Report from the Meadows

This morning's CMBO Cape May Migratory Bird Refuge walk was rather sparrowy, with good numbers of Savannah, Swamp, Song and Chipping, as well as White-crowned and White-throated. A few gannets and some American Pipits were found from the beach. We missed Sanderling somehow, perhaps they were just around the corner on the beaches of Cape May City.

I had a tantalizing look at what was probably an Orange-crowned Warbler along the west path, but it will have to remain just that - tantalizing.

Winds were light and south, yet there was a strong flight of robins, meadowlarks, yellow-rumps, and House Finches. Yes, that's right, House Finches clearly engaged in morning flight, in largish flocks.

Today's full list is below:


Location: South Cape May Meadows
Observation date: 10/22/07
Notes: CMBO Monday morning meadows walk.
Number of species: 57
Canada Goose 300
Mute Swan 4
Gadwall 10
American Wigeon 10
American Black Duck 5
Mallard 10
Blue-winged Teal 2
Northern Shoveler 10
Northern Pintail 10
Green-winged Teal 5
Black Scoter 15
Northern Gannet 7
Double-crested Cormorant 200
Great Blue Heron 1
Great Egret 1
Sharp-shinned Hawk 3
Cooper's Hawk 2
American Kestrel 1
Merlin 5
Peregrine Falcon 1
Killdeer 2
Greater Yellowlegs 1
Laughing Gull 5
Ring-billed Gull 20
Herring Gull 50
Great Black-backed Gull 50
Royal Tern 15
Rock Pigeon 10
Mourning Dove 20
Northern Flicker 10
Blue Jay 1
American Crow 20
Carolina Chickadee 2
Red-breasted Nuthatch 1
Carolina Wren 2
Ruby-crowned Kinglet 1
American Robin 500
Gray Catbird 1
Northern Mockingbird 1
European Starling 25
Yellow-rumped Warbler 500
Palm Warbler 15
Common Yellowthroat 2
Chipping Sparrow 10
Savannah Sparrow 25
Song Sparrow 10
Swamp Sparrow 10
White-throated Sparrow 5
White-crowned Sparrow 1
Dark-eyed Junco 1
Red-winged Blackbird 75
Eastern Meadowlark 25
Boat-tailed Grackle 10
Brown-headed Cowbird 25
House Finch 100
American Goldfinch 5
House Sparrow 5