Bird Walk for Beginners - February 20th, 2012

The President's Day Walk for Beginners enjoyed a variety of birds and nice, but chilly, weather. Highlights of the walk include a Nashville Warbler, ducks such as Gadwall, American Wigeon, Hooded Mergansers, and Ring-necks, Coot, Red-tailed and Red-shouldered Hawks, Killdeer, and Eurasian Collared Doves. Leaders were Chuck & Mary Jane Slugg, Karl Lukens, Catherine Busch, and Warren Cairo. 44 species (+1 other taxa)

Canada Goose  20
Mute Swan  14
Gadwall  26
American Wigeon  24
Mallard  10
Ring-necked Duck  8
Lesser Scaup  4
Black Scoter  30
Hooded Merganser  4
Red-throated Loon  1
Double-crested Cormorant  2
Great Blue Heron  3
Black Vulture  2
Turkey Vulture  6
Accipiter sp.  1
Red-shouldered Hawk  1
Red-tailed Hawk  3
American Coot  40
Killdeer  2
Ring-billed Gull  50
Herring Gull  25
Great Black-backed Gull  2
Rock Pigeon  12
Eurasian Collared-Dove  3     Whilldin & Lincoln Ave in Cape May Point
Mourning Dove  10
Red-bellied Woodpecker  2
Blue Jay  4
American Crow  15
Carolina Chickadee  8
Tufted Titmouse  2     heard only
Carolina Wren  4     heard only
American Robin  10
Gray Catbird  1
Northern Mockingbird  3
European Starling  40
Nashville Warbler  1     Cape May Point State Park on Red Trail before duck blind
Yellow-rumped Warbler  10
Song Sparrow  1
White-throated Sparrow  3
Dark-eyed Junco  9
Northern Cardinal  3
Red-winged Blackbird  5
Common Grackle  15
House Finch  4
House Sparrow  8

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

Sunday Morning at Turkey Point - February 19th, 2012

CMBO's inaugural Sunday Morning at Turkey Point walk. Lot's of Northern Harriers up and about, along with the token eagles hunting the various ducks filling the Glades Wildlife Refuge Area. Leaders: Janet Crawford, Tony Klock, and Dave Lord.
34 species

Snow Goose  600
Canada Goose  11
Mute Swan  18
American Black Duck  8
Mallard  4
Green-winged Teal  70
Bufflehead  12
Great Blue Heron  3
Great Egret  1
Turkey Vulture  8
Bald Eagle  5
Northern Harrier  23
Red-tailed Hawk  2
Peregrine Falcon  1
Herring Gull  18
Great Black-backed Gull  3
Mourning Dove  1
Great Horned Owl  1
Red-bellied Woodpecker  2
Northern Flicker  1
Blue Jay  2
American Crow  6
Carolina Chickadee  2
Tufted Titmouse  6
Carolina Wren  4
Northern Mockingbird  2
Yellow-rumped Warbler  8
Eastern Towhee  1
Song Sparrow  3
Swamp Sparrow  1
White-throated Sparrow  10
Northern Cardinal  2
Red-winged Blackbird  18
Common Grackle  2

Longtails in Love - Saturday, February 18th, 2012

The Longtails in Love program started in Avalon, continued south along the ocean and bay, and ended at Lake Lily in Cape May Point. Although we looked at all things feathered, we concentrated on ducks and water birds. Highlights of the species sighted included Long-tailed Ducks, Black and Surf Scoters, many Red-throated and Common Loons, Great Cormorants, Horned Grebes, and assorted shorebirds. The weather was mild and sunny with a light wind that increased toward the end of the day. Leaders: Chuck & Mary Jane Slugg, Patty Rourke, Catherine Busch, Janet Crawford, Marc & Lynne Breslow.

58 species

Brant  1500
Cackling Goose  1     Lake Lily in Cape May Point
Canada Goose  150
Mute Swan  8
Gadwall  6
American Wigeon  85
American Black Duck  40
Mallard  18
Blue-winged Teal  2     Cape May Point State Park Bunker Pond
Northern Shoveler  8
Northern Pintail  16
Green-winged Teal  4
Ring-necked Duck  12
Lesser Scaup  25
Surf Scoter  10
Black Scoter  20
Long-tailed Duck  10
Bufflehead  100
Common Goldeneye  1
Hooded Merganser  20
Red-breasted Merganser  24
Ruddy Duck  6
Red-throated Loon  40
Common Loon  40     They were everywhere!
Pied-billed Grebe  3
Horned Grebe  10
Northern Gannet  10
Double-crested Cormorant  3
Great Cormorant  3
Great Blue Heron  3
Great Egret  2
Snowy Egret  1     Avalon at 5th Ave. and the back bay
Turkey Vulture  24
Bald Eagle  1
Northern Harrier  3
Peregrine Falcon  1
American Coot  40
Black-bellied Plover  6
American Oystercatcher  25
Ruddy Turnstone  1
Red Knot  6
Sanderling  12
Purple Sandpiper  12
Dunlin  200
Long-billed Dowitcher  2     Stone Harbor 95th St. beach
Ring-billed Gull  X
Herring Gull  X
Great Black-backed Gull  X
Rock Pigeon  25
Mourning Dove  12
American Crow  12
Carolina Chickadee  1
American Robin  10
European Starling  50
Yellow-rumped Warbler  5
Common Grackle  4
Boat-tailed Grackle  12
House Sparrow  8

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

Photo Walk - Saturday, February 18th, 2012

Today's Photo Walk was greeted with clear blue skies and unseasonably mild temperatures. Although there were not a lot of birds around today, it is after all still mid-February, there were enough to keep us busy. American Coots were present in good numbers and often come close if you stand quiet and still for a while. The same is true for the numerous but nonetheless striking Mallards and always present Mute Swans. And nothing says a bad hair day as well as a female merganser. However, to top off the day was a sighting of that once so much more common rara aves Don Freiday. All in all, it was another very nice day to be afield with a camera in Cape May. Leader: Mike Hannisian

Birding Cape May Point - Saturday, February 18th, 2012

Good weather and nice variety of ducks on Lake Lily, Lighthouse Pond and off the jetties. Ducks included Gadwall, American Wigeon, Mallard, and Ring-necked. Hooded and Red-breasted Mergansers were seen as well. Among the "rareties" were the 3 lingering Eurasian Collared-Doves, and a continuing Glossy Ibis. Raptors included Red-shouldered, Red-tailed, Cooper's and Sharp-shinned Hawks, and a Northern Harrier. Leaders: Karl Lukens, Kathy & Roger Horn, Steve Weis.
52 species

Brant (Atlantic)  4
Canada Goose  15
Mute Swan  4
Gadwall  15
American Wigeon  15
Mallard  10
Green-winged Teal  1
Ring-necked Duck  6
Surf Scoter  4
Black Scoter  20
Hooded Merganser  4
Red-breasted Merganser  1
Red-throated Loon  8
Northern Gannet  3
Great Cormorant  1
Great Blue Heron  1
Glossy Ibis  1
Black Vulture  10
Turkey Vulture  25
Northern Harrier  1
Sharp-shinned Hawk  1
Cooper's Hawk  1
Red-shouldered Hawk  1
Red-tailed Hawk  1
American Coot  30
Ruddy Turnstone  1
Dunlin   12
Herring Gull  75
Great Black-backed Gull  1
Rock Pigeon  4
Eurasian Collared-Dove  3
Mourning Dove  12
Red-bellied Woodpecker  1
Yellow-bellied Sapsucker  2
Blue Jay  8
American Crow  2
Carolina Chickadee  5
Tufted Titmouse  1
Red-breasted Nuthatch  1
Carolina Wren  3
American Robin  10
Northern Mockingbird  2
European Starling  15
Yellow-rumped Warbler  5
Song Sparrow  1
White-throated Sparrow  8
Northern Cardinal  5
Red-winged Blackbird  15
Common Grackle  10
House Finch  6
American Goldfinch  8
House Sparrow  20


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Photo Walk - Saturday, February 11th 2012

The weather was hardly what many nature photographers wish for as it was a combination of light rain, light snow, and heavy clouds. However, the small number of participants present were able to see that such seemingly undesirable weather conditions did not preclude some interesting photographic opportunities. While I normally carry a long lens on our Saturday Photo Walks, this week I carried only a 28-105mm zoom, which is much closer to the lens sizes of most participants. This meant that we had to look more closely as well as keeping an eye out for new ways to shoot that ever-present Cape May subject, the lighthouse. All in all, it was a rather satisfying day.

Mike Hannisian

 

 

Birding Cape May Point - Saturday, February 11th, 2012

Light Rain, later with some snow and cold. Lots of House Sparrows at the usual feeder on Harvard Avenue, but no Dickcissel this morning. Found two Eurasian Collared Doves together at Lincoln & Whilldin Avenues and the third a little ways away from the two. Usual ducks on Lily and Lighthouse. The latter did have a Glossy Ibis feeding across from the blind as seen from the road. Probably the same bird seen earlier in the week at the Meadows.
35 species

Canada Goose 20
Mute Swan 5
Gadwall 30
American Wigeon 20
Mallard 25
Ring-necked Duck 6
Black Scoter 10
Long-tailed Duck 8
Hooded Merganser 4
Red-throated Loon 4
Northern Gannet 2
Great Egret 1
Glossy Ibis 1
American Coot 20
Ring-billed Gull 1
Herring Gull 30
Great Black-backed Gull 5
Rock Pigeon 3
Eurasian Collared-Dove 3
Mourning Dove 10
Red-bellied Woodpecker 1
Blue Jay 5
Carolina Wren 1
American Robin 50
Northern Mockingbird 1
European Starling 30
Yellow-rumped Warbler 2
White-throated Sparrow 20
Dark-eyed Junco 20
Northern Cardinal 5
Red-winged Blackbird 20
Common Grackle 30
House Finch 5
American Goldfinch 6
House Sparrow 30

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

Birding Cape May Point - Saturday, February 4th, 2012

Found the three Eurasian Collared Doves but the Dickcissel was not with the House Sparrows this morning. Usual ducks on Lily Lake as well as the female Common Goldeneye. A very close adult Bald Eagle flew over our heads and put all the ducks in the air. One American Oystercatcher and several Ruddy Turnstones were on the jetty at the end of Whilldin Avenue.
46 species

Canada Goose 30
Mute Swan 6
Gadwall 20
American Wigeon 20
Mallard 20
Green-winged Teal 10
Ring-necked Duck 2
Black Scoter 20
Common Goldeneye 1
Hooded Merganser 4
Northern Gannet 1
Double-crested Cormorant 2
Turkey Vulture 3
Bald Eagle 1
Red-tailed Hawk 1
American Coot 100
American Oystercatcher 1
Ruddy Turnstone 4
Ring-billed Gull 3
Herring Gull 35
Great Black-backed Gull 3
Rock Pigeon 2
Eurasian Collared-Dove 3
Mourning Dove 10
Red-bellied Woodpecker 1
Northern Flicker 2
Blue Jay 5
American Crow 5
Tree Swallow 2
Carolina Chickadee 5
Red-breasted Nuthatch 2
Carolina Wren 5
Golden-crowned Kinglet 2
American Robin 200
Northern Mockingbird 2
European Starling 15
Yellow-rumped Warbler 15
Song Sparrow 1
White-throated Sparrow 10
Dark-eyed Junco 5
Northern Cardinal 6
Red-winged Blackbird 10
Common Grackle 5
Brown-headed Cowbird 15
House Finch 10
House Sparrow 20

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

Photo Walk - Saturday, February 4th 2012

Although the sun was elusive, the five of us on this week's CMBO Saturday Photo Walk at Cape May Point had a good time with some cooperative subjects. Specifically, An adult Bald Eagle proved to be a very cooperative subject as it perched at the east end of Bunker Pond. At this time of year, diversity is still low, but there are almost always certain things that can be found. (It is, after all, Cape May.) This week these included Mute Swan, Mallard, and Northern Mockingbird.

 

 

Birding Cape May Point - Saturday, January 28th, 2012

Good variety of ducks on Lily Lake and Lighthouse pond, including Redhead, Common Goldeneye and both Scaups. A flock of seven Snow Buntings circled the State Park parking lot several times threatening to land at one of the puddles for water.
45 species

Canada Goose 30
Mute Swan 6
Gadwall 15
American Wigeon 25
Mallard 15
Redhead 1
Greater Scaup 2
Lesser Scaup 2
Surf Scoter 2
Black Scoter 30
Common Goldeneye 1
Hooded Merganser 1
Red-breasted Merganser 2
Red-throated Loon 8
Double-crested Cormorant 2
Great Blue Heron 1
Black Vulture 8
Turkey Vulture 5
Cooper's Hawk 1
American Coot 50
Ruddy Turnstone 3
Ring-billed Gull 2
Herring Gull 25
Great Black-backed Gull 4
Rock Pigeon 6
Eurasian Collared-Dove 3
Mourning Dove 10
Northern Flicker 1
Blue Jay 8
American Crow 5
Carolina Chickadee 3
Tufted Titmouse 1
Carolina Wren 3
American Robin 15
Northern Mockingbird 2
European Starling 25
Snow Bunting 7
Yellow-rumped Warbler 10
White-throated Sparrow 10
Dark-eyed Junco 15
Northern Cardinal 5
Red-winged Blackbird 15
Common Grackle 1
House Finch 10
House Sparrow 25

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

Birding Cape May Point - Saturday, January 14th, 2012

Cold and windy but some good birding. We found the Dickcissel at the feeder on Harvard Avenue and had three Eurasian Collared Doves on Whilldin Avenue on wires. The female Redhead was still on Lake Lily with a nice variety of other ducks. Later we had an Orange-crowned Warbler at the junction of the red/yellow/blue trails in the Cape May Point State Park.
43 species

Snow Geese 7
Canada Goose 75
Mute Swan 8
Gadwall 25
American Wigeon 15
Mallard 25
Redhead 1
Greater Scaup 2
Black Scoter 15
Hooded Merganser 4
Common Merganser 1
Pied-billed Grebe 1
Great Egret 1
Black Vulture 4
Turkey Vulture 10
Bald Eagle 1
Northern Harrier 1
American Coot 100
Ring-billed Gull 1
Herring Gull 6
Great Black-backed Gull 3
Rock Pigeon 3
Eurasian Collared-Dove 3
Mourning Dove 10
Blue Jay 6
American Crow 3
Carolina Chickadee 3
Tufted Titmouse 2
Red-breasted Nuthatch 1
Carolina Wren 3
American Robin 25
Northern Mockingbird 3
European Starling 50
Orange-crowned Warbler 1 at Red,Yellow,Blue trail junction near bridge
Yellow-rumped Warbler 15
Song Sparrow 2
White-throated Sparrow 15
Dark-eyed Junco 15
Northern Cardinal 8
Dickcissel 1 feeder 113 Harvard
Brown-headed Cowbird 30
Baltimore Oriole 2
House Finch 10
House Sparrow 25

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

Birding Cape May Point - Saturday, January 7th, 2012

Lots of ducks on Lighthouse Pond and Lake Lily with good variety.The adult male Eurasian Wigeon is back again. We did observe two Dickcissels at the island end of Lake Lily, one actually on the island and then two in the trees near the corner of Oxford and E. Lake Drive. Flew with house sparrows towards the Harvard Ave. spot where this species has been seen regularly of late.
52 species

Canada Goose 40
Mute Swan 4
Gadwall 50
Eurasian Wigeon 1
American Wigeon 30
Mallard 30
Northern Shoveler 3
Northern Pintail 1
Green-winged Teal 1
Ring-necked Duck 4
Greater Scaup 2
Black Scoter 13
Hooded Merganser 10
Common Merganser 1
Red-breasted Merganser 1
Ruddy Duck 3
Red-throated Loon 4
Northern Gannet 1
Double-crested Cormorant 1
Great Blue Heron 1
Great Egret 1
Turkey Vulture 1
Sharp-shinned Hawk 1
Cooper's Hawk 1
American Coot 100
Killdeer 2
Bonaparte's Gull 35
Ring-billed Gull 2
Herring Gull 15
Great Black-backed Gull 10
Rock Pigeon 12
Mourning Dove 6
Belted Kingfisher 1
Red-bellied Woodpecker 1
Blue Jay 10
American Crow 5
Tree Swallow 1
Carolina Chickadee 5
Carolina Wren 3
American Robin 150
Northern Mockingbird 6
European Starling 30
Cedar Waxwing 20
Yellow-rumped Warbler 30
Song Sparrow 1
White-throated Sparrow 10
Northern Cardinal 8
Dickcissel 2 Lily Lake on island and around south end
Red-winged Blackbird 20
Common Grackle 1
House Finch 10
House Sparrow 30

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

Kick Off Your Year List - Sunday, January 1st 2012

I've tried not to add in any 'leader-onlys' to this list, but have included all species seen by at least some of the group while we were together.

Canada Goose
Brent Goose
Mute Swan
Gadwall
American Wigeon
American Black Duck
Mallard
Northern Shoveler
Northern Pintail
Green-winged Teal
Ring-necked Duck
Lesser Scaup
Common Eider
Surf Scoter
White-winged Scoter
Black Scoter
Long-tailed Duck
Bufflehead
Hooded Merganser
Common Merganser
Red-breasted Merganser
Red-throated Loon
Common Loon
Pied-billed Grebe
Horned Grebe
Great Blue Heron
Great Egret
Northern Gannet
Double-crested Cormorant
Great Cormorant
Turkey Vulture
American Black Vulture
Peregrine
Northern Harrier
Sharp-shinned Hawk
Cooper's Hawk
Red-shouldered Hawk
Red-tailed Hawk
American Coot
American Oystercatcher
Black-bellied Plover
Semipalmated Plover
Marbled Godwit
Greater Yellowlegs
Ruddy Turnstone
Red Knot
Sanderling
Purple Sandpiper
Dunlin
Bonaparte's Gull
Ring-billed Gull
Great Black-backed Gull
American Herring Gull
Forster's Tern
Feral Rock Dove
American Mourning Dove
Northern Flicker
Bell's Vireo
Blue Jay
American Crow
Cedar Waxwing
Carolina Chickadee
Carolina Wren
Northern Mockingbird
European Starling
Eastern Bluebird
American Robin
House Sparrow
House Finch
Yellow-rumped Warbler
Baltimore Oriole
Red-winged Blackbird
White-throated Sparrow
Dickcissel
Northern Cardinal

Brigantine & Mott's Creek - Saturday, December 10th 2011

The Brig portion of the Brigantine/Mott's Creek trip included a good variety of wintering ducks, Peregrine Falcons, Tundra Swans, Snow Geese, and Horned Grebes. At Mott's Creek, the short-eared owls showed up at dusk, just in time for good viewing before dark. Several Northern Harriers hunted over the marsh and a large flock of Boat-tailed Grackles wheeled noisily around the docks.

 

Edwin B. Forsythe NWR--Wildlife Drive

 

Snow Goose  2000

Brant  200
Canada Goose  100
Tundra Swan  40
Gadwall  12
American Wigeon  3
American Black Duck  600
Mallard  50
Northern Shoveler  150
Northern Pintail  400
Green-winged Teal  250
Lesser Scaup  35
Bufflehead  60
Hooded Merganser  14
Red-breasted Merganser  4
Ruddy Duck  4
Red-throated Loon  4
Common Loon  1
Pied-billed Grebe  3
Horned Grebe  6
Double-crested Cormorant  4
Great Blue Heron  7
Great Egret  3
Turkey Vulture  2
Bald Eagle  2
Northern Harrier  10
Sharp-shinned Hawk  2
Red-shouldered Hawk  1
Red-tailed Hawk  1
Peregrine Falcon  3
American Coot  350
Greater Yellowlegs  2
Dunlin  6
Herring Gull (American)  40
Great Black-backed Gull  25
Rock Pigeon  15
Mourning Dove  2
Red-bellied Woodpecker  2
Downy Woodpecker  2
Northern Flicker (Yellow-shafted)  2
Blue Jay  1
American Crow  8
Carolina Chickadee  4
Tufted Titmouse  8
White-breasted Nuthatch  2
Carolina Wren  1
Golden-crowned Kinglet  1
Hermit Thrush  1
American Robin  65
European Starling  2
Cedar Waxwing  75
Yellow-rumped Warbler (Myrtle)  35
Eastern Towhee  1
Song Sparrow  1
White-throated Sparrow  1
Dark-eyed Junco (Slate-colored)  3
Red-winged Blackbird  21
American Goldfinch 

 58 species

Edwin B. Forsythe NWR--Motts Creek

Canada Goose  12

American Black Duck  25
Hooded Merganser  2
Bald Eagle  1
Northern Harrier  5
Greater Yellowlegs  9
Long-billed Dowitcher  19
Herring Gull (American)  5
Great Black-backed Gull  3
Short-eared Owl  2
American Robin  3
European Starling  4
Boat-tailed Grackle  250
House Sparrow  5

14 species

Cape May Point - Saturday, December 17th 2011

A few raptors here and there, including several Northern Harriers and two Peregrine Falcons, one perched on the Bunker. An adult Bald Eagle was perched on the Meadows Osprey platform. As usual, lots of winter ducks. The Eurasian Wigeon and a dozen Ring-necked Ducks were on Lake Lily  after the walk.
45 species

Canada Goose 10
Mute Swan 15
Gadwall 35
American Wigeon 20
Mallard 15
Northern Shoveler 20
Northern Pintail 15
Green-winged Teal 150
Lesser Scaup 80
Bufflehead 1
Hooded Merganser 9
Ruddy Duck 8
Red-throated Loon 6
Pied-billed Grebe 3
Northern Gannet 5
Double-crested Cormorant 3
Great Egret 1
Turkey Vulture 8
Bald Eagle 1
Northern Harrier 2
Sharp-shinned Hawk 2
Red-tailed Hawk 2
Peregrine Falcon 2
American Coot 175
Herring Gull 8
Great Black-backed Gull 2
Rock Pigeon 5
Mourning Dove 4
Northern Flicker 2
American Crow 2
Carolina Wren 2 heard
Eastern Bluebird 10
American Robin 100
Northern Mockingbird 2
Brown Thrasher 1
European Starling 30
Cedar Waxwing 3
Yellow-rumped Warbler 10
Song Sparrow 3
Northern Cardinal 4
Red-winged Blackbird 6
Common Grackle 30
Brown-headed Cowbird 30
House Finch 8
House Sparrow 2

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

Cape May Point - Saturday, December 10th 2011

Cloudy, cold and windy to start. A walk on the red trail produced a nice variety of ducks which were scattered twice by two adult Bald Eagles. The adult drake Eurasian Wigeon and the female Redhead were in the mix. 38 species

Canada Goose 10
Mute Swan 10
Gadwall 25
Eurasian Wigeon 1
Mallard 15
Blue-winged Teal 1
Northern Shoveler 6
Northern Pintail 1
Redhead 1
Ring-necked Duck 1 30
Lesser Scaup 10
Red-breasted Merganser 1
Ruddy Duck 8
Red-throated Loon 6
Pied-billed Grebe 2
Northern Gannet 15
Double-crested Cormorant 3
Great Blue Heron 2
Turkey Vulture 2
Bald Eagle 2 adult
Sharp-shinned Hawk 1
Red-shouldered Hawk 1
American Coot 200
Ring-billed Gull 2
Herring Gull 5
Great Black-backed Gull 25
Rock Pigeon 10
Mourning Dove 4
American Crow 3
Carolina Wren 1
Eastern Bluebird 2
American Robin 25
Northern Mockingbird 1
European Starling 10
Cedar Waxwing 15 after the walk
Yellow-rumped Warbler 2
Red-winged Blackbird 30
House Sparrow 1

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

Harlequin Romance - Saturday, December 3rd, 2011

Our annual trip up to Barnegat Light in search of Harlequin Ducks was well attended by both participants and leaders and we had a fabulous day. The weather was perhaps the best it had ever been for this trip and, while this probably contributed to the larger than usual number of people fishing on the jetty and keeping the birds away from their food source, we nevertheless had a fabulous day.
Ducks were present in lower numbers than usual but again, the good weather was perhaps a factor in this and a more prolonged peirod of cold weather is probably needed to push numbers up. Despite this, there was plenty to enjoy with some 300 Common Eider on the open sea south of the jetty, small numbers of all three scoter species and even a female Bufflehead thrown in for good measure. Careful scanning through the flock eventually provided us with good views of a very smart female King Eider and, among it all, around 25 Harlequin Ducks were busy diving and feeding. Mission accomplished!

Also on the beach, a flock of about 60 Snow Buntings was seen and three Horned Larks flew over. Bonaparte's Gulls were plentiful in the inlet and Dunlin, Purple Sandpipers and Sanderling were on the jetty. After lunch we checked out Barnegat Bay and found plenty of Common and Red-throated Loons, Red-breasted Mergansers and a huge raft of Buffleheads. We finished at Manahawkin, where we found two adult Bald Eagles, five Northern Harriers, a Belted Kingfisher and at least six Great Blue Herons - the latter another sign that the weather hasn't really turned cold yet.

Barnegat Lighthouse bathed in glorious winter sunshine! [Photo by Mike Crewe]

Bonaparte's Gulls are real gems when seen close up. Three hundred or more were feeding in and around Barnegat Inlet. [Photo by Mike Crewe]

A female and two male Harlequin Ducks dive through the surf, along with a third-winter male Common Eider. [Photo by Mike Crewe]

Adult female King Eider (left) and adult female Common Eider. Note the King (Queen?!!) Eider's different bill size and shape, especially the 'smile' of the curving gape line on a pale face. [Photo by Mike Crewe]

This picture is cropped heavily so it's not so sharp, but notice the black, strongly angled chevron marks on the flank feathers. In this area, Common Eider females have more shallowly-curved arcs. [Photo by Mike Crewe]

Fall Birds at The Rea Farm - Saturday, November 19th 2011

Final Rea Farm Walk of the season. Good raptors with immature Bald Eagles (2) and Merlin (3). Still many Robins and Cedar Waxwings flying about. Good variety of sparrows and nice looks at two Nashville Warblers.
47 species

Canada Goose 25
Gadwall 3
Mallard 8
Black Vulture 4
Turkey Vulture 40
Bald Eagle 2 imm.
Sharp-shinned Hawk 2
Cooper's Hawk 1
Red-tailed Hawk 1
Merlin 3
Killdeer 12
Herring Gull 1
Rock Pigeon 2
Mourning Dove 15
Red-bellied Woodpecker 3
Downy Woodpecker 3
Northern Flicker 4
Blue Jay 1
American Crow 20
Carolina Chickadee 1
Carolina Wren 4
Blue-gray Gnatcatcher 1
Ruby-crowned Kinglet 1 heard
Eastern Bluebird 25
American Robin 100
Northern Mockingbird 1
Brown Thrasher 1
European Starling 20
Cedar Waxwing 150
Nashville Warbler 2
Palm Warbler 4
Yellow-rumped Warbler 2
Field Sparrow 4
Savannah Sparrow 5
Fox Sparrow 2
Song Sparrow 5
Swamp Sparrow 4
White-throated Sparrow 10
White-crowned Sparrow 1
Dark-eyed Junco 5
Northern Cardinal 4
Red-winged Blackbird 50
Brown-headed Cowbird 20
Baltimore Oriole 1
House Finch 5
American Goldfinch 4
House Sparrow 1

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

Going out on a high - our final walk of the season at The Rea Farm produced great views of this wonderful Bald Eagle!

Cape May Point State Park - Wednesday, November 16th 2011

As for the last few walks, we struggled to leave the parking lot due to the large numbers of birds wheeling around!! The male Eurasian Wigeon showed well on Lighthouse Pond East and Warren reproduced his dove-finding skills by finding the three Collared Doves from exceptional distance!!

69 species
Canada Goose 120
Mute Swan 12
Tundra Swan 4
Gadwall 55
Eurasian Wigeon 1
American Wigeon 95
American Black Duck 1
Mallard 15
Northern Shoveler 15
Northern Pintail 18
Green-winged Teal 55
Ring-necked Duck 5
Surf Scoter 15
Black Scoter 6
Bufflehead 1
Ruddy Duck 12
Pied-billed Grebe 6
Northern Gannet 10
Double-crested Cormorant 12
Great Egret 2
Bald Eagle 1
Northern Harrier 1
Sharp-shinned Hawk 3
Cooper's Hawk 1
Red-tailed Hawk 1
Merlin 1
Common Gallinule 2
American Coot 85
Laughing Gull 4
Herring Gull (American) 3
Great Black-backed Gull 15
Forster's Tern 6
Rock Pigeon 6
Eurasian Collared-Dove 3
Mourning Dove 4
Downy Woodpecker 1
Northern Flicker 6
Blue Jay 4
American Crow 9
Tree Swallow 6
Carolina Chickadee 2
Tufted Titmouse 1
Carolina Wren 4
Golden-crowned Kinglet 10
Ruby-crowned Kinglet 3
Eastern Bluebird 35
Hermit Thrush 1
American Robin 1500
Gray Catbird 1
Northern Mockingbird 5
Brown Thrasher 3
European Starling 1600
Cedar Waxwing 600
Palm Warbler (Western) 1
Yellow-rumped Warbler 25
Yellow-breasted Chat 1
Eastern Towhee 2
Chipping Sparrow 5
Song Sparrow 4
Swamp Sparrow 2
White-throated Sparrow 6
Dark-eyed Junco 3
Northern Cardinal 6
Red-winged Blackbird 20
Rusty Blackbird 1
Common Grackle 100
Brown-headed Cowbird 500
House Finch 40
House Sparrow 10

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

E-Z Birding, Tuesday, November 15th 2011

The final EZ Birding Walk at Two Mile Beach Unit of US Fish & Wildlife had many shorebirds and gulls on the beach including Sanderlings, Dunlin, Ruddy Turnstones, and Black-bellied Plover and Ring-billed, Herring, and Greater Black-backed Gulls.  Several Common Loons and groups of Black Scoter were spotted flying by.  A freshly killed Marbled Godwit being eaten by a Herring Gull was an interesting find.  We were able to observe bill length and feather patterns close up!  Ducks on the ponds included Northern Pintails and Black Ducks.  A large group of Yellowlegs was also present.  Large flocks of Cedar Waxwings flew overhead the entire time.
40 species

Brant  150
American Black Duck  30
Northern Pintail  16
Black Scoter  30
Bufflehead  2
Red-throated Loon  1
Common Loon  9
Horned Grebe  7
Northern Gannet  1
Double-crested Cormorant  20
Great Egret  9
Turkey Vulture  5
Osprey  1
Northern Harrier  1
Sharp-shinned Hawk  1
Black-bellied Plover  20
Killdeer  10
Greater Yellowlegs  30     Salt water pan at Two-Mile Beach, US Fish & Wildlife,
24 in one group and 6 along edge in reeds, called when flew
Lesser Yellowlegs  12     Salt water pan at Two Mile, US Fish & Wildlife,
feeding with larger flock of Greater Yellowlegs
Ruddy Turnstone  12
Sanderling  150
Dunlin  120
Ring-billed Gull  8
Herring Gull  15
Great Black-backed Gull  10
Forster's Tern  1
Rock Pigeon  2
Mourning Dove  3
American Crow  5
Tree Swallow  5
Carolina Chickadee  2     heard
Carolina Wren  1     heard
American Robin  6
Gray Catbird  1
European Starling  30
Cedar Waxwing  400     Flocks of 50-150 flying over in waves for the 2-hour duration of walk
Yellow-rumped Warbler  10
Red-winged Blackbird  25
Boat-tailed Grackle  3
House Finch  5

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

South Cape May Meadows - Monday November 14th 2011

Lots of ducks and gulls to scan and identify. Two Lesser Black-backed Gulls were found and 1 Common Gallinule ( previously Common Moorhen) were also seen in the ponds. Large numbers of American Coots and Gadwalls are still present. Good scope views of a couple of Pectoral Sandpipers and a Wilson's Snipe. Many Cedar Waxwings flying about.
49 species

Canada Goose 10
Mute Swan 8
Gadwall 60
American Black Duck 1
Mallard 20
Northern Shoveler 3
Northern Pintail 10
Green-winged Teal 10
Ruddy Duck 4
Red-throated Loon 1
Common Loon 2
Pied-billed Grebe 4
Double-crested Cormorant 15
American Bittern 1
Great Blue Heron 2
Great Egret 2
Glossy Ibis 2
Turkey Vulture 2
Osprey 2
Northern Harrier 2
Sharp-shinned Hawk 1
Peregrine Falcon 1
Common Gallinule 1
American Coot 100
Sanderling 1
Pectoral Sandpiper 2
Wilson's Snipe 3
Ring-billed Gull 10
Herring Gull 25
Lesser Black-backed Gull 2
Great Black-backed Gull 70
Mourning Dove 5
Blue Jay 2
American Crow 10
Horned Lark 1
Tree Swallow 150
Eastern Bluebird 4
American Robin 50
Northern Mockingbird 2
European Starling 100
Cedar Waxwing 300
Yellow-rumped Warbler 5
Savannah Sparrow 5
Swamp Sparrow 1
Northern Cardinal 1
Red-winged Blackbird 100
Brown-headed Cowbird 20
House Finch 8
House Sparrow 5

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

A late Glossy Ibis was seen on this morning's Meadows walk.

A smart Lesser Black-backed Gull on the beach.

Pectoral Sandpiper

Wilson's Snipe

Birding Cumberland County - Sunday, November 13th 2011

The full day Birding Cumberland trip turned up trumps with happy participants satisfied on great birding experiences. Bald Eagles were around in the expected numbers and Northern Harriers pleased everyone, coursing over marsh and field. The oddest sighting would have to be the point-blank Whimbrel that flew by at the Glades Wildlife Refuge near Fortescue. Horned Larks were vocalizing and giving good looks, while American Pipits were in our faces.

47 species

Canada Goose  28
Gadwall  15
American Black Duck  38
Mallard  6
Green-winged Teal  46
Bufflehead  40
Red-breasted Merganser  2
Ruddy Duck  12
Double-crested Cormorant  80
Great Blue Heron  10
Great Egret  8
Black Vulture  29
Turkey Vulture  17
Bald Eagle  8
Northern Harrier  18
Cooper's Hawk  1
Red-tailed Hawk  5
Peregrine Falcon  1
Greater Yellowlegs  17
Whimbrel  1
Least Sandpiper  1
Dunlin  60
Ring-billed Gull  54
Herring Gull  103
Great Black-backed Gull  8
Forster's Tern  40
Belted Kingfisher  4
Red-bellied Woodpecker  4
Yellow-bellied Sapsucker  1
Northern Flicker  6
Blue Jay  10
American Crow  14
Carolina Chickadee  9
Carolina Wren  2
Golden-crowned Kinglet  1
Eastern Bluebird  16
American Robin  20
Northern Mockingbird  6
European Starling  73
American Pipit  27
Cedar Waxwing  37
Yellow-rumped Warbler  12
Eastern Towhee  1
Swamp Sparrow  6
Northern Cardinal  7
Red-winged Blackbird  14
Eastern Meadowlark  8

Cox Hall Creek (Villas) WMA - Sunday, November 13th 2011

Approximately 100 Bluebirds decorated the shrubs, grasses and trees at this morning's Coxhall Creek WMA walk. Large flocks of blackbirds included Rusty Blackbirds, while a Red-headed Woodpecker flitted busily from tree to tree.
41 species

Mute Swan  2
Wood Duck  5
Pied-billed Grebe  1
Turkey Vulture  3
Sharp-shinned Hawk  1
Cooper's Hawk  1
Red-tailed Hawk  1
Herring Gull (American)  2
Rock Pigeon  2
Mourning Dove  7
Red-headed Woodpecker  1
Red-bellied Woodpecker  5
Downy Woodpecker  2
Northern Flicker (Yellow-shafted)  5
Blue Jay  3
American Crow  15
Carolina Chickadee  8
Tufted Titmouse  6
White-breasted Nuthatch  1
Carolina Wren  2
Golden-crowned Kinglet  3
Ruby-crowned Kinglet  3
Eastern Bluebird  100
American Robin  55
Northern Mockingbird  2
European Starling  300
Cedar Waxwing  24
Yellow-rumped Warbler (Myrtle)  18
Chipping Sparrow  23
Field Sparrow  3
Savannah Sparrow  1
Song Sparrow  1
White-throated Sparrow  4
Dark-eyed Junco (Slate-colored)  4
Northern Cardinal  2
Red-winged Blackbird  150
Rusty Blackbird  35
Common Grackle  300
House Finch  10
American Goldfinch  1
House Sparrow 5

 

Fall Birds at The Rea Farm - Saturday, November 12th 2011

Cold and continued breezy. We did manage 2 Blackpoll and 1 Yellow-rumped warbler. Raptors were good with 1 Bald Eagle, 2 Harriers, 1 Red-tailed Hawk and 2 Am. Kestrels. A group of 5 Rusty Blackbirds and a Baltimore Oriole were interesting species.
42 species

Canada Goose 5
Mute Swan 2
Tundra Swan 3
Gadwall 2
Mallard 6
Northern Pintail 5
Green-winged Teal 3
Glossy Ibis 1
Black Vulture 5
Turkey Vulture 8
Bald Eagle 1
Northern Harrier 2
Sharp-shinned Hawk 1
Red-tailed Hawk 1
American Kestrel 2
Wilson's Snipe 3
Herring Gull 1
Rock Pigeon 2
Mourning Dove 8
Red-bellied Woodpecker 2
Downy Woodpecker 3
Northern Flicker 3
American Crow 15
Fish Crow 1
Carolina Wren 3
Golden-crowned Kinglet 2
Eastern Bluebird 5
American Robin 100
Gray Catbird 1
Northern Mockingbird 2
European Starling 150
Cedar Waxwing 75
Blackpoll Warbler 2
Yellow-rumped Warbler 1
Savannah Sparrow 3
Song Sparrow 5
Swamp Sparrow 1
White-throated Sparrow 1 heard
Northern Cardinal 2
Red-winged Blackbird 50
Rusty Blackbird 5
Baltimore Oriole 1

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

Hawks, Trails and Beach - Saturday, November 12th 2011

The Hawks, Trails, and Beach walk started with the Eurasian Wigeon on Lighthouse Pond and also enjoyed scope views of other species of ducks including American Wigeon, Northern Pintails, Gadwall, Green- and Blue-winged Teal, and Ruddy Ducks.  Raptors were scarce although we did see 3 Osprey. We finished the walk with a Tundra Swan on one of the Plover Ponds.
38 species

Canada Goose  35
Mute Swan  16
Tundra Swan  1
Wood Duck  12
Gadwall  32
Eurasian Wigeon  1
American Wigeon  60
Mallard  20
Blue-winged Teal  4
Northern Shoveler  16
Northern Pintail  18
Green-winged Teal  28
Ruddy Duck  16
Pied-billed Grebe  12     Four on Lighthouse Pond and a group of eight at the
back of Bunker Pond near the boardwalk/path behind Rutherford's farm.
Double-crested Cormorant  5
Osprey  3
Northern Harrier  1
Cooper's Hawk  1
American Kestrel  1
American Coot  50
Lesser Yellowlegs  1
Wilson's Snipe  1
Herring Gull  5
Rock Pigeon  6
Mourning Dove  5
Northern Flicker  1
Tree Swallow  30
Carolina Chickadee  2     heard only
Carolina Wren  5     heard only
Golden-crowned Kinglet  2     heard only
American Robin  20
European Starling  18
Cedar Waxwing  14
Yellow-rumped Warbler  12
Swamp Sparrow  2
Northern Cardinal  2
Red-winged Blackbird  7
House Sparrow  2

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

Cape May Point State Park - Wednesday, November 9th 2011

65 species (+1 other taxa)

Canada Goose 45
Mute Swan 14
Gadwall 50
Eurasian Wigeon 1
American Wigeon 35
Mallard 20
Blue-winged Teal 2
Northern Shoveler 12
Northern Pintail 15
Green-winged Teal 25
Surf Scoter 45
Surf/Black Scoter 150
Ruddy Duck 17
Red-throated Loon 1
Common Loon 2
Pied-billed Grebe 6
Northern Gannet 6
Double-crested Cormorant 4
American Bittern 1
Great Blue Heron 1
Great Egret 1
Turkey Vulture 2
Osprey 1
Bald Eagle 1
Sharp-shinned Hawk 3
Cooper's Hawk 1
American Moorhen 1
American Coot 110
Sanderling 1
Ring-billed Gull 5
Herring Gull (American) 10
Great Black-backed Gull 55
Forster's Tern 15
Royal Tern 1
Parasitic Jaeger 1
Rock Pigeon 15
Mourning Dove 2
Northern Flicker 2
Blue Jay 2
American Crow 8
Tree Swallow 25
Carolina Chickadee 2
Carolina Wren 3
Golden-crowned Kinglet 2
Ruby-crowned Kinglet 3
Eastern Bluebird 20
American Robin 1500
Gray Catbird 2
Northern Mockingbird 3
Brown Thrasher 1
European Starling 120
American Pipit 30
Cedar Waxwing 300
Yellow-rumped Warbler 45
Eastern Towhee 1
Savannah Sparrow 2
Song Sparrow 5
Swamp Sparrow 1
White-throated Sparrow 5
Dark-eyed Junco 1
Northern Cardinal 3
Red-winged Blackbird 150
Brown-headed Cowbird 15
House Finch 10
American Goldfinch 6
House Sparrow 6

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

E-Z Birding - Tuesday, November 8th 2011

EZ Birding at Two Mile Beach Unit of US Fish & Wildlife enjoyed the usual mix of shorebirds on the beach including Sanderlings, Dunlin, Ruddy Turnstones, and Black-bellied Plover in good numbers. A few Northern Gannets and migrating scoters were spotted over the ocean.  Ducks remain in the ponds along Ocean Dr. including Black Ducks, Bufflehead, Ruddy Ducks, and Hooded and Red-breasted Mergansers.  On the bay side of Ocean Dr. were many Brant and a small group of American Oystercatchers.
53 species (+1 other taxa)

Brant  300
Canada Goose  6
American Black Duck  50
Mallard  4
Northern Pintail  10
Green-winged Teal  6
scoter sp.  30
Bufflehead  5
Hooded Merganser  2
Red-breasted Merganser  8
Ruddy Duck  4
Red-throated Loon  2
Common Loon  2
Pied-billed Grebe  1
Northern Gannet  12
Double-crested Cormorant  40
Great Blue Heron  1
Great Egret  10
Snowy Egret  2
Bald Eagle  1
Northern Harrier  2
Cooper's Hawk  1
Merlin  1
Black-bellied Plover  25
American Oystercatcher  10
Greater Yellowlegs  1
Lesser Yellowlegs  1
Ruddy Turnstone  36     Feeding all along water's edge on beach at Two Mile Unit
of US Fish & Wildlife
Sanderling  200
Dunlin  200
Ring-billed Gull  2
Herring Gull  50
Great Black-backed Gull  35
Royal Tern  2
Belted Kingfisher  1
Northern Flicker  1
American Crow  10
Tree Swallow  10
Carolina Chickadee  5
American Robin  3
Gray Catbird  1
Northern Mockingbird  1
European Starling  170
Yellow-rumped Warbler  25
Eastern Towhee  1
Song Sparrow  2
White-crowned Sparrow  1
Dark-eyed Junco  2
Northern Cardinal  2
Red-winged Blackbird  60
Common Grackle  30
Boat-tailed Grackle  4
House Finch  8
American Goldfinch  5

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

Cox Hall Creek (Villas) WMA - Sunday, November 6th 2011

The Cox Hall Creek WMA is currently hosting a good variety of late-season migrants.  A juvenile Red-headed Woodpecker allowed lingering views. Five Great Blue Herons lifted from the ponds with four of them then decorating treetops. The Bluebird flock has greatly expanded in number, while  Song, Swamp, Chipping & Field Sparrows flit among the grasses. Also seen: Eastern Towhee, Palm & Yellow-rumped Warblers, Brown Creeper, Eastern Phoebe, Ruby-crowned & Golden-crowned Kinglets, perched Cooper's Hawk.
46 species

Mute Swan  2
Mallard  3
Pied-billed Grebe  1
Double-crested Cormorant  1
Great Blue Heron  6
Turkey Vulture  2
Sharp-shinned Hawk  4
Cooper's Hawk  1
Red-tailed Hawk  2
Herring Gull (American)  5
Mourning Dove  5
Red-headed Woodpecker  1
Red-bellied Woodpecker  12
Downy Woodpecker  3
Hairy Woodpecker  1
Northern Flicker (Yellow-shafted)  5
Eastern Phoebe  3
Blue Jay  6
American Crow  12
Tree Swallow  6
Carolina Chickadee  6
Tufted Titmouse  7
Brown Creeper  1
Carolina Wren  4
House Wren  1
Golden-crowned Kinglet  5
Ruby-crowned Kinglet  3
Eastern Bluebird  22
American Robin  44
Gray Catbird  1
Northern Mockingbird  1
European Starling  14
Palm Warbler  4
Yellow-rumped Warbler  15
Eastern Towhee  4
Chipping Sparrow  7
Field Sparrow  1
Song Sparrow  13
White-throated Sparrow  6
Dark-eyed Junco  5
Northern Cardinal  4
Red-winged Blackbird  35
Common Grackle  3
Brown-headed Cowbird  1
House Finch  13
American Goldfinch  2

Hawks, Trails and Beach - Saturday, November 5th 2011

The Hawks, Trails, and Beach walk saw a good variety of ducks on Lighthouse and Bunker Ponds including Mallard, Northern Shoveler, Pintail, American Wigeon, Gadwall, and Green-winged Teal along with Pied-billed Grebes and many, many Coots.  Raptors included perched Red-tailed Hawks and Osprey, Merlin, Cooper's Hawk, and Sharp-shinned Hawks overhead.
45 species (+1 other taxa)

Canada Goose  30
Mute Swan  12
Gadwall  20
American Wigeon  80
Mallard  16
Northern Shoveler  10
Northern Pintail  8
Green-winged Teal  20
scoter sp.  68
Ruddy Duck  6
Pied-billed Grebe  5
Northern Gannet  2
Double-crested Cormorant  6
Great Blue Heron  6
Osprey  2
Northern Harrier  1
Sharp-shinned Hawk  3
Cooper's Hawk  2
Red-tailed Hawk  5
Merlin  1
Peregrine Falcon  1
American Coot  80
Herring Gull  9
Great Black-backed Gull  40
Rock Pigeon  6
Mourning Dove  2
Belted Kingfisher  1
Northern Flicker  3
Blue Jay  6
American Crow  8
Tree Swallow  40
Carolina Chickadee  12
Carolina Wren  4     heard
Golden-crowned Kinglet  4
Ruby-crowned Kinglet  2
American Robin  10
Gray Catbird  3
Northern Mockingbird  5
European Starling  20
Yellow-rumped Warbler  35
Song Sparrow  2
Swamp Sparrow  7
White-throated Sparrow  2
Northern Cardinal  2
Red-winged Blackbird  30
House Finch  6

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

Fall Birds at The Rea Farm - Saturday, November 5th 2011

Cold and breezy with good raptors, including 4 Bald Eagles, Red-tails, Red-shoulders, sharpies, and a Harrier. Blackpoll Warblers and Baltimore Orioles were interesting passerines.
50 species

Mute Swan 3
Wood Duck 2
American Black Duck 2
Mallard 10
Blue-winged Teal 1
Northern Shoveler 2
Double-crested Cormorant 20
Black Vulture 4
Turkey Vulture 5
Osprey 3
Bald Eagle 4 two ad., 2 imm.
Northern Harrier 1
Sharp-shinned Hawk 5
Cooper's Hawk 1
Red-shouldered Hawk 3
Red-tailed Hawk 4
Killdeer 1
Great Black-backed Gull 1
Rock Pigeon 2
Mourning Dove 15
Red-bellied Woodpecker 3
Downy Woodpecker 1
Northern Flicker 3
Eastern Phoebe 4
Blue Jay 2
American Crow 10
Carolina Chickadee 1
Carolina Wren 3
Golden-crowned Kinglet 1
Ruby-crowned Kinglet 3
Eastern Bluebird 2 heard
American Robin 100
European Starling 75
Blackpoll Warbler 2
Palm Warbler 2
Yellow-rumped Warbler 5
Eastern Towhee 1
Chipping Sparrow 1
Field Sparrow 3
Savannah Sparrow 1
Song Sparrow 10
Swamp Sparrow 1
Dark-eyed Junco 3
Northern Cardinal 2
Red-winged Blackbird 100
Common Grackle 10
Brown-headed Cowbird 10
Baltimore Oriole 2
House Finch 1
American Goldfinch 1

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

Cape May Point State Park - Wednesday, November 2nd 2011

So many birds were flying first thing this morning that it took us a good 20 minutes to get out of the parking lot! Our rarity highlight was a White-winged Dove that was reported from the Hawkwatch Platform and Warren somehow managed to get teed up in his scope.
68 species (+1 other taxa)

Brant 7
Canada Goose 95
Mute Swan 17
Wood Duck 1
Gadwall 30
American Wigeon 35
Mallard 10
Northern Shoveler 12
Northern Pintail 10
Green-winged Teal 15
Surf/Black Scoter 200
Ruddy Duck 7
Red-throated Loon 1
Pied-billed Grebe 4
Double-crested Cormorant 45
Turkey Vulture 12
Osprey 2
Sharp-shinned Hawk 5
Red-tailed Hawk 2
American Kestrel 1
Peregrine Falcon 1
American Coot 80
American Oystercatcher 1
Sanderling 15
Bonaparte's Gull 1
Ring-billed Gull 2
Herring Gull (American) 10
Great Black-backed Gull 40
Forster's Tern 5
Royal Tern 2
Rock Pigeon 4
White-winged Dove 1 Perched, found by people on Hawkwatch
Red-bellied Woodpecker 2
Yellow-bellied Sapsucker 1
Downy Woodpecker 2
Northern Flicker 12
Eastern Phoebe 3
Blue Jay 4
American Crow 12
Tree Swallow 100
Carolina Chickadee 6
Red-breasted Nuthatch 1
Carolina Wren 4
Golden-crowned Kinglet 10
Ruby-crowned Kinglet 8
Eastern Bluebird 6
Hermit Thrush 1
American Robin 1000
Gray Catbird 3
Northern Mockingbird 2
Brown Thrasher 4
European Starling 75
American Pipit 60
Cedar Waxwing 15
Blackpoll Warbler 5
Palm Warbler (Western) 4
Yellow-rumped Warbler 300
Savannah Sparrow 10
Song Sparrow 30
Swamp Sparrow 15
White-throated Sparrow 15
Dark-eyed Junco 2
Northern Cardinal 3
Red-winged Blackbird 450
Eastern Meadowlark 3
Common Grackle 120
Brown-headed Cowbird 50
House Finch 15
American Goldfinch 10

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

This handsome male Wood Duck was a nice addition to our duck list this morning.