Sunset Birding at the Meadows - Friday, August 31st, 2012

Only a few shore birds were seen due to high water levels. Ducks, however, are coming back with both Blue - and Green- winged Teal present. Ruddy Turnstones and 2 Lesser Black-backed Gulls were on the beach as well as a fly-by Brown Pelican. Leaders: Karl Lukens, Chuck & Mary Jane Slugg.
40 species

Canada Goose  10
Mute Swan  6
Mallard  30
Blue-winged Teal  10
Green-winged Teal  5
Pied-billed Grebe  1
Brown Pelican  1
Great Blue Heron  3
Great Egret  5
Snowy Egret  1
Black-crowned Night-Heron  1
American Oystercatcher  5
Lesser Yellowlegs  3
Ruddy Turnstone  3
Sanderling  25
Semipalmated Sandpiper  5
Least Sandpiper  5
Pectoral Sandpiper  1
Short-billed Dowitcher  2
Laughing Gull  100
Ring-billed Gull  4
Herring Gull  5
Lesser Black-backed Gull  2
Great Black-backed Gull  5
Common Tern  10
Forster's Tern  2
Black Skimmer  50
Mourning Dove  5
Ruby-throated Hummingbird  5
American Crow  2
Barn Swallow  2
Carolina Chickadee  1
Northern Mockingbird  2
European Starling  10
Prairie Warbler  1
Field Sparrow  1
Northern Cardinal  3
Indigo Bunting  1
Red-winged Blackbird  5
House Sparrow  10

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

Higbee Beach Birding - Friday, August 31st, 2012

Not a fall-out type day, but lots of Eastern Kingbirds, and Red-eyed Vireos. Warblers included Redstarts, Northern Parula, Black-and-white, and Yellow. Numerous Baltimore Orioles were also seen perched and flying. Leaders: Mike Crewe, Karl Lukens, Warren Cairo, Steve Weis, Patty Rourke, Catherine Busch, and Chris Marks.
45 species

Turkey Vulture  1
Semipalmated Sandpiper  4     fly over, leader only
Laughing Gull  4
Herring Gull  1
Rock Pigeon  8
Mourning Dove  8
Chimney Swift  2
Ruby-throated Hummingbird  5
Belted Kingfisher  2
Red-bellied Woodpecker  3
Downy Woodpecker  3
Northern Flicker  1
Least Flycatcher  2
Great Crested Flycatcher  1
Eastern Kingbird  165
White-eyed Vireo  5
Red-eyed Vireo  15
Blue Jay  2
American Crow  5
Purple Martin  8
Barn Swallow  2
Carolina Chickadee  2
House Wren  1
Carolina Wren  5
Veery  1     heard
American Robin  2
Gray Catbird  3
Brown Thrasher  2
European Starling  35
Ovenbird  1
Northern Waterthrush  4
Black-and-white Warbler  3
Common Yellowthroat  4
American Redstart  5
Northern Parula  2
Yellow Warbler  5
Prairie Warbler  1
Field Sparrow  3
Northern Cardinal  4
Bobolink  8
Red-winged Blackbird  15
Common Grackle  4
Brown-headed Cowbird  15
Baltimore Oriole  25
House Finch  1

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

Bird Walk for All People - Thursday, August 30th, 2012

The Bird Walk for All People got off to a great start with a squadron of 7 Brown Pelicans flying over the dune toward the parking lot. Species on the beach included Great Black-back and Herring Gulls, Forster's, Common, and Royal Terns with a few Sanderlings and American Oystercatchers. The ponds were still full of water from the recent rain so shorebirds were scarce. In the wooded areas we saw Blue Grosbeak, Eastern Kingbirds, and both White- and Red-breasted Nuthatches. We also had several flocks of Bobolinks flying overhead. Leaders:  Chuck & Mary Jane Slugg, Cindy Bamford, and Patty Rourke.
53 species

Canada Goose  25
Mute Swan  9
Gadwall  2
American Black Duck  2
Mallard  18
Pied-billed Grebe  1
Brown Pelican  13     7 flying together north over dune and parking lot; 4 flying north over 2nd St. jetty; 2 sitting in water seen from top of 3rd dune.
crossover.
Great Egret  2
Green Heron  1
Turkey Vulture  3
Osprey  7
American Oystercatcher  4
Lesser Yellowlegs  1
Sanderling  20
Semipalmated Sandpiper  1
Least Sandpiper  1
Laughing Gull  50
Herring Gull  5
Great Black-backed Gull  30
Common Tern  4
Forster's Tern  10
Royal Tern  2
Black Skimmer  60
Rock Pigeon  4
Mourning Dove  6
Ruby-throated Hummingbird  3
Northern Flicker  1
American Kestrel  5     2 flying over dune toward lighthouse; 2 perched in tree and 1 flying over field at back of park between park and Seagrove.
Eastern Kingbird  8
American Crow  3
Fish Crow  4
Tree Swallow  15
Carolina Chickadee  3
Tufted Titmouse  1
Red-breasted Nuthatch  2
White-breasted Nuthatch  1
Carolina Wren  5
Blue-gray Gnatcatcher  3
American Robin  2     heard
Gray Catbird  3
Northern Mockingbird  4
Brown Thrasher  1
European Starling  9
Black-and-white Warbler  1
American Redstart  3
Prairie Warbler  2
Song Sparrow  2
Northern Cardinal  2
Blue Grosbeak  1
Bobolink  60
Red-winged Blackbird  20
Common Grackle  1
House Sparrow  5

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

Birding Cape May Point - Wednesday, August 29th, 2012

Shorebirds were hard to find due to high water levels on Bunker Pond. We did get the usual waders, gulls and terns. Six Black and 8 Royal Terns were resting on the beach. The woods had American Redstarts, Red-breasted Nuthatches, Blue-gray Gnatcatchers, and Yellow Warblers and a Prairie Warbler. Leaders: Mike Crewe, Karl Lukens, Chris Marks, Patty Rourke, Nancy Watson, and Steve Weis.
65 species

Canada Goose  10
Mute Swan  6
Gadwall  4
Mallard  12
Pied-billed Grebe  1
Double-crested Cormorant  15
Great Blue Heron  2
Great Egret  4
Turkey Vulture  1
Osprey  6
Northern Harrier  4
Cooper's Hawk  1
Bald Eagle  2     immatures
Semipalmated Plover  1
Killdeer  2
Semipalmated Sandpiper  15
Laughing Gull  20
Ring-billed Gull  1
Herring Gull  5
Lesser Black-backed Gull  1
Great Black-backed Gull  10
Black Tern  6
Common Tern  20
Forster's Tern  15
Royal Tern  8
Black Skimmer  4
Rock Pigeon  3
Mourning Dove  8
Ruby-throated Hummingbird  5
Belted Kingfisher  1
Red-bellied Woodpecker  1     heard
American Kestrel  3
Merlin  1
Least Flycatcher  1
Eastern Kingbird  1
White-eyed Vireo  1
Red-eyed Vireo  2
American Crow  2
Fish Crow  1
Purple Martin  1
Tree Swallow  5
Barn Swallow  10
Carolina Chickadee  2
Red-breasted Nuthatch  5
Carolina Wren  4
Blue-gray Gnatcatcher  3
Gray Catbird  2     heard
Northern Mockingbird  1
European Starling  25
Northern Waterthrush  1
American Redstart  8
Yellow Warbler  6
Prairie Warbler  1
Yellow-breasted Chat  1
Song Sparrow  2
Northern Cardinal  2
Blue Grosbeak  1
Bobolink  25     a few perched
Red-winged Blackbird  75
Common Grackle  5
Brown-headed Cowbird  15
Orchard Oriole  1
Baltimore Oriole  1
American Goldfinch  4
House Sparrow  5

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

Black Tern [Photo by Karl Lukens]

EZ Birding - Tuesday, August 28th, 2012

EZ Birding got rained on and "sunned" on and enjoyed some good birds as well. Highlights include: Royal and Common Terns on the beach, Black Skimmers skimming and loafing, American Oystercatcher families with the dark tips on the bills of the young visible, large flocks of both Tree and Barn Swallows gathering in preparation for migration, and several flocks of Bobolinks binking overhead. Leaders:  Chuck & Mary Jane Slugg, Janet Crawford, Lee Smythe, and Warren Cairo.
49 species

Canada Goose  30
Mute Swan  8
Gadwall  3
Mallard  16
Double-crested Cormorant  3
Great Blue Heron  1
Great Egret  8
Snowy Egret  3
Turkey Vulture  3
Osprey  1
Semipalmated Plover  2
American Oystercatcher  6
Lesser Yellowlegs  1
Sanderling  12
Semipalmated Sandpiper  2
Laughing Gull  40
Ring-billed Gull  1
Herring Gull  4
Great Black-backed Gull  40
Common Tern  20
Forster's Tern  12
Royal Tern  7
Black Skimmer  11
Rock Pigeon  11
Mourning Dove  15
Ruby-throated Hummingbird  1
Belted Kingfisher  1
Eastern Kingbird  60
American Crow  2     heard
Fish Crow  8
Purple Martin  1
Tree Swallow  150
Barn Swallow  36
Carolina Wren  3     heard
American Robin  6
Gray Catbird  3
Northern Mockingbird  12
European Starling  120
Cedar Waxwing  6
Northern Waterthrush  1
Yellow Warbler  1
Northern Cardinal  4
Blue Grosbeak  1
Bobolink  20
Red-winged Blackbird  85
Common Grackle  10
House Finch  1     heard
American Goldfinch  3
House Sparrow  6

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

Birding the Meadows with Pete Dunne - Monday, August 27th, 2012

High water due to heavy rains left little room for shorebirds, but there were still a few, including Semipalmated and Pectoral Sandpiper, and Lesser Yellowlegs. The first large group of Green-winged Teal of the season were feeding along with the shorebirds. The beach held 2 Lesser Black-backed Gulls, 9 American Oystercatchers, Ruddy Turnstone, and numerous Sanderling. Least Terns were conspicuously absent. Leaders: Karl Lukens, Chuck & Mary Jane Slugg, Warren Cairo, Janet Crawford, and Catherine Busch.
50 species

Canada Goose  8
Mute Swan  8
Mallard  25
Green-winged Teal  20
Pied-billed Grebe  1
Great Blue Heron  1
Great Egret  10
Snowy Egret  1
Green Heron  1
Glossy Ibis  2
Osprey  3
Semipalmated Plover  1
American Oystercatcher  9
Spotted Sandpiper  1
Greater Yellowlegs  1
Lesser Yellowlegs  10
Ruddy Turnstone  1
Sanderling  50
Semipalmated Sandpiper  10
Pectoral Sandpiper  1
Short-billed Dowitcher  1
Laughing Gull  15
Ring-billed Gull  5
Herring Gull  10
Lesser Black-backed Gull  2
Great Black-backed Gull  40
Common Tern  2
Royal Tern  10
Black Skimmer  75
Rock Pigeon  2
Mourning Dove  15
Ruby-throated Hummingbird  6
Belted Kingfisher  1
Eastern Kingbird  30
American Crow  2
Purple Martin  1
Tree Swallow  50
Barn Swallow  20
Carolina Wren  2
Gray Catbird  2
Northern Mockingbird  1
European Starling  5
Northern Waterthrush  1
Northern Cardinal  4
Blue Grosbeak  1
Indigo Bunting  1
Bobolink  6
Red-winged Blackbird  10
American Goldfinch  2
House Sparrow  8

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

Bobolink [Photo by Karl Lukens]

Cox Hall Creek WMA - Sunday, August 26th, 2012

Following a night of heavy rain, lightining and thunder that stopped at about 6:30 this morning, the birds were hungry and active. Many birds provided an oportunity to study them in the scopes including Bobolink, Blue Grosbeak, Belted Kingfisher, Indigo Bunting, Pine Warbler, Cedar Waxwing, and even a high-in-a-tree Northern Waterthrush.  Leaders: Kathy & Roger Horn, Janet Crawford, Mary Jane & Chuck Slugg, Steve Weis, and Catherine Busch.
48 species

Mallard  7
Osprey  4
Red-tailed Hawk  1
Black-bellied Plover  1    Heard
Laughing Gull  5
Rock Pigeon  1
Mourning Dove  11
Chimney Swift  6
Ruby-throated Hummingbird  8
Belted Kingfisher  2
Red-bellied Woodpecker  7
Downy Woodpecker  4
Northern Flicker (Yellow-shafted)  7    Adults with young
Eastern Wood-Pewee  3
Great Crested Flycatcher  2
Eastern Kingbird  10
Blue Jay  3
American Crow  6
Purple Martin  8
Tree Swallow  2
Barn Swallow  2
Carolina Chickadee  3
Tufted Titmouse  7
White-breasted Nuthatch  3
Carolina Wren  10
Blue-gray Gnatcatcher  3
Eastern Bluebird  13    Adults with young
American Robin  8
Gray Catbird  4
European Starling  3
Cedar Waxwing  25
Northern Waterthrush  1
Black-and-white Warbler  2
American Redstart  2
Yellow Warbler  1
Palm Warbler (Yellow)  1
Pine Warbler  4
Chipping Sparrow  25
Field Sparrow  2
Northern Cardinal  4
Blue Grosbeak  4
Indigo Bunting  4
Bobolink  8
Red-winged Blackbird  15
Brown-headed Cowbird  7
Baltimore Oriole  5
House Finch  7
American Goldfinch  4

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

Blue Grosbeak [Photo by Roger Horn]

Eastern Bluebird [Photo by Roger Horn]

Slaty Skimmer [Photo by Roger Horn]

Bobolink [Photo by Roger Horn]

Photo Walks with Mike Hannisian - Saturday, August 25th, 2012

The weather gods caught up with us this morning, but it actually provided some nice light to shoot flowers such as Partridge Pea, Sumac, and Clematis. In addition, we were reminded that while we can go indoors in bad weather, birds do not have this option, even if they are injured. The classic example today was a Greater Yellowlegs missing almost all of its left foot.
Sweet Autumn Clematis [Photo by Mike Hannisian]

Greater Yellowlegs  [Photo by Mike Hannisian]

Partridge Pea  [Photo by Mike Hannisian]

Winged Sumac  [Photo by Mike Hannisian]

Sunset Birding at the Meadows - Friday, August 24th, 2012

There were enough waders and shorebirds to make for some interesting viewing. Lots of Semipalmated Plover and Sandpipers to examine while looking for an oddity. Several of the Least and Semi-Sandpipers were in bright juvenile plumage. The beach held many Sanderling, American Oystercatchers, a couple of Ruddy Turnstones, and 5 Lesser Black-backed Gulls. Leaders: Karl Lukens, Kathy & Roger Horn.
43 species

Canada Goose  30
Mute Swan  5
Gadwall  8
Mallard  25
Brown Pelican  2
Great Blue Heron  1
Great Egret  2
Snowy Egret  8
Little Blue Heron  1
Green Heron  1
Osprey  1
Semipalmated Plover  30
Killdeer  1
American Oystercatcher  6
Greater Yellowlegs  1
Lesser Yellowlegs  1
Ruddy Turnstone  2
Sanderling  50
Semipalmated Sandpiper  25
Least Sandpiper  3
Pectoral Sandpiper  1
Wilson's Snipe  1
Laughing Gull  50
Ring-billed Gull  4
Herring Gull  10
Lesser Black-backed Gull  5
Great Black-backed Gull  25
Common Tern  15
Royal Tern  10
Black Skimmer  20
Mourning Dove  30
Chimney Swift  2
Ruby-throated Hummingbird  6
Eastern Kingbird  1
Purple Martin  10
Barn Swallow  10
American Robin  1
Northern Mockingbird  1
European Starling  5
Northern Cardinal  3
Red-winged Blackbird  10
House Finch  1
American Goldfinch  2
House Sparrow  10

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

American Goldfinch [Photo by Karl Lukens]

Wilson's Snipe [Photo by Karl Lukens]

Juvenile Little Blue Heron [Photo by Karl Lukens]

Sunset at the Meadows [Photo by Karl Lukens]

Higbee Beach Birding - Friday, August 24th, 2012

A fairly quiet morning at Higbees with one good pocket of activity where we found Redstarts, Red-eyed Vireos, Blue-gray Gnatcatcher, and Black-and-white Warblers. Toward the end of the walk we had numerous Eastern Kingbirds. A distant perched Yellow-billed Cuckoo provided good scope looks. Leaders: Mike Crewe, Karl Lukens, Chris Marks, Warren Cairo, Patty Rourke, Catherine Busch, and Carrie Bell.
45 species

Turkey Vulture  1
Osprey  1
Semipalmated Plover  1
Lesser Yellowlegs  1
Ruddy Turnstone  2
Sanderling  40
Semipalmated Sandpiper  3
Laughing Gull  15
Ring-billed Gull  2
Herring Gull  1
Great Black-backed Gull  1
Forster's Tern  2
Royal Tern  1
Rock Pigeon  5
Mourning Dove  5
Yellow-billed Cuckoo  1
Chimney Swift  6
Ruby-throated Hummingbird  1
Red-bellied Woodpecker  2
Downy Woodpecker  3
Alder Flycatcher  1
Great Crested Flycatcher  1
Eastern Kingbird  15
White-eyed Vireo  1
Red-eyed Vireo  4
American Crow  1
Purple Martin  10
Barn Swallow  10
Carolina Chickadee  5
Tufted Titmouse  2
Carolina Wren  5
Blue-gray Gnatcatcher  2
American Robin  2
Gray Catbird  3
Brown Thrasher  1
European Starling  2
Cedar Waxwing  3
Black-and-white Warbler  7
American Redstart  6
Yellow Warbler  1
Black-throated Green Warbler  1
Northern Cardinal  5
Bobolink  9
Red-winged Blackbird  15
Brown-headed Cowbird  10

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

Butterfly Walk at Goshen - Thursday, August 23rd, 2012

Cape May, August, flowering plants, and sun; you need no more for butterflies. So it was this week and we were fortunate to get good looks at such critters as Painted Lady (which far outnumbered American Lady), Sachem, Salt Marsh Skipper and Zabulon Skipper. Also seen were Eastern Tiger, Spicebush and Black Swallowtails, Common Buckeye, Eastern Tailed-Blue, and both hummingbird moths: Hummingbird Clearwing and Snowberry Clearwing. Leaders: Nancy Watson and Mike Hannisian.

Painted Lady [Photo by Mike Hannisian]

Sachem [Photo by Mike Hannisian]

Salt Marsh Skipper [Photo by Mike Hannisian]

Zabulon [Photo by Mike Hannisian]

Zabulon [Photo by Mike Hannisian]

Bird Walk for All People - Thursday, August 23rd, 2012

The Walk for All People enjoyed nice weather and good birds.  Highlights include an air show by flying Black Terns over Bunker Pond as well as Common and Forster's Terns, Great and Snowy Egrets, an immature Little Blue Heron, and a Great Blue Heron.  Lots of Eastern Kingbirds, Bobolinks, and a couple of perched Blue  Grosbeaks were also hits. Leaders: Chuck & Mary Jane Slugg, Patty Rourke, and Catherine Busch.
54 species

Canada Goose  20
Mute Swan  7
Gadwall  6
Mallard  20
Great Blue Heron  1
Great Egret  3
Snowy Egret  2
Little Blue Heron  1
Black Vulture  1
Turkey Vulture  3
Osprey  2
Semipalmated Plover  8
American Oystercatcher  8
Greater Yellowlegs  5
Lesser Yellowlegs  3
Ruddy Turnstone  1
Sanderling  5
Semipalmated Sandpiper  6
Least Sandpiper  12
Short-billed Dowitcher  5
Laughing Gull  40
Ring-billed Gull  2
Herring Gull  6
Great Black-backed Gull  45
Black Tern  5
Common Tern  30
Forster's Tern  26
Black Skimmer  7
Rock Pigeon  8
Mourning Dove  20
Ruby-throated Hummingbird  5
Red-bellied Woodpecker  1
Downy Woodpecker  1
Northern Flicker  1
Eastern Kingbird  25
American Crow  2
Fish Crow  6
Purple Martin  2
Tree Swallow  12
Barn Swallow  6
Carolina Chickadee  4
Carolina Wren  5
Blue-gray Gnatcatcher  2     heard
American Robin  4
Gray Catbird  3
Northern Mockingbird  8
European Starling  6
Northern Cardinal  2
Blue Grosbeak  5
Bobolink  14
Red-winged Blackbird  9
Common Grackle  1
American Goldfinch  6
House Sparrow  12

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

Birding Cape May Point - Wednesday, August 22nd, 2012

Lots of terns, waders, and shorebirds around Bunker Pond and the beach. Interesting terns were 4 Black Terns, and the continuing juvenile Gull-billed Tern as well as several Royals. Interesting waders included 1 Little Blue Heron juvenile, and a fly-over Tricolored Heron. Lots of Eastern Kingbirds, several Blue Grosbeaks, Prairie Warbler, American Redstart, and Northern Waterthrush. Leaders: Mike Crewe, Karl Lukens, Chris Marks, Catherine Busch, Mike Hannisian, and Nancy Watson.
67 species

Canada Goose  30
Mute Swan  10
Gadwall  15
Mallard  20
Double-crested Cormorant  1
Great Blue Heron  1
Great Egret  7
Snowy Egret  3
Little Blue Heron  1
Tricolored Heron  1
Green Heron  1
Black-crowned Night-Heron  2
Black Vulture  2
Turkey Vulture  7
Osprey  2
Semipalmated Plover  5
Killdeer  4
Greater Yellowlegs  5
Lesser Yellowlegs  6
Sanderling  4
Semipalmated Sandpiper  20
Least Sandpiper  2
Short-billed Dowitcher  3
Laughing Gull  50
Ring-billed Gull  3
Herring Gull  10
Great Black-backed Gull  5
Least Tern  10
Gull-billed Tern  1
Black Tern  4
Common Tern  30
Forster's Tern  25
Royal Tern  4
Black Skimmer  3
Rock Pigeon  3
Mourning Dove  10
Ruby-throated Hummingbird  4
Red-bellied Woodpecker  1
Merlin  2
Great Crested Flycatcher  1
Eastern Kingbird  20
Red-eyed Vireo  1
American Crow  4
Fish Crow  4
Purple Martin  5
Tree Swallow  3
Barn Swallow  15
Carolina Chickadee  4
Carolina Wren  4
Blue-gray Gnatcatcher  1
American Robin  2
Northern Mockingbird  3
European Starling  10
Cedar Waxwing  3
Northern Waterthrush  2
American Redstart  2
Prairie Warbler  2
Song Sparrow  1
Northern Cardinal  5
Blue Grosbeak  2
Bobolink  1
Red-winged Blackbird  50
Common Grackle  5
Brown-headed Cowbird  5
Baltimore Oriole  2
American Goldfinch  1
House Sparrow  10

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

Eastern Kingbird [Photo by Karl Lukens]

EZ Birding - Tuesday, August 21st, 2012

EZ Birding enjoyed beautiful weather and a variety of birds beginning with a  Brown Pelican and ending with multiple Blue Grosbeaks.  There were several Black Terns on Bunker Pond, Royal Terns overhead, one Caspian Tern flyover, and both Common and Forster's Terns on beach and pond. Large groups of Bobolinks flew over toward Delaware Bay throughout the walk. Leaders:  Chuck & MJ Slugg, Janet Crawford, Lee Smythe, and Dave Lord.
55 species (+1 other taxa)

Canada Goose  35
Mute Swan  8
Mallard  30
American Black Duck x Mallard (hybrid)  1
Double-crested Cormorant  2
Brown Pelican  1
Great Blue Heron  1
Great Egret  4
Snowy Egret  3
Little Blue Heron  1
Green Heron  1
Black Vulture  1
Turkey Vulture  4
Semipalmated Plover  6
American Oystercatcher  8
Greater Yellowlegs  2
Lesser Yellowlegs  7
Ruddy Turnstone  1
Sanderling  5
Semipalmated Sandpiper  5
Least Sandpiper  20
Short-billed Dowitcher  3
Laughing Gull  50
Ring-billed Gull  2
Herring Gull  10
Great Black-backed Gull  35
Caspian Tern  2
Black Tern  5
Common Tern  40
Forster's Tern  30
Royal Tern  12
Black Skimmer  10
Rock Pigeon  15
Mourning Dove  17
Ruby-throated Hummingbird  10
Eastern Kingbird  9
American Crow  3
Fish Crow  8
Purple Martin  8
Tree Swallow  18
Barn Swallow  6
Carolina Chickadee  4
Carolina Wren  5
Blue-gray Gnatcatcher  4
American Robin  6
Gray Catbird  2
Northern Mockingbird  8
Common Yellowthroat  1
Yellow Warbler  3
Song Sparrow  1
Northern Cardinal  3     heard
Blue Grosbeak  5
Bobolink  75
Red-winged Blackbird  3
American Goldfinch  6
House Sparrow  4

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

Birding the Meadows with Pete Dunne - Monday, August 20th, 2012

Some good looks at waders and shorebirds this morning. Waders included great Blue Heron, Great Egret, Green Heron, and juvenile Snowy Egret and Glossy Ibis. Shore birds included both Yellowlegs, and both Semipalmated Sandpiper and Plover. At least 5 Lesser Black-backed Gulls and American Oystercatchers were on the beach with numerous Sanderlings. Leaders: Pete Dunne, Karl Lukens, Chuck & Mary Jane Slugg, Steve Weis, Catherine Busch, Janet Crawford, and Carrie Bell.
55 species

Canada Goose  20
Mute Swan  7
Mallard  30
Double-crested Cormorant  3
Great Blue Heron  1
Great Egret  1
Snowy Egret  1
Green Heron  2
Glossy Ibis  6
Turkey Vulture  5
Osprey  4
Cooper's Hawk  1
Semipalmated Plover  25
Killdeer  1
American Oystercatcher  7
Spotted Sandpiper  1
Greater Yellowlegs  2
Willet  3
Lesser Yellowlegs  1
Ruddy Turnstone  2
Sanderling  50
Semipalmated Sandpiper  25
Least Sandpiper  1
Laughing Gull  20
Ring-billed Gull  4
Herring Gull  10
Lesser Black-backed Gull  5
Great Black-backed Gull  30
Least Tern  15
Black Tern  2
Common Tern  10
Forster's Tern  8
Royal Tern  20
Black Skimmer  5
Rock Pigeon  3
Mourning Dove  10
Ruby-throated Hummingbird  9
Eastern Kingbird  15
American Crow  5
Fish Crow  1
Purple Martin  10
Tree Swallow  150
Barn Swallow  10
Northern Mockingbird  1
European Starling  10
Northern Waterthrush  1
Common Yellowthroat  1
Yellow Warbler  1
Northern Cardinal  4
Blue Grosbeak  1
Indigo Bunting  2
Red-winged Blackbird  35
Common Grackle  3
American Goldfinch  3
House Sparrow  10

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

Glossy Ibis and juvenile Snowy Egret [Photo by Karl Lukens]

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

Cox Hall Creek WMA - Sunday, August 19th, 2012

Cox Hall Creek WMA had a nice variety of 'nice' birds this morning. In addition to the ever-present Eastern Bluebirds and Chipping Sparrows were singing Blue Grosbeaks and Indigo Buntings, several Pine Warblers, American Redstarts, and Blue-gray Gnatcatchers. Many Ruby-throated Hummingbirds are passing through on migration now and several feisty ones were seen chasing each other, titmice and even a Blue Grosbeak.  Leaders: Kathy & Roger Horn, Janet Crawford, Mary Jane & Chuck Slugg, Steve Weis, Carrie Bell, and Lynne & Marc Breslow.
49 species

Mallard  6
Double-crested Cormorant  3
Osprey  4
Spotted Sandpiper  1
Laughing Gull  4
Herring Gull (American)  1
Rock Pigeon  2
Mourning Dove  9
Chimney Swift  5
Ruby-throated Hummingbird  8
Belted Kingfisher  1
Red-bellied Woodpecker  6
Downy Woodpecker  3
Hairy Woodpecker  1    heard
Northern Flicker (Yellow-shafted)  2
Eastern Wood-Pewee  2
Great Crested Flycatcher  1
Eastern Kingbird  12
White-eyed Vireo  1    heard
Blue Jay  4
American Crow  7
Fish Crow  1
Purple Martin  14
Tree Swallow  6
Carolina Chickadee  5
Tufted Titmouse  14
House Wren  1
Carolina Wren  7
Blue-gray Gnatcatcher  4
Eastern Bluebird  12    Breed here, not uncommon for this site
American Robin  9
Gray Catbird  4
Northern Mockingbird  12
European Starling  5
Cedar Waxwing  12
Black-and-white Warbler  3
Common Yellowthroat  1
American Redstart  6
Yellow Warbler  2
Pine Warbler  6
Chipping Sparrow  14
Northern Cardinal  6
Blue Grosbeak  3
Indigo Bunting  6
Red-winged Blackbird  6
Brown-headed Cowbird  4
Baltimore Oriole  3
House Finch  6
American Goldfinch  3

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

Photo Walks with Mike Hannisian - Saturday, August 18th, 2012

The weather gods again favored us by ending the fairly heavy rain about 30 minutes before our starting time! The lesson of today's walk was that sometimes it is best to just find a nice place and let the birds come to you. We found a convenient patch of Poke Berry with a nice perch nearby and were rewarded with a nice variety of birds, including American Goldfinch, Cedar Waxwing, Great Crested Flycatcher, Northern Mockingbird, and Yellow-breasted Chat. The goldfinch were eating thistle seeds, the flycatcher was using the Poke Berry as a perch from which it sallied out after passing insects, while the others dined on the berries.

American Goldfinch [Photo by Mike Hannisian]

American Goldfinch [Photo by Mike Hannisian]

Cedar Waxwing  [Photo by Mike Hannisian]

Great Crested Flycatcher  [Photo by Mike Hannisian]

Northern Mockingbird  [Photo by Mike Hannisian]

Yellow-breasted Chat  [Photo by Mike Hannisian]

Fall Migrants at the Rea Farm - Saturday, August 18th, 2012

We started out quiet as rain pulled away, but there were a few areas where small groups of birds were present. Ovenbird and Northern Waterthrush were in the first wet woods, feeding on the ground. Nice looks at both Orioles, and what appeared to be a family of 4-5 Blue Grosbeaks. Thirteen Wood Ducks, both male and female not in breeding plumage, were a surprise on the willow pond. Leaders: Karl Lukens, Kathy & Roger Horn, Catherine Busch, Chris Marks, and Carrie Bell.
52 species (+1 other taxa)

Wood Duck  13
Mallard  8
Double-crested Cormorant  1
Great Egret  10
Snowy Egret  1
Green Heron  1
Black-crowned Night-Heron  1
Black Vulture  1
Turkey Vulture  7
Osprey  3
Semipalmated Plover  5
Laughing Gull  8
Herring Gull  1
Forster's Tern  1
Rock Pigeon  15
Mourning Dove  12
Chimney Swift  4
Ruby-throated Hummingbird  11
Belted Kingfisher  1
Red-bellied Woodpecker  2
Downy Woodpecker  4
Alder/Willow Flycatcher (Traill's Flycatcher)  2
Least Flycatcher  2
Great Crested Flycatcher  5
Eastern Kingbird  10
American Crow  5
Purple Martin  8
Tree Swallow  2
Barn Swallow  10
Carolina Chickadee  2
Tufted Titmouse  1
Carolina Wren  4
Gray Catbird  2
Northern Mockingbird  3
European Starling  8
Ovenbird  1
Northern Waterthrush  2
Black-and-white Warbler  2
Common Yellowthroat  1
American Redstart  5
Yellow Warbler  3
Chipping Sparrow  2
Northern Cardinal  8
Blue Grosbeak  5
Indigo Bunting  5
Bobolink  5
Red-winged Blackbird  15
Common Grackle  4
Brown-headed Cowbird  2
Orchard Oriole  2
Baltimore Oriole  6
American Goldfinch  1
House Sparrow  5

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

Sunset Birding at the Meadows - Friday, August 17th, 2012

Another nice evening at the South Cape May Meadows. Lots of shorebirds although most were Semipalmated Plovers. There were also some Semipalmated Sandpipers, both Yellowlegs, Killdeer, and American Oystercatchers. Least Terns are still around but numbers are lessening. Five Lesser Black-backed Gulls were on the beach. Leaders: Karl Lukens, Chuck & MJ Slugg, Roger & Kathy Horn, and Catherine Busch.
44 species

Canada Goose  2
Mallard  40
Great Egret  1
Snowy Egret  4
Osprey  1
Cooper's Hawk  1
Semipalmated Plover  30
Killdeer  5
American Oystercatcher  7
Spotted Sandpiper  3
Greater Yellowlegs  1
Lesser Yellowlegs  3
Sanderling  50
Semipalmated Sandpiper  20
Least Sandpiper  5
Short-billed Dowitcher  1
Laughing Gull  75
Ring-billed Gull  6
Herring Gull  5
Lesser Black-backed Gull  5
Great Black-backed Gull  50
Least Tern  30
Common Tern  20
Forster's Tern  20
Royal Tern  15
Black Skimmer  15
Rock Pigeon  5
Mourning Dove  35
Chimney Swift  3
Eastern Kingbird  3
Fish Crow  4
Purple Martin  5
Tree Swallow  3
Barn Swallow  15
Carolina Wren  1
American Robin  1
Gray Catbird  1
Northern Mockingbird  1
European Starling  10
Northern Cardinal  2
Red-winged Blackbird  15
Common Grackle  2
Orchard Oriole  2
House Sparrow  10

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

Lesser Black-backed Gull [Photo by Karl Lukens]

Higbee Beach Birding - Friday, August 17th, 2012

Generally quiet but in several areas there were small flocks of passerines. Warblers included many Redstarts, Black and Whites, Blue-winged, Canada, and Ovenbird. Of the 4-5 Empidonax flycatchers we saw, we identified 1 Alder and 1 Least. Leaders: Mike Crewe, Pete Dunne, Karl Lukens, Steve Weis, Chris Marks, Catherine Busch, and Carrie Bell.
45 species (+1 other taxa)

Double-crested Cormorant  3
Great Egret  10
Turkey Vulture  1
Laughing Gull  8
Great Black-backed Gull  2
Rock Pigeon  9
Mourning Dove  10
Yellow-billed Cuckoo  2
Chimney Swift  1
Ruby-throated Hummingbird  4
Red-bellied Woodpecker  2
Downy Woodpecker  1
Alder Flycatcher  1
Least Flycatcher  1
Empidonax sp.  2
Great Crested Flycatcher  4
Eastern Kingbird  25
White-eyed Vireo  2
Red-eyed Vireo  1
Blue Jay  1
American Crow  1
Purple Martin  5
Barn Swallow  10
Carolina Chickadee  3
White-breasted Nuthatch  1
Carolina Wren  5
Blue-gray Gnatcatcher  8
American Robin  1
Gray Catbird  3
European Starling  2
Cedar Waxwing  1
Ovenbird  1
Northern Waterthrush  1
Blue-winged Warbler  2
Black-and-white Warbler  5
Common Yellowthroat  1
American Redstart  8
Canada Warbler  2
Northern Cardinal  3
Blue Grosbeak  1
Indigo Bunting  1
Bobolink  50
Red-winged Blackbird  25
Common Grackle  10
Brown-headed Cowbird  30
Baltimore Oriole  5

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