Birding the Meadows with Pete Dunne - Monday, March 27, 2017

Still a good variety of ducks both on the ponds and offshore. At least three pairs of American Oystercatchers were on the beach. First of the year for many were an Osprey hovering over the ponds and two breeding plumage Laughing Gulls. Also had three Wilson's Snipe. Leaders: Pete Dunne, Karl Lukens, Steve Weis, Janet Crawford, Warren Cairo, and Chuck Slugg.
46 species

Canada Goose  10
Mute Swan  6
Gadwall  8
American Black Duck  4
Mallard  60
Northern Pintail  6
Green-winged Teal  10
Surf Scoter  6
Black Scoter  10
Bufflehead  2
Red-throated Loon  1
Northern Gannet  48
Double-crested Cormorant  8
Great Blue Heron  3
Great Egret  3
Black Vulture  1
Turkey Vulture  1
Osprey  1
Northern Harrier  1
Cooper's Hawk  1
American Coot  3
American Oystercatcher  6
Killdeer  4
Wilson's Snipe  6
Laughing Gull  2
Herring Gull  6
Great Black-backed Gull  5
Rock Pigeon (Feral Pigeon)  3
Mourning Dove  8
Northern Flicker  3
Blue Jay  1
American Crow  5
Fish Crow  1
Carolina Wren  1
Ruby-crowned Kinglet  1
Northern Mockingbird  1
European Starling  2
Field Sparrow  1
Song Sparrow  3
Northern Cardinal  2
Red-winged Blackbird  15
Common Grackle  5
Brown-headed Cowbird  1
House Finch  2
Purple Finch  1
House Sparrow  6

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

Birding Cape May Point - Saturday, March 25th, 2017

Birds were on the move overnight and the State Park was hoppin'! Golden-crowned Kinglets seemed to be everywhere, with little groups of them feeding in budding trees, calling and flitting close to us. An American Woodcock was seen briefly before it walked out of sight behind a shrub and we scared up three Wilson's Snipe along the boardwalk. A Merlin, perhaps having recently crossed the bay, rested on the beach long enough to give good scope views, then took off in typical merlin fashion to harass the pigeons. Last night's favorable conditions also brought us Pine Warblers and they could be both seen and heard throughout the park. The Northern Gannet show was pretty good, with several close birds wheeling over the water in the morning light. Leaders: Kathy Horn, Roger Horn, Karl Lukens, Kyle Chelius, and Michael McCabe.
Number of Taxa: 52

11 Canada Goose
3 Mute Swan
6 Gadwall
6 American Wigeon
2 American Black Duck
10 Mallard
4 Northern Shoveler
1 Northern Pintail
9 Green-winged Teal (American)
7 Surf Scoter
9 Black Scoter
8 Northern Gannet
37 Double-crested Cormorant
3 Great Blue Heron (Blue form)
1 Great Egret
2 Black Vulture
3 Turkey Vulture
1 Bald Eagle
3 Killdeer
3 Wilson's Snipe
1 American Woodcock
3 Herring Gull (American)
7 Rock Pigeon (Feral Pigeon)
4 Mourning Dove
1 Belted Kingfisher
1 Red-bellied Woodpecker
1 Downy Woodpecker (Eastern)
5 Northern Flicker (Yellow-shafted)
1 Merlin
4 Eastern Phoebe
2 Blue Jay
7 American Crow
1 Tree Swallow
4 Carolina Chickadee
1 Tufted Titmouse
8 Carolina Wren
13 Golden-crowned Kinglet
1 Ruby-crowned Kinglet (heard)
1 Hermit Thrush
17 American Robin
1 Northern Mockingbird
3 European Starling
1 Orange-crowned Warbler
7 Pine Warbler
18 Yellow-rumped Warbler (Myrtle)
1 Chipping Sparrow
4 White-throated Sparrow
3 Song Sparrow
7 Northern Cardinal
10 Red-winged Blackbird
2 Brown-headed Cowbird
1 House Finch

Hermit Thrush [Photo by Roger Horn]

Merlin [Photo by Roger Horn]

Golden-crowned Kinglet [Photo by Roger Horn]

Pine Warbler [Photo by Roger Horn]

Great Egret [Photo by Roger Horn]

Pine Warbler [Photo by Roger Horn]

Birding the Meadows with Pete Dunne - Monday, March 20th, 2017

Nice numbers and variety of ducks including two flyover Wood Ducks. Red-winged Blackbirds were sitting up and singing. Over the ocean we saw Northern Gannets, Black and Surf Scoters as well as a Red-throated Loon and a Common Loon. The usual gulls were seen and one Bonaparte's Gull flew very close for a good view. Lots of Yellow-rumped Warblers were also present. Leaders: Pete Dunne, Karl Lukens, Steve Weis, Janet Crawford, Barbara Bassett, and Chuck Slugg.
44 species

Canada Goose  11
Mute Swan  9
Tundra Swan  1
Wood Duck  2
Gadwall  10
American Wigeon  1
American Black Duck  4
Mallard  30
Northern Shoveler  10
Northern Pintail  6
Green-winged Teal  15
Ring-necked Duck  1
Surf Scoter  4
Black Scoter  8
Bufflehead  12
Red-throated Loon  1
Common Loon  1
Horned Grebe  1
Northern Gannet  10
Black Vulture  4
Turkey Vulture  2
Sharp-shinned Hawk  1
American Coot  1
American Oystercatcher  8
Killdeer  1
Wilson's Snipe  2
Bonaparte's Gull  1
Herring Gull  8
Great Black-backed Gull  15
Rock Pigeon (Feral Pigeon)  3
Mourning Dove  3
Northern Flicker  2
American Crow  1
Fish Crow  4
Carolina Wren  1
American Robin  3
Northern Mockingbird  1
European Starling  3
Yellow-rumped Warbler  12
Song Sparrow  3
Northern Cardinal  4
Red-winged Blackbird  15
Common Grackle  4
House Sparrow  2

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

American Oystercatcher [Photo by Karl Lukens]

Red-winged Blackbird [Photo by Karl Lukens]

Bayshore Birds - Sunday, March 19th, 2017

Spring was in the air and so were the Bald Eagles and Northern Harriers.  After exciting views of the raptors, we moved to the upland area of Jake’s Landing to witness the nuptial flight of the American Woodcock. Leaders:  Chris Marks, Bert Hixon, BJ Pinnock, & Mary Watkins.
22 species

Snow Goose  1500     not unusual
Canada Goose  8
Gadwall  12
American Black Duck  18
Mallard (Northern)  6
Northern Pintail  6
Green-winged Teal  85
Hooded Merganser  4
Ruddy Duck (Ruddy)  2
Great Cormorant  2
Great Blue Heron (Blue form)  1
Turkey Vulture  4
Northern Harrier  5
Bald Eagle  8     careful count  multiple pairs with one observed on nest
Red-tailed Hawk  3
Killdeer  2
Dunlin  38
Greater Yellowlegs  4
Ring-billed Gull  3
Herring Gull  8
American Robin  18
Red-winged Blackbird (Red-winged)  26

Jake's Landing--forest/upland, Cape May, New Jersey, US

American Woodcock  4
Great Horned Owl  1
American Robin  35
Brown Thrasher  1
White-throated Sparrow  12
Northern Cardinal  2
Red-winged Blackbird (Red-winged)  12

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

Birding Cape May Point - Saturday, March 18th, 2017

Purple Finches have been few and far between this winter but a pair of females showed up on this morning's walk. Though easily overlooked, female Purple Finches have a broad light eyestripe that contrasts strongly with their solid ear-patch; they're a bit bulkier than our more common House Finch, too. Purple Finches are an irruptive species so we only see them in winters when their northern conifer cones are in short supply. Leaders: Kathy Horn, Roger Horn, Karl Lykens, Kyle Chelius, and Michael McCabe.
44 species

Canada Goose  21
Mute Swan  4
Gadwall  2
American Wigeon  2
American Black Duck  2
Mallard  10
Ring-necked Duck  10
Black Scoter  6
Bufflehead  1
Northern Gannet  8
Great Blue Heron  1
Black Vulture  2
Turkey Vulture  1
American Oystercatcher  5
Killdeer  18
Ring-billed Gull  3
Herring Gull (American)  4
Great Black-backed Gull  1
Mourning Dove  8
Downy Woodpecker (Eastern)  2
Northern Flicker (Yellow-shafted)  1
Blue Jay  1
American Crow  2
Fish Crow  5
Carolina Chickadee  3
Red-breasted Nuthatch  2
White-breasted Nuthatch  1
Carolina Wren (Northern)  8
Eastern Bluebird  1
American Robin  26
Northern Mockingbird  1
European Starling  8
Cedar Waxwing  30
Yellow-rumped Warbler (Myrtle)  4
Dark-eyed Junco (Slate-colored)  6
White-throated Sparrow  10
Song Sparrow  2
Northern Cardinal  7
Red-winged Blackbird  22
Common Grackle  36
House Finch  12
Purple Finch  2
American Goldfinch  2
House Sparrow  8

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

Birding Cape May Point - Saturday, March 11th, 2017

How often have you seen a Virginia Rail at the State Park in March? It wasn't on our list of expected birds today but there it was, leisurely feeding in the marsh grasses along the blue trail. We walked slowly along the boardwalk as it went in and out of view just a few feet away. The Tundra Swans are still in the third plover pond and we had a first-of-season Semipalmated Plover in the first plover pond but that cooperative Virginia Rail was everyone's favorite bird of the day!  Leaders: Kathy Horn, Roger Horn, and Michael McCabe.
42 species (+1 other taxa)

Canada Goose  16
Mute Swan  6
Tundra Swan  4
Gadwall  45
American Wigeon  3
Mallard (Northern)  15
American Black Duck x Mallard (hybrid)  2
Northern Shoveler  22
Northern Pintail  2
Green-winged Teal (American)  26
Bufflehead  3
Northern Gannet  7
Great Blue Heron (Blue form)  2
Black Vulture  7
Turkey Vulture  4
Virginia Rail  1
American Coot  1
Semipalmated Plover  1
Killdeer  2
Lesser Yellowlegs  1
Ring-billed Gull  6
Herring Gull (American)  2
Rock Pigeon (Feral Pigeon)  3
Mourning Dove  2
Northern Flicker (Yellow-shafted)  2
Blue Jay  2
American Crow  2
Carolina Chickadee  1
Carolina Wren  7
American Robin  3
Gray Catbird  1
Northern Mockingbird  1
European Starling  13
Orange-crowned Warbler  1
Yellow-rumped Warbler (Myrtle)  11
Dark-eyed Junco (Slate-colored)  2
White-throated Sparrow  5
Swamp Sparrow  1
Eastern Towhee  2
Northern Cardinal  5
Red-winged Blackbird  5
Eastern Meadowlark (Eastern)  1
Common Grackle  4

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

Bayshore Birds - Sunday, March 5th, 2017

Everyone was treated to an eagle show of birds interacting over the marsh. Three of our participants got their “lifer” looks at a Short-eared Owl hunting over the marsh. The American Woodcocks put on their mating display for an appreciative audience. Leaders: Chris Marks, Bert Hixon, BJ Pinnock, and Mary Watkins.
23 species

Gadwall  4
American Black Duck  14
Mallard  4
Green-winged Teal  85
Bufflehead  3
Hooded Merganser  3
Red-necked Grebe  1
Great Blue Heron  4
Black Vulture  1
Turkey Vulture  3
Northern Harrier  4
Bald Eagle  11     5 immature 6 adult including one on nest
Red-tailed Hawk  4
Dunlin  350
Ring-billed Gull  12
Herring Gull  25
Short-eared Owl  1
Peregrine Falcon  1
American Crow  3
Song Sparrow  2
Red-winged Blackbird  6
Eastern Meadowlark  5
Common Grackle  3

Jakes Landing  Forest Upland

Bald Eagle  2     Immature
American Woodcock  4
Mourning Dove  2
Great Horned Owl  1
American Robin  35
Brown Thrasher  1
White-throated Sparrow  8
Northern Cardinal  4

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

Birding Cape May Point - Saturday, March 4th, 2017

Red-breasted Nuthatches showed up for this morning's walk, giving their toy horn "yank, yank" calls. Though similar in many ways to our resident White-breasted Nuthatches, Red-breasteds differ in some ways. They prefer fir and spruce forests while our White-breasted Nuthatches prefer deciduous forests. And they're unique among nuthatches in the irruptive movements that result when winter food is scarce on their breeding grounds. This year is a good year to see them. Leaders: Kathy Horn, Roger Horn, Karl Lukens, Kyle Chelius, and Michael McCabe.
47 species

Canada Goose 19
Mute Swan  2
Gadwall  6
American Wigeon  2
Mallard (Northern)  28
Northern Shoveler  14
Green-winged Teal (American)  10
Ring-necked Duck  4
Greater Scaup  1
Bufflehead  1
Ruddy Duck (Ruddy)  2
Northern Gannet  5
Double-crested Cormorant  1
Great Blue Heron (Blue form)  1
Black Vulture  3
Turkey Vulture  12
Red-tailed Hawk (borealis)  2
Wilson's Snipe  1
Ring-billed Gull  1
Herring Gull (American)  2
Great Black-backed Gull  4
Rock Pigeon (Feral Pigeon)  1
Mourning Dove  7
Belted Kingfisher  1
Blue Jay  1
American Crow  5
Fish Crow  1
Carolina Chickadee  7
Tufted Titmouse  1
Red-breasted Nuthatch  2
White-breasted Nuthatch  1
Carolina Wren (Northern)  5
American Robin  12
Northern Mockingbird  3
European Starling  9
Cedar Waxwing  15
Yellow-rumped Warbler (Myrtle)  7
Dark-eyed Junco (Slate-colored)  25
White-throated Sparrow  8
Song Sparrow  6
Northern Cardinal  6
Red-winged Blackbird (Red-winged)  6
Common Grackle (Purple)  13
Brown-headed Cowbird  4
House Finch  8
American Goldfinch  1
House Sparrow  7

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

Mourning Dove [Photo by Roger Horn]

Red-breasted Nuthatch [Photo by Roger Horn]

American Robin [Photo by Karl Lukens]

Bayshore Birds - Sunday, February 26th, 2017

On a brisk, cool evening, the raptors were actively hunting over the marsh. Everyone was treated to fabulous views of a hunting Short-eared Owl as well as multiple Northern Harriers. Bald Eagles appeared to be everywhere at once and close enough to discuss the ages of the birds based on plumage. Leaders: Chris Marks, Bert Hixon, BJ Pinnock, and Mary Watkins.
22 species

Snow Goose  500
American Black Duck  18
Green-winged Teal  12
Great Blue Heron (Blue form)  1
Turkey Vulture  12
Northern Harrier (American)  4
Bald Eagle  5     Not unusual
Red-tailed Hawk  1
Clapper Rail  8
Dunlin  45
Ring-billed Gull  4
Herring Gull  8
Mourning Dove  2
Short-eared Owl  1
American Kestrel  1
American Crow  3
Carolina Chickadee  2
American Robin  65
Song Sparrow  1
Northern Cardinal  2
Red-winged Blackbird  24
Common Grackle  4

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

Sunday Morning at Turkey Point - Sunday, February 26th, 2017

Leaders:  Chris Marks, Karen Johnson, and Mary Watkins.
24 species

Snow Goose  500
Canada Goose  12
Mute Swan  15
American Wigeon  8
American Black Duck  16
Mallard (Northern)  8
Northern Shoveler  6
Green-winged Teal  125
Bufflehead  12
Common Merganser  6
Great Blue Heron (Blue form)  2
Turkey Vulture  8
Northern Harrier (American)  9
Bald Eagle  22     Careful count
Bonaparte's Gull  100     Low estimate
Ring-billed Gull  8
Herring Gull  12
American Crow  6
Carolina Chickadee  3
Carolina Wren  2
European Starling  8
Yellow-rumped Warbler (Myrtle)  8
Swamp Sparrow  1
Red-winged Blackbird  5

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

Birding Cape May Point - Saturday, February 25th, 2017

Fairly warm and sometimes some sun, but lots of fog made it difficult to see off shore. We did manage some Red-throated Loons, scoter, and two Northern Gannets. Lots of American Robins and Common Grackles. Leaders: Michael McCabe, Karl Lukens, & Kyle Chelius.
39 species

Canada Goose  10
Mute Swan  6
Gadwall  4
Mallard  15
Green-winged Teal  7
Ring-necked Duck  6
Greater Scaup  1
Surf Scoter  1
Black Scoter  12
Bufflehead  2
Ruddy Duck  3
Red-throated Loon  10
Northern Gannet  2
American Oystercatcher  3
Killdeer  5
Herring Gull  10
Lesser Black-backed Gull  1
Rock Pigeon (Feral Pigeon)  5
Mourning Dove  6
Belted Kingfisher  1
Blue Jay  2
American Crow  1
Fish Crow  1
Carolina Chickadee  5
Carolina Wren  3
American Robin  125
Northern Mockingbird  3
European Starling  10
Cedar Waxwing  5
Yellow-rumped Warbler  4
Dark-eyed Junco  1
White-throated Sparrow  6
Northern Cardinal  8
Red-winged Blackbird  8
Common Grackle  35
Brown-headed Cowbird  2
House Finch  8
American Goldfinch  1
House Sparrow  3

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

Birdwalk for Beginners - Monday, February 20th, 2017

Leaders: Catherine Busch, Marc & Lynne Breslow.
Cape Island--CMPSP (Cape May Point SP)
33 species (+1 other taxa)

Canada Goose  X
Mute Swan  X
Gadwall  X
American Wigeon  X
Mallard  X
Northern Shoveler  X
Green-winged Teal  3
Ring-necked Duck  X
Bufflehead  4
Hooded Merganser  2
Ruddy Duck  1
Double-crested Cormorant  2
Great Blue Heron  3
Black Vulture  1
Turkey Vulture  X
Red-tailed Hawk  4
Killdeer  4
Ring-billed Gull  2
Great Black-backed Gull  1
Rock Pigeon (Feral Pigeon)  2
Mourning Dove  2
Belted Kingfisher  1     heard only
crow sp.  2
Carolina Chickadee  12
Carolina Wren  7
Golden-crowned Kinglet  1     heard only
American Robin  1
Northern Mockingbird  2
Yellow-rumped Warbler (Myrtle)  10
Song Sparrow  2
Northern Cardinal  1
Red-winged Blackbird (Red-winged)  5
Common Grackle  6
House Finch  2

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

Bayshore Birds - Sunday, February 19th, 2017

A spring-like outing for our first Bayshore Birds. We headed for Jakes Landing and were treated to multiple Bald Eagles, Red-tailed Hawks and Short-eared Owls as well as Seaside Sparrows and Marsh Wrens. Leaders:  Chris Marks, BJ Pinnock, and Mary Watkins.
19 species

Canada Goose  18
American Black Duck  16
Mallard  6
Green-winged Teal  38
Double-crested Cormorant  1
Great Blue Heron  3
Turkey Vulture  3
Northern Harrier  6
Cooper's Hawk  1
Bald Eagle  4     Not unusual at this location
Red-tailed Hawk  3
Clapper Rail  8
Ring-billed Gull  8
Herring Gull (American)  12
Short-eared Owl  3
Marsh Wren  2
American Robin  38
Seaside Sparrow  3
Red-winged Blackbird  14

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

Sunday Morning at Turkey Point - Sunday, February 19th, 2017

Glades Wildlife Refuge--Turkey Pt., Cumberland
Leaders Janet Crawford, Karen Johnson, Chris Marks, & Mary Watkins.
40 species

Snow Goose  120
Canada Goose  34
Mute Swan  15
Gadwall  200     Careful count by tens.
American Wigeon  29
American Black Duck  12
Mallard  12
Northern Shoveler  4
Northern Pintail  3
Green-winged Teal  650     Careful count by tens.
Bufflehead  12
Common Goldeneye  18
Common Merganser  6
Ruddy Duck  201
Great Blue Heron  4
Turkey Vulture  1
Northern Harrier  9
Bald Eagle  32     Actual count
Bonaparte's Gull  12
Herring Gull  12
Mourning Dove  6
Red-bellied Woodpecker  2
Downy Woodpecker  2
Blue Jay  2
American Crow  12
Carolina Chickadee  6
Tufted Titmouse  2
Carolina Wren  6
Golden-crowned Kinglet  1
Ruby-crowned Kinglet  1
American Robin  150
European Starling  2
Yellow-rumped Warbler  36
White-throated Sparrow  5
Swamp Sparrow  5
Eastern Towhee  1
Northern Cardinal  4
Red-winged Blackbird  26
Common Grackle  12
American Goldfinch  3

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

Sundays at Northwood - Sunday, February 19th, 2017

Leader: Catherine Busch.
CMBO Northwood Center
19 species

Mute Swan  2
Mallard  3
Ring-necked Duck  2
Bufflehead  3
Cooper's Hawk  1
Mourning Dove  10
Downy Woodpecker  2
Blue Jay  5
Carolina Chickadee  6
Red-breasted Nuthatch  1
White-breasted Nuthatch  2
Carolina Wren  2
Ruby-crowned Kinglet  1
American Robin  35
White-throated Sparrow  12
Northern Cardinal  8
Red-winged Blackbird (Red-winged)  2
Common Grackle  5
Purple Finch  1

Cape Island--Cape May Pt.
35 species

Canada Goose  10
Mute Swan  6
Gadwall  3
Mallard  12
Green-winged Teal  2
Ring-necked Duck  2
Bufflehead  3
Ruddy Duck  2
Red-throated Loon  1
Northern Gannet  9
Double-crested Cormorant  1
Turkey Vulture  1
Killdeer  1
Ruddy Turnstone  1
Herring Gull  1
Great Black-backed Gull  2
Mourning Dove  20
Blue Jay  6
Carolina Chickadee  7
Tufted Titmouse  1
White-breasted Nuthatch  1
Carolina Wren  5
Golden-crowned Kinglet  1
American Robin  400
Northern Mockingbird  1
European Starling  15
Yellow-rumped Warbler  2
Dark-eyed Junco (Slate-colored)  1
White-throated Sparrow  20
Song Sparrow  4
Northern Cardinal  6
Red-winged Blackbird (Red-winged)  5
Common Grackle  12
House Finch  15
House Sparrow  10

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