Final CMBO Beanery (Rea's Farm) walk-11//24/07

First, a photo from Karl Lukens of one cooperative Long-eared owl which was roosting at the Cape May Point State Park yesterday. More on the owl situation later.

Also, Karl sent the list for the final CMBO Beanery walk (Fall Migrants at the Rea Farm, officially) from yesterday 11/24. Evidence that there is still plenty of great birding to be had down here in Cape May, even at this time of year. Heck, I'd bet that some locals would argue that the late fall early winter holds some of the most exciting birding of the season. If for nothing more than rarities. But the numbers of short distance migrants don't disappoint as well.

"Some nice birds on the last, and chilly, Beanery walk of the season. Good looks at Red-tails and Red-shouldered Hawks, plus a Kestrel and a couple of "sharpies". Still lots of robins and many Savannah Sparrows in the front weed fields. A few Purple Finches, Meadowlarks, and a Cave Swallow made for a fine day."

Location: The Beanery
Observation date: 11/24/07
Notes: CMBO Walk
Number of species: 49

American Black Duck 2
Mallard 5
Black Vulture 1
Turkey Vulture 20
Sharp-shinned Hawk 2
Red-shouldered Hawk 2
Red-tailed Hawk 3
American Kestrel 1
Ring-billed Gull 2
Herring Gull 3
Rock Pigeon 1
Mourning Dove 30
Red-bellied Woodpecker 2
Downy Woodpecker 3
Hairy Woodpecker 1
Northern Flicker 2
Eastern Phoebe 2
Blue Jay 5
American Crow 15
Tree Swallow 5
Cave Swallow 1
Carolina Chickadee 3
Carolina Wren 5
Winter Wren 3
Ruby-crowned Kinglet 2
Eastern Bluebird 5
American Robin 100
Gray Catbird 1
Northern Mockingbird 1
European Starling 20
Cedar Waxwing 1
Yellow-rumped Warbler 15
Chipping Sparrow 1
Field Sparrow 1
Savannah Sparrow 15
Fox Sparrow 1
Song Sparrow 5
Swamp Sparrow 2
White-throated Sparrow 10
Dark-eyed Junco 10
Northern Cardinal 5
Red-winged Blackbird 25
Eastern Meadowlark 10
Common Grackle 25
Brown-headed Cowbird 25
Purple Finch 3
House Finch 5
American Goldfinch 10
House Sparrow 10