News from the Meadows: Pectoral Sandpiper, Phoebe, Fledgling Plovers

[ This Piping Plover has two extra sets of legs - it's brooding young near the Plover Pond at the Cape May Migratory Bird Refuge. Photo digiscoped 6/30/08 by Don Freiday, click to enlarge.]

Funny enough, perhaps the rarest bird we found on the Monday morning Cape May Meadows a.k.a. TNC Cape May Migratory Bird Refuge walk was an Eastern Phoebe, which is a scarce nester in the northern part of Cape May County but does not nest south of the canal (there have been rare but suggestive occurences of possible nesting south of the canal over the years, but not this year that I know of). Perhaps this bird's presence was related to the passing of a weak cold front last night? Another migrant, my first of the "fall," was a Pectoral Sandpiper. It looks like a another weak front is in the offing for this afternoon, and yet another cold front is predicted for Thursday. Both should be accompanied by more southbound shorebirds, and I wouldn't rule out something like a southbound Worm-eating Warbler or waterthrush, especially if the Thursday front proves to have some oomph to it.

In other Meadows news, Piping Plovers continue to entertain (see photos). A Surf Scoter floated offshore, and two Lesser Black-backed Gulls were sitting on the beach, along with a few Royal Terns and the usual oystercatchers. Two Willow Flycatchers and an Eastern Kingbird were present, one of the Willows singing regularly. A single Gull-billed Tern settled briefly in the center pool; 3 of these were in the Meadows on the island east of the east path on Saturday night. Curiously, no yellowlegs were to be seen (both species have been around), but at least two Willets were around. Two Killdeer chicks foraged with a parent near the east path, wearing the single breast band that young Killdeer do. An Osprey carried a stick to the platform in the Meadows, which they've been fooling with half-heartedly this year after last year's failed nesting attempt. The full list for the walk is below.







[Piping Plover parent with chick behind.]














Location: South Cape May Meadows
Observation date: 6/30/08
Notes: CMBO Monday morning meadows walk
Number of species: 52
Canada Goose 75
Mute Swan 15
Gadwall 3
Mallard 60
Surf Scoter 1
Great Egret 5
Snowy Egret 3
Little Blue Heron 1
Green Heron 2
Glossy Ibis 2
Osprey 1
Piping Plover 10
Killdeer 8
American Oystercatcher 5
Willet (Eastern) 2
Pectoral Sandpiper 1
Laughing Gull X
Ring-billed Gull 1
Herring Gull 10
Lesser Black-backed Gull 2
Great Black-backed Gull 50
Least Tern X
Gull-billed Tern 1
Common Tern 10
Forster's Tern 15
Royal Tern 5
Black Skimmer 4
Rock Pigeon 5
Mourning Dove 5
Chimney Swift 15
Willow Flycatcher 2
Eastern Phoebe 1
Eastern Kingbird 1
American Crow 5
Fish Crow 15
Purple Martin 5
Barn Swallow 5
Carolina Wren 2
American Robin 5
Gray Catbird 2
Northern Mockingbird 1
European Starling 15
Cedar Waxwing 10
Common Yellowthroat 6
Northern Cardinal 2
Indigo Bunting 1
Red-winged Blackbird 20
Common Grackle 20
Brown-headed Cowbird 10
House Finch 1
American Goldfinch 5
House Sparrow 10

Notes from south of the canal, and a comment on horseshoe crab egg numbers

I birded Cape May Point State Park this morning, including a walk along the beach at Cape May Point where the rips were very quiet, only 16 Least Terns (feeding all the way out in the rips with the bigger terns), 1 Royal Tern, 15 Common Terns, and 5 or so Forster's Terns feeding there. The State Park Red Trail held two Yellow-breasted Chats, Indigo Bunting, and the usual suspects, although I did not see the handsome Ruddy Duck that's been hanging around lighthouse pond - photo at left by Karl Lukens from a few days ago.





The report on the last CMBO Rea Farm "Beanery" walk this morning is as follws: "We found the target birds; 3 Blue Grosbeaks, 6 Indigo Buntings, and briefly saw 2 Prothonotary Warblers which were very quiet. We also saw 4 Green Herons and a Black-crowned Night-Heron, and heard several Yellow-billed Cuckoos. - Karl & Judy Lukens, Tom Reed, Roger and Kathy Horn."





Yesterday morning a walk along Delaware Bay yielded 4 Black-bellied Plovers, all in non-breeding-like plumage. The one bird I got close enough to to see feather detail on had very worn wing coverts and primaries, indicating a one year old bird that either remained on its wintering grounds or made a partial journey northward, which is what you'd expect for a June Black-bellied here.

My general sense from the past few days of birding is that there aren't a lot of fish around in the nearshore waters around the point and up the bay - I'm seeing relatively few herons, few feeding Ospreys, and few feeding terns.

Last night we held a farewell party for the NJAS seasonal shorebird research interns, who this year hailed from Belize and Peru. I spent a bit of time talking with Larry Niles (retired from NJDEP's endangered and nongame species program but still very active in shorebird work) about knots and crabs. Larry noted that weight gain for Red Knots was poor this year. Horseshoe crab egg densities averaged only 1,000 per square meter in the top 5 cm of beach this year, compared to 3,000 last year and 50,000 back in the horseshoe crab/shorebird heyday. The low number of eggs was due to a combination of low numbers of crabs and cool bay temperatures which altered the crab spawning schedule. Larry said he thinks shorebird numbers have bottomed out. With the moratorium on crab harvest secured for NJ waters, we can hope for improvement from here on out, although there is certainly no guarantee of that.

Thurs. 6/26: Hooded Merganser, Gull-billed Terns - SCMM

A walk around the Meadows this evening turned up a few nice sights, highlighted by the young male Hooded Merganser that was napping on the large island in the main pool. This is undoubtedly the same bird that was seen at Cove Pool a week ago, and a safe bet to be the bird that was reported in this same vicinity over a month ago. In ten years of birding Cape May, this is only the third time I've seen this species during the month of June.

There were also two Gull-billed Terns hunting across the span of the Meadows, vocalizing and being rather conspicuous, particularly when the two joined up to escort one of the local Cooper's Hawks back toward the State Park. In fact, the birds seemed even, dare I say, territorial as they chased away the Coop, and I'd think that there could be enough habitat somewhere between Cove Pool and the Meadows to host a pair of these terns...

Otherwise, the single Bank Swallow that was feeding over the main pool easily could have been an early migrant or disperser, as I typically start seeing the species re-appear in these parts around July 1. I didn't come across any other obvious signs of migration this evening, and other than the two Willets and 14 Killdeer which flushed along the east path when the Coop passed through, there were no other shorebirds in the Meadows proper. Between fly-overs and beach-loungers, I tallied six Lesser Black-backed Gulls this evening.

In other news, a brief trip to the State Park revealed the continuing, and rather dapper, Ruddy Duck on Lighthouse Pond. A Pine Warbler was singing near the entrance of the boardwalk to Lighthouse Pond- not being a daily visitor to the southern tip of the peninsula, I'm unaware as to whether this species is actually attempting to breed here this year or not, but if so, it would make for a notable record.

List from the Meadows included-
Location: South Cape May Meadows
Observation date: 6/26/08
Number of species: 52
Canada Goose 30
Mute Swan 12
Gadwall 4
Mallard 25
Hooded Merganser 1
Great Egret 3
Snowy Egret 6
Green Heron 2
Glossy Ibis 2
Turkey Vulture 1
Osprey 3
Cooper's Hawk 1
Killdeer 14
Willet (Eastern) 2
Laughing Gull 45
Ring-billed Gull 4
Herring Gull 15
Lesser Black-backed Gull 6
Great Black-backed Gull 30
Least Tern 25
Gull-billed Tern 2
Common Tern 25
Forster's Tern 9
Royal Tern 1
Black Skimmer 6
Rock Pigeon 2
Mourning Dove 8
Chimney Swift 2
Willow Flycatcher 1
Eastern Kingbird 2
American Crow 2
Fish Crow 6
Purple Martin 12
Tree Swallow 1
Northern Rough-winged Swallow 1
Bank Swallow 1
Barn Swallow 6
Carolina Wren 2
American Robin 2
Gray Catbird 2
Northern Mockingbird 2
European Starling 25
Cedar Waxwing 3
Common Yellowthroat 2
Song Sparrow 1
Northern Cardinal 2
Indigo Bunting 1
Red-winged Blackbird 15
Common Grackle 6
House Finch 2
American Goldfinch 1
House Sparrow 6

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

CAPE MAY BIRDING HOTLINE - June 26, 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, June 26, 2008. Highlights this week include sightings of EURASIAN COLLARED-DOVE, BLUE-WINGED TEAL, HOODED MERGANSER, NORTHERN BOBWHITE, BROWN PELICAN, LESSER BLACK-BACKED GULL, GLAUCOUS GULL, CASPIAN TERN, ROSEATE TERN, SUMMER TANAGER, and WHITE-THROATED SPARROW.

A EURASIAN COLLARED-DOVE was found near the corner of New England and Bayshore Roads, near West Cape May, on 6/19.

A ROSEATE TERN was seen from the South Cape May Meadows/CMMBR on 6/23.

A HOODED MERGANSER was noted at Cove Pool on 6/19.

Multiple LESSER BLACK-BACKED GULLS continued to be found along the beachfront between Cape May Point State Park and the South Cape May Meadows/CMMBR this week.

BROWN PELICANS were reported from coastal waters throughout the week.

An unseasonal WHITE-THROATED SPARROW was noted in Millville, Cumberland County through 6/25.

The GLAUCOUS GULL at Brig/Forsythe NWR continued as of 6/21. CASPIAN TERN and BLUE-WINGED TEAL were also reported there this week.

2 NORTHERN BOBWHITES and 3 GULL-BILLED TERNS were found at Beaver Swamp WMA on 6/24.

A notable record for Cape Island was that of a SUMMER TANAGER singing from the edge of the dunes at Cape May Point State Park on 6/26.


ANNOUNCEMENTS:

In addition to its regular Tuesday closing, CMBO's Northwood Center will also be closed on THURSDAY, JUNE 26, WEDNESDAY, JULY 2, and THURSDAY, JULY 3. We apologize for any inconvenience this may cause. Northwood will resume its regular summer schedule during the week of July 6-12.

Both CMBO Centers will be CLOSED on FRIDAY, JULY 4 for Independence 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 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!

Bird Walk for All People at Cape Point: Piping Plover chicks and distraction display by a plover parent

This morning's Bird Walk for All People featured beach nesters, including quite a number of Piping Plover adults and chicks - fluffballs on stilts still very much at risk from predators. We watched from the far dune crossover at the state park as a gang of crows paid close attention to the chicks, and a parent plover presented itself with wings open and tail fanned in a classic distraction display, which worked for a time as the crows followed the parent away from the nesting area. Meanwhile the chicks disappeared, presumably hunkered down on the beach or perhaps among the dune grass. When a crow returned, one of the Least Terns got into the act, diving on it repeatedly. The plovers exact a significant benefit from nesting within the Least Tern colony, in the form of predator protection.

Very exciting for me were three flyby Lesser Yellowlegs in breeding plumage, right on time for some early-returning adults, fresh from the breeding grounds in northern Canada and Alaska. Speaking of Peru (see previous post), the first yellowlegs returning there make it all the way to the Amazon basin by early July.

A suspicious group of seven Glossy Ibis flew by, suspicious in that they seem to be headed south, flying right by the lighthouse and continuing over the bay. Karl Lukens and George Myers reported another unusual bird for this time a year, that being a Summer Tanager that sang a bit at the edge of the dunes at Cape May Point and then struck out southward across the bay. Summer Tanagers nest in the northern part of Cape May county, but are very scarce as nesters even within 10 miles of the point, let alone south of the canal where they do not nest. If this bird was a normal migrant, it's about a month early.

The Bird Walk for All People, every Thursday 8:30-10:30 in June, July and August (and beginning at 10:00 a.m. in September and October), is a good one to tell your non- or casual-birding friends about if they plan to visit Cape May this summer. There are several leaders, and we bring plenty of loaner binoculars (at least 15 were distributed today). We take our time and cover the basics, though we always have fun and see some great stuff, particularly once shorebird migration is a little stronger in just a few weeks. Or when parent beach nesters have chicks to defend. . .The full list from this morning is below.

Location: Cape May Point SP
Observation date: 6/26/08
Notes: CMBO Bird Walk for All People; ibis were immediately after walk. Observed sev. Piping Plover chicks & a piping plover adult doing distraction display to lure American crow away from chicks.
Number of species: 39
Canada Goose 20
Mute Swan 2
Gadwall 6
Mallard 10
Great Blue Heron 1
Great Egret 1
Glossy Ibis 7
Semipalmated Plover 1 flyover
Piping Plover 8
Killdeer 2
American Oystercatcher 4
Lesser Yellowlegs 3 flyby
Laughing Gull X
Ring-billed Gull 5
Herring Gull 1
Great Black-backed Gull 35
Least Tern 50
Common Tern 2
Forster's Tern 1
Black Skimmer 2
Rock Pigeon 10
Mourning Dove 2
Blue Jay 1
American Crow 15
Purple Martin 50
Tree Swallow 1
Northern Rough-winged Swallow 5
Barn Swallow 5
American Robin 5
Gray Catbird 1
Northern Mockingbird 2
European Starling 1
Cedar Waxwing 1
Song Sparrow 1
Red-winged Blackbird 10
Common Grackle 10
Brown-headed Cowbird 2
House Finch 1
House Sparrow 5

Peru Adventure

[Collared Puffbird photographed near the Rio Madre de Dios, Peru. Photo digiscoped by Don Freiday, click to enlarge.]

I just returned from a vacaton in a true hotbed of biodiversity, southeastern Peru. We birded the east slope of the Andes and the Amazon basin, primarily along the Rio Madre de Dios.

The region hosts a truly astonishing array of birds - we saw for example about 30 flycatcher species (talk about radiation in a family!) and 15 Psittacids (parrots, parakeets, and parrotlets). And Andean Cock of the Rock, Andean Potoo, White-throated Jacamar. . . really exciting stuff in a truly wild region. Look for an NJAS Ecotravel adventure here in the coming years, probably 2011.

Observations from Cape May Point

Karl & Judy Lukens, Tom Parsons and Steve Weis submitted the following summary of this morning's jaunt around Cape May Point:

"On the CMBO Walk at the Point this morning we birded the dune cross-overs and the yellow trail. Interesting observations were 6 singing Indigo Buntings, 1 Blue Grosbeak, and an Eastern Kingbird on nest along the trail. Behind the dunes (plover ponds) and on the beach we saw 5 adult and 7 recently hatched Piping Plovers."

--Eastern Kingbird on nest. Photo by Karl Lukens--

Location: Cape May Point SP

Observation date: 6/25/08

Number of species: 47

Canada Goose 30

Mallard 30

Double-crested Cormorant 4

Great Egret 3

Glossy Ibis 7

Black Vulture 1

Turkey Vulture 2

Osprey 3

Piping Plover 12

Killdeer 3

American Oystercatcher 1

Laughing Gull 15

Herring Gull 10

Great Black-backed Gull 20

Least Tern 20

Common Tern 1

Forster's Tern 5

Royal Tern 3

Rock Pigeon 5

Mourning Dove 5

Yellow-billed Cuckoo 1

Chimney Swift 1

Eastern Kingbird 3

White-eyed Vireo 1

American Crow 2

Fish Crow 3

Purple Martin 30

Tree Swallow 1

Northern Rough-winged Swallow 1

Barn Swallow 5

Carolina Chickadee 1

Carolina Wren 5

American Robin 5

European Starling 5

Cedar Waxwing 2

Common Yellowthroat 5

Yellow-breasted Chat 1

Song Sparrow 1

Northern Cardinal 5

Blue Grosbeak 1

Indigo Bunting 6

Red-winged Blackbird 10

Common Grackle 20

Brown-headed Cowbird 1

House Finch 2

American Goldfinch 2

House Sparrow 5

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

Tues. 6/24: An Interesting Evening at Beaver Swamp

An early-evening trip to Beaver Swamp WMA produced some very interesting observations...

Upon stepping out of the car, one of the first birds I laid eyes upon was a very close Gull-billed Tern hunting over the vegetation, no more than 20 yards away. After a bit more searching, two others revealed themselves farther back in the millpond. I'd be interested in knowing where exactly these birds come from, as they seem to return to this spot each year...and if they nest nearby, where? Regardless, Gull-billeds are truly handsome birds, and that fact was only accentuated by the perfect lighting conditions this evening.

Walking down the dirt dike a few minutes later, I was startled by two shapes which suddenly exploded from under my feet- two Bobwhites, an apparent pair. Now, this is interesting because for years I never came across Bobwhite here, and in all actuality, the area seems rather marginal in terms of quail habitat. However, last summer there was a male calling from the direction of the old railroad tracks, so it's feasible that this pair was in attendance last year as well. After the birds flushed in different directions, they gave a varied series of contact calls, which was an educational experience for someone who has had limited, and increasingly rare encounters with this species over the years. Once I had moved a safe distance away, the male gave his full song a few times...very neat stuff.

Proceeding into the wet woods at the back of the dike I was again startled, but this time by a far larger bird, as an adult Yellow-crowned Night-Heron took flight from a tree on the left side of the path. This was the first time I'd ever encountered this species at this location, and was rather surprised by its choice of a roost site- a spot that seemed far more likely to be inhabited by a Black-crowned Night-Heron.

In other news, the local Bald Eagle family continues to thrive, even though one of the adults was given hell by one of the local Kingbirds as it passed through the tyrant flycatcher's domain en route to its own. Additionally, the 40+ Glossy Ibis milling about were far more than I've seen elsewhere since last month, two Wood Ducks flashed by twice, and there was a steady stream of Great and Snowy Egrets commuting back to their Atlantic-side colonies.

A great place on a great evening...that's what it's all about.

Roseate Tern update

While standing atop the west path crossover at The Meadows around 3:00pm, I saw a (the?) Roseate Tern flying over the beach and out to sea. It appeared to have flown from one of the plover ponds at the State Park. Just a head's up for anyone in the area who is seeking this bird.

South Cape May Meadows walk, 6/23

Karl & Judy Lukens report the following from this morning's walk at The Meadows:

"Green Herons were the bird of the day on the CMBO Morning Walk at the Meadows with Pete Dunne. At least 8 different birds with 3 together flying over, and 1 sitting in a cedar. Also 12 Royal terns and 4 Oystercatchers on the beach. The Willow Flycatcher sat up for a brief scope look. A Lesser Yellowlegs with no foot, was present on the east side; the same bird we saw last fall and this spring?? The first of the fall migrants??"

Location: South Cape May Meadows
Observation date: 6/23/08
Number of species: 49
Canada Goose 10
Mute Swan 10
Gadwall 4
Mallard 15
Surf Scoter 2
Double-crested Cormorant 3
Great Blue Heron 2
Great Egret 6
Snowy Egret 2
Green Heron 8
Glossy Ibis 2
Piping Plover 1
Killdeer 1
American Oystercatcher 4
Lesser Yellowlegs 1
Laughing Gull 20
Ring-billed Gull 3
Herring Gull 15
Great Black-backed Gull 20
Least Tern 20
Common Tern 3
Forster's Tern 10
Royal Tern 12
Black Skimmer 10
Rock Pigeon 1
Mourning Dove 3
Chimney Swift 2
Willow Flycatcher 1
Eastern Kingbird 2
American Crow 1
Fish Crow 5
Purple Martin 5
Northern Rough-winged Swallow 1
Barn Swallow 2
Carolina Wren 1
American Robin 2
Gray Catbird 2
Northern Mockingbird 1
European Starling 10
Cedar Waxwing 1
Common Yellowthroat 3
Northern Cardinal 4
Indigo Bunting 1
Red-winged Blackbird 10
Common Grackle 15
Brown-headed Cowbird 3
House Finch 2
American Goldfinch 4
House Sparrow 5

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

"Make your checklists more meaningful!"

This is the tag line to a recent post on the eBird site which is aimed helping users (and non-users for that matter) understand why it is important to make your sightings data more robust for analysis by giving information on the distance or amount of area you covered in your walk/trip. Most people probably enter (as I did at first) as having done a "Casual Observation." Where as, by signifying that you have conducted a "Traveling Count", "Stationary Count" or "Area Count" (and entering the appropriate required information) you are allowing for more utilization of the data collected. All four of these eBird used terms are explained on the site and why they are more useful to the eBird team.

Many of you looking at this section of the site may notice that I pretty much always include my step count and approximate number of miles walked in my data. For one, I wear a pedometer almost religiously, which allows me to accurately (the manufacturer of the pedometer claims 99+% accuracy) account for both my steps taken and miles walked. On a side note, you should be prepared to be amazed at how little a person can actually walk in a day. I am a relatively active person, but having a desk job significantly reduces the number of steps taken a day, this is no surprise. But, when you compare the 4-6000 steps that can be taken on a busier day working in the Northwood Center, to the 10,000 minimum that is recommended, it can be a bit of a shock. This is one advantage to taking a morning bird walk. Usually in just a short jaunt around Higbee or the State Park, I tally almost as much as I may walk in a day at work. But I am getting off topic.

My point is that using a simple device such as a pedometer not only helps you personally but will allow you to make the data you submit to eBird more robust for the researchers using these numbers. So what do you do if you do not have or want to use a pedometer? Or, if you are on a trip (not in a car where you can use the odometer), say a pelagic, to track the distance traveled or the area covered? Well, the ebird folks have recommended two different web sites that will help you with this matter, Runningmap.com and the Gmap-pedometer. Basically they both use Google Map type features (Gmap is Google by the way, running map is associated with Yahoo) to allow you to pick pretty much any location on earth and track the distance you may have traveled. See the sample map I created on Runningmap.com of a route around the first couple field and tower fields at Higbee.


So, while eBird may be a "personal" listing program for many, with the added bonus to allowing your sightings to help birds more, by making just a small bit more effort you can make your data more "research friendly". Just by taking a few moments to indicate the amount of effort. Like I said, the eBird folks have given a short description about how each of the effort classifications help is the data analysis.

If you are not currently an eBird user, you might think about at least giving at a try. Take Cape May for instance, there a a good number of birders out in the field, year round. Yet, only a few, that know of at least are submitting checklists to eBird. If everyone who birded in Cape May submitted a checklist each day they birded here, there could be huge amounts of data sets created thus aiding researcher's ability to really try and grasp the breadth and magnitude of migration through this tiny area. And don't let those naysayers who say that everyone has in the world has to participate to make the data truly scientifically valid. There is truth in the fact that the more people involved, the more robust the data set. But, I am a firm believer that every little bit counts. After all, data is collected a little bit at a time. The 30,000+ hawks that were counted here in Cape May last fall didn't fly over in one day! Take the Summer Tanager that was calling in my back yard last evening, if I don't enter this sighting in no one will really know about it. It may not be scientifically significant sighting, but it builds my personal data set and possibly helps.

On the flip side of the number of folks who do not use eBird, there seems to have been a good jump in the number who are submitting checklists for New Jersey. According to eBird, as of June 18 there were 3047 lists submitted for New Jersey, that's almost 170 lists per day. Now this is still about 1600 less than New York and 1900 less than Texas but New Jersey list submission has grown over the past six months. I noticed a big jump in May but attributed this to the WSB and the Cornell teams being around and other submitting their scouting observations. Now we're over a month past the WSB and New Jersey is still number three in terms of lists submitted. Keep up the good work!

So, think about starting up an eBird account if you don't already have one. Your small contributions can really make a difference in the conservation of birds. Take a look at the observation effort descriptions on the site and see if you can make a few simple changes to your observation collections and entry, and make your checklists more meaningful!

CMBO Beanery Walk- 6/21/08

Karl Lukens send word of the results of this morning CMBO Beanery walk.


"During the 7:00 am CMBO "Beanery" Walk this morning we found, saw, and heard
the 3 target birds for the "Beanery" at this time of year, i.e., Indigo
Bunting, Blue Grosbeak, and Prothonotary Warbler. Also nice looks at
multiple Great-crested Flycatchers and Yellow-billed Cuckoos."

Location: The Beanery
Observation date: 6/21/08
Number of species: 44

Canada Goose 20
Wood Duck 3
Mallard 5
Snowy Egret 2
Green Heron 1
Black-crowned Night-Heron 3
Turkey Vulture 1
Cooper's Hawk 1
Laughing Gull 15
Herring Gull 1
Forster's Tern 3
Rock Pigeon 2
Mourning Dove 5
Yellow-billed Cuckoo 3
Chimney Swift 1
Ruby-throated Hummingbird 1
Red-bellied Woodpecker 3
Downy Woodpecker 1
Northern Flicker (Yellow-shafted) 1
Great Crested Flycatcher 3
Eastern Kingbird 3
Blue Jay 2
American Crow 1
Fish Crow 1
Purple Martin 1
Barn Swallow 5
Carolina Chickadee 2
Tufted Titmouse 3
Carolina Wren 5
American Robin 5
Gray Catbird 1
European Starling 15
Northern Waterthrush 1
Common Yellowthroat 3
Field Sparrow 1
Northern Cardinal 6
Blue Grosbeak 1
Indigo Bunting 3
Red-winged Blackbird 15
Common Grackle 20
Brown-headed Cowbird 4
House Finch 15
American Goldfinch 1
House Sparrow 5

This report was generated automatically by eBird v2

Report: Friday Evening in the Meadows

"At the CMBO Meadow Walk this evening we had great looks at Black Skimmers both skimming and sitting, Oystercatchers and Piping Plovers. We finished with a fly-over Black-crowned Night-Heron."

This note was from Karl Lukens, who along with Judy Lukens, Chuck Slugg and MaryJane Slugg, led this evening's walk around The Meadows. Tonight marks the "official" start to summer, but for birders, autumn will begin with the next substantial cold front, as the first southbound dowitchers and yellowlegs arrive from points north.

Location: South Cape May Meadows
Observation date: 6/20/08
Number of species: 36
Canada Goose 10
Wood Duck 1
Gadwall 6
Mallard 15
Great Egret 6
Snowy Egret 9
Black-crowned Night-Heron 1
Glossy Ibis 6
Piping Plover 4
American Oystercatcher 6
Laughing Gull 30
Ring-billed Gull 1
Herring Gull 15
Great Black-backed Gull 25
Least Tern 25
Common Tern 10
Forster's Tern 10
Black Skimmer 20
Rock Pigeon 1
Mourning Dove 5
Eastern Kingbird 1
American Crow 1
Fish Crow 1
Purple Martin 1
Carolina Wren 1
American Robin 1
Northern Mockingbird 3
European Starling 2
Cedar Waxwing 2
Common Yellowthroat 1
Song Sparrow 3
Northern Cardinal 2
Red-winged Blackbird 10
Common Grackle 10
House Finch 1
House Sparrow 5

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

"Hope is the thing with feathers..."

Or so goes the poem by Emily Dickenson (Poem 254 ca. 1861).

The reason I quote this poem you ask? Well, I received a call from Glen Davis this morning about some observations he made at TNC's Cape May Migratory Bird Refuge (a.k.a. the Meadows) last evening. He called to let me know that he had heard a Least Bittern calling at the back side (beach end) of the Meadows for about 10 min. at around 8:30 p.m. I am not sure exactly sure where he heard the bird, the call was breaking up as he was calling me form the boat he is working on doing sea/waterbird surveys. What I did get was that he was not 100% sure either if the bird was calling form the middle pond or of the to the side of the trail. Like I say this all happened at the back of the property.

Why did I equate this observation with the poem? Well, for one it's one of Laura's favorite poems and, because to me this means that the recent restoration of this property may be showing signs of its effectiveness. As many of you may remember the TNC property was closed for most of fall and through the spring about a year ago. One question I am asked quite frequently (especially on Laura's Twilight Watch walk which takes place at the Meadows in the fall keep an eye on the Naturalist Calendar for the updated fall schedule when available) is whether or not I think that the restoration will truly be effective. While I have many thoughts on the subject, I do think that ultimately the restoration that took pace was a good thing. If nothing else than to reduce the amount of Phragmities that was choking out the place. But, as I answer this question pretty much every time, restoration project's effectiveness are usually measured in time. We'll see if this restoration meets its intended goals over the next few years. One thing to keep in mind is that when humans intervene and carry out these types of projects we usually have certain species or gaols in mind that are trying to be met. No matter how through the detail on the restoration plan or how much funding there is to carry out the restoration, humans will never be able to match the natural process in the world. Take it form me, I'm originally from Florida, a state which consistently allows developers to bulldoze and fill in wetlands under the guise that the developer can build a smaller mitigated wetland in its place and all will be okay. At least it might be a little better if the state actually enforced this crazy mitigation most of the time. But none the less you have to allow time for nature to change things the way they need to be changed. Yes, there is a lot of work to continue to up keep the restoration but nature has a funny way of always doing what it wants in the end.

So, the short answer is that I am truly hopefully that this is a sign of things to come. It may not be and this may just happen to be a mid-breeding season wandering bittern who is looking for a good place to set up and try to attract a mate. Or, it could mean that there is enough suitable habitat that a Least Bittern likes the looks of the habitat enough that it would think about hanging there for a little while. Wait, that is already the case...... only time will tell ....

Also of note from Glen, 12 count 'em, twelve, White-rumped Sandpipers. Now as you may know, White-rumped Sandpiper is not an extremely rare bird here at all, especially in the fall. But twelve at this time of year is rare. They should be in the Arctic breeding right now. In fact the south bound migrants of this species don't show up in Cape May until later July usually (according to Sibley's The Birds of Cape May). One thing I like about birding is you more often than not, walk away with more questions than answers. So, are these non-breeding individuals or very early southern migrants? My guess would be non-breeding, but we are edging closer and closer to those first waves of south bound shorebirds.

Lastly, there was a nice alternate plumage Lesser Yellowlegs at the Meadows as well.

For those of you waiting on bated breath....

Since binoculars are the primary tool for birding and CMBO is well known in the binocular industry, we have been let in on a bit of information that we'd like to pass along. Anyone out there who is drooling at the chance to lay their hands on the newest primer optic to hit the streets; I'm talking about the Nikon EDG which was slated to be released in June. Well, unfortunately you'll have to wait a little bit longer. And at this point I do not have any information on when this optic will become available. Hopefully not too long!!

What you can do is to visit the NJAS/CMBO online optics site (FeatherEdgeOptics.org) to read a fresh review of the 7x42 EDG. Pete acquired a pair while on a Nikon promotional trip to Guatemala and has given more detailed thoughts (in comparison to our preliminary review which was previously posted on FeatherEdge Optics) on this binocular.

So what's the delay on Nikon's part? Well, you may remember that both Pete and I pointed out (in the preliminary review) that the focus wheel, which pulls up to adjust the diopter, would not always stay clicked down. This can prove to be troublesome when using the optic in the field and evidently Pete found this to be true on his trip to the rain forest. This, and the fact that the eye cups will not stay locked in place has caused Nikon to halt production and ensure that the binoculars are not in the hands of the general public until they are absolutely ready. You have to applaud Nikon for doing this, besides the fact that it would probably cost them more in repairs and sales if they were to release the optic before it was ready.

So, keep tuned in, we'll let you know when the binoculars arrive and rest assured that CMBO should be one of the first in North America to find this great new glass.

One last note, remember that when purchasing online at FeatherEdgeOptics.org, you must be a NJAS or CMBO member. No worries if you are not because you can join at the time of check out. Keep in mind that just like purchasing through our physical stores, members receive our members pricing and the best part is that the profit dollars from your purchase are going to further the conservation, research and education mission of the New Jersey Audubon Society. Sure you can purchase on-line at many other optics sites(you wouldn't find lower prices though, as long as they are an authorized dealer) but can those other companies say that dollars they keep after the cost of the optic, are going to help conserve habitat and wildlife, research why certain species are in decline and educate the public about what they can do to to help conservation and research? Just thought you'd like to know!

Eurasian Collared-Dove in Cape May

Bob Fogg just called Laura to report that he had seen a Eurasian Collared-Dove along Bayshore Road near the intersection of New England Road.

Good luck to those who attempt this species over the weekend. Remember, earlier in the spring this species was being seen somewhat frequently near the Cape May Point State Park entrance along Lehigh Ave and Lincoln Ave. On WSB day this species was seen near St. Pete's Church in Cape May Point.

If you do not find this bird (assuming it's the same and only one individual) along Bayshore Rd., look in the Point.

CAPE MAY BIRDING HOTLINE - June 19, 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, June 19, 2008. Highlights this week include sightings of (a *probable*) WHITE-WINGED TERN, SURF SCOTER, NORTHERN BOBWHITE, COMMON LOON, WILSON'S STORM-PETREL, BROWN PELICAN, WILSON'S PHALAROPE, LESSER BLACK-BACKED GULL, GLAUCOUS GULL, CASPIAN TERN, BLACK TERN, and WILLOW FLYCATCHER.

A probable WHITE-WINGED TERN was reported with a BLACK TERN in the East Pool at Brig/Forsythe NWR on 6/15. No reports since.

A WILSON'S PHALAROPE was seen at the beginning of the driving loop at Brig/Forsythe NWR on 6/16. A CASPIAN TERN and the continuing GLAUCOUS GULL along the north dike were also reported there this week.

NORTHERN BOBWHITE were recorded at Brig/Forsythe NWR and in West Cape May this week.

3 WILLOW FLYCATCHERS and 7 LESSER BLACK-BACKED GULLS were noted at The Meadows/CMMBR on 6/19, and a COMMON LOON was seen just off the beach here on 6/16.

4 SURF SCOTERS and a BROWN PELICAN were tallied from Cape May Point on 6/18.

2 WILSON'S STORM-PETRELS were noted from Sunset Beach on 6/16.


ANNOUNCEMENTS:
CMBO's Northwood Center in Cape May Point will open at 12:00pm on SATURDAY, JUNE 21, due to a foot-race taking place that morning.

Both CMBO Centers will be CLOSED on FRIDAY, JULY 4 for Independence 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 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!

Bird Walk for All People, 6/19 Edition; Meadows note

Chuck & MaryJane Slugg sent in the following summary of a successful Bird Walk for All People, held this morning at Cape May Point State Park.

"The Walk for All People this morning had a nice variety of birds including one piping plover chick on the beach with two adults nearby. We were pleased to have Hamlet, a visiting naturalist and tour guide from Uganda, on the walk with us."

Additionally, I made a brief loop around The Meadows late this morning, and was treated to seven Lesser Black-backed Gulls, as well as three singing Willow Flycatchers.


Location: Cape May Point SP
Observation date: 6/19/08
Number of species: 52
Canada Goose X
Mute Swan X
Mallard X
Great Blue Heron X
Great Egret X
Snowy Egret X
Turkey Vulture X
Osprey X
Red-tailed Hawk X
Piping Plover X
Killdeer X
American Oystercatcher X
Laughing Gull X
Ring-billed Gull X
Herring Gull X
Great Black-backed Gull X
Least Tern X
Common Tern X
Forster's Tern X
Black Skimmer X
Rock Pigeon X
Mourning Dove X
Eastern Kingbird X
White-eyed Vireo X
Blue Jay X
American Crow X
Fish Crow X
Purple Martin X
Tree Swallow X
Northern Rough-winged Swallow X
Barn Swallow X
Carolina Chickadee X
Carolina Wren X
House Wren X
American Robin X
Gray Catbird X
Northern Mockingbird X
European Starling X
Cedar Waxwing X
Pine Warbler X
Common Yellowthroat X
Song Sparrow X
Northern Cardinal X
Blue Grosbeak X
Indigo Bunting X
Red-winged Blackbird X
Common Grackle X
Brown-headed Cowbird X
Orchard Oriole X
Baltimore Oriole X
American Goldfinch X
House Sparrow X

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

Wednesday morning, Cape May Point

The Lukens duo checked in with the following summary of this morning's stroll around the point:

"The list below was generated on the CMBO Cape May Point walk this morning. During the walk we checked the State Park dune cross-over, did the red trail, and walked to the S end of Lily Lake , and finished with the ST. Peters Jetty cross-over. The Fly-by Brown Pelican and 4 Drake Surf Scoters were nice observations."

Location: Cape May Point
Observation date: 6/18/08
Number of species: 45
Canada Goose 50
Mute Swan 10
Mallard 10
Surf Scoter 4
Brown Pelican 1
Great Egret 3
Snowy Egret 1
Glossy Ibis 7
Turkey Vulture 1
Osprey 3
American Oystercatcher 2
Laughing Gull 30
Herring Gull 5
Great Black-backed Gull 5
Least Tern 10
Common Tern 5
Forster's Tern 5
Rock Pigeon 2
Mourning Dove 8
Eastern Kingbird 2
Blue Jay 2
American Crow 1
Fish Crow 5
Purple Martin 30
Tree Swallow 1
Barn Swallow 3
Carolina Chickadee 3
Carolina Wren 5
House Wren 5
American Robin 15
Gray Catbird 8
Northern Mockingbird 2
European Starling 15
Cedar Waxwing 5
Common Yellowthroat 3
Yellow-breasted Chat 1
Song Sparrow 2
Northern Cardinal 5
Indigo Bunting 1
Red-winged Blackbird 10
Common Grackle 20
Brown-headed Cowbird 4
House Finch 2
American Goldfinch 1
House Sparrow 5

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

A mid-June morning in The Meadows; Storm-Petrels continue

The following just in from Karl & Judy Lukens:
"Results of this morning's CMBO Walk at the Meadows with Pete Dunne follow. A late breeding plumage Common Loon was sitting in the calm water just off the meadows beach. Piping Plover are still fairly easy to find, some still on nest. Several Great-crested Flycatchers patrolled the bayberrys and 1 maybe 2 Willow Flycatchers were seen and heard."

I made a brief stop at Sunset Beach this morning. It was fairly quiet with the exception of two close Wilson's Storm-Petrels feeding less than 100 feet from the end of the jetty at Alexander Avenue. The bay side of Cape May Point seems to be the place to find these critters at the current moment.

Location: South Cape May Meadows
Observation date: 6/16/08
Number of species: 54
Canada Goose 1
Mute Swan 13
Mallard 5
Common Loon 1
Double-crested Cormorant 3
Great Blue Heron 1
Great Egret 3
Snowy Egret 1
Black-crowned Night-Heron 1
Black Vulture 1
Osprey 3
Black-bellied Plover 1
Piping Plover 4
Killdeer 3
American Oystercatcher 2
Sanderling 1
Laughing Gull 15
Ring-billed Gull 3
Herring Gull 10
Great Black-backed Gull 15
Least Tern 20
Common Tern 15
Forster's Tern 15
Royal Tern 3
Black Skimmer 4
Rock Pigeon 2
Mourning Dove 5
Downy Woodpecker 1
Willow Flycatcher 2
Great Crested Flycatcher 3
Eastern Kingbird 3
American Crow X
Fish Crow X
Purple Martin 5
Tree Swallow 1
Bank Swallow 1
Barn Swallow 5
Carolina Wren 5
American Robin 1
Gray Catbird 1
Northern Mockingbird 2
European Starling 10
Cedar Waxwing 3
Common Yellowthroat 5
Song Sparrow 1
Northern Cardinal 5
Indigo Bunting 1
Red-winged Blackbird 10
Common Grackle 10
Brown-headed Cowbird 1
Orchard Oriole 1
House Finch 1
American Goldfinch 3
House Sparrow 5

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

CMBO Beanery Walk- 6/14/08

Karl Lukens just sent in the results form today's CMBO Beanery walk.


"The CMBO Rea Farm Walk (Beanery), began this morning at 7:00 am. Again the
usual suspects, i.e., the residents and breeders. The target birds for the
"Beanery" are Indigo Bunting, Blue Grosbeak, and Prothonotary Warbler. All
of these were heard and seen, although the grosbeak finally showed up at the
parking lot at the finish of the walk."

Location: The Beanery
Observation date: 6/14/08
Number of species: 44

Canada Goose 10
Mute Swan 2
Wood Duck 1
Mallard 5
Great Egret 1
Snowy Egret 9
Black-crowned Night-Heron 1
Turkey Vulture 3
Killdeer 1
Laughing Gull 10
Herring Gull 1
Great Black-backed Gull 1
Forster's Tern 2
Rock Pigeon 2
Mourning Dove 5
Yellow-billed Cuckoo 3
Chimney Swift 3
Red-bellied Woodpecker 2
Great Crested Flycatcher 4
Eastern Kingbird 1
Blue Jay 3
American Crow 1
Fish Crow 1
Purple Martin 5
Tree Swallow 1
Northern Rough-winged Swallow 1
Barn Swallow 1
Tufted Titmouse 1
Carolina Wren 5
House Wren 1
American Robin 5
Gray Catbird 1
Northern Mockingbird 1
European Starling 10
Prothonotary Warbler 3
Common Yellowthroat 5
Northern Cardinal 5
Blue Grosbeak 2
Indigo Bunting 3
Red-winged Blackbird 10
Common Grackle 10
Brown-headed Cowbird 5
House Finch 4
House Sparrow 5

This report was generated automatically by eBird v2

A (Gorgeous) Friday Evening in The Meadows

Karl & Judy Lukens report the following from this evening's stroll around The Meadows:

"Mild, breezy, and sunny this evening for the CMBO Evening Meadow Walk. Again at this time of year, the usual suspects. Interesting were 2 Black-bellied Plovers, 4 Piping Plovers, 4 Oystercatchers, both Yellowlegs, and 1 Lesser Black-backed Gull."

Location: South Cape May Meadows
Observation date: 6/13/08
Number of species: 45
Canada Goose 10
Mute Swan 10
Wood Duck 3
Gadwall 2
American Black Duck 3
Mallard 5
Great Egret 2
Snowy Egret 3
Turkey Vulture 1
Osprey 3
Black-bellied Plover 2
Piping Plover 4
Killdeer 4
American Oystercatcher 4
Greater Yellowlegs 1
Lesser Yellowlegs 1
Laughing Gull X
Herring Gull 10
Lesser Black-backed Gull 1
Great Black-backed Gull 15
Least Tern 25
Common Tern 10
Forster's Tern 10
Black Skimmer 15
Rock Pigeon 2
Mourning Dove 5
Chimney Swift 4
Eastern Kingbird 3
American Crow 1
Fish Crow 1
Purple Martin 10
Northern Rough-winged Swallow 1
Carolina Wren 1
American Robin 1
Northern Mockingbird 1
European Starling 5
Cedar Waxwing 5
Common Yellowthroat 3
Song Sparrow 1
Northern Cardinal 2
Red-winged Blackbird 10
Common Grackle 15
Brown-headed Cowbird 4
House Finch 1
House Sparrow 2

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

Cape Island Preserve and the Beanery- NJAS Citizen Science Surveys

Due to the lack of wind I decided to run the second round of the grassland bird surveys I've done for NJAS' Citizen Science team, on 6/10. While the temps were quite hot, about 80-85 degrees by 8:30 a.m. I'd say, this did not keep birds from going about their daily activities. I've been doing these surveys for the past few years and have yet to actually have any targeted grassland species but then again I have never really expected any. For me, this is just another way to force myself to get out a bit more and help contribute a little bit to the overall knowledge of what is happening avian wise here in New Jersey. After all, as most any researcher will tell you, negative data is still good data. Heck, I'm out birding as much as I can anyway, might as well contribute my observations to science which is also accomplished by submitting these sightings to eBird.

So, what did I find on this extremely hot southern New Jersey day, probably the best sighting of the day was not of a bird even. I started at the Beanery (to ensure no time of day bias the surveys are run in backward order from the first round) and happened upon a mother Opossum with not one, two or three young. Get this, five sizable (probably a good six to eight inches in body length, tail not included) young hanging on her back AND at least two more in her pouch!! I bet my mom is glad she didn't have to deal with my brother and I like this. She definitely seemed to be weighed down by the brood and having a hard time walking, ahh...the love of a mother.

Anyway, the Beanery did not hold much out of the ordinary. Two Prothonotary Warblers were singing away and a few Green Herons were calling and flying around. No Horned Lark was observed by me or any hoped for Mississippi Kites.

The Cape Island Preserve area, likewise held nothing unusual other than the expected breeding species. This particular area is well under birded in my opinion. Not that I can complain much as I do not visit the are as much as I probably should but with Higbee's Beach and Hidden Valley being birded 250-300 days out of the year by locals there don't seem to be enough reports from this TNC property. My guess is that it's a delayed gratification issue. If you are like me and don't have a huge amount of time most days to bird, most of the time you are looking for the places that will garner "guaranteed" good birding. I can't blame anyone of rwantig to make the most of the time they have but this area has just as good a chance for a rarity as anywhere on Cape Island. Since this area is under birded and lets face it, an area that you might not expect to find 60+ species on a morning walk, even on a good morning, I think most people just bypass it for the other popular sites in Cape May. Please just keep this site in mind, especially this coming fall during sparrow migration. Good birds have bee found in years past. I think it's a great place to try and find a Grasshopper Sparrow in migration. Heck, a summer or two ago Paul Lehman verified a breeding Dickcissel at this property!

But on Tuesday it was the Indigo Buntings, Blue Grosbeaks, Orchard Orioles, Yellow Warblers and others who vied for my attention while walking to my survey spots. The Northern Bobwhite continues to call each morning that I do visit the area so I hope to come across a covey one day in the near future. Laura and I did have a male and female, here, back when we were scouting for the WSB.

As usual the list for the day is below. As I was taking note of species just as I walked to and from (and during) the surveys, there could have been a few species that went unnoticed by me.


Location: The Beanery
Observation date: 6/10/08
Notes: 2300 steps = approx 1.5 miles
Number of species: 45

Canada Goose - Branta canadensis X
Mute Swan - Cygnus olor X
Mallard - Anas platyrhynchos X
Great Blue Heron - Ardea herodias 3
Turkey Vulture - Cathartes aura X
Killdeer - Charadrius vociferus X
Laughing Gull - Larus atricilla X
Herring Gull - Larus argentatus X
Great Black-backed Gull - Larus marinus X
Rock Pigeon - Columba livia X
Mourning Dove - Zenaida macroura X
Yellow-billed Cuckoo - Coccyzus americanus 1
Chimney Swift - Chaetura pelagica 6
Downy Woodpecker - Picoides pubescens X
Great Crested Flycatcher - Myiarchus crinitus 4
Eastern Kingbird - Tyrannus tyrannus X
Blue Jay - Cyanocitta cristata X
American Crow - Corvus brachyrhynchos X
Purple Martin - Progne subis X
Tree Swallow - Tachycineta bicolor X
Northern Rough-winged Swallow - Stelgidopteryx serripennis 1
Barn Swallow - Hirundo rustica X
Carolina Chickadee - Poecile carolinensis X
Tufted Titmouse - Baeolophus bicolor X
Carolina Wren - Thryothorus ludovicianus X
American Robin - Turdus migratorius X
Gray Catbird - Dumetella carolinensis X
Northern Mockingbird - Mimus polyglottos X
Brown Thrasher - Toxostoma rufum 1
European Starling - Sturnus vulgaris X
Cedar Waxwing - Bombycilla cedrorum 6
Yellow Warbler - Dendroica petechia X
Prothonotary Warbler - Protonotaria citrea 2
Common Yellowthroat - Geothlypis trichas X
Field Sparrow - Spizella pusilla X
Song Sparrow - Melospiza melodia 3
Northern Cardinal - Cardinalis cardinalis X
Blue Grosbeak - Passerina caerulea 2
Indigo Bunting - Passerina cyanea X
Red-winged Blackbird - Agelaius phoeniceus X
Common Grackle - Quiscalus quiscula X
Brown-headed Cowbird - Molothrus ater X
House Finch - Carpodacus mexicanus X
American Goldfinch - Carduelis tristis X
House Sparrow - Passer domesticus X

This report was generated automatically by eBird v2

Location: Cape Island Preserve
Observation date: 6/10/08
Notes: 2670 steps = approx. 1.5 miles
Number of species: 35

Northern Bobwhite - Colinus virginianus 1
Snowy Egret - Egretta thula 4
Turkey Vulture - Cathartes aura X
Willet (Eastern) - Tringa semipalmata semipalmata 1
Laughing Gull - Larus atricilla X
Herring Gull - Larus argentatus X
Great Black-backed Gull - Larus marinus X
Mourning Dove - Zenaida macroura X
Chimney Swift - Chaetura pelagica 8
Downy Woodpecker - Picoides pubescens 1
Eastern Kingbird - Tyrannus tyrannus X
Blue Jay - Cyanocitta cristata X
American Crow - Corvus brachyrhynchos X
Barn Swallow - Hirundo rustica X
Carolina Chickadee - Poecile carolinensis X
Tufted Titmouse - Baeolophus bicolor X
Carolina Wren - Thryothorus ludovicianus X
American Robin - Turdus migratorius X
Gray Catbird - Dumetella carolinensis 5
Northern Mockingbird - Mimus polyglottos X
European Starling - Sturnus vulgaris X
Cedar Waxwing - Bombycilla cedrorum 8
Yellow Warbler - Dendroica petechia 3
Common Yellowthroat - Geothlypis trichas X
Field Sparrow - Spizella pusilla 4
Song Sparrow - Melospiza melodia 3
Northern Cardinal - Cardinalis cardinalis X
Blue Grosbeak - Passerina caerulea 3
Indigo Bunting - Passerina cyanea X
Red-winged Blackbird - Agelaius phoeniceus X
Common Grackle - Quiscalus quiscula X
Brown-headed Cowbird - Molothrus ater X
House Finch - Carpodacus mexicanus X
American Goldfinch - Carduelis tristis X
House Sparrow - Passer domesticus X

This report was generated automatically by eBird v2

CAPE MAY BIRDING HOTLINE - June 12, 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, June 12, 2008. Highlights this week include sightings of SURF SCOTER, NORTHERN BOBWHITE, WILSON'S STORM-PETREL, MISSISSIPPI KITE, WHITE-RUMPED SANDPIPER, AMERICAN WOODCOCK, WILSON'S PHALAROPE, LESSER BLACK-BACKED GULL, GLAUCOUS GULL, CASPIAN TERN, BARN OWL, ALDER FLYCATCHER, WILLOW FLYCATCHER, and VEERY.


A MISSISSIPPI KITE was seen over Cape May Point on 6/8.

A WILSON'S PHALAROPE continued at Brig/Forsythe NWR through 6/7. Other sightings from Brig this week included NORTHERN BOBWHITE, WHITE-RUMPED SANDPIPER, CASPIAN TERN, WILLOW FLYCATCHER and the continuing GLAUCOUS GULL along the north dike.

WILSON'S STORM-PETRELS were reported from Cape May Point throughout the week. A SURF SCOTER was seen from Cape May Point on 6/7.

An ALDER FLYCATCHER was singing along the Red Trail at Cape May Point State Park on 6/7.

LESSER BLACK-BACKED GULLS continue to be found on the beach between the South Cape May Meadows/CMMBR and Cape May Point State Park. A WILLOW FLYCATCHER was heard in The Meadows this week. AMERICAN WOODCOCK were still displaying in The Meadows as of 6/7.

A BARN OWL and a late VEERY were heard over Reed's Beach during the evening of 6/7.


ANNOUNCEMENTS:
CMBO's Northwood Center in Cape May Point will open at 12:00pm on SATURDAY, JUNE 21, due to a foot-race taking place that morning.

Both CMBO Centers will be CLOSED on FRIDAY, JULY 4 for Independence 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 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!

CMBO THE BIRDS OF CAPE MAY: A BIRD WALK FOR ALL PEOPLE- 6/12/08

Chuck and Mary Jane Slugg shared the list below from today's CMBO Bird Walk for All People. No matter what you may think, there is still good birding to be had in Cape May even though migration is past. Summer is the time for observing breeding behaviors and looking for chicks. Just this morning we had a male Eastern Bluebird feeding a fledgling, on top of our mail box at home. Seeing this in the front yard is a pretty nice way to start the day in my opinion.

Location: Cape May Point SP
Observation date: 6/12/08
Notes: The Walk for All People this morning had many birders, including four children. We were joined by Maureen, a reporter from the Cape May County Herald. We had some great looks at piping plover, including one chick.
Number of species: 38

Canada Goose X
Mute Swan X
Gadwall X
American Black Duck X
Mallard X
Double-crested Cormorant X
Great Egret X
Glossy Ibis X
Black Vulture X
Turkey Vulture X
Osprey X
Piping Plover X
Killdeer X
American Oystercatcher X
Laughing Gull X
Herring Gull X
Great Black-backed Gull X
Least Tern X
Forster's Tern X
Rock Pigeon X
Mourning Dove X
Eastern Kingbird X
American Crow X
Fish Crow X
Purple Martin X
Tree Swallow X
Northern Rough-winged Swallow X
House Wren X
American Robin X
Gray Catbird X
Northern Mockingbird X
European Starling X
Cedar Waxwing X
Common Yellowthroat X
Song Sparrow X
Red-winged Blackbird X
Common Grackle X
House Sparrow X

This report was generated automatically by eBird v2

2008 Aerial Survey of Delaware Bay Shorebirds

A special Thank You to Kathy Clark of the NJ Endangered and Nongame Species Program who shared the following data from the weekly aerial surveys of Delaware Bay shorebirds.

"Here is the summary of all flights, including today's final flight for the season. VERY few birds left on the bay! Surprisingly so, considering last week we still had 91,000. Hope that's good news for the birds."
- Kathy Clark 6/11/08

Abbreviations:
REKN=Red Knot
RUTU=Ruddy Turnstone
SESA=Semipalmated Sandpiper
SAND=Sanderling
PEEP=unidentified small Calidris sandpipers
DOW=dowitcher, nearly all Short-billed
DUNL=Dunlin

2008 Aerial Survey of Delaware Bay Shorebirds, by NJ and DE Fish and Wildlife agencies

NJ SHORE SPP	6-May	14-May	21-May	28-May	3-Jun	11-Jun	Total by Species
REKN	50	3,245	10,045	9,370	2,040	295	25,045
RUTU	60	2,845	9,020	9,835	9,850	305	31,915
SESA	0	18,100	23,490	28,395	25,425	415	95,825
SAND	1,671	4,755	11,925	8,815	6,405	255	33,826
PEEP	1,145	275	50	0	0	0	1,470
DOW	865	2,100	550	270	50	0	3,835
DUNL	12,850	26,145	8,270	7,840	0	0	55,105
SUBTOTAL	16,641	57,465	63,350	64,525	43,770	1270	247,021
DE SHORE SPP	6-May	14-May	21-May	28-May	3-Jun	11-Jun	Total by Species
REKN	0	2,985	5,350	5,320	3,750	220	17,625
RUTU	0	2,320	1,320	11,465	6,760	240	22,105
SESA	0	15,690	19,750	24,930	33,840	880	95,090
SAND	60	215	1,490	4,415	2,930	100	9,210
PEEP	90	70	0	0	20	0	180
DOW	8,695	25,545	7,630	4,420	0	0	46,290
DUNL	295	2,420	10	50	0	31	2,806
SUBTOTAL	9,140	49,245	35,550	50,600	47,300		193,306
TOTAL-BAY SPP	6-May	14-May	21-May	28-May	3-Jun	11-Jun	Total by Species
REKN	50	6,230	15,395	14,690	5,790	515	42,670
RUTU	60	5,165	10,340	21,300	16,610	545	54,020
SESA	0	33,790	43,240	53,325	59,265	1295	190,915
SAND	1,731	4,970	13,415	13,230	9,335	355	43,036
PEEP	1,235	345	50	0	20	0	1,650
DOW	1,160	4,520	560	320	50	31	6,641
DUNL	21,545	51,690	15,900	12,260	0	0	101,395
TOTAL	25,781	106,710	98,900	115,125	91,070	2741	440,327

Surveys conducted by K. Clark and R. Porter

May 21 -- Incomplete count. Plane was prohibited from entering Dover Airspace