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Saturday, February 9, 2008

Sat. 2/9: C.M. Point walk + Misc. reports + Razorbill influx?

To start things off, here's a note from Karl and Judy Lukens: "CMBO Cape May Point Walk. On a cloudy cold and breezy morning the land birds were somewhat scarce. We did manage to find Downy and Red-bellied Woodpeckers, Cedar Waxwings, and the usual sparrow suspects. Ducks on Lily Lake were also scarce this morning but the Coots and Ruddy Ducks still remained with a few Wigeon. Seabirds were good with several flocks of Black and Surf Scoter and 1 White-winged Scoter, along with some fly-by Long-tails, and 5 Common Eider." A list from this walk is included at the end.

I made it out this afternoon, visiting Cape Island, Two Mile Beach, Stone Harbor Point and Jake's Landing. Highlights include the previously-mentioned eiders in Cape May Point (visible from St. Peter's), 7 Great Cormorants lounging on the jetties and a fly-by White-winged Scoter at Two Mile Beach, a fly-over American Pipit at Stone Harbor Point, and 2 Nelson's Sharp-tailed Sparrows, 5 Seaside Sparrows (including two singing!) and at least 3 Short-eared Owls at Jake's at sundown.

Recent sightings written into the log at CMBO's Northwood Center include a Nashville Warbler seen today in the State Park, a Black-headed Gull seen yesterday at Cold Spring Inlet (the south end of Two Mile Beach), and an immature Black-headed Gull seen on Tuesday at the Ferry Terminal. Visiting birder Bill Keim told me of an impressive shorebird flock of about 10,000 individuals that he saw today at Hereford Inlet from North Wildwood, including a very impressive February tally of 20-30 Semipalmated Plovers, 60 or so Red Knots, and a decent number of Western Sandpipers.

Keep your eyes open for alcids... noted Delaware birder Ed Sigda sent the following message to that state's birding listserv yesterday: "I went out on a one way inshore pelagic trip aboard the Cape May-Lewes Ferry today and had a total of 14 Razorbills, including a very cooperative group of 6 sitting in the water as the ferry approached. All but 3 were in Delaware waters. The best bird of the day got away though, as I had a very close near breading plumage Murre sp. fly across the bow. Unfortunately is was so close that if was inside my scanning range so I didn't see it until it was dead ahead of the boat." A check of the JerseyBirds listserv revealed a report from Blake Mathys detailing 3 Razorbills at Barnegat Light today, including one on the water just north of the lighthouse.

Lastly, as promised, here is this morning's list from Cape May Point-

Location: Cape May Point
Observation date: 2/9/08
Number of species: 43
Canada Goose 2

Mute Swan 3
American Wigeon 5
Common Eider 5
Surf Scoter 4
White-winged Scoter 1
Black Scoter 10
Long-tailed Duck 9
Ruddy Duck 12
Red-throated Loon 5
Great Blue Heron 2
Turkey Vulture 2
Sharp-shinned Hawk 1
American Coot 20
Bonaparte's Gull 3
Ring-billed Gull X
Herring Gull X
Great Black-backed Gull X
Rock Pigeon 15
Mourning Dove 25
Red-bellied Woodpecker 1
Downy Woodpecker 1
Blue Jay 5
American Crow X
Carolina Chickadee 3
Red-breasted Nuthatch 2
Carolina Wren 2
American Robin 25
Gray Catbird 1
Northern Mockingbird 2
European Starling 25
Cedar Waxwing 10
Yellow-rumped Warbler 10
Song Sparrow 1
White-throated Sparrow 15
Dark-eyed Junco 5
Northern Cardinal 5
Red-winged Blackbird 15
Common Grackle 15
Purple Finch 1
House Finch 20
American Goldfinch 5
House Sparrow 10

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