Nightfall at Jake's Landing - Sunday, February 24th, 2013

A blustery cold afternoon on the marsh produced a few raptors, including Northern Harriers, a Cooper's Hawk, a Red-tailed Hawk and an immature Bald Eagle. Leaders: Janet Crawford, BJ Pinnock, and Chris Marks.
11 species

Gadwall  4
American Wigeon  8
American Black Duck  20
Turkey Vulture  2
Northern Harrier  7
Cooper's Hawk  1
Bald Eagle  1
Red-tailed Hawk  1
Herring Gull  4
Carolina Chickadee  2
Red-winged Blackbird  10

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

Sunday Morning at Turkey Point - Sunday, February 24th, 2013

A beautiful morning with displaying Red-winged Blackbirds, 12 Bald Eagles, including one on a nest, a pair of mating Red-tailed Hawks, a Red-shouldered Hawk, a Horned Grebe, and a nice selection of ducks, including Common Mergansers, Bufflehead, and American Wigeon. Leaders: Janet Crawford, Dave Lord, and Chris Marks.
25 species

Snow Goose  100
Mute Swan  14
Gadwall  1
American Wigeon  10
American Black Duck  20
Northern Pintail  10
Bufflehead  30
Common Merganser  50
Horned Grebe  1
Great Blue Heron  8
Black Vulture  1
Turkey Vulture  4
Northern Harrier  8
Bald Eagle  12     4 adult, one on nest, 8 immature
Red-shouldered Hawk  1
Red-tailed Hawk  2
Herring Gull  10
Belted Kingfisher  1
Downy Woodpecker  1
Northern Flicker  1
American Crow  2
Carolina Wren  1
Song Sparrow  8
Swamp Sparrow  1
Red-winged Blackbird  20

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

Birding Cape May Point - Saturday, February 23rd, 2013

A cold, wet, misty morning but with a nice variety of ducks and a few raptors. Leaders: Karl Lukens, Kathy & Roger Horn, Warren Cairo, Steve Weis, and Claudia Burns.
39 species

Canada Goose  12
Mute Swan  10
Tundra Swan  1
Gadwall  45
American Wigeon  6
American Black Duck  4
Mallard  35
Northern Shoveler  16
Northern Pintail  6
Green-winged Teal  1
Lesser Scaup  10
Bufflehead  12
Hooded Merganser  20
Ruddy Duck  1
Pied-billed Grebe  3
Double-crested Cormorant  1
Great Blue Heron  4
Northern Harrier  1
Cooper's Hawk  1
Bald Eagle  1
Red-tailed Hawk  1
Killdeer  3
Ring-billed Gull  3
Herring Gull  5
Mourning Dove  3
Northern Flicker  6
American Crow  3
Carolina Chickadee  1
Carolina Wren  6
Gray Catbird  2
Northern Mockingbird  2
European Starling  20
Yellow-rumped Warbler  8
Field Sparrow  4
Song Sparrow  1
White-throated Sparrow  3
Northern Cardinal  4
Red-winged Blackbird  6
American Goldfinch  1

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

Winter Evenings at the Meadows - Friday, February 22nd, 2013

Dull, cloudy evening threatening rain. A good variety of ducks, and a Tundra Swan with the Mute Swans on the Plover Pond. Nice looks at an adult Red-shouldered Hawk fly-by that landed on the viewing platform, while 2 Red-tails were perched in a cedar. Also a little flurry of Field Sparrows on the dune cross-over. Leaders: Karl Lukens, Chuck & MJ Slugg, and Warren Cairo.
27 species

Brant  6
Canada Goose  30     some late fly-ins
Mute Swan  5
Tundra Swan  1
Gadwall  35
American Wigeon  5
Mallard  30
Northern Shoveler  8
Lesser Scaup  6
Hooded Merganser  10
Double-crested Cormorant  1
Great Blue Heron  1
Cooper's Hawk  1
Red-shouldered Hawk  1
Red-tailed Hawk  1
Sanderling  3
Ring-billed Gull  1
Herring Gull  8
Great Black-backed Gull  2
Northern Flicker  2
Peregrine Falcon  1     before walk
Northern Mockingbird  1
European Starling  2
Cedar Waxwing  8
Field Sparrow  10
Song Sparrow  4
Red-winged Blackbird  15

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

Bird Walk For Beginners (and anyone else in town!) - Monday, February 18th, 2013

The Presidents' Day Bird Walk for Beginners had a nice variety of birds for a cold and windy day. As we walked the boardwalk toward Lighthouse Pond, we came to a sheltered, sunny spot where we saw Carolina Wrens, Yellow-rumped Warblers, Hermit Thrush, Carolina Chickadees, American Robins, White-throated Sparrows, Cedar Waxwings, Cardinals, and Field Sparrows. Other highlights include Killdeer, both Turkey and Black Vultures, Red-tailed Hawks, and a Bald Eagle. There wasn't much open water on any of the ponds but we did see one Tundra Swan among Mute Swans and Canada Geese. Leaders: Chuck & Mary Jane Slugg, Karl Lukens, and Catherine Busch.
34 species (+1 other taxa)

Canada Goose  22
Mute Swan  18
Tundra Swan  1
Mallard  4
Northern Shoveler  14
Red-breasted Merganser  8
Great Blue Heron  2
Black Vulture  4
Turkey Vulture  6
Bald Eagle  1
Red-tailed Hawk  2
Killdeer  6
Ring-billed Gull  3
Herring Gull  6
Great Black-backed Gull  3
Downy Woodpecker  2
Northern Flicker  4
American Crow  8
Carolina Chickadee  6
Tufted Titmouse  2     heard
Carolina Wren  4
Eastern Bluebird  1     heard
Hermit Thrush  2
American Robin  15
Northern Mockingbird  2
European Starling  25
Cedar Waxwing  4
Yellow-rumped Warbler  6
Field Sparrow  1
Song Sparrow  6
White-throated Sparrow  2
Dark-eyed Junco  6
sparrow sp.  3
Northern Cardinal  3
Red-winged Blackbird  5

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

Sunday Morning at Turkey Point - Sunday, February 17th, 2013

A very blustery day did not deter the Bald Eagles, and we saw 10 including the three pairs that nest in the area. On the way to breakfast at Newport we pulled over to watch as a pair of Red-tailed Hawks dove on an immature Bald Eagle. There were lots of ducks at the end of the Eagle Trail, and at Maple Avenue, including Gadwall, American Wigeon, Black Ducks, Green-winged Teal, Common and Hooded Mergansers and Bufflehead. Leaders:  Karen Johnson, Janet Crawford, and Chris Marks.
35 species

Glades Wildlife Refuge--Turkey Point, Cumberland County:

Canada Goose  9
Mute Swan  20
Gadwall  5
American Wigeon  6
American Black Duck  6
Mallard  2
Northern Pintail  20
Green-winged Teal  208
Bufflehead  50
Hooded Merganser  13
Common Merganser  4
Great Blue Heron  7
Turkey Vulture  2
Northern Harrier  2
Bald Eagle  12
Red-tailed Hawk  1
Greater Yellowlegs  12
Dunlin  40
American Woodcock  2
Ring-billed Gull  40
Herring Gull  2
Great Black-backed Gull  1
Downy Woodpecker  1
Northern Flicker  2
Blue Jay  1
Carolina Chickadee  3
Carolina Wren  1
Yellow-rumped Warbler  2
White-throated Sparrow  3
Dark-eyed Junco  40
Northern Cardinal  2
Red-winged Blackbird  20
American Goldfinch  6

Blue Hole, Cumberland County:

Common Merganser  110
Wild Turkey  20
Northern Mockingbird  1
Dark-eyed Junco  30

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

Longtails in Love - Saturday, February 16th, 2013

Our annual barrier islands trip to view wintering ducks was a great success despite less-than-optimal weather. And even the afternoon "wintry mix" did not deter the ducks from putting on a fine display for our group. We started at the Avalon 8th Street jetty and worked our way through Stone Harbor, Nummy Island, Wildwood Crest, Cape May Harbor, and ended our day at Cape May Point State Park. Highlights included Long-tailed Duck, Horned Grebe, and Great Cormorant. Leaders: Chuck and Mary Jane Slugg, Patty Rourke, Catherine Busch, and Janet Crawford.
48 species

Brant  54
Canada Goose  16
Mute Swan  4
Gadwall  33
American Wigeon  10
American Black Duck  32
Mallard  5
Northern Shoveler  12
Northern Pintail  32
Lesser Scaup  12
Surf Scoter  6
Black Scoter  12
Long-tailed Duck  24
Bufflehead  25
Hooded Merganser  9
Red-breasted Merganser  11
Ruddy Duck  21
Red-throated Loon  5
Common Loon  16
Pied-billed Grebe  2
Horned Grebe  4
Double-crested Cormorant  1
Great Cormorant  1   On channel maker at Nummy Island
Great Blue Heron  3
Bald Eagle  2
Red-tailed Hawk  1
Black-bellied Plover  1
Semipalmated Plover  2
American Oystercatcher  10
Ruddy Turnstone  9
Sanderling  14
Purple Sandpiper  6
Dunlin  412
Ring-billed Gull  3
Herring Gull  76
Great Black-back Gull  9
Rock Pigeon  2
Mourning Dove  1
Downy Woodpecker  1
Peregrine Falcon  1
Carolina Wren  1
American Robin  4
Northern Mockingbird  1
European Starling  4
Red-winged Blackbird  1
Common Grackle  2
Boat-tailed Grackle  6
House Finch  2

Photo Walks with Mike Hannisian - Saturday, February 16th, 2013

Despite his/her best efforts, the weather forecasters were unable to deter this week's Saturday Photo Walk at Cape May Point SP. Although the forecast was for rain turning to snow and the morning began with a solid overcast, as 8:00 a.m. approached the sun broke through the clouds. This allowed for some nice images of species such as Northern Mockingbird, Lesser Scaup, and Bufflehead. Regardless, by next weekend, Winter will be 2/3 over, and the inevitability of Spring will be all the closer. Leaders: Mike Hannisian and Nancy Watson.

Northern Mockingbird [Photo by Mike Hannisian]

Lesser Scaup [Photo by Mike Hannisian]

Bufflehead [Photo by Mike Hannisian]

Birding Cape May Point - Saturday, February 16th, 2013

Cloudy, chilly and threatening to snow/rain. No large numbers of ducks but still a variety of species including Northern Pintail, Hooded Merganser, 1 Tundra Swan, and Lesser Scaup. Otherwise the usual winter suspects and a couple of flyover Killdeer. Leaders: Karl Lukens, Kathy & Roger Horn, Warren Cairo, and Steve Weis.
33 species (+1 other taxa)

Canada Goose  10
Mute Swan  10
Tundra Swan  1
Gadwall  35
American Wigeon  2
Mallard  10
Northern Shoveler  3
Northern Pintail  8
Green-winged Teal  5
Lesser Scaup  8
scoter sp.  50
Hooded Merganser  12
Ruddy Duck  1
Double-crested Cormorant  1
Great Blue Heron  2
Turkey Vulture  1
Red-tailed Hawk  1
Killdeer  2
Herring Gull  1
Mourning Dove  5
Northern Flicker  4
Blue Jay  2     heard
American Crow  2
Carolina Chickadee  1
Winter Wren  1
Carolina Wren  8
American Robin  100
Northern Mockingbird  2
European Starling  10
Song Sparrow  1
White-throated Sparrow  3     heard
Northern Cardinal  8
Red-winged Blackbird  6
Common Grackle  1

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

Photo Walks with Mike Hannisian - Saturday, February 2nd, 2013

This week's Saturday Photo Walk greeted us with clear skies, cold temps, but (thankfully!) little wind. The State Park's ponds were frozen and bird life was quiet by Cape May standards, but some of our perennials were present in good numbers. Also present, as is always the case, was our lighthouse. I also note that this week's images, as well as last week's, were shot with a new point-and-shoot camera with which I have been experimenting, of late, to demonstrate that you do not need large, expensive equipment to photograph nature.

Carolina Wren [Photo by Mike Hannisian]
Cape May Point State Park lighthouse [Photo by Mike Hannisian]

Cape May Point State Park lighthouse [Photo by Mike Hannisian]

Birding Cape May Point - Saturday, February 2nd, 2013

Cold, slight breeze, and a couple of inches of snow cover. Lake Lily had some ice but large areas of open water and that is where the water fowl were. Usual suspects such as Gadwall, American Wigeon, American Coots, with some Ring-necked and Ruddy Ducks, as well as Lesser Scaup and Hooded Merganser. We did find the 2 Eurasian Collared-Doves hanging out on a wire near one of the active feeders on Harvard Ave. Leaders: Karl Lukens, Steve Weis, and Chris Marks.
45 species

Canada Goose  30
Mute Swan  5
Gadwall  50
American Wigeon  30
Mallard  20
Northern Shoveler  2
Ring-necked Duck  8
Lesser Scaup  6
Black Scoter  1
Bufflehead  1
Hooded Merganser  1
Ruddy Duck  10
Pied-billed Grebe  1
Northern Gannet  2
Double-crested Cormorant  2
Turkey Vulture  1
American Coot  15
American Woodcock  2
Ring-billed Gull  10
Herring Gull  4
Great Black-backed Gull  1
Eurasian Collared-Dove  2
Mourning Dove  10
Downy Woodpecker  1
Blue Jay  20
American Crow  2
Carolina Chickadee  8
Tufted Titmouse  1
Red-breasted Nuthatch  6
Winter Wren  1
Carolina Wren  5
Hermit Thrush  1
American Robin  50
Northern Mockingbird  3
European Starling  50
Song Sparrow  2
White-throated Sparrow  12
Dark-eyed Junco  5
Northern Cardinal  6
Red-winged Blackbird  25
Common Grackle  75
Brown-headed Cowbird  10
House Finch  8
American Goldfinch  6
House Sparrow  5

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