CAPE MAY BIRDING HOTLINE December 6, 2007

CAPE MAY BIRDING HOTLINE December 6, 2007

The Cape May Birding Hotline is a service of New Jersey Audubon Societys Cape May Bird Observatory. This weeks message was prepared on Thursday December 6, 2007. Highlights this week include sightings of BULLOCKS ORIOLE, BARNACLE GOOSE, EVENING GROSBEAK, COMMON REDPOLL, ROUGH-LEGGED HAWK, CAVE SWALLOW, SNOW BUNTING, YELLOW-BREASTED CHAT, LESSER BLACK-BACKED GULL, BLACK LEGGED KITTIWAKE, COMMON EIDER, KING EIDER and SHORT-EARED OWL.

For more up to the minute Cape May sightings information check the View from the Cape section of www.BirdCapeMay.org.

The BULLOCKS ORIOLE which had been regular at the Hidden Valley Extension along Bayshore road has not bee reported since 12/2.

Seen on Lily Lake for a short time today, 12/6, the BARNACLE GOOSE was actually observed from the spotting scopes inside the Northwood Center. This bird still seems to be moving around frequently with flocks of Canada Geese. Evenings at TNCs Cape May Migratory Bird Refuge (CMMBR) are possibly still the best time to catch this bird while many birders still report seeing the bird as it is flying from one spot to another.

On 11/30 an EVENING GROSBEAK flew over the hawkwatch platform at the Cape May Point State Park.

Also at the Cape May point State Park on 11/30 were a YELLOW-BREASTED CHAT and a ROUGH-LEGGED HAWK.

ROUGH-LEGGED HAWKS have also been recently reported form the Corbin City area.

A COMMON REDPOLL visited a feeder on Reeds Beach Road on 12/3. There have been further reports of this species from this location since.

CAVE SWALLOWS are still being seen in Cape May. The last reports of this species were flyovers at the Cape May Point State Park on 11/30.

A flock of 77 SNOW BUNTINGS were found (in the snow) yesterday, 12/5, at TNCs CMMBR. On 12/1, 85 SNOW BUNTINGS were observed at the Cape May Point State Park.

A LESSER BLACK-BACKED GULL was at the TNCs CMMBR on 11/29.

Recent rarities at CMBOs Avalon Seawatch; on 12/2 COMMON EIDER, KING EIDER and PARASITIC JEAGER were flybys. Also of note recently was a flyby BLACK-LEGGED KITTIWAKE.

Lastly, SHORT-EARED OWL reports are trickling in from Jakes Landing Road. Four birds were seen on 12/1 and 12/2. Also, a SHORT-EARED OWL was seen at the Magnasite Pant in Cape May, yesterday, 12/5.

ANNOUNCEMENT:

CMBO is offering a special to new and upgraded membership renewals. Join CMBO for the first time or upgrade from Individual or Family to The Hundred and receive Charley Harpers Migration Mainline- Cape May lithograph poster, valued at $50. Call either CMBO center to ask an associate about joining today!

******CMBO Bookstore hours are as follows; Northwood Center on East Lake Drive in Cape May Point, starting December 1, will be closed on Tuesdays. The center will be open Wednesday-Monday for the winter. Hours are 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. The Center for Research and Education on Rt. 47 in Goshen is open Tuesday- Sunday 9:30- 4:30.******

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 $39 per year; $49 for families. You can call either center to become a member or visit. Become a member in person and youll receive a FREE gift (in addition to member discount in the stores).

Good Luck and Good Birding!