Fall Birds at The Rea Farm - Saturday, November 19th 2011

Final Rea Farm Walk of the season. Good raptors with immature Bald Eagles (2) and Merlin (3). Still many Robins and Cedar Waxwings flying about. Good variety of sparrows and nice looks at two Nashville Warblers.
47 species

Canada Goose 25
Gadwall 3
Mallard 8
Black Vulture 4
Turkey Vulture 40
Bald Eagle 2 imm.
Sharp-shinned Hawk 2
Cooper's Hawk 1
Red-tailed Hawk 1
Merlin 3
Killdeer 12
Herring Gull 1
Rock Pigeon 2
Mourning Dove 15
Red-bellied Woodpecker 3
Downy Woodpecker 3
Northern Flicker 4
Blue Jay 1
American Crow 20
Carolina Chickadee 1
Carolina Wren 4
Blue-gray Gnatcatcher 1
Ruby-crowned Kinglet 1 heard
Eastern Bluebird 25
American Robin 100
Northern Mockingbird 1
Brown Thrasher 1
European Starling 20
Cedar Waxwing 150
Nashville Warbler 2
Palm Warbler 4
Yellow-rumped Warbler 2
Field Sparrow 4
Savannah Sparrow 5
Fox Sparrow 2
Song Sparrow 5
Swamp Sparrow 4
White-throated Sparrow 10
White-crowned Sparrow 1
Dark-eyed Junco 5
Northern Cardinal 4
Red-winged Blackbird 50
Brown-headed Cowbird 20
Baltimore Oriole 1
House Finch 5
American Goldfinch 4
House Sparrow 1

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

Going out on a high - our final walk of the season at The Rea Farm produced great views of this wonderful Bald Eagle!

Cape May Point State Park - Wednesday, November 16th 2011

As for the last few walks, we struggled to leave the parking lot due to the large numbers of birds wheeling around!! The male Eurasian Wigeon showed well on Lighthouse Pond East and Warren reproduced his dove-finding skills by finding the three Collared Doves from exceptional distance!!

69 species
Canada Goose 120
Mute Swan 12
Tundra Swan 4
Gadwall 55
Eurasian Wigeon 1
American Wigeon 95
American Black Duck 1
Mallard 15
Northern Shoveler 15
Northern Pintail 18
Green-winged Teal 55
Ring-necked Duck 5
Surf Scoter 15
Black Scoter 6
Bufflehead 1
Ruddy Duck 12
Pied-billed Grebe 6
Northern Gannet 10
Double-crested Cormorant 12
Great Egret 2
Bald Eagle 1
Northern Harrier 1
Sharp-shinned Hawk 3
Cooper's Hawk 1
Red-tailed Hawk 1
Merlin 1
Common Gallinule 2
American Coot 85
Laughing Gull 4
Herring Gull (American) 3
Great Black-backed Gull 15
Forster's Tern 6
Rock Pigeon 6
Eurasian Collared-Dove 3
Mourning Dove 4
Downy Woodpecker 1
Northern Flicker 6
Blue Jay 4
American Crow 9
Tree Swallow 6
Carolina Chickadee 2
Tufted Titmouse 1
Carolina Wren 4
Golden-crowned Kinglet 10
Ruby-crowned Kinglet 3
Eastern Bluebird 35
Hermit Thrush 1
American Robin 1500
Gray Catbird 1
Northern Mockingbird 5
Brown Thrasher 3
European Starling 1600
Cedar Waxwing 600
Palm Warbler (Western) 1
Yellow-rumped Warbler 25
Yellow-breasted Chat 1
Eastern Towhee 2
Chipping Sparrow 5
Song Sparrow 4
Swamp Sparrow 2
White-throated Sparrow 6
Dark-eyed Junco 3
Northern Cardinal 6
Red-winged Blackbird 20
Rusty Blackbird 1
Common Grackle 100
Brown-headed Cowbird 500
House Finch 40
House Sparrow 10

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

E-Z Birding, Tuesday, November 15th 2011

The final EZ Birding Walk at Two Mile Beach Unit of US Fish & Wildlife had many shorebirds and gulls on the beach including Sanderlings, Dunlin, Ruddy Turnstones, and Black-bellied Plover and Ring-billed, Herring, and Greater Black-backed Gulls.  Several Common Loons and groups of Black Scoter were spotted flying by.  A freshly killed Marbled Godwit being eaten by a Herring Gull was an interesting find.  We were able to observe bill length and feather patterns close up!  Ducks on the ponds included Northern Pintails and Black Ducks.  A large group of Yellowlegs was also present.  Large flocks of Cedar Waxwings flew overhead the entire time.
40 species

Brant  150
American Black Duck  30
Northern Pintail  16
Black Scoter  30
Bufflehead  2
Red-throated Loon  1
Common Loon  9
Horned Grebe  7
Northern Gannet  1
Double-crested Cormorant  20
Great Egret  9
Turkey Vulture  5
Osprey  1
Northern Harrier  1
Sharp-shinned Hawk  1
Black-bellied Plover  20
Killdeer  10
Greater Yellowlegs  30     Salt water pan at Two-Mile Beach, US Fish & Wildlife,
24 in one group and 6 along edge in reeds, called when flew
Lesser Yellowlegs  12     Salt water pan at Two Mile, US Fish & Wildlife,
feeding with larger flock of Greater Yellowlegs
Ruddy Turnstone  12
Sanderling  150
Dunlin  120
Ring-billed Gull  8
Herring Gull  15
Great Black-backed Gull  10
Forster's Tern  1
Rock Pigeon  2
Mourning Dove  3
American Crow  5
Tree Swallow  5
Carolina Chickadee  2     heard
Carolina Wren  1     heard
American Robin  6
Gray Catbird  1
European Starling  30
Cedar Waxwing  400     Flocks of 50-150 flying over in waves for the 2-hour duration of walk
Yellow-rumped Warbler  10
Red-winged Blackbird  25
Boat-tailed Grackle  3
House Finch  5

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

South Cape May Meadows - Monday November 14th 2011

Lots of ducks and gulls to scan and identify. Two Lesser Black-backed Gulls were found and 1 Common Gallinule ( previously Common Moorhen) were also seen in the ponds. Large numbers of American Coots and Gadwalls are still present. Good scope views of a couple of Pectoral Sandpipers and a Wilson's Snipe. Many Cedar Waxwings flying about.
49 species

Canada Goose 10
Mute Swan 8
Gadwall 60
American Black Duck 1
Mallard 20
Northern Shoveler 3
Northern Pintail 10
Green-winged Teal 10
Ruddy Duck 4
Red-throated Loon 1
Common Loon 2
Pied-billed Grebe 4
Double-crested Cormorant 15
American Bittern 1
Great Blue Heron 2
Great Egret 2
Glossy Ibis 2
Turkey Vulture 2
Osprey 2
Northern Harrier 2
Sharp-shinned Hawk 1
Peregrine Falcon 1
Common Gallinule 1
American Coot 100
Sanderling 1
Pectoral Sandpiper 2
Wilson's Snipe 3
Ring-billed Gull 10
Herring Gull 25
Lesser Black-backed Gull 2
Great Black-backed Gull 70
Mourning Dove 5
Blue Jay 2
American Crow 10
Horned Lark 1
Tree Swallow 150
Eastern Bluebird 4
American Robin 50
Northern Mockingbird 2
European Starling 100
Cedar Waxwing 300
Yellow-rumped Warbler 5
Savannah Sparrow 5
Swamp Sparrow 1
Northern Cardinal 1
Red-winged Blackbird 100
Brown-headed Cowbird 20
House Finch 8
House Sparrow 5

This report was generated automatically by eBird v3 (
http://ebird.org)
A late Glossy Ibis was seen on this morning's Meadows walk.

A smart Lesser Black-backed Gull on the beach.

Pectoral Sandpiper

Wilson's Snipe

Birding Cumberland County - Sunday, November 13th 2011

The full day Birding Cumberland trip turned up trumps with happy participants satisfied on great birding experiences. Bald Eagles were around in the expected numbers and Northern Harriers pleased everyone, coursing over marsh and field. The oddest sighting would have to be the point-blank Whimbrel that flew by at the Glades Wildlife Refuge near Fortescue. Horned Larks were vocalizing and giving good looks, while American Pipits were in our faces.
47 species

Canada Goose  28
Gadwall  15
American Black Duck  38
Mallard  6
Green-winged Teal  46
Bufflehead  40
Red-breasted Merganser  2
Ruddy Duck  12
Double-crested Cormorant  80
Great Blue Heron  10
Great Egret  8
Black Vulture  29
Turkey Vulture  17
Bald Eagle  8
Northern Harrier  18
Cooper's Hawk  1
Red-tailed Hawk  5
Peregrine Falcon  1
Greater Yellowlegs  17
Whimbrel  1
Least Sandpiper  1
Dunlin  60
Ring-billed Gull  54
Herring Gull  103
Great Black-backed Gull  8
Forster's Tern  40
Belted Kingfisher  4
Red-bellied Woodpecker  4
Yellow-bellied Sapsucker  1
Northern Flicker  6
Blue Jay  10
American Crow  14
Carolina Chickadee  9
Carolina Wren  2
Golden-crowned Kinglet  1
Eastern Bluebird  16
American Robin  20
Northern Mockingbird  6
European Starling  73
American Pipit  27
Cedar Waxwing  37
Yellow-rumped Warbler  12
Eastern Towhee  1
Swamp Sparrow  6
Northern Cardinal  7
Red-winged Blackbird  14
Eastern Meadowlark  8

Cox Hall Creek (Villas) WMA - Sunday, November 13th 2011

Approximately 100 Bluebirds decorated the shrubs, grasses and trees at this morning's Coxhall Creek WMA walk. Large flocks of blackbirds included Rusty Blackbirds, while a Red-headed Woodpecker flitted busily from tree to tree.
41 species

Mute Swan  2
Wood Duck  5
Pied-billed Grebe  1
Turkey Vulture  3
Sharp-shinned Hawk  1
Cooper's Hawk  1
Red-tailed Hawk  1
Herring Gull (American)  2
Rock Pigeon  2
Mourning Dove  7
Red-headed Woodpecker  1
Red-bellied Woodpecker  5
Downy Woodpecker  2
Northern Flicker (Yellow-shafted)  5
Blue Jay  3
American Crow  15
Carolina Chickadee  8
Tufted Titmouse  6
White-breasted Nuthatch  1
Carolina Wren  2
Golden-crowned Kinglet  3
Ruby-crowned Kinglet  3
Eastern Bluebird  100
American Robin  55
Northern Mockingbird  2
European Starling  300
Cedar Waxwing  24
Yellow-rumped Warbler (Myrtle)  18
Chipping Sparrow  23
Field Sparrow  3
Savannah Sparrow  1
Song Sparrow  1
White-throated Sparrow  4
Dark-eyed Junco (Slate-colored)  4
Northern Cardinal  2
Red-winged Blackbird  150
Rusty Blackbird  35
Common Grackle  300
House Finch  10
American Goldfinch  1
House Sparrow 5
 

Fall Birds at The Rea Farm - Saturday, November 12th 2011

Cold and continued breezy. We did manage 2 Blackpoll and 1 Yellow-rumped warbler. Raptors were good with 1 Bald Eagle, 2 Harriers, 1 Red-tailed Hawk and 2 Am. Kestrels. A group of 5 Rusty Blackbirds and a Baltimore Oriole were interesting species.
42 species

Canada Goose 5
Mute Swan 2
Tundra Swan 3
Gadwall 2
Mallard 6
Northern Pintail 5
Green-winged Teal 3
Glossy Ibis 1
Black Vulture 5
Turkey Vulture 8
Bald Eagle 1
Northern Harrier 2
Sharp-shinned Hawk 1
Red-tailed Hawk 1
American Kestrel 2
Wilson's Snipe 3
Herring Gull 1
Rock Pigeon 2
Mourning Dove 8
Red-bellied Woodpecker 2
Downy Woodpecker 3
Northern Flicker 3
American Crow 15
Fish Crow 1
Carolina Wren 3
Golden-crowned Kinglet 2
Eastern Bluebird 5
American Robin 100
Gray Catbird 1
Northern Mockingbird 2
European Starling 150
Cedar Waxwing 75
Blackpoll Warbler 2
Yellow-rumped Warbler 1
Savannah Sparrow 3
Song Sparrow 5
Swamp Sparrow 1
White-throated Sparrow 1 heard
Northern Cardinal 2
Red-winged Blackbird 50
Rusty Blackbird 5
Baltimore Oriole 1

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

Hawks, Trails and Beach - Saturday, November 12th 2011

The Hawks, Trails, and Beach walk started with the Eurasian Wigeon on Lighthouse Pond and also enjoyed scope views of other species of ducks including American Wigeon, Northern Pintails, Gadwall, Green- and Blue-winged Teal, and Ruddy Ducks.  Raptors were scarce although we did see 3 Osprey. We finished the walk with a Tundra Swan on one of the Plover Ponds.
38 species

Canada Goose  35
Mute Swan  16
Tundra Swan  1
Wood Duck  12
Gadwall  32
Eurasian Wigeon  1
American Wigeon  60
Mallard  20
Blue-winged Teal  4
Northern Shoveler  16
Northern Pintail  18
Green-winged Teal  28
Ruddy Duck  16
Pied-billed Grebe  12     Four on Lighthouse Pond and a group of eight at the
back of Bunker Pond near the boardwalk/path behind Rutherford's farm.
Double-crested Cormorant  5
Osprey  3
Northern Harrier  1
Cooper's Hawk  1
American Kestrel  1
American Coot  50
Lesser Yellowlegs  1
Wilson's Snipe  1
Herring Gull  5
Rock Pigeon  6
Mourning Dove  5
Northern Flicker  1
Tree Swallow  30
Carolina Chickadee  2     heard only
Carolina Wren  5     heard only
Golden-crowned Kinglet  2     heard only
American Robin  20
European Starling  18
Cedar Waxwing  14
Yellow-rumped Warbler  12
Swamp Sparrow  2
Northern Cardinal  2
Red-winged Blackbird  7
House Sparrow  2

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

Cape May Point State Park - Wednesday, November 9th 2011

65 species (+1 other taxa)

Canada Goose 45
Mute Swan 14
Gadwall 50
Eurasian Wigeon 1
American Wigeon 35
Mallard 20
Blue-winged Teal 2
Northern Shoveler 12
Northern Pintail 15
Green-winged Teal 25
Surf Scoter 45
Surf/Black Scoter 150
Ruddy Duck 17
Red-throated Loon 1
Common Loon 2
Pied-billed Grebe 6
Northern Gannet 6
Double-crested Cormorant 4
American Bittern 1
Great Blue Heron 1
Great Egret 1
Turkey Vulture 2
Osprey 1
Bald Eagle 1
Sharp-shinned Hawk 3
Cooper's Hawk 1
American Moorhen 1
American Coot 110
Sanderling 1
Ring-billed Gull 5
Herring Gull (American) 10
Great Black-backed Gull 55
Forster's Tern 15
Royal Tern 1
Parasitic Jaeger 1
Rock Pigeon 15
Mourning Dove 2
Northern Flicker 2
Blue Jay 2
American Crow 8
Tree Swallow 25
Carolina Chickadee 2
Carolina Wren 3
Golden-crowned Kinglet 2
Ruby-crowned Kinglet 3
Eastern Bluebird 20
American Robin 1500
Gray Catbird 2
Northern Mockingbird 3
Brown Thrasher 1
European Starling 120
American Pipit 30
Cedar Waxwing 300
Yellow-rumped Warbler 45
Eastern Towhee 1
Savannah Sparrow 2
Song Sparrow 5
Swamp Sparrow 1
White-throated Sparrow 5
Dark-eyed Junco 1
Northern Cardinal 3
Red-winged Blackbird 150
Brown-headed Cowbird 15
House Finch 10
American Goldfinch 6
House Sparrow 6

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

E-Z Birding - Tuesday, November 8th 2011

EZ Birding at Two Mile Beach Unit of US Fish & Wildlife enjoyed the usual mix of shorebirds on the beach including Sanderlings, Dunlin, Ruddy Turnstones, and Black-bellied Plover in good numbers. A few Northern Gannets and migrating scoters were spotted over the ocean.  Ducks remain in the ponds along Ocean Dr. including Black Ducks, Bufflehead, Ruddy Ducks, and Hooded and Red-breasted Mergansers.  On the bay side of Ocean Dr. were many Brant and a small group of American Oystercatchers.
53 species (+1 other taxa)

Brant  300
Canada Goose  6
American Black Duck  50
Mallard  4
Northern Pintail  10
Green-winged Teal  6
scoter sp.  30
Bufflehead  5
Hooded Merganser  2
Red-breasted Merganser  8
Ruddy Duck  4
Red-throated Loon  2
Common Loon  2
Pied-billed Grebe  1
Northern Gannet  12
Double-crested Cormorant  40
Great Blue Heron  1
Great Egret  10
Snowy Egret  2
Bald Eagle  1
Northern Harrier  2
Cooper's Hawk  1
Merlin  1
Black-bellied Plover  25
American Oystercatcher  10
Greater Yellowlegs  1
Lesser Yellowlegs  1
Ruddy Turnstone  36     Feeding all along water's edge on beach at Two Mile Unit
of US Fish & Wildlife
Sanderling  200
Dunlin  200
Ring-billed Gull  2
Herring Gull  50
Great Black-backed Gull  35
Royal Tern  2
Belted Kingfisher  1
Northern Flicker  1
American Crow  10
Tree Swallow  10
Carolina Chickadee  5
American Robin  3
Gray Catbird  1
Northern Mockingbird  1
European Starling  170
Yellow-rumped Warbler  25
Eastern Towhee  1
Song Sparrow  2
White-crowned Sparrow  1
Dark-eyed Junco  2
Northern Cardinal  2
Red-winged Blackbird  60
Common Grackle  30
Boat-tailed Grackle  4
House Finch  8
American Goldfinch  5

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

Cox Hall Creek (Villas) WMA - Sunday, November 6th 2011

The Cox Hall Creek WMA is currently hosting a good variety of late-season migrants.  A juvenile Red-headed Woodpecker allowed lingering views. Five Great Blue Herons lifted from the ponds with four of them then decorating treetops. The Bluebird flock has greatly expanded in number, while  Song, Swamp, Chipping & Field Sparrows flit among the grasses. Also seen: Eastern Towhee, Palm & Yellow-rumped Warblers, Brown Creeper, Eastern Phoebe, Ruby-crowned & Golden-crowned Kinglets, perched Cooper's Hawk.
46 species

Mute Swan  2
Mallard  3
Pied-billed Grebe  1
Double-crested Cormorant  1
Great Blue Heron  6
Turkey Vulture  2
Sharp-shinned Hawk  4
Cooper's Hawk  1
Red-tailed Hawk  2
Herring Gull (American)  5
Mourning Dove  5
Red-headed Woodpecker  1
Red-bellied Woodpecker  12
Downy Woodpecker  3
Hairy Woodpecker  1
Northern Flicker (Yellow-shafted)  5
Eastern Phoebe  3
Blue Jay  6
American Crow  12
Tree Swallow  6
Carolina Chickadee  6
Tufted Titmouse  7
Brown Creeper  1
Carolina Wren  4
House Wren  1
Golden-crowned Kinglet  5
Ruby-crowned Kinglet  3
Eastern Bluebird  22
American Robin  44
Gray Catbird  1
Northern Mockingbird  1
European Starling  14
Palm Warbler  4
Yellow-rumped Warbler  15
Eastern Towhee  4
Chipping Sparrow  7
Field Sparrow  1
Song Sparrow  13
White-throated Sparrow  6
Dark-eyed Junco  5
Northern Cardinal  4
Red-winged Blackbird  35
Common Grackle  3
Brown-headed Cowbird  1
House Finch  13
American Goldfinch  2

Hawks, Trails and Beach - Saturday, November 5th 2011

The Hawks, Trails, and Beach walk saw a good variety of ducks on Lighthouse and Bunker Ponds including Mallard, Northern Shoveler, Pintail, American Wigeon, Gadwall, and Green-winged Teal along with Pied-billed Grebes and many, many Coots.  Raptors included perched Red-tailed Hawks and Osprey, Merlin, Cooper's Hawk, and Sharp-shinned Hawks overhead.
45 species (+1 other taxa)

Canada Goose  30
Mute Swan  12
Gadwall  20
American Wigeon  80
Mallard  16
Northern Shoveler  10
Northern Pintail  8
Green-winged Teal  20
scoter sp.  68
Ruddy Duck  6
Pied-billed Grebe  5
Northern Gannet  2
Double-crested Cormorant  6
Great Blue Heron  6
Osprey  2
Northern Harrier  1
Sharp-shinned Hawk  3
Cooper's Hawk  2
Red-tailed Hawk  5
Merlin  1
Peregrine Falcon  1
American Coot  80
Herring Gull  9
Great Black-backed Gull  40
Rock Pigeon  6
Mourning Dove  2
Belted Kingfisher  1
Northern Flicker  3
Blue Jay  6
American Crow  8
Tree Swallow  40
Carolina Chickadee  12
Carolina Wren  4     heard
Golden-crowned Kinglet  4
Ruby-crowned Kinglet  2
American Robin  10
Gray Catbird  3
Northern Mockingbird  5
European Starling  20
Yellow-rumped Warbler  35
Song Sparrow  2
Swamp Sparrow  7
White-throated Sparrow  2
Northern Cardinal  2
Red-winged Blackbird  30
House Finch  6

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

Fall Birds at The Rea Farm - Saturday, November 5th 2011

Cold and breezy with good raptors, including 4 Bald Eagles, Red-tails, Red-shoulders, sharpies, and a Harrier. Blackpoll Warblers and Baltimore Orioles were interesting passerines.
50 species

Mute Swan 3
Wood Duck 2
American Black Duck 2
Mallard 10
Blue-winged Teal 1
Northern Shoveler 2
Double-crested Cormorant 20
Black Vulture 4
Turkey Vulture 5
Osprey 3
Bald Eagle 4 two ad., 2 imm.
Northern Harrier 1
Sharp-shinned Hawk 5
Cooper's Hawk 1
Red-shouldered Hawk 3
Red-tailed Hawk 4
Killdeer 1
Great Black-backed Gull 1
Rock Pigeon 2
Mourning Dove 15
Red-bellied Woodpecker 3
Downy Woodpecker 1
Northern Flicker 3
Eastern Phoebe 4
Blue Jay 2
American Crow 10
Carolina Chickadee 1
Carolina Wren 3
Golden-crowned Kinglet 1
Ruby-crowned Kinglet 3
Eastern Bluebird 2 heard
American Robin 100
European Starling 75
Blackpoll Warbler 2
Palm Warbler 2
Yellow-rumped Warbler 5
Eastern Towhee 1
Chipping Sparrow 1
Field Sparrow 3
Savannah Sparrow 1
Song Sparrow 10
Swamp Sparrow 1
Dark-eyed Junco 3
Northern Cardinal 2
Red-winged Blackbird 100
Common Grackle 10
Brown-headed Cowbird 10
Baltimore Oriole 2
House Finch 1
American Goldfinch 1

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

Cape May Point State Park - Wednesday, November 2nd 2011

So many birds were flying first thing this morning that it took us a good 20 minutes to get out of the parking lot! Our rarity highlight was a White-winged Dove that was reported from the Hawkwatch Platform and Warren somehow managed to get teed up in his scope.
68 species (+1 other taxa)

Brant 7
Canada Goose 95
Mute Swan 17
Wood Duck 1
Gadwall 30
American Wigeon 35
Mallard 10
Northern Shoveler 12
Northern Pintail 10
Green-winged Teal 15
Surf/Black Scoter 200
Ruddy Duck 7
Red-throated Loon 1
Pied-billed Grebe 4
Double-crested Cormorant 45
Turkey Vulture 12
Osprey 2
Sharp-shinned Hawk 5
Red-tailed Hawk 2
American Kestrel 1
Peregrine Falcon 1
American Coot 80
American Oystercatcher 1
Sanderling 15
Bonaparte's Gull 1
Ring-billed Gull 2
Herring Gull (American) 10
Great Black-backed Gull 40
Forster's Tern 5
Royal Tern 2
Rock Pigeon 4
White-winged Dove 1 Perched, found by people on Hawkwatch
Red-bellied Woodpecker 2
Yellow-bellied Sapsucker 1
Downy Woodpecker 2
Northern Flicker 12
Eastern Phoebe 3
Blue Jay 4
American Crow 12
Tree Swallow 100
Carolina Chickadee 6
Red-breasted Nuthatch 1
Carolina Wren 4
Golden-crowned Kinglet 10
Ruby-crowned Kinglet 8
Eastern Bluebird 6
Hermit Thrush 1
American Robin 1000
Gray Catbird 3
Northern Mockingbird 2
Brown Thrasher 4
European Starling 75
American Pipit 60
Cedar Waxwing 15
Blackpoll Warbler 5
Palm Warbler (Western) 4
Yellow-rumped Warbler 300
Savannah Sparrow 10
Song Sparrow 30
Swamp Sparrow 15
White-throated Sparrow 15
Dark-eyed Junco 2
Northern Cardinal 3
Red-winged Blackbird 450
Eastern Meadowlark 3
Common Grackle 120
Brown-headed Cowbird 50
House Finch 15
American Goldfinch 10

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

This handsome male Wood Duck was a nice addition to our duck list this morning.

E-Z Birding, Tuesday, November 1st 2011

Sunshine and a chilly wind greeted us at Two Mile Beach Unit of US Fish & Wildlife Refuge this morning.  On the beach we found several species of shorebirds including Sanderlings, Dunlin, Black-bellied Plover, and Ruddy Turnstones along with 4 American Oystercatchers. The saltwater pan held Black Ducks, Pintails, Mallards, Buffleheads, Hooded Mergansers, and a scaup.  On the bay side of Ocean Drive we added a Greater Yellowlegs, Killdeer, Least and Semi-palmated Sandpiper, and many Brant to our list.
48 species (+1 other taxa)

Brant  200
Canada Goose  15
American Black Duck  50
Mallard  6
Northern Pintail  8
Lesser Scaup  1
scoter sp.  150
Bufflehead  10
Hooded Merganser  6
Pied-billed Grebe  1
Northern Gannet  8
Double-crested Cormorant  350
Great Blue Heron  5
Great Egret  15
Turkey Vulture  6
Osprey  3
Northern Harrier  1
Cooper's Hawk  1
Peregrine Falcon  1
Black-bellied Plover  20
Killdeer  7
American Oystercatcher  4
Greater Yellowlegs  1
Ruddy Turnstone  15
Sanderling  200
Semipalmated Sandpiper  4    
Least Sandpiper  2     
Dunlin  40
Ring-billed Gull  14
Herring Gull  50
Great Black-backed Gull  10
Forster's Tern  20
Belted Kingfisher  2
American Crow  8
Tree Swallow  100
Carolina Chickadee  3
Carolina Wren  2     heard
Golden-crowned Kinglet  4
Ruby-crowned Kinglet  1
American Robin  2
Northern Mockingbird  2
Brown Thrasher  1
European Starling  30
Yellow-rumped Warbler  40
Song Sparrow  1
Swamp Sparrow  1
Red-winged Blackbird  10
Boat-tailed Grackle  3
House Sparrow  3

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

South Cape May Meadows - Monday October 31st 2011

Good ducks, nice look at Wilson's Snipe and good scope views of American Bittern.
63 species

Canada Goose 100
Mute Swan 12
Gadwall 25
American Black Duck 1
Mallard 20
Northern Shoveler 1
Northern Pintail 8
Green-winged Teal 15
Ring-necked Duck 2
Surf Scoter 10
Hooded Merganser 1
Ruddy Duck 4
Red-throated Loon 3
Common Loon 2
Pied-billed Grebe 4
Double-crested Cormorant 100
American Bittern 1
Great Blue Heron 5
Great Egret 1
Turkey Vulture 5
Osprey 4
Bald Eagle 1
Northern Harrier 5
Sharp-shinned Hawk 6
Cooper's Hawk 1
Red-tailed Hawk 1
American Kestrel 2
Merlin 1
Peregrine Falcon 1
American Coot 50
Killdeer 1
Sanderling 25
Least Sandpiper 1
Pectoral Sandpiper 1
Wilson's Snipe 4
Laughing Gull 1
Ring-billed Gull 5
Herring Gull 15
Lesser Black-backed Gull 1
Great Black-backed Gull 20
Forster's Tern 5
Royal Tern 2
Rock Pigeon 5
Mourning Dove 5
Red-bellied Woodpecker 1
Northern Flicker 1
American Crow 5
Tree Swallow 20
Carolina Wren 1
American Robin 50
Northern Mockingbird 1
European Starling 50
American Pipit 5
Palm Warbler 2
Yellow-rumped Warbler 25
Savannah Sparrow 5
Song Sparrow 10
Swamp Sparrow 8
Northern Cardinal 1
Red-winged Blackbird 50
Eastern Meadowlark 3
Brown-headed Cowbird 30
House Sparrow 4

This report was generated automatically by eBird v3 (

American Bitterns have been a regular feature of The Meadows over the past few days [photo by Karl Lukens].
http://ebird.org)

Sunset Birding at Stone Harbor Point - Tuesday, October 25th 2011

This was our last walk of the year and quite a crowd showed up for so late in the season!  Thankfully we had plenty of leaders helping out this week.  We had a fast rising tide due to the New Moon, so we started at the base of the free bridge to Nummy where we saw a large flock of Brant and fast disappearing mudflats.  They still held a flock of American Oystercatchers, some other shorebirds and a pair of "western" Willets that were up to their bellies in water.  A Peregine sat nearby on an osprey platform watching the same flock as us, but with different intentions. We returned to the point and walked the dune path to the beach, and along the way we studied Swamp. Song, and Savannah Sparrows as we flushed them from the vegetation.  The beach held huge numbers of shorebirds including a few red knot, and a flock of late Semi-palmated Plover but no sign of the Piping Plovers we saw last week.  There was also a very cooperative adult Lesser Black-backed Gull that was almost too lazy and wouldn't even stand to show off his yellow legs until we were leaving.  The real show this week was out in the ocean and there were lots of Gannets diving offshore, Loons, and Scoter flying South and even Royal terns feeding in the surf.  There were also several pods of Bottlenosed dolphin frolicking and feeding just offshore and one pod actually flushed 3 Horned Grebes.  The Grebes landed close to our group and posed for nice scope views as the Dolphins came right by them again.  That may be the first time I've seen those two species interact because they're almost never here at the same time!  we had a huge roosting flock of shorebirds on the beach and we sorted through them until we ran out of light.
49 species

Brant  280
American Black Duck  8
Surf Scoter  60
Black Scoter  16
Common Loon  1
Horned Grebe  3
Northern Gannet  26
Double-crested Cormorant  X
Great Blue Heron  5
Great Egret  25
Snowy Egret  12
Black-crowned Night-Heron  X
Osprey  2
Sharp-shinned Hawk  1
Peregrine Falcon  1
Black-bellied Plover  260
Semipalmated Plover  16
American Oystercatcher  28
Willet (Western)  2
Ruddy Turnstone  8
Red Knot  38
Sanderling  1200
Western Sandpiper  6
Dunlin  400
Short-billed Dowitcher  2
Laughing Gull  X
Ring-billed Gull  X
Herring Gull  X
Lesser Black-backed Gull  1
Great Black-backed Gull  X
Royal Tern  6
Rock Pigeon  X
Mourning Dove  4
Northern Flicker (Yellow-shafted)  2
Fish Crow  X
Tree Swallow  X
Carolina Wren  1
American Robin  X
Northern Mockingbird  1
Palm Warbler  1
Yellow-rumped Warbler (Myrtle)  12
Savannah Sparrow  5
Song Sparrow  4
Swamp Sparrow  4
Northern Cardinal  2
Red-winged Blackbird  X
Boat-tailed Grackle  X
House Finch  4
House Sparrow  X

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

Hidden Valley - Thursday, October 27th 2011

A great Hidden Valley walk with fly-over Wood Ducks, masses of Yellow-rumped Warblers and a fabulous Eastern Meadowlark show - the biggest single-flock count was 48 birds.
42 species

Wood Duck 8
Mallard 4
Double-crested Cormorant 3
Sharp-shinned Hawk 4
Cooper's Hawk 1
Red-tailed Hawk 1
Killdeer 5
Herring Gull (American) 2
Mourning Dove 6
Red-bellied Woodpecker 3
Yellow-bellied Sapsucker 2
Northern Flicker 15
Eastern Phoebe 6
Red-eyed Vireo 1
Blue Jay 4
American Crow 25
Carolina Chickadee 2
Carolina Wren 3
Winter Wren 1
Golden-crowned Kinglet 5
Ruby-crowned Kinglet 6
American Robin 400
Gray Catbird 3
Northern Mockingbird 4
Brown Thrasher 4
European Starling 45
Cedar Waxwing 2
Blackpoll Warbler 4
Palm Warbler 8
Yellow-rumped Warbler 500
Eastern Towhee 5
Chipping Sparrow 1
Field Sparrow 6
Savannah Sparrow 2
Song Sparrow 8
Swamp Sparrow 10
White-throated Sparrow 10
Northern Cardinal 2
Red-winged Blackbird 150
Eastern Meadowlark 90
Common Grackle 1
American Goldfinch 1

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

Twilight Watch at The Meadows - Wednesday, October 26th 2011

42 species

Canada Goose  45
Mute Swan  8
Wood Duck  16
Gadwall  32
Mallard  6
Blue-winged Teal  8
Northern Shoveler  4
Northern Pintail  8
Green-winged Teal  6
Surf Scoter  42
Ruddy Duck  8
Pied-billed Grebe  4
Northern Gannet  12
Double-crested Cormorant  6
Great Blue Heron  3
Great Egret  2
Sharp-shinned Hawk  6
Cooper's Hawk  2
Red-tailed Hawk  1     Enjoying Rabbit for dinner
American Kestrel  1
Sora  1
Common Gallinule  1
American Coot  22
Sanderling  16
Laughing Gull  4
Ring-billed Gull  12
Herring Gull  8
Lesser Black-backed Gull  1
Great Black-backed Gull  20
Mourning Dove  4
American Crow  20
Tree Swallow  10
Barn Swallow  1
European Starling  8
Palm Warbler  6
Yellow-rumped Warbler  44
Savannah Sparrow  4
Song Sparrow  4
Swamp Sparrow  20
Red-winged Blackbird  14
Eastern Meadowlark  6
Common Grackle  2

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

Cape May Point State Park - Wednesday, October 26th 2011

Having missed a couple of Wednesday walks due to poor weather, it was good to be back out in the field. Certainly duck numbers had increased since our last walk, there was a fabulous Northern Gannet show offshore, American Coot numbers were impressive and the good Fall for Eastern Meadowlarks continues.
67 species

Canada Goose 45
Mute Swan 15
Wood Duck 14
Gadwall 110
American Wigeon 95
Mallard 30
Blue-winged Teal 15
Northern Shoveler 30
Northern Pintail 22
Green-winged Teal 45
Ring-necked Duck 4
Surf Scoter 3
Ruddy Duck 7
Pied-billed Grebe 6
Northern Gannet 150
Double-crested Cormorant 40
Great Blue Heron 1
Great Egret 1
Turkey Vulture 6
Osprey 1
Bald Eagle 1
Northern Harrier 3
Sharp-shinned Hawk 14
Cooper's Hawk 6
Red-tailed Hawk 1
American Kestrel 12
Merlin 2
American Coot 155
Semipalmated Plover 6
Killdeer 23
Sanderling 15
Dunlin 25
Wilson's Snipe 1
Laughing Gull 5
Ring-billed Gull 20
Herring Gull (American) 12
Great Black-backed Gull 35
Forster's Tern 45
Royal Tern 10
Rock Pigeon 4
Mourning Dove 2
Northern Flicker 25
Eastern Phoebe 1
Blue Jay 2
American Crow 4
Tree Swallow 25
Carolina Chickadee 4
Carolina Wren 2
Ruby-crowned Kinglet 3
American Robin 140
Northern Mockingbird 1
European Starling 95
American Pipit 1
Cedar Waxwing 20
Nashville Warbler 1
Common Yellowthroat 1
Blackpoll Warbler 1
Palm Warbler 8
Yellow-rumped Warbler 1500
Savannah Sparrow 2
Song Sparrow 6
Swamp Sparrow 6
White-throated Sparrow 5
Northern Cardinal 2
Red-winged Blackbird 450
Eastern Meadowlark 25
House Finch 1

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