great Black-backed Gull  10
Royal Tern  6
Black Skimmer  200
Mourning Dove  20
Merlin  3
Peregrine Falcon  2
Eastern Kingbird  1     heard only, perched in The Meadows but not seen, doing its "electric spark" call
Blue Jay  3     heard only
Tree Swallow  45
Carolina Wren  3     heard only
American Robin  1
Gray Catbird  3
Brown Thrasher  1     heard only
Northern Mockingbird  2
European Starling  7
Palm Warbler  15
Savannah Sparrow  14
Swamp Sparrow  4
Indigo Bunting  1
Bobolink  8
Red-winged Blackbird  22
House Sparrow  5

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

Higbee Beach Birding - Friday, October 10th, 2014

Today was Higbee Beach how only Higbee Beach can be; Yellow-rumped and Palm Warblers flooded overhead, Swamp and White-throated Sparrows were moving through the fields and Brown Thrashers and Eastern Towhees called from the hedgerows. Warbler variety is tailing off now, but American Redstart, Black-throated Green, Black-throated Blue and Tennessee were among the species we enjoyed. October has arrived!
Group 1 Leaders: Mike Crewe, Chris Marks, and Mary Watkins.
57 species

Canada Goose  15
Double-crested Cormorant  3
Great Blue Heron  2
Osprey  4
Sharp-shinned Hawk  3
Killdeer  3
Mourning Dove  25
Red-bellied Woodpecker  4
Yellow-bellied Sapsucker  3
Downy Woodpecker  1
Northern Flicker  35
Eastern Phoebe  10
Red-eyed Vireo  6
Blue Jay  15
American Crow  1
Tree Swallow  1
Carolina Chickadee  2
Tufted Titmouse  12
Red-breasted Nuthatch  1
Brown Creeper  1
House Wren  1
Carolina Wren  4
Golden-crowned Kinglet  6
Ruby-crowned Kinglet  10
Veery  1
Swainson's Thrush  2
American Robin  20
Gray Catbird  25
Brown Thrasher  6
European Starling  200
Cedar Waxwing  75
Black-and-white Warbler  4
Tennessee Warbler  1
Nashville Warbler  1
Common Yellowthroat  5
American Redstart  3
Northern Parula  10
Magnolia Warbler  2
Chestnut-sided Warbler  1
Blackpoll Warbler  1
Black-throated Blue Warbler  1
Palm Warbler  X
Yellow-rumped Warbler  X
Black-throated Green Warbler  3
Eastern Towhee  10
Chipping Sparrow  15
Song Sparrow  2
Swamp Sparrow  30
White-throated Sparrow  20
Northern Cardinal  2
Indigo Bunting  6
Red-winged Blackbird  10
Eastern Meadowlark  10
Common Grackle  2
Brown-headed Cowbird  6
House Finch  10
American Goldfinch  1

Group 2 Leaders: Kathy Horn, David La Puma, and Catherine Busch.

Canada Goose  18
Wood Duck  23
Common Loon  2
Great Blue Heron  2
Osprey  4
Sharp-shinned Hawk  5
Bald Eagle  1
Herring Gull (American)  2
Rock Pigeon (Feral Pigeon)  4
Mourning Dove  11
Belted Kingfisher  1
Red-bellied Woodpecker  2
Yellow-bellied Sapsucker  2
Downy Woodpecker  1
Northern Flicker (Yellow-shafted)  35
Merlin  1
Eastern Phoebe  9
Red-eyed Vireo  6
Blue Jay  22
American Crow  4
Tree Swallow  2
Carolina Chickadee  6
Tufted Titmouse  3
Red-breasted Nuthatch  1
House Wren  1
Carolina Wren  6
Blue-gray Gnatcatcher  1
Golden-crowned Kinglet  3
Ruby-crowned Kinglet  7
Veery  2
American Robin  13
Gray Catbird  13
Brown Thrasher  6
European Starling  22
Cedar Waxwing  90
Black-and-white Warbler  2
Common Yellowthroat  10
American Redstart  3
Northern Parula  4
Blackpoll Warbler  3
Black-throated Blue Warbler  3
Palm Warbler  10
Palm Warbler (Western)  10
Palm Warbler (Yellow)  3
Yellow-rumped Warbler (Myrtle)  45
Black-throated Green Warbler  1
Eastern Towhee  4
Chipping Sparrow  2
Savannah Sparrow  8
Song Sparrow  1
Swamp Sparrow  6
White-throated Sparrow  10
Scarlet Tanager  1
Northern Cardinal  4
Indigo Bunting  15
Bobolink  2
Red-winged Blackbird  25
Eastern Meadowlark  11
Common Grackle  4
Brown-headed Cowbird  2

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

Bird Walk for All People - Thursday, October 9th, 2014

It was a lovely, cool fall morning with a light breeze and light cloud cover which cleared as we walked. There was a good mix of warblers, hawks, and ducks. We started with the Eurasian Wigeon on Bunker Pond swimming with American Wigeon, Northern Shovelers, Northern Pintails, Blue- and Green-winged Teal, Mallards, and American Coot. The mix of raptors included Bald Eagle, Osprey, Sharp-shinned and Cooper's Hawks, Northern Harrier, and many Broad-winged Hawks. Just after the walk ended there was a Golden Eagle. In the wooded area, warblers included Palm Warbler, American Redstart, Black-and-white Warbler, Common Yellowthroat, Northern Parula, and all three mimids--Gray Catbird, Northern Mockingbird, and a very cooperative Brown Thrasher perched at the top of a tree. Leaders: Chuck Slugg and Cindy Bamford.
66 species

Canada Goose  30
Mute Swan  28
Eurasian Wigeon  2     2 drakes, full breeding plumage
American Wigeon  30
Mallard  20
Blue-winged Teal  20
Northern Shoveler  10
Northern Pintail  10
Green-winged Teal  6
Pied-billed Grebe  1
Double-crested Cormorant  3
Great Blue Heron  1
Great Egret  2
Snowy Egret  2
Black Vulture  1
Turkey Vulture  2
Osprey  5
Golden Eagle  1     seen by leader only, also seen by hawkwatcher and seen again at Northwood Center soaring with sub-adult Bald Eagle providing a good comparison
Northern Harrier  2
Sharp-shinned Hawk  10
Cooper's Hawk  8
Bald Eagle  1
Red-shouldered Hawk  2
Broad-winged Hawk  10
American Coot  9
Killdeer  1     heard only
Laughing Gull  6
Ring-billed Gull  2
Herring Gull  4
Great Black-backed Gull  25
Forster's Tern  20
Royal Tern  8
Rock Pigeon (Feral Pigeon)  3
Mourning Dove  4
Belted Kingfisher  3
Red-bellied Woodpecker  1
Northern Flicker  4
Eastern Phoebe  2
Eastern Kingbird  3     a number of Eastern Kingbirds seen during Morning Flight at Dike this morning; some still in back of State Park
Blue Jay  80
American Crow  2
Fish Crow  3
Tree Swallow  30
Carolina Chickadee  6
White-breasted Nuthatch  1     heard only
Carolina Wren  5
Golden-crowned Kinglet  2     heard only
American Robin  3
Gray Catbird  6
Brown Thrasher  2
Northern Mockingbird  6
European Starling  10
Black-and-white Warbler  2
Common Yellowthroat  3
American Redstart  2
Northern Parula  1
Palm Warbler  10
Yellow-rumped Warbler  8
Savannah Sparrow  6
Swamp Sparrow  2
Northern Cardinal  3     heard only
Bobolink  4     heard only
Red-winged Blackbird  40
House Finch  3
American Goldfinch  7
House Sparrow  6

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

Twilight Watch at The Meadows - Wednesday, October 8th, 2014

Leaders:  Mike Hannisian, Bill Smythe, and Chris & Lee Hajduk
35 species (+1 other taxa)

Canada Goose  20
Mute Swan  8
Mallard  8
American Black Duck x Mallard (hybrid)  1
Green-winged Teal  6
Black Scoter  4
Double-crested Cormorant  3
Great Blue Heron  3
Great Egret  4
Osprey  2
Northern Harrier  1
Sharp-shinned Hawk  2
Cooper's Hawk  1
Lesser Yellowlegs  1
Stilt Sandpiper  1
Sanderling  1
Least Sandpiper  1
Ring-billed Gull  6
Herring Gull  4
Lesser Black-backed Gull  1
Great Black-backed Gull  8
Mourning Dove  1
Belted Kingfisher  1
American Kestrel  2
Merlin  1
Peregrine Falcon  3
Blue Jay  4
American Crow  12
Gray Catbird  1
Northern Mockingbird  1
European Starling  5
Palm Warbler  1
Field Sparrow  1
Savannah Sparrow  6
Bobolink  1    Perched female.  Excellent views.
House Sparrow  6

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Birding Cape May Point - Wednesday, October 8th, 2014

Today we had lots of ducks to observe with American Wigeon, three drake Eurasian Wigeon, Blue- and Green-winged Teal, Northern Pintail, Northern Shoveler, Ruddy Ducks, and also Pied-billed Grebe. Waders included Great and Little Blue Heron, as well as Great and Snowy Egrets. Raptors included Sharp-shinned and Cooper's Hawks, Northern Harrier, Broad-winged Hawk, two immature Bald Eagles, and a Peregrine Falcon. Offshore, two-three Parasitic Jaegers put on a show. Leaders: Chris Marks, Karl Lukens, Steve Weis, Mike Hannisian, and Mary Watkins.
60 species

Canada Goose  10
Mute Swan  12
Gadwall  4
Eurasian Wigeon  3
American Wigeon  12
Mallard  15
Blue-winged Teal  10
Northern Shoveler  10
Northern Pintail  15
Green-winged Teal (American)  10
Ruddy Duck  8
Pied-billed Grebe  2
Northern Gannet  1
Double-crested Cormorant  6
Great Blue Heron  2
Great Egret  1
Snowy Egret  1
Little Blue Heron  1
Turkey Vulture  8
Osprey  8
Northern Harrier  1
Sharp-shinned Hawk  10
Cooper's Hawk  3
Bald Eagle  2
Broad-winged Hawk  1
Virginia Rail  1     seen by a few
American Coot  1
Greater Yellowlegs  2     flying, calling
Lesser Yellowlegs  1     flying, calling
Parasitic Jaeger  3
Laughing Gull  15
Ring-billed Gull  1
Herring Gull  10
Great Black-backed Gull  15
Caspian Tern  1
Forster's Tern  10
Royal Tern  15
Rock Pigeon (Feral Pigeon)  1
Mourning Dove  8
Belted Kingfisher  1
Downy Woodpecker  2
Northern Flicker  1
Peregrine Falcon  1
Blue Jay  75
Tree Swallow  25
Carolina Chickadee  1
Carolina Wren  1
Veery  1     heard
Northern Mockingbird  2
European Starling  30
Cedar Waxwing  10
Common Yellowthroat  2
Cape May Warbler  1     seen by a few
Palm Warbler  3
Yellow-rumped Warbler  5
Northern Cardinal  1
Indigo Bunting  1
Red-winged Blackbird  20
House Finch  1
House Sparrow  10

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

Bald Eagle [Photo by Karl Lukens]

Eurasian Wigeon [Photo by Karl Lukens]

Peregrine Falcon [Photo by Karl Lukens]

EZ Birding at Two-Mile Beach - Tuesday, October 7th, 2014

A breezy and beautiful day to switch EZ Birding to the Two-Mile Unit of the Cape May National Wildlife Refuge. We started by walking out to the beach where we were treated to close fly-bys of Caspian Tern and a variety of gulls. Along board walk to the salt ponds we saw a young Gray Catbird still downy with just a hint of a black cap and a blush tone to the vent feathers. A few of us saw a Connecticut Warbler next to the bird blind that quickly moved on. A highlight of our time at the blind was an adult Bald Eagle giving chase to an Osprey with a fish. Leaders: Catherine Busch, Chris Marks, Nancy Watson, Lynne & Marc Breslow, and Mary Watkins.
32 species

American Black Duck  120
Mallard  2
Wild Turkey  1
Double-crested Cormorant  16
Great Egret  12
Turkey Vulture  2
Osprey  6
Cooper's Hawk  2
Laughing Gull  X
Herring Gull (American)  X
Great Black-backed Gull  X
Caspian Tern  6
Forster's Tern  X
Northern Flicker (Yellow-shafted)  6
Eastern Phoebe  1
Blue Jay  45
American Crow  12
Tree Swallow  X
Tufted Titmouse  1
Carolina Wren  1
American Robin  3
Gray Catbird  20
Brown Thrasher  1
Northern Mockingbird  1
European Starling  X
Connecticut Warbler  1
Common Yellowthroat  3
Eastern Towhee  1
Savannah Sparrow  3     heard
Northern Cardinal  2
House Finch  3
American Goldfinch  3

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

Birding the Meadows with Pete Dunne - Monday, October 6th, 2014

A cool and breezy day with some good ducks such as Blue- and Green-winged Teal, Northern Shovelers, Northern Pintail, and several Black Scoters off shore. There were also lots of waders including Great Blue Heron, Great Egret, and many Snowy Egrets. Raptors included Sharp-shinned and Cooper's Hawks, Northern Harrier, as well as American Kestrel, Merlin and one Peregrine Falcon. We had a few shorebirds including five Stilt Sandpipers. Overhead, there were numerous Northern Flickers. Leaders: Pete Dunne, Karl Lukens, Chuck Slugg, Steve Weis, Mike Hannisian, Catherine Busch, Deb Payson, and Carrie Bell.
54 species

Canada Goose  5
Mute Swan  5
Mallard  25
Blue-winged Teal  6
Northern Shoveler  3
Northern Pintail  2
Green-winged Teal (American)  26
Black Scoter  5
Double-crested Cormorant  100
Great Blue Heron  1
Great Egret  1
Snowy Egret  12
Turkey Vulture  1
Osprey  6
Northern Harrier  2
Sharp-shinned Hawk  1
Cooper's Hawk  2
Semipalmated Plover  1
Greater Yellowlegs  1
Stilt Sandpiper  5
Semipalmated Sandpiper  1
Laughing Gull  15
Ring-billed Gull  5
Herring Gull (American)  25
Lesser Black-backed Gull  1
Great Black-backed Gull  30
Forster's Tern  1
Royal Tern  12
Mourning Dove  10
Belted Kingfisher  1
Red-bellied Woodpecker  1
Northern Flicker (Yellow-shafted)  12
American Kestrel  8
Merlin  1
Peregrine Falcon  1
Blue Jay  12
American Crow  1
Fish Crow  2
Tree Swallow  30
Carolina Wren  1
American Robin  8
Gray Catbird  1
Northern Mockingbird  3
European Starling  100
Common Yellowthroat  1
Palm Warbler  6
Savannah Sparrow  2
Northern Cardinal  1
Bobolink  2
Red-winged Blackbird  15
Eastern Meadowlark  1
Common Grackle  20
House Finch  5
House Sparrow  20

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

Northern Pintail [Photo by Karl Lukens]

Back Bay Birding by Boat - Sunday, October 5th, 2014

CMBO's "Back Bay Birding by Boat" aboard the M.V. Osprey. A low tide drove us to Nummy's Island, where a good number of Tricolored Herons were out and about. Also notable were the scads of Sanderlings hugging the mudflats, and the Caspian Tern showing off his good side to the crowd. Leaders: David Lord, Carrie Bell, and Joe Demko.
26 species

Canada Goose  8
American Black Duck  1
Double-crested Cormorant  43
Great Blue Heron  8
Great Egret  17
Snowy Egret  11
Tricolored Heron  7
Yellow-crowned Night-Heron  1
Turkey Vulture  14
Osprey  3
American Oystercatcher  18
Black-bellied Plover  54
Greater Yellowlegs  9
Sanderling  143
Short-billed Dowitcher  45
Laughing Gull  200
Ring-billed Gull  21
Herring Gull  18
Great Black-backed Gull  31
Caspian Tern  4
Forster's Tern  74
Royal Tern  6
American Kestrel  1
Fish Crow  24
Red-winged Blackbird  43
Boat-tailed Grackle  6

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

Cox Hall Creek WMA - Sunday, October 5th, 2014

Following yesterday's rains and last night's winds, there were a lot of hungry birds around and, of course, hopes were high to see some 'good' birds. Nobody, however, expected to see three Northern Bobwhite run across the paved path. Like many birds dependent on fallow, weedy fields and native grasses, bobwhite have suffered from habitat loss. Though common in the mid-20th century, bobwhite are almost never seen in south Jersey today; any birds found are presumed to be releases from game farms. Whatever their lineage, it was a most pleasant surprise for those who saw the birds today. Group 1 Leaders: Kathy Horn, Joe Demko, Janet Crawford, and Mary Watkins.
46 species (+1 other taxa)

Turkey Vulture  1
Osprey  4
Sharp-shinned Hawk  4
Cooper's Hawk  1
Bald Eagle  3
Red-tailed Hawk  1
Herring Gull (American)  2
Great Black-backed Gull  2
Mourning Dove  8
Ruby-throated Hummingbird  1
Red-bellied Woodpecker  3
Yellow-bellied Sapsucker  1
Northern Flicker (Yellow-shafted)  25
Merlin  3
Eastern Phoebe  3
Red-eyed Vireo  7
Blue Jay  21
American Crow  2
Carolina Chickadee  3
Tufted Titmouse  9
White-breasted Nuthatch  1
Carolina Wren  3
Golden-crowned Kinglet  1
Ruby-crowned Kinglet  3
Eastern Bluebird  1
American Robin  8
Gray Catbird  14
Northern Mockingbird  1
Cedar Waxwing  2
Black-and-white Warbler  4
Common Yellowthroat  8
American Redstart  7
Northern Parula  5
Magnolia Warbler  1
Palm Warbler (Western)  11
Palm Warbler (Yellow)  1
Yellow-rumped Warbler (Myrtle)  6
Black-throated Green Warbler  3
Chipping Sparrow  5
Field Sparrow  2
Savannah Sparrow  1
Swamp Sparrow  2
Northern Cardinal  2
Blue Grosbeak  1
Indigo Bunting  6
Common Grackle  10
American Goldfinch  32

Group 2 Leaders: Roger Horn, Shaun & Cindy Bamford, Steve Weis, and Deb Payson
43 species

Mallard  3
Northern Bobwhite  3  
Double-crested Cormorant  1
Turkey Vulture  1
Osprey  4
Sharp-shinned Hawk  3
Cooper's Hawk  1
Bald Eagle  3
Great Black-backed Gull  2
Mourning Dove  9
Belted Kingfisher  2
Red-bellied Woodpecker  4
Northern Flicker (Yellow-shafted)  28
Merlin  1
Eastern Phoebe  4
White-eyed Vireo  3
Red-eyed Vireo  2
Blue Jay  40
American Crow  24
Tree Swallow  7
Carolina Chickadee  1
Carolina Wren  1
American Robin  10
Gray Catbird  5
European Starling  9
Cedar Waxwing  15
Northern Waterthrush  1
Common Yellowthroat  5
American Redstart  3
Northern Parula  2
Chestnut-sided Warbler  1
Palm Warbler (Western)  35
Pine Warbler  3
Yellow-rumped Warbler (Myrtle)  2
Black-throated Green Warbler  1
Chipping Sparrow  2
White-throated Sparrow  3
Northern Cardinal  3
Indigo Bunting  2
Red-winged Blackbird  7
Common Grackle  10
House Finch  2
American Goldfinch  30

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

Hawks, Trails, and Beach - Saturday, October 4th, 2014

The weather was perfect for a bird walk with cool temperatures, light breeze, and a mixture of light clouds and sun. There were many raptors overhead including both Sharp-shinned and Cooper's Hawks, Merlins, American Kestrels, and Osprey--some with fish. Two Belted Kingfishers flew over us toward Bunker Pond. The Common Gallinule was again in the pond in the back of the State Park. There was a mixture of ducks including Mallards, Northern Pintails, American Wigeon, Black Ducks, and Blue-winged Teal. On the beach, there was a mixture of terns including Royal, Caspian, Common, and Forster's. Leaders: Chuck & Mary Jane Slugg, Cindy Bamford, and Deb Payson.
45 species

Canada Goose  65
Mute Swan  21
Gadwall  2
American Wigeon  4
American Black Duck  1
Mallard  22
Blue-winged Teal  9
Northern Pintail  3
Double-crested Cormorant  1
Great Blue Heron  2
Great Egret  2
Little Blue Heron  2
Turkey Vulture  2
Osprey  6
Sharp-shinned Hawk  10
Cooper's Hawk  8
Common Gallinule  1
Pectoral Sandpiper  1
Laughing Gull  25
Ring-billed Gull  3
Herring Gull  5
Great Black-backed Gull  38
Caspian Tern  2
Common Tern  1
Forster's Tern  14
Royal Tern  3
Rock Pigeon (Feral Pigeon)  4
Mourning Dove  8
Belted Kingfisher  3
Northern Flicker  7
American Kestrel  6
Merlin  4
Peregrine Falcon  4
Blue Jay  3     heard
American Crow  2     heard
Tree Swallow  20
Carolina Wren  2     heard
Gray Catbird  1     heard
Northern Mockingbird  5
European Starling  3
Yellow-rumped Warbler  1
Northern Cardinal  1     heard
Red-winged Blackbird  7
American Goldfinch  1     heard
House Sparrow  5

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

Fall Migrants at the Rea Farm - Saturday, October 4th, 2014

Lucky for those of us on this morning's Beanery walk that Merlin and accipiters were around because, left undisturbed, most birds were hunkered down in the wind and rain. One keen-eyed observer found an American Redstart in the wet woods but didn't find it by seeing its usual glean-and-drop behavior. Rather, it was perched quietly near the base of a large tree. This may not be the view we usually associate with redstarts but it probably wasn't an unusual vantage point from the bird's perspective as redstarts usually nest in the fork of a low tree, often near the ground.  Leaders: Kathy & Roger Horn, Deb Payson, and Carrie Bell.
39 species

Canada Goose  15
Wood Duck  1
Mallard  4
Turkey Vulture  1
Osprey  2
Sharp-shinned Hawk  5
Cooper's Hawk  1
Bald Eagle  1
Herring Gull (American)  6
Forster's Tern  8
Rock Pigeon (Feral Pigeon)  2
Mourning Dove  45
Ruby-throated Hummingbird  1
Red-bellied Woodpecker  2
Downy Woodpecker  1
Northern Flicker (Yellow-shafted)  15
Merlin  3
Blue Jay  6
American Crow  4
Fish Crow  2
Tree Swallow  40
Carolina Chickadee  3
Tufted Titmouse  2
Carolina Wren  5
Golden-crowned Kinglet  1
American Robin  4
Gray Catbird  8
Northern Mockingbird  2
European Starling  35
Cedar Waxwing  2
American Redstart  1
Savannah Sparrow  4
Northern Cardinal  3
Indigo Bunting  1
Bobolink  4
Red-winged Blackbird  9
Common Grackle  2
American Goldfinch  2
House Sparrow  2

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

Higbee Beach Birding - Friday, October 3rd, 2014

Our walk took us through the Higbee fields, that are just starting to show their autumn tints. Though winds were unfavorable for a classic Higbee day, we nevertheless enjoyed a nice suite of birds, including our first kinglets of the fall, some obliging Indigo Buntings and tail-dipping Palm Warblers and Eastern Phoebes. Group 1 - Leaders: Mike Crewe, Chris Marks, Catherine Busch, and Carrie Bell.
41 species

Canada Goose  X
Double-crested Cormorant  15
Black Vulture  3
Turkey Vulture  2
Osprey  1
Sharp-shinned Hawk  2
Cooper's Hawk  3
Semipalmated Plover  1
Herring Gull  1
Red-bellied Woodpecker  3
Downy Woodpecker  2
Hairy Woodpecker  2
Northern Flicker  10
Merlin  1
Eastern Phoebe  3
White-eyed Vireo  2
Red-eyed Vireo  4
Blue Jay  15
Carolina Chickadee  6
Tufted Titmouse  5
House Wren  1
Carolina Wren  5
Ruby-crowned Kinglet  3
Gray Catbird  6
Brown Thrasher  6
European Starling  7
American Pipit  1
Cedar Waxwing  55
Black-and-white Warbler  3
Common Yellowthroat  2
American Redstart  6
Northern Parula  1
Black-throated Blue Warbler  2
Palm Warbler  2
Field Sparrow  3
Northern Cardinal  2
Indigo Bunting  10
Bobolink  9
Red-winged Blackbird  15
Common Grackle  2
Brown-headed Cowbird  3

Birds were on the move this morning at Higbee's. Several, like Golden-crowned Kinglet and Swamp Sparrow were 'First of Season' for many of us. Signs of the progressing migratory season included White-throated Sparrow and Yellow-rumped Warblers. Group 2 - Leaders: Kathy & Roger Horn, David LaPuma, and Mary Watkins.
50 species + one taxa

Canada Goose  12
Wood Duck  2
Double-crested Cormorant  50
Sharp-shinned Hawk  1
Cooper's Hawk  1
peep sp.  1
Wilson's Snipe  2
Laughing Gull  1
Herring Gull (American)  1
Rock Pigeon (Feral Pigeon)  3
Mourning Dove  13
Belted Kingfisher  1
Red-bellied Woodpecker  3
Downy Woodpecker  2
Northern Flicker (Yellow-shafted)  7
Eastern Phoebe  6
White-eyed Vireo  1
Red-eyed Vireo  7
Blue Jay  33
American Crow  5
Carolina Chickadee  3
Tufted Titmouse  5
Carolina Wren  9
Golden-crowned Kinglet  3
Ruby-crowned Kinglet  1
Veery  5
American Robin  13
Gray Catbird  7
Brown Thrasher  1
European Starling  12
Cedar Waxwing  40
Black-and-white Warbler  5
Common Yellowthroat  7
American Redstart  5
Northern Parula  5
Yellow Warbler  1
Black-throated Blue Warbler  1
Palm Warbler  2
Yellow-rumped Warbler (Myrtle)  5
Prairie Warbler  1
Field Sparrow  2
Swamp Sparrow  7
White-throated Sparrow  2
Scarlet Tanager  1
Northern Cardinal  5
Rose-breasted Grosbeak  1
Indigo Bunting  8
Bobolink  10
Red-winged Blackbird  10
Common Grackle  7
American Goldfinch  2

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

Bird Walk for All People - Thursday, October 2nd, 2014

It was a very nice day to bird with a light cloud cover and sporadic movement of raptors with multiple birds in the air at the same time. While looking at the beach, we had a Great Cormorant fly by, Forster's and Royal Terns, and a variety of gulls. Moving to Bunker Pond, we saw a variety of ducks including Mallards, American Wigeon, Northern Pintails, Northern Shovelers, and Blue-winged and Green-winged Teal. There was also a juvenile Little Blue Heron, Green Heron, Great Egret, and Great Blue Heron. There was a Belted Kingfisher perched on the post. In the back of the park on the pond way in the back, we saw a Common Gallinule. Leaders: Chuck Slugg and Warren Cairo.
54 species

Canada Goose  55
Mute Swan  29
Gadwall  4
American Wigeon  10
Mallard  12
Blue-winged Teal  10
Northern Shoveler  2
Northern Pintail  6
Green-winged Teal  4
Black Scoter  1
Pied-billed Grebe  1
Great Cormorant  1
Great Blue Heron  2
Great Egret  3
Little Blue Heron  1
Green Heron  2
Black Vulture  5
Turkey Vulture  6
Osprey  3
Northern Harrier  2
Sharp-shinned Hawk  7
Cooper's Hawk  9
Bald Eagle  1
Red-shouldered Hawk  1
Broad-winged Hawk  3
Red-tailed Hawk  1
Common Gallinule  1
Parasitic Jaeger  1
Laughing Gull  4
Ring-billed Gull  3
Herring Gull  5
Great Black-backed Gull  35
Forster's Tern  8
Royal Tern  4
Rock Pigeon (Feral Pigeon)  6
Mourning Dove  4
Belted Kingfisher  1
Red-bellied Woodpecker  1
Downy Woodpecker  1
Northern Flicker  6
American Kestrel  2
Peregrine Falcon  4
Blue Jay  35
American Crow  5
Fish Crow  1
Tree Swallow  84
Carolina Chickadee  2     heard
Carolina Wren  5     heard
Eastern Bluebird  1     heard
Gray Catbird  2     heard
Northern Mockingbird  15
Northern Cardinal  2     heard
Red-winged Blackbird  9
House Sparrow  4

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

Twilight Watch at The Meadows - Wednesday, October 1st, 2014

Twilight at the Meadows this evening was most enjoyable. A number of the participants had 'Life' birds. Right at the beginning of the walk we had a Vesper Sparrow sitting on the path for all to see. Lifer number one! We finished the walk with good looks at a pair of Sora's and a Virginia Rail for Lifers two & three. Leaders: Warren Cairo and Bill Smythe.
31 species

Canada Goose  24
Mute Swan  8
Gadwall  2
American Wigeon  3
American Black Duck  1
Mallard  30
Blue-winged Teal  8
Northern Shoveler  10
Northern Pintail  10
Green-winged Teal  12
Double-crested Cormorant  3
Great Egret  1
Snowy Egret  1
Virginia Rail  1
Sora  2
American Oystercatcher  3
Greater Yellowlegs  1
Laughing Gull  10
Ring-billed Gull  8
Herring Gull  20
Lesser Black-backed Gull  3
Great Black-backed Gull  40
Caspian Tern  1
Black Skimmer  3
Mourning Dove  8
American Kestrel  1
Merlin  1
Fish Crow  2
Northern Mockingbird  2
Vesper Sparrow  1     Sitting on the path near the tower, bold white eye ring, clear views through the scope.
Savannah Sparrow  2

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