Higbee Beach Birding - Friday, August 19th, 2016

Leaders:  David La Puma, Brett Ewald, Chris Marks, Catherine Busch, and Kirsten Fuller.
39 species

Northern Bobwhite (Eastern)  1     Heard
Great Egret  2
Osprey  3
Laughing Gull  12
Rock Pigeon (Feral Pigeon)  2
Mourning Dove  4
Yellow-billed Cuckoo  1     Heard
Chimney Swift  2
Ruby-throated Hummingbird  3
Belted Kingfisher  1
Red-bellied Woodpecker  3
Downy Woodpecker  2
Great Crested Flycatcher  4
Eastern Kingbird  16
White-eyed Vireo  1
Red-eyed Vireo  1
Blue Jay  2
Purple Martin  4
Barn Swallow  1
Carolina Chickadee  2
Tufted Titmouse  3
Carolina Wren  5
Blue-gray Gnatcatcher  8
American Robin  12
Gray Catbird  1
Cedar Waxwing  3
Worm-eating Warbler  1     Seen by a few
Blue-winged Warbler  3
Black-and-white Warbler  4
American Redstart  12
Yellow Warbler  4
Chestnut-sided Warbler  1
Canada Warbler  1     Seen by a few
Northern Cardinal  2
Bobolink  3
Red-winged Blackbird  48
Orchard Oriole  1
Baltimore Oriole  1
American Goldfinch  4

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

Bird Walk for All People - Thursday, August 18th, 2016

In spite of the heat and humidity there was a phenomenal number of both Snowy and Great Egrets and Tricolored Herons. There was a huge number of terns on the beach including the usual mix and one Black Tern. There were so many birds on Bunker Pond that we never got into the park trails. Leaders: Chuck Slugg, Chris Marks, Deb Payson, and Karl Lukens.
43 species

Canada Goose 5
Mute Swan 10
Mallard 7
Black Scoter 3
Double-crested Cormorant 2
Great Blue Heron 5
Great Egret 29
Snowy Egret 58
Tricolored Heron 13
Black-crowned Night-Heron 1
Glossy Ibis 10
Osprey 5
Bald Eagle 1
American Oystercatcher 3
Semipalmated Plover 4
Killdeer 5
Sanderling 1
Least Sandpiper 15
Semipalmated Sandpiper 6
Greater Yellowlegs 1
Lesser Yellowlegs 1 heard
Laughing Gull 70
Herring Gull 4
Great Black-backed Gull 13
Least Tern 10
Black Tern 1
Common Tern 40
Forster's Tern 25
Royal Tern 5
Black Skimmer 3
Rock Pigeon (Feral Pigeon) 3
Mourning Dove 6
Ruby-throated Hummingbird 2
Belted Kingfisher 1
Purple Martin 30
Tree Swallow 200
Barn Swallow 6
Northern Mockingbird 1
Yellow Warbler 4
Song Sparrow 2
Blue Grosbeak 1 heard
Red-winged Blackbird 3
House Sparrow 2

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

Birding the Meadows with Pete Dunne - Monday, August 15th, 2016

A couple of migrating warblers were seen including two Northern Waterthrush, American Redstart, Yellow Warbler and Blue-gray Gnatcatcher. Still no "Grasspipers" but we did have Semipalmated Plover, Killdeer, Semipalmated and Least Sandpiper, also Pectoral Sandpiper and one White-rumped Sandpiper. Several Lesser Black-backed Gulls were on the beach as well as American Oystercatchers and Sanderling. Over head we had four Broad-winged Hawks. Leaders: Pete Dunne, Chuck Slugg, Karl Lukens, Steve Weis, Pat Perkins, and Warren Cairo.
59 species

Canada Goose  20
Mute Swan  15
Mallard  20
Double-crested Cormorant  1
Great Egret  3
Snowy Egret  4
Little Blue Heron  2
Green Heron  1
Glossy Ibis  1
Black Vulture  4
Turkey Vulture  5
Osprey  5
Broad-winged Hawk  4
American Oystercatcher  6
Semipalmated Plover  8
Killdeer  4
Sanderling  18
Least Sandpiper  10
White-rumped Sandpiper  1
Pectoral Sandpiper  2
Semipalmated Sandpiper  6
Lesser Yellowlegs  4
Laughing Gull  18
Ring-billed Gull  5
Herring Gull  2
Lesser Black-backed Gull  3
Great Black-backed Gull  8
Common Tern  1
Forster's Tern  10
Royal Tern  2
Black Skimmer  4
Rock Pigeon (Feral Pigeon)  3
Mourning Dove  4
Chimney Swift  1
Ruby-throated Hummingbird  1
Eastern Kingbird  2
Blue Jay  1
American Crow  1
Fish Crow  4
Purple Martin  1
Tree Swallow  10
Barn Swallow  10
Carolina Wren  1
Blue-gray Gnatcatcher  2
Gray Catbird  1
Northern Mockingbird  4
European Starling  15
Northern Waterthrush  2
Common Yellowthroat  2
American Redstart  1
Yellow Warbler  1
Song Sparrow  2
Northern Cardinal  1
Indigo Bunting  1
Bobolink  5
Red-winged Blackbird  200
Common Grackle  5
House Finch  3
House Sparrow  5

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

American Oystercatcher [Photo by Karl Lukens]

Pectoral Sandpipers (left), White-rumped, and Lesser Yellowlegs [Photo by Karl Lukens]

Birding Cape May Point - Saturday, August 13th, 2016

The highlight of this morning's bird walk wasn't a bird at all. It was the black rat snake with a mouthful of muskrat, as seen in the photo below. Rat snakes kill by constriction and this one eventually dragged his prey further into the grasses to continue his food prep. Some bird highlights included a very cooperative male Blue Grosbeak, a Pectoral Sandpiper feeding with some Least Sandpipers and Stilt Sandpipers. Leaders: Kathy Horn, Roger Horn, Karl Lukens, and Kyle Chelius.
49 species

Canada Goose  25
Mute Swan  45
Mallard  42
Great Blue Heron  3
Great Egret  10
Glossy Ibis  1
Black Vulture  1
Turkey Vulture  1
Osprey  3
American Oystercatcher  3
Semipalmated Plover  4
Killdeer  4
Stilt Sandpiper  2
Sanderling  2
Least Sandpiper  9
Pectoral Sandpiper  1
Semipalmated Sandpiper  18
Short-billed Dowitcher  22
Spotted Sandpiper  2
Lesser Yellowlegs  5
Laughing Gull  130
Great Black-backed Gull  15
Least Tern  48
Common Tern  22
Forster's Tern  25
Royal Tern  1
Mourning Dove  9
Red-bellied Woodpecker  1
Downy Woodpecker  2
Eastern Kingbird  1
Blue Jay  1
American Crow  1
Purple Martin  15
Tree Swallow  15
Barn Swallow  4
Carolina Chickadee  5
Tufted Titmouse  2
Carolina Wren  7
American Robin  3
Gray Catbird  1
Northern Mockingbird  1
European Starling  43
Cedar Waxwing  2
Common Yellowthroat  2
Song Sparrow  1
Northern Cardinal  4
Blue Grosbeak  1
Red-winged Blackbird  8
American Goldfinch  3

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

Stilt Sandpipers [Photo by Roger Horn]

Black Rat Snake devouring a Muskrat [Photo by Roger Horn]

Birds Before Dinner - Friday, August 12th, 2016

The sea breeze helped turn a hot and muggy evening into a pleasant birding walk at the Meadows. Sandpipers and waders are concentrated in the center pool due to the recent dry spell and low water conditions.  Most of the Purple Martins have left, perhaps to have joined the enormous flock staging up along the Maurice River, where the 15th Annual Purple Martin Spectacular takes place this weekend and next.
Leaders: Kathy & Roger Horn
42 species

Canada Goose  45
Mute Swan  30
Gadwall  1
Mallard  30
Great Egret  2
Snowy Egret  2
Osprey  4
American Oystercatcher  3
Semipalmated Plover  14
Killdeer  4
Least Sandpiper  25
Semipalmated Sandpiper  90
Spotted Sandpiper  2
Greater Yellowlegs  2
Lesser Yellowlegs  7
Laughing Gull  85
Herring Gull (American)  3
Great Black-backed Gull  2
Common Tern  7
Forster's Tern  2
Royal Tern  3
Black Skimmer  2
Mourning Dove  6
Chimney Swift  1
Eastern Kingbird  2
Purple Martin  3
Tree Swallow  1
Barn Swallow  8
Carolina Wren  2
Gray Catbird  2
Northern Mockingbird  5
European Starling  20
Cedar Waxwing  2
Common Yellowthroat  1
Field Sparrow  1
Song Sparrow  1
Northern Cardinal  2
Red-winged Blackbird  10
Orchard Oriole  1
House Finch  1
American Goldfinch  6
House Sparrow  10

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

Bird Walk for All People - Thursday, August 11th, 2016

Highlights of the walk were: a good mix of terns including Common, Least, Forster's, and Royal; shorebirds coming in, including Stilt Sandpiper, and flyover Sanderlings in full breeding plumage; Belted Kingfisher flyover; and a Peregrine Falcon clutching what looked like a Least Tern in its talons. Leaders: Chuck Slugg, Chris Marks, & Karl Lukens.
44 species

Canada Goose 9
Mute Swan 17
Mallard 12
Great Blue Heron 1
Great Egret 7
Snowy Egret 3
Glossy Ibis 7
Osprey 3
American Oystercatcher 5
Stilt Sandpiper 1
Sanderling 13
Least Sandpiper 10
Semipalmated Sandpiper 6
Short-billed Dowitcher 9
Spotted Sandpiper 2
Lesser Yellowlegs 3
Laughing Gull 50
Great Black-backed Gull 25
Least Tern 35
Common Tern 35
Forster's Tern 25
Royal Tern 4
Black Skimmer 1 heard
Rock Pigeon (Feral Pigeon) 4
Mourning Dove 5
Chimney Swift 3
Belted Kingfisher 1
Peregrine Falcon 1
Blue Jay 1 heard
Northern Rough-winged Swallow 2
Purple Martin 50
Tree Swallow 25
Barn Swallow 4
Carolina Chickadee 2 heard
Carolina Wren 4 heard
American Robin 4
Northern Mockingbird 5
European Starling 6
Song Sparrow 3
Northern Cardinal 2 heard
Blue Grosbeak 1 heard
Red-winged Blackbird 14
American Goldfinch 7
House Sparrow 1

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

Birding Cape May Point - Saturday, August 6th, 2016

Terns are sitting on the beach, fishing in the rips and loafing on the rails at the State Park. It's a great time to study them in many poses and plumages. Both Solitary and Spotted Sandpipers are also migrating through the area now and they can be seen and compared along the pond edges at the State Park.  Leaders: Kathy Horn, Roger Horn, Karl Lukens, Kyle Chelius, and Cindy Bamford.
47 species

Canada Goose  36
Mute Swan  6
Mallard  30
Great Blue Heron  1
Great Egret  1
Turkey Vulture  2
Osprey  3
American Oystercatcher  4
Semipalmated Plover  3
Killdeer  4
Spotted Sandpiper  2
Solitary Sandpiper  1
Lesser Yellowlegs  8
Least Sandpiper  19
Pectoral Sandpiper  1
Semipalmated Sandpiper  6
Laughing Gull  80
Herring Gull (American)  1
Great Black-backed Gull  9
Least Tern  12
Common Tern  12
Forster's Tern  25
Black Skimmer  2
Rock Pigeon (Feral Pigeon)  5
Mourning Dove  4
Chimney Swift  1
Ruby-throated Hummingbird  1
Downy Woodpecker  1
Eastern Kingbird  4
Fish Crow  2
Purple Martin  18
Tree Swallow  15
Barn Swallow  5
Carolina Chickadee  3
Carolina Wren  7
American Robin  3
Gray Catbird  2
Northern Mockingbird  2
European Starling  6
Cedar Waxwing  7
Common Yellowthroat  5
Song Sparrow  1
Northern Cardinal  3
Indigo Bunting  1
Red-winged Blackbird  12
American Goldfinch  3
House Sparrow  2

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

Pectoral Sandpiper [Photo by Roger Horn]

Birds Before Dinner - Friday, August 5th, 2016

How often do you get to see the inaugural flight of a bird with a 5-foot wingspan? We did tonight, soon after one of the two young Osprey on the east path platform practiced vigorous flapping, then periods of hovering directly over the nest, before taking off for a flight around the nest and back. Shorebird numbers are building with many Least Sandpipers and a smattering of other shorebirds. And you have to look closely at the Snowy Egrets now, because some of them are Little Blue Herons!
Leaders: Kathy Horn, Roger Horn, and Bert Hixon.
45 species

Canada Goose  25
Mute Swan  6
Mallard  13
Brown Pelican  14    
Great Blue Heron  1
Great Egret  2
Snowy Egret  9
Little Blue Heron  2
Glossy Ibis  1
Osprey  4
American Oystercatcher  5
Semipalmated Plover  2
Killdeer  8
Spotted Sandpiper  3
Greater Yellowlegs  1
Lesser Yellowlegs  9
Least Sandpiper  24
Semipalmated Sandpiper  7
Short-billed Dowitcher  3
Laughing Gull  75
Herring Gull (American)  4
Great Black-backed Gull  6
Least Tern  4
Common Tern  6
Forster's Tern  18
Black Skimmer  4
Mourning Dove  6
Ruby-throated Hummingbird  1
Fish Crow  5
Purple Martin  3
Tree Swallow  6
Barn Swallow  2
Carolina Wren  2
American Robin  4
Northern Mockingbird  2
European Starling  40
Cedar Waxwing  13
Field Sparrow  2
Song Sparrow  3
Northern Cardinal  1
Red-winged Blackbird  16
Orchard Oriole  1
House Finch  1
American Goldfinch  4
House Sparrow  5

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

Juvenile Osprey's first flight! [Photo by Roger Horn]

Bird Walk for All People - Thursday, August 4th, 2016

Highlights of the walk were: a mix of Common, Forster's, and Least Terns with good views for comparisons; a white-phase Little Blue Heron and a Snowy Egret next to each other; Canada Geese with some having angel wings (juvenile bird deformed and unable to fly); and a good mix of shorebirds in Bunker Pond. Leaders: Chuck Slugg, Chris Marks, Carrie Bell, and Karl Lukens.
40 species

Canada Goose 35
Mute Swan 57
Mallard 15
Great Egret 1
Snowy Egret 4
Little Blue Heron 2
Glossy Ibis 18
Osprey 3
American Oystercatcher 3
Semipalmated Plover 3
Killdeer 2
Greater Yellowlegs 2
Lesser Yellowlegs 4
Stilt Sandpiper 1
Least Sandpiper 5
Semipalmated Sandpiper 6
Short-billed Dowitcher 4
Laughing Gull 100
Great Black-backed Gull 2
Least Tern 5
Common Tern 75
Forster's Tern 35
Rock Pigeon (Feral Pigeon) 3
Mourning Dove 7
American Crow 1 heard
Northern Rough-winged Swallow 1
Purple Martin 40
Tree Swallow 1
Carolina Chickadee 6 heard
Carolina Wren 3 heard
American Robin 1 heard
Northern Mockingbird 3
Cedar Waxwing 5 heard
Common Yellowthroat 2 heard
Field Sparrow 2 heard
Song Sparrow 3
Northern Cardinal 2 heard
Red-winged Blackbird 3
American Goldfinch 4
House Sparrow 3

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

Short-billed Dowitcher, Lesser Yellowlegs, and Stilt Sandpiper [Photo by Karl Lukens]

Birding the Meadows with Pete Dunne - Monday, August 1st, 2016

A hot, cloudy morning with a good number of shorebirds to scan. Several times we had Greater and Lesser Yellowlegs, Stilt Sandpiper and Short-billed Dowitchers in close proximity providing good comparisons. One American Oystercatcher is still on nest with at least one egg. We also had nice views of juvenile Little Blue Herons and Snowy Egrets. The young Ospreys look like they are about ready to leave the nest. Leaders: Pete Dunne, Chuck Slugg, Karl Lukens, Janet Crawford, and Pat Perkins.
60 species

Canada Goose  15
Mute Swan  4
Mallard  20
Wild Turkey  1
Great Egret  2
Snowy Egret  16
Little Blue Heron  2
Black-crowned Night-Heron  1
Glossy Ibis  11
Turkey Vulture  1
Osprey  6
American Oystercatcher  7
Semipalmated Plover  8
Piping Plover  1
Killdeer  3
Spotted Sandpiper  1
Greater Yellowlegs  3
Lesser Yellowlegs  10
Stilt Sandpiper  6
Sanderling  20
Least Sandpiper  20
White-rumped Sandpiper  1     seen by leader
Semipalmated Sandpiper  25
Short-billed Dowitcher  8
Laughing Gull  15
Ring-billed Gull  2
Herring Gull  4
Lesser Black-backed Gull  1
Great Black-backed Gull  8
Least Tern  3
Common Tern  8
Forster's Tern  4
Royal Tern  2
Black Skimmer  6
Mourning Dove  8
Chimney Swift  4
Ruby-throated Hummingbird  2
Belted Kingfisher  1     heard by a few
Northern Flicker  1
Fish Crow  2
Northern Rough-winged Swallow  1
Purple Martin  10
Tree Swallow  50
Barn Swallow  10
Carolina Wren  2
American Robin  1
Gray Catbird  3
Northern Mockingbird  3
European Starling  15
Common Yellowthroat  6
Field Sparrow  2
Song Sparrow  3
Northern Cardinal  3
Blue Grosbeak  2
Indigo Bunting  2
Red-winged Blackbird  12
Common Grackle  5
Orchard Oriole  2
House Finch  1
American Goldfinch  5
House Sparrow  2

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

Piping Plover [Photo by Karl Lukens]

Juvenile Little Blue Heron [Photo by Karl Lukens]

Birding Cape May Point - Saturday, July 30th, 2016

It's like midsummer turning to fall at the State Park. Fledgling Purple Martins are out and about, brown-tinged young Terns are hanging out at the beach, speckle-breasted robins are in the woods and shorebirds are feeding along pond edges. The Little Blue Heron is white now, and the seven young Wood Ducks back on Al's Pond didn't look quite as spectacular as they soon will. The American Avocet, reported to be at the Meadows earlier in the morning, was a real treat to see on Bunker Pond at the end of the walk. Leaders: Kathy Horn, Roger Horn, Karl Lukens, and Kyle Chelius.
55 species

Canada Goose  16
Mute Swan  72
Wood Duck  7
Mallard  23
Great Blue Heron  2
Great Egret  6
Snowy Egret  5
Little Blue Heron  1
Glossy Ibis  4
Turkey Vulture  1
Osprey  3
American Avocet  1     Continuing bird
American Oystercatcher  4
Killdeer  6
Spotted Sandpiper  5
Lesser Yellowlegs  5
Least Sandpiper  14
Semipalmated Sandpiper  9
Short-billed Dowitcher  5
Laughing Gull  35
Herring Gull (American)  3
Great Black-backed Gull  9
Least Tern  10
Common Tern  12
Forster's Tern  18
Royal Tern  1
Black Skimmer  2
Rock Pigeon (Feral Pigeon)  3
Mourning Dove  4
Downy Woodpecker  1
Northern Flicker (Yellow-shafted)  1
Eastern Kingbird  1
American Crow  2
Fish Crow  4
Purple Martin  13
Tree Swallow  1
Barn Swallow  3
House Wren  1
Carolina Wren  5
American Robin  15
Northern Mockingbird  2
European Starling  4
Cedar Waxwing  4
Common Yellowthroat  8
Field Sparrow  1
Song Sparrow  2
Northern Cardinal  4
Blue Grosbeak  1
Indigo Bunting  3
Red-winged Blackbird  12
Brown-headed Cowbird  2
Orchard Oriole  1
House Finch  1
American Goldfinch  5
House Sparrow  12

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

Birds Before Dinner - Friday, July 29th, 2016

Conditions at the Meadows are good for shorebirds right now, with mudflats and enough water for feeding. Among the ten shorebird species we saw were three Stilt Sandpipers and a Pectoral Sandpiper. Spotted Sandpipers seem to be on the move and many of them are now spotless. Ducks, most of which molt twice a year, are in their basic, or eclipse, plumage now so it's more difficult than usual to separate the Mallards from the Gadwall which now breed locally. Leaders: Kathy & Roger Horn.
44 species

Canada Goose  22
Mute Swan  6
Gadwall  4
Mallard  34
Double-crested Cormorant  2
Great Egret  7
Snowy Egret  7
Black-crowned Night-Heron  1
Glossy Ibis  13
Turkey Vulture  1
Osprey  3
American Oystercatcher  1
Semipalmated Plover  8
Killdeer  7
Spotted Sandpiper  6
Greater Yellowlegs  1
Lesser Yellowlegs  22
Stilt Sandpiper  3
Least Sandpiper  78
Pectoral Sandpiper  1
Semipalmated Sandpiper  18
Short-billed Dowitcher  22
Laughing Gull  90
Herring Gull (American)  3
Great Black-backed Gull  25
Least Tern  3
Common Tern  6
Forster's Tern  8
Black Skimmer  2
Mourning Dove  8
Ruby-throated Hummingbird  1
Purple Martin  9
Barn Swallow  2
Carolina Wren  1
American Robin  1
Northern Mockingbird  1
European Starling  8
Common Yellowthroat  3
Field Sparrow  4
Song Sparrow  1
Red-winged Blackbird  8
Common Grackle  5
American Goldfinch  4
House Sparrow  2

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

Bird Walk for All People - Thursday, July 28th, 2016

Hot and very humid; overcast and foggy at times. Part of the trails at the State Park were blocked for repairs to boardwalks. Some highlights of the walk were: a flock of flyover Glossy Ibis, good looks at a Stilt Sandpiper, and close looks at Black Skimmer and American Oystercatcher at Bunker Pond. Leaders: Chuck Slugg, Chris Marks, and Karl Lukens.
38 species

Canada Goose 35
Mute Swan 57
Mallard 15
Great Blue Heron 1
Great Egret 1
Glossy Ibis 14
Osprey 2
American Oystercatcher 3
Killdeer 5
Lesser Yellowlegs 4
Stilt Sandpiper 1
Least Sandpiper 8
Semipalmated Sandpiper 3
Short-billed Dowitcher 1
Laughing Gull 35
Great Black-backed Gull 3
Least Tern 25
Common Tern 75
Forster's Tern 75
Black Skimmer 3
Rock Pigeon (Feral Pigeon) 3
Mourning Dove 4
Chimney Swift 3
Northern Rough-winged Swallow 1
Purple Martin 60
Tree Swallow 2
Barn Swallow 1
Carolina Wren 1 heard
Northern Mockingbird 4
European Starling 7
Common Yellowthroat 6 heard
Song Sparrow 3
Northern Cardinal 4
Blue Grosbeak 1
Indigo Bunting 1 heard
Red-winged Blackbird 7
House Finch 2
House Sparrow 1

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

Juvenile Purple Martins [Photo by Karl Lukens]

Birding the Meadows with Pete Dunne - Monday, July 25th, 2016

Good waders including Great Blue, Green, Little Blue (juvenile), and Black-crowned Night-Herons, Great and Snowy Egrets, and Glossy Ibis. On the beach we had at least six Lesser Black-backed Gulls, and several American Oystercatchers including one still on nest. A few shore birds were also present on the mud flats. Leaders: Pete Dunne, Chuck Slugg, Karl Lukens, Pat Perkins, and Barb Bassett.
55 species

Canada Goose  60
Mute Swan  7
Mallard  25
Great Blue Heron  1
Great Egret  4
Snowy Egret  10
Little Blue Heron  1     juv.
Green Heron  1
Black-crowned Night-Heron  1
Glossy Ibis  2
Osprey  6
American Oystercatcher  5
Killdeer  4
Spotted Sandpiper  1
Solitary Sandpiper  1
Greater Yellowlegs  2
Lesser Yellowlegs  10
Sanderling  8
Least Sandpiper  15
Pectoral Sandpiper  1
Semipalmated Sandpiper  8
Short-billed Dowitcher  4
Laughing Gull  25
Ring-billed Gull  2
Herring Gull  2
Lesser Black-backed Gull  6
Great Black-backed Gull  15
Least Tern  5
Common Tern  5
Forster's Tern  10
Royal Tern  1
Black Skimmer  3
Mourning Dove  5
Chimney Swift  4
Ruby-throated Hummingbird  8
American Crow  1
Purple Martin  20
Tree Swallow  4
Barn Swallow  4
Carolina Wren  1
American Robin  1
Gray Catbird  1
Northern Mockingbird  3
European Starling  5
Common Yellowthroat  6
Field Sparrow  1
Song Sparrow  4
Northern Cardinal  3
Blue Grosbeak  2
Indigo Bunting  1     heard
Red-winged Blackbird  15
Common Grackle  5
House Finch  6
American Goldfinch  4
House Sparrow  3

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

American Oystercatcher [Photo by Karl Lukens]

Immature Lesser Black-backed Gull [Photo by Karl Lukens]

Osprey adult and juveniles [Photo by Karl Lukens]

Birding Cape May Point - Saturday, July 23rd, 2016

A very hot and humid day, but still some birds to be found. Shorebirds along the ponds or fly-over included Least Sandpiper, Greater and Lesser Yellowlegs, and several Short-billed Dowitchers. On the beach we found a pair of American Oystercatchers with at least one chick. Leaders: Karl Lukens and Kyle Chelius.
39 species

Canada Goose  35
Mute Swan  60
Mallard  50
Great Blue Heron  2
Great Egret  4
Snowy Egret  1
Glossy Ibis  1
Osprey  6
Killdeer  5
Greater Yellowlegs  3
Lesser Yellowlegs  10
Least Sandpiper  10
Short-billed Dowitcher  5     fly-over
Laughing Gull  30
Herring Gull  2
Great Black-backed Gull  15
Common Tern  30
Forster's Tern  15
Rock Pigeon (Feral Pigeon)  8
Mourning Dove  5
Chimney Swift  3
Northern Flicker  1
Purple Martin  40
Tree Swallow  1
Barn Swallow  6
Carolina Wren  3
American Robin  1
Gray Catbird  1
Northern Mockingbird  3
European Starling  5
Common Yellowthroat  5
Field Sparrow  1     heard
Song Sparrow  3
Northern Cardinal  2
Indigo Bunting  1     heard
Red-winged Blackbird  10
Common Grackle  3
American Goldfinch  1
House Sparrow  3

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

Greater and Lesser Yellowlegs [Photo by Karl Lukens]

Birds Before Dinner - Friday, July 22nd, 2016

A typically sultry late July evening walk through the Meadows provided good looks at a variety of birds including a pair of Great Crested Flycatchers on along the dune path, a single Pectoral Sandpiper, and a many terns resting on the middle pond along with one Black Skimmer. Leaders: Bert Hixon, Catherine Busch, and BJ Pinnock.
39 species (+1 other taxa)

Canada Goose  X
Mallard  X
Black Scoter  1
Double-crested Cormorant  3
Great Egret  4
Snowy Egret  5
Green Heron  1
Glossy Ibis  1
Osprey  5
American Oystercatcher  6
Killdeer  4
Spotted Sandpiper  2
Greater Yellowlegs  1
Lesser Yellowlegs  3
Least Sandpiper  X
Pectoral Sandpiper  1
Semipalmated Sandpiper  X
Short-billed Dowitcher  8
Laughing Gull  X
Herring Gull  X
Great Black-backed Gull  X
Least Tern  X
Forster's Tern  X
Black Skimmer  1
Mourning Dove  4
Chimney Swift  2
Ruby-throated Hummingbird  3
Great Crested Flycatcher  2
crow sp.  X
Purple Martin  X
Tree Swallow  X
Barn Swallow  X
Carolina Wren  1
Gray Catbird  3
Northern Mockingbird  2
European Starling  X
Common Yellowthroat  10
Field Sparrow  4
Red-winged Blackbird  X
American Goldfinch  X

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

Bird Walk for All People - Thursday, July 21st, 2016

A exploration of the different habitats gave us views of a nice variety of species. The “railing” gave the opportunity to discuss the differences between Common and Forster’s Terns as well as juvenile versus adult plumages. Leaders: Chris Marks and Karl Lukens.
41 species

Canada Goose  38
Mute Swan  57
Mallard  18
Great Blue Heron  1
Great Egret  3
Black-crowned Night-Heron  1
Glossy Ibis  16
Osprey  3
American Oystercatcher  8
Killdeer  3
Lesser Yellowlegs  3
Least Sandpiper  2
Laughing Gull  X
Great Black-backed Gull  12
Least Tern  1
Common Tern  14
Forster's Tern  16
Royal Tern  5
Rock Pigeon (Feral Pigeon)  2
Mourning Dove  3
Chimney Swift  1
Ruby-throated Hummingbird  2
Belted Kingfisher  1     Seen by a few end of walk
Downy Woodpecker  1
Eastern Kingbird  2
Fish Crow  2
Purple Martin  32
Tree Swallow  2
Barn Swallow  3
Carolina Chickadee  2
House Wren  1
Carolina Wren  4
Gray Catbird  1
Northern Mockingbird  3
Common Yellowthroat  6
Song Sparrow  2
Northern Cardinal  2
Red-winged Blackbird  X
House Finch  4
American Goldfinch  6
House Sparrow  4

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

Eastern Kingbird [Photo by Karl Lukens]

Birds Before Beach - Tuesday, July 19th, 2016

This morning’s walk included a nice variety of the expected birds of the summer season. Participants were amazed at the number of terns and gulls resting on the beach which required careful observations to differentiate the different species. Leaders: Chris Marks and Kirsten Fuller.
26 species

Canada Goose  78
Mute Swan  64
Mallard  18
Great Blue Heron  3
Great Egret  1
Osprey  3
American Oystercatcher  1
Killdeer  4
Lesser Yellowlegs  3
Least Sandpiper  2
Short-billed Dowitcher  5
Laughing Gull  X
Herring Gull  3
Great Black-backed Gull  2
Common Tern  12
Forster's Tern  22
Royal Tern  6
Mourning Dove  2
Purple Martin  42
Tree Swallow  5
Carolina Wren  1
Northern Mockingbird  3
European Starling  2
Common Yellowthroat  3
Song Sparrow  1
House Sparrow  3

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

Birding the Meadows with Pete Dunne - Monday, July 18th, 2016

Numerous singing Common Yellowthroats with one seen well. Lots of shorebirds both feeding and flying over, including 12 Stilt Sandpipers, 10 Short-billed Dowitchers, and at least one Western Sandpiper. A fly-by Peregrine Falcon and a Cooper's Hawk as well as two Caspian Terns were also seen. An unusual tern with black bill, reddish legs, white forehead, and no carpal bar, made us think  -- Common or Roseate!! Leaders: Pete Dunne, Karl Lukens, Steve Weis, Warren Cairo, Pat Perkins, Barb Bassett, and Mary Watkins.
54 species

Canada Goose  75
Mute Swan  1
Mallard  30
Great Egret  2
Snowy Egret  4
Green Heron  3
Glossy Ibis  3
Osprey  7
Cooper's Hawk  1
American Oystercatcher  8
Killdeer  4
Spotted Sandpiper  1
Greater Yellowlegs  3
Lesser Yellowlegs  10
Stilt Sandpiper  12
Least Sandpiper  30
Semipalmated Sandpiper  15
Western Sandpiper  1
Short-billed Dowitcher  10
Laughing Gull  25
Ring-billed Gull  1
Herring Gull  4
Great Black-backed Gull  15
Least Tern  1
Caspian Tern  2
Common Tern  15     1 w/white forehead and black bill, no carpal ?? possible Roseate?
Forster's Tern  10
Rock Pigeon (Feral Pigeon)  3
Mourning Dove  10
Chimney Swift  3
Downy Woodpecker  1
Peregrine Falcon  1
American Crow  1
Fish Crow  1
Purple Martin  15
Tree Swallow  1
Barn Swallow  4
Carolina Chickadee  2
Carolina Wren  1
American Robin  3
Northern Mockingbird  3
European Starling  4
Common Yellowthroat  6
Prairie Warbler  1     heard
Field Sparrow  1
Song Sparrow  3
Northern Cardinal  4
Red-winged Blackbird  15
Common Grackle  10
Brown-headed Cowbird  4
Orchard Oriole  2
House Finch  2
American Goldfinch  6
House Sparrow  5

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

Ring-billed Gull [Photo by Karl Lukens]

Common, "mystery," and Forster's Terns [Photo by Karl Lukens]

Birding Cape May Point - Saturday, July 16th, 2016

A hot and humid day with some good birds. A few fly-over shorebirds were seen such as several small flocks of Least Sandpipers, a flock of Lesser Yellowlegs, and one Greater Yellowlegs. On the beach were a pair of American Oystercatchers with at least one chick. We also had a couple Indigo Buntings and perched and singing Field and Song Sparrows. Leaders: Karl Lukens and Kyle Chelius.
44 species

Canada Goose  75
Mute Swan  80
Mallard  20
Surf Scoter  1
Great Blue Heron  1
Great Egret  1
Turkey Vulture  1
Osprey  6
American Oystercatcher  3     1 chick
Killdeer  5
Spotted Sandpiper  2
Greater Yellowlegs  1
Lesser Yellowlegs  11
Least Sandpiper  15
Laughing Gull  30
Herring Gull  1
Great Black-backed Gull  15
Common Tern  3
Forster's Tern  10
Mourning Dove  15
Chimney Swift  1
Northern Flicker  1
Fish Crow  1
Northern Rough-winged Swallow  4
Purple Martin  30
Tree Swallow  1
Barn Swallow  1
Carolina Chickadee  1
Carolina Wren  5
American Robin  2
Gray Catbird  2
Northern Mockingbird  3
European Starling  5
Common Yellowthroat  6
Field Sparrow  1
Song Sparrow  2
Northern Cardinal  2
Indigo Bunting  2
Red-winged Blackbird  15
Common Grackle  10
Brown-headed Cowbird  3
House Finch  2
American Goldfinch  1
House Sparrow  2

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

Bird Walk for All People - Thursday, July 14th, 2016

Signs of fall migration are in the air as we watched a number of small groups of Short-billed Dowitchers and Least Sandpipers flying over in small groups. Most of our migratory shorebirds nest in the Arctic, where the breeding season is quite short, which helps to explain their early southward movement. Some may head south in June if their first attempt at nesting fails, because there may not be time, in the brief Arctic summer, for a second attempt. In a number of species, one member of the pair will leave before the young are full-grown (or even before the eggs hatch), leaving the other parent to finish raising them. Leaders:  Chris Marks, Shaun Bamford, and Karl Lukens.
34 species

Canada Goose  42
Mute Swan  67
Gadwall  2
Mallard  12
Double-crested Cormorant  2
Great Blue Heron  1
Great Egret  2
Snowy Egret  1
Black-crowned Night-Heron  1
Osprey  2
American Oystercatcher  4     1 young
Killdeer  4
Spotted Sandpiper  2
Lesser Yellowlegs  2
Least Sandpiper  2
Short-billed Dowitcher  12
Laughing Gull  X
Great Black-backed Gull  X
Common Tern  4
Forster's Tern  32
Mourning Dove  4
Chimney Swift  1
Purple Martin  32
House Wren  1
American Robin  6
Gray Catbird  1
Northern Mockingbird  3
European Starling  1
Common Yellowthroat  6
Song Sparrow  1
Northern Cardinal  4
Red-winged Blackbird  X
Common Grackle  4
House Sparrow  2

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