CAPE MAY BIRDING HOTLINE July 20, 2007

You have reached the Cape May Birding Hotline, a service of New Jersey Audubon Societys Cape May Bird Observatory. This weeks message was prepared on Friday July 20, 2007. Highlights this week include sightings of ROSEATE SPOONBILL, GULL-BILLED TERN and CURLEW SANDPIPER.

ANNOUNCEMENT:

We are pleased to announce the launch of CMBOs new, dynamic website; http://www.birdcapemay.org/. This site promises to be a virtual Cape May if you will. With daily to semi-daily sightings reports you can log on to see what is happening in Cape May in real time. Now, you can bird Cape May every day.


Now for the hotline;

The ROSEATE SPOONBILL, found on 7/12, continues to be seen at Brigantine NWR as of yesterday 7/19. Most observations are in the early morning and late evening; all came from the freshwater wetlands around the gull pond tower. Occasionally the bird is viewed in the west pool roosting in shrubs early/late in the day or in trees west of gull pond. Please continue to report sightings of this bird.

Also at Brigantine NWR during the week were: LEAST BITTERN, CATTLE EGRET, GULL-BILLED TERN (many), CASPIAN TERN and WHIMBREL.

A CURLEW SANDPIPER was found at Stone Harbor Point on the evening of 7/18 at low tide. The bird was again viewed on 7/19 in the vicinity at high tide. It is assumed that one might have a good chance to see this bird from the free bridge to Nummy Island at low tide.

Up to four GULL-BILLED TERNS have been frequenting the Cape May Point State Park at Bunker pond. Look for the birds roosting with other terns on the sandbar near the new non-public board walk.


CMBO Bookstore hours are as follows; Northwood Center on East Lake Drive in Cape May Point; summer hours, Wednesday- Monday 9:30-4:30. The Northwood Center will be closed on Tuesdays. The Center for Research and Education on Rt. 47 in Goshen is open Tuesday- Sunday 9:30- 4:30. At least one CMBO center will be open everyday to serve our members needs.


The Cape May Birding Hotline is a service of the New Jersey Audubon Societys Cape May Bird Observatory and details sightings from Cape May, Cumberland, and Atlantic Counties. Updates are made weekly. Please report sightings of rare or unusual birds to CMBO at 609-884-2736. Sponsorship for this hotline comes from the support of CMBO members and business members, and should you not be a member, we cordially invite you to join. Individual membership is $35 per year; $45 for families. You can call either center to become a member or visit. Become a member in person and youll receive your choice of a FREE gift (in addition to member discount in the stores).

Good Luck and Good Birding!