Sunset Birding at the Meadows - Friday, June 19th, 2015

Highlights of the walk include: Common Gallinule, American Wigeon, Gadwalls, American Oystercatchers clutching chicks, Green Herons, Greater Yellowlegs, Blue Grosbeak, Orchard Oriole, and Indigo Bunting. Leader: Chuck Slugg.
46 species

Canada Goose  30
Mute Swan  32
Gadwall  6
American Wigeon  1     Same bird that has been seen all spring
Mallard  15
Great Egret  2
Snowy Egret  2
Green Heron  2
Osprey  5
Common Gallinule  1
American Oystercatcher  9
Killdeer  5
Greater Yellowlegs  1
Laughing Gull  10
Ring-billed Gull  2
Herring Gull  21
Great Black-backed Gull  20
Least Tern  12
Forster's Tern  10
Black Skimmer  2
Rock Pigeon (Feral Pigeon)  4
Mourning Dove  13
Chimney Swift  7
Eastern Kingbird  2
Blue Jay  1
Fish Crow  2     heard only
Purple Martin  15
Tree Swallow  2
Barn Swallow  2
American Robin  2
Gray Catbird  4
Northern Mockingbird  2
European Starling  4
Cedar Waxwing  3
Common Yellowthroat  5
Yellow-breasted Chat  2  heard only
Eastern Towhee  1
Song Sparrow  2
Blue Grosbeak  2
Indigo Bunting  2
Red-winged Blackbird  15
Common Grackle  4
Brown-headed Cowbird  1
Orchard Oriole  2
American Goldfinch  1
House Sparrow  3

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

Bird Walk for All People - Thursday, June 18th, 2015

On the beach, we observed an American Oystercatcher and Northern Rough-winged Swallows flying around. On Bunker Pond, there was a Common Tern on one of the white posts. We also saw a River Otter on Bunker Pond. Moving through the wooded area we heard, but did not see, many warblers including Pine, Northern Parula, Common Yellow-throat, and Yellow-breasted Chats. Both leaders also saw Wild Turkeys on Seagrove Ave. as they were making their way to the park. Leaders:  Chuck Slugg and Chris Marks.
47 species

Canada Goose  40
Mute Swan  20
Gadwall  2
Mallard  8
Wild Turkey  2
Snowy Egret  2
American Oystercatcher  5
Killdeer  4
Laughing Gull  7
Lesser Black-backed Gull  1
Great Black-backed Gull  12
Least Tern  8
Common Tern  1
Forster's Tern  10
Black Skimmer  4
Rock Pigeon (Feral Pigeon)  3
Mourning Dove  7
Chimney Swift  9
Ruby-throated Hummingbird  1
Eastern Wood-Pewee  1
Eastern Kingbird  2
White-eyed Vireo  1     heard only
Fish Crow  3
Northern Rough-winged Swallow  6
Purple Martin  35
Tree Swallow  5
House Wren  2
American Robin  11
Gray Catbird  3
Northern Mockingbird  2
European Starling  5
Common Yellowthroat  5     heard only
Northern Parula  1     heard only
Pine Warbler  1     heard only
Yellow-breasted Chat  3     heard only
Eastern Towhee  2     heard only
Song Sparrow  3
Northern Cardinal  5
Blue Grosbeak  2
Indigo Bunting  2
Red-winged Blackbird  14
Common Grackle  10
Brown-headed Cowbird  1     heard only
Orchard Oriole  2
House Finch  1   heard only
American Goldfinch  3
House Sparrow  5

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

E-Z Birding - Tuesday, June 16th, 2015

Highlights on today's walk through Cape May Point State Park included good looks at local breeding songbirds including Indigo Bunting, Pine Warbler, Common Yellowthroat, and House Wren. We were surprised to see a low flying Common Loon overhead, and enjoyed scope views of a Black-crowned Night-Heron on Bunker Pond. Leaders: Catherine Busch and Chris Marks.
45 species

Canada Goose  97
Mute Swan  25
Gadwall  2
Mallard  12
Common Loon  1
Great Egret  3
Black-crowned Night-Heron  1
Osprey  3
American Oystercatcher  6
Killdeer  2
Laughing Gull  X
Herring Gull  X
Great Black-backed Gull  X
Least Tern  22
Forster's Tern  14
Black Skimmer  2
Rock Pigeon (Feral Pigeon)  3
Mourning Dove  4
Downy Woodpecker  2
Eastern Wood-Pewee  1
Blue Jay  2
American Crow  3
Northern Rough-winged Swallow  4
Purple Martin  120     large colony present
Tree Swallow  8
Barn Swallow  2
Carolina Chickadee  3
House Wren  3
Carolina Wren  2
American Robin  6
Gray Catbird  2
Northern Mockingbird  3
Common Yellowthroat  6
Pine Warbler  1
Yellow-breasted Chat  3
Song Sparrow  1
Northern Cardinal  4
Indigo Bunting  2
Red-winged Blackbird  X
Common Grackle  X
Brown-headed Cowbird  4
Orchard Oriole  1
House Finch  6
American Goldfinch  3
House Sparrow  5

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

Birding the Meadows with Pete Dunne - Monday, June 15th, 2015

Threatening showers did not appear until the end of a slightly shortened walk. Otherwise, there were some good birds including a lingering American Wigeon, several Willets, American Oystercatchers with chicks, several Black Skimmers, and two singing Willow Flycatchers. One Lesser Black-backed Gull was found on the beach. Leaders: Pete Dunne, Chuck Slugg, Karl Lukens, Janet Crawford, and Carrie Bell.
43 species

Canada Goose  75
Mute Swan  6
Gadwall  2
American Wigeon  1
Mallard  20
Great Egret  2
Snowy Egret  2
Black-crowned Night-Heron  2
Glossy Ibis  3
Osprey  2
American Oystercatcher  9
Killdeer  2
Willet  3
Short-billed Dowitcher  3
Laughing Gull  15
Herring Gull  5
Lesser Black-backed Gull  1
Great Black-backed Gull  10
Least Tern  8
Common Tern  1
Forster's Tern  10
Black Skimmer  8
Mourning Dove  10
Chimney Swift  4
Willow Flycatcher  2
Eastern Kingbird  1
Fish Crow  1
Purple Martin  15
Tree Swallow  5
Barn Swallow  2
Gray Catbird  2
Northern Mockingbird  1
European Starling  3
Common Yellowthroat  5
Song Sparrow  1
Northern Cardinal  4
Blue Grosbeak  1
Red-winged Blackbird  10
Common Grackle  15
Brown-headed Cowbird  4
Orchard Oriole  2
House Finch  3
House Sparrow  5

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

Gadwall [Photo by Karl Lukens]

Great Egret [Photo by Karl Lukens]

Breeding Birds at the Rea Farm - Saturday, June 13th, 2015

Like any place you bird repeatedly, the Beanery changes week-to-week. Some of  the changes are fairly predictable, based on things we know about birds' natural history, but others are not. This week, the Downy Woodpecker nestlings, seen and heard the last two weeks, were no longer in the nest hole; an adult was still in the 'neighborhood' but there was no sign of the fledglings. The adult Black-crowned Night Heron was still putting on a show at the pond, still with it's breeding plume hanging elegantly down it's back. We had wonderful looks at multiple Indigo Buntings but neither saw nor heard the usually-faithful Blue Grosbeaks. The real surprise though was when, in the parking lot, at the very end of the walk, Mississippi Kites showed up AGAIN, at the very same time as last week. Except this week, most of the participants were still there and got to see them - a much better ending for the walk! Leaders: Kathy & Roger Horn, Karl Lukens, Deb Payson, and Carrie Bell.
45 species

Mallard  4
Great Egret  5
Green Heron  2
Black-crowned Night-Heron  3
Glossy Ibis  2
Turkey Vulture  2
Osprey  1
Mississippi Kite  3
Red-tailed Hawk  2
Killdeer  2
Laughing Gull  28
Herring Gull (American)  2
Forster's Tern  1
Mourning Dove  4
Yellow-billed Cuckoo  1
Ruby-throated Hummingbird  1
Red-bellied Woodpecker  3
Downy Woodpecker  2
Great Crested Flycatcher  3
White-eyed Vireo  1
Blue Jay  3
American Crow  3
Purple Martin  4
Tree Swallow  2
Barn Swallow  2
Carolina Chickadee  2
Tufted Titmouse  3
Carolina Wren  2
American Robin  4
Gray Catbird  4
Northern Mockingbird  1
European Starling  6
Cedar Waxwing  2
Prothonotary Warbler  1
Common Yellowthroat  2
Prairie Warbler  1
Field Sparrow  3
Song Sparrow  2
Northern Cardinal  6
Indigo Bunting  9
Red-winged Blackbird  6
Common Grackle  7
Brown-headed Cowbird  5
House Finch  1
House Sparrow  7

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

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

Indigo Bunting [Photo by Karl Lukens]

Mississippi Kite [Photo by Karl Lukens]

Sunset Birding at the Meadows - Friday, June 12th, 2015

As we approached the first pond on the left, we had a large flock of Short-billed Dowitchers fly over and settle on the mudflats by the Eastern Trail. There were also Killdeer and Semipalmated Plover. The American Wigeon is still hanging around with some Gadwalls. On the beach, one American Oystercatcher was flattened on the sand clutching her three chicks and the male came in and fed them mole crabs. Black Skimmers were skimming and yipping on both eastern and middle ponds. For our herpetologists, there was a huge Snapping Turtle in the east pond. Leader: Chuck Slugg.
41 species

Canada Goose  40
Mute Swan  8
Gadwall  4
American Wigeon  1
American Black Duck  1
Mallard  15
Great Egret  2
Snowy Egret  3
Glossy Ibis  1
Osprey  4
American Oystercatcher  9
Semipalmated Plover  2
Killdeer  3
Short-billed Dowitcher  24
Laughing Gull  6
Herring Gull  2
Great Black-backed Gull  8
Least Tern  20
Forster's Tern  10
Black Skimmer  5
Rock Pigeon (Feral Pigeon)  3
Mourning Dove  8
Chimney Swift  6
Eastern Kingbird  2
American Crow  4
Fish Crow  2
Purple Martin  25
Tree Swallow  6
Barn Swallow  5
American Robin  7
Gray Catbird  1     heard only
Northern Mockingbird  1
Cedar Waxwing  2
Common Yellowthroat  4     heard only
Song Sparrow  2     heard only
Northern Cardinal  2
Red-winged Blackbird  15
Common Grackle  11
Orchard Oriole  1     heard only
House Finch  2
House Sparrow  3

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

Bird Walk for All People - Thursday, June 11th, 2015

Bunker Pond had a Glossy Ibis and a Black-crowned Night Heron plus Forster's and Least Terns. Good looks at a perched Common Yellowthroat were had by all. In the plover ponds, we observed American Oystercatchers, Killdeer, Greater Yellowlegs, and a plethora of Canada Geese. The wooded area was quiet although we heard Yellow-breasted Chats and Indigo Bunting, and Orchard Orioles. We also saw Cedar Waxwings and House Wrens. Leaders: Chuck Slugg and Chris Marks.
47 species

Canada Goose  180
Mute Swan 20
Mallard  12
Great Blue Heron  1
Great Egret  2
Snowy Egret  1
Black-crowned Night-Heron  2
Glossy Ibis  15
Osprey  7
American Oystercatcher  7
Killdeer  3
Greater Yellowlegs  1
Laughing Gull  10
Great Black-backed Gull  7
Least Tern  25
Forster's Tern  13
Rock Pigeon (FeralPigeon)  7
Mourning Dove  5
Yellow-billed Cuckoo  1     Heard only
Northern Flicker  1
Eastern Kingbird  2
American Crow  6
Fish Crow  1     heard only
Northern Rough-winged Swallow  3
Purple Martin  35
Tree Swallow  7
Barn Swallow  5
Carolina Chickadee  3     heard only
House Wren  2
Carolina Wren  1     heard only
American Robin  11
Gray Catbird  1
Northern Mockingbird  3
European Starling  5
Cedar Waxwing  6
Common Yellowthroat  3
Yellow-breasted Chat  3     heard only
Song Sparrow  3
Northern Cardinal  4
Indigo Bunting  1     heard only
Red-winged Blackbird  20
Common Grackle  10
Brown-headed Cowbird  3
Orchard Oriole  2     heard only
House Finch  6
American Goldfinch  3
House Sparrow  2

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

E-Z Birding - Tuesday, June 9th, 2015

Early summer birding at Cape May Point SP finds us focusing on our local breeding birds including beach nesters such as American Oystercatcher with newly hatched chicks and Least Terns still engaging in courting behavior. Reports of Brown Pelican in the area had us scanning the ocean front at each dune crossover, and we were rewarded by a good view of six immature Brown Pelicans flying east towards Cape May. We also had good looks at Great Crested Flycatcher, Common Yellowthroat warblers, a first-year male Orchard Oriole, and a perched Red-tailed Hawk. Leaders: Catherine Busch, Chris Marks, and Barb Bassett.
53 species

Canada Goose  43
Mute Swan  15
Gadwall  2
Mallard  6
Brown Pelican  6
Great Blue Heron  1
Great Egret  4
Snowy Egret  2
Osprey  2
Red-tailed Hawk  1
American Oystercatcher  6
Killdeer  4
Greater Yellowlegs  1
Least Sandpiper  1
Laughing Gull  X
Herring Gull  X
Lesser Black-backed Gull  1
Great Black-backed Gull  X
Least Tern  20
Forster's Tern  8
Rock Pigeon (Feral Pigeon)  X
Mourning Dove  6
Chimney Swift  2
Downy Woodpecker  2
Eastern Wood-Pewee  1
Great Crested Flycatcher  3
White-eyed Vireo  1
Blue Jay  1
American Crow  2
Purple Martin  100
Tree Swallow  20
Barn Swallow  8
Tufted Titmouse  1
House Wren  3
Carolina Wren  4
American Robin  4
Gray Catbird  2
Northern Mockingbird  2
European Starling  6
Cedar Waxwing  10
Common Yellowthroat  12
Yellow-breasted Chat  2     heard only
Song Sparrow  2
Northern Cardinal  6
Blue Grosbeak  1
Indigo Bunting  2     heard only
Red-winged Blackbird  X
Common Grackle  X
Brown-headed Cowbird  X
Orchard Oriole  1
House Finch  3
American Goldfinch  6
House Sparrow  X

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

Birding the Meadows with Pete Dunne - Monday, June 8th, 2015

Varieties and numbers of ducks and shorebirds were at a minimum as expected for this time of year. All are due back by end of summer. We did have Semipalmated, and Least Sandpipers and one Spotted Sandpiper. Nice scope views of an adult male Orchard Oriole, as well as great scope views of two American Oystercatcher families. A good number of Chimney Swifts were always overhead. Leaders: Chuck Slugg, Karl Lukens, Catherine Busch, Mary Watkins, and Pat Perkins.
46 species

Canada Goose  50
Mute Swan  8
Gadwall  2
Mallard  15
Great Egret  5
Snowy Egret  3
Green Heron  3
Glossy Ibis  1
Turkey Vulture  2
Osprey  6
American Oystercatcher  12     pair w/3 chicks, pair w/2chicks.
Killdeer  2
Spotted Sandpiper  1
Willet  2
Least Sandpiper  3
Semipalmated Sandpiper  9
Laughing Gull  20
Herring Gull  1
Great Black-backed Gull  18
Least Tern  10
Common Tern  1
Forster's Tern  10
Black Skimmer  1
Mourning Dove  10
Chimney Swift  10
Downy Woodpecker  1
Fish Crow  1
Northern Rough-winged Swallow  1
Purple Martin  15
Tree Swallow  5
Barn Swallow  5
Gray Catbird  1
Northern Mockingbird  1
European Starling  2
Cedar Waxwing  2
Common Yellowthroat  4
Field Sparrow  1
Song Sparrow  3
Northern Cardinal  4
Red-winged Blackbird  10
Common Grackle  10
Brown-headed Cowbird  4
Orchard Oriole  2
House Finch  1
American Goldfinch  4
House Sparrow  6

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

American Oystercatcher chicks [Photo by Karl Lukens]

Breeding Birds at the Rea Farm - Saturday, June 6th, 2015

After almost losing hope of seeing the elusive Prothonotary Warbler, one sang close behind us, then two birds proceeded to flit through the trees of the wet woods, feeding and singing right over the path. The nestling Downy Woodpecker found last week was still being fed by both parents, who were undoubtedly prodded by it's incessant cries. We also watched as what appeared to be another Downy Woodpecker nest was being attacked by a European Starling. The starling repeatedly perched at the nest hole and, with bill open as wide as the hole, tried to reach something inside. Eggs? Young? We couldn't tell. But the male and female woodpeckers close by were obviously upset. A search on Cornell's All About Birds showed "starlings compete fiercely for nesting cavities, ousting such native birds as bluebirds and various woodpeckers. They sometimes kill the original cavity-holding birds, and often destroy their eggs and young." We'll see what's at that spot next week. Leaders: Kathy & Roger Horn, Karl Lukens, and Cindy Bamford.
47 species

Canada Goose  2
Mallard  2
Great Egret  1
Green Heron  2
Black-crowned Night-Heron  1
Osprey  1
Killdeer  1
Laughing Gull  12
Herring Gull (American)  1
Forster's Tern  1
Mourning Dove  5
Yellow-billed Cuckoo  1
Chimney Swift  1
Red-bellied Woodpecker  2
Downy Woodpecker  4
Eastern Wood-Pewee  1
Great Crested Flycatcher  4
White-eyed Vireo  1
Red-eyed Vireo  1
Blue Jay  3
American Crow  3
Fish Crow  1
Northern Rough-winged Swallow  1
Purple Martin  3
Tree Swallow  2
Barn Swallow  6
Carolina Chickadee  5
Tufted Titmouse  2
House Wren  1
Carolina Wren  6
Blue-gray Gnatcatcher  2
American Robin  7
Gray Catbird  3
Northern Mockingbird  1
European Starling  9
Cedar Waxwing  5
Prothonotary Warbler  3
Common Yellowthroat  6
Yellow-breasted Chat  2
Northern Cardinal  7
Blue Grosbeak  2
Indigo Bunting  6
Red-winged Blackbird  8
Common Grackle  6
Brown-headed Cowbird  6
House Finch  93
House Sparrow  10

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

Sunset Birding at the Meadows - Friday, June 5th, 2015

A pair of Orchard Orioles and several Ospreys carrying fish greeted us in the parking lot. The American Wigeon drake continues to be in the middle pond and there are several pairs of Gadwalls remaining. On the beach we watched a mother American Oystercatcher clutching her chicks at the end of the eastern trail. Then the male brought in a mole crab which they fed to the chicks. Shorebirds and gulls were scarce but we observed some nesting and courting Least Terns. Leader: Chuck Slugg.
43 species

Canada Goose  35
Mute Swan  8
Gadwall  6
American Black Duck  1
Mallard  18
Great Egret  3
Snowy Egret  2
Glossy Ibis  3
Osprey  5
American Oystercatcher  11
Semipalmated Plover  3
Killdeer 3
Greater Yellowlegs  1     heard only
Least Sandpiper  1
Semipalmated Sandpiper  1
Laughing Gull  4
Herring Gull  1
Great Black-backed Gull  1
Least Tern  8
Forster's Tern  7
Black Skimmer  4
Rock Pigeon (Feral Pigeon)  2
Mourning Dove  5
Chimney Swift  12
American Crow  7
Fish Crow  1  heard only
Purple Martin  15
Tree Swallow  2
Barn Swallow  4
Marsh Wren  1   heard only
American Robin  3
Gray Catbird  1
Northern Mockingbird  3
European Starling  4
Cedar Waxwing  1     heard only
Common Yellowthroat  4 heard only
Field Sparrow  2     heard only
Song Sparrow  3     heard only
Northern Cardinal  2
Red-winged Blackbird  14
Common Grackle  7
Orchard Oriole  3
House Sparrow  4

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

E-Z Birding - Tuesday, June 2nd, 2015

If you didn't have close-focusing binoculars, you wouldn't have been able to focus on the male Blue Grosbeak without backing up. It fed on the grass tops for several minutes before flying down and landing in the path next to a male Indigo Bunting for a great comparison. A Pine Warbler startled us with it's loud call directly overhead as we were focusing on the Cedar Waxwings that kept chasing each other through the cedars. We also had an interesting discussion about poison ivy which is a prominent plant throughout the area. Not everyone recognizes the leaf pattern or understands that it's the oily resin of the plant that causes the itchy skin rash. Touching the plant - alive or dead - or contact with the oil from gardening tools, clothes or pets, can produce the rash. Leaders: Kathy & Roger Horn.
47 species

Canada Goose  32
Mute Swan  9
Wood Duck  1
American Black Duck  1
Mallard  8
Great Egret  1
Snowy Egret  1
Black-crowned Night-Heron  1
Glossy Ibis  2
Turkey Vulture  1
Osprey  2
American Oystercatcher  2
Killdeer  1
Laughing Gull  18
Herring Gull (American)  3
Least Tern  3
Forster's Tern  1
Rock Pigeon (Feral Pigeon)  2
Mourning Dove  2
Yellow-billed Cuckoo  1
Great Crested Flycatcher  1
Fish Crow  1
Purple Martin  15
Tree Swallow  12
Barn Swallow  1
Carolina Chickadee  2
Carolina Wren  2
Blue-gray Gnatcatcher  1
American Robin  6
Gray Catbird  1
Northern Mockingbird  1
European Starling  3
Cedar Waxwing  9
Common Yellowthroat  2
American Redstart  2
Yellow-throated Warbler  1
Yellow-breasted Chat  2
Northern Cardinal  4
Blue Grosbeak  2
Indigo Bunting  2
Red-winged Blackbird  10
Common Grackle  4
Brown-headed Cowbird  2
Orchard Oriole  1
House Finch  3
American Goldfinch  2
House Sparrow  1

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

Poison Ivy [Photo by Kathy Horn]

Birding the Meadows with Pete Dunne - Monday, June 1st, 2015

We again had some very nice birds from the parking lot including adult male Orchard Oriole, singing male Blue Grosbeak, three Great Crested Flycatchers, and fly-over Ospreys and Glossy Ibis. We had good shorebirds along the East trail, but only the usual suspects for this time of year. The highlight at the end of the walk was a fly-over Mississippi Kite, a lifer for some! Leaders: Pete Dunne, Karl Lukens, Steve Weis, and Pat Perkins.
51 species

Canada Goose  100
Mute Swan  10
Gadwall  4
American Wigeon  1
Mallard  25
Bufflehead  1     female
Great Egret  2
Snowy Egret  1
Green Heron  3
Black-crowned Night-Heron  1
Glossy Ibis  6
Osprey  4
Mississippi Kite  1
American Oystercatcher  11     1 pair w/3 chicks
Semipalmated Plover  4
Killdeer  4
Greater Yellowlegs  1     heard
Willet  3
Least Sandpiper  8
Semipalmated Sandpiper  50
Laughing Gull  10
Herring Gull  10
Great Black-backed Gull  20
Least Tern  20
Forster's Tern  10
Black Skimmer  3
Mourning Dove  8
Chimney Swift  3
Great Crested Flycatcher  3
Fish Crow  1
Purple Martin  15
Tree Swallow  4
Barn Swallow  8
Carolina Chickadee  2
American Robin  3
Gray Catbird  1
Northern Mockingbird  1
European Starling  2
Common Yellowthroat  5
Eastern Towhee  1
Field Sparrow  1
Song Sparrow  1
Northern Cardinal  5
Blue Grosbeak  1
Red-winged Blackbird  10
Common Grackle  25
Brown-headed Cowbird  1
Orchard Oriole  1
House Finch  1
American Goldfinch  1
House Sparrow  5

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

American Oystercatcher and chicks [Photo by Karl Lukens]

Least Tern [Photo by Karl Lukens]

Cox Hall Creek WMA - Sunday, May 31st, 2015

It must be a record - scope views of three different Carolina Wrens and one House Wren, perched up and singing! Indeed if you judge a bird walk by the quality of the scope views, today's was a fine one. Male and female Blue Grosbeaks perched side-by-side on a branch, a Red-bellied Woodpecker nestling peeking out of it's hole - even a White-eyed Vireo sitting up singing in the dappled light of a wooded area. The Orchard Oriole female, seen last week near what we suspect is it's nest area was still present, and was scoped - and we still couldn't find it's nest.  Leaders: Kathy & Roger Horn, Shaun Bamford, Deb Payson, and Hugh Simmons.
54 species

Canada Goose  2
Mallard  6
Double-crested Cormorant  22
Great Egret  2
Snowy Egret  1
Green Heron  2
Turkey Vulture  2
Osprey  4
Red-tailed Hawk  1
Killdeer  1
Laughing Gull  7
Mourning Dove  5
Yellow-billed Cuckoo  1
Ruby-throated Hummingbird  1
Red-bellied Woodpecker  3
Downy Woodpecker  2
Hairy Woodpecker  1
Northern Flicker (Yellow-shafted)  1
Eastern Wood-Pewee  1
Great Crested Flycatcher  6
Eastern Kingbird  1
White-eyed Vireo  4
Red-eyed Vireo  1
Blue Jay  2
American Crow  4
Northern Rough-winged Swallow  2
Purple Martin  12
Tree Swallow  7
Barn Swallow  2
Carolina Chickadee  4
Tufted Titmouse  4
House Wren  2
Carolina Wren  5
Blue-gray Gnatcatcher  4
American Robin  20
Gray Catbird  2
Northern Mockingbird  1
European Starling  4
Cedar Waxwing  8
Prothonotary Warbler  1
Common Yellowthroat  1
Pine Warbler  2
Prairie Warbler  1
Yellow-breasted Chat  1
Chipping Sparrow  9
Field Sparrow  3
Northern Cardinal  6
Blue Grosbeak  2
Indigo Bunting  6
Red-winged Blackbird  9
Common Grackle  14
Brown-headed Cowbird  8
Orchard Oriole  2
American Goldfinch  4

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

Bird Walk for All People - Saturday, May 30th, 2015

It was a beautiful afternoon although a bit windy. The usual birds were present including a large number of Ospreys, lots of terns including Forster's and Least, very vocal American Oystercatchers on the beach, and several Black Skimmers flying over Bunker Pond. There was also a good mix of swallows including Tree, Barn, Northern Rough-winged, and Purple Martins. Leaders: Chuck Slugg, Deb Payson, and Pat Perkins.
46 species

Canada Goose  35
Mute Swan  10
Gadwall  2
Mallard  8
Wild Turkey  2
Double-crested Cormorant  2
Great Egret  4
Glossy Ibis  2
Osprey  10
American Oystercatcher  7
Semipalmated Plover  1
Killdeer  2
Greater Yellowlegs  2
Lesser Yellowlegs  1
Laughing Gull  11
Herring Gull  8
Great Black-backed Gull  6
Least Tern  12
Forster's Tern  28
Black Skimmer  2
Rock Pigeon (Feral Pigeon)  4
Mourning Dove  2
Chimney Swift  2
Eastern Kingbird  1
American Crow  2
Fish Crow  3
Northern Rough-winged Swallow  4
Purple Martin  35
Tree Swallow  10
Barn Swallow  6
Carolina Chickadee  2     heard only
House Wren  2     heard only
Carolina Wren  1     heard only
American Robin  4
Gray Catbird  3
Northern Mockingbird 3
European Starling  4
Common Yellowthroat  2     heard only
Yellow-breasted Chat  1     heard only
Song Sparrow  3
Northern Cardinal  5
Blue Grosbeak  1  heard only
Red-winged Blackbird  13
Common Grackle  10
House Finch  2
House Sparrow  14

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

Spring Migrants at the Rea Farm - Saturday, May 30th, 2015

It's hard to designate one highlight on a walk like today's. Scoped-while-singing birds included a Common Yellowthroat and an Indigo Bunting, both looking pretty incredible in the morning light at the top of trees. A young Black-crowned Night-Heron perched along the pond edge. A less common highlight, heard while standing quietly and waiting for the elusive but singing Prothonotary Warbler to appear (which it never did), was the nest of a Downy Woodpecker. Soft but insistent chips drew our attention to a nest hole in a dead tree. Soon the adult male Downy Woodpecker we'd been hearing went to the hole with food. The gaping mouth of a young Downy could be seen reaching up for it.  If you were on the walk, you may notice that there's a Mississippi Kite on the list below; that showed up right after the walk, when only two of the walk participants remained. Leaders: Kathy & Roger Horn, Karl Lukens, and Deb Payson.
51 species

Canada Goose  8
Mallard  4
Great Egret  1
Green Heron  2
Black-crowned Night-Heron  1
Glossy Ibis  1
Black Vulture  1
Turkey Vulture  3
Osprey  2
Mississippi Kite  1
Killdeer  2
Laughing Gull  5
Forster's Tern  4
Mourning Dove  5
Yellow-billed Cuckoo  3
Chimney Swift  3
Ruby-throated Hummingbird  1
Red-bellied Woodpecker  2
Downy Woodpecker  2
Great Crested Flycatcher  2
Eastern Kingbird  1
Red-eyed Vireo  1
Blue Jay  1
American Crow  3
Fish Crow  2
Northern Rough-winged Swallow  1
Purple Martin  3
Tree Swallow  5
Barn Swallow  9
Carolina Chickadee  3
Tufted Titmouse  1
Carolina Wren  6
American Robin  5
Gray Catbird  3
Northern Mockingbird  1
European Starling  6
Cedar Waxwing  2
Prothonotary Warbler  2
Common Yellowthroat  4
Blackpoll Warbler  1
Prairie Warbler  1
Yellow-breasted Chat  1
Field Sparrow  2
Northern Cardinal  8
Blue Grosbeak  4
Indigo Bunting  6
Red-winged Blackbird  8
Common Grackle  5
Brown-headed Cowbird  6
American Goldfinch  1
House Sparrow  3

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

Higbee Beach Bird Walk - Friday, May 29th, 2015

Higbee Beach is settling into its summer breeding season and migrants were notable by their absence. But that was not cause for disappointment, since we enjoyed great views of a nice range of local breeding birds. Indigo Buntings were singing well and several males posed for scope views. Blue Grosbeaks were around too, but they chose to lurk in longer grass and be elusive. Hairy, Downy and Red-bellied Woodpeckers were all vocal, as were the local White-eyed Vireos and Field Sparrows. We heard one of the two male Hooded Warblers that seem to have set up territory at Higbee Beach this year and, after a bit of a search, we eventually had prolonged scope views of a singing Yellow-breasted Chat. For a change, our route took us down to Higbee Pond, where a Great Blue Heron lurked and Glossy Ibises flew overhead. This peaceful corner of Higbee Beach is a wonderful alternative to the hustle and bustle of life at the beach! Leaders: Mike Crewe, Kathy Horn, Catherine Busch, Chris Marks, and Carrie Bell.
47 species

Wood Duck  2
Mallard  4
Great Blue Heron  1
Great Egret  2
Glossy Ibis  3
Turkey Vulture  3
Osprey  2
Cooper's Hawk  1
Bald Eagle  1
Red-tailed Hawk  1
Laughing Gull  X
Mourning Dove  4
Chimney Swift  3
Ruby-throated Hummingbird  2
Red-bellied Woodpecker  2
Hairy Woodpecker  2
Great Crested Flycatcher  1
Eastern Kingbird  2
White-eyed Vireo  4
Red-eyed Vireo  1
Blue Jay  1
American Crow  3
Fish Crow  2
Northern Rough-winged Swallow  2
Tree Swallow  3
Barn Swallow  2
Carolina Chickadee  4
Tufted Titmouse  3
Carolina Wren  5
Gray Catbird  3
Northern Mockingbird  2
European Starling  4
Cedar Waxwing  3
Common Yellowthroat  3
Hooded Warbler  2
Prairie Warbler  2
Yellow-breasted Chat  1
Field Sparrow  2
Song Sparrow  1
Northern Cardinal  4
Blue Grosbeak  2
Indigo Bunting  4
Red-winged Blackbird  6
Common Grackle  X
Brown-headed Cowbird  8
House Finch  3
American Goldfinch  6

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

Midweek at the Meadows - Wednesday, May 27th, 2015

It was a delightful morning on this week's Midweek at the Meadows walk. Right from the parking lot we heard the ramblings of a Yellow-breasted Chat, though he stayed tucked away in the trees. A Yellow Warbler and a male Orchard Oriole afforded us wonderful views along the start of the west path. The main pool held a smattering of species including a Greater Yellowlegs, Glossy Ibis, Willet, and a surprise Bufflehead. Our luck with ducks continued further down the path with an American Wigeon and a pair of Gadwall. Our resident American Oystercatchers are still on the nest and are joined by a few pairs of courting Least Terns. A White-rumped Sandpiper was located amongst a large collection of Semipalmated Sandpipers in the southwest corner of the property. A highlight of the morning was a family of Killdeer with two (very cute) young chicks in tow. Leaders: Mike Crewe, Chris Marks, Catherine Busch, Margeaux Maerz, Steve Weis, and Pat Perkins.
53 species

Canada Goose  66
Mute Swan  18
Gadwall  4
American Wigeon  1     late
Mallard  24
Bufflehead  1     late
Double-crested Cormorant  6
Great Egret  2
Snowy Egret  1
Green Heron  2
Glossy Ibis  8
Osprey  4
American Oystercatcher  7
Semipalmated Plover  6
Killdeer  4
Greater Yellowlegs  3
Willet (Eastern)  6
Lesser Yellowlegs  1
Dunlin  1
White-rumped Sandpiper  1
Semipalmated Sandpiper  45
Short-billed Dowitcher  10
Laughing Gull  X
Herring Gull  X
Great Black-backed Gull  3
Common Tern  1
Forster's Tern  22
Rock Pigeon (Feral Pigeon)  2
Mourning Dove  4
Chimney Swift  4
Eastern Kingbird  4
Blue Jay  1
American Crow  2
Fish Crow  3
Purple Martin  14
Tree Swallow  4
Barn Swallow  2
American Robin  4
Gray Catbird  1
Brown Thrasher  1
Northern Mockingbird  1
Cedar Waxwing  8
Common Yellowthroat  6
Yellow Warbler  1
Yellow-breasted Chat  1
Song Sparrow  2
Northern Cardinal  4
Red-winged Blackbird  X
Common Grackle  X
Brown-headed Cowbird  6
Orchard Oriole  2
American Goldfinch  4
House Sparrow  6

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