Birding Cape May Point - Saturday, March 1st, 2014

Cold with no wind and sunny early. Most ponds frozen but nice array of ducks on an open area on Lily Lake. Amongst the numerous Green-winged Teal was one Eurasian Green-winged Teal (unfortunately still not countable as a species in the ABA area). Other birds of interest were the continuing Painted Bunting this time at the feeder on 102 Lincoln Ave. and also on Lincoln was one Eurasian Collared-Dove. Leaders: Karl Lukens, Kathy & Roger Horn, Steve Weis, Catherine Busch, and Mike Hannisian.
50 species (+1 other taxa)

Canada Goose  35
Mute Swan  6
Gadwall  15
American Wigeon  15
American Black Duck  2
Mallard  30
Northern Shoveler  1
Green-winged Teal (Eurasian)  1  
Green-winged Teal (American)  29
Redhead  3
Ring-necked Duck  12
Lesser Scaup  4
Surf Scoter  6
Black Scoter  25
Bufflehead  2
Hooded Merganser  1
Red-throated Loon  3
Common Loon  1
Great Blue Heron  2
Black Vulture  4
Turkey Vulture  8
Sharp-shinned Hawk  1
American Coot  3
Bonaparte's Gull  1
Ring-billed Gull  5
Herring Gull  10
Eurasian Collared-Dove  1
Mourning Dove  6
Belted Kingfisher  1     heard
Yellow-bellied Sapsucker  2
Blue Jay  2
American Crow  4
Carolina Chickadee  1
Golden-crowned Kinglet  1
Hermit Thrush  1
American Robin  10
Northern Mockingbird  4
European Starling  10
Yellow-rumped Warbler  10
Chipping Sparrow  2
Fox Sparrow  1
Song Sparrow  5
White-throated Sparrow  8
Dark-eyed Junco  5
Northern Cardinal  4
Painted Bunting  1     102 Lincoln feeder- Same immature male as in dunes and
Northwood?
Red-winged Blackbird  20
Common Grackle  20
Brown-headed Cowbird  5
House Finch  8
House Sparrow  15

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

Black Scoter [Photo by Karl Lukens]

Eurasian-collared Dove [Photo by Karl Lukens]

Green-winged Teal and Eurasian Green-winged Teal (with horizontal white line) [Photo by Karl Lukens]

Painted Bunting [Photo by Karl Lukens]

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Winter Evenings at the Meadows - Friday, February 28th, 2014

Cold, but not much wind. Most water was frozen but a few open areas had some nice ducks. Off shore there were a few Black Scoters, a couple of loons, and four Horned Grebes. Leaders: Karl Lukens, Kathy & Roger Horn, and Tom Baxter.
25 species

Canada Goose  20
Mute Swan  1
Tundra Swan  2
Gadwall  8
American Wigeon  6
Mallard  6
Green-winged Teal  20
Redhead  1
Ring-necked Duck  1
Black Scoter  10
Long-tailed Duck  1
Red-breasted Merganser  1
Red-throated Loon  1
Common Loon  1
Horned Grebe  4
American Coot  1
Sanderling  4
Bonaparte's Gull  1
Herring Gull  1
Carolina Chickadee  1
Yellow-rumped Warbler  5
Field Sparrow  9
Savannah Sparrow  8
Northern Cardinal  1
Red-winged Blackbird  15

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

Nightfall at Corbin City - Sunday, February 23rd, 2014

Due to the closure of the dikes, the walk was held at Jake's Landing. We enjoyed several Short-eared Owls, including one dive bombing a Bald Eagle, and displaying American Woodcock. Leaders: Karen Johnson, Janet Crawford, and Chris Marks.
18 species

Snow Goose  100
American Wigeon  1
American Black Duck  12
Northern Pintail  2
Green-winged Teal  20
Great Blue Heron  1
Turkey Vulture  2
Northern Harrier  4
Bald Eagle  1
Red-tailed Hawk  2
Clapper Rail  1
American Woodcock  2
Great Horned Owl  1
Short-eared Owl  2
Marsh Wren  1
Brown Thrasher  2
Northern Cardinal  1
Red-winged Blackbird  20

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

Sunday Morning at Turkey Point - Sunday, February 23rd, 2014

Highlight include a dozen Bald Eagles, hundreds of Green-winged Teal, Common Mergansers and great looks at Eastern Meadowlarks. Leaders: Karen Johnson, Janet Crawford, and Dave Lord.
28 species

Snow Goose  300
Canada Goose  30
Mute Swan  20
American Black Duck  6
Green-winged Teal  600
Ring-necked Duck  6
Bufflehead  50
Hooded Merganser  2
Common Merganser  6
Ruddy Duck  12
Great Blue Heron  5
Turkey Vulture  2
Northern Harrier  7
Bald Eagle  12
Red-tailed Hawk  4
Herring Gull  25
Great Black-backed Gull  1
Great Horned Owl  1
Red-bellied Woodpecker  1
Northern Flicker  1
Peregrine Falcon  1
Blue Jay  1
Marsh Wren  2
American Robin  7
Yellow-rumped Warbler  6
Song Sparrow  1
Red-winged Blackbird  20
Eastern Meadowlark  3

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

Birding Cape May Point - Saturday, February 22nd, 2014

Early texts led us to head for the third dune crossover for a Snowy Owl, and to CMBO Northwood for a Painted Bunting. Two places in opposite directions, but we tried and were successful! In between we had some nice ducks and passerines including a Horned Lark. Leaders: Karl Lukens, Kathy Horn, and Steve Weis.
45 species

Canada Goose  15
Mute Swan  6
Tundra Swan  2
Gadwall  2
American Wigeon  10
Mallard  20
Northern Shoveler  8
Green-winged Teal  4
Redhead  2
Ring-necked Duck  8
Lesser Scaup  2
Surf Scoter  1
White-winged Scoter  1
Black Scoter  15
Long-tailed Duck  1
Bufflehead  6
Hooded Merganser  3
Red-breasted Merganser  2
Turkey Vulture  1
American Coot  4
Killdeer  8
Ring-billed Gull  2
Herring Gull  2
Great Black-backed Gull  4
Mourning Dove  8
Snowy Owl  1     on Meadows beach and flying to the Cove beach
Belted Kingfisher  1
Northern Flicker  2
Blue Jay  1
American Crow  4     one chasing Snowy owl
Horned Lark  1
Tree Swallow  2
Carolina Chickadee  3
American Robin  30
Northern Mockingbird  3
European Starling  8
Yellow-rumped Warbler  10
White-throated Sparrow  8
Northern Cardinal  6
Painted Bunting  1     Northwood CMBO feeder - imm. male
Red-winged Blackbird  10
Common Grackle  1
House Finch  1
American Goldfinch  1
House Sparrow  5

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

Snowy Owl [Photo by Karl Lukens]

Painted Bunting [Photo by Karl Lukens]

Winter Evening at the Meadows - Friday, February 21st, 2014

A rainy, breezy, evening with the threat of thunder storms but we did manage to find a nice variety of ducks. Also six peenting American Woodcocks and saw one. The surprise however, was when Shaun said there is something across the way that looks like that Murre at Wildwood. We immediately got on it an with the scope said "that's a Dovekie"!! And it was, giving us good looks as sunset and the dark cloudy sky took away our light. Leaders: Karl Lukens, Kathy Horn, Shaun and Cindy Bamford.
16 species

Canada Goose  10
Mute Swan  4
Tundra Swan  2
Gadwall  2
American Wigeon  6
American Black Duck  2
Mallard  20
Northern Shoveler  8
Ring-necked Duck  8
Black Scoter  6
Bufflehead  3
Hooded Merganser  8
Dovekie  1     east of east path on pond!
Mourning Dove  15
American Crow  1
Red-winged Blackbird  9

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

Bird Walk for Beginners - Monday, February 17th, 2014

A very cold day, with a breeze bringing the chill factor down. Started off before the walk with a dozen Snow Buntings landing in the Parking lot and a fly-by Merlin. Other birds of interest were a white belly Bald Eagle, and a Northern Goshawk perched on the Osprey platform on Lighthouse pond. Leaders: Karl Lukens, Warren Cairo, Kathy Horn, Catherine Busch, and Chris Marks.
40 species

Canada Goose  50
Mute Swan  4
Gadwall  8
Mallard  15
Northern Shoveler  10
Lesser Scaup  1
Black Scoter  5
Long-tailed Duck  1
Hooded Merganser  2
Black Vulture  2
Turkey Vulture  3
Northern Goshawk  1
Bald Eagle  1
American Coot  2
Ring-billed Gull  4
Herring Gull  1
Rock Pigeon (Feral Pigeon)  4
Mourning Dove  4
Downy Woodpecker  1
Merlin  1     before start
American Crow  3
Carolina Chickadee  2
American Robin  40
Northern Mockingbird  3
European Starling  25
Cedar Waxwing  2
Snow Bunting  12     before start birds in parking lot!
Yellow-rumped Warbler  10
Chipping Sparrow  1
Fox Sparrow  1
Song Sparrow  4
White-throated Sparrow  8
Dark-eyed Junco  10
Northern Cardinal  5
Red-winged Blackbird  5
Common Grackle  3
Brown-headed Cowbird  1
House Finch  8
American Goldfinch  3
House Sparrow  10

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

Sunday Morning at Turkey Point - Sunday, February 16th, 2014

Despite a bitterly cold, windy day, we enjoyed a nice assortment of passerines, including two American Tree Sparrows, eight Bald Eagles, two Red-shouldered Hawks, courting Red-tailed Hawks and eight Northern Harriers. Leaders: Karen Johnson, Janet Crawford, Dave Lord, and Chris Marks.
30 species

Snow Goose  20
Mute Swan  20
American Black Duck  10
Bufflehead  5
Hooded Merganser  2
Common Merganser  8
Ruddy Duck  1
Great Blue Heron  11
Turkey Vulture  2
Northern Harrier  8
Bald Eagle  8
Red-shouldered Hawk  2
Red-tailed Hawk  2
Herring Gull  30
Great Black-backed Gull  2
Downy Woodpecker  1
Northern Flicker  2
Blue Jay  1
American Crow  3
Hermit Thrush  5
American Robin  3
Brown Thrasher  1
American Pipit  2
Yellow-rumped Warbler  12
American Tree Sparrow  2
Song Sparrow  2
Swamp Sparrow  1
White-throated Sparrow  7
Red-winged Blackbird  2
Eastern Meadowlark  2

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

Longtails in Love - Saturday, Februrary 15th, 2014

Despite the foul weather, we had a great day. We enjoyed the haunting calls of hundreds of Black Scoter, and saw Longtail Ducks in several locations. Other highlights include Harlequin Duck, Snowy Owl (distant), Common Murre, Red-necked Grebes, Common Goldeneyes, Purple Sandpipers, and White-winged Scoters. We had 44 total species, with 18 species of ducks. Leaders: Shaun Bamford, Cindy Bamford, and Janet Crawford.

Avalon--8th St. Jetty

Surf Scoter  50
White-winged Scoter  5
Black Scoter  500
Long-tailed Duck  100
Red-throated Loon  1
Semipalmated Plover  2
Dunlin  60
Purple Sandpiper  60
Herring Gull  2
House Finch  40

Avalon, 444 21st Street

Brant  80
American Black Duck  2
Harlequin Duck  1
Bufflehead  3
Hooded Merganser  2
Double-crested Cormorant  1
Herring Gull (American)  12
Great Black-backed Gull  1
Rock Pigeon (Feral Pigeon)  4
American Robin  5
Yellow-rumped Warbler  1
House Sparrow  1

Avalon, 313 80th Street

Brant  200
Mallard  3
Lesser Scaup  6
White-winged Scoter  1
Long-tailed Duck  1
Bufflehead  40
Red-breasted Merganser  20
Red-throated Loon  1
Common Loon  6
Horned Grebe  2
Red-necked Grebe  3     continuing birds
Mourning Dove  1
European Starling  6
Boat-tailed Grackle  13

Stone Harbor, 1 95th Street

Surf Scoter  15
Black Scoter  40
Long-tailed Duck  18
Sanderling  4
Dunlin  100
Herring Gull  10

Stone Harbor, 351 96th Street  No. 311

Mallard  4
Ring-necked Duck  2
Greater Scaup  20
Lesser Scaup  6
Long-tailed Duck  7
Bufflehead  12
Common Goldeneye  2
Red-breasted Merganser  25
Ruddy Duck  25
Common Loon  1
Red-necked Grebe  3     continuing birds
Great Blue Heron  2

Stone Harbor Point

Brant  2
Common Loon  5
Dunlin  5
Herring Gull  10
Snowy Owl  1     continuing  bird
Yellow-rumped Warbler  1
Song Sparrow  1
Dark-eyed Junco  1

Nummy Island

Brant  40
Red-breasted Merganser  2
Common Loon  2
Horned Grebe  1
Herring Gull  20
Great Black-backed Gull  1

Sunset Lake

Brant  20
Bufflehead  12
Horned Grebe  1
Common Murre  1     continuing bird.
Herring Gull  4

Cape May NWR--Two Mile Tract--Coast Guard Ponds

Canada Goose  4
Gadwall  50
American Black Duck  5
Northern Pintail  50
Bufflehead  10

Ocean Drive--BreezeeLee Marina

Bufflehead  8
Common Goldeneye  3
Red-breasted Merganser  6
Horned Grebe  2
Herring Gull  8

Cape Island--CMPSP--Lighthouse Pond

Mute Swan  2
American Wigeon  2
Northern Shoveler  3

Birding Cape May Point - Saturday, February 15th, 2014

Weather not too bad. Even though a few rain drops were falling, there was no wind and the temperature was around 40. Birds were relatively scarce even around the regular feeders. More open water allowed for more ducks including Lesser Scaup, Ruddy Duck, and Hooded Mergansers. Leaders: Karl Lukens, Kathy & Roger Horn.
42 species

Canada Goose  8
Mute Swan  4
Gadwall  2
American Wigeon  9
Mallard  15
Lesser Scaup  4
Surf Scoter  1
Black Scoter  8
Long-tailed Duck  1
Bufflehead  1
Hooded Merganser  3
Ruddy Duck  1
Red-throated Loon  4
Horned Grebe  2
Great Blue Heron  1
Turkey Vulture  1
Cooper's Hawk  1
Red-shouldered Hawk  1
American Coot  2
Bonaparte's Gull  8
Ring-billed Gull  4
Herring Gull  2
Mourning Dove  4
American Crow  3
Carolina Chickadee  1
Red-breasted Nuthatch  1
Carolina Wren  1
American Robin  30
Northern Mockingbird  2
European Starling  15
Cedar Waxwing  7
Yellow-rumped Warbler  6
Eastern Towhee  1
Fox Sparrow  1
Song Sparrow  1
White-throated Sparrow  8
Dark-eyed Junco  13
Northern Cardinal  4
Red-winged Blackbird  1
Common Grackle  3
House Finch  15
House Sparrow  1

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

Birding Cape May Point - Saturday, February 8th, 2014

A chilly, cloudy morning with a light breeze and most ponds frozen. Some ducks on Lily Lake including one American Wigeon, one Hooded Merganser, and one Ring-necked. Lots of Yellow-rumped Warblers, American Robins, and European Starlings, with a few White-throated Sparrows, Fox Sparrows, and Juncos. Off-shore was rather quiet but a few Red-throated Loons were close. The continuing Black-capped Chickadee was present at the Lincoln Avenue feeder. Leaders: Karl Lukens, Kathy & Roger Horn, and Steve Weis.
37 species

Mute Swan  3
Gadwall  15
American Wigeon  1
American Black Duck  1
Mallard  15
Black Scoter  2
Hooded Merganser  1
Red-throated Loon  6
Great Blue Heron  1
Sharp-shinned Hawk  1
Bald Eagle  1
Ring-billed Gull  5
Herring Gull  3
Great Black-backed Gull  1
Rock Pigeon (Feral Pigeon)  4
Downy Woodpecker  1
Northern Flicker  1
Blue Jay  4
American Crow  2
Carolina Chickadee  4
Black-capped Chickadee  1     feeder Lincoln ave.
Carolina Wren  1
American Robin  50
Northern Mockingbird  2
European Starling  75
Yellow-rumped Warbler  15
Fox Sparrow  2
Song Sparrow  5
White-throated Sparrow  8
Dark-eyed Junco  4
Northern Cardinal  6
Red-winged Blackbird  5
Common Grackle  3
Brown-headed Cowbird  5
House Finch  10
American Goldfinch  2
House Sparrow  15

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

Birding Cape May Point - Saturday, February 1st, 2014

A "mild" 25 degrees to start and with no wind. With frozen ponds water fowl are scarce, but some open water on Lily Lake produced Gadwall, Mallard, Northern Shovelers, Ring-necked Ducks, a couple of American Coots and a bright drake Eurasian Wigeon. Close by the Coral Ave. jetty were a Black and Surf Scoter and two White-winged Scoters. Other birds of interest were a "strutting" American Woodcock, and an Eastern Towhee. We finished at the parking lot with a good look at an adult male Northern Harrier (Gray Ghost). Leaders: Karl Lukens, Steve Weis, Warren Cairo, Catherine Busch, and Chris Marks.
44 species

Canada Goose  25
Mute Swan  2
Gadwall  30
Eurasian Wigeon  1     drake
Mallard  10
Northern Shoveler  15
Ring-necked Duck  3
Surf Scoter  1
White-winged Scoter  2
Black Scoter  1
Long-tailed Duck  1
Red-throated Loon  3
Great Blue Heron  1
Turkey Vulture  1
Northern Harrier  1     Gray Ghost
Sharp-shinned Hawk  1
American Coot  2
American Woodcock  1
Ring-billed Gull  5
Herring Gull  1
Great Black-backed Gull  2
Rock Pigeon (Feral Pigeon)  5
Mourning Dove  5
Red-bellied Woodpecker  2
Blue Jay  7
American Crow  2
Carolina Chickadee  5
Golden-crowned Kinglet  1
American Robin  40
Northern Mockingbird  2
European Starling  50
Yellow-rumped Warbler  15
Eastern Towhee  1
Fox Sparrow  1
Song Sparrow  3
White-throated Sparrow  8
Dark-eyed Junco  1
Northern Cardinal  4
Red-winged Blackbird  50
Common Grackle  2
Brown-headed Cowbird  2
House Finch  15
American Goldfinch  5
House Sparrow  5

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

American Woodcock [Photo by Karl Lukens]

Eurasian Wigeon [Photo by Karl Lukens]

Surf Scoter and Black Scoter [Photo by Karl Lukens]

White-winged Scoter [Photo by Karl Lukens]

Bird Walk for All People - Monday, January 20th, 2014

The Martin Luther King Day Walk for All People at the State Park enjoyed nice, but chilly, weather and a variety of birds. Highlights of the walk include Tundra Swan, Bald Eagles, Redhead ducks, and an American Tree Sparrow. Leaders: Chuck Slugg, Kathy Horn, Marc & Lynne Breslow, Chris Marks, Catherine Busch, and Karl Lukens.
48 species (+1 other taxa)

Canada Goose  25
Mute Swan  6
Tundra Swan  1
Gadwall  7
American Wigeon  16
American Black Duck  3
Mallard  12
Northern Shoveler  7
Northern Pintail  2
Redhead  2
Ring-necked Duck  6
scoter sp.  35
Bufflehead  6
Hooded Merganser  13
Ruddy Duck  2
Double-crested Cormorant  1
Great Blue Heron  2
Black Vulture  10
Turkey Vulture  14
Northern Harrier  2
Sharp-shinned Hawk  1
Cooper's Hawk  1
Bald Eagle  2
Red-shouldered Hawk  1
Red-tailed Hawk  2
Bonaparte's Gull  7
Ring-billed Gull  2
Herring Gull  3
Great Black-backed Gull  1
Rock Pigeon (Feral Pigeon)  5
Red-bellied Woodpecker  1
Downy Woodpecker  1
Northern Flicker  3
American Crow  14
Carolina Chickadee  3
Tufted Titmouse  2
Carolina Wren  5
Golden-crowned Kinglet  2
Hermit Thrush  1
American Robin  20
Northern Mockingbird  1
European Starling  65
Cedar Waxwing  6
Yellow-rumped Warbler  27
American Tree Sparrow  1
Field Sparrow  1
Savannah Sparrow  4
Song Sparrow  4
Northern Cardinal  2

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

Birding Cape May Point - Saturday, January 18th, 2014

A cold and windy morning and birds seemed to be honkered down. A good variety of ducks were found on the leeward side of the ponds. They included the usual Gadwalls, American Wigeon, and Mallard, as well as two maybe three drake Eurasian Wigeon, Ring-necked Ducks, Lesser Scaup, Redheads, and Ruddy Ducks. Leaders: Karl Lukens, Kathy & Roger Horn, Steve Weis, and Catherine Busch.
47 species (+1 other taxa)

Canada Goose  10
Mute Swan  4
Gadwall  30
Eurasian Wigeon  2     maybe 3 drakes
American Wigeon  25
Mallard  25
Blue-winged Teal  1
Northern Shoveler  15
Northern Pintail  4
Green-winged Teal  3
Redhead  4
Ring-necked Duck  2
Lesser Scaup  2
Surf Scoter  1
Black Scoter  15
scoter sp.  25
Bufflehead  4
Common Goldeneye  1
Hooded Merganser  1
Ruddy Duck  1
Red-throated Loon  2
Double-crested Cormorant  1
Turkey Vulture  2
Cooper's Hawk  1
Bald Eagle  1
Red-shouldered Hawk  1
Red-tailed Hawk  2
Bonaparte's Gull  10
Ring-billed Gull  5
Herring Gull  2
Great Black-backed Gull  1
Mourning Dove  10
Red-bellied Woodpecker  1
American Crow  3
Carolina Chickadee  2
Carolina Wren  1
American Robin  15
Gray Catbird  2
Northern Mockingbird  3
European Starling  10
Cedar Waxwing  1
Yellow-rumped Warbler  10
White-throated Sparrow  12
Northern Cardinal  5
Red-winged Blackbird  5
Common Grackle  15
House Finch  5
House Sparrow  15

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

Birding Cape May Point - Saturday, January 11th, 2014

Foggy with poor visibility. The continuing Black-capped Chickadee was easy to locate at "its" feeder. Good scope view of an adult Red-shouldered Hawk. Ducks on Lily Lake were scarce and looking off shore was not possible. Lots of Yellow-rumped Warblers. Leaders: Karl Lukens, Kathy & Roger Horn, Tom Baxter, and Steve Weis.
34 species

Canada Goose  2     heard
Mute Swan  4
American Wigeon  20
Mallard  15
Ruddy Duck  2
Double-crested Cormorant  4
Red-shouldered Hawk  1
American Coot  2
Killdeer  1     heard
Ring-billed Gull  2
Herring Gull  1
Mourning Dove  5
Downy Woodpecker  1
American Crow  6
Carolina Chickadee  2
Black-capped Chickadee  1
Carolina Wren  1
Golden-crowned Kinglet  1     heard
American Robin  15
Gray Catbird  1
Northern Mockingbird  3
European Starling  75
Cedar Waxwing  30
Yellow-rumped Warbler  15
Fox Sparrow  1
Song Sparrow  1
White-throated Sparrow  3
Dark-eyed Junco  3
Northern Cardinal  5
Red-winged Blackbird  10
Common Grackle  25
Brown-headed Cowbird  1
House Finch  5
House Sparrow  25

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

Birding Cape May Point - Saturday, January 4th, 2014

Very cold starting at 10 degrees with calm to light wind. Birds were feeding at weed and lawn edges or at feeders. We did manage to find the White-winged Dove and the two Eurasian Collared-Doves. The other highlights were the several Greater White-fronted Geese on a frozen Lily lake and the continuing Rufous Hummingbird at a feeder at Cambridge and Coral Aves. Leaders: Karl Lukens, Kathy & Roger Horn, and Tom Baxter.
47 species

Canada Goose  100
Mute Swan  4
Gadwall  30
American Wigeon  10
Mallard  30
Greater Scaup  4
Common Eider  1
Surf Scoter  8
White-winged Scoter  3
Long-tailed Duck  25
Red-breasted Merganser  5
Red-throated Loon  1
Common Loon  2
Northern Gannet  1
Double-crested Cormorant  2
Black Vulture  5
Turkey Vulture  8
Cooper's Hawk  1
Bald Eagle  1
Killdeer  5
American Woodcock  1
Ring-billed Gull  5
Herring Gull  10
Great Black-backed Gull  2
Eurasian Collared-Dove  2     on wire at 108 Lincoln
White-winged Dove  1     in sapling at feeder 113 Harvard ave.
Mourning Dove  8
Rufous Hummingbird  1     feeder, Cambridge & Coral Aves.
Blue Jay  3
American Crow  5
Carolina Chickadee  1
Tufted Titmouse  1
Red-breasted Nuthatch  2
Carolina Wren  3
American Robin  10
Northern Mockingbird  3
European Starling  20
Yellow-rumped Warbler  15
Fox Sparrow  5
Song Sparrow  4
White-throated Sparrow  10
Dark-eyed Junco  15
Northern Cardinal  8
Red-winged Blackbird  10
Common Grackle  500
Brown-headed Cowbird  5
House Finch  8
House Sparrow  20

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

American Woodcock [Photo by Karl Lukens]

Fox Sparrow [Photo by Karl Lukens]

White-winged Dove [Photo by Roger Horn]

Kick Off Your Year List - January 1st, 2014

See View from the Cape for highlights and photos by Mike Crewe.  Leaders:  Mike Crewe, Kathy & Roger Horn, Steve Weis, Chuck & Mary Jane Slugg, Chris Marks, Catherine Busch, Janet Crawford, Karl Lukens, Chris Hajduk, and Joe Demko.

Combined list for the following locations:  Cape May Point, Cape May NWR--Two Mile Unit, Sunset Lake, Nummy Island, and Stone Harbor Point.
75 species

Brant
Canada Goose
Mute Swan
Gadwall

Eurasian Wigeon

American Wigeon

American Black Duck
Mallard

Northern Shoveler

Redhead

Northern Pintail
Ring-necked Duck
Greater Scaup

Lesser Scaup

King Eider

Common Eider

Surf Scoter

White-winged Scoter

Black Scoter

Long-tailed Duck

Bufflehead

Hooded Merganser

Red-breasted Merganser

Ruddy Duck

Red-throated Loon

Common Loon

Horned Grebe

Double-crested Cormorant

Great Cormorant 

Great Blue Heron

Great Egret

Black Vulture
Turkey Vulture
Northern Harrier
Sharp-shinned Hawk
Cooper's Hawk
Bald Eagle
Red-shouldered Hawk
Red-tailed Hawk
American Coot
American Oystercatcher
Semipalmated Plover
Ruddy Turnstone
Sanderling
Dunlin
Purple Sandpiper

Bonaparte's Gull

Ring-billed Gull

Herring Gull

Great Black-backed Gull

Rock Pigeon
White-winged Dove
Mourning Dove
Snowy Owl
Rufous Hummingbird
Peregrine Falcon
American Crow

Carolina Chickadee

Red-breasted Nuthatch

Carolina Wren

American Robin

Northern Mockingbird

European Starling

Cedar Waxwing

Snow Bunting 

Yellow-rumped Warbler
Field Sparrow
Savannah Sparrow (Ipswich)
Song Sparrow

Dark-eyed Junco

Northern Cardinal 

Painted Bunting

Brown-headed Cowbird

House Finch

House Sparrow

Birding Cape May Point - Saturday, December 14th, 2013

A good variety of ducks including a drake Eurasian Wigeon, a pair of Redheads, Lesser Scaup, Ring-necked, and Hooded Mergansers. Raptors included an adult Red-shouldered Hawk, and a Northern Goshawk seen by a few. Other birds of interest were numerous Cedar Waxwings, two Eurasian Collared Doves, and a continuing Rufous Hummingbird at a feeder. Leaders: Karl Lukens, Kathy & Roger Horn, Warren Cairo, Steve Weis, and Catherine Busch.
52 species

Canada Goose  15
Mute Swan  8
Gadwall  75
Eurasian Wigeon  1     drake
American Wigeon  75
Mallard  35
Northern Shoveler  2
Redhead  2
Ring-necked Duck  1
Lesser Scaup  4
Black Scoter  10
Bufflehead  1
Hooded Merganser  10
Ruddy Duck  20
Red-throated Loon  5
Double-crested Cormorant  5
Great Blue Heron  6
Turkey Vulture  1
Cooper's Hawk  1
Northern Goshawk  1     seen by some
Red-shouldered Hawk  1
American Coot  25
Ruddy Turnstone  1
Bonaparte's Gull  1
Ring-billed Gull  1
Herring Gull  5
Great Black-backed Gull  3
Eurasian Collared-Dove  2
Mourning Dove  6
Rufous Hummingbird  1     feeder Cambridge & Coral Aves.
Belted Kingfisher  1
Blue Jay  1
American Crow  5
Carolina Chickadee  1
Red-breasted Nuthatch  2
Carolina Wren  2
Golden-crowned Kinglet  1
Ruby-crowned Kinglet  1
American Robin  100
Northern Mockingbird  2
European Starling  50
Cedar Waxwing  15
Yellow-rumped Warbler  30
Chipping Sparrow  2
Song Sparrow  1
White-throated Sparrow  8
Dark-eyed Junco  6
Northern Cardinal  4
House Finch  8
Purple Finch  1
American Goldfinch  10
House Sparrow  20

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

Rufous Hummingbird [Photo by Karl Lukens] 

Harlequin Romance - Saturday, December 7th, 2013

Good weather, good company, and good birds made for a memorable annual trip to Barnegat Lighthouse. Harlequin and Long-tailed Duck were present in decent numbers along with Common Eider, six King Eider, and all three scoters. Shorebirds included Purple Sandpiper, Ruddy Turnstone, Dunlin, and Sanderling. In the back bay at Harvey Cedars, we had Bufflehead and Red-breasted Merganser, but we didn't linger long before proceeding to Holgate at the southern end of the island in hopes of finding a Snowy Owl. Fortunately, our hopes were rewarded, and the entire group got good scope views of a Snowy Owl sitting in the remnants of the dunes. We ended the day at the "Bridge to Nowhere" where we had distant views of Northern Harrier and Great Blue Heron, but no Short-eared Owls were to be seen. Leaders: Janet Crawford, Bill & Lee Smythe, Shaun Bamford, Catherine Busch, Chris Marks, and Dave Lord.
32 species

Brant  100
Canada Goose  15
Mallard  8
King Eider  6
Common Eider  40
Harlequin Duck  12
Surf Scoter  70
White-winged Scoter  1
Black Scoter  106
Long-tailed Duck  37
Bufflehead  30
Red-breasted Merganser  16
Red-throated Loon  6
Common Loon  12
Northern Gannet  50
Double-crested Cormorant  3
Great Blue Heron  3
Northern Harrier  2
Ruddy Turnstone  15
Sanderling  15
Dunlin  45
Purple Sandpiper  26
Ring-billed Gull  1
Herring Gull  112
Great Black-backed Gull  10
Snowy Owl  1
Peregrine Falcon  2
American Crow  1
Yellow-rumped Warbler  2
White-throated Sparrow  1
Boat-tailed Grackle  24
House Sparrow  6

Birding Cape May Point - Saturday, December 7th, 2013

A cold and breezy morning, but with good birds. Ducks included Hooded Merganser, drake Eurasian Wigeon, and a pair of Redheads. In the ocean/bay there were Black and Surf Scoter floating by and fly-by Red-throated Loons with a couple of Northern Gannets. On the beach we had a Peregrine Falcon eating some kind of prey. Overhead we had an adult Bald Eagle, a Baltimore Oriole in a cedar, and at Lily Lake a well-concealed immature Black-Crowned Night-Heron. Highlight was a Rufous Hummingbird at a feeder at Cambridge and Coral Aves. Leaders: Karl Lukens, Kathy & Roger Horn, Mike Hannisian, and Nancy Watson.
54 species

Canada Goose  15
Mute Swan  6
Gadwall  2
Eurasian Wigeon  1
American Wigeon  15
Mallard  15
Northern Shoveler  4
Redhead  2
Ring-necked Duck  10
Lesser Scaup  8
Surf Scoter  15
Black Scoter  10
Long-tailed Duck  3
Hooded Merganser  6
Ruddy Duck  20
Red-throated Loon  8
Northern Gannet  2
Double-crested Cormorant  2
Great Blue Heron  5
Black-crowned Night-Heron  1
Turkey Vulture  3
Cooper's Hawk  1
Bald Eagle  1
American Coot  30
Sanderling  5
Purple Sandpiper  6
Ring-billed Gull  1
Herring Gull  4
Great Black-backed Gull  6
Rock Pigeon  2
Mourning Dove  6
Rufous Hummingbird  1     feeder Cambridge & Coral Aves.
Northern Flicker  1
Peregrine Falcon  2
American Crow  2
Carolina Chickadee  1
Carolina Wren  1
Eastern Bluebird  10
American Robin  20
Northern Mockingbird  1
European Starling  100
Cedar Waxwing  15
Palm Warbler  2
Yellow-rumped Warbler  15
Song Sparrow  2
White-throated Sparrow  4
Dark-eyed Junco  1
Northern Cardinal  3
Red-winged Blackbird  2
Baltimore Oriole  1
House Finch  10
Purple Finch  3
American Goldfinch  10
House Sparrow  10

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

Palm Warbler [Photo by Karl Lukens]

Rufous Hummingbird [Photo by Karl Lukens]

Birding Brigantine - Friday, November 29th, 2013

CMBO's Black Friday trip to Edwin B. Forsythe National Wildlife Refuge (aka Brigantine) was a great outing the day after Thanksgiving (when the most commonly "sighted" bird had been our domestic turkey). The weather was beautiful: crisp, clear, sunny, with only a light breeze. The highlights of the trip were one Snowy Owl (one of two apparently present at Forsythe on Friday), two Rough-legged Hawks, and a single Short-eared Owl being harassed by two Northern Harrier at Mott's Creek. We also had good looks at perched Peregrin Falcons, and watched them hunt within a huge, swirling flock of Dunlin. Also of note were a pair of Wood Duck, two juvenile Black-crowned Night-Heron, and an adult female Redhead. Leaders: Karen & Brian Johnson, Chris Marks, Dave Lord, & Catherine Busch.

Edwin B. Forsythe NWR--Wildlife Drive
40 species

Snow Goose  X
Brant  X
Canada Goose  X
Mute Swan  X
Tundra Swan  X
Wood Duck  2  - drake and hen pair
Gadwall  X
American Wigeon  X
American Black Duck  X
Mallard  X
Northern Shoveler  X
Northern Pintail  X
Green-winged Teal  X
Redhead  1 - adult female
Bufflehead  X
Hooded Merganser  X
Ruddy Duck  X
Great Blue Heron  X
Black-crowned Night-Heron  2 - juvenile
Turkey Vulture  X
Northern Harrier  X
Cooper's Hawk  X
Bald Eagle  1
Red-tailed Hawk  X
Rough-legged Hawk  1 - dark morph
American Coot  X
Black-bellied Plover  X
Dunlin  X
Ring-billed Gull  X
Herring Gull  X
Great Black-backed Gull  X
Snowy Owl  1
Hairy Woodpecker  1
Peregrine Falcon  3
Golden-crowned Kinglet  X     heard
Hermit Thrush  1
American Robin  X
Savannah Sparrow  X
Song Sparrow  X
Northern Cardinal  X

Edwin B. Forsythe NWR--Motts Creek
8 species

Great Blue Heron  X
Great Egret  X
Northern Harrier  X
Bald Eagle  X
Red-tailed Hawk  X
Rough-legged Hawk  1  - dark morph
Short-eared Owl  1
Boat-tailed Grackle  X

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

Birding the Meadows with Pete Dunne - Monday, November 25th, 2013

Very cold and breezy. Most of the ponds were iced over. A few spots with ducks which included Mallard, Gadwall, American Wigeon, Green-winged Teal, and a couple of Ruddy, one Ring-necked, and one Bufflehead. We also had several "disgruntled" Great Blue Herons. A few of the usual gulls on the beach and one Lesser Black-backed Gull. There were a few fly-over Snow Bunting but no large feeding flock. Highlight was a brief look at a Short-eared Owl that landed in the dunes and could not be relocated. Still thawing out as this is written! Leaders: Pete Dunne, Karl Lukens, Chuck Slugg, Steve Weis, Janet Crawford, Catherine Busch, and Mike Hanissian.
45 species

Snow Goose  1     in with Canadas
Canada Goose  500     many fly over migrating
Mute Swan  4
Gadwall  15
American Wigeon  4
American Black Duck  3
Mallard  15
Northern Shoveler  4
Northern Pintail  1
Green-winged Teal  15
Ring-necked Duck  1
Black Scoter  2
Bufflehead  1
Red-breasted Merganser  1
Ruddy Duck  2
Pied-billed Grebe  1
Double-crested Cormorant  5
Great Blue Heron  5
Black Vulture  4
Turkey Vulture  8
Northern Harrier  1
Sharp-shinned Hawk  1
Bald Eagle  2
American Coot  7
Sanderling  1
Ring-billed Gull  2
Herring Gull  5
Lesser Black-backed Gull  1
Great Black-backed Gull  2
Mourning Dove  6
Short-eared Owl  1
American Crow  4
Tree Swallow  1
American Robin  50
Northern Mockingbird  2
European Starling  2
Snow Bunting  3
Yellow-rumped Warbler  10
Song Sparrow  1
Northern Cardinal  2
Red-winged Blackbird  40
Common Grackle  50
House Finch  7
American Goldfinch  12
House Sparrow  5

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

Ruddy Duck and American Coot huddle together in one of the few spots of open water [Photo by Karl Lukens]

Fall Migrants at the Rea Farm - Saturday, November 23rd, 2013

A cold breezy morning with quiet spots and little patches of birds here and there. Of interest were twelve Rusty Blackbirds in the wet woods trees at the parking lot. Also had a couple of Brown Creepers, an Eastern Phoebe, Golden-crowned Kinglets all in the wet woods, and a couple of Fox Sparrows, with White-throats, and Juncos. Most interesting was a late lingering Blue-gray Gnatcatcher in the back field that abuts Pond Creek Farm. Leaders: Karl Lukens, Kathy & Roger Horn, and Catherine Busch.
46 species

Canada Goose  100
Gadwall  12
Mallard  6
Northern Shoveler  12
Double-crested Cormorant  1
Black Vulture  6
Turkey Vulture  15
Sharp-shinned Hawk  1
Cooper's Hawk  1
Bald Eagle  1
Red-tailed Hawk  4
Killdeer  2
Herring Gull  1
Mourning Dove  5
Red-bellied Woodpecker  4
Downy Woodpecker  4
Northern Flicker  1
American Kestrel  1
Eastern Phoebe  1
American Crow  10
Carolina Chickadee  1
Tufted Titmouse  2
Brown Creeper  2
Carolina Wren  4
Blue-gray Gnatcatcher  1
Golden-crowned Kinglet  3
Ruby-crowned Kinglet  1
Eastern Bluebird  10
American Robin  60
Gray Catbird  1
Northern Mockingbird  2
European Starling  25
American Pipit  5
Cedar Waxwing  10
Yellow-rumped Warbler  5
Savannah Sparrow  1
Fox Sparrow  2
Song Sparrow  6
White-throated Sparrow  4
Dark-eyed Junco  4
Northern Cardinal  5
Red-winged Blackbird  20
Rusty Blackbird  12
House Finch  1
American Goldfinch  5
House Sparrow  1

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

Rusty Blackbirds [Photo by Karl Lukens]

Birding the Meadows with Pete Dunne - Monday, November 18th, 2013

A nice variety of ducks on the ponds including Gadwall, Mallard, Black Duck, Northern Shoveler, Northern Pintail, Bufflehead, Hooded Merganser, and Ruddy Duck with many scoters off shore. With the scoters were a good number of Northern Gannets and two Parasitic Jaegers. Other birds of interest were two Lesser Black-backed Gulls on the beach, at least 30 fly-by Forster's Terns and a fly-over American Bittern. Leaders: Pete Dunne, Karl Lukens, Chuck Slugg, Steve Weis, Catherine Busch, Carrie Bell, and Kathy Horn.
53 species (+2 other taxa)

Canada Goose  200
Mute Swan  5
Gadwall  50
American Wigeon  15
American Black Duck  8
Mallard  40
American Black Duck x Mallard (hybrid)  1
Northern Shoveler  20
Northern Pintail  15
Green-winged Teal  15
Greater Scaup  1
Surf Scoter  10
Black Scoter  100
scoter sp.  200
Bufflehead  10
Hooded Merganser  2
Ruddy Duck  20
Red-throated Loon  1
Pied-billed Grebe  2
Northern Gannet  40
Double-crested Cormorant  10
American Bittern  1
Great Blue Heron  3
Great Egret  3
Black Vulture  1
Turkey Vulture  1
Sharp-shinned Hawk  2
Red-shouldered Hawk  1
Red-tailed Hawk  1
American Coot  15
Killdeer  1
Parasitic Jaeger  2
Ring-billed Gull  5
Herring Gull  30
Lesser Black-backed Gull  2
Great Black-backed Gull  100
Forster's Tern  30
Royal Tern  1
Rock Pigeon  2
Mourning Dove  10
American Crow  1
Tree Swallow  15
American Robin  30
Northern Mockingbird  1
European Starling  30
American Pipit  10
Cedar Waxwing  10
Yellow-rumped Warbler  3
Northern Cardinal  1
Red-winged Blackbird  500
Common Grackle  100
Brown-headed Cowbird  20
House Finch  4
American Goldfinch  15
House Sparrow  2

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

Greater Scaup [Photo by Karl Lukens]

Fall Migrants at the Rea Farm - Saturday, November 16th, 2013

Birds, especially sparrows, were out and about on this drizzly morning. Sparrows included Field, Savannah, Chipping, Song, and White-throated, but no unusual sparrows were found. We had good looks at perched Red-shouldered Hawk and Merlin. Some over head Eastern Bluebirds and American Robins were also seen as well as a good view of a Hairy Woodpecker hammering on a tree. Leaders: Karl Lukens, Kathy & Roger Horn, and Catherine Busch.
41 species

Canada Goose  50
Wood Duck  1
Gadwall  15
Mallard  15
Green-winged Teal  2
Black Vulture  1
Red-shouldered Hawk  1
Herring Gull  1
Mourning Dove  10
Red-bellied Woodpecker  1
Downy Woodpecker  3
Hairy Woodpecker  1
Northern Flicker  3
Merlin  2
Blue Jay  3
American Crow  8
Tufted Titmouse  1
Carolina Wren  3
Ruby-crowned Kinglet  1
Eastern Bluebird  10
American Robin  35
Gray Catbird  3
Brown Thrasher  7
Northern Mockingbird  1
European Starling  20
Palm Warbler  2
Yellow-rumped Warbler  20
Eastern Towhee  1
Chipping Sparrow  40
Field Sparrow  6
Savannah Sparrow  5
Song Sparrow  20
Swamp Sparrow  5
White-throated Sparrow  25
Dark-eyed Junco  5
Northern Cardinal  3
Red-winged Blackbird  50
Eastern Meadowlark  1
Brown-headed Cowbird  5
American Goldfinch  15
House Sparrow  1

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

Birding the Meadows with Pete Dunne - Monday, November 11, 2013

We had a nice variety of ducks this morning including fly-over Wood Ducks, Gadwall, Mallard, Black Duck, American Wigeon, Northern Shoveler, Northern Pintail, Green-winged Teal, Ring-necked Duck, Hooded Merganser, and Ruddy Duck. Raptors included both vultures, Northern Harrier, Sharp-shinned Hawk, as well as Red-shouldered and Red-tailed Hawk. Other birds of interest were Eastern Bluebirds, American Pipit and, most interesting, a feeding flock of 15 Snow Buntings. Leaders: Pete Dunne, Karl Lukens, Chuck Slugg, Steve Weis, Catherine Busch, Carrie Bell, Janet Crawford, Mike Hannisian, and Jesse Amesbury.
53 species

Canada Goose  125
Mute Swan  7
Wood Duck  10
Gadwall  25
American Wigeon  20
American Black Duck  1
Mallard  20
Northern Shoveler  8
Northern Pintail  10
Green-winged Teal  15
Ring-necked Duck  3
Black Scoter  2
Hooded Merganser  6
Ruddy Duck  30
Common Loon  1
Double-crested Cormorant  12
Great Egret  1
Black Vulture  5
Turkey Vulture  15
Northern Harrier  1
Sharp-shinned Hawk  2
Red-shouldered Hawk  3
Red-tailed Hawk  2
American Coot  15
Sanderling  15
Ring-billed Gull  6
Herring Gull  8
Great Black-backed Gull  20
Mourning Dove  8
Belted Kingfisher  1
Blue Jay  1
American Crow  8
Tree Swallow  15
Carolina Chickadee  1
Carolina Wren  2
Ruby-crowned Kinglet  2
Eastern Bluebird  10
American Robin  25
Northern Mockingbird  1
European Starling  10
American Pipit  2
Snow Bunting  15
Yellow-rumped Warbler  30
Savannah Sparrow  8
Song Sparrow  6
Swamp Sparrow  2
Northern Cardinal  1
Red-winged Blackbird  50
Brown-headed Cowbird  5
House Finch  10
Purple Finch  1     before walk
American Goldfinch  15
House Sparrow  3

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

Northern Pintail [Photo by Mike Hannisian]

Snow Bunting [Photo by Mike Hannisian]

Cox Hall Creek WMA - Sunday, November 10th, 2013

The winter blackbird flocks are back at Cox Hall Creek WMA and among the mix once again are Rusty Blackbirds; several sat up in bare branches, providing good views of both males and females. Their fresh feathers with the light-gilded edges that will wear off, giving way to their spring breeding plumage, could be seen well in the group's scopes. Lots of sparrows - including two first-of-season Fox Sparrows - bluebirds, towhees and, of course, yellow-rumps, can be seen throughout the property. Leaders: Kathy & Roger Horn, Cindy Bamford, Carrie Bell & Joe Demko.
43 species

Canada Goose  13    heard
Mute Swan  2
Mallard  4
Great Blue Heron  1
Turkey Vulture  3
Sharp-shinned Hawk  1
Herring Gull  5
Mourning Dove  14
Red-bellied Woodpecker  8
Yellow-bellied Sapsucker  1    heard
Downy Woodpecker  3
Hairy Woodpecker  1
Northern Flicker  9
Eastern Phoebe  2
Blue Jay  22
American Crow  7
Carolina Chickadee  3
Tufted Titmouse  7
Carolina Wren  4
Golden-crowned Kinglet  3
Ruby-crowned Kinglet  7
Eastern Bluebird  23
Hermit Thrush  2
American Robin  90
Gray Catbird  2    heard
Brown Thrasher  5
Northern Mockingbird  2
Cedar Waxwing  18
Yellow-rumped Warbler  60
Eastern Towhee  7
Chipping Sparrow  7
Field Sparrow  2
Savannah Sparrow  2
Fox Sparrow  2  
White-throated Sparrow  15
Northern Cardinal  4
Red-winged Blackbird  25
Rusty Blackbird  13
Common Grackle  3
House Finch  7
American Goldfinch  21

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

Rusty Blackbird [Photo by Roger Horn]

Eastern Bluebird [Photo by Roger Horn]

Hawks, Trails, and Beach - Saturday, November 9th, 2013

Highlights of the Hawks, Trails, and Beach Walk include: a nice assortment of ducks including Mallards, Gadwall, Northern Pintails, Northern Shovelers, Green-winged Teal, Ruddy Ducks, American Wigeon, and a male Eurasian Wigeon; close looks at adult Northern Gannet; Sharp-shinned Hawk in sharp pursuit of a Cooper's Hawk; and the ever-present Yellow-rumped Warblers. Leaders: Chuck & Mary Jane Slugg, Marc & Lynne Breslow, and Cindy Bamford.
35 species

Canada Goose  1
Mute Swan  13
Gadwall  20
Eurasian Wigeon  1
American Wigeon  30
Mallard  16
Northern Shoveler  10
Northern Pintail  8
Green-winged Teal  35
Ruddy Duck  18
Pied-billed Grebe  1
Northern Gannet  18
Double-crested Cormorant  5
Great Egret  1
Northern Harrier  1
Sharp-shinned Hawk  4
Cooper's Hawk  2
American Coot  24
Great Black-backed Gull  7
Rock Pigeon  1
Blue Jay  1     heard
American Crow  3
Fish Crow  5
Tree Swallow  20
Carolina Wren  1     heard
Golden-crowned Kinglet  3     heard
Eastern Bluebird  1     heard
American Robin  30
Brown Thrasher  1     heard
European Starling  12
Yellow-rumped Warbler  20
Savannah Sparrow  2
Swamp Sparrow  1
Red-winged Blackbird  28
Common Grackle  24

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

Fall Migrants at the Rea Farm - Saturday, November 9th, 2013

We had good raptors overhead with both Black and Turkey Vultures, Bald and Golden Eagle, a couple of Red-shouldered Hawks - one perched, also Red-tailed, Sharp-shinned, and Merlin. Woodpeckers included two Red-bellied, three Downy, three Norther Flicker, and three Yellow-bellied Sapsuckers. Lots of Eastern Bluebirds with good views perched in trees. Sparrows were Song, Swamp, Field, Savannah, Chipping and four Vesper perched up for good scope views. Leaders: Karl Lukens, Kathy & Roger Horn, and Catherine Busch.
49 species

Canada Goose  1
Mallard  12
Northern Shoveler  1
Double-crested Cormorant  1
Black-crowned Night-Heron  2
Black Vulture  4
Turkey Vulture  10
Golden Eagle  1
Sharp-shinned Hawk  1
Bald Eagle  1
Red-shouldered Hawk  2
Red-tailed Hawk  1
Herring Gull  2
Great Black-backed Gull  1
Mourning Dove  8
Red-bellied Woodpecker  2
Yellow-bellied Sapsucker  3
Downy Woodpecker  3
Northern Flicker  3
American Kestrel  1
Merlin  1
Eastern Phoebe  1
American Crow  12
Fish Crow  2
Tufted Titmouse  1
Carolina Wren  2
Golden-crowned Kinglet  1
Ruby-crowned Kinglet  2
Eastern Bluebird  25
Hermit Thrush  3
American Robin  10
Gray Catbird  1
Brown Thrasher  2
Northern Mockingbird  2
European Starling  10
Cedar Waxwing  15
Yellow-rumped Warbler  15
Chipping Sparrow  5
Field Sparrow  3
Vesper Sparrow  4
Savannah Sparrow  5
Song Sparrow  10
Swamp Sparrow  8
White-throated Sparrow  5
Dark-eyed Junco  5
Northern Cardinal  3
Red-winged Blackbird  5
Common Grackle  1
House Sparrow  1

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

Eastern Bluebirds [Photo by Karl Lukens]

Golden Eagle [Photo by Karl Lukens]

Red-shouldered Hawk [Photo by Karl Lukens]

Yellow-bellied Sapsucker eating Virginia Creeper berries [Photo by Karl Lukens]

Birding Cape May Point - Wednesday, November 6th, 2013

There were lots of ducks around including Gadwall, Mallard, American Wigeon, Northern Shoveler, Northern Pintail, Green-winged Teal, Ring-necked, a Lesser Scaup, Ruddy, as well as Black, Surf, and White-winged Scoter, and three fly-by Common Eiders. The most unusual duck was a Long-tailed Duck on Bunker Pond!! We also had two Lesser Black-backed Gulls on the beach and four American Pipits on the dunes in the grass. Leaders: Mike Crewe, Megan Crewe, Karl Lukens, Steve Weis, and Chris Marks.
58 species

Canada Goose  25
Mute Swan  6
Gadwall  20
American Wigeon  25
Mallard  15
Northern Shoveler  3
Northern Pintail  8
Green-winged Teal  4
Ring-necked Duck  2
Lesser Scaup  2
Common Eider  3     fly by
Surf Scoter  15
White-winged Scoter  3
Black Scoter  150
Long-tailed Duck  1     on Bunker Pond!!
Ruddy Duck  25
Red-throated Loon  2
Pied-billed Grebe  3
Northern Gannet  8
Double-crested Cormorant  25
Great Cormorant  1     by leader before walk
Great Blue Heron  5
Great Egret  1
Turkey Vulture  15
Sharp-shinned Hawk  2
Red-shouldered Hawk  1
Red-tailed Hawk  1
American Coot  25
Sanderling  23
Laughing Gull  3
Ring-billed Gull  4
Herring Gull  8
Lesser Black-backed Gull  2
Great Black-backed Gull  20
Rock Pigeon  3
Mourning Dove  6
Red-bellied Woodpecker  1
Northern Flicker  1
Merlin  1
Blue Jay  5
American Crow  2
Fish Crow  2
Tree Swallow  30
Golden-crowned Kinglet  1
Northern Mockingbird  1
European Starling  10
American Pipit  4     on the ground at 3rd Plover Pond
Cedar Waxwing  5
Yellow-rumped Warbler  25
Savannah Sparrow  5
Song Sparrow  2
White-throated Sparrow  1
Northern Cardinal  1
Red-winged Blackbird  10
Brown-headed Cowbird  5
House Finch  5
American Goldfinch  2
House Sparrow  1

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

Lesser Black-backed, Herring, and Great Black-backed Gulls [Photo by Karl Lukens]

Long-tailed Duck on Bunker Pond! [Photo by Karl Lukens]

EZ Birding - Tuesday, November 5th, 2013

Highlights of the EZ Birding Walk include: lots of scoter flying and on the ocean; raptors including Peregrine Falcons, Red-tailed Hawks, and Cooper's Hawks; ducks including Black Ducks, Northern Pintails, Green-winged Teal, and Buffleheads; and, of course, Yellow-rumped Warblers. Leaders: Chuck & Mary Jane Slugg, Janet Crawford, and Lee Smythe.
40 species (+1 other taxa)

Brant  40
American Black Duck  26
Mallard  4
Northern Pintail  1
Green-winged Teal  1
Surf Scoter  3
Black Scoter  30
scoter sp.  250
Bufflehead  14
Red-throated Loon  1
Common Loon  4
Double-crested Cormorant  30
Great Blue Heron  3
Great Egret  6
Turkey Vulture  1
Sharp-shinned Hawk  5
Cooper's Hawk  1
Red-tailed Hawk  2
Sanderling  2
Herring Gull  3
Great Black-backed Gull  12
Rock Pigeon  2
Northern Flicker  3
American Kestrel  1
Peregrine Falcon  2
American Crow  5
Tree Swallow  35
Carolina Wren  3     heard
Golden-crowned Kinglet  5
Ruby-crowned Kinglet  2
Eastern Bluebird  2     heard
Gray Catbird  1     heard
Brown Thrasher  1     heard
European Starling  20
Yellow-rumped Warbler  40
Savannah Sparrow  3
Song Sparrow  2
White-throated Sparrow  2
Dark-eyed Junco  2
Common Grackle  2
House Sparrow  1

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

Birding the Meadows with Pete Dunne - Monday, November 4th, 2013

Lots of ducks this morning including Gadwall, Mallard, Black Duck, Northern Shoveler, Northern Pintail, Green-winged Teal, Ring-necked Duck, and off shore Black and Surf Scoter, and Northern Gannets. Good raptors overhead with both Black and Turkey Vultures, Northern Harrier, Sharp-shinned and Cooper's Hawks, Bald Eagle, Red-shouldered and Red-tailed Hawks. Finally the highlight was a flock of ten White Pelicans that drifted from over the Beanery to the Point and out over the bay. Leaders: Karl Lukens, Chuck Slugg, Steve Weis, and Catherine Busch.
52 species (+1 other taxa)

Canada Goose  150
Mute Swan  6
Gadwall  20
American Wigeon  15
American Black Duck  4
Mallard  25
Northern Shoveler  10
Northern Pintail  40
Green-winged Teal  10
Ring-necked Duck  2
Surf Scoter  25
Black Scoter  15
scoter sp.  200
Ruddy Duck  15
Pied-billed Grebe  1
Northern Gannet  10
Double-crested Cormorant  30
American White Pelican  10
Great Blue Heron  6
Great Egret  1
Black Vulture  4
Turkey Vulture  50
Northern Harrier  4
Sharp-shinned Hawk  10
Cooper's Hawk  4
Bald Eagle  2
Red-shouldered Hawk  4
Broad-winged Hawk  1
Red-tailed Hawk  5
American Coot  20
Greater Yellowlegs  1
Herring Gull  5
Great Black-backed Gull  8
Mourning Dove  8
Northern Flicker  3
Merlin  1
American Crow  1
Tree Swallow  30
Eastern Bluebird  1
American Robin  5
Northern Mockingbird  1
European Starling  10
Cedar Waxwing  5
Yellow-rumped Warbler  30
Savannah Sparrow  4
Song Sparrow  5
Swamp Sparrow  4
White-throated Sparrow  1
Northern Cardinal  1
Red-winged Blackbird  15
Common Grackle  3
Brown-headed Cowbird  10
American Goldfinch  3
House Sparrow  5

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

Red-shouldered Hawk [Photo by Karl Lukens]

Cox Hall Creek WMA - Sunday, November 3rd, 2013

Cox Hall Creek WMA was filled with birds coming in to feed and rest after a night of northwest winds. Good numbers of Swamp, Song, Chipping, White-throated and Field Sparrows, Yellow-rumped Warblers, Blue Jays, American Robins, Northern Flickers, Ruby- and Golden-crowned Kinglets and Hermit Thrushes were seen, along with smaller numbers of Palm Warblers, Eastern Towhees and Dark Eyed Juncos. Leaders: Kathy & Roger Horn, and Shaun Bamford.
51 species

Canada Goose  2
Wood Duck  4
Mallard  8
Common Loon  1
Double-crested Cormorant  16
Turkey Vulture  3
Sharp-shinned Hawk  6
Cooper's Hawk  2
Red-tailed Hawk  1
Ring-billed Gull  1
Herring Gull  5
Mourning Dove  9
Belted Kingfisher  1    heard
Red-bellied Woodpecker  8
Yellow-bellied Sapsucker  2    heard
Downy Woodpecker  2
Northern Flicker  12
Merlin  1
Eastern Phoebe  3
Blue Jay  35    
American Crow  22
Carolina Chickadee  3
Tufted Titmouse  7
White-breasted Nuthatch  1    heard
Carolina Wren  2
Golden-crowned Kinglet  9
Ruby-crowned Kinglet  22
Eastern Bluebird  12
Hermit Thrush  6
American Robin  150
Gray Catbird  2
Brown Thrasher  1    heard
Northern Mockingbird  1
European Starling  50
Palm Warbler  6
Yellow-rumped Warbler  75
Eastern Towhee  9
Chipping Sparrow  9
Field Sparrow  5
Savannah Sparrow  4
Song Sparrow  28
Swamp Sparrow  55
White-throated Sparrow  28
Dark-eyed Junco  12
Northern Cardinal  6
Red-winged Blackbird  75
Rusty Blackbird  2
Common Grackle  40
Brown-headed Cowbird  15
House Finch  2
American Goldfinch  8

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

Hawks, Trails, and Beach - Saturday, November 2nd, 2013

Highlights from the Hawks, Trails, and Beach Walk include: Sharp-shinned and Cooper's Hawks; perched Merlin; many species of ducks such as Mallards, American Wigeon, Female  Eurasian Wigeon, Northern Shovelers, and Ruddy Ducks; American Coots; and, of course, Yellow-rumped Warblers. Leaders: Chuck & Mary Jane Slugg, and Marc Breslow.
35 species

Canada Goose  25
Mute Swan  12
Gadwall  26
Eurasian Wigeon  1
American Wigeon  20
Mallard  22
Northern Shoveler  10
Northern Pintail  4
Green-winged Teal  28
Ring-necked Duck  3
Ruddy Duck  12
Northern Gannet  4
Double-crested Cormorant  6
Great Blue Heron  1
Great Egret  1
Sharp-shinned Hawk  8
Cooper's Hawk  5
American Coot  15
Herring Gull  4
Great Black-backed Gull  10
Rock Pigeon  3
American Kestrel  3
Merlin  1
Peregrine Falcon  1
Blue Jay  6     heard
American Crow  15
Tree Swallow  40
Carolina Chickadee  3     heard
Carolina Wren  5     heard
American Robin  1
Gray Catbird  1     heard
Northern Mockingbird  3
European Starling  20
Yellow-rumped Warbler  28
Eastern Towhee  1     heard

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

Fall Migrants at the Rea Farm - Saturday, November 2nd, 2013

In general it was quiet birdwise, but there were areas of sparrows mostly Song, Savannah, Swamp, and White-throated. A couple of Kinglets, Golden-crowned and Ruby-crowned were seen. We had nice views of an adult and juvenile Black-crowned Night-Heron at the Willow Pond. Of note at the start we had an easily seen Orange-crowned Warbler as well as a Common Yellowthroat. Leaders: Karl Lukens, Kathy & Roger Horn, Catherine Busch, and Chris Marks.
45 species

Canada Goose  10
Mallard  6
Common Loon  1
Double-crested Cormorant  75
Great Blue Heron  1
Black-crowned Night-Heron  2
Turkey Vulture  1
Northern Harrier  1
Sharp-shinned Hawk  1
Herring Gull  1
Great Black-backed Gull  2
Rock Pigeon  3
Mourning Dove  8
Belted Kingfisher  1     heard
Red-bellied Woodpecker  1
Downy Woodpecker  2
Northern Flicker  3
Eastern Phoebe  1
American Crow  3
Fish Crow  2
Tree Swallow  3
Carolina Chickadee  2
Brown Creeper  1     heard
Carolina Wren  3     heard
Golden-crowned Kinglet  2
Ruby-crowned Kinglet  2
American Robin  300
Gray Catbird  2
Northern Mockingbird  2
European Starling  10
Orange-crowned Warbler  1
Common Yellowthroat  1
Yellow-rumped Warbler  10
Vesper Sparrow  1     seen by a leader
Savannah Sparrow  10
Song Sparrow  10
Swamp Sparrow  10
White-throated Sparrow  8
Dark-eyed Junco  2
Northern Cardinal  5
Red-winged Blackbird  10
Common Grackle  5
Brown-headed Cowbird  2
American Goldfinch  2
House Sparrow  1

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

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

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