Birding Cape May Point - Wednesday, August 28th, 2013

Cloudy and somewhat humid but still birdy. Waders included Great Blue, Little Blue, Green, and Tricolored Herons, Black-crowned Night-Heron, and Great and Snowy Egret. A few new ducks like Green-winged and Blue-winged Teal and Northern Shoveler were seen. Also of interest were a perched Belted Kingfisher, two Northern Harriers, a Caspian Tern, and many overhead "binking" Bobolinks. A singing Blue Grosbeak was also a good bird in the scope.  Leaders: Mike Crewe, Megan Crewe, Karl Lukens, Steve Weis, Warren Cairo, Catherine Busch, Chris Marks, Shaun & Cindy Bamford, and Jesse Amesbury.
57 species

Canada Goose  75
Mute Swan  15
American Black Duck  1
Mallard  20
Blue-winged Teal  1
Northern Shoveler  1
Green-winged Teal  4
Double-crested Cormorant  8
Great Blue Heron  2
Great Egret  2
Snowy Egret  2
Little Blue Heron  2
Tricolored Heron  2     fly-over
Green Heron  1
Black-crowned Night-Heron  1
Turkey Vulture  1
Osprey  3
Northern Harrier  2
American Oystercatcher  2
Solitary Sandpiper  1
Greater Yellowlegs  1
Lesser Yellowlegs  2
Sanderling  1
Semipalmated Sandpiper  3
Least Sandpiper  15
Laughing Gull  40
Ring-billed Gull  2
Herring Gull  2
Great Black-backed Gull  501
Caspian Tern  1
Common Tern  5
Forster's Tern  5
Royal Tern  10
Black Skimmer  100
Mourning Dove  5
Chimney Swift  3
Ruby-throated Hummingbird  3
Belted Kingfisher  1
Eastern Kingbird  8
Fish Crow  2
Purple Martin  10
Tree Swallow  300
Barn Swallow  5
Carolina Wren  1
Gray Catbird  1
Northern Mockingbird  2
European Starling  25
Cedar Waxwing  2
Northern Waterthrush  3
Song Sparrow  1
Northern Cardinal  3
Blue Grosbeak  1
Bobolink  75
Red-winged Blackbird  30
Common Grackle  2
Brown-headed Cowbird  5
House Sparrow  1

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

Blue Grosbeak [Photo by Karl Lukens]

Juvenile Little Blue Heron [Photo by Karl Lukens]

EZ Birding - Tuesday, August 27th, 2013

EZ Birding enjoyed nice weather with a slight breeze as we checked out shore, ponds, and woods for birds. Highlights include: an adult and a juvenile Black Tern; large group of Black Skimmers; Cooper's Hawk swooping through a flock of Red-winged Blackbirds; and two juvenile Little Blue Herons. Leader: Chuck Slugg.
50 species

Canada Goose  50
Mute Swan  25
Mallard  16
Great Egret  3
Snowy Egret  2
Little Blue Heron  2
Glossy Ibis  1
Black Vulture  2
Osprey  5
Cooper's Hawk  2
Killdeer  1     heard
American Oystercatcher  2
Spotted Sandpiper  1
Least Sandpiper  3
Laughing Gull  125
Ring-billed Gull  12
Herring Gull  35
Great Black-backed Gull  50
Caspian Tern  1
Black Tern  2
Common Tern  8
Forster's Tern  40
Royal Tern  15
Black Skimmer  43
Rock Pigeon  2
Mourning Dove  5
Chimney Swift  8
Ruby-throated Hummingbird  2
Eastern Kingbird  1
American Crow  1     heard
Fish Crow  5
Purple Martin  4
Tree Swallow  100
Barn Swallow  6
Carolina Chickadee  5
House Wren  1
Carolina Wren  5     heard
American Robin  2
Gray Catbird  1     heard
Northern Mockingbird  3
European Starling  10
Common Yellowthroat  1
Song Sparrow  2
Northern Cardinal  1
Blue Grosbeak  1
Bobolink  18
Red-winged Blackbird  75
Common Grackle  2
House Finch  1
House Sparrow  2

This report was generated automatically by eBird v3 (/content/nj)

Birding the Meadows with Pete Dunne - Monday, August 26th, 2013

A little cool until the clouds cleared away. Still shorebirds present but numbers less. Good looks at Semipalmated Plover and Semipalmated Sandpiper, Glossy Ibis, American Oystercatcher, Lesser Black-backed Gull, and Royal and Caspian Terns. Ruby-throated Hummingbirds seemed to be all over the place. Leaders: Pete Dunne, Karl Lukens, Chuck Slugg, Steve Weis, Mike Hannisian, Catherine Busch, Shaun Bamford, and Carrie Bell.
58 species

Canada Goose  50
Mute Swan  8
American Black Duck  1
Mallard  20
Blue-winged Teal  2
Green-winged Teal  5
Double-crested Cormorant  10
Great Blue Heron  1
Great Egret  2
Snowy Egret  6
Glossy Ibis  1
Black Vulture  4
Turkey Vulture  3
Osprey  3
Cooper's Hawk  1
Semipalmated Plover  10
Killdeer  1
American Oystercatcher  6
Greater Yellowlegs  1
Lesser Yellowlegs  4
Sanderling  10
Semipalmated Sandpiper  20
Least Sandpiper  15
Stilt Sandpiper  1
Laughing Gull  15
Ring-billed Gull  5
Herring Gull  5
Lesser Black-backed Gull  2
Great Black-backed Gull  25
Caspian Tern  2
Common Tern  6
Forster's Tern  8
Royal Tern  30
Black Skimmer  2
Mourning Dove  10
Chimney Swift  1
Ruby-throated Hummingbird  10
Downy Woodpecker  1
American Crow  1
Fish Crow  5
Purple Martin  10
Tree Swallow  5
Barn Swallow  10
Carolina Wren  1
American Robin  2
Northern Mockingbird  3
European Starling  5
Cedar Waxwing  1
Common Yellowthroat  1
Song Sparrow  1
Northern Cardinal  4
Blue Grosbeak  1
Indigo Bunting  2
Red-winged Blackbird  10
Common Grackle  1
Brown-headed Cowbird  2
House Finch  2
House Sparrow  3

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

American Oystercatcher [Photo by Karl Lukens]

Caspian Tern  [Photo by Karl Lukens]

Juvenile Glossy Ibis  [Photo by Karl Lukens]

Ring-billed Gull  [Photo by Karl Lukens]

Belleplain Wildlife - Sunday, August 25th, 2013

After surveying the butterflies around the Belleplain State Forest headquarters, we headed over to the Vine Street area for our last walk of the year. Highlights included a distant view of a juvenile Raccoon and close-ups of Fence Lizard, and assorted insect predators going about their business. Butterflies seen were Black, Eastern Tiger, and Spicebush Swallowtails; Dun, Silver-spotted, and Zabulon Skippers; American Lady; Pearl Crescent; Eastern Tailed Blue; and Red-banded Hairstreak. Dragonflies and Damselflies included: Azure Bluet, Familiar Bluet, Common Whitetail, Swamp Darner, and Carolina Saddlebags. Wildflowers in bloom included: Anise-scented Goldenrod, Blue Curls, Creeping Bush-clover, Maryland Golden Aster, Maryland Tick-trefoil, Sensitive Partridge-pea, and Woodland Sunflower. The damage caused by non-native, invasive species was also witnessed and discussed, such as Chinese Mantis and Japanese Stilt-grass. Leaders: Mike Crewe, Catherine Busch, Bert Hixon, Chris Marks and Mike Hannisian.

Blue Curls [Photo by Catherine Busch]

Fence Lizard [Photo by Catherine Busch]

Crab Spider and American Lady prey [Photo by Catherine Busch]

Cox Hall Creek WMA - Sunday, August 25th, 2013

Though the parking lot at Cox Hall Creek WMA seemed quiet, the birds showed up. A couple of perched and singing male Blue Grosbeaks were, less obviously, accompanied by their female and young counterparts feeding down in the grasses. Warblers included Northern Parula, American Redstart, Nashville, Yellow, Black-and-white, Chestnut-sided and Northern Waterthrush. Indigo Buntings at various stages of molt were interesting to compare. Eastern Wood-Pewee, Eastern Bluebird and Great Crested Flycatchers were frequently seen and heard. Leaders: Kathy & Roger Horn, Cindy & Shaun Bamford, Janet Crawford, & Carrie Bell.
53 species

Double-crested Cormorant  3
Black Vulture  2
Osprey  1
Red-tailed Hawk  1
Solitary Sandpiper  1
Laughing Gull  2
Herring Gull  4
Great Black-backed Gull  1
Rock Pigeon  3
Mourning Dove  7
Chimney Swift  5
Ruby-throated Hummingbird  8
Belted Kingfisher  1
Red-bellied Woodpecker  3
Downy Woodpecker  3
Northern Flicker  5    Excellent site for flickers, multiple seen frequently here
Eastern Wood-Pewee  3
Great Crested Flycatcher  7
Eastern Kingbird  4
Red-eyed Vireo  2
Blue Jay  2
American Crow  15
Purple Martin  12
Tree Swallow  5
Barn Swallow  2
Carolina Chickadee  4
Tufted Titmouse  8
Carolina Wren  7
Blue-gray Gnatcatcher  4
Eastern Bluebird  9    Breeding site, seen in good numbers year-round
American Robin  7
Gray Catbird  6
Northern Mockingbird  2
European Starling  9
Cedar Waxwing  8
Northern Waterthrush  4
Black-and-white Warbler  3
Nashville Warbler  1
American Redstart  5
Northern Parula  1
Yellow Warbler  2
Chestnut-sided Warbler  1
Chipping Sparrow  15
Field Sparrow  3
Song Sparrow  1
Northern Cardinal  3
Blue Grosbeak  7
Indigo Bunting  8
Red-winged Blackbird  7
Common Grackle  2
Brown-headed Cowbird  1
House Finch  1
American Goldfinch  9

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

Photo Walks with Mike Hannisian - Saturday, August 24th, 2013

We may still be a month (well, almost) away from the first day of Autumn, but you could not have told that by today's weather which was clear and cool. This allowed us, for the first time in a number of weeks, to shoot in full sun. As I have noted on a number of occasions, a high, thin overcast is my favorite lighting condition for shooting most nature subjects. Full sun, on the other hand, raises the issue of whether to shoot with the sun directly behind, or with it at some other angle. Both can yield pleasing results, so the choice is yours as you are the photographer. This week we did both. For example, an adult male Black Saddlebags dragonfly and a pair of dabbling Mallards were shot with the sun directly behind me. However, the Great Egret and Cattle Egret (a current rarity south of the canal) were shot with the sun a bit to the side. Note that the direct light approach yields well illuminated subjects, but they appear rather flat; while the not quite directly illuminated subjects have a more three dimensional look. Want to learn more? Join us on our next Saturday Photo Walk.

Black Saddlebags [Photo by Mike Hannisian]

Great Egret [Photo by Mike Hannisian]

Mallards [Photo by Mike Hannisian]

Cattle Egret [Photo by Mike Hannisian]

Fall Migrants at the Rea Farm - Saturday, August 24th, 2013

A clear, sunny and birdy morning. From the parking lot, and not far from it, we had Orchard Orioles, Great Crested Flycatchers, a Least Flycatcher, a dozen or more Ruby-throated Hummingbirds, Indigo Bunting, Gray Catbird, Northern Cardinal, and Field Sparrow. Other good birds included waders at the ponds, or in the air, such as Great and Snowy Egrets, Green Heron, and Black-crowned Night-Heron. We had good look at a Peregrine Falcon as it flew overhead. Warblers were American Redstart, Yellow Warbler, and a Northern Waterthrush. Leaders: Karl Lukens, and Kathy & Roger Horn.
48 species (+1 other taxa)

Canada Goose  8
Wood Duck  1
Mallard  5
Great Blue Heron  2
Great Egret  3
Snowy Egret  1
Green Heron  2
Black-crowned Night-Heron  3
Black Vulture  3
Turkey Vulture  5
Osprey  2
Bald Eagle  2
Red-tailed Hawk  2
Semipalmated Plover  2
Lesser Yellowlegs  1
Laughing Gull  4
Great Black-backed Gull  3
Mourning Dove  10
Black-billed Cuckoo  1
Ruby-throated Hummingbird  25
Downy Woodpecker  4
Merlin  1
Peregrine Falcon  1
Alder/Willow Flycatcher (Traill's Flycatcher)  1
Least Flycatcher  1
Great Crested Flycatcher  4
Eastern Kingbird  9
American Crow  5
Purple Martin  10
Tree Swallow  5
Barn Swallow  10
Carolina Chickadee  2
Carolina Wren  5
American Robin  10
Gray Catbird  3
Northern Mockingbird  2
European Starling  10
Northern Waterthrush  1
American Redstart  4
Yellow Warbler  2
Field Sparrow  5
Northern Cardinal  4
Indigo Bunting  4
Bobolink  8
Red-winged Blackbird  15
Common Grackle  8
Brown-headed Cowbird  10
Orchard Oriole  10
House Finch  1
House Sparrow  5

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

Bobolink [Photo by Karl Lukens]

Carolina Saddlebags [Photo by Karl Lukens]

Indigo Bunting [Photo by Karl Lukens]

Least Flycatcher [Photo by Karl Lukens]

Sunset Birding at the Meadows - Friday, August 23rd, 2013

A cloudy evening but some good shorebirding. Lots of Semipalmated and Least Sandpipers, with a few of both Yellowlegs, Semipalmated Plover, and at least one Pectoral Sandpiper. Also Great and Snowy Egrets and a couple of Glossy Ibis. The beach had the usual American Oystercatchers, and an estimated 300 Black Skimmers. An added treat were 3 Common Nighthawks flying about snagging insects, and a perched Great Horned Owl scoped in the far tree line. Leaders: Karl Lukens, Chuck Slugg, and Carrie Bell.
42 species

Canada Goose  100
Mute Swan  8
Mallard  15
Great Egret  2
Snowy Egret  7
Green Heron  1
Glossy Ibis  3
Semipalmated Plover  2
Greater Yellowlegs  2
Lesser Yellowlegs  4
Sanderling  25
Semipalmated Sandpiper  75
Least Sandpiper  20
Pectoral Sandpiper  1
Short-billed Dowitcher  1
Laughing Gull  30
Ring-billed Gull  5
Herring Gull  5
Lesser Black-backed Gull  1
Black Tern  1
Common Tern  50
Forster's Tern  15
Royal Tern  5
Black Skimmer  300
Mourning Dove  10
Great Horned Owl  1
Common Nighthawk  3
Chimney Swift  5
Purple Martin  10
Tree Swallow  10
Barn Swallow  100
Carolina Wren  1
Northern Mockingbird  1
European Starling  10
Song Sparrow  1
Northern Cardinal  1
Indigo Bunting  1
Red-winged Blackbird  5
Common Grackle  2
Brown-headed Cowbird  4
House Finch  1
House Sparrow  1

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

Black Tern [Photo by Karl Lukens]

Snowy Egret [Photo by Karl Lukens]

Higbee Beach Birding - Friday, August 23rd, 2013

A large flight of Eastern Kingbirds, a steady stream of north-flying Swamp Darners, and an array of warblers marked today's migrants. Highlights included one each of Worm-eating, Blue-winged, Chestnut-sided, and Mourning Warblers along with scope views of perched Ruby-throated Hummingbird. Leaders: Roger Horn, Chris Marks, Catherine Busch, Shaun Bamford, Hugh Simmons, Jesse Amesbury, and Tom Baxter
56 species (+1 other taxa)

Canada Goose  2
Double-crested Cormorant  40
Great Egret  1
Osprey  4
Lesser Yellowlegs  4
Ruddy Turnstone  5
Sanderling  25
Laughing Gull  X
Herring Gull  X
Great Black-backed Gull  6
Forster's Tern  10
Royal Tern  6
Mourning Dove  8
Chimney Swift  2
Ruby-throated Hummingbird  6
Belted Kingfisher  1
Red-bellied Woodpecker  2
Downy Woodpecker  1
Eastern Wood-Pewee  2
Empidonax sp.  1
Great Crested Flycatcher  5
Eastern Kingbird  100
White-eyed Vireo  6
Red-eyed Vireo  2
Blue Jay  1
American Crow  4
Fish Crow  2
Purple Martin  6
Tree Swallow  20
Carolina Chickadee  2
Tufted Titmouse  3
Carolina Wren  10
Blue-gray Gnatcatcher  4
American Robin  1
Gray Catbird  3
Northern Mockingbird  2
European Starling  8
Cedar Waxwing  40
Worm-eating Warbler  1
Blue-winged Warbler  1
Black-and-white Warbler  2
Mourning Warbler  1
Common Yellowthroat  1
American Redstart  9
Yellow Warbler  2
Chestnut-sided Warbler  1
Prairie Warbler  1
Field Sparrow  5
Northern Cardinal  9
Blue Grosbeak  2
Indigo Bunting  5
Bobolink  4
Red-winged Blackbird  100
Common Grackle  1
Brown-headed Cowbird  25
House Finch  3
American Goldfinch  12

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

Birding Cape May Point - Wednesday, August 21st, 2013

This morning we concentrated mainly on the Ponds, Dunes, and Beach. Lots of Terns in many plumages. Good looks at Common, Forster's, and Royal Terns with at least 2 Caspian Terns in the mix. Most shorebirds were seen as fly-overs but there were a few Least and a Solitary Sandpiper feeding along the pond edges. Overhead were many Tree and Barn Swallows, with a few Purple Martins. Black Skimmers and American Oystercatchers were seen on the beach.  Leaders: Mike Crewe, Karl Lukens, Megan Crewe, Steve Weis, Chris Marks, and Jesse Amesbury.
53 species

Canada Goose  250
Mute Swan  5
Mallard  20
Blue-winged Teal  2
Northern Shoveler  2
Double-crested Cormorant  6
Great Blue Heron  1
Great Egret  3
Snowy Egret  1
Little Blue Heron  2
Black-crowned Night-Heron  1
Glossy Ibis  1
Osprey  4
Cooper's Hawk  1
Semipalmated Plover  3
Killdeer  2
American Oystercatcher  4
Solitary Sandpiper  1
Lesser Yellowlegs  4
Sanderling  5
Semipalmated Sandpiper  10
Least Sandpiper  25
Short-billed Dowitcher  3
Laughing Gull  25
Ring-billed Gull  1
Herring Gull  5
Great Black-backed Gull  30
Caspian Tern  2
Common Tern  40
Forster's Tern  15
Royal Tern  25
Black Skimmer  75
Rock Pigeon  1
Mourning Dove  10
Chimney Swift  5
Ruby-throated Hummingbird  6
Eastern Kingbird  3
Fish Crow  40
Purple Martin  10
Tree Swallow  50
Barn Swallow  10
Carolina Wren  1
Northern Mockingbird  2
European Starling  10
Yellow Warbler  4
Song Sparrow  2
Northern Cardinal  3
Blue Grosbeak  1
Bobolink  10
Red-winged Blackbird  8
Common Grackle  40
House Finch  5
House Sparrow  1

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

Caspian and Forster's Terns [Photo by Karl Lukens]

Adult and Juvenile Least Sandpipers [Photo by Karl Lukens]

Juvenile Little Blue Heron [Photo by Karl Lukens]

Snowy Egret [Photo by Karl Lukens]

EZ Birding - Tuesday, August 20th, 2013

Highlights included Little Blue Herons, Tricolored Herons, lots of Black Skimmers on the beach, Caspian Terns and good looks at Yellow Warblers. Leaders: Janet Crawford and Shaun Bamford.
50 species

Canada Goose  20
Mute Swan  30
Gadwall  1
American Black Duck  2
Mallard  40
Great Blue Heron  4
Great Egret  1
Little Blue Heron  5
Tricolored Heron  3
Glossy Ibis  8
Turkey Vulture  10
Osprey  3
Cooper's Hawk  1
Semipalmated Plover  2
Killdeer  3
American Oystercatcher  3
Ruddy Turnstone  1
Sanderling  20
Least Sandpiper  10
Laughing Gull  40
Ring-billed Gull  1
Herring Gull  6
Great Black-backed Gull  20
Caspian Tern  3
Common Tern  2
Forster's Tern  4
Black Skimmer  60
Rock Pigeon  1
Mourning Dove  2
Ruby-throated Hummingbird  3
Belted Kingfisher  1
Downy Woodpecker  1
Eastern Wood-Pewee  1
Great Crested Flycatcher  1
Eastern Kingbird  1
American Crow  3
Fish Crow  1
Purple Martin  10
Tree Swallow  20
Barn Swallow  20
Carolina Chickadee  5
Carolina Wren  1
Gray Catbird  1
European Starling  10
Northern Waterthrush  1
American Redstart  2
Yellow Warbler  4
Red-winged Blackbird  20
Common Grackle  10
American Goldfinch  1

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

Back Bay Birding by Boat on The Osprey - Monday, August 19th, 2013

Great looks at all five expected back bay terns (Caspian, Royal, Forster's, Common, Least). Enthusiastic young birders had great looks at multiple Clapper Rails, Short-billed Dowitchers, and Whimbrel. Perhaps the most amusing sighting was the Snowy Egret that was clinging on a piling, moving up and down the pole like a nuthatch! Leaders: Bob Lubberman & Dave Lord.
33 species

Double-crested Cormorant  23
Great Blue Heron  4
Great Egret  16
Snowy Egret  9
Tricolored Heron  1
Yellow-crowned Night-Heron  1
Turkey Vulture  9
Osprey  80
Clapper Rail  12
Black-bellied Plover  14
Semipalmated Plover  3
American Oystercatcher  11
Spotted Sandpiper  3
Greater Yellowlegs  2
Whimbrel  8
Ruddy Turnstone  4
Sanderling  7
Semipalmated Sandpiper  10
Least Sandpiper  1
Short-billed Dowitcher  24
Laughing Gull  1245
Herring Gull  45
Great Black-backed Gull  37
Least Tern  8
Caspian Tern  1     Adult with nearly complete black cap.
Common Tern  21
Forster's Tern  13
Royal Tern  1
Fish Crow  7
Tree Swallow  14
Barn Swallow  27
Red-winged Blackbird  14
Boat-tailed Grackle  13

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

Birding the Meadows with Pete Dunne - Monday, August 19th, 2013

A cloudy morning with fewer birds than usual. Waders included Great Blue Heron, Great Egret, and Glossy Ibis. Shorebirds included Semi-palmated Sandpiper and Plover, Killdeer, Short-billed Dowitcher, Least and Spotted Sandpiper, both Yellowlegs, and White-rumped Sandpiper. The beach had Black Skimmer, American Oystercatcher, Sanderling, Ruddy Turnstone, at least 1 Lesser Black-backed Gull, and 4 fly-over Brown Pelicans. Swallows were on the move and Indigo Bunting and Orchard Oriole were also seen. Leaders: Pete Dunne, Karl Lukens, Janet Crawford, Hugh Simmons, Catherine Busch, Mike Hannisian, and Shaun Bamford.
56 species

Canada Goose  20
Mute Swan  5
Mallard  15
Double-crested Cormorant  4
Brown Pelican  4
Great Blue Heron  1
Great Egret  3
Glossy Ibis  10
Osprey  5
Cooper's Hawk  1
Semipalmated Plover  15
Killdeer  1
American Oystercatcher  8
Spotted Sandpiper  1
Greater Yellowlegs  1
Lesser Yellowlegs  4
Ruddy Turnstone  1
Sanderling  50
Semipalmated Sandpiper  50
Least Sandpiper  15
White-rumped Sandpiper  1
Short-billed Dowitcher  5
Laughing Gull  25
Ring-billed Gull  8
Herring Gull  10
Lesser Black-backed Gull  1
Great Black-backed Gull  30
Common Tern  4
Forster's Tern  4
Royal Tern  10
Black Skimmer  25
Mourning Dove  15
Chimney Swift  1
Ruby-throated Hummingbird  2
Eastern Kingbird  2
Fish Crow  5
Purple Martin  10
Tree Swallow  15
Barn Swallow  15
Carolina Wren  1
American Robin  1
Gray Catbird  1
Northern Mockingbird  3
European Starling  5
Common Yellowthroat  2
Yellow Warbler  1
Song Sparrow  1
Northern Cardinal  2
Indigo Bunting  1
Bobolink  1
Red-winged Blackbird  15
Common Grackle  8
Brown-headed Cowbird  2
Orchard Oriole  1
House Finch  1
House Sparrow  3

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

American Oystercatcher [Photo by Karl Lukens]

Bobolink [Photo by Karl Lukens]

Lesser Black-backed Gull (center) [Photo by Karl Lukens]

Osprey [Photo by Karl Lukens]

Royal Terns with juvenile Laughing Gull [Photo by Karl Lukens]

Cox Hall Creek WMA - Sunday, August 18th, 2013

A lot of birds were busy feeding during this morning's Cox Hall Creek WMA walk under overcast skies with occasional drizzle. In addition to the 'usual suspects' for this site - Chipping Sparrow, Indigo Bunting, Blue Grosbeak, Eastern Bluebird, Eastern Wood-Peewee, and Great Crested Flycatcher - there were small flocks of migrants moving through that included Blue-winged, Yellow-throated and Yellow Warblers, as well as American Redstart and Blue-gray Gnatcatcher. Leaders: Kathy & Roger Horn, Cindy & Shaun Bamford, Janice Crawford, and Hugh Simmons.
51 species

Mallard  9
Osprey  2
Red-tailed Hawk  1
Laughing Gull  12
Herring Gull  4
Rock Pigeon  1
Mourning Dove  16
Chimney Swift  4
Ruby-throated Hummingbird  8
Red-bellied Woodpecker  4
Downy Woodpecker  4
Hairy Woodpecker  1
Northern Flicker  4
Eastern Wood-Pewee  3
Great Crested Flycatcher  3
Eastern Kingbird  8
White-eyed Vireo  1    heard
Blue Jay  2
American Crow  7
Fish Crow  1
Purple Martin  20
Tree Swallow  5
Barn Swallow  2
Carolina Chickadee  7
Tufted Titmouse  8
White-breasted Nuthatch  3
House Wren  3
Carolina Wren  8
Blue-gray Gnatcatcher  5
Eastern Bluebird  2
American Robin  24
Gray Catbird  3
Northern Mockingbird  2
European Starling  50
Cedar Waxwing  19
Blue-winged Warbler  2
Black-and-white Warbler  4
American Redstart  3
Yellow Warbler  10
Chipping Sparrow  20
Field Sparrow  2    heard
Song Sparrow  3
Northern Cardinal  8
Blue Grosbeak  2
Indigo Bunting  2
Red-winged Blackbird  14
Common Grackle  2
Brown-headed Cowbird  7
House Finch  4
American Goldfinch  7
House Sparrow  5

This report was generated automatically by eBird v3 (/content/nj)

Photo Walks with Mike Hannisian - Saturday, August 17th, 2013

It's mid-August and the fall migration is all but two months old. The first month can be easily overlooked if one is not paying attention, and the second month typically sees but a gradual increase in bird numbers. However, by mid-August, especially if there has been a front such as we had during the middle of last week, migration is much more noticeable. This is not to say that many of our Cape May regulars have abandoned us as seen by the Song Sparrows and Great Black-backed Gulls that are obvious in the State Park, but we now have Black Skimmers in increasing numbers as well as Caspian Terns. With any luck at all, next weekend will be even better.

Black Skimmer [Photo by Mike Hannisian]

Caspian Tern [Photo by Mike Hannisian]

Wild Carrot [Photo by Mike Hannisian]

Wild Carrot [Photo by Mike Hannisian]

Song Sparrow [Photo by Mike Hannisian]

Fall Migrants at the Rea Farm - Saturday, August 17th, 2013

Nice weather for birding, a little cool at the start. Good views of Indigo Buntings and Blue Grosbeak which are breeding birds here. Also at least 4 Yellow Warblers which are most likely migrants. Other birds of interest were 3 Black-crowned Night-Herons and a Green Heron at the willow pond. Four Great Crested Flycatchers were seen together - probably a breeding family. Meanwhile overhead there were many Great and Snowy Egrets. Hummingbirds were seen throughout the walk. Leaders: Karl Lukens, Kathy & Roger Horn, and Hugh Simmons.
35 species

Canada Goose  8
Mallard  8
Great Egret  20
Snowy Egret  25
Green Heron  1
Black-crowned Night-Heron  3
Black Vulture  1
Turkey Vulture  1
Laughing Gull  3
Forster's Tern  3
Mourning Dove  10
Ruby-throated Hummingbird  10
Belted Kingfisher  1
Red-bellied Woodpecker  2
Downy Woodpecker  2
Great Crested Flycatcher  4
Eastern Kingbird  2
American Crow  8
Purple Martin  30
Tree Swallow  2
Carolina Wren  4
American Robin  4
Gray Catbird  4
Northern Mockingbird  1
European Starling  15
Cedar Waxwing  1
Yellow Warbler  4
Northern Cardinal  4
Blue Grosbeak  3
Indigo Bunting  3
Red-winged Blackbird  20
Common Grackle  15
Brown-headed Cowbird  5
American Goldfinch  1
House Sparrow  5

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

Juvenile Black-crowned Night-Heron [Photo by Karl Lukens]

Female Common Whitetail [Photo by Karl Lukens]

Green Heron [Photo by Karl Lukens]

Ruby-throated Hummingbird [Photo by Karl Lukens]

Sunset Birding at the Meadows - Friday, August 16th, 2013

A nice evening and good birding. Lots of shorebirds to the east of the east path, where there were many Semipalmated and Least Sandpipers as well as Semipalmated Plover, and both Yellowlegs. In addition there were 2 Pectoral and 2 White-rumped Sandpipers in the mix. Lots of terns, gulls, and Black Skimmers on the beach and several Lesser Black-backed Gulls with the usual gulls.  Leaders: Karl Lukens, Chuck Slugg, Kathy & Roger Horn, and Jesse Amesbury.
48 species

Canada Goose  50
Mute Swan  8
American Black Duck  1
Mallard  25
Great Blue Heron  1
Great Egret  3
Snowy Egret  20
Green Heron  2
Glossy Ibis  18
Turkey Vulture  1
Osprey  2
Semipalmated Plover  35
American Oystercatcher  8
Greater Yellowlegs  4
Lesser Yellowlegs  8
Ruddy Turnstone  3
Sanderling  50
Semipalmated Sandpiper  60
Least Sandpiper  60
White-rumped Sandpiper  2
Pectoral Sandpiper  2
Short-billed Dowitcher  4
Laughing Gull  35
Ring-billed Gull  4
Herring Gull  5
Lesser Black-backed Gull  3
Great Black-backed Gull  75
Least Tern  5
Common Tern  100
Forster's Tern  20
Royal Tern  35
Black Skimmer  230
Mourning Dove  30
Chimney Swift  4
Ruby-throated Hummingbird  4
Eastern Kingbird  4
Fish Crow  2
Purple Martin  10
Tree Swallow  10
Barn Swallow  10
Northern Mockingbird  1
European Starling  5
Song Sparrow  4
Northern Cardinal  4
Red-winged Blackbird  10
Common Grackle  2
American Goldfinch  1
House Sparrow  2

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

Great Egret [Photo by Karl Lukens]

Green Heron [Photo by Karl Lukens]

Semipalmated Plover and Pectoral Sandpiper [Photo by Karl Lukens]

Short-billed Dowitchers [Photo by Karl Lukens]

White-rumped Sandpiper [Photo by Karl Lukens]

Higbee Beach Birding - Friday, August 16th, 2013

Highlights today included Hooded, Blue-winged, and Worm-eating Warbler as well as perched (scope!) views of Ruby-throated Hummingbirds. Leaders: Mike Crewe, Warren Cairo, Megan Crewe, Chris Marks, Sean Bamford, and Catherine Busch.
44 species

Double-crested Cormorant  6
Great Blue Heron  2
Bald Eagle  1
Killdeer  1
Lesser Yellowlegs  1
Ruddy Turnstone  11
Sanderling  65
Least Sandpiper  5
Laughing Gull  X
Herring Gull  X
Great Black-backed Gull  2
Least Tern  2
Common Tern  1
Royal Tern  1
Rock Pigeon  X
Mourning Dove  10
Chimney Swift  1
Ruby-throated Hummingbird  7
Downy Woodpecker  2
Great Crested Flycatcher  2
Eastern Kingbird  12
White-eyed Vireo  6
Purple Martin  2
Carolina Chickadee  X
House Wren  1
Carolina Wren  10
Blue-gray Gnatcatcher  7
American Robin  X
Gray Catbird  6
Northern Mockingbird  3
Cedar Waxwing  1
Worm-eating Warbler  1
Blue-winged Warbler  2
Black-and-white Warbler  3
Common Yellowthroat  1
Hooded Warbler  1
American Redstart  1
Prairie Warbler  4
Field Sparrow  3
Indigo Bunting  5
Bobolink  1
Orchard Oriole  2
House Finch  2
American Goldfinch  8

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

Bird Walk for All People - Thursday, August 15th, 2013

Highlights for the Bird Walk for All People include: great look at an Indigo Bunting; two fly-over Caspian Terns; a large number of Black Skimmers on the beach; decent looks at a Yellow Warbler; and a mixed flock of several hundred terns on the beach. Leaders: Chuck Slugg and Cindy Bamford.
48 species

Canada Goose  90
Mute Swan  23
Mallard  16
Double-crested Cormorant  2
Great Blue Heron  2
Great Egret  3
Snowy Egret  2
Little Blue Heron  1
Black Vulture  1
Turkey Vulture  3
Osprey  3
Killdeer  1     heard
American Oystercatcher  4
Spotted Sandpiper  2
Lesser Yellowlegs  1
Sanderling  2
Least Sandpiper  3
Short-billed Dowitcher  1
Laughing Gull  55
Ring-billed Gull  10
Herring Gull  12
Great Black-backed Gull  60
Caspian Tern  2
Common Tern  85
Forster's Tern  75
Royal Tern  24
Black Skimmer  180
Rock Pigeon  2
Mourning Dove  4
Ruby-throated Hummingbird  1
Eastern Kingbird  1     heard
Fish Crow  6
Northern Rough-winged Swallow  4
Purple Martin  45
Tree Swallow  6
Barn Swallow  10
Carolina Chickadee  3     heard
House Wren  1
Carolina Wren  4
American Robin  2
Northern Mockingbird  5
Yellow Warbler  4
Song Sparrow  3
Northern Cardinal  4
Indigo Bunting  2
Red-winged Blackbird  55
House Finch  3
American Goldfinch  4

This report was generated automatically by eBird v3 (/content/nj)

Birding Cape May Point - Wednesday, August 14th, 2013

A cool morning with NW winds and some good birding. Lots of Terns to scan through, but mainly Common and Forster's in various plumages with some Least and Royal Terns. Odd Terns were 1 Gull-billed and one immature Black Tern. Numerous fly-over shorebirds mostly Least Sandpipers with a few Semipalmated Sandpipers and Plover. Also a few Yellow Warblers and Blue-gray Gnatcatchers. Leaders: Mike Crewe, Karl Lukens, Steve Weis, Warren Cairo, Meegan Crewe, Chris Marks, Shaun & Cindy Bamford, Tom Baxter, and Jesse Amesbury.
57 species

Canada Goose  100
Mute Swan  20
Gadwall  4
Mallard  15
Double-crested Cormorant  3
Great Blue Heron  2
Great Egret  1
Snowy Egret  6
Little Blue Heron  2
Green Heron  3
Black Vulture  1
Turkey Vulture  1
Osprey  4
Semipalmated Plover  8
Killdeer  2
Solitary Sandpiper  2
Lesser Yellowlegs  6
Ruddy Turnstone  3
Sanderling  15
Semipalmated Sandpiper  5
Least Sandpiper  15
Pectoral Sandpiper  1
Short-billed Dowitcher  5
Laughing Gull  30
Ring-billed Gull  3
Herring Gull  5
Great Black-backed Gull  50
Least Tern  10
Gull-billed Tern  1
Black Tern  1
Common Tern  350
Forster's Tern  150
Royal Tern  10
Black Skimmer  25
Rock Pigeon  2
Mourning Dove  10
Chimney Swift  2
Eastern Kingbird  2
Fish Crow  10
Purple Martin  20
Tree Swallow  5
Bank Swallow  2
Barn Swallow  105
Blue-gray Gnatcatcher  3
American Robin  1
Gray Catbird  2
Northern Mockingbird  2
European Starling  15
Common Yellowthroat  2
Yellow Warbler  2
Song Sparrow  4
Northern Cardinal  3
Indigo Bunting  1
Red-winged Blackbird  150
Common Grackle  5
Brown-headed Cowbird  20
House Sparrow  2

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

Great Blue Heron and juvenile Little Blue Heron [Photo by Karl Lukens]

Pectoral Sandpiper and Least Sandpiper [Photo by Karl Lukens]

EZ Birding - Tuesday, August 13th, 2013

The first EZ Birding Walk of the fall season got lucky with the weather and didn't get rained on this morning. The variety of terns kept our identifications skills sharp. Species included Royal, Common, Forsters, and Least Terns. There was also a small flock of Barn Swallows sitting on the beach. A few Tree Swallows and many Purple Martins flew overhead. Unfortunately there was a huge number of Mute Swans on Bunker Pond. There was also a white Little Blue Heron. We never made it into the woods. Leaders: Chuck Slugg, Janet Crawford.
43 species

Canada Goose  45
Mute Swan  23
Gadwall  2
Mallard  26
Double-crested Cormorant  1
Great Blue Heron  1
Great Egret  3
Snowy Egret  3
Little Blue Heron  1     1st yr., white morph
Glossy Ibis  1
Osprey  4
Killdeer  1     heard only
American Oystercatcher  4
Greater Yellowlegs  1
Lesser Yellowlegs  2
Semipalmated Sandpiper  2
Least Sandpiper  6
Laughing Gull  70
Ring-billed Gull  10
Herring Gull  15
Great Black-backed Gull  25
Least Tern  2
Common Tern  110
Forster's Tern  20
Royal Tern  14
Black Skimmer  125
Rock Pigeon  2
Mourning Dove  4
Great Crested Flycatcher  1     heard
Fish Crow  4     heard
Purple Martin  55
Tree Swallow  6
Barn Swallow  28
Carolina Chickadee  2     heard
Carolina Wren  1     heard
Northern Mockingbird  3
European Starling  12
Common Yellowthroat  2     heard
Song Sparrow  3
Northern Cardinal  2
Red-winged Blackbird  4
House Finch  3
American Goldfinch  2     heard

This report was generated automatically by eBird v3 (/content/nj)

Back Bay Birding by Boat on The Osprey - Monday, August 12th, 2013

CMBO's Back Bay Birding by Boat saw the return of the scoter duo (Black and Surf), as well single birds of Seaside Sparrow and Tri-colored Heron. Shorebirds are well under their way south, as the large number of Whimbrel and Ruddy Turnstones attested. Leaders: Bob Lubberman & Dave Lord.
29 species

Surf Scoter  1
Double-crested Cormorant  24
Great Blue Heron  14
Great Egret  80
Snowy Egret  91
Tricolored Heron  1
Yellow-crowned Night-Heron  1
Glossy Ibis  2
Osprey  70
Clapper Rail  1
Black-bellied Plover  13
Semipalmated Plover  10
American Oystercatcher  20
Spotted Sandpiper  2
Greater Yellowlegs  4
Willet  11
Whimbrel  11
Ruddy Turnstone  9
Sanderling  6
Semipalmated Sandpiper  55
Short-billed Dowitcher  18
Laughing Gull  1200
Herring Gull  26
Great Black-backed Gull  14
Least Tern  10
Common Tern  40
Forster's Tern  21
Seaside Sparrow  1
Red-winged Blackbird  1

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

Birding the Meadows with Pete Dunne - Monday, August 12th, 2013

The parking lot was good at the start and finish with singing Indigo Bunting and Blue Grosbeak, Eastern Kingbird, Purple Martins, Orchard Orioles, and a perched American Kestrel. The beach had the usual Gulls including Lesser Black-backed Gull, many Black Skimmers, a few American Oystercatchers, Sanderling, and 2 Ruddy Turnstones. Good shorebirds and waders east of the east path. Leaders: Pete Dunne, Karl Lukens, Chuck Slugg, Steve Weis, Janet Crawford, Catherine Busch, Carrie Bell, and Shaun Bamford.
54 species

Canada Goose  15
Mute Swan  6
Mallard  15
Double-crested Cormorant  2
Great Blue Heron  1
Great Egret  4
Snowy Egret  7
Glossy Ibis  4
Osprey  5
Semipalmated Plover  8
Killdeer  1
American Oystercatcher  5
Solitary Sandpiper  1
Greater Yellowlegs  2
Willet  7
Lesser Yellowlegs  5
Sanderling  25
Semipalmated Sandpiper  25
Least Sandpiper  30
White-rumped Sandpiper  1
Pectoral Sandpiper  2
Short-billed Dowitcher  5     fly-over
Laughing Gull  30
Herring Gull  5
Lesser Black-backed Gull  2
Great Black-backed Gull  30
Least Tern  1
Common Tern  10
Forster's Tern  5
Royal Tern  4
Black Skimmer  100
Mourning Dove  10
Ruby-throated Hummingbird  2
Downy Woodpecker  1
American Kestrel  1
Eastern Kingbird  2
Fish Crow  5
Purple Martin  30
Tree Swallow  1
Barn Swallow  3
American Robin  1
Northern Mockingbird  4
European Starling  10
Common Yellowthroat  1     heard
Yellow Warbler  2
Song Sparrow  3
Northern Cardinal  4
Blue Grosbeak  1
Indigo Bunting  1
Red-winged Blackbird  10
Common Grackle  4
Orchard Oriole  3
American Goldfinch  1
House Sparrow  5

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

Blue Grosbeak [Photo by Karl Lukens]

Back Bay Birding by Boat on The Osprey - Sunday, August 11th, 2013

CMBO's Back Bay Birding by Boat trip was excellent this Sunday morning. Great looks at breeding plumage Sanderlings on the harbor beaches, several Greater Yellowlegs in breeding plumes, and three Tri-colored Herons in Jarvis Sound, were the highlights. Leaders: Bob Lubberman and Dave Lord.
30 species

Double-crested Cormorant  30
Great Blue Heron  11
Great Egret  40
Snowy Egret  75
Tricolored Heron  3
Black-crowned Night-Heron  1
Yellow-crowned Night-Heron  3
Osprey  70
Black-bellied Plover  23
Semipalmated Plover  15
American Oystercatcher  16
Spotted Sandpiper  9
Greater Yellowlegs  12
Willet  24     Four "eastern's," twenty "western's"
Whimbrel  10
Ruddy Turnstone  8
Sanderling  12
Semipalmated Sandpiper  50
Short-billed Dowitcher  25
Laughing Gull  1200
Herring Gull  23
Great Black-backed Gull  15
Least Tern  12
Common Tern  50
Forster's Tern  29
Tree Swallow  36
Barn Swallow  10
Seaside Sparrow  4
Red-winged Blackbird  20
Boat-tailed Grackle  8

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

Cox Hall Creek WMA - Sunday, August 11th, 2013

There was a nice mix of resident and migrant birds for this morning's Cox Hall Creek WMA walk. Several American Redstarts and Yellow Warblers, along with Blue-Gray Gnatcatcher, Great Crested Flycatchers, Eastern Wood-Peewees, Eastern Bluebirds and lots of Purple Martins were seen. Leaders: Kathy & Roger Horn, Cindy & Shaun Bamford, and Janet Crawford.
50 species

Mallard  6
Double-crested Cormorant  2
Turkey Vulture  1
Osprey  2
Red-tailed Hawk  2
Lesser Yellowlegs  2
Laughing Gull  9
Herring Gull  4
Mourning Dove  7
Yellow-billed Cuckoo  1    Heard
Chimney Swift  2
Ruby-throated Hummingbird  6
Red-bellied Woodpecker  4
Downy Woodpecker  2
Hairy Woodpecker  1
Northern Flicker  2
Eastern Wood-Pewee  4
Great Crested Flycatcher  4
Eastern Kingbird  3
Blue Jay  1
American Crow  2
Fish Crow  1
Purple Martin  30
Tree Swallow  1
Carolina Chickadee  6
Tufted Titmouse  8
White-breasted Nuthatch  2
Carolina Wren  8
Blue-gray Gnatcatcher  1
Eastern Bluebird  8  
American Robin  18
Gray Catbird  4
Northern Mockingbird  3
Brown Thrasher  1
European Starling  12
Cedar Waxwing  12
Black-and-white Warbler  1
American Redstart  8
Yellow Warbler  10
Chipping Sparrow  18
Song Sparrow  2
Northern Cardinal  9
Blue Grosbeak  1    heard
Indigo Bunting  2
Red-winged Blackbird  10
Common Grackle  3
Brown-headed Cowbird  1
House Finch  8
American Goldfinch  12
House Sparrow  2

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

Great Crested Flycatcher [Photo by Roger Horn]

Red-tailed Hawk [Photo by Roger Horn]

Photo Walks with Mike Hannisian - Saturday, August 10th, 2013

Another nice day to shoot greeted us this week at CMBO's Saturday Photo Walk. One of our first subjects was a first year Little Blue Heron feeding in the first Plover Pond. Between the first Plover Pond and Bunker Pond were a number of Orange Sulphur butterflies, including some very fresh ones. Also, given that it is now a week plus into August, the meadows at the State Park are alive with mallow flowers, including both Seashore Mallow and Swamp Rose-Mallow. By next weekend we will be in mid-August and the number of subjects to photograph will, in all likelihood, increase.

Little Blue Heron [Photo by Mike Hannisian]



Orange Sulphur [Photo by Mike Hannisian]

Seashore Mallow [Photo by Mike Hannisian]

Swamp Rose-Mallow [Photo by Mike Hannisian]