Roseate & Sandwich Tern photos

After we had a quick discussion of the days tern rarities, and a quick jaunt out to see if the birds were still around, Bob Fogg sent a few photos to share.

The SANDWICH TERN (center bird in both photos) stands out (quite literally) in comparison to the Forster's Terns in the background.

Hopefully the birder who came into the Northwood Center today to report a possible ROSEATE TERN will see this to confirm his identification. While that bird was seen at the Cape May point State Park, and this photo was taken from the Meadows, there is every possibility that this is the bird from the mornings report. After all it is a very short flight up the beach from the park to the TNC property. Or, there could be more than one Roseate tern around! Note that you can see a bit of rose coloration to the breast in the photos,
it's not just a Photoshop trick.

SANDWICH TERN- TNC's Cape May Migratory Bird Refuge

We just received a call here at the Northwood Center that a SANDWICH TERN is currently being viewed at TNC's Cape may Migratory Bird Refuge (the Meadows). The bird can be located, currently, from the west trail (the path closer to the lighthouse) near the dune line, on a small sand bar on the east side of the trail.

Also, a report of a possible ROSEATE TERN at Bunker pond in the Cape May Point State Park. This bird was sitting on the overflow culvert pipe, mixed in with numerous Forster's Terns.

EDIT: According to NJAS staff member Bob Fogg the Sandwich Tern was still present at the Meadows at approximately 3:30 p.m.

Birding By Ear North Highlights - Grouse and Warblers

Today's CMBO School of Birding Workshop, Birding by Ear North, found us in High Point State Park, Sussex County, NJ. "Us" means me, co-leader Mark Garland, and two dozen birders who came to NJ's late May paradise for bird song immersion punctuated by brief lectures on how to identify bird sounds, and how to remember them. The idea was to provide field experience with 75-100 species, lots of repetition, and tips on recognition. After day one we have encountered 72 species, the majority of which were heard well and repeatedly by all participants. This workshop will undoubtedly become annual - we had a waiting list this year and everyone seems to be thrilled with the rich breeding bird life. It's an excellent complement to our south Jersey Birding by Ear workshop.

An undisputed highlight was a repeatedly drumming Ruffed Grouse (at 5:00 a.m., enjoyed by the 14 participants that braved our 4:00 a.m. optional meeting time), a sound that's become quite rare in NJ. We heard piles of quality northern breeders like Blackburnian, Black-throated Blue, and Canada Warblers, and Northern Waterthrush, not to mention loads of veeries, three vireos (Red-eyed, Yellow-throated and Blue-headed) and both cuckoos. We had great looks at many birds, too, including Cerulean Warbler and Yellow-billed Cuckoo. In the afternoon, we found a Hairy Woodpecker pair feeding young and watched the food-bringing for quite a while, a delightful finish to the day (and something that would have been a pearl of great price for the World Series of Birding!) We made no effort to track down every possible species of bird up here, so our list is not exaustive, but sure is extensive:


Location: High Point State Park
Observation date: 5/30/08
Notes: CMBO Birding by Ear North Day 1. With Mark Garland. Highlights: grouse drumming, Hairy Woodpecker feeding young. Nearly all birds on list were heard by all participants.
Number of species: 72
Canada Goose X
Mallard X
Ruffed Grouse X
Wild Turkey X
Great Blue Heron X
Turkey Vulture X
Sharp-shinned Hawk X
Red-tailed Hawk X
Mourning Dove X
Yellow-billed Cuckoo X
Black-billed Cuckoo X
Chimney Swift X
Ruby-throated Hummingbird X
Red-bellied Woodpecker X
Yellow-bellied Sapsucker X
Hairy Woodpecker X
Northern Flicker X
Pileated Woodpecker X
Eastern Wood-Pewee X
Acadian Flycatcher X
Least Flycatcher X
Eastern Phoebe X
Great Crested Flycatcher X
Yellow-throated Vireo X
Blue-headed Vireo X
Red-eyed Vireo X
Blue Jay X
American Crow X
Common Raven X
Tree Swallow X
Black-capped Chickadee X
Tufted Titmouse X
White-breasted Nuthatch X
Brown Creeper X
Blue-gray Gnatcatcher X
Eastern Bluebird X
Veery X
Wood Thrush X
American Robin X
Gray Catbird X
Cedar Waxwing X
Nashville Warbler X
Yellow Warbler X
Chestnut-sided Warbler X
Black-throated Blue Warbler X
Blackburnian Warbler X
Pine Warbler X
Prairie Warbler X
Blackpoll Warbler X
Cerulean Warbler X
Black-and-white Warbler X
American Redstart X
Ovenbird X
Northern Waterthrush X
Common Yellowthroat X
Wilson's Warbler X
Canada Warbler X
Scarlet Tanager X
Eastern Towhee X
Chipping Sparrow X
Field Sparrow X
Song Sparrow X
Swamp Sparrow X
Northern Cardinal X
Rose-breasted Grosbeak X
Indigo Bunting X
Red-winged Blackbird X
Brown-headed Cowbird X
Baltimore Oriole X
Purple Finch X
House Finch X
American Goldfinch X

CMBO Program, Clapper Rail Madness

Chuck and Mary Jane Slugg share the sightings for today's CMBO Program, Clapper Rail Madness. It looks like they moved to Reed's Beach to take advantage of the good shorebirding to be had along the bay shore this time of year and had some good sightings to boot. A Brown Pelican in the bay is a decent bird as they tend to stay along the ocean beaches rather than up into the bay.


Location: Jakes Landing
Observation date: 5/30/08
Notes: List includes birds seen at Jakes Landing during Clapper Rail Madness. When everyone had had their fill of clapper rails and seaside sparrows, we proceeded to Reeds Beach.
Number of species: 19

American Black Duck X
Great Egret X
Snowy Egret X
Glossy Ibis X
Turkey Vulture X
Osprey X
Red-tailed Hawk X
Clapper Rail X
Greater Yellowlegs X
Willet X
Laughing Gull X
Herring Gull X
Great Black-backed Gull X
Forster's Tern X
Tree Swallow X
Marsh Wren X
Seaside Sparrow X
Song Sparrow X
Red-winged Blackbird X

This report was generated automatically by eBird v2

Location: Reeds Beach
Observation date: 5/30/08
Notes: After meeting at Jakes Landing for Clapper Rail Madness, the group continued to Reeds Beach to see if we could find any red knots and horseshoe crabs. There were a handful of red knots by jetty and a few horseshoe crabs littering the beach in front of the observation platform.
Number of species: 22

Brown Pelican X
Willet X
Ruddy Turnstone X
Red Knot X
Sanderling X
Semipalmated Sandpiper X
Short-billed Dowitcher X
Laughing Gull X
Herring Gull X
Great Black-backed Gull X
Rock Pigeon X
Mourning Dove X
Barn Swallow X
American Robin X
Northern Mockingbird X
European Starling X
Song Sparrow X
Northern Cardinal X
Red-winged Blackbird X
Common Grackle X
Boat-tailed Grackle X
House Sparrow X

This report was generated automatically by eBird v2

CMBO Belleplain State Forest walk- 5/29/08

A report from Karl Lukens on yesterday's CMBO Belleplain State Forest walk. Unfortunately this was the last CMBO walk in Belleplain, this spring, looking for southern Jersey breeding warblers and the such. While you can bird Belleplain very easily on your own (stop into the Center for Research and Education to as for more specific directions if you don't k now your way around the State Forest) you might take a look at the Naturalist's Calendar for June. There are a number of good walks to participate in for the first month of summer. One of my favorites makes a return on Fridays, the Sunset Birding at the Meadows walk.

Thanks for the photo Karl!

"Missed a few things at Belleplain, but great looks at Hooded Warbler and Gnatcatcher on nest feeding young, Super looks at the Red-headed Woodpecker in the scope!"



Location: Belleplain State Forest
Observation date: 5/29/08
Number of species: 50

Black Vulture 2
Turkey Vulture 6
Red-tailed Hawk 1
Laughing Gull X
Herring Gull X
Mourning Dove 5
Ruby-throated Hummingbird 1
Red-headed Woodpecker 1
Red-bellied Woodpecker 2
Downy Woodpecker 1
Northern Flicker (Yellow-shafted) 1
Eastern Wood-Pewee 3
Acadian Flycatcher 3
Great Crested Flycatcher 4
Eastern Kingbird 4
White-eyed Vireo 3
Red-eyed Vireo 5
Blue Jay 1
American Crow 1
Tree Swallow 2
Barn Swallow 5
Carolina Chickadee 3
Tufted Titmouse 1
Carolina Wren 2
Blue-gray Gnatcatcher 7
Wood Thrush 10
American Robin 3
Gray Catbird 2
Northern Mockingbird 1
European Starling 10
Cedar Waxwing 10
Yellow-throated Warbler 4
Pine Warbler 3
Black-and-white Warbler 1
Worm-eating Warbler 1
Ovenbird 10
Common Yellowthroat 3
Hooded Warbler 2
Summer Tanager 2
Eastern Towhee 1
Chipping Sparrow 5
Field Sparrow 1
Northern Cardinal 5
Indigo Bunting 5
Red-winged Blackbird 5
Common Grackle 10
Brown-headed Cowbird 10
Orchard Oriole 4
Baltimore Oriole 1
American Goldfinch 2

This report was generated automatically by eBird v2

CAPE MAY BIRDING HOTLINE- May 29, 2008

This is the Cape May Birding Hotline, a service of New Jersey Audubon Society's Cape May Bird Observatory. This week's message was prepared on Thursday, May 29, 2008. Highlights this week include sightings of CURLEW SANDPIPER, WHITE-WINGED DOVE, MISSISSIPPI KITE, WESTERN SANDPIPER, LONG-BILLED DOWITCHER, BONAPARTE'S GULL, LESSER BLACK-BACKED GULL, GLAUCOUS GULL, BLACK TERN, SANDWICH TERN, OLIVE-SIDED FLYCATCHER, ALDER FLYCATCHER, BLUE-HEADED VIREO, GRAY-CHEEKED THRUSH, TENNESSEE WARBLER, KENTUCKY WARBLER, and CANADA WARBLER.

As many as 4 CURLEW SANDPIPERS continued to be seen at Heislerville WMA in Cumberland County this week.

A WHITE-WINGED DOVE has been seen sporadically in Del Haven this week, at 14 S. Eighth Street.

A WESTERN SANDPIPER was seen at Heislerville WMA on 5/26. At least 1 LONG-BILLED DOWITCHER continued at Brig/Forsythe NWR through 5/27.

An impressive 2-3 OLIVE-SIDED FLYCATCHERS were recorded at Higbee Beach WMA between 5/23 and 5/24.

1-2 MISSISSIPPI KITES were observed over Cape May Point on 5/23.

7 BLACK TERNS were seen at the South Cape May Meadows/CMMBR on 5/23. A SANDWICH TERN was reported from Higbee Beach WMA on 5/24.

The GLAUCOUS GULL at Brig/Forsythe NWR was last reported from the north dike on 5/27. Multiple LESSER BLACK-BACKED GULLS continue to be seen in and around the South Cape May Meadows/CMMBR. 2 late BONAPARTE'S GULLS were seen at Sunset Beach on 5/23.

A KENTUCKY WARBLER was still singing along the road to the dike at Higbee Beach WMA as of 5/26. A TENNESSEE WARBLER was recorded at Higbee Beach WMA on 5/24, and an ALDER FLYCATCHER was singing here on 5/23. CANADA WARBLERS were found in Cape May Point on 5/23, and in Belleplain S.F. on 5/25. 2 late BLUE-HEADED VIREOS were noted at Higbee Beach WMA on 5/25. 10 GRAY-CHEEKED THRUSHES were tallied within Bear Swamp (Cumberland County) on 5/25.


ANNOUNCEMENTS:

CMBO's Northwood Center in Cape May Point has returned to SUMMER HOURS through the end of August. The Center will be open Wednesday through Monday, 9:30am to 4:30pm. The Center is now CLOSED on Tuesdays.

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 Harper's Migration Mainline- Cape May lithograph poster, valued at $50. Call either CMBO center to ask an associate about joining today!

******CMBO Bookstore SUMMER HOURS (June - August) are as follows: Northwood Center on East Lake Drive in Cape May Point is open Wednesday through Monday, 9:30am to 4:30pm; closed Tuesdays. The Center for Research and Education on Rt. 47 in Goshen is open Tuesday through Sunday, 9:30am to 4:30pm; closed Mondays.******

The Cape May Birding Hotline is a service of the New Jersey Audubon Society's 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 you'll receive a FREE gift (in addition to member discount in the stores).

Good Luck and Good Birding!

Shorebirds,Shorebirds,Shorebirds!

With only a little time to spare this morning I decided to hit Norbury's Landing as low tide is just before 10:30 a.m. If figured that the 40 minutes or so that I had would be best spent watching shorebirds rather than rushing a walk elsewhere.

I was pleasantly surprised when I found that there were good numbers of birds on the flats. I was hoping for a little less exposed ground as low tide was still two hours away, but you deal with what you have to work with. What had me discouraged was the fact that my scope had fogged in the warm morning air (I'd left is in the cool car overnight) and because I hadn't cleaned it in a while, it was refusing to become usable. Note to Don: we should work on a "how to clean your optics" Birding Fieldcraft. It was a pretty funny predicament as I clean other folks optics on regular basis when checking them out at the Northwood Center. None the less, I am human........

So after 15-20 minutes of pointing the fogged scope into the sun, the moisture had all finally evaporated from the objective lens and was again usable. (Remember this trick as it can come in very handy under the correct situations.) After have resolved in my mind that I was going to have to count birds I could identify with just my 8x bins, I was able to take advantage of that reach we get with the higher magnification in a scope. And boy what a difference that makes.

Advice to birders who are thinking about visiting Norbury's Landing. As stated previously, lower tides are best. At dead low the flats can be quite extensive and you are surveying a lot of real estate. This is great if you are wanting to work on sorting out distant basic plumaged Sanderling vs. basic plumaged Semi-palmated Sandpipers. But most who visit are probably looking to see Red Knots! And this seems to be a great place to view this highly publicized species this spring. While there was not much evidence, I was told that there had been some crab movement in the last few nights. There did not seem to be any concentration of feeding knots or turnstones that indicated a crab nest had been found. So, I recommend trying to get there on the rising or falling tides as this can allow for much closer views if timed correctly. My thoughts on today's birding were that had I gotten to Norbury's an hour sooner I might have had birds in a bit closer. High tide was about 4:00 a.m. and Low at about 10:30 a.m. I am guessing that given the distance the water was from the viewing area that hitting a mid-falling tide (about three hours after high and three and a half before low) might have just made for better viewing. Who know if I am correct. I guess I'll just have to conduct a little personal research and see if my hypothesis is correct.

I have pasted the list from today at Norbury's and, below, for our short trip up to HeislervilleWMA to look for the Curlew Sandpiper. We got short views of one bird but there were evidently two around. Good numbers of birds over all though I've been told that a sizable chunk of the population (Dunlin and Short-billed Dowitchwers especially) was not present on that day, presumed departed for the breeding grounds.



Location: Norbury's Landing
Observation date: 5/29/08
Number of species: 24

Canada Goose 6
Mallard 2
Great Egret 12
Snowy Egret 15
Black-bellied Plover 4
Semipalmated Plover 16
Willet 2
Ruddy Turnstone 75
Red Knot 115
Sanderling 370
Semipalmated Sandpiper 802
Laughing Gull X
Herring Gull X
Great Black-backed Gull X
Least Tern X
Forster's Tern X
Eastern Kingbird 1
Fish Crow 2
Purple Martin 1
Barn Swallow 1
Cedar Waxwing 2
Song Sparrow 1
Indigo Bunting 1
Boat-tailed Grackle 4

This report was generated automatically by eBird v2


Location: Heislerville WMA
Observation date: 5/27/08
Number of species: 31

American Black Duck 2
Mallard 2
Great Blue Heron 1
Great Egret 3
Snowy Egret 6
Black-crowned Night-Heron 1
Glossy Ibis 6
Clapper Rail X
Black-bellied Plover 400
Semipalmated Plover 600
Killdeer 2
Willet 4
Ruddy Turnstone 10
Red Knot 8
Semipalmated Sandpiper 10000
Least Sandpiper 150
White-rumped Sandpiper 4
Dunlin 2000
Curlew Sandpiper 1
Short-billed Dowitcher 1500
Laughing Gull X
Ring-billed Gull X
Herring Gull X
Great Black-backed Gull X
Forster's Tern X
Yellow-billed Cuckoo X
Tree Swallow X
Barn Swallow X
Marsh Wren X
Red-winged Blackbird X
Common Grackle X

This report was generated automatically by eBird v2

CMBO Cape May Point walk- 5/28/08

Results for today's CMBO Cape May Point walk are in. It seems like Karl, Tom, Judy and crew had a nice birding morning even if it was a little on the slow side.

It may turn out that Thursday morning is quite nice given the Southwest winds that are being predicted right now. Even though it is late in the season for huge numbers of birds to be moving into our region, there is still a good chance for excellent birds to be found. I guess in about 24 hours we'll know.....

"Usual suspects on this morning's CMBO Cape May Point Walk, although several
were life birds for a couple of the participants. Results listed below."


Location: Cape May Point
Observation date: 5/28/08
Number of species: 50

Canada Goose 5
Mute Swan 5
Mallard 5
Double-crested Cormorant 1
Green Heron 1
Turkey Vulture 2
Osprey 2
Piping Plover 2
Killdeer 1
Willet (Eastern) 2
Ruddy Turnstone 10
Red Knot 1
Sanderling 6
Purple Sandpiper 1
Laughing Gull X
Herring Gull X
Great Black-backed Gull X
Least Tern 10
Common Tern 1
Forster's Tern 10
Rock Pigeon 2
Mourning Dove 5
Chimney Swift 8
Northern Flicker (Yellow-shafted) 1
Eastern Kingbird 2
Blue Jay 4
American Crow 1
Fish Crow 3
Purple Martin 30
Tree Swallow 5
Northern Rough-winged Swallow 3
Barn Swallow 10
Carolina Chickadee 2
Carolina Wren 3
House Wren 6
American Robin 15
Gray Catbird 3
Northern Mockingbird 2
European Starling 15
Cedar Waxwing 3
Yellow Warbler 1
Magnolia Warbler 1
Common Yellowthroat 4
Song Sparrow 3
Northern Cardinal 6
Red-winged Blackbird 10
Common Grackle 20
Brown-headed Cowbird 5
House Finch 5
House Sparrow 5

This report was generated automatically by eBird v2

White-winged Dove in Del haven

This just in from John Heuges:

"A white-winged dove has put in an appearance in our back yard for the last three days. Always landing on an outbuilding rooftop, and not staying more than a minute. Checks out the drippers, I guess, then leaves. We're at 14 S. 8th Street in Del Haven."

Del Haven is the little community north of the Villas along the Delaware Bay where Norbury's Landing is. Folks going to Norbury's to view shorebirds might want to keep this as yet unreliable dove in mind. If it becomes more of a staked-out and chaseable bird, we'll post that info here.

Whip-poor-wills GALORE!

What a night to get out and participate in some research. For the last few years we've participated in a few Citizen Science projects with New Jersey Audubon. This particular night we were conducting research as part of the Northeast Nightjar Survey. If you're like me, you don't get out to experience the night bird life as often as you should. Taking part in surveys such as this, forces you to get out at night as well as has the bonus of contributing to science. Plus, not only are the survey results going directly to the primary investigators at NH Audubon but by putting our survey findings into eBird we are allowing any potential researchers access this data.

Given that last night the moon was still more than 50% illuminated and the wind was a bout nill for most of the evening, this made for perfect conditions to hear nightjars calling. And boy did we hear birds. The protocol of the survey (in addition to requirements regarding moon illumination and wind) requires that notes be taken on surrounding noise conditions which may impede the observers ability to hear the intended subjects.

So we started out at about 2 a.m. under a clear, moon lit sky because the survey requires that the moon be above the horizon. Our first stop yielded a handful of Whip-poor-wills and pretty much every stop for the rest of the route had at least one calling bird. I think we only had two out of tens stops that had no birds calling in fact. The most we had at one stop was about six individuals with a final total of no less than 25 birds. What a night! I can tell you that after three to four calling whips it can get very hard to distinguish additional calling birds.

What was interesting to me was the difference compared to last year. At best we had about 8-10 total birds calling last year. But we also had to do the survey during the second round in the middle of June and the weather had us on the verge of having to call the attempt. In a quick look at Stone's Bird Studies at Old Cape May he indicates that Whip-poor-wills were much more common in even the extreme southern part of the county. "In the immediate vicinity of Cape May Whip-poor-wills are found only in the woods and thickets of the Point but farther up in the peninsula they are of regular occurrence in all swampy wooded localities......They are particularly abundant at Higbee's Beach and other densely wooded localities along the Bay shore". The reason I find this passage interesting is that today, whips are by no means common on Cape Island, or Higbee's Beach. In fact they can be down right hard to come across most of the time. Tom Parsons did tell me the other night he had one calling near his house. Some excitement surrounding the observation of one singing whip is a far cry from the "May 20, 1928" observation of eight individuals calling around Cape May Point. And, evidently "while heard more frequently than are seen, about the Point, Whip-poor-wills can easily be flushed in the daytime from the huckleberry thickets". Well, it is a little reassuring to have a night like we did, giving hope that the nightjar numbers are not in as a precipitous decline as is the current thinking.

Below I've created a map of the area where our survey route is located. (As you can tell I'm on a map kick, it's just so easy and hopefully these are helpful to someone out there.) Our route is in the vicinity of Estelle Manor and Dorthy (near Corbin Cinty and Tuckahoe) just inside Atlantic County north of Cape May. If you are on the search for whips you'd do well to drive around this area. We were even treated to one bird very close to the road and obliged us with short views in flight and perched. At least enough to finally be able to add this specie to my life list.

Other good birds for the night were two Grey-cheeked Thrushes (flying over of course), three Ovenbirds and an Eastern Wood Pee-wee. The full list is below.


Location: Northeast Nightjar Survey Rt # 009
Observation date: 5/26/08
Notes: Survey route 10 stops, one mile apart between stops.
Number of species: 9

Yellow-billed Cuckoo 2
Eastern Screech-Owl 1
Great Horned Owl 1
Whip-poor-will 25
Eastern Wood-Pewee 1
Gray-cheeked Thrush 2
Northern Mockingbird 1
Ovenbird 3
Northern Cardinal 1

This report was generated automatically by eBird v2

Lesser Black-backed Gull and Willow Flycatchers in the Meadows

CMBO's Monday morning Meadows walk featured a Lesser Black-backed Gull on the beach and two territorial Willow Flycatchers along the west path. The gull was an interesting individual, wearing what appeared to be first summer plumage but with a more substantial light base to the bill than is typical for this age. Second and third calendar year lessbacks are nothing if not variable, making aging them accurately difficult.

A Common Loon in breeding plumage flew over, and one Blackpoll Warbler sang from the cedars. The full list is below.

Location: South Cape May Meadows
Observation date: 5/26/08
Number of species: 57
Canada Goose 30
Mute Swan 5
Gadwall 3
Mallard 10
Common Loon 1
Double-crested Cormorant 5
Great Blue Heron 1
Great Egret 5
Green Heron 2
Black-crowned Night-Heron 1
Glossy Ibis 25
Turkey Vulture 1
Osprey 3
Semipalmated Plover 2
Piping Plover 2
Killdeer 2
American Oystercatcher 1
Spotted Sandpiper 4
Greater Yellowlegs 2
Willet 2
Ruddy Turnstone 1
Semipalmated Sandpiper 10
Least Sandpiper 10
Laughing Gull 20
Ring-billed Gull 2
Herring Gull 50
Lesser Black-backed Gull 1
Great Black-backed Gull 20
Least Tern 20
Forster's Tern 30
Black Skimmer 3
Rock Pigeon 2
Mourning Dove 5
Chimney Swift 2
Downy Woodpecker 1
Willow Flycatcher 2
American Crow 5
Purple Martin 1
Tree Swallow 5
Barn Swallow 10
Carolina Wren 5
American Robin 1
Gray Catbird 2
Northern Mockingbird 5
European Starling 2
Cedar Waxwing 2
Blackpoll Warbler 1
Common Yellowthroat 6
Song Sparrow 2
Swamp Sparrow 1
Northern Cardinal 3
Red-winged Blackbird 30
Common Grackle 20
Boat-tailed Grackle 5
Brown-headed Cowbird 1
House Finch 2
House Sparrow 5

Thrushes and other Migrants at Bear Swamp

I spent today helping a friend with her MAPS banding station in Bear Swamp, near Dividing Creek in Cumberland County. Birders often work Route 555 heading out of Dividing Creek for things like Kentucky and Prothonotary Warblers and Summer Tanager - this is the general area we were in. The station is far off the road, but you don't need to venture into the bush to find great stuff here. Just mind the traffic, sand trucks in particular.

If there ever were a reminder about the importance of swamp forests in general, and Bear Swamp in particular, for migratory birds, today was it. Thrushes were everywhere - we banded many Gray-cheeked and Swainson's Thrushes, and two Veeries, all migrants bound for points north, as well as one Wood Thrush, which probably was a local. A lot of northbound migration is finished by May 25, but for these thrushes it is still going strong. Nonetheless, it is unusual to record either Gray-cheeked or Swainson's in double digits, Gray-cheeked in particular, unless you are listening to their flight notes overhead at night. I heard or had visuals on at least 10 of each species in the depths of the woods during the morning. Many were singing, and the Gray-cheekeds gave frequent flight calls throughout the morning. And these thrushes were loaded with fat deposits, emphasizing even more the quality of this habitat for migrants.

[The top photo below is of a Gray-cheeked, the bottom of a Swainson's. Note the Gray-cheeked's plain gray face and minimal, incomplete eye-ring compared to the warm tones and prominent eye ring and "spectacle" on the Swainson's . Photos by Don Freiday, click to enlarge.]

[Having a bird in the hand can sometimes help with i.d, though I often find it easier to i.d. free ranging birds because that's how I am accustomed to seeing them, and because behavioral, vocal and shape clues are more helpful. Note that P6, the 4th feather in from the outside of the wing, is emarginated on this Gray-cheeked Thrush, meaning it narrows down towards the tip on the outer web. The same feather is not emarginated on Swainson's - but it usually is for the rare Bicknell's Thrush, so other clues must be used. These thrushes have 10 primaries, but the outermost one is tiny and not visibile in this photo.]

Bear Swamp held many more birds than thrushes. Particularly enjoyable were multiple Kentucky Warblers, Acadian Flycatcher, and Prothonotary Warbler. Whip-poor-wills were deafening along Route 555 at dawn. . . and ticks abundant and mosquitoes deadly in the forest interior all morning, so stick to the roadside and be prepared for insects. My full list of non-banded birds is below; most of these were heard, and all can be heard from Route 555 in this area.

Location: Bear Swamp
Observation date: 5/25/08
Number of species: 36
Laughing Gull 5
Yellow-billed Cuckoo 3
Black-billed Cuckoo 1
Whip-poor-will 5
Hairy Woodpecker 1
Northern Flicker 1
Eastern Wood-Pewee 1
Acadian Flycatcher 5
Great Crested Flycatcher 1
Yellow-throated Vireo 1
Red-eyed Vireo 5
Veery 2
Gray-cheeked Thrush 10
Swainson's Thrush 10
Wood Thrush 5
Gray Catbird 1
Cedar Waxwing 10
Blue-winged Warbler 1
Northern Parula 1
Magnolia Warbler 1
Blackburnian Warbler 3
Yellow-throated Warbler 1
Pine Warbler 1
Blackpoll Warbler 5
Black-and-white Warbler 2
Prothonotary Warbler 1
Worm-eating Warbler 3
Ovenbird 5
Kentucky Warbler 5
Common Yellowthroat 1
Hooded Warbler 1
Canada Warbler 1
Summer Tanager 1
Scarlet Tanager 5
Northern Cardinal 2
Indigo Bunting 1

Curlew Sandpiper Photo

I recently received a photo of one of the Heislerville WMA Curlew Sandpipers for use on the site, and wanted to share. This image was taken yesterday, 5/24, at around 3:30 - 4:00 p.m. In looking back at the tide information I posted on 5/22 this would have been about mid outgoing tide at Heislerville.

Enjoy!

One more before bed....for those wanting to see RED KNOTS

I received word from George Myers that he had a good group of RED KNOTS at Norbury's Landing late this afternoon. This is what George had to say;

"I spent an hour at Norbury's Landing from 5:30-6:30PM.
At least 1500 Red Knots, along with a couple of hundred Ruddy Turnstones, Semipalmated Sandpipers and Plovers, Sanderling, and Dunlin. Also a flock of 55 Whimbrel were headed north up Delaware Bay."

Lower tides are best at Norbury's as this exposes a vast mudflat. At dead low there is much property to survey and quite a few birds can be seen but expect distant views. Try catching an incoming tide as this pushes the birds toward you and sometimes can provide excellent observation conditions.

As I had good number of knots and other species at Norbury's last Tuesday, I'd guess that this might be a good place for Knot seekers to keep on their radar. I've pasted the tide chart for North Highlands Beach (just south of Norbury's Landing) so you'll be better informed on when to try and look for shorebirds. Also keep in mind that a few hundered to maybe a thousand birds are being seen in the Stone Harbor/ Nummy Island area.

Tides for North Highlands Beach starting with May 24, 2008.

Day        High      Tide  Height   Sunrise    Moon  Time      % Moon
          /Low      Time    Feet    Sunset                    Visible

Sa  24      Low   6:27 AM     0.6   5:40 AM     Set  9:03 AM      87
   24     High  12:19 PM     4.3   8:14 PM
   24      Low   6:10 PM     0.9

Su  25     High  12:37 AM     5.7   5:39 AM    Rise 12:15 AM      80
   25      Low   7:09 AM     0.6   8:15 PM     Set 10:06 AM
   25     High   1:04 PM     4.3
   25      Low   6:57 PM     0.9

M   26     High   1:22 AM     5.5   5:39 AM    Rise 12:45 AM      72
   26      Low   7:53 AM     0.6   8:15 PM     Set 11:10 AM
   26     High   1:54 PM     4.4
   26      Low   7:50 PM     1.0

Tu  27     High   2:11 AM     5.4   5:38 AM    Rise  1:12 AM      62
   27      Low   8:41 AM     0.6   8:16 PM     Set 12:15 PM
   27     High   2:46 PM     4.7
   27      Low   8:49 PM     1.0

W   28     High   3:03 AM     5.3   5:37 AM    Rise  1:37 AM      52
   28      Low   9:30 AM     0.5   8:17 PM     Set  1:21 PM
   28     High   3:42 PM     4.9
   28      Low   9:51 PM     0.9

Th  29     High   3:59 AM     5.2   5:37 AM    Rise  2:01 AM      41
   29      Low  10:21 AM     0.4   8:18 PM     Set  2:28 PM
   29     High   4:38 PM     5.4
   29      Low  10:56 PM     0.6

F   30     High   4:57 AM     5.0   5:37 AM    Rise  2:26 AM      31
   30      Low  11:13 AM     0.1   8:18 PM     Set  3:39 PM
   30     High   5:35 PM     5.9
   30      Low  11:59 PM     0.4

Sa  31     High   5:56 AM     5.0   5:36 AM    Rise  2:53 AM      21
   31      Low  12:05 PM    -0.1   8:19 PM     Set  4:53 PM
   31     High   6:30 PM     6.4

Contopus cooperi Update

We took a short walk around Higbee on the suspicion that one of the Olive-sided Flycatchers that was seen this morning might be more visible catching insects late in the day. Rather than run straight back to see if the bird was still around, we wanted to take a quick survey of what we could see or hear in the short time available.

There was some apparent activity this afternoon but not quite as much as I might have thought there would be after a good morning. Maybe it was still a little too much in the heat of the day. The general theory is that birds continue north during the day and thus leaving places like Higbee somewhat devoid of migrants in the later day. I can't say that I disagree with this idea. Though I do wish I had the time to be able to do a more exhaustive search during the afternoons during migration. I'd imagine that while not completely answering the questions that arise, having the ability to spend much of the day out taking note of species compositions and numbers, you might be able to draw some simple conclusions about the phenomena of migration on Cape Island. Ok, maybe I'm over simplifying a bit but given the time imagine the amounts of data that could be contributed. All in all we did gather some good data to support what we already know; birds quite down and slow their activities in the middle of the day! Profound right! If nothing else, with amount of effort accounted for, the sightings do get accounted for in my data entry to eBird.

Well, to cut a long story short, we did get to see the flycatcher. It ended up being back at the same location a couple of kind birders told us about this morning. The bird was fly-catching from the top of the line of trees between the overgrown field west of the back pond and the second tower field, seen from the overgrown field. For a better idea of the area I am talking about I have created a couple more maps to give you the general idea of where to look if you are out on Sunday morning.

I did happen to bump into Richard Crossley again and he told me of a couple of Black-billed Cuckoos that had been seen during the day (at various times) near the parking lot at Hidden Valley. I also forgot to mention previously, the seven (I think that was the total number) Black Terns he had yesterday at the TNC Migratory Bird Refuge. They were hanging on the "tern" island along the back side of the east trail.

I almost forgot to mention that I did not have the Wilson's Phalarope at the West Cape May impoundments after leaving Higbee. There was a group riding ATVs on the dike but there were still a few yellowlegs and Least Sandpipers.

I supposes that's enough for now. The short list for this afternoon is below.

(Higbee Beach WMA from above. Note New England Rd. at the top of the map, for getting your bearings. The star indicates the approximate location of the sighting this afternoon. click to enlarge)

(A more magnified view of the area. Again, the star indicates the approximate location the bird was seen fly-catching from. Both maps were made using Google Maps. click to enlarge)

Location: Higbee Beach
Observation date: 5/24/08
Notes: 2521 steps = approx. 1.65 miles
Number of species: 36

Glossy Ibis 4
Turkey Vulture 1
Laughing Gull X
Herring Gull 1
Mourning Dove 6
Ruby-throated Hummingbird 2
Downy Woodpecker 2
Hairy Woodpecker 1
Olive-sided Flycatcher 1
Eastern Wood-Pewee 2
Eastern Kingbird 6
Blue Jay X
Purple Martin 4
Tree Swallow X
Barn Swallow 6
Carolina Chickadee X
Tufted Titmouse X
Carolina Wren X
Blue-gray Gnatcatcher 1
Gray Catbird X
Cedar Waxwing X
Yellow Warbler X
Blackpoll Warbler 1
American Redstart X
Common Yellowthroat 4
Yellow-breasted Chat 1
Field Sparrow X
Northern Cardinal X
Blue Grosbeak X
Indigo Bunting X
Red-winged Blackbird X
Common Grackle X
Brown-headed Cowbird X
Orchard Oriole 2
House Finch X
American Goldfinch X

This report was generated automatically by eBird v2

What did Higbee hold on this beatuiful morning?

Surprisingly Higbee was quite birdy this morning. Well maybe not too surprisingly but somewhat unexpected as the winds were WNW-NW over night. Looks like I need to start keeping better tabs on David La Puma's reports in the Mid-Atlantic Forecast and Woodcreeper.com.

Since there had been a number of good birds around in the last few days I figured that I'd put aside some domestic duties and get out to try and find something like and Olive-sided Flycatcher. Unfortunately for me, I did not spy and Olive-sided Flycatchers though there were evidently two separate individuals seen this morning at Higbee. You might theorize a third, but I am guess it is two at best. The first report was of one individual working the field near the pond at the back of Higebee and another in the first field. A second observer said they had one also in the second field at Higbee. I am guessing that there's a good possibility that either the bird first reported in the first field (or possibly the bird for near the pond) was the bird observed in the second field. Suffice to say that this has turned into quite the flycatcher spring, especially where olives-sideds are concerned. For a species which is supposed to total about one annually in Cape May for the spring we are now up to about four records. Has anyone checked Villas WMA? This an area that seems perfect for olive-sideds to choose to hang around. There have been a few sightings there in the fall but non for the spring in it's short life a a birding location.

So, what did you actually see at Higbee you may be asking yourself? Well, back in "Pete's" corner (no, not so named for Pete Dunne but for a good friend from Burlington, VT) it was quite good as is usually the case. The area I am speaking of is the bend to the right in the second field at Higbee as you walk into the filed. This area is usually good for birds though you may not always get good looks. Many birds are moving through this area on good migration days and will often take a few moments to perch up for at least a short view.

There were numbers of Blackpoll (both singing males and a handful of females working the twigs) a Tennessee Warbler, Northern Parula, Magnolia, Chestnut-sided, Blackburnian, Black and White and Yellow Warblers and American Redstart to name a few. A couple of Yellow-billed Cuckoos and "Trail's" Flycatchers, also. Though the bird of the day for me at least was the Barred Owl that dropped in to the woods being chased by some smaller birds who were not happy to see the owl gliding across the field. I only wish that the bird had not come from behind and I was able to get more than a few second view.

After discussions on the birdiness of the day, the "Trial's" Flycatchers, owl and other sundry topics, Richard Crossley and I attempted to look for these Olive-sided Flycatchers to no avail as previously mentioned. In comparing notes for the morning, I was interested to find that he had also had a male Eastern Bluebird fly over Higbee singing this morning. Where are these bluebirds coming from. I have been told of a few other sightings in the last week or so around Cape Island. To my knowledge there are no breeding birds on the island but it would seem that maybe there is at least one pair. They only thing that troubles me with that thought is that the sightings are coming from various locations. We do have a "presumed" breeding pair in my neighborhood (unfortunately they are not using the box that Laura and I put out for them) but we are more than 10 miles north of Cape May. It will be very interesting to see what species we see as we continue our Cape Island Big Days through the summer months.

One of the last good birds I have to share was not at Higbee this morning. When I walked out to my vehicle to head to Higebee I heard a high pitched song from the trees across the street. Of course I wanted to know, not only for my own curiosity but also for a potential addition to the yard list (we're at about 110 and we've been there a year to the day exactly). The song didn't sound quite right for a Blackpoll and since this is already on the yard list I of course was hoping Cape May or Bay-breasted warbler. While I never did see the bird I did catch a "warble-ly" song but could not hear it well due to a very boisterous Great Crested Flycatcher which was singing near by. I was trying to convince myself that it was a Warbeling Vireo, and add another species to the list. But, luckily it flew and called to reveal that it was nothing close to a vireo. So as it turns out it was a Purple Finch! A pretty atypical bird for the Cape May area this time of year but given the number of purples that were around this winter not totally surprising. After seeing the bird fly and hearing the call it all clicked at to the song that I was struggling to hear through the din of the flycatcher, titmice, chick-a-dees and goldfinches around.

EDIT: I almost forgot to mention my other top sighting for the day and actually my favorite. I had walked down the road toward the Morning Flight dike to listen for the Kentucky Warbler that had been around the last couple of days. Unfortunately I did not hear the Kentucky but I did get to watch a female Ruby-throated Humming bird picking lichen off a tree branch to take and line her nest. At first I was confused as to what she might be doing with her beak up to the tree branch as if she was feeding from a feeder. After taking a closer looking it was interesting to watch her "choose" the lichen. There definitely seemed to be some inspection of which lichen was "best" on her part before she decided to free a piece and then off she went. Now if I can just find where the hummer in our yard is nesting, it would make for a very interesting summer!

As usual, the list for the day is below.


Location: Higbee Beach
Observation date: 5/24/08
Notes: 5486 steps = approx. 3.84 miles
Number of species: 66

Great Blue Heron 1
Great Egret 1
Turkey Vulture 1
Osprey 2
Semipalmated Plover 1
Laughing Gull X
Herring Gull X
Great Black-backed Gull X
Least Tern 4
Mourning Dove X
Yellow-billed Cuckoo 3
Barred Owl 1
Ruby-throated Hummingbird 3
Red-bellied Woodpecker 3
Downy Woodpecker 3
Hairy Woodpecker 1
Eastern Wood-Pewee 4
Alder/Willow Flycatcher (Traill's) 3
Great Crested Flycatcher X
Eastern Kingbird X
White-eyed Vireo X
Red-eyed Vireo 6
Blue Jay X
American Crow X
Purple Martin 1
Tree Swallow 1
Carolina Chickadee 5
Tufted Titmouse 8
Carolina Wren X
House Wren X
Blue-gray Gnatcatcher 2
Eastern Bluebird 1
Veery 3
Wood Thrush 2
American Robin X
Gray Catbird X
Northern Mockingbird X
European Starling X
Cedar Waxwing 35
Tennessee Warbler 1
Northern Parula 2
Yellow Warbler 4
Chestnut-sided Warbler 1
Magnolia Warbler 3
Blackburnian Warbler 2
Blackpoll Warbler 12
Black-and-white Warbler 2
American Redstart 2
Prothonotary Warbler 1
Common Yellowthroat X
Canada Warbler 6
Yellow-breasted Chat 2
Scarlet Tanager 1
Field Sparrow X
Song Sparrow X
Northern Cardinal X
Blue Grosbeak 5
Indigo Bunting X
Bobolink 1
Red-winged Blackbird X
Common Grackle X
Brown-headed Cowbird X
Orchard Oriole 3
Baltimore Oriole 1
House Finch X
American Goldfinch X

This report was generated automatically by eBird v2

CMBO Beanery Walk- 5/24/08

A note from Karl and Judy Lukens on today's CMBO Beanery walk. Seems they had a few nice finds including a Red-shouldered Hawk. Still no word of any continuing kites here in Cape May, though; Kevin Karlson called me late yesterday afternoon to let me know he had a Mississippi Kite fly over his car as he was driving through the Goshen area.

"A few lingering warblers at the CMBO "Beanery" Walk this morning including
Chestnut-sided and a stunning Bay-breasted. Results listed below."

Location: The Beanery
Observation date: 5/24/08
Number of species: 61

Canada Goose 5
Mallard 2
Snowy Egret 2
Green Heron 3
Glossy Ibis 10
Black Vulture 3
Turkey Vulture 5
Red-shouldered Hawk 1
Broad-winged Hawk 1
Red-tailed Hawk 1
Killdeer 1
Laughing Gull 10
Herring Gull 2
Great Black-backed Gull 1
Rock Pigeon 2
Mourning Dove 5
Yellow-billed Cuckoo 2
Chimney Swift 5
Red-bellied Woodpecker 2
Downy Woodpecker 1
Great Crested Flycatcher 3
Eastern Kingbird 6
Red-eyed Vireo 1
Blue Jay 2
American Crow 5
Fish Crow 5
Purple Martin 1
Tree Swallow 2
Northern Rough-winged Swallow 3
Barn Swallow 5
Carolina Chickadee 2
Carolina Wren 3
Blue-gray Gnatcatcher 2
American Robin 5
Gray Catbird 2
Northern Mockingbird 1
European Starling 10
Cedar Waxwing 10
Northern Parula 1
Yellow Warbler 4
Chestnut-sided Warbler 1
Magnolia Warbler 1
Black-throated Green Warbler 1
Bay-breasted Warbler 1
Blackpoll Warbler 3
Black-and-white Warbler 1
American Redstart 3
Prothonotary Warbler 1
Common Yellowthroat 5
Yellow-breasted Chat 1
Eastern Towhee 1
Field Sparrow 1
Song Sparrow 1
Northern Cardinal 5
Indigo Bunting 5
Red-winged Blackbird 10
Common Grackle 10
Brown-headed Cowbird 5
Orchard Oriole 1
American Goldfinch 2
House Sparrow 1

This report was generated automatically by eBird v2

Some interesting sightings around Cape May today

Written in the CMBO Sightings log for today are:

Kentucky Warbler- still present along the road to the Morning Flight Dike. (take a right at the Higbee parking lot and walk down the road. The kentucky was evidently singing quite a bit this morning according to Todd Klein, a CMBO volunteer)
Scarlet Tanager & Yellow-breasted Chat- Higbee
Olive-sided Flycatcher- still one hanging around Higbee. If you go looking for this species remember the prefer perching in leafless/dead trees.
Canada Warbler- Cape May Point State Park and behind the Northwood Center (from my office window)
2- Bonaparte's Gulls- Sunset Beach
Mississippi Kite- two separate reports. One from the hawkwatch platform about 11:00 a.m. and another from Seagrove Ave, no time indicated. The Seagrove Ave bird is very likely the same individual as the bird seen from the platform.

Better late than never.....

Below are the images I promised to post yesterday. The program was unresponsive for the rest of the afternoon forcing me to try and get these up today.

A drab Curlew Sandpiper, one of four now being seen at Heislerville WMA. Note the size and structure differences between the Curlew and the sandpiper in the background. Taking a "page" from The Shorebird Guide, can you tell what the species in the background is?


The Wilson's Phalarope was present at the West Cape May impoundments as of Thursday (5/22) morning if memory severs.


For those who are looking to get to the West Cape May impoundments, I've created this map using Google Maps. The star marks the approximate spot where the phalarope is being seen. Remember that you are looking at the West Cape May canal bridge not the Garden State Parkway canal bridge.

CAPE MAY BIRDING HOTLINE- May 22, 2008

This is the Cape May Birding Hotline, a service of New Jersey Audubon Society's Cape May Bird Observatory. This week's message was prepared on Thursday, May 22, 2008. Highlights this week include sightings of SWALLOW-TAILED KITE, CURLEW SANDPIPER, SCISSOR-TAILED FLYCATCHER, WHITE-WINGED SCOTER, HORNED GREBE, BROWN PELICAN, MISSISSIPPI KITE, BLACK-NECKED STILT, WESTERN SANDPIPER, LONG-BILLED DOWITCHER, RED-NECKED PHALAROPE, LESSER BLACK-BACKED GULL, GLAUCOUS GULL, BLACK TERN, OLIVE-SIDED FLYCATCHER, WILLOW FLYCATCHER, LEAST FLYCATCHER, TENNESSEE WARBLER, CAPE MAY WARBLER, BAY-BREASTED WARBLER, KENTUCKY WARBLER, and WILSON'S WARBLER.

CURLEW SANDPIPERS continue to be seen at Heislerville WMA in Cumberland County, with a remarkable FOUR there today (2 males and 2 females). An estimated 25,000 other shorebirds were there as well.

A SCISSOR-TAILED FLYCATCHER was seen flying in from Delaware Bay at Higbee Beach WMA on 5/18, but has not been seen since.

1 SWALLOW-TAILED KITE and 2 MISSISSIPPI KITES were seen briefly over Higbee Beach WMA on the morning of 5/22.

A BLACK-NECKED STILT was seen flying over several locations in Cape May Point on 5/17. No reports since.

A first-summer GLAUCOUS GULL continues to be seen along the north dike at Brig/Forsythe NWR, the latest report on 5/21.

A RED-NECKED PHALAROPE was seen from a boat in the Intracoastal Waterway between Cape May and Wildwood Crest on 5/16.

A very rare-in-spring LONG-BILLED DOWITCHER continued at Brig/Forsythe NWR this week. An equally rare-in-spring WESTERN SANDPIPER was observed at the Wetlands Institute along Stone Harbor Boulevard on 5/18.

OLIVE-SIDED FLYCATCHERS were recorded this week at Higbee Beach WMA on 5/18, and at the north end of Nummy Island on 5/21.

A lingering WHITE-WINGED SCOTER and a lingering HORNED GREBE were observed in the channel at the north of Nummy Island on 5/21. A BLACK TERN was observed at the South Cape May Meadows on 5/22. A BROWN PELICAN flew past Cape May Point on 5/16.

Migrants this week at Higbee Beach WMA included 2 LEAST FLYCATCHERS and 2 WILLOW FLYCATCHERS on 5/21, WILSON'S WARBLERS on 5/21 and 5/22, KENTUCKY WARBLER on 5/22, BAY-BREASTED and TENNESSEE WARBLERS on 5/16, and CAPE MAY WARBLER on 5/16 and 5/17. A CAPE MAY WARBLER was observed at Cape May Point State Park on 5/17.

2 first-summer LESSER BLACK-BACKED GULLS continue in Cape May Point, most often seen at the South Cape May Meadows/CMMBR.


ANNOUNCEMENTS:

Both CMBO Centers will be CLOSED on MONDAY, MAY 26 for Memorial Day.

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 Harper's Migration Mainline- Cape May lithograph poster, valued at $50. Call either CMBO center to ask an associate about joining today!

******CMBO Bookstore SPRING HOURS are as follows: Northwood Center on East Lake Drive in Cape May Point will be open 7 days a week, APRIL 1 - MAY 31, 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 Society's 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 you'll receive a FREE gift (in addition to member discount in the stores).

Good Luck and Good Birding!

Update from Heislerville

Thanks to Vince Elia for keeping those of us who are desk bound, up to date on the happenings at Heislerville WMA.

There are evidently, 4, yes that's FOUR, Curlew Sandpipers in and amongst the masses of shorebirds at Heislerville WMA. It's an even split, two males and two females that Vince has reported for the day. I've pasted the tides (calculated via SaltWaterTides.com) for East Point/Maurice River Cove for the next eleven days for those of you thinking about making a trip down. Higher tides tend to be best but there should still be plenty of shorebirds around even at the lower tides.

Looks like if you are in "need" of a Curlew Sandpiper for your life-list, now is the time to head out in search of obtaining that species! While you are down that way, makes sure you head a little further south and hit Belleplain State Forest for the breeding warblers!

Tides for East Point, Maurice River Cove starting with May 22, 2008.

Day        High      Tide  Height   Sunrise    Moon  Time      % Moon
       /Low      Time    Feet    Sunset                    Visible

Th  22      Low   6:02 AM     0.6   5:41 AM     Set  7:06 AM      97
   22     High  11:34 AM     4.9   8:13 PM    Rise 10:59 PM
   22      Low   5:42 PM     0.7
   22     High  11:49 PM     6.5

F   23      Low   6:41 AM     0.6   5:40 AM     Set  8:02 AM      93
   23     High  12:13 PM     4.7   8:14 PM    Rise 11:41 PM
   23      Low   6:21 PM     0.8

Sa  24     High  12:30 AM     6.4   5:40 AM     Set  9:03 AM      87
   24      Low   7:21 AM     0.7   8:15 PM
   24     High  12:55 PM     4.7
   24      Low   7:04 PM     1.0

Su  25     High   1:13 AM     6.3   5:39 AM    Rise 12:16 AM      80
   25      Low   8:03 AM     0.7   8:15 PM     Set 10:06 AM
   25     High   1:40 PM     4.7
   25      Low   7:51 PM     1.0

M   26     High   1:58 AM     6.1   5:38 AM    Rise 12:46 AM      72
   26      Low   8:47 AM     0.7   8:16 PM     Set 11:10 AM
   26     High   2:30 PM     4.9
   26      Low   8:44 PM     1.1

Tu  27     High   2:47 AM     6.0   5:38 AM    Rise  1:12 AM      62
   27      Low   9:35 AM     0.7   8:17 PM     Set 12:15 PM
   27     High   3:22 PM     5.1
   27      Low   9:43 PM     1.1

W   28     High   3:39 AM     5.8   5:37 AM    Rise  1:37 AM      52
   28      Low  10:24 AM     0.6   8:18 PM     Set  1:21 PM
   28     High   4:18 PM     5.4
   28      Low  10:45 PM     1.0

Th  29     High   4:35 AM     5.7   5:37 AM    Rise  2:01 AM      41
   29      Low  11:15 AM     0.4   8:19 PM     Set  2:28 PM
   29     High   5:14 PM     6.0
   29      Low  11:50 PM     0.7

F   30     High   5:33 AM     5.6   5:36 AM    Rise  2:26 AM      31
   30      Low  12:07 PM     0.1   8:19 PM     Set  3:39 PM
   30     High   6:11 PM     6.5

Sa  31      Low  12:53 AM     0.4   5:36 AM    Rise  2:53 AM      21
   31     High   6:32 AM     5.6   8:20 PM     Set  4:54 PM
   31      Low  12:59 PM    -0.1
   31     High   7:06 PM     7.1

Su   1      Low   1:53 AM     0.0   5:35 AM    Rise  3:25 AM      12
    1     High   7:31 AM     5.6   8:21 PM     Set  6:12 PM
    1      Low   1:52 PM    -0.3
    1     High   8:01 PM     7.5

A couple of images

Karl Lukens recently shared a couple of pics he has taken in the last week or so. The first is of one of the less than "red" female type Curlew Sandpipers which has been seen at Heislerville WMA in the last two weeks. The second image is of the Wilson's Phalarope which is being seen at the West Cape May Impoundments as of at least yesterday, see previous post. Lastly, I've created a map, using Google Maps, to show you exactly where the West Cape May Impoundments are located. Just note that you are looking at the West Cape May canal bridge not the Garden State Parkway canal bridge.

This just in.... Vince Elia just called me (it's approx 12:25 p.m. now) to let me know that at least two Curlew Sandpipers (a male and a female) are still being seen at Heislerville WMA (he was looking at them as he was speaking to me) along with approximately 25,000 (yes, that is thousand!) shorebirds. In Vince's words the impoundments are "just chalk full of shorebirds."

EDIT: Ok, the posting program is not working with me at this time to get the images up on the site. In the interest of getting the sightings information out I am publishing this post without images. I'll post the actual images as soon as the program allows.

Good sightings at Higbee today

Louise Zemaitis took a few moments to jot down a few of her groups sightings from their jaunt around Higbee this morning.

-Kentucky Warbler (seen briefly and getting late to be found on Cape Island) about half way down the road to the Morning Flight Dike.
-Also; 2 Magnolia Warblers, Northern Parula, American Redstart, Yellow-breasted Chat, Black-throated Green Warbler, Willow Flycatcher, 3 Wilson's Warblers, 3 Eastern Wood Pee-wees, Indigo Buntings, Blue Grosbeaks and a male Rose-breasted Grosbeak.

All sightings were are various locations around Higebee.

Also, the Wilson's Phalarope continues at the West Cape May impoundments as of about 6:00 p.m. yesterday, 5/21.

EDIT: Forgot to mention that there was a Black Tern Migratory Bird Refuge this seen from the east path of the TNC'smorning as well.

Wed. 5/21: Kites, Olive-sided Flycatcher, migrants

Here's a run-down of some of the day's highlights:

* There were 2 Mississippi Kites and 1 Swallow-tailed Kite over Higbee Beach WMA this morning between roughly 10am and 11am. There have been no additional sightings of any of these birds.

* An Olive-sided Flycatcher was found at the north end of Nummy Island this evening, and continued through at least 6:30pm. The bird was sitting atop bare trees at the north end of the cedar grove, just south of the free bridge into Stone Harbor. Also at Nummy this evening were 1200+ Red Knots, 40+ Royal Terns, 5 Red-breasted Mergansers, a White-winged Scoter and a very late Horned Grebe.

* Before kite-mayhem struck, there were several "quality" migrants at Higbee Beach WMA this morning, including 2 Least Flycatchers, 2 Willow Flycatchers, a Wilson's Warbler and a Warbling Vireo. Also in evidence were multiple Magnolia Warblers, American Redstarts, Bobolinks and a Veery.

No word on the kites

We have received no further reports (since Mark Garland's report of seeing the Swallow-tailed Kite and Mississippi Kites at about 11 a.m.) of either kite here at the Northwood Center. Report details will be posted here if either species of kite is re-found in the near future.

CMBO Cape May Point walk and..........Swallow-tailed Kite

A Swallow-tailed Kite was seen from the back side of the second field at Higbee at approximately 10:00 am this morning. Anyone birding Cape May today should be on the look out for this bird!!!! When the bird was first observed it was headed in the direction of the Delaware Bay so there is a very good possibility it could be hanging around Cape May.

EDIT: The Swallow-tailed Kite was seen again, from the second tower field at Higbee, as well as at least two Mississippi Kites at approximately 11:00 - 11:30 a.m. More to come as more reports are received.


The list from today's CMBO Cape May Point Walk is below.


Location: Cape May Point
Observation date: 5/21/08
Number of species: 49

Canada Goose 5
Mute Swan 5
Mallard 5
Double-crested Cormorant 3
Great Blue Heron 1
Great Egret 3
Glossy Ibis 3
Turkey Vulture 2
Osprey 3
Killdeer 4
Spotted Sandpiper 3
Ruddy Turnstone 1
Sanderling 10
Least Sandpiper 1
Laughing Gull 10
Ring-billed Gull 1
Herring Gull 10
Great Black-backed Gull 5
Least Tern 20
Common Tern 3
Forster's Tern 20
Rock Pigeon 2
Mourning Dove 10
Chimney Swift 1
Eastern Kingbird 3
Blue Jay 3
American Crow 1
Fish Crow 3
Purple Martin 50
Tree Swallow 2
Northern Rough-winged Swallow 3
Barn Swallow 5
Carolina Chickadee 1
Carolina Wren 4
House Wren 8
American Robin 5
Gray Catbird 2
Northern Mockingbird 1
European Starling 10
Cedar Waxwing 15
Yellow Warbler 1
Common Yellowthroat 5
Song Sparrow 2
Northern Cardinal 6
Red-winged Blackbird 5
Common Grackle 20
Brown-headed Cowbird 2
House Finch 2
House Sparrow 5

This report was generated automatically by eBird v2

Where to see Red Knots

Given the species' dramatic population decline, many folks have been asking where to go to see Red Knots. The rufa subspecies has declined roughly 80% in the last 10 years, from over 100,000 to only 14,800 currently wintering in Tierra del Fuego. Although a moratorium on horseshoe crab harvest has been secured in NJ, the subspecies' future is anything but secure.

If you go to see knots PLEASE RESPECT ALL BEACH CLOSURES AND STAY WELL AWAY FROM THE BIRDS. Good views can easily be obtained without disturbing the birds.

At Reed's Beach yesterday afternoon, near low tide, knots were flying by fairly consistently but few were landing on the beach there. This could certainly change if there is significant horseshoe crab spawning in the next couple days.

Many more knots (100's if not 1000)were visible at Norbury's Landing and also Pierce's Point, two sites further south along the bay. Parking is limited and the roads are narrow at these sites, please be sure to respect all speed limits, other drivers, and local residents.

At Nummy Island on Sunday morning, at about mid-tide and falling, 1500 knots were visible from the southern base of the free bridge (the one going from Stone Harbor south onto Nummy), looking east to the mudflats across the channel. Another 500 or so were visible from the north side of the toll bridge to Nummy Island (the one leading from Nummy to North Wildwood), looking across the channel on the inland side. The knots generally fly across the penninsula from the bayshore to Nummy during high tide, feeding and/or roosting there while the habitat on the bay side is flooded.

Photos from Brig: Glaucous Gull, Gull-billed Terns

Chris Brown sent along the following pictures that he took at Brig/Forsythe NWR this evening. The top picture is of a Glaucous Gull, a scarce bird in winter, let alone mid-May. The second two are of Gull-billed Terns, which essentially reach the northern limit of their range here. Check 'em out!

To see more of Chris's work, including additional photos from Brig today and other recent shots from Cape May, click HERE .

Cape May Migratory Bird Refuge This Morning

It was windy and chilly but clear for this morning's South Cape May Meadows Walk. A pair of Ruddy Ducks, a Bonaparte's Gull, and both Tri-colored and Little Blue Herons are birds many World Series of Birding teams would have welcomed!

Beach nesting birds were severely impacted by the northeaster last Monday, so another highlight was seeing the Meadow's two pairs of American Oystercatchers. Two Piping Plover nests survived at South cApe May, and another pair was seen going through a full blown courtship display there by Cape May Weekend participants on Sunday, likely a pair that was washed out but will renest. The area between the main dune and the ocean is still flooded, so visitors to the Meadows should be advised for the the time being that there is no beach access, though the loop trail can still be walked from inside of the dune. This morning's full list follows:

Location: South Cape May Meadows
Observation date: 5/19/08
Notes: CMBO Sunday morning Meadows walk
Number of species: 69
Canada Goose 25
Mute Swan 4
Gadwall 1
Mallard 2
Ruddy Duck 2
Northern Gannet 10
Double-crested Cormorant 20
Great Egret 1
Snowy Egret 5
Little Blue Heron 1
Tricolored Heron 1
Green Heron 1
Glossy Ibis 15
Black Vulture 5
Turkey Vulture 5
Osprey 5
Cooper's Hawk 1
American Kestrel 1
Semipalmated Plover 20
Piping Plover 2
Killdeer 2
American Oystercatcher 4
Spotted Sandpiper 2
Greater Yellowlegs 5
Willet 1
Lesser Yellowlegs 1
Ruddy Turnstone 20
Sanderling 5
Semipalmated Sandpiper 5
Least Sandpiper 10
White-rumped Sandpiper 1
Short-billed Dowitcher 10
Laughing Gull X
Bonaparte's Gull 1
Ring-billed Gull 10
Herring Gull 20
Great Black-backed Gull 30
Least Tern X
Common Tern X
Forster's Tern X
Royal Tern 10
Black Skimmer 5
Rock Pigeon 5
Mourning Dove 5
Chimney Swift 10
Downy Woodpecker 1
Northern Flicker 1
Willow Flycatcher 1
Eastern Kingbird 2
American Crow 5
Fish Crow 10
Purple Martin X
Tree Swallow X
Northern Rough-winged Swallow X
Bank Swallow 1
Barn Swallow X
Carolina Wren 5
Gray Catbird 3
Northern Mockingbird 2
European Starling 5
Yellow Warbler 5
Blackpoll Warbler 1
Common Yellowthroat 7
Song Sparrow 2
Northern Cardinal 5
Red-winged Blackbird 20
Common Grackle 15
American Goldfinch 5
House Sparrow 10

Report of a Scissor-tailed Flycatcher at Higbee Beach WMA

We've just received a report of a sighting of a lone Scissor-tailed Flycatcher at Higbee Beach. The bird was seen flying in off of the bay at approximately 10:30 a.m. this morning. The observers watched the bird as it flew in, over head and landed on one of the snags along the beach. The bird disappeared as they were setting up a spotting scope to garner better views, and has not been seen since.

Keep this bird in mind as you Bird Cape May! over the next few days. Heck, keep this bird in mind as you bird pretty much anywhere in south Jersey over the next few days.

Also, a sighting of an Olive-sided Flycatcher was had by one of the Spring Weekend walks (I believe it was a group led by Vince Eila) at Higbee Beach this morning. The bird was perched up in a snag (just where you'd expect to see one) at the back of the second tower field (the second field on the east side of the Higbee Beach property.)

We'll report more on these sightings, and others as they come in.

EDIT:

I've added photos taken by NJAS staff member Bob Fogg, of the Olive-sided Flycatcher and Spring Weekend Participants enjoying their time while they were here to......(you guessed it) BirdCapeMay!

(Olive-sided Flycatcher seen today in the second tower field at Higbee Beach WMA)

(Spring Weekend participants enjoying the view.)

If you look closely at the middle of the photo you'll see the CMBO web guru herself, Laura Guerard (in the green short sleeved shirt), creator and architect of this fine web site you are viewing. Pete does let us out from behind the desk every now and again to enjoy some birds!!! Ok, I jest..... we do get out more than just every now and then.

16 species of warblers in Belleplain

The Sunday morning tour through Belleplain State Forest produced a nice mix of resident and migrant songbirds. The group enjoyed superb looks at Acadian Flycatcher, observed both Gnatcatcher and Yellow-throated Warbler nests, and saw evidence of a decent passerine flight last night, including a nice male Rose-breasted Grosbreak and quite a few Blackpoll Warblers. A Gray-cheeked Thrush called twice at Sunset Bridge, but unfortunately no one else was able to lock onto it.

Location: Belleplain State Forest
Observation date: 5/18/08
Notes: part of NJAS spring weekend
Number of species: 62
Canada Goose 12
Black Vulture 1
Turkey Vulture 1
Laughing Gull 3
Herring Gull 1
Mourning Dove 4
Yellow-billed Cuckoo 1
Ruby-throated Hummingbird 2
Downy Woodpecker 1
Eastern Wood-Pewee 3
Acadian Flycatcher 4
Eastern Phoebe 2
Great Crested Flycatcher 3
Eastern Kingbird 2
White-eyed Vireo 4
Red-eyed Vireo 6
Blue Jay 2
Fish Crow 1
Carolina Chickadee 8
Tufted Titmouse 4
White-breasted Nuthatch 1
Carolina Wren 4
Blue-gray Gnatcatcher 5
Gray-cheeked Thrush 1
Wood Thrush 6
American Robin 12
Gray Catbird 4
Northern Mockingbird 2
Brown Thrasher 1
European Starling 9
Cedar Waxwing 5
Blue-winged Warbler 2
Northern Parula 2
Chestnut-sided Warbler 1
Black-throated Blue Warbler 1
Yellow-throated Warbler 5
Pine Warbler 3
Prairie Warbler 4
Blackpoll Warbler 10
Black-and-white Warbler 4
American Redstart 4
Prothonotary Warbler 1
Worm-eating Warbler 3
Ovenbird 12
Louisiana Waterthrush 2
Common Yellowthroat 1
Hooded Warbler 2
Summer Tanager 3
Scarlet Tanager 1
Eastern Towhee 6
Chipping Sparrow 4
Northern Cardinal 4
Rose-breasted Grosbeak 1
Blue Grosbeak 2
Indigo Bunting 2
Red-winged Blackbird 1
Common Grackle 9
Brown-headed Cowbird 12
Orchard Oriole 1
House Finch 2
American Goldfinch 6
House Sparrow 2

This report was generated automatically by eBird v2(http://ebird.org)

Spring Weekend Day 2: Higbee and the Atlantic Coast

I don't think I'll get much of an argument from anybody if I say that today sure is a heck of a lot nicer than yesterday. I hope everyone, regardless of where they are, was able to get out today, for it's been one of the most pleasant days of the entire season.

I found myself at Higbee Beach WMA this morning for the back-end of the AM session, and once again toured Stone Harbor Point and Nummy Island this afternoon. My co-conspirators at Higbee included Mark Garland and Dave Lord; at Nummy they were Jim Armstrong and Virginia Rettig.

Highlights from Higbee included multiple Blue Grosbeaks, Orchard Orioles, a complete sweep of the swallows, and a close fly-by Bald Eagle. As I walked back to my car at the overflow lot, a Barred Owl quickly flew across the street in broad daylight. Stone Harbor and Nummy produced many of the same birds as yesterday, a well as a nice Tricolored Heron just north of the free bridge at Nummy.

As far as the weather is concerned...the winds were largely out of the north and northwest last night, which suppressed any significant passerine flight (and is part of the reason why you probably didn't find many warblers at Higbee this morning). However, the winds look to be shifting to the southwest tonight, and at a decent clip, which should encourage at least a modest flight of birds overnight. There is also a chance for some showers overnight, which if they materialize, could put down a few birds by daybreak tomorrow. If you're going to remain in town for the last day of the weekend, set your alarm clock and be sure to get out to Higbee Beach or the Beanery during at least one of the morning walks. And if you really want the low-down on the birding forecast, just click HERE.

Lists from Higbee and Nummy/Stone Harbor:

Location: Higbee Beach
Observation date: 5/17/08
Notes: part of NJAS spring weekend
Number of species: 61
Mallard 2
Double-crested Cormorant 18
Great Egret 1
Turkey Vulture 2
Osprey 3
Bald Eagle 1
Killdeer 2
Laughing Gull 40
Herring Gull 9
Great Black-backed Gull 2
Forster's Tern 2
Mourning Dove 4
Barred Owl 1
Chimney Swift 6
Ruby-throated Hummingbird 1
Red-bellied Woodpecker 2
Downy Woodpecker 2
Northern Flicker (Yellow-shafted) 1
Great Crested Flycatcher 4
Eastern Kingbird 4
White-eyed Vireo 2
Red-eyed Vireo 1
Blue Jay 2
American Crow 1
Fish Crow 4
Purple Martin 20
Tree Swallow 12
Northern Rough-winged Swallow 2
Bank Swallow 1
Cliff Swallow 1
Barn Swallow 30
Carolina Chickadee 4
Tufted Titmouse 2
Carolina Wren 10
House Wren 2
Blue-gray Gnatcatcher 1
Wood Thrush 2
American Robin 8
Gray Catbird 6
Northern Mockingbird 2
Brown Thrasher 1
European Starling 4
Cedar Waxwing 1
Northern Parula 1
American Redstart 1
Prothonotary Warbler 1
Common Yellowthroat 2
Yellow-breasted Chat 1
Scarlet Tanager 2
Field Sparrow 4
Northern Cardinal 12
Blue Grosbeak 4
Indigo Bunting 4
Red-winged Blackbird 14
Common Grackle 6
Brown-headed Cowbird 8
Orchard Oriole 3
Baltimore Oriole 1
House Finch 2
American Goldfinch 4
House Sparrow 2

Location: Stone Harbor Point
Observation date: 5/17/08
Notes: part of NJAS spring weekend
Number of species: 38
Brant (Atlantic) 4
Double-crested Cormorant 9
Great Egret 1
Snowy Egret 2
Osprey 2
Black-bellied Plover 1
Semipalmated Plover 6
Piping Plover 2
American Oystercatcher 2
Willet (Eastern) 2
Ruddy Turnstone 4
Sanderling 12
Semipalmated Sandpiper 8
Least Sandpiper 3
Dunlin 20
Short-billed Dowitcher 12
Laughing Gull 55
Herring Gull 15
Great Black-backed Gull 6
Least Tern 12
Common Tern 2
Forster's Tern 8
Royal Tern 1
Mourning Dove 2
Chimney Swift 1
Fish Crow 2
Purple Martin 3
Bank Swallow 2
Barn Swallow 25
American Robin 1
Northern Mockingbird 1
Common Yellowthroat 1
Song Sparrow 2
Northern Cardinal 2
Red-winged Blackbird 8
Boat-tailed Grackle 2
House Finch 2
House Sparrow 4

Location: Nummy Island
Observation date: 5/17/08
Notes: part of NJAS spring weekend
Number of species: 39
Brant (Atlantic) 25
American Black Duck 2
Mallard 2
Red-breasted Merganser 3
Double-crested Cormorant 10
Great Egret 3
Snowy Egret 4
Little Blue Heron 2
Tricolored Heron 1
Glossy Ibis 35
Osprey 4
Clapper Rail 12
Black-bellied Plover 15
Semipalmated Plover 9
American Oystercatcher 8
Greater Yellowlegs 1
Willet (Eastern) 4
Lesser Yellowlegs 1
Whimbrel 2
Ruddy Turnstone 12
Red Knot 45
Semipalmated Sandpiper 25
Least Sandpiper 9
Dunlin 40
Short-billed Dowitcher 45
Laughing Gull 225
Herring Gull 65
Great Black-backed Gull 50
Least Tern 14
Common Tern 25
Forster's Tern 20
Royal Tern 30
Fish Crow 2
Barn Swallow 9
European Starling 1
Seaside Sparrow 1
Song Sparrow 2
Red-winged Blackbird 20
Boat-tailed Grackle 25

This report was generated automatically by eBird v2(http://ebird.org)