Birding Cape May Point - Saturday, December 19th, 2015

It was a cold morning with little crystals of ice along Lake Lily's edge. We did see 41 species of birds, with the huge flock of European Starlings creating a murmuration. Two Bald Eagles, one adult, one first year, came around flying low. The ducks raised into the air scattering in all directions. Eventually the adult Eagle landed atop a telephone pole and surveyed the area. Leaders: Roger Horn, Karl Lukens, Steve Weis, and Mary Watkins.
41 species

Canada Goose  32
Mute Swan  9
Gadwall  36
American Wigeon  24
Mallard  30
Northern Shoveler  18
Northern Pintail  14
Green-winged Teal (American)  12
Ring-necked Duck  20
Greater Scaup  1
Surf Scoter  1
Long-tailed Duck  1
Bufflehead  2
Hooded Merganser  10
Northern Gannet  9
Double-crested Cormorant  1
Great Blue Heron  2
Turkey Vulture  4
Sharp-shinned Hawk  1
Bald Eagle  2
American Coot  14
Ring-billed Gull  12
Herring Gull (American)  7
Great Black-backed Gull  2
Rock Pigeon (Feral Pigeon)  5
Mourning Dove  6
American Crow  4
Carolina Chickadee  1
Carolina Wren  4
Golden-crowned Kinglet  1
American Robin  38
Northern Mockingbird  3
European Starling  907
Yellow-rumped Warbler (Myrtle)  22
Dark-eyed Junco (Slate-colored)  7
White-throated Sparrow  6
Song Sparrow  1
Northern Cardinal  3
Common Grackle (Purple)  1
Brown-headed Cowbird  20
House Sparrow  8

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

Bald Eagle [Photo by Karl Lukens]

Birding Cape May Point - Saturday, December 12th, 2015

It is definitely December, even though it was 60 degrees at 10 am. We had 14 species of ducks, which is to be expected in December. It is a time when they are gathering and looking quite spiffy in their winter plumage.  They can be seen feeding and preening, on the freshwater ponds and the ocean waters. Leaders: Roger Horn, Karl Lukens, and Steve Weis.
47 species (+1 other taxa)

Canada Goose  16
Mute Swan  5
Gadwall  32
Eurasian Wigeon  1
American Wigeon  21
Mallard  45
Northern Shoveler  8
Northern Pintail  18
Green-winged Teal (American)  27
Redhead  2
Ring-necked Duck  24
Surf Scoter  12
White-winged Scoter  2
Black Scoter  39
Long-tailed Duck  1
Bufflehead  1
Northern Gannet  1
Double-crested Cormorant  1
Great Blue Heron  1
Red-shouldered Hawk  2
Ring-billed Gull  2
Herring Gull (American)  9
Lesser Black-backed Gull  1
Great Black-backed Gull  16
Rock Pigeon (Feral Pigeon)  10
Mourning Dove  16
Red-bellied Woodpecker  2
Northern Flicker  0
Northern Flicker (Yellow-shafted)1
Blue Jay  3
Carolina Chickadee  4
Tufted Titmouse  1
Carolina Wren  5
Golden-crowned Kinglet  3
American Robin  200
Northern Mockingbird  5
European Starling  20
Yellow-rumped Warbler (Myrtle)14
Fox Sparrow (Red)  4
White-throated Sparrow  4
Song Sparrow  6
Northern Cardinal  9
Red-winged Blackbird  5
Common Grackle  5
Common Grackle (Purple)  1
Brown-headed Cowbird  1
Baltimore Oriole  1
House Finch  25
House Sparrow  7

These reports were generated automatically by eBird v3 (http://ebird.org)

Eurasian Wigeon (top left) [Photo by Roger Horn]

Baltimore Oriole [Photo by Roger Horn]

Harlequin Romance - Saturday, December 5th, 2015

Saturday's trip to Barnegat Light proved to be spectacular. CMBO Program Director, Mike Crewe, was joined by a wonderful group of participants and assistants. The weather was stunning, the birds were cooperative, and the people were joyful. We were greeted by some Boat-tailed Grackles and House Finches right in the parking lot. The walk out the jetty gave us close looks (and by close I mean right next to us) at Ruddy Turnstones, lots of Dunlin, and a handful of Purple Sandpipers. The seabird movement was impressive with large flocks of Black Scoters and Northern Gannets plunge diving right off-shore. We had two Black-legged Kittiwakes (a lifer for a lot of people on the trip) feeding in and out of the inlet! The immature Kittiwake gave us incredible looks, with it's double collar and black 'M' on it's wings. 

A close flock of Black Scoters as they flew over the jetty at Barnegat Light. Just one of a handful of seabird species that were spotted moving past the island in good numbers. [Photo by Sam Wilson.]

An immature Black-legged Kittiwake. One of two individuals that was spotted working it's way back and forth feeding across the opening of the inlet. This was a life bird for quite a few people on the trip. [Photo by Sam Wilson.]

It was while we were out on the end of the jetty that we got our first flyby Harlequin Duck, quickly followed by another pair! A small flock of Harlequin Ducks was spotted near the small jetty southwest of the main jetty. A quick walk down the beach put us in a prime location to sort through the mixed waterbird flock. The bulk of the birds were Common Eiders and Black Scoters, but a handful of Long-tailed Ducks, Surf Scoters, and Harlequin Ducks were picked out. A resting White-winged Scoter completed our Scoter trifecta! A Common Loon was feeding alongside a couple Red-throated Loons which allowed us a great side-by-side comparison.

A male Harlequin Duck gave us incredible looks as it flew past the north side of the jetty. These plumage of these ducks can be hard to believe, and pictures don't do them justice! Being the main target species of this trip, participants were thrilled with the views we got. [Photo by Sam Wilson.]

After a sunny, picnic lunch, the group traveled down to 25th Street & Bayview Avenue to check out the bayshore. Over a 1,000 Brant were feeding on Eel Grass in the harbor, with some being quite close. A male Northern Pintail, in all his courtship plumage glory, was also a nice treat. 

Another quick jaunt down the island to Harvey Cedars Recreation Area provided a handful of Red-breasted Mergansers, a smattering of Mallards and Black Ducks, and a distant Northern Harrier hunting over the marsh. A couple Common Goldeneyes were picked out amongst a group of Buffleheads and a single Greater Scaup. Two distant Peregrine Falcons were spotted resting on an Osprey nesting platform and a Northern Flicker came to land on a nearby tree.

A mixed waterbird flock in the bay. Species include Buffleheads, a few Red-breasted Mergansers (including the bird in flight), and Common Goldeneyes. [Photo by Sam WIlson.]

Overall it was a delightful day full of sunshine and a total of 44 species of bird. Leaders: Mike Crewe, Megan Crewe, Catherine Busch, Chris Marks, Margeaux Maerz, Sam Wilson, Mary Watkins, and Joe Demko.


Barnegat Lighthouse State Park:
34 species

Brant (Atlantic)  50
Canada Goose  9
American Black Duck  2
Common Eider  12
Harlequin Duck  10 
Surf Scoter  12
White-winged Scoter  1
Black Scoter  450
Long-tailed Duck  18
Bufflehead  1
Red-throated Loon  18
Common Loon  2
Northern Gannet  X  
Double-crested Cormorant  4
Northern Harrier  1
Ruddy Turnstone  8
Sanderling  X
Dunlin  X 
Purple Sandpiper  9
Black-legged Kittiwake  2  (1 adult and 1 first cycle - both seen in and out of inlet)
Laughing Gull  2
Ring-billed Gull  2
Herring Gull (American)  X
Great Black-backed Gull  X
American Crow  5
Carolina Wren  1
Northern Mockingbird  1
European Starling  X
Yellow-rumped Warbler (Myrtle)  3
White-throated Sparrow  3
Northern Cardinal  3
Boat-tailed Grackle  12
House Finch  6
House Sparrow  X


High Bar Harbor/Harvey Cedars:
20 species

Brant (Atlantic)  1500
Canada Goose  150
American Black Duck  25
Mallard  20
Northern Pintail  7
Greater Scaup  1
Bufflehead  X
Common Goldeneye  15
Red-breasted Merganser  35
Common Loon  2
Great Blue Heron  1
Northern Harrier  1
Herring Gull (American)  X
Great Black-backed Gull  2
Rock Pigeon (Feral Pigeon)  8
Northern Flicker (Yellow-shafted)  2
Peregrine Falcon  2
American Crow  6
Song Sparrow  2
House Sparrow  X

These reports were generated automatically by eBird v3 (http://ebird.org)

Birding Cape May Point - Saturday, December 5th, 2015

A crisp morning with no wind and sunny. There were large numbers of American Robins flying overhead. Yellow-rumped Warblers were actively flitting through the cedars at Northwood Center. As we walked towards the State Park, Song Sparrows and White-throated Sparrows chipped at us along the edges of Lily Lake. On Lighthouse Pond we were treated to a male Eurasian Wigeon and two male Redheads. Karl described their heads as "glowing in the sun." Scott Whittle alerted us to a couple of Common Eider near the jetty at St. Peters dune crossing. When we got there two juvenal White-winged Scoters had joined them. As we returned back towards the Northwood Center, a Red-breasted Nuthatch was picking through a tree covered with lichen. He was "liken the lichen".... Leaders: Roger Horn and Karl Lukens.
54 species

Canada Goose  6
Mute Swan  9
Gadwall  32
Eurasian Wigeon  1
American Wigeon  28
Mallard  40
Blue-winged Teal  1
Northern Shoveler  8
Northern Pintail  12
Green-winged Teal (American)  10
Redhead  3
Ring-necked Duck  6
Common Eider  2
Surf Scoter  9
White-winged Scoter  2
Black Scoter  90
Bufflehead  1
Red-throated Loon  5
Northern Gannet  1
Double-crested Cormorant  5
Great Blue Heron  2
Black Vulture  20
Turkey Vulture  15
Northern Harrier  2
Bald Eagle  1
Red-shouldered Hawk  1
Red-tailed Hawk  1
American Coot  2
Ring-billed Gull  30
Herring Gull (American)  40
Great Black-backed Gull  2
Mourning Dove  9
Yellow-bellied Sapsucker  1
Downy Woodpecker  1
Blue Jay  5
American Crow  3
Carolina Chickadee  5
Red-breasted Nuthatch  1
Carolina Wren  2
Golden-crowned Kinglet  1
Eastern Bluebird  2
American Robin  200
Northern Mockingbird  3
European Starling  15
Cedar Waxwing  7
Yellow-rumped Warbler (Myrtle)  30
White-throated Sparrow  5
Song Sparrow  4
Northern Cardinal  4
Red-winged Blackbird  1
Common Grackle (Purple)  1
House Finch  7
American Goldfinch  3
House Sparrow  8

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

Birding the Meadows with Pete Dunne - Monday, November 23rd, 2015

A cold and breezy morning with a good variety of ducks on the ponds, including Gadwall, Mallard, Black Duck, Northern Pintail, Green-winged Teal, and Ruddy Duck. Unusual were three Long-billed Dowitchers feeding along one of the islands in the pond. One leader (KL), lagging behind, saw the Brown Booby (reported headed south from the CMBO Seawatch) briefly before it disappeared. Leaders: Pete Dunne, Chuck Slugg, Karl Lukens, Janet Crawford, and Mary Watkins.
45 species (+1 other taxa)

Canada Goose  100
Mute Swan  4
Wood Duck  1
Gadwall  15
American Wigeon  10
American Black Duck  8
Mallard  20
Northern Shoveler  8
Northern Pintail  12
Green-winged Teal  75
Surf Scoter  1
scoter sp.  10
Bufflehead  2
Hooded Merganser  2
Ruddy Duck  10
Red-throated Loon  1
Brown Booby  1     Seen by 1 leader only
Northern Gannet  1
Double-crested Cormorant  4
Great Blue Heron  1
Black Vulture  4
Turkey Vulture  8
Sharp-shinned Hawk  3
Cooper's Hawk  1
American Coot  10
Killdeer  1
Long-billed Dowitcher  3
Ring-billed Gull  1
Herring Gull  15
Lesser Black-backed Gull  1
Great Black-backed Gull  25
Rock Pigeon (Feral Pigeon)  2
Mourning Dove  5
Northern Flicker  1
American Crow  1
Tree Swallow  25
Carolina Chickadee  1
Carolina Wren  1
American Robin  50
American Pipit  4
Yellow-rumped Warbler  3
White-throated Sparrow  1
Red-winged Blackbird  15
House Finch  8
American Goldfinch  15
House Sparrow  20

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

Fall Migrants at the Rea Farm - Saturday, November 21st, 2015

This was our last walk for Fall Migrants at the Rea Farm for this season. The morning air was brisk, with remnants of frost across the field. As the sun came up warming the shrubs and grasses, we came upon a Yellow-rumped Warbler sleeping. It sat in a Multiflora Rose bush with its head tucked under it's wing. Yellow shoulder spot glowing in the sun. Unusual and delightful at the same time. The winds from the night before brought in several more Savannah, Swamp, and Song sparrows. They were leaping and fluttering short distances ahead of us as we eased along the field edges. Occasionally sitting up on a weed or branch for us to observe. Additionally, there were Red-shouldered Hawks about; one sat for us several times reddish breast blazing. The others flying displayed their light crescents near the end of the wings as they soared over head. A lovely morning walk. Leaders Roger Horn, Karl Lukens, Deb Payson, and Steve Rodan.
35 species

Canada Goose  24
Mallard  16
Black Vulture  4
Turkey Vulture  5
Red-shouldered Hawk  3
Red-tailed Hawk  1
Rock Pigeon (Feral Pigeon)  1
Mourning Dove  4
Red-bellied Woodpecker  2
Downy Woodpecker  4
Northern Flicker (Yellow-shafted)  1
Blue Jay  3
American Crow  6
Carolina Chickadee  2
Carolina Wren  6
Eastern Bluebird  3
American Robin  75
Gray Catbird  1
Brown Thrasher  2
Northern Mockingbird  2
European Starling  3
American Pipit  4
Yellow-rumped Warbler (Myrtle)  9
Field Sparrow  1
White-throated Sparrow  4
Savannah Sparrow  12
Song Sparrow  8
Swamp Sparrow  7
Northern Cardinal  2
Red-winged Blackbird  30
Common Grackle  1
Baltimore Oriole  1
House Finch  4
American Goldfinch  10
House Sparrow  2

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

Savannah Sparrow [Photo by Karl Lukens]

Birding the Meadows with Pete Dunne - Monday, November 16th, 2015

A nice variety and number of ducks were seen including Gadwall, Mallard, Green-winged Teal, Northern Pintail, Ruddy Duck, and close Surf Scoters. Over head there were at least ten Cave Swallows. The beach held at least three Lesser Black-backed Gulls. Leaders: Pete Dunne, Steve Weis, Karl Lukens, Janet Crawford, and Mary Watkins,
49 species

Canada Goose  150
Mute Swan  7
Wood Duck  1
Gadwall  30
American Wigeon  10
Mallard  30
Northern Shoveler  10
Northern Pintail  20
Green-winged Teal  20
Surf Scoter  8
Ruddy Duck  8
Double-crested Cormorant  30
White-faced Ibis  1     continuing-
Turkey Vulture  1
Northern Harrier  2
Sharp-shinned Hawk  1
Cooper's Hawk  1
Red-tailed Hawk  1
American Coot  25
Laughing Gull  1
Ring-billed Gull  10
Herring Gull  15
Lesser Black-backed Gull  3
Great Black-backed Gull  30
Rock Pigeon (Feral Pigeon)  1
Mourning Dove  20
Northern Flicker  1
Blue Jay  2
American Crow  4
Tree Swallow  2
Cave Swallow  10
Carolina Wren  1
Eastern Bluebird  1     heard
American Robin  25
Brown Thrasher  1
Northern Mockingbird  1
European Starling  15
Cedar Waxwing  25
Palm Warbler  1
Yellow-rumped Warbler  30
Savannah Sparrow  1
Song Sparrow  1
Swamp Sparrow  1
Northern Cardinal  1
Red-winged Blackbird  25
House Finch  3
Purple Finch  6
American Goldfinch  25
House Sparrow  5

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

Cave Swallow [Photo by Karl Lukens] 

Hawks, Trails, and Beach - Saturday, November 14th, 2015

It was brisk, windy weather for our final walk of the season. We started with a few Northern Gannnets offshore and a mix of gulls on the beach. There was still a huge number of Tree Swallows staging. On the ponds, there was a mix of ducks including Mallards, Northern Shovelers, Gadwalls, American Wigeon, Northern Pintails, Ruddy Ducks, Green-wing Teal, and Wood Ducks. The walk ended with a huge movement of American Robins overhead. Leaders:  Chuck Slugg, Barb Bassett.
26
species

Canada Goose  30
Mute Swan  7
Wood Duck  8
Gadwall  25
American Wigeon  20
Mallard  30
Northern Shoveler  8
Northern Pintail  8
Green-winged Teal  7
Black Scoter  3
Ruddy Duck  10
Red-throated Loon  1
Northern Gannet  8
Double-crested Cormorant  2
Great Egret  3
Black Vulture  2
Sharp-shinned Hawk  1
Cooper's Hawk  1
American Coot  16
Ring-billed Gull  2
Herring Gull  5
Great Black-backed Gull  20
Tree Swallow  75
American Robin  250
Yellow-rumped Warbler  1     heard
Northern Cardinal  2

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

Fall Migrants at the Rea Farm, Saturday, November 14th, 2015

After working for every bird we saw along the way, all of a sudden we were surrounded. Eastern Bluebird, Purple Finch, Pine Siskin, Rusty Blackbird, American Pipits in the puddle, Eastern Phoebe and Western Kingbird - all in view from the same spot!  It was quite a sight, especially amidst the fall colors; the yellow of the Western Kingbird with the blue and orange of the bluebirds in the red sumac leaves was really quite spectacular. Leaders: Kathy & Roger Horn, Karl Lukens, and Deb Payson.
45 species (+1 other taxa) total

Wood Duck  5
Gadwall  10
Mallard  12
Double-crested Cormorant  2
Black Vulture  1
Turkey Vulture  3
Sharp-shinned Hawk  1
Red-tailed Hawk  1
Killdeer  2
Short-billed/Long-billed Dowitcher  4
Laughing Gull  4
Herring Gull (American)  3
Mourning Dove  14
Red-bellied Woodpecker  2
Downy Woodpecker  1
Northern Flicker (Yellow-shafted)  3
Merlin  1
Eastern Phoebe  1
Western Kingbird  1
Blue Jay  2
American Crow  9
Tree Swallow  2
Cave Swallow  2
Carolina Chickadee  2
Carolina Wren  2
Golden-crowned Kinglet  2
Ruby-crowned Kinglet  1
Eastern Bluebird  19
American Robin  75
Northern Mockingbird  1
European Starling  35
American Pipit  4
Cedar Waxwing  20
Palm Warbler (Western)  1
Yellow-rumped Warbler (Myrtle)  6
White-throated Sparrow  5
Savannah Sparrow  3
Song Sparrow  3
Swamp Sparrow  2
Northern Cardinal  4
Red-winged Blackbird  28
Rusty Blackbird  5
Common Grackle  8
Purple Finch  1
Pine Siskin  1
American Goldfinch  18

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

Birding Cape May Point - Wednesday, November 11th, 2015

It was a wonderful morning for our last Birding Cape May Point walk of the season. The large Robin movement we have been enjoying the past few days continued as we explored the point. There was a migration of Great-blue Herons, with 16 spotted throughout the walk, and many of those heading out over the Delaware Bay. Up at the Coral Avenue beach access we had great looks at close Northern Gannets, Surf & Black Scoters, Red-throated Loons, flyover Common Loons, as well as close Cave Swallows and a young, male Common Eider. On our walk to Lake Lily we had a Wilson's Snipe flyover, as well as a small group of Pine Siskins and American Pipits. Our last stop at Lighthouse Pong gave us the usual smattering of ducks, along with an Eastern Meadowlark, a hunting Northern Harrier, and foraging Kinglets.
A huge thank you to our participants who have made this fall so memorable and to our fearless volunteer leaders who made it so fun!
Leaders: Margeaux Maerz, Mike Crewe, Chris Marks, Catherine Busch, Steve Weis, Mary Watkins, and Sam Wilson.
64 species (+1 other taxa)

Canada Goose  26
Mute Swan  5
Gadwall  38
Eurasian Wigeon  1
American Wigeon  34
Mallard  28
Northern Pintail  6
Green-winged Teal  8
Ring-necked Duck  45
Greater Scaup  4
Common Eider  1
Surf Scoter  84
Black Scoter  120
Ruddy Duck  6
Red-throated Loon  3
Common Loon  5
Northern Gannet  26
Double-crested Cormorant  12
Great Blue Heron  16
Turkey Vulture  3
Northern Harrier  1
Sharp-shinned Hawk  5
Cooper's Hawk  2
American Coot  9
Killdeer  3
Sanderling  8
Dunlin  4
Purple Sandpiper  3
Semipalmated/Western Sandpiper  1  
Wilson's Snipe  1
Parasitic Jaeger  1
Laughing Gull  X
Ring-billed Gull  X
Herring Gull  X
Lesser Black-backed Gull  1
Great Black-backed Gull  X
Royal Tern  4
Rock Pigeon (Feral Pigeon)  12
Mourning Dove  6
Yellow-bellied Sapsucker  1
Northern Flicker (Yellow-shafted)  2
American Crow  4
Tree Swallow  8
Cave Swallow  3
Carolina Chickadee  2
Carolina Wren  1
Golden-crowned Kinglet  1
Ruby-crowned Kinglet  1
American Robin  35
Northern Mockingbird  3
European Starling  X
American Pipit  2
Cedar Waxwing  65
Yellow-rumped Warbler (Myrtle)  6
Dark-eyed Junco (Slate-colored)  8
White-throated Sparrow  4
Song Sparrow  1
Swamp Sparrow  2
Northern Cardinal  4
Red-winged Blackbird  X
Eastern Meadowlark  1
House Finch  6
Pine Siskin  4
American Goldfinch  28
House Sparrow  X

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

Birding the Meadows with Pete Dunne - Monday, November 9th, 2015

We had a nice variety of ducks including Gadwall, Northern Pintail, Mallard, many Green-winged Teal, and the continuing female Redhead. On the beach, we had at least four Lesser Black-backed Gulls. Other birds of interest were the three continuing Long-billed Dowitchers, a late Stilt Sandpiper, and a dozen Dunlin. Leaders: Chuck Slugg, Karl Lukens, Janet Crawford, and Mary Watkins.
50 species

Canada Goose  8
Mute Swan  8
Gadwall  20
American Wigeon  2
American Black Duck  6
Mallard  25
Northern Shoveler  6
Northern Pintail  15
Green-winged Teal  40
Redhead  1     continuing female
Ruddy Duck  6
Common Loon  4     fly over
Northern Gannet  5
Double-crested Cormorant  100
Great Blue Heron  1
Great Egret  1
White-faced Ibis  1     continuing juvenile
Black Vulture  2
Sharp-shinned Hawk  10
Cooper's Hawk  3
American Coot  10
Killdeer  3
Stilt Sandpiper  1
Dunlin  12
Long-billed Dowitcher  3     continuing
Laughing Gull  10
Ring-billed Gull  3
Herring Gull  10
Lesser Black-backed Gull  4
Great Black-backed Gull  25
Forster's Tern  5
Mourning Dove  5
Northern Flicker  6
Blue Jay  1
Fish Crow  5
Tree Swallow  20
Carolina Wren  2     heard
Eastern Bluebird  2     heard
American Robin  50
Brown Thrasher  1
European Starling  1
Cedar Waxwing  15
Yellow-rumped Warbler  20
Savannah Sparrow  1
Song Sparrow  4
Swamp Sparrow  2
Northern Cardinal  1
Red-winged Blackbird  20
American Goldfinch  10
House Sparrow  2

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

Lesser Black-backed Gull [Photo by Karl Lukens]

Bayshore Birding at Its Best - Sunday, November 8th, 2015

It was a beautiful November day, and we saw lots of birds, including Bald Eagles, Northern Harriers, Dunlin, both Yellowlegs, and Black-bellied Plovers. We heard Sandhill Cranes. The highlights of the day were an amazingly cooperative Sora that strolled past the entire group and walked between Mary Watkins' legs and a nice look at a flock of American Pipits. Leaders: Janet Crawford, Chris Marks, Chuck and Mary Jane Slugg and Mary Watkins.
Green Swamp, Cumberland
13 species

American Black Duck  3
Black Vulture  3
Turkey Vulture  16
Northern Harrier  3
Bald Eagle  7
Red-tailed Hawk  3
Ring-billed Gull  4
Herring Gull  4
Mourning Dove  2
Belted Kingfisher  1
Dark-eyed Junco  6
Song Sparrow  4
Red-winged Blackbird  35

Husted Landing
16 species

American Black Duck  3
Great Blue Heron  1
Black Vulture  2
Turkey Vulture  4
Northern Harrier  2
Bald Eagle  4
Red-tailed Hawk  3
Sora  1
Greater Yellowlegs  2
Dunlin  20
Laughing Gull  7
Ring-billed Gull  X
Herring Gull  X
Great Black-backed Gull  4
Mourning Dove  6
European Starling  30

Sheppard Davis Road
20 species

American Black Duck  4
Double-crested Cormorant  10
Black Vulture  6
Turkey Vulture  14
Northern Harrier  3
Cooper's Hawk  1
Bald Eagle  1
Red-tailed Hawk  2
Sandhill Crane  3     Heard only. Part of the flock of cranes that winter at Husted Landing.
Ring-billed Gull  X
Herring Gull  X
Mourning Dove  5
American Pipit  12
Dark-eyed Junco  8
White-throated Sparrow  4
Savannah Sparrow  4
Song Sparrow  3
Swamp Sparrow  6
Red-winged Blackbird  100
Eastern Meadowlark  4

Glades Wildlife Refuge--Turkey Pt.
13 species

Canada Goose  21
Mute Swan  5
Pied-billed Grebe  2
Great Egret  2
Snowy Egret  1
Bald Eagle  1
Black-bellied Plover  4
Greater Yellowlegs  4
Lesser Yellowlegs  3
Dunlin  550
Ring-billed Gull  X
Herring Gull  X
Yellow-rumped Warbler  6

Bivalve--High St
9 species

Canada Goose  30
American Black Duck  10
Northern Pintail  6
Green-winged Teal  50
Black-bellied Plover  10
Greater Yellowlegs  20
Dunlin  100
Herring Gull  6
Song Sparrow  3

Heislerville WMA
14 species

American Black Duck  10
Double-crested Cormorant  2
Great Blue Heron  1
Great Egret  1
Snowy Egret  1
Osprey  1
Bald Eagle  3
Black-bellied Plover  8
Greater Yellowlegs  10
Dunlin  80
Ring-billed Gull  X
Herring Gull  X
Great Black-backed Gull  X
Forster's Tern  6

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

Cox Hall Creek WMA - Sunday, November 8th, 2015

There are parking lot puddles at the back entrance to CHC WMA and that's where the birds were playing today. Eastern Bluebirds, Cedar Waxwings, Chipping Sparrows and House Finches bathed and drank while Eastern Meadowlarks, Purple Finches and Eastern Phoebe hung out in nearby trees. A Sharp-shinned Hawk caught a bird mid-air and the Golden-crowned Kinglets put on a really close show. Leaders: Kathy & Roger Horn, Shaun Bamford, Deb Payson, and Joe Demko.
45 species

Canada Goose  1
Double-crested Cormorant  1
Turkey Vulture  1
Sharp-shinned Hawk  1
Cooper's Hawk  1
Red-tailed Hawk  1
Mourning Dove  11
Red-bellied Woodpecker  4
Downy Woodpecker  1
Northern Flicker (Yellow-shafted)  6
Eastern Phoebe  1
Blue Jay  4
American Crow  20
Carolina Chickadee  2
Tufted Titmouse  4
White-breasted Nuthatch  1
Brown Creeper  1
Carolina Wren  1
Golden-crowned Kinglet  4
Ruby-crowned Kinglet  1
Eastern Bluebird  12
Hermit Thrush  2
American Robin  150
Gray Catbird  1
Brown Thrasher  1
Northern Mockingbird  1
Cedar Waxwing  65
Black-throated Blue Warbler  1
Yellow-rumped Warbler (Myrtle)  35
Chipping Sparrow  3
Field Sparrow  2
Dark-eyed Junco (Slate-colored)  9
White-throated Sparrow  9
Savannah Sparrow  2
Song Sparrow  4
Swamp Sparrow  2
Eastern Towhee  6
Northern Cardinal  3
Red-winged Blackbird  25
Eastern Meadowlark  3
Common Grackle  40
Brown-headed Cowbird  21
House Finch  5
Purple Finch  2
American Goldfinch  18
House Sparrow  6

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

Hermit Thrush [Photo by Roger Horn]

Hawks, Trails, and Beach - Saturday, November 7th, 2015

It was a chilly, drizzly afternoon, but from the dune we had a decent Northern Gannet show and a mix of gulls. The Black Swan continues in Bunker Pond with the usual Mute Swans and Canada Geese. We did find the Eurasian Wigeon and American Coot. Little birds were scarce but we did find Yellow-rumped Warblers. Leader: Chuck Slugg.
33 species (+1 other taxa)

Canada Goose  20
Mute Swan  9
Gadwall  14
Eurasian Wigeon  1
American Wigeon  20
Mallard  15
Blue-winged Teal  2
Northern Shoveler  12
Northern Pintail  10
Green-winged Teal  25
scoter sp.  35
Ruddy Duck  8
Northern Gannet  30
Double-crested Cormorant  2
Great Blue Heron  1
Great Egret  1
Turkey Vulture  2
Northern Harrier  1
Sharp-shinned Hawk  1
American Coot  7
Ring-billed Gull  3
Herring Gull  5
Great Black-backed Gull  25
Rock Pigeon (Feral Pigeon)  2
Mourning Dove  3
Tree Swallow  25
Carolina Wren  2  heard
American Robin  2     heard
Northern Mockingbird  1    heard
Yellow-rumped Warbler  20
Savannah Sparrow  2
Song Sparrow  1
Swamp Sparrow  4
Northern Cardinal  2     heard

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

Fall Migrants at The Rea Farm - Saturday, November 7th, 2015

We had two very popular sightings at the Rea Farm this morning. First a Vesper Sparrow, after playing hard to get in the grasses and phrags along a field edge, settled down in the bare dirt and proceeded to feed on the fallen seed there for quite some time. Later, in an (improved) repeat performance of last week's walk, mobbing crows chased a Great Horned Owl from one side of the field to the other, to the great delight of us all. Leaders: Kathy & Roger Horn, Karl Lukens, Deb Payson, and Catherine Busch.
41 species (+1 other taxa)

Canada Goose  15
Mute Swan  2
Gadwall  2
Mallard  11
Double-crested Cormorant  41
Turkey Vulture  1
Sharp-shinned Hawk  1
Cooper's Hawk  1
Red-tailed Hawk  1
Herring Gull (American)  3
Great Black-backed Gull  3
Mourning Dove  19
Great Horned Owl  1
Red-bellied Woodpecker  4
Downy Woodpecker  3
Northern Flicker (Yellow-shafted)  4
Blue Jay  3
American Crow  9
Carolina Chickadee  2
Carolina Wren  4
Golden-crowned Kinglet  1
Ruby-crowned Kinglet  1
American Robin  48
Gray Catbird  3
Brown Thrasher  1
Northern Mockingbird  2
European Starling  18
Cedar Waxwing  2
Yellow-rumped Warbler (Myrtle)  15
Field Sparrow  4
Dark-eyed Junco (Slate-colored)  2
White-crowned Sparrow  1
White-throated Sparrow  3
Vesper Sparrow  1
Savannah Sparrow  9
Song Sparrow  4
Swamp Sparrow  4
Northern Cardinal  4
Red-winged Blackbird  75
Common Grackle  35
blackbird sp.  50
American Goldfinch  6

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

Vesper Sparrow [Photo by Roger Horn]

Birding Cape May Point - Wednesday, November 4th, 2015

It was beautifully warm morning for us to explore the point. American Robins were around town in force and tens of thousands of Tree Swallows swirled above our heads. The corner by St. Mary's provided us a great selection of birds to study including Song Sparrows, Savannah Sparrows, White-throated Sparrows, House Sparrows, a young Brown-headed Cowbird, and a singing Carolina Wren. We got great looks at close Northern Gannets, Parasitic Jaegers, Surf and Black Scoters, an Eastern Meadowlark, and a Horned Grebe at the beach access at Coral Avenue. As we made our way back to Cape May Point State Park we passed through a massive mixed flock of Red-winged Blackbirds, Brown-headed Cowbirds, European Starlings, and Common Grackles. A quick pit-stop at Lighthouse Pond provided a study of various duck species and a perched Cooper's Hawk. Leaders: Margeaux Maerz, Mike Crewe, Chris Marks, Catherine Busch, Mary Watkins, and Steve Rodan.
52 species

Mute Swan  4
Gadwall  X
Eurasian Wigeon  1     *Continuing
American Wigeon  X
Mallard  X
Northern Shoveler  X
Northern Pintail  X
Green-winged Teal  X
Ring-necked Duck  X
Surf Scoter  X
Black Scoter  X
Red-throated Loon  1
Horned Grebe  1
Northern Gannet  X
Double-crested Cormorant  6
Turkey Vulture  3
Sharp-shinned Hawk  6
Cooper's Hawk  2
Laughing Gull  X
Herring Gull (American)  X
Great Black-backed Gull  14
Rock Pigeon (Feral Pigeon)  8
Mourning Dove  8
Red-bellied Woodpecker  1
Northern Flicker (Yellow-shafted)  2
American Crow  4
Tree Swallow  10
Carolina Chickadee  5
Red-breasted Nuthatch  2
Carolina Wren  2
Golden-crowned Kinglet  2
Eastern Bluebird  X
American Robin  X
Northern Mockingbird  3
European Starling  X
Cedar Waxwing  16
Blackpoll Warbler  2
Yellow-rumped Warbler (Myrtle)  38
Field Sparrow  1
Dark-eyed Junco  3
White-throated Sparrow  8
Savannah Sparrow  2
Song Sparrow  3
Northern Cardinal  2
Red-winged Blackbird  X
Eastern Meadowlark  1
Common Grackle  X
Brown-headed Cowbird  X
House Finch  5
Pine Siskin  X     Heard
American Goldfinch  6
House Sparrow  X

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

E-Z Birding - Tuesday, November 3rd, 2015

It was a beautiful fall day with a good assortment of birds to admire as we walked around the trails in Cape May Point State Park. Shortly after we began, we were surprised by a close flyover American Bittern which seemingly headed towards Lighthouse Pond. However, we were unable to find it on arrival, but good looks at a variety of ducks, including a male Eurasian Wigeon, was a good substitute. Other highlights on today's walk included frequent views of Sharp-shinned Hawks, Black Skimmers flying in formation back and forth over the ocean, and an extended interaction between a Mute Swan in threat posture chasing the Black Swan around one of the plover ponds.

41 species

Canada Goose  26
Mute Swan  18
Gadwall  24
Eurasian Wigeon  2     Continuing
American Wigeon  42
Mallard  26
Northern Shoveler  14
Northern Pintail  12
Green-winged Teal  22
Ring-necked Duck  8
Ruddy Duck  4
Double-crested Cormorant  4
American Bittern  1
Great Blue Heron  1
Black Vulture  2
Turkey Vulture  4
Sharp-shinned Hawk  9
American Coot  16
Laughing Gull  X
Herring Gull  X
Great Black-backed Gull  8
Black Skimmer  16
Rock Pigeon (Feral Pigeon)  8
Mourning Dove  2
Blue Jay  2
American Crow  4
Tree Swallow  3
Carolina Chickadee  6
Carolina Wren  2
Eastern Bluebird  5
Northern Mockingbird  2
European Starling  18
American Pipit  1
Yellow-rumped Warbler (Myrtle)  24
White-throated Sparrow  3
Savannah Sparrow  2
Song Sparrow  5
Swamp Sparrow  10
Red-winged Blackbird  5
Common Grackle  38
American Goldfinch  5

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

Birding the Meadows with Pete Dunne - Monday, November 2nd, 2015

We had a nice variety of ducks including numerous Gadwall and Green-winged Teal, Northern Pintail, Northern Shoveler, Ruddy Ducks, and one female Redhead. Scoters were moving offshore and a few people saw 1-2 Parasitic Jaegers, and a Northern Gannet. The continuing juvenile White-faced Ibis was present as were 3 Long-billed Dowitchers that have been around for several days. We all had good views of a large juvenile Peregrine Falcon sitting on the beach. Leaders: Pete Dunne, Chuck Slugg, Karl Lukens, Steve Weis, Janet Crawford, Deb Payson, and Mary Watkins.
54 species (+1 other taxa)

Canada Goose  150
Mute Swan  4
Gadwall  20
American Black Duck  1
Mallard  35
Northern Shoveler  4
Northern Pintail  5
Green-winged Teal  35
Redhead  1
Surf Scoter  10
Black Scoter  20
Surf/Black Scoter  50
Bufflehead  2
Ruddy Duck  14     7 in ponds, 7 in surf.
Red-throated Loon  1
Northern Gannet  1
Double-crested Cormorant  50
Great Blue Heron  3
White-faced Ibis  1     continuing juvenile
Northern Harrier  1
Sharp-shinned Hawk  6
Cooper's Hawk  3
American Coot  7
Killdeer  1
Sanderling  9
Dunlin  2
Long-billed Dowitcher  3
Parasitic Jaeger  2     far out
Laughing Gull  1
Ring-billed Gull  5
Herring Gull  15
Lesser Black-backed Gull  3
Great Black-backed Gull  25
Forster's Tern  2
Royal Tern  5
Black Skimmer  30
Rock Pigeon (Feral Pigeon)  2
Mourning Dove  8
Belted Kingfisher  1     by a few before walk
Northern Flicker  3
Peregrine Falcon  1
Blue Jay  5
American Crow  3
Tree Swallow  25
Carolina Wren  3
American Robin  110
Northern Mockingbird  1
Yellow-rumped Warbler  20
Song Sparrow  2
Swamp Sparrow  3
Northern Cardinal  1
Red-winged Blackbird  15
House Finch  2
American Goldfinch  2
House Sparrow  5

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

Long-billed Dowitcher [Photo by Karl Lukens]

Peregrine juvenile [Photo by Karl Lukens]

Cox Hall Creek WMA - Sunday, November 1st, 2015

Woodpeckers put on the show at CHC WMA this weekend, with scope views of Hairy, Downy, Red-bellied, Northern Flicker and a couple of very obliging Yellow-bellied Sapsuckers. Yellow-bellied is the only sapsucker we have in the East and we had both a young bird, in drab gray and brown with just a touch of red coming in on the head and throat, and an adult male, with bright red in those areas. If you look around at the trees in CHC, you'll see lots of them marked with the rings of sapsuckers where they've drilled for sap and the insects around sap. Leaders: Kathy & Roger Horn, Janet Crawford, Shaun Bamford, Joe Demko, Carrie Bell, and Steve Rodan.
43 species (+1 other taxa)

Canada Goose  1
Wood Duck  4
Mallard  8
Common Loon  1
Turkey Vulture  4
Osprey  1
Sharp-shinned Hawk  4
Cooper's Hawk  1
Herring Gull (American)  4
Mourning Dove  4
Red-bellied Woodpecker  4
Yellow-bellied Sapsucker  2
Downy Woodpecker  2
Hairy Woodpecker  1
Northern Flicker (Yellow-shafted)  5
Eastern Phoebe  1
Blue Jay  2
American Crow  6
Tree Swallow  1
Carolina Chickadee  7
Tufted Titmouse  9
Brown Creeper  4
Carolina Wren  4
Golden-crowned Kinglet  5
Ruby-crowned Kinglet  3
American Robin  70
Gray Catbird  2
Brown Thrasher  2
Northern Mockingbird  1
European Starling  30
Pine Warbler  1
Yellow-rumped Warbler (Myrtle)  12
Field Sparrow  1
Dark-eyed Junco (Slate-colored)  2
White-throated Sparrow  7
Song Sparrow  6
Swamp Sparrow  6
Eastern Towhee  3
Northern Cardinal  3
Common Grackle  20
blackbird sp.  150
House Finch  1
American Goldfinch  8
House Sparrow  2

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

Hawks, Trails, and Beach - Saturday, October 31st, 2015

We began the walk with a Bald Eagle, Red-tailed Hawk, and Black Vultures from the parking lot. Looking from the dune toward the rips, we saw Northern Gannets and lines of scoters moving. Way out to sea, there were hundreds of Double-crested Cormorants moving. On Bunker Pond, the Black Swan was among many species of ducks. We had a Snowy Egret fly into the pond and a Cattle Egret fly over. Yellow-rumped Warblers were everywhere! At the back pond, we had an American Bittern fly over and land out of sight and, lastly, we found a Brown Creeper in the wooded area. Leaders: Chuck Slugg, Barb Bassett, and Mary Watkins.
40 species

Canada Goose  35
Mute Swan  17
Gadwall  14
American Wigeon  25
Mallard  16
Northern Shoveler  10
Northern Pintail  8
Green-winged Teal  10
Ring-necked Duck  3
Black Scoter  43
Ruddy Duck  6
Northern Gannet  10
Double-crested Cormorant  500
American Bittern  1
Snowy Egret  1
Cattle Egret  1
Black Vulture  3
Turkey Vulture  2
Sharp-shinned Hawk  2
Cooper's Hawk  1
Bald Eagle  1
Red-tailed Hawk  1
American Coot  1
Herring Gull  1
Great Black-backed Gull  12
Rock Pigeon (Feral Pigeon)  3
Mourning Dove  6
Downy Woodpecker  1  heard
Northern Flicker  3
American Crow  1     eard
Carolina Chickadee 3
Brown Creeper  1
Carolina Wren  3     heard
Northern Mockingbird  1
Yellow-rumped Warbler  16
Savannah Sparrow  3
Song Sparrow  4
Swamp Sparrow  3
Northern Cardinal  2
House Sparrow  4

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

Fall Migrants at The Rea Farm - Saturday, October 31st, 2015

Although Swamp, Song and Savannah Sparrows plus Yellow-rumped Warblers ruled the day, there were several other highlights. Vesper Sparrow, American Kestrel and Eastern Meadowlark were popular "scope birds" but the raucous calls of mobbing American Crows drew attention in time for many to see the Great-horned Owl being harassed by the unwelcoming corvids. Group 1 Leaders: Kathy & Roger Horn.
48 species (+1 other taxa)

Canada Goose  65
Gadwall  3
Mallard  39
Green-winged Teal (American)  3
Double-crested Cormorant  3
Black-crowned Night-Heron  3
Black Vulture  4
Turkey Vulture  9
Sharp-shinned Hawk  3
Herring Gull (American)  5
Rock Pigeon (Feral Pigeon)  2
Mourning Dove  11
Great Horned Owl  1
Red-bellied Woodpecker  4
Downy Woodpecker  3
Hairy Woodpecker  1
Northern Flicker (Yellow-shafted)  5
Blue Jay  4
American Crow  10
Tree Swallow  10
Carolina Chickadee  4
Tufted Titmouse  4
Carolina Wren  6
Golden-crowned Kinglet  4
Ruby-crowned Kinglet  4
Eastern Bluebird  2
American Robin  24
Gray Catbird  3
Brown Thrasher  2
Northern Mockingbird  2
European Starling  18
Cedar Waxwing  2
Palm Warbler (Western)  4
Palm Warbler (Yellow)  2
Yellow-rumped Warbler (Myrtle)  22
Field Sparrow  4
White-throated Sparrow  6
Vesper Sparrow  1
Savannah Sparrow  10
Song Sparrow  11
Swamp Sparrow  12
Eastern Towhee  2
Northern Cardinal  2
Red-winged Blackbird  60
Eastern Meadowlark  1
Common Grackle  9
Brown-headed Cowbird  11
American Goldfinch  12
House Sparrow  2

Group 2 Leaders: Karl Lukens, Hugh Simmons, and Deb Payson.
42 species

Canada Goose  100
Gadwall  3
Mallard  9
Black-crowned Night-Heron  3
Black Vulture  1
Turkey Vulture  3
Sharp-shinned Hawk  1
Red-tailed Hawk  1
Herring Gull  2
Great Black-backed Gull  2
Rock Pigeon (Feral Pigeon)  1
Mourning Dove  12
Red-bellied Woodpecker  2
Downy Woodpecker  4
Hairy Woodpecker  1
Northern Flicker  1
American Kestrel  1
Blue Jay  5
American Crow  15
Fish Crow  1
Carolina Chickadee  1
Carolina Wren  2     heard
Ruby-crowned Kinglet  4
Hermit Thrush  1
American Robin  50
Gray Catbird  1     heard
Northern Mockingbird  1
Palm Warbler  6
Yellow-rumped Warbler  12
Field Sparrow  1
Dark-eyed Junco  2
Savannah Sparrow  5
Song Sparrow  5
Swamp Sparrow  8
Eastern Towhee  1     heard
Northern Cardinal  2
Red-winged Blackbird  1     5
Eastern Meadowlark  1
Common Grackle  10
Brown-headed Cowbird  4
American Goldfinch  2
House Sparrow  1

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

E-Z Birding - Tuesday, October 27th, 2015

Wintering ducks continue to gather on Bunker Pond, and each day, more males are coming into breeding plumage. The group enjoyed good looks at Northern Shoveler, Northern Pintail, American Wigeon, and Green-winged Teal on Bunker Pond. We later saw two male Eurasian Wigeon on Lighthouse Pond. Leaders: Catherine Busch, Chris Marks, Marc & Lynne Breslow.
42 species

Canada Goose  34
Mute Swan  25
Gadwall  26
Eurasian Wigeon  2     Continuing
American Wigeon  18
Mallard  36
Northern Shoveler  12
Northern Pintail  16
Green-winged Teal  12
Black Scoter  28
Ruddy Duck  10
Double-crested Cormorant  14
Great Blue Heron  2
Great Egret  1
Turkey Vulture  6
Osprey  2
Northern Harrier  2
Sharp-shinned Hawk  8
Cooper's Hawk  2
Laughing Gull  X
Ring-billed Gull  6
Herring Gull (American)  12
Great Black-backed Gull  18
Forster's Tern  6
Royal Tern  4
Mourning Dove  2
Northern Flicker (Yellow-shafted)  2
Peregrine Falcon  1
Eastern Phoebe  2
Blue Jay  2
American Crow  4
Tree Swallow  12
Carolina Wren  2
Gray Catbird  2
Northern Mockingbird  2
Yellow-rumped Warbler (Myrtle)  12
White-throated Sparrow  4
Song Sparrow  2
Swamp Sparrow  6
Northern Cardinal  2
Red-winged Blackbird  45
American Goldfinch  10
House Sparrow  X

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

Birding the Meadows with Pete Dunne - Monday, October 26th, 2015

There were a good variety of ducks, although Mallard and Green-winged Teal were the only ones in large numbers. We also had small numbers of Blue-winged Teal, Northern Shoveler, Gadwall, Ruddy Duck, American Wigeon, and one female Redhead were present. On the beach, we found two distant Lesser Black-backed Gulls and numerous Northern Gannets off shore. Sharp-shinned and Cooper's Hawks were overhead, as well as a couple of Northern Harriers, and a Bald Eagle. Leaders: Pete Dunne, Chuck Slugg, Karl Lukens, Steve Weis, Janet Crawford, Carrie Bell, Pat Perkins, and Mary Watkins.
56 species

Canada Goose  80
Mute Swan  4
Gadwall  6
American Wigeon  2
American Black Duck  4
Mallard  50
Blue-winged Teal  3
Northern Shoveler  6
Northern Pintail  2
Green-winged Teal  25
Redhead  1
Red-breasted Merganser  2
Red-throated Loon  1
Common Loon  2
Northern Gannet  15
Double-crested Cormorant  2
Great Blue Heron  2
Great Egret  4
Snowy Egret  5
Glossy Ibis  1
Black Vulture  1
Turkey Vulture  1
Osprey  1
Northern Harrier  2
Sharp-shinned Hawk  5
Cooper's Hawk  2
Bald Eagle  1
Killdeer  1
Greater Yellowlegs  3
Wilson's Snipe  2
Laughing Gull  10
Ring-billed Gull  5
Herring Gull  10
Lesser Black-backed Gull  2
Great Black-backed Gull  25
Forster's Tern  10
Royal Tern  15
Rock Pigeon (Feral Pigeon)  6
Mourning Dove  5
Northern Flicker  1
American Kestrel  1
American Crow  2
Tree Swallow  15
American Robin  15
Northern Mockingbird  1
Yellow-rumped Warbler  15
Savannah Sparrow  1
Song Sparrow  2
Swamp Sparrow  4
Red-winged Blackbird  15
Eastern Meadowlark  1
Common Grackle  10
Brown-headed Cowbird  1
House Finch  1
American Goldfinch  10
House Sparrow  10

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

Bird Walk for All People - Thursday, October 22nd, 2015

On Bunker Pond, along with the Black Swan and Mute Swans, there was a large number ducks including Ring-necked, Gadwall, Ruddy, and Eurasian Wigeon. A large number of Yellow-rumped Warblers with some sparrows, including Song, Field, Swamp, and Savannahs, were in the bayberries lining the path. Leaders: Chuck Slugg & Warren Cairo.
50 species

Canada Goose  35
Mute Swan  43
Gadwall  10
Eurasian Wigeon  2  
American Wigeon  18
Mallard  40
Blue-winged Teal  16
Northern Shoveler  18
Northern Pintail  4
Green-winged Teal  18
Ring-necked Duck  2
Ruddy Duck  5
Double-crested Cormorant  38
Turkey Vulture  3
Osprey  1
Northern Harrier  5
Sharp-shinned Hawk  7
Cooper's Hawk  3
Broad-winged Hawk  2
Red-tailed Hawk  1
American Coot  1
Parasitic Jaeger  7
Laughing Gull  3
Great Black-backed Gull  35
Royal Tern  25
Rock Pigeon (Feral Pigeon)  1
Mourning Dove  2
Red-bellied Woodpecker  1     heard
Downy Woodpecker  1     heard
Northern Flicker  4
Peregrine Falcon  1
Eastern Phoebe  3
American Crow  2
Fish Crow  3
Tree Swallow  50
Barn Swallow  3
Carolina Chickadee  3
Golden-crowned Kinglet  1     heard
Ruby-crowned Kinglet  2
American Robin  1     heard
Gray Catbird  3
Brown Thrasher  1     heard
Northern Mockingbird  2
Palm Warbler  2
Yellow-rumped Warbler  30
Field Sparrow  1
Savannah Sparrow  2
Song Sparrow  2
Swamp Sparrow  9
American Goldfinch  12

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

Birding Cape May Point - Wednesday, October 21st, 2015

It was a windy morning and with the promise of a variety of sparrows and ducks we decided to explore Cape May Point State Park. A quick trip to the dune crossover gave us close looks at Northern Gannets, Black Scoters, and a handful of Parasitic Jaegers harassing gulls and terns in the rips. A small group of calling Eastern Meadowlarks flew off the water and over the dunes. Bunker Pond allowed us fantastic looks at visiting ducks including Northern Pintails, displaying Gadwalls, Green-winged Teals, Ring-necked Ducks, 2 Eurasian Wigeon drakes, and a surprise male Bufflehead. A walk down to the brush pile and first plover pond revealed a collection of Palm Warblers and ever-present Yellow-rumped Warblers along with Savannah Sparrows, Song Sparrows, White-throated Sparrows, and an unexpected Vesper Sparrow. Leaders: Margeaux Maerz, Mike Crewe, Catherine Busch, Chris Marks, Mary Watkins, and Steve Weis.
59 species

Canada Goose  16
Mute Swan  27
Gadwall  14
Eurasian Wigeon  2     *Continuing
American Wigeon  24
Mallard  36
Blue-winged Teal  4
Northern Shoveler  8
Northern Pintail  6
Green-winged Teal  10
Ring-necked Duck  3
Surf Scoter  4
Black Scoter  120
Bufflehead  1
Ruddy Duck  4
Northern Gannet  6
Double-crested Cormorant  28
Great Blue Heron  1
Turkey Vulture  4
Osprey  1
Northern Harrier  3
Sharp-shinned Hawk  2
Cooper's Hawk  2
American Coot  3
Parasitic Jaeger  3
Laughing Gull  X
Ring-billed Gull  2
Herring Gull (American)  X
Great Black-backed Gull  X
Caspian Tern  1
Royal Tern  4
Mourning Dove  2
Belted Kingfisher  1
Northern Flicker (Yellow-shafted)  3
American Kestrel  1
Merlin  2
Blue Jay  2
American Crow  6
Tree Swallow  16
Red-breasted Nuthatch  1
Carolina Wren  2
Ruby-crowned Kinglet  1
Gray Catbird  2
Northern Mockingbird  2
European Starling  8
American Pipit  X     *Heard only
Palm Warbler  2
Yellow-rumped Warbler (Myrtle)  75
Field Sparrow  2
White-crowned Sparrow  1
White-throated Sparrow  2
Vesper Sparrow  1
Savannah Sparrow  2
Song Sparrow  1
Swamp Sparrow  8
Red-winged Blackbird  12
Eastern Meadowlark  8
American Goldfinch  18
House Sparrow  X

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