Field Trip Reports

Birding Cape May Point - Saturday, January 14th, 2012

2012-01-17T15:32:00.001-05:00

Cold and windy but some good birding. We found the Dickcissel at the feeder on Harvard Avenue and had three Eurasian Collared Doves on Whilldin Avenue on wires. The female Redhead was still on Lake Lily with a nice variety of other ducks. Later we had an Orange-crowned Warbler at the junction of the red/yellow/blue trails in the Cape May Point State Park.
43 species

Snow Geese 7
Canada Goose 75
Mute Swan 8
Gadwall 25
American Wigeon 15
Mallard 25
Redhead 1
Greater Scaup 2
Black Scoter 15
Hooded Merganser 4
Common Merganser 1
Pied-billed Grebe 1
Great Egret 1
Black Vulture 4
Turkey Vulture 10
Bald Eagle 1
Northern Harrier 1
American Coot 100
Ring-billed Gull 1
Herring Gull 6
Great Black-backed Gull 3
Rock Pigeon 3
Eurasian Collared-Dove 3
Mourning Dove 10
Blue Jay 6
American Crow 3
Carolina Chickadee 3
Tufted Titmouse 2
Red-breasted Nuthatch 1
Carolina Wren 3
American Robin 25
Northern Mockingbird 3
European Starling 50
Orange-crowned Warbler 1 at Red,Yellow,Blue trail junction near bridge
Yellow-rumped Warbler 15
Song Sparrow 2
White-throated Sparrow 15
Dark-eyed Junco 15
Northern Cardinal 8
Dickcissel 1 feeder 113 Harvard
Brown-headed Cowbird 30
Baltimore Oriole 2
House Finch 10
House Sparrow 25

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

Birding Cape May Point - Saturday, January 7th, 2012

2012-01-07T16:08:00.000-05:00

Lots of ducks on Lighthouse Pond and Lake Lily with good variety.The adult male Eurasian Wigeon is back again. We did observe two Dickcissels at the island end of Lake Lily, one actually on the island and then two in the trees near the corner of Oxford and E. Lake Drive. Flew with house sparrows towards the Harvard Ave. spot where this species has been seen regularly of late.
52 species

Canada Goose 40
Mute Swan 4
Gadwall 50
Eurasian Wigeon 1
American Wigeon 30
Mallard 30
Northern Shoveler 3
Northern Pintail 1
Green-winged Teal 1
Ring-necked Duck 4
Greater Scaup 2
Black Scoter 13
Hooded Merganser 10
Common Merganser 1
Red-breasted Merganser 1
Ruddy Duck 3
Red-throated Loon 4
Northern Gannet 1
Double-crested Cormorant 1
Great Blue Heron 1
Great Egret 1
Turkey Vulture 1
Sharp-shinned Hawk 1
Cooper's Hawk 1
American Coot 100
Killdeer 2
Bonaparte's Gull 35
Ring-billed Gull 2
Herring Gull 15
Great Black-backed Gull 10
Rock Pigeon 12
Mourning Dove 6
Belted Kingfisher 1
Red-bellied Woodpecker 1
Blue Jay 10
American Crow 5
Tree Swallow 1
Carolina Chickadee 5
Carolina Wren 3
American Robin 150
Northern Mockingbird 6
European Starling 30
Cedar Waxwing 20
Yellow-rumped Warbler 30
Song Sparrow 1
White-throated Sparrow 10
Northern Cardinal 8
Dickcissel 2 Lily Lake on island and around south end
Red-winged Blackbird 20
Common Grackle 1
House Finch 10
House Sparrow 30

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

Kick Off Your Year List - Sunday, January 1st 2012

2012-01-01T19:23:00.000-05:00

I've tried not to add in any 'leader-onlys' to this list, but have included all species seen by at least some of the group while we were together.

Canada Goose
Brent Goose
Mute Swan
Gadwall
American Wigeon
American Black Duck
Mallard
Northern Shoveler
Northern Pintail
Green-winged Teal
Ring-necked Duck
Lesser Scaup
Common Eider
Surf Scoter
White-winged Scoter
Black Scoter
Long-tailed Duck
Bufflehead
Hooded Merganser
Common Merganser
Red-breasted Merganser
Red-throated Loon
Common Loon
Pied-billed Grebe
Horned Grebe
Great Blue Heron
Great Egret
Northern Gannet
Double-crested Cormorant
Great Cormorant
Turkey Vulture
American Black Vulture
Peregrine
Northern Harrier
Sharp-shinned Hawk
Cooper's Hawk
Red-shouldered Hawk
Red-tailed Hawk
American Coot
American Oystercatcher
Black-bellied Plover
Semipalmated Plover
Marbled Godwit
Greater Yellowlegs
Ruddy Turnstone
Red Knot
Sanderling
Purple Sandpiper
Dunlin
Bonaparte's Gull
Ring-billed Gull
Great Black-backed Gull
American Herring Gull
Forster's Tern
Feral Rock Dove
American Mourning Dove
Northern Flicker
Bell's Vireo
Blue Jay
American Crow
Cedar Waxwing
Carolina Chickadee
Carolina Wren
Northern Mockingbird
European Starling
Eastern Bluebird
American Robin
House Sparrow
House Finch
Yellow-rumped Warbler
Baltimore Oriole
Red-winged Blackbird
White-throated Sparrow
Dickcissel
Northern Cardinal

Brigantine & Mott's Creek - Saturday, December 10th 2011

2011-12-28T14:34:00.002-05:00

The Brig portion of the Brigantine/Mott's Creek trip included a good variety of wintering ducks, Peregrine Falcons, Tundra Swans, Snow Geese, and Horned Grebes. At Mott's Creek, the short-eared owls showed up at dusk, just in time for good viewing before dark. Several Northern Harriers hunted over the marsh and a large flock of Boat-tailed Grackles wheeled noisily around the docks.

Edwin B. Forsythe NWR--Wildlife Drive

Snow Goose 2000

Brant 200
Canada Goose 100
Tundra Swan 40
Gadwall 12
American Wigeon 3
American Black Duck 600
Mallard 50
Northern Shoveler 150
Northern Pintail 400
Green-winged Teal 250
Lesser Scaup 35
Bufflehead 60
Hooded Merganser 14
Red-breasted Merganser 4
Ruddy Duck 4
Red-throated Loon 4
Common Loon 1
Pied-billed Grebe 3
Horned Grebe 6
Double-crested Cormorant 4
Great Blue Heron 7
Great Egret 3
Turkey Vulture 2
Bald Eagle 2
Northern Harrier 10
Sharp-shinned Hawk 2
Red-shouldered Hawk 1
Red-tailed Hawk 1
Peregrine Falcon 3
American Coot 350
Greater Yellowlegs 2
Dunlin 6
Herring Gull (American) 40
Great Black-backed Gull 25
Rock Pigeon 15
Mourning Dove 2
Red-bellied Woodpecker 2
Downy Woodpecker 2
Northern Flicker (Yellow-shafted) 2
Blue Jay 1
American Crow 8
Carolina Chickadee 4
Tufted Titmouse 8
White-breasted Nuthatch 2
Carolina Wren 1
Golden-crowned Kinglet 1
Hermit Thrush 1
American Robin 65
European Starling 2
Cedar Waxwing 75
Yellow-rumped Warbler (Myrtle) 35
Eastern Towhee 1
Song Sparrow 1
White-throated Sparrow 1
Dark-eyed Junco (Slate-colored) 3
Red-winged Blackbird 21
American Goldfinch

58 species

Edwin B. Forsythe NWR--Motts Creek

Canada Goose 12

American Black Duck 25
Hooded Merganser 2
Bald Eagle 1
Northern Harrier 5
Greater Yellowlegs 9
Long-billed Dowitcher 19
Herring Gull (American) 5
Great Black-backed Gull 3
Short-eared Owl 2
American Robin 3
European Starling 4
Boat-tailed Grackle 250
House Sparrow 5

14 species

Cape May Point - Saturday, December 17th 2011

2011-12-28T13:48:00.001-05:00

A few raptors here and there, including several Northern Harriers and two Peregrine Falcons, one perched on the Bunker. An adult Bald Eagle was perched on the Meadows Osprey platform. As usual, lots of winter ducks. The Eurasian Wigeon and a dozen Ring-necked Ducks were on Lake Lily after the walk.
45 species

Canada Goose 10
Mute Swan 15
Gadwall 35
American Wigeon 20
Mallard 15
Northern Shoveler 20
Northern Pintail 15
Green-winged Teal 150
Lesser Scaup 80
Bufflehead 1
Hooded Merganser 9
Ruddy Duck 8
Red-throated Loon 6
Pied-billed Grebe 3
Northern Gannet 5
Double-crested Cormorant 3
Great Egret 1
Turkey Vulture 8
Bald Eagle 1
Northern Harrier 2
Sharp-shinned Hawk 2
Red-tailed Hawk 2
Peregrine Falcon 2
American Coot 175
Herring Gull 8
Great Black-backed Gull 2
Rock Pigeon 5
Mourning Dove 4
Northern Flicker 2
American Crow 2
Carolina Wren 2 heard
Eastern Bluebird 10
American Robin 100
Northern Mockingbird 2
Brown Thrasher 1
European Starling 30
Cedar Waxwing 3
Yellow-rumped Warbler 10
Song Sparrow 3
Northern Cardinal 4
Red-winged Blackbird 6
Common Grackle 30
Brown-headed Cowbird 30
House Finch 8
House Sparrow 2

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

Cape May Point - Saturday, December 10th 2011

2011-12-28T13:40:00.000-05:00

Cloudy, cold and windy to start. A walk on the red trail produced a nice variety of ducks which were scattered twice by two adult Bald Eagles. The adult drake Eurasian Wigeon and the female Redhead were in the mix. 38 species

Canada Goose 10
Mute Swan 10
Gadwall 25
Eurasian Wigeon 1
Mallard 15
Blue-winged Teal 1
Northern Shoveler 6
Northern Pintail 1
Redhead 1
Ring-necked Duck 1 30
Lesser Scaup 10
Red-breasted Merganser 1
Ruddy Duck 8
Red-throated Loon 6
Pied-billed Grebe 2
Northern Gannet 15
Double-crested Cormorant 3
Great Blue Heron 2
Turkey Vulture 2
Bald Eagle 2 adult
Sharp-shinned Hawk 1
Red-shouldered Hawk 1
American Coot 200
Ring-billed Gull 2
Herring Gull 5
Great Black-backed Gull 25
Rock Pigeon 10
Mourning Dove 4
American Crow 3
Carolina Wren 1
Eastern Bluebird 2
American Robin 25
Northern Mockingbird 1
European Starling 10
Cedar Waxwing 15 after the walk
Yellow-rumped Warbler 2
Red-winged Blackbird 30
House Sparrow 1

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

Harlequin Romance - Saturday, December 3rd, 2011

2011-12-04T18:32:00.000-05:00

Our annual trip up to Barnegat Light in search of Harlequin Ducks was well attended by both participants and leaders and we had a fabulous day. The weather was perhaps the best it had ever been for this trip and, while this probably contributed to the larger than usual number of people fishing on the jetty and keeping the birds away from their food source, we nevertheless had a fabulous day.
Ducks were present in lower numbers than usual but again, the good weather was perhaps a factor in this and a more prolonged peirod of cold weather is probably needed to push numbers up. Despite this, there was plenty to enjoy with some 300 Common Eider on the open sea south of the jetty, small numbers of all three scoter species and even a female Bufflehead thrown in for good measure. Careful scanning through the flock eventually provided us with good views of a very smart female King Eider and, among it all, around 25 Harlequin Ducks were busy diving and feeding. Mission accomplished!

Also on the beach, a flock of about 60 Snow Buntings was seen and three Horned Larks flew over. Bonaparte's Gulls were plentiful in the inlet and Dunlin, Purple Sandpipers and Sanderling were on the jetty. After lunch we checked out Barnegat Bay and found plenty of Common and Red-throated Loons, Red-breasted Mergansers and a huge raft of Buffleheads. We finished at Manahawkin, where we found two adult Bald Eagles, five Northern Harriers, a Belted Kingfisher and at least six Great Blue Herons - the latter another sign that the weather hasn't really turned cold yet.

Barnegat Lighthouse bathed in glorious winter sunshine! [Photo by Mike Crewe]

Bonaparte's Gulls are real gems when seen close up. Three hundred or more were feeding in and around Barnegat Inlet. [Photo by Mike Crewe]

A female and two male Harlequin Ducks dive through the surf, along with a third-winter male Common Eider. [Photo by Mike Crewe]

Adult female King Eider (left) and adult female Common Eider. Note the King (Queen?!!) Eider's different bill size and shape, especially the 'smile' of the curving gape line on a pale face. [Photo by Mike Crewe]

This picture is cropped heavily so it's not so sharp, but notice the black, strongly angled chevron marks on the flank feathers. In this area, Common Eider females have more shallowly-curved arcs. [Photo by Mike Crewe]

Fall Birds at The Rea Farm - Saturday, November 19th 2011

2011-11-22T14:15:00.001-05:00

Final Rea Farm Walk of the season. Good raptors with immature Bald Eagles (2) and Merlin (3). Still many Robins and Cedar Waxwings flying about. Good variety of sparrows and nice looks at two Nashville Warblers.
47 species

Canada Goose 25
Gadwall 3
Mallard 8
Black Vulture 4
Turkey Vulture 40
Bald Eagle 2 imm.
Sharp-shinned Hawk 2
Cooper's Hawk 1
Red-tailed Hawk 1
Merlin 3
Killdeer 12
Herring Gull 1
Rock Pigeon 2
Mourning Dove 15
Red-bellied Woodpecker 3
Downy Woodpecker 3
Northern Flicker 4
Blue Jay 1
American Crow 20
Carolina Chickadee 1
Carolina Wren 4
Blue-gray Gnatcatcher 1
Ruby-crowned Kinglet 1 heard
Eastern Bluebird 25
American Robin 100
Northern Mockingbird 1
Brown Thrasher 1
European Starling 20
Cedar Waxwing 150
Nashville Warbler 2
Palm Warbler 4
Yellow-rumped Warbler 2
Field Sparrow 4
Savannah Sparrow 5
Fox Sparrow 2
Song Sparrow 5
Swamp Sparrow 4
White-throated Sparrow 10
White-crowned Sparrow 1
Dark-eyed Junco 5
Northern Cardinal 4
Red-winged Blackbird 50
Brown-headed Cowbird 20
Baltimore Oriole 1
House Finch 5
American Goldfinch 4
House Sparrow 1

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

Going out on a high - our final walk of the season at The Rea Farm produced great views of this wonderful Bald Eagle!

Cape May Point State Park - Wednesday, November 16th 2011

2011-11-18T10:52:00.000-05:00

As for the last few walks, we struggled to leave the parking lot due to the large numbers of birds wheeling around!! The male Eurasian Wigeon showed well on Lighthouse Pond East and Warren reproduced his dove-finding skills by finding the three Collared Doves from exceptional distance!!

69 species
Canada Goose 120
Mute Swan 12
Tundra Swan 4
Gadwall 55
Eurasian Wigeon 1
American Wigeon 95
American Black Duck 1
Mallard 15
Northern Shoveler 15
Northern Pintail 18
Green-winged Teal 55
Ring-necked Duck 5
Surf Scoter 15
Black Scoter 6
Bufflehead 1
Ruddy Duck 12
Pied-billed Grebe 6
Northern Gannet 10
Double-crested Cormorant 12
Great Egret 2
Bald Eagle 1
Northern Harrier 1
Sharp-shinned Hawk 3
Cooper's Hawk 1
Red-tailed Hawk 1
Merlin 1
Common Gallinule 2
American Coot 85
Laughing Gull 4
Herring Gull (American) 3
Great Black-backed Gull 15
Forster's Tern 6
Rock Pigeon 6
Eurasian Collared-Dove 3
Mourning Dove 4
Downy Woodpecker 1
Northern Flicker 6
Blue Jay 4
American Crow 9
Tree Swallow 6
Carolina Chickadee 2
Tufted Titmouse 1
Carolina Wren 4
Golden-crowned Kinglet 10
Ruby-crowned Kinglet 3
Eastern Bluebird 35
Hermit Thrush 1
American Robin 1500
Gray Catbird 1
Northern Mockingbird 5
Brown Thrasher 3
European Starling 1600
Cedar Waxwing 600
Palm Warbler (Western) 1
Yellow-rumped Warbler 25
Yellow-breasted Chat 1
Eastern Towhee 2
Chipping Sparrow 5
Song Sparrow 4
Swamp Sparrow 2
White-throated Sparrow 6
Dark-eyed Junco 3
Northern Cardinal 6
Red-winged Blackbird 20
Rusty Blackbird 1
Common Grackle 100
Brown-headed Cowbird 500
House Finch 40
House Sparrow 10

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

E-Z Birding, Tuesday, November 15th 2011

2011-11-18T10:49:00.000-05:00

The final EZ Birding Walk at Two Mile Beach Unit of US Fish & Wildlife had many shorebirds and gulls on the beach including Sanderlings, Dunlin, Ruddy Turnstones, and Black-bellied Plover and Ring-billed, Herring, and Greater Black-backed Gulls. Several Common Loons and groups of Black Scoter were spotted flying by. A freshly killed Marbled Godwit being eaten by a Herring Gull was an interesting find. We were able to observe bill length and feather patterns close up! Ducks on the ponds included Northern Pintails and Black Ducks. A large group of Yellowlegs was also present. Large flocks of Cedar Waxwings flew overhead the entire time. 40 species Brant 150 American Black Duck 30 Northern Pintail 16 Black Scoter 30 Bufflehead 2 Red-throated Loon 1 Common Loon 9 Horned Grebe 7 Northern Gannet 1 Double-crested Cormorant 20 Great Egret 9 Turkey Vulture 5 Osprey 1 Northern Harrier 1 Sharp-shinned Hawk 1 Black-bellied Plover 20 Killdeer 10 Greater Yellowlegs 30 Salt water pan at Two-Mile Beach, US Fish & Wildlife, 24 in one group and 6 along edge in reeds, called when flew Lesser Yellowlegs 12 Salt water pan at Two Mile, US Fish & Wildlife, feeding with larger flock of Greater Yellowlegs Ruddy Turnstone 12 Sanderling 150 Dunlin 120 Ring-billed Gull 8 Herring Gull 15 Great Black-backed Gull 10 Forster's Tern 1 Rock Pigeon 2 Mourning Dove 3 American Crow 5 Tree Swallow 5 Carolina Chickadee 2 heard Carolina Wren 1 heard American Robin 6 Gray Catbird 1 European Starling 30 Cedar Waxwing 400 Flocks of 50-150 flying over in waves for the 2-hour duration of walk Yellow-rumped Warbler 10 Red-winged Blackbird 25 Boat-tailed Grackle 3 House Finch 5 This report was generated automatically by eBird v3 (http://ebird.org)

South Cape May Meadows - Monday November 14th 2011

2011-11-15T12:59:00.001-05:00

Lots of ducks and gulls to scan and identify. Two Lesser Black-backed Gulls were found and 1 Common Gallinule ( previously Common Moorhen) were also seen in the ponds. Large numbers of American Coots and Gadwalls are still present. Good scope views of a couple of Pectoral Sandpipers and a Wilson's Snipe. Many Cedar Waxwings flying about.
49 species

Canada Goose 10
Mute Swan 8
Gadwall 60
American Black Duck 1
Mallard 20
Northern Shoveler 3
Northern Pintail 10
Green-winged Teal 10
Ruddy Duck 4
Red-throated Loon 1
Common Loon 2
Pied-billed Grebe 4
Double-crested Cormorant 15
American Bittern 1
Great Blue Heron 2
Great Egret 2
Glossy Ibis 2
Turkey Vulture 2
Osprey 2
Northern Harrier 2
Sharp-shinned Hawk 1
Peregrine Falcon 1
Common Gallinule 1
American Coot 100
Sanderling 1
Pectoral Sandpiper 2
Wilson's Snipe 3
Ring-billed Gull 10
Herring Gull 25
Lesser Black-backed Gull 2
Great Black-backed Gull 70
Mourning Dove 5
Blue Jay 2
American Crow 10
Horned Lark 1
Tree Swallow 150
Eastern Bluebird 4
American Robin 50
Northern Mockingbird 2
European Starling 100
Cedar Waxwing 300
Yellow-rumped Warbler 5
Savannah Sparrow 5
Swamp Sparrow 1
Northern Cardinal 1
Red-winged Blackbird 100
Brown-headed Cowbird 20
House Finch 8
House Sparrow 5

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

A late Glossy Ibis was seen on this morning's Meadows walk.

A smart Lesser Black-backed Gull on the beach.

Pectoral Sandpiper

Wilson's Snipe

Birding Cumberland County - Sunday, November 13th 2011

2011-11-15T12:53:00.000-05:00

The full day Birding Cumberland trip turned up trumps with happy participants satisfied on great birding experiences. Bald Eagles were around in the expected numbers and Northern Harriers pleased everyone, coursing over marsh and field. The oddest sighting would have to be the point-blank Whimbrel that flew by at the Glades Wildlife Refuge near Fortescue. Horned Larks were vocalizing and giving good looks, while American Pipits were in our faces.

47 species

Canada Goose 28
Gadwall 15
American Black Duck 38
Mallard 6
Green-winged Teal 46
Bufflehead 40
Red-breasted Merganser 2
Ruddy Duck 12
Double-crested Cormorant 80
Great Blue Heron 10
Great Egret 8
Black Vulture 29
Turkey Vulture 17
Bald Eagle 8
Northern Harrier 18
Cooper's Hawk 1
Red-tailed Hawk 5
Peregrine Falcon 1
Greater Yellowlegs 17
Whimbrel 1
Least Sandpiper 1
Dunlin 60
Ring-billed Gull 54
Herring Gull 103
Great Black-backed Gull 8
Forster's Tern 40
Belted Kingfisher 4
Red-bellied Woodpecker 4
Yellow-bellied Sapsucker 1
Northern Flicker 6
Blue Jay 10
American Crow 14
Carolina Chickadee 9
Carolina Wren 2
Golden-crowned Kinglet 1
Eastern Bluebird 16
American Robin 20
Northern Mockingbird 6
European Starling 73
American Pipit 27
Cedar Waxwing 37
Yellow-rumped Warbler 12
Eastern Towhee 1
Swamp Sparrow 6
Northern Cardinal 7
Red-winged Blackbird 14
Eastern Meadowlark 8

Cox Hall Creek (Villas) WMA - Sunday, November 13th 2011

2011-11-15T12:51:00.000-05:00

Approximately 100 Bluebirds decorated the shrubs, grasses and trees at this morning's Coxhall Creek WMA walk. Large flocks of blackbirds included Rusty Blackbirds, while a Red-headed Woodpecker flitted busily from tree to tree.
41 species

Mute Swan 2
Wood Duck 5
Pied-billed Grebe 1
Turkey Vulture 3
Sharp-shinned Hawk 1
Cooper's Hawk 1
Red-tailed Hawk 1
Herring Gull (American) 2
Rock Pigeon 2
Mourning Dove 7
Red-headed Woodpecker 1
Red-bellied Woodpecker 5
Downy Woodpecker 2
Northern Flicker (Yellow-shafted) 5
Blue Jay 3
American Crow 15
Carolina Chickadee 8
Tufted Titmouse 6
White-breasted Nuthatch 1
Carolina Wren 2
Golden-crowned Kinglet 3
Ruby-crowned Kinglet 3
Eastern Bluebird 100
American Robin 55
Northern Mockingbird 2
European Starling 300
Cedar Waxwing 24
Yellow-rumped Warbler (Myrtle) 18
Chipping Sparrow 23
Field Sparrow 3
Savannah Sparrow 1
Song Sparrow 1
White-throated Sparrow 4
Dark-eyed Junco (Slate-colored) 4
Northern Cardinal 2
Red-winged Blackbird 150
Rusty Blackbird 35
Common Grackle 300
House Finch 10
American Goldfinch 1
House Sparrow 5

Fall Birds at The Rea Farm - Saturday, November 12th 2011

2011-11-15T12:49:00.000-05:00

Cold and continued breezy. We did manage 2 Blackpoll and 1 Yellow-rumped warbler. Raptors were good with 1 Bald Eagle, 2 Harriers, 1 Red-tailed Hawk and 2 Am. Kestrels. A group of 5 Rusty Blackbirds and a Baltimore Oriole were interesting species.
42 species

Canada Goose 5
Mute Swan 2
Tundra Swan 3
Gadwall 2
Mallard 6
Northern Pintail 5
Green-winged Teal 3
Glossy Ibis 1
Black Vulture 5
Turkey Vulture 8
Bald Eagle 1
Northern Harrier 2
Sharp-shinned Hawk 1
Red-tailed Hawk 1
American Kestrel 2
Wilson's Snipe 3
Herring Gull 1
Rock Pigeon 2
Mourning Dove 8
Red-bellied Woodpecker 2
Downy Woodpecker 3
Northern Flicker 3
American Crow 15
Fish Crow 1
Carolina Wren 3
Golden-crowned Kinglet 2
Eastern Bluebird 5
American Robin 100
Gray Catbird 1
Northern Mockingbird 2
European Starling 150
Cedar Waxwing 75
Blackpoll Warbler 2
Yellow-rumped Warbler 1
Savannah Sparrow 3
Song Sparrow 5
Swamp Sparrow 1
White-throated Sparrow 1 heard
Northern Cardinal 2
Red-winged Blackbird 50
Rusty Blackbird 5
Baltimore Oriole 1

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

Hawks, Trails and Beach - Saturday, November 12th 2011

2011-11-15T12:47:00.000-05:00

The Hawks, Trails, and Beach walk started with the Eurasian Wigeon on Lighthouse Pond and also enjoyed scope views of other species of ducks including American Wigeon, Northern Pintails, Gadwall, Green- and Blue-winged Teal, and Ruddy Ducks. Raptors were scarce although we did see 3 Osprey. We finished the walk with a Tundra Swan on one of the Plover Ponds. 38 species Canada Goose 35 Mute Swan 16 Tundra Swan 1 Wood Duck 12 Gadwall 32 Eurasian Wigeon 1 American Wigeon 60 Mallard 20 Blue-winged Teal 4 Northern Shoveler 16 Northern Pintail 18 Green-winged Teal 28 Ruddy Duck 16 Pied-billed Grebe 12 Four on Lighthouse Pond and a group of eight at the back of Bunker Pond near the boardwalk/path behind Rutherford's farm. Double-crested Cormorant 5 Osprey 3 Northern Harrier 1 Cooper's Hawk 1 American Kestrel 1 American Coot 50 Lesser Yellowlegs 1 Wilson's Snipe 1 Herring Gull 5 Rock Pigeon 6 Mourning Dove 5 Northern Flicker 1 Tree Swallow 30 Carolina Chickadee 2 heard only Carolina Wren 5 heard only Golden-crowned Kinglet 2 heard only American Robin 20 European Starling 18 Cedar Waxwing 14 Yellow-rumped Warbler 12 Swamp Sparrow 2 Northern Cardinal 2 Red-winged Blackbird 7 House Sparrow 2 This report was generated automatically by eBird v3 (http://ebird.org/)

Cape May Point State Park - Wednesday, November 9th 2011

2011-11-15T12:41:00.000-05:00

65 species (+1 other taxa)

Canada Goose 45
Mute Swan 14
Gadwall 50
Eurasian Wigeon 1
American Wigeon 35
Mallard 20
Blue-winged Teal 2
Northern Shoveler 12
Northern Pintail 15
Green-winged Teal 25
Surf Scoter 45
Surf/Black Scoter 150
Ruddy Duck 17
Red-throated Loon 1
Common Loon 2
Pied-billed Grebe 6
Northern Gannet 6
Double-crested Cormorant 4
American Bittern 1
Great Blue Heron 1
Great Egret 1
Turkey Vulture 2
Osprey 1
Bald Eagle 1
Sharp-shinned Hawk 3
Cooper's Hawk 1
American Moorhen 1
American Coot 110
Sanderling 1
Ring-billed Gull 5
Herring Gull (American) 10
Great Black-backed Gull 55
Forster's Tern 15
Royal Tern 1
Parasitic Jaeger 1
Rock Pigeon 15
Mourning Dove 2
Northern Flicker 2
Blue Jay 2
American Crow 8
Tree Swallow 25
Carolina Chickadee 2
Carolina Wren 3
Golden-crowned Kinglet 2
Ruby-crowned Kinglet 3
Eastern Bluebird 20
American Robin 1500
Gray Catbird 2
Northern Mockingbird 3
Brown Thrasher 1
European Starling 120
American Pipit 30
Cedar Waxwing 300
Yellow-rumped Warbler 45
Eastern Towhee 1
Savannah Sparrow 2
Song Sparrow 5
Swamp Sparrow 1
White-throated Sparrow 5
Dark-eyed Junco 1
Northern Cardinal 3
Red-winged Blackbird 150
Brown-headed Cowbird 15
House Finch 10
American Goldfinch 6
House Sparrow 6

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

E-Z Birding, Tuesday, November 8th 2011

2011-11-08T14:42:00.000-05:00

EZ Birding at Two Mile Beach Unit of US Fish & Wildlife enjoyed the usual mix of shorebirds on the beach including Sanderlings, Dunlin, Ruddy Turnstones, and Black-bellied Plover in good numbers. A few Northern Gannets and migrating scoters were spotted over the ocean. Ducks remain in the ponds along Ocean Dr. including Black Ducks, Bufflehead, Ruddy Ducks, and Hooded and Red-breasted Mergansers. On the bay side of Ocean Dr. were many Brant and a small group of American Oystercatchers. 53 species (+1 other taxa) Brant 300 Canada Goose 6 American Black Duck 50 Mallard 4 Northern Pintail 10 Green-winged Teal 6 scoter sp. 30 Bufflehead 5 Hooded Merganser 2 Red-breasted Merganser 8 Ruddy Duck 4 Red-throated Loon 2 Common Loon 2 Pied-billed Grebe 1 Northern Gannet 12 Double-crested Cormorant 40 Great Blue Heron 1 Great Egret 10 Snowy Egret 2 Bald Eagle 1 Northern Harrier 2 Cooper's Hawk 1 Merlin 1 Black-bellied Plover 25 American Oystercatcher 10 Greater Yellowlegs 1 Lesser Yellowlegs 1 Ruddy Turnstone 36 Feeding all along water's edge on beach at Two Mile Unit of US Fish & Wildlife Sanderling 200 Dunlin 200 Ring-billed Gull 2 Herring Gull 50 Great Black-backed Gull 35 Royal Tern 2 Belted Kingfisher 1 Northern Flicker 1 American Crow 10 Tree Swallow 10 Carolina Chickadee 5 American Robin 3 Gray Catbird 1 Northern Mockingbird 1 European Starling 170 Yellow-rumped Warbler 25 Eastern Towhee 1 Song Sparrow 2 White-crowned Sparrow 1 Dark-eyed Junco 2 Northern Cardinal 2 Red-winged Blackbird 60 Common Grackle 30 Boat-tailed Grackle 4 House Finch 8 American Goldfinch 5 This report was generated automatically by eBird v3 (http://ebird.org)

Cox Hall Creek (Villas) WMA - Sunday, November 6th 2011

2011-11-08T14:40:00.000-05:00

The Cox Hall Creek WMA is currently hosting a good variety of late-season migrants. A juvenile Red-headed Woodpecker allowed lingering views. Five Great Blue Herons lifted from the ponds with four of them then decorating treetops. The Bluebird flock has greatly expanded in number, while Song, Swamp, Chipping & Field Sparrows flit among the grasses. Also seen: Eastern Towhee, Palm & Yellow-rumped Warblers, Brown Creeper, Eastern Phoebe, Ruby-crowned & Golden-crowned Kinglets, perched Cooper's Hawk.
46 species

Mute Swan 2
Mallard 3
Pied-billed Grebe 1
Double-crested Cormorant 1
Great Blue Heron 6
Turkey Vulture 2
Sharp-shinned Hawk 4
Cooper's Hawk 1
Red-tailed Hawk 2
Herring Gull (American) 5
Mourning Dove 5
Red-headed Woodpecker 1
Red-bellied Woodpecker 12
Downy Woodpecker 3
Hairy Woodpecker 1
Northern Flicker (Yellow-shafted) 5
Eastern Phoebe 3
Blue Jay 6
American Crow 12
Tree Swallow 6
Carolina Chickadee 6
Tufted Titmouse 7
Brown Creeper 1
Carolina Wren 4
House Wren 1
Golden-crowned Kinglet 5
Ruby-crowned Kinglet 3
Eastern Bluebird 22
American Robin 44
Gray Catbird 1
Northern Mockingbird 1
European Starling 14
Palm Warbler 4
Yellow-rumped Warbler 15
Eastern Towhee 4
Chipping Sparrow 7
Field Sparrow 1
Song Sparrow 13
White-throated Sparrow 6
Dark-eyed Junco 5
Northern Cardinal 4
Red-winged Blackbird 35
Common Grackle 3
Brown-headed Cowbird 1
House Finch 13
American Goldfinch 2

Hawks, Trails and Beach - Saturday, November 5th 2011

2011-11-08T14:37:00.000-05:00

The Hawks, Trails, and Beach walk saw a good variety of ducks on Lighthouse and Bunker Ponds including Mallard, Northern Shoveler, Pintail, American Wigeon, Gadwall, and Green-winged Teal along with Pied-billed Grebes and many, many Coots. Raptors included perched Red-tailed Hawks and Osprey, Merlin, Cooper's Hawk, and Sharp-shinned Hawks overhead. 45 species (+1 other taxa) Canada Goose 30 Mute Swan 12 Gadwall 20 American Wigeon 80 Mallard 16 Northern Shoveler 10 Northern Pintail 8 Green-winged Teal 20 scoter sp. 68 Ruddy Duck 6 Pied-billed Grebe 5 Northern Gannet 2 Double-crested Cormorant 6 Great Blue Heron 6 Osprey 2 Northern Harrier 1 Sharp-shinned Hawk 3 Cooper's Hawk 2 Red-tailed Hawk 5 Merlin 1 Peregrine Falcon 1 American Coot 80 Herring Gull 9 Great Black-backed Gull 40 Rock Pigeon 6 Mourning Dove 2 Belted Kingfisher 1 Northern Flicker 3 Blue Jay 6 American Crow 8 Tree Swallow 40 Carolina Chickadee 12 Carolina Wren 4 heard Golden-crowned Kinglet 4 Ruby-crowned Kinglet 2 American Robin 10 Gray Catbird 3 Northern Mockingbird 5 European Starling 20 Yellow-rumped Warbler 35 Song Sparrow 2 Swamp Sparrow 7 White-throated Sparrow 2 Northern Cardinal 2 Red-winged Blackbird 30 House Finch 6 This report was generated automatically by eBird v3 (http://ebird.org/)

Fall Birds at The Rea Farm - Saturday, November 5th 2011

2011-11-08T14:34:00.000-05:00

Cold and breezy with good raptors, including 4 Bald Eagles, Red-tails, Red-shoulders, sharpies, and a Harrier. Blackpoll Warblers and Baltimore Orioles were interesting passerines.
50 species

Mute Swan 3
Wood Duck 2
American Black Duck 2
Mallard 10
Blue-winged Teal 1
Northern Shoveler 2
Double-crested Cormorant 20
Black Vulture 4
Turkey Vulture 5
Osprey 3
Bald Eagle 4 two ad., 2 imm.
Northern Harrier 1
Sharp-shinned Hawk 5
Cooper's Hawk 1
Red-shouldered Hawk 3
Red-tailed Hawk 4
Killdeer 1
Great Black-backed Gull 1
Rock Pigeon 2
Mourning Dove 15
Red-bellied Woodpecker 3
Downy Woodpecker 1
Northern Flicker 3
Eastern Phoebe 4
Blue Jay 2
American Crow 10
Carolina Chickadee 1
Carolina Wren 3
Golden-crowned Kinglet 1
Ruby-crowned Kinglet 3
Eastern Bluebird 2 heard
American Robin 100
European Starling 75
Blackpoll Warbler 2
Palm Warbler 2
Yellow-rumped Warbler 5
Eastern Towhee 1
Chipping Sparrow 1
Field Sparrow 3
Savannah Sparrow 1
Song Sparrow 10
Swamp Sparrow 1
Dark-eyed Junco 3
Northern Cardinal 2
Red-winged Blackbird 100
Common Grackle 10
Brown-headed Cowbird 10
Baltimore Oriole 2
House Finch 1
American Goldfinch 1

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

Cape May Point State Park - Wednesday, November 2nd 2011

2011-11-08T14:26:00.001-05:00

So many birds were flying first thing this morning that it took us a good 20 minutes to get out of the parking lot! Our rarity highlight was a White-winged Dove that was reported from the Hawkwatch Platform and Warren somehow managed to get teed up in his scope.
68 species (+1 other taxa)

Brant 7
Canada Goose 95
Mute Swan 17
Wood Duck 1
Gadwall 30
American Wigeon 35
Mallard 10
Northern Shoveler 12
Northern Pintail 10
Green-winged Teal 15
Surf/Black Scoter 200
Ruddy Duck 7
Red-throated Loon 1
Pied-billed Grebe 4
Double-crested Cormorant 45
Turkey Vulture 12
Osprey 2
Sharp-shinned Hawk 5
Red-tailed Hawk 2
American Kestrel 1
Peregrine Falcon 1
American Coot 80
American Oystercatcher 1
Sanderling 15
Bonaparte's Gull 1
Ring-billed Gull 2
Herring Gull (American) 10
Great Black-backed Gull 40
Forster's Tern 5
Royal Tern 2
Rock Pigeon 4
White-winged Dove 1 Perched, found by people on Hawkwatch
Red-bellied Woodpecker 2
Yellow-bellied Sapsucker 1
Downy Woodpecker 2
Northern Flicker 12
Eastern Phoebe 3
Blue Jay 4
American Crow 12
Tree Swallow 100
Carolina Chickadee 6
Red-breasted Nuthatch 1
Carolina Wren 4
Golden-crowned Kinglet 10
Ruby-crowned Kinglet 8
Eastern Bluebird 6
Hermit Thrush 1
American Robin 1000
Gray Catbird 3
Northern Mockingbird 2
Brown Thrasher 4
European Starling 75
American Pipit 60
Cedar Waxwing 15
Blackpoll Warbler 5
Palm Warbler (Western) 4
Yellow-rumped Warbler 300
Savannah Sparrow 10
Song Sparrow 30
Swamp Sparrow 15
White-throated Sparrow 15
Dark-eyed Junco 2
Northern Cardinal 3
Red-winged Blackbird 450
Eastern Meadowlark 3
Common Grackle 120
Brown-headed Cowbird 50
House Finch 15
American Goldfinch 10

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

This handsome male Wood Duck was a nice addition to our duck list this morning.

E-Z Birding, Tuesday, November 1st 2011

2011-11-03T13:02:00.000-04:00

Sunshine and a chilly wind greeted us at Two Mile Beach Unit of US Fish & Wildlife Refuge this morning. On the beach we found several species of shorebirds including Sanderlings, Dunlin, Black-bellied Plover, and Ruddy Turnstones along with 4 American Oystercatchers. The saltwater pan held Black Ducks, Pintails, Mallards, Buffleheads, Hooded Mergansers, and a scaup. On the bay side of Ocean Drive we added a Greater Yellowlegs, Killdeer, Least and Semi-palmated Sandpiper, and many Brant to our list. 48 species (+1 other taxa) Brant 200 Canada Goose 15 American Black Duck 50 Mallard 6 Northern Pintail 8 Lesser Scaup 1 scoter sp. 150 Bufflehead 10 Hooded Merganser 6 Pied-billed Grebe 1 Northern Gannet 8 Double-crested Cormorant 350 Great Blue Heron 5 Great Egret 15 Turkey Vulture 6 Osprey 3 Northern Harrier 1 Cooper's Hawk 1 Peregrine Falcon 1 Black-bellied Plover 20 Killdeer 7 American Oystercatcher 4 Greater Yellowlegs 1 Ruddy Turnstone 15 Sanderling 200 Semipalmated Sandpiper 4

Least Sandpiper  2

Dunlin  40
Ring-billed Gull  14
Herring Gull  50
Great Black-backed Gull  10
Forster's Tern  20
Belted Kingfisher  2
American Crow  8
Tree Swallow  100
Carolina Chickadee  3
Carolina Wren  2     heard
Golden-crowned Kinglet  4
Ruby-crowned Kinglet  1
American Robin  2
Northern Mockingbird  2
Brown Thrasher  1
European Starling  30
Yellow-rumped Warbler  40
Song Sparrow  1
Swamp Sparrow  1
Red-winged Blackbird  10
Boat-tailed Grackle  3
House Sparrow  3

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

South Cape May Meadows - Monday October 31st 2011

2011-11-03T12:58:00.000-04:00

Good ducks, nice look at Wilson's Snipe and good scope views of American Bittern.
63 species

Canada Goose 100
Mute Swan 12
Gadwall 25
American Black Duck 1
Mallard 20
Northern Shoveler 1
Northern Pintail 8
Green-winged Teal 15
Ring-necked Duck 2
Surf Scoter 10
Hooded Merganser 1
Ruddy Duck 4
Red-throated Loon 3
Common Loon 2
Pied-billed Grebe 4
Double-crested Cormorant 100
American Bittern 1
Great Blue Heron 5
Great Egret 1
Turkey Vulture 5
Osprey 4
Bald Eagle 1
Northern Harrier 5
Sharp-shinned Hawk 6
Cooper's Hawk 1
Red-tailed Hawk 1
American Kestrel 2
Merlin 1
Peregrine Falcon 1
American Coot 50
Killdeer 1
Sanderling 25
Least Sandpiper 1
Pectoral Sandpiper 1
Wilson's Snipe 4
Laughing Gull 1
Ring-billed Gull 5
Herring Gull 15
Lesser Black-backed Gull 1
Great Black-backed Gull 20
Forster's Tern 5
Royal Tern 2
Rock Pigeon 5
Mourning Dove 5
Red-bellied Woodpecker 1
Northern Flicker 1
American Crow 5
Tree Swallow 20
Carolina Wren 1
American Robin 50
Northern Mockingbird 1
European Starling 50
American Pipit 5
Palm Warbler 2
Yellow-rumped Warbler 25
Savannah Sparrow 5
Song Sparrow 10
Swamp Sparrow 8
Northern Cardinal 1
Red-winged Blackbird 50
Eastern Meadowlark 3
Brown-headed Cowbird 30
House Sparrow 4

This report was generated automatically by eBird v3 (

American Bitterns have been a regular feature of The Meadows over the past few days [photo by Karl Lukens].

http://ebird.org)

Sunset Birding at Stone Harbor Point - Tuesday, October 25th 2011

2011-11-03T12:46:00.000-04:00

This was our last walk of the year and quite a crowd showed up for so late in the season! Thankfully we had plenty of leaders helping out this week. We had a fast rising tide due to the New Moon, so we started at the base of the free bridge to Nummy where we saw a large flock of Brant and fast disappearing mudflats. They still held a flock of American Oystercatchers, some other shorebirds and a pair of "western" Willets that were up to their bellies in water. A Peregine sat nearby on an osprey platform watching the same flock as us, but with different intentions. We returned to the point and walked the dune path to the beach, and along the way we studied Swamp. Song, and Savannah Sparrows as we flushed them from the vegetation. The beach held huge numbers of shorebirds including a few red knot, and a flock of late Semi-palmated Plover but no sign of the Piping Plovers we saw last week. There was also a very cooperative adult Lesser Black-backed Gull that was almost too lazy and wouldn't even stand to show off his yellow legs until we were leaving. The real show this week was out in the ocean and there were lots of Gannets diving offshore, Loons, and Scoter flying South and even Royal terns feeding in the surf. There were also several pods of Bottlenosed dolphin frolicking and feeding just offshore and one pod actually flushed 3 Horned Grebes. The Grebes landed close to our group and posed for nice scope views as the Dolphins came right by them again. That may be the first time I've seen those two species interact because they're almost never here at the same time! we had a huge roosting flock of shorebirds on the beach and we sorted through them until we ran out of light.
49 species

Brant  280
American Black Duck  8
Surf Scoter  60
Black Scoter  16
Common Loon  1
Horned Grebe  3
Northern Gannet  26
Double-crested Cormorant  X
Great Blue Heron  5
Great Egret  25
Snowy Egret  12
Black-crowned Night-Heron  X
Osprey  2
Sharp-shinned Hawk  1
Peregrine Falcon  1
Black-bellied Plover  260
Semipalmated Plover  16
American Oystercatcher  28
Willet (Western)  2
Ruddy Turnstone  8
Red Knot  38
Sanderling  1200
Western Sandpiper  6
Dunlin  400
Short-billed Dowitcher  2
Laughing Gull  X
Ring-billed Gull  X
Herring Gull  X
Lesser Black-backed Gull  1
Great Black-backed Gull  X
Royal Tern  6
Rock Pigeon  X
Mourning Dove  4
Northern Flicker (Yellow-shafted)  2
Fish Crow  X
Tree Swallow  X
Carolina Wren  1
American Robin  X
Northern Mockingbird  1
Palm Warbler  1
Yellow-rumped Warbler (Myrtle)  12
Savannah Sparrow  5
Song Sparrow  4
Swamp Sparrow  4
Northern Cardinal  2
Red-winged Blackbird  X
Boat-tailed Grackle  X
House Finch  4
House Sparrow  X

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

Hidden Valley - Thursday, October 27th 2011

2011-11-03T12:43:00.000-04:00

A great Hidden Valley walk with fly-over Wood Ducks, masses of Yellow-rumped Warblers and a fabulous Eastern Meadowlark show - the biggest single-flock count was 48 birds.
42 species

Wood Duck 8
Mallard 4
Double-crested Cormorant 3
Sharp-shinned Hawk 4
Cooper's Hawk 1
Red-tailed Hawk 1
Killdeer 5
Herring Gull (American) 2
Mourning Dove 6
Red-bellied Woodpecker 3
Yellow-bellied Sapsucker 2
Northern Flicker 15
Eastern Phoebe 6
Red-eyed Vireo 1
Blue Jay 4
American Crow 25
Carolina Chickadee 2
Carolina Wren 3
Winter Wren 1
Golden-crowned Kinglet 5
Ruby-crowned Kinglet 6
American Robin 400
Gray Catbird 3
Northern Mockingbird 4
Brown Thrasher 4
European Starling 45
Cedar Waxwing 2
Blackpoll Warbler 4
Palm Warbler 8
Yellow-rumped Warbler 500
Eastern Towhee 5
Chipping Sparrow 1
Field Sparrow 6
Savannah Sparrow 2
Song Sparrow 8
Swamp Sparrow 10
White-throated Sparrow 10
Northern Cardinal 2
Red-winged Blackbird 150
Eastern Meadowlark 90
Common Grackle 1
American Goldfinch 1

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

Twilight Watch at The Meadows - Wednesday, October 26th 2011

2011-11-03T12:38:00.000-04:00

42 species

Canada Goose 45
Mute Swan 8
Wood Duck 16
Gadwall 32
Mallard 6
Blue-winged Teal 8
Northern Shoveler 4
Northern Pintail 8
Green-winged Teal 6
Surf Scoter 42
Ruddy Duck 8
Pied-billed Grebe 4
Northern Gannet 12
Double-crested Cormorant 6
Great Blue Heron 3
Great Egret 2
Sharp-shinned Hawk 6
Cooper's Hawk 2
Red-tailed Hawk 1 Enjoying Rabbit for dinner
American Kestrel 1
Sora 1
Common Gallinule 1
American Coot 22
Sanderling 16
Laughing Gull 4
Ring-billed Gull 12
Herring Gull 8
Lesser Black-backed Gull 1
Great Black-backed Gull 20
Mourning Dove 4
American Crow 20
Tree Swallow 10
Barn Swallow 1
European Starling 8
Palm Warbler 6
Yellow-rumped Warbler 44
Savannah Sparrow 4
Song Sparrow 4
Swamp Sparrow 20
Red-winged Blackbird 14
Eastern Meadowlark 6
Common Grackle 2

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

Cape May Point State Park - Wednesday, October 26th 2011

2011-11-03T12:37:00.000-04:00

Having missed a couple of Wednesday walks due to poor weather, it was good to be back out in the field. Certainly duck numbers had increased since our last walk, there was a fabulous Northern Gannet show offshore, American Coot numbers were impressive and the good Fall for Eastern Meadowlarks continues.
67 species

Canada Goose 45
Mute Swan 15
Wood Duck 14
Gadwall 110
American Wigeon 95
Mallard 30
Blue-winged Teal 15
Northern Shoveler 30
Northern Pintail 22
Green-winged Teal 45
Ring-necked Duck 4
Surf Scoter 3
Ruddy Duck 7
Pied-billed Grebe 6
Northern Gannet 150
Double-crested Cormorant 40
Great Blue Heron 1
Great Egret 1
Turkey Vulture 6
Osprey 1
Bald Eagle 1
Northern Harrier 3
Sharp-shinned Hawk 14
Cooper's Hawk 6
Red-tailed Hawk 1
American Kestrel 12
Merlin 2
American Coot 155
Semipalmated Plover 6
Killdeer 23
Sanderling 15
Dunlin 25
Wilson's Snipe 1
Laughing Gull 5
Ring-billed Gull 20
Herring Gull (American) 12
Great Black-backed Gull 35
Forster's Tern 45
Royal Tern 10
Rock Pigeon 4
Mourning Dove 2
Northern Flicker 25
Eastern Phoebe 1
Blue Jay 2
American Crow 4
Tree Swallow 25
Carolina Chickadee 4
Carolina Wren 2
Ruby-crowned Kinglet 3
American Robin 140
Northern Mockingbird 1
European Starling 95
American Pipit 1
Cedar Waxwing 20
Nashville Warbler 1
Common Yellowthroat 1
Blackpoll Warbler 1
Palm Warbler 8
Yellow-rumped Warbler 1500
Savannah Sparrow 2
Song Sparrow 6
Swamp Sparrow 6
White-throated Sparrow 5
Northern Cardinal 2
Red-winged Blackbird 450
Eastern Meadowlark 25
House Finch 1

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

Cape May Autumn Weekend - Friday, October 28th-Sunday, October 30th 2011

2011-10-30T22:46:00.002-04:00

This list shows the full list of species reported during the Cape May Autumn Birding Festival, essentially being a list of species from sites around Cape May County and from Brigantine.

Snow Goose
Brant
Cackling Goose
Canada Goose
Mute Swan
Wood Duck
Gadwall
American Wigeon
Eurasian Wigeon
American Black Duck
Mallard
Blue-winged Teal
Northern Shoveler
Northern Pintail
Green-winged Teal
Ring-necked Duck
Greater Scaup
Lesser Scaup
Common Eider
Surf Scoter
White-winged Scoter
Black Scoter
Long-tailed Duck
Bufflehead
Hooded Merganser
Red-breasted Merganser
Ruddy Duck
Red-throated Loon
Common Loon
Pied-billed Grebe
Horned Grebe
Shearwater sp.
Brown Booby
Northern Gannet
Double-crested Cormorant
Great Cormorant
American Bittern
Great Blue Heron
Great Egret
Snowy Egret
Tricolored Heron
Cattle Egret
Green Heron
Black-crowned Night Heron
Glossy Ibis
Black Vulture
Turkey Vulture
Osprey
Bald Eagle
Northern Harrier
Sharp-shinned Hawk
Cooper's Hawk
Red-shouldered Hawk
Broad-winged Hawk
Swainson's Hawk
Red-tailed Hawk
Golden Eagle
American Kestrel
Merlin
Peregrine
Black Rail
Clapper Rail
Virginia Rail
Sora
American Moorhen
American Coot
Black-bellied Plover
American Golden Plover
Semipalmated Plover
Piping Plover
Killdeer
American Oystercatcher
American Avocet
Greater Yellowlegs
Lesser Yellowlegs
Willet
Hudsonian Godwit
Ruddy Turnstone
Red Knot
Sanderling
Semipalmated Sandpiper
Western Sandpiper
Least Sandpiper
Pectoral Sandpiper
Purple Sandpiper
Dunlin
Short-billed Dowitcher
Long-billed Dowitcher
Wilson's Snipe
American Woodcock
Bonaparte's Gull
Laughing Gull
Ring-billed Gull
American Herring Gull
Lesser Black-backed Gull
Great Black-backed Gull
Caspian Tern
Common Tern
Forster's Tern
Royal Tern
Black Skimmer
Parasitic Jaeger
Feral Rock Dove
White-winged Dove
American Mourning Dove
Eurasian Collared Dove
Yellow-billed Cuckoo
Black-billed Cuckoo
Eastern Screech Owl
Great Horned Owl
Short-eared Owl
Northern Saw-whet Owl
Chimney Swift
Ruby-throated Hummingbird
Rufous Hummingbird
Belted Kingfisher
Red-headed Woodpecker
Red-bellied Woodpecker
Yellow-bellied Sapsucker
Downy Woodpecker
Hairy Woodpecker
Northern Flicker
Least Flycatcher
Eastern Phoebe
Western Kingbird
Eastern Kingbird
Blue-headed Vireo
Red-eyed Vireo
Blue Jay
American Crow
Fish Crow
Tree Swallow
Cliff Swallow
Cave Swallow
Barn Swallow
Carolina Chickadee
Tufted Titmouse
White-breasted Nuthatch
Brown Creeper
Carolina Wren
House Wren
Winter Wren
Golden-crowned Kinglet
Ruby-crowned Kinglet
Eastern Bluebird
Gray-cheeked Thrush
Swainson's Thrush
Hermit Thrush
American Robin
Gray Catbird
Northern Mockingbird
Brown Thrasher
European Starling
American Pipit
Cedar Waxwing
Blue-winged Warbler
Tennessee Warbler
Orange-crowned Warbler
Nashville Warbler
Northern Parula
Magnolia Warbler
Cape May Warbler
Black-throated Blue Warbler
Yellow-rumped Warbler
Black-throated Green Warbler
Pine Warbler
Palm Warbler
Blackpoll Warbler
Black-and-white Warbler
Common Yellowthroat
Wilson's Warbler
Yellow-breasted Chat
Eastern Towhee
Chipping Sparrow
Clay-colored Sparrow
Field Sparrow
Vesper Sparrow
Lark Sparrow
Savannah Sparrow
Grasshopper Sparrow
Nelson's Sparrow
Saltmarsh Sparrow
Seaside Sparrow
Fox Sparrow
Song Sparrow
Lincoln's Sparrow
Swamp Sparrow
White-throated Sparrow
White-crowned Sparrow
Dark-eyed Junco
Snow Bunting
Northern Cardinal
Blue Gorsbeak
Indigo Bunting
Bobolink
Red-winged Blackbird
Eastern Meadowlark
Rusty Blackbird
Common Grackle
Boat-tailed Grackle
Brown-headed Cowbird
Orchard Oriole
Baltimore Oriole
Purple Finch
House Finch
American Goldfinch
House Sparrow

TOTAL LIST = 207 Species

E-Z Birding, Tuesday, October 25th 2011

2011-10-25T13:25:00.000-04:00

EZ Birding at Two Mile Beach Unit of US Fish & Wildlife enjoyed a good variety of raptors overhead including Bald Eagles, Peregrine Falcons, American Kestrel, Merlin, Norther Harrier, and Red-tailed, Cooper's, and Sharp-shinned Hawks. From the beach we had many shorebirds which included Ruddy Turnstones, Black-bellied Plover, Dunlin, and Sanderlings. Four Brown Pelicans and several large skeins of Double-crested Cormorants flew by. The Brown Booby was visible from the bay side of Ocean Drive. 46 species Brant 120 Canada Goose 8 American Black Duck 80 Mallard 4 Northern Gannet 3 Double-crested Cormorant 325 Brown Pelican 4 Great Blue Heron 1 Great Egret 12 Snowy Egret 1 Turkey Vulture 20 Osprey 5 Bald Eagle 4 Northern Harrier 1 Sharp-shinned Hawk 6 Cooper's Hawk 3 Red-tailed Hawk 1 American Kestrel 1 Merlin 1 Peregrine Falcon 2 Black-bellied Plover 20 Killdeer 10 Greater Yellowlegs 12 Ruddy Turnstone 14 Sanderling 50 Dunlin 50 Ring-billed Gull 10 Herring Gull 15 Great Black-backed Gull 30 Forster's Tern 15 Royal Tern 6 Northern Flicker 1 American Crow 5 Fish Crow 6 Tree Swallow 400 Carolina Chickadee 3 heard Carolina Wren 2 heard Golden-crowned Kinglet 1 Ruby-crowned Kinglet 2 American Robin 10 Gray Catbird 2 Black-throated Blue Warbler 1 Yellow-rumped Warbler 50 Song Sparrow 1 Swamp Sparrow 2 Northern Cardinal 1 heard This report was generated automatically by eBird v3 (http://ebird.org)

South Cape May Meadows - Monday October 24th 2011

2011-10-25T13:21:00.000-04:00

Lots of Yellow-rumped Warblers and numerous Sharp-shinned Hawks. Also perched Cooper's and Red-tailed hawks. Two fly-over calling American Pipits and four Parasitic Jaegers from the beach. Ducks included Gadwall, Mallard, Green-winged Teal and Ruddy, while there was also numerous American Coots and a Pied-billed Grebe.
54 species

Canada Goose 300
Mute Swan 12
Gadwall 15
American Wigeon 8
Mallard 301
Northern Shoveler 3
Northern Pintail 10
Green-winged Teal 6
Ruddy Duck 3
Red-throated Loon 4
Common Loon 4
Pied-billed Grebe 1
Double-crested Cormorant 200
Great Blue Heron 1
Glossy Ibis 2
Turkey Vulture 1
Osprey 2
Northern Harrier 1
Sharp-shinned Hawk 10
Cooper's Hawk 2
Red-tailed Hawk 1
Merlin 1
American Coot 20
Killdeer 2
Greater Yellowlegs 3
Sanderling 40
Pectoral Sandpiper 7
Wilson's Snipe 1
Laughing Gull 1
Ring-billed Gull 5
Herring Gull 10
Great Black-backed Gull 30
Forster's Tern 30
Parasitic Jaeger 4
Mourning Dove 15
Belted Kingfisher 1 heard
Northern Flicker 10
American Crow 25
Tree Swallow 200
Carolina Wren 3
American Robin 100
Northern Mockingbird 1
European Starling 10
American Pipit 2
Common Yellowthroat 1
Palm Warbler 5
Yellow-rumped Warbler 75
Song Sparrow 1
Swamp Sparrow 10
Northern Cardinal 1
Red-winged Blackbird 50
Eastern Meadowlark 1
Common Grackle 30
Orchard Oriole 1
House Sparrow 1
This report was generated automatically by eBird v3 (http://ebird.org)

Cox Hall Creek (Villas) WMA - Sunday, October 23rd 2011

2011-10-25T13:17:00.000-04:00

In addition to the many 'yumps' (Yellow-Rumped Warblers), Eastern Phoebes, Palm Warblers and both Ruby-crowned and Golden-crowned Kinglets, the Cox Hall Creek WMA walk produced two calling Red-headed Woodpeckers, a pair of adult Bald Eagles, a scope-able Yellow-billed Cuckoo, several Brown Creepers and Hermit Thrushes and a variety of sparrows that included Savannah, Swamp, Song, Chipping and Field.

58 species

Canada Goose 1
Mute Swan 2
Wood Duck 6
Pied-billed Grebe 1
Double-crested Cormorant 29
Black Vulture 1
Turkey Vulture 2
Bald Eagle 2
Sharp-shinned Hawk 3
Cooper's Hawk 2
Red-tailed Hawk 2
Herring Gull (American) 3
Mourning Dove 5
Yellow-billed Cuckoo 1
Red-headed Woodpecker 2 1 juvenile, another heard
Red-bellied Woodpecker 14
Yellow-bellied Sapsucker 3
Downy Woodpecker 4
Northern Flicker (Yellow-shafted) 9

Blue Jay 15
Eastern Phoebe 18
American Crow 5
Fish Crow 1
Tree Swallow 4
Carolina Chickadee 2
Tufted Titmouse 7
White-breasted Nuthatch 2
Brown Creeper 4
Carolina Wren 4
Golden-crowned Kinglet 6
Ruby-crowned Kinglet 7
Eastern Bluebird 6
Hermit Thrush 3
American Robin 140
Gray Catbird 3
Northern Mockingbird 2
Brown Thrasher 2
European Starling 6
Cedar Waxwing 6
Nashville Warbler 1
Common Yellowthroat 2
Palm Warbler (Western) 15
Palm Warbler (Yellow) 6
Pine Warbler 1
Yellow-rumped Warbler (Myrtle) 57
Eastern Towhee 6
Chipping Sparrow 13
Field Sparrow 4
Savannah Sparrow 7
Song Sparrow 7
Swamp Sparrow 11
White-throated Sparrow 11
Northern Cardinal 3
Red-winged Blackbird 18
Eastern Meadowlark 3
Common Grackle 5
Brown-headed Cowbird 3
House Finch 2

Hawks, Trails and Beach - Saturday, October 22nd 2011

2011-10-25T13:15:00.000-04:00

The Hawks, Trails and Beach Walk enjoyed a good variety of birds. Ducks - including Mallards, Gadwall, American Wigeon, Ring-necked, Ruddy and Green- and Blue-winged Teal - and American Coots were plentiful. Raptors included Sharp-shinned Hawks, Cooper's Hawks, Bald Eagles and Red-tailed Hawks along with Kestrels, Merlins and Peregrine Falcons. Smaller birds included Chimney Swifts, Yellow-Shafted Flickers, Eastern Meadowlarks, Brown Creepers and Hermit Thrushes. 63 species (+1 other taxon) Canada Goose 30 Mute Swan 14 Wood Duck 1 Gadwall 20 American Wigeon 40 Mallard 18 Blue-winged Teal 14 Northern Shoveler 8 Northern Pintail 8 Green-winged Teal 6 Ring-necked Duck 2 scoter sp. 25 Ruddy Duck 2 Pied-billed Grebe 4 Double-crested Cormorant 5 Great Egret 3 Turkey Vulture 45 Osprey 1 Bald Eagle 3 Northern Harrier 1 Sharp-shinned Hawk 10 Cooper's Hawk 4 Red-tailed Hawk 1 American Kestrel 3 Merlin 4 Peregrine Falcon 2 American Coot 60 large flock on Bunker Pond and smaller flock in creek behind pond and oin Lighthous Pond at Cape May Point State Park Laughing Gull 12 Ring-billed Gull 4 Herring Gull 5 Great Black-backed Gull 35 Royal Tern 2 Rock Pigeon 6 Chimney Swift 20 Two sizable flocks flying overhead and multiple singles at Cape May Point State Park Belted Kingfisher 1 heard Red-bellied Woodpecker 2 Northern Flicker 15 Red-eyed Vireo 1 Blue Jay 3 American Crow 6 Tree Swallow 50 Carolina Chickadee 5 Brown Creeper 3 Carolina Wren 5 Golden-crowned Kinglet 10 Ruby-crowned Kinglet 18 Hermit Thrush 4 American Robin 5 Gray Catbird 5 Northern Mockingbird 1 Brown Thrasher 2 Common Yellowthroat 2 Blackpoll Warbler 2 Palm Warbler 2 Yellow-rumped Warbler 50 Savannah Sparrow 1 Song Sparrow 3 Swamp Sparrow 4 White-throated Sparrow 2 White-crowned Sparrow 1 Red-winged Blackbird 60 Eastern Meadowlark 11 House Finch 2 American Goldfinch 20 This report was generated automatically by eBird v3 (http://ebird.org)

Fall Birds at The Rea Farm - Saturday, October 22nd 2011

2011-10-25T13:09:00.000-04:00

Very birdy morning with warblers and sparrows as well as raptors. Warblers included good looks at Black-throated Blue, Northern Parula, Blackpoll and Common Yellowthroat. Raptors included a Bald Eagle and Red-shouldered Hawk. Field, Song and Savannah Sparrows were numerous but sometimes hard to see.
62 species

Canada Goose 20
Mute Swan 1
Mallard 3 fly overs
Double-crested Cormorant 1
Green Heron 2
Black Vulture 3
Turkey Vulture 30
Osprey 1
Bald Eagle 1
Northern Harrier 1
Sharp-shinned Hawk 10
Cooper's Hawk 1
Red-shouldered Hawk 1
Broad-winged Hawk 2
Red-tailed Hawk 1
Herring Gull 3
Great Black-backed Gull 1
Rock Pigeon 3
Mourning Dove 8
Chimney Swift 2
Red-bellied Woodpecker 1
Downy Woodpecker 2
Hairy Woodpecker 1 before walk fly-over-called
Northern Flicker 10
Eastern Phoebe 15
Red-eyed Vireo 2
Blue Jay 5
American Crow 10
Northern Rough-winged Swallow 2
Tree Swallow 30
Carolina Chickadee 1
Carolina Wren 4
Blue-gray Gnatcatcher 1
Golden-crowned Kinglet 5
Ruby-crowned Kinglet 5
Eastern Bluebird 1
American Robin 15
Gray Catbird 2 heard
Northern Mockingbird 2
Brown Thrasher 1
European Starling 15
Cedar Waxwing 2
Nashville Warbler 1
Common Yellowthroat 4
Northern Parula 1
Blackpoll Warbler 6
Black-throated Blue Warbler 2
Palm Warbler 15
Yellow-rumped Warbler 50
Black-throated Green Warbler 1
Chipping Sparrow 3
Field Sparrow 6
Savannah Sparrow 8
Song Sparrow 10
Swamp Sparrow 10
Northern Cardinal 1
Indigo Bunting 1
Red-winged Blackbird 10
Eastern Meadowlark 8
Rusty Blackbird 1 fly-over leaders only
Brown-headed Cowbird 10
American Goldfinch 1

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

Sunset Birding at South Cape May Meadows - Friday, October 21st 2011

2011-10-22T15:25:00.001-04:00

Good ducks, including Blue-winged and Green-winged Teal and Ruddy Ducks. A few fly-over shorebirds and waders, plus two Peregrines. Lesser Black-backed Gull on the beach. Highlight was a Sora close but darkness was setting in.
41 species

Cackling Goose 1
Canada Goose 75
Mute Swan 15
Gadwall 10
Mallard 25
Blue-winged Teal 12
Northern Pintail 10
Green-winged Teal 4
Ruddy Duck 2
Pied-billed Grebe 2
Northern Gannet 1 leader only
Double-crested Cormorant 8
Great Egret 3
Turkey Vulture 1
Bald Eagle 1
Sharp-shinned Hawk 4
Peregrine Falcon 2
Sora 1
Common Gallinule 1
American Coot 15
American Oystercatcher 1
Greater Yellowlegs 3 fly & call
Lesser Yellowlegs 4 fly & call
Sanderling 25
Wilson's Snipe 1
Laughing Gull 15
Ring-billed Gull 4
Herring Gull 10
Lesser Black-backed Gull 1
Great Black-backed Gull 25
Royal Tern 2
Parasitic Jaeger 1 leader only
Mourning Dove 4
Chimney Swift 8
Tree Swallow 50
European Starling 10
Palm Warbler 1
Yellow-rumped Warbler 30
Northern Cardinal 1
Red-winged Blackbird 5
House Sparrow 1

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

Higbee's Beach WMA, Group 2 - Friday, October 21st 2011

2011-10-22T15:19:00.001-04:00

Lots of Yellow-rumped Warblers and Northern Flickers on a cool, windy morning. A few small pockets of warblers, Black-throated Green, Black-throated Blue, Northern Parula and Blackpoll. Two Bald Eagle fly-overs were
nice. A group of eight late Chimney Swifts was observed.
30 species

Double-crested Cormorant 6
Turkey Vulture 5
Bald Eagle 2
Sharp-shinned Hawk 10
Cooper's Hawk 1
Merlin 1
Great Black-backed Gull 1
Mourning Dove 4
Chimney Swift 8
Red-bellied Woodpecker 2
Northern Flicker 15
Blue Jay 8
American Crow 10
Carolina Chickadee 1 heard
Tufted Titmouse 2
Carolina Wren 4
American Robin 4
Gray Catbird 3
Brown Thrasher 1 heard
Black-and-white Warbler 1 after walk
Northern Parula 1
Blackpoll Warbler 8
Black-throated Blue Warbler 3
Palm Warbler 2
Yellow-rumped Warbler 50
Black-throated Green Warbler 1
Eastern Towhee 1 heard
White-throated Sparrow 4 heard
Northern Cardinal 4
Red-winged Blackbird 15

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

Higbee's Beach WMA, Group 1 - Friday, October 21st 2011

2011-10-22T15:17:00.001-04:00

A nice Higbee walk - a quiet start with birds whizzing around high overhead, but gradually things settled and we had great looks at Yellow-rumped and - especially - Blackpoll Warblers which seemed to be everywhere! Also a nice run of late Chimney Swifts, then two Nashville Warblers feeding together in field 2.
35 species

Double-crested Cormorant 1
Bald Eagle 1
Sharp-shinned Hawk 8
Cooper's Hawk 1
Merlin 1
Peregrine Falcon 1
Herring Gull (American) 1
Mourning Dove 4
Chimney Swift 9
Red-bellied Woodpecker 2
Northern Flicker 15
Eastern Phoebe 2
Blue Jay 6
American Crow 25
Tree Swallow 35
Tufted Titmouse 2
Carolina Wren 4
Golden-crowned Kinglet 1
American Robin 20
Gray Catbird 2
Brown Thrasher 4
European Starling 2
Cedar Waxwing 3
Nashville Warbler 2
American Redstart 1
Northern Parula 4
Blackpoll Warbler 35
Black-throated Blue Warbler 3
Yellow-rumped Warbler 100
Eastern Towhee 2
White-throated Sparrow 5
Northern Cardinal 8
Red-winged Blackbird 2
Eastern Meadowlark 4
American Goldfinch 1

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

Bird Walk for All People - Thursday, October 20th 2011

2011-10-20T17:05:00.000-04:00

The Bird Walk for All People had an excellent raptor show despite the high winds. Bald Eagles, Osprey, Sharp-shinned and Cooper's Hawks, Peregrine Falcons, and a Merlin were seen. A variety of ducks on Lighthouse and Bunker Ponds, including two Ring-necked Ducks, were enjoyed by all. 39 species Canada Goose 10 Mute Swan 13 Gadwall 26 American Wigeon 60 Mallard 20 Blue-winged Teal 8 Northern Shoveler 12 Northern Pintail 6 Green-winged Teal 6 Ring-necked Duck 2 Ruddy Duck 1 Pied-billed Grebe 4 Double-crested Cormorant 8 Turkey Vulture 16 Osprey 3 Bald Eagle 3 Northern Harrier 1 Sharp-shinned Hawk 5 Cooper's Hawk 3 Merlin 1 Peregrine Falcon 5 American Coot 40 Lesser Yellowlegs 6 Semipalmated Sandpiper 8 Pectoral Sandpiper 10 Stilt Sandpiper 2 Laughing Gull 40 Ring-billed Gull 8 Herring Gull 12 Great Black-backed Gull 20 Forster's Tern 3 Rock Pigeon 7 Eurasian Collared-Dove 2 Seen flying over Lighthouse Pond toward St. Mary's; identified by Pete Dunne Chimney Swift 11 Small flock flying over Lighthouse Pond; also confirmed by Pete Dunne American Crow 3 Tree Swallow 250 Carolina Wren 1 heard Yellow-rumped Warbler 4 House Sparrow 5 This report was generated automatically by eBird v2 (http://ebird.org)

Hidden Valley - Thursday, October 20th 2011

2011-10-20T17:03:00.000-04:00

A very windy morninig kept the heads of pretty much all the small birds well below the parapet; however, a party of 10 Eastern Meadowlarks put a nice show and raptors disported themselves before us - especially those awesome Bald Eagles!
27 species

Double-crested Cormorant 3
Black Vulture 9
Turkey Vulture 12
Bald Eagle 2
Sharp-shinned Hawk 5
Cooper's Hawk 4
Red-tailed Hawk 1
Merlin 1
Peregrine Falcon 1
Herring Gull (American) 5
Great Black-backed Gull 14
Royal Tern 3
Mourning Dove 2
Yellow-billed Cuckoo 1
Downy Woodpecker 1
Northern Flicker 5
American Crow 45
Fish Crow 9
Tufted Titmouse 1
Carolina Wren 1
American Robin 10
Northern Mockingbird 2
Palm Warbler 5
Yellow-rumped Warbler 40
Northern Cardinal 3
Red-winged Blackbird 6
Eastern Meadowlark 10

This report was generated automatically by eBird v2 (http://ebird.org)

Sunset Birding at Stone Harbor Point - Tuesday, October 18th 2011

2011-10-20T16:58:00.000-04:00

We had yet another amazing Sunset Birding Walk at Stone Harbor on Tuesday. We started by walking the dune path to the beach and along the way had great comparative looks at Song vs. Savannah Sparrows. Once on the beach we didn't even walk 100 meters and found a group of feeding shorebirds that included 9 lingering Piping Plovers and 6 other species close by. We also had both Caspian and Royal Terns fishing in the surf right in front of us. While watching the terns we spotted a group of Bottle-nosed Dolphins close to shore that were rather "frisky". We saw them copulating and even jumping clear out of the water just beyond the waves. We next went to Nummy Island and quickly located the American Avocets we found last week that conveniently stayed at the same spot. The base of the "free bridge" held a huge flock of shorebirds that included a Marbled Godwit, Red Knots, and Western Willets among others. We ran out of daylight before we ran out of birds, but that's a good problem to have...
43 species

Brant  300
Black Scoter  1
Common Loon  1
Double-crested Cormorant  X
Great Blue Heron  12
Great Egret  24
Snowy Egret  1
Cooper's Hawk  2
Peregrine Falcon  1
Black-bellied Plover  68
Piping Plover  9 Just past end of dune path on beach.  Includes the individual with the messed up leg that has been there all month
American Oystercatcher  180
American Avocet  2 continue at base of toll bridge Nummy Island
Greater Yellowlegs  3
Willet (Western)  26
Marbled Godwit  1
Ruddy Turnstone  6
Red Knot  28
Sanderling  800
Western Sandpiper  14
Dunlin  300
Short-billed Dowitcher  X
Ring-billed Gull  X
Herring Gull  X
Great Black-backed Gull  X
Caspian Tern  8
Royal Tern  4
Mourning Dove  4
Belted Kingfisher  1
Northern Flicker (Yellow-shafted)  1
Fish Crow  X
Tree Swallow  X
American Robin  X
Gray Catbird  2
Northern Mockingbird  1
Yellow-rumped Warbler  16
Savannah Sparrow  5
Song Sparrow  1
White-throated Sparrow  2
Northern Cardinal  2
Red-winged Blackbird  X
Boat-tailed Grackle  X
House Sparrow  X

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

Twilight Watch at The Meadows - Wednesday, October 19th 2011

2011-10-20T16:56:00.000-04:00

We began the walk under the threat of rain and had a good look at a Cackling Goose among the flock of Canada Geese. When we reached the beach the skies opened and the rain began in earnest. Of course we were at the furthest point away from our vehicles so we continued. By the time we reached the viewing platform the rains had ended and we were treated to great looks at a Pectoral Sandpiper in a group of Lesser Yellowlegs and close up looks at Northern Pintails. So despite the rain it was a rather good birding walk.
43 species

Cackling Goose 1
Canada Goose 38
Mute Swan 8
Gadwall 15
American Wigeon 2
Mallard 10
Blue-winged Teal 12
Northern Shoveler 1
Northern Pintail 8
Green-winged Teal 9
Ruddy Duck 5
Pied-billed Grebe 5
Double-crested Cormorant 20
Great Egret 6
Turkey Vulture 2
Northern Harrier 2
Sharp-shinned Hawk 4
Cooper's Hawk 2
Merlin 2
American Coot 8
Greater Yellowlegs 1
Lesser Yellowlegs 6
Sanderling 20
Pectoral Sandpiper 1
Short-billed Dowitcher 2
Wilson's Snipe 8
Laughing Gull 4
Ring-billed Gull 12
Herring Gull 8
Great Black-backed Gull 25
Forster's Tern 6
Royal Tern 12
Rock Pigeon 8
Mourning Dove 4
Northern Flicker 2
American Crow 6
Tree Swallow 16
American Robin 4
European Starling 8
Yellow-rumped Warbler 4
Savannah Sparrow 6
Swamp Sparrow 4
Red-winged Blackbird 8

This report was generated automatically by eBird v2 (http://ebird.org)

Photo Walk - Tuesday, October 18th 2011

2011-10-20T16:46:00.000-04:00

Mike Hannisian stood in for Scott this week and writes: The weather for this Tuesday's Photo Walk was sunny, mild and calm which allowed for some nice waterfowl shooting from the blind on the Red Trail. We also ran into a number of moving warbler flocks consisting of almost exclusively Yellow-rumpeds. However, the occasional stray was present, such as Gray Catbird. All in all, it was a nice day to be afield with a camera.

American Wigeon (x2), Gadwall and Gray Catbird from this morning's photo walk.

E-Z Birding, Tuesday, October 18th 2011

2011-10-20T16:40:00.000-04:00

The EZ Birding Walk enjoyed a variety of raptors including Osprey, Sharp-shinned Hawks, Cooper's Hawks, and a Peregrine Falcon. We also had good looks at Northern Parulas and a Yellow-breasted Chat. Yellow-rumped Warblers were plentiful. We went across Ocean Drive to the bay side and had decent looks at the Brown Booby and three Bald Eagles. 55 species American Black Duck 50 Mallard 20 Northern Shoveler 4 Pied-billed Grebe 1 Double-crested Cormorant 80 Brown Pelican 8 Great Blue Heron 2 Great Egret 10 Snowy Egret 4 Green Heron 1 Turkey Vulture 15 Osprey 8 Bald Eagle 3 Sharp-shinned Hawk 10 Cooper's Hawk 3 Merlin 1 Peregrine Falcon 1 Black-bellied Plover 1 Killdeer 5 American Oystercatcher 2 Greater Yellowlegs 40 Lesser Yellowlegs 8 Ruddy Turnstone 1 Sanderling 25 Dunlin 12 Laughing Gull 20 Ring-billed Gull 10 Herring Gull 8 Great Black-backed Gull 60 Forster's Tern 20 Mourning Dove 2 Belted Kingfisher 1 Red-bellied Woodpecker 1 heard Northern Flicker 6 American Crow 5 Fish Crow 3 Tree Swallow 40 Carolina Chickadee 4 heard Carolina Wren 4 heard Golden-crowned Kinglet 3 heard American Robin 1 Gray Catbird 8 Northern Mockingbird 1 Brown Thrasher 2 European Starling 50 Cedar Waxwing 3 Northern Parula 2 Yellow-rumped Warbler 50 Yellow-breasted Chat 1 Swamp Sparrow 1 Northern Cardinal 2 heard Red-winged Blackbird 16 Boat-tailed Grackle 2 Brown-headed Cowbird 2 House Finch 2 This report was generated automatically by eBird v3 (http://ebird.org)

South Cape May Meadows - Monday October 17th 2011

2011-10-18T16:53:00.000-04:00

Lots of raptors, including Sharp-shinned & Cooper's Hawks, Northern Harriers, two Peregrines, and two Bald Eagles, one sitting on the beach! Also a good variety of ducks, plus a few shorebirds present which included a White-rumped and three Stilt Sandpipers, a Dunlin and four Wilson's Snipe. A Lesser Black-backed Gull was on the beach and a couple of Northern Gannets flew by off shore.
60 species

Cackling Goose 1
Canada Goose 75
Mute Swan 6
Gadwall 5
American Wigeon 1
Mallard 30
Blue-winged Teal 8
Northern Pintail 12
Green-winged Teal 4
Surf Scoter 6
Pied-billed Grebe 5
Northern Gannet 3
Double-crested Cormorant 15
Great Egret 1
Snowy Egret 1 Fly-over
Green Heron 1
Turkey Vulture 1
Osprey 2
Bald Eagle 2
Northern Harrier 7
Sharp-shinned Hawk 25
Cooper's Hawk 3
American Kestrel 2
Peregrine Falcon 2
American Coot 3
Greater Yellowlegs 1 heard
Lesser Yellowlegs 1 fly-over
White-rumped Sandpiper 1
Dunlin 1
Stilt Sandpiper 3
Wilson's Snipe 4
Laughing Gull 3
Ring-billed Gull 10
Herring Gull 10
Lesser Black-backed Gull 1
Great Black-backed Gull 25
Forster's Tern 10
Royal Tern 2
Parasitic Jaeger 1 (leader only)
Eurasian Collared-Dove 2 fly-over
Mourning Dove 5
Northern Flicker 5
Blue Jay 1
American Crow 5
Tree Swallow 500
Barn Swallow 3
Carolina Wren 1 heard
American Robin 30
European Starling 10
Palm Warbler 5
Yellow-rumped Warbler 50
Swamp Sparrow 4
Northern Cardinal 1
Dickcissel 1 heard
Bobolink 3
Red-winged Blackbird 15
Eastern Meadowlark 1
Common Grackle 2
House Finch 5
House Sparrow 5

This report was generated automatically by eBird v3 (

Stilt Sandpipers at the South Cape May Meadows

Adult Bald Eagle surveys the South Cape May Beach!

http://ebird.org)

Backbay Birding By Boat - Sunday, October 16th 2011

2011-10-18T16:47:00.000-04:00

Jarvis Sound lit up with impressive birds today. Within a few feet of the Brown Booby, we ran into a trio of Horned Grebes, a Black Skimmer, a Bald Eagle and a Common Loon!

24 species

Brant 16
American Black Duck 2
Common Loon 1
Horned Grebe 3
Brown Booby 1
Double-crested Cormorant 143
Great Blue Heron 18
Great Egret 19
Snowy Egret 7
Tricolored Heron 1
Bald Eagle 1
Northern Harrier 1
Red-tailed Hawk 2
Peregrine Falcon 1
Black-bellied Plover 32
American Oystercatcher 2
Greater Yellowlegs 7
Ruddy Turnstone 47
Laughing Gull 13
Herring Gull 27
Great Black-backed Gull 32
Forster's Tern 12
Black Skimmer 1
Boat-tailed Grackle 3

Photographing Hawks (and other birds) - Saturday, October 15th 2011

2011-10-18T16:45:00.000-04:00

This Saturday greeted us with a sunny, windy afternoon. Just what we would want for a good mid-October hawk flight, except that the wind was out of the wrong direction. However, Cape May rarely fails, and this day was no different. Our group walked the short distance to Bunker Pond where we were able to create some nice images of various waterfowl, including a Eurasian Wigeon and a "laughing" Northern Shoveler.

Cox Hall Creek (Villas) WMA - Sunday, October 16th 2011

2011-10-18T16:38:00.000-04:00

The bright, windy skies over the Cox Hall Creek (formerly Villas) WMA held Kestrel, Merlin, Sharp-shinned, Cooper's and Red-tailed Hawks as well as a pair of adult Bald Eagles. Yellow-rumped warblers, Northern Flickers and Eastern Phoebes predominated. Other warblers included Black-throated Blue, Black-throated Green, Pine, Palm, Blackpoll and Common Yellow-throat.
50 species

Mute Swan 2
Pied-billed Grebe 1
Double-crested Cormorant 1
Turkey Vulture 2
Osprey 2
Bald Eagle 2
Sharp-shinned Hawk 9
Cooper's Hawk 2
Red-tailed Hawk 1
American Kestrel 1
Merlin 1
Laughing Gull 1
Herring Gull 1
Mourning Dove 4
Belted Kingfisher 1
Red-bellied Woodpecker 7
Downy Woodpecker 3
Northern Flicker (Yellow-shafted) 17
Eastern Wood-Pewee 2
Eastern Phoebe 12
Blue Jay 4
American Crow 30
Tree Swallow 3
Carolina Chickadee 4
Tufted Titmouse 7
Brown Creeper 1
Carolina Wren 3
House Wren 1
Blue-gray Gnatcatcher 1
Golden-crowned Kinglet 8
Ruby-crowned Kinglet 1 heard
Eastern Bluebird 14
American Robin 9
Gray Catbird 2
Northern Mockingbird 1
European Starling 2
Common Yellowthroat 1
Blackpoll Warbler 1
Black-throated Blue Warbler 1
Palm Warbler 9
Pine Warbler 1
Yellow-rumped Warbler (Myrtle) 40
Black-throated Green Warbler 1
Eastern Towhee 1
Chipping Sparrow 5
White-throated Sparrow 3 heard
Northern Cardinal 3
Indigo Bunting 1
Red-winged Blackbird 17
Common Grackle 15

Hawks, Trails and Beach - Saturday, October 15th 2011

2011-10-18T16:35:00.000-04:00

The Hawks, Trails and Beach Walk enjoyed good looks at the Eurasian Wigeon as well as many American Wigeon on Bunker Pond. High winds made finding small birds difficult however. A few raptors flew overhead but had trouble in the wind. 43 species Canada Goose 35 Mute Swan 14 Gadwall 10 Eurasian Wigeon 1 American Wigeon 50 Mallard 20 Blue-winged Teal 14 Northern Shoveler 10 Northern Pintail 4 Green-winged Teal 8 Ruddy Duck 2 Pied-billed Grebe 5 Double-crested Cormorant 6 Great Blue Heron 2 Great Egret 1 Turkey Vulture 8 Osprey 1 Sharp-shinned Hawk 3 Cooper's Hawk 1 American Kestrel 5 Merlin 2 Peregrine Falcon 2 American Coot 4 Laughing Gull 15 Herring Gull 20 Great Black-backed Gull 75 Royal Tern 3 Rock Pigeon 9 Mourning Dove 3 Northern Flicker 2 Blue Jay 1 heard American Crow 5 Tree Swallow 250 Carolina Chickadee 5 heard Carolina Wren 1 heard Golden-crowned Kinglet 4 heard Ruby-crowned Kinglet 3 Gray Catbird 2 heard Palm Warbler 1 Yellow-rumped Warbler 35 Song Sparrow 1 Swamp Sparrow 1 Red-winged Blackbird 6 This report was generated automatically by eBird v3 (http://ebird.org)

Fall Birds at The Rea Farm Group 2 - Saturday, October 15th 2011

2011-10-18T16:33:00.000-04:00

This morning's Beanery/Rea Farm walk provided participants with great views of Orange-crowned Warbler and Clay-colored and White-crowned Sparrows. Other warblers included Black-throated Blue males, Blackpoll in good numbers (or 'just another Blackpoll', as put by one observer), Cape May, Palm, Northern Parula and Yellow-Rumped.
52 species

Canada Goose 14
Mute Swan 5
Mallard 10
Northern Pintail 7
Black Vulture 3
Turkey Vulture 5
Sharp-shinned Hawk 5
Cooper's Hawk 1
Broad-winged Hawk 1
Merlin 1
Peregrine Falcon 1
Herring Gull 3
Rock Pigeon 3
Mourning Dove 14
Red-bellied Woodpecker 3
Yellow-bellied Sapsucker 1
Downy Woodpecker 4
Northern Flicker (Yellow-shafted) 10
Eastern Phoebe 2
Blue-headed Vireo 1
Red-eyed Vireo 4
Blue Jay 9
American Crow 45
Fish Crow 1
Tree Swallow 70
Carolina Chickadee 2
Tufted Titmouse 2
Brown Creeper 1
Carolina Wren 5
Golden-crowned Kinglet 3
American Robin 12
Gray Catbird 2
Northern Mockingbird 1
European Starling 37
Orange-crowned Warbler 2
Cape May Warbler 1
Northern Parula 1
Blackpoll Warbler 5
Black-throated Blue Warbler 3
Palm Warbler (Western) 6
Yellow-rumped Warbler (Myrtle) 9
Eastern Towhee 2
Clay-colored Sparrow 2
Savannah Sparrow 9
Song Sparrow 1
White-throated Sparrow 7
White-crowned Sparrow 1
Northern Cardinal 5
Indigo Bunting 2
Red-winged Blackbird 4
Eastern Meadowlark 1
Common Grackle 2

Fall Birds at The Rea Farm Group 1 - Saturday, October 15th 2011

2011-10-18T16:11:00.003-04:00

Slow starting but nice pockets of warblers here and there, including Blackpoll, Palm and of course Yellow-rumps. Warbler highlight was a very cooperative Orange-crowned Wabler near the railroad tracks in the back. Several Sharp-shinned Hawks, an early morning Cooper's, Osprey and a Red-tailed Hawk. A Merlin showed before and after the walk. Field, Savannah and two White-crowned Sparrows were also
observed..
39 species

Canada Goose 30
Wood Duck 1
Mallard 8
Double-crested Cormorant 5
Snowy Egret 2
Black Vulture 1
Turkey Vulture 4
Osprey 1
Bald Eagle 1
Sharp-shinned Hawk 6
Cooper's Hawk 1
Red-tailed Hawk 1
Merlin 2
Laughing Gull 1
Herring Gull 1
Great Black-backed Gull 5
Mourning Dove 8
Red-bellied Woodpecker 1 heard after walk
Downy Woodpecker 1
Northern Flicker 15
Eastern Phoebe 2
Blue Jay 10
American Crow 15
Tree Swallow 100
Carolina Wren 2 heard
Ruby-crowned Kinglet 2
American Robin 10
European Starling 75
Orange-crowned Warbler 1
Blackpoll Warbler 5
Palm Warbler 5
Yellow-rumped Warbler 25
Field Sparrow 7
Savannah Sparrow 3
Song Sparrow 1
White-crowned Sparrow 2
Northern Cardinal 1
Indigo Bunting 2
Red-winged Blackbird 5

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

White-crowned Sparrow at The Beanery [photo by Karl Lukens]

Sunset Birding at South Cape May Meadows - Friday, October 14th 2011

2011-10-15T11:16:00.000-04:00

Ducks were scarce but there were shorebirds in amongst the weed which included, Lesser Yellowlegs, Pectoral Sandpiper and Long-billed Dowitcher. An adult and an immature Lesser Black-backed
Gull were on the beach. A perched Cooper's Hawk and two Peregrine Falcons were nice to see.
37 species

Cackling Goose 1
Canada Goose 15
Mute Swan 4
Gadwall 3
American Black Duck 1
Mallard 20
Blue-winged Teal 2
Northern Shoveler 5
Ruddy Duck 5
Pied-billed Grebe 2
Double-crested Cormorant 7
Great Blue Heron 1
Great Egret 2
Snowy Egret 4
Sharp-shinned Hawk 3
Cooper's Hawk 1
Peregrine Falcon 2
Greater Yellowlegs 1 heard
Lesser Yellowlegs 20
Sanderling 10
Pectoral Sandpiper 1
Short-billed Dowitcher 1
Long-billed Dowitcher 1
Laughing Gull 15
Ring-billed Gull 5
Herring Gull 5
Lesser Black-backed Gull 2
Great Black-backed Gull 20
Mourning Dove 3
Northern Flicker 1
American Crow 3
Tree Swallow 50
Northern Mockingbird 1
European Starling 10
Yellow-rumped Warbler 30
Swamp Sparrow 3
Red-winged Blackbird 5

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

Higbee's Beach WMA - Friday, October 14th 2011

2011-10-15T11:14:00.000-04:00

A rather quiet Higbee's Beach on light SW winds, but some nice views of sparrows and lots of flicker-hawk activity!
30 species

Sharp-shinned Hawk 5
American Kestrel 1
Merlin 3
Peregrine Falcon 1
Great Black-backed Gull 4
Mourning Dove 3
Red-bellied Woodpecker 2
Yellow-bellied Sapsucker 2
Downy Woodpecker 1
Northern Flicker 25
Eastern Phoebe 4
Blue Jay 6
American Crow 25
Tree Swallow 15
Carolina Chickadee 2
Carolina Wren 4
House Wren 1
Golden-crowned Kinglet 6
Ruby-crowned Kinglet 2
American Robin 15
Gray Catbird 6
Brown Thrasher 10
Yellow-rumped Warbler 20
Eastern Towhee 2
Field Sparrow 3
Savannah Sparrow 1
Swamp Sparrow 4
White-throated Sparrow 12
Northern Cardinal 5
Red-winged Blackbird 2

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

Bird Walk for All People - Thursday, October 13th 2011

2011-10-15T11:04:00.002-04:00

The Walk for All People managed to see a good assortment of birds in the mist and fog this morning including a Peregrine Falcon and a Cattle Egret.
53 species

Canada Goose 35
Mute Swan 12
Wood Duck 2
American Wigeon 24
Mallard 30
Blue-winged Teal 12
Northern Shoveler 10
Northern Pintail 3
Common Loon 1
Pied-billed Grebe 9
Double-crested Cormorant 133
Great Blue Heron 1
Great Egret 3
Cattle Egret 1
Osprey 3
Sharp-shinned Hawk 4
Cooper's Hawk 2
Red-tailed Hawk 1
American Kestrel 2
Merlin 3
Peregrine Falcon 2
Laughing Gull 20
Herring Gull 15
Great Black-backed Gull 60
Forster's Tern 6
Royal Tern 7
Rock Pigeon 12
Mourning Dove 2
Red-bellied Woodpecker 2
Yellow-bellied Sapsucker 1
Northern Flicker 6
Eastern Phoebe 2
Blue Jay 3     Heard
American Crow 6
Fish Crow 2
Tree Swallow 40
Carolina Chickadee 6
Brown Creeper 1
Carolina Wren 9
Golden-crowned Kinglet 12     Heard
Ruby-crowned Kinglet 8
Gray Catbird 14
Northern Mockingbird 4
Brown Thrasher 6
European Starling 16
Common Yellowthroat 3
Palm Warbler 2
Yellow-rumped Warbler 50
Eastern Towhee 1     Heard
White-throated Sparrow 7
Northern Cardinal 2
Red-winged Blackbird 6
American Goldfinch 8

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

Hidden Valley - Thursday, October 13th 2011

2011-10-15T11:02:00.000-04:00

Hidden Valley held a few hidden treats for us today, despite foggy weather. Busy Yellow-rumped Warblers worked through the hedges and a variety of sparrows played hide and seek along the grassy edges. Merlins put on a good show.
34 species

Mallard 1
Double-crested Cormorant 120
Bald Eagle 1
Sharp-shinned Hawk 2
Cooper's Hawk 1
Merlin 3
Herring Gull (American) 1
Mourning Dove 4
Red-bellied Woodpecker 3
Yellow-bellied Sapsucker 1
Northern Flicker 18
Eastern Phoebe 1
Blue Jay 4
American Crow 25
Carolina Chickadee 1
Carolina Wren 5
Golden-crowned Kinglet 3
Ruby-crowned Kinglet 2
American Robin 1
Gray Catbird 8
Northern Mockingbird 2
Brown Thrasher 5
European Starling 20
Black-and-white Warbler 1
Common Yellowthroat 8
Palm Warbler 6
Yellow-rumped Warbler 20
Field Sparrow 1
Savannah Sparrow 1
Swamp Sparrow 10
White-throated Sparrow 15
Northern Cardinal 5
Red-winged Blackbird 1
Eastern Meadowlark 2

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

Twilight Watch at The Meadows - Wednesday, October 12th 2011

2011-10-14T11:43:00.000-04:00

Highlight's include great looks at a Cackling Goose among the Canada Geese and a perched Northern Goshawk.
47 species

Cackling Goose 1 a single Cackling goose flew in with a large group of Canada geese
Canada Goose 32
Mute Swan 4
Gadwall 6
American Black Duck 2
Mallard 16
Blue-winged Teal 14
Northern Shoveler 8
Northern Pintail 2
Green-winged Teal 8
Black Scoter 12
Pied-billed Grebe 4
Double-crested Cormorant 20
Great Egret 6
Snowy Egret 4
Cattle Egret 1
Northern Harrier 1
Sharp-shinned Hawk 5
Cooper's Hawk 2
Northern Goshawk 1
American Kestrel 1
Merlin 1
Peregrine Falcon 1
Greater Yellowlegs 5
Lesser Yellowlegs 12
Sanderling 12
Pectoral Sandpiper 2
Short-billed Dowitcher 1
Laughing Gull 6
Ring-billed Gull 8
Herring Gull 14
Lesser Black-backed Gull 1
Great Black-backed Gull 20
Common Tern 4
Forster's Tern 12
Royal Tern 6
Mourning Dove 4
American Crow 8
Tree Swallow 20
Gray Catbird 1
Northern Mockingbird 1
Palm Warbler 1
Yellow-rumped Warbler 8
Savannah Sparrow 2
Song Sparrow 2
Swamp Sparrow 6
Eastern Meadowlark 2

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

Sunset Birding at Stone Harbor Point - Tuesday, October 11th 2011

2011-10-14T10:11:00.000-04:00

We started our "walk" by driving to nearby Nummy's Island to try and beat a fast rising tide. We were partially successful and found lots of American Oystercatchers and a pair of American Avocets among the other shorebirds before the flats got covered by the tide. This is only the second time in 20 years I've had avocets on a walk here. We went back to the parking lot and walked the dune path to the beach. Highlights here were three Piping Plovers hiding from the wind, three Parasitic Jaegers chasing gulls offshore, nine fly-by Brown Pelicans, and great comparative looks at Caspian and Royal Terns as they fished for mullet close to us in the shallows.
49 species

Brant  120
American Black Duck  6
Mallard  12
Black Scoter  32
Double-crested Cormorant  400
Brown Pelican  9
Great Blue Heron  2
Great Egret  6
Snowy Egret  9
Little Blue Heron  1
Turkey Vulture  1
Osprey  3
Peregrine Falcon  1
Black-bellied Plover  27
Semipalmated Plover  1
Piping Plover  3
American Oystercatcher  160
American Avocet  2 at base of toll bridge on bay side
Greater Yellowlegs  1
Ruddy Turnstone  3
Red Knot  45
Sanderling  190
Dunlin  75
Short-billed Dowitcher  8
Laughing Gull  16
Ring-billed Gull  5
Herring Gull  X
Great Black-backed Gull  X
Caspian Tern  18
Common Tern  1
Royal Tern  8
Black Skimmer  1
Parasitic Jaeger  3
Mourning Dove  7
Eastern Phoebe  1
Brown Creeper  1
Golden-crowned Kinglet  2
Gray Catbird  1
Northern Mockingbird  2
Common Yellowthroat  2
Palm Warbler  3
Yellow-rumped Warbler  9
Savannah Sparrow  16
Song Sparrow  2
White-throated Sparrow  3
Red-winged Blackbird  30
Boat-tailed Grackle  2
House Finch  6
House Sparrow  X

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

E-Z Birding, Tuesday, October 11th 2011

2011-10-14T10:08:00.001-04:00

EZ Birding at Two Mile Beach enjoyed watching a close encounter between a Northern Harrier and a Merlin. Ospreys abounded as did Yellow-rumped Warblers. 54 species Brant 14 American Black Duck 20 Mallard 6 Pied-billed Grebe 1 Double-crested Cormorant 175 Great Blue Heron 1 Great Egret 12 Snowy Egret 7 Turkey Vulture 5 Osprey 15 Bald Eagle 2 Northern Harrier 1 Sharp-shinned Hawk 2 Cooper's Hawk 3 Merlin 2 Peregrine Falcon 1 Black-bellied Plover 14 Semipalmated Plover 1 Killdeer 6 Spotted Sandpiper 3

Greater Yellowlegs  6
Sanderling  4
Semipalmated Sandpiper  1
Least Sandpiper  2
Dunlin  14
Laughing Gull  20
Ring-billed Gull  5
Herring Gull  8
Great Black-backed Gull  30
Common Tern  4
Forster's Tern  10
Royal Tern  2
Rock Pigeon  9
Belted Kingfisher  1
Northern Flicker  3
Eastern Phoebe  9
American Crow  5
Fish Crow  2
Tree Swallow  40
Carolina Wren  2     heard
Golden-crowned Kinglet  3     heard
American Robin  2
Gray Catbird  3
Northern Mockingbird  2
Brown Thrasher  6
European Starling  35
Cedar Waxwing  16
Yellow-rumped Warbler  25
Song Sparrow  2
White-throated Sparrow  1
Dark-eyed Junco  1
Northern Cardinal  2
Red-winged Blackbird  9
Boat-tailed Grackle  1

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

Backbay Birding By Boat - Monday, October 10th 2011

2011-10-11T16:39:00.000-04:00

"The female Brown Booby is still hanging in there and a Great Cormorant gave us great views as it swam alongside us in Deep Creek."

31 species

Brant 8
American Black Duck 9
Brown Booby 1
Double-crested Cormorant 243
Great Cormorant 1
Great Blue Heron 18
Great Egret 23
Snowy Egret 5
Black-crowned Night-Heron 10
Osprey 7
Red-tailed Hawk 2
Peregrine Falcon 4
Black-bellied Plover 39
American Oystercatcher 17
Spotted Sandpiper 2
Greater Yellowlegs 8
Ruddy Turnstone 45
Dunlin 18
Short-billed Dowitcher 2
Laughing Gull 20
Herring Gull 16
Great Black-backed Gull 17
Caspian Tern 2
Forster's Tern 16
Royal Tern 6
Belted Kingfisher 3
Northern Flicker 1
Fish Crow 15
Tree Swallow 600
Red-winged Blackbird 18
Boat-tailed Grackle 8

South Cape May Meadows - Monday October 10th 2011

2011-10-11T16:00:00.000-04:00

Numbers of ducks were down, but gulls and terns were abundant. Royal Terns on the beach approached 100 and two adult Lesser Black-backed Gulls were found amongst all the others. One Parasitic Jaeger
was close enough to see well with binoculars. A Merlin sitting on the beach, and two Peregrines overhead were a treat.
53 species

Canada Goose 30
Mute Swan 5
Wood Duck 2
Gadwall 8
Mallard 20
Blue-winged Teal 10
Northern Shoveler 4
Northern Pintail 4
Green-winged Teal 10
Ruddy Duck 5
Double-crested Cormorant 5
Northern Harrier 4
Sharp-shinned Hawk 10
Cooper's Hawk 2
American Kestrel 4
Merlin 1
Peregrine Falcon 2
Lesser Yellowlegs 7
Sanderling 1
Laughing Gull 100
Ring-billed Gull 10
Herring Gull 25
Lesser Black-backed Gull 2
Great Black-backed Gull 40
Common Tern 3
Forster's Tern 20
Royal Tern 100
Black Skimmer 4
Parasitic Jaeger 1
Rock Pigeon 2
Mourning Dove 15
Northern Flicker 10
Eastern Phoebe 1
American Crow 3
Tree Swallow 500
Carolina Wren 1
Golden-crowned Kinglet 1
American Robin 15
Northern Mockingbird 1
European Starling 25
Cedar Waxwing 10
Common Yellowthroat 1
Palm Warbler 4
Yellow-rumped Warbler 75
Song Sparrow 1
Swamp Sparrow 3
Northern Cardinal 1
Bobolink 2
Red-winged Blackbird 15
Eastern Meadowlark 4
Rusty Blackbird 4
Brown-headed Cowbird 15
House Finch 1

This report was generated automatically by eBird v3 (

Lesser Black-backed Gull with American Herring and Laughing Gulls on South Cape May Beach.

Royal Terns at South Cape May Beach today.

http://ebird.org)

Cox Hall Creek (Villas) WMA - Sunday, October 9th 2011

2011-10-11T10:10:00.000-04:00

This morning's CMBO Cox Hall Creek WMA started off with a quietly-munching-dogwood-berries female Scarlet Tanager; she was still there two hours later at the end of the walk! Two adult Bald Eagles cuddled on a distant treetop, long enough for participants to observe the size difference between the male and larger female. There were many warblers but all either Palms or Yellow-rumpeds. A juvenile (gray-headed) Red-headed Woodpecker was found again this week and a perched Cooper's Hawk let the group approach to within 10 feet before flying off.

48 species

Mute Swan 3
American Black Duck 2
Mallard 4
Pied-billed Grebe 1
Double-crested Cormorant 9
Turkey Vulture 2
Bald Eagle 3
Northern Harrier 1 adult male
Sharp-shinned Hawk 6
Cooper's Hawk 2
Merlin 1
American Coot 1
Laughing Gull 4
Herring Gull 6
Mourning Dove 8
Belted Kingfisher 1 heard
Red-headed Woodpecker 1 juvenal
Red-bellied Woodpecker 8
Downy Woodpecker 5
Northern Flicker (Yellow-shafted) 15
Eastern Phoebe 6
Blue Jay 16
American Crow 11
Fish Crow 1 heard
Tree Swallow 14
Carolina Chickadee 5
Tufted Titmouse 15
White-breasted Nuthatch 2
Brown Creeper 1
Carolina Wren 6
House Wren 2
Golden-crowned Kinglet 5 heard
Eastern Bluebird 15
American Robin 9
Gray Catbird 3
Northern Mockingbird 1
European Starling 5
Palm Warbler (Western) 10
Palm Warbler (Yellow) 4
Pine Warbler 1
Yellow-rumped Warbler (Myrtle) 45
Eastern Towhee 2
Chipping Sparrow 9
White-throated Sparrow 2
Scarlet Tanager 2
Northern Cardinal 5
Red-winged Blackbird 5
House Finch 5

Sunset Birding at South Cape May Meadows - Friday, October 7th 2011

2011-10-11T10:04:00.000-04:00

Lots of gulls on the beach with a few Royal Terns and two American Oystercatchers. Merlins (8) were numerous. Only shorebirds were three Lesser Yellowlegs and one Dunlin aside from the Sanderlings on the beach.
43 species

Canada Goose 30
Mute Swan 5
Gadwall 2
American Black Duck 1
Mallard 15
Blue-winged Teal 10
Northern Shoveler 1
Northern Pintail 4
Green-winged Teal 10
Ruddy Duck 2
Pied-billed Grebe 4
Double-crested Cormorant 3
Great Blue Heron 5
Great Egret 3
Turkey Vulture 1
Osprey 1
Northern Harrier 1
Sharp-shinned Hawk 5
Cooper's Hawk 2
Merlin 8
American Oystercatcher 2
Lesser Yellowlegs 3
Sanderling 25
Dunlin 1
Laughing Gull 100
Ring-billed Gull 10
Herring Gull 10
Great Black-backed Gull 50
Common Tern 8
Forster's Tern 50
Royal Tern 3
Mourning Dove 5
American Crow 5
Tree Swallow 500
Carolina Wren 1
Gray Catbird 1
European Starling 10
Common Yellowthroat 2
Yellow-rumped Warbler 15
Savannah Sparrow 1
Song Sparrow 1
Northern Cardinal 2
Red-winged Blackbird 5

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

Fall Birds at The Rea Farm Group 2 - Saturday, October 8th 2011

2011-10-11T10:02:00.000-04:00

Still numerous Northern Flickers and many Blue Jays, as well as Palm and Yellow-rumped Warblers. Savannah Sparrows in the fields but hard to see.
37 species

Canada Goose 15
Mallard 3
Double-crested Cormorant 4
Black-crowned Night-Heron 1
Osprey 2
Sharp-shinned Hawk 8
Cooper's Hawk 1
Red-tailed Hawk 2
Laughing Gull 1
Herring Gull 3
Mourning Dove 8
Red-bellied Woodpecker 1
Downy Woodpecker 4
Northern Flicker 25
Eastern Phoebe 2
Red-eyed Vireo 3
Blue Jay 10
American Crow 15
Tree Swallow 50
Carolina Chickadee 1
Tufted Titmouse 2
Carolina Wren 4
American Robin 10
Gray Catbird 3
Northern Mockingbird 1
Brown Thrasher 6
European Starling 30
Common Yellowthroat 2
Northern Parula 2
Palm Warbler 15
Yellow-rumped Warbler 12
Field Sparrow 1
Savannah Sparrow 5
Song Sparrow 1
Swamp Sparrow 1
Northern Cardinal 4
Red-winged Blackbird 10

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

Fall Birds at The Rea Farm Group 1 - Saturday, October 8th 2011

2011-10-11T10:01:00.000-04:00

Recent arrivals at the Beanery this cool, clear morning included White-throated and Swamp Sparrow, Golden-crowned Kinglet, and many Yellow-rumped Warblers. A close fly-over Eastern Meadowlark gave a good view of its white outer tailfeathers and an adult Black-crowned Night Heron perched at water's edge for scope views.

46 species

Canada Goose 11
Mute Swan 3
Mallard 5
Double-crested Cormorant 2
Black-crowned Night-Heron 1
Black Vulture 1
Turkey Vulture 2
Osprey 2
Sharp-shinned Hawk 5
Red-tailed Hawk 1
Merlin 2
Herring Gull 3
Rock Pigeon 3
Mourning Dove 12
Red-bellied Woodpecker 4
Downy Woodpecker 3
Northern Flicker (Yellow-shafted) 12
Eastern Phoebe 3
Blue Jay 9
American Crow 8
Tree Swallow 5
Carolina Chickadee 3
Tufted Titmouse 4
Carolina Wren 6
Golden-crowned Kinglet 2
Eastern Bluebird 2 heard
American Robin 8
Gray Catbird 4
Northern Mockingbird 2
Brown Thrasher 3
European Starling 40
Cedar Waxwing 1
Common Yellowthroat 1
American Redstart 1
Palm Warbler (Western) 5
Yellow-rumped Warbler (Myrtle) 38
Savannah Sparrow 3
Song Sparrow 1
Swamp Sparrow 1
White-throated Sparrow 2
Northern Cardinal 6
Indigo Bunting 1
Red-winged Blackbird 2
Eastern Meadowlark 1
Common Grackle 2
American Goldfinch 2

Hawks, Trails and Beach - Saturday, October 8th 2011

2011-10-11T09:46:00.000-04:00

The Hawks, Trails and Beach Walk had good scope looks at a perched Red-tailed Hawk, a Cooper's Hawk, and a flying Bald Eagle. Northern Parulas and Yellow-rumped Warblers were numerous and we also watched Brown Creepers creeping up the trees. The Ring-necked Duck on Bunker Pond was a great finish. 47 species Canada Goose 35 Mute Swan 20 Gadwall 4 American Wigeon 24 Mallard 24 Blue-winged Teal 3 Northern Shoveler 10 Ring-necked Duck 1 Pied-billed Grebe 4 Double-crested Cormorant 3 Great Egret 1 Turkey Vulture 3 Osprey 3 Bald Eagle 1 Sharp-shinned Hawk 4 Cooper's Hawk 2 Red-tailed Hawk 1 American Kestrel 2 American Coot 1 Laughing Gull 30 Ring-billed Gull 10 Herring Gull 20 Great Black-backed Gull 60 Common Tern 2 Forster's Tern 50 Royal Tern 3 Rock Pigeon 8 Mourning Dove 4 Northern Flicker 2 Blue Jay 2 American Crow 12 Tree Swallow 40 Carolina Chickadee 8 Brown Creeper 3 Carolina Wren 6 heard Blue-gray Gnatcatcher 3 On Red Trail at Cape May Point State Park in cedar and black gum trees. Golden-crowned Kinglet 2 heard Ruby-crowned Kinglet 1 Gray Catbird 5 Northern Mockingbird 3 Brown Thrasher 3 heard Northern Parula 8 Magnolia Warbler 1 Palm Warbler 5 Yellow-rumped Warbler 50 Northern Cardinal 2 heard American Goldfinch 6 heard This report was generated automatically by eBird v3 (http://ebird.org)

Higbee's Beach WMA - Friday, October 7th 2011

2011-10-11T09:39:00.000-04:00

A nice Higbee morning - not too mad, but plenty to look at! A late Yellow-billed Cuckoo, fly-over Wood Ducks and Common Loons, two Blue-headed Vireos and three Nashville Warblers were walk highlights.
51 species

Canada Goose 15
Wood Duck 2
Common Loon 3
Double-crested Cormorant 10
Great Blue Heron 1
Osprey 3
Bald Eagle 1
Northern Harrier 1
Sharp-shinned Hawk 8
Cooper's Hawk 4
American Kestrel 1
Killdeer 1
American Herring Gull 2
Great Black-backed Gull 3
Mourning Dove 2
Yellow-billed Cuckoo 1
Red-bellied Woodpecker 2
Yellow-bellied Sapsucker 2
Downy Woodpecker 3
Northern Flicker 35
Eastern Phoebe 10
Blue-headed Vireo 2
Red-eyed Vireo 15
Blue Jay 6
American Crow 2
Carolina Chickadee 4
Tufted Titmouse 6
Carolina Wren 2
Golden-crowned Kinglet 45
Ruby-crowned Kinglet 20
American Robin 15
Gray Catbird 8
Brown Thrasher 5
Cedar Waxwing 20
Nashville Warbler 3
Common Yellowthroat 12
American Redstart 2
Northern Parula 10
Blackpoll Warbler 10
Palm Warbler 6
Yellow-rumped Warbler 20
Black-throated Green Warbler 1
Eastern Towhee 2
Field Sparrow 1
Song Sparrow 6
Swamp Sparrow 10
White-throated Sparrow 15
Northern Cardinal 6
Bobolink 5
Red-winged Blackbird 20
House Finch 2

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

Bird Walk for All People - Thursday, October 6th 2011

2011-10-11T09:34:00.000-04:00

The Bird Walk for All People enjoyed raptors overhead and passerines in the trees! Highlights among the raptors include lots of Sharp-shinned Hawks, several Broad-winged Hawks, and a few Bald Eagles. Small birds included both Golden- and Ruby-crowned Kinglets, Yellow-rumped Warblers and a Cape May Warbler. 61 species Canada Goose 30 Mute Swan 15 Gadwall 2 American Wigeon 18 Mallard 12 Blue-winged Teal 6 Northern Shoveler 4 Pied-billed Grebe 6 Double-crested Cormorant 24 Great Blue Heron 1 Turkey Vulture 20 Osprey 10 Bald Eagle 4 Northern Harrier 5 Sharp-shinned Hawk 35 Cooper's Hawk 10 Red-shouldered Hawk 1 Broad-winged Hawk 8 Red-tailed Hawk 1 Laughing Gull 15 Herring Gull 4 Great Black-backed Gull 18 Common Tern 2 Forster's Tern 4 Royal Tern 6 Rock Pigeon 14 Belted Kingfisher 1 Red-headed Woodpecker 1 Red-bellied Woodpecker 2 Downy Woodpecker 1 Northern Flicker 6 Eastern Phoebe 12 Red-eyed Vireo 6 Blue Jay 3 American Crow 4 Fish Crow 2 Tree Swallow 75 Carolina Chickadee 3 White-breasted Nuthatch 2 Brown Creeper 1 Carolina Wren 14 House Wren 2 Golden-crowned Kinglet 5 Ruby-crowned Kinglet 8 Gray Catbird 10 Northern Mockingbird 4 Brown Thrasher 3 American Redstart 1 Cape May Warbler 1 Northern Parula 4 Magnolia Warbler 1 Palm Warbler 10 Yellow-rumped Warbler 25 Song Sparrow 1 White-throated Sparrow 2 White-crowned Sparrow 1 Dark-eyed Junco 1 Northern Cardinal 4 Red-winged Blackbird 7 Common Grackle 8 American Goldfinch 6 This report was generated automatically by eBird v3 (http://ebird.org/)

Hidden Valley - Thursday, October 6th 2011

2011-10-11T09:31:00.000-04:00

A refreshing change from last week's walk - we had birds! An influx of sparrows and flickers and a nice range of warblers along the hedgelines ensured there was plenty to look at today.
52 species

Canada Goose 25
Common Loon 1
Double-crested Cormorant 15
Osprey 2
Bald Eagle 1
Northern Harrier 1
Sharp-shinned Hawk 4
Cooper's Hawk 5
Broad-winged Hawk 45
American Kestrel 1
Herring Gull (American) 1
Mourning Dove 6
Red-bellied Woodpecker 3
Yellow-bellied Sapsucker 1
Downy Woodpecker 1
Northern Flicker 35
Eastern Phoebe 6
Red-eyed Vireo 2
Blue Jay 8
American Crow 35
Tree Swallow 20
Carolina Wren 2
Golden-crowned Kinglet 4
Ruby-crowned Kinglet 8
American Robin 10
Gray Catbird 10
Northern Mockingbird 2
Brown Thrasher 1
European Starling 5
Cedar Waxwing 6
Black-and-white Warbler 1
Common Yellowthroat 15
Northern Parula 3
Magnolia Warbler 3
Blackpoll Warbler 1
Black-throated Blue Warbler 1
Palm Warbler 30
Yellow-rumped Warbler 15
Prairie Warbler 1
Black-throated Green Warbler 1
Eastern Towhee 4
Chipping Sparrow 2
Field Sparrow 1
Song Sparrow 12
Swamp Sparrow 3
White-throated Sparrow 35
Northern Cardinal 8
Indigo Bunting 2
Red-winged Blackbird 45
Eastern Meadowlark 10
Baltimore Oriole 1
House Finch 2

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

Sunset Birding at Stone Harbor Point - Tuesday, October 4th 2011

2011-10-11T09:24:00.000-04:00

We had a great Monarch migration going on, so we started the walk by checking out a few roosts that were loaded with hundreds of butterflies. Since last week the Seaside Goldenrod has come into full bloom and Monarchs were nectaring on it everywhere. Out on the beach we found seven incredibly well-camouflaged Piping Plovers roosting out of the wind and lots of shorebirds by the water and on the jetty. We then went to Nummy's Island for the sunset and found large numbers of herons taking off from the marsh and migrating out over the water and South. Included in the flocks were four Yellow-crowned Night Herons, an American Bittern, five Tricolored Herons and lots of other species. Our "weekly rarity" this time was a juvenile American Golden Plover that flew across the road with a couple of Black-bellied Plovers and settled into the marsh.
55 species

Brant  80
American Black Duck  14
Black Scoter  12
Double-crested Cormorant  400
American Bittern  1
Great Blue Heron  13
Great Egret  30
Snowy Egret  80
Little Blue Heron  6
Tricolored Heron  5
Black-crowned Night-Heron  50
Yellow-crowned Night-Heron  4
Turkey Vulture  2
Osprey  8
Northern Harrier  1
Cooper's Hawk  1
Merlin  1
Clapper Rail  4
Black-bellied Plover  8
American Golden-Plover  1 a juv. was on Nummy Island  flew across road calling with 2 BB Plovers
Piping Plover  7
American Oystercatcher  62
Greater Yellowlegs  3
Ruddy Turnstone  8
Sanderling  200
Western Sandpiper  9
Least Sandpiper  1
Dunlin  18
Short-billed Dowitcher  4
Laughing Gull  X
Ring-billed Gull  X
Herring Gull  X
Great Black-backed Gull  X
Caspian Tern  16
Forster's Tern  2
Royal Tern  4
Mourning Dove  6
Northern Flicker  4
Red-eyed Vireo  2
Fish Crow  40
Tree Swallow  800
Carolina Wren  1
American Robin  25
Gray Catbird  2
Northern Mockingbird  2
Common Yellowthroat  2
Palm Warbler  3
Yellow-rumped Warbler  1
Savannah Sparrow  3
Song Sparrow  4
Swamp Sparrow  1
Northern Cardinal  2
Red-winged Blackbird  X
Boat-tailed Grackle  60
House Sparrow  4

This report was generated automatically by eBird v2 (http://ebird.org/)

Least Sandpiper (upper) and Western Sandpiper (lower) at Stone Harbor Point today [photos by Mike Fritz]

Cape May Point State Park - Wednesday, October 5th 2011

2011-10-11T09:12:00.002-04:00

Ducks are beginning to build up on the state park ponds and jaegers continue to harass the gull flocks offshore. Three Eurasian Collared Doves were a nice surprise as they flew along the beach, though it's hard to know whether it was three birds from the point which may have started to wander a little more, or whether they were three newcomers. Raptors were up early and we were presented with a nice run of American Kestrels along the dunes and plenty of Sharp-shinned Hawks.
66 species

Brant 1
Canada Goose 45
Mute Swan 12
Gadwall 9
American Wigeon 6
Mallard 12
Blue-winged Teal 10
Northern Shoveler 4
Green-winged Teal 8
Black Scoter 4
Ruddy Duck 1
Pied-billed Grebe 5
Double-crested Cormorant 6
Great Blue Heron 1
Great Egret 1
Turkey Vulture 6
Osprey 6
Bald Eagle 1
Northern Harrier 4
Sharp-shinned Hawk 20
Cooper's Hawk 8
Broad-winged Hawk 4
American Kestrel 22
Merlin 3
Semipalmated Plover 1
Killdeer 8
Lesser Yellowlegs 3
Sanderling 8
Laughing Gull 500
Ring-billed Gull 5
American Herring Gull 15
Great Black-backed Gull 200
Common Tern 15
Forster's Tern 800
Royal Tern 12
Black Skimmer 300
Parasitic Jaeger 1
Rock Pigeon 10
Eurasian Collared Dove 3 Flew west past the Hawkwatch
Mourning Dove 2
Yellow-billed Cuckoo 1
Chimney Swift 3
Red-bellied Woodpecker 1
Yellow-bellied Sapsucker 1
Northern Flicker 25
Eastern Phoebe 8
Red-eyed Vireo 1
Blue Jay 2
Tree Swallow 200
Barn Swallow 5
Carolina Chickadee 2
Carolina Wren 4
Gray Catbird 2
Cedar Waxwing 12
Ruby-crowned Kinglet 1
American Redstart 1
Yellow Warbler 2
Palm Warbler 15
Yellow-rumped Warbler 5
Savannah Sparrow 3
Song Sparrow 2
Northern Cardinal 2
Bobolink 5
Red-winged Blackbird 75
House Finch 2
American Goldfinch 5

This report was generated automatically by eBird v2 (http://ebird.org)

Migrant Eastern Phoebes were a feature of this morning's walk.

Backbay Birding By Boat - Monday, October 3rd 2011

2011-10-05T17:21:00.000-04:00

"The Brown Booby is still being admired by our patrons, and hawk migration has kicked into high gear for the season!"

31 species

American Black Duck 8
Brown Booby 1
Double-crested Cormorant 216
Great Blue Heron 26
Great Egret 39
Snowy Egret 17
Little Blue Heron 1
Tricolored Heron 2
Black-crowned Night-Heron 25
Yellow-crowned Night-Heron 3
Turkey Vulture 16
Osprey 3
Cooper's Hawk 4
American Kestrel 2
Merlin 1
Black-bellied Plover 32
American Oystercatcher 26
Greater Yellowlegs 7
Ruddy Turnstone 54
Sanderling 3
Semipalmated Sandpiper 16
Least Sandpiper 9
Dunlin 15
Laughing Gull 17
Ring-billed Gull 3
Herring Gull 26
Great Black-backed Gull 18
Caspian Tern 2
Royal Tern 2
Red-winged Blackbird 45
Boat-tailed Grackle 10

E-Z Birding, Tuesday, October 4th 2011

2011-10-05T17:20:00.000-04:00

The EZ Birding walk switched to Two Mile Beach Unit of US Fish & Wildlife. Thousands of Tree Swallows swarmed and whirled overhead and loafed on the beach like restless black sand. Raptors overhead included many Osprey, Sharp-shinned and Cooper's Hawks, a Red-tailed Hawk and a Northern Harrier. Ducks, grebes, egrets, and yellowlegs rounded out the sightings. 49 species Brant 10 American Black Duck 8 Mallard 10 Pied-billed Grebe 2 Double-crested Cormorant 35 Great Blue Heron 1 Great Egret 12 Snowy Egret 6 Turkey Vulture 9 Osprey 20 Bald Eagle 2 Northern Harrier 2 Sharp-shinned Hawk 10 Cooper's Hawk 4 Broad-winged Hawk 1 Red-tailed Hawk 1 American Kestrel 1 Merlin 2 Black-bellied Plover 5 Semipalmated Plover 6 Greater Yellowlegs 8 Lesser Yellowlegs 5 Ruddy Turnstone 2 Sanderling 50 Dunlin 12 Laughing Gull 20 Ring-billed Gull 7 Herring Gull 3 Great Black-backed Gull 30 Common Tern 1 Forster's Tern 15 Rock Pigeon 2 Mourning Dove 3 Chimney Swift 1 Belted Kingfisher 2 Red-bellied Woodpecker 2 Northern Flicker 20 Eastern Phoebe 5 American Crow 6 Tree Swallow X Tree Swallows were swarming in huge groups over the entire Two Mile Unit of US Fish & Wildlife Refuge for 2 linear miles; 1/3 of the beach was covered with Tree Swallows sitting shoulder to shoulder on the sand. It was the largest group of Tree Swallows I've ever seen and was comparable to the Purple Martin roost in Mauricetown. House Wren 1 American Robin 2 Gray Catbird 8 Northern Mockingbird 2 European Starling 20 Palm Warbler 1 Yellow-rumped Warbler 2 Red-winged Blackbird 5 Boat-tailed Grackle 2 This report was generated automatically by eBird v2 (http://ebird.org)

South Cape May Meadows - Monday October 3rd 2011

2011-10-05T17:16:00.000-04:00

Tree Swallows everywhere. Lots of accipiters and falcons. Variety of ducks increasing with numerous
Blue-winged Teal, also Green-winged Teal, Northern Shoveler, Northern Pintails and American Wigeon. Five Pied-billed Grebes were observed.
58 species

Brant 8
Canada Goose 15
Mute Swan 5
Wood Duck 1
Gadwall 3
American Wigeon 8
American Black Duck 2
Mallard 35
Blue-winged Teal 20
Northern Shoveler 8
Northern Pintail 6
Green-winged Teal 10
Pied-billed Grebe 5
Double-crested Cormorant 4
Great Egret 3
Snowy Egret 2
Osprey 4
Northern Harrier 2
Sharp-shinned Hawk 10
Cooper's Hawk 2
American Kestrel 8
Merlin 2
Peregrine Falcon 1
Killdeer 1
Solitary Sandpiper 1
Sanderling 25
Least Sandpiper 2
Pectoral Sandpiper 1
Laughing Gull 200
Ring-billed Gull 5
Herring Gull 10
Great Black-backed Gull 25
Forster's Tern 15
Royal Tern 5
Black Skimmer 1 a few @ 2nd ave.
Rock Pigeon 10
Mourning Dove 5
Yellow-billed Cuckoo 1
Yellow-bellied Sapsucker 1
Northern Flicker 25
Blue Jay 5
Fish Crow 5
Tree Swallow 1000
Carolina Wren 1
Marsh Wren 1
Gray Catbird 4
Northern Mockingbird 3
European Starling 25
Common Yellowthroat 2
Yellow Warbler 2
Palm Warbler 15
Yellow-rumped Warbler 1
Savannah Sparrow 1
Northern Cardinal 3
Rose-breasted Grosbeak 2
Bobolink 1
Red-winged Blackbird 15
House Sparrow 3

This report was generated automatically by eBird v2 (http://ebird.org)

Photographing Hawks (and other birds) - Saturday, October 1st 2011

2011-10-05T17:13:00.000-04:00

Finally a day with sun, and the birds did not disapoint. Whether it was hunting Great Blue Herons, Great Egrets, or Osprey; or whether it was a well fed Sharp-shinned Hawk overhead, it was a good day to be afield with a camera. Not surprisingly, we had our largest group by far and, much to my delight, they came with lots of questions. In fact, we probably missed some shots because of the very active question/answer process that we all became involved with. There will be no walk this coming Saturday (Oct 8) as Nancy and I will be out of state. However, they will resume the following Saturday.

Mike Hannisian

Cox Hall Creek (Villas) WMA - Sunday, October 2nd 2011

2011-10-05T17:05:00.000-04:00

Under partly cloudy skies and a cool breeze, Cox Hall Creek WMA was hopping with birds for this morning's CMBO walk. A Belted Kingfisher could frequently be heard and was saved from becoming the breakfast of a determined Cooper's Hawk when both streaked toward the crowd of onlookers. Several feeding flocks of warblers held Magnolia, Palm, Pine, Black-and-white and Black-throated Greens, along with Northern Parulas, American Redstarts, Blackpoll, Common Yellowthroats and Red-eyed Vireos. An adult Red-headed Woodpecker perched briefly, a Yellow-bellied Sapsucker flitted from tree to tree and raptors (Bald Eagles, Sharp-Shinned and Cooper's Hawks, Merlin, Kestrel, Osprey) were almost constantly in view.
62 species

Canada Goose 14
American Black Duck 2
Mallard 15
Green-winged Teal 2
Pied-billed Grebe 1
Great Blue Heron 3
Great Egret 1
Black Vulture 2
Turkey Vulture 3
Osprey 3
Bald Eagle 6
Sharp-shinned Hawk 9
Cooper's Hawk 5
Red-tailed Hawk 1
American Kestrel 5
Merlin 3
Herring Gull 3
Rock Pigeon 1
Mourning Dove 6
Chimney Swift 2
Belted Kingfisher 4
Red-headed Woodpecker 1
Red-bellied Woodpecker 14
Yellow-bellied Sapsucker 1
Downy Woodpecker 3
Hairy Woodpecker 1
Northern Flicker (Yellow-shafted) 33
Eastern Wood-Pewee 1
Eastern Phoebe 4
Red-eyed Vireo 7
Blue Jay 7
American Crow 57
Tree Swallow 8
Carolina Chickadee 3
Tufted Titmouse 9
White-breasted Nuthatch 2
Carolina Wren 2
Eastern Bluebird 9
Hermit Thrush 1
American Robin 8
Gray Catbird 18
Northern Mockingbird 1
European Starling 5
Cedar Waxwing 14
Black-and-white Warbler 5
Common Yellowthroat 9
American Redstart 9
Northern Parula 9
Magnolia Warbler 2
Blackpoll Warbler 1
Palm Warbler (Western) 25
Palm Warbler (Yellow) 4
Pine Warbler 1
Prairie Warbler 1
Black-throated Green Warbler 2
Chipping Sparrow 3
Northern Cardinal 3
Indigo Bunting 2
Red-winged Blackbird 5
Baltimore Oriole 2
American Goldfinch 2
House Sparrow 5

Hawks, Trails and Beach Group 2 - Saturday, October 1st 2011

2011-10-05T12:59:00.000-04:00

Canada Goose 35
Mute Swan 12
Gadwall 12
American Wigeon 1
Mallard 11
Blue-winged Teal 8
Common Loon 2
Pied-billed Grebe 1
Double-crested Cormorant 2
Great Egret 7
Turkey Vulture 2
Osprey 4
Sharp-shinned Hawk 8
Cooper's Hawk 3
American Kestrel 4
Merlin 4
Laughing Gull X
Herring Gull (American) 30
Great Black-backed Gull 70
Forster's Tern 20
Royal Tern 1
Mourning Dove 6
Yellow-billed Cuckoo 1
Red-bellied Woodpecker 2
Northern Flicker (Yellow-shafted) 15
Blue Jay 7
American Crow 4
crow sp. 5
Tree Swallow 18
Carolina Wren 1
Ruby-crowned Kinglet 1
American Robin 5
Gray Catbird 2
Northern Mockingbird 2
Common Yellowthroat 2
Northern Parula 2
Magnolia Warbler 1
Chestnut-sided Warbler 2
Blackpoll Warbler 1
Palm Warbler (Western) 6
Northern Cardinal 2
Red-winged Blackbird 12

41 species

Hawks, Trails and Beach Group 1 - Saturday, October 1st 2011

2011-10-05T12:54:00.001-04:00

The Hawks, Trails and Beach walk had a large number of participants so we split into two groups. The group which started on the dune had a little pocket of warblers along Bunker Pond including a Ruby-crowned Kinglet and many Palm Warblers. Raptors were constantly seen overhead including American Kestrels, Merlins, Sharp-shinned Hawks, and Ospreys. 34 species Canada Goose 35 Mute Swan 18 Mallard 20 Pied-billed Grebe 4 Double-crested Cormorant 6 Great Egret 4 Turkey Vulture 6 Osprey 8 Sharp-shinned Hawk 20 Cooper's Hawk 3 American Kestrel 23 Merlin 4 Peregrine Falcon 3 Clapper Rail 1 Laughing Gull 40 Herring Gull 10 Great Black-backed Gull 65 Forster's Tern 4 Royal Tern 5 Rock Pigeon 8 Mourning Dove 2 Northern Flicker 10 Blue Jay 3 heard American Crow 10 Tree Swallow 60 Carolina Wren 2 heard Ruby-crowned Kinglet 1 Gray Catbird 5 heard Northern Mockingbird 8 European Starling 10 Common Yellowthroat 1 Northern Parula 1 Palm Warbler 20 Northern Cardinal 2 heard This report was generated automatically by eBird v2 (http://ebird.org)

Sunset Birding at South Cape May Meadows - Friday, September 30th 2011

2011-10-05T12:47:00.000-04:00

Trip somewhat shortened due to rain and lack of light. Highlights were numerous Merlin eating dragonflies,
nine Pectoral Sandpipers among the Mallards and two young Lesser Black-backed Gulls on the beach.
35 species

Canada Goose 10
Mute Swan 6
Mallard 30
Northern Shoveler 2
Green-winged Teal 8
Double-crested Cormorant 3
Great Egret 5
Snowy Egret 3
Osprey 2
Sharp-shinned Hawk 3
Cooper's Hawk 1
Red-tailed Hawk 1
Merlin 8
Greater Yellowlegs 1 heard
Lesser Yellowlegs 3 fly-over
Sanderling 50
Pectoral Sandpiper 9
Laughing Gull 250
Ring-billed Gull 5
Herring Gull 10
Lesser Black-backed Gull 2
Great Black-backed Gull 20
Forster's Tern 15
Royal Tern 2
Black Skimmer 15
Mourning Dove 5
Belted Kingfisher 1
Fish Crow 1
Gray Catbird 3
Northern Mockingbird 1
European Starling 10
Common Yellowthroat 1
Palm Warbler 1
Northern Cardinal 4
Red-winged Blackbird 5

This report was generated automatically by eBird v2 (http://ebird.org)

Higbee's Beach WMA Group 2 - Friday, September 30th 2011

2011-10-05T12:44:00.000-04:00

Warblers somewhat scarce, but Northern Flickers everywhere. Highlights were the ~6 Red-headed
Woodpeckers, adult and juvenile, that flew over head several times. Also nice scope view of the continuing Upland Sandpiper in the first field near the center hedgerow.
37 species

Double-crested Cormorant 1
Osprey 5
Sharp-shinned Hawk 10
American Kestrel 2
Merlin 3
Upland Sandpiper 1
Laughing Gull 4
Herring Gull 2
Great Black-backed Gull 1
Rock Pigeon 6
Mourning Dove 2
Yellow-billed Cuckoo 1
Ruby-throated Hummingbird 1
Belted Kingfisher 1
Red-headed Woodpecker 6 juv and ad.-fly-over
Red-bellied Woodpecker 2
Yellow-bellied Sapsucker 1
Northern Flicker 75
Great Crested Flycatcher 1
Red-eyed Vireo 3
Blue Jay 4
American Crow 5
Carolina Chickadee 1
Carolina Wren 2
American Robin 3
Gray Catbird 6
Cedar Waxwing 20
Black-and-white Warbler 1
Common Yellowthroat 3
American Redstart 1
Northern Parula 2
Magnolia Warbler 1
Palm Warbler 1
Scarlet Tanager 1 'green'
Northern Cardinal 6
Bobolink 1
Red-winged Blackbird 10

This report was generated automatically by eBird v2 (http://ebird.org)

Fall Birds at The Rea Farm - Saturday, October 1st 2011

2011-10-05T12:41:00.000-04:00

Nice movement of passerines and raptors. Good warblers include Nashville, Chestnut-sided, American Redstart and, of course, Palm. Got a chance to scope a Yellow-billed Cuckoo and a Black-throated Blue Warbler. Peregrine was observed carrying, dropping and recatching what looked to be an Eastern Phoebe!
54 species

Canada Goose 15
Mute Swan 3
Mallard 1 flyover
Common Loon 3
Double-crested Cormorant 4
Great Blue Heron 4
Great Egret 4
Snowy Egret 5
Black-crowned Night-Heron 1
Black Vulture 3
Turkey Vulture 5
Osprey 2
Bald Eagle 4
Sharp-shinned Hawk 10
Cooper's Hawk 2
Red-shouldered Hawk 1
Broad-winged Hawk 8
Red-tailed Hawk 3
American Kestrel 10
Merlin 2
Peregrine Falcon 2 one carrying bird
Laughing Gull 4
Herring Gull 2
Rock Pigeon 10
Mourning Dove 10
Yellow-billed Cuckoo 1
Ruby-throated Hummingbird 1
Red-bellied Woodpecker 3
Northern Flicker 35
Eastern Phoebe 3
Red-eyed Vireo 3
Blue Jay 6
American Crow 10
Tree Swallow 25
Carolina Wren 1
Eastern Bluebird 1 heard
Gray Catbird 8
Brown Thrasher 1 heard
European Starling 75
Cedar Waxwing 8
Ovenbird 1
Nashville Warbler 1
Common Yellowthroat 5
American Redstart 4
Northern Parula 1
Yellow Warbler 1
Chestnut-sided Warbler 2
Blackpoll Warbler 1
Black-throated Blue Warbler 2
Palm Warbler 15
Scarlet Tanager 1
Northern Cardinal 5
Bobolink 1 heard
Red-winged Blackbird 5

This report was generated automatically by eBird v2 (http://ebird.org)

Higbee's Beach WMA Group 1 - Friday, September 30th 2011

2011-10-05T12:38:00.001-04:00

This week's Upland Sandpiper did us proud by staying until the end of the week and we had some nice fly-bys from two of a group of migrating Red-headed Woodpeckers that had been reported by other observers. Four fly-over female Boat-tailed Grackles were a rare addition to the Higbee's walk list!
39 species

Double-crested Cormorant 25
Great Blue Heron 1
Osprey 6
Sharp-shinned Hawk 15
American Kestrel 2
Merlin 5
Upland Sandpiper 1
Great Black-backed Gull 12
Rock Pigeon 1
Mourning Dove 3
Yellow-billed Cuckoo 1
Belted Kingfisher 1
Red-headed Woodpecker 2
Red-bellied Woodpecker 5
Yellow-bellied Sapsucker 1
Downy Woodpecker 1
Northern Flicker 35
White-eyed Vireo 1
Red-eyed Vireo 2
Blue Jay 8
American Crow 2
Carolina Wren 6
Ruby-crowned Kinglet 1
American Robin 1
Gray Catbird 12
Brown Thrasher 6
Cedar Waxwing 6
Black-and-white Warbler 2
Common Yellowthroat 3
American Redstart 1
Northern Parula 2
Blackpoll Warbler 4
Chipping Sparrow 6
Northern Cardinal 8
Rose-breasted Grosbeak 1
Indigo Bunting 3
Bobolink 8
Red-winged Blackbird 20
Boat-tailed Grackle 4

This report was generated automatically by eBird v2 (http://ebird.org)

Bird Walk for All People - Thursday, September 29th 2011

2011-09-30T16:21:00.000-04:00

The Bird Walk for All People saw a variety of raptors including perched Red-shouldered Hawk, American Kestrel, Merlin, and Osprey. A Peregrine swooped by close to our heads. The beach had four varieties of terns and four varieties of gulls that we sorted through and compared. 41 species Canada Goose 30 Mute Swan 20 Gadwall 4 Mallard 15 Northern Shoveler 5 Common Loon 4 Pied-billed Grebe 1 Double-crested Cormorant 2000 Moving along shoreline in large skeins of 150-200 birds Great Blue Heron 2 Great Egret 3 Snowy Egret 1 Osprey 2 Bald Eagle 1 Sharp-shinned Hawk 5 Red-shouldered Hawk 1 American Kestrel 6 Merlin 2 Peregrine Falcon 2 Sanderling 34 Laughing Gull 60 Ring-billed Gull 10 Herring Gull 12 Lesser Black-backed Gull 1 Great Black-backed Gull 80 Caspian Tern 7 Common Tern 7 Forster's Tern 5 Royal Tern 6 Rock Pigeon 8 Mourning Dove 3 Belted Kingfisher 1 Northern Flicker 3 Blue Jay 4 heard American Crow 3 Carolina Chickadee 6 Carolina Wren 8 heard Gray Catbird 5 Northern Mockingbird 3 European Starling 12 Common Yellowthroat 1 American Goldfinch 15 This report was generated automatically by eBird v2 (http://ebird.org/)

Higbee's Beach - Thursday, September 29th 2011

2011-09-30T16:19:00.000-04:00

OK, so we cheated a little this morning! Hidden Valley was really quiet for birds first thing and a text message alerting us to a Black-throated Gray Warbler at nearby Higbee's Beach had us shipping out pretty quickly...

25 species
Double-crested Cormorant 4
Sharp-shinned Hawk 5
American Kestrel 1
Merlin 2
Upland Sandpiper 1
Great Black-backed Gull 15
Red-bellied Woodpecker 2
Northern Flicker 20
Eastern Wood-Pewee 1
White-eyed Vireo 5
Red-eyed Vireo 4
Blue Jay 10
American Crow 6
Carolina Chickadee 4
Carolina Wren 6
House Wren 1
Gray Catbird 20
Brown Thrasher 12
Northern Waterthrush 2 heard only
Black-and-white Warbler 2
Common Yellowthroat 2
Black-throated Gray Warbler 1 Juvenile/1st-winter - photographed, many observers
Yellow-breasted Chat 1
Northern Cardinal 8
Bobolink 4 heard only

This report was generated automatically by eBird v2 (http://ebird.org)

Sunset Birding at Stone Harbor Point - Tuesday, September 27th 2011

2011-09-30T16:17:00.000-04:00

42 species

American Black Duck  6
Black Scoter  1
Northern Gannet  2
Double-crested Cormorant  18
Great Blue Heron  3
Great Egret  6
Snowy Egret  2
Osprey  3
Black-bellied Plover  4
Semipalmated Plover  160
Piping Plover  16
American Oystercatcher  180
Greater Yellowlegs  1
Ruddy Turnstone  4
Red Knot  19
Sanderling  1600
Semipalmated Sandpiper  38
Western Sandpiper  14
Dunlin  6
Laughing Gull  X
Ring-billed Gull  X
Herring Gull  X
Lesser Black-backed Gull  1
Great Black-backed Gull  X
Caspian Tern  2
Common Tern  38
Forster's Tern  14
Royal Tern  12
Mourning Dove  4
Red-eyed Vireo  1
Fish Crow  X
Tree Swallow  60
Barn Swallow  2
Carolina Wren  1
Gray Catbird  1
Northern Mockingbird  3
Common Yellowthroat  4
Palm Warbler  5
Song Sparrow  3
Red-winged Blackbird  50
Boat-tailed Grackle  6
House Sparrow  X

This report was generated automatically by eBird v2 (http://ebird.org)

Cape May Point State Park - Wednesday, September 28th 2011

2011-09-30T16:11:00.001-04:00

The South Beach continues to provide a nice gull show, with three Lesser Black-backed Gulls seen this morning. On the ponds, three Pied-billed Grebes are now present and two unidentified moorhen species flew off all too quickly. A Cape May Warbler in the cedars was a nice way to round off the walk.
52 species

Canada Goose 45
Mute Swan 12
Gadwall 12
Mallard 6
Blue-winged Teal 9
Pied-billed Grebe 3
Double-crested Cormorant 8
Great Blue Heron 4
Great Egret 2
Green Heron 1
Osprey 3
Northern Harrier 2
Sharp-shinned Hawk 10
American Kestrel 6
Merlin 3
Peregrine Falcon 1
Moorhen sp. 2
Sanderling 30
Laughing Gull 400
Ring-billed Gull 5
Herring Gull (American) 15
Lesser Black-backed Gull 3
Great Black-backed Gull 200
Caspian Tern 3
Common Tern 6
Forster's Tern 20
Royal Tern 8
Black Skimmer 300
Rock Pigeon 16
Mourning Dove 6
Belted Kingfisher 1
Red-bellied Woodpecker 1
Northern Flicker 10
Blue Jay 2
American Crow 1
Fish Crow 1
Tree Swallow 2
Carolina Chickadee 8
Carolina Wren 4
Gray Catbird 6
Northern Mockingbird 2
European Starling 1
Common Yellowthroat 5
American Redstart 1
Cape May Warbler 1
Northern Parula 3
Yellow Warbler 2
Palm Warbler 2
Prairie Warbler 1
Northern Cardinal 2
Bobolink 12
Red-winged Blackbird 10

This report was generated automatically by eBird v2 (http://ebird.org)

E-Z Birding, Tuesday, September 27th 2011

2011-09-27T16:25:00.000-04:00

Patchy fog made for patchy birding for the EZ Birding Walk! We had good looks at perched American Kestrels in the fog and assorted ducks on Lighthouse Pond. When the fog lifted and the sun came out we enjoyed a variety of raptors moving overhead including a Red-tailed Hawk and a Red-shouldered Hawk. 41 species Canada Goose 30 Mute Swan 15 Wood Duck 1 flying Gadwall 6 Mallard 20 Blue-winged Teal 6 Pied-billed Grebe 1 Double-crested Cormorant 2 Great Egret 3 Turkey Vulture 5 Osprey 3 Sharp-shinned Hawk 30 Cooper's Hawk 4 Red-shouldered Hawk 2

Red-tailed Hawk  1
American Kestrel  18
Merlin  3
Laughing Gull  20
Ring-billed Gull  6
Herring Gull  2
Great Black-backed Gull  40
Caspian Tern  10
Common Tern  5
Forster's Tern  4
Royal Tern  6
Rock Pigeon  6
Mourning Dove  2
Northern Flicker  1
Eastern Phoebe  1
Red-eyed Vireo  1     flying
Blue Jay  5
American Crow  10
Fish Crow  3
Carolina Wren  8     heard only
Eastern Bluebird  1     heard
Gray Catbird  8
Northern Mockingbird  6
European Starling  2
Northern Parula  1
Palm Warbler  1
American Goldfinch  2     heard only

This report was generated automatically by eBird v2 (http://ebird.org/)

Backbay Birding By Boat - Monday, September 26th 2011

2011-09-27T16:23:00.000-04:00

A good shorebird show included Short-billed Dowitchers and many Black-bellied Plovers, many of which were juveniles, in crisp appearance. Black and Yellow-crowned Night Herons were around in good numbers as well, and the show-stopping Brown Booby gave great photographic opportunities, surrounded by her cormorant posse.

29 species

Brown Booby 1
Double-crested Cormorant 184
Great Blue Heron 18
Great Egret 38
Snowy Egret 54
Tricolored Heron 2
Black-crowned Night-Heron 25
Yellow-crowned Night-Heron 8
Turkey Vulture 18
Osprey 6
American Kestrel 1
Peregrine Falcon 2
Clapper Rail 4
Black-bellied Plover 62
American Oystercatcher 16
Ruddy Turnstone 36
Sanderling 7
Semipalmated Sandpiper 16
Short-billed Dowitcher 3
Long-billed Dowitcher 2
Laughing Gull 34
Herring Gull 52
Great Black-backed Gull 30
Caspian Tern 8
Forster's Tern 14
Royal Tern 7
Fish Crow 19
Tree Swallow 173
Boat-tailed Grackle 19

South Cape May Meadows - Monday September 26th 2011

2011-09-27T16:21:00.000-04:00

A good variety of ducks, several raptors and a few passerines. Included in the latter were Chestnut-sided and Bay-breasted Warblers. Lots of gulls and terns including three Caspian, 56 Royals and two adult Lesser Black-backed Gulls. A few at the head of the group got to see a SORA (not on the list) as we finished the walk.
45 species

Canada Goose 30
Mute Swan 6
Gadwall 2
American Wigeon 1
Mallard 30
Blue-winged Teal 5
Northern Shoveler 12
Northern Pintail 2
Green-winged Teal 25
Pied-billed Grebe 1
Double-crested Cormorant 5
Great Egret 2
Snowy Egret 1
Osprey 1
Sharp-shinned Hawk 6
Cooper's Hawk 2
American Kestrel 2
Black-bellied Plover 8
Sanderling 15
Laughing Gull 100
Ring-billed Gull 10
Herring Gull 20
Lesser Black-backed Gull 2
Great Black-backed Gull 100
Caspian Tern 3
Forster's Tern 8
Royal Tern 56
Rock Pigeon 2
Mourning Dove 5
Red-eyed Vireo 4
Blue Jay 3
Fish Crow 5
Carolina Wren 1
American Robin 12
Gray Catbird 1
Northern Mockingbird 1
European Starling 25
Bay-breasted Warbler 1
Yellow Warbler 2
Chestnut-sided Warbler 1
Song Sparrow 1
Northern Cardinal 4
Indigo Bunting 1
Red-winged Blackbird 15
House Sparrow 1

This report was generated automatically by eBird v2 (http://ebird.org)

Two views of the adult Lesser Black-backed Gull at South Cape May Beach - note how small it is next to the Great Black-back in the second picture.

Photographing Hawks (and other birds) - Saturday, September 24th 2011

2011-09-27T16:13:00.000-04:00

The weather was again less than we would have liked but, as is almost always the case at Cape May, there were birds and other goodies around. A walk along the Red Trail in the State Park yielded flowers and butterflies to shoot while Bunker Pond offered gulls and terns and the beach offered Sanderlings. The long term weather forecast suggests that this coming weekend should hold a return to the type of weather that typically yields an influx of new arrivals.

Sanderling, Laughing Gull and Small White by Mike Hannisian from this week's Saturday Photo walk.

Cox Hall Creek (Villas) WMA - Sunday, September 25th 2011

2011-09-27T16:08:00.000-04:00

Cox Hall Creek (Villas) WMA was hot this morning with early complaints of warbler-neck not far from the parking lot. Yellow-throated, Northern Parula, Blackpoll, American Redstart, Black-and-white, Palm, Common Yellowthroat and Pine Warblers flitted among the leaves of the tall oaks and in the grasses while Merlins and an Osprey perched on snags. Also of interest were three Yellow-billed Cuckoos, a juvenile Red-headed Woodpecker (that we hope stays the winter), an adult Bald Eagle and an Eastern Phoebe.

51 species

Canada Goose 6
American Black Duck 4
Mallard 57
Double-crested Cormorant 13
Osprey 2
Bald Eagle 1
Cooper's Hawk 1
Red-tailed Hawk 1
Merlin 2
Herring Gull (American) 6
Great Black-backed Gull 3
Rock Pigeon 2
Mourning Dove 10
Yellow-billed Cuckoo 3
Chimney Swift 2
Red-headed Woodpecker 1

Red-bellied Woodpecker 9
Downy Woodpecker 3
Northern Flicker (Yellow-shafted) 11
Eastern Phoebe 1
Red-eyed Vireo 6
Blue Jay 15
American Crow 12
Fish Crow 2
Carolina Chickadee 7
Tufted Titmouse 9
White-breasted Nuthatch 5

Carolina Wren 4
House Wren 1
Eastern Bluebird 9

American Robin 8
Gray Catbird 3
Northern Mockingbird 2
European Starling 18
Black-and-white Warbler 2
Common Yellowthroat 7
American Redstart 5
Northern Parula 2
Blackpoll Warbler 2
Palm Warbler (Western) 3
Pine Warbler 1
Yellow-throated Warbler 1
Chipping Sparrow 5
Song Sparrow 2
Scarlet Tanager 1
Northern Cardinal 5
Indigo Bunting 1 heard only
Bobolink 15 overhead
Red-winged Blackbird 6
Common Grackle 2
House Finch 2

Hawks, Trails and Beach - Saturday, September 24th 2011

2011-09-27T16:05:00.000-04:00

The Hawks, Trails and Beach Walk started with four species of terns on the beach--Caspian, Royal, Common and Forster's. We also had American Oystercatchers. On The trails we enjoyed great looks at perched raptors--American Kestrel, Merlin, Red-shouldered Hawk and Red-tailed Hawk. 40 species Canada Goose 20 Mute Swan 22 Gadwall 3 Mallard 8 Northern Shoveler 2 Double-crested Cormorant 3 Great Blue Heron 1 Great Egret 4 Snowy Egret 1 Osprey 2 Sharp-shinned Hawk 1 seen by leader only Red-shouldered Hawk 1 Red-tailed Hawk 1 American Kestrel 5 Merlin 2 American Oystercatcher 5 Sanderling 2 Laughing Gull 60 Ring-billed Gull 3 Herring Gull 5 Great Black-backed Gull 110 Least Tern 2 Caspian Tern 3 Common Tern 30 Forster's Tern 25 Royal Tern 5 Rock Pigeon 10 Mourning Dove 3 Common Nighthawk 1 Downy Woodpecker 1 Northern Flicker 7 American Crow 10 Fish Crow 3 heard Carolina Wren 4 heard Gray Catbird 8 Northern Mockingbird 4 European Starling 15 Common Yellowthroat 1 Yellow Warbler 4 Palm Warbler 2 This report was generated automatically by eBird v2 (http://ebird.org)

Fall Birds at The Rea Farm - Saturday, September 24th 2011

2011-09-27T16:03:00.000-04:00

Kind of slow going for passerines, but a few here and there. Lots of Northern Flickers, good looks at
American Kestrels as well as Merlin and Peregrine. Good comparison of a Downy and a Hairy Woodpecker working on a tree about a yard apart. Bald Eagle only 20 seconds behind an Osprey with a fish.
42 species
Canada Goose 10
Mute Swan 1
Mallard 10
Double-crested Cormorant 1
Snowy Egret 1
Osprey 2
Bald Eagle 1
Sharp-shinned Hawk 1
Cooper's Hawk 1
American Kestrel 4
Merlin 2
Peregrine Falcon 1
Herring Gull 2
Great Black-backed Gull 5
Rock Pigeon 25
Mourning Dove 40
Yellow-billed Cuckoo 1
Ruby-throated Hummingbird 5
Red-bellied Woodpecker 1
Downy Woodpecker 1
Hairy Woodpecker 1
Northern Flicker 30
Red-eyed Vireo 1
Blue Jay 3
American Crow 10
Carolina Chickadee 5
Tufted Titmouse 5
Carolina Wren 5
American Robin 5
Gray Catbird 4
European Starling 100
Black-and-white Warbler 1
Common Yellowthroat 1
American Redstart 2
Northern Parula 1
Song Sparrow 1
Northern Cardinal 5
Indigo Bunting 1
Red-winged Blackbird 10
Common Grackle 2
House Finch 1
House Sparrow 1

This report was generated automatically by eBird v2 (http://ebird.org)

Higbee's Beach WMA - Friday, September 23rd 2011

2011-09-27T16:00:00.000-04:00

South winds and showers persist at Cape May, but have you ever known Higbee's Beach to let you down? Despite a shortage of overhead migration (and a definite lack of birders!), our group nevertheless had a great time with a clear influx of Brown Thrashers, Gray Catbirds, Red-eyed Vireos and Black-and-white Warblers.
24 species

Bald Eagle 1
Sharp-shinned Hawk 1
Merlin 1
Herring Gull (American) 2
Great Black-backed Gull 12
Mourning Dove 4
Red-bellied Woodpecker 2
Northern Flicker 22
Eastern Wood-Pewee 1
White-eyed Vireo 1
Red-eyed Vireo 15
Blue Jay 2
Carolina Wren 6
American Robin 10
Gray Catbird 15
Brown Thrasher 15 Migrants
Ovenbird 2
Northern Waterthrush 2
Black-and-white Warbler 10
American Redstart 2
Northern Parula 1
Black-throated Green Warbler 1
Northern Cardinal 8
Bobolink 25

This report was generated automatically by eBird v2 (http://ebird.org)

Bird Walk for All People - Thursday, September 22nd 2011

2011-09-27T15:54:00.000-04:00

The Bird Walk for All People was lucky with the weather this morning; the rain stopped just before starting time. Assorted gulls and terns continue on the beach making it easy to study and separate the species. Parasitic Jaegers could be seen in the rips chasing terns. Sharp-shinned Hawks were plentiful overhead with a Cooper's Hawk, Red-tailed Hawk, and Osprey thrown in. A Red-throated Loon flying along the shore was a surprise. 48 species Canada Goose 45 Mute Swan 20 Gadwall 3 Mallard 10 Blue-winged Teal 6 Northern Shoveler 3 Red-throated Loon 1 flying along shoreline past plover ponds

Pied-billed Grebe  1
Double-crested Cormorant  2
Great Blue Heron  1
Great Egret  5
Green Heron  3
Osprey  3
Sharp-shinned Hawk  18
Cooper's Hawk  2
Red-tailed Hawk  1
Merlin  1
Laughing Gull  45
Ring-billed Gull  12
Herring Gull  8
Great Black-backed Gull  70
Common Tern  100
Forster's Tern  50
Royal Tern  9
Black Skimmer  2
Parasitic Jaeger  2
Rock Pigeon  25
Eurasian Collared-Dove  1     on roof of pavillion next to Hawkwatch platform

Mourning Dove  5
Ruby-throated Hummingbird  1
Belted Kingfisher  1
Northern Flicker  5
Red-eyed Vireo  2
Blue Jay  5     heard
American Crow  3
Fish Crow  2
Tree Swallow  7
Carolina Chickadee  3
Carolina Wren  6     heard
Blue-gray Gnatcatcher  2
Gray Catbird  7
Northern Mockingbird  4
American Redstart  1
Yellow Warbler  12
Palm Warbler  2
Northern Cardinal  2     heard
Bobolink  7     heard flying overhead
American Goldfinch  4     heard

This report was generated automatically by eBird v2 (http://ebird.org)

Hidden Valley - Thursday, September 22nd 2011

2011-09-27T15:50:00.000-04:00

South winds and light drizzle ensured a soggy walk around Hidden Valley with not too much to show for our efforts. Even so, we enjoyed some nice moments with Northern Flickers, Brown Catbirds and a handful of warblers brightening our morning.
32 species

Mallard 2
Double-crested Cormorant 1
Bald Eagle 1
Sharp-shinned Hawk 1
American Kestrel 1
Merlin 1
Greater Yellowlegs 1
Herring Gull (American) 2
Mourning Dove 35
Ruby-throated Hummingbird 3
Red-bellied Woodpecker 3
Northern Flicker 6
White-eyed Vireo 1
Blue Jay 4
American Crow 3
Tufted Titmouse 6
Carolina Wren 4
House Wren 1
Gray Catbird 12
Northern Mockingbird 5
Brown Thrasher 8
European Starling 25
Northern Waterthrush 1
Black-and-white Warbler 1
Common Yellowthroat 12
American Redstart 1
Northern Parula 1
Northern Cardinal 7
Bobolink 25
Red-winged Blackbird 10
Common Grackle 2
American Goldfinch 4

This report was generated automatically by eBird v2 (http://ebird.org)

Cape May Point State Park - Wednesday, September 21st 2011

2011-09-22T14:24:00.001-04:00

A little quiet for the time of year but, this is Cape May, so there was still plenty to see! Yellow Warblers put on a great show in the beachside bayberries and a Blackpoll Warbler was lurking with them. The 'Rips' were heaving with birds (as Tony would say!) and a few warblers and other migrants revealed themselves to us.
58 species

Canada Goose 90
Mute Swan 12
Gadwall 11
American Wigeon 5
Mallard 6
Blue-winged Teal 10
Northern Shoveler 1
Northern Pintail 1
Pied-billed Grebe 1
Double-crested Cormorant 2
Great Egret 4
Snowy Egret 1
Tricolored Heron 1
Green Heron 1
Turkey Vulture 1
Osprey 2
Sharp-shinned Hawk 10
Red-tailed Hawk 1
American Kestrel 1
Merlin 1
Peregrine Falcon 1
Lesser Yellowlegs 1
Sanderling 10
Laughing Gull 2000
Ring-billed Gull 6
Lesser Black-backed Gull 1
Herring Gull (American) 25
Great Black-backed Gull 160
Caspian Tern 1
Common Tern 20
Forster's Tern 150
Royal Tern 6
Black Skimmer 450
Rock Pigeon 18
Mourning Dove 2
Ruby-throated Hummingbird 1
Northern Flicker 9
Philadelphia Vireo 1
Red-eyed Vireo 1
Blue Jay 2
Fish Crow 15
Tree Swallow 45
Barn Swallow 2
Carolina Wren 2
Blue-gray Gnatcatcher 1
Gray Catbird 4
Northern Mockingbird 4
Brown Thrasher 1
European Starling 35
American Redstart 1
Yellow Warbler 10
Blackpoll Warbler 1
Black-throated Blue Warbler 1
Palm Warbler 10
Prairie Warbler 1
Northern Cardinal 2
Bobolink 15
Red-winged Blackbird 50
Brown-headed Cowbird 6

This report was generated automatically by eBird v2 (http://ebird.org)

E-Z Birding, Tuesday, September 20th 2011

2011-09-22T12:12:00.000-04:00

Ez Birding highlights include a Lesser Black-backed Gull, Yellow Warblers, and a Pied-billed Grebe. 41 species (+1 other taxa) Canada Goose 87 Mute Swan 20 American Wigeon 6 Mallard 18 Northern Shoveler 3 Pied-billed Grebe 1 Double-crested Cormorant 3 Great Egret 3 Turkey Vulture 1 Osprey 2 Sharp-shinned Hawk 5 Cooper's Hawk 1 American Kestrel 1 Merlin 1 Laughing Gull 40 Ring-billed Gull 2 Herring Gull 15 Lesser Black-backed Gull 1 Great Black-backed Gull 90 Common Tern 20 Forster's Tern 8 Royal Tern 5 Black Skimmer 250 Rock Pigeon 12 Mourning Dove 2 Ruby-throated Hummingbird 2 Northern Flicker 7 Philadelphia Vireo 1 Red-eyed Vireo 3 crow sp. 5 Tree Swallow 30 Barn Swallow 2 Carolina Wren 4 heard Gray Catbird 6 Northern Mockingbird 6 European Starling 15 Cedar Waxwing 8 Northern Waterthrush 1 Common Yellowthroat 1 Yellow Warbler 5 Palm Warbler 5 Red-winged Blackbird 25 This report was generated automatically by eBird v2 (http://ebird.org)

Sunset Birding at Stone Harbor Point - Tuesday, September 20th 2011

2011-09-22T12:09:00.000-04:00

Stone Harbor Point held a Peregrine Falcon and five Piping Plovers, down from last week's thirteen, on the beach, while eight Black Skimmers and 13 Black Scoters were highlights from offshore. At the Free Bridge over Great Channel, seven Marbled Godwits were observed for the second week in a row, and a large flock of Red Knots came in from the southeast. We finished the walk with a Night Heron show, as both Black- and Yellow-crowneds were visible in the trees past the bridge.

32 species

Black Scoter 16
Double-crested Cormorant 17
Great Blue Heron 2
Great Egret 7
Snowy Egret 18
Black-crowned Night-Heron 9
Yellow-crowned Night-Heron 1
Osprey 4
Peregrine Falcon 1
Clapper Rail 2
Black-bellied Plover 24
Semipalmated Plover 13
Piping Plover 5
American Oystercatcher 20
Spotted Sandpiper 1
Ruddy Turnstone 8
Sanderling 175
Semipalmated Sandpiper 23
Western Sandpiper 9
Laughing Gull 17
Ring-billed Gull 6
Herring Gull 23
Lesser Black-backed Gull 1
Great Black-backed Gull 26
Caspian Tern 12
Common Tern 3
Forster's Tern 17
Royal Tern 15
Black Skimmer 8
Eastern Towhee 1
Savannah Sparrow 1
Song Sparrow 4

Nummy's Island,

16 species (+2 other taxa)

Great Blue Heron 4
Black-crowned Night-Heron 10
Yellow-crowned Night-Heron 1
Osprey 3
Black-bellied Plover 43
American Oystercatcher 28
Willet 15 Western's
Marbled Godwit 7
Red Knot 45
Semipalmated Sandpiper 27
peep sp. X
Short-billed Dowitcher 10
Short-billed/Long-billed Dowitcher 3
Laughing Gull 9
Herring Gull 15
Great Black-backed Gull 15
Caspian Tern 6
Royal Tern 2

Backbay Birding By Boat - Monday, September 19th 2011

2011-09-22T12:06:00.000-04:00

Monday's Back Bay Birding By Boat trip rounded a good bird list. Hawks were out and about, as a Cooper's Hawk and several Peregrine Falcons attested. Tricolored Herons are still hanging around in numbers, with six seen and, of course, everyone's favorite Brown Booby was present with her new "colony" of Double-crested Cormorants at the back of Jarvis Sound."

30 species (+1 other taxa)

Brown Booby 1
Double-crested Cormorant 16
Great Blue Heron 4
Great Egret 28
Snowy Egret 16
Black-crowned Night-Heron 18
Yellow-crowned Night-Heron 7
Osprey 9
Bald Eagle 1
Cooper's Hawk 1
Peregrine Falcon 2
Semipalmated Plover 10
American Oystercatcher 35
Spotted Sandpiper 5
Greater Yellowlegs 9
Whimbrel 2
Ruddy Turnstone 37
Sanderling 4
Semipalmated Sandpiper 8
Western Sandpiper 12
peep sp. X
Short-billed Dowitcher 5
Laughing Gull 38
Herring Gull 64
Great Black-backed Gull 18
Caspian Tern 1
Common Tern 14
Forster's Tern 32
Royal Tern 3
Red-winged Blackbird 8
Boat-tailed Grackle 17

South Cape May Meadows - Monday September 19th 2011

2011-09-22T11:45:00.000-04:00

Good ducks, a few shorebirds, nice raptors. Good gulls including two Lesser Black-backed Gulls and
numerous Palm Warblers.
57 species

Canada Goose 10
Mute Swan 4
American Black Duck 1
Mallard 25
Blue-winged Teal 8
Northern Shoveler 8
Northern Pintail 3
Green-winged Teal 25
Double-crested Cormorant 12
Great Egret 1
Snowy Egret 1
Black Vulture 2
Turkey Vulture 5
Osprey 4
Northern Harrier 1
Sharp-shinned Hawk 8
Cooper's Hawk 3
Red-tailed Hawk 1
American Kestrel 2
Spotted Sandpiper 1
Ruddy Turnstone 1
Sanderling 15
Semipalmated Sandpiper 1
Least Sandpiper 1
Laughing Gull 75
Ring-billed Gull 5
Herring Gull 10
Lesser Black-backed Gull 2
Great Black-backed Gull 25
Common Tern 10
Forster's Tern 5
Royal Tern 15
Black Skimmer 2 plus 100or more at 2nd ave.
Rock Pigeon 10
Mourning Dove 10
Ruby-throated Hummingbird 1
Belted Kingfisher 1
Yellow-bellied Sapsucker 1
Northern Flicker 5
Eastern Kingbird 2
Philadelphia Vireo 1
Blue Jay 1
American Crow 6
Tree Swallow 100
American Robin 3
Gray Catbird 1
Northern Mockingbird 1
European Starling 25
Common Yellowthroat 3
Yellow Warbler 2
Palm Warbler 12
Savannah Sparrow 2
Northern Cardinal 2
Dickcissel 1 heard
Bobolink 10
Red-winged Blackbird 15
House Sparrow 1

This report was generated automatically by eBird v2 (

Great Egret at the Meadows [photo by Karl Lukens]

http://ebird.org)

Cox Hall Creek (Villas) WMA - Sunday, September 18th 2011

2011-09-22T11:42:00.000-04:00

Cox Hall Creek WMA is a beautiful place to bird in the fall. Many plants have reclaimed the former golf course greens and the large oaks and dead snags provide a lot of good birding. Sharp-shinned and Cooper's Hawks, Bald Eagle, and a very cooperatively-perched Merlin were appreciated by this morning's group. Other birds of note included a Scarlet Tanager, Belted Kingfisher, Yellow-bellied Sapsucker, Palm Warblers and Eastern Bluebirds.
55 species (+1 other taxa)

Canada Goose 6
Mallard 11
Pied-billed Grebe 1
Black Vulture 1
Turkey Vulture 3
Osprey 1
Bald Eagle 1
Sharp-shinned Hawk 2
Cooper's Hawk 3
Red-tailed Hawk 1
American Kestrel 1
Merlin 1
peep sp. 1
Herring Gull (American) 1
Rock Pigeon 5
Mourning Dove 9
Belted Kingfisher 1
Red-bellied Woodpecker 3
Yellow-bellied Sapsucker 1
Downy Woodpecker 1
Northern Flicker (Yellow-shafted) 12
Eastern Wood-Pewee 1
Yellow-bellied Flycatcher 1
Eastern Phoebe 1
Red-eyed Vireo 3
Blue Jay 9
American Crow 12
Tree Swallow 12
Carolina Chickadee 2
Tufted Titmouse 7
Carolina Wren 5
House Wren 2
Blue-gray Gnatcatcher 1    heard
Eastern Bluebird 4
American Robin 8
Gray Catbird 3
Northern Mockingbird 1
Brown Thrasher 1    heard
European Starling 5
Cedar Waxwing 5    heard
Northern Waterthrush 2
Black-and-white Warbler 2
Common Yellowthroat 23
American Redstart 7
Northern Parula 5
Yellow Warbler 2
Palm Warbler (Western) 9
Prairie Warbler 2
Chipping Sparrow 3
Song Sparrow 2
Scarlet Tanager 1
Northern Cardinal 7
Bobolink 3    heard
Red-winged Blackbird 9
House Finch 4
American Goldfinch 2

Photographing Hawks (and other birds) - Saturday, September 17th 2011

2011-09-22T11:37:00.000-04:00

Our walk this week was met with a steady light to moderate rain. However, Cape May in the Fall almost always has something to offer and today was no different, especially for wildlife photographers. We met under the shelter next to the hawk watch platform and discussed how to shoot in these conditions and demonstrated that with the help of an active Blackpoll Warbler. We then made our way to the beach and discussed how to approach a flock of gulls and terns without spooking them. As a result of our careful approach we were able to create images of multiple species including Great Black-backed Gull and both Common and Forster's Terns. The low light levels required the use of high ISOs, so the images are not as crisp as they would have been under different circumstances, but this added to the feel of the day, again demonstrating that photography is more about feelings than reason.

Blackpoll Warbler

Great Black-backed Gull

Forster's Tern

Common Tern

Photos from this week's photo session at the point with Mike Hannisian.