Spring Migrants at the Rea Farm - Saturday, May 24th, 2014

It was a good day for looking up. We had two Bald Eagles, three Red-tailed Hawks, both vultures, five Osprey, two Wood Ducks, egrets, and best of all, six Mississippi Kites. Other good birds were Great-crested Flycatchers, Eastern Kingbirds, Blue-gray Gnatcatchers, Common Yellowthroats, Yellow Warbler, and Yellow-breasted Chat. We also heard two Prothonotary Warblers, and a Northern Waterthrush. We had good looks at Indigo Bunting and Blue Grosbeak. Leaders: Karl Lukens, Kathy & Roger Horn, Warren Cairo, Carrie Bell, Hugh Simmons, and Rob & Lisa Fanning.
57 species

Canada Goose  2
Wood Duck  2     fly over
Mallard  4
Double-crested Cormorant  25
Great Egret  4
Green Heron  1
Black Vulture  3
Turkey Vulture  8
Osprey  5
Mississippi Kite  6
Bald Eagle  2
Red-tailed Hawk  3
Killdeer  1
Laughing Gull  10
Herring Gull  4
Great Black-backed Gull  1
Forster's Tern  3
Rock Pigeon (Feral Pigeon)  2
Mourning Dove  6
Chimney Swift  8
Red-bellied Woodpecker  1
Downy Woodpecker  3
Eastern Wood-Pewee  1
Great Crested Flycatcher  6
Eastern Kingbird  5
White-eyed Vireo  1
Blue Jay  4
American Crow  10
Northern Rough-winged Swallow  3
Purple Martin  1
Tree Swallow  3
Barn Swallow  10
Carolina Chickadee  2
Carolina Wren  2
Blue-gray Gnatcatcher  2
American Robin  5
Northern Mockingbird  1
European Starling  8
Northern Waterthrush  1     heard
Prothonotary Warbler  2     heard
Common Yellowthroat  5
Yellow Warbler  2
Blackpoll Warbler  1     heard by a few
Yellow-rumped Warbler  4
Yellow-breasted Chat  1
Chipping Sparrow  1
Field Sparrow  2
Northern Cardinal  6
Blue Grosbeak  3
Indigo Bunting  3
Red-winged Blackbird  5
Common Grackle  10
Brown-headed Cowbird  10
Orchard Oriole  2
House Finch  3
American Goldfinch  3
House Sparrow  2

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

Mississippi Kite [Photo by Karl Lukens]

A Meadows Afternoon - Friday, May 23rd, 2014

The late afternoon light and broad mudflat edges made for some spectacular looks at shorebirds during today's Meadows walk. Dunlin, Short-billed Dowitchers, Semipalmated Plovers and Semipalmated Sandpipers were close and plentiful, allowing for good comparisons. Least, Forster and a single Common Tern were seen and two American Oystercatchers appear to be nesting on the beach. Leaders: Kathy Horn, Warren Cairo, and Hugh Simmons.
49 species

Canada Goose  X

Mute Swan  7

Gadwall  2

Mallard  X

Double-crested Cormorant  2

Great Egret  7

Snowy Egret  4

Little Blue Heron  1

Black Vulture  2

Turkey Vulture  3

Osprey  3

American Oystercatcher  4

Semipalmated Plover  21

Killdeer  2

Greater Yellowlegs  5

Lesser Yellowlegs  3

Dunlin  X

Least Sandpiper  X

White-rumped Sandpiper  2

Semipalmated Sandpiper  X

Short-billed Dowitcher  X

Laughing Gull  X

Herring Gull  7

Great Black-backed Gull  14

Least Tern  7

Common Tern  1

Forster's Tern  35

Mourning Dove  2

Eastern Kingbird  2

Blue-headed Vireo  1

Fish Crow  8

Northern Rough-winged Swallow  1

Purple Martin  3

Tree Swallow  3

Barn Swallow  6

Carolina Chickadee  1

Carolina Wren  2

American Robin  6

Gray Catbird  1

European Starling  X

Common Yellowthroat  4

Yellow Warbler  4

Song Sparrow  2

Northern Cardinal  2

Indigo Bunting  1     Heard

Red-winged Blackbird  X

Common Grackle  5

Brown-headed Cowbird  X

House Sparrow  3

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

Higbee Beach Bird Walk - Friday, May 23rd, 2014

A slightly windy start to the day meant a quick look at the beach was in order; though things were a little quiet, we did see one or two birds moving up and down the bay - including an adult male Common Eider which was a complete surprise. In the fields, local breeding birds showed well, including Yellow-breasted Chat, Orchard Oriole, Field Sparrow and Prairie Warbler. Other surprises included a flight of 42 Ruddy Turnstones overhead and a first-summer male Baltimore Oriole. Group 1 - Leaders: Mike Crewe, Catherine Busch, and Hugh Simmons.
35 species

Gadwall  2
Black Scoter  6
Common Eider 1
Double-crested Cormorant  15
Turkey Vulture  1
Osprey  1
Bald Eagle  1
Ruddy Turnstone  42
Semipalmated Sandpiper  10
Laughing Gull  X
Great Black-backed Gull  2
Forster's Tern  2
Red-bellied Woodpecker  1
Great Crested Flycatcher  2
Eastern Kingbird  1
White-eyed Vireo  2
Purple Martin  1
Tree Swallow  1
Barn Swallow  8
Carolina Chickadee  2
Tufted Titmouse  2
Carolina Wren  X
Blue-gray Gnatcatcher  1
Cedar Waxwing  17
Common Yellowthroat  2
Prairie Warbler  4
Yellow-breasted Chat  1
Field Sparrow  3
Northern Cardinal  X
Indigo Bunting  6
Red-winged Blackbird  X
Brown-headed Cowbird  X
Baltimore Oriole 1
Orchard Oriole  1
American Goldfinch  3

Group 2 - Leaders: Kathy Horn, Warren Cairo, and Claudia Burns.
42 species (+1 other taxa)

Mallard  4
Double-crested Cormorant  1
Black Vulture  2
Turkey Vulture  3
Osprey  1
Laughing Gull  X
Herring Gull  X
Forster's Tern  5
Mourning Dove  2
Red-bellied Woodpecker  2
Downy Woodpecker  1
Northern Flicker  1
Eastern Wood-Pewee  2
Great Crested Flycatcher  6
Eastern Kingbird  5
White-eyed Vireo  3
Red-eyed Vireo  1
Blue Jay  2
crow sp.  3
Purple Martin  3
Tree Swallow  2
Barn Swallow  3
Tufted Titmouse  1
Carolina Wren  5
American Robin  9
Gray Catbird  2
European Starling  X
Cedar Waxwing  22
Common Yellowthroat  3
Yellow Warbler  1
Blackpoll Warbler  1
Yellow-rumped Warbler  1
Prairie Warbler  4
Field Sparrow  6
Song Sparrow  1
Northern Cardinal  4
Blue Grosbeak  3
Indigo Bunting  8
Red-winged Blackbird  X
Common Grackle  X
Brown-headed Cowbird  X
Orchard Oriole  2
American Goldfinch  5

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

Indigo Bunting [Photo by Catherine Busch]

Birds of Belleplain - Thursday, May 22nd, 2014

A cloudy, misty morning but some good birds here and there. Great looks at a pair of Summer Tanagers calling pik-i-tuk near a partially built nest and also, in another area, a bi-colored first year male. We also had nice looks at a male Scarlet Tanager singing, and several Yellow-billed Cuckoos. A good view of Blue-gray Gnatcatchers building a nest, and a Wood Thrush on nest. Other birds of interest were Blue Grosbeak, Indigo Bunting, and Prairie Warbler. A number of other warblers were heard but not seen. Leaders: Bert Hixon, Shaun Bamford, and Karl Lukens.
43 species

Canada Goose  20
Laughing Gull  15
Mourning Dove  8
Yellow-billed Cuckoo  3
Ruby-throated Hummingbird  1
Red-bellied Woodpecker  2
Eastern Wood-Pewee  2
Acadian Flycatcher  2     heard
Eastern Phoebe  4
Great Crested Flycatcher  10
Eastern Kingbird  1
White-eyed Vireo  1     heard
Red-eyed Vireo  5
Blue Jay  1
American Crow  1
Fish Crow  1
Barn Swallow  1
Carolina Chickadee  1
Tufted Titmouse  4
Blue-gray Gnatcatcher  8
Eastern Bluebird  2
American Robin  6
Gray Catbird  3
Brown Thrasher  1
Northern Mockingbird  1
European Starling  3
Ovenbird  15     heard
Louisiana Waterthrush  1     heard
Black-and-white Warbler  2     heard
Hooded Warbler  2     heard
Yellow-rumped Warbler  1     heard
Yellow-throated Warbler  4
Prairie Warbler  4
Chipping Sparrow  5
Summer Tanager  4
Scarlet Tanager  1
Northern Cardinal  5
Blue Grosbeak  3
Indigo Bunting  2
Red-winged Blackbird  1
Common Grackle  10
Brown-headed Cowbird  5
American Goldfinch  5

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

Wood Thrush on nest [Photo by Karl Lukens]

Exploring Cumberland - Wednesday, May 21st, 2014

We had a few warblers and good looks at Prairie Warbler and Pine Warbler. We went to Fortescue Beach where there were thousands of shorebirds (and gnats). We enjoyed Red Knots, Dunlin, Semipalmated Sandpipers, Spotted Sandpipers, Ruddy Turnstones, Short-billed Dowitchers and Willets. Leaders: Karen Johnson, Janet Crawford, and Shaun Bamford.
Tom's Bridge Road
24 species

Canada Goose  3
Wild Turkey  6
Laughing Gull  3
Great Crested Flycatcher  1
White-eyed Vireo  3
Carolina Chickadee  5
Tufted Titmouse  2
Carolina Wren  3
Blue-gray Gnatcatcher  1
Gray Catbird  5
Brown Thrasher  1
Cedar Waxwing  3
Common Yellowthroat  1
Magnolia Warbler  1
Pine Warbler  3
Prairie Warbler  2
Eastern Towhee  2
Chipping Sparrow  1
Field Sparrow  2
Northern Cardinal  3
Blue Grosbeak  1
Indigo Bunting  4
Brown-headed Cowbird  5
American Goldfinch  4

Fortescue Beach
16 species

Bald Eagle  1
Spotted Sandpiper  3
Willet  5
Ruddy Turnstone  800
Red Knot  700
Dunlin  800
Semipalmated Sandpiper  6000
Short-billed Dowitcher  100
Laughing Gull  300
Herring Gull  40
Great Black-backed Gull  20
Barn Swallow  10
Northern Mockingbird  1
Common Yellowthroat  1
Red-winged Blackbird  6
Boat-tailed Grackle  4

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

Birding Cape May Point - Wednesday, May 21st, 2014

It was a cloudy day, but a few areas of warblers were found. Warblers included Common Yellowthroats, American Redstart, a brief look at Chestnut-sided, several Blackpolls, a Yellow-rump, and nice looks for some of a male Wilson's Warbler. We also had a very vocal Yellow-breasted Chat in the scope. Others of interest were a female Orchard Oriole, and a Blue-gray Gnatcatcher on nest. Leaders: Mike Crewe, Karl Lukens, Steve Weis, and Chris Marks.
49 species

Canada Goose  5
Mute Swan  5
Mallard  2
Black Scoter  1
Double-crested Cormorant  2
Great Egret  1
Turkey Vulture  1
Osprey  2
Laughing Gull  10
Herring Gull  1
Great Black-backed Gull  1
Least Tern  10
Common Tern  5
Forster's Tern  25
Rock Pigeon (Feral Pigeon)  1
Mourning Dove  5
Chimney Swift  4
Blue Jay  2
American Crow  2
Northern Rough-winged Swallow  2
Purple Martin  25
Tree Swallow  1
Barn Swallow  5
Carolina Chickadee  1
House Wren  2
Carolina Wren  2
Blue-gray Gnatcatcher  1     on nest
American Robin  2
Gray Catbird  1
Brown Thrasher  1
Northern Mockingbird  1
European Starling  3
Common Yellowthroat  4
American Redstart  1
Chestnut-sided Warbler  1
Blackpoll Warbler  4
Yellow-rumped Warbler  1
Wilson's Warbler  1
Yellow-breasted Chat  1
Northern Cardinal  4
Blue Grosbeak  2
Indigo Bunting  2
Red-winged Blackbird  5
Common Grackle  10
Brown-headed Cowbird  10
Orchard Oriole  1
House Finch  2
American Goldfinch  2
House Sparrow  3

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

Blue-gray Gnatcatcher on nest [Photo by Karl Lukens]

Shorebirds at Heislerville with Mike Crewe - Wednesday, May 20th, 2014

Heislerville was still full of birds this week with Black Skimmers putting on a fine display and providing a nice backdrop to the shorebird show. Short-billed Dowitchers, Dunlins, Semipalmated Sandpipers and Semipalmated Plovers all gave great, close-up views and, after much searching, we managed to find three White-rumped Sandpipers. Three Marsh Wrens were in full song flight and a surprise find was a Western Willet - an unusual bird here at this time of year.

Leaders: Mike Crewe, Warren Cairo, and Mark & Lynne Breslow.

EZ Birding at Cape May Point - Tuesday, May 20th, 2014

Today's walk was exciting due to an overnight influx of warblers! We had good looks at American Redstart, Magnolia, Blackpoll, Canada, and Blackburnian Warblers. Once we cleared the woods and had a view of the open sky, our intrepid raptor spotter, Mark Breslow, served up two Mississippi Kites to the delight of all. Leaders: Catherine Busch, Chris Marks, Lynne & Marc Breslow, and Nancy Watson.
54 species

Canada Goose  X
Mute Swan  X
Black Scoter  40
Great Egret  2
Snowy Egret  2
Black Vulture  X
Turkey Vulture  X
Osprey  2
Mississippi Kite  2
Cooper's Hawk  1
Broad-winged Hawk  1
Red-tailed Hawk  2
American Oystercatcher  4
Least Sandpiper  1
Laughing Gull  X
Herring Gull (American)  X
Least Tern  X
Forster's Tern  X
Black Skimmer  14
Rock Pigeon (Feral Pigeon)  X
Mourning Dove  2
Eastern Wood-Pewee  1
White-eyed Vireo  2
Red-eyed Vireo  2
Blue Jay  X
Fish Crow  X
Purple Martin  X
Tree Swallow  X
Carolina Chickadee  X
Tufted Titmouse  X
House Wren  2
Blue-gray Gnatcatcher  2
American Robin  X
Gray Catbird  3
Northern Mockingbird  2
European Starling  X
Common Yellowthroat  6
American Redstart  12
Magnolia Warbler  6
Blackburnian Warbler  1
Yellow Warbler  2
Blackpoll Warbler  7
Pine Warbler  1     heard only
Prairie Warbler  2     heard only
Canada Warbler  1
Northern Cardinal  X
Blue Grosbeak  1
Red-winged Blackbird  X
Common Grackle  X
Brown-headed Cowbird  X
Baltimore Oriole  1
House Finch  X
American Goldfinch  1
House Sparrow  X

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

Hidden Corners of Belleplain - Tuesday, May 20th, 2014

We had a nice selection of warblers including Blackpoll Warbler. We had good looks at Summer Tanager. We saw a Wood Thrush on nest, a Summer Tanager building a nest, and a Blue-grey Gnatcatcher nest. We got great looks at a Yellow-throated Vireo. Leaders: Karen Johnson, Janet Crawford and Shaun Bamford.
37 species

Turkey Vulture  1
Laughing Gull  4
Mourning Dove  5
Eastern Wood-Pewee  3
Acadian Flycatcher  2
Eastern Phoebe  1
Great Crested Flycatcher  5
Eastern Kingbird  1
White-eyed Vireo  2
Yellow-throated Vireo  1
Red-eyed Vireo  8
Carolina Chickadee  2
Tufted Titmouse  4
Carolina Wren  1
Blue-gray Gnatcatcher  5
Eastern Bluebird  3
American Robin  4
Gray Catbird  2
Northern Mockingbird  2
Cedar Waxwing  6
Ovenbird  12
Worm-eating Warbler  1
Black-and-white Warbler  3
Hooded Warbler  1
American Redstart  3
Blackpoll Warbler  2
Pine Warbler  6
Yellow-throated Warbler  2
Prairie Warbler  3
Chipping Sparrow  5
Field Sparrow  1
Savannah Sparrow  1
Summer Tanager  4
Northern Cardinal  4
Indigo Bunting  2
Brown-headed Cowbird  1
Orchard Oriole  1

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

Birding the Meadows with Pete Dunne - Monday, May 19th, 2014

Nice weather for birding. Waders were easy to see and included Great Egret, Snowy Egret, two Little Blue Herons, Green Heron, and Glossy Ibis. Shorebirds were numerous with Spotted Sandpiper, both yellowlegs, Willet, Least and Semipalmated Sandpipers, Semipalmated Plovers, many Short-billed Dowitchers, and one Stilt Sandpiper. Other small birds seen were Yellow Warbler, Common Yellowthroat, Prairie Warbler, Indigo Bunting, and three Orchard Orioles. Most interesting was a rail that flew across, landed, and disappeared. It possibly/probably was a King Rail! Leaders: Pete Dunne, Karl Lukens, Chuck Slugg, Steve Weis, Warren Cairo, Catherine Busch, Janet Crawford, Nancy Watson, and Marc & Lynne Breslow.
62 species

Canada Goose  5
Mute Swan  10
Gadwall  2
Mallard  6
Double-crested Cormorant  25
Great Egret  5
Snowy Egret  8
Little Blue Heron  2
Green Heron  1
Glossy Ibis  1
Black Vulture  1
Turkey Vulture  3
Osprey  5
Cooper's Hawk  1
Bald Eagle  1     before walk
Red-tailed Hawk  1
King Rail  1     Probable - briefly-fly across, called by Karl and Pete.
American Oystercatcher  2
Semipalmated Plover  5
Killdeer  2
Spotted Sandpiper  2
Greater Yellowlegs  4
Willet  4
Lesser Yellowlegs  2
Stilt Sandpiper  1
Least Sandpiper  25
Semipalmated Sandpiper  5
Short-billed Dowitcher  75
Laughing Gull  15
Herring Gull  5
Great Black-backed Gull  15
Least Tern  10
Forster's Tern  10
Mourning Dove  6
Chimney Swift  8
Eastern Kingbird  1
Blue Jay  2
American Crow  1
Fish Crow  1
Purple Martin  1
Tree Swallow  1
Barn Swallow  15
Carolina Chickadee  1
Carolina Wren  1
American Robin  4
Northern Mockingbird  2
European Starling  10
Common Yellowthroat  5
Yellow Warbler  3
Blackpoll Warbler  1     heard by a few
Prairie Warbler  3
Yellow-breasted Chat  1
Song Sparrow  2
Northern Cardinal  4
Indigo Bunting  2
Red-winged Blackbird  15
Common Grackle  10
Brown-headed Cowbird  2
Orchard Oriole  3
House Finch  1
American Goldfinch  3
House Sparrow  5

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

Little Blue Heron [Photo by Karl Lukens]

Cox Hall Creek Bird Walk - Sunday, May 18th, 2014

A male Baltimore Oriole was the star of this morning's Cox Hall Creek walk, both because he was so difficult to see - though singing incessantly - and so beautiful when finally seen. Male Blackpoll Warblers are passing through in migration now, singing as they go, and this is always a good place to see Great Crested Flycatchers.  Leaders: Kathy & Roger Horn, Janet Crawford, Cindy & Shaun Bamford, and Deb Payson.
66 species

Canada Goose  2
American Black Duck  1
Mallard  5
Double-crested Cormorant  9
Great Egret  1
Green Heron  1
Glossy Ibis  3
Black Vulture  2
Turkey Vulture  4
Osprey  2
Bald Eagle  1
Red-tailed Hawk  2
Laughing Gull  X
Herring Gull  3
Forster's Tern  2
Mourning Dove  2
Yellow-billed Cuckoo  1
Chimney Swift  7
Red-bellied Woodpecker  3
Downy Woodpecker  1
Northern Flicker  2
Eastern Wood-Pewee  3
Great Crested Flycatcher  6
Eastern Kingbird  7
White-eyed Vireo  2
Red-eyed Vireo  2
Blue Jay  5
American Crow  6
Fish Crow  2
Purple Martin  25
Tree Swallow  16
Barn Swallow  9
Carolina Chickadee  3
Tufted Titmouse  8
House Wren  2
Carolina Wren  7
Blue-gray Gnatcatcher  4
Eastern Bluebird  3
American Robin  12
Gray Catbird  4
Northern Mockingbird  1
European Starling  X
Black-and-white Warbler  1
Common Yellowthroat  6
American Redstart  1
Northern Parula  2
Magnolia Warbler  1
Yellow Warbler  1
Blackpoll Warbler  6
Pine Warbler  1
Yellow-rumped Warbler  3     2 females, 1 male - well seen
Prairie Warbler  1
Eastern Towhee  2
Chipping Sparrow  5
Field Sparrow  3
Song Sparrow  2
Scarlet Tanager  1
Northern Cardinal  8
Indigo Bunting  5
Red-winged Blackbird  X
Common Grackle  X
Brown-headed Cowbird  14
Baltimore Oriole  1
House Finch  1
American Goldfinch  5
House Sparrow  X

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

Baltimore Oriole [Photo by Roger Horn]

Birds of Belleplain - Saturday, May 17th, 2014

What a celebration of May birds in Belleplain today! The group was serenaded by Wood Thrush, Ovenbirds, & Great Crested Flycatchers with great looks at Acadian Flycatcher and tanagers. Leaders: Bert Hixon, Chris Marks, Alan Mart, BJ Pinnock, Shaun Bamford, Todd Klein, & Janet Crawford.
59 species

Canada Goose  X
Black Vulture  X
Turkey Vulture  X
Bald Eagle  1
Broad-winged Hawk  1
Red-tailed Hawk  2
Laughing Gull  X
Mourning Dove  8
Yellow-billed Cuckoo  2
Ruby-throated Hummingbird  2
Red-bellied Woodpecker  3
Hairy Woodpecker  1
Eastern Wood-Pewee  3
Acadian Flycatcher  2
Great Crested Flycatcher  5
Eastern Kingbird  4
White-eyed Vireo  2
Red-eyed Vireo  2
Blue Jay  4
American Crow  2
Tree Swallow  4
Barn Swallow  4
Carolina Chickadee  2
Tufted Titmouse  2
Carolina Wren  4
Blue-gray Gnatcatcher  6
Eastern Bluebird  2
Wood Thrush  4
American Robin  6
Gray Catbird  8
Northern Mockingbird  2
European Starling  X
Ovenbird  8
Worm-eating Warbler  2
Black-and-white Warbler  2
Hooded Warbler  1
American Redstart  4
Northern Parula  2
Yellow Warbler  2
Blackpoll Warbler  2
Pine Warbler  2
Yellow-rumped Warbler (Myrtle)  4
Prairie Warbler  2
Eastern Towhee  1
Chipping Sparrow  4
Field Sparrow  2
Savannah Sparrow  1
Summer Tanager  2
Scarlet Tanager  2
Northern Cardinal  4
Blue Grosbeak  2
Indigo Bunting  1
Red-winged Blackbird  X
Eastern Meadowlark  2
Common Grackle  8
Brown-headed Cowbird  X
Orchard Oriole  2
House Finch  2
American Goldfinch  4

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

Spring Migrants at the Rea Farm - Saturday, May 17th, 2014

Good birding! Lots of Great Crested Flycatchers, plus Indigo Buntings and Blue Grosbeaks. Only a few warblers, i.e., Yellow-rumped, Northern Parula, and Common Yellowthroats. We had a nice view of three Mississippi Kites and a Bald Eagle overhead, and we also had good looks at Prothonotary Warblers at the Willow Pond. Leaders: Group 1 - Karl Lukens and Warren Cairo. Group 2 -Louise Zemaitis, Carrie Bell, Deb Payson, and Claudia Burns.
51 species

Canada Goose  15
Mallard  4
Great Egret  1
Snowy Egret  2
Green Heron  2
Black-crowned Night-Heron  2
Black Vulture  4
Turkey Vulture  6
Osprey  2
Mississippi Kite  3
Bald Eagle  1
Red-tailed Hawk  2
Killdeer  3
Lesser Yellowlegs  1
Laughing Gull  20
Mourning Dove  4
Yellow-billed Cuckoo  1     heard
Chimney Swift  5
Red-bellied Woodpecker  2
Great Crested Flycatcher  10
Eastern Kingbird  2
Red-eyed Vireo  3
Blue Jay  3
American Crow  10
Fish Crow  1
Northern Rough-winged Swallow  1
Purple Martin  1
Tree Swallow  1
Barn Swallow  10
Carolina Chickadee  1
Tufted Titmouse  1
Carolina Wren  2
Blue-gray Gnatcatcher  2
American Robin  3
Northern Mockingbird  2
European Starling  5
Prothonotary Warbler  2
Common Yellowthroat  6
Northern Parula  1
Yellow Warbler  1
Yellow-rumped Warbler  1
Yellow-breasted Chat  2
Field Sparrow  2
Northern Cardinal  4
Blue Grosbeak  3
Indigo Bunting  5
Red-winged Blackbird  4
Common Grackle  8
Brown-headed Cowbird  2
Orchard Oriole  1
House Sparrow  2

This morning's bright sun really brought out the birds following yesterday's dark & stormy weather. Though some birds were 'heard only', the group got great looks at Indigo Bunting, Northern Waterthrush, Mississippi Kite , & Northern Parula with Prothonotary and Blackpoll Warbler, Yellow-breasted Chat and Yellow-billed Cuckoo in the scopes!   Leaders: Group 3 - Kathy & Roger Horn, and Catherine Busch.
70 species

Canada Goose  7
Mallard  9
Double-crested Cormorant  1
Great Egret  3
Snowy Egret  1
Green Heron  2
Black-crowned Night-Heron  2
Black Vulture  4
Turkey Vulture  3
Osprey  2
Mississippi Kite  3
Bald Eagle  1
Broad-winged Hawk  1
Red-tailed Hawk  1
Semipalmated Plover  7
Lesser Yellowlegs  2
Wilson's Snipe  2
Laughing Gull  12
Herring Gull (American)  4
Great Black-backed Gull  1
Forster's Tern  2
Mourning Dove  8
Yellow-billed Cuckoo  2
Chimney Swift  20
Red-bellied Woodpecker  3
Downy Woodpecker  2
Hairy Woodpecker  1
Northern Flicker (Yellow-shafted)  2
Great Crested Flycatcher  6
Eastern Kingbird  5
White-eyed Vireo  1
Red-eyed Vireo  2
Blue Jay  3
American Crow  4
Fish Crow  1
Northern Rough-winged Swallow  3
Purple Martin  9
Tree Swallow  6
Barn Swallow  9
Carolina Chickadee  1
Tufted Titmouse  1
House Wren  1
Carolina Wren  7
Blue-gray Gnatcatcher  3
American Robin  10
Gray Catbird  2
Northern Mockingbird  2
European Starling  8
Northern Waterthrush  2
Prothonotary Warbler  2
Common Yellowthroat  7
American Redstart  1
Northern Parula  3
Magnolia Warbler  1
Yellow Warbler  5
Blackpoll Warbler  2
Yellow-rumped Warbler (Myrtle)  1
Prairie Warbler  1
Yellow-breasted Chat  1
Field Sparrow  2
Song Sparrow  2
Scarlet Tanager  1
Northern Cardinal  6
Indigo Bunting  7
Red-winged Blackbird  6
Common Grackle  18
Brown-headed Cowbird  6
Orchard Oriole  1
American Goldfinch  8
House Sparrow  4

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

Black-crowned Night Heron [Photo by Karl Lukens]

Mississippi Kite [Photo by Karl Lukens}

Yellow-breasted Chat [Photo by Roger Horn]

Prothonotary Warbler [Photo by Roger Horn]

A Meadows Afternoon - Friday, May 16th, 2014

Driving rain and 30 mph winds didn't stop the intrepid birders who showed up for this afternoon's Meadows walk. The Chimney Swifts were flying low and a decent selection of shorebirds seemed unfazed by the inclement weather, among them a Stilt Sandpiper. By the end of the walk the wind had died down and a group of warblers, including Blackpoll, Black-and-White, Magnolia, Common Yellowthroat, and Yellow were feeding and calling busily along the path edges.  Leaders: Kathy Horn, Warren Cairo, and Alan Mart.
55 species (+1 other taxa)

Canada Goose  15
Mute Swan  6
Gadwall  4
Mallard  6
Black Scoter  25
Double-crested Cormorant  7
Great Egret  4
Snowy Egret  4
Little Blue Heron  1
Green Heron  1
Turkey Vulture  2
Osprey  2
American Oystercatcher  2
Semipalmated Plover  10
Spotted Sandpiper  3
Greater Yellowlegs  2
Willet (Eastern)  7
Lesser Yellowlegs  7
Ruddy Turnstone  8
Stilt Sandpiper  1
Dunlin  9
Least Sandpiper  X
Semipalmated Sandpiper  X
Short-billed Dowitcher  42
Laughing Gull  X
Herring Gull (American)  12
Least Tern  2
Forster's Tern  35
Mourning Dove  4
Chimney Swift  20
Northern Flicker (Yellow-shafted)  1
Eastern Kingbird  3
American Crow  2
Fish Crow  2
crow sp.  8
Northern Rough-winged Swallow  2
Purple Martin  11
Tree Swallow  9
Barn Swallow  12
Carolina Wren  5
American Robin  X
Gray Catbird  1
Northern Mockingbird  1
European Starling  5
Black-and-white Warbler  1
Common Yellowthroat  7
Magnolia Warbler  2
Yellow Warbler  9
Blackpoll Warbler  5
Song Sparrow  5
Northern Cardinal  4
Red-winged Blackbird  X
Common Grackle  2
Brown-headed Cowbird  2
House Finch  1
House Sparrow  1

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

Higbee Beach Bird Walk - Friday, May 16th, 2014

The threat of rain didn't put off our walk participants and we even ended up splitting into two groups! Our group headed straight for the beach and enjoyed a nice show of Bottlenose Dolphins and a light passage of terns and shorebirds. Two Bald Eagles brightened our morning and seemed to be keeping an eye on hunting Ospreys. Walking north to the canal we headed back via Higbee Dike and found a nice selection of shorebirds on the impoundments, including some close up Least Sandpipers and Semipalmated Plovers.  The fields were rather quiet but Indigo Buntings showed well on the trails and Orchard Orioles serenaded our route. The rain almost held off and only just snuck in for the last ten minutes or so. Group 1 - Leaders:  Mike Crewe, Catherine Busch, and Chris Marks.
41 species

Mallard  5
Surf Scoter  1
Common Loon  1
Double-crested Cormorant  12
Snowy Egret  3
Osprey  2
Bald Eagle  2
Red-tailed Hawk  1
American Oystercatcher  1
Semipalmated Plover  6
Greater Yellowlegs  5
Lesser Yellowlegs  2
Ruddy Turnstone  1
Sanderling  2
Purple Sandpiper  1
Least Sandpiper  35
Semipalmated Sandpiper  30
Short-billed Dowitcher  1
Laughing Gull  X
Herring Gull  10
Great Black-backed Gull  2
Least Tern  4
Common Tern  2
Forster's Tern  10
Chimney Swift  1
Great Crested Flycatcher  1
Eastern Kingbird  2
Barn Swallow  4
Carolina Chickadee  4
Carolina Wren  X
Gray Catbird  1
Common Yellowthroat  4
Yellow-rumped Warbler  4
Prairie Warbler  1
Field Sparrow  2
Northern Cardinal  X
Indigo Bunting  5
Red-winged Blackbird  X
Common Grackle  X
Brown-headed Cowbird  3
Orchard Oriole  3

Group 2 - Leaders: Kathy Horn, Warren Cairo, and Alan Mart
42 species

Mallard  5
Great Egret  1
Snowy Egret  1
Green Heron  1
Turkey Vulture  4
Osprey  2
Bald Eagle  1
Red-tailed Hawk  1
Greater Yellowlegs  1
Ruddy Turnstone  9
Semipalmated Sandpiper  2
Herring Gull (American)  2
Forster's Tern  4
Mourning Dove  2
Red-bellied Woodpecker  2
Northern Flicker (Yellow-shafted)  1
Great Crested Flycatcher  5
Blue Jay  2
American Crow  4
Purple Martin  3
Tree Swallow  2
Carolina Chickadee  1
Tufted Titmouse  3
Carolina Wren  5
Blue-gray Gnatcatcher  1
American Robin  11
Gray Catbird  5
Brown Thrasher  1
European Starling  5
Northern Parula  1
Prairie Warbler  5
Yellow-breasted Chat  1
Eastern Towhee  1
Field Sparrow  9
Northern Cardinal  6
Blue Grosbeak  2
Indigo Bunting  6
Red-winged Blackbird  14
Common Grackle  4
Brown-headed Cowbird  6
Orchard Oriole  2
American Goldfinch  2

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

Birds of Belleplain - Thursday, May 15th, 2014

A cloudy morning, but some good birding including, Ruby-throated Hummingbird, Eastern Wood-Pewee, Acadian Flycatcher, Eeastern Phoebe, Great Crested Flycatcher, and both Red and White-eyed Vireos. We all had nice views of Worm-eating, Yellow-throated, and Prairie Warblers. We also had good looks at both Scarlet and Summer Tanagers. Leaders: Bert Hixon, Karl Lukens, Shaun Bamford, and Bill Schuhl.
47 species

Common Loon  1
Double-crested Cormorant  2
Black Vulture  1
Turkey Vulture  2
Red-tailed Hawk  1
Laughing Gull  10
Forster's Tern  4
Mourning Dove  5
Yellow-billed Cuckoo  1     heard, 2 other sp.
Ruby-throated Hummingbird  2
Eastern Wood-Pewee  2
Acadian Flycatcher  4     1 seen
Eastern Phoebe  2
Great Crested Flycatcher  10
White-eyed Vireo  1
Red-eyed Vireo  4
Blue Jay  2
Fish Crow  1
Tree Swallow  2
Barn Swallow  2
Carolina Chickadee  2
Tufted Titmouse  2
Carolina Wren  1
Blue-gray Gnatcatcher  6
Eastern Bluebird  2
Wood Thrush  8
American Robin  5
Gray Catbird  1
Northern Mockingbird  1
Cedar Waxwing  2
Ovenbird  20
Worm-eating Warbler  2
Black-and-white Warbler  1
Common Yellowthroat  1
Hooded Warbler  2
Pine Warbler  4
Yellow-throated Warbler  2
Prairie Warbler  4
Chipping Sparrow  5
Summer Tanager  2     male,female calling
Scarlet Tanager  4
Northern Cardinal  4
Blue Grosbeak  1
Indigo Bunting  1
Common Grackle  5
Brown-headed Cowbird  3
American Goldfinch  2

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

Prairie Warbler [Photo by Karl Lukens]

Summer Tanager [Photo by Karl Lukens]

Birding Cape May Point - Wednesday, May 14th, 2014

Although it was a cold and misty morning, we did have some good birding. We found little pockets of birds including Blackpoll, Black-throated Blue, Black-and-white, Magnolia, Pine, and Yellow Warblers, Northern Parula, Yellow-breasted Chat, Red-eyed Vireo, and Scarlet Tanager. Interestingly, we did see and hear at least two or three Yellow-throated Warblers, one of which was determined to be of the albilora sub-species. Leaders: Mike Crewe, Megan Crewe, Karl Lukens, Steve Weis, Warren Cairo, and Chris Marks.
71 species

Canada Goose  5
Mute Swan  6
Mallard  4
Common Loon  1
Double-crested Cormorant  2
Great Blue Heron  2
Great Egret  3
Snowy Egret  5
Osprey  2
American Oystercatcher  2
Killdeer  1
Spotted Sandpiper  2
Lesser Yellowlegs  1
Semipalmated Sandpiper  1
Short-billed Dowitcher  4
Laughing Gull  10
Herring Gull  1
Least Tern  15
Common Tern  20
Forster's Tern  20
Mourning Dove  5
Yellow-billed Cuckoo  1     heard
Black-billed Cuckoo  1     heard
Chimney Swift  10
Downy Woodpecker  2
Eastern Wood-Pewee  1
Eastern Kingbird  2
Red-eyed Vireo  1
Fish Crow  1
Northern Rough-winged Swallow  10
Purple Martin  100
Tree Swallow  10
Bank Swallow  2
Barn Swallow  10
Carolina Chickadee  3
Tufted Titmouse  1
House Wren  3
Carolina Wren  2
Blue-gray Gnatcatcher  1
American Robin  5
Gray Catbird  3
Brown Thrasher  1
Northern Mockingbird  1
European Starling  5
Cedar Waxwing  7
Black-and-white Warbler  1
Common Yellowthroat  5
American Redstart  3
Northern Parula  5
Magnolia Warbler  4
Blackburnian Warbler  1
Yellow Warbler  4
Chestnut-sided Warbler  1
Blackpoll Warbler  4
Black-throated Blue Warbler  1
Pine Warbler  2
Yellow-rumped Warbler  5
Yellow-throated Warbler  2
Prairie Warbler  1
Black-throated Green Warbler  1
Yellow-breasted Chat  1
Scarlet Tanager  2
Northern Cardinal  5
Indigo Bunting  2
Red-winged Blackbird  10
Common Grackle  4
Brown-headed Cowbird  1
Orchard Oriole  1
Baltimore Oriole  1
House Finch  4
House Sparrow  1

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

Yellow-breasted Chat [Photo by Karl Lukens]

Exploring Cumberland - Wednesday, May 14th, 2014

We saw a nice selection of sparrows, Chipping, Grasshopper, Field, Savannah, Seaside and Dickcissel. We also enjoyed Blue Grosbeak, Indigo Bunting, Prothonotary Warbler, Yellow-throated Warbler, Northern Waterthrush, 2 Great Horned Owlets, a pair of Northern Harriers and Spotted Sandpipers. Leaders - Karen Johnson, Janet Crawford, Shaun Bamford, Cindy Bamford and Michael McCabe.

Buckshutem WMA
17 species

Wild Turkey  1
Laughing Gull  3
Eastern Phoebe  1
Great Crested Flycatcher  1
Horned Lark  3
Barn Swallow  1
Tufted Titmouse  1
Gray Catbird  2
Chipping Sparrow  1
Field Sparrow  1
Savannah Sparrow  1
Grasshopper Sparrow  1
Blue Grosbeak  2
Indigo Bunting  2
Dickcissel  1
Red-winged Blackbird  10
Orchard Oriole  2

Bevan WMA IBA
12 species

Great Crested Flycatcher  1
Red-eyed Vireo  1
Tree Swallow  8
Eastern Bluebird  2
Ovenbird  2
Northern Waterthrush  1
Prothonotary Warbler  2
Nashville Warbler  1
Common Yellowthroat  2
Yellow-throated Warbler  1
Chipping Sparrow  1
Brown-headed Cowbird  2

Glades Wildlife Refuge--Turkey Pt.
24 species

Great Egret  1
Green Heron  1
Glossy Ibis  1
Osprey  2
Northern Harrier  2
Bald Eagle  4
Semipalmated Plover  1
Spotted Sandpiper  6
Willet  2
Least Sandpiper  1
Semipalmated Sandpiper  9
Great Horned Owl  2
Peregrine Falcon  2
Great Crested Flycatcher  1
White-eyed Vireo  1
Tree Swallow  1
Barn Swallow  16
Eastern Bluebird  1
Common Yellowthroat  3
Yellow Warbler  4
Yellow-breasted Chat  2
Seaside Sparrow  10
Red-winged Blackbird  20
Boat-tailed Grackle  4

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

Shorebirds at Heislerville with Mike Crewe - Tuesday, May 13th, 2014

Our Tuesday visit to Heislerville this week could barely have been more dramatic. A great sea of Short-billed Dowitchers, Dunlin and Semipalmated Sandpipers was studded with Red Knots, Black-bellied Plovers and Semipalmated Plovers. Scattered in deeper water further out, Greater and Lesser Yellowlegs fed in small flotillas.

Dramatic scenes were created by a passing Peregrine, Black-crowned Night Herons and Double-crested Cormorants could be watched as they attended to nesting duties and our experience was enriched by our visit to the New Jersey Audubon Semipalmated Sandpiper team who gave us the latest news on their work.

As if this wasn’t enough, we topped it all off with close encounters of Ruddy Turnstones and Bonaparte’s Gulls feeding at East Point Lighthouse. All in all, a fabulous spectacle – join us on our next visit!!  Leaders: Mike Crewe, Warren Cairo, & Megan Crewe.

Hidden Corners of Belleplain - Tuesday, May 13th, 2014

We had fourteen species of warblers and got looks at Hooded Warbler, Prairie Warbler, Indigo Bunting, Ruby-throated Hummingbird, Summer Tanager, Orchard Oriole and Baltimore Oriole. Leaders: Karen Johnson, Janet Crawford, Shaun Bamford, Michael McCabe, & Carrie Bell.
46 species

Laughing Gull  7
Mourning Dove  2
Yellow-billed Cuckoo  2
Ruby-throated Hummingbird  1
Red-bellied Woodpecker  1
Eastern Wood-Pewee  8
Acadian Flycatcher  3
Great Crested Flycatcher  7
White-eyed Vireo  2
Red-eyed Vireo  7
Fish Crow  1
Barn Swallow  1
Carolina Chickadee  3
Tufted Titmouse  8
Carolina Wren  2
Blue-gray Gnatcatcher  11
Eastern Bluebird  4
Wood Thrush  4
American Robin  3
Gray Catbird  2
Northern Mockingbird  1
Cedar Waxwing  1
Ovenbird  10
Worm-eating Warbler  2
Blue-winged Warbler  1
Black-and-white Warbler  1
Hooded Warbler  2
American Redstart  1
Northern Parula  2
Yellow Warbler  1
Chestnut-sided Warbler  2
Blackpoll Warbler  2
Pine Warbler  3
Yellow-throated Warbler  3
Prairie Warbler  4
Black-throated Green Warbler  1
Eastern Towhee  2
Chipping Sparrow  5
Summer Tanager  4
Scarlet Tanager  1
Northern Cardinal  3
Blue Grosbeak  2
Indigo Bunting  3
Brown-headed Cowbird  6
Orchard Oriole  2
Baltimore Oriole  2

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