Sunset Birding at The Meadows - Friday, September 4th, 2015

We saw the fledged Osprey juvenile still being fed by its parents as we started the walk. We next saw the Baird's Sandpiper which has been present for two weeks along with other shorebirds such as Buff-breasted Sandpiper, Semipalmated Sandpipers and Plovers, Least Sandpipers, Greater and Lesser Yellowlegs, Short-billed Dowitchers, Killdeer, and Sanderlings. A Peregrine Falcon caused all the shorebirds to lift into the air. There were a number of American Oystercatchers with fledged chicks and a large number of Forster's Terns flying east along the beach. Leader: Chuck Slugg.
43 species

Canada Goose  65
Mute Swan  2
Gadwall  5
Mallard  12
Northern Shoveler  5
Great Egret  2
Snowy Egret  14
Green Heron  1
Turkey Vulture  1
Osprey  3
American Oystercatcher  11
Semipalmated Plover  4
Killdeer  2
Greater Yellowlegs  3
Lesser Yellowlegs  8
Sanderling  9
Least Sandpiper  35
Buff-breasted Sandpiper  1
Semipalmated Sandpiper  4
Short-billed Dowitcher  5
Parasitic Jaeger  1
Laughing Gull  150
Ring-billed Gull  2
Herring Gull  6
Great Black-backed Gull  75
Forster's Tern  40
Royal Tern  12
Rock Pigeon (Feral Pigeon)  2
Mourning Dove  11
Peregrine Falcon  1
American Crow  1    heard
Fish Crow  5
Tree Swallow  2
Barn Swallow  7
Gray Catbird  2
Northern Mockingbird  2
European Starling  6
Northern Waterthrush  1
Song Sparrow  2
Bobolink  70
Red-winged Blackbird  12
American Goldfinch  10
House Sparrow  4

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

Higbee Beach Birding - Friday, September 4th, 2015

" Bink", "Bink" ...That's the sound that was most prevalent this morning at Higbee Beach. Bobolinks were flowing overhead. More were heard than seen as they often fly very high making them difficult to count. American Redstarts and Eastern Kingbirds are still plentiful. Wonder if they are waiting for more favorable winds? A few lingering Purple Martins, a delightful sighting of a Scarlet Tanager as well as an American Kestrel excited everyone in the group. Leaders: David LaPuma, Chris Marks, Roger and Kathy Horn, Carrie Bell, Mary Watkins, Catherine Busch, and Jacob Drucker.
50 species (+2 other taxa)

Canada Goose  5
Turkey Vulture  2
Osprey  1
Northern Harrier  1
Laughing Gull  8
Rock Pigeon (Feral Pigeon)  5
Mourning Dove  4
Chimney Swift  3
Ruby-throated Hummingbird  4
Red-bellied Woodpecker  2
Hairy Woodpecker  1
Northern Flicker (Yellow-shafted)  1
American Kestrel  1
Alder/Willow Flycatcher (Traill's Flycatcher)  3
Least Flycatcher  1
Empidonax sp.  3
Great Crested Flycatcher  1
Eastern Kingbird  18
White-eyed Vireo  6
Red-eyed Vireo  8
Blue Jay  2
American Crow  6
Purple Martin  5
Tree Swallow  12
Barn Swallow  2
Carolina Chickadee  3
Tufted Titmouse  1
House Wren  1
Carolina Wren  4
Blue-gray Gnatcatcher  1
Veery  6
American Robin  4
Gray Catbird  1
European Starling  4
Cedar Waxwing  3
Black-and-white Warbler  3
Common Yellowthroat  5
American Redstart  8
Cape May Warbler  1
Yellow Warbler  1
Prairie Warbler  1
Song Sparrow  1
Eastern Towhee  1
Scarlet Tanager  1
Northern Cardinal  4
Indigo Bunting  4
Bobolink  35
Red-winged Blackbird  18
Brown-headed Cowbird  3
Baltimore Oriole  2
House Finch  2
American Goldfinch  2

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

Bird Walk for All People - Thursday, September 3rd, 2015

There was a group of Laughing Gulls of mixed ages in the parking lot. As we went to survey the beach, a Peregrine Falcon was flying west and an American Kestrel was flying east. On Bunker Pond, we counted 54 Mute Swans and one Black Swan with Mallards, an American Wigeon, and Blue-winged Teal. Behind the dune were Field Sparrows, a Palm Warbler, and a Northern Waterthrush. Throughout the walk, there were Bobolinks "binking' overhead with one flock low enough for us to observe. In the wooded area, we had Black-and-white and Common Yellowthroat Warblers. We ended the walk with good looks at a male and female Blue Grosbeak. Leaders: Chuck Slugg, Warren Cairo.
51 species (+1 other taxa)

Canada Goose  50
Mute Swan  62
American Wigeon  1
American Black Duck  1
Mallard  20
Blue-winged Teal  8
Great Blue Heron  1
Great Egret  7
Snowy Egret  1
Green Heron  3
Osprey  2
Killdeer  1     heard
Greater Yellowlegs  1     heard
Laughing Gull  35
Ring-billed Gull  2
Herring Gull  2
Great Black-backed Gull  20
Forster's Tern  1
Royal Tern  1     heard
Rock Pigeon (Feral Pigeon)  3
Mourning Dove  7
Chimney Swift  1
Ruby-throated Hummingbird  4
American Kestrel  2
Peregrine Falcon  1
Empidonax sp.  1
White-eyed Vireo  1
Red-eyed Vireo  2
American Crow  1     heard
Fish Crow  5
Tree Swallow  2
Barn Swallow  7
Carolina Chickadee  3
Carolina Wren  4     heard
Blue-gray Gnatcatcher  1
American Robin  4
Gray Catbird  3
Northern Mockingbird  4
European Starling  7
Cedar Waxwing  5
Northern Waterthrush  1
Black-and-white Warbler 1
Common Yellowthroat  2
Palm Warbler  1
Field Sparrow  3
Song Sparrow  2
Northern Cardinal  1     heard
Blue Grosbeak  2
Bobolink  75
Red-winged Blackbird  42
American Goldfinch  15
House Sparrow  3

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

Twilight Watch at The Meadows - Wednesday, September 2nd, 2015

Tonight's CMBO Twilight at the Meadows walk, the first of the fall season, was quite enjoyable.  The heat and humidity of the day was changing nicely into a warm but pleasant evening. We had great looks at Lesser Black-backed gulls and close up views of a Baird's Sandpiper. Leaders: Warren Cairo and Bill Smythe.
41 species

Canada Goose  50
Mute Swan  2
Mallard  6
Blue-winged Teal  1
Northern Shoveler  4
Great Blue Heron  2
Great Egret  4
Snowy Egret  5
Green Heron  2
Osprey  2
Cooper's Hawk  1
American Oystercatcher  5
Semipalmated Plover  3
Spotted Sandpiper  1
Greater Yellowlegs  1
Lesser Yellowlegs  3
Sanderling  24
Baird's Sandpiper  1     Continuing bird
Least Sandpiper  20
White-rumped Sandpiper  1
Semipalmated Sandpiper  4
Short-billed Dowitcher  2
Laughing Gull  40
Herring Gull  10
Lesser Black-backed Gull  3
Great Black-backed Gull  40
Common Tern  6
Forster's Tern  8
Black Skimmer  4
Rock Pigeon (Feral Pigeon)  4
Mourning Dove  8
Ruby-throated Hummingbird  2
Fish Crow  2
Tree Swallow  4
Carolina Chickadee  1
European Starling  5
Song Sparrow  3
Indigo Bunting  1
Bobolink  4
Common Grackle (Purple)  1
American Goldfinch  2

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

Birding Cape May Point - Wednesday, September 2nd, 2015

Wednesday morning's walk around Cape May Point may not have afforded us a large diversity of birds but we got great looks at the birds that were around. The dune crossovers near St. Mary's & Coral Avenue gave us a chance to study the 4 species of tern around Cape May right now, as well as fleeting looks at a Black-bellied Plover and Spotted Sandpiper. We enjoyed a handful of young American Robins bathing in the sprinkler system on a corner while a Blue-gray Gnatcatcher hopped around the nearby crabapple. Yellow Warblers and Ruby-throated Hummingbirds on Coral Avenue renewed our excitement for upcoming cold fronts and fall migrants. Leaders: Margeaux Maerz, Chris Marks, Catherine Busch, Steve Weis, & Mary Watkins
43 species

Canada Goose  45
Mute Swan  47
Mallard  35
Northern Shoveler  2
Great Blue Heron  1
Great Egret  5
Osprey  1
American Oystercatcher  4
Black-bellied Plover  1
Spotted Sandpiper  1
Least Sandpiper  4
Semipalmated Sandpiper  2
Laughing Gull  X
Ring-billed Gull  2
Herring Gull  X
Great Black-backed Gull  18
Caspian Tern  2
Common Tern  X
Forster's Tern  X
Royal Tern  8
Rock Pigeon (Feral Pigeon)  6
Mourning Dove  4
Chimney Swift  2
Ruby-throated Hummingbird  3
Northern Flicker  1
Eastern Kingbird  1
White-eyed Vireo  1
crow sp.  3
Barn Swallow  5
Carolina Chickadee  3
Carolina Wren  4
Blue-gray Gnatcatcher  2
American Robin  12
Gray Catbird  1
Northern Mockingbird  2
European Starling  14
Yellow Warbler  2
Northern Cardinal  8
Bobolink  60
Red-winged Blackbird  X
Common Grackle  4
Brown-headed Cowbird  2
American Goldfinch  2
House Sparrow  X

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

Sunset Birding at Stone Harbor Point - Tuesday, September 1st, 2015

CMBO's first Stone Harbor Point walk began with a pleasant surprise, a Clapper Rail in the first impoundment. None of us can ever remember seeing a Clapper Rail here before but here it was, and it afforded great looks for all. On the beach, we had many Sanderlings and Semipalmated Plovers with a few Western Sandpipers mixed in, but the highlight was a group of Red Knots that dropped in. Some of the worn adults were still showing considerable red on their breasts. We were also able to read the tags on two Red Knots. We finished the evening with a Peregrine Falcon zooming in to chase away all the birds near us so we called it a night. Leaders: Warren Cairo, Gail Dwyer, & Shaun Bamford.
23 species

Double-crested Cormorant  7
Brown Pelican  1
Little Blue Heron  1
Osprey  10
Clapper Rail  1
American Oystercatcher  16
Black-bellied Plover  8
Semipalmated Plover  30
Ruddy Turnstone  3
Red Knot  26     Tags 'green' 95A, K67
Sanderling  100
Western Sandpiper  4
Laughing Gull  20
Ring-billed Gull  6
Herring Gull  10
Lesser Black-backed Gull  8
Common Tern  8
Forster's Tern  4
Royal Tern  12
Peregrine Falcon  1
Eastern Kingbird  6
Northern Mockingbird  3
Seaside Sparrow  1

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

E-Z Birding - Tuesday, September 1st, 2015

Our first walk of the fall season started off with the first of many flocks of migrating Bobolinks lifting off from the reeds along Bunker Pond. The group enjoyed two close Osprey fishing the pond, four Blue-winged Teal, scope views of a perched Red-tailed Hawk, and a handful of warblers along the Red Trail. Leaders: Catherine Busch and Chris Marks.
38 species (+1 other taxa)

Canada Goose  120
Mute Swan  57
Mallard  35
Blue-winged Teal  4
Great Blue Heron  1
Turkey Vulture  2
Osprey  2
Cooper's Hawk  1
Red-tailed Hawk  1
American Oystercatcher  3
Lesser Yellowlegs  1
Laughing Gull  X
Ring-billed Gull  2
Herring Gull  X
Great Black-backed Gull  X
Least Tern  3
Common Tern  X
Forster's Tern  X
Mourning Dove  2
Ruby-throated Hummingbird  2
Red-eyed Vireo  2
crow sp.  2
Tree Swallow  X
Carolina Wren  3
Veery  1     Seen by a few
American Robin  1
Northern Mockingbird  2
Ovenbird  2
Black-and-white Warbler  1
Common Yellowthroat  2
American Redstart  3
Yellow Warbler  1
Prairie Warbler  1
Song Sparrow  1
Northern Cardinal  6
Blue Grosbeak  1
Bobolink  650     Flyover active migration
Red-winged Blackbird  26
American Goldfinch  1

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

Birding the Meadows with Pete Dunne - Monday, August 31st, 2015

We had lots of shore birds to look at including Semipalmated Plover and Sandpiper, both Yellowlegs, Pectoral Sandpiper, and a couple of rarities, i.e., Wilson's Phalarope, and a juvenile Baird's Sandpiper. On the beach, we also had a couple of Lesser Black-backed Gulls. We also had a fly over Peregrine Falcon. Leaders: Pete Dunne, Chuck Slugg, Karl Lukens, Janet Crawford, Carrie Bell, Deb Payson, Mary Watkins, and Pat Perkins.
57 species

Canada Goose  15
Mute Swan  4
Mallard  25
Blue-winged Teal  1
Northern Shoveler  5
Northern Pintail  1
Great Blue Heron  1
Great Egret  2
Snowy Egret  5
Green Heron  3
Osprey  4
Cooper's Hawk  1
American Oystercatcher  5
Semipalmated Plover  10
Killdeer  6
Greater Yellowlegs  1
Lesser Yellowlegs  2
Sanderling  10
Baird's Sandpiper  1     juv.
Least Sandpiper  20
White-rumped Sandpiper  1
Pectoral Sandpiper  4
Semipalmated Sandpiper  20
Short-billed Dowitcher  1
Wilson's Phalarope  1
Laughing Gull  35
Ring-billed Gull  5
Herring Gull  10
Lesser Black-backed Gull  2
Great Black-backed Gull  15
Caspian Tern  1
Forster's Tern  10
Royal Tern  15
Rock Pigeon (Feral Pigeon)  4
Mourning Dove  10
Ruby-throated Hummingbird  5
Peregrine Falcon  1
Least Flycatcher  1
White-eyed Vireo  1
American Crow  2
Purple Martin  10
Tree Swallow  25
Barn Swallow  15
Carolina Wren  2
Gray Catbird  2
European Starling  1
Northern Waterthrush  2
Common Yellowthroat  2
Yellow Warbler  3
Prairie Warbler  2
Song Sparrow  1
Northern Cardinal  2
Bobolink  30
Red-winged Blackbird  10
Common Grackle  5
American Goldfinch  5
House Sparrow  5

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

Baird's Sandpiper [Photo by Karl Lukens]

Caspian Tern [Photo by Karl Lukens]

Wilson's Phalarope [Photo by Karl Lukens]

Cox Hall Creek WMA - Sunday, August 30th, 2015

Before we could see it, we could hear it, as is often the case when birding. As we rounded a corner mid-way through the CHC walk, an adult male Blue Grosbeak was perched atop a snag, singing his song in a whisper. On the way back he was still there, now giving the typical grosbeak chip, only softer. White-eyed Vireos and Eastern Wood Peewees are still singing at CHC and we had six warbler species (Yellow, Common Yellowthroat, Nashville, Black-and-white, Chestnut-sided and American Redstart). Bobolink, a species now migrating through the area (see Raptor.specteo.com for frequent Cape May migration reports) were heard overheard several times during the walk and a flock dipped down for a brief view. Leaders: Kathy & Roger Horn, Janet Crawford, Shaun & Cindy Bamford, Deb Payson, Carrie Bell, and Joe Demko.
46 species

Osprey  3
Cooper's Hawk  1
Bald Eagle  2
Laughing Gull  2
Herring Gull (American)  2
Forster's Tern  1
Rock Pigeon (Feral Pigeon)  1
Mourning Dove  11
Ruby-throated Hummingbird  5
Red-bellied Woodpecker  3
Downy Woodpecker  1
Northern Flicker (Yellow-shafted)  2
Eastern Wood-Pewee  3
Least Flycatcher  1
Great Crested Flycatcher  2
White-eyed Vireo  3
Blue Jay  2
American Crow  4
Barn Swallow  2
Carolina Chickadee  2
Tufted Titmouse  3
House Wren  2
Carolina Wren  3
Blue-gray Gnatcatcher  1
Veery  2
American Robin  2
Gray Catbird  3
Northern Mockingbird  2
European Starling  1
Cedar Waxwing  19
Black-and-white Warbler  1
Nashville Warbler  1
Common Yellowthroat  3
American Redstart  3
Yellow Warbler  3
Chestnut-sided Warbler  1
Chipping Sparrow  5
Northern Cardinal  4
Blue Grosbeak  1
Bobolink  11
Red-winged Blackbird  5
Common Grackle  2
Brown-headed Cowbird  1
Baltimore Oriole  4
House Finch  4
American Goldfinch  3

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

Fall Migrants at the Rea Farm - Saturday, August 29th, 2015

Orioles put on the early show and warblers the late show on this morning's walk. Migrating Baltimore Orioles arrive in various shades of orange at this time of year, all quite different from the yellow of the locally breeding Orchard Orioles. It was mostly the Baltimores that glowed intensely along the treetops in the morning light. When we rounded the corner into the wet woods towards the end of the walk, a mixed warbler flock was busily feeding. Brief looks at the Northern Waterthrush were followed by more satisfying looks at the Black-and-white Warblers, American Redstarts and Yellow Warblers. Leaders: Kathy Horn, Karl Lukens, Deb Payson, and Carrie Bell.
46 species

Green Heron  1
Turkey Vulture  1
Broad-winged Hawk  1
Red-tailed Hawk  1
Killdeer  1
Laughing Gull  2
Mourning Dove  9
Ruby-throated Hummingbird  4
Red-bellied Woodpecker  1
Downy Woodpecker  1
Hairy Woodpecker  1
Northern Flicker (Yellow-shafted)  2
Eastern Wood-Pewee  1
Least Flycatcher  1
Great Crested Flycatcher  4
Eastern Kingbird  5
White-eyed Vireo  1
Blue Jay  3
American Crow  5
Purple Martin  8
Barn Swallow  4
Carolina Chickadee  4
Tufted Titmouse  2
House Wren  1
Carolina Wren  5
Blue-gray Gnatcatcher  1
American Robin  7
Gray Catbird  7
Northern Mockingbird  1
European Starling  55
Cedar Waxwing  4
Northern Waterthrush  1
Black-and-white Warbler  2
Common Yellowthroat  3
American Redstart  6
Yellow Warbler  6
Field Sparrow  2
Northern Cardinal  3
Bobolink  14
Red-winged Blackbird  18
Common Grackle  7
Brown-headed Cowbird  2
Orchard Oriole  1
Baltimore Oriole  10
House Finch  2
American Goldfinch  1

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

Sunset Birding at The Meadows - Friday, August 28th, 2015

It was a beautiful evening with a gorgeous sunset and moonrise. The highlight of the walk tonight was the increase in the number of duck species including Blue-winged Teal, Northern Shovelers, Mallards, and American Wigeon. (Maybe our over-summering Wigeon attracted a couple more?). There was an interesting mix of shorebirds including Semipalmated Plover and Sandpipers, Least Sandpipers, Killdeer, Short-billed Dowitcher, Greater and Lesser Yellowlegs, Sanderlings, and a bird that the leaders finally identified as a Baird's Sandpiper. We also saw Black Skimmers, American Oystercatchers, Royal Terns, and a large number of Forster's Terns. The Osprey family was at the nest platform including mom, dad, and the fledged chick. Leader: Chuck Slugg.
45 species (+1 other taxa)

Canada Goose  40
Mute Swan  2
American Wigeon  3    
American Black Duck  1
Mallard  25
American Black Duck x Mallard (hybrid)  2
Blue-winged Teal  4
Northern Shoveler  2
Great Egret  1
Snowy Egret  7
Glossy Ibis  1
Osprey  4
American Oystercatcher  9
Semipalmated Plover  2
Killdeer  5
Greater Yellowlegs  2
Lesser Yellowlegs  4
Sanderling  12
Baird's Sandpiper  1    
Short-billed Dowitcher  2
Laughing Gull  175
Ring-billed Gull  3
Herring Gull  6
Great Black-backed Gull  10
Common Tern  2
Forster's Tern  26
Royal Tern  6
Black Skimmer  15
Rock Pigeon (Feral Pigeon)  3
Mourning Dove  10
Ruby-throated Hummingbird  3
American Crow  1     heard
Fish Crow  10
Tree Swallow  3
Barn Swallow  7
American Robin  3
Gray Catbird  2     heard
European Starling 11
Northern Waterthrush  1
Song Sparrow  2
Blue Grosbeak  1     heard
Indigo Bunting  3
Bobolink  32
Red-winged Blackbird  25
American Goldfinch  15
House Sparrow  3

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

Higbee Beach Birding - Friday, August 28th, 2015

Despite the date, a touch of Fall was in the air this morning. Birds were everywhere, although many did not hold still as they went about feeding. Eastern Kingbirds and Blue-gray Gnatcatchers took the prize as the most plentiful followed closely by the Red-eyed Vireos. The morning sun showed the Baltimore Orioles off well, but the flycatchers were challenging. Fall is here! Come Birding. Leaders: David LaPuma, Chris Marks, Karl Lukens, Catherine Busch, and Carrie Bell.
35 species (+2 other taxa)

Canada Goose  5
Turkey Vulture  1
Laughing Gull  5
Mourning Dove  4
Chimney Swift  2
Ruby-throated Hummingbird  2
Alder/Willow Flycatcher (Traill's Flycatcher)  3     could not determine alder v. willow
Least Flycatcher  2
Empidonax sp.  2
Great Crested Flycatcher  2
Eastern Kingbird  150
White-eyed Vireo  4
Red-eyed Vireo  20
Blue Jay  2
American Crow  2
Purple Martin  8
Carolina Chickadee  3
Tufted Titmouse  2
Carolina Wren  4
Blue-gray Gnatcatcher  20
Veery  20     everywhere
American Robin  2
Brown Thrasher  1
Cedar Waxwing  6
Blue-winged Warbler  2
Black-and-white Warbler  8
Common Yellowthroat  5
American Redstart  40
Magnolia Warbler  1
Blackburnian Warbler  2
Yellow Warbler  4
Prairie Warbler  2
Canada Warbler  1     seen by a few
Northern Cardinal  3
Indigo Bunting  1
Bobolink  50
Baltimore Oriole  8

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

Bird Walk for All People - Thursday, August 27th, 2015

Throughout the walk, we had a constant movement of Bobolinks "binking" overhead. On Bunker Pond, we found a Great Blue Heron, numerous Mute Swans with one Black Swan sleeping in their midst, and a few Mallards. We saw a mixture of Barn and Tree Swallows with one Bank in the group and a couple of late Purple Martins. Terns included a Caspian and a few Royals. American Redstarts were everywhere with a few Yellow Warbler fly-overs and one Black-and-White Warbler. We also saw a couple of early Broad-winged Hawks. Leaders: Chuck Slugg, Chris Marks, and Karl Lukens.
46 species (+2 other taxa)

Canada Goose  6
Mute Swan  53
Mallard  20
American Black Duck x Mallard (hybrid)  1
Double-crested Cormorant  1
Great Blue Heron  2
Great Egret  1
Turkey Vulture  5
Osprey  2
Cooper's Hawk  1
Broad-winged Hawk  3
Red-tailed Hawk  1
American Oystercatcher  4
Killdeer  2
Least Sandpiper  7
Laughing Gull  30
Ring-billed Gull  2
Herring Gull  2
Great Black-backed Gull  16
Caspian Tern  1
Royal Tern  5
Rock Pigeon (Feral Pigeon)  5
Mourning Dove  8
Ruby-throated Hummingbird  3
Empidonax sp.  1
Eastern Kingbird  2
White-eyed Vireo  2     heard
Red-eyed Vireo  1
Fish Crow  1    heard
Purple Martin  2
Tree Swallow  60
Bank Swallow  1
Barn Swallow 8
Carolina Chickadee  7
Carolina Wren  3     heard
Blue-gray Gnatcatcher  1  heard
American Robin  5
Cedar Waxwing  3
Northern Waterthrush  2
Black-and-white Warbler  1
American Redstart  14
Yellow Warbler  2
Song Sparrow  2
Blue Grosbeak  1     heard
Bobolink  110
Red-winged Blackbird  20
Common Grackle  2
House Sparrow  2

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

E-Z Birding - Tuesday, August 25th, 2015

Highlights this week included an immature Little Blue Heron, many terns on the beach, and a Black-and-white Warbler.  Our ID challenge of the day was a cryptic, female Green-winged Teal identified by it's small size, bill shape, and only a hint of a buffy stripe on the tail. We spent several minutes admiring a Ruby-throated Hummingbird feeding at close range on Jewelweed (Impatiens capensis) - a common native, wetland plant. A careful scan of Lighthouse Pond East revealed two nearly hidden Green Heron patiently hunting for their second breakfast. Leaders: Catherine Busch, Chris Marks, and Steve Weis.
38 species (+1 other taxa)

Canada Goose  5
Mute Swan  37
Mallard  42
Green-winged Teal  1
Great Egret  1
Little Blue Heron  1
Green Heron  2
Turkey Vulture  2
Osprey  3
American Oystercatcher  3
Spotted Sandpiper  1
Lesser Yellowlegs  2
peep sp.  2
Short-billed Dowitcher  5
Laughing Gull  X
Ring-billed Gull  1
Great Black-backed Gull  10
Least Tern  3
Common Tern  X
Forster's Tern  X
Royal Tern  17
Mourning Dove  2
Ruby-throated Hummingbird  4
Great Crested Flycatcher  1     Seen by a few
White-eyed Vireo  4     Heard
Fish Crow  1
Purple Martin  4
Tree Swallow  X
Barn Swallow  8
Carolina Chickadee  2
Carolina Wren  1     Heard
Blue-gray Gnatcatcher  1
Black-and-white Warbler  1
Song Sparrow  2
Northern Cardinal  1     Heard
Blue Grosbeak  1     Heard
Red-winged Blackbird  6
House Finch  3
American Goldfinch  3

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

Birding the Meadows with Pete Dunne - Monday, August 24th, 2015

Again we had a singing Blue Grosbeak from the parking lot as well as a Cedar Waxwing and a couple of Orchard Orioles. We also had good looks at Green Heron, both perched and flying over. There were several Lesser Black-backed Gulls on the beach with Herring, Laughing, Ring-billed, and Great Black-backed Gulls. Several Royal Terns flew by. Shorebirds were scarce with a few Least Sandpipers, and Killdeer. Leaders: Pete Dunne, Chuck Slugg, Karl Lukens, Steve Weis, Janet Crawford, Pat Perkins, and Deb Payson.
50 species

Canada Goose  10
Mute Swan  4
American Wigeon  1
American Black Duck  1
Mallard  40
Great Egret  4
Snowy Egret  1
Little Blue Heron  1
Green Heron  4
Turkey Vulture  1
Osprey  5
American Oystercatcher  6
Killdeer  5
Greater Yellowlegs  4
Lesser Yellowlegs  2
Least Sandpiper  10
Short-billed Dowitcher  10
Laughing Gull  50
Ring-billed Gull  8
Herring Gull  10
Lesser Black-backed Gull  4
Great Black-backed Gull  25
Forster's Tern  10
Royal Tern  5
Mourning Dove  15
Ruby-throated Hummingbird  3
Belted Kingfisher  1
White-eyed Vireo  1
Fish Crow  4
Purple Martin  10
Tree Swallow  1
Barn Swallow  5
Carolina Wren  1
Gray Catbird  2
Northern Mockingbird  1
European Starling  10
Cedar Waxwing  2
Common Yellowthroat  1
Yellow Warbler  2
Field Sparrow  2
Song Sparrow  3
Northern Cardinal  4
Blue Grosbeak  2
Bobolink  1     heard
Red-winged Blackbird  10
Common Grackle  8
Orchard Oriole  3
House Finch  1
American Goldfinch  2
House Sparrow  3

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

American Wigeon [Photo by Karl Lukens]

Green Heron [Photo by Karl Lukens]

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

Fall Migrants at the Rea Farm - Saturday, August 22nd, 2015

A beautiful morning with a cool breeze, but rather quiet bird wise. We did manage to get good looks at a singing Blue Grosbeak and Great Crested Flycatcher. Overhead were a number of Osprey, several with large fish, as well as a couple of Red-tailed Hawks, two Broad-winged Hawks, and a Cooper's Hawk. One of the wet spots from the previous rain had three Solitary Sandpipers. Leaders: Karl Lukens, Deb Payson, and Michael McCabe.
42 species

Wood Duck  1     fly-by
Double-crested Cormorant  70
Green Heron  1
Black Vulture  2
Turkey Vulture  1
Osprey  5
Cooper's Hawk  1
Broad-winged Hawk  2
Red-tailed Hawk  2
Solitary Sandpiper  3
Laughing Gull  10
Mourning Dove  10
Ruby-throated Hummingbird  3
Red-bellied Woodpecker  1
Downy Woodpecker  1
Northern Flicker  1
Great Crested Flycatcher  2
Eastern Kingbird  2
Blue Jay  1
American Crow  5
Purple Martin  30
Barn Swallow  1
Carolina Chickadee  1
Carolina Wren  3
Blue-gray Gnatcatcher  1
American Robin  3
Gray Catbird  4
Northern Mockingbird  3
European Starling  10
Cedar Waxwing  5
Yellow Warbler  3
Chipping Sparrow  1
Northern Cardinal  6
Blue Grosbeak  1
Red-winged Blackbird  15
Common Grackle  15
Brown-headed Cowbird  10
Orchard Oriole  3
Baltimore Oriole  1
House Finch  2
American Goldfinch  5
House Sparrow  1

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

Blue Grosbeak [Photo by Karl Lukens]

Great Crested Flycatcher [Photo by Karl Lukens]

Sunset Birding at The Meadows - Friday, August 21st, 2015

On the osprey platform, we saw the adult male Osprey with the chick who is bigger than dad. There were a number of Egrets, both Snowy and Great, a Great Blue Heron and a juvenile Little Blue Heron. The mix of shorebirds included Semipalmated Sandpipers and Plovers, Least and Spotted Sandpipers, Greater and Lesser Yellowlegs, Killdeer, and a flock of fly-over Short-billed Dowitchers. American Oystercatchers and Black Skimmers were seen on the beach along with a large number of Forster's Terns with a few Common and Least Terns mixed in. The highlight of the walk was a pair of Snapping Turtles with shells about 24 inches in diameter and heads bigger than a man's fist hissing at each other and roiling in the pond. There was a huge flock of Laughing Gulls flying over our heads and feeding on what we think were dragonflies. Leaders: Chuck Slugg and Carrie Bell.
42 species

Canada Goose  75
Mute Swan  4
Mallard  60
Great Blue Heron  1
Great Egret  6
Snowy Egret 21
Little Blue Heron  1
Glossy Ibis  4
Osprey  6
Sharp-shinned Hawk  1
Cooper's Hawk  1
American Oystercatcher  6
Semipalmated Plover  2
Killdeer  4
Spotted Sandpiper  2
Greater Yellowlegs  12
Lesser Yellowlegs  17
Least Sandpiper  45
Semipalmated Sandpiper  9
Short-billed Dowitcher  12
Laughing Gull  300
Ring-billed Gull  2
Herring Gull  3
Great Black-backed Gull  15
Least Tern  2
Common Tern  5
Forster's Tern  25
Black Skimmer  6
Rock Pigeon (Feral Pigeon)  3
Mourning Dove  7
Fish Crow  2     heard
Tree Swallow  5
American Robin  4
Gray Catbird  2
Northern Mockingbird  2
Field Sparrow  1
Song Sparrow  2
Indigo Bunting  1
Red-winged Blackbird  30
Common Grackle  1
American Goldfinch  5
House Sparrow  3

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

Bird Walk for All People - Thursday, August 20th, 2015

In the parking lot, there was a large number of Laughing Gulls in a variety of plumages with just a few Purple Martin stragglers. Tree Swallows were massing in the air with a huge number loafing on the beach towards St. Mary's. On the beach, there was a mix of gull species and four species of terns: Least, Forster's, Common, and Royal. We also saw a Northern Mockingbird and Gray Catbird, two of our three mimids. On Bunker Pond, there was the usual plethora of non-native Mute Swans with one presumed escapee Black Swan continuing in the mix. A group of Double-crested Cormorants and a Green Heron flew over. A Blue Grosbeak sat on top of the dune, and we encountered a second singing in the park. At the second crossover, we had better looks at the Royal Terns and a group of American Oystercatchers with one juvenile. Leaders:  Chuck Slugg and Chris Marks.
46 species

Canada Goose  70
Mute Swan  48
Mallard  30
Wild Turkey  3
Double-crested Cormorant  17
Great Egret  2
Green Heron  1
Turkey Vulture  2
Osprey  5
American Oystercatcher  5
Killdeer  2     heard
Greater Yellowlegs  1     heard
Least Sandpiper  11
Short-billed Dowitcher  8
Laughing Gull  60
Ring-billed Gull  2
Herring Gull  5
Great Black-backed Gull  15
Least Tern  10
Common Tern  12
Forster's Tern  16
Royal Tern  11
Rock Pigeon (Feral Pigeon)  3
Mourning Dove  6
Ruby-throated Hummingbird  2
Northern Flicker  2     heard
Eastern Kingbird 3
American Crow  1     heard
Fish Crow  6
Northern Rough-winged Swallow 1
Purple Martin  3
Tree Swallow  150
Barn Swallow  6
Carolina Chickadee  3  heard
Carolina Wren  3     heard
Blue-gray Gnatcatcher  1     heard
American Robin  7
Gray Catbird  2
Northern Mockingbird  3
European Starling  7
Song Sparrow  3
Northern Cardinal  3
Blue Grosbeak  2
Red-winged Blackbird  10
Common Grackle  1
House Sparrow  5

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

E-Z Birding - Tuesday, August 18th, 2015

Several families new to birding joined us today for a walk around the park. Highlights of the walk included a large number of juvenile and adult terns on the beach, close looks at Lesser Yellowlegs and Killdeer, and an unexpected female Wood Duck sitting still for extended scope views on the marsh trail. We also enjoyed the gathering flock of Tree Swallows swirling around bayberries and sitting on the beach. Leaders: Catherine Busch, Chris Marks, and Steve Weis.
36 species

Canada Goose  85
Mute Swan  47
Wood Duck  1
Mallard  28
Great Blue Heron  2
Great Egret  3
Green Heron  1
Turkey Vulture  2
Osprey  2
Cooper's Hawk  1
American Oystercatcher  1
Killdeer  2
Lesser Yellowlegs  2
Laughing Gull  X
Herring Gull  3
Great Black-backed Gull  6
Least Tern  X
Common Tern  X
Royal Tern  8
Black Skimmer  2
Rock Pigeon (Feral Pigeon)  5
Mourning Dove  3
Chimney Swift  2
Eastern Kingbird  1
American Crow  3
Fish Crow  2
Tree Swallow  150
Barn Swallow  8
Carolina Chickadee  3
Carolina Wren  2
Blue-gray Gnatcatcher  2
Northern Mockingbird  2
European Starling  4
Song Sparrow  2
Red-winged Blackbird  4
American Goldfinch  3

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

Birding the Meadows with Pete Dunne - Monday, August 17, 2015

We started off the walk with Indigo Bunting, five-six female type Orchard Orioles, and five fly-over Bobolinks. The usual suspects were on the mudflats, i.e., Semipalmated Plover and Sandpiper, Least and Spotted Sandpiper, Killdeer, and both Yellowlegs. On the beach we had American Oystercatchers, Sanderling, one Ruddy Turnstone, and at least five Lesser Black-backed Gulls. Tree Swallows were all over the beach area. Leaders: Pete Dunne, Chuck Slugg, Karl Lukens, Steve Weis, Janet Crawford, Deb Payson, Mary Watkins, and Pat Perkins.
61 species

Canada Goose  100
Mute Swan  4
American Wigeon  1
Mallard  30
Double-crested Cormorant  7
Great Egret  1
Snowy Egret  7
Green Heron  3
Osprey  5
Northern Harrier  1     seen by a few
American Oystercatcher  9
Semipalmated Plover  15
Killdeer  6
Spotted Sandpiper  2
Greater Yellowlegs  4
Lesser Yellowlegs  6
Ruddy Turnstone  1
Sanderling  35
Least Sandpiper  25
Semipalmated Sandpiper  10
Laughing Gull  30
Ring-billed Gull  4
Herring Gull  10
Lesser Black-backed Gull  5
Great Black-backed Gull  15
Least Tern  2
Common Tern  1
Forster's Tern  12
Royal Tern  6
Rock Pigeon (Feral Pigeon)  4
Mourning Dove  10
Ruby-throated Hummingbird  1
Downy Woodpecker  1
Eastern Kingbird  2
Fish Crow  1
Purple Martin  8
Tree Swallow  150
Barn Swallow  10
Carolina Wren  2
American Robin  1
Gray Catbird  1
Northern Mockingbird  2
European Starling  10
Cedar Waxwing  3
Blue-winged Warbler  1
Common Yellowthroat  1
Yellow Warbler  4
Prairie Warbler  1
Field Sparrow  2
Song Sparrow  3
Northern Cardinal  6
Blue Grosbeak  1
Indigo Bunting  2
Bobolink  5     fly-over
Red-winged Blackbird  10
Common Grackle  8
Brown-headed Cowbird  25
Orchard Oriole  6
House Finch  3
American Goldfinch  5
House Sparrow  3

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

Lesser Black-backed Gull [Photo by Karl Lukens]

Cox Hall Creek WMA - Sunday, August 16th, 2015

Fall migration has begun! We had great looks at a number of warblers including Yellow Warbler, Yellow-throated Warbler, Prairie Warbler, Black-and-white Warbler and American Redstart. We also saw White-eyed Vireo, a Ruby-throated Hummingbird chasing a Blue-gray Gnatcatcher, two Green Herons, and several Osprey with fish. Leaders:  Janet Crawford, Cindy Bamford, Joe Demko, Karl Lukens, Deb Payson, and Hugh Simmons.
44 species

Canada Goose  1
Mallard  4
Double-crested Cormorant  1
Green Heron  2
Turkey Vulture  1
Osprey  5
Red-tailed Hawk  3
Laughing Gull  7
Rock Pigeon (Feral Pigeon)  1
Mourning Dove  4
Ruby-throated Hummingbird  6
Red-bellied Woodpecker  4
Downy Woodpecker  5
Northern Flicker  3
Eastern Wood-Pewee  4
Great Crested Flycatcher  4
Eastern Kingbird  2
White-eyed Vireo  2
Red-eyed Vireo  1
Blue Jay  3
American Crow  7
Purple Martin  10
Carolina Chickadee  3
Tufted Titmouse  7
Carolina Wren  2
Blue-gray Gnatcatcher  5
American Robin  6
Gray Catbird  2
Brown Thrasher  1
Northern Mockingbird  2
Cedar Waxwing  3
Blue-winged Warbler  1
Black-and-white Warbler  1
American Redstart  2
Yellow Warbler  3
Yellow-throated Warbler  4
Prairie Warbler  1
Chipping Sparrow  6
Northern Cardinal  7
Red-winged Blackbird  5
Common Grackle  4
Brown-headed Cowbird  2
House Finch  2
American Goldfinch  6

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

Fall Migrants at the Rea Farm - Saturday, August 15th, 2015

It was a little quiet on a nice morning, but some birds were up and about including Grey Catbirds, Northern Mockingbirds, Field and Song Sparrows, and an Indigo Bunting. Several times, two Green Herons flew overhead. At one point, a Great Horned Owl flew over being chased by Crows. We also had a brief look at two Wood Ducks on the willow pond. Leaders: Karl Lukens, Deb Payson, Barb Bassett, and Michael McCabe.
46 species

Wood Duck  2
Mallard  2
Great Blue Heron  1
Great Egret  1
Snowy Egret  1
Green Heron  3
Turkey Vulture  2
Osprey  2
Killdeer  4
Laughing Gull  15
Herring Gull  1
Mourning Dove  15
Great Horned Owl  1     fly over chased by crows
Ruby-throated Hummingbird  3
Red-bellied Woodpecker  1
Downy Woodpecker  4
Northern Flicker  1
Great Crested Flycatcher  3
Eastern Kingbird  1
White-eyed Vireo  1
Red-eyed Vireo  1
Blue Jay  2
American Crow  25
Fish Crow  2
Purple Martin  15
Tree Swallow  1
Barn Swallow  1
Carolina Chickadee  1
House Wren  1
Carolina Wren  3
American Robin  5
Gray Catbird  4
Northern Mockingbird  4
European Starling  1
Cedar Waxwing  1     heard
Yellow Warbler  2
Field Sparrow  1
Song Sparrow  1
Northern Cardinal  5
Indigo Bunting  1
Red-winged Blackbird  5
Common Grackle  30
Brown-headed Cowbird  5
House Finch  1
American Goldfinch  1
House Sparrow  1

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

Juvenile Downy Woodpecker [Photo by Karl Lukens]

Sunset Birding at The Meadows - Friday, August 14th, 2015

It was a lovely evening for a walk ending with a beautiful sunset. From the parking lot, we had Fish Crows sitting and calling on the wires with American Goldfinches "chipping and dipping" overhead. The Osprey chick on the platform is fully feathered and almost, if not already, fledged. Shorebird migration continues with both Yellowlegs, Semipalmated Plovers, Killdeer, and Spotted, Semipalmated, and Least Sandpipers. There was a plethora of Mallards in eclipse plumage but several males are almost into basic plumage. There was a number of Snowy Egrets, a few Great Egrets, and a juvenile Little Blue Heron. Black Skimmers were skimming and we saw several Indigo Buntings. Three Brown Pelicans flew down the beach and we had good looks at them thanks to Louise Zemaitis calling to us from the platform. Leader: Chuck Slugg.
41 species

Canada Goose  35
Mute Swan  6
Mallard  30
Brown Pelican  3
Great Egret  3
Snowy Egret  7
Little Blue Heron  1
Glossy Ibis  1
Osprey  4
American Oystercatcher  7
Semipalmated Plover  5
Killdeer  8
Spotted Sandpiper  4
Greater Yellowlegs  4
Lesser Yellowlegs  10
Sanderling  20
Least Sandpiper  32
Semipalmated
Sandpiper  17
Laughing Gull  50
Ring-billed Gull  3
Herring Gull  5
Great Black-backed Gull  45
Least Tern  12
Common Tern  3
Forster's Tern  6
Royal Tern  9
Black Skimmer  13
Mourning Dove  6
American Crow  2
Fish Crow  7
Tree Swallow  35
Barn Swallow  4
Gray Catbird  1
Northern Mockingbird  3
Field Sparrow  1
Song Sparrow  3
Indigo Bunting  4
Red-winged Blackbird  10
Common Grackle  2
American Goldfinch  5
House Sparrow  3

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

Higbee Beach Birding - Friday, August 14th, 2015

Participants experienced Morning Flight (which starts August 15) as we watched birds from the platform at Higbee Dike. A cooperative Yellow-breasted Chat and a Yellow-billed Cuckoo delighted onlookers. Dr. La Puma explained what Morning Flight counters do to identify the small birds that whizzed by. A walk through the fields yielded a number of birds especially American Redstarts, Blue-gray Gnatcatchers, and Eastern Kingbirds. Leaders: David La Puma, Chris Marks, Hugh Simmons, and Catherine Busch.
43 species

Osprey  1
Semipalmated Sandpiper  6
Laughing Gull  10
Herring Gull  1
Great Black-backed Gull  6
Royal Tern  1
Rock Pigeon (Feral Pigeon)  5
Mourning Dove  4
Yellow-billed Cuckoo  1
Chimney Swift  1
Ruby-throated Hummingbird  3
Belted Kingfisher  1
Downy Woodpecker  1
Great Crested Flycatcher  2
Eastern Kingbird  13
White-eyed Vireo  3
Red-eyed Vireo  2
Blue Jay  1
American Crow  4
Tree Swallow  4
Barn Swallow  6
Carolina Chickadee  7
Tufted Titmouse  5
Carolina Wren  3
Blue-gray Gnatcatcher  12
American Robin  6
Gray Catbird  2
European Starling  1
Cedar Waxwing  6
Blue-winged Warbler  1
Black-and-white Warbler  1
American Redstart  14
Yellow Warbler  2
Yellow-breasted Chat  1
Field Sparrow  2
Northern Cardinal  2
Blue Grosbeak  1
Indigo Bunting  4
Red-winged Blackbird  35
Common Grackle  25
Brown-headed Cowbird  3
Baltimore Oriole  5
House Finch  8

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

Bird Walk for All People - Thursday, August 13th, 2015

It was a beautiful morning with abundant sunshine and light breeze. As we looked at a variety of gulls on the beach, we saw a pod of Bottle-nosed Dolphins off shore. Moving on to Bunker Pond, we found it filled with over 50 Mute Swans which discouraged other species. A Caspian Tern squawked and flew over along with a Belted Kingfisher. There was a large flock of Tree Swallows and several flocks of Red-winged Blackbirds overhead. The woods were quiet although we had decent looks at a Blue Grosbeak which was very difficult to find. We saw a Beautiful Black Swan which the Mute Swans seemed to be tolerating. Leaders: Chuck Slugg and Chris Marks.
47 species

Canada Goose  50
Mute Swan  57
Mallard  25
Double-crested Cormorant  3
Great Egret  2
Green Heron  1
Turkey Vulture  5
Osprey  3
Killdeer  3
Greater Yellowlegs  2
Lesser Yellowlegs  2
Sanderling  7
Least Sandpiper  16
Short-billed Dowitcher  1
Laughing Gull  40
Ring-billed Gull  2
Herring Gull  5
Great Black-backed Gull  35
Least Tern  16
Caspian Tern  1
Common Tern  2
Forster's Tern  7
Royal Tern  4
Rock Pigeon (Feral Pigeon)  1
Mourning Dove  7
Ruby-throated Hummingbird  1  seen by leader only
Belted Kingfisher  1
American Crow  1     heard
Fish Crow  5
Northern Rough-winged Swallow  1
Purple Martin  7
Tree Swallow  110
Barn Swallow  6
Carolina Chickadee  4
Carolina Wren  4     heard
Blue-gray Gnatcatcher  3
American Robin  4
Gray Catbird  1
Northern Mockingbird  3
Song Sparrow  2
Northern Cardinal  1
Blue Grosbeak  1
Indigo Bunting  1   heard
Red-winged Blackbird  150
Common Grackle  35
American Goldfinch  4
House Sparrow  5

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

E-Z Birding - Tuesday, August 11th, 2015

Threatening skies and thunderstorms on the way affected our itinerary for today's walk. Leaving our scopes behind, we walked down onto the beach for closer views of an array of terns and gulls on the beach including adult and juvenile Royal Terns, two Ring-billed Gulls, and a very spiffy adult Lesser Black-backed Gull at close range. Since we were there, we carried on down the beach for close looks at Black Skimmer and Least Terns which were somewhat difficult to pick-out amongst a very large gang of resident Canada Geese on the upper beach. The rest of the walk, we surveyed the plover ponds, the last trail's boardwalk, and finally Bunker Pond before a driving rain sent us back to the parking lot. This produced good looks at a number of shorebirds and the recently arrived Black Swan, a non-native from Australia, amongst the all-too-common non-native Mute Swans on Bunker Pond. Leaders: Catherine Busch, Chris Marks, and Steve Weis.

29 species

Canada Goose  100

Mute Swan  32

Black Swan  1     presumed escapee - possibly the bird that was seen at Forsythe?

Mallard  26

Great Blue Heron  1

Great Egret  2

Little Blue Heron  1     immature

Killdeer  2

Spotted Sandpiper  1

Greater Yellowlegs  2

Lesser Yellowlegs  4

Sanderling  8

Least Sandpiper  6

Short-billed Dowitcher  6

Laughing Gull  X

Ring-billed Gull  2

Herring Gull (American)  4

Lesser Black-backed Gull  1

Great Black-backed Gull  20

Least Tern  40

Common Tern  10

Forster's Tern  4

Royal Tern  9

Black Skimmer  4

Purple Martin  8

Tree Swallow  2

Barn Swallow  6

Carolina Wren  1

Red-winged Blackbird  4

View this checklist online at http://ebird.org/ebird/view/checklist?subID=S24586503

Birding the Meadows with Pete Dunne - Monday, August 10th, 2015

We started off in the parking lot with a singing Blue Grosbeak and ended there with a singing Indigo Bunting. Elsewhere, we had numerous shorebirds including Killdeer, Semipalmated Plover and Sandpiper, Least Sandpiper, Sanderling, both Yellowlegs, and Short-billed Dowitcher. On the beach, we had Royal Terns and at least six Lesser Black-backed Gulls. Leaders: Pete Dunne, Chuck Slugg, Karl Lukens, Janet Crawford, Carrie Bell, Mary Watkins, and Pat Perkins.
56 species

Canada Goose  100
Mute Swan  2
Mallard  20
Double-crested Cormorant  1
Great Blue Heron  2
Great Egret  3
Snowy Egret  32
Little Blue Heron  1     juv.
Glossy Ibis  2
Turkey Vulture  1
Osprey  4
American Oystercatcher  3
Semipalmated Plover  10
Killdeer  5
Spotted Sandpiper  2
Greater Yellowlegs  5
Lesser Yellowlegs  12
Sanderling  10
Least Sandpiper  20
Pectoral Sandpiper  1
Semipalmated Sandpiper  25
Short-billed Dowitcher  5
Laughing Gull  40
Ring-billed Gull  5
Herring Gull  5
Lesser Black-backed Gull  6
Great Black-backed Gull  15
Least Tern  3
Common Tern  2
Forster's Tern  5
Royal Tern  8
Black Skimmer  3
Mourning Dove  15
Ruby-throated Hummingbird  4
Fish Crow  10
Purple Martin  5
Tree Swallow  75
Barn Swallow  8
Carolina Chickadee  1
Carolina Wren  1
American Robin  3
Northern Mockingbird  3
European Starling  20
Yellow Warbler  2
Prairie Warbler  1
Field Sparrow  3
Song Sparrow  3
Northern Cardinal  2
Blue Grosbeak  1
Indigo Bunting  1
Red-winged Blackbird  10
Common Grackle  5
Brown-headed Cowbird  8
House Finch  1
American Goldfinch  5
House Sparrow  1

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

Little Blue Heron (juvenile), Snowy Egret, and Great Egret (from front to back) [Photo by Karl Lukens]

Fall Migrants at the Rea Farm - Saturday, August 8, 2015

It was so quiet in the parking lot at the Beanery this morning, we thought we might have to talk about plants! The Blue Grosbeak had stopped singing by the time the walk began, and though it was a lovely morning, it didn't seem very birdy. What was actually the case, however, was that birds were everywhere, but they were being very quiet with little singing or chipping. Ruby-throated Hummingbirds, Orchard Orioles and Yellow Warblers went zipping by. Snowy and Great Egrets flew in flocks against a mostly cloudy sky. Royal Terns were carrying fish overhead, and the pond held Black-crowned Night Heron, Green Heron and Belted Kingfisher. The Black-and-white Warbler and the Northern Waterthrush hanging out in the wet woods brought our warbler total to four including the Common Yellowthroats and Yellow Warblers. The fields are looking really good for meadowlarks and sparrows in coming weeks. Leaders: Kathy & Roger Horn, Karl Lukens, Deb Payson, Michael McCabe, and Barb Bassett.
51 species

Double-crested Cormorant  2
Great Egret  3
Snowy Egret  11
Green Heron  3
Black-crowned Night-Heron  2
Black Vulture  1
Turkey Vulture  2
Osprey  2
Killdeer  1
Laughing Gull  9
Forster's Tern  1
Royal Tern  2
Mourning Dove  8
Ruby-throated Hummingbird  7
Belted Kingfisher  1
Red-bellied Woodpecker  1
Downy Woodpecker  5
Northern Flicker (Yellow-shafted)  2
Great Crested Flycatcher  3
Eastern Kingbird  1
Blue Jay  1
American Crow  2
Fish Crow  2
Tree Swallow  2
Barn Swallow  11
Carolina Chickadee  6
Tufted Titmouse  1
House Wren  1
Carolina Wren  7
Blue-gray Gnatcatcher  1
American Robin  14
Gray Catbird  4
Northern Mockingbird  2
European Starling  20
Cedar Waxwing  5
Northern Waterthrush  1
Black-and-white Warbler  1
Common Yellowthroat  2
Yellow Warbler  8
Field Sparrow  4
Song Sparrow  1
Northern Cardinal  7
Blue Grosbeak  1
Indigo Bunting  6
Red-winged Blackbird  16
Common Grackle  5
Brown-headed Cowbird  75
Orchard Oriole  6
House Finch  3
American Goldfinch  3
House Sparrow  5

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

Bird Walk for All People - Thursday, August 6th, 2015

There are still Purple Martins, many just fledged, in the parking lot with a variety other swallows mixed in. On the beach, we had many terns including Royal, Forster's, Common, and Least. On the Plover Ponds we had a white-phase Little Blue Heron along with a few Least Sandpipers and a Green Heron. As we surveyed the beach from the second crossover, we had a large group of Black Skimmers loafing on the sand with a number of young-of-the-year Least Terns and American Oystercatchers. Canada Geese also went to the beach today. As we wended our way through the woods and marsh, we had a Blue Grosbeak in the middle of the trail where everyone could get a good look. Leaders: Chuck Slugg and Chris Marks.
54 species

Canada Goose  55
Mute Swan  35
Mallard  30
Great Blue Heron  1
Great Egret  3
Snowy Egret  1
Little Blue Heron 1
Green Heron  1
Glossy Ibis  20
Turkey Vulture  1
Osprey  5
American
Oystercatcher  6
Killdeer  4
Spotted Sandpiper  2
Lesser Yellowlegs  2
Sanderling  3
Least Sandpiper  6
Laughing Gull  35
Ring-billed Gull  4
Herring Gull  9
Great Black-backed Gull  40
Least Tern  25
Caspian Tern  1
Common Tern  27
Forster's Tern  12
Royal Tern  5
Black Skimmer  42
Rock Pigeon (Feral Pigeon)  3
Mourning Dove  7
Northern Flicker  1
Eastern Kingbird  1
Blue Jay  1     heard
American Crow  2
Fish Crow  3
Northern Rough-winged Swallow  5
Purple Martin  45
Tree Swallow  6
Barn Swallow  10
Carolina Chickadee  2     heard
Carolina Wren  2
American Robin  6
Northern Mockingbird  2
European Starling  5
Cedar Waxwing  6
Common Yellowthroat  1     heard
Song Sparrow  3
Northern Cardinal  1     heard
Blue Grosbeak  1
Indigo Bunting  2     heard
Red-winged Blackbird  30
Common Grackle  2
Orchard Oriole  2     heard
House Finch  5
House Sparrow  4

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

E-Z Birding - Tuesday, August 4th, 2015

Highlights this week include a growing collection of juvenile and adult terns on the beach, a singing Blue Grosbeak, and three Orchard Orioles chasing each other near the path. Leaders: Catherine Busch and Chris Marks.
42 species

Canada Goose  85
Mute Swan  32
Mallard  28
Great Blue Heron  1
Great Egret  3
Glossy Ibis  5
Osprey  2
American Oystercatcher  4
Spotted Sandpiper  1
Sanderling  6
Least Sandpiper  1
Laughing Gull  X
Herring Gull (American)  X
Great Black-backed Gull  12
Least Tern  X
Common Tern  X
Forster's Tern  X
Royal Tern  6
Black Skimmer  17
Rock Pigeon (Feral Pigeon)  5
Chimney Swift  3
Ruby-throated Hummingbird  2
Eastern Kingbird  4
White-eyed Vireo  1  heard
Purple Martin  40
Tree Swallow  16
Barn Swallow  8
Carolina Chickadee  4
Carolina Wren  2
American Robin  8
Northern Mockingbird  4
Cedar Waxwing  3
Common Yellowthroat  5
Yellow Warbler  1  heard
Song Sparrow  2
Northern Cardinal  6
Blue Grosbeak  1
Indigo Bunting  1
Red-winged Blackbird  X
Orchard Oriole  3
House Finch  5
American Goldfinch  4

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

Birding the Meadows with Pete Dunne - August 3rd, 2015

Good variety and numbers of shorebirds to scan and study. Species included Semipalmated, Least, Stilt, and one Pectoral Sandpiper, Killdeer, Semipalmated Plover, both Yellowlegs, and many Short-billed Dowitchers. Also a good number of Forster's, Common, and Least Terns in various plumages for an interesting study. Leaders: Pete Dunne, Chuck Slugg, Karl Lukens, Steve Weis, Janet Crawford, Pat Perkins, Carrie Bell, Deb Payson, and Mary Watkins.
60 species

Canada Goose  100
Mute Swan  6
American Wigeon  1
Mallard  50
Great Blue Heron  1
Great Egret  4
Snowy Egret  9
Green Heron  1
Black-crowned Night-Heron  1
Glossy Ibis  20
Osprey  5
American Oystercatcher  6
Semipalmated Plover  10
Killdeer  5
Spotted Sandpiper  1
Greater Yellowlegs  8
Lesser Yellowlegs  12
Stilt Sandpiper  2
Sanderling  30
Least Sandpiper  25
Pectoral Sandpiper  1
Semipalmated Sandpiper  20
Short-billed Dowitcher  30
Laughing Gull  40
Ring-billed Gull  5
Herring Gull  5
Great Black-backed Gull  15
Least Tern  10
Common Tern  15
Forster's Tern  20
Royal Tern  2
Black Skimmer  25
Rock Pigeon (Feral Pigeon)  5
Mourning Dove  15
Chimney Swift  2
Ruby-throated Hummingbird  2
Northern Flicker  1
Eastern Kingbird  1
Fish Crow  1
Purple Martin  10
Tree Swallow  50
Barn Swallow  10
Carolina Chickadee  2
Carolina Wren  1
Gray Catbird  1
Northern Mockingbird  2
European Starling  10
Cedar Waxwing  2
Northern Waterthrush  1
Common Yellowthroat  7
Yellow Warbler  2
Field Sparrow  1
Song Sparrow  3
Northern Cardinal  3
Red-winged Blackbird  15
Common Grackle  4
Brown-headed Cowbird  10
House Finch  5
American Goldfinch  5
House Sparrow  2

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

Short-billed Dowitchers [Photo by Karl Lukens] 

Birding Cape May Point - Saturday, August 1st, 2015

Tern numbers are increasing at the State Park. But as July fades to August, some of the features that distinguish tern species from each other begin to change. Common Terns are losing their gray-shaded chests, their bills are changing from mostly orange to mostly black, their capped look is receding and dark carpal bars are beginning to appear on lesser coverts. Forster's Terns are becoming unmistakable as a portion of their molt into non-breeding plumage involves losing all the black on the head except for a distinct eye patch. Royal Terns now lounging on the beach are distinguished by their larger size and the fact that they're the only birds on the beach having a bad hair day! Purple Martins can be seen and heard throughout the park, with begging fledglings from all those carefully tended "condos" off the parking lot, perched in trees and on fence posts. And the butterflying was good, too! Leaders: Kathy & Roger Horn, Karl Lukens, Cindy Bamford, and Deb Payson.
55 species

Canada Goose  65
Mute Swan  38
Mallard  17
Great Blue Heron  1
Great Egret  6
Turkey Vulture  2
Osprey  4
American Oystercatcher  2
Killdeer  4
Spotted Sandpiper  1
Lesser Yellowlegs  11
Sanderling  16
Least Sandpiper  5
Laughing Gull  42
Herring Gull (American)  7
Great Black-backed Gull  9
Least Tern  70
Common Tern  22
Forster's Tern  27
Royal Tern  7
Black Skimmer  24
Rock Pigeon (Feral Pigeon)  6
Mourning Dove  7
Ruby-throated Hummingbird  2
Downy Woodpecker  2
Northern Flicker (Yellow-shafted)  1
Eastern Wood-Pewee  1
Eastern Kingbird  3
White-eyed Vireo  1
American Crow  2
Northern Rough-winged Swallow  2
Purple Martin  48
Tree Swallow  23
Barn Swallow  4
Carolina Chickadee  4
House Wren  3
Carolina Wren  4
Blue-gray Gnatcatcher  2
American Robin  14
Gray Catbird  1
Northern Mockingbird  2
European Starling  9
Cedar Waxwing  8
Common Yellowthroat  6
Yellow Warbler  6
Song Sparrow  2
Northern Cardinal  7
Blue Grosbeak  2
Indigo Bunting  8
Red-winged Blackbird  12
Common Grackle  3
Brown-headed Cowbird  14
Orchard Oriole  2
House Finch  6
American Goldfinch  2

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

Purple Martin juvenile [Photo by Kathy Horn]

Red Admiral butterfly [Photo by Kathy Horn]

Sunset Birding at The Meadows - Friday, July 31st, 2015

Hot, humid, and "buggy" but the Blue Moon rising at the end was beautiful. As we gathered in the parking lot, there was a flock of American Goldfinches flying around with a few Purple Martins. We also watched the Osprey chick being fed. Shorebirds continue to migrate in, including Greater and Lesser Yellowlegs, Stilt Sandpiper, Semipalmated Plover and Sandpiper, Least Sandpiper, Killdeer, and Sanderlings on the beach. We had Black Skimmers skimming, American Oystercatchers peeping, and a mix of Great and Snowy Egrets. Leader: Chuck Slugg.
50 species

Canada Goose  40
Mute Swan  6
Mallard  18
Great Egret  4
Snowy Egret  6
Glossy Ibis  16
Osprey  5
American Oystercatcher  8
Semipalmated Plover  4
Killdeer  5
Spotted Sandpiper  1
Greater Yellowlegs  4
Lesser Yellowlegs  4
Stilt Sandpiper  4
Sanderling  13
Least Sandpiper 16
Semipalmated Sandpiper  5
Short-billed Dowitcher  4
Laughing Gull  30
Ring-billed Gull  6
Herring Gull  10
Great Black-backed Gull  25
Least Tern  20
Common Tern  4
Forster's Tern  6
Black Skimmer  14
Rock Pigeon (Feral Pigeon)  3
Mourning Dove  14
Chimney Swift  1
Eastern Kingbird  1
Fish Crow  3
Northern Rough-winged Swallow  1
Purple Martin  20
Tree Swallow  6
Barn Swallow  5
American Robin  6
Gray Catbird  2
Northern Mockingbird  3
Cedar Waxwing  15
Common Yellowthroat  5     heard
Field Sparrow  1
Song Sparrow  2
Northern Cardinal  4
Blue Grosbeak  1    heard
Indigo Bunting  2     heard
Red-winged Blackbird  14
Common Grackle  1
Brown-headed Cowbird  2
American Goldfinch  15
House Sparrow  5

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

Bird Walk for All People - Thursday, July 30th, 2015

On the beach, we had a mixed flock of terns including Royal, Common, Forster's, and Least with one Least Tern chick. At one point, the sky was filled with hundreds of Tree Swallows along with some Purple Martins and Barn and Northern Rough-winged Swallows. Bunker Pond was over-filled with Mute Swans squeezing out other species. While on the dune looking at Black Skimmers and American Oystercatchers, we had a very dark Peregrine Falcon fly over causing all the birds on Bunker Pond to jump in the air. In the woods, we had several Yellow Warblers, calling Common Yellowthroats, Indigo Bunting, Yellow-breasted Chat, Orchard Oriole, and a number of Carolina Chickadees. Leaders: Chuck Slugg and Chris Marks.
51 species

Canada Goose  85
Mute Swan  40
Mallard  24
Great Blue Heron 1
Great Egret  3
Glossy Ibis  10
Osprey  4
American Oystercatcher  5
Killdeer  1     heard
Lesser Yellowlegs  1
Least Sandpiper  15
Laughing Gull  45
Ring-billed Gull  3
Herring Gull  6
Great Black-backed Gull  25
Least Tern  35
Common Tern  4
Forster's Tern  20
Royal Tern  11
Black Skimmer  38
Rock Pigeon (Feral Pigeon)  1
Mourning Dove  5
Ruby-throated Hummingbird  3
Northern Flicker  1
Peregrine Falcon  1
Eastern Kingbird  1   heard
Fish Crow  2
Northern Rough-winged Swallow  2
Purple Martin  50
Tree Swallow  200     Starting to gather for migration by the Cape May Lighthouse and
streaming down the dune in a large flock.
Barn Swallow  5
Carolina Chickadee 5
Carolina Wren  1     heard
American Robin  6
Gray Catbird  2
Northern Mockingbird  4
European Starling  7
Cedar Waxwing  6
Common Yellowthroat  5  heard
Yellow Warbler  3
Yellow-breasted Chat  2     heard
Field Sparrow  2   heard
Song Sparrow  2
Northern Cardinal  2
Indigo Bunting  2
Red-winged Blackbird  12
Common Grackle  1
Brown-headed Cowbird  2     heard
Orchard Oriole  1
American Goldfinch  1     heard
House Sparrow  4

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

E-Z Birding - Tuesday, July 28th, 2015

Another sultry summer day birding at Cape May Point State Park. Participants on today's walk, visitors to the area, were interested in the varied habitats from dune, wetlands, and maritime woods. We enjoyed beach nesters, many Black Skimmer, returning shorebirds, a single Green Heron, comparison views of our resident blue birds -- Indigo Bunting and Blue Grosbeak -- and a female Orchard Oriole foraging in the blooming Swamp Rose Mallow. We were also able to examine the difference between Forster's and Common Terns perched on the Bunker Pond railing. Leaders: Catherine Busch and Chris Marks.
45 species

Canada Goose  26
Mute Swan  27
Mallard  8
Green Heron  1
Osprey  1
American Oystercatcher  3
Killdeer  1
Greater Yellowlegs  2
Least Sandpiper  3
Laughing Gull  X
Herring Gull  1
Great Black-backed Gull  1
Least Tern  25
Common Tern  16
Forster's Tern  22
Royal Tern  6
Black Skimmer  62
Rock Pigeon (Feral Pigeon)  3
Mourning Dove  2
Ruby-throated Hummingbird  2
Downy Woodpecker  2
Northern Flicker  1
Blue Jay  1
Purple Martin  30
Tree Swallow  12
Barn Swallow  3
Carolina Chickadee  5
Carolina Wren  2
American Robin  3
Gray Catbird  2
Northern Mockingbird  5
European Starling  3
Cedar Waxwing  3
Common Yellowthroat  6
Yellow Warbler  3
Yellow-breasted Chat  1     Heard
Field Sparrow  1
Song Sparrow  2
Northern Cardinal  4
Blue Grosbeak  1
Indigo Bunting  3
Red-winged Blackbird  X
Common Grackle  4
Orchard Oriole  1
American Goldfinch  3

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

Birding the Meadows with Pete Dunne - Monday, July 27th, 2015

Cloudy with a light rain, just enough to be annoying, but still birds to be seen. A singing Blue Grosbeak at the start, and a number of singing Common Yellowthroats seen. Lots of Mallards and Canada Geese were around, as well as a few shorebirds such as Least and Semipalmated Sandpipers, a couple Spotted Sandpipers and one Stilt Sandpiper. Both Yellowlegs were also present. On the beach with the usual gulls were at least five Lesser Black-backed Gulls.  Leaders: Pete Dunne, Chuck Slugg, Karl Lukens, Mary Watkins, Deb Payson, and Pat Perkins.
56 species

Canada Goose  100
Mute Swan  4
Mallard  35
Great Egret  1
Snowy Egret  1
Green Heron  1
Glossy Ibis  26
Osprey  3
American Oystercatcher  8
Semipalmated Plover  4
Killdeer  3
Spotted Sandpiper  2
Greater Yellowlegs  3
Lesser Yellowlegs  5
Stilt Sandpiper  1
Sanderling  15
Least Sandpiper  10
Semipalmated Sandpiper  15
Short-billed Dowitcher  6
Laughing Gull  100
Ring-billed Gull  6
Herring Gull  5
Lesser Black-backed Gull  5
Great Black-backed Gull  15
Least Tern  10
Common Tern  5
Forster's Tern  10
Royal Tern  10
Black Skimmer  10
Rock Pigeon (Feral Pigeon)  1
Mourning Dove  15
Chimney Swift  2
Ruby-throated Hummingbird  6
Eastern Kingbird  3
American Crow  5
Northern Rough-winged Swallow  1
Purple Martin  4
Tree Swallow  8
Barn Swallow  5
American Robin  1
Gray Catbird  5
Northern Mockingbird  2
European Starling  10
Common Yellowthroat  7
Yellow Warbler  1
Field Sparrow  1
Song Sparrow  5
Northern Cardinal  3
Blue Grosbeak  1
Red-winged Blackbird  20
Common Grackle  3
Brown-headed Cowbird  15
Orchard Oriole  2
House Finch  4
American Goldfinch  5
House Sparrow  5

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

Stilt Sandpiper [Photo by Karl Lukens]