Birding Cape May Point - Wednesday, March 27th, 2013

Still a number of ducks around including 10 Blue-winged Teal, many Green-winged Teal with 1 Eurasian Teal in the mix, 2 late American Wigeon, with Gadwalls and Mallards. Off shore we had close Northern Gannets, Red-throated Loons, and both Surf and Black Scoters. Of note were 2 Eurasian Collared-Doves calling and investigating a large holly tree - nesting maybe? Also of interest were 2 Cedar Waxwings perched together, one with the normal yellow tail band and the other with an orange band. Leaders: Mike Crewe, Karl Lukens, Steve Weis, and Chris Marks.
50 species (+2 other taxa)

Brant  6
Canada Goose  10
Mute Swan  8
Gadwall  4
American Wigeon  2
Mallard  10
Blue-winged Teal  10
Northern Shoveler  18
Green-winged Teal (Eurasian)  1
Green-winged Teal (American)  20
Lesser Scaup  7
Surf Scoter  8
Black Scoter  15
Surf/Black Scoter  30
Hooded Merganser  6
Ruddy Duck  4
Red-throated Loon  5
Pied-billed Grebe  5
Northern Gannet  10
Double-crested Cormorant  3
Great Blue Heron  10
Great Egret  1
Turkey Vulture  3
Osprey  4
American Coot  12
Greater Yellowlegs  1
Herring Gull  6
Great Black-backed Gull  2
Rock Pigeon  4
Eurasian Collared-Dove  2
Mourning Dove  10
Downy Woodpecker  1
Northern Flicker  1
Blue Jay  4
American Crow  6
Fish Crow  5
Carolina Chickadee  3
Red-breasted Nuthatch  2
Carolina Wren  2
American Robin  20
Northern Mockingbird  3
European Starling  15
Cedar Waxwing  22
Yellow-rumped Warbler  1
Song Sparrow  6
White-throated Sparrow  3
Northern Cardinal  4
Red-winged Blackbird  8
Common Grackle  8
Brown-headed Cowbird  10
House Finch  10
House Sparrow  10

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

Cedar Waxwings [Photo by Karl Lukens]

Great Blue Heron  [Photo by Karl Lukens]

Eurasian Green-winged Teal flanked by his American cousins  [Photo by Karl Lukens]

Poor Man's Pelagic - Saturday, March 23rd, 2013

Our annual March trip across the Delaware Bay was a resounding success this past weekend and trip leader Karen Johnson sent us this report:

We were able to start our trip early by studying gulls before we left the dock (Herring, Great Black-backed, Laughing, Ring-billed, and Bonaparte's). We only had two Purple Sandpipers on the jetty as we left. Highlights from the trip were thousands of Black and Surf Scoter. A curious thing happened with these...most of the the Black Scoters stayed on the New Jersey side and the Surf Scoters stayed on the Delaware side. We had maybe a half dozen Northern Gannets on the way over and A LOT more on the way back (with some flying right over the back of the boat). A huge school of Bottlenose Dolphins on the way out of Cape May and a total of three Harbor Seals on the way out of Delaware. Also had many Red-throated Loons, a few Common Loons, Red-breasted Mergansers, Horned Grebes, Double-crested Cormorants, Buffleheads, and a big show-offy Great Cormorant who flew right past the nose of the boat. A couple of real spiffy American Oystercatchers greeted us as we came back into Cape May.

It was a lot of fun, and even the weather was pretty good to us.

It's not often that you get such good views of a Great Cormorant in Cape May. Note the white breeding plumage coming through on the head of this bird [photo by Brian Johnson].

That's what we came for! Up close and personal views of Northern Gannets are always what we hope for on our March ferry trip [photo by Brian Johnson].

Sunday Morning at Turkey Point - Sunday, March 24th, 2013

We had 13 Bald Eagles, Northern Harriers and a Peregrine Falcon. Seaside Sparrows and Pine Warblers were singing. We saw 2 male Wild Turkeys dueling, wrapping their necks around each other and latching onto wattles and pulling. There is still a nice assortment of ducks, including Common Goldeneye, Common Merganser, Bufflehead and Ruddy Ducks coming into breeding plumage. Leaders Karen Johnson, Dave Lord, and Janet Crawford.
36 species

Snow Goose  100
Canada Goose  20
Mute Swan  24
Gadwall  100
American Wigeon  20
American Black Duck  12
Mallard  2
Ring-necked Duck  36
Lesser Scaup  2
Bufflehead  50
Common Goldeneye  10
Hooded Merganser  3
Common Merganser  3
Ruddy Duck  50
Wild Turkey  20
Great Blue Heron  1
Turkey Vulture  3
Northern Harrier  6
Bald Eagle  13
Red-tailed Hawk  2
Ring-billed Gull  10
Herring Gull  10
Downy Woodpecker  2
Northern Flicker  3
Peregrine Falcon  1
American Crow  6
Carolina Chickadee  5
Tufted Titmouse  1
Red-breasted Nuthatch  6
Carolina Wren  1
American Robin  12
Pine Warbler  4
Seaside Sparrow  3
Red-winged Blackbird  40
Common Grackle  20
Brown-headed Cowbird  1

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

Photo Walks with Mike Hannisian - Saturday, March 23rd, 2013

This week's Saturday Photo Walk was greeted with clear skies. As is not unusual at this time of year, only a few new migrants were around, most notable of these was an Osprey that caught a fish in front of us. The Killdeer numbers have been increasing lately, and this week was no exception. Also present for our photographic opportunity were our old standbys of Canada Goose and Mute Swan with the males (Gander and Cob, respectively) protectively guarding their mates, along with an immaculate adult Ring-billed Gull. However, as was the case two weeks ago, the day was stolen by a mammal. This time it was a Harbor Seal sunning itself on the beach!

Osprey [Photo by Mike Hannisian]

Killdeer [Photo by Mike Hannisian]

Canada Goose [Photo by Mike Hannisian]

Ring-billed Gull [Photo by Mike Hannisian]

Harbor Seal [Photo by Mike Hannisian]

Birding Cape May Point - Saturday, March 23rd, 2013

Cold and breezy for spring time but still a few ducks around which included Green-winged Teal, Gadwall, Mallard, Black, Buffleheads, Lesser Scaup, Hooded Mergansers, Ruddy, and 2 Pied-billed Grebes. Overhead we had both vultures, a Bald Eagle, and a Cooper's Hawk. Warblers consisted of a couple of Yellow-rumps, and an interesting 1st year female Pine Warbler. Karl Lukens, Kathy & Roger Horn, Steve Weis, and Chris Marks.
46 species (+1 other taxa)

Canada Goose  15
Mute Swan  7
Wood Duck  5     seen by leader
Gadwall  15
American Black Duck  4
Mallard  15
Northern Shoveler  10
Green-winged Teal  15
Lesser Scaup  6
Surf Scoter  6
Black Scoter  5
scoter sp.  35
Bufflehead  2
Hooded Merganser  2
Ruddy Duck  4
Red-throated Loon  4
Pied-billed Grebe  2
Northern Gannet  4
Double-crested Cormorant  4
Great Blue Heron  2
Black Vulture  2
Turkey Vulture  8
Osprey  3
Cooper's Hawk  1
Bald Eagle  1
American Coot  13
Killdeer  3
Herring Gull  2
Great Black-backed Gull  1
Mourning Dove  4
Blue Jay  1
American Crow  3
Fish Crow  2
Carolina Chickadee  4
Carolina Wren  5
American Robin  50
Northern Mockingbird  1
European Starling  10
Pine Warbler  1     dull 1st yr. female
Yellow-rumped Warbler  2
Song Sparrow  4
White-throated Sparrow  1
Dark-eyed Junco  6
Northern Cardinal  5
Red-winged Blackbird  15
House Finch  1
American Goldfinch  1

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

Winter Evenings at the Meadows - Friday, March 22nd, 2013

A brisk evening with a nice variety of ducks including Green-winged Teal, 2 Blue-winged Teal, Northern Shovelers, Northern Pintail, Lesser Scaup, Bufflehead, Hooded Merganser, and 2 Pied-billed Grebes. Overhead we had an Osprey, Bald Eagle, and a couple of Red-tailed Hawks which perched for scope looks. Other birds of interest were 2 American Oystercatchers, Sanderling, and 8 Wilson's Snipe. Leaders: Karl Lukens, and Chuck & Mary Jane Slugg.
33 species (+1 other taxa)

Canada Goose  25
Mute Swan  8
Tundra Swan  1
Wood Duck  1
Gadwall  60
Mallard  10
Blue-winged Teal  2
Northern Shoveler  4
Northern Pintail  4
Green-winged Teal  1
Lesser Scaup  3
Surf/Black Scoter  15
Bufflehead  2
Hooded Merganser  2
Pied-billed Grebe  2
Great Blue Heron  1
Great Egret  5
Turkey Vulture  4
Osprey  1
Cooper's Hawk  1
Bald Eagle  1
Red-tailed Hawk  2
American Oystercatcher  2
Greater Yellowlegs  1
Sanderling  7
Wilson's Snipe  8
Herring Gull  2
Great Black-backed Gull  2
Mourning Dove  4
Fish Crow  5
European Starling  30
Northern Cardinal  1
Red-winged Blackbird  6
House Sparrow  3

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

Tundra Swan [Photo by Karl Lukens]

Tundra Swan [Photo by Karl Lukens]

Birding Cape May Point - Wednesday, March 20th, 2013

Although waterfowl are slowly leaving, there still were a good variety including Blue-winged Teal, American Wigeon, Northern Shoveler, Northern Pintail, Lesser Scaup, Black Duck, Buffleheads, as well as scoters, and a Horned Grebe. Other birds of interest were a Wild Turkey calling, Eastern Bluebird, Wilson's Snipe, and 3 Pine Warblers. Leaders: Mike Crewe, Karl Lukens, Steve Weis, Warren Cairo, and Chris Marks.
61 species

Brant  6
Canada Goose  15
Mute Swan  10
Gadwall  4
American Wigeon  4
American Black Duck  3
Mallard  15
Blue-winged Teal  1
Northern Shoveler  12
Northern Pintail  4
Green-winged Teal  2
Ring-necked Duck  1
Lesser Scaup  7
Surf Scoter  8
Black Scoter  8
Long-tailed Duck  1
Bufflehead  1
Hooded Merganser  2
Ruddy Duck  4
Wild Turkey  1     heard
Red-throated Loon  10
Common Loon  1
Pied-billed Grebe  2     eating large fish
Horned Grebe  1
Northern Gannet  15
Double-crested Cormorant  8
Great Blue Heron  20     flock of 19 low over water from DE.
Turkey Vulture  7
Cooper's Hawk  1
Bald Eagle  2
Red-tailed Hawk  1
Killdeer  2
American Oystercatcher  1
Greater Yellowlegs  1     heard
Wilson's Snipe  1
Ring-billed Gull  1
Herring Gull  3
Great Black-backed Gull  1
Rock Pigeon  2
Mourning Dove  6
Northern Flicker  3
Blue Jay  1
American Crow  1
Fish Crow  5
Carolina Chickadee  5
Carolina Wren  4     heard
Eastern Bluebird  1
Hermit Thrush  1
American Robin  10
Northern Mockingbird  4
European Starling  5
Pine Warbler  3
Yellow-rumped Warbler  2
Field Sparrow  2
Song Sparrow  1
White-throated Sparrow  5
Northern Cardinal  6
Red-winged Blackbird  10
Common Grackle  1
Brown-headed Cowbird  7
House Sparrow  1

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

Black Duck [Photo by Karl Lukens]

Lesser Scaup [Photo by Karl Lukens]

Birding the Meadows with Pete Dunne - Monday, March 18th, 2013

Cloudy, cold,  and chilly, and threatening snow. Mostly Mallard and Gadwall, but still a few other waterfowl such as Lesser Scaup, Hooded Merganser, Buffleheads, and Pied-billed Grebe. Some movement of Scoters far off shore with a number of Red-throated Loons. We managed to spook up at least 10 Wilson's Snipe, and had a Red-tailed Hawk and a Peregrine Falcon fly over. Leaders: Karl Lukens, Chuck & MJ Slugg, Catherine Busch, and Janet Crawford.
36 species (+1 other taxa)

Canada Goose  10
Mute Swan  6
Gadwall  50
American Black Duck  2
Mallard  25
Northern Shoveler  6
Green-winged Teal  1
Lesser Scaup  4
Black Scoter  10
scoter sp.  50
Bufflehead  2
Hooded Merganser  2
Red-throated Loon  15
Common Loon  1
Pied-billed Grebe  2
Double-crested Cormorant  5
Great Blue Heron  2
Black Vulture  1
Turkey Vulture  5
Red-tailed Hawk  1
Killdeer  1
American Oystercatcher  2
Wilson's Snipe  10
Ring-billed Gull  1
Herring Gull  2
Great Black-backed Gull  1
Rock Pigeon  1
Mourning Dove  5
Northern Flicker  2
Peregrine Falcon  1
American Crow  5
American Robin  10
European Starling  5
Yellow-rumped Warbler  2
Savannah Sparrow  5
Northern Cardinal  1
Red-winged Blackbird  10

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

Nightfall at Jake's Landing - Sunday, March 17th, 2013

We started and ended at Jake's Landing with stops in-between at Stipson Island Road and Belleplain State Forest. A two owl night with a close Short-eared Owl and a perched Great-horned Owl. We also had a nice display by an American Woodcock. Leaders Karen Johnson, BJ Pinnock, and Janet Crawford.

Jakes Landing, 5:30 PM - 6:00 PM
12 species

American Black Duck  2
Green-winged Teal  20
Wild Turkey  2
Great Blue Heron  1
Turkey Vulture  2
Northern Harrier  3
Bald Eagle  3
Red-tailed Hawk  4
Clapper Rail  3
Dunlin  20
Herring Gull  6
Red-winged Blackbird  6

Stipson Island Rd., 6:10 PM - 6:30 PM
6 species

American Black Duck  2
Green-winged Teal  20
Turkey Vulture  2
Northern Harrier  1
Dark-eyed Junco  1
Common Grackle  6

Belleplain, 6:35 PM - 6:55 PM
5 species

Green-winged Teal  10
Ring-necked Duck  8
Hooded Merganser  8
Greater Yellowlegs  2
Pine Warbler  1

Jakes Landing, 7:00 PM - 7:30 PM
8 species

Great Blue Heron  1
Black-crowned Night-Heron  1
Northern Harrier  1
Red-tailed Hawk  4
Great Black-backed Gull  1
Great Horned Owl  1
Short-eared Owl  1
Red-winged Blackbird  6

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

Sunday Morning at Turkey Point - Sunday, March 17th, 2013

Highlights include 10 Bald Eagles, including one on nest, two Horned Grebes and lots of ducks, including Green-winged Teal, Ruddy Ducks and Bufflehead. Leaders: Karen Johnson, Dave Lord Tony Klock and Janet Crawford.
37 species

Snow Goose  400
Canada Goose  12
Mute Swan  14
Gadwall  20
American Black Duck  20
Mallard  10
Green-winged Teal  300
Ring-necked Duck  8
Lesser Scaup  2
Bufflehead  250
Hooded Merganser  6
Common Merganser  2
Ruddy Duck  50
Horned Grebe  2
Great Blue Heron  8
Black Vulture  1
Turkey Vulture  12
Northern Harrier  4
Bald Eagle  10
Red-tailed Hawk  1
Killdeer  1
Greater Yellowlegs  75
Lesser Yellowlegs  10
Dunlin  100
Ring-billed Gull  25
Herring Gull  45
Great Black-backed Gull  15
Mourning Dove  1
Downy Woodpecker  1
Northern Flicker  2
Carolina Wren  2
Eastern Bluebird  1
Eastern Towhee  1
Song Sparrow  5
White-throated Sparrow  12
Red-winged Blackbird  40
Eastern Meadowlark  2

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

Birding Cape May Point - Saturday, March 16th, 2013

Cold, cloudy, and threatening rain, but some good birds to be found. On the beach, we found a Piping Plover and a close fly-by Great Cormorant. Ducks included Lesser Scaup, Northern Pintail, Northern Shoveler, Hooded Merganser, Bufflehead, the continuing Eurasian Green-winged Teal, as well as the usual Gadwall, and Mallard. One of our group saw a Virginia Rail briefly. Other interesting birds were Eastern Phoebe, Pine Warbler, and FOS Osprey for the group. Leaders: Karl Lukens, Kathy & Roger Horn, Catherine Busch, and Chris Marks.
52 species (+2 other taxa)

Canada Goose  10
Mute Swan  8
Wood Duck  1
Gadwall  25
American Black Duck  1
Mallard  20
Blue-winged Teal  1
Northern Shoveler  15
Northern Pintail  10
Green-winged Teal (Eurasian)  1
Green-winged Teal (American)  25
Lesser Scaup  8
scoter sp.  30
Bufflehead  4
Hooded Merganser  4
Red-breasted Merganser  1
Ruddy Duck  1
Common Loon  1
Pied-billed Grebe  4
Double-crested Cormorant  4
Great Cormorant  1
Great Blue Heron  17
Great Egret  4
Turkey Vulture  8
Osprey  1
Cooper's Hawk  1
American Coot  17
Piping Plover  1
Killdeer  1
Wilson's Snipe  2
Ring-billed Gull  6
Herring Gull  2
Great Black-backed Gull  2
Mourning Dove  8
Yellow-bellied Sapsucker  2
Downy Woodpecker  1
Northern Flicker  2
Eastern Phoebe  1
American Crow  20
Carolina Chickadee  3
Tufted Titmouse  1
Carolina Wren  5
American Robin  75
Northern Mockingbird  2
European Starling  50
Pine Warbler  1
Song Sparrow  2
Swamp Sparrow  2
White-throated Sparrow  1
Northern Cardinal  8
Red-winged Blackbird  75
Common Grackle  4
Brown-headed Cowbird  1
House Finch  1

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

Piping Plover [Photo by Karl Lukens]

Northern Pintail [Photo by Roger Horn]

Lesser Scaup [Photo by Roger Horn]

Winter Evenings at the Meadows - Friday, March 15th, 2013

A clear and chilly evening with a diminishing number of ducks, including Northern Shovelers, Green-winged Teal, Lesser Scaup, and Buffleheads. A couple of Pied-billed Grebes were also in the mix. Overhead we had 2 adult Bald Eagles and a Belted Kingfisher, and to close the evening at the parking lot we had at least 3 "peenting" American Woodcock. Leaders: Karl Lukens, Chuck & MJ Slugg, Kathy & Roger Horn.
26 species

Canada Goose  20
Mute Swan  7
Gadwall  25
Mallard  15
Northern Shoveler  10
Green-winged Teal  5
Lesser Scaup  3
Bufflehead  5
Pied-billed Grebe  2
Great Blue Heron  1
Turkey Vulture  1
Cooper's Hawk  1
Bald Eagle  2
American Woodcock  3     Peenting, one flight display
Ring-billed Gull  2
Herring Gull  2
Mourning Dove  3
Belted Kingfisher  1
Carolina Wren  1
American Robin  30
European Starling  30
Song Sparrow  1
Northern Cardinal  1
Red-winged Blackbird  20
Common Grackle  2
Brown-headed Cowbird  1

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

Sunday Morning at Turkey Point - Sunday, March 10th, 2013

Highlights include 7 Bald Eagles, including one on nest, a Herring Gull washing a big fish in a puddle, and a nice assortment of ducks, including 2 close Common Mergansers and Ruddy Ducks starting to get their breeding plumage. Leaders Karen Johnson, Dave Lord, Janet Crawford.

Glades Wildlife Refuge--Turkey Pt., Cumberland
21 species

Snow Goose  400
Canada Goose  10
Mute Swan  24     The numbers of Mute Swans continue to grow in this impoundment :(
Gadwall  2
Lesser Scaup  4
Bufflehead  20
Common Merganser  2
Ruddy Duck  18
Great Blue Heron  10
Northern Harrier  4
Bald Eagle  7
Red-tailed Hawk  1
Herring Gull  10
Belted Kingfisher  1
American Crow  1
Song Sparrow  3
Swamp Sparrow  1
Northern Cardinal  1
Red-winged Blackbird  40
Eastern Meadowlark  4
Common Grackle  2

Hansey Creek Road, Cumberland

22 species

Green-winged Teal  15

Great Blue Heron  2

Bald Eagle  1

Mourning Dove  2

Downy Woodpecker  2

Northern Flicker  2

American Crow  2

Carolina Chickadee  4

Tufted Titmouse  8

Carolina Wren  3

Golden-crowned Kinglet  4

Eastern Bluebird  1

Hermit Thrush  1

American Robin  5

Northern Mockingbird  1

Brown Thrasher  1

Eastern Towhee  1

White-throated Sparrow  2

Northern Cardinal  2

Red-winged Blackbird  6

Brown-headed Cowbird  1

American Goldfinch  1

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

Photo Walks with Mike Hannisian - Saturday, March 9th, 2013

CMBO's second Spring season Saturday Photo Walk was again greeted with clear skies and a cool breeze. Although early Spring migrants have been reported in the past week, we did not see any of them. However, a number of our old reliables were around and photographable. The breeze also meant that soaring birds, such as the Turkey Vulture were up and about. But the find of the day was a pair of mating River Otters at Lighthouse Pond West. Leader: Mike Hannisian.

Canada Goose [Photo by Mike Hannisian]

Canada Goose [Photo by Mike Hannisian]

River Otters [Photo by Mike Hannisian]

Turkey Vulture [Photo by Mike Hannisian]

Birding Cape May Point - Saturday, March 9th, 2013

A nice variety of waterfowl including Northern Shoveler, Lesser Scaup, Hooded and Red-breasted Merganser, Ruddy Duck, American Coot and Pied-billed Grebe. Noteworthy were drake Blue-winged Teal and TWO Eurasian Green-winged Teal. Other birds of note were 2 Black-crowned Night-Heron, 4 Wilson's Snipe, a beautiful adult Red-shouldered Hawk that we watched catch a mouse, and finally 6 Red Crossbills in the pine trees at St Mary's dune crossover. Leaders: Karl Lukens, Kathy & Roger Horn, Steve Weis, and Chris Marks.
45 species (+2 other taxa)

Canada Goose  20
Mute Swan  5
Gadwall  20
American Wigeon  2
Mallard  10
Blue-winged Teal  1
Northern Shoveler  18
Green-winged Teal  15
Green-winged Teal (Eurasian)  2
Green-winged Teal (American)  15
Lesser Scaup  5
Black Scoter  1
Hooded Merganser  5
Red-breasted Merganser  4
Red-throated Loon  4
Pied-billed Grebe  2
Double-crested Cormorant  4
Great Blue Heron  2
Black-crowned Night-Heron  2
Black Vulture  1
Turkey Vulture  6
Red-shouldered Hawk  1
Red-tailed Hawk  1
American Coot  10
Killdeer  2
Wilson's Snipe  4
Ring-billed Gull  4
Herring Gull  7
Rock Pigeon  4
Mourning Dove  4
Downy Woodpecker  1
Blue Jay  5
American Crow  5
Carolina Chickadee  3
Red-breasted Nuthatch  4
Carolina Wren  5
American Robin  10
Northern Mockingbird  3
European Starling  15
Song Sparrow  1
White-throated Sparrow  3
Northern Cardinal  2
Common Grackle  10
House Finch  6
Red Crossbill  6
American Goldfinch  3
House Sparrow  10

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

American and Eurasian Green-winged Teal [Photo by Karl Lukens]

Ring-billed and Herring Gulls [Photo by Karl Lukens]

Red Crossbill [Photo by Karl Lukens]

Nightfall at Jake's Landing - Sunday, March 3rd, 2013

A cold, blustery day on the marsh. Highlights include Bald Eagles, Red-tailed Hawks, Northern Harriers, a Greater and Lesser Yellowlegs flying side by side, displaying American Woodcock, Brown Creepers, Ruby-crowned Kinglet, Hermit Thrush and thousands of Snow Geese flying out by the bay. Leaders Karen Johnson, BJ Pinnock, and Janet Crawford.
18 species

Snow Goose  5000     Out by the bay the sky was filled with snow geese, at least 5000
American Black Duck  30
Green-winged Teal  8
Turkey Vulture  2
Northern Harrier  7
Bald Eagle  2
Red-tailed Hawk  2
Greater Yellowlegs  6
Lesser Yellowlegs  1
Dunlin  20
American Woodcock  3
Herring Gull  4
Brown Creeper  2
Carolina Wren  1
Ruby-crowned Kinglet  1
Hermit Thrush  1
Northern Cardinal  1
Red-winged Blackbird  20

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

Sunday Morning at Turkey Point - Sunday, March 3rd, 2013

Highlights included 14 Bald Eagles, Red-tailed Hawks, a Red-Shouldered Hawk, Northern Harriers, Common Goldeneyes, and hundreds of Common Mergansers and Green-winged Teal.  Leaders: Karen Johnson, Dave Lord, and Janet Crawford.

Glades Wildlife Refuge--Turkey Pt., Cumberland
29 species

Snow Goose  400
Mute Swan  11
American Black Duck  20
Northern Pintail  1
Green-winged Teal  65
Lesser Scaup  3
Bufflehead  23
Common Merganser  230
Ruddy Duck  36
Double-crested Cormorant  1
Great Blue Heron  1
Northern Harrier  1
Bald Eagle  14
Red-shouldered Hawk  1
Red-tailed Hawk  3
Greater Yellowlegs  3
Dunlin  52
Ring-billed Gull  21
Herring Gull  62
Mourning Dove  14
Belted Kingfisher  2
Downy Woodpecker  1
Blue Jay  2
Carolina Chickadee  13
American Robin  6
Eastern Towhee  1
Song Sparrow  11
Northern Cardinal  1
Red-winged Blackbird  23

Glades Wildlife Refuge-Tatt Starr Trail, Cumberland
7 species

American Black Duck  8
Green-winged Teal  400
Northern Harrier  1
Ring-billed Gull  6
Downy Woodpecker  2
American Robin  30
Red-winged Blackbird  3

Fortescue Beach, Cumberland
4 species

Common Goldeneye  8
Northern Harrier  5
Ring-billed Gull  2
Herring Gull  1

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

Photo Walks with Mike Hannisian - Saturday, March 2nd, 2013

The first Saturday Photo Walk of CMBO's Spring 2013 season was greeted with a clear sky, cool temperatures, and waterfowl. As is usual for this time of year, many of our wintering species were either gone or hard to find, yet not that many migrants or summer residents had arrived. Regardless, with the temperature above freezing, the Point's ponds were open and a nice variety of water birds were present. These included American Coot, Canada Goose, Gadwall, and Lesser Scaup. As also befits the season, the birds were a bit more active than they have been recently, allowing us a chance to practice our flight photography skills. Leaders: Mike Hannisian and Nancy Watson.

American Coot [Photo by Mike Hannisian]

Canada Goose [Photo by Mike Hannisian]

Lesser Scaup [Photo by Mike Hannisian]

Gadwall [Photo by Mike Hannisian]

Lesser Scaup [Photo by Mike Hannisian]

Birding Cape May Point - Saturday, March 2nd, 2013

A nice variety of ducks were on the state park ponds on a cold and breezy morning. A few folks were lucky enough to see an elusive Orange-crowned Warbler on the Red Trail, but we could not find the Eurasian Green-winged Teal, that is until the end of the walk when we did go back and get good scope views of the "Teal". Otherwise we got the usual winter suspects, such as Carolina Wren, Fox, and White-throated Sparrows, and Mockingbird. Leaders: Karl Lukens, Kathy & Roger Horn, Steve Weis, Catherine Busch, Cindy & Shaun Bamford, and Chris Marks.
45 species (+2 other taxa)

Canada Goose  20
Mute Swan  8
Gadwall  25
American Wigeon  10
American Black Duck  2
Mallard  15
Blue-winged Teal  1
Northern Shoveler  15
Northern Pintail  10
Green-winged Teal (Eurasian)  1
Green-winged Teal (American)  10
Lesser Scaup  5
scoter sp.  1
Bufflehead  2
Hooded Merganser  1
Red-breasted Merganser  1
Ruddy Duck  6
Pied-billed Grebe  3
Double-crested Cormorant  3
Great Blue Heron  2
Turkey Vulture  4
Northern Harrier  1
Red-tailed Hawk  1
American Coot  9
Killdeer  3
Ring-billed Gull  1
Herring Gull  3
Rock Pigeon  1
Mourning Dove  10
Blue Jay  3
American Crow  3
Carolina Chickadee  5
Red-breasted Nuthatch  5
Carolina Wren  5
American Robin  4
Northern Mockingbird  2
European Starling  30
Orange-crowned Warbler  1
Yellow-rumped Warbler  8
Fox Sparrow  1
White-throated Sparrow  2
Dark-eyed Junco  10
Northern Cardinal  5
Red-winged Blackbird  10
Common Grackle  6
House Finch  5
House Sparrow  8

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

The Eurasian Green-winged Teal (right) showing the horizontal stripe that distinguishes it from the American (left) [Photo by Karl Lukens]

Winter Evenings at the Meadows - Friday, March 1st, 2013

A cold cloudy evening but a good variety of waterfowl including Lesser Scaup, Ring-necked Ducks Ruddy Ducks, and 1 Cackling Goose. A surprise of 3 Tree Swallows over the parking lot as we got started. We finished off with American Woodcock flying, peenting, and displaying at the parking lot. Leaders: Karl Lukens, Chuck & MJ Slugg, Kathy & Roger Horn.
21 species

Cackling Goose  1
Canada Goose  200
Mute Swan  5
Gadwall  30
Mallard  15
Northern Shoveler  15
Ring-necked Duck  4
Lesser Scaup  9
Hooded Merganser  1
Ruddy Duck  1
Double-crested Cormorant  1
Bald Eagle  3
Red-tailed Hawk  2
American Oystercatcher  1
American Woodcock  8     Flying, Peenting, and Displaying
Mourning Dove  1
Tree Swallow  3
Carolina Wren  3
American Robin  1
Yellow-rumped Warbler  3
Red-winged Blackbird  4

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