Birding the Meadows with Pete Dunne - Monday, May 12th, 2014

A nice start to a nice day, with perched and singing Blue Grosbeak and Orchard Oriole. Many Common Yellowthroats singing and several seen well including a pair. Several American Oystercatchers are nesting on the beach, a Common Loon in breeding plumage, and a late Red-throated Loon off shore. Waders included an adult Little Blue Heron, and Glossy Ibis. Lots of shorebirds with the water level going down. Those seen were Short-billed Dowitchers, Semipalmated Plover and Sandpipers, Least Sandpipers, and both Yellowlegs. Leaders: Karl Lukens, Chuck Slugg, Steve Weis, & Janet Crawford.
58 species

Canada Goose  6
Mute Swan  12
Mallard  8
Black Scoter  25
Red-throated Loon  1
Common Loon  1
Double-crested Cormorant  50
Great Egret  4
Snowy Egret  4
Little Blue Heron  1
Glossy Ibis  1
Osprey  5
American Oystercatcher  5
Semipalmated Plover  5
Killdeer  2
Solitary Sandpiper  1
Greater Yellowlegs  2
Willet  2
Lesser Yellowlegs  1
Least Sandpiper  20
Semipalmated Sandpiper  8
Short-billed Dowitcher  60
Laughing Gull  20
Herring Gull  5
Great Black-backed Gull  5
Least Tern  10
Forster's Tern  15
Black Skimmer  3
Mourning Dove  5
Northern Flicker  1
Eastern Wood-Pewee  1
Eastern Kingbird  3
American Crow  1
Fish Crow  1
Tree Swallow  10
Barn Swallow  10
Carolina Chickadee  1
Marsh Wren  1     heard by a few
Carolina Wren  1
American Robin  1
Gray Catbird  1
Northern Mockingbird  1
European Starling  5
Common Yellowthroat  6
Yellow Warbler  1     heard by a few
Field Sparrow  1
Savannah Sparrow  1
Song Sparrow  4
Northern Cardinal  3
Blue Grosbeak  1
Indigo Bunting  1     heard by a leader
Red-winged Blackbird  20
Common Grackle  10
Brown-headed Cowbird  1
Orchard Oriole  2     adult male, female
Baltimore Oriole  1
House Finch  1
House Sparrow  5

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

Field Sparrow [Photo by Karl Lukens]

Least Sandpiper [Photo by Karl Lukens]

Little Blue Heron [Photo by Karl Lukens]

EZ Birding at Cape May Point - Tuesday, May 13th, 2014

A lovely morning with a hint of summer and an enthusiastic group made all of our sightings exciting. Leaders:  Chris Marks, Chuck Slugg, and Nancy Watson.
53 species (+1 other taxa)

Canada Goose  6
Mute Swan  4
Mallard  15
Double-crested Cormorant  12
Great Egret  2
Snowy Egret  2
Glossy Ibis  1
Black Vulture  2
Turkey Vulture  8
Osprey  10
Mississippi Kite  3
Northern Harrier  1
Cooper's Hawk  1
Bald Eagle  1
Red-shouldered Hawk  1
Red-tailed Hawk  3
American Oystercatcher  4
Killdeer  1
Least Sandpiper  3
Short-billed Dowitcher  12
Laughing Gull  X
Great Black-backed Gull  2
Least Tern  4
Common Tern  4
Forster's Tern  10
Mourning Dove  4
Yellow-billed Cuckoo  1
Chimney Swift  2
Red-bellied Woodpecker  1
Empidonax sp.  1
American Crow  2
Fish Crow  2
Northern Rough-winged Swallow  4
Purple Martin  20
Tree Swallow  8
Carolina Chickadee  3
House Wren  3
Carolina Wren  5
Blue-gray Gnatcatcher  2
American Robin  4
Gray Catbird  5
Cedar Waxwing  1
Common Yellowthroat  6
American Redstart  1
Blackburnian Warbler  1
Yellow Warbler  4
Yellow-rumped Warbler (Myrtle)  6
Yellow-throated Warbler  1
Northern Cardinal  4
Red-winged Blackbird  12
Common Grackle  8
Brown-headed Cowbird  6
American Goldfinch  4
House Sparrow  2

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

Higbee Beach Bird Walk - Friday, May 9th, 2014

A foggy start to the Higbee Beach walk meant we had something of a slow start, but singing Field Sparrows and Yellow-breasted Chat entertained us until the weather improved. A fly-over Yellow-headed Blackbird was an all-too-brief highlight, but warblers were fun too, with nice views of Black-and-white and Blackpoll Warblers, and Northern Parulas. Leaders: Mike Crewe, Chris Marks, Kathy Horn, Steve Weis, and Warren Cairo.
50 species

Mallard  3
Great Egret  1
Turkey Vulture  3
Bald Eagle  1
Lesser Yellowlegs  1
Laughing Gull  6
Forster's Tern  1
Mourning Dove  2
Yellow-billed Cuckoo  1
Red-bellied Woodpecker  1
Downy Woodpecker  2
Great Crested Flycatcher  4
White-eyed Vireo  2
Blue Jay  2
American Crow  1
Fish Crow  1
Barn Swallow  1
Carolina Chickadee  4
Tufted Titmouse  2
Carolina Wren  6
Blue-gray Gnatcatcher  2
Wood Thrush  1
American Robin  2
Gray Catbird  4
European Starling  1
Ovenbird  2
Blue-winged Warbler  1
Black-and-white Warbler  3
Common Yellowthroat  2
Northern Parula  3
Yellow Warbler  2
Blackpoll Warbler  4
Black-throated Blue Warbler  1
Yellow-rumped Warbler  10
Prairie Warbler  1
Yellow-breasted Chat  1
Field Sparrow  5
Savannah Sparrow  1
White-throated Sparrow  8
Northern Cardinal  4
Blue Grosbeak  4
Indigo Bunting  3
Red-winged Blackbird  10
Yellow-headed Blackbird  1
Common Grackle  5
Brown-headed Cowbird  8
Orchard Oriole  2
Baltimore Oriole  1
House Finch  1
American Goldfinch  3

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

Birds of Belleplain - Thursday, May 8th, 2014

Clouds, cool, and some rain drops made for slow birding. We did however end up with four Scarlet Tanagers, two Blue Grosbeaks, both Baltimore and Orchard Orioles, and great looks at Prairie Warblers. Ovenbirds were calling continually. Leaders: Bert Hixon, Karl Lukens, and Shaun Bamford.
45 species

Turkey Vulture  3
Red-tailed Hawk  1
Laughing Gull  15
Mourning Dove  3
Ruby-throated Hummingbird  2
Red-bellied Woodpecker  2
Eastern Phoebe  2
Great Crested Flycatcher  3
Eastern Kingbird  1
Red-eyed Vireo  4
American Crow  3
Fish Crow  1
Barn Swallow  6
Carolina Chickadee  3
Tufted Titmouse  2
Carolina Wren  1
Blue-gray Gnatcatcher  5
Eastern Bluebird  2
Wood Thrush  10
American Robin  5
Gray Catbird  5
Brown Thrasher  2
Northern Mockingbird  2
European Starling  1
Ovenbird  15
Worm-eating Warbler  1
Black-and-white Warbler  3
Pine Warbler  6
Yellow-rumped Warbler  3
Prairie Warbler  4
Yellow-breasted Chat  1     heard only
Chipping Sparrow  10
White-throated Sparrow  5
Summer Tanager  1     after walk by leader
Scarlet Tanager  4
Northern Cardinal  4
Rose-breasted Grosbeak  3
Blue Grosbeak  2
Indigo Bunting  1
Red-winged Blackbird  5
Common Grackle  15
Brown-headed Cowbird  5
Orchard Oriole  2
Baltimore Oriole  1
House Finch  1

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

Birding Cape May Point - Wednesday, May 7th, 2014

A few interesting waders were seen including a brief look at a Little Blue Heron, two Green Herons, and several Great Egrets. Along the beach we had many swallows with at least one Bank Swallow with the Northern Rough-wings, Tree, and Barns. We also had a Lesser Black-backed Gull, three Least Sandpipers, and several Least Terns. A couple of Piping Plovers were on the beach looking like a pair, as well as five American Oystercatchers (one on nest). Smaller birds of interest were House Wren, Blue-gray Gnatcatcher, Common Yellowthroats, Pine and Yellow-rumped Warblers. A pair of Blue Grosbeaks and Orchard Orioles sang for us. Two female Indigo Buntings, and a Scarlet Tanager were also nice to see. Leaders: Mike Crewe, Karl Lukens, Steve Weis, and Chris Marks.
60 species

Canada Goose  25
Mute Swan  8
Mallard  12
Red-throated Loon  3
Common Loon  1
Double-crested Cormorant  30
Great Egret  4
Little Blue Heron  1
Green Heron  2
Black Vulture  1
Turkey Vulture  5
Osprey  5
Bald Eagle  1
Red-tailed Hawk  1
American Oystercatcher  5
Piping Plover  2
Least Sandpiper  3
Short-billed Dowitcher  10
Laughing Gull  20
Herring Gull  2
Lesser Black-backed Gull  1
Great Black-backed Gull  2
Least Tern  5
Forster's Tern  8
Mourning Dove  5
Chimney Swift  4
Eastern Kingbird  1
Blue Jay  7
American Crow  5
Fish Crow  1
Northern Rough-winged Swallow  4
Purple Martin  100
Tree Swallow  5
Bank Swallow  1
Barn Swallow  15
Carolina Chickadee  3
House Wren  2
Carolina Wren  1
Blue-gray Gnatcatcher  2
American Robin  1
Gray Catbird  4
Brown Thrasher  2
Northern Mockingbird  1
European Starling  10
Common Yellowthroat  7
Pine Warbler  1
Yellow-rumped Warbler  5
Prairie Warbler  1
Song Sparrow  4
White-throated Sparrow  5
Scarlet Tanager  1
Northern Cardinal  5
Blue Grosbeak  2     pair
Indigo Bunting  2
Red-winged Blackbird  20
Common Grackle  10
Brown-headed Cowbird  6
Orchard Oriole  2
House Finch  2
House Sparrow  2

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

Blue Grosbeak [Photo by Karl Lukens]

Blue Grosbeak [Photo by Karl Lukens]

Least Sandpipers [Photo by Karl Lukens]

Shorebirds at Heislerville with Mike Crewe - Tuesday, May 6th, 2014

Heislerville was still a little full of water today but that didn't stop us enjoying some good birding. We started by admiring the breeding colony of Double-crested Cormorants, which had a pair of Great Blue Herons and several Black-crowned Night Herons mixed in. Close encounters were enjoyed with Pectoral, Least and Semipalmated Sandpipers, Short-billed Dowitchers, Black Skimmers and a whole host of other birds, while many Clapper Rails called but remained hidden from view.  At East Point, a surprisingly high number of Bonaparte's Gulls was still present and we enjoyed some tussling, young Bald Eagles. Leaders:  Mike Crewe, Shaun Bamford, and Nancy Watson.
36 species

Canada Goose  4
American Black Duck  1
Mallard  2
Double-crested Cormorant  X
Great Blue Heron  2
Great Egret  X
Snowy Egret  X
Black-crowned Night-Heron  X
Glossy Ibis  4
Turkey Vulture  X
Osprey  3
Black-bellied Plover  10
Semipalmated Plover  25
Killdeer  1
Greater Yellowlegs  150
Lesser Yellowlegs  15
Ruddy Turnstone  2
Dunlin  400
Least Sandpiper  5
Pectoral Sandpiper  1
Semipalmated Sandpiper  1
Short-billed Dowitcher  120
Bonaparte's Gull  6
Laughing Gull  X
Ring-billed Gull  X
Herring Gull  X
Great Black-backed Gull  X
Forster's Tern  X
Black Skimmer  X
Belted Kingfisher  1
Fish Crow  2
Tree Swallow  X
Barn Swallow  X
Red-winged Blackbird  X
Common Grackle  X
House Sparrow  2

East Point Lighthouse
23 species

Mallard  1
Double-crested Cormorant  X
Great Egret  X
Snowy Egret  3
Turkey Vulture  X
Osprey  2
Bald Eagle  2
Semipalmated Plover  3
Willet  5
Ruddy Turnstone  10
Sanderling  35
Least Sandpiper  2
Semipalmated Sandpiper  3
Short-billed Dowitcher  10
Bonaparte's Gull  109     Counted in a single scan, on water close toshore, feeding. All but one were first-summer birds.
Laughing Gull  X
Ring-billed Gull  X
Herring Gull  X
Great Black-backed Gull  X
Forster's Tern  X
Barn Swallow  X
Red-winged Blackbird  X
Boat-tailed Grackle  X

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

EZ Birding at Cape May Point - Tuesday, May 6th, 2014

An enthusiastic group of new birders enjoyed today's walk through the state park. Highlights were a male Scarlet Tanager which perched obligingly for the group, a late Hermit Thrush in full view, and a lingering pair of Blue Teal. On the beach, a pair of American Oystercatcher appeared to be tending their nest. A large kettle of raptors also was of interest to all. Leaders:  Chris Marks, Catherine Busch, Chuck Slugg, Lynne Breslow, and Nancy Watson.
60 species

Canada Goose  X
Mute Swan  X
Mallard  X
Blue-winged Teal  2
Red-throated Loon  4
Common Loon  2
Double-crested Cormorant  20
Great Egret  4
Snowy Egret  2
Black Vulture  X
Turkey Vulture  X
Osprey  3
Cooper's Hawk  1
Bald Eagle  1
Red-shouldered Hawk  1
Broad-winged Hawk  5
Red-tailed Hawk  2
American Oystercatcher  4
Spotted Sandpiper  1
Laughing Gull  X
Herring Gull (American)  X
Forster's Tern  X
Rock Pigeon (Feral Pigeon)  X
Mourning Dove  X
Ruby-throated Hummingbird  1
Peregrine Falcon  1
Blue Jay  2
American Crow  X
Fish Crow  X
Northern Rough-winged Swallow  X
Purple Martin  X
Tree Swallow  X
Barn Swallow  X
Carolina Chickadee  2
House Wren  4
Carolina Wren  6
Blue-gray Gnatcatcher  4
Hermit Thrush  1
Gray Catbird  8
Northern Mockingbird  1
European Starling  X
Black-and-white Warbler  1
Common Yellowthroat  6
Yellow Warbler  2
Yellow-rumped Warbler (Myrtle)  X
Prairie Warbler  1     heard
Yellow-breasted Chat  1     heard
Field Sparrow  1     heard
Song Sparrow  3
Swamp Sparrow  1     seen by leaders
White-throated Sparrow  X
Scarlet Tanager  1
Northern Cardinal  6
Blue Grosbeak  2
Red-winged Blackbird  X
Common Grackle  X
Brown-headed Cowbird  X
House Finch  X
American Goldfinch  4
House Sparrow  X

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

Birding the Meadows with Pete Dunne - Monday, May 5th, 2014

A cool and very breezy morning. We started off well with a singing Blue Grosbeak in the parking lot. Waders included several Great Egrets, at least seven Snowy Egrets, a fly-over Cattle Egret, and a fly-by flock of Glossy Ibis. There appears to be two American Oystercatchers on nest on the beach. Other interesting birds were two Least Terns, four Eastern Kingbirds coming off the water, and lots of Barn and Tree Swallows. Leaders: Pete Dunne, Karl Lukens, Chuck Slugg, Catherine Busch, and Carrie Bell.
49 species

Canada Goose  4
Mute Swan  6
Gadwall  2
Mallard  6
Red-throated Loon  1
Common Loon  1
Double-crested Cormorant  50
Great Egret  3
Snowy Egret  7
Cattle Egret  1
Glossy Ibis  12
Black Vulture  4
Turkey Vulture  6
Osprey  4
Red-tailed Hawk  1
American Oystercatcher  3
Killdeer  3
Spotted Sandpiper  1
Solitary Sandpiper  1
Lesser Yellowlegs  1
Sanderling  15
Least Sandpiper  12
Short-billed Dowitcher  1
Laughing Gull  15
Herring Gull  2
Great Black-backed Gull  1
Least Tern  2
Forster's Tern  10
Mourning Dove  6
Chimney Swift  4
Eastern Kingbird  4
American Crow  3
Fish Crow  1
Tree Swallow  15
Barn Swallow  25
American Robin  1
Gray Catbird  2
European Starling  2
Yellow-rumped Warbler  1
Field Sparrow  3
Song Sparrow  3
Northern Cardinal  2
Blue Grosbeak  1
Red-winged Blackbird  20
Common Grackle  10
Brown-headed Cowbird  4
Baltimore Oriole  2     seen briefly by 1 leader
American Goldfinch  1
House Sparrow  2

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

Snowy Egret [Photo by Karl Lukens]

Bird Walk for All People - Saturday, May 3rd, 2014

Beautiful, sunny, spring afternoon with a slight breeze. Highlights of the walk include: Blue-winged Teal; Blue Grosbeaks; Red-tailed Hawk; a variety of swallows such as Purple Martins, Tree, Barn, Bank, and Northern Rough-winged; and an elusive, heard-only Chat. Leaders: Chuck & Mary Jane Slugg, Cindy Bamford, Tom Baxter, Marc & Lynne Breslow.
54 species

Canada Goose  15
Mute Swan  9
Mallard  5
Blue-winged Teal  2
Double-crested Cormorant  110
Great Egret  5
Snowy Egret  1
Green Heron  1
Black Vulture  2
Turkey Vulture  1
Osprey  5
Red-tailed Hawk  3
American Oystercatcher  6
Killdeer  2
Laughing Gull  15
Herring Gull  4
Great Black-backed Gull  7
Common Tern  6
Forster's Tern  15
Rock Pigeon (Feral Pigeon)  2
Mourning Dove  5
Chimney Swift  3
Blue Jay  1
American Crow  3
Fish Crow  17
Northern Rough-winged Swallow  10
Purple Martin  36
Tree Swallow  25
Bank Swallow  1
Barn Swallow  15
Carolina Chickadee  4
Tufted Titmouse  1     heard
House Wren  2     heard
Marsh Wren  1     heard
Carolina Wren  5     heard
Blue-gray Gnatcatcher  1     heard
American Robin  9
Gray Catbird  5
European Starling  11
Common Yellowthroat  5     heard
Yellow Warbler  1
Yellow-rumped Warbler  5
Yellow-breasted Chat  1     heard
Eastern Towhee  1
White-throated Sparrow  2
Northern Cardinal  6
Blue Grosbeak  4
Indigo Bunting  1     seen by leader only
Red-winged Blackbird  20
Common Grackle  10
Brown-headed Cowbird  6
House Finch  5
American Goldfinch  3
House Sparrow  1

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

Birds of Belleplain - Saturday, May 3rd, 2014

Spring has finally sprung in Belleplain with a number of new singing birds. Special treats were a worm-eating warbler seen at close range and many Summer Tanagers. Leaders:  Bert Hixon, Chris Marks, Shaun Bamford & Todd Klein.
54 species

Canada Goose  4
Wild Turkey  1
Black Vulture  1
Turkey Vulture  2
Laughing Gull  25
Herring Gull  2
Mourning Dove  4
Ruby-throated Hummingbird  1
Red-bellied Woodpecker  3
Northern Flicker (Yellow-shafted)  2
Eastern Wood-Pewee  2
Acadian Flycatcher  1
Eastern Phoebe  2
Great Crested Flycatcher  4
Eastern Kingbird  2
White-eyed Vireo  4
Red-eyed Vireo  2
Blue Jay  2
Fish Crow  2
Barn Swallow  2
Carolina Chickadee  4
Tufted Titmouse  4
House Wren  1
Carolina Wren  4
Blue-gray Gnatcatcher  4
Eastern Bluebird  2
Wood Thrush  4
American Robin  5
Gray Catbird  2
Brown Thrasher  2
Northern Mockingbird  1
Ovenbird  6
Worm-eating Warbler  1
Black-and-white Warbler  2
Common Yellowthroat  1
Yellow Warbler  1
Pine Warbler  2
Yellow-rumped Warbler (Myrtle)  10
Yellow-throated Warbler  2
Black-throated Green Warbler  2
Eastern Towhee  2
Chipping Sparrow  12
Field Sparrow  2
Song Sparrow  13
White-throated Sparrow  8
Summer Tanager  3
Rose-breasted Grosbeak  1
Indigo Bunting  2
Red-winged Blackbird  6
Eastern Meadowlark  3
Common Grackle  8
Brown-headed Cowbird  8
Orchard Oriole  2
American Goldfinch  2

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

Spring Migrants at the Rea Farm - Saturday, May 3rd, 2014

A comfortable morning and some good birds including good looks at three Glossy Ibis, a Killdeer on nest, a Greater Yellowlegs, and two Wilson's Snipe. Also of note was a Red-bellied Woodpecker hanging around, and entering a new tree hole. Two Prothonotary Warblers were singing, but only a few got a glimpse of it. We also had good looks at Common Yellowthroats, Prairie Warbler, two Indigo Buntings, and an Orchard Oriole. An interesting sighting was a large Snapping Turtle well away from water. Leaders: Karl Lukens, Catherine Busch, and Chris Hajduk.
53 species

Canada Goose  5
Wood Duck  2     fly-over
Mallard  5
Double-crested Cormorant  30
Great Egret  2
Glossy Ibis  3
Black Vulture  1
Turkey Vulture  1
Osprey  1
Red-tailed Hawk  1
Killdeer  4
Greater Yellowlegs  1
Wilson's Snipe  2
Laughing Gull  3
Herring Gull  1
Rock Pigeon (Feral Pigeon)  1
Mourning Dove  6
Chimney Swift  4
Ruby-throated Hummingbird  1
Red-bellied Woodpecker  3
Downy Woodpecker  1
Hairy Woodpecker  1
Great Crested Flycatcher  2
Eastern Kingbird  2
Blue Jay  1
American Crow  3
Fish Crow  1
Northern Rough-winged Swallow  2
Tree Swallow  2
Barn Swallow  5
Carolina Chickadee  2
Tufted Titmouse  1
Carolina Wren  2
Blue-gray Gnatcatcher  1
Gray Catbird  5
European Starling  3
Prothonotary Warbler  2     heard, seen briefly by a few
Common Yellowthroat  8
Yellow Warbler  1
Palm Warbler  1
Yellow-rumped Warbler  10
Prairie Warbler  1
Savannah Sparrow  1
Song Sparrow  2
Swamp Sparrow  1
White-throated Sparrow  1
Northern Cardinal  5
Indigo Bunting  2
Red-winged Blackbird  10
Common Grackle  15
Brown-headed Cowbird  5
Orchard Oriole  1
House Sparrow  1

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

Red-bellied Woodpecker calling from newly excavated nest [Photo by Karl Lukens]

Red-bellied Woodpecker [Photo by Karl Lukens]

Snapping Turtle [Photo by Karl Lukens]

Higbee Beach Bird Walk - Friday, May 2nd, 2014

Newly arrived warblers gave us a good start at the parking lot with good looks at Magnolia and Yellow Warblers, and Northern Parula. Other warblers seen or heard during the walk included American Redstart, Ovenbird, Black-and-white, Common Yellowthroat, Palm, and a Yellow-breasted Chat singing on his usual territory in the first field. Other highlights included a briefly perched Red-headed Woodpecker, a Yellow-billed Cuckoo, and two female Scarlet Tanager. Leaders:  Bert Hixon, Chris Marks, Catherine Busch, and Steve Weis.
61 species

Mallard  2
Common Loon  1
Double-crested Cormorant  5
Snowy Egret  2
Black Vulture  1
Turkey Vulture  2
Black-bellied Plover  1
Laughing Gull  X
Herring Gull  X
Mourning Dove  1
Yellow-billed Cuckoo  1
Chimney Swift  2
Ruby-throated Hummingbird  1
Red-headed Woodpecker  1
Red-bellied Woodpecker  2
Downy Woodpecker  1
Hairy Woodpecker  3
Merlin  1
Great Crested Flycatcher  1
Eastern Kingbird  5
White-eyed Vireo  6
Blue-headed Vireo  3
Blue Jay  2
American Crow  3
Fish Crow  1
Northern Rough-winged Swallow  2
Purple Martin  1
Tree Swallow  2
Carolina Chickadee  X
Tufted Titmouse  X
House Wren  1
Carolina Wren  5
Blue-gray Gnatcatcher  6
Ruby-crowned Kinglet  4
American Robin  4
Gray Catbird  3
Brown Thrasher  1
Northern Mockingbird  1
European Starling  X
Ovenbird  1  heard
Black-and-white Warbler  8
Common Yellowthroat  4
American Redstart  1
Northern Parula  6
Magnolia Warbler  1
Yellow Warbler  2
Palm Warbler  1
Yellow-rumped Warbler (Myrtle)  X
Yellow-breasted Chat  1
Eastern Towhee  2
Chipping Sparrow  X
Field Sparrow  X
Song Sparrow  2
White-throated Sparrow  X
Scarlet Tanager  2     female
Northern Cardinal  X
Red-winged Blackbird  X
Common Grackle  X
Brown-headed Cowbird  X
Orchard Oriole  1     heard
House Finch  X

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

Shorebirds at Heislerville with Pete Dunne - Thursday, May 1st, 2014

The biggest surprises of the day were a Sandhill Crane that flushed from the marsh and a Tricolored Heron. We had a nice selection of shorebirds, including Spotted Sandpiper. Black Skimmers finally put in an appearance. There are still Bonaparte's Gulls, Ruddy Ducks, Northern Shovelers and Red-breasted Mergansers around. Leaders: Pete Dunne, Janet Crawford, and Shaun Bamford.
38 species

Canada Goose  2
Mute Swan  1
American Black Duck  18
Mallard  5
Northern Shoveler  4
Red-breasted Merganser  1
Ruddy Duck  2
Great Blue Heron  1
Great Egret  40
Tricolored Heron  1
Black-crowned Night-Heron  1
Turkey Vulture  4
Osprey  5
Bald Eagle  1
Clapper Rail  7
Sandhill Crane  1
Black-bellied Plover  4
Semipalmated Plover  100
Killdeer  1
Spotted Sandpiper  2
Greater Yellowlegs  100
Willet  3
Lesser Yellowlegs  30
Dunlin  800
Least Sandpiper  2
Semipalmated Sandpiper  200
Short-billed Dowitcher  700
Bonaparte's Gull  5
Laughing Gull  40
Ring-billed Gull  3
Herring Gull  40
Great Black-backed Gull  10
Forster's Tern  30
Black Skimmer  40
Eastern Kingbird  2
Tree Swallow  12
Barn Swallow  12
Song Sparrow  1

East Point Lighthouse
20 species

Snow Goose  3
Red-breasted Merganser  5
Great Blue Heron  1
Osprey  5
Northern Harrier  1
Spotted Sandpiper  1
Willet  3
Sanderling  2
Bonaparte's Gull  22
Laughing Gull  20
Herring Gull  30
Merlin  1
Purple Martin  1
Tree Swallow  1
Barn Swallow  1
Song Sparrow  1
Red-winged Blackbird  8
Boat-tailed Grackle  6
House Finch  1
House Sparrow  1

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

EZ Birding at Cape May Point - Tuesday, April 29th, 2014

Cloudy, windy, and chilly. Highlights of today's walk include:  Over 100 assorted swallows sitting on the parking lot (most were Barn Swallows with some Tree, Northern Rough-winged, and Purple Martins); a feisty Cooper's Hawk harassing a Red-tailed Hawk; good looks at a pair of Palm Warblers; and American Oystercatchers on the beach. Leaders: Chuck Slugg & Nancy Watson.
44 species

Canada Goose  25
Mute Swan  16
Mallard  8
Double-crested Cormorant  3
Great Egret  2
Snowy Egret  1
Black Vulture  5
Turkey Vulture  4
Osprey  2
Cooper's Hawk  1
Red-tailed Hawk  1
American Oystercatcher  2
Killdeer  1     heard
Laughing Gull  2
Herring Gull  1
Great Black-backed Gull  3
Forster's Tern  10
Mourning Dove  2
Chimney Swift  3
Downy Woodpecker  1
Eastern Phoebe  2
Fish Crow  8
Northern Rough-winged Swallow  15
Purple Martin  30
Tree Swallow  35
Barn Swallow  45
Carolina Chickadee  3
House Wren  1     heard
Carolina Wren  3     heard
Blue-gray Gnatcatcher  2
Hermit Thrush  1
American Robin  2
Common Yellowthroat  4     heard
Palm Warbler  2     back of state park in wooded area behind dunes
Pine Warbler  1     heard
Yellow-rumped Warbler  3
Song Sparrow  3     heard
Northern Cardinal  3
Blue Grosbeak  1     heard
Red-winged Blackbird  10
Common Grackle  8
Brown-headed Cowbird  4
House Finch  3     heard
American Goldfinch  2

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

Birds of Peaslee - Monday, April 28th, 2014

We had a fabulous day with 14 species of warblers including looks at Prothonotary Warbler, Ovenbird, Louisiana Waterthrush and Hooded Warbler. We had a Baltimore Oriole and an Orchard Oriole in the same binocular view. We also had good looks at Yellow-throated Warbler and Wood Duck. Leaders: Karen Johnson, Janet Crawford, and Shaun Bamford.

Peaslee WMA--Head of River
7 species

Ovenbird  2
Louisiana Waterthrush  2
Prothonotary Warbler  2
Common Yellowthroat  5
Northern Parula  2
Yellow-throated Warbler  2
Brown-headed Cowbird  4

Tarkiln Pond area
24 species

Canada Goose  2
Turkey Vulture  1
Eastern Phoebe  1
White-eyed Vireo  5
Northern Rough-winged Swallow  1
Tree Swallow  10
Barn Swallow  14
Carolina Chickadee  1
Tufted Titmouse  1
White-breasted Nuthatch  1
Blue-gray Gnatcatcher  4
Louisiana Waterthrush  1
Black-and-white Warbler  1
Common Yellowthroat  1
American Redstart  2
Palm Warbler (Yellow)  2
Yellow-rumped Warbler (Myrtle)  30
Yellow-throated Warbler  1
Eastern Towhee  1
Song Sparrow  1
White-throated Sparrow  4
Northern Cardinal  1
Orchard Oriole  1
Baltimore Oriole  1

Peaslee WMA--First Ave
22 species

Wood Duck  2
Mourning Dove  1
Red-bellied Woodpecker  1
Downy Woodpecker  1
Great Crested Flycatcher  1
White-eyed Vireo  5
Blue Jay  3
American Crow  1
Tufted Titmouse  3
White-breasted Nuthatch  2
Blue-gray Gnatcatcher  5
Ovenbird  9
Worm-eating Warbler  1
Louisiana Waterthrush  1
Black-and-white Warbler  1
Hooded Warbler  2
American Redstart  3
Palm Warbler  1
Pine Warbler  3
Yellow-throated Warbler  2
Eastern Towhee  4
Chipping Sparrow  4

Maurice River, Hunters Mill Road

9 species

Yellow-throated Vireo  2

Blue Jay  2

Carolina Chickadee  1

Tufted Titmouse  3

White-breasted Nuthatch  2

Ovenbird  4

Pine Warbler  1

Chipping Sparrow  2

Summer Tanager  1

Belleplain -- Upper Champion Rd and Vine St

4 species

White-eyed Vireo  2

Carolina Wren  1

Prairie Warbler  3

Field Sparrow  2

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

Birding the Meadows with Pete Dunne - Monday, April 28th, 2014

A nice morning and a very good start with a perched and singing Blue Grosbeak, and a perched Orchard Oriole, both scoped from the parking lot. A Glaucous Gull was seen in the plover pond, and on the beach we had at least 11 American Oystercatchers. Off shore there were Surf and Black Scoters, and far off Northern Gannets. The ponds contained three Glossy Ibis, a Greater Yellowlegs, and a small flock of Least Sandpipers, and a hunting adult male Northern Harrier. Leaders: Pete Dunne, Karl Lukens, Chuck Slugg, Steve Weis, Catherine Busch, Marc & Lynne Breslow.
56 species

Canada Goose  5
Mute Swan  4
Gadwall  4
American Wigeon  3
American Black Duck  1
Mallard  15
Green-winged Teal  4
Surf Scoter  60
Black Scoter  10
Common Loon  1
Northern Gannet  10
Double-crested Cormorant  350
Great Egret  2
Snowy Egret  3
Green Heron  2
Glossy Ibis  3
Black Vulture  4
Turkey Vulture  15
Osprey  5
Northern Harrier  1     Gray Ghost
Red-tailed Hawk  2
American Oystercatcher  11
Greater Yellowlegs  1
Willet  12
Least Sandpiper  8
Short-billed Dowitcher  1
Wilson's Snipe  2
Laughing Gull  5
Herring Gull  2
Glaucous Gull  1
Great Black-backed Gull  1
Forster's Tern  10
Mourning Dove  3
Merlin  1
American Crow  4
Fish Crow  1
Northern Rough-winged Swallow  1
Purple Martin  1
Tree Swallow  15
Barn Swallow  15
Marsh Wren  1
European Starling  2
Common Yellowthroat  5
Yellow Warbler  2
Yellow-rumped Warbler  2
Eastern Towhee  1
Field Sparrow  1
Song Sparrow  5
White-throated Sparrow  1
Northern Cardinal  3
Blue Grosbeak  2
Red-winged Blackbird  20
Common Grackle  6
Brown-headed Cowbird  5
Orchard Oriole  1
House Finch  1
House Sparrow  2

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

Barn Swallow [Photo by Karl Lukens]

Willet [Photo by Karl Lukens]

Bird Walk for All People - Saturday, April 26th, 2014

A beautiful, warm spring afternoon provided the setting for our walk and many birds were taking advantage of it. Highlights include: numerous Osprey; lots of swallows including Purple Martins, Tree, Barn, and Northern Rough-winged; warblers including Palm, Pine, Common Yellowthroat, and Myrtle in splendid plumage; adult and sub-adult Bald Eagle; and some very vocal American Oystercatchers. Leaders: Chuck & Mary Jane Slugg, Cindy Bamford, Deb Payson, Marc & Lynne Breslow, Catherine Busch, and Chris Marks.
48 species

Canada Goose  26
Mute Swan  13
Gadwall  1
American Wigeon  1     back of Bunker Pond
Mallard  12
Blue-winged Teal  4
Double-crested Cormorant  65
Great Egret  3
Snowy Egret  2
Black Vulture  1
Turkey Vulture  10
Osprey  12
Bald Eagle  2
American Oystercatcher  7
Killdeer  1
Laughing Gull  20
Herring Gull  2
Great Black-backed Gull  7
Forster's Tern  14
Rock Pigeon (Feral Pigeon)  4
Mourning Dove  2
American Crow  5
Fish Crow  25
Northern Rough-winged Swallow  15
Purple Martin  50
Tree Swallow  10
Barn Swallow  6
Carolina Chickadee  6
House Wren  2     heard
Carolina Wren  3     heard
Blue-gray Gnatcatcher  2
Ruby-crowned Kinglet  1
Hermit Thrush  1
American Robin  7
Northern Mockingbird  3
European Starling  10
Common Yellowthroat  4
Palm Warbler  1
Pine Warbler  2
Yellow-rumped Warbler  18
Savannah Sparrow  1
Song Sparrow  4
White-throated Sparrow  6
Northern Cardinal  5
Red-winged Blackbird  20
Common Grackle  10
Brown-headed Cowbird  4     heard
House Finch  4

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

Birds of Belleplain - Saturday, April 26th, 2014

Leaders:  Bert Hixon, BJ Pinnock, Shaun Bamford & Chris Marks.
47 species

Canada Goose  4
Green-winged Teal  2
Wild Turkey  2
Black Vulture  4
Turkey Vulture  6
Red-tailed Hawk  1
Laughing Gull  43
Herring Gull (American)  4
Great Black-backed Gull  1
Mourning Dove  2
Red-bellied Woodpecker  1
Eastern Phoebe  6
Eastern Kingbird  2
White-eyed Vireo  5
Yellow-throated Vireo  1
Red-eyed Vireo  1
Blue Jay  2
Fish Crow  4
Barn Swallow  2
Carolina Chickadee  4
Tufted Titmouse  6
Carolina Wren  3
Blue-gray Gnatcatcher  8
Ruby-crowned Kinglet  1
Eastern Bluebird  5
American Robin  6
Brown Thrasher  3
Northern Mockingbird  2
Ovenbird  5
Worm-eating Warbler  2
Black-and-white Warbler  4
Prothonotary Warbler  1
Palm Warbler  1
Pine Warbler  5
Yellow-rumped Warbler (Myrtle)  12
Yellow-throated Warbler  2
Prairie Warbler  4
Eastern Towhee  1
Chipping Sparrow  8
Field Sparrow  3
White-throated Sparrow  6
Northern Cardinal  4
Eastern Meadowlark  2
Common Grackle  4
Brown-headed Cowbird  10
Orchard Oriole  1
American Goldfinch  4

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

Spring Migrants at the Rea Farm - Saturday, April 26th, 2014

Cool and breezy morning with some bird activity. The Willow Pond had four Black-Crowned Night-Herons and an adult Little Blue Heron. Smaller birds consisted of Blue-headed, and White-eyed Vireos, Blue-gray Gnatcatchers, Ruby-crowned Kinglet, Palm, and Yellow-rumped Warblers, and two Prothonotary Warblers--one singing. Savannah and Field Sparrows were also present. Leaders: Karl Lukens, Catherine Busch, Carrie Bell, Deb Payson, and Michael McCabe.
43 species

Canada Goose  10
American Black Duck  3
Mallard  6
Great Egret  2
Little Blue Heron  1
Black-crowned Night-Heron  4
Black Vulture  5
Turkey Vulture  8
Osprey  1
Red-tailed Hawk  2
Killdeer  1
Wilson's Snipe  1
Laughing Gull  10
Mourning Dove  5
Red-bellied Woodpecker  2
White-eyed Vireo  1     heard
Blue-headed Vireo  1
American Crow  5
Fish Crow  2
Northern Rough-winged Swallow  5
Tree Swallow  5
Barn Swallow  10
Carolina Chickadee  3
Tufted Titmouse  1
Carolina Wren  3
Blue-gray Gnatcatcher  6
Ruby-crowned Kinglet  1
European Starling  2
Black-and-white Warbler  1
Prothonotary Warbler  2
Common Yellowthroat  4
Palm Warbler  1
Yellow-rumped Warbler  15
Field Sparrow  5
Savannah Sparrow  5
Song Sparrow  5
Swamp Sparrow  1
White-throated Sparrow  4
Northern Cardinal  8
Red-winged Blackbird  10
Common Grackle  5
Brown-headed Cowbird  8
House Sparrow  2

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

Blue-headed Vireo [Photo by Karl Lukens]

Prothonotary Warbler [Photo by Karl Lukens]

Higbee Beach Bird Walk - Friday, April 25th, 2014

A slightly more spritely Higbee Beach this week produced Purple Sandpiper and a flight of 10 Willets over the bay, a close encounter with a fish-carrying Bald Eagle and an increase in the number of Field Sparrows in song. Newly arrived migrants included Black-and-white and Prairie Warblers, Blue-headed Vireo and at least 10 Hermit Thrushes. Leaders: Mike Crewe, Chris Marks, and Catherine Busch.
46 species

Canada Goose  2
Mallard  2
Black Scoter  3
Red-throated Loon  1
Northern Gannet  12
Double-crested Cormorant  55
Great Egret  1
Black Vulture  2
Turkey Vulture  6
Osprey  1
Cooper's Hawk  1
Bald Eagle  1
Willet  10
Ruddy Turnstone  1
Sanderling  12
Purple Sandpiper  1
Laughing Gull  20
Ring-billed Gull  2
Herring Gull  10
Great Black-backed Gull  6
Forster's Tern  10
Mourning Dove  2
Ruby-throated Hummingbird  1
Downy Woodpecker  3
Merlin  1
White-eyed Vireo  4
Blue-headed Vireo  1
Blue Jay  2
Purple Martin  2
Barn Swallow  6
Carolina Chickadee  2
Tufted Titmouse  2
Carolina Wren  X
Blue-gray Gnatcatcher  6
Hermit Thrush  10     Overnight arrival of northbound migrants
American Robin  3
Brown Thrasher  2
Black-and-white Warbler  3
Prairie Warbler  4
Eastern Towhee  1
Field Sparrow  5
White-throated Sparrow  15
Northern Cardinal  5
Red-winged Blackbird  X
Common Grackle  4
Brown-headed Cowbird  10

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