Field Trip Reports: 2011

Brigantine & Mott's Creek - Saturday, December 10th 2011

The Brig portion of the Brigantine/Mott's Creek trip included a good variety of wintering ducks, Peregrine Falcons, Tundra Swans, Snow Geese, and Horned Grebes. At Mott's Creek, the short-eared owls showed up at dusk, just in time for good viewing before dark. Several Northern Harriers hunted over the marsh and a large flock of Boat-tailed Grackles wheeled noisily around the docks.

Edwin B. Forsythe NWR--Wildlife Drive

Snow Goose 2000

Brant 200
Canada Goose 100
Tundra Swan 40
Gadwall 12
American Wigeon 3
American Black Duck 600
Mallard 50
Northern Shoveler 150
Northern Pintail 400
Green-winged Teal 250
Lesser Scaup 35
Bufflehead 60
Hooded Merganser 14
Red-breasted Merganser 4
Ruddy Duck 4
Red-throated Loon 4
Common Loon 1
Pied-billed Grebe 3
Horned Grebe 6
Double-crested Cormorant 4
Great Blue Heron 7
Great Egret 3
Turkey Vulture 2
Bald Eagle 2
Northern Harrier 10
Sharp-shinned Hawk 2
Red-shouldered Hawk 1
Red-tailed Hawk 1
Peregrine Falcon 3
American Coot 350
Greater Yellowlegs 2
Dunlin 6
Herring Gull (American) 40
Great Black-backed Gull 25
Rock Pigeon 15
Mourning Dove 2
Red-bellied Woodpecker 2
Downy Woodpecker 2
Northern Flicker (Yellow-shafted) 2
Blue Jay 1
American Crow 8
Carolina Chickadee 4
Tufted Titmouse 8
White-breasted Nuthatch 2
Carolina Wren 1
Golden-crowned Kinglet 1
Hermit Thrush 1
American Robin 65
European Starling 2
Cedar Waxwing 75
Yellow-rumped Warbler (Myrtle) 35
Eastern Towhee 1
Song Sparrow 1
White-throated Sparrow 1
Dark-eyed Junco (Slate-colored) 3
Red-winged Blackbird 21
American Goldfinch

58 species

Edwin B. Forsythe NWR--Motts Creek

Canada Goose 12

American Black Duck 25
Hooded Merganser 2
Bald Eagle 1
Northern Harrier 5
Greater Yellowlegs 9
Long-billed Dowitcher 19
Herring Gull (American) 5
Great Black-backed Gull 3
Short-eared Owl 2
American Robin 3
European Starling 4
Boat-tailed Grackle 250
House Sparrow 5

14 species

Cape May Point - Saturday, December 17th 2011

A few raptors here and there, including several Northern Harriers and two Peregrine Falcons, one perched on the Bunker. An adult Bald Eagle was perched on the Meadows Osprey platform. As usual, lots of winter ducks. The Eurasian Wigeon and a dozen Ring-necked Ducks were on Lake Lily after the walk.
45 species

Canada Goose 10
Mute Swan 15
Gadwall 35
American Wigeon 20
Mallard 15
Northern Shoveler 20
Northern Pintail 15
Green-winged Teal 150
Lesser Scaup 80
Bufflehead 1
Hooded Merganser 9
Ruddy Duck 8
Red-throated Loon 6
Pied-billed Grebe 3
Northern Gannet 5
Double-crested Cormorant 3
Great Egret 1
Turkey Vulture 8
Bald Eagle 1
Northern Harrier 2
Sharp-shinned Hawk 2
Red-tailed Hawk 2
Peregrine Falcon 2
American Coot 175
Herring Gull 8
Great Black-backed Gull 2
Rock Pigeon 5
Mourning Dove 4
Northern Flicker 2
American Crow 2
Carolina Wren 2 heard
Eastern Bluebird 10
American Robin 100
Northern Mockingbird 2
Brown Thrasher 1
European Starling 30
Cedar Waxwing 3
Yellow-rumped Warbler 10
Song Sparrow 3
Northern Cardinal 4
Red-winged Blackbird 6
Common Grackle 30
Brown-headed Cowbird 30
House Finch 8
House Sparrow 2

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

Cape May Point - Saturday, December 10th 2011

Cloudy, cold and windy to start. A walk on the red trail produced a nice variety of ducks which were scattered twice by two adult Bald Eagles. The adult drake Eurasian Wigeon and the female Redhead were in the mix. 38 species

Canada Goose 10
Mute Swan 10
Gadwall 25
Eurasian Wigeon 1
Mallard 15
Blue-winged Teal 1
Northern Shoveler 6
Northern Pintail 1
Redhead 1
Ring-necked Duck 1 30
Lesser Scaup 10
Red-breasted Merganser 1
Ruddy Duck 8
Red-throated Loon 6
Pied-billed Grebe 2
Northern Gannet 15
Double-crested Cormorant 3
Great Blue Heron 2
Turkey Vulture 2
Bald Eagle 2 adult
Sharp-shinned Hawk 1
Red-shouldered Hawk 1
American Coot 200
Ring-billed Gull 2
Herring Gull 5
Great Black-backed Gull 25
Rock Pigeon 10
Mourning Dove 4
American Crow 3
Carolina Wren 1
Eastern Bluebird 2
American Robin 25
Northern Mockingbird 1
European Starling 10
Cedar Waxwing 15 after the walk
Yellow-rumped Warbler 2
Red-winged Blackbird 30
House Sparrow 1

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

Harlequin Romance - Saturday, December 3rd, 2011

Our annual trip up to Barnegat Light in search of Harlequin Ducks was well attended by both participants and leaders and we had a fabulous day. The weather was perhaps the best it had ever been for this trip and, while this probably contributed to the larger than usual number of people fishing on the jetty and keeping the birds away from their food source, we nevertheless had a fabulous day.
Ducks were present in lower numbers than usual but again, the good weather was perhaps a factor in this and a more prolonged peirod of cold weather is probably needed to push numbers up. Despite this, there was plenty to enjoy with some 300 Common Eider on the open sea south of the jetty, small numbers of all three scoter species and even a female Bufflehead thrown in for good measure. Careful scanning through the flock eventually provided us with good views of a very smart female King Eider and, among it all, around 25 Harlequin Ducks were busy diving and feeding. Mission accomplished!

Also on the beach, a flock of about 60 Snow Buntings was seen and three Horned Larks flew over. Bonaparte's Gulls were plentiful in the inlet and Dunlin, Purple Sandpipers and Sanderling were on the jetty. After lunch we checked out Barnegat Bay and found plenty of Common and Red-throated Loons, Red-breasted Mergansers and a huge raft of Buffleheads. We finished at Manahawkin, where we found two adult Bald Eagles, five Northern Harriers, a Belted Kingfisher and at least six Great Blue Herons - the latter another sign that the weather hasn't really turned cold yet.

Barnegat Lighthouse bathed in glorious winter sunshine! [Photo by Mike Crewe]

Bonaparte's Gulls are real gems when seen close up. Three hundred or more were feeding in and around Barnegat Inlet. [Photo by Mike Crewe]

A female and two male Harlequin Ducks dive through the surf, along with a third-winter male Common Eider. [Photo by Mike Crewe]

Adult female King Eider (left) and adult female Common Eider. Note the King (Queen?!!) Eider's different bill size and shape, especially the 'smile' of the curving gape line on a pale face. [Photo by Mike Crewe]

This picture is cropped heavily so it's not so sharp, but notice the black, strongly angled chevron marks on the flank feathers. In this area, Common Eider females have more shallowly-curved arcs. [Photo by Mike Crewe]

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)

Cape May Autumn Weekend - Friday, October 28th-Sunday, October 30th 2011

This list shows the full list of species reported during the Cape May Autumn Birding Festival, essentially being a list of species from sites around Cape May County and from Brigantine.

Snow Goose
Brant
Cackling Goose
Canada Goose
Mute Swan
Wood Duck
Gadwall
American Wigeon
Eurasian Wigeon
American Black Duck
Mallard
Blue-winged Teal
Northern Shoveler
Northern Pintail
Green-winged Teal
Ring-necked Duck
Greater Scaup
Lesser Scaup
Common Eider
Surf Scoter
White-winged Scoter
Black Scoter
Long-tailed Duck
Bufflehead
Hooded Merganser
Red-breasted Merganser
Ruddy Duck
Red-throated Loon
Common Loon
Pied-billed Grebe
Horned Grebe
Shearwater sp.
Brown Booby
Northern Gannet
Double-crested Cormorant
Great Cormorant
American Bittern
Great Blue Heron
Great Egret
Snowy Egret
Tricolored Heron
Cattle Egret
Green Heron
Black-crowned Night Heron
Glossy Ibis
Black Vulture
Turkey Vulture
Osprey
Bald Eagle
Northern Harrier
Sharp-shinned Hawk
Cooper's Hawk
Red-shouldered Hawk
Broad-winged Hawk
Swainson's Hawk
Red-tailed Hawk
Golden Eagle
American Kestrel
Merlin
Peregrine
Black Rail
Clapper Rail
Virginia Rail
Sora
American Moorhen
American Coot
Black-bellied Plover
American Golden Plover
Semipalmated Plover
Piping Plover
Killdeer
American Oystercatcher
American Avocet
Greater Yellowlegs
Lesser Yellowlegs
Willet
Hudsonian Godwit
Ruddy Turnstone
Red Knot
Sanderling
Semipalmated Sandpiper
Western Sandpiper
Least Sandpiper
Pectoral Sandpiper
Purple Sandpiper
Dunlin
Short-billed Dowitcher
Long-billed Dowitcher
Wilson's Snipe
American Woodcock
Bonaparte's Gull
Laughing Gull
Ring-billed Gull
American Herring Gull
Lesser Black-backed Gull
Great Black-backed Gull
Caspian Tern
Common Tern
Forster's Tern
Royal Tern
Black Skimmer
Parasitic Jaeger
Feral Rock Dove
White-winged Dove
American Mourning Dove
Eurasian Collared Dove
Yellow-billed Cuckoo
Black-billed Cuckoo
Eastern Screech Owl
Great Horned Owl
Short-eared Owl
Northern Saw-whet Owl
Chimney Swift
Ruby-throated Hummingbird
Rufous Hummingbird
Belted Kingfisher
Red-headed Woodpecker
Red-bellied Woodpecker
Yellow-bellied Sapsucker
Downy Woodpecker
Hairy Woodpecker
Northern Flicker
Least Flycatcher
Eastern Phoebe
Western Kingbird
Eastern Kingbird
Blue-headed Vireo
Red-eyed Vireo
Blue Jay
American Crow
Fish Crow
Tree Swallow
Cliff Swallow
Cave Swallow
Barn Swallow
Carolina Chickadee
Tufted Titmouse
White-breasted Nuthatch
Brown Creeper
Carolina Wren
House Wren
Winter Wren
Golden-crowned Kinglet
Ruby-crowned Kinglet
Eastern Bluebird
Gray-cheeked Thrush
Swainson's Thrush
Hermit Thrush
American Robin
Gray Catbird
Northern Mockingbird
Brown Thrasher
European Starling
American Pipit
Cedar Waxwing
Blue-winged Warbler
Tennessee Warbler
Orange-crowned Warbler
Nashville Warbler
Northern Parula
Magnolia Warbler
Cape May Warbler
Black-throated Blue Warbler
Yellow-rumped Warbler
Black-throated Green Warbler
Pine Warbler
Palm Warbler
Blackpoll Warbler
Black-and-white Warbler
Common Yellowthroat
Wilson's Warbler
Yellow-breasted Chat
Eastern Towhee
Chipping Sparrow
Clay-colored Sparrow
Field Sparrow
Vesper Sparrow
Lark Sparrow
Savannah Sparrow
Grasshopper Sparrow
Nelson's Sparrow
Saltmarsh Sparrow
Seaside Sparrow
Fox Sparrow
Song Sparrow
Lincoln's Sparrow
Swamp Sparrow
White-throated Sparrow
White-crowned Sparrow
Dark-eyed Junco
Snow Bunting
Northern Cardinal
Blue Gorsbeak
Indigo Bunting
Bobolink
Red-winged Blackbird
Eastern Meadowlark
Rusty Blackbird
Common Grackle
Boat-tailed Grackle
Brown-headed Cowbird
Orchard Oriole
Baltimore Oriole
Purple Finch
House Finch
American Goldfinch
House Sparrow

TOTAL LIST = 207 Species

E-Z Birding, Tuesday, October 25th 2011

EZ Birding at Two Mile Beach Unit of US Fish & Wildlife enjoyed a good variety of raptors overhead including Bald Eagles, Peregrine Falcons, American Kestrel, Merlin, Norther Harrier, and Red-tailed, Cooper's, and Sharp-shinned Hawks. From the beach we had many shorebirds which included Ruddy Turnstones, Black-bellied Plover, Dunlin, and Sanderlings. Four Brown Pelicans and several large skeins of Double-crested Cormorants flew by. The Brown Booby was visible from the bay side of Ocean Drive. 46 species Brant 120 Canada Goose 8 American Black Duck 80 Mallard 4 Northern Gannet 3 Double-crested Cormorant 325 Brown Pelican 4 Great Blue Heron 1 Great Egret 12 Snowy Egret 1 Turkey Vulture 20 Osprey 5 Bald Eagle 4 Northern Harrier 1 Sharp-shinned Hawk 6 Cooper's Hawk 3 Red-tailed Hawk 1 American Kestrel 1 Merlin 1 Peregrine Falcon 2 Black-bellied Plover 20 Killdeer 10 Greater Yellowlegs 12 Ruddy Turnstone 14 Sanderling 50 Dunlin 50 Ring-billed Gull 10 Herring Gull 15 Great Black-backed Gull 30 Forster's Tern 15 Royal Tern 6 Northern Flicker 1 American Crow 5 Fish Crow 6 Tree Swallow 400 Carolina Chickadee 3 heard Carolina Wren 2 heard Golden-crowned Kinglet 1 Ruby-crowned Kinglet 2 American Robin 10 Gray Catbird 2 Black-throated Blue Warbler 1 Yellow-rumped Warbler 50 Song Sparrow 1 Swamp Sparrow 2 Northern Cardinal 1 heard This report was generated automatically by eBird v3 (http://ebird.org)

South Cape May Meadows - Monday October 24th 2011

Lots of Yellow-rumped Warblers and numerous Sharp-shinned Hawks. Also perched Cooper's and Red-tailed hawks. Two fly-over calling American Pipits and four Parasitic Jaegers from the beach. Ducks included Gadwall, Mallard, Green-winged Teal and Ruddy, while there was also numerous American Coots and a Pied-billed Grebe.
54 species

Canada Goose 300
Mute Swan 12
Gadwall 15
American Wigeon 8
Mallard 301
Northern Shoveler 3
Northern Pintail 10
Green-winged Teal 6
Ruddy Duck 3
Red-throated Loon 4
Common Loon 4
Pied-billed Grebe 1
Double-crested Cormorant 200
Great Blue Heron 1
Glossy Ibis 2
Turkey Vulture 1
Osprey 2
Northern Harrier 1
Sharp-shinned Hawk 10
Cooper's Hawk 2
Red-tailed Hawk 1
Merlin 1
American Coot 20
Killdeer 2
Greater Yellowlegs 3
Sanderling 40
Pectoral Sandpiper 7
Wilson's Snipe 1
Laughing Gull 1
Ring-billed Gull 5
Herring Gull 10
Great Black-backed Gull 30
Forster's Tern 30
Parasitic Jaeger 4
Mourning Dove 15
Belted Kingfisher 1 heard
Northern Flicker 10
American Crow 25
Tree Swallow 200
Carolina Wren 3
American Robin 100
Northern Mockingbird 1
European Starling 10
American Pipit 2
Common Yellowthroat 1
Palm Warbler 5
Yellow-rumped Warbler 75
Song Sparrow 1
Swamp Sparrow 10
Northern Cardinal 1
Red-winged Blackbird 50
Eastern Meadowlark 1
Common Grackle 30
Orchard Oriole 1
House Sparrow 1
This report was generated automatically by eBird v3 (http://ebird.org)

Cox Hall Creek (Villas) WMA - Sunday, October 23rd 2011

In addition to the many 'yumps' (Yellow-Rumped Warblers), Eastern Phoebes, Palm Warblers and both Ruby-crowned and Golden-crowned Kinglets, the Cox Hall Creek WMA walk produced two calling Red-headed Woodpeckers, a pair of adult Bald Eagles, a scope-able Yellow-billed Cuckoo, several Brown Creepers and Hermit Thrushes and a variety of sparrows that included Savannah, Swamp, Song, Chipping and Field.

58 species

Canada Goose 1
Mute Swan 2
Wood Duck 6
Pied-billed Grebe 1
Double-crested Cormorant 29
Black Vulture 1
Turkey Vulture 2
Bald Eagle 2
Sharp-shinned Hawk 3
Cooper's Hawk 2
Red-tailed Hawk 2
Herring Gull (American) 3
Mourning Dove 5
Yellow-billed Cuckoo 1
Red-headed Woodpecker 2 1 juvenile, another heard
Red-bellied Woodpecker 14
Yellow-bellied Sapsucker 3
Downy Woodpecker 4
Northern Flicker (Yellow-shafted) 9

Blue Jay 15
Eastern Phoebe 18
American Crow 5
Fish Crow 1
Tree Swallow 4
Carolina Chickadee 2
Tufted Titmouse 7
White-breasted Nuthatch 2
Brown Creeper 4
Carolina Wren 4
Golden-crowned Kinglet 6
Ruby-crowned Kinglet 7
Eastern Bluebird 6
Hermit Thrush 3
American Robin 140
Gray Catbird 3
Northern Mockingbird 2
Brown Thrasher 2
European Starling 6
Cedar Waxwing 6
Nashville Warbler 1
Common Yellowthroat 2
Palm Warbler (Western) 15
Palm Warbler (Yellow) 6
Pine Warbler 1
Yellow-rumped Warbler (Myrtle) 57
Eastern Towhee 6
Chipping Sparrow 13
Field Sparrow 4
Savannah Sparrow 7
Song Sparrow 7
Swamp Sparrow 11
White-throated Sparrow 11
Northern Cardinal 3
Red-winged Blackbird 18
Eastern Meadowlark 3
Common Grackle 5
Brown-headed Cowbird 3
House Finch 2

Hawks, Trails and Beach - Saturday, October 22nd 2011

The Hawks, Trails and Beach Walk enjoyed a good variety of birds. Ducks - including Mallards, Gadwall, American Wigeon, Ring-necked, Ruddy and Green- and Blue-winged Teal - and American Coots were plentiful. Raptors included Sharp-shinned Hawks, Cooper's Hawks, Bald Eagles and Red-tailed Hawks along with Kestrels, Merlins and Peregrine Falcons. Smaller birds included Chimney Swifts, Yellow-Shafted Flickers, Eastern Meadowlarks, Brown Creepers and Hermit Thrushes. 63 species (+1 other taxon) Canada Goose 30 Mute Swan 14 Wood Duck 1 Gadwall 20 American Wigeon 40 Mallard 18 Blue-winged Teal 14 Northern Shoveler 8 Northern Pintail 8 Green-winged Teal 6 Ring-necked Duck 2 scoter sp. 25 Ruddy Duck 2 Pied-billed Grebe 4 Double-crested Cormorant 5 Great Egret 3 Turkey Vulture 45 Osprey 1 Bald Eagle 3 Northern Harrier 1 Sharp-shinned Hawk 10 Cooper's Hawk 4 Red-tailed Hawk 1 American Kestrel 3 Merlin 4 Peregrine Falcon 2 American Coot 60 large flock on Bunker Pond and smaller flock in creek behind pond and oin Lighthous Pond at Cape May Point State Park Laughing Gull 12 Ring-billed Gull 4 Herring Gull 5 Great Black-backed Gull 35 Royal Tern 2 Rock Pigeon 6 Chimney Swift 20 Two sizable flocks flying overhead and multiple singles at Cape May Point State Park Belted Kingfisher 1 heard Red-bellied Woodpecker 2 Northern Flicker 15 Red-eyed Vireo 1 Blue Jay 3 American Crow 6 Tree Swallow 50 Carolina Chickadee 5 Brown Creeper 3 Carolina Wren 5 Golden-crowned Kinglet 10 Ruby-crowned Kinglet 18 Hermit Thrush 4 American Robin 5 Gray Catbird 5 Northern Mockingbird 1 Brown Thrasher 2 Common Yellowthroat 2 Blackpoll Warbler 2 Palm Warbler 2 Yellow-rumped Warbler 50 Savannah Sparrow 1 Song Sparrow 3 Swamp Sparrow 4 White-throated Sparrow 2 White-crowned Sparrow 1 Red-winged Blackbird 60 Eastern Meadowlark 11 House Finch 2 American Goldfinch 20 This report was generated automatically by eBird v3 (http://ebird.org)

Fall Birds at The Rea Farm - Saturday, October 22nd 2011

Very birdy morning with warblers and sparrows as well as raptors. Warblers included good looks at Black-throated Blue, Northern Parula, Blackpoll and Common Yellowthroat. Raptors included a Bald Eagle and Red-shouldered Hawk. Field, Song and Savannah Sparrows were numerous but sometimes hard to see.
62 species

Canada Goose 20
Mute Swan 1
Mallard 3 fly overs
Double-crested Cormorant 1
Green Heron 2
Black Vulture 3
Turkey Vulture 30
Osprey 1
Bald Eagle 1
Northern Harrier 1
Sharp-shinned Hawk 10
Cooper's Hawk 1
Red-shouldered Hawk 1
Broad-winged Hawk 2
Red-tailed Hawk 1
Herring Gull 3
Great Black-backed Gull 1
Rock Pigeon 3
Mourning Dove 8
Chimney Swift 2
Red-bellied Woodpecker 1
Downy Woodpecker 2
Hairy Woodpecker 1 before walk fly-over-called
Northern Flicker 10
Eastern Phoebe 15
Red-eyed Vireo 2
Blue Jay 5
American Crow 10
Northern Rough-winged Swallow 2
Tree Swallow 30
Carolina Chickadee 1
Carolina Wren 4
Blue-gray Gnatcatcher 1
Golden-crowned Kinglet 5
Ruby-crowned Kinglet 5
Eastern Bluebird 1
American Robin 15
Gray Catbird 2 heard
Northern Mockingbird 2
Brown Thrasher 1
European Starling 15
Cedar Waxwing 2
Nashville Warbler 1
Common Yellowthroat 4
Northern Parula 1
Blackpoll Warbler 6
Black-throated Blue Warbler 2
Palm Warbler 15
Yellow-rumped Warbler 50
Black-throated Green Warbler 1
Chipping Sparrow 3
Field Sparrow 6
Savannah Sparrow 8
Song Sparrow 10
Swamp Sparrow 10
Northern Cardinal 1
Indigo Bunting 1
Red-winged Blackbird 10
Eastern Meadowlark 8
Rusty Blackbird 1 fly-over leaders only
Brown-headed Cowbird 10
American Goldfinch 1

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

Sunset Birding at South Cape May Meadows - Friday, October 21st 2011

Good ducks, including Blue-winged and Green-winged Teal and Ruddy Ducks. A few fly-over shorebirds and waders, plus two Peregrines. Lesser Black-backed Gull on the beach. Highlight was a Sora close but darkness was setting in.
41 species

Cackling Goose 1
Canada Goose 75
Mute Swan 15
Gadwall 10
Mallard 25
Blue-winged Teal 12
Northern Pintail 10
Green-winged Teal 4
Ruddy Duck 2
Pied-billed Grebe 2
Northern Gannet 1 leader only
Double-crested Cormorant 8
Great Egret 3
Turkey Vulture 1
Bald Eagle 1
Sharp-shinned Hawk 4
Peregrine Falcon 2
Sora 1
Common Gallinule 1
American Coot 15
American Oystercatcher 1
Greater Yellowlegs 3 fly & call
Lesser Yellowlegs 4 fly & call
Sanderling 25
Wilson's Snipe 1
Laughing Gull 15
Ring-billed Gull 4
Herring Gull 10
Lesser Black-backed Gull 1
Great Black-backed Gull 25
Royal Tern 2
Parasitic Jaeger 1 leader only
Mourning Dove 4
Chimney Swift 8
Tree Swallow 50
European Starling 10
Palm Warbler 1
Yellow-rumped Warbler 30
Northern Cardinal 1
Red-winged Blackbird 5
House Sparrow 1

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

Higbee's Beach WMA, Group 2 - Friday, October 21st 2011

Lots of Yellow-rumped Warblers and Northern Flickers on a cool, windy morning. A few small pockets of warblers, Black-throated Green, Black-throated Blue, Northern Parula and Blackpoll. Two Bald Eagle fly-overs were
nice. A group of eight late Chimney Swifts was observed.
30 species

Double-crested Cormorant 6
Turkey Vulture 5
Bald Eagle 2
Sharp-shinned Hawk 10
Cooper's Hawk 1
Merlin 1
Great Black-backed Gull 1
Mourning Dove 4
Chimney Swift 8
Red-bellied Woodpecker 2
Northern Flicker 15
Blue Jay 8
American Crow 10
Carolina Chickadee 1 heard
Tufted Titmouse 2
Carolina Wren 4
American Robin 4
Gray Catbird 3
Brown Thrasher 1 heard
Black-and-white Warbler 1 after walk
Northern Parula 1
Blackpoll Warbler 8
Black-throated Blue Warbler 3
Palm Warbler 2
Yellow-rumped Warbler 50
Black-throated Green Warbler 1
Eastern Towhee 1 heard
White-throated Sparrow 4 heard
Northern Cardinal 4
Red-winged Blackbird 15

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

Higbee's Beach WMA, Group 1 - Friday, October 21st 2011

A nice Higbee walk - a quiet start with birds whizzing around high overhead, but gradually things settled and we had great looks at Yellow-rumped and - especially - Blackpoll Warblers which seemed to be everywhere! Also a nice run of late Chimney Swifts, then two Nashville Warblers feeding together in field 2.
35 species

Double-crested Cormorant 1
Bald Eagle 1
Sharp-shinned Hawk 8
Cooper's Hawk 1
Merlin 1
Peregrine Falcon 1
Herring Gull (American) 1
Mourning Dove 4
Chimney Swift 9
Red-bellied Woodpecker 2
Northern Flicker 15
Eastern Phoebe 2
Blue Jay 6
American Crow 25
Tree Swallow 35
Tufted Titmouse 2
Carolina Wren 4
Golden-crowned Kinglet 1
American Robin 20
Gray Catbird 2
Brown Thrasher 4
European Starling 2
Cedar Waxwing 3
Nashville Warbler 2
American Redstart 1
Northern Parula 4
Blackpoll Warbler 35
Black-throated Blue Warbler 3
Yellow-rumped Warbler 100
Eastern Towhee 2
White-throated Sparrow 5
Northern Cardinal 8
Red-winged Blackbird 2
Eastern Meadowlark 4
American Goldfinch 1

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

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