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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Common Tern

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

Hawks, Trails and Beach - Saturday, September 17th 2011

The Hawks, Trails and Beach walk had a nice variety of birds for a very rainy afternoon.  We started with many, many birds out in the rips including two Parsitic Jaegers and two Brown Pelicans with a multitude of gulls 
and terns.  The walk through the park produced pockets of warblers including lots of Yellow Warblers, a Northern Parula, and a Black-and-white Warbler.  The back end 
of Lighthouse Pond had a perched Peregrine Falcon and four Green Herons perched in one tree.
50 species (+3 other taxa)

Canada Goose  18
Mute Swan  18
American Wigeon  4
Mallard  10
Blue-winged Teal  1
Pied-billed Grebe  2
Double-crested Cormorant  17
Brown Pelican  2
Great Egret  3
Green Heron  5
Sharp-shinned Hawk  1
Cooper's Hawk  1
American Kestrel  2
Merlin  1
Peregrine Falcon  1
Greater Yellowlegs  1     heard
Semipalmated Sandpiper  1
Laughing Gull  75
Ring-billed Gull  3
Herring Gull  2
Great Black-backed Gull  20
gull sp.  300
Common Tern  30
Forster's Tern  10
Sterna sp.  200
Royal Tern  10
Parasitic Jaeger  2
Rock Pigeon  5
Mourning Dove  2
Belted Kingfisher  1     heard
Northern Flicker  1
Great Crested Flycatcher  2
Philadelphia Vireo  2
Red-eyed Vireo  3
crow sp.  5
Carolina Chickadee  4
Carolina Wren  3     heard
American Robin  2
Gray Catbird  8
Northern Mockingbird  12
European Starling  15
Cedar Waxwing  2
Black-and-white Warbler  2
Common Yellowthroat  10
American Redstart  8
Northern Parula  2
Yellow Warbler  10
Blackpoll Warbler  2
Palm Warbler  12
Yellow-rumped Warbler  3
Black-throated Green Warbler  3
Northern Cardinal  4     heard
Common Grackle  1

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

Fall Birds at The Rea Farm - Saturday, September 17th 2011

Good warblers, passerines, etc. Nice looks at Philadelphia Vireo and Yellow-billed Cuckoo. Lots of Northern Flickers and American Kestrels.
57 species

Canada Goose 15
Mute Swan 3
Mallard 7
Great Egret 4
Snowy Egret 4
Turkey Vulture 1
Osprey 3
Sharp-shinned Hawk 5
Cooper's Hawk 2
Red-tailed Hawk 1
American Kestrel 12
Merlin 1
Laughing Gull 5
Herring Gull 1
Great Black-backed Gull 2
Rock Pigeon 11
Mourning Dove 15
Yellow-billed Cuckoo 1
Ruby-throated Hummingbird 10
Red-bellied Woodpecker 2
Downy Woodpecker 1
Northern Flicker 30
Alder Flycatcher 1
Great Crested Flycatcher 1
Eastern Kingbird 1
Philadelphia Vireo 1
Red-eyed Vireo 4
Blue Jay 2
American Crow 10
Fish Crow 1
Carolina Chickadee 1
Tufted Titmouse 1
Carolina Wren 3
Blue-gray Gnatcatcher 1
Eastern Bluebird 5
American Robin 12
Gray Catbird 4
Northern Mockingbird 10
Brown Thrasher 3
European Starling 50
Cedar Waxwing 10
Northern Waterthrush 3
Black-and-white Warbler 2
Common Yellowthroat 5
American Redstart 3
Northern Parula 3
Yellow Warbler 3
Palm Warbler 10
Field Sparrow 1
Savannah Sparrow 1
Scarlet Tanager 1
Northern Cardinal 3
Indigo Bunting 1
Bobolink 10
Red-winged Blackbird 10
Baltimore Oriole 4
House Sparrow 1

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

Sunset Birding at South Cape May Meadows - Friday, September 16th 2011

Lots of Common Yellowthroats, Palm Warblers and American Redstarts. Good looks at Blue- and Green- winged Teal. Also a perched Merlin eating a dragonfly, a Northern Harrier, and a Cooper's Hawk.
41 species

Canada Goose 10
Mute Swan 4
Gadwall 1
Mallard 30
Blue-winged Teal 8
Northern Shoveler 5
Green-winged Teal 15
Double-crested Cormorant 3
Great Egret 1
Black Vulture 2
Turkey Vulture 2
Northern Harrier 1
Cooper's Hawk 1
Merlin 1
American Oystercatcher 1
Spotted Sandpiper 1
Sanderling 20
Laughing Gull 200
Ring-billed Gull 3
Herring Gull 10
Lesser Black-backed Gull 1
Great Black-backed Gull 25
Common Tern 10
Forster's Tern 1
Royal Tern 8
Black Skimmer 50
Rock Pigeon 2
Mourning Dove 8
Fish Crow 1
Marsh Wren 1
Gray Catbird 1
Northern Mockingbird 1
European Starling 100
Common Yellowthroat 6
American Redstart 5
Yellow Warbler 2
Palm Warbler 10
Northern Cardinal 2
Red-winged Blackbird 5
Common Grackle 3
House Sparrow 1

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

Higbee's Beach WMA - Friday, September 16th 2011

What a morning! Our regular Friday walk keyed in perfectly with a one of Higbee's Beach's famous falls of songbirds. With 17 species of warblers on the list it certainly was a fun time to be there!

58 species
Canada Goose 18
Osprey 6
Bald Eagle 1
Sharp-shinned Hawk 10
Cooper's Hawk 2
Merlin 3
Laughing Gull 5
Herring Gull (American) 6
Great Black-backed Gull 12
Royal Tern 1
Mourning Dove 4
Chimney Swift 2
Ruby-throated Hummingbird 1
Red-bellied Woodpecker 2
Downy Woodpecker 2
Eastern Wood-Pewee 1
Alder Flycatcher 1
Least Flycatcher 1
Great Crested Flycatcher 2
White-eyed Vireo 6
Yellow-throated Vireo 1
Red-eyed Vireo 15
Blue Jay 4
American Crow 2
Tree Swallow 15
Barn Swallow 2
Carolina Chickadee 2
Carolina Wren 5
Blue-gray Gnatcatcher 2
Ruby-crowned Kinglet 1
Veery 2
American Robin 6
Gray Catbird 8
European Starling 6
Cedar Waxwing 50
Northern Waterthrush 10
Black-and-white Warbler 15
Tennessee Warbler 1
Common Yellowthroat 35
American Redstart 20
Cape May Warbler 1
Northern Parula 20
Magnolia Warbler 8
Blackburnian Warbler 1
Yellow Warbler 4
Chestnut-sided Warbler 2
Blackpoll Warbler 2
Black-throated Blue Warbler 4
Palm Warbler 20
Prairie Warbler 1
Black-throated Green Warbler 2
Canada Warbler 1
Scarlet Tanager 6
Northern Cardinal 10
Rose-breasted Grosbeak 3
Bobolink 120
Red-winged Blackbird 30
Common Grackle 15

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

Bird Walk for All People - Thursday, September 15th 2011

The Bird Walk for All People found seven Sandwich Terns on the beach among assorted gulls and terns.  We also had several Sharp-shinned Hawks and American Kestrels flying overhead.
41 species

Canada Goose  40
Mute Swan  26
American Wigeon  2
Mallard  14
Blue-winged Teal  3
Northern Shoveler  2
Pied-billed Grebe  2
Double-crested Cormorant  2
Brown Pelican  2
Great Egret  2
Osprey  6
Sharp-shinned Hawk  8
Cooper's Hawk  3
American Kestrel  12
Merlin  1
Sanderling  12
Short-billed Dowitcher  8
Laughing Gull  100
Ring-billed Gull  8
Herring Gull  15
Great Black-backed Gull  50
Common Tern  20
Forster's Tern  10
Royal Tern  5
Sandwich Tern  7     on beach by Hawk Watch Platform with other terns and gulls
Black Skimmer  150
Rock Pigeon  10
Mourning Dove  6
Blue Jay  8
American Crow  2
Fish Crow  1
Tree Swallow  30
Carolina Wren  4     heard only
Gray Catbird  5
Northern Mockingbird  2
Common Yellowthroat  2
Yellow Warbler  2
Palm Warbler  1
Northern Cardinal  3
Bobolink  6     heard only
Common Grackle  1

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

Hidden Valley - Thursday, September 15th 2011

Hidden Valley can be quiet this time of year, but we had a fun walk with a nice range of birds. Great scope views of an Alder Flycatcher which revealed all of its ID secrets was perhaps the highlight.
34 species

Canada Goose 10
Sharp-shinned Hawk 4
Cooper's Hawk 2
Red-tailed Hawk 1
Herring Gull (American) 2
Great Black-backed Gull 10
Mourning Dove 8
Ruby-throated Hummingbird 1
Red-bellied Woodpecker 2
Alder Flycatcher 1
Red-eyed Vireo 2
Blue Jay 4
American Crow 35
Tree Swallow 10
Barn Swallow 2
Carolina Chickadee 2
Tufted Titmouse 1
Carolina Wren 2
Veery 1
American Robin 6
Gray Catbird 4
Northern Mockingbird 3
European Starling 12
Cedar Waxwing 13
Northern Waterthrush 4
Black-and-white Warbler 1
Common Yellowthroat 8
Palm Warbler (Western) 2
Field Sparrow 4
Northern Cardinal 4
Indigo Bunting 1
Red-winged Blackbird 6
Common Grackle 2
Brown-headed Cowbird 1

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

Sunset Birding at Stone Harbor Point - Tuesday, September 13th 2011

Our second Sunset Birding at Stone Harbor Point field trip of the season was a great one!  We had weather that was almost too good and this week's leaders were Warren C., Gail D., David L., Shaun B, and Mike Fritz.  We started the trip by going to the "free bridge" at Nummy Island to view the mud flats for shore birds.  We had a fast rising tide and we rushed to see what we could before water covered all the feeding areas.  We had scope views of a Clapper Rail, nine Marbled Godwits close by, and thousands of other shorebirds and terns.  There was even a flock of over 500 Red Knots on the back side of the bridge.  We left there as the water became too high and next walked the dune trail and beach by the parking lot.  Before we even got to the beach, we flushed a sparrow near the viewing platform.  We expected it to be a Savannah (we did have one later), but when we put the scopes on it we saw it was an immature Lark Sparrow!  It even stayed put long enough for everyone to get nice views through the scope.  When we finally made it to the beach we came upon a nice group of Piping Plovers right at the end of the path.  I was able to see 15 in one binocular view!  We also saw six Brown Pelicans, a 1st-winter Lesser Black-backed Gull, and great looks at Royal and Caspian Terns.  There were lots of shorebirds here too, but a Peregrine kept them flying about as he tried to get a meal.  We ended the walk with a nice sunset over the marsh while a Whimbrel flew right overhead calling nonstop. -Mike Fritz
49 species

American Black Duck  2
Double-crested Cormorant  18
Brown Pelican  6
Great Egret  8
Snowy Egret  4
Green Heron  1
Osprey  4
Peregrine Falcon  1
Clapper Rail  2
Black-bellied Plover  24
Semipalmated Plover  120
Piping Plover  16
American Oystercatcher  30
Greater Yellowlegs  3
Willet  25
Whimbrel  1
Marbled Godwit  9
Ruddy Turnstone  6
Red Knot  540 Huge flock on flats behind "free bridge". 
Sanderling  400
Semipalmated Sandpiper  2
Western Sandpiper  16
Short-billed Dowitcher  30
Laughing Gull  X
Ring-billed Gull  X
Herring Gull  X
Lesser Black-backed Gull  1 1st winter
Great Black-backed Gull  X
Caspian Tern  12
Common Tern  6
Forster's Tern  28
Royal Tern  36
Rock Pigeon  6
Mourning Dove  24
Belted Kingfisher  1
Fish Crow  X
Tree Swallow  30
Barn Swallow  2
Northern Mockingbird  4
European Starling  X
Lark Sparrow  1
Savannah Sparrow  1
Song Sparrow  4
Northern Cardinal  4
Red-winged Blackbird  X
Common Grackle  X
Boat-tailed Grackle  X
House Finch  12
House Sparrow  X

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

Piper mania! Twelve of the fifteen Piping Plovers at Stone Harbor Point this evening [photo by Harvey Tomlinson]

Cape May Point State Park - Wednesday, September 14th 2011

Not a good flight today with the winds from the 'wrong' direction, but still some nice songbirds around and a good range of gulls and terns on the beach.

54 species

Canada Goose 55
Mute Swan 21
Gadwall 9
Mallard 8
Blue-winged Teal 2
Pied-billed Grebe 2
Double-crested Cormorant 1
Great Egret 1
Green Heron 1
Turkey Vulture 5
Osprey 3
Northern Harrier 2
Sharp-shinned Hawk 6
Cooper's Hawk 2
Red-tailed Hawk 1
American Kestrel 4
Killdeer 1
Laughing Gull 250
Ring-billed Gull 6
Herring Gull (American) 4
Great Black-backed Gull 45
Caspian Tern 1
Common Tern 120
Forster's Tern 45
Royal Tern 6
Rock Pigeon 12
Mourning Dove 8
Chimney Swift 14
Belted Kingfisher 1
Least Flycatcher 1
Eastern Kingbird 1
White-eyed Vireo 3
Red-eyed Vireo 2
Blue Jay 3
Fish Crow 5
Tree Swallow 45
Barn Swallow 10
Carolina Chickadee 4
Tufted Titmouse 1
Carolina Wren 4
House Wren 1
Blue-gray Gnatcatcher 1
Gray Catbird 4
Northern Mockingbird 3
European Starling 15
Northern Waterthrush 1
Common Yellowthroat 8
Northern Parula 1
Yellow Warbler 10
Palm Warbler 6
Northern Cardinal 2
Bobolink 12
Red-winged Blackbird 20
Common Grackle 15

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

A Belted Kingfisher finds a prime fishing spot - on the roof of the bird blind at the state park!

E-Z Birding, Tuesday, September 13th 2011

EZ Birding had a nice variety of birds and beautiful weather for a stroll through the State Park.  We had great looks at Osprey, Sharp-shinned Hawks, Cooper's Hawks, and a young Northern Harrier.  Yellow Warblers, Blue-Gray 
Gnatcatchers, Common Yellow-throats, and Pine Warblers were all found on the paths and dune crossover.
53 species

Canada Goose  55
Mute Swan  12
Mallard  20
Pied-billed Grebe  1
Double-crested Cormorant  2
Great Blue Heron  2
Great Egret  3
Green Heron  8
Turkey Vulture  3
Osprey  10
Northern Harrier  1
Sharp-shinned Hawk  3
Cooper's Hawk  2
American Kestrel  2
Merlin  1
Laughing Gull  50
Ring-billed Gull  3
Herring Gull  30
Great Black-backed Gull  75
Common Tern  15
Forster's Tern  3
Royal Tern  5
Black Skimmer  150
Rock Pigeon  6
Mourning Dove  4
Chimney Swift  2
Ruby-throated Hummingbird  1
Belted Kingfisher  1
Northern Flicker  2
Great Crested Flycatcher  2     heard only
Eastern Kingbird  10
White-eyed Vireo  4
Red-eyed Vireo  2
Blue Jay  8
Tree Swallow  50
Bank Swallow  1
Carolina Chickadee  10
Carolina Wren  6
House Wren  1
Blue-gray Gnatcatcher  3
Gray Catbird  4
Northern Mockingbird  12
European Starling  6
Cedar Waxwing  6
Common Yellowthroat  8
American Redstart  1
Yellow Warbler  6
Palm Warbler  5
Field Sparrow  1
Northern Cardinal  4
Bobolink  6     heard only
Red-winged Blackbird  5
Common Grackle  1

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

South Cape May Meadows - Monday September 12th 2011

Several varieties of ducks, and a few shorebirds here and there. Lots of terns including three late Least Terns. Two Bald eagles, several Merlins, American Kestrels, as well as Sharp-shinned and Cooper's Hawks. Interesting was a pair of Royal Terns overhead squabbling over a fish which one dropped on the path in front of the group. It was a six-inch Bluefish!
60 species

Canada Goose 20
Mute Swan 6
Gadwall 3
American Wigeon 2
Mallard 35
Blue-winged Teal 8
Northern Shoveler 2
Green-winged Teal 8
Double-crested Cormorant 20
Great Egret 4
Snowy Egret 1
Glossy Ibis 8
Osprey 3
Bald Eagle 2
Sharp-shinned Hawk 4
Cooper's Hawk 1
American Kestrel 8
Merlin 4
Semipalmated Plover 1
Sanderling 20
Semipalmated Sandpiper 4
Least Sandpiper 4
Pectoral Sandpiper 1
Stilt Sandpiper 1
Short-billed Dowitcher 1
Laughing Gull 75
Ring-billed Gull 3
Herring Gull 15
Lesser Black-backed Gull 2
Great Black-backed Gull 30
Least Tern 3
Common Tern 10
Forster's Tern 10
Royal Tern 20
Black Skimmer 200 at 2nd ave beach
Rock Pigeon 6
Mourning Dove 10
Ruby-throated Hummingbird 1
Belted Kingfisher 1
Eastern Kingbird 10
American Crow 10
Tree Swallow 100
Barn Swallow 10
Gray Catbird 3
Northern Mockingbird 1
European Starling 15
Northern Waterthrush 3
Common Yellowthroat 3
Yellow Warbler 4
Blackpoll Warbler 1
Yellow-rumped Warbler 1
Prairie Warbler 1
Northern Cardinal 4
Indigo Bunting 3
Bobolink 10
Red-winged Blackbird 15
Common Grackle 2
House Finch 1
American Goldfinch 1
House Sparrow 1

This report was generated automatically by eBird v2 (

A dozing Least Sandpiper on South Cape May beach. Most birds are now these lovely, fresh youngsters.

Second-calendar year Lesser Black-backed Gull with American Herring Gulls and a brutal Great Black-back!
http://ebird.org)

Photographing Hawks (and other birds) - Saturday, September 10th 2011

Our second Saturday afternoon (3-5 pm) photo session at the Cape May Point SP Hawk Watch again was lacking in photographable raptors but, as is often the case in Cape May, other birds nicely filled the gap. Notable this week were, once again, posing Eastern Kingbirds and Northern Mockingbirds. Also present were the very photographable Mute Swans and an interesting pair of Mallards. Although these last birds were essentially in eclipse plumage, they were nonetheless identifiable to gender by bill color. The male Mallard has a yellowish green bill while the female has an orangish bill. 

Mike Hannisian
 
Mallards

Eastern Kingbird

Northern Mockingbird
 

Backbay Birding By Boat - Sunday, September 11th 2011


The Back Bays of Cape May were alive with bird life, including the Brown Booby again sitting on channel marker 475 after a small leave of absence. Tricolored Herons were out and about, with a half a dozen being noted, and adult Yellow-crowned Night Herons were true crowd-pleasers. A wonderful trip with great viewing conditions.

39 species (+1 other taxa)

Mallard  1
Brown Booby  1
Double-crested Cormorant  154
Great Blue Heron  11
Great Egret  26
Snowy Egret  45
Tricolored Heron  6
Black-crowned Night-Heron  12
Yellow-crowned Night-Heron  8
Black Vulture  2
Turkey Vulture  14
Osprey  23
Red-tailed Hawk  1
Merlin  2
Clapper Rail  4
Black-bellied Plover  24
Semipalmated Plover  7
American Oystercatcher  19
Spotted Sandpiper  4
Greater Yellowlegs  3
Willet  8
Whimbrel  4
Ruddy Turnstone  43
Sanderling  8
Semipalmated Sandpiper  25
peep sp.  X
Short-billed Dowitcher  5
Laughing Gull  76
Herring Gull  16
Great Black-backed Gull  37
Least Tern  3
Caspian Tern  1
Common Tern  49
Forster's Tern  65
Belted Kingfisher  1
Tree Swallow  215
Barn Swallow  6
Seaside Sparrow  6
Red-winged Blackbird  4
Boat-tailed Grackle  17

Cox Hall Creek (Villas) WMA - Sunday, September 11th 2011

Blue Grosbeaks, Baltimore Orioles, Belted Kingfisher and adult and juvenile Bald Eagles provided better views than the glimpses of American Redstart, Common Yellowthroat and Pine, Black-and-white and Magnolia Warblers we had on this morning's Cox Hall Creek WMA walk this AM. Mostly cloudy, low 70s
53 species

Mallard  13
Turkey Vulture  3
Osprey  9
Bald Eagle  2
American Kestrel  2
Merlin  1
Laughing Gull  9
Great Black-backed Gull  3
Rock Pigeon  3
Mourning Dove  4
Chimney Swift  4
Ruby-throated Hummingbird  3
Belted Kingfisher  1
Red-bellied Woodpecker  5
Downy Woodpecker  4
Hairy Woodpecker  1
Northern Flicker (Yellow-shafted)  6
Least Flycatcher  1
Great Crested Flycatcher  3
Eastern Kingbird  5
Red-eyed Vireo  2
Blue Jay  5
American Crow  6
Fish Crow  4
Purple Martin  3
Tree Swallow  7
Barn Swallow  4
Carolina Chickadee  12
Tufted Titmouse  15
White-breasted Nuthatch  1
Carolina Wren  6
House Wren  2
Blue-gray Gnatcatcher  3
Eastern Bluebird  3
Veery  2
American Robin  16
Gray Catbird  4
Northern Mockingbird  2
European Starling  250
Cedar Waxwing  55
Black-and-white Warbler  1
Common Yellowthroat  40
American Redstart  8
Magnolia Warbler  1
Pine Warbler  2
Chipping Sparrow  11
Northern Cardinal  9
Blue Grosbeak  5
Red-winged Blackbird  50
Brown-headed Cowbird  3
Baltimore Oriole  2
House Finch  5
American Goldfinch  3

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

Hawks, Trails and Beach - Saturday, September 10th 2011

The Hawks, Trails and Beach walk had an amazing number of American Kestrels, six perched in one tree and many flying around with dragonflies in their talons.  The usual assortment of gulls and terns on the beach rounded out the walk.
44 species

Canada Goose  25
Mute Swan  21
Mallard  20
Blue-winged Teal  3
Northern Shoveler  3
Pied-billed Grebe  1
Great Egret  4
Snowy Egret  1
Osprey  8
Bald Eagle  1
Cooper's Hawk  1
American Kestrel  15
Merlin  2
American Oystercatcher  2
Lesser Yellowlegs  1     heard only
Sanderling  12
Laughing Gull  75
Herring Gull  15
Great Black-backed Gull  115
Common Tern  25
Forster's Tern  10
Royal Tern  6
Black Skimmer  130
Rock Pigeon  6
Mourning Dove  3
Downy Woodpecker  1
Eastern Kingbird  12
White-eyed Vireo  1     heard only
Red-eyed Vireo  3
American Crow  10
Fish Crow  1     heard only
Carolina Chickadee  3
Carolina Wren  6
Gray Catbird  3
Northern Mockingbird  12
European Starling  6
Mourning Warbler  1
Common Yellowthroat  5
American Redstart  3
Yellow Warbler  2
Song Sparrow  1
Northern Cardinal  4
Red-winged Blackbird  18
American Goldfinch  2

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

Fall Birds at The Rea Farm - Saturday, September 10th 2011

Lots of Common Yellowthroats, as well as American Redstarts and Black-and-white Warblers. Indigo
Buntings and Blue Grosbeaks still present. Three American Kestrels, both perched and flying. Bobolinks perched at weed tops made for good viewing.
45 species

Canada Goose 50
Mute Swan 3
Mallard 8 fly-over
Double-crested Cormorant 9
Great Egret 2 fly-over
Snowy Egret 3 fly-over
Turkey Vulture 4
Osprey 4
Bald Eagle 2
American Kestrel 3
Solitary Sandpiper 1
Laughing Gull 4
Herring Gull 4
Great Black-backed Gull 6
Rock Pigeon 6
Mourning Dove 15
Ruby-throated Hummingbird 8
Red-bellied Woodpecker 1
Downy Woodpecker 1
Northern Flicker 2
White-eyed Vireo 1 heard
Red-eyed Vireo 4
Blue Jay 2
American Crow 5
Purple Martin 1
Barn Swallow 3
Carolina Chickadee 2
Carolina Wren 2
Gray Catbird 4
European Starling 5
Cedar Waxwing 5
Black-and-white Warbler 3
Nashville Warbler 1
Common Yellowthroat 15
American Redstart 5
Yellow Warbler 4
Field Sparrow 5
Northern Cardinal 5
Blue Grosbeak 2
Indigo Bunting 6
Bobolink 30
Red-winged Blackbird 15
Brown-headed Cowbird 2
Baltimore Oriole 1
American Goldfinch 1

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

Sunset Birding at South Cape May Meadows - Friday, September 9th 2011

Lots of gulls and terns including Royal and one Black Tern plus loads of Black Skimmers. Interesting birds were a fly-over, calling Whimbrel and two Western Willets on the beach. Blue- and Green-winged Teal were amongst the Mallards.
37 species

Canada Goose 10
Mute Swan 6
Mallard 40
Blue-winged Teal 8
Green-winged Teal 6
Pied-billed Grebe 1
Double-crested Cormorant 1
Great Egret 5
Snowy Egret 4
Turkey Vulture 1
Osprey 1
Cooper's Hawk 1
Merlin 3
American Oystercatcher 3
Willet 2 * inornata (Western)
Whimbrel 1
Sanderling 25
Laughing Gull 100
Ring-billed Gull 3
Herring Gull 10
Lesser Black-backed Gull 3
Great Black-backed Gull 25
Black Tern 1
Common Tern 15
Forster's Tern 5
Royal Tern 10
Black Skimmer 200
Rock Pigeon 1
Mourning Dove 3
American Crow 1
Northern Mockingbird 1
European Starling 10
Northern Cardinal 2
Red-winged Blackbird 10
Baltimore Oriole 1
American Goldfinch 2
House Sparrow 2

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

Higbee's Beach WMA - Friday, September 9th 2011

Cedar Waxwings and Bobolinks seemed permanently overhead this morning and a reasonable warbler flight produced nice numbers of Black-and-whites and American Redstarts. Seeing two cuckoo species on a single walk is always a nice bonus!

46 species
Osprey 2
Bald Eagle 1
Laughing Gull 3
Herring Gull (American) 1
Great Black-backed Gull 1
Mourning Dove 4
Yellow-billed Cuckoo 1
Black-billed Cuckoo 1
Ruby-throated Hummingbird 2
Red-bellied Woodpecker 3
Northern Flicker 2
Least Flycatcher 3
Great Crested Flycatcher 2
Eastern Kingbird 10
White-eyed Vireo 5
Red-eyed Vireo 10
Blue Jay 5
American Crow 8
Purple Martin 10
Tree Swallow 45
Barn Swallow 2
Carolina Chickadee 8
Tufted Titmouse 2
Carolina Wren 6
House Wren 1
Veery 3
American Robin 10
Gray Catbird 10
Northern Mockingbird 2
Brown Thrasher 2
European Starling 15
Cedar Waxwing 60
Northern Waterthrush 8
Black-and-white Warbler 15
Connecticut Warbler 1
Common Yellowthroat 8
American Redstart 25
Yellow Warbler 10
Field Sparrow 3
Northern Cardinal 4
Bobolink 150
Red-winged Blackbird 40
Common Grackle 20
Brown-headed Cowbird 6
Baltimore Oriole 10
American Goldfinch 2

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

Hidden Valley - Thursday, September 8th 2011

It's fair to say that there was more bugs than birds at Hidden Valley this morning, but our flurry of raptors was not to be sniffed at!

30 species
Mallard 7
Bald Eagle 1
Red-tailed Hawk 1
American Kestrel 3
Merlin 1
Semipalmated Plover 3
Laughing Gull 6
Great Black-backed Gull 5
Mourning Dove 7
Ruby-throated Hummingbird 1
Red-bellied Woodpecker 2
Blue Jay 8
American Crow 2
Purple Martin 1
Barn Swallow 3
Tufted Titmouse 4
Carolina Wren 4
House Wren 1
Gray Catbird 3
Northern Mockingbird 2
European Starling 85
Cedar Waxwing 4
American Redstart 1
Field Sparrow 1
Song Sparrow 1
Northern Cardinal 5
Bobolink 5
Red-winged Blackbird 10
Common Grackle 6
Brown-headed Cowbird 28
Baltimore Oriole 2

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

Bird Walk for All People - Thursday, September 8th 2011

The Bird Walk for All People braved fog rolling in from the ocean and rain bringing out hordes of mosquitos to find some interesting birds.  Common, Forster's, and Royal Terns continue on the beach with flocks of gulls, including one Lesser Black-backed Gull.  A Brown Pelican and a Caspian Tern rounded out the beach watch.  The woods were quiet but Northern Mockingbirds abounded and a Red-eyed Vireo gave us a fleeting look.
36 species

Canada Goose  30
Mute Swan  19
Mallard  10
Northern Shoveler  2
Brown Pelican  1
Great Egret  3
Snowy Egret  1
Bald Eagle  2
American Oystercatcher  2
Sanderling  2
Laughing Gull  120
Herring Gull  50
Lesser Black-backed Gull  1
Great Black-backed Gull  100
Caspian Tern  1
Black Tern  1
Common Tern  70
Forster's Tern  10
Royal Tern  15
Rock Pigeon  30
Mourning Dove  6
Eastern Kingbird  8
Red-eyed Vireo  2
Fish Crow  3
Tree Swallow  15
Barn Swallow  2
Carolina Chickadee  4     heard only
Carolina Wren  6
American Robin  3
Gray Catbird  4
Northern Mockingbird  20
European Starling  1
Northern Cardinal  6
Red-winged Blackbird  20
Brown-headed Cowbird  5
House Sparrow  1

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

Cape May Point State Park - Wednesday, September 7th 2011

Water at the state park remains high after Hurricane Irene but the beach provided us with plenty of birds to enjoy. Migrant songbird numbers are currently low in southerly winds - but things should change soon... First returning Blue-winged Teal and a group of Northern Shovelers were nice bonuses, as was a busy party of birds feeding on Black Gum berries, which included at least five Baltimore Orioles and a mysterious gray-colored kingbird which never settled properly for us.
51 species (+1 other taxa)

Canada Goose 8
Mute Swan 10
Mallard 14
Blue-winged Teal 1
Northern Shoveler 3
Double-crested Cormorant 6
Great Egret 1
Snowy Egret 2
Glossy Ibis 30
Turkey Vulture 1
Osprey 2
Semipalmated Plover 3
Killdeer 2
Sanderling 8
Semipalmated Sandpiper 2
Laughing Gull 400
Ring-billed Gull 1
Herring Gull (American) 6
Lesser Black-backed Gull 3
Great Black-backed Gull 60
Caspian Tern 1
Black Tern 1
Common Tern 600
Forster's Tern 400
Royal Tern 25
Rock Pigeon 18
Mourning Dove 4
Ruby-throated Hummingbird 1
Red-bellied Woodpecker 1
Downy Woodpecker 1
Empidonax sp. 1
Great Crested Flycatcher 2
Eastern Kingbird 3
White-eyed Vireo 1
Red-eyed Vireo 1
Fish Crow 2
Tree Swallow 6
Barn Swallow 2
Carolina Chickadee 4
Carolina Wren 3
House Wren 1
Gray Catbird 2
Northern Mockingbird 5
European Starling 7
Cedar Waxwing 2
Northern Cardinal 4
Blue Grosbeak 1
Red-winged Blackbird 20
Common Grackle 6
Brown-headed Cowbird 2
Baltimore Oriole 5
American Goldfinch 2

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

Identification Parade: Forster's, Royal and Caspian Terns, and Great Black-backed and American Herring Gulls [photo by Karl Lukens]

Sunset Birding at Stone Harbor Point - Tuesday, September 6th 2011

NE wind at 15-20mph and intermittent rain made for challenging birding, but as usual the birding was good BECAUSE of the bad weather at this spot.  Highlights were a very close flock of 16 Piping Plovers, hundreds of Red Knot that included several flocks that landed close by on the beach, about 20 juvenile Red Knots were seen, and lots of Caspian Terns were flying about.  We also had pretty good looks at Seaside Sparrows and Clapper Rails that were pushed out of the flooded marshes.  Brown Pelicans were also seen roosting and flying along the back bay.
39 species (+1 other taxa)

Double-crested Cormorant  12
Brown Pelican  8
Great Egret  24
Snowy Egret  14
Tricolored Heron  1
Black-crowned Night-Heron  45
Yellow-crowned Night-Heron  3
Osprey  3
Clapper Rail  3
Black-bellied Plover  4
Semipalmated Plover  350
Piping Plover  16
American Oystercatcher  140
Willet  40
Lesser Yellowlegs  3
Marbled Godwit  6
Ruddy Turnstone  16
Red Knot  240
Sanderling  580
Semipalmated Sandpiper  40
Western Sandpiper  6
Least Sandpiper  2
peep sp.  600
Short-billed Dowitcher  4
Laughing Gull  X
Ring-billed Gull  X
Herring Gull  X
Great Black-backed Gull  X
Caspian Tern  32
Forster's Tern  28
Royal Tern  6
Black Skimmer  25
Mourning Dove  6
Tree Swallow  80
Barn Swallow  4
American Robin  6
Northern Mockingbird  2
Seaside Sparrow  3
Song Sparrow  1
Boat-tailed Grackle  20

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

E-Z Birding, Tuesday, September 6th 2011

Despite a little rain and overcast skies, EZ Birding enjoyed a large group of terns on the beach including both Common and Forster's, Sandwich, and Royal terns.  A mixed flock in the wooded area produced Carolina Chickadees, Yellow and Pine Warblers, young American Robins, and a bunch of Eastern Kingbirds.
40 species

Canada Goose  3
Mute Swan  12
Mallard  10
Northern Shoveler  2
Great Egret  2
Green Heron  1
American Oystercatcher  2
Sanderling  3
Laughing Gull  74
Herring Gull  20
Great Black-backed Gull  120
Common Tern  130
Forster's Tern  40
Royal Tern  25
Sandwich Tern  5     on beach at Cape May Point State Park confirmed by Vince
Elia
Black Skimmer  150
Rock Pigeon  10
Mourning Dove  2
Ruby-throated Hummingbird  3
Belted Kingfisher  1
Downy Woodpecker  1
Eastern Kingbird  30
Red-eyed Vireo  1     seen by leader only
American Crow  1
Fish Crow  1
Purple Martin  3
Tree Swallow  45
Barn Swallow  6
Carolina Chickadee  5
Carolina Wren  3     heard only
American Robin  8
Gray Catbird  2     heard only
Northern Mockingbird  14
Cedar Waxwing  1
Yellow Warbler  8
Pine Warbler  2
Northern Cardinal  2
Bobolink  2     heard overhead
Red-winged Blackbird  35
Common Grackle  1

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

Photographing Hawks (and other birds) - Saturday, September 3rd 2011

September 3rd saw a scheduling change in CMBO's Saturday Photo Walk as we met at 3:00 p.m. instead of in the morning. Although the winds were not conducive to a hawk flight, and it is still very early in the season, enough subjects were present for us to have some fun and discuss various exposure and composition ideas. For me, the most interesting bird was a very bright fall plumaged Bobolink, although the most cooperative birds were the three Eastern Kingbirds who spent much of the time in front of us. As always, the Mute Swans also provided photographic opportunities. We will meet again at the Hawk Watch Platform in Cape May Point State Park next Saturday at 3:00 p.m. and, remember, these photo walks are free!

Mike Hannisian
 
Bobolink

Eastern Kingbird

Osprey

South Cape May Meadows - Monday September 5th 2011

High water good for ducks, not so for shorebirds. Numerous Blue-winged Teal with some Green-winged Teal amonst the Mallards. Terns and gulls in the thousands from the Bunker to 2nd ave. Lots of Black Skimmers flying, feeding and roosting. Also had a Blue Grosbeak and Indigo Bunting.
47 species

Canada Goose 15
Mute Swan 8
Mallard 30
Blue-winged Teal 8
Green-winged Teal 6
Black Scoter 2
Pied-billed Grebe 1
Double-crested Cormorant 7
Great Cormorant 1
Great Blue Heron 1
Great Egret 3
Osprey 2
Semipalmated Plover 2
Solitary Sandpiper 1
Greater Yellowlegs 1
Lesser Yellowlegs 2
Sanderling 5
Semipalmated Sandpiper 1
Least Sandpiper 1
Laughing Gull 100
Ring-billed Gull 5
Herring Gull 10
Lesser Black-backed Gull 1
Great Black-backed Gull 25
Common Tern 100
Forster's Tern 8
Royal Tern 40
Black Skimmer 200
Parasitic Jaeger 1
Rock Pigeon 5
Mourning Dove 8
Belted Kingfisher 1
American Crow 1
Tree Swallow 40
Barn Swallow 15
Gray Catbird 1
Northern Mockingbird 1
European Starling 10
Yellow Warbler 1
Northern Cardinal 4
Blue Grosbeak 1
Indigo Bunting 1
Bobolink 50
Red-winged Blackbird 15
Common Grackle 2
American Goldfinch 1
House Sparrow 5

This report was generated automatically by eBird v2 (

Indigo Buntings sure aren't as spiffy now as they were in the Spring!
http://ebird.org)