Sunset Birding at the Meadows - Wednesday, August 23rd, 2017

The highlight of this evening's walk was a bird not seen, but heard. As we went down the East path, after looking at the Pectoral, Least and Semipalmated Sandpipers feeding on the edges, a Virginia Rail called, close beside us along the path. Though we never saw a feather of it, or even movement in the grasses,  it called repeatedly as it traveled past. A Northern Waterthrush, a Common Yellowthroat and a couple Indigo Bunting showed themselves later on the west path but couldn't surpass our enjoyment of that close, vocal Virginia Rail! Leaders: Kathy Horn, Roger Horn, Michael McCabe, & Sharon Meeker.
45 species

Canada Goose  36
Mute Swan  6
Blue-winged Teal  3
Mallard  7
Great Blue Heron (Blue form)  1
Great Egret  3
Snowy Egret  1
Glossy Ibis  3
Black Vulture  2
Turkey Vulture  1
Osprey (carolinensis)  4
Virginia Rail  1
American Oystercatcher  4
Least Sandpiper  6
Pectoral Sandpiper  1
Semipalmated Sandpiper  1
Solitary Sandpiper  3
Greater Yellowlegs  1
Laughing Gull  50
Herring Gull (American)  5
Great Black-backed Gull  1
Common Tern  2
Forster's Tern  1
Mourning Dove  3
Chimney Swift  5
Ruby-throated Hummingbird  1
Northern Flicker (Yellow-shafted)  1
Eastern Kingbird  3
Purple Martin  2
Barn Swallow (American)  6
Carolina Wren (Northern)  3
American Robin  2
Gray Catbird  1
Northern Mockingbird  1
European Starling  11
Cedar Waxwing  2
Northern Waterthrush  1
Common Yellowthroat (trichas Group)  1
Field Sparrow  2
Song Sparrow  3
Northern Cardinal  2
Indigo Bunting  2
Red-winged Blackbird (Red-winged)  3
American Goldfinch  3
House Sparrow  2

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

Birding the Meadows - Monday, August 21st, 2017

Still lots of water and very few shorebirds. We did get Sanderling and American Oystercatchers on the beach, as well as 3 Semipalmated Sandpipers on a muddy edge. Also had 3 fly-over Red Knots, and 2 fly-over Lesser Yellowlegs. There were a good number of Common Yellowthroats, numerous Indigo Buntings, and a few Eastern Kingbirds and 1 Baltimore Oriole. Leaders: Bill Boyle, Karen Thompson, Karl Lukens, Steve Weis, Pat Perkins, Mary Watkins, & Michael McCabe.
51 species

Canada Goose  5
Mute Swan  2
Mallard  15
Double-crested Cormorant  1
Great Egret  5
Snowy Egret  1
Little Blue Heron  1
Glossy Ibis  1
Osprey  2
Bald Eagle  1
American Oystercatcher  2
Killdeer  1
Red Knot  3     fly-over
Sanderling  10
Semipalmated Sandpiper  3
Greater Yellowlegs  1     heard
Lesser Yellowlegs  2
Laughing Gull  300
Herring Gull  15
Lesser Black-backed Gull  1
Great Black-backed Gull  5
Common Tern  1
Royal Tern  1
Black Skimmer  3
Mourning Dove  10
Ruby-throated Hummingbird  1
Belted Kingfisher  1
Northern Flicker  1
Great Crested Flycatcher  1
Eastern Kingbird  4
Fish Crow  1
Purple Martin  3
Tree Swallow  15
Barn Swallow  5
Carolina Wren  4
Gray Catbird  2
Northern Mockingbird  2
European Starling  2
Common Yellowthroat  6
American Redstart  1
Yellow Warbler  1
Field Sparrow  4
Song Sparrow  5
Northern Cardinal  1
Indigo Bunting  8
Bobolink  6
Baltimore Oriole  1
Red-winged Blackbird  40
Common Grackle  10
American Goldfinch  2
House Sparrow  3

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

American Oystercatcher [Photo by Karl Lukens]

Sanderling [Photo by Karl Lukens]

Song Sparrow [Photo by Karl Lukens]

Above Par Birding at Cox Hall Creek WMA - Sunday, August 20th, 2017

Cedar Waxwings are late breeders, due to their preference for summer-ripening fruit, and we saw, and more often heard, them throughout the walk this morning. A couple of mixed warbler flocks were on the move, feeding as they went, and included American Redstarts, Black-and-white, Pine and Yellow Warblers, and also a Blue-winged and a Nashville Warbler. Leaders: Kathy Horn, Roger Horn, Janet Crawford, and Shaun Bamford.
37 species

Canada Goose  3
Mallard  3
Osprey (carolinensis)  2
Bald Eagle  1
Laughing Gull  8
Mourning Dove  8
Ruby-throated Hummingbird  2
Red-bellied Woodpecker  2
Downy Woodpecker (Eastern)  1
Eastern Wood-Pewee  4
Great Crested Flycatcher  2
Eastern Kingbird  5
Blue Jay  2
American Crow  2
Purple Martin  6
Tree Swallow  1
Carolina Chickadee  3
Tufted Titmouse  7
Carolina Wren (Northern)  6
Blue-gray Gnatcatcher  6
American Robin  2
Gray Catbird  2
Cedar Waxwing  14
Blue-winged Warbler  1
Black-and-white Warbler  4
Nashville Warbler  1
American Redstart  15
Yellow Warbler  1
Pine Warbler  3
Chipping Sparrow  2
Field Sparrow  2
Northern Cardinal  6
Blue Grosbeak  1
Red-winged Blackbird (Red-winged)  7
Common Grackle (Purple)  2
House Finch  3
American Goldfinch  5

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

Eastern Wood-Pewee [Photo by Roger Horn]

Black-and-white Warbler [Photo by Roger Horn]

Blue-gray Gnatcatcher [Photo by Roger Horn]

Fall Migrants at the Rea Farm - Saturday, August 19th, 2017

The Beanery was pretty birdy for this first walk of the Fall season. A Blue Grosbeak never stopped singing from its perch - as we approached, from beneath, or as we passed by - and  five busily feeding Orchard Orioles almost distracted us from seeing a half-hidden first-of-season Baltimore Oriole. Leaders: Kathy Horn, Roger Horn, Karl Lukens, Kyle Chelius, and Michael McCabe.
48 species

Canada Goose  11
Wood Duck  1
Mallard  14
Green Heron  1
Black-crowned Night-Heron  2
Osprey (carolinensis)  2
Killdeer  2
Laughing Gull  9
Forster's Tern  1
Rock Pigeon (Feral Pigeon)  1
Mourning Dove  28
Chimney Swift  1
Ruby-throated Hummingbird  9
Belted Kingfisher  1
Red-bellied Woodpecker  2
Downy Woodpecker (Eastern)  2
Northern Flicker (Yellow-shafted)  1
Great Crested Flycatcher  2
Eastern Kingbird  2
White-eyed Vireo  1
Blue Jay  2
American Crow  5
Fish Crow  2
Purple Martin  4
Tree Swallow  2
Barn Swallow  13
Carolina Chickadee  1
Tufted Titmouse  1
Carolina Wren  8
Blue-gray Gnatcatcher  2
American Robin  5
Gray Catbird  2
Northern Mockingbird  1
European Starling  7
Cedar Waxwing  1
American Redstart  3
Yellow Warbler  6
Chipping Sparrow  2
Northern Cardinal  5
Blue Grosbeak  1
Indigo Bunting  2
Orchard Oriole  5
Baltimore Oriole  1
Red-winged Blackbird (Red-winged)  19
Brown-headed Cowbird  2
House Finch  2
American Goldfinch  2
House Sparrow  4

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

Higbee Beach Birding - Friday, August 18th, 2017

First walk of the season found a mix of local breeders and early migrants. The latter included a single Broad-winged Hawk, many Eastern Kingbirds, 3 Cliff Swallows, 2 American Redstarts, and a Nashville Warbler. There were also many butterflies to be seen. Leaders: David La Puma, Kathy & Roger Horn, Chris Marks, and Catherine Busch.
25 species

Glossy Ibis  2
Osprey  4
Broad-winged Hawk  1
Laughing Gull  12
Herring Gull (American)  3
Mourning Dove  6
Ruby-throated Hummingbird  9
Red-bellied Woodpecker  2
Eastern Kingbird  126
White-eyed Vireo  2
Blue Jay  2
Purple Martin  57
Tree Swallow  16
Barn Swallow  15
Cliff Swallow  3  In flight. Light belly, dark throat, buffy rump.
Carolina Wren  4
Gray Catbird  2
Cedar Waxwing  28
Nashville Warbler  1
American Redstart  2
Yellow Warbler  3
Northern Cardinal  3
Blue Grosbeak  3
Indigo Bunting  1
Red-winged Blackbird  42
Common Grackle  9
American Goldfinch  3

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

Bird Walk For All People - Thursday, August 17th, 2017

Leaders:  Warren Cairo, Chris Marks, & Mary Watkins.
40 species

Mute Swan  6
Mallard (Northern)  1
Double-crested Cormorant  8
Great Egret  2
White Ibis  1     In flight toward meadows
Osprey (carolinensis)  6
Bald Eagle  2
Sanderling  24
Lesser Yellowlegs  6
Laughing Gull  125
Great Black-backed Gull  12
Least Tern  4
Common Tern  85
Forster's Tern  35
Black Skimmer  2
Rock Pigeon (Feral Pigeon)  6
Mourning Dove  2
Northern Flicker (Yellow-shafted)  1
Eastern Kingbird  8
Fish Crow  5
Tree Swallow  10
Barn Swallow  6
Carolina Chickadee  3
Carolina Wren (Northern)  3
American Robin  2
Northern Mockingbird  7
European Starling  12
Cedar Waxwing  2
Black-and-white Warbler  1
Common Yellowthroat  1
American Redstart  1
Yellow Warbler  2
Pine Warbler  2
Northern Cardinal  2
Blue Grosbeak  1
Red-winged Blackbird (Red-winged)  38
Brown-headed Cowbird  14
Common Grackle  2
American Goldfinch  3
House Sparrow  14

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

Sunset Birding at The Meadows - Wednesday, August 16th, 2017

Another beautiful August evening at the Meadows. The water level is still very high due to the recent rains but still good birding. We had at least seven Indigo Buntings in various plumages and a very cooperative Bobolink.  Leaders: Warren Cairo, Karen Thompson, & Roger Horn.
47 species (+2 other taxa)

Canada Goose  40
Mute Swan  2
Mallard  16
Double-crested Cormorant  2
Great Egret  1
Glossy Ibis  10
Osprey  1
American Oystercatcher  5
Killdeer  2
Sanderling  28
Least Sandpiper  9
Semipalmated Sandpiper  6
Spotted Sandpiper  1
Lesser Yellowlegs  3
Laughing Gull  76
Ring-billed Gull  4
Herring Gull (American)  13
Lesser Black-backed Gull  1
Great Black-backed Gull  29
gull sp.  2
Common Tern  2
Forster's Tern  13
Rock Pigeon (Feral Pigeon)  1
Mourning Dove  11
Chimney Swift  1
Ruby-throated Hummingbird  1
Great Crested Flycatcher  1
Eastern Kingbird  1
Purple Martin  2
Tree Swallow  14
Barn Swallow  6
Barn Swallow (American)  1
Carolina Chickadee  2
Carolina Wren  4
Gray Catbird  2
Northern Mockingbird  3
European Starling  17
Common Yellowthroat  1
Yellow Warbler  3
Field Sparrow  2
Song Sparrow  6
Northern Cardinal  2
Blue Grosbeak  1
Indigo Bunting  7
Bobolink  1
Orchard Oriole  1
Red-winged Blackbird  13
American Goldfinch  10
House Sparrow  2

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

Sanderling [Photo by Roger Horn]

Bobolink [Photo by Roger Horn]

Birding the Meadows - Monday, August 14th, 2017

Too much water for shorebirds, but good waders including Great Blue Heron, Great Egret, Snowy Egret, with fly-over Glossy Ibis and Green Heron. Also a couple fly-over, "binking" Bobolinks. One Lesser Black-backed Gull, Sanderlings, and American Oystercatchers on the beach. We did encounter numerous Indigo Buntings, Orchard Orioles, and American Redstarts. Leaders: Pete Dunne, Janet Crawford, Karl Lukens, Bill Boyle, Karen Thompson, Pat Perkins, Mary Watkins, & Bert Hixon.
53 species

Canada Goose  10
Mute Swan  2
Mallard  25
Double-crested Cormorant  11
Great Blue Heron  5
Great Egret  3
Snowy Egret  1
Green Heron  1
Glossy Ibis  6
Osprey  4
American Oystercatcher  4
Killdeer  3
Sanderling  6
Least Sandpiper  1
Laughing Gull  100
Ring-billed Gull  2
Herring Gull  3
Lesser Black-backed Gull  1
Great Black-backed Gull  15
Common Tern  3
Forster's Tern  5
Royal Tern  4
Rock Pigeon (Feral Pigeon)  1
Mourning Dove  10
Chimney Swift  8
Ruby-throated Hummingbird  6
Belted Kingfisher  2
Eastern Kingbird  9
Fish Crow  1
Purple Martin  2
Tree Swallow  50
Barn Swallow  25
Carolina Chickadee  1
Carolina Wren  2
Blue-gray Gnatcatcher  1
Gray Catbird  1
Northern Mockingbird  4
European Starling  1
Cedar Waxwing  1
Common Yellowthroat  4
American Redstart  6
Yellow Warbler  4
Field Sparrow  2
Song Sparrow  4
Northern Cardinal  2
Indigo Bunting  8
Bobolink  1
Red-winged Blackbird  15
Common Grackle  3
Brown-headed Cowbird  3
Orchard Oriole  5
American Goldfinch  3
House Sparrow  2

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

Great Egret [Photo by Karl Lukens]

Above Par Birding at Cox Hall Creek WMA - Sunday, August 13th, 2017

We encountered a couple of mixed feeding flocks on this morning's first-of-season CHC walk. In addition to quite a few Blue-gray Gnatcatchers, there were American Redstarts, Pine and Yellow Warblers and Black-and-white Warblers, many feeding high enough to make us complain of 'warbler neck'. We felt sorry for the Chipping Sparrow feeding the larger cowbird fledgling but not nearly as bad for it as for the Purple Martin being swallowed by a very large black rat snake high in a tree! Leaders: Kathy Horn, Roger Horn, Janet Crawford, Cindy Bamford, & Shaun Bamford.
43 species

Canada Goose  5
Mallard  7
Osprey (carolinensis)  3
Cooper's Hawk  1
Red-tailed Hawk  2
Laughing Gull  6
Mourning Dove  4
Ruby-throated Hummingbird  4
Red-bellied Woodpecker  1
Downy Woodpecker (Eastern)  1
Hairy Woodpecker (Eastern)  1
Eastern Wood-Pewee  7
Great Crested Flycatcher  2
Red-eyed Vireo  3
Blue Jay  2
Fish Crow  2
Purple Martin  18
Barn Swallow (American)  3
Carolina Chickadee  6
Tufted Titmouse  5
White-breasted Nuthatch (Eastern)  1
House Wren  1
Carolina Wren  7
Blue-gray Gnatcatcher  10
American Robin  11
Gray Catbird  4
Northern Mockingbird  1
European Starling  9
Cedar Waxwing  7
Black-and-white Warbler  4
American Redstart  3
Yellow Warbler  1
Pine Warbler  3
Chipping Sparrow  6
Field Sparrow  3
Northern Cardinal  10
Blue Grosbeak  1
Indigo Bunting  6
Red-winged Blackbird (Red-winged)  3
Common Grackle (Purple)  6
Brown-headed Cowbird  1
House Finch  6
American Goldfinch  3

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

Birding Cape May Point - Friday, August 11th, 2017

Leaders: Kathy Horn, Roger Horn, Karl Lukens, Kyle Chelius, Cindy Bamford, & Michael McCabe.
54 species (+1 other taxa)

Canada Goose  11
Mute Swan  13
Mallard  15
Northern Bobwhite  1
Double-crested Cormorant  7
Great Blue Heron (Blue form)  1
Great Egret  3
Snowy Egret  1
Little Blue Heron  1
Glossy Ibis  5
Osprey (carolinensis)  3
American Oystercatcher  2
Killdeer  1
Sanderling  2
Lesser Yellowlegs  1
Laughing Gull  65
Ring-billed Gull  1
Lesser Black-backed Gull  1
Great Black-backed Gull  10
Least Tern  18
Common Tern  50
Forster's Tern  50
Sterna sp.  100
Royal Tern  4
Rock Pigeon (Feral Pigeon)  9
Mourning Dove  5
Ruby-throated Hummingbird  1
Red-bellied Woodpecker  1
Great Crested Flycatcher  1
Eastern Kingbird  1
Northern Rough-winged Swallow  1
Purple Martin  14
Tree Swallow  1
Barn Swallow (American)  2
Carolina Chickadee  5
Tufted Titmouse  1
House Wren  2
Carolina Wren  8
Blue-gray Gnatcatcher  1
American Robin  4
Northern Mockingbird  7
European Starling  12
Cedar Waxwing  9
Black-and-white Warbler  1
Common Yellowthroat  4
Yellow Warbler  2
Pine Warbler  1
Song Sparrow  2
Northern Cardinal  6
Indigo Bunting  2
Red-winged Blackbird (Red-winged)  11
Common Grackle (Purple)  2
Brown-headed Cowbird  1
Orchard Oriole  7
American Goldfinch  2

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

Bird Walk for All People - Thursday, August 10th, 2017

Leaders:  Warren Cairo & Chris Marks.
40 species

Mute Swan  7
Mallard (Northern)  2
Wild Turkey  8
Double-crested Cormorant  2
Great Egret  1
Glossy Ibis  7
Osprey  1
American Oystercatcher  1
Short-billed Dowitcher  3
Laughing Gull  85
Herring Gull  6
Great Black-backed Gull  2
Least Tern  45
Common Tern  28
Forster's Tern  18
Mourning Dove  4
Eastern Kingbird  2
Blue Jay  1
Purple Martin  24
Tree Swallow  8
Barn Swallow  4
Carolina Chickadee  2
Carolina Wren  2
American Robin  6
Northern Mockingbird  7
European Starling  75
Cedar Waxwing  2
Black-and-white Warbler  1
Pine Warbler  2
Prairie Warbler  1
Northern Cardinal  3
Blue Grosbeak  1
Indigo Bunting  2
Orchard Oriole  1
Baltimore Oriole  1
Red-winged Blackbird (Red-winged)  12
Common Grackle  6
House Finch  5
American Goldfinch  8
House Sparrow  2

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

Sunset Birding at the Meadows - Wednesday, August 9th, 2017

Leaders: Warren Cairo, Roger Horn, & Michael McCabe.
38 species

Canada Goose  7
Mute Swan  2
Mallard  14
Great Egret  4
Glossy Ibis  12
Osprey  4
Laughing Gull  170
Herring Gull  6
Lesser Black-backed Gull  3
Great Black-backed Gull  20
Common Tern  14
Forster's Tern  4
Royal Tern  5
Rock Pigeon (Feral Pigeon)  4
Mourning Dove  17
Chimney Swift  2
Ruby-throated Hummingbird  1
Eastern Kingbird  2
Purple Martin  8
Tree Swallow  20
Barn Swallow  2
Carolina Wren  4
Northern Mockingbird  4
European Starling  4
Cedar Waxwing  1
Common Yellowthroat  4
Yellow Warbler  6
Field Sparrow  3
Song Sparrow  5
Eastern Towhee  1
Northern Cardinal  1
Blue Grosbeak  1
Indigo Bunting  1
Orchard Oriole  7
Red-winged Blackbird  30
Common Grackle  20
House Finch  3
House Sparrow  7

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

Lesser Black-backed Gull [Photo by Roger Horn]

Northern Mockingbird [Photo by Roger Horn]

Orchard Oriole [Photo by Roger Horn]

Birding the Meadows - Monday, August 7th, 2017

We had some shorebirds on the ponds including Least and Semipalmated Sandpipers, Short-billed Dowitchers, Lesser Yellowlegs, Semipalmated Plover, and Solitary Sandpipers. On the beach we also had American Oystercatchers and Sanderling. A good number of swallows, mostly Tree, were overhead and landing on the beach. Only one young Osprey was on the nest and it eventually took off. Leaders: Pete Dunne, Chuck Slugg, Warren Cairo, Karl Lukens, Pat Perkins, & Janet Crawford.
48 species

Canada Goose  20
Mute Swan  4
Mallard  25
Great Egret  3
Green Heron  1
White Ibis  7     fly over
Glossy Ibis  8
Osprey  3
American Oystercatcher  6
Semipalmated Plover  3
Killdeer  1
Sanderling  12
Least Sandpiper  3
Pectoral Sandpiper  1
Semipalmated Sandpiper  8
Short-billed Dowitcher  8
Solitary Sandpiper  4
Lesser Yellowlegs  7
Laughing Gull  100
Ring-billed Gull  5
Herring Gull  10
Lesser Black-backed Gull  1
Great Black-backed Gull  20
Least Tern  1
Common Tern  3
Forster's Tern  8
Royal Tern  1
Mourning Dove  10
Eastern Kingbird  4
Fish Crow  4
Northern Rough-winged Swallow  3
Purple Martin  1
Tree Swallow  30
Barn Swallow  3
Carolina Wren  1
Gray Catbird  1     heard
Northern Mockingbird  2
European Starling  3
Cedar Waxwing  1
Common Yellowthroat  2
American Redstart  2
Field Sparrow  3
Song Sparrow  3
Northern Cardinal  1
Blue Grosbeak  1     seen by a few
Red-winged Blackbird  6
Common Grackle  2
American Goldfinch  3
House Sparrow  3

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

American Oystercatcher [Photo by Karl Lukens]

Birding Cape May Point - Friday, August 4th, 2017

We're getting used to being greeted in the State Park by the sound of the calling bobwhite; there are still at least three present in the area from the Coast Guard release earlier this year. Orchard Orioles, which breed in the park, have been pretty quiet in recent weeks but today we had four young or female birds chasing each other around in the back woods. The whole park is beautiful with wildflowers now, with lots of meadow beauties, rose and swamp mallows, and ripening beach plums, Arrowwood Viburnum berries and elderberry. Leaders: Kathy Horn, Kyle Chelius, Karl Lukens, Michael McCabe, & Cindy Bamford.
55 species

Canada Goose  19
Mute Swan  8
Mallard  14
Northern Bobwhite  1
Double-crested Cormorant  3
Great Blue Heron (Blue form)  2
Great Egret  5
Green Heron  1
Turkey Vulture  1
Osprey  2
American Oystercatcher  4
Killdeer  1
Sanderling  14
Short-billed Dowitcher  7
Laughing Gull  12
Great Black-backed Gull  13
Least Tern  9
Common Tern  9
Forster's Tern  19
Royal Tern  4
Black Skimmer  3
Mourning Dove  6
Chimney Swift  3
Ruby-throated Hummingbird  2
Red-bellied Woodpecker  1
Hairy Woodpecker (Eastern)  1
Northern Flicker (Yellow-shafted)  1
Great Crested Flycatcher  1
Eastern Kingbird  2
White-eyed Vireo  1
Blue Jay  1
Fish Crow  2
Purple Martin  28
Tree Swallow  6
Barn Swallow (American)  2
Carolina Chickadee  7
Tufted Titmouse  2
House Wren  3
Carolina Wren  6
American Robin  15
Gray Catbird  2
Northern Mockingbird  2
European Starling  2
Cedar Waxwing  9
Common Yellowthroat  6
Yellow Warbler  1
Field Sparrow  1
Song Sparrow  1
Northern Cardinal  8
Blue Grosbeak  1
Indigo Bunting  2
Red-winged Blackbird (Red-winged)  11
Common Grackle (Purple)  2
Orchard Oriole  4
American Goldfinch  3

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

Swamp Rose Mallow [Photo by Kathy Horn]
Common Yellowthroat [Photo by Karl Lukens]

Bird Walk for All People - Thursday, August 3rd, 2017

Leaders:  Warren Cairo, Chris Marks
37 species

Mute Swan  6
Mallard (Northern)  12
Great Blue Heron (Blue form)  1
Great Egret  3
Glossy Ibis  3
Osprey (carolinensis)  3
Bald Eagle  1
Sanderling  8
Semipalmated Sandpiper  6
Laughing Gull  36
Herring Gull  4
Great Black-backed Gull  5
Least Tern  2
Common Tern  12
Forster's Tern  16
Royal Tern  3
Black Skimmer  3
Chimney Swift  2
Purple Martin  65
Tree Swallow  18
Barn Swallow  3
Carolina Wren  1
Blue-gray Gnatcatcher  1
American Robin  3
Northern Mockingbird  2
European Starling  5
Cedar Waxwing  12
Common Yellowthroat  3
Yellow Warbler  1
Field Sparrow  1
Northern Cardinal  2
Blue Grosbeak  1
Indigo Bunting  3
Red-winged Blackbird (Red-winged)  10
Orchard Oriole  1
House Finch  5
American Goldfinch  2

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

Sunset Birding at The Meadows - Wednesday, August 2nd, 2017

After a little confusion as to the start time we headed out on a wonderful evening for a walk, warm but not hot, partly cloudy with a light breeze.  We were able to see and enjoy good looks at many of the birds.  Leaders: Warren Cairo, Roger Horn and Michael McCabe.
49 species

Canada Goose  38
Mute Swan  2
Mallard  53
Double-crested Cormorant  2
Great Egret  4
Snowy Egret  1
Green Heron  2
Glossy Ibis  8
Turkey Vulture  2
Osprey  4
American Oystercatcher  6
Semipalmated Plover  1
Sanderling  12
Least Sandpiper  5
Semipalmated Sandpiper  3
Spotted Sandpiper  2
Laughing Gull  74
Ring-billed Gull  4
Herring Gull (American)  6
Lesser Black-backed Gull  1
Great Black-backed Gull  40
Least Tern  1
Common Tern  6
Forster's Tern  12
Royal Tern  1
Black Skimmer  1
Rock Pigeon (Feral Pigeon)  2
Mourning Dove  6
Chimney Swift  3
Ruby-throated Hummingbird  1
American Crow  2
Purple Martin  12
Tree Swallow  21
Barn Swallow  4
Carolina Wren  1
American Robin  8
Gray Catbird  2
Northern Mockingbird  2
European Starling  12
Common Yellowthroat  3
Field Sparrow  2
Song Sparrow  2
Indigo Bunting  1
Red-winged Blackbird  10
Common Grackle  2
Orchard Oriole  1
House Finch  4
American Goldfinch  4
House Sparrow  6

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

Birding the Meadows - Monday, July 31st, 2017

Water levels high due to recent heavy rains. Still a good number of Common Yellowthroats singing, as well as Indigo Buntings. Purple Martins still here with a few Tree Swallows, Barn Swallows and at least one Northern Rough-winged Swallow. On the beach we had gulls, terns, including Royal and 1 one Lesser Black-backed Gull. Leaders: Pete Dunne, Chuck Slugg, Karl Lukens, Steve Weis, Pat Perkins, Janet Crawford, Mary Watkins, & Carrie Bell.
48 species

Canada Goose  10
Mute Swan  2
Mallard  20
Double-crested Cormorant  7
Great Egret  5
Snowy Egret  3
Green Heron  1
Glossy Ibis  7
Osprey  6
American Oystercatcher  4
Sanderling  7
Least Sandpiper  4     fly over
Spotted Sandpiper  1
Solitary Sandpiper  1
Laughing Gull  50
Ring-billed Gull  3
Herring Gull  3
Lesser Black-backed Gull  1
Great Black-backed Gull  15
Least Tern  1
Common Tern  5
Forster's Tern  15
Royal Tern  7
Sandwich Tern  1   post juvenile
Rock Pigeon (Feral Pigeon)  3
Mourning Dove  7
Eastern Kingbird  3
American Crow  1
Northern Rough-winged Swallow  1
Purple Martin  15
Tree Swallow  10
Barn Swallow  2
Carolina Wren  1
Gray Catbird  1
Northern Mockingbird  2
European Starling  3
Cedar Waxwing  8
Common Yellowthroat  6
Yellow Warbler  2
Field Sparrow  2
Song Sparrow  2
Northern Cardinal  2
Indigo Bunting  3
Red-winged Blackbird  12
Common Grackle  2
Orchard Oriole  1
House Finch  2
American Goldfinch  5
House Sparrow  15

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

Common Yellowthroat [Photo by Karl Lukens]

Gray Catbird [Photo by Karl Lukens]

Birding Cape May Point - Friday, July 28th, 2017

The Purple Martins have fledged! The volume of 'ank, ank' calls has moved from the parking lot and calls can now be heard almost constantly throughout the park, with groups of young birds perched on snags, waiting hopefully for parental feedings. A lot of terns have appeared recently in the park as well, with many of them perching on the railings on Bunker Pond. This is the time of year to study them, sorting the Commons from the Forsters, and checking for other, less common terns. Leaders: Kathy Horn, Roger Horn, Karl Lukens, Kyle Chelius, Michael McCabe, & Cindy Bamford.
53 species

Canada Goose  24
Mute Swan  27
Mallard  33
Northern Bobwhite  1
Great Blue Heron (Blue form)  1
Great Egret  4
Snowy Egret  1
Green Heron  1
Glossy Ibis  4
Turkey Vulture  1
Osprey (carolinensis)  1
American Oystercatcher  4
Killdeer  1
Least Sandpiper  11
Lesser Yellowlegs  1
Laughing Gull  30
Ring-billed Gull  1
Herring Gull (American)  4
Great Black-backed Gull  9
Least Tern  6
Common Tern  14
Forster's Tern  55
Rock Pigeon (Feral Pigeon)  6
Mourning Dove  5
Ruby-throated Hummingbird  1
Downy Woodpecker (Eastern)  1
Northern Flicker (Yellow-shafted)  3
Great Crested Flycatcher  1
White-eyed Vireo  1
Blue Jay  2
Purple Martin  45
Tree Swallow  6
Barn Swallow (American)  11
Carolina Chickadee  3
Carolina Wren  8
American Robin  6
Gray Catbird  1
Northern Mockingbird  5
European Starling  12
Cedar Waxwing  9
Common Yellowthroat  6
Yellow Warbler  2
Yellow-breasted Chat  1
Song Sparrow  1
Eastern Towhee  1
Northern Cardinal  8
Blue Grosbeak  1
Indigo Bunting  2
Red-winged Blackbird (Red-winged)  17
Common Grackle (Purple)  2
Brown-headed Cowbird  2
Orchard Oriole  1
American Goldfinch  5

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

Northern Bobwhite [Photo by Karl Lukens]
Bullfrog [Photo by Kyle Chelius]

Great Egret [Photo by Kyle Chelius]

Bird Walk for All People - Thursday, July 27th, 2017

Leaders:  Chris Marks, Mary Watkins
38 species

Canada Goose  8
Mute Swan  6
Mallard (Northern)  12
Northern Bobwhite  2     heard calling continuing released birds
Great Blue Heron  1
Great Egret  3
Snowy Egret  1
Osprey (carolinensis)  2
Killdeer  1
Sanderling  8
Least Sandpiper  12
Solitary Sandpiper  1
Greater Yellowlegs  1
Lesser Yellowlegs  4
Laughing Gull  125
Herring Gull  2
Great Black-backed Gull  6
Least Tern  14
Common Tern  4
Forster's Tern  85
Royal Tern  2
Mourning Dove  2
Ruby-throated Hummingbird  1
Northern Flicker  2
Purple Martin  65
Tree Swallow  40
Bank Swallow  1
Carolina Chickadee  2
Carolina Wren  3
American Robin  4
Gray Catbird  1
Northern Mockingbird  3
Common Yellowthroat  2
Northern Cardinal  2
Indigo Bunting  2
Red-winged Blackbird (Red-winged)  8
American Goldfinch  2
House Sparrow  2

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

Sunset Birding at The Meadows - Wednesday, July 26th, 2017

The heat and humidity was down, making this evenings walk a real pleasure. We had a small group trying birding for the first time. The birds put on a pretty good show for them. Common Yellowthroats, Red-winged Blackbirds, Great Egrets, American Oystercatchers all showed off their beauty and song. The sunset was spectacular with many clouds to reflect sunlight and the lighthouse in the background. Leaders: Roger Horn and Michael McCabe.

45 species

Canada Goose  32
Mute Swan  2
Mallard  26
Double-crested Cormorant  3
Great Blue Heron  1
Great Egret  2
Snowy Egret  3
Little Blue Heron  2
Black-crowned Night-Heron  5
White Ibis  6     Continuing
Glossy Ibis  5
Turkey Vulture  2
Osprey  4
American Oystercatcher  6
Semipalmated Plover  2
Sanderling  16
Least Sandpiper  9
Short-billed Dowitcher  10
Spotted Sandpiper  1
Lesser Yellowlegs  4
Laughing Gull  16
Herring Gull (American)  4
Lesser Black-backed Gull (graellsii)  1
Great Black-backed Gull  8
Least Tern  9
Common Tern  2
Forster's Tern  22
Mourning Dove  8
Chimney Swift  3
Purple Martin  10
Tree Swallow  12
Bank Swallow  1
Barn Swallow  6
Carolina Wren  3
Gray Catbird  2
Northern Mockingbird  1
Common Yellowthroat  6
Yellow Warbler  1
Field Sparrow  1
Song Sparrow  3
Northern Cardinal  3
Indigo Bunting  1
Red-winged Blackbird  12
House Finch  2
American Goldfinch  4

American Oystercatcher [Photo by Roger Horn]

Birding the Meadows - Monday, July 24th, 2017

Lots of shorebirds to view including numerous Short-billed Dowitchers, Semipalmated  and Least Sandpipers, a Stilt Sandpiper, numerous Lesser Yellowlegs, Killdeer, and Semipalmated Plover. Waders included Great Blue Heron, 1 juvenile Little Blue  Heron, Green Heron, Snowy and Great Egrets, Glossy Ibis and 2 juvenile White Ibis. On the beach, we had several Sanderlings and at least 2 Lesser Black-backed Gulls.  Leaders: Pete Dunne, Chuck Slugg, Karl Lukens, Bill Boyle, Karen Thompson, Janet Crawford, Pat Perkins, Mary Watkins, & Bert Hixon.
60 species

Canada Goose  80
Gadwall  1
Mallard  25
Northern Bobwhite  1     heard by some
Brown Pelican  1     fly by
Great Blue Heron  4
Great Egret  3
Snowy Egret  3
Little Blue Heron  1
Green Heron  2
Black-crowned Night-Heron  2
White Ibis  2     juv.
Glossy Ibis  2
Osprey  6
American Oystercatcher  4
Semipalmated Plover  5
Killdeer  2
Stilt Sandpiper  1
Sanderling  8
Least Sandpiper  15
Semipalmated Sandpiper  10
Short-billed Dowitcher  32
Spotted Sandpiper  2
Greater Yellowlegs  1
Lesser Yellowlegs  9
Laughing Gull  50
Ring-billed Gull  1
Herring Gull  2
Lesser Black-backed Gull  2
Great Black-backed Gull  5
Least Tern  6
Common Tern  5
Forster's Tern  18
Black Skimmer  4
Rock Pigeon (Feral Pigeon)  2
Mourning Dove  25
Chimney Swift  3
Ruby-throated Hummingbird  2
Eastern Kingbird  2
American Crow  3
Fish Crow  2
Northern Rough-winged Swallow  1
Purple Martin  18
Tree Swallow  4
Barn Swallow  4
Northern Mockingbird  2
European Starling  7
Cedar Waxwing  3
Common Yellowthroat  6
Prairie Warbler  1     heard by a few
Field Sparrow  2     heard
Song Sparrow  4
Eastern Towhee  1     heard by a few
Northern Cardinal  2
Indigo Bunting  2
Red-winged Blackbird  10
Common Grackle  12
Orchard Oriole  2
American Goldfinch  5
House Sparrow  5

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

Immature Brown Pelican [Photo b Karl Lukens]

Lesser Black-backed Gull [Photo by Karl Lukens]

Juvenile White Ibis [Photo by Karl Lukens]