Walking off the Turkey - Friday, November 28th, 2014

A chilly wind blew us around the South Cape May Meadows, but a warm glow provided by some good birding won out on the day. Ducks dominated the ponds, amongst their number we found busy Hooded Mergansers, an eventually showy male Redhead and a rather funky-looking Black Duck x Mallard hybrid. At least two Bald Eagles were intent of having duck for breakfast and kept the birds on the move. American Goldfinches, Eastern Bluebirds and American Pipits were moving west along the dune line, while we had exceptionally good views of one of the pipits as it wandered through the dune vegetation and fed within just a few yards of us at times.  Leaders: Mike Crewe, Kathy & Roger Horn, Mary Watkins, and Chris Marks.
54 species (+1 other taxa)

Snow Goose  20
Canada Goose  185
Mute Swan  6
Gadwall  120
American Wigeon  20
American Black Duck  5
Mallard  100
American Black Duck x Mallard (hybrid)  1
Northern Shoveler  12
Northern Pintail  6
Green-winged Teal  30
Redhead  3
Surf Scoter  6
Black Scoter  200
Bufflehead  8
Hooded Merganser  6
Ruddy Duck  10
Pied-billed Grebe  2
Double-crested Cormorant  2
Great Blue Heron  3
Great Egret  1
Black Vulture  14
Turkey Vulture  33
Northern Harrier  3
Cooper's Hawk  1
Bald Eagle  2
Red-shouldered Hawk  1
Red-tailed Hawk  3
American Coot  22
Wilson's Snipe  1
Ring-billed Gull  10
Herring Gull  10
Great Black-backed Gull  2
Rock Pigeon (Feral Pigeon)  4
Red-bellied Woodpecker  1
Northern Flicker  1
American Crow  2
Tree Swallow  2
Carolina Wren  1
Eastern Bluebird  25
American Robin  100
Northern Mockingbird  1
European Starling  2
American Pipit  6
Palm Warbler  1
Yellow-rumped Warbler  2
Savannah Sparrow  2
Song Sparrow  2
Swamp Sparrow  1
Dark-eyed Junco  1
Red-winged Blackbird  150
Eastern Meadowlark  2
Common Grackle  2400
American Goldfinch  80
House Sparrow  1

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

American Pipit [Photo by Mary Watkins]

Birding the Meadows with Pete Dunne - Monday, November 24th, 2014

A mild, foggy morning for our last walk of the year. Visibility was limited from the beach but we did have Surf and Black Scoters and a variety of gulls. Ducks were abundant including Mallard, Black, Red-headed, Bufflehead, Ruddy, Hooded Merganser, Northern Shoveler, Gadwall, and Green-winged Teal. Some walkers had a brief glimpse of an American Bittern and we all had a good look at a Wilson's Snipe. Raptors included Northern Harrier, Cooper's and Sharp-shinned Hawks. Leaders: Pete Dunne, Chuck Slugg, Janet Crawford, Steve Weis, Catherine Busch, and Mary Watkins.
46 species (+1 other taxa)

Canada Goose  40
Mute Swan  4
Gadwall  125
American Wigeon  2
American Black Duck  2
Mallard  56
Blue-winged Teal  2
Northern Shoveler  9
Northern Pintail  8
Green-winged Teal  25
Redhead  4
Ring-necked Duck  6
Surf Scoter  3
Black Scoter  2
scoter sp.  75
Bufflehead  6
Hooded Merganser  4
Ruddy Duck  20
Pied-billed Grebe  3
Double-crested Cormorant  3
American Bittern  1
Great Blue Heron  4
Northern Harrier  3
Sharp-shinned Hawk  1
Cooper's Hawk  2
Virginia Rail  1     heard
American Coot  2
Lesser Yellowlegs  1
Wilson's Snipe  1
Bonaparte's Gull  1
Ring-billed Gull  8
Herring Gull  14
Great Black-backed Gull  80
Rock Pigeon (Feral Pigeon)  2
Mourning Dove  3
Blue Jay  1
Tree Swallow  45
American Robin  8
Northern Mockingbird  2
European Starling  4
Savannah Sparrow  1
Song Sparrow  1
White-throated Sparrow  4
Northern Cardinal  1
Common Grackle  1
American Goldfinch  15     heard
House Sparrow  4

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

Fall Migrants at the Rea Farm - Saturday, November 22nd, 2014

No question, the bird-of-the-day was the Western Tanager, a real beauty in the clear morning sun. No less handsome, though, were the Baltimore Orioles it was keeping company with, all feeding on porcelain berries. Local expert birder, Sam Galick, had found the tanager yesterday and it could easily have been overlooked among all the orioles. But the thicker bill, orange and less pointed, was distinctive as was the clearly yellow, not orange, of the undertail coverts. Leaders: Kathy & Roger Horn.
44 species

Snow Goose  20
Canada Goose  60
Mallard  18
Black Vulture  2
Turkey Vulture  3
Sharp-shinned Hawk  1
Red-shouldered Hawk  1
Killdeer  12
Herring Gull (American)  6
Mourning Dove  10
Red-bellied Woodpecker  1
Downy Woodpecker  1
Northern Flicker (Yellow-shafted)  2
Merlin  1
Blue Jay  6
American Crow  14
Carolina Chickadee  1
Tufted Titmouse  1
Carolina Wren  2
Ruby-crowned Kinglet  1
Eastern Bluebird  6
Hermit Thrush  2
American Robin  95
Gray Catbird  1
Brown Thrasher  2
Northern Mockingbird  3
European Starling  150
Cedar Waxwing  450
Eastern Towhee  2
Field Sparrow  5
Vesper Sparrow  1
Fox Sparrow  1
Song Sparrow  6
Swamp Sparrow  6
White-throated Sparrow  6
Dark-eyed Junco (Slate-colored)  75
Western Tanager  1    
Northern Cardinal  4
Red-winged Blackbird  60
Common Grackle  150
Baltimore Oriole  6    
House Finch  2
American Goldfinch  15
House Sparrow  1

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

Birding the Meadows with Pete Dunne - Monday, November 17th, 2014

The birds did not mind the chilly, dark, drizzly morning in The Meadows. Highlights of the walk include the usual ducks plus Hooded Merganser, Bufflehead, Ring-necked Duck and a large number of scoter moving offshore. Other birds of interest were Northern Gannets, both adult and juvenile, American Oystercatchers, Dunlin, Greater Yellowlegs, American Bittern, and Tundra Swan. Raptors included good looks at a perched Northern Harrier and a perched Red-tail and hunting Sharp-shinned and Cooper's Hawks. Leaders: Chuck Slugg, Catherine Busch, and Deb Payson.
56 species (+1 other taxa)

Canada Goose  35
Mute Swan  8
Tundra Swan  1
Gadwall  110
American Wigeon  10
American Black Duck  2
Mallard  12
Blue-winged Teal  2
Northern Shoveler  8
Northern Pintail  10
Green-winged Teal  15
Ring-necked Duck  4
scoter sp.  105
Bufflehead  4
Hooded Merganser  4
Ruddy Duck  6
Red-throated Loon  3
Pied-billed Grebe  4
Northern Gannet  9
Double-crested Cormorant  5
American Bittern  1
Great Blue Heron  5
Snowy Egret  1
Northern Harrier  1
Sharp-shinned Hawk  1
Cooper's Hawk  2
Red-tailed Hawk  1
American Coot  20
American Oystercatcher  2
Killdeer  1
Greater Yellowlegs  3     heard
Sanderling  12
Dunlin  5
Ring-billed Gull  7
Herring Gull  10
Great Black-backed Gull  35
Rock Pigeon (Feral Pigeon)  2
Mourning Dove  5
Northern Flicker  4
Blue Jay  3
American Crow  4
Tree Swallow  10
Carolina Wren  2     heard only
American Robin  40
Northern Mockingbird  3
European Starling  4
Yellow-rumped Warbler  8
Eastern Towhee  1     heard only
Savannah Sparrow  2
Song Sparrow  3
Swamp Sparrow  2
White-throated Sparrow  4
Northern Cardinal  2
Red-winged Blackbird  8
House Finch  5
American Goldfinch  10
House Sparrow  3

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

Hawks, Trails, and Beach - Saturday, November 15th, 2014

Cold weather and darkness ended the Saturday afternoon walks for this season. Birds are still around including many species of ducks such as Eurasian and American Wigeon, Hooded Merganser, Ring-necked Duck, Ruddy Ducks, Northern Pintails, Mallards, Northern Shovelers, Gadwall, Bufflehead, and Blue- and Green-winged Teal. We also saw an American Bittern, Tundra Swan, and Pied-billed Grebes. Other birds of interest were Northern Gannet, Parasitic Jaeger, Double-crested Cormorants, and several large groups of Scoter. Leaders: Chuck Slugg, Cindy Bamford, and Deb Payson.
49 species (+1 other taxa)

Canada Goose  40
Mute Swan  16
Tundra Swan  1
Gadwall  15
Eurasian Wigeon  2     on Bunker Pond
American Wigeon  18
American Black Duck  1
Mallard  10
Blue-winged Teal  2
Northern Shoveler  16
Northern Pintail  14
Green-winged Teal  26
Ring-necked Duck  2
scoter sp.  65
Bufflehead  2
Hooded Merganser  7
Ruddy Duck  10
Pied-billed Grebe  2
Northern Gannet  8
Double-crested Cormorant  7
American Bittern  1
Great Blue Heron  6
Turkey Vulture  2
Northern Harrier  1
Cooper's Hawk  2
Red-shouldered Hawk  1
Red-tailed Hawk  1
American Coot  22
Parasitic Jaeger  2
Ring-billed Gull  2
Herring Gull  3
Great Black-backed Gull  12
Rock Pigeon (Feral Pigeon)  2
Mourning Dove  4
Downy Woodpecker  2
Northern Flicker  3
Tree Swallow  35
Carolina Chickadee  2
Carolina Wren  3     heard only
Golden-crowned Kinglet  7
Ruby-crowned Kinglet  2
American Robin  16
Northern Mockingbird  1
Song Sparrow  2
Swamp Sparrow  1
White-throated Sparrow  3
Northern Cardinal  1     heard only
Red-winged Blackbird  15
American Goldfinch  2     heard only
House Sparrow  2

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

Fall Migrants at the Rea Farm - Saturday, November 15th, 2014

It takes but a moment for the birder's brain to go "large, lanky, slow-flapping grayish bird....Great Blue?...wait...no,...Sandhill Crane!" And that was the sequence for all of us looking skyward on this morning's walk at the Beanery as three cranes flew overhead. Soon the red crown became apparent, then the birds disappeared toward the State Park and reportedly continued out over the bay. Though sandhill cranes may live 35 years in the wild, they take two to eight years to sexually mature and then have low rates of reproductive success. Following a precipitous decline in the first half of the 20th century, crane populations have stabilized in most areas with appropriate management. Six of the nine subspecies are known to migrate, with birds from breeding areas in the northeastern US, Canada and the Great Lakes region using the Atlantic Flyway. Leaders: Kathy & Roger Horn, and Deb Payson.
57 species (+1 other taxa)

Snow Goose  15
Canada Goose  9
Gadwall  9
Mallard  13
Double-crested Cormorant  1
Great Blue Heron  1
Black Vulture  5
Turkey Vulture  30
Sharp-shinned Hawk  3
Cooper's Hawk  1
Bald Eagle  1
Red-shouldered Hawk  2
Red-tailed Hawk  5
Sandhill Crane  3    
American Woodcock  1
Herring Gull (American)  2
Mourning Dove  6
Red-bellied Woodpecker  1
Downy Woodpecker  2
Northern Flicker (Yellow-shafted)  3
American Kestrel  1
Eastern Phoebe  1
Blue Jay  6
American Crow  4
Fish Crow  6
Carolina Chickadee  1
Tufted Titmouse  3
Brown Creeper  1
Winter Wren  1
Carolina Wren  5
Golden-crowned Kinglet  1
Ruby-crowned Kinglet  1
Eastern Bluebird  28
Hermit Thrush  2
American Robin  150
Gray Catbird  1
Brown Thrasher  2
Northern Mockingbird  1
European Starling  300
Cedar Waxwing  4
Palm Warbler (Western)  1
Palm Warbler (Yellow)  2
Yellow-rumped Warbler (Myrtle)  1
Eastern Towhee  2
Chipping Sparrow  2
Field Sparrow  2
Vesper Sparrow  2
Savannah Sparrow  3
Song Sparrow  16
Swamp Sparrow  4
White-throated Sparrow  12
Dark-eyed Junco (Slate-colored)  14
Northern Cardinal  3
Red-winged Blackbird  80
Common Grackle  18
Brown-headed Cowbird  5
House Finch  2
American Goldfinch  9

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

Birding the Meadows with Pete Dunne - Monday, November 10th, 2014

It was a nice morning with lots of ducks to look at. They included numerous Gadwalls, Mallards, Green-winged Teal, Northern Pintail, Northern Shovelers, a female type Redhead, Ruddy Ducks, and scoters off shore. Two birds of interest were a constantly calling Virginia Rail (as another flew briefly by) and a fly-by American Bittern. Leaders: Pete Dunne, Karl Lukens, Chuck Slugg, Steve Weis, Janet Crawford, and Deb Payson.
64 species (+1 other taxa)

Canada Goose  75
Mute Swan  8
Gadwall  50
American Wigeon  3
American Black Duck  5
Mallard  25
Blue-winged Teal  1
Northern Shoveler  6
Northern Pintail  8
Green-winged Teal  50
Redhead  1
Surf Scoter  50
scoter sp.  100
Bufflehead  8
Ruddy Duck  15
Red-throated Loon  2
Pied-billed Grebe  1
Northern Gannet  3
Double-crested Cormorant  8
American Bittern  1
Great Blue Heron  2
Great Egret  1
Snowy Egret  1
Black Vulture  1
Turkey Vulture  2
Northern Harrier  1
Sharp-shinned Hawk  1
Cooper's Hawk  2
Virginia Rail  2     saw  1 briefly, heard 1 loud and continuous
American Coot  25
Killdeer  2
Greater Yellowlegs  1
Lesser Yellowlegs  1
Bonaparte's Gull  1
Laughing Gull  1
Ring-billed Gull  6
Herring Gull  15
Great Black-backed Gull  30
Mourning Dove  40
Downy Woodpecker  1
Northern Flicker  8
Blue Jay  10
American Crow  1
Fish Crow  2
Tree Swallow  10
Carolina Chickadee  2
Carolina Wren  4
Golden-crowned Kinglet  1
Ruby-crowned Kinglet  2
Eastern Bluebird  1
Hermit Thrush  1
American Robin  50
Northern Mockingbird  3
European Starling  10
Cedar Waxwing  17     seen by leader
Yellow-rumped Warbler  25
Eastern Towhee  1     heard
Song Sparrow  4
Swamp Sparrow  6
Dark-eyed Junco  1
Northern Cardinal  2
Red-winged Blackbird  30
Common Grackle  50
American Goldfinch  8
House Sparrow  5

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

Great Egret [Photo by Karl Lukens]

Cox Hall Creek WMA - Sunday, November 9th, 2014

If you were out birding anytime this weekend, you probably saw evidence of thrush migration - robins, hermit thrushes, bluebirds. Thousands of these migrated overhead with many putting down to feed. While not as plentiful at CHC as sparrows and goldfinches, there are a lot of Eastern Bluebirds there, calling overhead and decorating the saplings at eye level in various shades of blue. Like robins, bluebirds lose their speckled breasts, which remind us that they're thrushes, with the first molt. Bluebirds can generally be seen at CHC year-round, but they're really easy to find there right now because there are so many of them. Leaders: Kathy & Roger Horn, Shaun & Cindy Bamford, Steve Weis, and Deb Payson.
47 species

Mute Swan  2
Mallard  4
Common Loon  1
Turkey Vulture  2
Sharp-shinned Hawk  2
Cooper's Hawk  1
Red-tailed Hawk  1
Herring Gull (American)  3
Mourning Dove  15
Red-bellied Woodpecker  3
Yellow-bellied Sapsucker  2
Downy Woodpecker  2
Northern Flicker (Yellow-shafted)  8
Merlin  1
Blue Jay  20
American Crow  6
Tree Swallow  4
Carolina Chickadee  3
Tufted Titmouse  11
White-breasted Nuthatch  2
Brown Creeper  1
Carolina Wren  6
Ruby-crowned Kinglet  3
Eastern Bluebird  25
American Robin  30
Gray Catbird  2
Brown Thrasher  3
Northern Mockingbird  2
European Starling  30
Orange-crowned Warbler  2
Palm Warbler  1
Yellow-rumped Warbler (Myrtle)  9
Eastern Towhee  4
Chipping Sparrow  10
Field Sparrow  3
Vesper Sparrow  1
Savannah Sparrow  5
Song Sparrow  17
Swamp Sparrow  23
White-throated Sparrow  20
Dark-eyed Junco (Slate-colored)  25
Northern Cardinal  7
Red-winged Blackbird  12
Common Grackle  6
House Finch  6
Purple Finch  14
American Goldfinch  32

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

Fall Migrants at the Rea Farm - Saturday, November 8th, 2014

We saw all the likely warblers for a November morning at the Rea Farm today - Yellow-rumped (of course), Palm, Common Yellowthroat, and the much less common Orange-crowned Warbler. The Orange-crowned was a 'lifer' for a few members of the group and it's a bird that, if you're unfamiliar with it, is easily overlooked. At a glance, you might mistake it for Tennessee or a Yellow Warbler. But Orange-crowned Warblers always show yellowish undertail coverts and have a thin dark tail, a pale supercilium, faint eyeline and a split eyering, and often show a pale area at the bend in the wing. Late fall migrants, they are here in peak numbers now and some may overwinter in the area.  Leaders: Kathy & Roger Horn, and Deb Payson.
51 species

Canada Goose  22
Gadwall  8
Mallard  14
Double-crested Cormorant  26
Black Vulture  2
Turkey Vulture  9
Cooper's Hawk  1
Bald Eagle  1
Red-shouldered Hawk  1
Killdeer  1
Herring Gull (American)  1
Mourning Dove  6
Belted Kingfisher  1
Red-bellied Woodpecker  1
Downy Woodpecker  3
Northern Flicker (Yellow-shafted)  2
Eastern Phoebe  2
Blue Jay  15
American Crow  5
Fish Crow  16
Tree Swallow  3
Carolina Chickadee  2
Tufted Titmouse  1
Brown Creeper  1
Carolina Wren  5
Golden-crowned Kinglet  2
Ruby-crowned Kinglet  2
Eastern Bluebird  18
Hermit Thrush  4
American Robin  150
Gray Catbird  3
Brown Thrasher  3
Northern Mockingbird  2
European Starling  70
Cedar Waxwing  11
Orange-crowned Warbler  1
Common Yellowthroat  1
Palm Warbler  2
Yellow-rumped Warbler (Myrtle)  3
Field Sparrow  1
Vesper Sparrow  3
Savannah Sparrow  4
Song Sparrow  8
Swamp Sparrow  13
White-throated Sparrow  7
Dark-eyed Junco (Slate-colored)  5
Northern Cardinal  4
Red-winged Blackbird  75
Common Grackle  9
Purple Finch  2
American Goldfinch  21

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

Birding Cape May Point - Wednesday, November 5th, 2014

As we head into November, there is no sign that fall migration is easing off. The species variety may be declining, but total numbers of birds remain impressive and this morning's walk was accompanied throughout by flocks of American Robins and Eastern Bluebirds overhead, Tree Swallows, American Goldfinches and Pine Siskins hot-tailing it along the dune line and a wonderful American Bittern that continues to perform in full view at Bunker Pond. Walking the back trail through the woods provided several Hermit Thrushes, both species of nuthatch (briefly) and a dayglow male Pine Warbler. A single Hooded Merganser was a nice surprise on one of the back ponds. Leaders: Mike Crewe, Steve Weis, Chris Marks, and Catherine Busch.
69 species

Canada Goose  45
Mute Swan  20
Gadwall  30
American Wigeon  25
Mallard  10
Blue-winged Teal  2
Northern Shoveler  12
Northern Pintail  25
Green-winged Teal  15
Ring-necked Duck  2
Surf Scoter  15
Black Scoter  120
Hooded Merganser  1
Ruddy Duck  15
Pied-billed Grebe  3
Northern Gannet  2
Double-crested Cormorant  15
American Bittern  1
Great Blue Heron  2
Turkey Vulture  12
Osprey  1
Northern Harrier  3
Sharp-shinned Hawk  2
Cooper's Hawk  1
Red-shouldered Hawk  1
American Coot  22
Ring-billed Gull  1
Herring Gull  4
Great Black-backed Gull  9
Forster's Tern  2
Rock Pigeon (Feral Pigeon)  4
Mourning Dove  6
Belted Kingfisher  1
Red-bellied Woodpecker  2
Yellow-bellied Sapsucker  1
Northern Flicker  2
Blue Jay  4
American Crow  5
Tree Swallow  75
Carolina Chickadee  2
Tufted Titmouse  2
Red-breasted Nuthatch  2
White-breasted Nuthatch  1
Brown Creeper  1
Carolina Wren  2
Golden-crowned Kinglet  12
Ruby-crowned Kinglet  5
Eastern Bluebird  35
Hermit Thrush  6
American Robin  1000
Northern Mockingbird  3
European Starling  35
American Pipit  4
Cedar Waxwing  20
Palm Warbler  1
Pine Warbler  1
Yellow-rumped Warbler  50
Song Sparrow  4
Swamp Sparrow  6
White-throated Sparrow  12
Northern Cardinal  1
Red-winged Blackbird  150
Eastern Meadowlark  1
Brown-headed Cowbird  45
House Finch  30
Purple Finch  10
Pine Siskin  75     Moving south
American Goldfinch  120
House Sparrow  4

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

Immature Great Blue Heron [Photo by Catherine Busch]

EZ Birding at Two-mile Beach - Tuesday, November 4th, 2014

Highlights on our penultimate walk of the season included the large numbers of scoter and Northern Gannet migrating south along the coast, our first loons of the season, three immature Black Skimmer which roosted in front of us on the beach, and increasing numbers of shorebirds. We also had good looks at perched Purple Finch and a single Red-shouldered Hawk overhead. Leaders: Catherine Busch, Chris Marks, Janet Crawford, Lynne Breslow, and Mary Watkins.
47 species

American Black Duck  30
Mallard  2
Surf Scoter  150
White-winged Scoter  3
Black Scoter  1500
Red-throated Loon  4
Northern Gannet  150
Double-crested Cormorant  80
Great Egret  2
Turkey Vulture  6
Northern Harrier  2
Cooper's Hawk  1
Red-shouldered Hawk  1
Red-tailed Hawk  1
American Oystercatcher  4
Black-bellied Plover  80
Ruddy Turnstone  30
Sanderling  100
Dunlin  750
Western Sandpiper  3
Ring-billed Gull  X
Herring Gull  X
Lesser Black-backed Gull  2
Great Black-backed Gull  X
Forster's Tern  15
Royal Tern  3
Black Skimmer  3
Belted Kingfisher  1
Downy Woodpecker  1
Northern Flicker  1
Tree Swallow  X
Golden-crowned Kinglet  1
Ruby-crowned Kinglet  1
Hermit Thrush  1
Gray Catbird  1
Brown Thrasher  2
Northern Mockingbird  1
European Starling  X
Snow Bunting  2   seen by leader
Palm Warbler  2
Yellow-rumped Warbler (Myrtle)  X
Song Sparrow  X
Swamp Sparrow  X
White-throated Sparrow  X
Northern Cardinal  1
Purple Finch  4
American Goldfinch  X

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

Immature Black Skimmer [Photo by Catherine Busch]

Birding the Meadows with Pete Dunne - Monday, November 3rd, 2014

Highlights were lots of ducks, including Wood Ducks, Redhead, Ring-necked Ducks, Bufflehead and Ruddy Ducks. We also saw three Osprey, a Stilt Sandpiper, two Bonaparte's Gulls and three Purple Finches. Leaders: Pete Dunne, Chuck Slugg, Catherine Busch, Mary Watkins and Janet Crawford.
60 species (+1 other taxa)

Canada Goose  85
Mute Swan  7
Wood Duck  3
Gadwall  30
American Wigeon  5
American Black Duck  3
Mallard  12
Blue-winged Teal  2
Northern Pintail  10
Green-winged Teal  150
Redhead  1
Ring-necked Duck  4
Lesser Scaup  1
Black Scoter  4
scoter sp.  X
Bufflehead  6
Ruddy Duck  6
Pied-billed Grebe  2
Northern Gannet  4
Double-crested Cormorant  30
Great Blue Heron  3
Black Vulture  2
Turkey Vulture  10
Osprey  3
Northern Harrier  2
Sharp-shinned Hawk  6
Broad-winged Hawk  1
Red-tailed Hawk  1
Killdeer  3
Greater Yellowlegs  5
Lesser Yellowlegs  1
Stilt Sandpiper  1
Dunlin  6
Bonaparte's Gull  2
Ring-billed Gull  12
Herring Gull  30
Great Black-backed Gull  40
Rock Pigeon (Feral Pigeon)  3
Mourning Dove  18
Northern Flicker  1
American Kestrel  3
Blue Jay  12
American Crow  18
Tree Swallow  80
Carolina Chickadee  1
Carolina Wren  1
Ruby-crowned Kinglet  2
Eastern Bluebird  6
American Robin  70
Northern Mockingbird  3
European Starling  2
Palm Warbler  1
Yellow-rumped Warbler  50
Savannah Sparrow  4
Song Sparrow  10
Swamp Sparrow  6
White-throated Sparrow  1
Northern Cardinal  1
Red-winged Blackbird  120
Purple Finch  3
American Goldfinch  30

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

Cox Hall Creek WMA - Sunday, November 2nd, 2014

Cox Hall Creek WMA is not a bad place to bird when the wind is whipping around at 30 mph, as it was today. The Wood Ducks didn't hear us coming, and birds that found a place out of the wind and in the sun sat still to be viewed. So it was for a GORGEOUS male Purple Finch and an equally gorgeous adult White-crowned Sparrow. Purple Finches, one of the irruptive species that appear here in years of poor food supplies further north, have been coming through in good numbers of late; the unique raspberry color of the male on the back, wings and flanks and the bold dark brown and white head pattern on the female separate them from our resident house finches. Leaders: Kathy & Roger Horn, Joe Demko, and Deb Payson.
43 species

Wood Duck  8
Mallard  1
Common Loon  1
Double-crested Cormorant  9
Great Blue Heron  2
Turkey Vulture  4
Osprey  1
Sharp-shinned Hawk  3
Cooper's Hawk  1
Bald Eagle  1
Red-tailed Hawk  1
American Woodcock  1
Herring Gull (American)  1
Great Black-backed Gull  1
Mourning Dove  12
Red-bellied Woodpecker  3
Northern Flicker (Yellow-shafted)  6
Eastern Phoebe  2
Blue Jay  9
American Crow  5
Carolina Chickadee  4
Tufted Titmouse  14
Red-breasted Nuthatch  1
White-breasted Nuthatch  3
Carolina Wren  3
Golden-crowned Kinglet  3
Ruby-crowned Kinglet  2
Eastern Bluebird  22
American Robin  25
Palm Warbler  1
Yellow-rumped Warbler (Myrtle)  9
Eastern Towhee  2
Field Sparrow  2
Song Sparrow  4
Swamp Sparrow  14
White-throated Sparrow  12
White-crowned Sparrow  1
Dark-eyed Junco (Slate-colored)  11
Northern Cardinal  5
Red-winged Blackbird  30
House Finch  5
Purple Finch  2
American Goldfinch  20

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

Hawks, Trails, and Beach - Saturday, November 1st, 2014

Cold, drizzly, and blustery weather greeted us at the State Park. In spite of this, we saw Northern Gannets, and Black and Surf Scoters from the dune along with Forster's and Royal Terns, one Lesser Black-backed Gull and several Greater Black-backed Gulls. Most of the usual ducks were on Bunker Pond with a large flock of American Coot. We also saw a Belted Kingfisher and swept the falcons with a Merlin, American Kestrel, and Peregrine. There were large numbers of Tree Swallows and an abundance of Yellow-rumped Warblers. Leaders: Chuck Slugg and Deb Payson.
45 species

Canada Goose  50
Mute Swan  16
Gadwall  20
Eurasian Wigeon  1
American Wigeon  45
American Black Duck  2
Mallard  12
Northern Shoveler  16
Northern Pintail  20
Green-winged Teal  28
Ring-necked Duck  4
Surf Scoter  4
Black Scoter  20
Ruddy Duck  10
Northern Gannet  3
Double-crested Cormorant  1
Great Blue Heron  2
Great Egret  3
Snowy Egret  1
Osprey  1
Sharp-shinned Hawk  4
American Coot  48
Herring Gull  6
Lesser Black-backed Gull  1
Great Black-backed Gull  14
Forster's Tern  10
Royal Tern  3
Rock Pigeon (Feral Pigeon)  2
Mourning Dove  1
American Kestrel  1
Merlin  1
American Crow  2
Tree Swallow  200
Carolina Chickadee  2     heard
Tufted Titmouse  2
Carolina Wren  2     heard
Golden-crowned Kinglet  3
American Robin  8
Cedar Waxwing  2     heard
Palm Warbler  1
Yellow-rumped Warbler  25
Savannah Sparrow  2     heard
Swamp Sparrow  1
American Goldfinch  3     heard
House Sparrow  2

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

Fall Migrants at the Rea Farm - Saturday, November 1st, 2014

There are so many birds around at the Beanery that, despite the wind and drizzle, it was a good morning. Using our usual strategy of sneaking around the corner to view the willow pond, we were able to see the Wood Ducks before they saw us, then watch them as they flew off down the waterway. More obliging was the American Kestrel, a handsome male in blue-gray and rufous, that perched atop the pole to be scoped. This is the time of year that Palm Warblers flit through the weedy fields there and sparrows move down the hedgerows - a good time to stop and sort them all out. Leaders: Kathy Horn, Roger Horn, and Deb Payson.
47 species (+1 other taxa)

American Black Duck  1
Mallard  15
Common Loon  1
Double-crested Cormorant  3
Great Egret  1
Black Vulture  4
Turkey Vulture  5
Osprey  1
Northern Harrier  1
Sharp-shinned Hawk  2
Red-tailed Hawk  1
Killdeer  6
Greater Yellowlegs  3
Wilson's Snipe  1
Herring Gull (American)  3
Mourning Dove  12
Red-bellied Woodpecker  3
Downy Woodpecker  1
Northern Flicker (Yellow-shafted)  3
American Kestrel  1
Peregrine Falcon  1
American Crow  6
Fish Crow  2
Tree Swallow  4
Carolina Chickadee  1
White-breasted Nuthatch  2
Carolina Wren  3
Golden-crowned Kinglet  1
Ruby-crowned Kinglet  2
American Robin  8
Brown Thrasher  1
Northern Mockingbird  2
European Starling  85
Palm Warbler (Western)  8
Palm Warbler (Yellow)  2
Yellow-rumped Warbler (Myrtle)  12
Field Sparrow  3
Song Sparrow  5
Swamp Sparrow  5
White-throated Sparrow  5
Dark-eyed Junco (Slate-colored)  3
Northern Cardinal  4
Red-winged Blackbird  25
Common Grackle  4
House Finch  4
Purple Finch  2
American Goldfinch  2

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

Birding Cape May Point - Wednesday, October 29th, 2014

After the exuberance of Autumn Weekend, it was a small but select group that enjoyed a wonderful red sunrise, followed by some great birds at the state park. After a rush of early morning Yellow-rumped Warblers and Pine Siskins, we were treated to Parasitic Jaegers pursuing just about anything in the rips, a great flight of Northern Gannets, and an American Bittern that flew gracefully over Bunker Pond. Cooper's Hawks lurked along the dune line and put on a great show too. Leaders: Mike Crewe, Chris Marks, and Steve Weis.
56 species

Canada Goose  25
Mute Swan  20
Gadwall  10
Eurasian Wigeon  2     continuing males
American Wigeon  35
Mallard  10
Blue-winged Teal  2
Northern Shoveler  12
Northern Pintail  15
Green-winged Teal  20
Ring-necked Duck  6
Greater Scaup  2
Surf Scoter  200
Black Scoter  25
Ruddy Duck  15
Common Loon  1
Double-crested Cormorant  6
American Bittern  1
Great Blue Heron  2
Turkey Vulture  5
Osprey  1
Northern Harrier  1
Cooper's Hawk  10
American Coot  16
Killdeer  1
Parasitic Jaeger  6
Bonaparte's Gull  2
Laughing Gull  15
Ring-billed Gull  10
Herring Gull  20
Lesser Black-backed Gull  1
Great Black-backed Gull  45
Forster's Tern  200
Royal Tern  20
Black Skimmer  1
Rock Pigeon (Feral Pigeon)  9
Mourning Dove  2
Belted Kingfisher  1
Northern Flicker  2
American Kestrel  1
Merlin  1
Blue Jay  22
American Crow  2
Fish Crow  6
Tree Swallow  120
American Robin  3
Northern Mockingbird  2
European Starling  35
American Pipit  2
Yellow-rumped Warbler  50
Field Sparrow  1
Swamp Sparrow  6
White-throated Sparrow  2
House Finch  10
Pine Siskin  45
American Goldfinch  20

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

EZ Birding at Two-Mile Beach - Tuesday, October 28th, 2014

This week's walk saw an increase in shorebirds on the beach at the Two-Mile Unit of the Cape May NWR including Sanderling, Dunlin, American Oystercatcher, Black-bellied Plover, and Western Sandpiper. We had distant scope views of five Great Cormorant at the tower at the end of the jetty as well as close views of migrating Double-crested Cormorants and Black and Surf Scoters. On the way back from the beach, we had a good look at two immature White-crowned Sparrows. Leaders: Catherine Busch, Chris Marks, Lynne & Marc Breslow, and Janet Crawford.
49 species (+1 other taxa)

Canada Goose  X
American Black Duck  X
Mallard  2
Northern Pintail  1
Greater/Lesser Scaup  6
Surf Scoter  X
Black Scoter  X
Hooded Merganser  2
Northern Gannet  8
Double-crested Cormorant  X
Great Cormorant  5
Great Egret  6
Osprey  1
Sharp-shinned Hawk  1
American Oystercatcher  16
Black-bellied Plover  X
Greater Yellowlegs  4
Sanderling  X
Dunlin  X
Western Sandpiper  4
Laughing Gull  X
Ring-billed Gull  X
Herring Gull (American)  X
Lesser Black-backed Gull  3
Great Black-backed Gull  X
Forster's Tern  X
Royal Tern  8
Belted Kingfisher  1
Red-bellied Woodpecker  1
Downy Woodpecker  1
Northern Flicker (Yellow-shafted)  3
Eastern Phoebe  1
Blue Jay  1
American Crow  3
Fish Crow  4
Tree Swallow  300
American Robin  X
Gray Catbird  4
Brown Thrasher  1
Northern Mockingbird  1
European Starling  X
Common Yellowthroat  1
Yellow-rumped Warbler (Myrtle)  X
Savannah Sparrow  X
Song Sparrow  4
Swamp Sparrow  3
White-crowned Sparrow  2
Northern Cardinal  2
Brown-headed Cowbird  X
American Goldfinch  X

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

Immature White-crowned Sparrow [Photo by Catherine Busch]