A blustery cold afternoon on the marsh produced a few raptors, including Northern Harriers, a Cooper's Hawk, a Red-tailed Hawk and an immature Bald Eagle. Leaders: Janet Crawford, BJ Pinnock, and Chris Marks.
11 species
Gadwall 4
American Wigeon 8
American Black Duck 20
Turkey Vulture 2
Northern Harrier 7
Cooper's Hawk 1
Bald Eagle 1
Red-tailed Hawk 1
Herring Gull 4
Carolina Chickadee 2
Red-winged Blackbird 10
This report was generated automatically by eBird v3 (http://ebird.org)
Sunday Morning at Turkey Point - Sunday, February 24th, 2013
A beautiful morning with displaying Red-winged Blackbirds, 12 Bald Eagles, including one on a nest, a pair of mating Red-tailed Hawks, a Red-shouldered Hawk, a Horned Grebe, and a nice selection of ducks, including Common Mergansers, Bufflehead, and American Wigeon. Leaders: Janet Crawford, Dave Lord, and Chris Marks.
25 species
Snow Goose 100
Mute Swan 14
Gadwall 1
American Wigeon 10
American Black Duck 20
Northern Pintail 10
Bufflehead 30
Common Merganser 50
Horned Grebe 1
Great Blue Heron 8
Black Vulture 1
Turkey Vulture 4
Northern Harrier 8
Bald Eagle 12 4 adult, one on nest, 8 immature
Red-shouldered Hawk 1
Red-tailed Hawk 2
Herring Gull 10
Belted Kingfisher 1
Downy Woodpecker 1
Northern Flicker 1
American Crow 2
Carolina Wren 1
Song Sparrow 8
Swamp Sparrow 1
Red-winged Blackbird 20
This report was generated automatically by eBird v3 (http://ebird.org)
25 species
Snow Goose 100
Mute Swan 14
Gadwall 1
American Wigeon 10
American Black Duck 20
Northern Pintail 10
Bufflehead 30
Common Merganser 50
Horned Grebe 1
Great Blue Heron 8
Black Vulture 1
Turkey Vulture 4
Northern Harrier 8
Bald Eagle 12 4 adult, one on nest, 8 immature
Red-shouldered Hawk 1
Red-tailed Hawk 2
Herring Gull 10
Belted Kingfisher 1
Downy Woodpecker 1
Northern Flicker 1
American Crow 2
Carolina Wren 1
Song Sparrow 8
Swamp Sparrow 1
Red-winged Blackbird 20
This report was generated automatically by eBird v3 (http://ebird.org)
Birding Cape May Point - Saturday, February 23rd, 2013
A cold, wet, misty morning but with a nice variety of ducks and a few raptors. Leaders: Karl Lukens, Kathy & Roger Horn, Warren Cairo, Steve Weis, and Claudia Burns.
39 species
Canada Goose 12
Mute Swan 10
Tundra Swan 1
Gadwall 45
American Wigeon 6
American Black Duck 4
Mallard 35
Northern Shoveler 16
Northern Pintail 6
Green-winged Teal 1
Lesser Scaup 10
Bufflehead 12
Hooded Merganser 20
Ruddy Duck 1
Pied-billed Grebe 3
Double-crested Cormorant 1
Great Blue Heron 4
Northern Harrier 1
Cooper's Hawk 1
Bald Eagle 1
Red-tailed Hawk 1
Killdeer 3
Ring-billed Gull 3
Herring Gull 5
Mourning Dove 3
Northern Flicker 6
American Crow 3
Carolina Chickadee 1
Carolina Wren 6
Gray Catbird 2
Northern Mockingbird 2
European Starling 20
Yellow-rumped Warbler 8
Field Sparrow 4
Song Sparrow 1
White-throated Sparrow 3
Northern Cardinal 4
Red-winged Blackbird 6
American Goldfinch 1
This report was generated automatically by eBird v3 (http://ebird.org)
39 species
Canada Goose 12
Mute Swan 10
Tundra Swan 1
Gadwall 45
American Wigeon 6
American Black Duck 4
Mallard 35
Northern Shoveler 16
Northern Pintail 6
Green-winged Teal 1
Lesser Scaup 10
Bufflehead 12
Hooded Merganser 20
Ruddy Duck 1
Pied-billed Grebe 3
Double-crested Cormorant 1
Great Blue Heron 4
Northern Harrier 1
Cooper's Hawk 1
Bald Eagle 1
Red-tailed Hawk 1
Killdeer 3
Ring-billed Gull 3
Herring Gull 5
Mourning Dove 3
Northern Flicker 6
American Crow 3
Carolina Chickadee 1
Carolina Wren 6
Gray Catbird 2
Northern Mockingbird 2
European Starling 20
Yellow-rumped Warbler 8
Field Sparrow 4
Song Sparrow 1
White-throated Sparrow 3
Northern Cardinal 4
Red-winged Blackbird 6
American Goldfinch 1
This report was generated automatically by eBird v3 (http://ebird.org)
Winter Evenings at the Meadows - Friday, February 22nd, 2013
Dull, cloudy evening threatening rain. A good variety of ducks, and a Tundra Swan with the Mute Swans on the Plover Pond. Nice looks at an adult Red-shouldered Hawk fly-by that landed on the viewing platform, while 2 Red-tails were perched in a cedar. Also a little flurry of Field Sparrows on the dune cross-over. Leaders: Karl Lukens, Chuck & MJ Slugg, and Warren Cairo.
27 species
Brant 6
Canada Goose 30 some late fly-ins
Mute Swan 5
Tundra Swan 1
Gadwall 35
American Wigeon 5
Mallard 30
Northern Shoveler 8
Lesser Scaup 6
Hooded Merganser 10
Double-crested Cormorant 1
Great Blue Heron 1
Cooper's Hawk 1
Red-shouldered Hawk 1
Red-tailed Hawk 1
Sanderling 3
Ring-billed Gull 1
Herring Gull 8
Great Black-backed Gull 2
Northern Flicker 2
Peregrine Falcon 1 before walk
Northern Mockingbird 1
European Starling 2
Cedar Waxwing 8
Field Sparrow 10
Song Sparrow 4
Red-winged Blackbird 15
This report was generated automatically by eBird v3 (http://ebird.org)
27 species
Brant 6
Canada Goose 30 some late fly-ins
Mute Swan 5
Tundra Swan 1
Gadwall 35
American Wigeon 5
Mallard 30
Northern Shoveler 8
Lesser Scaup 6
Hooded Merganser 10
Double-crested Cormorant 1
Great Blue Heron 1
Cooper's Hawk 1
Red-shouldered Hawk 1
Red-tailed Hawk 1
Sanderling 3
Ring-billed Gull 1
Herring Gull 8
Great Black-backed Gull 2
Northern Flicker 2
Peregrine Falcon 1 before walk
Northern Mockingbird 1
European Starling 2
Cedar Waxwing 8
Field Sparrow 10
Song Sparrow 4
Red-winged Blackbird 15
This report was generated automatically by eBird v3 (http://ebird.org)
Bird Walk For Beginners (and anyone else in town!) - Monday, February 18th, 2013
The Presidents' Day Bird Walk for Beginners had a nice variety of birds for a cold and windy day. As we walked the boardwalk toward Lighthouse Pond, we came to a sheltered, sunny spot where we saw Carolina Wrens, Yellow-rumped Warblers, Hermit Thrush, Carolina Chickadees, American Robins, White-throated Sparrows, Cedar Waxwings, Cardinals, and Field Sparrows. Other highlights include Killdeer, both Turkey and Black Vultures, Red-tailed Hawks, and a Bald Eagle. There wasn't much open water on any of the ponds but we did see one Tundra Swan among Mute Swans and Canada Geese. Leaders: Chuck & Mary Jane Slugg, Karl Lukens, and Catherine Busch.
34 species (+1 other taxa)
Canada Goose 22
Mute Swan 18
Tundra Swan 1
Mallard 4
Northern Shoveler 14
Red-breasted Merganser 8
Great Blue Heron 2
Black Vulture 4
Turkey Vulture 6
Bald Eagle 1
Red-tailed Hawk 2
Killdeer 6
Ring-billed Gull 3
Herring Gull 6
Great Black-backed Gull 3
Downy Woodpecker 2
Northern Flicker 4
American Crow 8
Carolina Chickadee 6
Tufted Titmouse 2 heard
Carolina Wren 4
Eastern Bluebird 1 heard
Hermit Thrush 2
American Robin 15
Northern Mockingbird 2
European Starling 25
Cedar Waxwing 4
Yellow-rumped Warbler 6
Field Sparrow 1
Song Sparrow 6
White-throated Sparrow 2
Dark-eyed Junco 6
sparrow sp. 3
Northern Cardinal 3
Red-winged Blackbird 5
This report was generated automatically by eBird v3 (http://ebird.org)
34 species (+1 other taxa)
Canada Goose 22
Mute Swan 18
Tundra Swan 1
Mallard 4
Northern Shoveler 14
Red-breasted Merganser 8
Great Blue Heron 2
Black Vulture 4
Turkey Vulture 6
Bald Eagle 1
Red-tailed Hawk 2
Killdeer 6
Ring-billed Gull 3
Herring Gull 6
Great Black-backed Gull 3
Downy Woodpecker 2
Northern Flicker 4
American Crow 8
Carolina Chickadee 6
Tufted Titmouse 2 heard
Carolina Wren 4
Eastern Bluebird 1 heard
Hermit Thrush 2
American Robin 15
Northern Mockingbird 2
European Starling 25
Cedar Waxwing 4
Yellow-rumped Warbler 6
Field Sparrow 1
Song Sparrow 6
White-throated Sparrow 2
Dark-eyed Junco 6
sparrow sp. 3
Northern Cardinal 3
Red-winged Blackbird 5
This report was generated automatically by eBird v3 (http://ebird.org)
Sunday Morning at Turkey Point - Sunday, February 17th, 2013
A very blustery day did not deter the Bald Eagles, and we saw 10 including the three pairs that nest in the area. On the way to breakfast at Newport we pulled over to watch as a pair of Red-tailed Hawks dove on an immature Bald Eagle. There were lots of ducks at the end of the Eagle Trail, and at Maple Avenue, including Gadwall, American Wigeon, Black Ducks, Green-winged Teal, Common and Hooded Mergansers and Bufflehead. Leaders: Karen Johnson, Janet Crawford, and Chris Marks.
35 species
Glades Wildlife Refuge--Turkey Point, Cumberland County:
Canada Goose 9
Mute Swan 20
Gadwall 5
American Wigeon 6
American Black Duck 6
Mallard 2
Northern Pintail 20
Green-winged Teal 208
Bufflehead 50
Hooded Merganser 13
Common Merganser 4
Great Blue Heron 7
Turkey Vulture 2
Northern Harrier 2
Bald Eagle 12
Red-tailed Hawk 1
Greater Yellowlegs 12
Dunlin 40
American Woodcock 2
Ring-billed Gull 40
Herring Gull 2
Great Black-backed Gull 1
Downy Woodpecker 1
Northern Flicker 2
Blue Jay 1
Carolina Chickadee 3
Carolina Wren 1
Yellow-rumped Warbler 2
White-throated Sparrow 3
Dark-eyed Junco 40
Northern Cardinal 2
Red-winged Blackbird 20
American Goldfinch 6
Blue Hole, Cumberland County:
Common Merganser 110
Wild Turkey 20
Northern Mockingbird 1
Dark-eyed Junco 30
This report was generated automatically by eBird v3 (http://ebird.org)
35 species
Glades Wildlife Refuge--Turkey Point, Cumberland County:
Canada Goose 9
Mute Swan 20
Gadwall 5
American Wigeon 6
American Black Duck 6
Mallard 2
Northern Pintail 20
Green-winged Teal 208
Bufflehead 50
Hooded Merganser 13
Common Merganser 4
Great Blue Heron 7
Turkey Vulture 2
Northern Harrier 2
Bald Eagle 12
Red-tailed Hawk 1
Greater Yellowlegs 12
Dunlin 40
American Woodcock 2
Ring-billed Gull 40
Herring Gull 2
Great Black-backed Gull 1
Downy Woodpecker 1
Northern Flicker 2
Blue Jay 1
Carolina Chickadee 3
Carolina Wren 1
Yellow-rumped Warbler 2
White-throated Sparrow 3
Dark-eyed Junco 40
Northern Cardinal 2
Red-winged Blackbird 20
American Goldfinch 6
Blue Hole, Cumberland County:
Common Merganser 110
Wild Turkey 20
Northern Mockingbird 1
Dark-eyed Junco 30
This report was generated automatically by eBird v3 (http://ebird.org)
Longtails in Love - Saturday, February 16th, 2013
Our annual barrier islands trip to view wintering ducks was a great success despite less-than-optimal weather. And even the afternoon "wintry mix" did not deter the ducks from putting on a fine display for our group. We started at the Avalon 8th Street jetty and worked our way through Stone Harbor, Nummy Island, Wildwood Crest, Cape May Harbor, and ended our day at Cape May Point State Park. Highlights included Long-tailed Duck, Horned Grebe, and Great Cormorant. Leaders: Chuck and Mary Jane Slugg, Patty Rourke, Catherine Busch, and Janet Crawford.
48 species
Brant 54
Canada Goose 16
Mute Swan 4
Gadwall 33
American Wigeon 10
American Black Duck 32
Mallard 5
Northern Shoveler 12
Northern Pintail 32
Lesser Scaup 12
Surf Scoter 6
Black Scoter 12
Long-tailed Duck 24
Bufflehead 25
Hooded Merganser 9
Red-breasted Merganser 11
Ruddy Duck 21
Red-throated Loon 5
Common Loon 16
Pied-billed Grebe 2
Horned Grebe 4
Double-crested Cormorant 1
Great Cormorant 1 On channel maker at Nummy Island
Great Blue Heron 3
Bald Eagle 2
Red-tailed Hawk 1
Black-bellied Plover 1
Semipalmated Plover 2
American Oystercatcher 10
Ruddy Turnstone 9
Sanderling 14
Purple Sandpiper 6
Dunlin 412
Ring-billed Gull 3
Herring Gull 76
Great Black-back Gull 9
Rock Pigeon 2
Mourning Dove 1
Downy Woodpecker 1
Peregrine Falcon 1
Carolina Wren 1
American Robin 4
Northern Mockingbird 1
European Starling 4
Red-winged Blackbird 1
Common Grackle 2
Boat-tailed Grackle 6
House Finch 2
48 species
Brant 54
Canada Goose 16
Mute Swan 4
Gadwall 33
American Wigeon 10
American Black Duck 32
Mallard 5
Northern Shoveler 12
Northern Pintail 32
Lesser Scaup 12
Surf Scoter 6
Black Scoter 12
Long-tailed Duck 24
Bufflehead 25
Hooded Merganser 9
Red-breasted Merganser 11
Ruddy Duck 21
Red-throated Loon 5
Common Loon 16
Pied-billed Grebe 2
Horned Grebe 4
Double-crested Cormorant 1
Great Cormorant 1 On channel maker at Nummy Island
Great Blue Heron 3
Bald Eagle 2
Red-tailed Hawk 1
Black-bellied Plover 1
Semipalmated Plover 2
American Oystercatcher 10
Ruddy Turnstone 9
Sanderling 14
Purple Sandpiper 6
Dunlin 412
Ring-billed Gull 3
Herring Gull 76
Great Black-back Gull 9
Rock Pigeon 2
Mourning Dove 1
Downy Woodpecker 1
Peregrine Falcon 1
Carolina Wren 1
American Robin 4
Northern Mockingbird 1
European Starling 4
Red-winged Blackbird 1
Common Grackle 2
Boat-tailed Grackle 6
House Finch 2
Photo Walks with Mike Hannisian - Saturday, February 16th, 2013
Despite his/her best efforts, the weather forecasters were unable to deter this week's Saturday Photo Walk at Cape May Point SP. Although the forecast was for rain turning to snow and the morning began with a solid overcast, as 8:00 a.m. approached the sun broke through the clouds. This allowed for some nice images of species such as Northern Mockingbird, Lesser Scaup, and Bufflehead. Regardless, by next weekend, Winter will be 2/3 over, and the inevitability of Spring will be all the closer. Leaders: Mike Hannisian and Nancy Watson.
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| Northern Mockingbird [Photo by Mike Hannisian] |
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| Lesser Scaup [Photo by Mike Hannisian] |
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| Bufflehead [Photo by Mike Hannisian] |
Birding Cape May Point - Saturday, February 16th, 2013
Cloudy, chilly and threatening to snow/rain. No large numbers of ducks but still a variety of species including Northern Pintail, Hooded Merganser, 1 Tundra Swan, and Lesser Scaup. Otherwise the usual winter suspects and a couple of flyover Killdeer. Leaders: Karl Lukens, Kathy & Roger Horn, Warren Cairo, and Steve Weis.
33 species (+1 other taxa)
Canada Goose 10
Mute Swan 10
Tundra Swan 1
Gadwall 35
American Wigeon 2
Mallard 10
Northern Shoveler 3
Northern Pintail 8
Green-winged Teal 5
Lesser Scaup 8
scoter sp. 50
Hooded Merganser 12
Ruddy Duck 1
Double-crested Cormorant 1
Great Blue Heron 2
Turkey Vulture 1
Red-tailed Hawk 1
Killdeer 2
Herring Gull 1
Mourning Dove 5
Northern Flicker 4
Blue Jay 2 heard
American Crow 2
Carolina Chickadee 1
Winter Wren 1
Carolina Wren 8
American Robin 100
Northern Mockingbird 2
European Starling 10
Song Sparrow 1
White-throated Sparrow 3 heard
Northern Cardinal 8
Red-winged Blackbird 6
Common Grackle 1
This report was generated automatically by eBird v3 (http://ebird.org)
33 species (+1 other taxa)
Canada Goose 10
Mute Swan 10
Tundra Swan 1
Gadwall 35
American Wigeon 2
Mallard 10
Northern Shoveler 3
Northern Pintail 8
Green-winged Teal 5
Lesser Scaup 8
scoter sp. 50
Hooded Merganser 12
Ruddy Duck 1
Double-crested Cormorant 1
Great Blue Heron 2
Turkey Vulture 1
Red-tailed Hawk 1
Killdeer 2
Herring Gull 1
Mourning Dove 5
Northern Flicker 4
Blue Jay 2 heard
American Crow 2
Carolina Chickadee 1
Winter Wren 1
Carolina Wren 8
American Robin 100
Northern Mockingbird 2
European Starling 10
Song Sparrow 1
White-throated Sparrow 3 heard
Northern Cardinal 8
Red-winged Blackbird 6
Common Grackle 1
This report was generated automatically by eBird v3 (http://ebird.org)
Photo Walks with Mike Hannisian - Saturday, February 2nd, 2013
This week's Saturday Photo Walk greeted us with clear skies, cold temps, but (thankfully!) little wind. The State Park's ponds were frozen and bird life was quiet by Cape May standards, but some of our perennials were present in good numbers. Also present, as is always the case, was our lighthouse. I also note that this week's images, as well as last week's, were shot with a new point-and-shoot camera with which I have been experimenting, of late, to demonstrate that you do not need large, expensive equipment to photograph nature.
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| Carolina Wren [Photo by Mike Hannisian] |
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| Cape May Point State Park lighthouse [Photo by Mike Hannisian] |
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| Cape May Point State Park lighthouse [Photo by Mike Hannisian] |
Birding Cape May Point - Saturday, February 2nd, 2013
Cold, slight breeze, and a couple of inches of snow cover. Lake Lily had some ice but large areas of open water and that is where the water fowl were. Usual suspects such as Gadwall, American Wigeon, American Coots, with some Ring-necked and Ruddy Ducks, as well as Lesser Scaup and Hooded Merganser. We did find the 2 Eurasian Collared-Doves hanging out on a wire near one of the active feeders on Harvard Ave. Leaders: Karl Lukens, Steve Weis, and Chris Marks.
45 species
Canada Goose 30
Mute Swan 5
Gadwall 50
American Wigeon 30
Mallard 20
Northern Shoveler 2
Ring-necked Duck 8
Lesser Scaup 6
Black Scoter 1
Bufflehead 1
Hooded Merganser 1
Ruddy Duck 10
Pied-billed Grebe 1
Northern Gannet 2
Double-crested Cormorant 2
Turkey Vulture 1
American Coot 15
American Woodcock 2
Ring-billed Gull 10
Herring Gull 4
Great Black-backed Gull 1
Eurasian Collared-Dove 2
Mourning Dove 10
Downy Woodpecker 1
Blue Jay 20
American Crow 2
Carolina Chickadee 8
Tufted Titmouse 1
Red-breasted Nuthatch 6
Winter Wren 1
Carolina Wren 5
Hermit Thrush 1
American Robin 50
Northern Mockingbird 3
European Starling 50
Song Sparrow 2
White-throated Sparrow 12
Dark-eyed Junco 5
Northern Cardinal 6
Red-winged Blackbird 25
Common Grackle 75
Brown-headed Cowbird 10
House Finch 8
American Goldfinch 6
House Sparrow 5
This report was generated automatically by eBird v3 (http://ebird.org)
45 species
Canada Goose 30
Mute Swan 5
Gadwall 50
American Wigeon 30
Mallard 20
Northern Shoveler 2
Ring-necked Duck 8
Lesser Scaup 6
Black Scoter 1
Bufflehead 1
Hooded Merganser 1
Ruddy Duck 10
Pied-billed Grebe 1
Northern Gannet 2
Double-crested Cormorant 2
Turkey Vulture 1
American Coot 15
American Woodcock 2
Ring-billed Gull 10
Herring Gull 4
Great Black-backed Gull 1
Eurasian Collared-Dove 2
Mourning Dove 10
Downy Woodpecker 1
Blue Jay 20
American Crow 2
Carolina Chickadee 8
Tufted Titmouse 1
Red-breasted Nuthatch 6
Winter Wren 1
Carolina Wren 5
Hermit Thrush 1
American Robin 50
Northern Mockingbird 3
European Starling 50
Song Sparrow 2
White-throated Sparrow 12
Dark-eyed Junco 5
Northern Cardinal 6
Red-winged Blackbird 25
Common Grackle 75
Brown-headed Cowbird 10
House Finch 8
American Goldfinch 6
House Sparrow 5
This report was generated automatically by eBird v3 (http://ebird.org)