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)

Bird Walk for All People - Thursday, October 20th 2011

The Bird Walk for All People had an excellent raptor show despite the high winds.  Bald Eagles, Osprey, Sharp-shinned and Cooper's Hawks, Peregrine Falcons, and a Merlin were seen.  A variety of ducks on Lighthouse and Bunker Ponds, including two Ring-necked Ducks, were enjoyed by all.
39 species

Canada Goose  10
Mute Swan  13
Gadwall  26
American Wigeon  60
Mallard  20
Blue-winged Teal  8
Northern Shoveler  12
Northern Pintail  6
Green-winged Teal  6
Ring-necked Duck  2
Ruddy Duck  1
Pied-billed Grebe  4
Double-crested Cormorant  8
Turkey Vulture  16
Osprey  3
Bald Eagle  3
Northern Harrier  1
Sharp-shinned Hawk  5
Cooper's Hawk  3
Merlin  1
Peregrine Falcon  5
American Coot  40
Lesser Yellowlegs  6
Semipalmated Sandpiper  8
Pectoral Sandpiper  10
Stilt Sandpiper  2
Laughing Gull  40
Ring-billed Gull  8
Herring Gull  12
Great Black-backed Gull  20
Forster's Tern  3
Rock Pigeon  7
Eurasian Collared-Dove  2     Seen flying over Lighthouse Pond toward St.
Mary's; identified by Pete Dunne
Chimney Swift  11     Small flock flying over Lighthouse Pond; also confirmed by
Pete Dunne
American Crow  3
Tree Swallow  250
Carolina Wren  1     heard
Yellow-rumped Warbler  4
House Sparrow  5

This report was generated automatically by eBird v2 (
http://ebird.org)

Hidden Valley - Thursday, October 20th 2011

A very windy morninig kept the heads of pretty much all the small birds well below the parapet; however, a party of 10 Eastern Meadowlarks put a nice show and raptors disported themselves before us - especially those awesome Bald Eagles!
27 species

Double-crested Cormorant 3
Black Vulture 9
Turkey Vulture 12
Bald Eagle 2
Sharp-shinned Hawk 5
Cooper's Hawk 4
Red-tailed Hawk 1
Merlin 1
Peregrine Falcon 1
Herring Gull (American) 5
Great Black-backed Gull 14
Royal Tern 3
Mourning Dove 2
Yellow-billed Cuckoo 1
Downy Woodpecker 1
Northern Flicker 5
American Crow 45
Fish Crow 9
Tufted Titmouse 1
Carolina Wren 1
American Robin 10
Northern Mockingbird 2
Palm Warbler 5
Yellow-rumped Warbler 40
Northern Cardinal 3
Red-winged Blackbird 6
Eastern Meadowlark 10

This report was generated automatically by eBird v2 (
http://ebird.org)

Sunset Birding at Stone Harbor Point - Tuesday, October 18th 2011

We had yet another amazing Sunset Birding Walk at Stone Harbor on Tuesday.  We started by walking the dune path to the beach and along the way had great comparative looks at Song vs. Savannah Sparrows.  Once on the beach we didn't even walk 100 meters and found a group of feeding shorebirds that included 9 lingering Piping Plovers and 6 other species close by.  We also had both Caspian and Royal Terns fishing in the surf right in front of us.  While watching the terns we spotted a group of Bottle-nosed Dolphins close to shore that were rather "frisky".  We saw them copulating and even jumping clear out of the water just beyond the waves.  We next went to Nummy Island and quickly located the American Avocets we found last week that conveniently stayed at the same spot.  The base of the "free bridge" held a huge flock of shorebirds that included a Marbled Godwit, Red Knots, and Western Willets among others.  We ran out of daylight before we ran out of birds, but that's a good problem to have...
43 species

Brant  300
Black Scoter  1
Common Loon  1
Double-crested Cormorant  X
Great Blue Heron  12
Great Egret  24
Snowy Egret  1
Cooper's Hawk  2
Peregrine Falcon  1
Black-bellied Plover  68
Piping Plover  9 Just past end of dune path on beach.  Includes the individual with the messed up leg that has been there all month
American Oystercatcher  180
American Avocet  2 continue at base of toll bridge Nummy Island
Greater Yellowlegs  3
Willet (Western)  26
Marbled Godwit  1
Ruddy Turnstone  6
Red Knot  28
Sanderling  800
Western Sandpiper  14
Dunlin  300
Short-billed Dowitcher  X
Ring-billed Gull  X
Herring Gull  X
Great Black-backed Gull  X
Caspian Tern  8
Royal Tern  4
Mourning Dove  4
Belted Kingfisher  1
Northern Flicker (Yellow-shafted)  1
Fish Crow  X
Tree Swallow  X
American Robin  X
Gray Catbird  2
Northern Mockingbird  1
Yellow-rumped Warbler  16
Savannah Sparrow  5
Song Sparrow  1
White-throated Sparrow  2
Northern Cardinal  2
Red-winged Blackbird  X
Boat-tailed Grackle  X
House Sparrow  X

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

Twilight Watch at The Meadows - Wednesday, October 19th 2011

We began the walk under the threat of rain and had a good look at a Cackling Goose among the flock of Canada Geese.  When we reached the beach the skies opened and the rain began in earnest.  Of course we were at the furthest point away from our vehicles so we continued.  By the time we reached the viewing platform the rains had ended and we were treated to great looks at a Pectoral Sandpiper in a group of Lesser Yellowlegs and close up looks at Northern Pintails. So despite the rain it was a rather good birding walk.
43 species

Cackling Goose  1  
Canada Goose  38
Mute Swan  8
Gadwall  15
American Wigeon  2
Mallard  10
Blue-winged Teal  12
Northern Shoveler  1
Northern Pintail  8
Green-winged Teal  9
Ruddy Duck  5
Pied-billed Grebe  5
Double-crested Cormorant  20
Great Egret  6
Turkey Vulture  2
Northern Harrier  2
Sharp-shinned Hawk  4
Cooper's Hawk  2
Merlin  2
American Coot  8
Greater Yellowlegs  1
Lesser Yellowlegs  6
Sanderling  20
Pectoral Sandpiper  1
Short-billed Dowitcher  2
Wilson's Snipe  8
Laughing Gull  4
Ring-billed Gull  12
Herring Gull  8
Great Black-backed Gull  25
Forster's Tern  6
Royal Tern  12
Rock Pigeon  8
Mourning Dove  4
Northern Flicker  2
American Crow  6
Tree Swallow  16
American Robin  4
European Starling  8
Yellow-rumped Warbler  4
Savannah Sparrow  6
Swamp Sparrow  4
Red-winged Blackbird  8

This report was generated automatically by eBird v2 (
http://ebird.org)

Photo Walk - Tuesday, October 18th 2011

Mike Hannisian stood in for Scott this week and writes: The weather for this Tuesday's Photo Walk was sunny, mild and calm which allowed for some nice waterfowl shooting from the blind on the Red Trail. We also ran into a number of moving warbler flocks consisting of almost exclusively Yellow-rumpeds. However, the occasional stray was present, such as Gray Catbird. All in all, it was a nice day to be afield with a camera.
 



American Wigeon (x2), Gadwall and Gray Catbird from this morning's photo walk.

E-Z Birding, Tuesday, October 18th 2011

The EZ Birding Walk enjoyed a variety of raptors including Osprey, Sharp-shinned Hawks, Cooper's Hawks, and a Peregrine Falcon.  We also had good looks at Northern Parulas and a Yellow-breasted Chat.  Yellow-rumped Warblers were plentiful.  We went across Ocean Drive to the bay side and had decent looks
at the Brown Booby and three Bald Eagles.
55 species

American Black Duck  50
Mallard  20
Northern Shoveler  4
Pied-billed Grebe  1
Double-crested Cormorant  80
Brown Pelican  8
Great Blue Heron  2
Great Egret  10
Snowy Egret  4
Green Heron  1
Turkey Vulture  15
Osprey  8
Bald Eagle  3
Sharp-shinned Hawk  10
Cooper's Hawk  3
Merlin  1
Peregrine Falcon  1
Black-bellied Plover  1
Killdeer  5
American Oystercatcher  2
Greater Yellowlegs  40
Lesser Yellowlegs  8
Ruddy Turnstone  1
Sanderling  25
Dunlin  12
Laughing Gull  20
Ring-billed Gull  10
Herring Gull  8
Great Black-backed Gull  60
Forster's Tern  20
Mourning Dove  2
Belted Kingfisher  1
Red-bellied Woodpecker  1     heard
Northern Flicker  6
American Crow  5
Fish Crow  3
Tree Swallow  40
Carolina Chickadee  4     heard
Carolina Wren  4     heard
Golden-crowned Kinglet  3     heard
American Robin  1
Gray Catbird  8
Northern Mockingbird  1
Brown Thrasher  2
European Starling  50
Cedar Waxwing  3
Northern Parula  2
Yellow-rumped Warbler  50
Yellow-breasted Chat  1
Swamp Sparrow  1
Northern Cardinal  2     heard
Red-winged Blackbird  16
Boat-tailed Grackle  2
Brown-headed Cowbird  2
House Finch  2

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

South Cape May Meadows - Monday October 17th 2011

Lots of raptors, including Sharp-shinned & Cooper's Hawks, Northern Harriers, two Peregrines, and two Bald Eagles, one sitting on the beach! Also a good variety of ducks, plus a few shorebirds present which included a White-rumped and three Stilt Sandpipers, a Dunlin and four Wilson's Snipe. A Lesser Black-backed Gull was on the beach and a couple of Northern Gannets flew by off shore.
60 species

Cackling Goose 1
Canada Goose 75
Mute Swan 6
Gadwall 5
American Wigeon 1
Mallard 30
Blue-winged Teal 8
Northern Pintail 12
Green-winged Teal 4
Surf Scoter 6
Pied-billed Grebe 5
Northern Gannet 3
Double-crested Cormorant 15
Great Egret 1
Snowy Egret 1 Fly-over
Green Heron 1
Turkey Vulture 1
Osprey 2
Bald Eagle 2
Northern Harrier 7
Sharp-shinned Hawk 25
Cooper's Hawk 3
American Kestrel 2
Peregrine Falcon 2
American Coot 3
Greater Yellowlegs 1 heard
Lesser Yellowlegs 1 fly-over
White-rumped Sandpiper 1
Dunlin 1
Stilt Sandpiper 3
Wilson's Snipe 4
Laughing Gull 3
Ring-billed Gull 10
Herring Gull 10
Lesser Black-backed Gull 1
Great Black-backed Gull 25
Forster's Tern 10
Royal Tern 2
Parasitic Jaeger 1 (leader only)
Eurasian Collared-Dove 2 fly-over
Mourning Dove 5
Northern Flicker 5
Blue Jay 1
American Crow 5
Tree Swallow 500
Barn Swallow 3
Carolina Wren 1 heard
American Robin 30
European Starling 10
Palm Warbler 5
Yellow-rumped Warbler 50
Swamp Sparrow 4
Northern Cardinal 1
Dickcissel 1 heard
Bobolink 3
Red-winged Blackbird 15
Eastern Meadowlark 1
Common Grackle 2
House Finch 5
House Sparrow 5

This report was generated automatically by eBird v3 (

Stilt Sandpipers at the South Cape May Meadows

Adult Bald Eagle surveys the South Cape May Beach!
http://ebird.org)

Backbay Birding By Boat - Sunday, October 16th 2011

Jarvis Sound lit up with impressive birds today. Within a few feet of the Brown Booby, we ran into a trio of Horned Grebes, a Black Skimmer, a Bald Eagle and a Common Loon!
24 species

Brant  16
American Black Duck  2
Common Loon  1
Horned Grebe  3
Brown Booby  1
Double-crested Cormorant  143
Great Blue Heron  18
Great Egret  19
Snowy Egret  7
Tricolored Heron  1
Bald Eagle  1
Northern Harrier  1
Red-tailed Hawk  2
Peregrine Falcon  1
Black-bellied Plover  32
American Oystercatcher  2
Greater Yellowlegs  7
Ruddy Turnstone  47
Laughing Gull  13
Herring Gull  27
Great Black-backed Gull  32
Forster's Tern  12
Black Skimmer  1
Boat-tailed Grackle  3
 

Photographing Hawks (and other birds) - Saturday, October 15th 2011

This Saturday greeted us with a sunny, windy afternoon. Just what we would want for a good mid-October hawk flight, except that the wind was out of the wrong direction. However, Cape May rarely fails, and this day was no different. Our group walked the short distance to Bunker Pond where we were able to create some nice images of various waterfowl, including a Eurasian Wigeon and a "laughing" Northern Shoveler.
 



 

Cox Hall Creek (Villas) WMA - Sunday, October 16th 2011

The bright, windy skies over the Cox Hall Creek (formerly Villas) WMA held Kestrel, Merlin, Sharp-shinned, Cooper's and Red-tailed Hawks as well as a pair of adult Bald Eagles. Yellow-rumped warblers, Northern Flickers and Eastern Phoebes predominated. Other warblers included Black-throated Blue, Black-throated Green, Pine, Palm, Blackpoll and Common Yellow-throat.
50 species

Mute Swan  2
Pied-billed Grebe  1
Double-crested Cormorant  1
Turkey Vulture  2
Osprey  2
Bald Eagle  2
Sharp-shinned Hawk  9
Cooper's Hawk  2
Red-tailed Hawk  1
American Kestrel  1
Merlin  1
Laughing Gull  1
Herring Gull  1
Mourning Dove  4
Belted Kingfisher  1
Red-bellied Woodpecker  7
Downy Woodpecker  3
Northern Flicker (Yellow-shafted)  17
Eastern Wood-Pewee  2
Eastern Phoebe  12
Blue Jay  4
American Crow  30
Tree Swallow  3
Carolina Chickadee  4
Tufted Titmouse  7
Brown Creeper  1
Carolina Wren  3
House Wren  1
Blue-gray Gnatcatcher  1
Golden-crowned Kinglet  8
Ruby-crowned Kinglet  1    heard
Eastern Bluebird  14
American Robin  9
Gray Catbird  2
Northern Mockingbird  1
European Starling  2
Common Yellowthroat  1
Blackpoll Warbler  1
Black-throated Blue Warbler  1
Palm Warbler  9
Pine Warbler  1
Yellow-rumped Warbler (Myrtle)  40
Black-throated Green Warbler  1
Eastern Towhee  1
Chipping Sparrow  5
White-throated Sparrow  3    heard
Northern Cardinal  3
Indigo Bunting  1
Red-winged Blackbird  17
Common Grackle  15

Hawks, Trails and Beach - Saturday, October 15th 2011

The Hawks, Trails and Beach Walk enjoyed good looks at the Eurasian Wigeon as well as many American Wigeon on Bunker Pond.  High winds made finding small birds difficult however.  A few raptors flew overhead but had trouble in the wind.
43 species

Canada Goose  35
Mute Swan  14
Gadwall  10
Eurasian Wigeon  1
American Wigeon  50
Mallard  20
Blue-winged Teal  14
Northern Shoveler  10
Northern Pintail  4
Green-winged Teal  8
Ruddy Duck  2
Pied-billed Grebe  5
Double-crested Cormorant  6
Great Blue Heron  2
Great Egret  1
Turkey Vulture  8
Osprey  1
Sharp-shinned Hawk  3
Cooper's Hawk  1
American Kestrel  5
Merlin  2
Peregrine Falcon  2
American Coot  4
Laughing Gull  15
Herring Gull  20
Great Black-backed Gull  75
Royal Tern  3
Rock Pigeon  9
Mourning Dove  3
Northern Flicker  2
Blue Jay  1     heard
American Crow  5
Tree Swallow  250
Carolina Chickadee  5     heard
Carolina Wren  1     heard
Golden-crowned Kinglet  4     heard
Ruby-crowned Kinglet  3
Gray Catbird  2     heard
Palm Warbler  1
Yellow-rumped Warbler  35
Song Sparrow  1
Swamp Sparrow  1
Red-winged Blackbird  6

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

Fall Birds at The Rea Farm Group 2 - Saturday, October 15th 2011

This morning's Beanery/Rea Farm walk provided participants with great views of Orange-crowned Warbler and Clay-colored and White-crowned Sparrows. Other warblers included Black-throated Blue males, Blackpoll in good numbers (or 'just another Blackpoll', as put by one observer), Cape May, Palm, Northern Parula and Yellow-Rumped.
52 species

Canada Goose  14
Mute Swan  5
Mallard  10
Northern Pintail  7
Black Vulture  3
Turkey Vulture  5
Sharp-shinned Hawk  5
Cooper's Hawk  1
Broad-winged Hawk  1
Merlin  1
Peregrine Falcon  1
Herring Gull  3
Rock Pigeon  3
Mourning Dove  14
Red-bellied Woodpecker  3
Yellow-bellied Sapsucker  1
Downy Woodpecker  4
Northern Flicker (Yellow-shafted)  10
Eastern Phoebe  2
Blue-headed Vireo  1
Red-eyed Vireo  4
Blue Jay  9
American Crow  45
Fish Crow  1
Tree Swallow  70
Carolina Chickadee  2
Tufted Titmouse  2
Brown Creeper  1
Carolina Wren  5
Golden-crowned Kinglet  3
American Robin  12
Gray Catbird  2
Northern Mockingbird  1
European Starling  37
Orange-crowned Warbler  2
Cape May Warbler  1
Northern Parula  1
Blackpoll Warbler  5
Black-throated Blue Warbler  3
Palm Warbler (Western)  6
Yellow-rumped Warbler (Myrtle)  9
Eastern Towhee  2
Clay-colored Sparrow  2
Savannah Sparrow  9
Song Sparrow  1
White-throated Sparrow  7
White-crowned Sparrow  1
Northern Cardinal  5
Indigo Bunting  2
Red-winged Blackbird  4
Eastern Meadowlark  1
Common Grackle  2

Fall Birds at The Rea Farm Group 1 - Saturday, October 15th 2011

Slow starting but nice pockets of warblers here and there, including Blackpoll, Palm and of course Yellow-rumps. Warbler highlight was a very cooperative Orange-crowned Wabler near the railroad tracks in the back. Several Sharp-shinned Hawks, an early morning Cooper's, Osprey and a Red-tailed Hawk. A Merlin showed before and after the walk. Field, Savannah and two White-crowned Sparrows were also
observed..
39 species

Canada Goose 30
Wood Duck 1
Mallard 8
Double-crested Cormorant 5
Snowy Egret 2
Black Vulture 1
Turkey Vulture 4
Osprey 1
Bald Eagle 1
Sharp-shinned Hawk 6
Cooper's Hawk 1
Red-tailed Hawk 1
Merlin 2
Laughing Gull 1
Herring Gull 1
Great Black-backed Gull 5
Mourning Dove 8
Red-bellied Woodpecker 1 heard after walk
Downy Woodpecker 1
Northern Flicker 15
Eastern Phoebe 2
Blue Jay 10
American Crow 15
Tree Swallow 100
Carolina Wren 2 heard
Ruby-crowned Kinglet 2
American Robin 10
European Starling 75
Orange-crowned Warbler 1
Blackpoll Warbler 5
Palm Warbler 5
Yellow-rumped Warbler 25
Field Sparrow 7
Savannah Sparrow 3
Song Sparrow 1
White-crowned Sparrow 2
Northern Cardinal 1
Indigo Bunting 2
Red-winged Blackbird 5

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

White-crowned Sparrow at The Beanery [photo by Karl Lukens]

Sunset Birding at South Cape May Meadows - Friday, October 14th 2011

Ducks were scarce but there were shorebirds in amongst the weed which included, Lesser Yellowlegs, Pectoral Sandpiper and Long-billed Dowitcher. An adult and an immature Lesser Black-backed
Gull were on the beach. A perched Cooper's Hawk and two Peregrine Falcons were nice to see.
37 species

Cackling Goose 1
Canada Goose 15
Mute Swan 4
Gadwall 3
American Black Duck 1
Mallard 20
Blue-winged Teal 2
Northern Shoveler 5
Ruddy Duck 5
Pied-billed Grebe 2
Double-crested Cormorant 7
Great Blue Heron 1
Great Egret 2
Snowy Egret 4
Sharp-shinned Hawk 3
Cooper's Hawk 1
Peregrine Falcon 2
Greater Yellowlegs 1 heard
Lesser Yellowlegs 20
Sanderling 10
Pectoral Sandpiper 1
Short-billed Dowitcher 1
Long-billed Dowitcher 1
Laughing Gull 15
Ring-billed Gull 5
Herring Gull 5
Lesser Black-backed Gull 2
Great Black-backed Gull 20
Mourning Dove 3
Northern Flicker 1
American Crow 3
Tree Swallow 50
Northern Mockingbird 1
European Starling 10
Yellow-rumped Warbler 30
Swamp Sparrow 3
Red-winged Blackbird 5

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

Higbee's Beach WMA - Friday, October 14th 2011

A rather quiet Higbee's Beach on light SW winds, but some nice views of sparrows and lots of flicker-hawk activity!
30 species

Sharp-shinned Hawk 5
American Kestrel 1
Merlin 3
Peregrine Falcon 1
Great Black-backed Gull 4
Mourning Dove 3
Red-bellied Woodpecker 2
Yellow-bellied Sapsucker 2
Downy Woodpecker 1
Northern Flicker 25
Eastern Phoebe 4
Blue Jay 6
American Crow 25
Tree Swallow 15
Carolina Chickadee 2
Carolina Wren 4
House Wren 1
Golden-crowned Kinglet 6
Ruby-crowned Kinglet 2
American Robin 15
Gray Catbird 6
Brown Thrasher 10
Yellow-rumped Warbler 20
Eastern Towhee 2
Field Sparrow 3
Savannah Sparrow 1
Swamp Sparrow 4
White-throated Sparrow 12
Northern Cardinal 5
Red-winged Blackbird 2

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

Bird Walk for All People - Thursday, October 13th 2011

The Walk for All People managed to see a good assortment of birds in the mist and fog this morning including a Peregrine Falcon and a Cattle Egret.
53 species

Canada Goose  35
Mute Swan  12
Wood Duck  2
American Wigeon  24
Mallard  30
Blue-winged Teal  12
Northern Shoveler  10
Northern Pintail  3
Common Loon  1
Pied-billed Grebe  9
Double-crested Cormorant  133
Great Blue Heron  1
Great Egret  3
Cattle Egret  1
Osprey  3
Sharp-shinned Hawk  4
Cooper's Hawk  2
Red-tailed Hawk  1
American Kestrel  2
Merlin  3
Peregrine Falcon  2
Laughing Gull  20
Herring Gull  15
Great Black-backed Gull  60
Forster's Tern  6
Royal Tern  7
Rock Pigeon  12
Mourning Dove  2
Red-bellied Woodpecker  2
Yellow-bellied Sapsucker  1
Northern Flicker  6
Eastern Phoebe  2
Blue Jay  3     Heard
American Crow  6
Fish Crow  2
Tree Swallow  40
Carolina Chickadee  6
Brown Creeper  1
Carolina Wren  9
Golden-crowned Kinglet  12     Heard
Ruby-crowned Kinglet  8
Gray Catbird  14
Northern Mockingbird  4
Brown Thrasher  6
European Starling  16
Common Yellowthroat  3
Palm Warbler  2
Yellow-rumped Warbler  50
Eastern Towhee  1     Heard
White-throated Sparrow  7
Northern Cardinal  2
Red-winged Blackbird  6
American Goldfinch  8

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

Hidden Valley - Thursday, October 13th 2011

Hidden Valley held a few hidden treats for us today, despite foggy weather. Busy Yellow-rumped Warblers worked through the hedges and a variety of sparrows played hide and seek along the grassy edges. Merlins put on a good show.
34 species

Mallard 1
Double-crested Cormorant 120
Bald Eagle 1
Sharp-shinned Hawk 2
Cooper's Hawk 1
Merlin 3
Herring Gull (American) 1
Mourning Dove 4
Red-bellied Woodpecker 3
Yellow-bellied Sapsucker 1
Northern Flicker 18
Eastern Phoebe 1
Blue Jay 4
American Crow 25
Carolina Chickadee 1
Carolina Wren 5
Golden-crowned Kinglet 3
Ruby-crowned Kinglet 2
American Robin 1
Gray Catbird 8
Northern Mockingbird 2
Brown Thrasher 5
European Starling 20
Black-and-white Warbler 1
Common Yellowthroat 8
Palm Warbler 6
Yellow-rumped Warbler 20
Field Sparrow 1
Savannah Sparrow 1
Swamp Sparrow 10
White-throated Sparrow 15
Northern Cardinal 5
Red-winged Blackbird 1
Eastern Meadowlark 2

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

Twilight Watch at The Meadows - Wednesday, October 12th 2011

Highlight's include great looks at a Cackling Goose among the Canada Geese and a perched Northern Goshawk.
47 species

Cackling Goose  1     a single Cackling goose flew in with a large group of Canada geese
Canada Goose  32
Mute Swan  4
Gadwall  6
American Black Duck  2
Mallard  16
Blue-winged Teal  14
Northern Shoveler  8
Northern Pintail  2
Green-winged Teal  8
Black Scoter  12
Pied-billed Grebe  4
Double-crested Cormorant  20
Great Egret  6
Snowy Egret  4
Cattle Egret  1
Northern Harrier  1
Sharp-shinned Hawk  5
Cooper's Hawk  2
Northern Goshawk  1
American Kestrel  1
Merlin  1
Peregrine Falcon  1
Greater Yellowlegs  5
Lesser Yellowlegs  12
Sanderling  12
Pectoral Sandpiper  2
Short-billed Dowitcher  1
Laughing Gull  6
Ring-billed Gull  8
Herring Gull  14
Lesser Black-backed Gull  1
Great Black-backed Gull  20
Common Tern  4
Forster's Tern  12
Royal Tern  6
Mourning Dove  4
American Crow  8
Tree Swallow  20
Gray Catbird  1
Northern Mockingbird  1
Palm Warbler  1
Yellow-rumped Warbler  8
Savannah Sparrow  2
Song Sparrow  2
Swamp Sparrow  6
Eastern Meadowlark  2

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

Sunset Birding at Stone Harbor Point - Tuesday, October 11th 2011

We started our "walk" by driving to nearby Nummy's Island to try and beat a fast rising tide.  We were partially successful and found lots of American Oystercatchers and a pair of American Avocets among the other shorebirds before the flats got covered by the tide.  This is only the second time in 20 years I've had avocets on a walk here. We went back to the parking lot and walked the dune path to the beach.  Highlights here were three Piping Plovers hiding from the wind, three Parasitic Jaegers chasing gulls offshore, nine fly-by Brown Pelicans, and great comparative looks at Caspian and Royal Terns as they fished for mullet close to us in the shallows.
49 species

Brant  120
American Black Duck  6
Mallard  12
Black Scoter  32
Double-crested Cormorant  400
Brown Pelican  9
Great Blue Heron  2
Great Egret  6
Snowy Egret  9
Little Blue Heron  1
Turkey Vulture  1
Osprey  3
Peregrine Falcon  1
Black-bellied Plover  27
Semipalmated Plover  1
Piping Plover  3
American Oystercatcher  160
American Avocet  2 at base of toll bridge on bay side
Greater Yellowlegs  1
Ruddy Turnstone  3
Red Knot  45
Sanderling  190
Dunlin  75
Short-billed Dowitcher  8
Laughing Gull  16
Ring-billed Gull  5
Herring Gull  X
Great Black-backed Gull  X
Caspian Tern  18
Common Tern  1
Royal Tern  8
Black Skimmer  1
Parasitic Jaeger  3
Mourning Dove  7
Eastern Phoebe  1
Brown Creeper  1
Golden-crowned Kinglet  2
Gray Catbird  1
Northern Mockingbird  2
Common Yellowthroat  2
Palm Warbler  3
Yellow-rumped Warbler  9
Savannah Sparrow  16
Song Sparrow  2
White-throated Sparrow  3
Red-winged Blackbird  30
Boat-tailed Grackle  2
House Finch  6
House Sparrow  X

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

E-Z Birding, Tuesday, October 11th 2011

EZ Birding at Two Mile Beach enjoyed watching a close encounter between a Northern Harrier and a Merlin.  Ospreys abounded as did Yellow-rumped Warblers.
54 species

Brant  14
American Black Duck  20
Mallard  6
Pied-billed Grebe  1
Double-crested Cormorant  175
Great Blue Heron  1
Great Egret  12
Snowy Egret  7
Turkey Vulture  5
Osprey  15
Bald Eagle  2
Northern Harrier  1
Sharp-shinned Hawk  2
Cooper's Hawk  3
Merlin  2
Peregrine Falcon  1
Black-bellied Plover  14
Semipalmated Plover  1
Killdeer  6
Spotted Sandpiper  3   
Greater Yellowlegs  6
Sanderling  4
Semipalmated Sandpiper  1
Least Sandpiper  2
Dunlin  14
Laughing Gull  20
Ring-billed Gull  5
Herring Gull  8
Great Black-backed Gull  30
Common Tern  4
Forster's Tern  10
Royal Tern  2
Rock Pigeon  9
Belted Kingfisher  1
Northern Flicker  3
Eastern Phoebe  9
American Crow  5
Fish Crow  2
Tree Swallow  40
Carolina Wren  2     heard
Golden-crowned Kinglet  3     heard
American Robin  2
Gray Catbird  3
Northern Mockingbird  2
Brown Thrasher  6
European Starling  35
Cedar Waxwing  16
Yellow-rumped Warbler  25
Song Sparrow  2
White-throated Sparrow  1
Dark-eyed Junco  1
Northern Cardinal  2
Red-winged Blackbird  9
Boat-tailed Grackle  1

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

Backbay Birding By Boat - Monday, October 10th 2011

"The female Brown Booby is still hanging in there and a Great Cormorant gave us great views as it swam alongside us in Deep Creek."
31 species

Brant  8
American Black Duck  9
Brown Booby  1
Double-crested Cormorant  243
Great Cormorant  1
Great Blue Heron  18
Great Egret  23
Snowy Egret  5
Black-crowned Night-Heron  10
Osprey  7
Red-tailed Hawk  2
Peregrine Falcon  4
Black-bellied Plover  39
American Oystercatcher  17
Spotted Sandpiper  2
Greater Yellowlegs  8
Ruddy Turnstone  45
Dunlin  18
Short-billed Dowitcher  2
Laughing Gull  20
Herring Gull  16
Great Black-backed Gull  17
Caspian Tern  2
Forster's Tern  16
Royal Tern  6
Belted Kingfisher  3
Northern Flicker  1
Fish Crow  15
Tree Swallow  600
Red-winged Blackbird  18
Boat-tailed Grackle  8

South Cape May Meadows - Monday October 10th 2011

Numbers of ducks were down, but gulls and terns were abundant. Royal Terns on the beach approached 100 and two adult Lesser Black-backed Gulls were found amongst all the others. One Parasitic Jaeger
was close enough to see well with binoculars. A Merlin sitting on the beach, and two Peregrines overhead were a treat.
53 species

Canada Goose 30
Mute Swan 5
Wood Duck 2
Gadwall 8
Mallard 20
Blue-winged Teal 10
Northern Shoveler 4
Northern Pintail 4
Green-winged Teal 10
Ruddy Duck 5
Double-crested Cormorant 5
Northern Harrier 4
Sharp-shinned Hawk 10
Cooper's Hawk 2
American Kestrel 4
Merlin 1
Peregrine Falcon 2
Lesser Yellowlegs 7
Sanderling 1
Laughing Gull 100
Ring-billed Gull 10
Herring Gull 25
Lesser Black-backed Gull 2
Great Black-backed Gull 40
Common Tern 3
Forster's Tern 20
Royal Tern 100
Black Skimmer 4
Parasitic Jaeger 1
Rock Pigeon 2
Mourning Dove 15
Northern Flicker 10
Eastern Phoebe 1
American Crow 3
Tree Swallow 500
Carolina Wren 1
Golden-crowned Kinglet 1
American Robin 15
Northern Mockingbird 1
European Starling 25
Cedar Waxwing 10
Common Yellowthroat 1
Palm Warbler 4
Yellow-rumped Warbler 75
Song Sparrow 1
Swamp Sparrow 3
Northern Cardinal 1
Bobolink 2
Red-winged Blackbird 15
Eastern Meadowlark 4
Rusty Blackbird 4
Brown-headed Cowbird 15
House Finch 1

This report was generated automatically by eBird v3 (

Lesser Black-backed Gull with American Herring and Laughing Gulls on South Cape May Beach.

Royal Terns at South Cape May Beach today.
http://ebird.org)

Cox Hall Creek (Villas) WMA - Sunday, October 9th 2011

This morning's CMBO Cox Hall Creek WMA started off with a quietly-munching-dogwood-berries female Scarlet Tanager; she was still there two hours later at the end of the walk! Two adult Bald Eagles cuddled on a distant treetop, long enough for participants to observe the size difference between the male and larger female.  There were many warblers but all either Palms or Yellow-rumpeds. A juvenile (gray-headed) Red-headed Woodpecker was found again this week and a perched Cooper's Hawk let the group approach to within 10 feet before flying off.
48 species
Mute Swan  3
American Black Duck  2
Mallard  4
Pied-billed Grebe  1
Double-crested Cormorant  9
Turkey Vulture  2
Bald Eagle  3
Northern Harrier  1    adult male
Sharp-shinned Hawk  6
Cooper's Hawk  2
Merlin  1
American Coot  1
Laughing Gull  4
Herring Gull  6
Mourning Dove  8
Belted Kingfisher  1    heard
Red-headed Woodpecker  1    juvenal
Red-bellied Woodpecker  8
Downy Woodpecker  5
Northern Flicker (Yellow-shafted)  15
Eastern Phoebe  6
Blue Jay  16
American Crow  11
Fish Crow  1    heard
Tree Swallow  14
Carolina Chickadee  5
Tufted Titmouse  15
White-breasted Nuthatch  2
Brown Creeper  1
Carolina Wren  6
House Wren  2
Golden-crowned Kinglet  5    heard
Eastern Bluebird  15
American Robin  9
Gray Catbird  3
Northern Mockingbird  1
European Starling  5
Palm Warbler (Western)  10
Palm Warbler (Yellow)  4
Pine Warbler  1
Yellow-rumped Warbler (Myrtle)  45
Eastern Towhee  2
Chipping Sparrow  9
White-throated Sparrow  2
Scarlet Tanager  2
Northern Cardinal  5
Red-winged Blackbird  5
House Finch  5

Sunset Birding at South Cape May Meadows - Friday, October 7th 2011

Lots of gulls on the beach with a few Royal Terns and two American Oystercatchers. Merlins (8) were numerous. Only shorebirds were three Lesser Yellowlegs and one Dunlin aside from the Sanderlings on the beach.
43 species

Canada Goose 30
Mute Swan 5
Gadwall 2
American Black Duck 1
Mallard 15
Blue-winged Teal 10
Northern Shoveler 1
Northern Pintail 4
Green-winged Teal 10
Ruddy Duck 2
Pied-billed Grebe 4
Double-crested Cormorant 3
Great Blue Heron 5
Great Egret 3
Turkey Vulture 1
Osprey 1
Northern Harrier 1
Sharp-shinned Hawk 5
Cooper's Hawk 2
Merlin 8
American Oystercatcher 2
Lesser Yellowlegs 3
Sanderling 25
Dunlin 1
Laughing Gull 100
Ring-billed Gull 10
Herring Gull 10
Great Black-backed Gull 50
Common Tern 8
Forster's Tern 50
Royal Tern 3
Mourning Dove 5
American Crow 5
Tree Swallow 500
Carolina Wren 1
Gray Catbird 1
European Starling 10
Common Yellowthroat 2
Yellow-rumped Warbler 15
Savannah Sparrow 1
Song Sparrow 1
Northern Cardinal 2
Red-winged Blackbird 5

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

Fall Birds at The Rea Farm Group 2 - Saturday, October 8th 2011

Still numerous Northern Flickers and many Blue Jays, as well as Palm and Yellow-rumped Warblers. Savannah Sparrows in the fields but hard to see.
37 species

Canada Goose 15
Mallard 3
Double-crested Cormorant 4
Black-crowned Night-Heron 1
Osprey 2
Sharp-shinned Hawk 8
Cooper's Hawk 1
Red-tailed Hawk 2
Laughing Gull 1
Herring Gull 3
Mourning Dove 8
Red-bellied Woodpecker 1
Downy Woodpecker 4
Northern Flicker 25
Eastern Phoebe 2
Red-eyed Vireo 3
Blue Jay 10
American Crow 15
Tree Swallow 50
Carolina Chickadee 1
Tufted Titmouse 2
Carolina Wren 4
American Robin 10
Gray Catbird 3
Northern Mockingbird 1
Brown Thrasher 6
European Starling 30
Common Yellowthroat 2
Northern Parula 2
Palm Warbler 15
Yellow-rumped Warbler 12
Field Sparrow 1
Savannah Sparrow 5
Song Sparrow 1
Swamp Sparrow 1
Northern Cardinal 4
Red-winged Blackbird 10

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

Fall Birds at The Rea Farm Group 1 - Saturday, October 8th 2011

Recent arrivals at the Beanery this cool, clear morning included White-throated and Swamp Sparrow, Golden-crowned Kinglet, and many Yellow-rumped Warblers. A close fly-over Eastern Meadowlark gave a good view of its white outer tailfeathers and an adult Black-crowned Night Heron perched at water's edge for scope views.
46 species
 
Canada Goose  11
Mute Swan  3
Mallard  5
Double-crested Cormorant  2
Black-crowned Night-Heron  1
Black Vulture  1
Turkey Vulture  2
Osprey  2
Sharp-shinned Hawk  5
Red-tailed Hawk  1
Merlin  2
Herring Gull  3
Rock Pigeon  3
Mourning Dove  12
Red-bellied Woodpecker  4
Downy Woodpecker  3
Northern Flicker (Yellow-shafted)  12
Eastern Phoebe  3
Blue Jay  9
American Crow  8
Tree Swallow  5
Carolina Chickadee  3
Tufted Titmouse  4
Carolina Wren  6
Golden-crowned Kinglet  2
Eastern Bluebird  2    heard
American Robin  8
Gray Catbird  4
Northern Mockingbird  2
Brown Thrasher  3
European Starling  40
Cedar Waxwing  1
Common Yellowthroat  1
American Redstart  1
Palm Warbler (Western)  5
Yellow-rumped Warbler (Myrtle)  38
Savannah Sparrow  3
Song Sparrow  1
Swamp Sparrow  1
White-throated Sparrow  2
Northern Cardinal  6
Indigo Bunting  1
Red-winged Blackbird  2
Eastern Meadowlark  1
Common Grackle  2
American Goldfinch  2

Hawks, Trails and Beach - Saturday, October 8th 2011

The Hawks, Trails and Beach Walk had good scope looks at a perched Red-tailed Hawk, a Cooper's Hawk, and a flying Bald Eagle.  Northern Parulas and Yellow-rumped Warblers were numerous and we also watched Brown Creepers creeping up the trees.  The Ring-necked Duck on Bunker Pond was a great finish.
47 species

Canada Goose  35
Mute Swan  20
Gadwall  4
American Wigeon  24
Mallard  24
Blue-winged Teal  3
Northern Shoveler  10
Ring-necked Duck  1
Pied-billed Grebe  4
Double-crested Cormorant  3
Great Egret  1
Turkey Vulture  3
Osprey  3
Bald Eagle  1
Sharp-shinned Hawk  4
Cooper's Hawk  2
Red-tailed Hawk  1
American Kestrel  2
American Coot  1
Laughing Gull  30
Ring-billed Gull  10
Herring Gull  20
Great Black-backed Gull  60
Common Tern  2
Forster's Tern  50
Royal Tern  3
Rock Pigeon  8
Mourning Dove  4
Northern Flicker  2
Blue Jay  2
American Crow  12
Tree Swallow  40
Carolina Chickadee  8
Brown Creeper  3
Carolina Wren  6     heard
Blue-gray Gnatcatcher  3     On Red Trail at Cape May Point State Park in cedar
and black gum trees.
Golden-crowned Kinglet  2     heard
Ruby-crowned Kinglet  1
Gray Catbird  5
Northern Mockingbird  3
Brown Thrasher  3     heard
Northern Parula  8
Magnolia Warbler  1
Palm Warbler  5
Yellow-rumped Warbler  50
Northern Cardinal  2     heard
American Goldfinch  6     heard

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

Higbee's Beach WMA - Friday, October 7th 2011

A nice Higbee morning - not too mad, but plenty to look at! A late Yellow-billed Cuckoo, fly-over Wood Ducks and Common Loons, two Blue-headed Vireos and three Nashville Warblers were walk highlights.
51 species

Canada Goose 15
Wood Duck 2
Common Loon 3
Double-crested Cormorant 10
Great Blue Heron 1
Osprey 3
Bald Eagle 1
Northern Harrier 1
Sharp-shinned Hawk 8
Cooper's Hawk 4
American Kestrel 1
Killdeer 1
American Herring Gull 2
Great Black-backed Gull 3
Mourning Dove 2
Yellow-billed Cuckoo 1
Red-bellied Woodpecker 2
Yellow-bellied Sapsucker 2
Downy Woodpecker 3
Northern Flicker 35
Eastern Phoebe 10
Blue-headed Vireo 2
Red-eyed Vireo 15
Blue Jay 6
American Crow 2
Carolina Chickadee 4
Tufted Titmouse 6
Carolina Wren 2
Golden-crowned Kinglet 45
Ruby-crowned Kinglet 20
American Robin 15
Gray Catbird 8
Brown Thrasher 5
Cedar Waxwing 20
Nashville Warbler 3
Common Yellowthroat 12
American Redstart 2
Northern Parula 10
Blackpoll Warbler 10
Palm Warbler 6
Yellow-rumped Warbler 20
Black-throated Green Warbler 1
Eastern Towhee 2
Field Sparrow 1
Song Sparrow 6
Swamp Sparrow 10
White-throated Sparrow 15
Northern Cardinal 6
Bobolink 5
Red-winged Blackbird 20
House Finch 2

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

Bird Walk for All People - Thursday, October 6th 2011

The Bird Walk for All People enjoyed raptors overhead and passerines in the trees!  Highlights among the raptors include lots of Sharp-shinned Hawks, several Broad-winged Hawks, and a few Bald Eagles.  Small birds included both Golden- and Ruby-crowned Kinglets, Yellow-rumped Warblers and a Cape May Warbler.
61 species

Canada Goose  30
Mute Swan  15
Gadwall  2
American Wigeon  18
Mallard  12
Blue-winged Teal  6
Northern Shoveler  4
Pied-billed Grebe  6
Double-crested Cormorant  24
Great Blue Heron  1
Turkey Vulture  20
Osprey  10
Bald Eagle  4
Northern Harrier  5
Sharp-shinned Hawk  35
Cooper's Hawk  10
Red-shouldered Hawk  1
Broad-winged Hawk  8
Red-tailed Hawk  1
Laughing Gull  15
Herring Gull  4
Great Black-backed Gull  18
Common Tern  2
Forster's Tern  4
Royal Tern  6
Rock Pigeon  14
Belted Kingfisher  1
Red-headed Woodpecker  1
Red-bellied Woodpecker  2
Downy Woodpecker  1
Northern Flicker  6
Eastern Phoebe  12
Red-eyed Vireo  6
Blue Jay  3
American Crow  4
Fish Crow  2
Tree Swallow  75
Carolina Chickadee  3
White-breasted Nuthatch  2
Brown Creeper  1
Carolina Wren  14
House Wren  2
Golden-crowned Kinglet  5
Ruby-crowned Kinglet  8
Gray Catbird  10
Northern Mockingbird  4
Brown Thrasher  3
American Redstart  1
Cape May Warbler  1
Northern Parula  4
Magnolia Warbler  1
Palm Warbler  10
Yellow-rumped Warbler  25
Song Sparrow  1
White-throated Sparrow  2
White-crowned Sparrow  1
Dark-eyed Junco  1
Northern Cardinal  4
Red-winged Blackbird  7
Common Grackle  8
American Goldfinch  6

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

Hidden Valley - Thursday, October 6th 2011

A refreshing change from last week's walk - we had birds! An influx of sparrows and flickers and a nice range of warblers along the hedgelines ensured there was plenty to look at today.
52 species

Canada Goose 25
Common Loon 1
Double-crested Cormorant 15
Osprey 2
Bald Eagle 1
Northern Harrier 1
Sharp-shinned Hawk 4
Cooper's Hawk 5
Broad-winged Hawk 45
American Kestrel 1
Herring Gull (American) 1
Mourning Dove 6
Red-bellied Woodpecker 3
Yellow-bellied Sapsucker 1
Downy Woodpecker 1
Northern Flicker 35
Eastern Phoebe 6
Red-eyed Vireo 2
Blue Jay 8
American Crow 35
Tree Swallow 20
Carolina Wren 2
Golden-crowned Kinglet 4
Ruby-crowned Kinglet 8
American Robin 10
Gray Catbird 10
Northern Mockingbird 2
Brown Thrasher 1
European Starling 5
Cedar Waxwing 6
Black-and-white Warbler 1
Common Yellowthroat 15
Northern Parula 3
Magnolia Warbler 3
Blackpoll Warbler 1
Black-throated Blue Warbler 1
Palm Warbler 30
Yellow-rumped Warbler 15
Prairie Warbler 1
Black-throated Green Warbler 1
Eastern Towhee 4
Chipping Sparrow 2
Field Sparrow 1
Song Sparrow 12
Swamp Sparrow 3
White-throated Sparrow 35
Northern Cardinal 8
Indigo Bunting 2
Red-winged Blackbird 45
Eastern Meadowlark 10
Baltimore Oriole 1
House Finch 2

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

Sunset Birding at Stone Harbor Point - Tuesday, October 4th 2011

We had a great Monarch migration going on, so we started the walk by checking out a few roosts that were loaded with hundreds of butterflies.  Since last week the Seaside Goldenrod has come into full bloom and Monarchs were nectaring on it everywhere.  Out on the beach we found seven incredibly well-camouflaged Piping Plovers roosting out of the wind and lots of shorebirds by the water and on the jetty.  We then went to Nummy's Island for the sunset and found large numbers of herons taking off from the marsh and migrating out over the water and South.  Included in the flocks were four Yellow-crowned Night Herons, an American Bittern, five Tricolored Herons and lots of other species.  Our "weekly rarity" this time was a juvenile American Golden Plover that flew across the road with a couple of Black-bellied Plovers and settled into the marsh.
55 species

Brant  80
American Black Duck  14
Black Scoter  12
Double-crested Cormorant  400
American Bittern  1
Great Blue Heron  13
Great Egret  30
Snowy Egret  80
Little Blue Heron  6
Tricolored Heron  5
Black-crowned Night-Heron  50
Yellow-crowned Night-Heron  4
Turkey Vulture  2
Osprey  8
Northern Harrier  1
Cooper's Hawk  1
Merlin  1
Clapper Rail  4
Black-bellied Plover  8
American Golden-Plover  1 a juv. was on Nummy Island  flew across road calling with 2 BB Plovers
Piping Plover  7
American Oystercatcher  62
Greater Yellowlegs  3
Ruddy Turnstone  8
Sanderling  200
Western Sandpiper  9
Least Sandpiper  1
Dunlin  18
Short-billed Dowitcher  4
Laughing Gull  X
Ring-billed Gull  X
Herring Gull  X
Great Black-backed Gull  X
Caspian Tern  16
Forster's Tern  2
Royal Tern  4
Mourning Dove  6
Northern Flicker  4
Red-eyed Vireo  2
Fish Crow  40
Tree Swallow  800
Carolina Wren  1
American Robin  25
Gray Catbird  2
Northern Mockingbird  2
Common Yellowthroat  2
Palm Warbler  3
Yellow-rumped Warbler  1
Savannah Sparrow  3
Song Sparrow  4
Swamp Sparrow  1
Northern Cardinal  2
Red-winged Blackbird  X
Boat-tailed Grackle  60
House Sparrow  4

This report was generated automatically by eBird v2 (http://ebird.org/)


Least Sandpiper (upper) and Western Sandpiper (lower) at Stone Harbor Point today [photos by Mike Fritz]