Birding Cape May Point - Wednesday, October 30th, 2013

There were lots of ducks with good variety including Gadwall, Mallard, American Wigeon, two Eurasian Wigeon, both Teal, two Ring-necked, and numerous Ruddy Ducks. Off shore there were many flocks of Surf and Black Scoter, as well as both Loons. In addition there were numerous Northern Gannets, and a couple of Parasitic Jaegers. Leaders: Mike Crewe, Megan Crewe, Karl Lukens, Warren Cairo, Chris Marks, and Jesse Amesbury.
60 species (+1 other taxa)

Canada Goose  25
Mute Swan  10
Gadwall  35
Eurasian Wigeon  2     adult male & female in Meadows Plover Pond
American Wigeon  25
Mallard  50
Blue-winged Teal  2
Northern Shoveler  15
Northern Pintail  15
Green-winged Teal  10
Ring-necked Duck  2
Lesser Scaup 3
Surf Scoter  400
White-winged Scoter 1
Black Scoter  200
scoter sp.  500
Ruddy Duck  40
Red-throated Loon  3
Common Loon  2
Pied-billed Grebe  3
Northern Gannet  35
Double-crested Cormorant  200
Great Blue Heron  1
Great Egret  4
Osprey  1
Sharp-shinned Hawk  2
Cooper's Hawk  2
American Coot  30
Greater Yellowlegs  10
Sanderling  12
Parasitic Jaeger  2
Laughing Gull  45
Ring-billed Gull  25
Herring Gull  25
Lesser Black-backed Gull  1
Great Black-backed Gull  70
Royal Tern  1
Rock Pigeon  3
Mourning Dove  10
Red-bellied Woodpecker  1
Northern Flicker  3
Merlin  1
Blue Jay  10
American Crow  3
Northern Rough-winged Swallow  6
Tree Swallow  250
Carolina Chickadee 1
Carolina Wren  2
Ruby-crowned Kinglet  1
Northern Mockingbird  2
European Starling  10
American Pipit  30
Cedar Waxwing  10
Yellow-rumped Warbler  350
Eastern Towhee  1     heard
Song Sparrow  2
Swamp Sparrow  1
White-throated Sparrow  1
White-crowned Sparrow  2
Northern Cardinal  2
Red-winged Blackbird  100
Eastern Meadowlark  4
Common Grackle  15
House Finch 15
American Goldfinch 1
House Sparrow  8

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

Cooper's Hawk [Photo by Karl Lukens]

EZ Birding - Tuesday, October 29th, 2013

EZ Birding at Two Mile had beautiful weather and a good assortment of birds this morning. Highlights include: a pair of Peregrine Falcons eating and interacting on top of the Grand; shorebirds including Black-bellied Plover, Sanderlings, Dunlin, and Semipalmated Sandpipers; ducks including Black, Mallards, Northern Pintails, and Ruddy; and Yellow-rumped Warblers galore. Leaders: Chuck & Mary Jane Slugg, and Janet Crawford.
41 species (+1 other taxa)

Brant  7
American Black Duck  20
Mallard  10
Northern Shoveler  1
Northern Pintail  8
scoter sp.  300
Ruddy Duck  6
Common Loon  1
Double-crested Cormorant  250
Great Egret  3
Turkey Vulture  5
Northern Harrier  1
Sharp-shinned Hawk  2
Cooper's Hawk  1
Red-tailed Hawk  1
Black-bellied Plover  12
Killdeer  1     heard
Greater Yellowlegs  2     heard
Sanderling  60
Dunlin  40
Semipalmated Sandpiper  5
Ring-billed Gull  1
Herring Gull  6
Great Black-backed Gull  15
Mourning Dove  2
Northern Flicker  3
Peregrine Falcon  2
American Crow  5
Tree Swallow  10
Carolina Chickadee  7
Carolina Wren  4     heard
American Robin  8
Gray Catbird  4
Brown Thrasher  2
European Starling  20
Yellow-rumped Warbler  40
Song Sparrow  3
Swamp Sparrow  2
Red-winged Blackbird  12
Common Grackle  8
House Finch  2
American Goldfinch  5

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

Back Bay Birding by Boat on The Osprey - Monday, October 28th, 2013

Highlights include a nearly breeding plumed Common Loon, several flocks of Ruddy Ducks, and a good 1500 Brant. A number of Boat-tailed Grackles seem to be gathering in their winter roost flocks as well. Leader: Dave Lord.
31 species (+1 other taxa)

Brant  1600
American Black Duck  15
scoter sp.  200
Bufflehead  4
Ruddy Duck  18
Common Loon  3
Double-crested Cormorant  26
Great Blue Heron  6
Great Egret  12
Snowy Egret  3
Turkey Vulture  8
Northern Harrier  2
Red-tailed Hawk  2
American Oystercatcher  34
Black-bellied Plover  16
Killdeer  2
Greater Yellowlegs  6
Ruddy Turnstone  12
Sanderling  14
Dunlin  500
Laughing Gull  1
Ring-billed Gull  2
Herring Gull  14
Great Black-backed Gull  6
Royal Tern  1
Belted Kingfisher  6
Fish Crow  45
Tree Swallow  5
European Starling  154
Yellow-rumped Warbler  7
Red-winged Blackbird  12
Boat-tailed Grackle  25

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

Birding the Meadows with Pete Dunne - Monday, October 28th, 2013

We had a nice array of ducks including at least 50 Northern Pintail, and one drake Eurasian Wigeon. On the beach we had a perched Peregrine Falcon, and one adult Lesser Black-backed Gull. Other birds of interest were a Virginia Rail, a brief look at a Common Gallinule, and fly-over American Pipit, and Cave Swallow. Leaders: Pete Dunne, Karl Lukens, Chuck Slugg, Mike Hannisian, Janet Crawford, Catherine Busch, and Carrie Bell.
51 species

Canada Goose  50
Mute Swan  8
Gadwall  15
Eurasian Wigeon  1     drake
American Wigeon  30
American Black Duck  1
Mallard  25
Northern Shoveler  10
Northern Pintail  50
Green-winged Teal  8
Ruddy Duck  5
Pied-billed Grebe  1
Double-crested Cormorant  75
Great Blue Heron  1
Northern Harrier  2
Sharp-shinned Hawk  6
Cooper's Hawk  1
Virginia Rail  1
Common Gallinule  1
Greater Yellowlegs  1
Sanderling  20
Pectoral Sandpiper  4
Ring-billed Gull  6
Herring Gull  5
Lesser Black-backed Gull  1
Great Black-backed Gull  10
Rock Pigeon  3
Mourning Dove  8
Northern Flicker  3
Peregrine Falcon  1
Eastern Phoebe  1
Blue Jay  10
American Crow  25
Tree Swallow  30
Cave Swallow  1
Carolina Wren  2     heard
American Robin  25
Northern Mockingbird  1
European Starling  10
American Pipit  1
Palm Warbler  1
Yellow-rumped Warbler  50
Savannah Sparrow  5
Song Sparrow  1
Swamp Sparrow  5
Northern Cardinal  2
Red-winged Blackbird  30
Rusty Blackbird  4
Common Grackle  6
American Goldfinch  1
House Sparrow  1

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

Eurasian Wigeon [Photo by Karl Lukens]

Lesser Black-backed Gull [Photo by Karl Lukens]

Peregrine Falcon [Photo by Karl Lukens]

Virginia Rail [Photo by Karl Lukens]

Bird Walk for All People - Thursday, October 24th, 2013

The Walk for All People enjoyed a variety of birds this morning including: many Tree Swallows; perched American Kestrel; Sharp-shinned and Cooper's Hawks; Merlin; and a number of duck species including an Eurasian Wigeon. Leaders: Chuck & Mary Jane Slugg, and Cindy Bamford.
52 species (+1 other taxa)

Canada Goose  40
Mute Swan  11
Gadwall  20
Eurasian Wigeon  1
American Wigeon  24
American Black Duck  6
Mallard  26
Blue-winged Teal  4
Northern Shoveler  16
Green-winged Teal  20
scoter sp.  70
Ruddy Duck  12
Double-crested Cormorant  35
Great Egret  1
Black Vulture  1
Turkey Vulture  7
Sharp-shinned Hawk  9
Cooper's Hawk  6
Red-tailed Hawk  1
Killdeer  2
Herring Gull  8
Great Black-backed Gull  10
Rock Pigeon  9
Mourning Dove  2
Belted Kingfisher  1
Red-bellied Woodpecker  1
Downy Woodpecker  1
Northern Flicker  6
American Kestrel  1
Merlin  2
Eastern Phoebe  1
Blue Jay  10
American Crow  3
Tree Swallow  80
Carolina Chickadee  8
Carolina Wren  5     heard
Golden-crowned Kinglet  5
Ruby-crowned Kinglet  2
American Robin  6
Gray Catbird  4
Brown Thrasher  1     heard
Northern Mockingbird  2
European Starling  25
Palm Warbler  3
Yellow-rumped Warbler  50
Eastern Towhee  3     heard
Savannah Sparrow  8
Song Sparrow  2
Swamp Sparrow  4
White-throated Sparrow  2
White-crowned Sparrow  3
Red-winged Blackbird  85
American Goldfinch  6

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

Twilight Watch at the Meadows - Wednesday, October 23rd, 2013

Another pleasant evening for our final Twilight at the Meadows walk of the season that began with a perched Merlin giving great scope view for all participants. The highlight of the walk was seeing hundreds of ducks take flight over the state park and then watching the culprit of all this panic, an adult Bald Eagle. The eagle made a left turn and headed straight towards us eventually passing directly over us. A magnificent bird that was almost lost to us just a few short years ago serves as a reminder that we must remain aware of our actions and their affect on the  environment.  Leaders: Warren Cairo and Bill Smythe.
42 species

Brant  20
Canada Goose  45
Mute Swan  8
Gadwall  18
American Wigeon  12
American Black Duck  6
Mallard  30
Blue-winged Teal  8
Northern Shoveler  12
Northern Pintail  8
Green-winged Teal  20
Surf Scoter  6
Black Scoter  55
Ruddy Duck  8
Pied-billed Grebe  3
Double-crested Cormorant  20
Great Blue Heron  20     12 circling before heading out over the bay
Great Egret  4
Black Vulture  2
Turkey Vulture  5
Northern Harrier  2
Sharp-shinned Hawk  2
Bald Eagle  1
American Coot  12
Greater Yellowlegs  1
Sanderling  12
Laughing Gull  1
Ring-billed Gull  8
Great Black-backed Gull  15
Forster's Tern  12
Merlin  2
Peregrine Falcon  1
American Crow  5
Tree Swallow  6
American Robin  1
Gray Catbird  1
European Starling  8
Palm Warbler  2
Yellow-rumped Warbler  16
Savannah Sparrow  12
Song Sparrow  4
Swamp Sparrow  3

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

Birding Cape May Point - Wednesday, October 23rd, 2013

Cold and rainy morning so we stayed along the dunes, Bunker Pond and around the entrance/exit roads. Ducks don't mind the rain, but the sparrows were a little harder to find. Yellow-rump Warblers were, however, easy to find everywhere. Several American Pipits were seen and heard overhead. Leaders: Mike Crewe, Megan Crewe, Karl Lukens, Steve Weis, Warren Cairo, and Chris Marks.
41 species (+1 other taxa)

Canada Goose  10
Mute Swan  5
Gadwall  10
American Wigeon  20
Mallard  15
Northern Shoveler  10
Green-winged Teal  8
Surf Scoter  20
Black Scoter  50
scoter sp.  100
Pied-billed Grebe  1
Northern Gannet  1
Double-crested Cormorant  5
Great Egret  2
Sharp-shinned Hawk  2
Killdeer  2
Ring-billed Gull  10
Herring Gull  5
Great Black-backed Gull  10
Forster's Tern  15
Royal Tern  2
Mourning Dove  2
American Kestrel  1
Eastern Phoebe  1
Tree Swallow  8
Carolina Wren  1
Golden-crowned Kinglet  1
Ruby-crowned Kinglet  2
Northern Mockingbird  1
European Starling  5
American Pipit  3
Yellow-rumped Warbler  50
Eastern Towhee  1
Savannah Sparrow  1
Song Sparrow  5
Swamp Sparrow  5
White-throated Sparrow  1
White-crowned Sparrow  2
Northern Cardinal  1
Red-winged Blackbird  10
American Goldfinch  4
House Sparrow  1

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

Sunset Birding at Stone Harbor Point - Tuesday, October 22nd, 2013

The Stone Harbor Point walk this evening was highlighted by the large number of scoters flying south and a majestic Bald Eagle perched providing great scope views. Leaders: Warren Cairo, Gail Dwyer and Shaun Bamford.
28 species

Brant  350
Surf Scoter  1000
Black Scoter  2500
Northern Gannet  4
Double-crested Cormorant  250
Great Blue Heron  1
Great Egret  5
Turkey Vulture  6
Northern Harrier  1
Bald Eagle  1
American Oystercatcher  12
Black-bellied Plover  1
Semipalmated Plover  2
Lesser Yellowlegs  2
Sanderling  50
Dunlin  1
Semipalmated Sandpiper  2
Ring-billed Gull  6
Herring Gull  16
Great Black-backed Gull  30
Caspian Tern  2
Royal Tern  1
Northern Mockingbird  1
European Starling  40
Blackpoll Warbler  2
Palm Warbler  1
Yellow-rumped Warbler  1
Song Sparrow  1

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

EZ Birding - Tuesday, October 22nd, 2013

EZ Birding has moved back to Two Mile Beach Unit of US Fish & Wildlife Refuge. Highlights of today's walk include: lines of Scoter flying south; Osprey;  Sharp-shinned and Cooper's Hawks; Peregrine Falcon; Black Ducks; Northern Pin-tails; and lots of Yellow-rumped Warblers. Leaders: Chuck & Mary Jane Slugg, Janet Crawford, and Lee Smythe.
40 species

American Black Duck  15
Northern Pintail  8
Surf Scoter  3
White-winged Scoter  2
Black Scoter  75
Common Loon  1
Double-crested Cormorant  35
Great Egret  1
Turkey Vulture  6
Osprey  3
Sharp-shinned Hawk  2
Cooper's Hawk  2
Black-bellied Plover  1
Greater Yellowlegs  5
Sanderling  25
Dunlin  7
Herring Gull  5
Great Black-backed Gull  20
Royal Tern  5
Rock Pigeon  8
Mourning Dove  1
Northern Flicker  7
Peregrine Falcon  1
Blue Jay  7
American Crow  4
Fish Crow  1
Carolina Chickadee  4     heard
Carolina Wren  3     heard
Golden-crowned Kinglet  4
Ruby-crowned Kinglet  5
Gray Catbird  4
Brown Thrasher  1
European Starling  40
Palm Warbler  3
Yellow-rumped Warbler  65
Eastern Towhee  2     heard
Savannah Sparrow  3
Swamp Sparrow  2
White-crowned Sparrow  2
Dark-eyed Junco  1

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

Birding the Meadows with Pete Dunne - Monday, October 21st, 2013

A chilly morning with lots of Yellow-rumped Warblers in the air and in the bushes. Ducks included fly-over Wood Ducks, Gadwall, American Wigeon, Mallard, both Teal, Northern Shoveler, Northern Pintail, and scoter offshore. Other birds of note were Lesser Black-backed Gull on the beach, Wilson's Snipe over head, a couple of Eastern Phoebe, Swamp and Savannah Sparrow, and good looks at a Sora. Leaders: Pete Dunne, Karl Lukens, Chuck Slugg, Steve Weis, Janet Crawford, Catherine Busch, Mike Hannisian, and Marc & Lynne Breslow.
54 species

Canada Goose  25
Mute Swan  6
Wood Duck  2
Gadwall  15
American Wigeon  30
Mallard  25
Blue-winged Teal  25
Northern Shoveler  10
Northern Pintail  8
Green-winged Teal  20
Surf Scoter  5
Ruddy Duck  3
Double-crested Cormorant  6
Great Blue Heron  1
Great Egret  2
Sharp-shinned Hawk  1
Sora  1
American Coot  1
Sanderling  50
Wilson's Snipe  1
Laughing Gull  1
Ring-billed Gull  8
Herring Gull  10
Lesser Black-backed Gull  1
Great Black-backed Gull  50
Royal Tern  1
Rock Pigeon  4
Mourning Dove  15
Northern Flicker  25
American Kestrel  1
Merlin  1
Eastern Phoebe  2
Blue Jay  20
American Crow  2
Tree Swallow  30
Golden-crowned Kinglet  1     heard
Ruby-crowned Kinglet  2
American Robin  10
Northern Mockingbird  2
European Starling  10
Common Yellowthroat  1
Palm Warbler  5
Yellow-rumped Warbler  200
Savannah Sparrow  5
Song Sparrow  1
Swamp Sparrow  2
Northern Cardinal  1
Bobolink  1     heard
Red-winged Blackbird  50
Eastern Meadowlark  18
Common Grackle  1
Brown-headed Cowbird  10
American Goldfinch  1
House Sparrow  2

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

Lesser Black-backed Gull [Photo by Karl Lukens]

Sora [Photo by Karl Lukens]

Back Bay Birding by Boat trip on The Opsrey - Sunday, October 20th, 2013

The Northwest winds were blowing, and a number of hawks filled the skies above the Cape May Canal. A couple of Whimbrel were still being seen, and many Brant continued to build their number in the back bays. Two adult Tri-colored Herons were also seen in good light on the marsh. A lone Green-winged Teal was seen flying the marshes around Taylor Sound. Leaders: Bob Lubberman and Dave Lord.
29 species (+1 other taxa)

Brant  650
American Black Duck  7
Green-winged Teal  1
scoter sp.  7500     Seen out in the Ocean.
Double-crested Cormorant  48
Great Blue Heron  9
Great Egret  34
Snowy Egret  3
Tricolored Heron  2
Turkey Vulture  6
Osprey  2
Sharp-shinned Hawk  5
Cooper's Hawk  3
Bald Eagle  2
Red-tailed Hawk  4
American Oystercatcher  6
Black-bellied Plover  45
Whimbrel  2     Two juvenile birds still continuing around Jarvis sound.
Ruddy Turnstone  44
Dunlin  27
Short-billed Dowitcher  1
Laughing Gull  5
Herring Gull  14
Great Black-backed Gull  24
Forster's Tern  66
Royal Tern  1
Rock Pigeon  14
Belted Kingfisher  8
Fish Crow  12
Tree Swallow  200

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

Cox Hall Creek WMA - Sunday, October 20th, 2013

Three species of spotted thrushes showed up in the pokeberry on the southeast end of Villas WMA this morning - a Swainson's, a Gray-cheeked and three Hermit Thrushes. Palm and Yellow-rumped Warblers; both Ruby and Golden-crowned Kinglets; Song, White-throated, Field and Swamp Sparrows and Eastern Phoebes were present in good numbers. Leaders: Kathy & Roger Horn, Janet Crawford, and Cindy Bamford.
53 species

Pied-billed Grebe  1
Double-crested Cormorant  1
Turkey Vulture  2
Osprey  1
Sharp-shinned Hawk  5
Cooper's Hawk  3
Bald Eagle  1
Red-tailed Hawk  1
Herring Gull  3
Mourning Dove  8
Belted Kingfisher  1
Red-bellied Woodpecker  7
Yellow-bellied Sapsucker  4
Downy Woodpecker  4
Northern Flicker  11
Merlin  1
Eastern Wood-Pewee  1
Eastern Phoebe  8
Red-eyed Vireo  1
Blue Jay  12
American Crow  35
Tree Swallow  3
Carolina Chickadee  6
Tufted Titmouse  9
White-breasted Nuthatch  2
Brown Creeper  1
Carolina Wren  6
Golden-crowned Kinglet  14
Ruby-crowned Kinglet  18
Eastern Bluebird  2    heard
Gray-cheeked Thrush  1
Swainson's Thrush  1
Hermit Thrush  3
American Robin  28
Gray Catbird  3
Brown Thrasher  2
Northern Mockingbird  1
European Starling  5
Common Yellowthroat  2
Palm Warbler  22
Yellow-rumped Warbler  70
Eastern Towhee  7
Field Sparrow  9
Savannah Sparrow  3
Song Sparrow  9
Swamp Sparrow  5
White-throated Sparrow  20
Northern Cardinal  5
Red-winged Blackbird  4
Common Grackle  12
Brown-headed Cowbird  10
House Finch  4
American Goldfinch  2    heard

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

Photo Walks with Mike Hannisian - Saturday, October 19th, 2013

Our last Saturday Photo Walk was greeted with a nice variety of subjects. As is to be expected at this time of year, our resident Mute Swans have been joined by migrant waterfowl such as American Wigeon and Northern Shoveler. Other migrants included Golden-crowned Kinglet, Northern Flicker, Savannah Sparrow, and Yellow-rumped Warbler. And, because of the mild weather so far this season, our Seaside Goldenrod has remained in flower. All in all, it was another fine day afield.  Although this was the last Saturday Photo Walk, this coming weekend is the NJAS's 67th annual Autumn Weekend during which I will be leading both indoor and outdoor photo workshops and programs.

American Wigeon [Photo by Mike Hannisian]

Golden-crowned Kinglet [Photo by Mike Hannisian]

Northern Flicker [Photo by Mike Hannisian]

Northern Shoveler [Photo by Mike Hannisian]

Savannah Sparrow [Photo by Mike Hannisian]

Seaside Goldenrod [Photo by Mike Hannisian]

Yellow-rumped Warbler [Photo by Mike Hannisian]

Fall Migrants at the Rea Farm - Saturday, October 19th, 2013

Lots of kinglets everywhere mostly Ruby-crowned, and many Yellow-rumped Warblers, with a few Palm Warblers of both eastern and western subspecies. A number of Eastern Phoebes were seen and Northern Flickers were always overhead. Sparrows included White-throated, Song, Savannah, Field, Swamp, with a few Dark-eyed Juncos. Three Rusty Blackbirds were seen well in the scope. Leaders: Karl Lukens, Kathy & Roger Horn, and Catherine Busch.
50 species

Canada Goose  10
Mallard  5
Double-crested Cormorant  5
Great Blue Heron  1
Black Vulture  1
Turkey Vulture  4
Osprey  1
Sharp-shinned Hawk  5
Cooper's Hawk  2
Red-tailed Hawk  1
Killdeer  6
Great Black-backed Gull  2
Rock Pigeon  3
Mourning Dove  20
Belted Kingfisher  1     heard
Yellow-bellied Sapsucker  1
Downy Woodpecker  2
Northern Flicker  35
Merlin  2
Eastern Phoebe  6
Blue-headed Vireo  1
Blue Jay  20
American Crow  5
Fish Crow  1
Carolina Chickadee  1
Brown Creeper  1
Carolina Wren  3     heard
Golden-crowned Kinglet  10
Ruby-crowned Kinglet  40
Swainson's Thrush  1 seen by a few
American Robin  8
Gray Catbird  2
Brown Thrasher  2
European Starling  25
Common Yellowthroat  1
Palm Warbler  8
Yellow-rumped Warbler  30
Eastern Towhee  2
Field Sparrow  1
Savannah Sparrow  5
Song Sparrow  10
Swamp Sparrow  8
White-throated Sparrow  5
Dark-eyed Junco  5
Northern Cardinal  2
Red-winged Blackbird  5
Eastern Meadowlark  12
Rusty Blackbird  3
American Goldfinch  1
House Sparrow  1

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

Blue-headed Vireo [Photo by Karl Lukens]

Painted Lady [Photo by Karl Lukens]

Rusty Blackbirds [Photo by Karl Lukens]

Sunset Birding at the Meadows - Friday, October 18th, 2013

Lots of ducks but very "skitterish" doing much flying around. We had four fly-over Wood Ducks, Gadwall, Mallard, both Teal, Northern Shoveler, and Northern Pintail. On the beach we had two Lesser Black-backed Gulls. Good falcons with perched Merlin and Kestrel for good scope views, and a fly-over Peregrine Falcon. Leaders: Karl Lukens, Chuck Slugg, Jesse Amesbury, and Deb Payson.
33 species (+1 other taxa)

Canada Goose  25
Mute Swan  5
Wood Duck  4
Gadwall  8
American Wigeon  15
Mallard  30
Blue-winged Teal  15
Northern Shoveler  6
Northern Pintail  6
Green-winged Teal  40
scoter sp.  50
Double-crested Cormorant  3
Great Blue Heron  2
Great Egret  2
Sharp-shinned Hawk  1
Sanderling  45
Laughing Gull  5
Herring Gull  5
Lesser Black-backed Gull  2
Great Black-backed Gull  50
Royal Tern  2
Rock Pigeon  3
Mourning Dove  20
Northern Flicker  2
American Kestrel  1
Merlin  5
Peregrine Falcon  1
American Crow  2
Carolina Wren  2
European Starling  5
Palm Warbler  2
Yellow-rumped Warbler  5
Song Sparrow  3
House Sparrow  1

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

Merlin [Photo by Karl Lukens]

Higbee Beach Birding - Friday, October 18th, 2013

A quiet day with few new migrants, but scoters were moving off-shore, Northern Flickers and Blue Jays continued their noisy daily commutes, and raptors hunting overhead kept us entertained. Highlights included a Winter Wren, three Eastern Meadowlark, and many Yellow-rumped Warblers. Leaders: Mike Crewe, Megan Crewe, Chris Marks, and Catherine Busch
36 species

Canada Goose  24
Northern Pintail  3
Surf Scoter  50
Black Scoter  150
Double-crested Cormorant  12
Great Blue Heron  1
Turkey Vulture  5
Sharp-shinned Hawk  10
Cooper's Hawk  3
Herring Gull (American)  X
Great Black-backed Gull  X
Mourning Dove  2
Downy Woodpecker  2
Northern Flicker (Yellow-shafted)  8
Merlin  2
Blue Jay  15
American Crow  2
Tree Swallow  3
Carolina Chickadee  1
Winter Wren  1
Carolina Wren  X
Golden-crowned Kinglet  4
American Robin  4
Gray Catbird  3
Brown Thrasher  6
European Starling  X
Palm Warbler  2
Yellow-rumped Warbler (Myrtle)  X
Eastern Towhee  1
Swamp Sparrow  3
Northern Cardinal  1
Indigo Bunting  1
Red-winged Blackbird  X
Eastern Meadowlark  3
Brown-headed Cowbird  X
American Goldfinch  2

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

Bird Walk for All People: Thursday, October 17th, 2013

The Bird Walk for All People was a bit quiet this morning but we still had plenty to look at and identify. Highlights include: Sharp-shinned and Cooper's Hawks; Belted Kingfisher; lots of Yellow-rumped Warblers; a quick look at a Brown Thrasher; Gadwalls in breeding plumage; and Pied-billed Grebes. Leaders: Chuck & Mary Jane Slugg, and Cindy Bamford.
50 species

Canada Goose  45
Mute Swan  34
Gadwall  14
American Wigeon  20
American Black Duck  2
Mallard  22
Blue-winged Teal  12
Northern Shoveler  8
Northern Pintail  1
Green-winged Teal  14
Ruddy Duck  7
Common Loon  1
Pied-billed Grebe  1
Double-crested Cormorant  1
Great Blue Heron  2
Snowy Egret  2
Turkey Vulture  2
Osprey  3
Northern Harrier  2
Sharp-shinned Hawk  15
Cooper's Hawk  7
Red-shouldered Hawk  1
Killdeer  1
Greater Yellowlegs  1     heard
Herring Gull  2
Great Black-backed Gull  25
Royal Tern  3
Rock Pigeon  2
Mourning Dove  2
Belted Kingfisher  2
Red-bellied Woodpecker  1
Northern Flicker  8
Merlin  1
Blue Jay  42
American Crow  7
Fish Crow  12
Tree Swallow  50
Carolina Chickadee  6
Carolina Wren  5
Golden-crowned Kinglet  1     heard
Gray Catbird  4
Brown Thrasher  1
Northern Mockingbird  3
European Starling  25
Yellow-rumped Warbler  45
Savannah Sparrow  2
Swamp Sparrow  5
Bobolink  3     heard
Red-winged Blackbird  14
American Goldfinch  12

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

Twilight Watch at the Meadows - Wednesday, October 16th, 2013

Twilight at the Meadow walk was a very pleasant evening with mild temperatures and good birds. Highlights include: Sora, Peregrine Falcon, Eurasian Wigeon, and nice comparisons of Blue- & Green-winged Teal. Leaders: Warren Cairo, Patty Rourke and Bill Smythe.
35 species (+1 other taxa)

Canada Goose  14
Mute Swan  6
Gadwall  8
Eurasian Wigeon  1
American Wigeon  30
American Black Duck  4
Mallard  25
Blue-winged Teal  12
Northern Shoveler  10
Northern Pintail  15
Green-winged Teal  20
Green-winged Teal (American)  25
Surf Scoter  10
Black Scoter  40
Ruddy Duck  8
Pied-billed Grebe  1
Double-crested Cormorant  6
Great Egret  2
Snowy Egret  1
Northern Harrier  1
Sora  2
Sanderling  20
Laughing Gull  6
Ring-billed Gull  8
Herring Gull  12
Lesser Black-backed Gull  2
Great Black-backed Gull  45
Caspian Tern  2
Royal Tern  3
Belted Kingfisher  1
Peregrine Falcon  1
American Crow  6
Tree Swallow  12
Northern Mockingbird  1
Yellow-rumped Warbler  4
Savannah Sparrow  6

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

Birding Cape May Point - Wednesday, October 16th, 2013

Today we had a nice variety of ducks including two Wood Ducks, Gadwall, Mallard, American Wigeon, both Teal, Northern Pintail, and on the ocean, Surf, Black, and one White-winged Scoter. Raptors included Osprey, Northern Harrier, Sharp-shinned and Cooper's Hawk, and one adult Bald Eagle. Lots of Yellow-rumped Warblers about and a couple of Blackpolls. Leaders: Mike Crewe, Karl Lukens, Megan Crewe, Warren Cairo, Steve Weis, Jesse Amesbury, and Chris Marks.
59 species

Canada Goose  10
Mute Swan  8
Wood Duck  2
Gadwall  6
American Wigeon  16
Mallard  25
Blue-winged Teal  6
Northern Shoveler  18
Northern Pintail  14
Green-winged Teal  5
Surf Scoter  75
White-winged Scoter  1
Black Scoter  20
Ruddy Duck  15
Pied-billed Grebe  1
Northern Gannet  3
Double-crested Cormorant  10
Great Blue Heron  1
Great Egret  1
Green Heron  1
Turkey Vulture  4
Osprey  1
Northern Harrier  1
Sharp-shinned Hawk  10
Cooper's Hawk  3
Bald Eagle  1
Lesser Yellowlegs  1
Sanderling  10
Wilson's Snipe  4
Laughing Gull  10
Ring-billed Gull  3
Herring Gull  10
Lesser Black-backed Gull  1
Great Black-backed Gull  75
Caspian Tern  2     adult & juvenile
Forster's Tern  3
Royal Tern  3
Rock Pigeon  3
Mourning Dove  5
Belted Kingfisher  1
Northern Flicker  6
American Kestrel  1
Blue Jay  10
American Crow  2
Fish Crow  1
Tree Swallow  100
Carolina Chickadee  3
Carolina Wren  3
Golden-crowned Kinglet  1     heard
Northern Mockingbird  1
European Starling  25
Common Yellowthroat  1
Blackpoll Warbler  2
Palm Warbler  3
Yellow-rumped Warbler  25
Northern Cardinal  1
Indigo Bunting  1
Red-winged Blackbird  50
House Sparrow  1

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

Juvenile Caspian Tern [Photo by Karl Lukens]

Green Heron [Photo by Karl Lukens]

Sunset Birding at Stone Harbor Point - Tuesday, October 15th, 2013

Very high tides when we started out toward the point with a half hour to go to high tide. We scanned from the end of the road and then moved to Nummy Island. Nummy Island was very productive with lots of Brant and close looks at Tricolored Herons and a good mix of shorebirds. Leaders: Warren Cairo, Gail Dwyer and Shaun Bamford.
Stone Harbor Point: 14 species (+1 other taxa)

Surf/Black Scoter  20
Double-crested Cormorant  8
Great Egret  2
Ruddy Turnstone  1
Sanderling  30
Western Sandpiper  15
Laughing Gull  6
Ring-billed Gull  2
Herring Gull  4
Great Black-backed Gull  25
Caspian Tern  2
Northern Mockingbird  2
Palm Warbler  1
Savannah Sparrow  1
Boat-tailed Grackle  2

Nummy Island: 27 species

Brant  540
Double-crested Cormorant  45
Great Blue Heron  2
Great Egret  8
Snowy Egret  6
Tricolored Heron  5
Black-crowned Night-Heron  2
Yellow-crowned Night-Heron  1
Northern Harrier  3
Clapper Rail  2
Black-bellied Plover  10
Greater Yellowlegs  1
Ruddy Turnstone  4
Red Knot  20
Dunlin  1
Short-billed Dowitcher  6
Laughing Gull  8
Herring Gull  4
Lesser Black-backed Gull  1
Great Black-backed Gull  6
Caspian Tern  2
Mourning Dove  4
Belted Kingfisher  1
Peregrine Falcon  2
Yellow-rumped Warbler  1
Red-winged Blackbird  6
Boat-tailed Grackle  20

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

EZ Birding - Tuesday, October 15th, 2013

EZ Birding enjoyed a nice flight of Cooper's Hawks and Sharp-shinned Hawks early in the walk. Other highlights include: Belted Kingfisher; Northern Flickers; Pied-billed Grebe; Double-crested Cormorants; and Gadwalls. Leaders: Chuck & Mary Jane Slugg, Janet Crawford, and Chris Marks.
51 species

Canada Goose  20
Mute Swan  34
Gadwall  14
American Wigeon  12
Mallard  20
Blue-winged Teal  6
Green-winged Teal  16
Ruddy Duck  8
Pied-billed Grebe  1
Double-crested Cormorant  12
Great Egret  2
Black Vulture  2
Turkey Vulture  6
Osprey  3
Sharp-shinned Hawk  16
Cooper's Hawk  10
Bald Eagle  1
Killdeer  1     heard
Wilson's Snipe  1
Laughing Gull  2
Great Black-backed Gull  60
Caspian Tern  2
Royal Tern  1     heard
Rock Pigeon  6
Mourning Dove  2
Belted Kingfisher  2
Downy Woodpecker  2
Northern Flicker  14
American Kestrel  1
Peregrine Falcon  5
Blue Jay  10
American Crow  5
Fish Crow  7
Tree Swallow  109
Carolina Chickadee  8
Carolina Wren  5     heard
Golden-crowned Kinglet  3     heard
Ruby-crowned Kinglet  1
Gray Catbird  9
Brown Thrasher  1     heard
Northern Mockingbird  2
European Starling  8
Common Yellowthroat  1
Yellow-rumped Warbler  20
Eastern Towhee  2     heard
Savannah Sparrow  3     heard
Swamp Sparrow  1
Bobolink  2     heard
Red-winged Blackbird  5
American Goldfinch  10     heard
House Sparrow  7

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

Back Bay Birding by Boat on The Osprey - Monday, October 14th, 2013

CMBO's Back Bay Birding by Boat aboard the Osprey had wonderful looks at the sole Black-crowned Night-Heron that hadn't fled from the north-east winds, the two juvenile Whimbrel that were still in the Taylor Sound area, and many of the expected migrant shorebirds. The highlight was the couple of Common Loons, our first migrants for Fall 2013!
30 species

Common Loon  2     Two winter plumage adults
Double-crested Cormorant  45
Great Blue Heron  3
Great Egret  14
Snowy Egret  12
Tricolored Heron  1
Black-crowned Night-Heron  1
Turkey Vulture  10
Osprey  3
Northern Harrier  2
Bald Eagle  2
Red-tailed Hawk  1
American Oystercatcher  35
Black-bellied Plover  19
Semipalmated Plover  1
Greater Yellowlegs  13
Ruddy Turnstone  31
Sanderling  21
Dunlin  14
Short-billed Dowitcher  2
Laughing Gull  3
Herring Gull  13
Great Black-backed Gull  2
Caspian Tern  6
Forster's Tern  14
Royal Tern  2
Belted Kingfisher  13
Northern Flicker  1
American Kestrel  2
Red-winged Blackbird  6

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

Birding the Meadows with Pete Dunne - Monday, October 14th, 2013

Lots of ducks this morning including two fly-over Wood Ducks, Gadwall, American Wigeon, one Black Duck, Mallards, Blue and Green-winged Teal, Northern Shoveler, and Northern Pintail. Overhead there were always several Sharp-shinned Hawks with a few Cooper's Hawks, and once in a while a Merlin or Peregrine Falcon, plus two immature Bald Eagles. Other birds of interest were two Lesser Black-backed Gulls on the beach, many Yellow-rumped Warblers, and one Bobolink that perched near the parking lot. Leaders: Pete Dunne, Karl Lukens, Chuck Slugg, Steve Weis, Warren Cairo, Catherine Busch, Shaun Bamford, Janet Crawford, and Marc & Lynne Breslow.
54 species

Canada Goose  10
Mute Swan  6
Wood Duck  2
Gadwall  6
American Wigeon  10
American Black Duck  1
Mallard  25
Blue-winged Teal  8
Northern Shoveler  10
Northern Pintail  6
Green-winged Teal  40
Black Scoter  4
Common Loon  3     fly-over
Pied-billed Grebe  1
Double-crested Cormorant  20
Great Blue Heron  1
Great Egret  2
Turkey Vulture  5
Osprey  3
Northern Harrier  1
Sharp-shinned Hawk  30
Cooper's Hawk  5
Bald Eagle  2     imm
Greater Yellowlegs  1     heard
Sanderling  1
Laughing Gull  5
Ring-billed Gull  1
Herring Gull  5
Lesser Black-backed Gull  2
Great Black-backed Gull  50
Royal Tern  1
Rock Pigeon  3
Mourning Dove  10
Northern Flicker  7
Merlin  2
Peregrine Falcon  2
Blue Jay  15
American Crow  1
Fish Crow  3
Tree Swallow  75
Carolina Chickadee  2
American Robin  4
Gray Catbird  1
Northern Mockingbird  1
European Starling  30
Yellow-rumped Warbler  30
Savannah Sparrow  5
Northern Cardinal  2
Bobolink  1
Red-winged Blackbird  20
Rusty Blackbird  1
Brown-headed Cowbird  15
American Goldfinch  1
House Sparrow  1

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

Back Bay Birding by Boat on The Osprey - Sunday, October 13th, 2013

CMBO's Birding by Boat trip had over twenty intrepid birders face some strong winds with great results. Down the Cape May Canal, we had our own private hawkwatch, as myriad accipiters, Bald Eagles, Ospreys, and falcons flew headlong into the Northeast winds. Whimbrels are still out and about in the salt-marsh behind Wildwood, and the Brant flock continues to increase.
39 species

Brant  250
American Black Duck  6
Mallard  2
Double-crested Cormorant  45
Great Cormorant  2
Great Blue Heron  3
Great Egret  12
Snowy Egret  16
Tricolored Heron  2
Black Vulture  5
Turkey Vulture  21
Osprey  6
Northern Harrier  2
Sharp-shinned Hawk  15
Cooper's Hawk  9
Bald Eagle  4
Clapper Rail  2     Heard calling at the dock
American Oystercatcher  50
Black-bellied Plover  12
Greater Yellowlegs  18
Lesser Yellowlegs  3
Ruddy Turnstone  34
Sanderling  10
Dunlin  34
Short-billed Dowitcher  4
Laughing Gull  13
Herring Gull  29
Great Black-backed Gull  19
Caspian Tern  8
Forster's Tern  26
Royal Tern  7
Belted Kingfisher  15
American Kestrel  1
American Crow  12
Fish Crow  12
Tree Swallow  1250
Red-winged Blackbird  14
Boat-tailed Grackle  2
House Sparrow  8

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

Cox Hall Creek WMA - Sunday, October 13th, 2013

Despite the rain and wind, birding was good at the Cox Hall Creek WMA this morning. Pockets of birds feeding in the grasses & trees contained Northern Parula as well as Pine, Palm, Black-and-white, Black-throated Green and Yellow-rumped Warblers, Brown Creeper, Golden & Ruby-Crowned Kinglets, and Yellow-bellied Sapsuckers. It's a great place to sort out sparrows, both visually and audibly, with good numbers of Swamp, White-throated, Chipping, Savannah & Song Sparrows present. Leaders: Kathy & Roger Horn, Janet Crawford, Cindy Bamford, Joe Demko, and Deb Payson.
54 species

Wood Duck  3
Mallard  7
Double-crested Cormorant  35
Great Blue Heron  2
Black Vulture  1
Turkey Vulture  5
Osprey  3
Sharp-shinned Hawk  8
Cooper's Hawk  3
Red-tailed Hawk  1
Laughing Gull  2
Herring Gull  3
Mourning Dove  7
Belted Kingfisher  1
Red-bellied Woodpecker  6
Yellow-bellied Sapsucker  2
Downy Woodpecker  2
Northern Flicker  10
Eastern Phoebe  4
Red-eyed Vireo  3
Blue Jay  9
American Crow  9
Tree Swallow  3
Carolina Chickadee  4
Tufted Titmouse  10
White-breasted Nuthatch  2
Brown Creeper  1
Carolina Wren  7
Golden-crowned Kinglet  6
Ruby-crowned Kinglet  3    heard
Eastern Bluebird  9
American Robin  22
Gray Catbird  9
Brown Thrasher  1
Northern Mockingbird  1
European Starling  2
Cedar Waxwing  5    heard
Black-and-white Warbler  2
Common Yellowthroat  4
Northern Parula  2
Palm Warbler  14
Pine Warbler  2
Yellow-rumped Warbler  16
Black-throated Green Warbler  2
Eastern Towhee  2    heard
Chipping Sparrow  15
Savannah Sparrow  6
Song Sparrow  3
Swamp Sparrow  15
White-throated Sparrow  15
Northern Cardinal  6
Indigo Bunting  1
Red-winged Blackbird  16
Common Grackle  1

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

Hawks, Trails, and Beach - Saturday, October 12th, 2013

Wind-driven rain did not deter either birds or walkers for the Hawks, Trails, and Beach Walk. Highlights include: many Great Blue Herons perched in trees and flying overhead; Peregrine Falcons, Merlins, and American Kestrels; Osprey; Sharp-shinned and Cooper's Hawks; and both Ruby-crowned and Golden-crowned Kinglets. Leaders: Chuck & Mary Jane Slugg, and Deb Payson.
49 species

Canada Goose  25
Mute Swan  29
American Wigeon  25
Mallard  6
Blue-winged Teal  12
Northern Shoveler  5
Ruddy Duck  8
Double-crested Cormorant  3
Great Blue Heron  26
Great Egret  10
Snowy Egret  5
Green Heron  1
Osprey  5
Sharp-shinned Hawk  2
Cooper's Hawk  1
Killdeer  1     heard
Least Sandpiper  1
Wilson's Snipe  1
Laughing Gull  3
Herring Gull  5
Great Black-backed Gull  10
Caspian Tern  2
Forster's Tern  3
Rock Pigeon  3
Mourning Dove  2
Red-bellied Woodpecker  2
Northern Flicker  4
American Kestrel  2
Merlin  2
Peregrine Falcon  1
Blue Jay  4
American Crow  3
Fish Crow  3
Tree Swallow  85
Barn Swallow  1
Carolina Chickadee  2
Carolina Wren  3     heard
Golden-crowned Kinglet  4     heard
Ruby-crowned Kinglet  3
Gray Catbird  10
Northern Mockingbird  1     heard
Palm Warbler  3
Yellow-rumped Warbler  20
Eastern Towhee  2     heard
Savannah Sparrow  8
Swamp Sparrow  4
Northern Cardinal  1     heard
Bobolink  1     heard
American Goldfinch  2     heard

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

Photo Walks with Mike Hannisian - Saturday, October 12th, 2013

After almost two months of clear skies, this week's Saturday Photo Walk was greeted with strong winds, high humidity, and intermittent rain. We began by taking shelter under the hawk watch platform where we were able to shoot the Dickcissel that was hanging around. During a break in the rain, we took advantage of the overcast to shoot some flowers, such as the Seaside Goldenrod growing along the dunes. Bunker Pond then yielded a Snowy Egret hunting amidst the Duckweed, while the Lighthouse East Pond yielded a hunting Great Egret which demonstrated that the eyes of these birds are located below their bills. Finally, the woods along the Red Trail were alive with Gray Catbirds. All in all, not bad for a day when it looked as if we might not even be able to photograph at all.

Dickcissel [Photo by Mike Hannisian]

Gray Catbird [Photo by Mike Hannisian]

Great Egret [Photo by Mike Hannisian]

Seaside Goldenrod [Photo by Mike Hannisian]

Snowy Egret [Photo by Mike Hannisian]

Fall Migrants at the Rea Farm - Saturday, October 12th, 2013

Savannah and Swamp Sparrows were the most numerous birds of the day although there were many Palm and Yellow-rumped Warblers also seen. Overhead there always seemed to be one or two American Kestrels with a few Merlin, Peregrines, or accipiters in the mix. At the end of the walk we had as many as twenty-two Great Blue Herons in the sky at the same time. Leaders: Karl Lukens, Kathy & Roger Horn, Catherine Busch, and Deb Payson.
54 species

Wood Duck  2
Mallard  8
Common Loon  1
Double-crested Cormorant  200
Great Blue Heron  29
Great Egret  3
Snowy Egret  2
Black Vulture  1
Turkey Vulture  5
Osprey  4
Northern Harrier  1
Sharp-shinned Hawk  5
Cooper's Hawk  2
Red-tailed Hawk  1
Wilson's Snipe  10
Laughing Gull  5
Herring Gull  1
Great Black-backed Gull  1
Mourning Dove  8
Red-bellied Woodpecker  1
Downy Woodpecker  1
Northern Flicker  6
American Kestrel  8
Merlin  3
Peregrine Falcon  2
Blue Jay  1     heard
American Crow  10
Fish Crow  1     heard
Tree Swallow  25
Carolina Wren  2     heard
Golden-crowned Kinglet  2     heard
Ruby-crowned Kinglet  2     heard
Gray Catbird  2
Brown Thrasher  2
Northern Mockingbird  1
European Starling  10
Cedar Waxwing  15
Common Yellowthroat  2
American Redstart  1
Black-throated Blue Warbler  1
Palm Warbler  15
Yellow-rumped Warbler  10
Savannah Sparrow  50
Song Sparrow  3
Swamp Sparrow  40
White-throated Sparrow  5
White-crowned Sparrow  1
Northern Cardinal  1
Blue Grosbeak  2
Indigo Bunting  3
Bobolink  1
Red-winged Blackbird  25
Common Grackle  2
House Sparrow  1

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

Sunset Birding at the Meadows - Friday, October 11th, 2013

A rain-shortened walk still produced some birds with Savannah and Swamp Sparrows being the most numerous. Shorebirds included Pectoral Sandpipers and a few Lesser Yellowlegs and Semipalmated Plovers.  Highlight was a brief look at a Virginia Rail. Leaders: Karl Lukens, Chuck Slugg, and Deb Payson.
33 species

Canada Goose  15
Mute Swan  4
American Wigeon  6
American Black Duck  1
Mallard  25
Northern Shoveler  8
Northern Pintail  4
Green-winged Teal  25
Ruddy Duck  2
Double-crested Cormorant  3
Great Blue Heron  1
Great Egret  1
Glossy Ibis  1
Cooper's Hawk  1
Virginia Rail  1
Semipalmated Plover  3
Lesser Yellowlegs  5
Pectoral Sandpiper  6
Semipalmated Sandpiper  1
Laughing Gull  2
Herring Gull  5
Great Black-backed Gull  20
Merlin  3
Tree Swallow  75
Northern Mockingbird  1
European Starling  5
Palm Warbler  1
Yellow-rumped Warbler  1
Savannah Sparrow  35
Song Sparrow  2
Swamp Sparrow  15
Indigo Bunting  1
Bobolink  2

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

Higbee Beach Birding - Friday, October 11th, 2013

Another rainy day, but with a small group, we were able to creep through wooded paths searching for birds taking shelter from the winds. Warblers included Black-and-white, Common Yellowthroat, Blackpoll, Northern Parula, and one late Ovenbird. Along the edges, Swamp Sparrow were everywhere we looked, frequently popping up to inspect us at close range. Leaders: Mike Crewe, Catherine Busch, and Chris Marks.
41 species

Double-crested Cormorant  2
Great Blue Heron  1
Osprey  1
Sharp-shinned Hawk  1
Laughing Gull  X
Ring-billed Gull  2
Herring Gull  X
Great Black-backed Gull  X
Forster's Tern  15
Royal Tern  6
Mourning Dove  2
Downy Woodpecker  1
Northern Flicker (Yellow-shafted)  5
Merlin  1
Peregrine Falcon  1
Eastern Phoebe  1
Blue Jay  5
American Crow  4
Carolina Chickadee  X
Tufted Titmouse  X
House Wren  1
Carolina Wren  X
Golden-crowned Kinglet  1     heard
Ruby-crowned Kinglet  1     heard
Gray Catbird  15
Brown Thrasher  10
Ovenbird  1
Black-and-white Warbler  4
Common Yellowthroat  6
Northern Parula  5
Blackpoll Warbler  4
Yellow-rumped Warbler (Myrtle)  15
Eastern Towhee  3
Field Sparrow  5
Savannah Sparrow  6
Song Sparrow  5
Swamp Sparrow  100
White-throated Sparrow  40
Northern Cardinal  X
Indigo Bunting  6
Bobolink  X     heard

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

Twilight Watch at The Meadows - Wednesday, October 9th, 2013

Twilight at the Meadows walk was windy and wet this evening.  The Merlins were putting on a show by zipping around us.  We had good looks at a couple perched.  Leaders: Warren Cairo, Patty Rourke, and Bill Smythe.
27 species

Canada Goose  22
Mute Swan  8
American Wigeon  2
American Black Duck  6
Mallard  20
Blue-winged Teal  6
Northern Pintail  6
Green-winged Teal  12
Pied-billed Grebe  1
Double-crested Cormorant  30
Great Egret  6
Snowy Egret  12
Osprey  2
Northern Harrier  2
Sharp-shinned Hawk  1
Laughing Gull  4
Ring-billed Gull  2
Herring Gull  24
Lesser Black-backed Gull  4
Great Black-backed Gull  75
Rock Pigeon  2
Mourning Dove  2
American Kestrel  1
Merlin  12
Tree Swallow  20
Savannah Sparrow  6
Song Sparrow  2

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

Birding Cape May Point - Wednesday, October 9th, 2013

We had a good variety of ducks on Bunker Pond including Gadwall, American Wigeon with one Eurasian Wigeon, Northern Pintail, Northern Shoveler, both Teal, as well as Black and Surf Scoter on the ocean. There were lots of gulls and terns in the rips, with at least two Parasitic Jaegers, also had three Lesser Black-backed Gulls on the beach. Many waders were present on the pond with Great Egret being the most predominant. Raptors included Sharp-shinned and Cooper's Hawks, Northern Harrier, American Kestrel, and Merlin. Lots of Yellow-rumped Warblers and a few Palms were seen. Leaders: Mike Crewe, Karl Lukens, Steve Weis, Warren Cairo, and Chris Marks.
60 species

Canada Goose  15
Mute Swan  15
Gadwall  6
Eurasian Wigeon  1
American Wigeon  15
Mallard  20
Blue-winged Teal  10
Northern Shoveler  10
Northern Pintail  8
Green-winged Teal  75
Surf Scoter  40
Black Scoter  15
Pied-billed Grebe  1
Double-crested Cormorant  30
Great Blue Heron  3
Great Egret  17
Snowy Egret  2
Little Blue Heron  1
Black-crowned Night-Heron  1
Black Vulture  1
Turkey Vulture  2
Osprey  3
Northern Harrier  3
Sharp-shinned Hawk  5
Cooper's Hawk  2
Lesser Yellowlegs  15
Stilt Sandpiper  6
Semipalmated Sandpiper  1
Parasitic Jaeger  2
Laughing Gull  35
Ring-billed Gull  5
Herring Gull  15
Lesser Black-backed Gull  3
Great Black-backed Gull  100
Forster's Tern  20
Royal Tern  12
Rock Pigeon  5
Mourning Dove  10
Belted Kingfisher  1
Northern Flicker  5
American Kestrel  4
Merlin  2
American Crow  1
Fish Crow  4
Tree Swallow  30
Carolina Chickadee  1
Carolina Wren  1     heard
Brown Thrasher  1
Northern Mockingbird  1
European Starling  10
American Pipit  8
Cedar Waxwing  25
Common Yellowthroat  2
Palm Warbler  6
Yellow-rumped Warbler  25
Savannah Sparrow  6
White-throated Sparrow  1     heard
Northern Cardinal  2
Red-winged Blackbird  50
American Goldfinch  4
House Sparrow  1

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

Eurasian and American Wigeon [Photo by Karl Lukens] 

Sunset Birding at Stone Harbor Point - Tuesday, October 8th, 2013

Another pleasant evening at the Point. The temperature was considerably cooler than last week, mid- 60's, but clear.  Lots of egrets and scoters apparently heading south.  Nice looks at a pair of Peregrine Falcons perched giving great scope views.  Leaders: Warren Cairo, Gail Dwyer and Shaun Bamford.
32 species

Brant  30
Black Scoter  200
Common Loon  1
Double-crested Cormorant  350
Great Blue Heron  2
Great Egret  160
Snowy Egret  65
Little Blue Heron  3
Osprey  2
American Oystercatcher  30
Semipalmated Plover  12
Ruddy Turnstone  3
Sanderling  130
Least Sandpiper  1
Semipalmated Sandpiper  1
Laughing Gull  6
Ring-billed Gull  6
Herring Gull  45
Lesser Black-backed Gull  1
Great Black-backed Gull  150
Caspian Tern  12
Forster's Tern  5
Royal Tern  6
Black Skimmer  2
Rock Pigeon  20
Merlin  1
Peregrine Falcon  3
American Crow  4
Northern Mockingbird  1
Palm Warbler  3
Yellow-rumped Warbler  1
Boat-tailed Grackle  1

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

EZ Birding - Tuesday, October 8th, 2013

EZ Birding moved back to the state park today because of the federal government shutdown and caught a nice raptor movement during the first half of the walk. Highlights include: two adult Bald Eagles interacting overhead; Peregrine Falcon; Kestrel; Sharp-shinned and Cooper' Hawks; Osprey; many Yellow-rumped Warblers; Black-throated Blue Warbler; Black-and-white Warbler; American Redstarts; Golden-crowned Kinglet; several Wood Ducks; and the Eurasian Wigeon on Bunker Pond. Leaders: Chuck & Mary Jane Slugg, and Janet Crawford.
60 species

Canada Goose  30
Mute Swan  43
Wood Duck  10
Gadwall  2
Eurasian Wigeon  1
American Wigeon  24
American Black Duck  3
Mallard  26
Blue-winged Teal  4
Northern Shoveler  6
Northern Pintail  3
Green-winged Teal  25
Double-crested Cormorant  3
Great Blue Heron  3
Great Egret  7
Snowy Egret  2
Black Vulture  5
Turkey Vulture  6
Osprey  3
Sharp-shinned Hawk  10
Cooper's Hawk  5
Bald Eagle  3
Solitary Sandpiper  2     Back section of Bunker Pond
Greater Yellowlegs  3
Lesser Yellowlegs  7
Stilt Sandpiper  4
Laughing Gull  60
Herring Gull  5
Great Black-backed Gull  10
Forster's Tern  1
Royal Tern  1     heard
Rock Pigeon  10
Mourning Dove  3
Belted Kingfisher  3
Northern Flicker  5
American Kestrel  4
Peregrine Falcon  4
Eastern Phoebe  1
Blue Jay  15
American Crow  5
Fish Crow  15
Tree Swallow  20
Carolina Wren  6     heard
Golden-crowned Kinglet  6
Ruby-crowned Kinglet  2
American Robin  1     heard
Gray Catbird  5
Northern Mockingbird  2
European Starling  7
Black-and-white Warbler  1
Common Yellowthroat  1
American Redstart  2
Magnolia Warbler  2
Black-throated Blue Warbler  1
Palm Warbler  4
Yellow-rumped Warbler  40
Blue Grosbeak  1
Bobolink  5
Red-winged Blackbird  40
American Goldfinch  11

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

Back Bay Birding by Boat on The Osprey - Monday, October 7th, 2013

Today's trip was very windy and had a high tide covering the marshes, but great birding was had none the less. A number of Peregrine Falcons were seen, including a hungry one that tried to swipe a Dunlin; both Yellow- and Black-crowned Night-Herons were seen in a tree island; Whimbrel and Willets are still hanging in there on the perimeter of Jarvis Sound; and a good number of Brant have moved into the sound.
30 species

Brant  13
American Black Duck  23
Mallard  2
Double-crested Cormorant  24
Great Cormorant  1
Black-crowned Night-Heron  4
Yellow-crowned Night-Heron  1
Turkey Vulture  24
Osprey  5
Bald Eagle  2
American Oystercatcher  64
Black-bellied Plover  21
Greater Yellowlegs  60
Willet  1
Ruddy Turnstone  28
Dunlin  34
Laughing Gull  14
Ring-billed Gull  1
Herring Gull  24
Great Black-backed Gull  25
Forster's Tern  214
Belted Kingfisher  5
Merlin  1
Peregrine Falcon  2
American Crow  X
Fish Crow  X
Tree Swallow  342
Red-winged Blackbird  6
Common Grackle  10
Boat-tailed Grackle  30

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

Birding the Meadows with Pete Dunne - Monday, October 7th, 2013

Some good ducks were present including Blue-winged Teal, Mallard, one Black Duck, and offshore several flocks of Black and Surf Scoters. A couple of Caspian Terns circled overhead. There were numerous Great and Snowy Egrets, Glossy Ibis, and a Great Blue Heron. The beach had many gulls with at least two Lesser Black-backed Gulls and an offshore Parasitic Jaeger. Raptors included Sharp-shinned, and Cooper's Hawks, and one AmericanKestrel, two Merlin, and three Peregrine Falcons. Shorebirds were present, mostly Pectoral and Semipalmated Sandpipers, Killdeer, and one juvenile American Golden-Plover. Leaders: Pete Dunne, Karl Lukens, Chuck Slugg, Steve Weis, Catherine Busch, Janet Crawford, and Mike Hannisian.
46 species

Canada Goose  15
Mute Swan  8
American Black Duck  1
Mallard  30
Blue-winged Teal  4
Surf Scoter  7
Black Scoter  75
Northern Gannet  1     seen by a few
Double-crested Cormorant  10
Great Blue Heron  1
Great Egret  4
Snowy Egret  10
Glossy Ibis  5
Turkey Vulture  4
Sharp-shinned Hawk  2
Cooper's Hawk  1
Sora  2     fly in disappeared. seen by a few
American Golden-Plover  1     juv
Killdeer  3
Greater Yellowlegs  1
Pectoral Sandpiper  13
Semipalmated Sandpiper  7
Parasitic Jaeger  1
Laughing Gull  25
Ring-billed Gull  3
Herring Gull  25
Lesser Black-backed Gull  2
Great Black-backed Gull  300
Caspian Tern  2
Forster's Tern  25
Royal Tern  15
Mourning Dove  6
American Kestrel  1
Merlin  2
Peregrine Falcon  3
American Crow  2
Fish Crow  1
Carolina Chickadee  1     heard
Carolina Wren  1
Northern Mockingbird  1
European Starling  15
Yellow-rumped Warbler  25
Savannah Sparrow  5
Northern Cardinal  1
Red-winged Blackbird  30
House Sparrow  1

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

Pectoral Sandpiper and American Golden Plover [Photo by Karl Lukens]

Back Bay Birding by Boat on The Osprey - Sunday, October 6th, 2013

Sunday's trip was graced with an adult Yellow-crowned Night-Heron, a few Whimbrel feeding along Jarvis Sound, a look at a Savannah Sparrow on a clamshell beach, and a great number of Greater Yellow-legs, trying to find sanctuary in the marsh from the moon tides.
30 species

Brant  8
American Black Duck  9
Double-crested Cormorant  65
Great Blue Heron  12
Great Egret  24
Snowy Egret  30
Tricolored Heron  2
Black-crowned Night-Heron  2
Yellow-crowned Night-Heron  1
Turkey Vulture  3
Osprey  2
Northern Harrier  1
American Oystercatcher  54
Black-bellied Plover  123
Semipalmated Plover  1
Greater Yellowlegs  120
Ruddy Turnstone  60
Dunlin  24
Short-billed Dowitcher  3
Laughing Gull  8
Ring-billed Gull  2
Herring Gull  32
Great Black-backed Gull  15
Caspian Tern  2
Forster's Tern  200
Royal Tern  9
Belted Kingfisher  11
Savannah Sparrow  1
Red-winged Blackbird  31
Boat-tailed Grackle  19

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

Cox Hall Creek WMA - Sunday, October 6th, 2013

Pine, Black-and-white and Yellow-rumped Warblers, along with flocks of Eastern Bluebirds and Cedar Waxwings, were being enjoyed in the bright morning light at Cox Hall Creek WMA until they all scattered when a Merlin flew in and perched atop 'their' tree. Vireos included Red-eyed, White-eyed and Blue-headed. Both Kinglets (Ruby and Golden-crowned) and a single male Black-throated Blue Warbler were also seen. Leaders: Kathy & Roger Horn, Janet Crawford, Cindy & Shaun Bamford, Deb Payson, and Carrie Bell.
49 species

Mallard  15
Double-crested Cormorant  1
Osprey  3
Sharp-shinned Hawk  4
Cooper's Hawk  1
Bald Eagle  1
Herring Gull  4
Mourning Dove  4
Red-bellied Woodpecker  7
Downy Woodpecker  4
Hairy Woodpecker  1
Northern Flicker  35
American Kestrel  1
Merlin  2
Eastern Phoebe  2
White-eyed Vireo  1
Blue-headed Vireo  1
Red-eyed Vireo  3
Blue Jay  14
American Crow  7
Fish Crow  2
Carolina Chickadee  3
Tufted Titmouse  9
White-breasted Nuthatch  1
Carolina Wren  6
Blue-gray Gnatcatcher  1
Golden-crowned Kinglet  2
Ruby-crowned Kinglet  3
Eastern Bluebird  25
American Robin  18
Gray Catbird  10
Brown Thrasher  2
Northern Mockingbird  1
European Starling  3
Cedar Waxwing  8
Black-and-white Warbler  2
Common Yellowthroat  1
Yellow Warbler  1
Pine Warbler  3
Yellow-rumped Warbler  11
Eastern Towhee  5
Chipping Sparrow  6
Song Sparrow  1
White-throated Sparrow  2    heard
Northern Cardinal  11
Red-winged Blackbird  10
Common Grackle  5
House Finch  2
American Goldfinch  1    heard

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

Hawks, Trails, and Beach Walk - Saturday, October 5th, 2013

Highlights of the Hawks, Trails, and Beach Walk include: run of Peregrine Falcons, some eating dragonflies; Northern Harrier, Osprey, Cooper's and Sharp-shinned Hawks; and Merlin; and American Kestrels. Leaders: Chuck Slugg, Cindy Bamford, Marc & Lynne Breslow, and Deb Payson.
55 species

Canada Goose  35
Mute Swan  22
Wood Duck  1
American Wigeon  12
American Black Duck  3
Mallard  26
Blue-winged Teal  14
Northern Shoveler  7
Green-winged Teal  32
Double-crested Cormorant  3
Great Blue Heron  3
Great Egret  10
Snowy Egret  5
Little Blue Heron  1
Tricolored Heron  1
Black Vulture  3
Turkey Vulture  2
Osprey  3
Northern Harrier  1
Sharp-shinned Hawk  3
Cooper's Hawk  4
Killdeer  2     heard
Spotted Sandpiper  1
Solitary Sandpiper  1
Greater Yellowlegs  3
Lesser Yellowlegs  8
Stilt Sandpiper  3
Laughing Gull  35
Great Black-backed Gull  7
Caspian Tern  10
Royal Tern  1     heard
Rock Pigeon  3
Mourning Dove  4
Belted Kingfisher  1
Northern Flicker  6
American Kestrel  2
Merlin  4
Peregrine Falcon  22
Blue Jay  3
American Crow  6
Fish Crow  14
Tree Swallow  3
Carolina Chickadee  1     heard
Carolina Wren  4     heard
Gray Catbird  2
Northern Mockingbird  4
Palm Warbler  3
Yellow-rumped Warbler  14
Savannah Sparrow  3
Song Sparrow  1
Blue Grosbeak  1
Red-winged Blackbird  28
Common Grackle  1
American Goldfinch  6
House Sparrow  3

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

Fall Migration Cruise on The Osprey - Saturday, October 5th, 2013

Great birding in the Back Bays of North Wildwood. Highlights include the somewhat unusual sight of a large flock of Sanderlings feeding on a mudflat, eight Brant in the bays behind Hereford Inlet, and two Marbled Godwits feeding in the vicinity of several Whimbrel. Leaders: Dave Lord, Catherine Busch, Chris Marks, and Warren Cairo.
29 species

Brant  8
Black Scoter  1     Seen in Cape May Canal
Great Blue Heron  13
Great Egret  24
Snowy Egret  17
Black-crowned Night-Heron  2
Turkey Vulture  16
Osprey  2
Northern Harrier  1
Clapper Rail  3
American Oystercatcher  45
Black-bellied Plover  321
Greater Yellowlegs  13
Marbled Godwit  2
Ruddy Turnstone  14
Dunlin  18
Short-billed Dowitcher  8
Laughing Gull  15
Herring Gull  17
Great Black-backed Gull  21
Caspian Tern  27
Forster's Tern  87
Royal Tern  13
Belted Kingfisher  8
Merlin  1
Peregrine Falcon  2
Fish Crow  6
Red-winged Blackbird  21
Boat-tailed Grackle  15

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

Photo Walks with Mike Hannisian - Saturday, October 5th, 2013

Despite being October, this week's weather was hot and humid. Regardless, there are always subjects to shoot at Cape May, and today was no different. Although dragonfly and damselfly numbers are down from the huge numbers of most of this summer and fall, we still had a quite a few chances to shoot subjects such as Carolina Saddlebags and Rambur's Forktail. Likewise, butterfly numbers this year are down, but a nice find this week was a basking Eastern Comma. The recent dry weather has lowered the water level of our ponds which, in turn, concentrates fish and thus attracts various waders including Great Blue Herons. Finally, always present is the Cape May Point Lighthouse, and we are always looking for a different photographic view which this week was provided by another photographer. The weather should improve this week, so next weekend could be the best of the season.

Carolina Saddlebags [Photo by Mike Hannisian]

Caspian Tern [Photo by Mike Hannisian]

Eastern Comma [Photo by Mike Hannisian]

Great Blue Heron [Photo by Mike Hannisian]

Rambur's Forktail [Photo by Mike Hannisian]

Cape May Point Lighthouse [Photo by Mike Hannisian]