Fall Birds at The Rea Farm Group 2 - Saturday, October 8th 2011

Still numerous Northern Flickers and many Blue Jays, as well as Palm and Yellow-rumped Warblers. Savannah Sparrows in the fields but hard to see.
37 species

Canada Goose 15
Mallard 3
Double-crested Cormorant 4
Black-crowned Night-Heron 1
Osprey 2
Sharp-shinned Hawk 8
Cooper's Hawk 1
Red-tailed Hawk 2
Laughing Gull 1
Herring Gull 3
Mourning Dove 8
Red-bellied Woodpecker 1
Downy Woodpecker 4
Northern Flicker 25
Eastern Phoebe 2
Red-eyed Vireo 3
Blue Jay 10
American Crow 15
Tree Swallow 50
Carolina Chickadee 1
Tufted Titmouse 2
Carolina Wren 4
American Robin 10
Gray Catbird 3
Northern Mockingbird 1
Brown Thrasher 6
European Starling 30
Common Yellowthroat 2
Northern Parula 2
Palm Warbler 15
Yellow-rumped Warbler 12
Field Sparrow 1
Savannah Sparrow 5
Song Sparrow 1
Swamp Sparrow 1
Northern Cardinal 4
Red-winged Blackbird 10

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

Fall Birds at The Rea Farm Group 1 - Saturday, October 8th 2011

Recent arrivals at the Beanery this cool, clear morning included White-throated and Swamp Sparrow, Golden-crowned Kinglet, and many Yellow-rumped Warblers. A close fly-over Eastern Meadowlark gave a good view of its white outer tailfeathers and an adult Black-crowned Night Heron perched at water's edge for scope views.
46 species
 
Canada Goose  11
Mute Swan  3
Mallard  5
Double-crested Cormorant  2
Black-crowned Night-Heron  1
Black Vulture  1
Turkey Vulture  2
Osprey  2
Sharp-shinned Hawk  5
Red-tailed Hawk  1
Merlin  2
Herring Gull  3
Rock Pigeon  3
Mourning Dove  12
Red-bellied Woodpecker  4
Downy Woodpecker  3
Northern Flicker (Yellow-shafted)  12
Eastern Phoebe  3
Blue Jay  9
American Crow  8
Tree Swallow  5
Carolina Chickadee  3
Tufted Titmouse  4
Carolina Wren  6
Golden-crowned Kinglet  2
Eastern Bluebird  2    heard
American Robin  8
Gray Catbird  4
Northern Mockingbird  2
Brown Thrasher  3
European Starling  40
Cedar Waxwing  1
Common Yellowthroat  1
American Redstart  1
Palm Warbler (Western)  5
Yellow-rumped Warbler (Myrtle)  38
Savannah Sparrow  3
Song Sparrow  1
Swamp Sparrow  1
White-throated Sparrow  2
Northern Cardinal  6
Indigo Bunting  1
Red-winged Blackbird  2
Eastern Meadowlark  1
Common Grackle  2
American Goldfinch  2

Hawks, Trails and Beach - Saturday, October 8th 2011

The Hawks, Trails and Beach Walk had good scope looks at a perched Red-tailed Hawk, a Cooper's Hawk, and a flying Bald Eagle.  Northern Parulas and Yellow-rumped Warblers were numerous and we also watched Brown Creepers creeping up the trees.  The Ring-necked Duck on Bunker Pond was a great finish.
47 species

Canada Goose  35
Mute Swan  20
Gadwall  4
American Wigeon  24
Mallard  24
Blue-winged Teal  3
Northern Shoveler  10
Ring-necked Duck  1
Pied-billed Grebe  4
Double-crested Cormorant  3
Great Egret  1
Turkey Vulture  3
Osprey  3
Bald Eagle  1
Sharp-shinned Hawk  4
Cooper's Hawk  2
Red-tailed Hawk  1
American Kestrel  2
American Coot  1
Laughing Gull  30
Ring-billed Gull  10
Herring Gull  20
Great Black-backed Gull  60
Common Tern  2
Forster's Tern  50
Royal Tern  3
Rock Pigeon  8
Mourning Dove  4
Northern Flicker  2
Blue Jay  2
American Crow  12
Tree Swallow  40
Carolina Chickadee  8
Brown Creeper  3
Carolina Wren  6     heard
Blue-gray Gnatcatcher  3     On Red Trail at Cape May Point State Park in cedar
and black gum trees.
Golden-crowned Kinglet  2     heard
Ruby-crowned Kinglet  1
Gray Catbird  5
Northern Mockingbird  3
Brown Thrasher  3     heard
Northern Parula  8
Magnolia Warbler  1
Palm Warbler  5
Yellow-rumped Warbler  50
Northern Cardinal  2     heard
American Goldfinch  6     heard

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

Higbee's Beach WMA - Friday, October 7th 2011

A nice Higbee morning - not too mad, but plenty to look at! A late Yellow-billed Cuckoo, fly-over Wood Ducks and Common Loons, two Blue-headed Vireos and three Nashville Warblers were walk highlights.
51 species

Canada Goose 15
Wood Duck 2
Common Loon 3
Double-crested Cormorant 10
Great Blue Heron 1
Osprey 3
Bald Eagle 1
Northern Harrier 1
Sharp-shinned Hawk 8
Cooper's Hawk 4
American Kestrel 1
Killdeer 1
American Herring Gull 2
Great Black-backed Gull 3
Mourning Dove 2
Yellow-billed Cuckoo 1
Red-bellied Woodpecker 2
Yellow-bellied Sapsucker 2
Downy Woodpecker 3
Northern Flicker 35
Eastern Phoebe 10
Blue-headed Vireo 2
Red-eyed Vireo 15
Blue Jay 6
American Crow 2
Carolina Chickadee 4
Tufted Titmouse 6
Carolina Wren 2
Golden-crowned Kinglet 45
Ruby-crowned Kinglet 20
American Robin 15
Gray Catbird 8
Brown Thrasher 5
Cedar Waxwing 20
Nashville Warbler 3
Common Yellowthroat 12
American Redstart 2
Northern Parula 10
Blackpoll Warbler 10
Palm Warbler 6
Yellow-rumped Warbler 20
Black-throated Green Warbler 1
Eastern Towhee 2
Field Sparrow 1
Song Sparrow 6
Swamp Sparrow 10
White-throated Sparrow 15
Northern Cardinal 6
Bobolink 5
Red-winged Blackbird 20
House Finch 2

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

Bird Walk for All People - Thursday, October 6th 2011

The Bird Walk for All People enjoyed raptors overhead and passerines in the trees!  Highlights among the raptors include lots of Sharp-shinned Hawks, several Broad-winged Hawks, and a few Bald Eagles.  Small birds included both Golden- and Ruby-crowned Kinglets, Yellow-rumped Warblers and a Cape May Warbler.
61 species

Canada Goose  30
Mute Swan  15
Gadwall  2
American Wigeon  18
Mallard  12
Blue-winged Teal  6
Northern Shoveler  4
Pied-billed Grebe  6
Double-crested Cormorant  24
Great Blue Heron  1
Turkey Vulture  20
Osprey  10
Bald Eagle  4
Northern Harrier  5
Sharp-shinned Hawk  35
Cooper's Hawk  10
Red-shouldered Hawk  1
Broad-winged Hawk  8
Red-tailed Hawk  1
Laughing Gull  15
Herring Gull  4
Great Black-backed Gull  18
Common Tern  2
Forster's Tern  4
Royal Tern  6
Rock Pigeon  14
Belted Kingfisher  1
Red-headed Woodpecker  1
Red-bellied Woodpecker  2
Downy Woodpecker  1
Northern Flicker  6
Eastern Phoebe  12
Red-eyed Vireo  6
Blue Jay  3
American Crow  4
Fish Crow  2
Tree Swallow  75
Carolina Chickadee  3
White-breasted Nuthatch  2
Brown Creeper  1
Carolina Wren  14
House Wren  2
Golden-crowned Kinglet  5
Ruby-crowned Kinglet  8
Gray Catbird  10
Northern Mockingbird  4
Brown Thrasher  3
American Redstart  1
Cape May Warbler  1
Northern Parula  4
Magnolia Warbler  1
Palm Warbler  10
Yellow-rumped Warbler  25
Song Sparrow  1
White-throated Sparrow  2
White-crowned Sparrow  1
Dark-eyed Junco  1
Northern Cardinal  4
Red-winged Blackbird  7
Common Grackle  8
American Goldfinch  6

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

Hidden Valley - Thursday, October 6th 2011

A refreshing change from last week's walk - we had birds! An influx of sparrows and flickers and a nice range of warblers along the hedgelines ensured there was plenty to look at today.
52 species

Canada Goose 25
Common Loon 1
Double-crested Cormorant 15
Osprey 2
Bald Eagle 1
Northern Harrier 1
Sharp-shinned Hawk 4
Cooper's Hawk 5
Broad-winged Hawk 45
American Kestrel 1
Herring Gull (American) 1
Mourning Dove 6
Red-bellied Woodpecker 3
Yellow-bellied Sapsucker 1
Downy Woodpecker 1
Northern Flicker 35
Eastern Phoebe 6
Red-eyed Vireo 2
Blue Jay 8
American Crow 35
Tree Swallow 20
Carolina Wren 2
Golden-crowned Kinglet 4
Ruby-crowned Kinglet 8
American Robin 10
Gray Catbird 10
Northern Mockingbird 2
Brown Thrasher 1
European Starling 5
Cedar Waxwing 6
Black-and-white Warbler 1
Common Yellowthroat 15
Northern Parula 3
Magnolia Warbler 3
Blackpoll Warbler 1
Black-throated Blue Warbler 1
Palm Warbler 30
Yellow-rumped Warbler 15
Prairie Warbler 1
Black-throated Green Warbler 1
Eastern Towhee 4
Chipping Sparrow 2
Field Sparrow 1
Song Sparrow 12
Swamp Sparrow 3
White-throated Sparrow 35
Northern Cardinal 8
Indigo Bunting 2
Red-winged Blackbird 45
Eastern Meadowlark 10
Baltimore Oriole 1
House Finch 2

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

Sunset Birding at Stone Harbor Point - Tuesday, October 4th 2011

We had a great Monarch migration going on, so we started the walk by checking out a few roosts that were loaded with hundreds of butterflies.  Since last week the Seaside Goldenrod has come into full bloom and Monarchs were nectaring on it everywhere.  Out on the beach we found seven incredibly well-camouflaged Piping Plovers roosting out of the wind and lots of shorebirds by the water and on the jetty.  We then went to Nummy's Island for the sunset and found large numbers of herons taking off from the marsh and migrating out over the water and South.  Included in the flocks were four Yellow-crowned Night Herons, an American Bittern, five Tricolored Herons and lots of other species.  Our "weekly rarity" this time was a juvenile American Golden Plover that flew across the road with a couple of Black-bellied Plovers and settled into the marsh.
55 species

Brant  80
American Black Duck  14
Black Scoter  12
Double-crested Cormorant  400
American Bittern  1
Great Blue Heron  13
Great Egret  30
Snowy Egret  80
Little Blue Heron  6
Tricolored Heron  5
Black-crowned Night-Heron  50
Yellow-crowned Night-Heron  4
Turkey Vulture  2
Osprey  8
Northern Harrier  1
Cooper's Hawk  1
Merlin  1
Clapper Rail  4
Black-bellied Plover  8
American Golden-Plover  1 a juv. was on Nummy Island  flew across road calling with 2 BB Plovers
Piping Plover  7
American Oystercatcher  62
Greater Yellowlegs  3
Ruddy Turnstone  8
Sanderling  200
Western Sandpiper  9
Least Sandpiper  1
Dunlin  18
Short-billed Dowitcher  4
Laughing Gull  X
Ring-billed Gull  X
Herring Gull  X
Great Black-backed Gull  X
Caspian Tern  16
Forster's Tern  2
Royal Tern  4
Mourning Dove  6
Northern Flicker  4
Red-eyed Vireo  2
Fish Crow  40
Tree Swallow  800
Carolina Wren  1
American Robin  25
Gray Catbird  2
Northern Mockingbird  2
Common Yellowthroat  2
Palm Warbler  3
Yellow-rumped Warbler  1
Savannah Sparrow  3
Song Sparrow  4
Swamp Sparrow  1
Northern Cardinal  2
Red-winged Blackbird  X
Boat-tailed Grackle  60
House Sparrow  4

This report was generated automatically by eBird v2 (http://ebird.org/)


Least Sandpiper (upper) and Western Sandpiper (lower) at Stone Harbor Point today [photos by Mike Fritz]

Cape May Point State Park - Wednesday, October 5th 2011

Ducks are beginning to build up on the state park ponds and jaegers continue to harass the gull flocks offshore. Three Eurasian Collared Doves were a nice surprise as they flew along the beach, though it's hard to know whether it was three birds from the point which may have started to wander a little more, or whether they were three newcomers. Raptors were up early and we were presented with a nice run of American Kestrels along the dunes and plenty of Sharp-shinned Hawks.
66 species

Brant 1
Canada Goose 45
Mute Swan 12
Gadwall 9
American Wigeon 6
Mallard 12
Blue-winged Teal 10
Northern Shoveler 4
Green-winged Teal 8
Black Scoter 4
Ruddy Duck 1
Pied-billed Grebe 5
Double-crested Cormorant 6
Great Blue Heron 1
Great Egret 1
Turkey Vulture 6
Osprey 6
Bald Eagle 1
Northern Harrier 4
Sharp-shinned Hawk 20
Cooper's Hawk 8
Broad-winged Hawk 4
American Kestrel 22
Merlin 3
Semipalmated Plover 1
Killdeer 8
Lesser Yellowlegs 3
Sanderling 8
Laughing Gull 500
Ring-billed Gull 5
American Herring Gull 15
Great Black-backed Gull 200
Common Tern 15
Forster's Tern 800
Royal Tern 12
Black Skimmer 300
Parasitic Jaeger 1
Rock Pigeon 10
Eurasian Collared Dove 3 Flew west past the Hawkwatch
Mourning Dove 2
Yellow-billed Cuckoo 1
Chimney Swift 3
Red-bellied Woodpecker 1
Yellow-bellied Sapsucker 1
Northern Flicker 25
Eastern Phoebe 8
Red-eyed Vireo 1
Blue Jay 2
Tree Swallow 200
Barn Swallow 5
Carolina Chickadee 2
Carolina Wren 4
Gray Catbird 2
Cedar Waxwing 12
Ruby-crowned Kinglet 1

American Redstart 1
Yellow Warbler 2
Palm Warbler 15
Yellow-rumped Warbler 5
Savannah Sparrow 3
Song Sparrow 2
Northern Cardinal 2
Bobolink 5
Red-winged Blackbird 75
House Finch 2
American Goldfinch 5

This report was generated automatically by eBird v2 (
http://ebird.org)

Migrant Eastern Phoebes were a feature of this morning's walk.

Backbay Birding By Boat - Monday, October 3rd 2011

"The Brown Booby is still being admired by our patrons, and hawk migration has kicked into high gear for the season!"
31 species

American Black Duck  8
Brown Booby  1
Double-crested Cormorant  216
Great Blue Heron  26
Great Egret  39
Snowy Egret  17
Little Blue Heron  1
Tricolored Heron  2
Black-crowned Night-Heron  25
Yellow-crowned Night-Heron  3
Turkey Vulture  16
Osprey  3
Cooper's Hawk  4
American Kestrel  2
Merlin  1
Black-bellied Plover  32
American Oystercatcher  26
Greater Yellowlegs  7
Ruddy Turnstone  54
Sanderling  3
Semipalmated Sandpiper  16
Least Sandpiper  9
Dunlin  15
Laughing Gull  17
Ring-billed Gull  3
Herring Gull  26
Great Black-backed Gull  18
Caspian Tern  2
Royal Tern  2
Red-winged Blackbird  45
Boat-tailed Grackle  10
 

E-Z Birding, Tuesday, October 4th 2011

The EZ Birding walk switched to Two Mile Beach Unit of US Fish & Wildlife.  Thousands of Tree Swallows swarmed and whirled overhead and loafed on the beach like restless black sand.  Raptors overhead included many Osprey, Sharp-shinned and Cooper's Hawks, a Red-tailed Hawk and a Northern Harrier.  Ducks, grebes, egrets, and yellowlegs rounded out the sightings.
49 species

Brant  10
American Black Duck  8
Mallard  10
Pied-billed Grebe  2
Double-crested Cormorant  35
Great Blue Heron  1
Great Egret  12
Snowy Egret  6
Turkey Vulture  9
Osprey  20
Bald Eagle  2
Northern Harrier  2
Sharp-shinned Hawk  10
Cooper's Hawk  4
Broad-winged Hawk  1
Red-tailed Hawk  1
American Kestrel  1
Merlin  2
Black-bellied Plover  5
Semipalmated Plover  6
Greater Yellowlegs  8
Lesser Yellowlegs  5
Ruddy Turnstone  2
Sanderling  50
Dunlin  12
Laughing Gull  20
Ring-billed Gull  7
Herring Gull  3
Great Black-backed Gull  30
Common Tern  1
Forster's Tern  15
Rock Pigeon  2
Mourning Dove  3
Chimney Swift  1
Belted Kingfisher  2
Red-bellied Woodpecker  2
Northern Flicker  20
Eastern Phoebe  5
American Crow  6
Tree Swallow  X     Tree Swallows were swarming in huge groups over the entire
Two Mile Unit of US Fish & Wildlife Refuge for 2 linear miles; 1/3 of the beach
was covered with Tree Swallows sitting shoulder to shoulder on the sand.  It was
the largest group of Tree Swallows I've ever seen and was comparable to the
Purple Martin roost in Mauricetown.
House Wren  1
American Robin  2
Gray Catbird  8
Northern Mockingbird  2
European Starling  20
Palm Warbler  1
Yellow-rumped Warbler  2
Red-winged Blackbird  5
Boat-tailed Grackle  2

This report was generated automatically by eBird v2 (
http://ebird.org)

South Cape May Meadows - Monday October 3rd 2011

Tree Swallows everywhere. Lots of accipiters and falcons. Variety of ducks increasing with numerous
Blue-winged Teal, also Green-winged Teal, Northern Shoveler, Northern Pintails and American Wigeon. Five Pied-billed Grebes were observed.
58 species

Brant 8
Canada Goose 15
Mute Swan 5
Wood Duck 1
Gadwall 3
American Wigeon 8
American Black Duck 2
Mallard 35
Blue-winged Teal 20
Northern Shoveler 8
Northern Pintail 6
Green-winged Teal 10
Pied-billed Grebe 5
Double-crested Cormorant 4
Great Egret 3
Snowy Egret 2
Osprey 4
Northern Harrier 2
Sharp-shinned Hawk 10
Cooper's Hawk 2
American Kestrel 8
Merlin 2
Peregrine Falcon 1
Killdeer 1
Solitary Sandpiper 1
Sanderling 25
Least Sandpiper 2
Pectoral Sandpiper 1
Laughing Gull 200
Ring-billed Gull 5
Herring Gull 10
Great Black-backed Gull 25
Forster's Tern 15
Royal Tern 5
Black Skimmer 1 a few @ 2nd ave.
Rock Pigeon 10
Mourning Dove 5
Yellow-billed Cuckoo 1
Yellow-bellied Sapsucker 1
Northern Flicker 25
Blue Jay 5
Fish Crow 5
Tree Swallow 1000
Carolina Wren 1
Marsh Wren 1
Gray Catbird 4
Northern Mockingbird 3
European Starling 25
Common Yellowthroat 2
Yellow Warbler 2
Palm Warbler 15
Yellow-rumped Warbler 1
Savannah Sparrow 1
Northern Cardinal 3
Rose-breasted Grosbeak 2
Bobolink 1
Red-winged Blackbird 15
House Sparrow 3

This report was generated automatically by eBird v2 (
http://ebird.org)

Photographing Hawks (and other birds) - Saturday, October 1st 2011

Finally a day with sun, and the birds did not disapoint. Whether it was hunting Great Blue Herons, Great Egrets, or Osprey; or whether it was a well fed Sharp-shinned Hawk overhead, it was a good day to be afield with a camera. Not surprisingly, we had our largest group by far and, much to my delight, they came with lots of questions. In fact, we probably missed some shots because of the very active question/answer process that we all became involved with. There will be no walk this coming Saturday (Oct 8) as Nancy and I will be out of state. However, they will resume the following Saturday.

Mike Hannisian
 


 

Cox Hall Creek (Villas) WMA - Sunday, October 2nd 2011

Under partly cloudy skies and a cool breeze, Cox Hall Creek WMA was hopping with birds for this morning's CMBO walk. A Belted Kingfisher could frequently be heard and was saved from becoming the breakfast of a determined Cooper's Hawk when both streaked toward the crowd of onlookers. Several feeding flocks of warblers held Magnolia, Palm, Pine, Black-and-white and Black-throated Greens, along with Northern Parulas, American Redstarts, Blackpoll, Common Yellowthroats and Red-eyed Vireos. An adult Red-headed Woodpecker perched briefly, a Yellow-bellied Sapsucker flitted from tree to tree and raptors (Bald Eagles, Sharp-Shinned and Cooper's Hawks, Merlin, Kestrel, Osprey) were almost constantly in view.
62 species

Canada Goose  14
American Black Duck  2
Mallard  15
Green-winged Teal  2
Pied-billed Grebe  1
Great Blue Heron  3
Great Egret  1
Black Vulture  2
Turkey Vulture  3
Osprey  3
Bald Eagle  6
Sharp-shinned Hawk  9
Cooper's Hawk  5
Red-tailed Hawk  1
American Kestrel  5
Merlin  3
Herring Gull  3
Rock Pigeon  1
Mourning Dove  6
Chimney Swift  2
Belted Kingfisher  4
Red-headed Woodpecker  1
Red-bellied Woodpecker  14
Yellow-bellied Sapsucker  1
Downy Woodpecker  3
Hairy Woodpecker  1
Northern Flicker (Yellow-shafted)  33
Eastern Wood-Pewee  1
Eastern Phoebe  4
Red-eyed Vireo  7
Blue Jay  7
American Crow  57
Tree Swallow  8
Carolina Chickadee  3
Tufted Titmouse  9
White-breasted Nuthatch  2
Carolina Wren  2
Eastern Bluebird  9
Hermit Thrush  1
American Robin  8
Gray Catbird  18
Northern Mockingbird  1
European Starling  5
Cedar Waxwing  14
Black-and-white Warbler  5
Common Yellowthroat  9
American Redstart  9
Northern Parula  9
Magnolia Warbler  2
Blackpoll Warbler  1
Palm Warbler (Western)  25
Palm Warbler (Yellow)  4
Pine Warbler  1
Prairie Warbler  1
Black-throated Green Warbler  2
Chipping Sparrow  3
Northern Cardinal  3
Indigo Bunting  2
Red-winged Blackbird  5
Baltimore Oriole  2
American Goldfinch  2
House Sparrow  5

Hawks, Trails and Beach Group 2 - Saturday, October 1st 2011

Canada Goose  35
Mute Swan  12
Gadwall  12
American Wigeon  1
Mallard  11
Blue-winged Teal  8
Common Loon  2
Pied-billed Grebe  1
Double-crested Cormorant  2
Great Egret  7
Turkey Vulture  2
Osprey  4
Sharp-shinned Hawk  8
Cooper's Hawk  3
American Kestrel  4
Merlin  4
Laughing Gull  X
Herring Gull (American)  30
Great Black-backed Gull  70
Forster's Tern  20
Royal Tern  1
Mourning Dove  6
Yellow-billed Cuckoo  1
Red-bellied Woodpecker  2
Northern Flicker (Yellow-shafted)  15
Blue Jay  7
American Crow  4
crow sp.  5
Tree Swallow  18
Carolina Wren  1
Ruby-crowned Kinglet  1
American Robin  5
Gray Catbird  2
Northern Mockingbird  2
Common Yellowthroat  2
Northern Parula  2
Magnolia Warbler  1
Chestnut-sided Warbler  2
Blackpoll Warbler  1
Palm Warbler (Western)  6
Northern Cardinal  2
Red-winged Blackbird  12

41 species

Hawks, Trails and Beach Group 1 - Saturday, October 1st 2011

The Hawks, Trails and Beach walk had a large number of participants so we split into two groups.  The group which started on the dune had a little pocket of warblers along Bunker Pond including a Ruby-crowned Kinglet and many Palm Warblers.  Raptors were constantly seen overhead including American Kestrels, Merlins, Sharp-shinned Hawks, and Ospreys.
34 species

Canada Goose  35
Mute Swan  18
Mallard  20
Pied-billed Grebe  4
Double-crested Cormorant  6
Great Egret  4
Turkey Vulture  6
Osprey  8
Sharp-shinned Hawk  20
Cooper's Hawk  3
American Kestrel  23
Merlin  4
Peregrine Falcon  3
Clapper Rail  1
Laughing Gull  40
Herring Gull  10
Great Black-backed Gull  65
Forster's Tern  4
Royal Tern  5
Rock Pigeon  8
Mourning Dove  2
Northern Flicker  10
Blue Jay  3     heard
American Crow  10
Tree Swallow  60
Carolina Wren  2     heard
Ruby-crowned Kinglet  1
Gray Catbird  5     heard
Northern Mockingbird  8
European Starling  10
Common Yellowthroat  1
Northern Parula  1
Palm Warbler  20
Northern Cardinal  2     heard

This report was generated automatically by eBird v2 (
http://ebird.org)

Sunset Birding at South Cape May Meadows - Friday, September 30th 2011

Trip somewhat shortened due to rain and lack of light. Highlights were numerous Merlin eating dragonflies,
nine Pectoral Sandpipers among the Mallards and two young Lesser Black-backed Gulls on the beach.
35 species

Canada Goose 10
Mute Swan 6
Mallard 30
Northern Shoveler 2
Green-winged Teal 8
Double-crested Cormorant 3
Great Egret 5
Snowy Egret 3
Osprey 2
Sharp-shinned Hawk 3
Cooper's Hawk 1
Red-tailed Hawk 1
Merlin 8
Greater Yellowlegs 1 heard
Lesser Yellowlegs 3 fly-over
Sanderling 50
Pectoral Sandpiper 9
Laughing Gull 250
Ring-billed Gull 5
Herring Gull 10
Lesser Black-backed Gull 2
Great Black-backed Gull 20
Forster's Tern 15
Royal Tern 2
Black Skimmer 15
Mourning Dove 5
Belted Kingfisher 1
Fish Crow 1
Gray Catbird 3
Northern Mockingbird 1
European Starling 10
Common Yellowthroat 1
Palm Warbler 1
Northern Cardinal 4
Red-winged Blackbird 5

This report was generated automatically by eBird v2 (
http://ebird.org)

Higbee's Beach WMA Group 2 - Friday, September 30th 2011

Warblers somewhat scarce, but Northern Flickers everywhere. Highlights were the ~6 Red-headed
Woodpeckers, adult and juvenile, that flew over head several times. Also nice scope view of the continuing Upland Sandpiper in the first field near the center hedgerow.
37 species

Double-crested Cormorant 1
Osprey 5
Sharp-shinned Hawk 10
American Kestrel 2
Merlin 3
Upland Sandpiper 1
Laughing Gull 4
Herring Gull 2
Great Black-backed Gull 1
Rock Pigeon 6
Mourning Dove 2
Yellow-billed Cuckoo 1
Ruby-throated Hummingbird 1
Belted Kingfisher 1
Red-headed Woodpecker 6 juv and ad.-fly-over
Red-bellied Woodpecker 2
Yellow-bellied Sapsucker 1
Northern Flicker 75
Great Crested Flycatcher 1
Red-eyed Vireo 3
Blue Jay 4
American Crow 5
Carolina Chickadee 1
Carolina Wren 2
American Robin 3
Gray Catbird 6
Cedar Waxwing 20
Black-and-white Warbler 1
Common Yellowthroat 3
American Redstart 1
Northern Parula 2
Magnolia Warbler 1
Palm Warbler 1
Scarlet Tanager 1 'green'
Northern Cardinal 6
Bobolink 1
Red-winged Blackbird 10

This report was generated automatically by eBird v2 (
http://ebird.org)

Fall Birds at The Rea Farm - Saturday, October 1st 2011

Nice movement of passerines and raptors. Good warblers include Nashville, Chestnut-sided, American Redstart and, of course, Palm. Got a chance to scope a Yellow-billed Cuckoo and a Black-throated Blue Warbler. Peregrine was observed carrying, dropping and recatching what looked to be an Eastern Phoebe!
54 species

Canada Goose 15
Mute Swan 3
Mallard 1 flyover
Common Loon 3
Double-crested Cormorant 4
Great Blue Heron 4
Great Egret 4
Snowy Egret 5
Black-crowned Night-Heron 1
Black Vulture 3
Turkey Vulture 5
Osprey 2
Bald Eagle 4
Sharp-shinned Hawk 10
Cooper's Hawk 2
Red-shouldered Hawk 1
Broad-winged Hawk 8
Red-tailed Hawk 3
American Kestrel 10
Merlin 2
Peregrine Falcon 2 one carrying bird
Laughing Gull 4
Herring Gull 2
Rock Pigeon 10
Mourning Dove 10
Yellow-billed Cuckoo 1
Ruby-throated Hummingbird 1
Red-bellied Woodpecker 3
Northern Flicker 35
Eastern Phoebe 3
Red-eyed Vireo 3
Blue Jay 6
American Crow 10
Tree Swallow 25
Carolina Wren 1
Eastern Bluebird 1 heard
Gray Catbird 8
Brown Thrasher 1 heard
European Starling 75
Cedar Waxwing 8
Ovenbird 1
Nashville Warbler 1
Common Yellowthroat 5
American Redstart 4
Northern Parula 1
Yellow Warbler 1
Chestnut-sided Warbler 2
Blackpoll Warbler 1
Black-throated Blue Warbler 2
Palm Warbler 15
Scarlet Tanager 1
Northern Cardinal 5
Bobolink 1 heard
Red-winged Blackbird 5

This report was generated automatically by eBird v2 (
http://ebird.org)

Higbee's Beach WMA Group 1 - Friday, September 30th 2011

This week's Upland Sandpiper did us proud by staying until the end of the week and we had some nice fly-bys from two of a group of migrating Red-headed Woodpeckers that had been reported by other observers. Four fly-over female Boat-tailed Grackles were a rare addition to the Higbee's walk list!
39 species

Double-crested Cormorant 25
Great Blue Heron 1
Osprey 6
Sharp-shinned Hawk 15
American Kestrel 2
Merlin 5
Upland Sandpiper 1
Great Black-backed Gull 12
Rock Pigeon 1
Mourning Dove 3
Yellow-billed Cuckoo 1
Belted Kingfisher 1
Red-headed Woodpecker 2
Red-bellied Woodpecker 5
Yellow-bellied Sapsucker 1
Downy Woodpecker 1
Northern Flicker 35
White-eyed Vireo 1
Red-eyed Vireo 2
Blue Jay 8
American Crow 2
Carolina Wren 6
Ruby-crowned Kinglet 1
American Robin 1
Gray Catbird 12
Brown Thrasher 6
Cedar Waxwing 6
Black-and-white Warbler 2
Common Yellowthroat 3
American Redstart 1
Northern Parula 2
Blackpoll Warbler 4
Chipping Sparrow 6
Northern Cardinal 8
Rose-breasted Grosbeak 1
Indigo Bunting 3
Bobolink 8
Red-winged Blackbird 20
Boat-tailed Grackle 4

This report was generated automatically by eBird v2 (
http://ebird.org)

Bird Walk for All People - Thursday, September 29th 2011

The Bird Walk for All People saw a variety of raptors including perched Red-shouldered Hawk, American Kestrel, Merlin, and Osprey.  A Peregrine swooped by close to our heads.  The beach had four varieties of terns and four varieties of gulls that we sorted through and compared.
41 species

Canada Goose  30
Mute Swan  20
Gadwall  4
Mallard  15
Northern Shoveler  5
Common Loon  4
Pied-billed Grebe  1
Double-crested Cormorant  2000     Moving along shoreline in large skeins of
150-200 birds
Great Blue Heron  2
Great Egret  3
Snowy Egret  1
Osprey  2
Bald Eagle  1
Sharp-shinned Hawk  5
Red-shouldered Hawk  1
American Kestrel  6
Merlin  2
Peregrine Falcon  2
Sanderling  34
Laughing Gull  60
Ring-billed Gull  10
Herring Gull  12
Lesser Black-backed Gull  1
Great Black-backed Gull  80
Caspian Tern  7
Common Tern  7
Forster's Tern  5
Royal Tern  6
Rock Pigeon  8
Mourning Dove  3
Belted Kingfisher  1
Northern Flicker  3
Blue Jay  4     heard
American Crow  3
Carolina Chickadee  6
Carolina Wren  8     heard
Gray Catbird  5
Northern Mockingbird  3
European Starling  12
Common Yellowthroat  1
American Goldfinch  15

This report was generated automatically by eBird v2 (http://ebird.org/)

Higbee's Beach - Thursday, September 29th 2011

OK, so we cheated a little this morning! Hidden Valley was really quiet for birds first thing and a text message alerting us to a Black-throated Gray Warbler at nearby Higbee's Beach had us shipping out pretty quickly...

25 species
Double-crested Cormorant 4
Sharp-shinned Hawk 5
American Kestrel 1
Merlin 2
Upland Sandpiper 1
Great Black-backed Gull 15
Red-bellied Woodpecker 2
Northern Flicker 20
Eastern Wood-Pewee 1
White-eyed Vireo 5
Red-eyed Vireo 4
Blue Jay 10
American Crow 6
Carolina Chickadee 4
Carolina Wren 6
House Wren 1
Gray Catbird 20
Brown Thrasher 12
Northern Waterthrush 2 heard only
Black-and-white Warbler 2
Common Yellowthroat 2
Black-throated Gray Warbler 1 Juvenile/1st-winter - photographed, many observers
Yellow-breasted Chat 1
Northern Cardinal 8
Bobolink 4 heard only

This report was generated automatically by eBird v2 (
http://ebird.org)

Sunset Birding at Stone Harbor Point - Tuesday, September 27th 2011

42 species

American Black Duck  6
Black Scoter  1
Northern Gannet  2
Double-crested Cormorant  18
Great Blue Heron  3
Great Egret  6
Snowy Egret  2
Osprey  3
Black-bellied Plover  4
Semipalmated Plover  160
Piping Plover  16
American Oystercatcher  180
Greater Yellowlegs  1
Ruddy Turnstone  4
Red Knot  19
Sanderling  1600
Semipalmated Sandpiper  38
Western Sandpiper  14
Dunlin  6
Laughing Gull  X
Ring-billed Gull  X
Herring Gull  X
Lesser Black-backed Gull  1
Great Black-backed Gull  X
Caspian Tern  2
Common Tern  38
Forster's Tern  14
Royal Tern  12
Mourning Dove  4
Red-eyed Vireo  1
Fish Crow  X
Tree Swallow  60
Barn Swallow  2
Carolina Wren  1
Gray Catbird  1
Northern Mockingbird  3
Common Yellowthroat  4
Palm Warbler  5
Song Sparrow  3
Red-winged Blackbird  50
Boat-tailed Grackle  6
House Sparrow  X

This report was generated automatically by eBird v2 (http://ebird.org)

Cape May Point State Park - Wednesday, September 28th 2011

The South Beach continues to provide a nice gull show, with three Lesser Black-backed Gulls seen this morning. On the ponds, three Pied-billed Grebes are now present and two unidentified moorhen species flew off all too quickly. A Cape May Warbler in the cedars was a nice way to round off the walk.
52 species

Canada Goose 45
Mute Swan 12
Gadwall 12
Mallard 6
Blue-winged Teal 9
Pied-billed Grebe 3
Double-crested Cormorant 8
Great Blue Heron 4
Great Egret 2
Green Heron 1
Osprey 3
Northern Harrier 2
Sharp-shinned Hawk 10
American Kestrel 6
Merlin 3
Peregrine Falcon 1
Moorhen sp. 2
Sanderling 30
Laughing Gull 400
Ring-billed Gull 5
Herring Gull (American) 15
Lesser Black-backed Gull 3
Great Black-backed Gull 200
Caspian Tern 3
Common Tern 6
Forster's Tern 20
Royal Tern 8
Black Skimmer 300
Rock Pigeon 16
Mourning Dove 6
Belted Kingfisher 1
Red-bellied Woodpecker 1
Northern Flicker 10
Blue Jay 2
American Crow 1
Fish Crow 1
Tree Swallow 2
Carolina Chickadee 8
Carolina Wren 4
Gray Catbird 6
Northern Mockingbird 2
European Starling 1
Common Yellowthroat 5
American Redstart 1
Cape May Warbler 1
Northern Parula 3
Yellow Warbler 2
Palm Warbler 2
Prairie Warbler 1
Northern Cardinal 2
Bobolink 12
Red-winged Blackbird 10

This report was generated automatically by eBird v2 (
http://ebird.org)

E-Z Birding, Tuesday, September 27th 2011

Patchy fog made for patchy birding for the EZ Birding Walk!  We had good looks at perched American Kestrels in the fog and assorted ducks on Lighthouse Pond.  When the fog lifted and the sun came out we enjoyed a variety of raptors moving overhead including a Red-tailed Hawk and a Red-shouldered Hawk.
41 species

Canada Goose  30
Mute Swan  15
Wood Duck  1     flying
Gadwall  6
Mallard  20
Blue-winged Teal  6
Pied-billed Grebe  1
Double-crested Cormorant  2
Great Egret  3
Turkey Vulture  5
Osprey  3
Sharp-shinned Hawk  30
Cooper's Hawk  4
Red-shouldered Hawk  2    

Red-tailed Hawk  1
American Kestrel  18
Merlin  3
Laughing Gull  20
Ring-billed Gull  6
Herring Gull  2
Great Black-backed Gull  40
Caspian Tern  10
Common Tern  5
Forster's Tern  4
Royal Tern  6
Rock Pigeon  6
Mourning Dove  2
Northern Flicker  1
Eastern Phoebe  1
Red-eyed Vireo  1     flying
Blue Jay  5
American Crow  10
Fish Crow  3
Carolina Wren  8     heard only
Eastern Bluebird  1     heard
Gray Catbird  8
Northern Mockingbird  6
European Starling  2
Northern Parula  1
Palm Warbler  1
American Goldfinch  2     heard only

This report was generated automatically by eBird v2 (http://ebird.org/)

Backbay Birding By Boat - Monday, September 26th 2011

A good shorebird show included Short-billed Dowitchers and many Black-bellied Plovers, many of which were juveniles, in crisp appearance. Black and Yellow-crowned Night Herons were around in good numbers as well, and the show-stopping Brown Booby gave great photographic opportunities, surrounded by her cormorant posse.
29 species

Brown Booby  1
Double-crested Cormorant  184
Great Blue Heron  18
Great Egret  38
Snowy Egret  54
Tricolored Heron  2
Black-crowned Night-Heron  25
Yellow-crowned Night-Heron  8
Turkey Vulture  18
Osprey  6
American Kestrel  1
Peregrine Falcon  2
Clapper Rail  4
Black-bellied Plover  62
American Oystercatcher  16
Ruddy Turnstone  36
Sanderling  7
Semipalmated Sandpiper  16
Short-billed Dowitcher  3
Long-billed Dowitcher  2
Laughing Gull  34
Herring Gull  52
Great Black-backed Gull  30
Caspian Tern  8
Forster's Tern  14
Royal Tern  7
Fish Crow  19
Tree Swallow  173
Boat-tailed Grackle  19
 

South Cape May Meadows - Monday September 26th 2011

A good variety of ducks,  several raptors and a few passerines. Included in the latter were Chestnut-sided and Bay-breasted Warblers. Lots of gulls and terns including three Caspian, 56 Royals and two adult Lesser Black-backed Gulls. A few at the head of the group got to see a SORA (not on the list) as we finished the walk.
45 species

Canada Goose  30
Mute Swan  6
Gadwall  2
American Wigeon  1
Mallard  30
Blue-winged Teal  5
Northern Shoveler  12
Northern Pintail  2
Green-winged Teal  25
Pied-billed Grebe  1
Double-crested Cormorant  5
Great Egret  2
Snowy Egret  1
Osprey  1
Sharp-shinned Hawk  6
Cooper's Hawk  2
American Kestrel  2
Black-bellied Plover  8
Sanderling  15
Laughing Gull  100
Ring-billed Gull  10
Herring Gull  20
Lesser Black-backed Gull  2
Great Black-backed Gull  100
Caspian Tern  3
Forster's Tern  8
Royal Tern  56
Rock Pigeon  2
Mourning Dove  5
Red-eyed Vireo  4
Blue Jay  3
Fish Crow  5
Carolina Wren  1
American Robin  12
Gray Catbird  1
Northern Mockingbird  1
European Starling  25
Bay-breasted Warbler  1
Yellow Warbler  2
Chestnut-sided Warbler  1
Song Sparrow  1
Northern Cardinal  4
Indigo Bunting  1
Red-winged Blackbird  15
House Sparrow  1

This report was generated automatically by eBird v2 (
http://ebird.org)
 

Two views of the adult Lesser Black-backed Gull at South Cape May Beach - note how small it is next to the Great Black-back in the second picture.
 

Photographing Hawks (and other birds) - Saturday, September 24th 2011

The weather was again less than we would have liked but, as is almost always the case at Cape May, there were birds and other goodies around. A walk along the Red Trail in the State Park yielded flowers and butterflies to shoot while Bunker Pond offered gulls and terns and the beach offered Sanderlings. The long term weather forecast suggests that this coming weekend should hold a return to the type of weather that typically yields an influx of new arrivals.
 


Sanderling, Laughing Gull and Small White by Mike Hannisian from this week's Saturday Photo walk.
 

Cox Hall Creek (Villas) WMA - Sunday, September 25th 2011

Cox Hall Creek (Villas) WMA was hot this morning with early complaints of warbler-neck not far from the parking lot. Yellow-throated, Northern Parula, Blackpoll, American Redstart, Black-and-white, Palm, Common Yellowthroat and Pine Warblers flitted among the leaves of the tall oaks and in the grasses while Merlins and an Osprey perched on snags. Also of interest were three Yellow-billed Cuckoos, a juvenile Red-headed Woodpecker (that we hope stays the winter), an adult Bald Eagle and an Eastern Phoebe.
51 species
 
Canada Goose  6
American Black Duck  4
Mallard  57
Double-crested Cormorant  13
Osprey  2
Bald Eagle  1
Cooper's Hawk  1
Red-tailed Hawk  1
Merlin  2
Herring Gull (American)  6
Great Black-backed Gull  3
Rock Pigeon  2
Mourning Dove  10
Yellow-billed Cuckoo  3
Chimney Swift  2
Red-headed Woodpecker  1
Red-bellied Woodpecker  9
Downy Woodpecker  3
Northern Flicker (Yellow-shafted)  11
Eastern Phoebe  1
Red-eyed Vireo  6
Blue Jay  15
American Crow  12
Fish Crow  2
Carolina Chickadee  7
Tufted Titmouse  9
White-breasted Nuthatch  5   
Carolina Wren  4
House Wren  1
Eastern Bluebird  9   
American Robin  8
Gray Catbird  3
Northern Mockingbird  2
European Starling  18
Black-and-white Warbler  2
Common Yellowthroat  7
American Redstart  5
Northern Parula  2
Blackpoll Warbler  2
Palm Warbler (Western)  3
Pine Warbler  1
Yellow-throated Warbler  1
Chipping Sparrow  5
Song Sparrow  2
Scarlet Tanager  1
Northern Cardinal  5
Indigo Bunting  1    heard only
Bobolink  15    overhead
Red-winged Blackbird  6
Common Grackle  2
House Finch  2

Hawks, Trails and Beach - Saturday, September 24th 2011

The Hawks, Trails and Beach Walk started with four species of terns on the beach--Caspian, Royal, Common and Forster's.  We also had American Oystercatchers.  On The trails we enjoyed great looks at perched raptors--American Kestrel, Merlin, Red-shouldered Hawk and Red-tailed Hawk.
40 species

Canada Goose  20
Mute Swan  22
Gadwall  3
Mallard  8
Northern Shoveler  2
Double-crested Cormorant  3
Great Blue Heron  1
Great Egret  4
Snowy Egret  1
Osprey  2
Sharp-shinned Hawk  1     seen by leader only
Red-shouldered Hawk  1
Red-tailed Hawk  1
American Kestrel  5
Merlin  2
American Oystercatcher  5
Sanderling  2
Laughing Gull  60
Ring-billed Gull  3
Herring Gull  5
Great Black-backed Gull  110
Least Tern  2
Caspian Tern  3
Common Tern  30
Forster's Tern  25
Royal Tern  5
Rock Pigeon  10
Mourning Dove  3
Common Nighthawk  1
Downy Woodpecker  1
Northern Flicker  7
American Crow  10
Fish Crow  3     heard
Carolina Wren  4     heard
Gray Catbird  8
Northern Mockingbird  4
European Starling  15
Common Yellowthroat  1
Yellow Warbler  4
Palm Warbler  2

This report was generated automatically by eBird v2 (
http://ebird.org)

Fall Birds at The Rea Farm - Saturday, September 24th 2011

Kind of slow going for passerines, but a few here and there. Lots of Northern Flickers, good looks at
American Kestrels as well as Merlin and Peregrine. Good comparison of a Downy and a Hairy Woodpecker working on a tree about a yard apart. Bald Eagle only 20 seconds behind an Osprey with a fish.
42 species
Canada Goose 10
Mute Swan 1
Mallard 10
Double-crested Cormorant 1
Snowy Egret 1
Osprey 2
Bald Eagle 1
Sharp-shinned Hawk 1
Cooper's Hawk 1
American Kestrel 4
Merlin 2
Peregrine Falcon 1
Herring Gull 2
Great Black-backed Gull 5
Rock Pigeon 25
Mourning Dove 40
Yellow-billed Cuckoo 1
Ruby-throated Hummingbird 5
Red-bellied Woodpecker 1
Downy Woodpecker 1
Hairy Woodpecker 1
Northern Flicker 30
Red-eyed Vireo 1
Blue Jay 3
American Crow 10
Carolina Chickadee 5
Tufted Titmouse 5
Carolina Wren 5
American Robin 5
Gray Catbird 4
European Starling 100
Black-and-white Warbler 1
Common Yellowthroat 1
American Redstart 2
Northern Parula 1
Song Sparrow 1
Northern Cardinal 5
Indigo Bunting 1
Red-winged Blackbird 10
Common Grackle 2
House Finch 1
House Sparrow 1

This report was generated automatically by eBird v2 (
http://ebird.org)

Higbee's Beach WMA - Friday, September 23rd 2011

South winds and showers persist at Cape May, but have you ever known Higbee's Beach to let you down? Despite a shortage of overhead migration (and a definite lack of birders!), our group nevertheless had a great time with a clear influx of Brown Thrashers, Gray Catbirds, Red-eyed Vireos and Black-and-white Warblers.
24 species

Bald Eagle 1
Sharp-shinned Hawk 1
Merlin 1
Herring Gull (American) 2
Great Black-backed Gull 12
Mourning Dove 4
Red-bellied Woodpecker 2
Northern Flicker 22
Eastern Wood-Pewee 1
White-eyed Vireo 1
Red-eyed Vireo 15
Blue Jay 2
Carolina Wren 6
American Robin 10
Gray Catbird 15
Brown Thrasher 15 Migrants
Ovenbird 2
Northern Waterthrush 2
Black-and-white Warbler 10
American Redstart 2
Northern Parula 1
Black-throated Green Warbler 1
Northern Cardinal 8
Bobolink 25

This report was generated automatically by eBird v2 (
http://ebird.org)

Bird Walk for All People - Thursday, September 22nd 2011

The Bird Walk for All People was lucky with the weather this morning; the rain stopped just before starting time.  Assorted gulls and terns continue on the beach making it easy to study and separate the species.  Parasitic Jaegers could be seen in the rips chasing terns.  Sharp-shinned Hawks were plentiful overhead with a Cooper's Hawk, Red-tailed Hawk, and Osprey thrown in. A Red-throated Loon flying along the shore was a surprise.
48 species

Canada Goose  45
Mute Swan  20
Gadwall  3
Mallard  10
Blue-winged Teal  6
Northern Shoveler  3
Red-throated Loon  1     flying along shoreline past plover ponds

Pied-billed Grebe  1
Double-crested Cormorant  2
Great Blue Heron  1
Great Egret  5
Green Heron  3
Osprey  3
Sharp-shinned Hawk  18
Cooper's Hawk  2
Red-tailed Hawk  1
Merlin  1
Laughing Gull  45
Ring-billed Gull  12
Herring Gull  8
Great Black-backed Gull  70
Common Tern  100
Forster's Tern  50
Royal Tern  9
Black Skimmer  2
Parasitic Jaeger  2
Rock Pigeon  25
Eurasian Collared-Dove  1     on roof of pavillion next to Hawkwatch platform
Mourning Dove  5
Ruby-throated Hummingbird  1
Belted Kingfisher  1
Northern Flicker  5
Red-eyed Vireo  2
Blue Jay  5     heard
American Crow  3
Fish Crow  2
Tree Swallow  7
Carolina Chickadee  3
Carolina Wren  6     heard
Blue-gray Gnatcatcher  2
Gray Catbird  7
Northern Mockingbird  4
American Redstart  1
Yellow Warbler  12
Palm Warbler  2
Northern Cardinal  2     heard
Bobolink  7     heard flying overhead
American Goldfinch  4     heard

This report was generated automatically by eBird v2 (http://ebird.org)

Hidden Valley - Thursday, September 22nd 2011

South winds and light drizzle ensured a soggy walk around Hidden Valley with not too much to show for our efforts. Even so, we enjoyed some nice moments with Northern Flickers, Brown Catbirds and a handful of warblers brightening our morning.
32 species

Mallard 2
Double-crested Cormorant 1
Bald Eagle 1
Sharp-shinned Hawk 1
American Kestrel 1
Merlin 1
Greater Yellowlegs 1
Herring Gull (American) 2
Mourning Dove 35
Ruby-throated Hummingbird 3
Red-bellied Woodpecker 3
Northern Flicker 6
White-eyed Vireo 1
Blue Jay 4
American Crow 3
Tufted Titmouse 6
Carolina Wren 4
House Wren 1
Gray Catbird 12
Northern Mockingbird 5
Brown Thrasher 8
European Starling 25
Northern Waterthrush 1
Black-and-white Warbler 1
Common Yellowthroat 12
American Redstart 1
Northern Parula 1
Northern Cardinal 7
Bobolink 25
Red-winged Blackbird 10
Common Grackle 2
American Goldfinch 4

This report was generated automatically by eBird v2 (
http://ebird.org)

Cape May Point State Park - Wednesday, September 21st 2011

A little quiet for the time of year but, this is Cape May, so there was still plenty to see! Yellow Warblers put on a great show in the beachside bayberries and a Blackpoll Warbler was lurking with them. The 'Rips' were heaving with birds (as Tony would say!) and a few warblers and other migrants revealed themselves to us.
58 species

Canada Goose 90
Mute Swan 12
Gadwall 11
American Wigeon 5
Mallard 6
Blue-winged Teal 10
Northern Shoveler 1
Northern Pintail 1
Pied-billed Grebe 1
Double-crested Cormorant 2
Great Egret 4
Snowy Egret 1
Tricolored Heron 1
Green Heron 1
Turkey Vulture 1
Osprey 2
Sharp-shinned Hawk 10
Red-tailed Hawk 1
American Kestrel 1
Merlin 1
Peregrine Falcon 1
Lesser Yellowlegs 1
Sanderling 10
Laughing Gull 2000
Ring-billed Gull 6
Lesser Black-backed Gull 1
Herring Gull (American) 25
Great Black-backed Gull 160
Caspian Tern 1
Common Tern 20
Forster's Tern 150
Royal Tern 6
Black Skimmer 450
Rock Pigeon 18
Mourning Dove 2
Ruby-throated Hummingbird 1
Northern Flicker 9
Philadelphia Vireo 1
Red-eyed Vireo 1
Blue Jay 2
Fish Crow 15
Tree Swallow 45
Barn Swallow 2
Carolina Wren 2
Blue-gray Gnatcatcher 1
Gray Catbird 4
Northern Mockingbird 4
Brown Thrasher 1
European Starling 35
American Redstart 1
Yellow Warbler 10
Blackpoll Warbler 1
Black-throated Blue Warbler 1
Palm Warbler 10
Prairie Warbler 1
Northern Cardinal 2
Bobolink 15
Red-winged Blackbird 50
Brown-headed Cowbird 6

This report was generated automatically by eBird v2 (
http://ebird.org)

E-Z Birding, Tuesday, September 20th 2011

Ez Birding highlights include a Lesser Black-backed Gull, Yellow Warblers, and a Pied-billed Grebe.
41 species (+1 other taxa)

Canada Goose  87
Mute Swan  20
American Wigeon  6
Mallard  18
Northern Shoveler  3
Pied-billed Grebe  1
Double-crested Cormorant  3
Great Egret  3
Turkey Vulture  1
Osprey  2
Sharp-shinned Hawk  5
Cooper's Hawk  1
American Kestrel  1
Merlin  1
Laughing Gull  40
Ring-billed Gull  2
Herring Gull  15
Lesser Black-backed Gull  1
Great Black-backed Gull  90
Common Tern  20
Forster's Tern  8
Royal Tern  5
Black Skimmer  250
Rock Pigeon  12
Mourning Dove  2
Ruby-throated Hummingbird  2
Northern Flicker  7
Philadelphia Vireo  1
Red-eyed Vireo  3
crow sp.  5
Tree Swallow  30
Barn Swallow  2
Carolina Wren  4     heard
Gray Catbird  6
Northern Mockingbird  6
European Starling  15
Cedar Waxwing  8
Northern Waterthrush  1
Common Yellowthroat  1
Yellow Warbler  5
Palm Warbler  5
Red-winged Blackbird  25

This report was generated automatically by eBird v2 (
http://ebird.org)

Sunset Birding at Stone Harbor Point - Tuesday, September 20th 2011

Stone Harbor Point held a Peregrine Falcon and five Piping Plovers, down from last week's thirteen, on the beach, while eight Black Skimmers and 13 Black Scoters were highlights from offshore. At the Free Bridge over Great Channel, seven Marbled Godwits were observed for the second week in a row, and a large flock of Red Knots came in from the southeast. We finished the walk with a Night Heron show, as both Black- and Yellow-crowneds were visible in the trees past the bridge.
32 species

Black Scoter  16
Double-crested Cormorant  17
Great Blue Heron  2
Great Egret  7
Snowy Egret  18
Black-crowned Night-Heron  9
Yellow-crowned Night-Heron  1
Osprey  4
Peregrine Falcon  1
Clapper Rail  2
Black-bellied Plover  24
Semipalmated Plover  13
Piping Plover  5
American Oystercatcher  20
Spotted Sandpiper  1
Ruddy Turnstone  8
Sanderling  175
Semipalmated Sandpiper  23
Western Sandpiper  9
Laughing Gull  17
Ring-billed Gull  6
Herring Gull  23
Lesser Black-backed Gull  1
Great Black-backed Gull  26
Caspian Tern  12
Common Tern  3
Forster's Tern  17
Royal Tern  15
Black Skimmer  8
Eastern Towhee  1
Savannah Sparrow  1
Song Sparrow  4

Nummy's Island,
16 species (+2 other taxa)

Great Blue Heron  4
Black-crowned Night-Heron  10
Yellow-crowned Night-Heron  1
Osprey  3
Black-bellied Plover  43
American Oystercatcher  28
Willet  15     Western's
Marbled Godwit  7
Red Knot  45
Semipalmated Sandpiper  27
peep sp.  X
Short-billed Dowitcher  10
Short-billed/Long-billed Dowitcher  3
Laughing Gull  9
Herring Gull  15
Great Black-backed Gull  15
Caspian Tern  6
Royal Tern  2

Backbay Birding By Boat - Monday, September 19th 2011

Monday's Back Bay Birding By Boat trip rounded a good bird list. Hawks were out and about, as a Cooper's Hawk and several Peregrine Falcons attested. Tricolored Herons are still hanging around in numbers, with six seen and, of course, everyone's favorite Brown Booby was present with her new "colony" of Double-crested Cormorants at the back of Jarvis Sound."
30 species (+1 other taxa)

Brown Booby  1
Double-crested Cormorant  16
Great Blue Heron  4
Great Egret  28
Snowy Egret  16
Black-crowned Night-Heron  18
Yellow-crowned Night-Heron  7
Osprey  9
Bald Eagle  1
Cooper's Hawk  1
Peregrine Falcon  2
Semipalmated Plover  10
American Oystercatcher  35
Spotted Sandpiper  5
Greater Yellowlegs  9
Whimbrel  2
Ruddy Turnstone  37
Sanderling  4
Semipalmated Sandpiper  8
Western Sandpiper  12
peep sp.  X
Short-billed Dowitcher  5
Laughing Gull  38
Herring Gull  64
Great Black-backed Gull  18
Caspian Tern  1
Common Tern  14
Forster's Tern  32
Royal Tern  3
Red-winged Blackbird  8
Boat-tailed Grackle  17

South Cape May Meadows - Monday September 19th 2011

Good ducks, a few shorebirds, nice raptors. Good gulls including two Lesser Black-backed Gulls and
numerous Palm Warblers.
57 species

Canada Goose 10
Mute Swan 4
American Black Duck 1
Mallard 25
Blue-winged Teal 8
Northern Shoveler 8
Northern Pintail 3
Green-winged Teal 25
Double-crested Cormorant 12
Great Egret 1
Snowy Egret 1
Black Vulture 2
Turkey Vulture 5
Osprey 4
Northern Harrier 1
Sharp-shinned Hawk 8
Cooper's Hawk 3
Red-tailed Hawk 1
American Kestrel 2
Spotted Sandpiper 1
Ruddy Turnstone 1
Sanderling 15
Semipalmated Sandpiper 1
Least Sandpiper 1
Laughing Gull 75
Ring-billed Gull 5
Herring Gull 10
Lesser Black-backed Gull 2
Great Black-backed Gull 25
Common Tern 10
Forster's Tern 5
Royal Tern 15
Black Skimmer 2 plus 100or more at 2nd ave.
Rock Pigeon 10
Mourning Dove 10
Ruby-throated Hummingbird 1
Belted Kingfisher 1
Yellow-bellied Sapsucker 1
Northern Flicker 5
Eastern Kingbird 2
Philadelphia Vireo 1
Blue Jay 1
American Crow 6
Tree Swallow 100
American Robin 3
Gray Catbird 1
Northern Mockingbird 1
European Starling 25
Common Yellowthroat 3
Yellow Warbler 2
Palm Warbler 12
Savannah Sparrow 2
Northern Cardinal 2
Dickcissel 1 heard
Bobolink 10
Red-winged Blackbird 15
House Sparrow 1

This report was generated automatically by eBird v2 (

Great Egret at the Meadows [photo by Karl Lukens]
http://ebird.org)

Cox Hall Creek (Villas) WMA - Sunday, September 18th 2011

Cox Hall Creek WMA is a beautiful place to bird in the fall. Many plants have reclaimed the former golf course greens and the large oaks and dead snags provide a lot of good birding. Sharp-shinned and Cooper's Hawks, Bald Eagle, and a very cooperatively-perched Merlin were appreciated by this morning's group. Other birds of note included a Scarlet Tanager, Belted Kingfisher, Yellow-bellied Sapsucker, Palm Warblers and Eastern Bluebirds.
55 species (+1 other taxa)

Canada Goose  6
Mallard  11
Pied-billed Grebe  1
Black Vulture  1
Turkey Vulture  3
Osprey  1
Bald Eagle  1
Sharp-shinned Hawk  2
Cooper's Hawk  3
Red-tailed Hawk  1
American Kestrel  1
Merlin  1
peep sp.  1
Herring Gull (American)  1
Rock Pigeon  5
Mourning Dove  9
Belted Kingfisher  1
Red-bellied Woodpecker  3
Yellow-bellied Sapsucker  1
Downy Woodpecker  1
Northern Flicker (Yellow-shafted)  12
Eastern Wood-Pewee  1
Yellow-bellied Flycatcher  1
Eastern Phoebe  1
Red-eyed Vireo  3
Blue Jay  9
American Crow  12
Tree Swallow  12
Carolina Chickadee  2
Tufted Titmouse  7
Carolina Wren  5
House Wren  2
Blue-gray Gnatcatcher  1     heard
Eastern Bluebird  4
American Robin  8
Gray Catbird  3
Northern Mockingbird  1
Brown Thrasher  1     heard
European Starling  5
Cedar Waxwing  5     heard
Northern Waterthrush  2
Black-and-white Warbler  2
Common Yellowthroat  23
American Redstart  7
Northern Parula  5
Yellow Warbler  2
Palm Warbler (Western)  9
Prairie Warbler  2
Chipping Sparrow  3
Song Sparrow  2
Scarlet Tanager  1
Northern Cardinal  7
Bobolink  3     heard
Red-winged Blackbird  9
House Finch  4
American Goldfinch  2

Photographing Hawks (and other birds) - Saturday, September 17th 2011

Our walk this week was met with a steady light to moderate rain. However, Cape May in the Fall almost always has something to offer and today was no different, especially for wildlife photographers. We met under the shelter next to the hawk watch platform and discussed how to shoot in these conditions and demonstrated that with the help of an active Blackpoll Warbler. We then made our way to the beach and discussed how to approach a flock of gulls and terns without spooking them. As a result of our careful approach we were able to create images of multiple species including Great Black-backed Gull and both Common and Forster's Terns. The low light levels required the use of high ISOs, so the images are not as crisp as they would have been under different circumstances, but this added to the feel of the day, again demonstrating that photography is more about feelings than reason.
 
Blackpoll Warbler

Great Black-backed Gull

Forster's Tern

Common Tern

Common Tern

Photos from this week's photo session at the point with Mike Hannisian.
 

Hawks, Trails and Beach - Saturday, September 17th 2011

The Hawks, Trails and Beach walk had a nice variety of birds for a very rainy afternoon.  We started with many, many birds out in the rips including two Parsitic Jaegers and two Brown Pelicans with a multitude of gulls 
and terns.  The walk through the park produced pockets of warblers including lots of Yellow Warblers, a Northern Parula, and a Black-and-white Warbler.  The back end 
of Lighthouse Pond had a perched Peregrine Falcon and four Green Herons perched in one tree.
50 species (+3 other taxa)

Canada Goose  18
Mute Swan  18
American Wigeon  4
Mallard  10
Blue-winged Teal  1
Pied-billed Grebe  2
Double-crested Cormorant  17
Brown Pelican  2
Great Egret  3
Green Heron  5
Sharp-shinned Hawk  1
Cooper's Hawk  1
American Kestrel  2
Merlin  1
Peregrine Falcon  1
Greater Yellowlegs  1     heard
Semipalmated Sandpiper  1
Laughing Gull  75
Ring-billed Gull  3
Herring Gull  2
Great Black-backed Gull  20
gull sp.  300
Common Tern  30
Forster's Tern  10
Sterna sp.  200
Royal Tern  10
Parasitic Jaeger  2
Rock Pigeon  5
Mourning Dove  2
Belted Kingfisher  1     heard
Northern Flicker  1
Great Crested Flycatcher  2
Philadelphia Vireo  2
Red-eyed Vireo  3
crow sp.  5
Carolina Chickadee  4
Carolina Wren  3     heard
American Robin  2
Gray Catbird  8
Northern Mockingbird  12
European Starling  15
Cedar Waxwing  2
Black-and-white Warbler  2
Common Yellowthroat  10
American Redstart  8
Northern Parula  2
Yellow Warbler  10
Blackpoll Warbler  2
Palm Warbler  12
Yellow-rumped Warbler  3
Black-throated Green Warbler  3
Northern Cardinal  4     heard
Common Grackle  1

This report was generated automatically by eBird v2 (http://ebird.org)

Fall Birds at The Rea Farm - Saturday, September 17th 2011

Good warblers, passerines, etc. Nice looks at Philadelphia Vireo and Yellow-billed Cuckoo. Lots of Northern Flickers and American Kestrels.
57 species

Canada Goose 15
Mute Swan 3
Mallard 7
Great Egret 4
Snowy Egret 4
Turkey Vulture 1
Osprey 3
Sharp-shinned Hawk 5
Cooper's Hawk 2
Red-tailed Hawk 1
American Kestrel 12
Merlin 1
Laughing Gull 5
Herring Gull 1
Great Black-backed Gull 2
Rock Pigeon 11
Mourning Dove 15
Yellow-billed Cuckoo 1
Ruby-throated Hummingbird 10
Red-bellied Woodpecker 2
Downy Woodpecker 1
Northern Flicker 30
Alder Flycatcher 1
Great Crested Flycatcher 1
Eastern Kingbird 1
Philadelphia Vireo 1
Red-eyed Vireo 4
Blue Jay 2
American Crow 10
Fish Crow 1
Carolina Chickadee 1
Tufted Titmouse 1
Carolina Wren 3
Blue-gray Gnatcatcher 1
Eastern Bluebird 5
American Robin 12
Gray Catbird 4
Northern Mockingbird 10
Brown Thrasher 3
European Starling 50
Cedar Waxwing 10
Northern Waterthrush 3
Black-and-white Warbler 2
Common Yellowthroat 5
American Redstart 3
Northern Parula 3
Yellow Warbler 3
Palm Warbler 10
Field Sparrow 1
Savannah Sparrow 1
Scarlet Tanager 1
Northern Cardinal 3
Indigo Bunting 1
Bobolink 10
Red-winged Blackbird 10
Baltimore Oriole 4
House Sparrow 1

This report was generated automatically by eBird v2 (
http://ebird.org)

Sunset Birding at South Cape May Meadows - Friday, September 16th 2011

Lots of Common Yellowthroats, Palm Warblers and American Redstarts. Good looks at Blue- and Green- winged Teal. Also a perched Merlin eating a dragonfly, a Northern Harrier, and a Cooper's Hawk.
41 species

Canada Goose 10
Mute Swan 4
Gadwall 1
Mallard 30
Blue-winged Teal 8
Northern Shoveler 5
Green-winged Teal 15
Double-crested Cormorant 3
Great Egret 1
Black Vulture 2
Turkey Vulture 2
Northern Harrier 1
Cooper's Hawk 1
Merlin 1
American Oystercatcher 1
Spotted Sandpiper 1
Sanderling 20
Laughing Gull 200
Ring-billed Gull 3
Herring Gull 10
Lesser Black-backed Gull 1
Great Black-backed Gull 25
Common Tern 10
Forster's Tern 1
Royal Tern 8
Black Skimmer 50
Rock Pigeon 2
Mourning Dove 8
Fish Crow 1
Marsh Wren 1
Gray Catbird 1
Northern Mockingbird 1
European Starling 100
Common Yellowthroat 6
American Redstart 5
Yellow Warbler 2
Palm Warbler 10
Northern Cardinal 2
Red-winged Blackbird 5
Common Grackle 3
House Sparrow 1

This report was generated automatically by eBird v2 (
http://ebird.org)

Higbee's Beach WMA - Friday, September 16th 2011

What a morning! Our regular Friday walk keyed in perfectly with a one of Higbee's Beach's famous falls of songbirds. With 17 species of warblers on the list it certainly was a fun time to be there!

58 species
Canada Goose 18
Osprey 6
Bald Eagle 1
Sharp-shinned Hawk 10
Cooper's Hawk 2
Merlin 3
Laughing Gull 5
Herring Gull (American) 6
Great Black-backed Gull 12
Royal Tern 1
Mourning Dove 4
Chimney Swift 2
Ruby-throated Hummingbird 1
Red-bellied Woodpecker 2
Downy Woodpecker 2
Eastern Wood-Pewee 1
Alder Flycatcher 1
Least Flycatcher 1
Great Crested Flycatcher 2
White-eyed Vireo 6
Yellow-throated Vireo 1
Red-eyed Vireo 15
Blue Jay 4
American Crow 2
Tree Swallow 15
Barn Swallow 2
Carolina Chickadee 2
Carolina Wren 5
Blue-gray Gnatcatcher 2
Ruby-crowned Kinglet 1
Veery 2
American Robin 6
Gray Catbird 8
European Starling 6
Cedar Waxwing 50
Northern Waterthrush 10
Black-and-white Warbler 15
Tennessee Warbler 1
Common Yellowthroat 35
American Redstart 20
Cape May Warbler 1
Northern Parula 20
Magnolia Warbler 8
Blackburnian Warbler 1
Yellow Warbler 4
Chestnut-sided Warbler 2
Blackpoll Warbler 2
Black-throated Blue Warbler 4
Palm Warbler 20
Prairie Warbler 1
Black-throated Green Warbler 2
Canada Warbler 1
Scarlet Tanager 6
Northern Cardinal 10
Rose-breasted Grosbeak 3
Bobolink 120
Red-winged Blackbird 30
Common Grackle 15

This report was generated automatically by eBird v2 (
http://ebird.org)

Bird Walk for All People - Thursday, September 15th 2011

The Bird Walk for All People found seven Sandwich Terns on the beach among assorted gulls and terns.  We also had several Sharp-shinned Hawks and American Kestrels flying overhead.
41 species

Canada Goose  40
Mute Swan  26
American Wigeon  2
Mallard  14
Blue-winged Teal  3
Northern Shoveler  2
Pied-billed Grebe  2
Double-crested Cormorant  2
Brown Pelican  2
Great Egret  2
Osprey  6
Sharp-shinned Hawk  8
Cooper's Hawk  3
American Kestrel  12
Merlin  1
Sanderling  12
Short-billed Dowitcher  8
Laughing Gull  100
Ring-billed Gull  8
Herring Gull  15
Great Black-backed Gull  50
Common Tern  20
Forster's Tern  10
Royal Tern  5
Sandwich Tern  7     on beach by Hawk Watch Platform with other terns and gulls
Black Skimmer  150
Rock Pigeon  10
Mourning Dove  6
Blue Jay  8
American Crow  2
Fish Crow  1
Tree Swallow  30
Carolina Wren  4     heard only
Gray Catbird  5
Northern Mockingbird  2
Common Yellowthroat  2
Yellow Warbler  2
Palm Warbler  1
Northern Cardinal  3
Bobolink  6     heard only
Common Grackle  1

This report was generated automatically by eBird v2 (
http://ebird.org)

Hidden Valley - Thursday, September 15th 2011

Hidden Valley can be quiet this time of year, but we had a fun walk with a nice range of birds. Great scope views of an Alder Flycatcher which revealed all of its ID secrets was perhaps the highlight.
34 species

Canada Goose 10
Sharp-shinned Hawk 4
Cooper's Hawk 2
Red-tailed Hawk 1
Herring Gull (American) 2
Great Black-backed Gull 10
Mourning Dove 8
Ruby-throated Hummingbird 1
Red-bellied Woodpecker 2
Alder Flycatcher 1
Red-eyed Vireo 2
Blue Jay 4
American Crow 35
Tree Swallow 10
Barn Swallow 2
Carolina Chickadee 2
Tufted Titmouse 1
Carolina Wren 2
Veery 1
American Robin 6
Gray Catbird 4
Northern Mockingbird 3
European Starling 12
Cedar Waxwing 13
Northern Waterthrush 4
Black-and-white Warbler 1
Common Yellowthroat 8
Palm Warbler (Western) 2
Field Sparrow 4
Northern Cardinal 4
Indigo Bunting 1
Red-winged Blackbird 6
Common Grackle 2
Brown-headed Cowbird 1

This report was generated automatically by eBird v2 (
http://ebird.org)