Higbee Beach Birding - Friday, September 14th, 2012

Group 1:  A rather quiet Higbee Beach faced us this morning, but in September, even a quiet day can be good! Red-throated Vireos performed acrobatics in the treetops and Ruby-throated Hummingbirds showed well at times. Red-breasted Nuthatches continue to arrive from the north and we finished with a fly-by Bald Eagle.  Leaders: Mike Crewe and Chris Marks.
40 species

Double-crested Cormorant  1
Osprey  2
Bald Eagle  1
Laughing Gull  1
Rock Pigeon  5
Mourning Dove  2
Ruby-throated Hummingbird  3
Red-bellied Woodpecker  1
Downy Woodpecker  2
Hairy Woodpecker  2
Northern Flicker  1
Merlin  1
Alder Flycatcher  1
Great Crested Flycatcher  1
White-eyed Vireo  2
Red-eyed Vireo  20
Blue Jay  4
American Crow  6
Tree Swallow  4
Carolina Chickadee  2
Tufted Titmouse  4
Red-breasted Nuthatch  3
House Wren  1
Carolina Wren  8
Blue-gray Gnatcatcher  1
Veery  3
Gray Catbird  5
Brown Thrasher  2
Cedar Waxwing  1
Northern Waterthrush  1
Black-and-white Warbler  3
Common Yellowthroat  12
American Redstart  4
Northern Parula  1
Yellow Warbler  1
Palm Warbler  10
Field Sparrow  2
Northern Cardinal  10
Red-winged Blackbird  4
Common Grackle  3

Group 2:  Lots of birds but most at the beginning of the first field. Most numerous was Red-eyed Vireo, but others included, Nashville, Yellow, Blackpoll, Black-and-white, Canada, and Prairie Warblers, Common Yellowthroat, Northern Waterthrush, Northern Parula, and Philadephia Vireo. Leaders: Karl Lukens and Patty Rourke.
38 species (+1 other taxa)

Turkey Vulture  1     seen after walk by leader.
Laughing Gull  1
Herring Gull  1
Mourning Dove  5
Chimney Swift  1
Ruby-throated Hummingbird  3
Red-bellied Woodpecker  3
Downy Woodpecker  2
Northern Flicker  1
Empidonax sp.  1
Great Crested Flycatcher  1
White-eyed Vireo  5     heard
Philadelphia Vireo  1
Red-eyed Vireo  25
Blue Jay  4
American Crow  1
Carolina Chickadee  3
Tufted Titmouse  1
Carolina Wren  4     heard
Blue-gray Gnatcatcher  4
Ruby-crowned Kinglet  1
Veery  5
Gray Catbird  3
Northern Waterthrush  1
Black-and-white Warbler  4
Nashville Warbler  1
Common Yellowthroat  5
American Redstart  1
Northern Parula  2
Yellow Warbler  3
Blackpoll Warbler  1
Palm Warbler  4
Prairie Warbler  3
Canada Warbler  1
Northern Cardinal  5
Indigo Bunting  3
Red-winged Blackbird  5
Common Grackle  2
Baltimore Oriole  3

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

Great Crested Flycatcher [Photo by Karl Lukens]

Bird Walk for All People - Thursday, September 13th, 2012

Beautiful weather continues and the Walk for All People appreciated it! In addition to scads of Monarch butterflies we saw Pied-billed Grebes, Osprey, Northern Harrier, and Great Blue Herons. Ducks are beginning to return and we found Mallards, of course, as well as Gadwall, Northern Shovelers, American Wigeon, and both Blue- and Green-winged Teal. Leaders: Chuck & Mary Jane Slugg, Cindy Bamford, Patty Rourke and Alyssia Church.
44 species

Canada Goose  40
Mute Swan  9
Gadwall  6
American Wigeon  8
American Black Duck  1
Mallard  16
Blue-winged Teal  8
Northern Shoveler  3
Green-winged Teal  2
Pied-billed Grebe  3
Double-crested Cormorant  31
Great Blue Heron  2
Great Egret  2
Turkey Vulture  5
Osprey  2
Northern Harrier  2
Laughing Gull  32
Herring Gull  8
Great Black-backed Gull  20
Common Tern  1
Forster's Tern  2
Rock Pigeon  3
Mourning Dove  7
Merlin  1
Eastern Phoebe  1
White-eyed Vireo  3
Red-eyed Vireo  2
American Crow  2
Fish Crow  3
Tree Swallow  50
Carolina Chickadee  4
Tufted Titmouse  1     heard
Carolina Wren  4
American Robin  2     heard
Gray Catbird  5
Northern Mockingbird  2
European Starling  3
Cedar Waxwing  27
Common Yellowthroat  1
American Redstart  5
Yellow Warbler  1
Prairie Warbler  3
Northern Cardinal  3
Bobolink  6     heard

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

Twilight Watch at the Meadows - Wednesday, September 12th, 2012

Leaders: Patty Rourke and Chuck Slugg
36 species

Canada Goose  X
Mute Swan  X
Wood Duck  2
Gadwall  X
American Wigeon  X
Mallard  X
Blue-winged Teal  X
Northern Shoveler  X
Green-winged Teal  X
Pied-billed Grebe  X
Great Blue Heron  X
Great Egret  X
Snowy Egret  X
Osprey  X
Cooper's Hawk  X
American Oystercatcher  X
Spotted Sandpiper  X
Sanderling  X
Semipalmated Sandpiper  X
Stilt Sandpiper  X
Laughing Gull  X
Herring Gull  X
Great Black-backed Gull  X
Caspian Tern  X
Common Tern  X
Forster's Tern  X
Royal Tern  X
Black Skimmer  X
Belted Kingfisher  X
American Crow  X
Northern Mockingbird  X
European Starling  X
Palm Warbler  X
Song Sparrow  X
American Goldfinch  X
House Sparrow  X

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

Birding Cape May Point - Wednesday, September 12th, 2012

Good looks at terns including Gull-billed, Caspian, and Royal. Four Brown Pelicans flew in and sat on the water right in front of the group. Palm and Yellow Warblers were along the dune path as well as several Common Yellowthroats. Raptors included Red-tailed, Sharp-shinned, and Cooper's Hawk, American Kestrel and Merlin. Leaders: Mike Crewe, Karl Lukens, Steve Weis, Chris Marks, Patty Rourke, Erin Lehnert, and Megan Crewe.
61 species (+1 other taxa)

Canada Goose  1
Mute Swan  6
Gadwall  2
American Wigeon  10
Mallard  25
Blue-winged Teal  6
Northern Shoveler  5
Pied-billed Grebe  3
Double-crested Cormorant  8
Brown Pelican  5
Great Blue Heron  2
Great Egret  1
Turkey Vulture  3
Osprey  5
Northern Harrier  1
Sharp-shinned Hawk  1
Cooper's Hawk  1
Bald Eagle  2
Red-tailed Hawk  1
Killdeer  2
Laughing Gull  30
Ring-billed Gull  2
Herring Gull  8
Great Black-backed Gull  5
Gull-billed Tern  1
Caspian Tern  2
Common Tern  15
Forster's Tern  15
Royal Tern  3
Black Skimmer  30
Rock Pigeon  10
Mourning Dove  8
Ruby-throated Hummingbird  1
Belted Kingfisher  1
American Kestrel  4
Merlin  1
Empidonax sp.  1
American Crow  1
Fish Crow  1
Tree Swallow  40
Barn Swallow  10
Carolina Chickadee  1
Red-breasted Nuthatch  1
House Wren  1
Carolina Wren  2
Blue-gray Gnatcatcher  1
Gray Catbird  1
Northern Mockingbird  3
European Starling  15
Northern Waterthrush  2
Common Yellowthroat  3
American Redstart  1
Yellow Warbler  4
Black-throated Blue Warbler  1
Palm Warbler  6
Song Sparrow  3
Northern Cardinal  2
Bobolink  10
Red-winged Blackbird  30
Common Grackle  5
American Goldfinch  3
House Sparrow  4

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

Brown Pelicans [Photo by Karl Lukens]

EZ Birding - Tuesday, September 11th, 2012

Cool, sunny weather for EZ Birding brought a nice variety of raptors overhead and many Monarchs as well as other butterfly species nectaring on plants throughout the State Park. Raptor highlights include: many Osprey, Broad-winged Hawks, Red-tailed and Red-shouldered Hawks, Bald Eagle, Northern Harrier, American Kestrels, and Peregrine Falcon. A lone Spotted Sandpiper by Bunker Pond ended the walk. Leaders: Chuck & Mary Jane Slugg, Janet Crawford, Bill & Lee Smythe.
54 species

Canada Goose  45
Mute Swan  9
Gadwall  1
American Wigeon  4
American Black Duck  1
Mallard  16
Blue-winged Teal  7
Northern Shoveler  4
Green-winged Teal  2
Pied-billed Grebe  2
Double-crested Cormorant  15
Great Egret  3
Black Vulture  3
Turkey Vulture  6
Osprey  11
Northern Harrier  1
Cooper's Hawk  1
Bald Eagle  1
Red-shouldered Hawk  2     circling over Lighthouse Pond
Broad-winged Hawk  3
Red-tailed Hawk  1
Spotted Sandpiper  1
Laughing Gull  60
Ring-billed Gull  1
Herring Gull  2
Great Black-backed Gull  25
Forster's Tern  7
Royal Tern  2
Black Skimmer  X     on beach at 2nd St. jetty; too far to count individuals
Rock Pigeon  6
Mourning Dove  5
Ruby-throated Hummingbird  3
Belted Kingfisher  1
American Kestrel  7
Peregrine Falcon  1
American Crow  6
Tree Swallow  40
Carolina Chickadee  3
Tufted Titmouse  3
White-breasted Nuthatch  3
House Wren  1
Carolina Wren  3
Blue-gray Gnatcatcher  2
American Robin  3     heard
Gray Catbird  5
Northern Mockingbird  10
European Starling  7
American Redstart  3
Yellow Warbler  3
Palm Warbler  1
Northern Cardinal  2     heard
Red-winged Blackbird  13
American Goldfinch  3
House Sparrow  4

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

Birding the Meadows with Pete Dunne - Monday, September 10th, 2012

Northerly winds seemed to have brought some migrants with a number of warblers and other passerines flying about. Warblers included American Redstarts, Yellow, Common Yellowthroats, and Palm. Lots of Bobolinks overhead. Raptors were good with Northern Harrier, Cooper's Hawk, Broad-wings, Merlin, and numerous American Kestrel. Ducks included both Teal and Northern Shoveler. Leaders: Pete Dunne, Karl Lukens, Chuck Slugg, Steve Weis, Catherine Busch, Carrie Bell, and Janet Crawford.
57 species

Canada Goose  30
Mute Swan  6
Gadwall  2
American Black Duck  1
Mallard  30
Blue-winged Teal  7
Northern Shoveler  3
Green-winged Teal  10
Pied-billed Grebe  1
Double-crested Cormorant  10
Great Blue Heron  1
Great Egret  4
Snowy Egret  2
Black Vulture  3
Turkey Vulture  5
Osprey  7
Northern Harrier  1
Cooper's Hawk  1
Broad-winged Hawk  4
American Oystercatcher  3
Sanderling  10
Semipalmated Sandpiper  8
Laughing Gull  100
Ring-billed Gull  5
Herring Gull  10
Lesser Black-backed Gull  3
Great Black-backed Gull  30
Forster's Tern  3
Royal Tern  15
Black Skimmer  200     Far at 2nd ave. jetty beach
Rock Pigeon  6
Mourning Dove  10
Ruby-throated Hummingbird  3
Belted Kingfisher  1
American Kestrel  12
Merlin  2
American Crow  3
Tree Swallow  75
Barn Swallow  25
Carolina Wren  2
Northern Mockingbird  1
European Starling  30
Tennessee Warbler  1
Common Yellowthroat  3
American Redstart  7
Yellow Warbler  2
Black-throated Blue Warbler  1
Palm Warbler  4
Scarlet Tanager  1
Northern Cardinal  2
Indigo Bunting  1
Bobolink  25
Red-winged Blackbird  50
Common Grackle  5
Brown-headed Cowbird  10
House Finch  1
House Sparrow  5

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

Black Duck [Photo by Karl Lukens]

Blue-winged Teal [Photo by Karl Lukens]

Lesser Black-backed Gull [Photo by Karl Lukens]

Tennessee Warbler [Photo by Karl Lukens]

Cox Hall Creek WMA - Sunday, September 9th, 2012

The Cox Hall Creek WMA Walk enjoyed cooler weather and a variety of birds this morning. Highlights include: many Osprey (most with fish); great looks at a male Blue Grosbeak; Pied-billed Grebe; many sightings of Eastern Bluebirds; a fly-over Yellow-billed Cuckoo; and several Eastern Phoebes. Leaders: Chuck & Mary Jane Slugg, Janet Crawford, Shaun & Cindy Bamford, Steve Weis, Carrie Bell, Marc & Lynne Breslow, Dave Lord, with Libby Errickson and Alyssia Church, Seasonal Naturalists.
46 species

Mallard  5
Pied-billed Grebe  1
Osprey  6
Red-tailed Hawk  1
Laughing Gull  3
Herring Gull  2
Great Black-backed Gull  4
Mourning Dove  12
Yellow-billed Cuckoo  1
Ruby-throated Hummingbird  3
Belted Kingfisher  2
Red-bellied Woodpecker  6
Downy Woodpecker  2
Northern Flicker  5
Eastern Phoebe  5     Two working low brush pile behind large pond; three in one tree along north path; one bird vocalizing; clear lemony chest and no wingbars.
Eastern Kingbird  5
Red-eyed Vireo  1
Blue Jay  15
American Crow  8
Carolina Chickadee  6
Tufted Titmouse  10
Red-breasted Nuthatch  3
White-breasted Nuthatch  1
House Wren  1
Carolina Wren  6
Blue-gray Gnatcatcher  1
Eastern Bluebird  10     Part of resident flock of approximately 25 Bluebirds; birds were seen by group and heard vocalizing.
Veery  2
American Robin  17
Gray Catbird  9
Northern Mockingbird  5
Cedar Waxwing  26
Common Yellowthroat  5
American Redstart  3
Northern Parula  2
Yellow Warbler  1
Palm Warbler  4
Chipping Sparrow  16
Northern Cardinal  2
Blue Grosbeak  3
Bobolink  15
Red-winged Blackbird  20
Common Grackle  3
Baltimore Oriole  2
House Finch  7
American Goldfinch  5

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

Hawks, Trails, and Beach - Saturday, September 8th, 2012

The Hawks, Trails, and Beach Walk had a beautiful, but windy, afternoon in the State Park. We saw a variety of terns on the beach and Bunker Pond including Common, Forster's, Royal, and Black Terns. We had excellent looks at both male and female Blue Grosbeaks. We ended with a family of American Kestrels hunting and perching along Lighthouse Pond. Leaders: Chuck & Mary Jane Slugg, Cindy Bamford, and Lynne Breslow.
39 species (+1 other taxa)

Canada Goose  70
Mute Swan  9
Mallard  20
Northern Shoveler  1
Great Blue Heron  1
Great Egret  4
Snowy Egret  1
Turkey Vulture  3
Osprey  2
American Oystercatcher  4
Sanderling  10
Laughing Gull  70
Herring Gull  5
Great Black-backed Gull  120
Black Tern  3
Common Tern  50
Forster's Tern  15
Royal Tern  20
Black Skimmer  150
Rock Pigeon  4
Mourning Dove  28
Ruby-throated Hummingbird  2
American Kestrel  5
White-eyed Vireo  1
Red-eyed Vireo  2
crow sp.  6
Carolina Chickadee  2     heard
Carolina Wren  2     heard
Gray Catbird  1
Northern Mockingbird  10
Black-and-white Warbler  1
American Redstart  3
Yellow Warbler  1
Palm Warbler  1
Prairie Warbler  1
Northern Cardinal  3
Blue Grosbeak  3
Red-winged Blackbird  12
American Goldfinch  1
House Sparrow  1

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

Fall Migrants at the Rea Farm - Saturday, September 8th, 2012

Birding was slow starting after a light rain which stopped as we started. We did manage to get 7 Red-eyed Vireo, 3 Red-breasted Nuthatches, 5 Northern Waterthrushes, 1 Black-and-white and 4 Yellow Warblers, 5 Common Yellowthroats, and 2 American Redstarts. Leaders: Karl Lukens, Catherine Busch, Chris Marks, Carrie Bell, and Dave Lord.
45 species

Mallard  10
Double-crested Cormorant  1
Great Blue Heron  2
Great Egret  2
Snowy Egret  1
Green Heron  1
Black-crowned Night-Heron  2
Black Vulture  1
Turkey Vulture  4
Osprey  4
Killdeer  1
Laughing Gull  5
Herring Gull  1
Great Black-backed Gull  8
Rock Pigeon  2
Mourning Dove  10
Ruby-throated Hummingbird  5
Red-bellied Woodpecker  3
Eastern Kingbird  20
Red-eyed Vireo  7
American Crow  20
Tree Swallow  2
Barn Swallow  5
Carolina Chickadee  2
Tufted Titmouse  1
Red-breasted Nuthatch  3
Carolina Wren  3
American Robin  1
Gray Catbird  2
European Starling  15
Northern Waterthrush  5
Black-and-white Warbler  1
Common Yellowthroat  5
American Redstart  2
Northern Parula  1
Yellow Warbler  4
Palm Warbler  3
Northern Cardinal  3
Indigo Bunting  1
Bobolink  25
Red-winged Blackbird  5
Common Grackle  5
Brown-headed Cowbird  8
Baltimore Oriole  3
House Sparrow  2

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

Sunset Birding at the Meadows - Friday, September 7th, 2012

Ducks were interesting with 2 Gadwall, 2 Blue-winged Teal, 18 Green-winged Teal, and numerous Mallards. Shorebirds were scarce but we did manage 1 American Oystercatcher and many Sanderlings on the beach. The beach also held 2 Lesser Black-backed Gulls and 4 Black Terns. Leaders: Karl Lukens, Chuck & Mary Jane Slugg, Dave Lord, and Catherine Busch.
33 species

Canada Goose  220
Mute Swan  7
Gadwall  2
Mallard  30
Blue-winged Teal  2
Green-winged Teal  18
Great Egret  4
Snowy Egret  3
Green Heron  2
Turkey Vulture  1
American Oystercatcher  1
Sanderling  25
Laughing Gull  100
Ring-billed Gull  3
Herring Gull  10
Lesser Black-backed Gull  2
Great Black-backed Gull  50
Black Tern  4
Common Tern  75
Royal Tern  5
Black Skimmer  250
Rock Pigeon  2
Mourning Dove  6
Ruby-throated Hummingbird  4
Carolina Wren  1
Northern Mockingbird  1
European Starling  8
Yellow Warbler  2
Palm Warbler  4
Northern Cardinal  1
Red-winged Blackbird  2
Baltimore Oriole  1
House Sparrow  10

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

Higbee Beach Birding - Friday, September 7th, 2012

It was an active day at Higbee today. Raptors included 2 Norther Harriers, one interacting with a Cooper's Hawk, plus 6 Osprey. There were numerous Eastern Kingbirds, a Yellow-billed Cuckoo, and 2 Philadelphia Vireos. Fourteen species of warblers were seen including 2 Tennessee, 2 Nashville, and 2 Magnolia. Leaders: Mike Crewe, Karl Lukens, Warren Cairo, Chris Marks, and Catherine Busch.
59 species

Double-crested Cormorant  6
Turkey Vulture  3
Osprey  6
Northern Harrier  2
Cooper's Hawk  1
Killdeer  1
Laughing Gull  3
Herring Gull  1
Rock Pigeon  10
Mourning Dove  6
Yellow-billed Cuckoo  1
Ruby-throated Hummingbird  5
Downy Woodpecker  1
American Kestrel  1
Merlin  2
Eastern Wood-Pewee  1
Alder Flycatcher  1
Great Crested Flycatcher  2
Eastern Kingbird  35
White-eyed Vireo  4
Philadelphia Vireo  2
Red-eyed Vireo  15
American Crow  1
Purple Martin  1
Barn Swallow  1
Red-breasted Nuthatch  2
House Wren  1
Carolina Wren  4
Blue-gray Gnatcatcher  1
Veery  5
Gray Catbird  3
Brown Thrasher  2
European Starling  10
Cedar Waxwing  15
Ovenbird  1
Northern Waterthrush  5
Blue-winged Warbler  1
Black-and-white Warbler  6
Tennessee Warbler  2
Nashville Warbler  2
Common Yellowthroat  5
American Redstart  15
Northern Parula  6
Magnolia Warbler  2
Yellow Warbler  3
Black-throated Blue Warbler  1
Palm Warbler  1
Yellow-breasted Chat  1
Field Sparrow  2
Scarlet Tanager  1
Northern Cardinal  4
Blue Grosbeak  1
Indigo Bunting  2
Bobolink  1
Red-winged Blackbird  25
Common Grackle  3
Brown-headed Cowbird  10
Baltimore Oriole  5
American Goldfinch  2

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

Walk for All People - Thursday, September 6th, 2012

The Walk for All People endured some rain and monster mosquitos to find a treasure chest of birds in the State Park. Highlights included: hundreds of Bobolinks overhead, lots of American Redstarts, Northern Parulas, Black-throated Blue Warblers, Yellow, Prairie, and Palm Warblers, and Blue Grosbeaks.  We also had a small movement of raptors including Peregrine Falcon, American Kestrel, Red-shouldered Hawk, and a Bald Eagle. Leaders: Chuck & Mary Jane Slugg, and Cindy Bamford.
62 species

Canada Goose  50
Mute Swan  12
Wood Duck  3     flying, seen by leader only
Gadwall  3
Mallard  12
Double-crested Cormorant  40
Great Blue Heron  6
Great Egret  7
Snowy Egret  1
Green Heron  3
Osprey  1
Bald Eagle  1
Red-shouldered Hawk  1     perched in tree by Lighthouse Pond, small buteo, streaky chest, russet on shoulder
American Oystercatcher  5
Sanderling  3
Laughing Gull  50
Herring Gull  12
Great Black-backed Gull  45
Royal Tern  13
Black Skimmer  120     seen through scope at 2nd St. jetty
Rock Pigeon  8
Mourning Dove  26
Ruby-throated Hummingbird  4
Belted Kingfisher  2
Red-bellied Woodpecker  1     heard
Downy Woodpecker  1
American Kestrel  6
Peregrine Falcon  1
Great Crested Flycatcher  2
Eastern Kingbird  25
White-eyed Vireo  5
Yellow-throated Vireo  2     in mixed flock in wooded area on Red Trail, yellow throat and spectacles, distinct wing-bars, white belly
Red-eyed Vireo  3
American Crow  10
Fish Crow  4
Purple Martin  1
Tree Swallow  50
Barn Swallow  6
Carolina Chickadee  2
Carolina Wren  9
American Robin  3
Gray Catbird  5
Northern Mockingbird  10
Brown Thrasher  1     heard
European Starling  6
Northern Waterthrush  1
Black-and-white Warbler  15
American Redstart  40
Northern Parula  5
Yellow Warbler  10
Black-throated Blue Warbler  4
Palm Warbler  13
Pine Warbler  1
Prairie Warbler  1
Northern Cardinal  5
Blue Grosbeak  5
Bobolink  350
Red-winged Blackbird  30
Baltimore Oriole  1
House Finch  1
American Goldfinch  3
House Sparrow  6

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

Twilight Watch at the Meadows - Wednesday, September 5th, 2012

The target bird on tonight's Meadows walk was a Lark Sparrow.  It had been reported earlier in the day and we were fortunate enough, with Lesley's help, to locate it.   It was very close and remained on the ground in dense grass making it difficult to see, but everyone did get a good look at the bird.  Leaders: Warren Cairo and Bill Smythe.
32 species

Canada Goose  8
Mute Swan  2
American Wigeon  1
Mallard  20
Blue-winged Teal  8
Northern Shoveler  3
Green-winged Teal  14
Double-crested Cormorant  2
Great Egret  4
Snowy Egret  2
Black-crowned Night-Heron  1
Cooper's Hawk  1
American Oystercatcher  2
Lesser Yellowlegs  22
Sanderling  10
Least Sandpiper  1
Pectoral Sandpiper  8
Ring-billed Gull  6
Herring Gull  18
Lesser Black-backed Gull  5
Great Black-backed Gull  25
Common Tern  7
Forster's Tern  4
Rock Pigeon  4
Mourning Dove  6
Ruby-throated Hummingbird  1
Merlin  1
American Crow  2
Fish Crow  4
Tree Swallow  6
Barn Swallow  2
Lark Sparrow  1

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

Birding Cape May Point - Wednesday, September 5th, 2012

We spent most of our time looking at the Gulls, Terns, Ducks, etc., around Bunker Pond and the Plover Ponds. American Wigeon and Northern Shoveler were new ducks for the season for many. Several Lesser Black-backed Gulls were on the beach. Good looks at Forster's and Common Terns on the pond pier railing. Most shorebirds were fly-overs. Leaders: Mike Crewe, Karl Lukens, Chris Marks, Steve Weis, Warren Cairo and Nancy Watson.
45 species

Canada Goose  75
Mute Swan  8
Gadwall  3
American Wigeon  2
Mallard  35
Blue-winged Teal  3
Northern Shoveler  3
Double-crested Cormorant  5
Brown Pelican  1
Great Egret  1
Snowy Egret  2
Osprey  2
Killdeer  2
American Oystercatcher  5
Lesser Yellowlegs  40
Sanderling  15
Semipalmated Sandpiper  3
Least Sandpiper  5
Pectoral Sandpiper  4
Laughing Gull  75
Ring-billed Gull  4
Herring Gull  20
Lesser Black-backed Gull  3
Great Black-backed Gull  50
Caspian Tern  1
Common Tern  10
Forster's Tern  115
Royal Tern  10
Black Skimmer  15
Rock Pigeon  8
Mourning Dove  10
Eastern Kingbird  50
American Crow  1
Tree Swallow  25
Barn Swallow  20
Carolina Wren  1
Northern Mockingbird  4
European Starling  25
Palm Warbler  2
Song Sparrow  1
Northern Cardinal  1
Blue Grosbeak  1
Red-winged Blackbird  15
Common Grackle  1
House Sparrow  3

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

Sunset Birding at Stone Harbor Point - Tuesday, September 4th, 2012

Tonight's Stone Harbor walk was a beautiful summer evening for 8 enthusiastic birders.  We walked all the way to the point while enjoying great looks at our target birds.  We had close looks at Red Knots, (some still showing there red breast), adult Lesser-backed Gulls, American Oystercatchers, Caspian and Royal Terns. We finished with a beautiful sunset too.  Leaders: Warren Cairo and Chris Marks.
25 species

Double-crested Cormorant  8
Brown Pelican  4
Great Blue Heron  1
Great Egret  2
Osprey  3
Black-bellied Plover  30
Semipalmated Plover  45
Piping Plover  10
American Oystercatcher  100
Ruddy Turnstone  12
Red Knot  36
Sanderling  120
Semipalmated Sandpiper  4
Laughing Gull  70
Ring-billed Gull  35
Herring Gull  40
Lesser Black-backed Gull  8
Great Black-backed Gull  45
Caspian Tern  12
Common Tern  16
Forster's Tern  4
Royal Tern  14
Tree Swallow  30
Song Sparrow  4
House Sparrow  4

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

Red Knots [Photo by Hugh Simmons]

American Oystercatchers [Photo by Hugh Simmons]

EZ Birding - Tuesday, September 4th, 2012

EZ Birding enjoyed some excellent birds in spite of high humidity and overcast skies. We had great looks at Blue Grosbeaks, American Redstarts, and Yellow Warblers. On the beach, we had Great Black-backed and Lesser Black-backed Gulls sitting next to each other. We had great scope looks at Buff-breasted Sandpipers and an American Golden Plover. We also had a Brown Pelican and many Black Skimmers fly by.  Leaders: Chuck & MJ Slugg, Lee Smythe, Janet Crawford, and Warren Cairo.
46 species

Canada Goose  60
Mute Swan  5
American Black Duck  1
Mallard  15
Blue-winged Teal  2
Brown Pelican  1
Great Egret  4
Osprey  5
American Golden-Plover  1
Killdeer  1
American Oystercatcher  2
Sanderling  7
Buff-breasted Sandpiper  4     Seen on beach at second dune crossover; seen & confirmed by Tom Johnson.
Short-billed Dowitcher  8
Laughing Gull  60
Ring-billed Gull  1
Herring Gull  5
Lesser Black-backed Gull  1
Great Black-backed Gull  75
Common Tern  1
Forster's Tern  2
Royal Tern  4
Black Skimmer  70
Rock Pigeon  5
Mourning Dove  20
Ruby-throated Hummingbird  3
Belted Kingfisher  1
Northern Flicker  1
Peregrine Falcon  1
American Crow  12
Fish Crow  7
Tree Swallow  18
Barn Swallow  2
Carolina Chickadee  5
Carolina Wren  7
American Robin  4
Gray Catbird  4
Northern Mockingbird  6
European Starling  7
American Redstart  5
Yellow Warbler  3
Northern Cardinal  4
Blue Grosbeak  1
Red-winged Blackbird  20
American Goldfinch  3
House Sparrow  5

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

Birding the Meadows with Pete Dunne - Monday, September 3rd, 2012

A little rain did not seem to bother the birds. Good views of both Blue- and Green-winged Teal. High water and not much shorebird habitat, but there were fly-overs including 1 Buff-breasted Sandpiper. Lots of gulls on the beach including 2 Lesser Black-backed Gulls. Raptors were 2 Merlin and 2 Northern Harriers. Leaders: Pete Dunne, Karl Lukens, Chuck & Mary Jane Slugg, Steve Weis, Warren Cairo, Catherine Busch, Janet Crawford, and Marc & Lynne Breslow.
48 species (+1 other taxa)

Canada Goose  100     Fly out seen from carpark
Mute Swan  6
Mallard  30
American Black Duck x Mallard (hybrid)  1
Blue-winged Teal  12
Green-winged Teal  10
Pied-billed Grebe  1
Double-crested Cormorant  9
Brown Pelican  1
Great Blue Heron  1
Great Egret  5
Snowy Egret  13
Black-crowned Night-Heron  1
Northern Harrier  2
Black-bellied Plover  1
American Oystercatcher  4
Ruddy Turnstone  1
Sanderling  20
Semipalmated Sandpiper  5
Least Sandpiper  5
Pectoral Sandpiper  1
Buff-breasted Sandpiper  1     fly over
Laughing Gull  50
Ring-billed Gull  5
Herring Gull  15
Lesser Black-backed Gull  2
Great Black-backed Gull  40
Royal Tern  10
Black Skimmer  30
Rock Pigeon  8
Mourning Dove  8
Ruby-throated Hummingbird  5
Merlin  2
American Crow  5
Tree Swallow  20
Barn Swallow  4
Carolina Wren  1
American Robin  4
Northern Mockingbird  1
European Starling  30
Northern Waterthrush  1
Yellow Warbler  1
Northern Cardinal  2
Bobolink  150
Red-winged Blackbird  10
Common Grackle  5
House Finch  5
American Goldfinch  1
House Sparrow  5

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

Cox Hall Creek WMA - Sunday, September 2nd, 2012

Overcast skies created a slow start this morning at Cox Hall Creek WMA but we had a good variety of birds. The highlight of the walk was a very cooperative Lark Sparrow that gave participants scope views. Other highlights include several Ospreys with fish, Eastern Bluebirds, Blue Grosbeaks, and Pie-billed Grebes.  Leaders: Chuck & Mary Jane Slugg, Janet Crawford, Shaun & Cindy Bamford,  Chris Marks, Marc & Lynne Breslow, Steve Weis, Catherine Busch, and Joe Demko.
46 species

Mallard  5
Pied-billed Grebe  2
Osprey  8
Sharp-shinned Hawk  1
Red-tailed Hawk  1
Laughing Gull  4
Herring Gull  2
Great Black-backed Gull  6
Mourning Dove  20
Chimney Swift  3
Ruby-throated Hummingbird  2
Belted Kingfisher  1     heard
Red-bellied Woodpecker  4
Downy Woodpecker  1     heard
Hairy Woodpecker  1
Northern Flicker  4
American Kestrel  3
Eastern Wood-Pewee  2     heard
Great Crested Flycatcher  3
Eastern Kingbird  4
White-eyed Vireo  2
Red-eyed Vireo  1
Blue Jay  8
American Crow  12
Barn Swallow  2
Tufted Titmouse  6
Red-breasted Nuthatch  1     heard
Carolina Wren  5     heard
Eastern Bluebird  8
American Robin  20
Gray Catbird  3
Northern Mockingbird  2
European Starling  5
Cedar Waxwing  12
Black-and-white Warbler  1
American Redstart  2
Yellow Warbler  1
Chipping Sparrow  8
Lark Sparrow  2     In tree by large pond near radio tower; distinct facial pattern with color visible; clear chest with black spot; profiled in spotting scope
Northern Cardinal  3
Blue Grosbeak  8
Bobolink  6     heard
Common Grackle  4
Brown-headed Cowbird  1
Baltimore Oriole  1
House Finch  1

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

Lark Sparrow [Photo by Hugh Simmons]

Photo Walk with Mike Hannisian - Saturday, September 1st, 2012

The sun played hide-and-seek with us today, but the soft light and presence of birds, butterflies, flowers, and even a floating feather made for a very nice photo walk. Leaders: Mike Hannisian and Nancy Watson.

Blue-winged Teal [Photo by Mike Hannisian]

Common Buckeye [Photo by Mike Hannisian]

Eastern Tailed Blue [Photo by Mike Hannisian]

Giant Sunflower [Photo by Mike Hannisian]

Least Skipper [Photo by Mike Hannisian]

Monarch [Photo by Mike Hannisian]

Feather [Photo by Mike Hannisian]

Fall Migrants at the Rea Farm - Saturday, September 1st, 2012

Still a few warblers here and there with Redstarts and Yellow Warblers being the most numerous, an early Yellow-rumped Warbler, and good looks at Northern Waterthrush. We also had good looks at a family of Blue Grosbeaks. Up to 4 American Kestrels were seen in the back fields near the winery. Both Orioles were seen and the Willow Pond produced a Green Heron and 4 Black-crowned Night-Herons. Leaders: Karl Lukens, Catherine Busch, and Chris Marks.
44 species

Canada Goose  4
Mute Swan  2
Wood Duck  2
Mallard  5
Snowy Egret  1
Green Heron  1
Black-crowned Night-Heron  4
Cooper's Hawk  1
Semipalmated Plover  12     fly over
Laughing Gull  5
Herring Gull  3
Great Black-backed Gull  1
Rock Pigeon  4
Mourning Dove  10
Chimney Swift  3
Ruby-throated Hummingbird  5
Red-bellied Woodpecker  3
Downy Woodpecker  4
Northern Flicker  3
American Kestrel  4
American Crow  15
Purple Martin  5
Barn Swallow  2
Carolina Chickadee  2
Red-breasted Nuthatch  1
Carolina Wren  5
American Robin  2
Gray Catbird  4
European Starling  40
Northern Waterthrush  3
Black-and-white Warbler  1
Common Yellowthroat  3
American Redstart  5
Yellow Warbler  7
Yellow-rumped Warbler  1
Northern Cardinal  3
Blue Grosbeak  5
Bobolink  25
Red-winged Blackbird  15
Common Grackle  8
Brown-headed Cowbird  15
Orchard Oriole  2
Baltimore Oriole  10
House Sparrow  3

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