Cox Hall Creek WMA - Sunday, August 28th, 2016

Though the parking lot seemed quiet, there were a lot of birds at CHC this morning, both breeders and migrants. Several Blue Grosbeaks, male and female, seemed to be enjoying soaking up the sun so we had ample opportunity to scope-view them. A Blue-winged Warbler popped briefly into view amidst a small group of warblers moving through the trees, given away by the singing Pine Warblers. The day's 'Cuteness Award' went to the three Eastern Kingbird "babies," perched shoulder-to-shoulder with their bright gapes open in hopes of food from the nearby parent, making tiny, sparky kingbird sounds. Leaders: Kathy Horn, Roger Horn, Janet Crawford, Shaun Bamford, and Cindy Bamford.
41 species

Canada Goose  1
Osprey  3
Cooper's Hawk  1
Bald Eagle  2
Laughing Gull  3
Mourning Dove  5
Chimney Swift  1
Ruby-throated Hummingbird  3
Belted Kingfisher  1
Red-bellied Woodpecker  1
Downy Woodpecker  3
Eastern Wood-Pewee  1
Great Crested Flycatcher  2
Eastern Kingbird  4
White-eyed Vireo  2
Blue Jay  5
American Crow  4
Purple Martin  5
Tree Swallow  3
Carolina Chickadee  5
Tufted Titmouse  4
White-breasted Nuthatch  2
Carolina Wren  4
Blue-gray Gnatcatcher  2
American Robin  6
Gray Catbird  5
European Starling  20
Blue-winged Warbler  1
Common Yellowthroat  1
American Redstart  1
Pine Warbler  3
Chipping Sparrow  6
Song Sparrow  1
Eastern Towhee  1
Northern Cardinal  9
Blue Grosbeak  4
Indigo Bunting  2
Red-winged Blackbird  15
Brown-headed Cowbird  26
House Finch  2
American Goldfinch  4

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

Juvenile Eastern Kingbird "agape" [Photo by Roger Horn]

Fall Migrants at the Rea Farm - Saturday, August 27th, 2016

Even though a small front passed through, the winds went NE and there wasn't much in the way of new migrants with the exception of Baltimore Orioles. We had 11 orioles with good views. A brief look at five Wood Ducks on the Willow Ponds was enjoyable. One Yellow Warbler was probably a migrant. Leaders: Karl Lukens, Kyle Chelius, Michael McCabe, and Hugh Simmons.
33 species

Canada Goose  20
Wood Duck  5     4 female, 1 male
Mallard  4
Double-crested Cormorant  13
Black Vulture  2
Turkey Vulture  6
Osprey  3
Killdeer  5
Laughing Gull  3
Mourning Dove  15
Chimney Swift  3
Ruby-throated Hummingbird  3
Downy Woodpecker  1
Eastern Kingbird  1
American Crow  1
Fish Crow  1
Purple Martin  8
Carolina Wren  5
American Robin  5
Northern Mockingbird  2
European Starling  25
Cedar Waxwing  7
Yellow Warbler  1
Northern Cardinal  2
Blue Grosbeak  1
Bobolink  1
Red-winged Blackbird  10
Common Grackle  10
Brown-headed Cowbird  5
Baltimore Oriole  11
House Finch  2
American Goldfinch  2
House Sparrow  1

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

Higbee Beach - Friday, August 26th, 2016

Leaders:  David La Puma, Chris Marks, Catherine Busch, and Mary Watkins.
40 species

Northern Bobwhite  1     Heard
Great Egret  1
Osprey  2
Mourning Dove  4
Ruby-throated Hummingbird  2
Belted Kingfisher  1
Red-bellied Woodpecker  3
Downy Woodpecker  4
Great Crested Flycatcher  3
Eastern Kingbird  12
White-eyed Vireo  5
Red-eyed Vireo  2
Blue Jay  3
Purple Martin  3
Tree Swallow  4
Bank Swallow  1     Seen by a few
Carolina Chickadee  3
Tufted Titmouse  4
Red-breasted Nuthatch  1
Carolina Wren  4
Blue-gray Gnatcatcher  8
American Robin  4
Gray Catbird  3
Northern Mockingbird  2
European Starling  2
Cedar Waxwing  3
Worm-eating Warbler  1     Seen by a few
Northern Waterthrush  1     Heard
Blue-winged Warbler  1     seen by a few
Black-and-white Warbler  4
Common Yellowthroat  2
American Redstart  14
Eastern Towhee  1
Northern Cardinal  3
Indigo Bunting  1
Bobolink  6
Red-winged Blackbird  8
Common Grackle  4
Baltimore Oriole  2
American Goldfinch  4

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

Bird Walk for All People - Thursday, August 25th, 2016

Highlights of the walk were: Black Terns mixed with Forster's and Common Terns; large flocks of Tree Swallows gathering; large flock of Eastern Kingbirds, one of which was almost on the back of an Osprey while chasing it; and Snowy and Great Egrets with a Great Blue Heron. Leaders: Chuck Slugg, Chris Marks, and Karl Lukens.
40 species

Canada Goose 14
Mute Swan 11
Mallard 10
Great Blue Heron 1
Great Egret 5
Snowy Egret 3
Osprey 3
American Oystercatcher 2
Semipalmated Plover 4
Least Sandpiper 7
Pectoral Sandpiper 1
Semipalmated Sandpiper 3
Short-billed Dowitcher 13
Greater Yellowlegs 1 heard
Lesser Yellowlegs 3
Laughing Gull 250
Herring Gull 1
Great Black-backed Gull 10
Black Tern 3
Common Tern 45
Forster's Tern 40
Royal Tern 4
Black Skimmer 1 heard
Rock Pigeon (Feral Pigeon) 2
Mourning Dove 4
Eastern Kingbird 11
Fish Crow 5
Northern Rough-winged Swallow 3
Purple Martin 5
Tree Swallow 120
Barn Swallow 8
Carolina Chickadee 2 heard
Carolina Wren 3 heard
American Robin 1 heard
Northern Mockingbird 4
European Starling 6
Song Sparrow 2
Red-winged Blackbird 4
American Goldfinch 2
House Sparrow 2

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

Semipalmated and Least Sandpiper [Photo by Karl Lukens]

Birding the Meadows with Pete Dunne - Monday, August 22nd, 2016

A cooler and less humid day, and a cold front with NW winds, brought some migrants. We had several Yellow Warblers, and a Blue-gray Gnatcatcher. Many waders such as Great and Snowy Egrets, Great Blue Heron, and one Tricolored Heron, some flying overhead. Lots of Sanderlings on the beach as well as American Oystercatchers, and several Lesser Black-backed Gulls. Also had the usual terns plus two Black Terns, five Royal Terns and one Caspian Tern. Leaders: Pete Dunne, Chuck Slugg, Karl Lukens, Steve Weis, Mary Watkins, Pat Perkins, and Deb Payson.
55 species

Canada Goose  15
Mute Swan  10
Mallard  60
Blue-winged Teal  6
Pied-billed Grebe  1
Great Blue Heron  3
Great Egret  2
Snowy Egret  32
Green Heron  1
Black Vulture  4
Turkey Vulture  3
Osprey  4
American Oystercatcher  10
Killdeer  3
Ruddy Turnstone  1
Sanderling  50
Least Sandpiper  30
Semipalmated Sandpiper  10
Spotted Sandpiper  1
Lesser Yellowlegs  5
Laughing Gull  20
Ring-billed Gull  3
Herring Gull  5
Lesser Black-backed Gull  3
Great Black-backed Gull  10
Caspian Tern  1
Black Tern  2
Common Tern  15
Forster's Tern  15
Royal Tern  5
Rock Pigeon (Feral Pigeon)  5
Mourning Dove  12
Ruby-throated Hummingbird  1
Eastern Kingbird  1
American Crow  1
Fish Crow  2
Purple Martin  2
Tree Swallow  25
Barn Swallow  25
Carolina Chickadee  1
Carolina Wren  2
Blue-gray Gnatcatcher  1
American Robin  1
Gray Catbird  1
Northern Mockingbird  2
European Starling  25
Yellow Warbler  2
Northern Cardinal  2
Indigo Bunting  2
Bobolink  1     heard
Red-winged Blackbird  15
Common Grackle  10
House Finch  1
American Goldfinch  2
House Sparrow  2

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

Sanderling [Photo by Karl Lukens]

Fall Migrants at the Rea Farm - Saturday, August 20th, 2016

Hot and humid and a few migrants around including American Redstarts, Yellow Warblers, Blue-gray Gnatcatchers, and a couple of Empidonax Flycatchers, one ID'd as a Least Flycatcher. A couple of local breeders were also seen, i.e., Indigo Bunting, Yellow-billed Cuckoo, and Great Crested Flycatcher. Leaders: Karl Lukens, Barb Bassett, Michael McCabe, and Kyle Chelius.
42 species (+1 other taxa)

Canada Goose  80
Mallard  8
Double-crested Cormorant  1
Great Blue Heron  1
Turkey Vulture  2
Osprey  2
Killdeer  2
Laughing Gull  5
Herring Gull  3
Rock Pigeon (Feral Pigeon)  3
Mourning Dove  10
Yellow-billed Cuckoo  2
Chimney Swift  1
Ruby-throated Hummingbird  2
Red-bellied Woodpecker  1
Downy Woodpecker  3
Least Flycatcher  1
Empidonax sp.  1
Great Crested Flycatcher  2
Blue Jay  1
American Crow  2
Fish Crow  1
Purple Martin  8
Barn Swallow  1
Carolina Chickadee  1
Tufted Titmouse  2
House Wren  1
Carolina Wren  4
Blue-gray Gnatcatcher  2
American Robin  1
Gray Catbird  4
Northern Mockingbird  1
European Starling  5
Black-and-white Warbler  2

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

Higbee Beach Birding - Friday, August 19th, 2016

Leaders:  David La Puma, Brett Ewald, Chris Marks, Catherine Busch, and Kirsten Fuller.
39 species

Northern Bobwhite (Eastern)  1     Heard
Great Egret  2
Osprey  3
Laughing Gull  12
Rock Pigeon (Feral Pigeon)  2
Mourning Dove  4
Yellow-billed Cuckoo  1     Heard
Chimney Swift  2
Ruby-throated Hummingbird  3
Belted Kingfisher  1
Red-bellied Woodpecker  3
Downy Woodpecker  2
Great Crested Flycatcher  4
Eastern Kingbird  16
White-eyed Vireo  1
Red-eyed Vireo  1
Blue Jay  2
Purple Martin  4
Barn Swallow  1
Carolina Chickadee  2
Tufted Titmouse  3
Carolina Wren  5
Blue-gray Gnatcatcher  8
American Robin  12
Gray Catbird  1
Cedar Waxwing  3
Worm-eating Warbler  1     Seen by a few
Blue-winged Warbler  3
Black-and-white Warbler  4
American Redstart  12
Yellow Warbler  4
Chestnut-sided Warbler  1
Canada Warbler  1     Seen by a few
Northern Cardinal  2
Bobolink  3
Red-winged Blackbird  48
Orchard Oriole  1
Baltimore Oriole  1
American Goldfinch  4

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

Bird Walk for All People - Thursday, August 18th, 2016

In spite of the heat and humidity there was a phenomenal number of both Snowy and Great Egrets and Tricolored Herons. There was a huge number of terns on the beach including the usual mix and one Black Tern. There were so many birds on Bunker Pond that we never got into the park trails. Leaders: Chuck Slugg, Chris Marks, Deb Payson, and Karl Lukens.
43 species

Canada Goose 5
Mute Swan 10
Mallard 7
Black Scoter 3
Double-crested Cormorant 2
Great Blue Heron 5
Great Egret 29
Snowy Egret 58
Tricolored Heron 13
Black-crowned Night-Heron 1
Glossy Ibis 10
Osprey 5
Bald Eagle 1
American Oystercatcher 3
Semipalmated Plover 4
Killdeer 5
Sanderling 1
Least Sandpiper 15
Semipalmated Sandpiper 6
Greater Yellowlegs 1
Lesser Yellowlegs 1 heard
Laughing Gull 70
Herring Gull 4
Great Black-backed Gull 13
Least Tern 10
Black Tern 1
Common Tern 40
Forster's Tern 25
Royal Tern 5
Black Skimmer 3
Rock Pigeon (Feral Pigeon) 3
Mourning Dove 6
Ruby-throated Hummingbird 2
Belted Kingfisher 1
Purple Martin 30
Tree Swallow 200
Barn Swallow 6
Northern Mockingbird 1
Yellow Warbler 4
Song Sparrow 2
Blue Grosbeak 1 heard
Red-winged Blackbird 3
House Sparrow 2

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

Birding the Meadows with Pete Dunne - Monday, August 15th, 2016

A couple of migrating warblers were seen including two Northern Waterthrush, American Redstart, Yellow Warbler and Blue-gray Gnatcatcher. Still no "Grasspipers" but we did have Semipalmated Plover, Killdeer, Semipalmated and Least Sandpiper, also Pectoral Sandpiper and one White-rumped Sandpiper. Several Lesser Black-backed Gulls were on the beach as well as American Oystercatchers and Sanderling. Over head we had four Broad-winged Hawks. Leaders: Pete Dunne, Chuck Slugg, Karl Lukens, Steve Weis, Pat Perkins, and Warren Cairo.
59 species

Canada Goose  20
Mute Swan  15
Mallard  20
Double-crested Cormorant  1
Great Egret  3
Snowy Egret  4
Little Blue Heron  2
Green Heron  1
Glossy Ibis  1
Black Vulture  4
Turkey Vulture  5
Osprey  5
Broad-winged Hawk  4
American Oystercatcher  6
Semipalmated Plover  8
Killdeer  4
Sanderling  18
Least Sandpiper  10
White-rumped Sandpiper  1
Pectoral Sandpiper  2
Semipalmated Sandpiper  6
Lesser Yellowlegs  4
Laughing Gull  18
Ring-billed Gull  5
Herring Gull  2
Lesser Black-backed Gull  3
Great Black-backed Gull  8
Common Tern  1
Forster's Tern  10
Royal Tern  2
Black Skimmer  4
Rock Pigeon (Feral Pigeon)  3
Mourning Dove  4
Chimney Swift  1
Ruby-throated Hummingbird  1
Eastern Kingbird  2
Blue Jay  1
American Crow  1
Fish Crow  4
Purple Martin  1
Tree Swallow  10
Barn Swallow  10
Carolina Wren  1
Blue-gray Gnatcatcher  2
Gray Catbird  1
Northern Mockingbird  4
European Starling  15
Northern Waterthrush  2
Common Yellowthroat  2
American Redstart  1
Yellow Warbler  1
Song Sparrow  2
Northern Cardinal  1
Indigo Bunting  1
Bobolink  5
Red-winged Blackbird  200
Common Grackle  5
House Finch  3
House Sparrow  5

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

American Oystercatcher [Photo by Karl Lukens]

Pectoral Sandpipers (left), White-rumped, and Lesser Yellowlegs [Photo by Karl Lukens]

Birding Cape May Point - Saturday, August 13th, 2016

The highlight of this morning's bird walk wasn't a bird at all. It was the black rat snake with a mouthful of muskrat, as seen in the photo below. Rat snakes kill by constriction and this one eventually dragged his prey further into the grasses to continue his food prep. Some bird highlights included a very cooperative male Blue Grosbeak, a Pectoral Sandpiper feeding with some Least Sandpipers and Stilt Sandpipers. Leaders: Kathy Horn, Roger Horn, Karl Lukens, and Kyle Chelius.
49 species

Canada Goose  25
Mute Swan  45
Mallard  42
Great Blue Heron  3
Great Egret  10
Glossy Ibis  1
Black Vulture  1
Turkey Vulture  1
Osprey  3
American Oystercatcher  3
Semipalmated Plover  4
Killdeer  4
Stilt Sandpiper  2
Sanderling  2
Least Sandpiper  9
Pectoral Sandpiper  1
Semipalmated Sandpiper  18
Short-billed Dowitcher  22
Spotted Sandpiper  2
Lesser Yellowlegs  5
Laughing Gull  130
Great Black-backed Gull  15
Least Tern  48
Common Tern  22
Forster's Tern  25
Royal Tern  1
Mourning Dove  9
Red-bellied Woodpecker  1
Downy Woodpecker  2
Eastern Kingbird  1
Blue Jay  1
American Crow  1
Purple Martin  15
Tree Swallow  15
Barn Swallow  4
Carolina Chickadee  5
Tufted Titmouse  2
Carolina Wren  7
American Robin  3
Gray Catbird  1
Northern Mockingbird  1
European Starling  43
Cedar Waxwing  2
Common Yellowthroat  2
Song Sparrow  1
Northern Cardinal  4
Blue Grosbeak  1
Red-winged Blackbird  8
American Goldfinch  3

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

Stilt Sandpipers [Photo by Roger Horn]

Black Rat Snake devouring a Muskrat [Photo by Roger Horn]

Birds Before Dinner - Friday, August 12th, 2016

The sea breeze helped turn a hot and muggy evening into a pleasant birding walk at the Meadows. Sandpipers and waders are concentrated in the center pool due to the recent dry spell and low water conditions.  Most of the Purple Martins have left, perhaps to have joined the enormous flock staging up along the Maurice River, where the 15th Annual Purple Martin Spectacular takes place this weekend and next.
Leaders: Kathy & Roger Horn
42 species

Canada Goose  45
Mute Swan  30
Gadwall  1
Mallard  30
Great Egret  2
Snowy Egret  2
Osprey  4
American Oystercatcher  3
Semipalmated Plover  14
Killdeer  4
Least Sandpiper  25
Semipalmated Sandpiper  90
Spotted Sandpiper  2
Greater Yellowlegs  2
Lesser Yellowlegs  7
Laughing Gull  85
Herring Gull (American)  3
Great Black-backed Gull  2
Common Tern  7
Forster's Tern  2
Royal Tern  3
Black Skimmer  2
Mourning Dove  6
Chimney Swift  1
Eastern Kingbird  2
Purple Martin  3
Tree Swallow  1
Barn Swallow  8
Carolina Wren  2
Gray Catbird  2
Northern Mockingbird  5
European Starling  20
Cedar Waxwing  2
Common Yellowthroat  1
Field Sparrow  1
Song Sparrow  1
Northern Cardinal  2
Red-winged Blackbird  10
Orchard Oriole  1
House Finch  1
American Goldfinch  6
House Sparrow  10

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

Bird Walk for All People - Thursday, August 11th, 2016

Highlights of the walk were: a good mix of terns including Common, Least, Forster's, and Royal; shorebirds coming in, including Stilt Sandpiper, and flyover Sanderlings in full breeding plumage; Belted Kingfisher flyover; and a Peregrine Falcon clutching what looked like a Least Tern in its talons. Leaders: Chuck Slugg, Chris Marks, & Karl Lukens.
44 species

Canada Goose 9
Mute Swan 17
Mallard 12
Great Blue Heron 1
Great Egret 7
Snowy Egret 3
Glossy Ibis 7
Osprey 3
American Oystercatcher 5
Stilt Sandpiper 1
Sanderling 13
Least Sandpiper 10
Semipalmated Sandpiper 6
Short-billed Dowitcher 9
Spotted Sandpiper 2
Lesser Yellowlegs 3
Laughing Gull 50
Great Black-backed Gull 25
Least Tern 35
Common Tern 35
Forster's Tern 25
Royal Tern 4
Black Skimmer 1 heard
Rock Pigeon (Feral Pigeon) 4
Mourning Dove 5
Chimney Swift 3
Belted Kingfisher 1
Peregrine Falcon 1
Blue Jay 1 heard
Northern Rough-winged Swallow 2
Purple Martin 50
Tree Swallow 25
Barn Swallow 4
Carolina Chickadee 2 heard
Carolina Wren 4 heard
American Robin 4
Northern Mockingbird 5
European Starling 6
Song Sparrow 3
Northern Cardinal 2 heard
Blue Grosbeak 1 heard
Red-winged Blackbird 14
American Goldfinch 7
House Sparrow 1

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

Birding Cape May Point - Saturday, August 6th, 2016

Terns are sitting on the beach, fishing in the rips and loafing on the rails at the State Park. It's a great time to study them in many poses and plumages. Both Solitary and Spotted Sandpipers are also migrating through the area now and they can be seen and compared along the pond edges at the State Park.  Leaders: Kathy Horn, Roger Horn, Karl Lukens, Kyle Chelius, and Cindy Bamford.
47 species

Canada Goose  36
Mute Swan  6
Mallard  30
Great Blue Heron  1
Great Egret  1
Turkey Vulture  2
Osprey  3
American Oystercatcher  4
Semipalmated Plover  3
Killdeer  4
Spotted Sandpiper  2
Solitary Sandpiper  1
Lesser Yellowlegs  8
Least Sandpiper  19
Pectoral Sandpiper  1
Semipalmated Sandpiper  6
Laughing Gull  80
Herring Gull (American)  1
Great Black-backed Gull  9
Least Tern  12
Common Tern  12
Forster's Tern  25
Black Skimmer  2
Rock Pigeon (Feral Pigeon)  5
Mourning Dove  4
Chimney Swift  1
Ruby-throated Hummingbird  1
Downy Woodpecker  1
Eastern Kingbird  4
Fish Crow  2
Purple Martin  18
Tree Swallow  15
Barn Swallow  5
Carolina Chickadee  3
Carolina Wren  7
American Robin  3
Gray Catbird  2
Northern Mockingbird  2
European Starling  6
Cedar Waxwing  7
Common Yellowthroat  5
Song Sparrow  1
Northern Cardinal  3
Indigo Bunting  1
Red-winged Blackbird  12
American Goldfinch  3
House Sparrow  2

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

Pectoral Sandpiper [Photo by Roger Horn]

Birds Before Dinner - Friday, August 5th, 2016

How often do you get to see the inaugural flight of a bird with a 5-foot wingspan? We did tonight, soon after one of the two young Osprey on the east path platform practiced vigorous flapping, then periods of hovering directly over the nest, before taking off for a flight around the nest and back. Shorebird numbers are building with many Least Sandpipers and a smattering of other shorebirds. And you have to look closely at the Snowy Egrets now, because some of them are Little Blue Herons!
Leaders: Kathy Horn, Roger Horn, and Bert Hixon.
45 species

Canada Goose  25
Mute Swan  6
Mallard  13
Brown Pelican  14    
Great Blue Heron  1
Great Egret  2
Snowy Egret  9
Little Blue Heron  2
Glossy Ibis  1
Osprey  4
American Oystercatcher  5
Semipalmated Plover  2
Killdeer  8
Spotted Sandpiper  3
Greater Yellowlegs  1
Lesser Yellowlegs  9
Least Sandpiper  24
Semipalmated Sandpiper  7
Short-billed Dowitcher  3
Laughing Gull  75
Herring Gull (American)  4
Great Black-backed Gull  6
Least Tern  4
Common Tern  6
Forster's Tern  18
Black Skimmer  4
Mourning Dove  6
Ruby-throated Hummingbird  1
Fish Crow  5
Purple Martin  3
Tree Swallow  6
Barn Swallow  2
Carolina Wren  2
American Robin  4
Northern Mockingbird  2
European Starling  40
Cedar Waxwing  13
Field Sparrow  2
Song Sparrow  3
Northern Cardinal  1
Red-winged Blackbird  16
Orchard Oriole  1
House Finch  1
American Goldfinch  4
House Sparrow  5

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

Juvenile Osprey's first flight! [Photo by Roger Horn]

Bird Walk for All People - Thursday, August 4th, 2016

Highlights of the walk were: a mix of Common, Forster's, and Least Terns with good views for comparisons; a white-phase Little Blue Heron and a Snowy Egret next to each other; Canada Geese with some having angel wings (juvenile bird deformed and unable to fly); and a good mix of shorebirds in Bunker Pond. Leaders: Chuck Slugg, Chris Marks, Carrie Bell, and Karl Lukens.
40 species

Canada Goose 35
Mute Swan 57
Mallard 15
Great Egret 1
Snowy Egret 4
Little Blue Heron 2
Glossy Ibis 18
Osprey 3
American Oystercatcher 3
Semipalmated Plover 3
Killdeer 2
Greater Yellowlegs 2
Lesser Yellowlegs 4
Stilt Sandpiper 1
Least Sandpiper 5
Semipalmated Sandpiper 6
Short-billed Dowitcher 4
Laughing Gull 100
Great Black-backed Gull 2
Least Tern 5
Common Tern 75
Forster's Tern 35
Rock Pigeon (Feral Pigeon) 3
Mourning Dove 7
American Crow 1 heard
Northern Rough-winged Swallow 1
Purple Martin 40
Tree Swallow 1
Carolina Chickadee 6 heard
Carolina Wren 3 heard
American Robin 1 heard
Northern Mockingbird 3
Cedar Waxwing 5 heard
Common Yellowthroat 2 heard
Field Sparrow 2 heard
Song Sparrow 3
Northern Cardinal 2 heard
Red-winged Blackbird 3
American Goldfinch 4
House Sparrow 3

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

Short-billed Dowitcher, Lesser Yellowlegs, and Stilt Sandpiper [Photo by Karl Lukens]

Birding the Meadows with Pete Dunne - Monday, August 1st, 2016

A hot, cloudy morning with a good number of shorebirds to scan. Several times we had Greater and Lesser Yellowlegs, Stilt Sandpiper and Short-billed Dowitchers in close proximity providing good comparisons. One American Oystercatcher is still on nest with at least one egg. We also had nice views of juvenile Little Blue Herons and Snowy Egrets. The young Ospreys look like they are about ready to leave the nest. Leaders: Pete Dunne, Chuck Slugg, Karl Lukens, Janet Crawford, and Pat Perkins.
60 species

Canada Goose  15
Mute Swan  4
Mallard  20
Wild Turkey  1
Great Egret  2
Snowy Egret  16
Little Blue Heron  2
Black-crowned Night-Heron  1
Glossy Ibis  11
Turkey Vulture  1
Osprey  6
American Oystercatcher  7
Semipalmated Plover  8
Piping Plover  1
Killdeer  3
Spotted Sandpiper  1
Greater Yellowlegs  3
Lesser Yellowlegs  10
Stilt Sandpiper  6
Sanderling  20
Least Sandpiper  20
White-rumped Sandpiper  1     seen by leader
Semipalmated Sandpiper  25
Short-billed Dowitcher  8
Laughing Gull  15
Ring-billed Gull  2
Herring Gull  4
Lesser Black-backed Gull  1
Great Black-backed Gull  8
Least Tern  3
Common Tern  8
Forster's Tern  4
Royal Tern  2
Black Skimmer  6
Mourning Dove  8
Chimney Swift  4
Ruby-throated Hummingbird  2
Belted Kingfisher  1     heard by a few
Northern Flicker  1
Fish Crow  2
Northern Rough-winged Swallow  1
Purple Martin  10
Tree Swallow  50
Barn Swallow  10
Carolina Wren  2
American Robin  1
Gray Catbird  3
Northern Mockingbird  3
European Starling  15
Common Yellowthroat  6
Field Sparrow  2
Song Sparrow  3
Northern Cardinal  3
Blue Grosbeak  2
Indigo Bunting  2
Red-winged Blackbird  12
Common Grackle  5
Orchard Oriole  2
House Finch  1
American Goldfinch  5
House Sparrow  2

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

Piping Plover [Photo by Karl Lukens]

Juvenile Little Blue Heron [Photo by Karl Lukens]

Birding Cape May Point - Saturday, July 30th, 2016

It's like midsummer turning to fall at the State Park. Fledgling Purple Martins are out and about, brown-tinged young Terns are hanging out at the beach, speckle-breasted robins are in the woods and shorebirds are feeding along pond edges. The Little Blue Heron is white now, and the seven young Wood Ducks back on Al's Pond didn't look quite as spectacular as they soon will. The American Avocet, reported to be at the Meadows earlier in the morning, was a real treat to see on Bunker Pond at the end of the walk. Leaders: Kathy Horn, Roger Horn, Karl Lukens, and Kyle Chelius.
55 species

Canada Goose  16
Mute Swan  72
Wood Duck  7
Mallard  23
Great Blue Heron  2
Great Egret  6
Snowy Egret  5
Little Blue Heron  1
Glossy Ibis  4
Turkey Vulture  1
Osprey  3
American Avocet  1     Continuing bird
American Oystercatcher  4
Killdeer  6
Spotted Sandpiper  5
Lesser Yellowlegs  5
Least Sandpiper  14
Semipalmated Sandpiper  9
Short-billed Dowitcher  5
Laughing Gull  35
Herring Gull (American)  3
Great Black-backed Gull  9
Least Tern  10
Common Tern  12
Forster's Tern  18
Royal Tern  1
Black Skimmer  2
Rock Pigeon (Feral Pigeon)  3
Mourning Dove  4
Downy Woodpecker  1
Northern Flicker (Yellow-shafted)  1
Eastern Kingbird  1
American Crow  2
Fish Crow  4
Purple Martin  13
Tree Swallow  1
Barn Swallow  3
House Wren  1
Carolina Wren  5
American Robin  15
Northern Mockingbird  2
European Starling  4
Cedar Waxwing  4
Common Yellowthroat  8
Field Sparrow  1
Song Sparrow  2
Northern Cardinal  4
Blue Grosbeak  1
Indigo Bunting  3
Red-winged Blackbird  12
Brown-headed Cowbird  2
Orchard Oriole  1
House Finch  1
American Goldfinch  5
House Sparrow  12

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

Birds Before Dinner - Friday, July 29th, 2016

Conditions at the Meadows are good for shorebirds right now, with mudflats and enough water for feeding. Among the ten shorebird species we saw were three Stilt Sandpipers and a Pectoral Sandpiper. Spotted Sandpipers seem to be on the move and many of them are now spotless. Ducks, most of which molt twice a year, are in their basic, or eclipse, plumage now so it's more difficult than usual to separate the Mallards from the Gadwall which now breed locally. Leaders: Kathy & Roger Horn.
44 species

Canada Goose  22
Mute Swan  6
Gadwall  4
Mallard  34
Double-crested Cormorant  2
Great Egret  7
Snowy Egret  7
Black-crowned Night-Heron  1
Glossy Ibis  13
Turkey Vulture  1
Osprey  3
American Oystercatcher  1
Semipalmated Plover  8
Killdeer  7
Spotted Sandpiper  6
Greater Yellowlegs  1
Lesser Yellowlegs  22
Stilt Sandpiper  3
Least Sandpiper  78
Pectoral Sandpiper  1
Semipalmated Sandpiper  18
Short-billed Dowitcher  22
Laughing Gull  90
Herring Gull (American)  3
Great Black-backed Gull  25
Least Tern  3
Common Tern  6
Forster's Tern  8
Black Skimmer  2
Mourning Dove  8
Ruby-throated Hummingbird  1
Purple Martin  9
Barn Swallow  2
Carolina Wren  1
American Robin  1
Northern Mockingbird  1
European Starling  8
Common Yellowthroat  3
Field Sparrow  4
Song Sparrow  1
Red-winged Blackbird  8
Common Grackle  5
American Goldfinch  4
House Sparrow  2

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

Bird Walk for All People - Thursday, July 28th, 2016

Hot and very humid; overcast and foggy at times. Part of the trails at the State Park were blocked for repairs to boardwalks. Some highlights of the walk were: a flock of flyover Glossy Ibis, good looks at a Stilt Sandpiper, and close looks at Black Skimmer and American Oystercatcher at Bunker Pond. Leaders: Chuck Slugg, Chris Marks, and Karl Lukens.
38 species

Canada Goose 35
Mute Swan 57
Mallard 15
Great Blue Heron 1
Great Egret 1
Glossy Ibis 14
Osprey 2
American Oystercatcher 3
Killdeer 5
Lesser Yellowlegs 4
Stilt Sandpiper 1
Least Sandpiper 8
Semipalmated Sandpiper 3
Short-billed Dowitcher 1
Laughing Gull 35
Great Black-backed Gull 3
Least Tern 25
Common Tern 75
Forster's Tern 75
Black Skimmer 3
Rock Pigeon (Feral Pigeon) 3
Mourning Dove 4
Chimney Swift 3
Northern Rough-winged Swallow 1
Purple Martin 60
Tree Swallow 2
Barn Swallow 1
Carolina Wren 1 heard
Northern Mockingbird 4
European Starling 7
Common Yellowthroat 6 heard
Song Sparrow 3
Northern Cardinal 4
Blue Grosbeak 1
Indigo Bunting 1 heard
Red-winged Blackbird 7
House Finch 2
House Sparrow 1

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

Juvenile Purple Martins [Photo by Karl Lukens]

Birding the Meadows with Pete Dunne - Monday, July 25th, 2016

Good waders including Great Blue, Green, Little Blue (juvenile), and Black-crowned Night-Herons, Great and Snowy Egrets, and Glossy Ibis. On the beach we had at least six Lesser Black-backed Gulls, and several American Oystercatchers including one still on nest. A few shore birds were also present on the mud flats. Leaders: Pete Dunne, Chuck Slugg, Karl Lukens, Pat Perkins, and Barb Bassett.
55 species

Canada Goose  60
Mute Swan  7
Mallard  25
Great Blue Heron  1
Great Egret  4
Snowy Egret  10
Little Blue Heron  1     juv.
Green Heron  1
Black-crowned Night-Heron  1
Glossy Ibis  2
Osprey  6
American Oystercatcher  5
Killdeer  4
Spotted Sandpiper  1
Solitary Sandpiper  1
Greater Yellowlegs  2
Lesser Yellowlegs  10
Sanderling  8
Least Sandpiper  15
Pectoral Sandpiper  1
Semipalmated Sandpiper  8
Short-billed Dowitcher  4
Laughing Gull  25
Ring-billed Gull  2
Herring Gull  2
Lesser Black-backed Gull  6
Great Black-backed Gull  15
Least Tern  5
Common Tern  5
Forster's Tern  10
Royal Tern  1
Black Skimmer  3
Mourning Dove  5
Chimney Swift  4
Ruby-throated Hummingbird  8
American Crow  1
Purple Martin  20
Tree Swallow  4
Barn Swallow  4
Carolina Wren  1
American Robin  1
Gray Catbird  1
Northern Mockingbird  3
European Starling  5
Common Yellowthroat  6
Field Sparrow  1
Song Sparrow  4
Northern Cardinal  3
Blue Grosbeak  2
Indigo Bunting  1     heard
Red-winged Blackbird  15
Common Grackle  5
House Finch  6
American Goldfinch  4
House Sparrow  3

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

American Oystercatcher [Photo by Karl Lukens]

Immature Lesser Black-backed Gull [Photo by Karl Lukens]

Osprey adult and juveniles [Photo by Karl Lukens]

Birding Cape May Point - Saturday, July 23rd, 2016

A very hot and humid day, but still some birds to be found. Shorebirds along the ponds or fly-over included Least Sandpiper, Greater and Lesser Yellowlegs, and several Short-billed Dowitchers. On the beach we found a pair of American Oystercatchers with at least one chick. Leaders: Karl Lukens and Kyle Chelius.
39 species

Canada Goose  35
Mute Swan  60
Mallard  50
Great Blue Heron  2
Great Egret  4
Snowy Egret  1
Glossy Ibis  1
Osprey  6
Killdeer  5
Greater Yellowlegs  3
Lesser Yellowlegs  10
Least Sandpiper  10
Short-billed Dowitcher  5     fly-over
Laughing Gull  30
Herring Gull  2
Great Black-backed Gull  15
Common Tern  30
Forster's Tern  15
Rock Pigeon (Feral Pigeon)  8
Mourning Dove  5
Chimney Swift  3
Northern Flicker  1
Purple Martin  40
Tree Swallow  1
Barn Swallow  6
Carolina Wren  3
American Robin  1
Gray Catbird  1
Northern Mockingbird  3
European Starling  5
Common Yellowthroat  5
Field Sparrow  1     heard
Song Sparrow  3
Northern Cardinal  2
Indigo Bunting  1     heard
Red-winged Blackbird  10
Common Grackle  3
American Goldfinch  1
House Sparrow  3

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

Greater and Lesser Yellowlegs [Photo by Karl Lukens]

Birds Before Dinner - Friday, July 22nd, 2016

A typically sultry late July evening walk through the Meadows provided good looks at a variety of birds including a pair of Great Crested Flycatchers on along the dune path, a single Pectoral Sandpiper, and a many terns resting on the middle pond along with one Black Skimmer. Leaders: Bert Hixon, Catherine Busch, and BJ Pinnock.
39 species (+1 other taxa)

Canada Goose  X
Mallard  X
Black Scoter  1
Double-crested Cormorant  3
Great Egret  4
Snowy Egret  5
Green Heron  1
Glossy Ibis  1
Osprey  5
American Oystercatcher  6
Killdeer  4
Spotted Sandpiper  2
Greater Yellowlegs  1
Lesser Yellowlegs  3
Least Sandpiper  X
Pectoral Sandpiper  1
Semipalmated Sandpiper  X
Short-billed Dowitcher  8
Laughing Gull  X
Herring Gull  X
Great Black-backed Gull  X
Least Tern  X
Forster's Tern  X
Black Skimmer  1
Mourning Dove  4
Chimney Swift  2
Ruby-throated Hummingbird  3
Great Crested Flycatcher  2
crow sp.  X
Purple Martin  X
Tree Swallow  X
Barn Swallow  X
Carolina Wren  1
Gray Catbird  3
Northern Mockingbird  2
European Starling  X
Common Yellowthroat  10
Field Sparrow  4
Red-winged Blackbird  X
American Goldfinch  X

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

Bird Walk for All People - Thursday, July 21st, 2016

A exploration of the different habitats gave us views of a nice variety of species. The “railing” gave the opportunity to discuss the differences between Common and Forster’s Terns as well as juvenile versus adult plumages. Leaders: Chris Marks and Karl Lukens.
41 species

Canada Goose  38
Mute Swan  57
Mallard  18
Great Blue Heron  1
Great Egret  3
Black-crowned Night-Heron  1
Glossy Ibis  16
Osprey  3
American Oystercatcher  8
Killdeer  3
Lesser Yellowlegs  3
Least Sandpiper  2
Laughing Gull  X
Great Black-backed Gull  12
Least Tern  1
Common Tern  14
Forster's Tern  16
Royal Tern  5
Rock Pigeon (Feral Pigeon)  2
Mourning Dove  3
Chimney Swift  1
Ruby-throated Hummingbird  2
Belted Kingfisher  1     Seen by a few end of walk
Downy Woodpecker  1
Eastern Kingbird  2
Fish Crow  2
Purple Martin  32
Tree Swallow  2
Barn Swallow  3
Carolina Chickadee  2
House Wren  1
Carolina Wren  4
Gray Catbird  1
Northern Mockingbird  3
Common Yellowthroat  6
Song Sparrow  2
Northern Cardinal  2
Red-winged Blackbird  X
House Finch  4
American Goldfinch  6
House Sparrow  4

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

Eastern Kingbird [Photo by Karl Lukens]

Birds Before Beach - Tuesday, July 19th, 2016

This morning’s walk included a nice variety of the expected birds of the summer season. Participants were amazed at the number of terns and gulls resting on the beach which required careful observations to differentiate the different species. Leaders: Chris Marks and Kirsten Fuller.
26 species

Canada Goose  78
Mute Swan  64
Mallard  18
Great Blue Heron  3
Great Egret  1
Osprey  3
American Oystercatcher  1
Killdeer  4
Lesser Yellowlegs  3
Least Sandpiper  2
Short-billed Dowitcher  5
Laughing Gull  X
Herring Gull  3
Great Black-backed Gull  2
Common Tern  12
Forster's Tern  22
Royal Tern  6
Mourning Dove  2
Purple Martin  42
Tree Swallow  5
Carolina Wren  1
Northern Mockingbird  3
European Starling  2
Common Yellowthroat  3
Song Sparrow  1
House Sparrow  3

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

Birding the Meadows with Pete Dunne - Monday, July 18th, 2016

Numerous singing Common Yellowthroats with one seen well. Lots of shorebirds both feeding and flying over, including 12 Stilt Sandpipers, 10 Short-billed Dowitchers, and at least one Western Sandpiper. A fly-by Peregrine Falcon and a Cooper's Hawk as well as two Caspian Terns were also seen. An unusual tern with black bill, reddish legs, white forehead, and no carpal bar, made us think  -- Common or Roseate!! Leaders: Pete Dunne, Karl Lukens, Steve Weis, Warren Cairo, Pat Perkins, Barb Bassett, and Mary Watkins.
54 species

Canada Goose  75
Mute Swan  1
Mallard  30
Great Egret  2
Snowy Egret  4
Green Heron  3
Glossy Ibis  3
Osprey  7
Cooper's Hawk  1
American Oystercatcher  8
Killdeer  4
Spotted Sandpiper  1
Greater Yellowlegs  3
Lesser Yellowlegs  10
Stilt Sandpiper  12
Least Sandpiper  30
Semipalmated Sandpiper  15
Western Sandpiper  1
Short-billed Dowitcher  10
Laughing Gull  25
Ring-billed Gull  1
Herring Gull  4
Great Black-backed Gull  15
Least Tern  1
Caspian Tern  2
Common Tern  15     1 w/white forehead and black bill, no carpal ?? possible Roseate?
Forster's Tern  10
Rock Pigeon (Feral Pigeon)  3
Mourning Dove  10
Chimney Swift  3
Downy Woodpecker  1
Peregrine Falcon  1
American Crow  1
Fish Crow  1
Purple Martin  15
Tree Swallow  1
Barn Swallow  4
Carolina Chickadee  2
Carolina Wren  1
American Robin  3
Northern Mockingbird  3
European Starling  4
Common Yellowthroat  6
Prairie Warbler  1     heard
Field Sparrow  1
Song Sparrow  3
Northern Cardinal  4
Red-winged Blackbird  15
Common Grackle  10
Brown-headed Cowbird  4
Orchard Oriole  2
House Finch  2
American Goldfinch  6
House Sparrow  5

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

Ring-billed Gull [Photo by Karl Lukens]

Common, "mystery," and Forster's Terns [Photo by Karl Lukens]

Birding Cape May Point - Saturday, July 16th, 2016

A hot and humid day with some good birds. A few fly-over shorebirds were seen such as several small flocks of Least Sandpipers, a flock of Lesser Yellowlegs, and one Greater Yellowlegs. On the beach were a pair of American Oystercatchers with at least one chick. We also had a couple Indigo Buntings and perched and singing Field and Song Sparrows. Leaders: Karl Lukens and Kyle Chelius.
44 species

Canada Goose  75
Mute Swan  80
Mallard  20
Surf Scoter  1
Great Blue Heron  1
Great Egret  1
Turkey Vulture  1
Osprey  6
American Oystercatcher  3     1 chick
Killdeer  5
Spotted Sandpiper  2
Greater Yellowlegs  1
Lesser Yellowlegs  11
Least Sandpiper  15
Laughing Gull  30
Herring Gull  1
Great Black-backed Gull  15
Common Tern  3
Forster's Tern  10
Mourning Dove  15
Chimney Swift  1
Northern Flicker  1
Fish Crow  1
Northern Rough-winged Swallow  4
Purple Martin  30
Tree Swallow  1
Barn Swallow  1
Carolina Chickadee  1
Carolina Wren  5
American Robin  2
Gray Catbird  2
Northern Mockingbird  3
European Starling  5
Common Yellowthroat  6
Field Sparrow  1
Song Sparrow  2
Northern Cardinal  2
Indigo Bunting  2
Red-winged Blackbird  15
Common Grackle  10
Brown-headed Cowbird  3
House Finch  2
American Goldfinch  1
House Sparrow  2

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

Bird Walk for All People - Thursday, July 14th, 2016

Signs of fall migration are in the air as we watched a number of small groups of Short-billed Dowitchers and Least Sandpipers flying over in small groups. Most of our migratory shorebirds nest in the Arctic, where the breeding season is quite short, which helps to explain their early southward movement. Some may head south in June if their first attempt at nesting fails, because there may not be time, in the brief Arctic summer, for a second attempt. In a number of species, one member of the pair will leave before the young are full-grown (or even before the eggs hatch), leaving the other parent to finish raising them. Leaders:  Chris Marks, Shaun Bamford, and Karl Lukens.
34 species

Canada Goose  42
Mute Swan  67
Gadwall  2
Mallard  12
Double-crested Cormorant  2
Great Blue Heron  1
Great Egret  2
Snowy Egret  1
Black-crowned Night-Heron  1
Osprey  2
American Oystercatcher  4     1 young
Killdeer  4
Spotted Sandpiper  2
Lesser Yellowlegs  2
Least Sandpiper  2
Short-billed Dowitcher  12
Laughing Gull  X
Great Black-backed Gull  X
Common Tern  4
Forster's Tern  32
Mourning Dove  4
Chimney Swift  1
Purple Martin  32
House Wren  1
American Robin  6
Gray Catbird  1
Northern Mockingbird  3
European Starling  1
Common Yellowthroat  6
Song Sparrow  1
Northern Cardinal  4
Red-winged Blackbird  X
Common Grackle  4
House Sparrow  2

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

Birding the Meadows with Pete Dunne - Monday, July 11th, 2016

Shorebirds are beginning to increase with sightings of Least and Semipalmated Sandpipers, Short-billed Dowitchers, Lesser Yellowlegs, Spotted Sandpiper, and Killdeer. Besides the usual gulls on the beach, we had two Lesser Black-backed Gulls, and three Ring-billed Gulls. Terns included Forster's and Common with 5-6 juveniles. A few people at the end of the group briefly saw a juvenile Virginia Rail. Leaders: Pete Dunne, Karl Lukens, Steve Weis, Warren Cairo, Barb Bassett, Janet Crawford, and Pat Perkins.
53 species

Canada Goose  100
Mute Swan  2
Gadwall  2
Mallard  30
Double-crested Cormorant  1
Great Blue Heron  2
Great Egret  2
Snowy Egret  3
Green Heron  3
Glossy Ibis  10
Black Vulture  3
Turkey Vulture  2
Osprey  7
Virginia Rail  1     Juv. - seen by some
American Oystercatcher  4
Killdeer  4
Spotted Sandpiper  1
Lesser Yellowlegs  2
Least Sandpiper  13
Semipalmated Sandpiper  1
Short-billed Dowitcher  12     Fly-over 2 groups
Laughing Gull  30
Ring-billed Gull  3
Lesser Black-backed Gull  2
Great Black-backed Gull  15
Common Tern  25
Forster's Tern  15
Black Skimmer  2
Mourning Dove  10
Northern Flicker  1
Eastern Kingbird  1
Blue Jay  1
Fish Crow  1
Purple Martin  20
Tree Swallow  1
Barn Swallow  5
Carolina Wren  2
American Robin  1
Gray Catbird  1
Northern Mockingbird  3
European Starling  5
Common Yellowthroat  6
Field Sparrow  1
Song Sparrow  5
Northern Cardinal  1
Blue Grosbeak  2     fly-by - seen by a few
Indigo Bunting  2
Red-winged Blackbird  15
Common Grackle  5
Orchard Oriole  1     seen by a few
House Finch  2
American Goldfinch  2
House Sparrow  4

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

Lesser Black-backed Gull [Photo by Karl Lukens]

Osprey female and young [Photo by Karl Lukens]

Birding Cape May Point - Saturday, July 9, 2016

While we saw many cool birds on this morning's walk - a nest of House Finches by the hawk watch, an early Black Scoter off the beach, young American Oystercatchers among the dune grasses, beautiful Wood Ducks on Lighthouse Pond East, a male Indigo Bunting gleaming again a pine trunk - the non-bird critters almost outdid them. We watched a Red-eared Slider laying eggs along the path, a Gray Tree Frog leapt off a park sign as a snake started up the post toward it, and Red Admiral butterflies were landing at our feet along the boardwalk.  Leaders: Kathy & Roger Horn, Karl Lukens, Kyle Chelius, and Cindy Bamford.
54 species

Canada Goose  15
Mute Swan  56
Wood Duck  2
Gadwall  3
Mallard  24
Black Scoter  1
Great Blue Heron  1
Great Egret  3
Snowy Egret  2
Black-crowned Night-Heron  2
Glossy Ibis  18
Turkey Vulture  2
Osprey  4
American Oystercatcher  7
Killdeer  12
Spotted Sandpiper  2
Greater Yellowlegs  1
Lesser Yellowlegs  1
Least Sandpiper  3
Laughing Gull  22
Herring Gull (American)  3
Great Black-backed Gull  9
Least Tern  6
Common Tern  18
Forster's Tern  11
Black Skimmer  5
Rock Pigeon (Feral Pigeon)  3
Mourning Dove  11
Chimney Swift  3
Northern Flicker  1
Fish Crow  3
Northern Rough-winged Swallow  1
Purple Martin  22
Tree Swallow  2
Barn Swallow  3
Carolina Chickadee  1
White-breasted Nuthatch  1
House Wren  1
Carolina Wren  6
American Robin  6
Gray Catbird  3
Northern Mockingbird  3
Cedar Waxwing  3
Common Yellowthroat  8
Yellow Warbler  1
Field Sparrow  1
Song Sparrow  3
Northern Cardinal  4
Indigo Bunting  2
Red-winged Blackbird  19
Common Grackle  6
Brown-headed Cowbird  2
House Finch  6
American Goldfinch  2

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

Southern Gray Tree Frog [Photo by Roger Horn]

Red Admiral [Photo by Roger Horn]

Red-eared Slider laying eggs [Photo by Kathy Horn]

Birds Before Dinner - Friday, July 8th, 2016

The Meadows held a few surprises this evening. We were hoping to see the Common Gallinule that had been seen there sporadically for a few weeks and there it was, walking out of the grasses until it was in full view, looking especially large in the cloudy evening light. Then we noticed some rapid movement and fluttering, something feathered jumping up and down, flying back and forth crazily- and there was a young Virginia Rail, not all black and fluffy but not in adult plumage either. Virginia Rails, it turns out, eat mostly insects, crayfish and snails and this little guy was jumping up to catch bugs and chasing them across the mudflat. It eventually settled down for a bit of preening and we got Really.Good.Looks.  Leaders: Kathy & Roger Horn, Bert Hixon, BJ Pinnock, and Beth Freiday.
49 species

Canada Goose  45
Mute Swan  2
Gadwall  11
Mallard  25
Great Blue Heron  2
Great Egret  4
Snowy Egret  5
Green Heron  1
Glossy Ibis  14
Osprey  4
Virginia Rail  1
Common Gallinule  1
Killdeer  12
Spotted Sandpiper  3
Greater Yellowlegs  1
Least Sandpiper  6
Short-billed Dowitcher  16
Laughing Gull  75
Herring Gull (American)  8
Great Black-backed Gull  14
Caspian Tern  1
Common Tern  2
Forster's Tern  14
Black Skimmer  11
Mourning Dove  2
Chimney Swift  6
Eastern Kingbird  2
American Crow  2
Fish Crow  3
Northern Rough-winged Swallow  2
Purple Martin  7
Tree Swallow  3
Barn Swallow  7
Carolina Wren  2
American Robin  5
Gray Catbird  2
Northern Mockingbird  2
European Starling  1
Cedar Waxwing  5
Common Yellowthroat  11
Song Sparrow  3
Eastern Towhee  1
Northern Cardinal  4
Red-winged Blackbird  15
Common Grackle  18
Brown-headed Cowbird  2
Orchard Oriole  1
American Goldfinch  2
House Sparrow  3

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

Common Gallinule [Photo by Roger Horn]

Juvenile Virginia Rail [Photo by Roger Horn]

Bird Walk for All People - Thursday, July 7th, 2016

Out first heat wave of the summer did not deter our group from exploring the State Park habitats. We were able to observe many birds resting on the beach and ponds. We discussed how birds stay cool since they do not perspire. Birds have no sweat glands, heat is lost through the respiratory tract by panting, or in non-passerines by the rapid vibration of the upper throat and thin floor of the mouth ("gular flutter"). Leaders:  Chris Marks and Shaun Bamford.
45 species (+1 other taxa)

Canada Goose  48
Mute Swan  69
Gadwall  2
Mallard  8
American Black Duck x Mallard (hybrid)  1
Great Blue Heron  1
Great Egret  1
Snowy Egret  3
Black-crowned Night-Heron  1
Glossy Ibis  17
Turkey Vulture  2
Osprey  4
American Oystercatcher  1
Killdeer  3
Laughing Gull  18
Herring Gull  5
Great Black-backed Gull  22
Least Tern  2
Common Tern  3
Forster's Tern  18
Rock Pigeon (Feral Pigeon)  4
Mourning Dove  6
Red-bellied Woodpecker  1     Seen by a few
Blue Jay  1
American Crow  2
Fish Crow  3
Purple Martin  36
Tree Swallow  4
Carolina Chickadee  3
House Wren  1     Heard
Carolina Wren  3
American Robin  5
Gray Catbird  1
Northern Mockingbird  2
European Starling  6
Common Yellowthroat  4
Pine Warbler  2
Song Sparrow  1
Northern Cardinal  2
Indigo Bunting  2     Female seen 1 heard
Red-winged Blackbird  14
Common Grackle  8
Brown-headed Cowbird  4
House Finch  3
American Goldfinch  2
House Sparrow  4

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

Birding the Meadows with Pete Dunne - Monday, July 4th, 2016

Fall migration has started with the appearance of three Least Sandpipers, two Lesser Yellowlegs, and one heard Greater Yellowlegs. Could not find any young American Oystercatchers but found one adult, on nest with eggs, very close to the east beach path. Other birds of interest were 10 fly-over Great Blue Herons, and an adult Common Gallinule. Leaders: Pete Dunne, Karl Lukens, Janet Crawford, and Pat Perkins.
51 species

Canada Goose  100
Mute Swan  1
Gadwall  4
Mallard  35
Hooded Merganser  1     fly-over
Great Blue Heron  11
Great Egret  1
Snowy Egret  1
Green Heron  3
Black-crowned Night-Heron  1
Osprey  8
Common Gallinule  1     adult
American Oystercatcher  6     one on nest w/eggs
Killdeer  4
Spotted Sandpiper  3
Greater Yellowlegs  1     heard
Willet  1
Lesser Yellowlegs  2
Least Sandpiper  3
Laughing Gull  30
Ring-billed Gull  1
Herring Gull  5
Lesser Black-backed Gull  2
Great Black-backed Gull  15
Common Tern  5
Forster's Tern  15
Black Skimmer  1
Mourning Dove  8
Chimney Swift  4
Ruby-throated Hummingbird  1
Hairy Woodpecker  1     fly-by
Fish Crow  1
Purple Martin  20
Tree Swallow  1
Barn Swallow  3
American Robin  2
European Starling  5
Cedar Waxwing  2
Common Yellowthroat  4
Prairie Warbler  1
Field Sparrow  1     heard
Song Sparrow  3
Northern Cardinal  3
Indigo Bunting  2
Red-winged Blackbird  15
Common Grackle  8
Brown-headed Cowbird  1
Orchard Oriole  1     adult male singing
House Finch  5
American Goldfinch  2
House Sparrow  2

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

American Oystercatcher on nest [Photo by Karl Lukens]

Common Gallinule [Photo by Karl Lukens]

Birding Cape May Point - Saturday, July 2nd, 2016

A beautiful day for birding with the usual suspects. Mute Swans becoming more numerous with 60+ on Bunker Pond. Shorebirds were few but we did have two Spotted Sandpipers, a couple of American Oystercatchers, and Lesser Yellowlegs which probably just arrived from the north. We finally got good looks at singing Indigo Bunting and House Wren. Heard and briefly saw an adult male Orchard Oriole. Leaders: Karl Lukens, Kyle Chelius, & Cindy Bamford.
42 species

Canada Goose  10
Mute Swan  60
Gadwall  2
Mallard  10
Double-crested Cormorant  4
Great Egret  2
Glossy Ibis  4
Black Vulture  1
Osprey  7
American Oystercatcher  2
Killdeer  2
Spotted Sandpiper  2
Lesser Yellowlegs  1
Laughing Gull  25
Herring Gull  5
Great Black-backed Gull  10
Common Tern  1
Forster's Tern  8
Rock Pigeon (Feral Pigeon)  2
Mourning Dove  8
Chimney Swift  4
Downy Woodpecker  1
American Crow  1
Northern Rough-winged Swallow  1
Purple Martin  35
Tree Swallow  1
Barn Swallow  8
Carolina Chickadee  5
House Wren  1
Carolina Wren  3
American Robin  10
Northern Mockingbird  2
European Starling  10
Common Yellowthroat  3
Song Sparrow  3
Northern Cardinal  3
Indigo Bunting  2
Red-winged Blackbird  15
Common Grackle  10
Brown-headed Cowbird  2
House Finch  2
House Sparrow  2

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

Juvenile Barn Swallow [Photo by Karl Lukens]

Red-winged Blackbird [Photo by Karl Lukens]

Bird Walk for All People - Thursday, June 30th, 2016

A lovely, warm summer day in the park gave us the opportunity to watch multiple Osprey hunting for food. Osprey are unable to dive to more than about three feet below the water's surface, Ospreys gravitate toward shallow fishing grounds, frequenting deep water only where fish school near the surface. The average time they spend hunting before making a catch is about 12 minutes. Leaders: Chris Marks, Karl Lukens, & Shaun Bamford.
37 species

Canada Goose  93
Mute Swan  57
Mallard  8
Great Blue Heron  1
Great Egret  1
Glossy Ibis  5
Turkey Vulture  2
Osprey  4
American Oystercatcher  5
Killdeer  2
Laughing Gull  8
Great Black-backed Gull  24
Common Tern  1
Forster's Tern  5
Rock Pigeon (Feral Pigeon)  3
Mourning Dove  4
Ruby-throated Hummingbird  1
Eastern Kingbird  1
Purple Martin  36
Tree Swallow  4
Barn Swallow  2
Carolina Chickadee  3
House Wren  1
Carolina Wren  3
American Robin  10
Northern Mockingbird  1
European Starling  8
Cedar Waxwing  2
Common Yellowthroat  4
Yellow-breasted Chat  1     Heard by leader
Song Sparrow  2
Northern Cardinal  3
Indigo Bunting  2
Red-winged Blackbird  12
Common Grackle  6
Brown-headed Cowbird  4
House Finch  5

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

Birding the Meadows with Pete Dunne - Monday, June 27th, 2016

Waders included an early fly-by Green Heron, three Snowy Egrets, two Great Egrets and one Great Blue Heron. On the beach we did have three American Oystercatchers and among the usual Gulls one Lesser Black-backed Gull. Most interesting and unusual were an adult Spotted Sandpiper with two very young chicks indicating that they bred here. Leaders: Pete Dunne, Chuck Slugg, Karl Lukens, Steve Weis, Pat Perkins, Mary Watkins, Barb Bassett, & Warren Cairo.
47 species

Canada Goose  80
Mute Swan  1
Gadwall  3
Mallard  25
Black Scoter  4
Double-crested Cormorant  6
Great Blue Heron  1
Great Egret  2
Snowy Egret  3
Green Heron  1
Glossy Ibis  7
Turkey Vulture  1
Osprey  7
American Oystercatcher  3
Killdeer  3
Spotted Sandpiper  3     adult + 2 chicks! Breeders here.!
Willet  1
Laughing Gull  25
Herring Gull  4
Lesser Black-backed Gull  1
Great Black-backed Gull  10
Forster's Tern  10
Black Skimmer  2
Mourning Dove  12
Yellow-billed Cuckoo  1
Chimney Swift  2
American Crow  1
Fish Crow  3
Purple Martin  20
Barn Swallow  3
Carolina Wren  1
American Robin  2
Gray Catbird  1
Northern Mockingbird  3
European Starling  20
Cedar Waxwing  2
Common Yellowthroat  4
Prairie Warbler  1
Field Sparrow  1
Song Sparrow  3
Northern Cardinal  1
Red-winged Blackbird  15
Common Grackle  15
Brown-headed Cowbird  1
Orchard Oriole  3
American Goldfinch  3
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]

Birds Before Dinner - Friday, June 24th, 2016

Leaders: Bert Hixon and B. J. Pinnock.
54 species

Canada Goose  40
Gadwall  2
American Black Duck  12     2 broods
Mallard  15     1 brood
Double-crested Cormorant  3
Great Blue Heron  1
Great Egret  2
Snowy Egret  4
Green Heron  2
Glossy Ibis  1
Turkey Vulture  2
Osprey  7
American Oystercatcher  7
Killdeer  4
Spotted Sandpiper  3
Willet  1
Least Sandpiper  3
Laughing Gull  50
Herring Gull  5
Great Black-backed Gull  40
Least Tern  2
Common Tern  5
Forster's Tern  25
Black Skimmer  1
Rock Pigeon (Feral Pigeon)  1
Mourning Dove  4
Great Horned Owl  2     visible in sun-lit woods east of East Path; possible breeders
Chimney Swift  5
Ruby-throated Hummingbird  1
Downy Woodpecker  1
Northern Flicker  2
Eastern Kingbird  1
American Crow  4
Fish Crow  24
Northern Rough-winged Swallow  1
Purple Martin  20
Tree Swallow  2
Barn Swallow  5
Marsh Wren  1
Carolina Wren  2
American Robin  3
Gray Catbird  1
Northern Mockingbird  2
European Starling  3
Song Sparrow  2
Eastern Towhee  1
Northern Cardinal  1
Blue Grosbeak  1
Red-winged Blackbird  12
Common Grackle  4
Orchard Oriole  1
House Finch  1
American Goldfinch  2
House Sparrow  1

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

Bird Walk for All People - Thursday, June 23rd, 2016

A damp walk was brightened with the number of birds seen carrying food to hatched young as we tried to find the breeding birds in the park. We were rewarded with young fledgling American Robins foraging for food with their parents. American Robins eat large numbers of both invertebrates and fruit. Particularly in spring and summer, they eat large numbers of earthworms as well as insects and some snails.  Leaders:  Chris Marks and Karl Lukens.
43 species

Canada Goose  26
Mute Swan  45
Gadwall  2
Mallard  6
Great Egret  2
Snowy Egret  2
Black Vulture  2
Turkey Vulture  3
Osprey  3
Killdeer  3
Laughing Gull  12
Herring Gull (American)  6
Great Black-backed Gull  6
Least Tern  5
Forster's Tern  8
Royal Tern  2
Rock Pigeon (Feral Pigeon)  5
Mourning Dove  4
Chimney Swift  3
American Crow  2
Fish Crow  3
Northern Rough-winged Swallow  3
Purple Martin  35
Tree Swallow  6
Barn Swallow  4
Carolina Chickadee  4
House Wren  1
Carolina Wren  3
American Robin  6
Gray Catbird  1
Northern Mockingbird  2
European Starling  4
Cedar Waxwing  3
Common Yellowthroat  4
Field Sparrow  1
Song Sparrow  2
Northern Cardinal  3
Indigo Bunting  2
Red-winged Blackbird  14
Common Grackle  4
Brown-headed Cowbird  4
House Finch  3
American Goldfinch  2

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