Birding Cape May Point - Wednesday, September 30th, 2015

It was a cloudy yet beautiful morning and a desire to study ducks led us away from the streets and into Cape May Point State Park this week. A quick check of the ocean from the dune crossover afforded us a nice study of Lesser Black-backed Gulls and Royal Terns. A short walk down the edge of Bunker Pond revealed a nice collection of shorebirds and ducks, including Greater and Lesser Yellowlegs, a Stilt Sandpiper, American Wigeon, and both Green-winged and Blue-winged Teals. The birds were especially cooperative with similar species sitting side-by-side in the easy light. The far Plover Ponds revealed a male Eurasian Wigeon in nearly full breeding plumage. The sudden appearance of a Green Heron and a handful of Pectoral Sandpipers were an added treat. Non-avian highlights include a mother White-tailed Deer with 2 fawns and an army of Atlantic-coast Leopard frogs. Leaders: Margeaux Maerz, Mike Crewe, Chris Marks, and Steve Weis.
38 species

Canada Goose  X
Mute Swan  47
Eurasian Wigeon  1     continuing
American Wigeon  4
American Black Duck  1
Mallard  26
Blue-winged Teal  12
Green-winged Teal  4
Double-crested Cormorant  2
Great Blue Heron  1
Great Egret  4
Snowy Egret  2
Green Heron  1
Osprey  1
Sharp-shinned Hawk  4
Greater Yellowlegs  6
Lesser Yellowlegs  22
Stilt Sandpiper  1
Pectoral Sandpiper  4
Laughing Gull  X
Ring-billed Gull  2
Herring Gull (American)  X
Lesser Black-backed Gull  2
Great Black-backed Gull  65
Caspian Tern  2
Forster's Tern  3
Royal Tern  12
Black Skimmer  1
Mourning Dove  2
Merlin  1
Peregrine Falcon  1
Fish Crow  2
Gray Catbird  1
Northern Mockingbird  3
European Starling  10
Northern Cardinal  2
Indigo Bunting  4
Red-winged Blackbird  8

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

E-Z Birding - Tuesday, September 29th, 2015

Songbirds were few and far between today due to continuing northeast winds, but we all managed to see an American Redstart, and some of us also saw a Palm Warbler and a newly arrived Swamp Sparrow. Waterbirds and hawks were much more evident, and we all got good looks at Sharp-shinned versus Cooper's Hawks, Blue-winged Teal, various herons, and a single Stilt Sandpiper. We also had a "field-guide view" of adult Great and Lesser Black-backed Gulls in profile side-by-side. Leaders: Catherine Busch, Chris Marks, and Marc & Lynne Breslow.
40 species

Canada Goose  X
Mute Swan  X
Mallard  36
Blue-winged Teal  12
Green-winged Teal  4
Double-crested Cormorant  2
Great Blue Heron  1
Great Egret  4
Snowy Egret  1
Green Heron  2
Turkey Vulture  3
Osprey  2
Sharp-shinned Hawk  12
Cooper's Hawk  2
Stilt Sandpiper  1
Laughing Gull  X
Ring-billed Gull  2
Herring Gull (American)  6
Lesser Black-backed Gull  1
Great Black-backed Gull  85
Caspian Tern  2
Forster's Tern  8
Mourning Dove  2
Northern Flicker (Yellow-shafted)  2
American Kestrel  1
Merlin  1
Eastern Phoebe  1
American Crow  3
Tree Swallow  35
Carolina Wren  2
Gray Catbird  8     heard, seen by a few
Northern Mockingbird  2
Common Yellowthroat  2     heard
American Redstart  1
Palm Warbler  1     seen by a few
Song Sparrow  2
Swamp Sparrow  1
Northern Cardinal  2
Red-winged Blackbird  24
American Goldfinch  4

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

Birding the Meadows with Pete Dunne - Monday, September 28th, 2015

There was a nice movement of Sharp-shinned Hawks with a few Cooper's Hawks and Ospreys mixed in. Many gulls were on the beach with at least three Lesser Black-backed Gulls with the usual Great Black-backed, Herring, Laughing, and Ring-billed Gulls. There were still a few shorebirds to be seen including Greater and Lesser Yellowlegs, and Least and Semipalmated Sandpipers. Leaders: Pete Dunne, Chuck Slugg, Karl Lukens, Janet Crawford, Mary Watkins, Pat Perkins, and Carrie Bell.
46 species

Canada Goose  30
Mute Swan  4
Gadwall  4
Mallard  20
Double-crested Cormorant  1
Great Egret  2
Green Heron  1
Osprey  6
Sharp-shinned Hawk  18
Cooper's Hawk  1
Killdeer  3
Greater Yellowlegs  1
Lesser Yellowlegs  4
Sanderling  15
Least Sandpiper  10
Semipalmated Sandpiper  10
Western Sandpiper  1
Laughing Gull  6
Ring-billed Gull  3
Herring Gull  15
Lesser Black-backed Gull  3
Great Black-backed Gull  40
Forster's Tern  1
Royal Tern  3
Rock Pigeon (Feral Pigeon)  3
Mourning Dove  10
Northern Flicker  8
American Kestrel  5
Merlin  2
American Crow  5
Fish Crow  5
Tree Swallow  30
Carolina Chickadee  1
Carolina Wren  2
American Robin  1
Gray Catbird  2
Northern Mockingbird  3
European Starling  75
Common Yellowthroat  1
Song Sparrow  1
Northern Cardinal  1
Bobolink  2
Red-winged Blackbird  20
Common Grackle  5
American Goldfinch  1
House Sparrow  1

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

Lesser and Great Black-backed Gulls [Photo by Karl Lukens]

Cox Hall Creek WMA - Sunday, September 27th, 2015

Blue Grosbeak are still hanging in at Cox Hall Creek WMA and, once again, gave us scope views. These beauties are seconnd-brood late breeders, and just a couple weeks ago the fledglings were still tail-less. A Bald Eagle gave chase to a fish-carrying Osprey but tired of the sport fairly quickly; soon we'll miss these aerial encounters, when the remaining osprey have deserted us for the fish-rich coasts and lakes of Central and South America. Leaders: Kathy & Roger Horn, Deb Payson, Cindy & Shaun Bamford, Carrie Bell, and Joe Demko.
36 species (+2 other taxa)

dabbling duck sp.  3
Great Egret  2
Turkey Vulture  2
Osprey  3
Sharp-shinned Hawk  1
Bald Eagle  1
Laughing Gull  3
Herring Gull (American)  2
Mourning Dove  8
Red-bellied Woodpecker  2
Downy Woodpecker  2
Northern Flicker (Yellow-shafted)  9
Merlin  1
Eastern Phoebe  1
White-eyed Vireo  1
Red-eyed Vireo  2
Blue Jay  4
American Crow  4
Tree Swallow  43
Carolina Chickadee  3
Tufted Titmouse  4
White-breasted Nuthatch  2
Carolina Wren  3
Blue-gray Gnatcatcher  1
American Robin  3
Gray Catbird  7
Northern Mockingbird  2
European Starling  15
Common Yellowthroat  1
Yellow Warbler  1
warbler sp. (Parulidae sp.)  1
Chipping Sparrow  5
Field Sparrow  3
Northern Cardinal  6
Blue Grosbeak  3
Red-winged Blackbird  23
Common Grackle  3
Brown-headed Cowbird  16

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

Hawks, Trails, and Beach - Saturday, September 26th, 2015

Overcast and very windy. Looking out at the ocean, we watched many terns such as Royal, Common, and Forster's as well as a Peregrine Falcon lying toward Delaware. There was also a large number of birds working over the rips, and we were able to identify a Parasitic Jaeger. In the back of the park, we watched a Green Heron catch and eat a large frog. Leaders: Chuck Slugg, Barb Bassett, and Mary Watkins.
45 species (+1 other taxa)

Canada Goose  75
Mute Swan  61
Eurasian Wigeon  1     Drake in breeding plumage; has been seen in this location for several days; socializing with American Wigeon
American Wigeon  4
Mallard  25
American Black Duck x Mallard (hybrid)  1
Blue-winged Teal  16
Northern Shoveler  5
Green-winged Teal  10
Pied-billed Grebe  1
Double-crested Cormorant  4
Great Blue Heron  2
Great Egret  3
Snowy Egret  2
Green Heron 1
Turkey Vulture  3
Osprey  5
Sharp-shinned Hawk  3
Cooper's Hawk  3
Spotted Sandpiper  1
Greater Yellowlegs  1
Lesser Yellowlegs  1
Least Sandpiper  1
Parasitic Jaeger  1
Laughing Gull  225
Herring Gull  3
Great Black-backed Gull  60
Common Tern  3
Forster's Tern  35
Royal Tern  7
Rock Pigeon (Feral Pigeon)  3
Mourning Dove  5
Northern Flicker  2
American Kestrel  1
Merlin  8
Peregrine Falcon  1
Tree Swallow  500
Carolina Chickadee  2
Tufted Titmouse  1     heard
Carolina Wren  1    heard
Blue-gray Gnatcatcher  1
Gray Catbird  3
Northern Mockingbird  1    heard
Black-and-white Warbler  1
Red-winged Blackbird  8
American Goldfinch  2

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

Fall Migrants at the Rea Farm - Saturday, September 26th, 2015

Looking up was the most productive stance at the Rea Farm today. Northern Flickers and Sharp-shinned Hawks, Osprey, Red-tailed Hawk, Double-crested Cormorants, and lots of Tree Swallows could be seen with very little effort. Not so with other birds, however. It took pishing and screeching to bring out a flock of feeding migrants that included Northern Parula, American Redstart, Northern Waterthrush, and Black-and-white, Pine and Bay-breasted Warblers, plus a Blue-gray Gnatcatcher and White-eyed Vireo.  Group 1 Leaders: Kathy & Roger Horn.
38 species

Canada Goose  17
Mallard  9
Double-crested Cormorant  75
Great Egret  5
Turkey Vulture  2
Osprey  3
Sharp-shinned Hawk  5
Cooper's Hawk  1
Red-tailed Hawk  1
Laughing Gull  6
Herring Gull (American)  8
Mourning Dove  15
Red-bellied Woodpecker  1
Downy Woodpecker  1
Hairy Woodpecker  1
Northern Flicker (Yellow-shafted)  13
American Kestrel  1
Merlin  1
White-eyed Vireo  1
Blue Jay  4
American Crow  5
Tree Swallow  50
Carolina Chickadee  2
Tufted Titmouse  2
Carolina Wren  5
Blue-gray Gnatcatcher  1
American Robin  4
Gray Catbird  6
European Starling  19
Northern Waterthrush  1
Black-and-white Warbler  1
American Redstart  3
Northern Parula  1
Pine Warbler  1
Northern Cardinal  4
Red-winged Blackbird  12
Common Grackle  3
American Goldfinch  1

Group 2 Leaders: Karl Lukens, Carrie Bell, and Deb Payson.
34 species

Canada Goose  8
Mallard  10
Double-crested Cormorant  80
Great Egret  1
Black Vulture  2
Turkey Vulture  10
Osprey  5
Sharp-shinned Hawk  7
Cooper's Hawk  2
Red-tailed Hawk  1
Laughing Gull  8
Herring Gull  3
Great Black-backed Gull  5
Rock Pigeon (Feral Pigeon)  1
Mourning Dove  10
Northern Flicker  9
American Kestrel  1
Merlin  3
Blue Jay  2
American Crow  5
Tree Swallow  15
Carolina Chickadee  2
Carolina Wren  2
Blue-gray Gnatcatcher  1
American Robin  1
Gray Catbird  2
Northern Mockingbird  1
European Starling  50
American Redstart  1
Northern Parula  1
Bay-breasted Warbler  1
Northern Cardinal  1
Red-winged Blackbird  2
Common Grackle  3

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

Sunset Birding at The Meadows - Friday, September 25th, 2015

The ponds in The Meadows were almost dry so many of the expected shorebirds and ducks were not there. We did see several Merlin, American Oystercatchers on the beach, a single Least Sandpiper and two Wilson's Snipe. There was a huge number of birds out at "the rips" and roosting at the Second Street Jetty way out of scope range. Leaders: Chuck Slugg and Barb Bassett.
29 species

Canada Goose 55
Mute Swan  1
Mallard  12
Northern Shoveler  14
Great Blue Heron  2
Great Egret  1
Osprey  2
Cooper's Hawk  1
American Oystercatcher  9
Semipalmated Plover  3
Killdeer  9
Lesser Yellowlegs  1
Least Sandpiper  1
Wilson's Snipe  2
Laughing Gull  70
Herring Gull  2
Great Black-backed Gull  85
Common Tern  12
Forster's Tern  50
Royal Tern  18
Black Skimmer  20
Mourning Dove  6
Merlin  2
Tree Swallow  25
Carolina Wren  1     heard
American Robin  1   heard
European Starling  3
Palm Warbler  3
Red-winged Blackbird  18

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

Higbee Beach Birding - Friday, September 25th, 2015

A quiet morning at Higbee after a week of persistent northeast winds gave us time to discuss the habitat and migration strategies of birds including a interesting study of birds using olfactory messages (smell) in addition to the sun and the Earth's magnetic field in order to find their migration locations. The Sharp-shinned Hawk show continues and a hard-working Osprey lost its fish to a marauding immature Bald Eagle. Group 1 Leaders: David LaPuma, Chris Marks, Catherine Busch, and Bert Hixon.
40 species

Canada Goose  X     Heard
American Black Duck  1
Common Loon  1
Double-crested Cormorant  2
Great Egret  6
Osprey  4
Sharp-shinned Hawk  8
Cooper's Hawk  1
Bald Eagle  1
Laughing Gull  X
Great Black-backed Gull  6
Forster's Tern  2
Ruby-throated Hummingbird  2
Belted Kingfisher  2
Downy Woodpecker  1
Northern Flicker (Yellow-shafted)  8
Merlin  3
White-eyed Vireo  1
American Crow  2
Tree Swallow  6
Carolina Chickadee  3
Carolina Wren  3
Blue-gray Gnatcatcher  3
Swainson's Thrush  1     Seen and heard by a few
Gray Catbird  6
Brown Thrasher  1
Cedar Waxwing  6
Common Yellowthroat  4
American Redstart  3
Northern Parula  4
Magnolia Warbler  1
Blackpoll Warbler  2
Palm Warbler  2
Northern Cardinal  3
Indigo Bunting  3
Bobolink  X     Heard
Red-winged Blackbird  22
Brown-headed Cowbird  6
American Goldfinch  3
House Sparrow  12

Group 2 Leaders: Kathy Horn, Deb Payson, Carrie Bell, and Mary Watkins.
42 species (+1 other taxa)

Canada Goose  15
Double-crested Cormorant  2
Turkey Vulture  2
Osprey  6
Sharp-shinned Hawk  5
Accipiter sp.  2
Laughing Gull  14
Herring Gull (American)  6
Forster's Tern  2
Royal Tern  1
Mourning Dove  3
Yellow-billed Cuckoo  1
Red-bellied Woodpecker  1
Hairy Woodpecker  1
Northern Flicker (Yellow-shafted)  18
Eastern Phoebe  1
White-eyed Vireo  1
Philadelphia Vireo  1
Red-eyed Vireo  1
Blue Jay  5
American Crow  4
Tree Swallow  3
Carolina Chickadee  2
House Wren  1
Carolina Wren  4
American Robin  6
Gray Catbird  7
Brown Thrasher  2
Northern Mockingbird  1
European Starling  6
Cedar Waxwing  6
Nashville Warbler  1
Common Yellowthroat  3
American Redstart  1
Palm Warbler (Western)  1
Field Sparrow  2
Northern Cardinal  4
Indigo Bunting  1
Bobolink  10
Red-winged Blackbird  14
Common Grackle  1
Brown-headed Cowbird  7
American Goldfinch  2

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

Bird Walk for All People - Thursday, September 24th, 2015

It was a beautiful fall morning! From the parking lot, there was a movement of raptors including Merlins, Sharp-shinned Hawks, Cooper's Hawk, and Osprey along with a small flock of Laughing Gulls of mixed ages sitting on the tarmac. As we moved up the dune to survey the ocean, we had Palm Warblers along the fence line. Looking toward the rips, there was a huge group of birds and we could identify Parasitic Jaegers. Bunker Pond held many Mute Swans along with the lone Black Swan. We also saw a Pied-billed Grebe, Northern Shovelers, Blue- and Green-winged Teal, American Wigeon, Northern Pintails, and Mallards. In the park, we had Northern Flickers and Red-bellied Woodpeckers, a bevy of mewing Gray Catbirds, and some Carolina Wrens. Leaders: Chuck Slugg, Warren Cairo, and Marc & Lynne Breslow.
48 species (+1 other taxa)

Canada Goose  30
Mute Swan  57
American Wigeon  5
Mallard  16
American Black Duck x Mallard (hybrid)  1
Blue-winged Teal  14
Northern Shoveler  3
Northern Pintail  1
Green-winged Teal  5
Pied-billed Grebe  1
Double-crested Cormorant  2
Great Blue Heron  2
Great Egret  6
Snowy Egret  3
Green Heron  1
Black Vulture  5
Turkey Vulture  3
Osprey  11
Sharp-shinned Hawk  14
Cooper's Hawk  7
Broad-winged Hawk  1
Killdeer  1     heard
Greater Yellowlegs  3
Lesser Yellowlegs  7
Parasitic Jaeger  2
Laughing Gull  35
Ring-billed Gull  3
Herring Gull  5
Lesser Black-backed Gull  1
Great Black-backed Gull  40
Forster's Tern  4
Royal Tern  6
Rock Pigeon (Feral Pigeon)  6
Mourning Dove  3
Red-bellied Woodpecker  2
Northern Flicker  3
American Kestrel  2
Merlin  5
Carolina Chickadee  1     heard
Carolina Wren  3
American Robin  1     heard
Gray Catbird  4     heard
Northern Mockingbird  2
European Starling  5
Common Yellowthroat  1
Palm Warbler  9
Northern Cardinal  2     heard
Red-winged Blackbird  30
House Sparrow  3

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

Twilight Watch at The Meadows - Wednesday, September 23rd, 2015

It was another beautiful evening at the Meadows. Tonight's highlight was undoubtedly watching a Merlin zooming around, catching a dragonfly and landing where we could watch him. Again and again.  Leaders: Warren Cairo & Bill Smythe.
23 species

Canada Goose  18
Mute Swan  2
Mallard  8
Northern Shoveler  8
Great Egret  1
Snowy Egret  2
Green Heron  1
Osprey  1
Killdeer  3
Lesser Yellowlegs  3
Sanderling  3
Least Sandpiper  4
Laughing Gull  30
Herring Gull  40
Great Black-backed Gull  20
Common Tern  2
Forster's Tern  1
Royal Tern  2
Black Skimmer  1
Mourning Dove  2
Merlin  1
Tree Swallow  25
American Pipit  1

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

Birding Cape May Point - Wednesday, September 23rd, 2015

It was a wonderfully cool morning as we explored Cape May Point. A handful of Yellow Warblers fed along the edge of the State Park, allowing us great views. A quiet walk down to the St. Mary's beach access, accompanied by a young Bald Eagle, afforded us looks at Sanderlings and Least Sandpipers working the jetty, a couple Palm Warblers running through the dunes, and a study of various gull species. The walk ended with an impressive raptor flight, including dozens of Sharp-shinned Hawks, Cooper's Hawks, a few Broad-winged Hawks and various falcons. Leaders: Margeaux Maerz, Mike Crewe, Chris Marks, Steve Weis, Bert Hixon, Deb Payson, Barb Bassett, and Mary Watkins.
47 species

Canada Goose  25
Mute Swan  X
Blue-winged Teal  3
Green-winged Teal  2
Double-crested Cormorant  3
Great Egret  2
Black Vulture  1
Turkey Vulture  4
Osprey  6
Sharp-shinned Hawk  25
Cooper's Hawk  2
Bald Eagle  1
Broad-winged Hawk  4
Red-tailed Hawk  1
Sanderling  5
Least Sandpiper  4
Laughing Gull  X
Ring-billed Gull  2
Herring Gull  X
Great Black-backed Gull  5
Common Tern  2
Forster's Tern  3
Royal Tern  3
Rock Pigeon (Feral Pigeon)  12
Mourning Dove  4
Northern Flicker (Yellow-shafted)  3
American Kestrel  2
Merlin  2
American Crow  2
Tree Swallow  150
Carolina Chickadee  3
Blue-gray Gnatcatcher  4
Gray Catbird  2
Northern Mockingbird  3
European Starling  8
American Redstart  3
Cape May Warbler  1
Yellow Warbler  2
Palm Warbler  2
Black-throated Green Warbler  1     Seen by a few
Northern Cardinal  2
Bobolink  3
Red-winged Blackbird  X
Brown-headed Cowbird  8
House Finch  3
American Goldfinch  4
House Sparrow  X

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

Sunset Birding at Stone Harbor Point - Tuesday, September 22nd, 2015

Oh what a night! The wind was howling, the tide was high and a group of determined birders set out to challenge the elements and find us some birds. Despite the conditions, we had some great birds. We began our evening's adventure at Stone Harbor Point. The tide was so high we couldn't walk out beyond the end of the road but from there we had good looks at Red Knots and Western Sandpipers along with a good mix of gulls. We then drove over to Nummy Island which provided a large number of Snowy and Great Egrets, Black-bellied Plovers and Clapper Rails but no spectacular sunset that we have grown accustomed to. Leaders: Warren Cairo, Gail Dwyer, Shaun Bamford, and Deb Payson.
18 species

Double-crested Cormorant  3
Osprey  2
American Oystercatcher  20
Semipalmated Plover  3
Ruddy Turnstone  2
Red Knot  3
Sanderling  20
Dunlin  1
Western Sandpiper  6
Laughing Gull  3
Herring Gull  4
Lesser Black-backed Gull  2
Great Black-backed Gull  10
Caspian Tern  6
Royal Tern  4
Mourning Dove  3
Peregrine Falcon  1
Northern Mockingbird  1

Nummy Island
19 species

Pied-billed Grebe  1
Double-crested Cormorant  5
Great Blue Heron  2
Great Egret  5
Snowy Egret  5
Tricolored Heron  1
Osprey  2
Clapper Rail  2
American Oystercatcher  3
Black-bellied Plover  20
Greater Yellowlegs  1
Red Knot  1
Laughing Gull  2
Great Black-backed Gull  4
Royal Tern  3
Black Skimmer  4
Fish Crow  2
European Starling  5
Boat-tailed Grackle  3

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

E-Z Birding - Tuesday, September 22nd, 2015

A windy and overcast day led us to focus on waterbirds and raptors with the highlights being a continuing Eurasian Wigeon, a late Green Heron hunting in a sheltered spot near the trail, Sharp-shinned and Cooper's Hawks, Merlin and American Kestrel overhead, and a large flock of swirling Tree Swallows. Leaders: Catherine Busch, Chris Marks, Lynne & Marc Breslow, and Deb Payson.
42 species

Canada Goose  140
Mute Swan  55
Eurasian Wigeon  1     continuing in Bunker Pond
American Wigeon  5
Mallard  150     not unusual for this site
Blue-winged Teal  35
Northern Shoveler  3
Green-winged Teal  20
Ruddy Duck  1
Pied-billed Grebe  1
Double-crested Cormorant  3
Great Blue Heron  1
Great Egret  4
Green Heron  1
Black Vulture  2
Turkey Vulture  4
Osprey  6
Sharp-shinned Hawk  12
Cooper's Hawk  1
Red-tailed Hawk  1
Greater Yellowlegs  1
Lesser Yellowlegs  5
Laughing Gull  X
Ring-billed Gull  3
Herring Gull (American)  X
Great Black-backed Gull  X
Common Tern  X
Forster's Tern  X
Royal Tern  3
Mourning Dove  2
Northern Flicker (Yellow-shafted)  3
American Kestrel  4
Merlin  2
Tree Swallow  1000
Carolina Chickadee  2
Gray Catbird  2
Northern Mockingbird  1
Common Yellowthroat  3
American Redstart  2
Northern Cardinal  2
Red-winged Blackbird  15
American Goldfinch  3

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

Birding the Meadows with Pete Dunne - Monday, September 21st, 2015

It was cool and windy, with many raptors in the sky, including American Kestrels, Merlin, Sharp-shinned and Cooper's Hawks, and a Northern Harrier. Also overhead were both vultures, Red-winged Blackbirds, and Bobolinks. Two Lesser Black-backed Gulls were on the beach. Leaders: Pete Dunne, Chuck Slugg, Karl Lukens, Steve Weis, Janet Crawford, Pat Perkins, Deb Payson, & Mary Watkins.
45 species

Canada Goose  50
Mute Swan  3
Black Swan  1  continuing probable escapee usually at Bunker Pond
Mallard  4
Common Loon  1     flyover
Double-crested Cormorant  25
Great Blue Heron  1
Great Egret  3
Green Heron  1
Black Vulture  1
Turkey Vulture  5
Osprey  10
Northern Harrier  1
Sharp-shinned Hawk  15
Cooper's Hawk  3
Bald Eagle  2
Killdeer  2
Lesser Yellowlegs  1
Sanderling  4
Semipalmated Sandpiper  5
Laughing Gull  75
Ring-billed Gull  2
Herring Gull  20
Lesser Black-backed Gull  2
Great Black-backed Gull  30
Forster's Tern  8
Royal Tern  12
Black Skimmer  1
Mourning Dove  6
Common Nighthawk  1
Ruby-throated Hummingbird  1
Northern Flicker  1
American Kestrel  20
Merlin  6
American Crow  6
Fish Crow  2
Tree Swallow  75
Barn Swallow  1
Carolina Wren  2
Northern Mockingbird  1
European Starling  25
Northern Cardinal  1
Bobolink  30
Red-winged Blackbird  15
Common Grackle  2
American Goldfinch  1
House Sparrow  1

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

Lesser Black-backed Gull [Photo by Karl Lukens]

Cox Hall Creek WMA - Sunday, September 20th, 2015

A mix of local breeders - the four young Blue Grosbeak were especially cooperative - and recently arrived migrants such as Blue-gray Gnatcatchers; Nashville, Black-and-white and Yellow Warblers; and numerous American Redstarts made us work pretty hard to find them as they fed silently at various levels at the WMA. The number of Northern Flickers has increased as their migration gets underway and a first-of-season bird for many was a Ruby-crowned Kinglet. Group 1 Leaders: Kathy Horn, Shaun & Cindy Bamford, & Deb Payson.
39 species

Green Heron  1
Osprey  3
Mourning Dove  5
Ruby-throated Hummingbird  1
Belted Kingfisher  1     Heard
Red-bellied Woodpecker  3
Downy Woodpecker  1
Northern Flicker (Yellow-shafted)  12
American Kestrel  1
Merlin  1
White-eyed Vireo  1     Heard
Red-eyed Vireo  1
Blue Jay  4
American Crow  4
Carolina Chickadee  2
Tufted Titmouse  5
White-breasted Nuthatch  2
Carolina Wren  5
Blue-gray Gnatcatcher  2
Ruby-crowned Kinglet  1
American Robin  3
Gray Catbird  4
Brown Thrasher  4
Northern Mockingbird  3
European Starling  6
Nashville Warbler  1
Common Yellowthroat  2
American Redstart  4
Yellow Warbler  1
Chipping Sparrow  3
Field Sparrow  1     Heard
Northern Cardinal  6
Blue Grosbeak  4
Bobolink  1     Heard
Red-winged Blackbird  9
Common Grackle  9
Baltimore Oriole  1
House Finch  2
American Goldfinch  1     Heard

Group 2 Leaders: Janet Crawford, Roger Horn, & Steve Weis.
38 species (+1 other taxa)

Canada Goose  1
Mallard  4
Double-crested Cormorant  1
Green Heron  1
Osprey  4
Sharp-shinned Hawk  1
Cooper's Hawk  1
Bald Eagle  1
Laughing Gull  6
Herring Gull  3
Mourning Dove  4
Ruby-throated Hummingbird  1
Belted Kingfisher  2
Red-bellied Woodpecker  2
Downy Woodpecker  1
Hairy Woodpecker  1
Northern Flicker (Yellow-shafted)  8
Merlin  2
Least Flycatcher  1
White-eyed Vireo  2
Blue Jay  6
American Crow  4
Carolina Chickadee  2
Tufted Titmouse  6
White-breasted Nuthatch  2
Carolina Wren  4
Blue-gray Gnatcatcher  2
Veery  1
American Robin  4
Gray Catbird  4
Brown Thrasher  1
Northern Mockingbird  4
Black-and-white Warbler  1
American Redstart  7
warbler sp. (Parulidae sp.)  5
Northern Cardinal  4
Red-winged Blackbird  6
Common Grackle  4
Baltimore Oriole  1

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

Hawks, Trails, and Beach - Saturday, September 19th, 2015

From the beach, we saw Laughing Gulls and part of a Royal Tern. Bunker Pond was filled with Mute Swans and one Black Swan. We also saw Pied-billed Grebe, Great Egrets, both Green- and Blue-winged Teal, American Wigeon, Northern Shoveler, and Mallards. Raptors included a Peregrine, Turkey Vultures, and Cooper's Hawk. Warblers were scarce but we did find an American Redstart, a Black-and-White, several Palm, and a Common Yellowthroat. Leaders: Chuck Slugg, Bert Hixon, and Barb Bassett.
45 species

Canada Goose  20
Mute Swan  66
Wood Duck  4
American Wigeon  2
Mallard  14
Blue-winged Teal  20
Northern Shoveler  1
Green-winged Teal  2
Pied-billed Grebe  1
Great Blue Heron  1
Great Egret  5
Green Heron  1
Turkey Vulture  2
Osprey  2
Cooper's Hawk  1
American Oystercatcher  1    heard
Killdeer  1     heard
Lesser Yellowlegs  3
Laughing Gull  45
Ring-billed Gull  1
Herring Gull  3
Great Black-backed Gull  75
Forster's Tern  3
Royal Tern  8
Rock Pigeon (Feral Pigeon)  4
Mourning Dove  7
Northern Flicker  1     heard
Peregrine Falcon  1
American Crow  2    heard
Fish Crow  1     heard
Carolina Chickadee  3
Carolina Wren  3    heard
American Robin  1     heard
Gray Catbird  3
Northern Mockingbird  1
European Starling  4
Black-and-white Warbler  1
Common Yellowthroat  1
American Redstart  1
Palm Warbler  2
Northern Cardinal  7
Bobolink  4
Red-winged Blackbird  30
American Goldfinch  3     heard
House Sparrow  3

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

Fall Migrants at the Rea Farm - Saturday, September 19th, 2015

Northern Waterthrush are still coming through in migration, and the wet woods at the Rea farm has recently been a very good place to see and often hear them. Today was like that; we broke into three groups and all three groups saw Northern Waterthrush during the walk. A large wood warbler, not a thrush, the Northern Waterthrush is usually a furtive, skulking bird of shadowy understories as it migrates back to its wintering grounds in the tropical mangroves of Central and South America.
Group 1 Leaders: Karl Lukens and Deb Payson.
31 species

Canada Goose  20
Mallard  1
Double-crested Cormorant  25
Snowy Egret  1
Osprey  2
Northern Harrier  1
Sharp-shinned Hawk  2
Great Black-backed Gull  1
Rock Pigeon (Feral Pigeon)  3
Mourning Dove  8
Red-bellied Woodpecker  1
Northern Flicker  6
Eastern Kingbird  1
Blue Jay  1
American Crow  15
Carolina Chickadee  2
Carolina Wren  3
Gray Catbird  4
Northern Mockingbird  2
European Starling  15
Northern Waterthrush  2
Black-and-white Warbler  1
Common Yellowthroat  4
American Redstart  5
Yellow Warbler  1
Northern Cardinal  1
Red-winged Blackbird  3
Common Grackle  5
Brown-headed Cowbird  2
Baltimore Oriole  1
House Sparrow  1

Group 2 Leader: Roger Horn
32 species

Canada Goose  13
Mallard  1
Double-crested Cormorant  4
Osprey  3
Sharp-shinned Hawk  1
Cooper's Hawk  1
Laughing Gull  1
Herring Gull (American)  4
Rock Pigeon (Feral Pigeon)  3
Mourning Dove  9
Ruby-throated Hummingbird  1
Red-bellied Woodpecker  2
Downy Woodpecker  1
Northern Flicker (Yellow-shafted)  3
American Kestrel  2
Merlin  1
Blue Jay  3
American Crow  5
Carolina Chickadee  2
Tufted Titmouse  3
Carolina Wren  5
American Robin  5
Gray Catbird  2
European Starling  2
Northern Waterthrush  1
Black-and-white Warbler  2
Common Yellowthroat  3
American Redstart  6
Northern Cardinal  6
Bobolink  4
Common Grackle  1
Baltimore Oriole  1

Group 3 Leader: Kathy Horn
36 species

Canada Goose  15
Mallard  1
Osprey  2
Sharp-shinned Hawk  1
Herring Gull (American)  1
Mourning Dove  5
Ruby-throated Hummingbird  1
Red-bellied Woodpecker  3
Downy Woodpecker  2
Northern Flicker (Yellow-shafted)  3
American Kestrel  1
Great Crested Flycatcher  1
Eastern Kingbird  1
Red-eyed Vireo  1
Blue Jay  4
American Crow  2
Carolina Chickadee  1
Tufted Titmouse  1
House Wren  1
Carolina Wren  5
Gray Catbird  8
Brown Thrasher  2
Northern Mockingbird  1
European Starling  13
Northern Waterthrush  1
Nashville Warbler  1
Common Yellowthroat  4
American Redstart  5
Yellow Warbler  1
Northern Cardinal  5
Rose-breasted Grosbeak  1
Bobolink  2
Red-winged Blackbird  2
Common Grackle  2
Baltimore Oriole  1
House Sparrow  1

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

Sunset Birding at The Meadows - Friday, September 18th, 2015

We started off by watching the young Osprey on the nest platform eating a fish which we hope he caught himself since his parents seem to have migrated already, and he has been sitting there begging for food most of the week. The ponds were quiet although there were a lot of geese. Highlights of the walk include: Merlin, great looks at American Oystercatchers, and a Black-crowned Night Heron flying over at the end. Leaders: Chuck Slugg and Barb Bassett.
42 species

Canada Goose  50
Mute Swan  2
Mallard  8
Blue-winged Teal  2
Northern Shoveler  1
Northern Pintail  1
Double-crested Cormorant  2
Great Egret  1
Snowy Egret  1
Green Heron  2
Black-crowned Night-Heron  1
Osprey  2
American Oystercatcher  5
Killdeer  1     heard
Greater Yellowlegs  4
Lesser Yellowlegs  2
Sanderling  8
Least Sandpiper  25
Semipalmated Sandpiper  4
Laughing Gull  125
Herring Gull  3
Great Black-backed Gull  35
Common Tern  30
Forster's Tern  2
Royal Tern  8
Rock Pigeon (Feral Pigeon)  3
Mourning Dove  5
Merlin  3
American Crow  2     heard
Fish Crow  3
Carolina Wren  1  heard
American Robin  2
Gray Catbird  2     heard
Northern Mockingbird  2
European Starling  5
Common Yellowthroat  1
Palm Warbler  3
Song Sparrow  1
Northern Cardinal  2     heard
Bobolink  3     heard
Red-winged Blackbird  20
House Sparrow  1

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

Higbee Beach Birding - Friday, September 18th, 2015

Though Higbee wasn't hoppin' with birds like it was earlier this week, it still has enough variety to be interesting. Red-eyed Vireos were definitely the bird of the day and they made for interesting comparisons with the White-eyed and Philadelphia Vireos also seen. But all those vireos aren't on their way to the same overwintering place. Some White-eyed Vireos stay in the southern US while others go down into Mexico, Bermuda, the Bahamas and northern Central American countries. Philadelphia Vireos go further - down to southern Central America - while Red-eyed Vireos go all the way down to South America! Group 1 Leaders: Kathy & Roger Horn, and Catherine Busch.
42 species

Osprey  3
Sharp-shinned Hawk  1
Cooper's Hawk  1
Herring Gull (American)  2
Royal Tern  1
Mourning Dove  4
Ruby-throated Hummingbird  3
Red-bellied Woodpecker  3
Downy Woodpecker  2
Northern Flicker (Yellow-shafted)  11
Merlin  1
Alder Flycatcher  1
Eastern Kingbird  12
White-eyed Vireo  4
Philadelphia Vireo  2
Red-eyed Vireo  28
Blue Jay  5
American Crow  2
Purple Martin  4
Tree Swallow  12
Carolina Chickadee  4
Tufted Titmouse  3
House Wren  2
Carolina Wren  7
Blue-gray Gnatcatcher  3
Veery  4
American Robin  5
Gray Catbird  9
Brown Thrasher  2
Northern Mockingbird  1
Cedar Waxwing  18
Black-and-white Warbler  2
Common Yellowthroat  4
American Redstart  2
Northern Parula  8
Black-throated Blue Warbler  1
Palm Warbler (Western)  1
Northern Cardinal  3
Bobolink  2
Red-winged Blackbird  7
Common Grackle  2
Baltimore Oriole  2

: Settled, calm conditions are ideal for birding, but not ideal if you are looking for a large number of birds. But during September, even a quiet day at Higbee Beach is interesting and gives a chance to enjoy the birds more. A Blackpoll Warbler early on the walk started us off nicely, then things picked up again as we found a busy group of Red-eyed Vireos and Northern Parulas. A couple of Philadelphia Vireos played hide and seek with us for a while, but overheard birds were far more co-operative and included a party of late Purple Martins and a seemingly constant trickle of fish-carrying Ospreys. Toward the end of our walk, one of the latter met its comeuppance when a Bald Eagle winged in and stole its breakfast! Group 2 Leaders: Mike Crewe, Chris Marks, Deb Payson, Carrie Bell, and Mary Watkins.
40 species (+1 other taxa)

Green Heron  1
Osprey  5
Sharp-shinned Hawk  2
Cooper's Hawk  2
Bald Eagle  1
Laughing Gull  5
Herring Gull  1
Great Black-backed Gull  6
Royal Tern  2
Mourning Dove  12
Chimney Swift  1
Ruby-throated Hummingbird  1
Red-bellied Woodpecker  1
Downy Woodpecker  3
Northern Flicker  15
Merlin  2
Empidonax sp.  1
Eastern Kingbird  1
White-eyed Vireo  3
Philadelphia Vireo  2
Red-eyed Vireo  15
Blue Jay  6
American Crow  2
Purple Martin  5
Tree Swallow  1
Carolina Chickadee  4
Tufted Titmouse  2
House Wren  2
Carolina Wren  6
Veery  1
Gray Catbird  4
European Starling  10
Common Yellowthroat  8
American Redstart  2
Northern Parula  4
Blackpoll Warbler  1
Prairie Warbler  1
Northern Cardinal  3
Red-winged Blackbird  1
Baltimore Oriole  1
American Goldfinch  1

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

Bird Walk for All People - Thursday, September 17th, 2015

On Bunker Pond, there were the usual Mute Swans along with the Black Swan and a few Canada Geese. We also saw a Pied-billed Grebe, Ruddy Duck, Northern Pintail, both Blue- and Green-Winged Teal, American Wigeon, and Mallards. In the back pond, we added Wood Ducks and Green Heron. As we walked through the wooded areas, we saw a Magnolia Warbler, Black-and-White Warblers, American Redstarts, Yellow and Common Yellow-throated Warblers, an immature Indigo Bunting, and an unidentified Empidonax Flycatcher. Leaders: Chuck Slugg and Warren Cairo.
53 species (+1 other taxa)

Canada Goose  40
Mute Swan  58
Wood Duck  3
American Wigeon  1
Mallard  20
Blue-winged Teal  14
Northern Pintail 1
Green-winged Teal  1
Ruddy Duck  1
Pied-billed Grebe  1
Double-crested
Cormorant  2
Great Blue Heron  2
Great Egret  9
Snowy Egret  1
Green Heron  3
Turkey Vulture  2
Osprey  8
Northern Harrier  2
Cooper's Hawk  1
Greater Yellowlegs  1
Least Sandpiper  9     fly-overs
Laughing Gull  100
Herring Gull  6
Great Black-backed Gull  30
Royal Tern  7
Rock Pigeon (Feral Pigeon)  3
Mourning Dove  10
Ruby-throated Hummingbird  1
Belted Kingfisher  1
Northern Flicker  2
American Kestrel  6
Merlin  2
Empidonax sp.  1
Red-eyed Vireo  1
Blue Jay  2
Fish Crow  8
Tree Swallow  15
Barn Swallow  6
Carolina Chickadee  2
Carolina Wren  3     heard
American Robin  3
Gray Catbird  4
Northern Mockingbird  5
European Starling  7
Black-and-white Warbler  1
Common Yellowthroat  3
American Redstart  2
Magnolia Warbler  1
Yellow Warbler  3
Northern Cardinal  3
Bobolink  18
Red-winged Blackbird  110
Common Grackle  2
House Sparrow  2

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

Twilight Watch at The Meadows - Wednesday, September 16th, 2015

It was another beautiful sunset in Cape May with some great birds. Tonight's highlight occurred while we were comparing Lesser Black-backed to Great Black-backed Gulls floating in front of us when a Parasitic Jaeger flew in and began harassing some of the nearby Laughing Gulls. We had great views of this jaeger within 50 yards from us. Leaders: Warren Cairo, Bill Smythe, and Deb Payson.

30 Canada Goose
2 Mallard
10 Northern Shoveler
1 Northern Pintail
1 Double-crested Cormorant
1 Great Egret
1 Snowy Egret
1 Green Heron
2 Osprey
1 Cooper's Hawk
2 American Oystercatcher
4 Killdeer
2 Greater Yellowlegs
1 Lesser Yellowlegs
10 Sanderling
18 Least Sandpiper
5 Pectoral Sandpiper
2 Western Sandpiper
1 Wilson's Snipe
1 Parasitic Jaeger
40 Laughing Gull
4 Ring-billed Gull
2 Lesser Black-backed Gull
5 Great Black-backed Gull
1 Royal Tern
6 Black Skimmer
5 Mourning Dove
2 Northern Flicker
1 Blue-headed Vireo
5 Fish Crow
1 Gray Catbird
1 Northern Mockingbird
8 European Starling
4 Common Yellowthroat
3 Palm Warbler (Western)
1 Northern Cardinal
1 Indigo Bunting
20 Bobolink
5 Red-winged Blackbird

Number of Taxa: 39

Birding Cape May Point - Wednesday, September 16th, 2015

Finally, after a couple nights of northwest winds we have an influx of songbirds around the Point. A couple Northern Parulas, American Redstarts, and an Alder Flycatcher showed up before we even left the parking lot. A quick walk down to the St. Mary's beach access granted us a close study of Common and Forster's Terns as well as a handful of Palm Warblers running around the dunes. An extremely cooperative Magnolia Warbler put on a show as he fed on the outside edge of a Red Cedar. By the end of the walk, we were over run with Red-eyed Vireos, with one Poplar tree holding nearly a dozen! A handful of low-flying accipiters and a Broad-winged Hawk capped off a delightfully sunny morning. Also worth noting was the abundance of Monarch Butterflies and migratory dragonflies including Black Saddlebags, Carolina Saddlebags, and Wandering Gliders. Leaders: Margeaux Maerz, Mike Crewe, Chris Marks, Catherine Busch, Steve Weis, and Mary Watkins.
48 species (+1 other taxa)

Mute Swan  5
Great Blue Heron  1
Osprey  4
Sharp-shinned Hawk  6
Cooper's Hawk  1
Broad-winged Hawk  1
American Oystercatcher  1
Least Sandpiper  5
Laughing Gull  X
Herring Gull  X
Great Black-backed Gull  X
Caspian Tern  1
Common Tern  X
Forster's Tern  X
Royal Tern  9
Rock Pigeon (Feral Pigeon)  2
Mourning Dove  13
Chimney Swift  1
Ruby-throated Hummingbird  1
Downy Woodpecker  1
Northern Flicker  5
Merlin  2
Alder Flycatcher  1
Great Crested Flycatcher  1
Eastern Kingbird  1
White-eyed Vireo  1
Red-eyed Vireo  15
crow sp.  X
Tree Swallow  1
Barn Swallow  2
Carolina Chickadee  2
Carolina Wren  1
Blue-gray Gnatcatcher  2
Gray Catbird  4
Northern Mockingbird  1
European Starling  X
Cedar Waxwing  X
Black-and-white Warbler  1
Common Yellowthroat  3
American Redstart  2
Northern Parula  2
Magnolia Warbler  1
Palm Warbler  5
Prairie Warbler  1
Northern Cardinal  3
Indigo Bunting  2
Bobolink  X
Red-winged Blackbird  X
House Sparrow  X

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

Sunset Birding at Stone Harbor Point - Tuesday, September 15th, 2015

It was another beautiful evening at Stone Harbor Point! Highlights this evening were close looks at a few Piping Plovers, a dozen Red Knots and a few juvenile American Oyster Catchers. All that and a wonderful sunset to finish the evening. Leaders: Warren Cairo, Gail Dwyer, Shaun Bamford, Kathy Horn & Roger Horn.
21 species

Black Scoter  1
Double-crested Cormorant  20
Great Blue Heron  3
Great Egret  2
Osprey  1
American Oystercatcher  20
Piping Plover  5
Ruddy Turnstone  1
Red Knot  12
Sanderling  30
Least Sandpiper  1
Laughing Gull  40
Ring-billed Gull  10
Herring Gull  20
Lesser Black-backed Gull  10
Great Black-backed Gull  6
Caspian Tern  2
Forster's Tern  15
Royal Tern  12
Mourning Dove  2
Northern Mockingbird  1

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

E-Z Birding - Tuesday, September 15th, 2015

Our walk started out with a bang when the Hawkwatch Counter, Cameron Cox, called out a White-winged Dove flying past us towards the lighthouse! Several days of favorable winds had brought us some new birds some of which had stopped over to feed and rest before continuing their southward journey. The cedars near the East Pavilion were a prime spot for feeding warblers as well as parts of the Red Trail. A highlight, and best life look for many, was a close Northern Waterthrush feeding along the edge of the Swamp Rose Mallow near the duck blind. We also came upon a Veery close to the trail which most were able to see as well as listen to several give the 'veer' call deeper in the woods as is typical for the species. A variety of raptors overhead were enjoyed by all. Leaders: Catherine Busch, Chris Marks, and Marc & Lynne Breslow.
51 species

Canada Goose  X
Mute Swan  X
American Wigeon  3
Mallard  35
Blue-winged Teal  8
Northern Shoveler  6
Green-winged Teal  8
Double-crested Cormorant  2
Great Blue Heron  2
Great Egret  4
Snowy Egret  2
Black Vulture  2
Turkey Vulture  8
Osprey  5
Sharp-shinned Hawk  2
Cooper's Hawk  4
Bald Eagle  1
Broad-winged Hawk  2
Laughing Gull  X
Herring Gull (American)  X
Great Black-backed Gull  X
Rock Pigeon (Feral Pigeon)  6
White-winged Dove  1     flying toward lighthouse
Mourning Dove  3
Red-bellied Woodpecker  1
Northern Flicker (Yellow-shafted)  3
American Kestrel  3
Merlin  1
Eastern Wood-Pewee  1
Eastern Kingbird  1
Red-eyed Vireo  6
Blue Jay  2
American Crow  4
Carolina Chickadee  4
Carolina Wren  5
Veery  3
Gray Catbird  3
Northern Mockingbird  3
Northern Waterthrush  1
Black-and-white Warbler  3
Common Yellowthroat  35
American Redstart  25
Northern Parula  5
Yellow Warbler  2
Black-throated Blue Warbler  2
Yellow-rumped Warbler  4
Northern Cardinal  2
Bobolink  X
Red-winged Blackbird  X
Common Grackle  4
American Goldfinch  2

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

Birding the Meadows with Pete Dunne - Monday, September 14th, 2015

It was cool and breezy with numerous raptors including several dozen American Kestrels, several Merlin, Cooper's Hawk, Bald Eagle, and both vultures. We also had many warblers in the shrubs with the predominant one being Common Yellowthroat. Leaders: Pete Dunne, Chuck Slugg, Karl Lukens, Steve Weis, Janet Crawford, Pat Perkins, Carrie Bell, and Marc & Lynne Breslow.
61 species

Canada Goose  15
Mute Swan  2
Mallard  25
Blue-winged Teal  5
Double-crested Cormorant  4
Great Blue Heron  3
Great Egret  1
Snowy Egret  2
Green Heron  1
Black Vulture  7
Turkey Vulture  2
Osprey  9
Cooper's Hawk  2
Bald Eagle  1
American Oystercatcher  4
Semipalmated Plover  7
Killdeer  2
Spotted Sandpiper  1
Greater Yellowlegs  1
Lesser Yellowlegs  1
Sanderling  25
Least Sandpiper  47
Semipalmated Sandpiper  8
Laughing Gull  20
Ring-billed Gull  5
Herring Gull  15
Lesser Black-backed Gull  3
Great Black-backed Gull  25
Common Tern  2
Forster's Tern  10
Royal Tern  12
Rock Pigeon (Feral Pigeon)  3
Mourning Dove  10
Chimney Swift  1
Ruby-throated Hummingbird  1
Northern Flicker  2
American Kestrel  24
Merlin  2
Eastern Kingbird  1
Red-eyed Vireo  1
Fish Crow  5
Tree Swallow  5
Barn Swallow  15
Carolina Wren  2
American Robin  4
Gray Catbird  1
Northern Mockingbird  1
European Starling  30
Northern Waterthrush  3
Common Yellowthroat  12
American Redstart  4
Magnolia Warbler  1
Yellow Warbler  4
Palm Warbler  3
Northern Cardinal  2
Indigo Bunting  1
Red-winged Blackbird  15
Common Grackle  3
Brown-headed Cowbird  5
Baltimore Oriole  2
House Sparrow  2

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

Bald Eagle [Photo by Karl Lukens]

Northern Flicker [Photo by Karl Lukens]

Sanderling [Photo by Karl Lukens] 

Cox Hall Creek WMA - Sunday, September 13th, 2015

The warblers were dripping, dropping and flitting from the trees - all shades of "-Start" - "redstart", "yellowstart", and "peacheystart", joined by Black-throated Greens without black throats and Black-throated Blues with no black and no blue, but all close enough to see their fall plumage well and to get a real sense of their transition from spring to fall finery. An adult Bald Eagle seemed to flirt with the idea of going for an Osprey's fish but never made its move. Two participants thought they may have glimpsed a couple Northern Bobwhite going down into the grasses while the rest of us were distracted by warblers but we never saw or heard any further sign of them. Leaders: Kathy & Roger Horn, Janet Crawford, Deb Payson, Cindy Bamford, & Carrie Bell.
43 species (+1 other taxa)

Double-crested Cormorant  2
Turkey Vulture  1
Osprey  5
Sharp-shinned Hawk  1
Cooper's Hawk  1
Bald Eagle  1
Herring Gull (American)  4
Mourning Dove  5
Ruby-throated Hummingbird  4
Belted Kingfisher  1
Red-bellied Woodpecker  1
Downy Woodpecker  2
Northern Flicker (Yellow-shafted)  2
Great Crested Flycatcher  1
Red-eyed Vireo  2
Blue Jay  3
American Crow  6
Purple Martin  5
Tree Swallow  6
Carolina Chickadee  6
Tufted Titmouse  4
Carolina Wren  5
Blue-gray Gnatcatcher  1
American Robin  5
Gray Catbird  4
Northern Mockingbird  1
European Starling  1
Black-and-white Warbler  4
Nashville Warbler  1
Common Yellowthroat  3
American Redstart  10
Northern Parula  2
Magnolia Warbler  1
Yellow Warbler  2
Black-throated Blue Warbler  2
Pine Warbler  1
Black-throated Green Warbler  4
warbler sp. (Parulidae sp.)  1
Chipping Sparrow  3
Northern Cardinal  6
Blue Grosbeak  3
Bobolink  2
Red-winged Blackbird  5
American Goldfinch  2

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

Hawks, Trails, and Beach - Saturday, September 12th, 2015

There were flying Royal Terns over the beach with Forster's and Common Terns on the beach along with a mixture of gulls with Great Black-backed and Laughing Gulls predominating. Short-billed Dowitchers were feeding among the Mute Swans and the lone Black Swan on Bunker Pond. A large flock of Canada Geese were also on the beach with American Oystercatchers. There were Palm Warblers in the dunes. In the wooded area, we had a nice mix of warblers including American Redstarts, Black-and-White, Northern Parula, and Yellow along with Carolina Chickadees. Wood Ducks were found in the back pond area. As we made our way back to the parking lot, we saw a Belted Kingfisher. Leaders: Chuck Slugg & Bert Hixon.
39 species (+1 other taxa)

Canada Goose  65
Mute Swan  58
Wood Duck  4
Mallard  25
American Black Duck x Mallard (hybrid)  1
Blue-winged Teal  9
Northern Shoveler  2
Great Egret  3
Green Heron  1
Turkey Vulture  1
Osprey  2
American Oystercatcher  3
Least Sandpiper  6
Short-billed Dowitcher  4
Laughing Gull  75
Herring Gull  3
Great Black-backed Gull  45
Common Tern  25
Forster's Tern  12
Royal Tern  4
Mourning Dove  6
Ruby-throated Hummingbird  1
Belted Kingfisher  1
Fish Crow  1     heard
Tree Swallow  3
Carolina Chickadee  5
Carolina Wren  4     heard
American Robin  3
Gray Catbird  3     heard
Northern Mockingbird  7
European Starling  6
Black-and-white Warbler  2
American Redstart  4
Northern Parula  1
Yellow Warbler  3
Palm Warbler  2
Northern Cardinal  7
Bobolink  12
Red-winged Blackbird  45
Brown-headed Cowbird  3

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

Fall Migrants at the Rea Farm - Saturday, September 12th, 2015

What started out as a slow morning quickly accelerated, then never slowed down again. Mixed flocks of migrants contained warblers, vireos, tanagers and orioles. Male and female Scarlet Tanagers were resplendent in the yellow-green of their fall plumage and a close, young Black-and-white Warbler was a real stunner. A few of the group even got to see a Northern Waterthrush in the scope, feeding as it bobbed along on the floor of the wet woods. Leaders: Kathy & Roger Horn, Karl Lukens, Deb Payson, and Carrie Bell.
53 species (+1 other taxa)

Canada Goose  17
Mallard  1
Double-crested Cormorant  4
Great Egret  2
Snowy Egret  1
Turkey Vulture  1
Osprey  2
Cooper's Hawk  1
Black-bellied Plover  2
Killdeer  1
Laughing Gull  2
Great Black-backed Gull  8
Mourning Dove  32
Chimney Swift  2
Ruby-throated Hummingbird  5
Red-bellied Woodpecker  1
Downy Woodpecker  2
Northern Flicker (Yellow-shafted)  1
American Kestrel  1
Alder/Willow Flycatcher (Traill's Flycatcher)  1
Great Crested Flycatcher  1
Eastern Kingbird  2
White-eyed Vireo  1
Yellow-throated Vireo  1
Red-eyed Vireo  9
Blue Jay  2
American Crow  3
Purple Martin  2
Carolina Chickadee  6
Tufted Titmouse  5
House Wren  2
Carolina Wren  5
American Robin  3
Gray Catbird  5
Northern Mockingbird  1
European Starling  18
Cedar Waxwing  5
Northern Waterthrush  3
Black-and-white Warbler  3
Tennessee Warbler  1
Common Yellowthroat  5
American Redstart  9
Northern Parula  3
Magnolia Warbler  1
Yellow Warbler  4
Palm Warbler (Western)  4
Scarlet Tanager  2
Northern Cardinal  7
Indigo Bunting  2
Bobolink  48
Red-winged Blackbird  9
Common Grackle  3
Brown-headed Cowbird  8
Baltimore Oriole  6

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

Sunset Birding at The Meadows - Friday, September 11th, 2015

As we started, there were a number of young American Crows calling and trying to sound like Fish Crows. Soon, some Fish Crows called so we could compare sounds. The young Osprey is still sitting on the platform and begging to be fed although neither adult was seen. A Downy Woodpecker flew over and an elusive Indigo Bunting darted into vegetation and was hard to see. The Baird's Sandpiper remains with a large number of Least Sandpipers. American Oystercatchers, including four juveniles, were still on the beach. Great and Snowy Egrets were slurping down small eels. Leaders: Chuck Slugg & Barb Bassett.
45 species

Canada Goose  35
Mute Swan  4
Mallard  12
Blue-winged Teal  1
Northern Shoveler  2     seen by leader
Great Egret  3
Snowy Egret  7
Green Heron  6
Black-crowned Night-Heron  1
Black Vulture  1
Osprey  3
American Oystercatcher  9
Semipalmated Plover  5
Killdeer  10
Greater Yellowlegs  2     heard
Lesser Yellowlegs  13
Baird's Sandpiper  1
Least Sandpiper  65
Semipalmated Sandpiper  6
Laughing Gull  150
Ring-billed Gull  2
Herring Gull  4
Great Black-backed Gull  35
Royal Tern  6
Black Skimmer  75
Rock Pigeon (Feral Pigeon)  2
Mourning Dove  10
Ruby-throated Hummingbird  2
Downy Woodpecker  1
Peregrine Falcon  1
American Crow  6
Fish Crow  2
Marsh Wren  1     heard
American Robin  4
Gray Catbird  2
Northern Mockingbird  14
European Starling  6
Yellow Warbler  3
Northern Cardinal  2    heard
Indigo Bunting  1
Bobolink  35
Red-winged Blackbird  5
Common Grackle  2
House Finch  1     heard
American Goldfinch  3

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

Higbee Beach Birding - Friday, September 11th, 2015

The birds of the day were Bobolinks, easily identified by their flight calls as they poured across the sky. At one point, they appeared like a rainbow spreading across Higbee's fields. As the birds settled down to feed and rest for the day, the group was excited to find two Nashville Warblers among the numerous American Redstarts. Leaders: David LaPuma, Chris Marks, Catherine Busch, Deb Payson, Carrie Bell, Michael McCabe, Margeaux Maerz, Tara Camp, and Erin Rawls.
40 species (+1 other taxa)

Turkey Vulture  2
Osprey  5
Killdeer  1
Laughing Gull  X
Great Black-backed Gull  5
Rock Pigeon (Feral Pigeon)  5
Mourning Dove  3
Chimney Swift  3
Ruby-throated Hummingbird  1
Red-bellied Woodpecker  1
Downy Woodpecker  2
Empidonax sp.  1
Eastern Kingbird  35
White-eyed Vireo  2
Red-eyed Vireo  3
Blue Jay  2
American Crow  6
Purple Martin  6
Tree Swallow  20
Carolina Chickadee  3
Tufted Titmouse  2
Carolina Wren  5
Blue-gray Gnatcatcher  2
Veery  2
American Robin  2
Gray Catbird  2
Worm-eating Warbler  2
Black-and-white Warbler  4
Nashville Warbler  2
American Redstart  35
Northern Parula  2
Magnolia Warbler  1
Yellow Warbler  2
Chestnut-sided Warbler  1
Prairie Warbler  1
Northern Cardinal  2
Indigo Bunting  3
Bobolink  130
Red-winged Blackbird  45
Baltimore Oriole  2
House Finch  5

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