Birding the Meadows with Pete Dunne - Monday, June 20th, 2016

A beautiful morning with the usual ducks. The only shorebirds were a pair of Willets, six American Oystercatchers on the beach, and seven Killdeer. Two Ospreys were on the nest platform and at least one chick could be seen. Leaders: Pete Dunne, Chuck Slugg, Karl Lukens, Steve Weis, Pat Perkins, and Mary Watkins.
45 species

Canada Goose  175
Mute Swan  2
Gadwall  2
Mallard  25
Great Blue Heron  1     after walk at parking lot-fly-over
Great Egret  1
Snowy Egret  2
Green Heron  2
Glossy Ibis  8
Turkey Vulture  2
Osprey  7
American Oystercatcher  6
Killdeer  7
Willet  2
Laughing Gull  20
Herring Gull  5
Great Black-backed Gull  25
Least Tern  3
Common Tern  1
Forster's Tern  2
Royal Tern  1
Black Skimmer  5
Mourning Dove  6
Chimney Swift  2
American Crow  1
Fish Crow  6
Purple Martin  15
Tree Swallow  4
Barn Swallow  3
American Robin  1
Gray Catbird  1
Northern Mockingbird  2
European Starling  10
Common Yellowthroat  4
Field Sparrow  3
Song Sparrow  3
Northern Cardinal  2
Indigo Bunting  1
Red-winged Blackbird  15
Common Grackle  15
Brown-headed Cowbird  4
Orchard Oriole  1
House Finch  7
American Goldfinch  4
House Sparrow  10

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

Gray Catbird [Photo by Karl Lukens]

Breeding Birds at the Rea Farm - Saturday, June 18, 2016

No doubt about it - the Prothonotary Warbler was the star of this morning's walk. Hearing it call as it approached from deep within the wet woods, then seeing it come into view and feed for several minutes all around us was a real treat. The Yellow-billed Cuckoo also put on a bit of a show but it's goal seemed to be to let us see it bit by bit, repeatedly, then imagine what the whole bird looked like!
45 species

Wood Duck  2
Mallard  3
Common Loon  1
Great Egret  1
Green Heron  3
Black Vulture  2
Turkey Vulture  2
Cooper's Hawk  1
Laughing Gull  14
Herring Gull (American)  2
Forster's Tern  3
Black Skimmer  1
Mourning Dove  2
Yellow-billed Cuckoo  1
Chimney Swift  2
Ruby-throated Hummingbird  1
Red-bellied Woodpecker  1
Downy Woodpecker  2
Great Crested Flycatcher  2
Eastern Kingbird  2
Red-eyed Vireo  1
Blue Jay  2
American Crow  1
Fish Crow  3
Tree Swallow  1
Barn Swallow  1
Carolina Chickadee  3
Tufted Titmouse  2
Carolina Wren  6
Blue-gray Gnatcatcher  2
American Robin  3
Gray Catbird  3
Northern Mockingbird  1
European Starling  13
Prothonotary Warbler  2
Common Yellowthroat  2
Northern Cardinal  6
Blue Grosbeak  3
Indigo Bunting  5
Red-winged Blackbird  10
Common Grackle  9
Brown-headed Cowbird  4
Orchard Oriole  1
House Finch  4
House Sparrow  4

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

Blue Grosbeak [Photo by Karl Lukens]

Yellow-billed Cuckoo [Photo by Karl Lukens]

Bird Before Dinner - Friday, June 17th, 2016

One of the highlights of the trip was a Roseate Tern mixed in with the Common and Forster's terns along the west path. Signs of the breeding season were abundant. The Osprey pair was on the nest, although no chicks are visible yet; a female Mallard was shepherding seven ducklings through the marsh; young Canada Geese were present; and the American Oystercatchers were on nests.  Two late Semipalmated Sandpipers were seen as well as a Willet, a Lesser Yellowlegs, and many Killdeer. Nature notes included a Red Slider, many young rabbits, several muskrats, including one young one, and a Snapping Turtle. Leaders: Bert Hixon, Warren Cairo, and Barb Bassett.
44 species (+1 other taxa)

Canada Goose  50
Mute Swan  3
Gadwall  2     Pair
Mallard  20     Including 7 ducklings with female
Double-crested Cormorant  1
Great Blue Heron  1
Great Egret  1
Snowy Egret  3
Green Heron  1
Glossy Ibis  2
Osprey  2     On nest, no chicks visible
American Oystercatcher  6
Killdeer  5
Willet (Eastern)  1
Lesser Yellowlegs  1
Semipalmated Sandpiper  2
Laughing Gull  30
Herring Gull  2
Great Black-backed Gull  20
Least Tern  2
Roseate Tern  1
Common Tern  6
Forster's Tern  20
Black Skimmer  5
Rock Pigeon (Feral Pigeon)  4
Mourning Dove  3
Chimney Swift  5
Eastern Kingbird  1
Fish Crow  2
crow sp.  2
Purple Martin  6
Barn Swallow  3
Carolina Wren  1
Gray Catbird  1
Northern Mockingbird  2
European Starling  20
Cedar Waxwing  2
Common Yellowthroat  8
Song Sparrow  2
Northern Cardinal  2
Red-winged Blackbird  30
Common Grackle  4
Brown-headed Cowbird  1
Orchard Oriole  1
American Goldfinch  4

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

Birds Before Beach - Tuesday, June 14th, 2016

The Birds before Beach walk began the season with an absolutely beautiful day, warm with low humidity. We had great looks at most of the birds and the Ruddy Duck on Bunker pond was the highlight of the morning! Leaders: Warren Cairo, Hugh Simmons, and Kirsten Fuller.
22 species

Canada Goose  8
Mute Swan  30
Gadwall  2
Mallard  2
Ruddy Duck  1
Double-crested Cormorant  1
Osprey  3
American Oystercatcher  1
Laughing Gull  X
Herring Gull  1
Black Skimmer  1
Fish Crow  3
Northern Rough-winged Swallow  2
Purple Martin  20
Tree Swallow  1
Northern Mockingbird  10
Common Yellowthroat  1
Song Sparrow  1
Blue Grosbeak  1
Red-winged Blackbird  X
Common Grackle  15
House Finch  4

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

Birding the Meadows with Pete Dunne - Monday, June 13th, 2016

Cool and breezy with some interesting birds. Along with the usual Mallards and a couple Gadwall we had a fly-over Wood Duck. No unusual Terns with the Forster's, Common, Least, and Royals. A Virginia Rail gave us a fairly good look. Really unusual was a small, black and white bird with a long flowing tail. Pete noted it looked like an African exotic called a Whydah!!?? Leaders: Pete Dunne, Chuck Slugg, Karl Lukens, Steve Weis, Mary Watkins, Barb Bassett, and Pat Perkins.
50 species

Canada Goose  55
Mute Swan  1
Wood Duck  1
Gadwall  1
Mallard  30
Double-crested Cormorant  1
Great Egret  2
Snowy Egret  1
Green Heron  3
Glossy Ibis  10
Black Vulture  3
Turkey Vulture  5
Osprey  5
Northern Harrier  1
Virginia Rail  1
American Oystercatcher  4
Killdeer  3
Willet  1
Laughing Gull  15
Herring Gull  2
Lesser Black-backed Gull  1
Great Black-backed Gull  2
Least Tern  5
Common Tern  5
Forster's Tern  15
Royal Tern  2
Black Skimmer  20
Mourning Dove  5
Chimney Swift  5
Northern Flicker  1
Blue Jay  1
American Crow  1
Fish Crow  1
Purple Martin  15
Tree Swallow  5
Barn Swallow  4
American Robin  1
Northern Mockingbird  1
European Starling  2
Common Yellowthroat  3
Prairie Warbler  1
Field Sparrow  1
Song Sparrow  2
Northern Cardinal  2
Blue Grosbeak  1
Indigo Bunting  1
Red-winged Blackbird  10
Common Grackle  10
Brown-headed Cowbird  1
House Sparrow  5

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

Glossy Ibis [Photo by Karl Lukens]

Virginia Rail [Photo by Karl Lukens]

Breeding Birds at the Rea Farm - Saturday, June 11th, 2016

The breeding birds are well into nesting and are now much quieter and early spring, however we did get numerous Indigo Buntings, heard Common Yellowthroat, Field Sparrows, and saw a fly-by Yellow-billed Cuckoo. Overhead were several Osprey with fish. Unusual were two American Oystercatchers and two Black Skimmers flying overhead. Leaders: Karl Lukens, Deb Payson, Cindy Bamford, and Kyle Chelius.
42 species

Canada Goose  15
Mallard  6
Double-crested Cormorant  12
Snowy Egret  1
Green Heron  3
Black-crowned Night-Heron  1     fly off-seen by a few
Glossy Ibis  4
Black Vulture  1
Turkey Vulture  5
Osprey  5
Cooper's Hawk  1
Red-tailed Hawk  1
American Oystercatcher  2     fly over
Laughing Gull  15
Herring Gull  2
Great Black-backed Gull  1
Black Skimmer  2     fly over
Rock Pigeon (Feral Pigeon)  1
Mourning Dove  5
Yellow-billed Cuckoo  1     fly by - seen by a few
Great Crested Flycatcher  1
Eastern Kingbird  2
American Crow  6
Purple Martin  5
Barn Swallow  2
Carolina Wren  2
American Robin  3
Northern Mockingbird  1
European Starling  15
Common Yellowthroat  3
Yellow Warbler  1     heard
Field Sparrow  2     heard
Song Sparrow  1     heard
Northern Cardinal  5
Indigo Bunting  7
Red-winged Blackbird  10
Common Grackle  15
Brown-headed Cowbird  1
Orchard Oriole  2     adult male & female carrying nest material
House Finch  5
American Goldfinch  1
House Sparrow  2

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

Carolina Wren [Photo by Karl Lukens]

Orchard Oriole [Photo by Karl Lukens]

Bird Walk for All People - Thursday, June 9th, 2016

Beautiful sunny morning, cool and breezy. Highlights of the walk were distant Black Skimmers, Spotted Sandpiper, flyby Black-bellied Plover, and nesting Least Terns on beach. Leaders: Chuck Slugg, Karl Lukens, Chris Marks, and Scott Whittle.
53 species

Canada Goose 25
Mute Swan 39 Same Mute Swans that are in Bunker Pond all year
Gadwall 2 Drake and hen on first Plover pond that have been staying all year and seem to be nesting here more frequently
Mallard 7
Double-crested Cormorant 2
Great Egret 1
Snowy Egret 1
Glossy Ibis 7 close flying over Bunker Pond
Turkey Vulture 2
Osprey 5
Black-bellied Plover 7
Killdeer 7
Spotted Sandpiper 1
Greater Yellowlegs 1 heard only
Semipalmated Sandpiper 3
Laughing Gull 3
Herring Gull 4
Great Black-backed Gull 20
Forster's Tern 2
Rock Pigeon (Feral Pigeon) 6
Mourning Dove 3
Chimney Swift 7
Northern Flicker 2
Eastern Wood-Pewee 1
Great Crested Flycatcher 1 heard only
Eastern Kingbird 2
Blue Jay 1 heard only
American Crow 1 heard only
Fish Crow 6
Northern Rough-winged Swallow 5
Purple Martin 35
Tree Swallow 6
Barn Swallow 4
House Wren 2 heard only
Carolina Wren 3 heard only
American Robin 7
Gray Catbird 2
Northern Mockingbird 3
European Starling 4
Cedar Waxwing 3
Common Yellowthroat 3 heard only
Yellow Warbler 2 heard only
Field Sparrow 2 heard only
Song Sparrow 1
Northern Cardinal 5
Indigo Bunting 1 heard only
Red-winged Blackbird 7
Common Grackle 10
Brown-headed Cowbird 2
Orchard Oriole 2
House Finch 1
American Goldfinch 3
House Sparrow 4

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

Birding the Meadows with Pete Dunne - Monday, June 6th, 2016

Most of the ducks have gone to their breeding grounds, however we still have three lingering Green-winged Teal. Also had quite a few Semipalmated Sandpipers, and one Least Sandpiper, one Willet, and heard one Greater Yellowlegs. American Oystercatchers and Black Skimmers were on the beach. A nice treat was a Willow Flycatcher perched high and singing. Leaders: Chuck Slugg, Karl Lukens, Steve Weis, Pat Perkins, and Barb Bassett.
48 species

Canada Goose  25
Mute Swan  4
Gadwall  2
Mallard  10
Green-winged Teal  3
Ruddy Duck  1     male
Double-crested Cormorant  20
Great Egret  2
Snowy Egret  1
Green Heron  3
Glossy Ibis  1
Turkey Vulture  3
Osprey  5
American Oystercatcher  6
Killdeer  1
Greater Yellowlegs  1
Willet  1
Least Sandpiper  1
Semipalmated Sandpiper  50
Short-billed Dowitcher  4
Laughing Gull  15
Herring Gull  5
Great Black-backed Gull  2
Least Tern  10
Black Skimmer  15
Mourning Dove  6
Chimney Swift  5
Willow Flycatcher  1
Eastern Kingbird  4
American Crow  1
Fish Crow  4
Purple Martin  15
Tree Swallow  5
Barn Swallow  1
Marsh Wren  1     heard
Carolina Wren  1
American Robin  3
Northern Mockingbird  3
European Starling  2
Cedar Waxwing  2     heard
Common Yellowthroat  5
Yellow Warbler  3
Song Sparrow  3
Northern Cardinal  2
Red-winged Blackbird  10
Common Grackle  10
American Goldfinch  2
House Sparrow  3

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

Breeding Birds at The Rea Farm - Saturday, June 4th, 2016

Both migrant and resident breeders have settled into their nesting areas at the Rea Farm and have quieted down somewhat as they go about their important seasonal work. Prothonotary Warblers are still singing sporadically and making brief appearances along the edges of the wet woods. Indigo Buntings, Common Yellowthroats and Great-crested Flycatchers are still singing and sitting up enough to be enjoyed but are not as obvious as a few weeks ago. Leaders: Kathy Horn, Roger Horn, Karl Lukens, Kyle Chelius, Deb Payson, and Michael McCabe.
49 species

Canada Goose  9
Wood Duck  2
Mallard  2
Double-crested Cormorant  1
Great Blue Heron  1
Great Egret  2
Green Heron  3
Glossy Ibis  16
Black Vulture  3
Turkey Vulture  5
Osprey  4
Cooper's Hawk  2
Bald Eagle  1
Killdeer  1
Laughing Gull  8
Least Tern  4
Forster's Tern  5
Mourning Dove  7
Chimney Swift  7
Red-bellied Woodpecker  2
Downy Woodpecker  1
Northern Flicker (Yellow-shafted)  1
Great Crested Flycatcher  6
Eastern Kingbird  3
Blue Jay  2
American Crow  6
Fish Crow  3
Purple Martin  8
Barn Swallow  5
Carolina Chickadee  2
Tufted Titmouse  2
House Wren  1
Carolina Wren  8
American Robin  5
Gray Catbird  2
Northern Mockingbird  2
European Starling  4
Cedar Waxwing  2
Prothonotary Warbler  2
Common Yellowthroat  4
Northern Cardinal  7
Blue Grosbeak  1
Indigo Bunting  8
Red-winged Blackbird  15
Common Grackle  11
Brown-headed Cowbird  8
Orchard Oriole  1
House Finch  6
American Goldfinch  1

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

Spring Migrants at the Rea Farm - Saturday, May 28th, 2016

Though the Prothonotary Warblers have quieted down at the Rea Farm, at least one male - probably two - can still be heard patrolling territories; one popped briefly into view after a few minutes listening to his approach in the wet woods. A Yellow-billed Cuckoo flew across our path and a Blue Grosbeak sat up and sang obligingly in the parking lot. Unfortunately, most walk participants had already left when four Mississippi Kites came sailing past the parking lot. Leaders: Kathy Horn, Roger Horn, Karl Lukens, Kyle Chelius, and Deb Payson.
Number of Taxa: 46

10 Canada Goose
6 Mallard
8 Double-crested Cormorant
1 Snowy Egret
3 Green Heron
1 Glossy Ibis
2 Black Vulture
3 Turkey Vulture
3 Osprey
5 Laughing Gull
1 Herring Gull (American)
1 Forster's Tern
3 Mourning Dove
1 Yellow-billed Cuckoo
3 Chimney Swift
1 Ruby-throated Hummingbird
2 Downy Woodpecker
4 Great Crested Flycatcher
3 White-eyed Vireo
1 Red-eyed Vireo
2 Blue Jay
3 American Crow
2 Fish Crow
2 Purple Martin
2 Barn Swallow
2 Carolina Chickadee
2 Tufted Titmouse
1 House Wren
0 Marsh Wren
6 Carolina Wren
2 Blue-gray Gnatcatcher
5 American Robin
2 Gray Catbird
2 Northern Mockingbird
4 European Starling
2 Prothonotary Warbler
3 Common Yellowthroat
1 Chipping Sparrow
2 Field Sparrow
5 Northern Cardinal
2 Blue Grosbeak
7 Indigo Bunting
11 Red-winged Blackbird
6 Common Grackle
4 Brown-headed Cowbird
2 Orchard Oriole

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

Higbee Beach Bird Walk - Friday, May 27th, 2016

The Yellow-breasted Chat was a good early bird on this morning's Higbee walk, as it sang -  if you can call those clucks, whistles and chirps a song - from atop a tree close to the road. Late in the walk a Barred Owl called from within the wet woods, distracting us from our focus on the Blue Grosbeaks and Orchard Orioles in the field.  Leaders: Kathy Horn, Roger Horn, and Catherine Busch.
39 species

Double-crested Cormorant  3
Turkey Vulture  2
Osprey  3
American Oystercatcher  2
Laughing Gull  5
Herring Gull (American)  2
Mourning Dove  3
Yellow-billed Cuckoo  2
Barred Owl  1
Chimney Swift  1
Ruby-throated Hummingbird  1
Red-bellied Woodpecker  1
Great Crested Flycatcher  4
White-eyed Vireo  4
Red-eyed Vireo  2
Blue Jay  2
Fish Crow  2
Barn Swallow  1
Carolina Chickadee  2
Tufted Titmouse  3
Carolina Wren  5
Blue-gray Gnatcatcher  3
American Robin  4
Gray Catbird  2
Common Yellowthroat  1
American Redstart  1
Magnolia Warbler  1
Yellow-breasted Chat  1
Field Sparrow  3
Eastern Towhee  1
Northern Cardinal  7
Blue Grosbeak  4
Indigo Bunting  7
Red-winged Blackbird  9
Common Grackle  3
Brown-headed Cowbird  6
Orchard Oriole  2
House Finch  2
House Sparrow  1

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

Midweek at The Meadows - Wednesday, May 25th, 2016

A flurry of songbird activity on a bright, sunny day (unusual of late). Good looks at singing Orchard Orioles, Yellow Warblers, and Common Yellowthroats. The American Oystercatchers has settled into pairs on the beach, and Willets continue to display in the marsh. A White-rumped Sandpiper was a nice find along with a surprise flyover Red-headed Woodpecker seen by a few! Leaders: Catherine Busch, Steve Weis, Karl Lukens, Mary Watkins.
54 species

Canada Goose  15
Mute Swan  5
Mallard  10
Double-crested Cormorant  25
Great Egret  2
Snowy Egret  2
Green Heron  2
Glossy Ibis  16
Black Vulture  2
Osprey  6
American Oystercatcher  6
Semipalmated Plover  5
Killdeer  3
Spotted Sandpiper  1
Willet  4
Dunlin  8
Least Sandpiper  1
White-rumped Sandpiper  1
Semipalmated Sandpiper  35
Short-billed Dowitcher  5
Bonaparte's Gull  1
Laughing Gull  15
Herring Gull  2
Great Black-backed Gull  10
Least Tern  20
Common Tern  5
Forster's Tern  15
Mourning Dove  3
Chimney Swift  3
Red-headed Woodpecker  1     fly over seen by a few
Eastern Kingbird  2
Red-eyed Vireo  1
Blue Jay  2
Fish Crow  1
Purple Martin  10
Tree Swallow  5
Barn Swallow  5
American Robin  1
Northern Mockingbird  2
European Starling  2
Common Yellowthroat  4
Yellow Warbler  4
Blackpoll Warbler  1
Field Sparrow  2     heard
Song Sparrow  2     heard
Eastern Towhee  1
Northern Cardinal  1
Blue Grosbeak  1
Red-winged Blackbird  10
Common Grackle  6
Brown-headed Cowbird  2
Orchard Oriole  3     ad. male, 1st yr male, female
American Goldfinch  1
House Sparrow  3

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

Orchard Oriole [Photo by Karl Lukens]

E-Z Birding - Tuesday, May 24th, 2016

Leaders: Catherine Busch, Marc & Lynne Breslow.
48 species

Canada Goose  X
Mute Swan  X
Mallard  X
Common Loon  1     flyover
Double-crested Cormorant  5
Great Blue Heron  1
Great Egret  5
Snowy Egret  6
Glossy Ibis  10
Turkey Vulture  8
Osprey  4
Killdeer  X     heard only
Lesser Yellowlegs  1     heard by leader
Laughing Gull  X
Herring Gull  X
Least Tern  X
Forster's Tern  X
Mourning Dove  4
Northern Flicker (Yellow-shafted)  1
Willow Flycatcher  1
Great Crested Flycatcher  1
Purple Martin  X
Tree Swallow  X
Bank Swallow  1
Barn Swallow  X
Carolina Chickadee  2
Blue-gray Gnatcatcher  2
American Robin  5
Gray Catbird  10
Northern Mockingbird  2
European Starling  X
Cedar Waxwing  1
Common Yellowthroat  4
Yellow Warbler  1
Blackpoll Warbler  3
Prairie Warbler  1
Yellow-breasted Chat  1
Field Sparrow  2
Savannah Sparrow  1     finer streaking than Song, yellow lores, moving through low growth at edge of plover pond
Song Sparrow  1
Northern Cardinal  X
Blue Grosbeak  4
Indigo Bunting  1
Red-winged Blackbird  X
Common Grackle  X
Brown-headed Cowbird  X
Orchard Oriole  3
House Finch  X

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

Birding the Meadows with Pete Dunne - Monday, May 23rd, 2016

Only the usual summer ducks were seen. On the beach we had 5-6 American Oystercatchers, 15 or more Least Terns, and a distant Great Shearwater seen by a few. Shorebirds were less numerous than in the past week but one "good" bird was a Red-necked Phalarope. A first-year male Orchard Oriole was sitting up and singing as we returned to the parking lot. Leaders: Pete Dunne, Chuck Slugg, Karl Lukens, Steve Weis, Janet Crawford, and Pat Perkins.
52 species

Canada Goose  30
Mute Swan  3
Gadwall  4
Mallard  15
Great Shearwater  1     seen by a few
Double-crested Cormorant  25
Great Egret  1
Snowy Egret  1
Green Heron  2
Osprey  3
Virginia Rail  1     heard by a few
American Oystercatcher  5
Semipalmated Plover  3
Spotted Sandpiper  1
Greater Yellowlegs  1
Willet  2
Lesser Yellowlegs  1
Dunlin  8
Least Sandpiper  3
Semipalmated Sandpiper  25
Short-billed Dowitcher  2
Red-necked Phalarope  1
Laughing Gull  10
Herring Gull  1
Great Black-backed Gull  3
Least Tern  15
Forster's Tern  15
Black Skimmer  2
Mourning Dove  3
Chimney Swift  6
Fish Crow  1
Purple Martin  7
Tree Swallow  5
Barn Swallow  5
Tufted Titmouse  1
Carolina Wren  1
American Robin  3
Northern Mockingbird  3
European Starling  1
Cedar Waxwing  2
Common Yellowthroat  4
Yellow Warbler  3
Field Sparrow  2
Song Sparrow  2
Northern Cardinal  2
Red-winged Blackbird  10
Common Grackle  6
Brown-headed Cowbird  2
Orchard Oriole  1     1st yr. male
House Finch  1
American Goldfinch  2
House Sparrow  2

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