Birding the Meadows with Pete Dunne - Monday, July 7th, 2014

Good views from the parking lot of singing Blue Grosbeak and Indigo Bunting. Offshore, we had dozens of Black Scoter with at least three Surf Scoters. Waders included Great Blue Heron, Great and Snowy Egret, Green Heron, Glossy Ibis and a fly-by Black-Crowned Night-Heron. Shorebirds are on the move with several Spotted Sandpipers, Least Sandpipers, both yellowlegs, and over 50 Short-billed Dowitchers. On the beach we had a pair of American Oystercatchers with a young chick, and a couple of Lesser Black-backed Gulls. Best bird of the day was a Sandwich Tern among the Common and Forster's on a sandy edge. Leaders: Pete Dunne, Karl Lukens, Chuck Slugg, Catherine Busch, Janet Crawford, Steve Weis, and Mike Hannisian.
58 species

Canada Goose  10
Mute Swan  6
Gadwall  2
Mallard  20
Surf Scoter  3
Black Scoter  34
Great Blue Heron  1
Great Egret  4
Snowy Egret  1
Green Heron  3
Black-crowned Night-Heron  1
Glossy Ibis  2
Osprey  5
Piping Plover  1     fly by-seen by a few
Killdeer  3
Spotted Sandpiper  2
Greater Yellowlegs  1
Willet  3
Lesser Yellowlegs  6
Least Sandpiper  8
Short-billed Dowitcher  50
Laughing Gull  25
Ring-billed Gull  2
Herring Gull  5
Lesser Black-backed Gull  2
Great Black-backed Gull  15
Least Tern  10
Common Tern  4
Forster's Tern  20
Sandwich Tern  1
Black Skimmer  4
Mourning Dove  5
Chimney Swift  2
Ruby-throated Hummingbird  1
Downy Woodpecker  1
Northern Flicker  1
Great Crested Flycatcher  1
Eastern Kingbird  1
American Crow  2
Northern Rough-winged Swallow  1
Purple Martin  10
Tree Swallow  3
Barn Swallow  5
Carolina Wren  1
American Robin  1
Northern Mockingbird  3
European Starling  10
Cedar Waxwing  5
Common Yellowthroat  4
Song Sparrow  5
Northern Cardinal  4
Blue Grosbeak  1
Indigo Bunting  1
Red-winged Blackbird  15
Common Grackle  15
Brown-headed Cowbird  4
American Goldfinch  2
House Sparrow  5

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

American Oystercatcher [Photo by Karl Lukens]

Lesser Black-backed Gull [Photo by Karl Lukens]

Birding Cape May Point - Saturday, July 5th, 2014

It's nice when you're in the right place at the right time. The text message read, "Mississippi Kite headed west from South Cape May Meadows." We looked up, and there it was. We had a good long look from several angles as the kite flew past, wheeled, then continued toward the lighthouse, its long pointed wings swept back in graceful flight. The swallow variety was good also with Northern Rough-winged, Barn, Bank and Tree Swallows in addition to the always-present-in-the-summer Purple Martins. Singing in the scope birds included Blue Grosbeak, Yellow-breasted Chat and Indigo Bunting. Leaders: Kathy Horn & Karl Lukens.
61 species (+1 other taxa)

Canada Goose  35
Mute Swan  11
Mallard  42     42
Black Scoter  6
Great Blue Heron  3
Great Egret  5
Snowy Egret  3
Glossy Ibis  5
Black Vulture  2
Turkey Vulture  5
Osprey  3
Mississippi Kite  1
Red-tailed Hawk  1
American Oystercatcher  3
Killdeer  2
Spotted Sandpiper  1
Lesser Yellowlegs  3
Least Sandpiper  12
Semipalmated Sandpiper  1
Laughing Gull  55
Herring Gull (American)  8
Least Tern  5
Forster's Tern  20
Sterna sp.  35
Mourning Dove  9
Yellow-billed Cuckoo  1
Chimney Swift  3
Ruby-throated Hummingbird  1
Downy Woodpecker  2
Great Crested Flycatcher  2
Eastern Kingbird  3
Blue Jay  2
American Crow  4
Fish Crow  3
Northern Rough-winged Swallow  2
Purple Martin  25
Tree Swallow  10
Bank Swallow  1
Barn Swallow  6
Carolina Chickadee  4
Tufted Titmouse  3
House Wren  3
Carolina Wren  4
American Robin  18
Gray Catbird  1
Northern Mockingbird  1
European Starling  8
Cedar Waxwing  3
Common Yellowthroat  5
Pine Warbler  1
Yellow-breasted Chat  3
Song Sparrow  3
Northern Cardinal  6
Blue Grosbeak  3
Indigo Bunting  5
Red-winged Blackbird  20
Common Grackle  15
Brown-headed Cowbird  6
Orchard Oriole  1
House Finch  5
American Goldfinch  2
House Sparrow  2

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

Sunset Birding at the Meadows - Friday, July 4th, 2014

A beautiful, though windy, evening. Highlights of the walk include: Roseate Tern; Black Tern; Common and Forester's Terns; Bank Swallow; young American Oystercatchers and young Willet; and ended with a great look at a Blue Grosbeak. Leaders: Chuck Slugg and Kathy Horn.
49 species

Canada Goose  45
Mute Swan  7
Mallard  115
Surf Scoter  1
Black Scoter  11     2 small rafts off bunker, six in one group and 5 in other,
with young Surf Scoter
Great Egret  3
Snowy Egret  2
Glossy Ibis  5
Turkey Vulture  1
Osprey  2
Bald Eagle  1
American Oystercatcher  14
Killdeer  2
Spotted Sandpiper  7
Greater Yellowlegs  2
Willet  7
Lesser Yellowlegs  15
Least Sandpiper  15
Pectoral Sandpiper  3
Short-billed Dowitcher  11
Laughing Gull  15
Ring-billed Gull  2
Herring Gull  2
Great Black-backed Gull  12
Least Tern  20
Black Tern  1
Roseate Tern  1
Common Tern  5
Forster's Tern  22
Black Skimmer  1
Rock Pigeon (Feral Pigeon)  2
Mourning Dove  6
Chimney Swift  4
Fish Crow  1
Purple Martin  4
Tree Swallow  10
Bank Swallow  1
Barn Swallow  6
European Starling  5
Cedar Waxwing  3
Common Yellowthroat  1     heard only
Yellow Warbler  1
Song Sparrow  3
Blue Grosbeak  1
Indigo Bunting  1     heard only
Red-winged Blackbird  10
Common Grackle  5
American Goldfinch  2     heard only
House Sparrow  4

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

Bird Walk for All People - Thursday, July 3rd, 2014

Hot, sunny, humid weather with a breeze greeted walkers this morning. Highlights of the walk include: Piping Plover on nest; numerous American Oystercatchers with one chick; Black Skimmers flying by; Glossy Ibis feeding along the shore of Bunker Pond; and Least Terns nesting on the beach. Leaders: Chuck Slugg and Warren Cairo.
43 species

Canada Goose  20
Mute Swan  22
Mallard  30
Great Egret  3
Snowy Egret  3
Glossy Ibis  1
Turkey Vulture  3
Osprey  1
American Oystercatcher  9
Piping Plover  1
Killdeer  1
Laughing Gull  21
Herring Gull  2
Great Black-backed Gull  25
Least Tern  27
Common Tern  3
Forster's Tern  24
Black Skimmer  2
Rock Pigeon (Feral Pigeon)  2
Mourning Dove  3
Downy Woodpecker  1
Great Crested Flycatcher  1     seen by leader only
Eastern Kingbird  2     heard only
Fish Crow  4
Northern Rough-winged Swallow  3
Purple Martin  43
Tree Swallow  2
Barn Swallow  4
House Wren  2     heard only
Carolina Wren  2     heard only
American Robin  5
Gray Catbird  1
European Starling  5
Cedar Waxwing  4
Common Yellowthroat  2     heard only
Song Sparrow  4
Northern Cardinal  3
Indigo Bunting  3     heard only
Red-winged Blackbird  15
Common Grackle  7
Brown-headed Cowbird  3
House Finch  2
House Sparrow  4

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

Birding Cape May Point - Wednesday, July 2nd, 2014

A nice day and good terns with Forster's, Least, a few Common, and one each of Royal and Caspian Terns. Waders included Great Blue Heron, Great and Snowy Egret, and Glossy Ibis. On the beach were a pair of American Oystercatchers with two youngsters, a Piping Plover on Nest, and two Lesser Black-backed Gulls. We also had nice views of Indigo Bunting in a scope. Leaders: Mike Crewe, Megan Crewe, Karl Lukens, Warren Cairo, Chris Marks, Mary Watkins, and Catherine Busch.
53 species

Canada Goose  15
Mute Swan  15
Gadwall  2
Mallard  30
Surf Scoter  2
Ruddy Duck  1
Great Blue Heron  1
Great Egret  4
Snowy Egret  1
Glossy Ibis  9
Turkey Vulture  1
Osprey  4
Red-tailed Hawk  1
American Oystercatcher  6
Piping Plover  1
Killdeer  1
Laughing Gull  100
Herring Gull  2
Lesser Black-backed Gull  2
Great Black-backed Gull  15
Least Tern  25
Caspian Tern  1
Common Tern  3
Forster's Tern  15
Royal Tern  1
Black Skimmer  4
Rock Pigeon (Feral Pigeon)  5
Mourning Dove  5
Downy Woodpecker  1
Great Crested Flycatcher  1
Eastern Kingbird  1
American Crow  1
Northern Rough-winged Swallow  1
Purple Martin  75
Tree Swallow  2
Barn Swallow  3
Carolina Chickadee  1
Carolina Wren  3
American Robin  8
Northern Mockingbird  3
European Starling  15
Cedar Waxwing  2
Common Yellowthroat  3     heard
Yellow-breasted Chat  2     heard
Song Sparrow  4
Northern Cardinal  5
Indigo Bunting  2
Red-winged Blackbird  6
Common Grackle  15
Brown-headed Cowbird  4
Orchard Oriole  1
House Finch  4
House Sparrow  5

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

Glossy Ibis [Photo by Karl Lukens]

Indigo Bunting [Photo by Karl Lukens]

Royal Tern [Photo by Karl Lukens]

Birding the Meadows with Pete Dunne - Monday, June 30th, 2014

Again good birding from the parking lot, with nice scope views of Indigo Bunting, Blue Grosbeak, and Cedar Waxwing. American Oystercatchers with two fledged youngsters, and Eastern Willets with four chicks were also of note. Eight far-off Brown Pelicans were seen and then one Brown Pelican flew almost overhead. Leaders: Pete Dunne, Karl Lukens, Chuck Slugg, Steve Weis, Janet Crawford, Catherine Busch, Carrie Bell, Mary Watkins, and Mike Hannisian.
53 species

Canada Goose  10
Mute Swan  8
Gadwall  2
Mallard  30
Surf Scoter  1
Brown Pelican  9
Great Egret  3
Snowy Egret  4
Green Heron  1
Glossy Ibis  6
Turkey Vulture  2
Osprey  4
Red-tailed Hawk  1
American Oystercatcher  9     2 almost fledged young
Killdeer  3
Willet  8     4 chicks
Laughing Gull  30
Herring Gull  5
Lesser Black-backed Gull  3
Great Black-backed Gull  15
Least Tern  15
Common Tern  2
Forster's Tern  20
Black Skimmer  1
Mourning Dove  8
Chimney Swift  3
Downy Woodpecker  1
Northern Flicker  2
Great Crested Flycatcher  1
Eastern Kingbird  1
American Crow  2
Purple Martin  20
Tree Swallow  5
Barn Swallow  5
Carolina Wren  1
American Robin  5
Gray Catbird  4
Northern Mockingbird  1
European Starling  50
Cedar Waxwing  8
Common Yellowthroat  5
Yellow-breasted Chat  1     heard
Eastern Towhee  1     heard
Song Sparrow  5
Northern Cardinal  8
Blue Grosbeak  1
Indigo Bunting  2
Red-winged Blackbird  10
Common Grackle  10
Brown-headed Cowbird  4
House Finch  2
American Goldfinch  6
House Sparrow  8

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

Brown Pelican [Photo by Karl Lukens]

Cedar Waxwing [Photo by Karl Lukens]

Lesser Black-backed Gull [Photo by Karl Lukens]

Birding Cape May Point - Saturday, June 28th, 2014

This morning's walk provided the opportunity to study a hatch-year Pine Warbler that fed obligingly above our heads for several minutes. Lacking any hint of yellow, this can be a difficult bird to identify. But it was the same size and shape as the nearby adult male, relatively long-tailed and showing the broken eye-ring and low-contrast wing bars characteristic of the species. Leaders: Kathy Horn, Karl Lukens & Cindy Bamford.
57 species

Canada Goose  54
Mute Swan  32
Mallard  26
Great Blue Heron  1
Great Egret  7
Snowy Egret  4
Black-crowned Night-Heron  1
Glossy Ibis  6
Black Vulture  3
Turkey Vulture  2
Osprey  8
Red-tailed Hawk  1
American Oystercatcher  1
Killdeer  3
Greater Yellowlegs  1
Laughing Gull  75
Herring Gull (American)  3
Great Black-backed Gull  5
Least Tern  5
Forster's Tern  12
Mourning Dove  3
Yellow-billed Cuckoo  1
Red-bellied Woodpecker  1
Downy Woodpecker  2
Great Crested Flycatcher  1
Eastern Kingbird  2
American Crow  2
Fish Crow  5
Purple Martin  23
Tree Swallow  2
Barn Swallow  2
Carolina Chickadee  4
Tufted Titmouse  2
House Wren  1
Carolina Wren  5
Blue-gray Gnatcatcher  1
American Robin  20
Gray Catbird  1
Northern Mockingbird  2
European Starling  15
Cedar Waxwing  5
Common Yellowthroat  4
Yellow Warbler  1
Pine Warbler  2
Yellow-throated Warbler  1
Yellow-breasted Chat  4
Field Sparrow  1
Song Sparrow  3
Northern Cardinal  8
Indigo Bunting  5
Red-winged Blackbird  20
Common Grackle  11
Brown-headed Cowbird  9
Orchard Oriole  1
House Finch  6
American Goldfinch  1
House Sparrow  3

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

Pine Warbler [Photo by Karl Lukens]

Sunset Birding at the Meadows - Friday, June 27th, 2014

A beautiful evening and good birding for the small group who did the walk. Highlights include: adult Willets and a juvenile Willet takes a short flight (maybe its first!); Least Sandpipers; Short-billed Dowitchers; Green Heron; huge number of molting Mallards; and a Lesser Black-backed Gull off the beach. Leaders: Chuck Slugg, Kathy Horn, and Michael McCabe.
46 species

Canada Goose  34
Mute Swan  8
Mallard  87
Great Egret  2
Snowy Egret  2
Green Heron  1
Glossy Ibis  7
Black Vulture  2
Turkey Vulture  1
Osprey  6
Cooper's Hawk  1
American Oystercatcher  19
Killdeer  4
Greater Yellowlegs  1
Willet  10
Lesser Yellowlegs  4
Least Sandpiper  3
Short-billed Dowitcher  3
Laughing Gull  12
Herring Gull  5
Lesser Black-backed Gull  1
Great Black-backed Gull  55
Least Tern  20
Common Tern  1
Forster's Tern  43
Black Skimmer  7
Rock Pigeon (Feral Pigeon)  3
Mourning Dove  4
Chimney Swift  5
Eastern Kingbird  1     heard
Fish Crow  3
Purple Martin  12
Tree Swallow  5
Barn Swallow  7
Carolina Wren  3     heard
American Robin  4
European Starling  4
Common Yellowthroat  2     heard
Song Sparrow  3
Northern Cardinal  2
Blue Grosbeak  1
Indigo Bunting  3
Red-winged Blackbird  20
Common Grackle  8
Brown-headed Cowbird  2
House Sparrow  4

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

Bird Walk for All People - Thursday, June 26th, 2014

Hot and overcast day but good for birding. Highlights include: Black and Surf Scoters; Brown Pelicans sitting on water off beach; Piping Plover on nest with three eggs; American Oystercatchers with one chick; Black Skimmers; Orchard Oriole; Indigo Bunting; and Blue Grosbeak. Leaders: Chuck Slugg and Warren Cairo.
59 species

Canada Goose  43
Mute Swan  24
Mallard  8
Surf Scoter  1
Black Scoter  6     Actively feeding right off bunker; in close to shore; good
looks
Double-crested Cormorant  2
Brown Pelican  2
Great Blue Heron  1
Great Egret  3
Snowy Egret  2
Glossy Ibis  18
Osprey  8
Red-tailed Hawk  1
American Oystercatcher  8
Piping Plover  2
Killdeer  3
Greater Yellowlegs  2
Lesser Yellowlegs  1
Laughing Gull  20
Herring Gull  4
Great Black-backed Gull  35
Least Tern  25
Forster's Tern  16
Black Skimmer  8
Rock Pigeon (Feral Pigeon)  3
Mourning Dove  6
Chimney Swift  1
Belted Kingfisher  1
Red-bellied Woodpecker  2
Great Crested Flycatcher  1
Eastern Kingbird  3
American Crow  2
Fish Crow  3
Northern Rough-winged Swallow  4
Purple Martin  42
Tree Swallow  3
Barn Swallow  2
Carolina Chickadee  2
House Wren  3
Carolina Wren  2
American Robin  10
Gray Catbird  1
Northern Mockingbird  2
European Starling  7
Cedar Waxwing  8     heard
Common Yellowthroat  3     heard
Yellow-throated Warbler  1     Seen by leader only
Yellow-breasted Chat  2     heard
Song Sparrow  4
Northern Cardinal  2
Blue Grosbeak  1
Indigo Bunting  5
Red-winged Blackbird  23
Common Grackle  8
Brown-headed Cowbird  4
Orchard Oriole  1
House Finch  6
American Goldfinch  1
House Sparrow  6

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

Birding Cape May Point - Wednesday, June 25th, 2014

Offshore there were many Gulls and Terns working the rips, and one Great Shearwater was seen by one leader. It sat down and could not be relocated. There were also 34 Black Scoters and one Brown Pelican. Waders seen were Great and Snowy Egret, Black-Crowned Night-Heron, and Glossy Ibis. On the beach we had American Oystercatchers with at least one chick, and a Piping Plover on nest. Terns included Forster's, Common, Least, and one Royal.  Leaders: Mike Crewe, Karl Lukens, Chris Marks, Steve Weis, and Warren Cairo.
44 species

Canada Goose  40
Mute Swan  15
Mallard  30
Black Scoter  34
Common Loon  1
Brown Pelican  1
Great Egret  2
Snowy Egret  1
Black-crowned Night-Heron  1
Glossy Ibis  3
Turkey Vulture  1
Osprey  8
American Oystercatcher  13
Piping Plover  1     on nest
Willet  8
Laughing Gull  100
Herring Gull  2
Great Black-backed Gull  15
Least Tern  25
Common Tern  2
Forster's Tern  15
Royal Tern  1
Black Skimmer  3
Rock Pigeon (Feral Pigeon)  1
Mourning Dove  6
Chimney Swift  1
Fish Crow  2
Northern Rough-winged Swallow  3
Purple Martin  100
Barn Swallow  5
Carolina Wren  1
American Robin  1
Gray Catbird  1
Northern Mockingbird  1
European Starling  25
Cedar Waxwing  2
Common Yellowthroat  1
Song Sparrow  4
Northern Cardinal  4
Red-winged Blackbird  10
Common Grackle  15
Brown-headed Cowbird  5
House Finch  2
House Sparrow  5

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

Bullfrog [Photo by Karl Lukens]

Great Egret [Photo by Karl Lukens]

Birding the Meadows with Pete Dunne - Monday, June 23rd, 2014

Again good birds at the parking lot, with scope views of Indigo Bunting, Blue Grosbeak, and Eastern Kingbird. Also fly-by Glossy Ibis, Snowy Egret, and Orchard Oriole. Lots of Eastern Willets flying and calling, as well as two Willet chicks on the mud flats. The beach had two families of American Oystercatchers, one with two several-week-old youngsters, and one with at least one very young chick. The beach also held three Lesser Black-backed Gulls. Leaders: Pete Dunne, Karl Lukens, Steve Weis, Catherine Busch, and Carrie Bell.
45 species

Canada Goose  100
Mute Swan  8
Mallard  50
Great Egret  3
Snowy Egret  8
Green Heron  4
Glossy Ibis  8
Black Vulture  1
Turkey Vulture  3
Osprey  4
American Oystercatcher  9     2 chicks, & 1 chick
Killdeer  4
Willet  9     2 chicks
Laughing Gull  30
Herring Gull  1
Lesser Black-backed Gull  3
Great Black-backed Gull  20
Least Tern  8
Forster's Tern  10
Rock Pigeon (Feral Pigeon)  2
Mourning Dove  8
Chimney Swift  3
Eastern Kingbird  3
American Crow  3
Purple Martin  15
Tree Swallow  3
Barn Swallow  8
American Robin  3
Gray Catbird  1
Northern Mockingbird  1
European Starling  10
Cedar Waxwing  7
Common Yellowthroat  5
Prairie Warbler  2     heard
Song Sparrow  3
Northern Cardinal  4
Blue Grosbeak  1
Indigo Bunting  1
Red-winged Blackbird  10
Common Grackle  15
Brown-headed Cowbird  5
Orchard Oriole  2
House Finch  1
American Goldfinch  1
House Sparrow  8

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

American Oystercatcher with young chick [Photo by Karl Lukens]

American Oystercatcher with two nearly fledged chicks [Photo by Karl Lukens]

Willet chicks [Photo by Karl Lukens]

Breeding Birds at the Rea Farm - Saturday, June 21st, 2014

If you ever want to learn or reinforce the songs and calls of Indigo Bunting, Yellow-breasted Chat or Field Sparrow, come to the Beanery during the spring or summer. Though the Field Sparrow was visually elusive, the Chat and Buntings could be viewed in the scopes, perched and singing. Prothonotary Warblers were also heard in a few locations throughout the walk and eventually flew straight at us, across a field. A Yellow-billed Cuckoo called a few times also but not a feather of him was seen - typical cuckoo.  Leaders: Kathy Horn & Karl Lukens.
47 species

Mallard  5
Wild Turkey  1
Great Egret  3
Green Heron  2
Black-crowned Night-Heron  1
Glossy Ibis  2
Turkey Vulture  3
Osprey  1
Laughing Gull  16
Herring Gull  3
Great Black-backed Gull  9
Forster's Tern  3
Mourning Dove  5
Yellow-billed Cuckoo  1
Belted Kingfisher  1
Red-bellied Woodpecker  3
Downy Woodpecker  2
Northern Flicker  1
Great Crested Flycatcher  1
Eastern Kingbird  2
Blue Jay  2
American Crow  4
Fish Crow  3
Tree Swallow  2
Barn Swallow  5
Carolina Chickadee  2
Tufted Titmouse  4
Carolina Wren  6
Blue-gray Gnatcatcher  2
Eastern Bluebird  1
American Robin  9
Gray Catbird  1
Northern Mockingbird  3
European Starling  18
Prothonotary Warbler  4     Two seen in flight, 2 heard separately at other locations on property
Common Yellowthroat  6
Yellow-breasted Chat  2
Field Sparrow  4
Song Sparrow  3
Northern Cardinal  6
Indigo Bunting  6
Red-winged Blackbird  14
Common Grackle  8
Brown-headed Cowbird  12
House Finch  2
American Goldfinch  4
House Sparrow  8

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

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

Blue Grosbeak [Photo by Karl Lukens]

Sunset Birding at The Meadows - Friday, June 20th, 2014

A beautiful evening at The Meadows yielded some good birds starting with a Blue Grosbeak in the parking lot. Other highlights include: Willets with chicks; American Oystercatchers with chicks that look close to fledging; Cedar Waxwing both perched and flying; Black Scoter off the beach; and nesting Least Terns. Leaders: Chuck Slugg, Michael McCabe, and Evelyn Lovitz.
51 species (+1 other taxa)

Canada Goose  25
Mute Swan  6
Gadwall  2
Mallard  68
American Black Duck x Mallard (hybrid)  1
Black Scoter  5
Great Blue Heron  1
Great Egret  5
Snowy Egret  6
Glossy Ibis  5
Turkey Vulture  1
Osprey  6
Sharp-shinned Hawk  1    
American Oystercatcher  9
Killdeer  3
Willet  13
Laughing Gull  15
Herring Gull  4
Great Black-backed Gull  27
Least Tern  30
Forster's Tern  18
Black Skimmer  5
Rock Pigeon (Feral Pigeon)  2
Mourning Dove  6
Chimney Swift  1
Northern Flicker  1
Eastern Kingbird  3
Fish Crow  4
Purple Martin  18
Tree Swallow  6
Barn Swallow  6
Carolina Wren  1     heard
American Robin  2
Gray Catbird  1
Northern Mockingbird  1
European Starling  4
Cedar Waxwing  16
Common Yellowthroat  5
Yellow Warbler  1
Prairie Warbler  1     heard
Yellow-breasted Chat  2     heard
Song Sparrow  2
Northern Cardinal  3
Blue Grosbeak  1
Indigo Bunting  1     heard
Red-winged Blackbird  16
Common Grackle  6
Brown-headed Cowbird  2
Orchard Oriole  1
House Finch  2     heard
American Goldfinch  1     heard
House Sparrow  4

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

Bird Walk for All People - Thursday, June 19th, 2014

Hot, humid weather with sun and clouds and a slight breeze. Highlights of the walk include: Breeding plumage Black Tern perched close enough to really study; Black Skimmers loafing on beach; American Oystercatchers with one chick; re-nested Piping Plover incubating eggs; Yellow-throated Warbler although the nest was not visible in the tree and a nest was found on the ground (possibly blown out by a storm); perched Indigo Bunting, Orchard Oriole, and Red-tailed Hawk. Leaders:  Chuck Slugg, Warren Cairo, and Dave Lord.
56 species

Canada Goose  35
Mute Swan  25
Mallard  20
Surf Scoter  1
Black Scoter  2
Double-crested Cormorant  1
Great Blue Heron  1
Great Egret  7
Snowy Egret  2
Glossy Ibis  13
Black Vulture  1
Turkey Vulture  2
Osprey  7
Red-tailed Hawk  1
American Oystercatcher  8
Piping Plover  2
Killdeer  1     heard
Willet  1
Laughing Gull  20
Herring Gull  2
Great Black-backed Gull  10
Least Tern  30
Black Tern  1
Common Tern  3
Forster's Tern  17
Royal Tern  1     heard
Black Skimmer  33
Rock Pigeon (Feral Pigeon)  2
Mourning Dove  4
Belted Kingfisher  1     heard
Eastern Kingbird  5
Blue Jay  1
Fish Crow  4
Northern Rough-winged Swallow  6
Purple Martin  25
Tree Swallow  8
Barn Swallow  4
House Wren  2
Carolina Wren  2     heard
American Robin  5
Gray Catbird  1     heard
Northern Mockingbird  3
European Starling  6
Cedar Waxwing  8
Common Yellowthroat  4
Yellow-throated Warbler  1
Yellow-breasted Chat  2
Song Sparrow  4
Northern Cardinal  2
Indigo Bunting  5
Red-winged Blackbird  20
Common Grackle  10
Brown-headed Cowbird  3
Orchard Oriole  2
House Finch  6
House Sparrow  5

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

Birding Cape May Point - Wednesday, June 18th, 2014

A summer-like day with good waders on the pond including Great Blue Heron, Great Egrets, and Snowy Egret. On the beach we had American Oystercatchers, Black Skimmers, and what appeared to be a Piping Plover on nest. Cedar Waxwings were seen several times. The bird of the day was the breeding plumage Black Tern that flew around the pond and also perched on the pier railing. Leaders: Warren Cairo, Karl Lukens, Steve Weis, Chris Marks, Mary Watkins, and Michael McCabe.
49 species

Canada Goose  50
Mute Swan  20
Mallard  10
Black Scoter  8
Double-crested Cormorant  10
Great Blue Heron  1
Great Egret  4
Snowy Egret  1
Turkey Vulture  1
Osprey  4
American Oystercatcher  4
Piping Plover  1     on nest
Killdeer  3     1 chick
Willet (Eastern)  1
Short-billed Dowitcher  5
Laughing Gull  10
Herring Gull  3
Great Black-backed Gull  15
Least Tern  20
Black Tern  1     adult breeding plumage
Common Tern  1
Forster's Tern  20
Black Skimmer  15
Rock Pigeon (Feral Pigeon)  2
Mourning Dove  5
Chimney Swift  2
Eastern Kingbird  1
Blue Jay  1
American Crow  1
Fish Crow  1
Northern Rough-winged Swallow  8
Purple Martin  100
Tree Swallow  5
Barn Swallow  8
House Wren  2     heard
Carolina Wren  1     heard
American Robin  5
Northern Mockingbird  1
European Starling  10
Cedar Waxwing  5
Common Yellowthroat  2
Song Sparrow  4
Northern Cardinal  4
Indigo Bunting  3     heard - seen briefly by a few
Red-winged Blackbird  10
Common Grackle  15
Brown-headed Cowbird  5
House Finch  5
American Goldfinch  1
House Sparrow  5

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

Black Tern [Photo by Karl Lukens]

Snowy Egret [Photo by Karl Lukens]

Birding the Meadows with Pete Dunne - Monday, June 16th, 2014

A nice day and good birding. From the parking lot area, we had Indigo Bunting, Blue Grosbeak, Orchard Oriole, Eastern Kingbird, and fly-by Green Heron and Black-Crowned Night-Heron. The pair of American Oystercatchers are still looking after one chick. A few shorebirds still remain including a couple of Semipalmated Sandpipers, a few Short-billed Dowitchers, and a pair of Willets with three chicks. Leaders: Pete Dunne, Karl Lukens, Chuck Slugg, Warren Cairo, Steve Weis, Catherine Busch, Carrie Bell, and Mary Watkins.
56 species

Canada Goose  40
Mute Swan  10
Gadwall  2
Mallard  20
Black Scoter  2
Double-crested Cormorant  10
Great Blue Heron  1
Great Egret  3
Snowy Egret  5
Green Heron  3
Black-crowned Night-Heron  1
Glossy Ibis  2
Turkey Vulture  6
Osprey  5
Red-tailed Hawk  1
American Oystercatcher  6     only 1 of previous 3 chicks
Killdeer  1
Willet  6     3 chicks
Lesser Yellowlegs  1
Semipalmated Sandpiper  2
Short-billed Dowitcher  23     15 fly-over
Laughing Gull  15
Herring Gull  5
Lesser Black-backed Gull  3
Great Black-backed Gull  5
Least Tern  10
Forster's Tern  10
Black Skimmer  2
Mourning Dove  5
Chimney Swift  2
Eastern Kingbird  4
Blue Jay  1     heard
American Crow  1
Purple Martin  20
Tree Swallow  3
Barn Swallow  6
American Robin  1
Gray Catbird  1
Northern Mockingbird  1
European Starling  5
Cedar Waxwing  6
Common Yellowthroat  3
Prairie Warbler  2
Yellow-breasted Chat  1
Field Sparrow  1
Song Sparrow  3
Northern Cardinal  4
Blue Grosbeak  2
Indigo Bunting  1
Red-winged Blackbird  10
Common Grackle  10
Brown-headed Cowbird  5
Orchard Oriole  3     1st yr male & female at nest
House Finch  2
American Goldfinch  7
House Sparrow  8

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

Eastern Kingbird [Photo by Karl Lukens]

Breeding Birds at the Rea Farm - Saturday, June 14th, 2014

A beautiful day with good breeding birds to view. Some of the breeders seen were multiple Indigo Buntings, Blue Grosbeak, Yellow-breasted Chat, Orchard Oriole, Great Crested Flycatcher, and Yellow-billed Cuckoo. Additionally we had several fly-over Wood Ducks, a perched Black-Crowned Night-Heron, and a Bald Eagle. We also had brief, but good, looks at a singing Prothonotary Warbler. Leaders: Warren Cairo, Karl Lukens, Carrie Bell, Cindy Bamford, and Claudia Burns.
51 species

Canada Goose  20
Wood Duck  3
Mallard  5
Double-crested Cormorant  15
Great Egret  4
Snowy Egret  2
Green Heron  4
Black-crowned Night-Heron  2
Glossy Ibis  7
Black Vulture  4
Turkey Vulture  6
Bald Eagle  1
Red-tailed Hawk  1
Laughing Gull  10
Herring Gull  4
Great Black-backed Gull  2
Least Tern  2
Forster's Tern  2
Rock Pigeon (Feral Pigeon)  2
Mourning Dove  10
Yellow-billed Cuckoo  1
Chimney Swift  3
Red-bellied Woodpecker  1     heard
Downy Woodpecker  1
Hairy Woodpecker  1
Great Crested Flycatcher  3
Eastern Kingbird  2
American Crow  5
Fish Crow  1
Northern Rough-winged Swallow  3
Purple Martin  5
Barn Swallow  3
Carolina Wren  1
American Robin  1
Northern Mockingbird  2
European Starling  15
Prothonotary Warbler  1
Common Yellowthroat  3
Yellow-breasted Chat  1
Field Sparrow  2     heard
Song Sparrow  2
Northern Cardinal  6
Blue Grosbeak  1
Indigo Bunting  4
Red-winged Blackbird  5
Common Grackle  15
Brown-headed Cowbird  6
Orchard Oriole  1
House Finch  3
American Goldfinch  3
House Sparrow  5

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

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

Blue Grosbeak [Photo by Karl Lukens]

Orchard Oriole [Photo by Karl Lukens]

Bird Walk for All People - Thursday, June 12th, 2014

Even though it was overcast, foggy, and humid we had a good walk. Highlights include: finding the nest of a pair of Yellow-throated Warblers, a bird that has not been known to nest in the state park recently; Piping Plover pair chasing five American Oystercatchers on the beach so they may be trying to renest; American Oystercatcher chicks; Short-billed Dowitchers; Killdeer with chicks; Orchard Orioles; and an abundance of Yellow-breasted Chats calling. Leaders: Chuck Slugg and Warren Cairo.
58 species

Canada Goose  45
Mute Swan  20
Mallard  10
Great Egret  3
Snowy Egret  5
Tricolored Heron  1
Green Heron  3
Black-crowned Night-Heron  1
Glossy Ibis  4
Turkey Vulture  1
Osprey  9
Cooper's Hawk  1
American Oystercatcher  10
Piping Plover  2
Killdeer  4
Short-billed Dowitcher  2
Laughing Gull  20
Herring Gull  3
Lesser Black-backed Gull  1
Great Black-backed Gull  15
Least Tern  18
Common Tern  16
Forster's Tern  14
Black Skimmer  1
Rock Pigeon (Feral Pigeon)  2
Mourning Dove  4
Chimney Swift  6
Willow Flycatcher  1
Eastern Kingbird  2
Fish Crow  8
Northern Rough-winged Swallow  10
Purple Martin  25
Tree Swallow  8
Barn Swallow  8
Carolina Chickadee  2
House Wren  3
Carolina Wren  5
American Robin  3
Gray Catbird  2
Northern Mockingbird  2
European Starling  6
Cedar Waxwing  10
Common Yellowthroat  3
Yellow Warbler  1
Yellow-throated Warbler  4
Yellow-breasted Chat  4     heard simultaneoulsy
Field Sparrow  1
Song Sparrow  4
Northern Cardinal  3
Blue Grosbeak  1
Indigo Bunting  3     heard
Red-winged Blackbird  15
Common Grackle  12
Brown-headed Cowbird  4
Orchard Oriole  2
House Finch  6
American Goldfinch  6
House Sparrow  5

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

Birding Cape May Point - Wednesday, June 11th, 2014

A misty, cloudy morning ending with rain did not prevent us from seeing some interesting birds. Off shore we had a close, immature Northern Gannet and a Black Scoter both lingering beyond their usual time. A nice sighting was two Piping Plovers at the first Plover Pond as well as a pair of Killdeer with one chick. On the beach we had at least two Lesser Black-backed Gulls, Black Skimmers, and Least and Common Terns. Other good birds were scope views of Blue Grosbeak, Orchard Oriole, and Eastern Kingbird. Leaders: Mike Crewe, Karl Lukens, Chris Marks, and Warren Cairo.
46 species

Canada Goose  10
Mute Swan  4
Mallard  10
Black Scoter  1
Northern Gannet  1     imm.
Great Egret  1
Snowy Egret  1
Green Heron  1
Glossy Ibis  5
Turkey Vulture  1
Osprey  2
American Oystercatcher  4
Piping Plover  2
Killdeer  3
Willet  2
Laughing Gull  15
Herring Gull  1
Lesser Black-backed Gull  2
Great Black-backed Gull  20
Least Tern  15
Common Tern  10
Forster's Tern  15
Black Skimmer  12
Rock Pigeon (Feral Pigeon)  3
Mourning Dove  5
Chimney Swift  2
Eastern Kingbird  2
Fish Crow  1
Northern Rough-winged Swallow  5
Purple Martin  100
Tree Swallow  1
Barn Swallow  10
American Robin  1
Gray Catbird  1
Northern Mockingbird  3
European Starling  10
Field Sparrow  1
Song Sparrow  3
Northern Cardinal  2
Blue Grosbeak  1
Red-winged Blackbird  10
Common Grackle  10
Brown-headed Cowbird  5
Orchard Oriole  1     ad male
House Finch  1
House Sparrow  5

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

Forster's Tern and Common Tern [Photo by Karl Lukens]

Gray Catbird [Photo by Karl Lukens]

Birding the Meadows with Pete Dunne - Monday, June 9th, 2014

It was a cool, cloudy, breezy morning. Interesting birds were a fly-over Black-Crowned Night Heron, a pair of American Oystercatchers with three chicks, and two Black Scoters. Shorebirds were four Willets, 60 Semi-palmated Sandpipers, and seven Short-billed Dowitchers. The parking lot area again proved the place to be where we saw Indigo Bunting, Cedar Waxwing, Orchard Orioles building a nest, and heard two Yellow-breasted Chats. Leaders: Karl Lukens, Chuck Slugg, and Catherine Busch.
47 species

Canada Goose  15
Mute Swan  6
Gadwall  1
Mallard  20
Black Scoter  2
Black-crowned Night-Heron  1
Glossy Ibis  1
Osprey  4
American Oystercatcher  8
Killdeer  1
Willet  4
Semipalmated Sandpiper  60
Short-billed Dowitcher  7
Laughing Gull  15
Herring Gull  5
Lesser Black-backed Gull  3
Great Black-backed Gull  15
Least Tern  10
Common Tern  2
Forster's Tern  20
Black Skimmer  5
Mourning Dove  5
Northern Flicker  3
Eastern Kingbird  1
Fish Crow  1
Northern Rough-winged Swallow  1
Tree Swallow  3
Barn Swallow  4
American Robin  1
Gray Catbird  1
Northern Mockingbird  1
European Starling  10
Cedar Waxwing  5
Common Yellowthroat  5
Prairie Warbler  1
Yellow-breasted Chat  2     heard
Eastern Towhee  1
Song Sparrow  1
Northern Cardinal  2
Indigo Bunting  2
Red-winged Blackbird  15
Common Grackle  10
Brown-headed Cowbird  5
Orchard Oriole  3     nest
House Finch  2
American Goldfinch  5
House Sparrow  5

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

Eastern Towhee [Photo by Karl Lukens]

Lesser Black-backed Gull [Photo by Karl Lukens]

Breeding Birds at the Rea Farm - Saturday, June 7th, 2014

Perched, scope-able birds are a treat and several were so obliging on this morning's walk. Several - including Indigo Bunting, Common Yellowthroat, Field Sparrow and Yellow-breasted Chat - sang as we watched. We had to re-trace our steps when the Prothonotary Warbler suddenly sang in the wet woods behind us, interrupting our viewing of the Mississippi Kite. Leaders: Kathy & Roger Horn, Karl Lukens, Cindy Bamford, and Carrie Bell.
52 species

Wood Duck  2
Great Blue Heron  1
Great Egret  1
Snowy Egret  1
Green Heron  4  
Glossy Ibis  9
Black Vulture  4
Turkey Vulture  5
Mississippi Kite  1
Cooper's Hawk  1
Bald Eagle  1
Red-tailed Hawk  1
Killdeer  1
Laughing Gull  8
Herring Gull  5
Forster's Tern  3
Mourning Dove  8
Yellow-billed Cuckoo  1
Chimney Swift  2
Red-bellied Woodpecker  2
Downy Woodpecker  1
Hairy Woodpecker  2
Great Crested Flycatcher  5
Eastern Kingbird  1
White-eyed Vireo  1
Blue Jay  4
American Crow  6
Purple Martin  5
Tree Swallow  3
Barn Swallow  7
Carolina Chickadee  3
Tufted Titmouse  2
House Wren  3
Carolina Wren  4
American Robin  8
Gray Catbird  2
Northern Mockingbird  1
European Starling  6
Prothonotary Warbler  1
Common Yellowthroat  3
Yellow-breasted Chat  2
Field Sparrow  1
Song Sparrow  3
Northern Cardinal  6
Blue Grosbeak  1
Indigo Bunting  8
Red-winged Blackbird  9
Common Grackle  12
Brown-headed Cowbird  10
House Finch  1
American Goldfinch  4
House Sparrow  5

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

Sunset Birding at the Meadows - Friday, June 6th, 2014

Good weather except for the gnats! Highlights of the walk include: three American Oystercatcher chicks being fed mole crabs by adult; Black Skimmers skimming; Green Heron flyover; Black-crowned Night Heron perched on bridge; mixed flock of sandpipers, mostly Semipalmated Sandpipers; and a perched Red-tailed Hawk being harassed by Red-winged Blackbirds. Leaders: Chuck Slugg, Kathy and Roger Horn, Michael McCabe, and Carrie Bell.
48 species

Canada Goose  28
Mute Swan  6
Gadwall  2
Mallard  38
Great Egret  3
Snowy Egret  3
Green Heron  1
Black-crowned Night-Heron  1
Glossy Ibis  6
Turkey Vulture  1
Osprey  1
Red-tailed Hawk  1
American Oystercatcher  10
Semipalmated Plover  4
Killdeer  2
Spotted Sandpiper  1
Greater Yellowlegs  1
Willet  4
Dunlin  4     in mixed flock of shorebirds in east pond
Least Sandpiper  1
Semipalmated Sandpiper  160     about 50 in east pond and large group in air
Short-billed Dowitcher  3
Laughing Gull  10
Herring Gull  4
Great Black-backed Gull  8
Least Tern  14
Common Tern  1
Forster's Tern  10
Black Skimmer  8
Mourning Dove  7
Chimney Swift  5
Eastern Kingbird  1     heard
Fish Crow  3
Purple Martin  7
Tree Swallow  6
Barn Swallow  5
Northern Mockingbird  1
European Starling  5
Common Yellowthroat  4     heard only
Yellow-breasted Chat  1     heard
Song Sparrow  3
Northern Cardinal  2
Indigo Bunting  2
Red-winged Blackbird  15
Common Grackle  12
Orchard Oriole  1
House Finch  1     heard
House Sparrow  3

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

Birding Cape May Point - Wednesday, June 4th, 2014

Along the beach waters, we had about a dozen lingering Black Scoters and three Surf Scoters. Fly-overs were Great Blue Heron, Great Egrets, Snowy Egret. and Glossy Ibis. On the beach, we had a couple dozen Black Skimmers, American Oystercatchers, and a Piping Plover on nest. We also had good looks at Great Crested Flycatchers, Eastern Kingbirds, and Cedar Waxwings, and brief looks at Yellow-breasted Chat, and a Yellow-throated Warbler. Finally, we had a distant  look at a Mississippi Kite. Leaders: Mike Crewe, Karl Lukens, Warren Cairo, Chris Marks, Mary Watkins, and Michael McCabe.
56 species

Canada Goose  75
Mute Swan  4
Mallard  6
Surf Scoter  3
Black Scoter  12
Great Blue Heron  1
Great Egret  5
Snowy Egret  1
Glossy Ibis  10
Turkey Vulture  2
Osprey  5
Mississippi Kite  1
American Oystercatcher  4     one on nest
Piping Plover  2     one on nest
Killdeer  1
Semipalmated Sandpiper  8
Laughing Gull  15
Herring Gull  1
Great Black-backed Gull  25
Least Tern  25
Common Tern  1
Forster's Tern  25
Black Skimmer  25
Mourning Dove  10
Ruby-throated Hummingbird  1
Great Crested Flycatcher  4
Eastern Kingbird  3
Blue Jay  1
American Crow  1
Fish Crow  3
Northern Rough-winged Swallow  5
Purple Martin  100
Tree Swallow  5
Barn Swallow  5
Carolina Chickadee  1
Tufted Titmouse  1
House Wren  2
Carolina Wren  2     heard
American Robin  10
Gray Catbird  1
Northern Mockingbird  2
European Starling  5
Cedar Waxwing  4
Common Yellowthroat  5
Yellow Warbler  2     heard
Yellow-throated Warbler  1
Yellow-breasted Chat  2     heard , seen briefly
Song Sparrow  3
Northern Cardinal  5
Indigo Bunting  2     heard , seen briefly by a few
Red-winged Blackbird  10
Common Grackle  10
Brown-headed Cowbird  5
House Finch  2
American Goldfinch  1
House Sparrow  5

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

Black Skimmers [Photo by Karl Lukens]

Cedar Waxwing [Photo by Karl Lukens]

Piping Plover on nest [Photo by Karl Lukens]

Semipalmated Sandpiper [Photo by Karl Lukens]

Birding the Meadows with Pete Dunne - Monday, June 2nd, 2014

It was a nice day and we had good birds. Waders included three flyover Green Herons, Glossy Ibis, and Great and Snowy Egrets. On the beach we had a pair of American Oystercatchers with three chicks (less than 1 week old). Shorebirds included Semipalmated Sandpiper and Plover, a few Dunlin, Short-billed Dowitchers, and Greater Yellowlegs. The parking lot again produced good birds with Blue Grosbeak, Indigo Bunting, and Orchard Oriole being seen.  Leaders: Pete Dunne, Karl Lukens, Chuck Slugg, Steve Weis, Warren Cairo, Catherine Busch, and Mary Watkins.
57 species

Canada Goose  50
Mute Swan  20
American Black Duck  3
Mallard  6
Surf Scoter  2
Black Scoter  1
Double-crested Cormorant  5
Great Egret  3
Snowy Egret  2
Green Heron  3
Glossy Ibis  8
Black Vulture  1
Turkey Vulture  5
Osprey  4
American Oystercatcher  7     3 chicks
Semipalmated Plover  1
Killdeer  1
Greater Yellowlegs  1
Willet (Eastern)  1
Dunlin  1
Least Sandpiper  1
Semipalmated Sandpiper  50
Short-billed Dowitcher  25
Laughing Gull  10
Herring Gull  1
Great Black-backed Gull  8
Least Tern  20
Forster's Tern  15
Black Skimmer  12
Mourning Dove  5
Chimney Swift  4
Eastern Kingbird  1
American Crow  1
Fish Crow  1
Purple Martin  3
Tree Swallow  5
Barn Swallow  10
Carolina Chickadee  1
Tufted Titmouse  1
Carolina Wren  1
American Robin  5
Northern Mockingbird  1
European Starling  5
Cedar Waxwing  4
Common Yellowthroat  5
Yellow Warbler  1
Eastern Towhee  1
Song Sparrow  4
Northern Cardinal  2
Blue Grosbeak  1
Indigo Bunting  1
Red-winged Blackbird  10
Common Grackle  10
Brown-headed Cowbird  6
Orchard Oriole  3     ad. male, 1st yr male, female
House Finch  2
American Goldfinch  3
House Sparrow  5

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

American Oystercatcher chicks [Photo by Karl Lukens]

American Oystercatcher feeding chick [Photo by Catherine Busch]

Eastern Towhee [Photo by Karl Lukens]

Bird Walk for All People - Saturday, May 31st, 2014

The weather was beautiful with temperatures in the low 70s, sun with a few clouds, and a light wind, but the birds, especially in the woods were quiet. Highlights of the walk include: Yellow-throated Warbler; Blue Grosbeak; good looks at a Tricolored Heron; many Osprey overhead; a Dunlin in the Plover Pond; quite a few American Oystercatchers; and Black Skimmers on the beach. Leaders: Chuck & Mary Jane Slugg, Cindy Bamford, Marc & Lynne Breslow, and Tom Baxter.
55 species

Canada Goose  25
Mute Swan  11
Mallard  8
Double-crested Cormorant  3
Great Egret  3
Tricolored Heron  2
Glossy Ibis  3
Black Vulture  1
Turkey Vulture  7
Osprey  16
Red-tailed Hawk  1
American Oystercatcher  10
Semipalmated Plover  1
Sanderling  1
Dunlin  1
Least Sandpiper  2
Semipalmated Sandpiper  6
Laughing Gull  30
Herring Gull  6
Lesser Black-backed Gull  1
Great Black-backed Gull  55
Least Tern  12
Common Tern  12
Forster's Tern  30
Black Skimmer  14
Rock Pigeon (Feral Pigeon)  7
Downy Woodpecker  1
Great Crested Flycatcher  1     heard only
Eastern Kingbird  2
American Crow  3
Fish Crow  8
Northern Rough-winged Swallow  1
Purple Martin  35
Tree Swallow  8
Bank Swallow  1
Barn Swallow  3
Carolina Chickadee  8
House Wren  2
Carolina Wren  3     heard only
American Robin  5
Gray Catbird  2
Northern Mockingbird  3
European Starling  7
Cedar Waxwing  2
Common Yellowthroat  5     heard only
Yellow-throated Warbler  1
Yellow-breasted Chat  1     heard only
Song Sparrow  3
Northern Cardinal  3
Blue Grosbeak  1
Indigo Bunting  3     heard only
Red-winged Blackbird  12
Common Grackle  20
Brown-headed Cowbird  2     heard only
House Sparrow  5

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

Spring Migrants at the Rea Farm - Saturday, May 31st, 2014

Good fly-over birds today including Green Heron, Black-crowned Night-Heron, both vultures, Osprey, two immature Bald Eagles, a Red-tailed and, surprisingly, a Red-shouldered Hawk. The best of the bunch was one Mississippi Kite. We also had good looks at Common Yellowthroat, Yellow-breasted Chat, Prothonotary Warbler, and Indigo Bunting. Leaders: Karl Lukens, Warren Cairo, and David Lord.
48 species

Canada Goose  12
Mallard  2
Green Heron  2
Black-crowned Night-Heron  1
Glossy Ibis  1
Black Vulture  5
Turkey Vulture  15
Osprey  2
Mississippi Kite  1
Bald Eagle  2     1st yr., 2nd/3rd tr.
Red-shouldered Hawk  1
Red-tailed Hawk  1
Laughing Gull  5
Herring Gull  1
Great Black-backed Gull  5
Mourning Dove  5
Chimney Swift  6
Red-bellied Woodpecker  3
Downy Woodpecker  1
Hairy Woodpecker  1
Eastern Wood-Pewee  1     heard
Great Crested Flycatcher  3     heard
Eastern Kingbird  3
American Crow  1
Fish Crow  1
Northern Rough-winged Swallow  2
Purple Martin  1
Tree Swallow  3
Barn Swallow  4
Tufted Titmouse  4
House Wren  1     heard
Carolina Wren  3     heard
American Robin  3
Northern Mockingbird  1
European Starling  5
Prothonotary Warbler  2     1 heard and 1 seen, both singing.
Common Yellowthroat  5
Yellow-breasted Chat  1
Field Sparrow  2
Song Sparrow  2
Northern Cardinal  2
Indigo Bunting  4
Red-winged Blackbird  5
Common Grackle  15
Brown-headed Cowbird  8
House Finch  3
American Goldfinch  1
House Sparrow  1

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

Immature Bald Eagle [Photo by Karl Lukens]

Eastern Box Turtle [Photo by Karl Lukens]

Eastern Kingbird [Photo by Karl Lukens]

Higbee Beach Bird Walk - Friday, May 30th, 2014

Higbee Beach did us proud with a nice range of very showy, local breeding birds on today's walk. Two pairs of Yellow-billed Cuckoos called, and one gave us great views as it hopped around seeking insects in the canopy. Indigo Buntings and Blue Grosbeaks fed in the fields and gave great scope views and a Yellow-breasted Chat graced the edge of the parking lot. We finished with brief but good views of a Mississippi Kite which headed north overhead. Leaders: Mike Crewe, Catherine Busch, Chris Marks, and Mary Watkins.
42 species

Gadwall  3
Mallard  2
Common Loon  2
Snowy Egret  1
Green Heron  2
Black Vulture  1
Turkey Vulture  7
Osprey  2
Mississippi Kite  1
Bald Eagle  1
Laughing Gull  10
Forster's Tern  2
Yellow-billed Cuckoo  4
Chimney Swift  2
Downy Woodpecker  2
Hairy Woodpecker  1
Least Flycatcher  1     Small empid with relatively large head, bright eyering and short primary projection. Behaviorly, mostly hunting within canopy of scrubby trees.
Great Crested Flycatcher  5
Eastern Kingbird  1
White-eyed Vireo  2
Red-eyed Vireo  2
American Crow  2
Purple Martin  5
Barn Swallow  4
Tufted Titmouse  2
Carolina Wren  2
Brown Thrasher  1
Cedar Waxwing  15
Common Yellowthroat  2
Prairie Warbler  3
Yellow-breasted Chat  1
Field Sparrow  3
Northern Cardinal  X
Blue Grosbeak  3
Indigo Bunting  8
Red-winged Blackbird  6
Common Grackle  12
Brown-headed Cowbird  5
Orchard Oriole  2
Baltimore Oriole  1
House Finch  2
American Goldfinch  4

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

Birds of Belleplain - Thursday, May 29th, 2014

A very cool and breezy morning and the birds were somewhat quiet. We did track down a female Summer Tanager doing it's "Pik-i-tuk" call, and later had a distant view of a Scarlet Tanager. We also tracked down a Hooded Warbler and were able to view it. We had nice looks at Eastern Bluebirds a couple of which attacked the car's mirrors. We also had good views of an Acadian Flycatcher, and a distant view of a singing Blue Grosbeak. Leaders: Bert Hixon, Shaun Bamford, and Karl Lukens.
37 species

Laughing Gull  10
Mourning Dove  2
Yellow-billed Cuckoo  2
Ruby-throated Hummingbird  2
Northern Flicker  1
Eastern Wood-Pewee  2
Acadian Flycatcher  2
Eastern Phoebe  1
Great Crested Flycatcher  4     heard
White-eyed Vireo  2     heard
Red-eyed Vireo  2     heard
American Crow  1
Fish Crow  1
Barn Swallow  2
Carolina Chickadee  1
Tufted Titmouse  3
White-breasted Nuthatch  2
Blue-gray Gnatcatcher  2
Eastern Bluebird  5
Wood Thrush  5     heard
American Robin  10
Brown Thrasher  4
Northern Mockingbird  1
Louisiana Waterthrush  1     heard by a few
Hooded Warbler  3
Pine Warbler  1
Yellow-throated Warbler  1
Prairie Warbler  3
Summer Tanager  2     1 seen, 1 heard
Scarlet Tanager  2     1 seen, 1 heard
Northern Cardinal  3
Blue Grosbeak  1
Indigo Bunting  2
Common Grackle  15
Brown-headed Cowbird  8
Baltimore Oriole  1     heard
American Goldfinch  3

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

Eastern Bluebird [Photo by Karl Lukens]

Birding Cape May Point - Wednesday, May 28th, 2014

It was an interesting morning along the dunes/beach and ponds. There was still a pair of lingering Black Scoter off shore. We also had five flyover Black-crowned Night-Herons and a Glossy Ibis. The beach had an American Oystercatcher and a Piping Plover on nest. With the gulls, there was one young Lesser Black-backed Gull. The Bunker Pond railing had a Common Tern with the Forster's Terns for a nice side-by-side comparison. Warblers included Common Yellowthroat and Yellow. Leaders: Mike Crewe, Megan Crewe, Karl Lukens, and Chris Marks.
45 species

Canada Goose  30
Mute Swan  10
Mallard  5
Black Scoter  2
Great Egret  5
Snowy Egret  2     flyover
Black-crowned Night-Heron  5     flyover
Glossy Ibis  1     flyover
Turkey Vulture  6
Osprey  6
American Oystercatcher  2     on nest
Piping Plover  2     1 on nest & 1 at Plover Pond
Killdeer  2
Semipalmated Sandpiper  8
Laughing Gull  25
Herring Gull  4
Lesser Black-backed Gull  1
Great Black-backed Gull  20
Common Tern  3
Forster's Tern  20
Black Skimmer  20
Rock Pigeon (Feral Pigeon)  1
Mourning Dove  8
Eastern Kingbird  2
Blue Jay  6
American Crow  1
Fish Crow  5
Northern Rough-winged Swallow  3
Purple Martin  100
Tree Swallow  2
Barn Swallow  5
Carolina Wren  1
American Robin  5
Gray Catbird  3
Northern Mockingbird  1
European Starling  10
Common Yellowthroat  4
Yellow Warbler  2
Song Sparrow  3
Northern Cardinal  2
Red-winged Blackbird  5
Common Grackle  10
Brown-headed Cowbird  4
American Goldfinch  4
House Sparrow  5

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

Lesser Black-backed Gull [Photo by Karl Lukens]

Semipalmated Sandpiper [Photo by Karl Lukens]

Shorebirds at Heislerville with Mike Crewe - Tuesday, May 27th, 2014

It may be getting toward the end of the shorebird season, but Heislerville still managed to be spectacular today. Many of the shorebirds have moved already, such that Semipalmated Sandpipers in their thousands dominated the whole scene at the impoundment today. Though many birds had moved on, all the usual species were nevertheless still present and we particularly enjoyed a group of nine White-rumped Sandpipers along the north side of the main pool.

After getting an up close and personal demonstration of New Jersey Audubon’s semipalmated Sandpiper research project – and enjoying White-rumped Sandpiper in the hand! – we briefly visited East Point, where the heaving mass of shorebirds along the tideline was easily one of the most spectacular sights of the entire spring. Oh yes, wonderful out-in-the-open views of preening Clapper Rail and singing Seaside Sparrow were also on the highlight list.

Leaders: Mike Crewe, Megan Crewe, Mary Watkins, and Deb Payson.

EZ Birding at Cape May Point - Tuesday, May 27th, 2014

We had a good array of local breeders and lingering migrants on a beautiful, late-spring day. This was the last EZ Birding walk until we start again in August. Leaders: Chris Marks, Catherine Busch, Lynne Breslow, and Nancy Watson.
42 species

Canada Goose  X
Mute Swan  X
Mallard  X
Black Scoter  X
Great Egret  3
Snowy Egret  1
Turkey Vulture  1
Osprey  4
American Oystercatcher  2
Semipalmated Sandpiper  6
Laughing Gull  X
Least Tern  X
Common Tern  2
Forster's Tern  X
Black Skimmer  10
Mourning Dove  3
Chimney Swift  1
Eastern Wood-Pewee  1
Eastern Kingbird  1
White-eyed Vireo  2
Fish Crow  X
Northern Rough-winged Swallow  X
Purple Martin  X
Tree Swallow  X
Barn Swallow  X
Carolina Chickadee  X
Carolina Wren  X
American Robin  X
Gray Catbird  4
Northern Mockingbird  2
European Starling  X
Cedar Waxwing  6
Common Yellowthroat  X
Yellow Warbler  1
Yellow-breasted Chat  3
Field Sparrow  2
Song Sparrow  2
Northern Cardinal  X
Red-winged Blackbird  X
Common Grackle  X
Brown-headed Cowbird  X
American Goldfinch  1

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