"CMBO's Loon and Shorebird cruise lived up to its namesake. Five loons were seen in all, the majority of which were in their spectacular breeding plumage. Black-bellied Plovers showed up in their breeding finery as well, not wishing to be left out. Dunlin are massing, and a Tri-colored Heron popped out of the marsh grasses for a brief visit."
Location: Cape May County Back Bay
Observation date: 4/30/11
Notes:
Number of species: 32
Brant 145
American Black Duck x Mallard (hybrid) 3
Mallard 5
Red-breasted Merganser 8
Common Loon 5
Double-crested Cormorant 231
Great Blue Heron 2
Great Egret 16
Snowy Egret 9
Tricolored Heron 1
Turkey Vulture 13
Osprey 36
Red-tailed Hawk 2
Peregrine Falcon 1
Clapper Rail 9
Black-bellied Plover 25
American Oystercatcher 8
Greater Yellowlegs 6
Willet (Eastern) 8
Whimbrel 34
Ruddy Turnstone 14
Dunlin 156
Short-billed Dowitcher 64
Laughing Gull 453
Ring-billed Gull 2
Herring Gull 45
Great Black-backed Gull 7
Forster's Tern 27
Rock Pigeon 13
Barn Swallow 8
Seaside Sparrow 3
Red-winged Blackbird 37
Boat-tailed Grackle 18
