The Red-necked Stint at Two Mile Landing in Cape May reappeared this afternoon and continued through full dark - I last saw it a little after 8:00 p.m. What a thrill to get the "thumbs up" sign from Janet Crawford, Roger and Kathy Horn, and others who were driving out of the landing near dark and recognized my truck as I pulled in, thanks all!! And thanks go out to the folks from Bucks County, PA, who put me on the bird's location as darkness was settling in.
The stint had disappeared during the middle of the day, during low tide, presumably to feed on exposed mudflats. At high tide shorebirds are pushed off the mudflats and often to this spot. High tide tomorrow will be about 9:30 a.m. A minor front has moved offshore and the winds will be light from the west and north tonight, so it is conceivable the bird could leave, but neither it nor the other shorebirds it was with behaved restless in any way. I'd say it will be worth braving the drive (and Labor Day weekend traffic when you go home) to try to see the bird.
See below for directions, photos and details. PLEASE be sure to be courteous about parking and viewing this bird, and DO NOT block access to the private businesses at Two Mile.
Saturday, August 30, 2008
STINT photo salon
Thanks to CMBO's Morning Flight Counter, Sam Galick and CMBO Associate Naturalists, Karl Lukens and Michael O'Brien, for sharing some of their fantastic photos they took of today's RED-NECKED STINT.
Photo courtesy of Sam Galick, www.flickr.com/photos/sgalick/
Photos courtesy of Karl Lukens, www.home.comcast.net/~jklukens/index.htm
Photos courtesy of Michael O'Brien
Photo courtesy of Sam Galick, www.flickr.com/photos/sgalick/
Photos courtesy of Karl Lukens, www.home.comcast.net/~jklukens/index.htm
Photos courtesy of Michael O'Brien
In Memory of George Myers
Dear Friends,
A memory page has been created from the images of and comments about George Myers that were received. Please follow this link to view the page: http://www.birdcapemay.org/george_myers.html
The natural history photographs were taken by George and show his true love for the natural world. To view more of George's images please visit his website at: http://www.tanagerwebdesign.com/New/Naturepix.htm
With fond memories of a true friend,
Laura
A memory page has been created from the images of and comments about George Myers that were received. Please follow this link to view the page: http://www.birdcapemay.org/george_myers.html
The natural history photographs were taken by George and show his true love for the natural world. To view more of George's images please visit his website at: http://www.tanagerwebdesign.com/New/Naturepix.htm
With fond memories of a true friend,
Laura
RED-NECKED STINT photo
Below, is a photo provided by Bob Fogg of today's RED-NECKED STINT. Thanks to Bob for sharing this great shot of a very beautiful bird.
See post below for more information on the location where this bird was being seen.
See post below for more information on the location where this bird was being seen.
Photo courtesy of Bob Fogg, www.keekeekerr.comEDIT: A few thoughts on this bird. If attempting to look for the bird, one it is very obvious when you see it but try to look past the red neck and look at the over all shape and size of the bird. See the Shorebird Guide for an excellent description of this species. In comparison to the Semipalmated Sandpipers in the area, this bird seemed smaller and more elongated. The length of the primaries (the longer primary projection was distinct and tips often crossed) and shorter legs definitely lends to this more "attenuated" look. Note the over all shorter beak in comparison the a semi and at the close distance the bird was being viewed the unwebbed feet were quite noticeable (though not so in the photo above). Other noticeable features were the paler head and fine streaking along the sides of the breast down into the flanks.
NOTE: As of approximately 2:00 p.m. (low tide is at about 2:40 p.m.) the STINT was NOT being seen at the below location. If you are going to attempt a look for this bird (while it could wonder to almost any location in Cape May) you might want to time your search with high tide as this leave little exposed mudflat and pushes the birds to find alternate feeding locations, such as this pool where the stint was found today. High tide tomorrow is about 9:00 a.m. and about 9:45 on Monday.
NOTE: As of approximately 2:00 p.m. (low tide is at about 2:40 p.m.) the STINT was NOT being seen at the below location. If you are going to attempt a look for this bird (while it could wonder to almost any location in Cape May) you might want to time your search with high tide as this leave little exposed mudflat and pushes the birds to find alternate feeding locations, such as this pool where the stint was found today. High tide tomorrow is about 9:00 a.m. and about 9:45 on Monday.
RED-NECKED STINT
Just got back from viewing the RED-NECKED STINT found today around 10:30 by Richard Crossley at the wet area to the east of the Two Mile Landing Restaurant off of Ocean Drive in the Wild Wood Crest area. See map below for exact location.
The bird was being viewed very close to the parking area in the pool to the east of the restaurant parking lot. There were a number of Semipalmated Sandpipers as well but the bird is still in fine plumage and pretty much stuck out like a sore thumb. There really is no searching for the bird (even if it had its rear toward you) as the red on the back of the neck and on the scapulars give the bird away with out even trying to search the feeding flock.
The bird was watched by a handful of birders until about 11:25 or so when Laura and I left. At the time we left the bird had flown from the pool in which it had been feeding, north toward the Jarvis Sound beach. We did not stick around to see if everyone was able to relocate the bird. But, definitely worth the search effort.
We will of course post updates on the birds location as the become available. Also photos as they become available.
Take a left turn on Fish Dock Rd. and head down to the restaurant parking area on the right. The bird was being seen in the pool just to the east of the parking area.
This is the exact area the the bird was initially found and being seen .
The bird was being viewed very close to the parking area in the pool to the east of the restaurant parking lot. There were a number of Semipalmated Sandpipers as well but the bird is still in fine plumage and pretty much stuck out like a sore thumb. There really is no searching for the bird (even if it had its rear toward you) as the red on the back of the neck and on the scapulars give the bird away with out even trying to search the feeding flock.
The bird was watched by a handful of birders until about 11:25 or so when Laura and I left. At the time we left the bird had flown from the pool in which it had been feeding, north toward the Jarvis Sound beach. We did not stick around to see if everyone was able to relocate the bird. But, definitely worth the search effort.
We will of course post updates on the birds location as the become available. Also photos as they become available.
Take Ocean Drive toward Wild Wood Crest and cross the toll bridge. There is no toll going east!
Take a left turn on Fish Dock Rd. and head down to the restaurant parking area on the right. The bird was being seen in the pool just to the east of the parking area.
This is the exact area the the bird was initially found and being seen .
Buff-breasted Sandpipers CMBO Sunset at the Meadows walk- 8/29/08
According to Karl Lukens the two Buff-breasted Sandpipers found at the Cape May Point State Park the other day, put in an appearance at TNC's CMMBR during the CMBO Sunset walk there last evening. All in alll it sonds like a fine time was had by both Associate Naturalists and participants.
"Nice array of shorebirds and waders at the CMBO Evening Walk at the
"Meadows" tonight. Highlights were the large number of close up Black
Skimmers and Royal Terns as well as 2 Buff-breasted Sandpipers."
Location: South Cape May Meadows
Observation date: 8/29/08
Notes: CMBO Walk-K,J,C&MJ,K&RH,DL,+8. Partly cloudy, 77, NE12.
Number of species: 51
Canada Goose 15
Mute Swan 5
Gadwall 4
Mallard 20
Blue-winged Teal 6
Green-winged Teal 4
Hooded Merganser 1
Double-crested Cormorant 5
Great Egret 2
Snowy Egret 15
Little Blue Heron 1
Black-crowned Night-Heron 1
Glossy Ibis 10
Turkey Vulture 3
Semipalmated Plover 3
Killdeer 2
Solitary Sandpiper 3
Greater Yellowlegs 8
Lesser Yellowlegs 25
Ruddy Turnstone 2
Sanderling 5
Semipalmated Sandpiper 5
Least Sandpiper 5
Pectoral Sandpiper 2
Buff-breasted Sandpiper 2
Laughing Gull 50
Ring-billed Gull 5
Herring Gull 15
Lesser Black-backed Gull 1
Great Black-backed Gull 50
Least Tern 1 Black Tern 8
Common Tern 8
Forster's Tern 25
Royal Tern 15
Black Skimmer 175
Rock Pigeon 2
Mourning Dove 5
Chimney Swift 1
Eastern Kingbird 1
American Crow 2
Purple Martin 3
Tree Swallow 1
Barn Swallow 2
Carolina Wren 1
Northern Mockingbird 2
European Starling 10
Northern Cardinal 2
Red-winged Blackbird 5
House Finch 2
House Sparrow 2
This report was generated automatically by eBird v2
"Nice array of shorebirds and waders at the CMBO Evening Walk at the
"Meadows" tonight. Highlights were the large number of close up Black
Skimmers and Royal Terns as well as 2 Buff-breasted Sandpipers."
Location: South Cape May Meadows
Observation date: 8/29/08
Notes: CMBO Walk-K,J,C&MJ,K&RH,DL,+8. Partly cloudy, 77, NE12.
Number of species: 51
Canada Goose 15
Mute Swan 5
Gadwall 4
Mallard 20
Blue-winged Teal 6
Green-winged Teal 4
Hooded Merganser 1
Double-crested Cormorant 5
Great Egret 2
Snowy Egret 15
Little Blue Heron 1
Black-crowned Night-Heron 1
Glossy Ibis 10
Turkey Vulture 3
Semipalmated Plover 3
Killdeer 2
Solitary Sandpiper 3
Greater Yellowlegs 8
Lesser Yellowlegs 25
Ruddy Turnstone 2
Sanderling 5
Semipalmated Sandpiper 5
Least Sandpiper 5
Pectoral Sandpiper 2
Buff-breasted Sandpiper 2
Laughing Gull 50
Ring-billed Gull 5
Herring Gull 15
Lesser Black-backed Gull 1
Great Black-backed Gull 50
Least Tern 1 Black Tern 8
Common Tern 8
Forster's Tern 25
Royal Tern 15
Black Skimmer 175
Rock Pigeon 2
Mourning Dove 5
Chimney Swift 1
Eastern Kingbird 1
American Crow 2
Purple Martin 3
Tree Swallow 1
Barn Swallow 2
Carolina Wren 1
Northern Mockingbird 2
European Starling 10
Northern Cardinal 2
Red-winged Blackbird 5
House Finch 2
House Sparrow 2
This report was generated automatically by eBird v2
Friday, August 29, 2008
Higbee Notes: Protho, Dickcissel, Bald Eagle
Higbee Beach WMA was admittedly slow (by Higbee in fall standards), especially in the warbler department, which featured a small flock in the parking lot at the start of the walk, which contained Black-and-white and Black-throated Blue Warblers, and a briefly seen Prothonotary at the south end of the second field. A near-adult Bald Eagle sailed over, a Cooper's Hawk acting local and several Ospreys acting like migrants were other highlights. And the 100's of Eastern Kingbirds, Bobolinks and Cedar Waxwings, and multiples if not multitudes of Blue-gray gnatcatchers added some fun too. We also found a Warbling Vireo, not an easy bird in Cape May, and briefly glimpsed a flyby Black-billed Cuckoo. The list follows. Sam Galick added a Dickcissel from his perch at Morning Flight.
Location: Higbee Beach
Observation date: 8/29/08
Notes: CMBO Friday walk
Number of species: 50
Snowy Egret 1
Green Heron 1
Osprey 5
Bald Eagle 1
Cooper's Hawk 1
Lesser Yellowlegs 2
peep sp. 5
Short-billed Dowitcher 2
Laughing Gull X
Herring Gull X
Great Black-backed Gull X
Forster's Tern 10
Mourning Dove 5
Black-billed Cuckoo 1
Ruby-throated Hummingbird 10
Belted Kingfisher 1
Red-bellied Woodpecker 1
Alder/Willow Flycatcher (Traill's) 1
Great Crested Flycatcher 1
Eastern Kingbird 300
White-eyed Vireo 1
Warbling Vireo 1
Blue Jay 5
American Crow 10
Purple Martin 10
Tree Swallow 200
Barn Swallow 50
Carolina Chickadee 10
Tufted Titmouse 10
Carolina Wren 15
House Wren 1
Blue-gray Gnatcatcher 15
American Robin 5
Gray Catbird 5
Brown Thrasher 3
Cedar Waxwing 75
Yellow Warbler 1
Black-throated Blue Warbler 2
Black-and-white Warbler 2
American Redstart 1
Prothonotary Warbler 1
Ovenbird 1
Field Sparrow 1
Northern Cardinal 5
Bobolink 25
Red-winged Blackbird 50
Common Grackle 10
Baltimore Oriole 5
House Finch 5
American Goldfinch 5
Location: Higbee Beach
Observation date: 8/29/08
Notes: CMBO Friday walk
Number of species: 50
Snowy Egret 1
Green Heron 1
Osprey 5
Bald Eagle 1
Cooper's Hawk 1
Lesser Yellowlegs 2
peep sp. 5
Short-billed Dowitcher 2
Laughing Gull X
Herring Gull X
Great Black-backed Gull X
Forster's Tern 10
Mourning Dove 5
Black-billed Cuckoo 1
Ruby-throated Hummingbird 10
Belted Kingfisher 1
Red-bellied Woodpecker 1
Alder/Willow Flycatcher (Traill's) 1
Great Crested Flycatcher 1
Eastern Kingbird 300
White-eyed Vireo 1
Warbling Vireo 1
Blue Jay 5
American Crow 10
Purple Martin 10
Tree Swallow 200
Barn Swallow 50
Carolina Chickadee 10
Tufted Titmouse 10
Carolina Wren 15
House Wren 1
Blue-gray Gnatcatcher 15
American Robin 5
Gray Catbird 5
Brown Thrasher 3
Cedar Waxwing 75
Yellow Warbler 1
Black-throated Blue Warbler 2
Black-and-white Warbler 2
American Redstart 1
Prothonotary Warbler 1
Ovenbird 1
Field Sparrow 1
Northern Cardinal 5
Bobolink 25
Red-winged Blackbird 50
Common Grackle 10
Baltimore Oriole 5
House Finch 5
American Goldfinch 5
Thursday, August 28, 2008
The Bird Word
Just a quick note to get the word out on a few good finds today.
Earlier in the day two BUFF-BREASTED SANDPIPERS were seen at the Cape May Point State Park. I believe the birds were seen in the Plover Pond area.
At around 4:20 (and currently still being seen @ 5:15 that I know of) this afternoon a LONG-TAILED JAEGER was found from St. Peter's jetty in Cape May Point. The bird is being seen chasing terns and gulls around in the rips off shore.
Lastly, an AMERICAN AVOCET was found at the Tuckahoe WMA near the first spill way. The area is said to be very good for shorebirds right now.
Earlier in the day two BUFF-BREASTED SANDPIPERS were seen at the Cape May Point State Park. I believe the birds were seen in the Plover Pond area.
At around 4:20 (and currently still being seen @ 5:15 that I know of) this afternoon a LONG-TAILED JAEGER was found from St. Peter's jetty in Cape May Point. The bird is being seen chasing terns and gulls around in the rips off shore.
Lastly, an AMERICAN AVOCET was found at the Tuckahoe WMA near the first spill way. The area is said to be very good for shorebirds right now.
State Park highlights: Black Terns, Brown Pelican, a couple kestrels
This morning's Bird Walk for All People, with about 10 adults and more than that many children, enjoyed a Garter Snake (thanks to Richard Crossley, who put us on to it) and a bunch of nice birds. Tree Swallows swirled, and two Black Terns settled in on the Bunker Pond island. A Little Blue Heron foraged in the pond with Pectoral Sandpiper and the other usual shorebirds. Bert Hixon picked out a Brown Pelican passing offshore. A very cooperative Green Heron continues in the second plover pond. The full list is below.
Marc Breslow was on the hawk watch platform this morning and reported that 2 American Kestrels had passed. Our interpreters and hawk counter arrive in town today, in preparation for the offical hawk watch season which begins on Monday, September 1.
Location: Cape May Point SP
Observation date: 8/28/08
Notes: CMBO Bird Walk for All People.
Number of species: 44
Canada Goose 50
Mute Swan 6
Mallard 25
Blue-winged Teal 8
Brown Pelican 1
Double-crested Cormorant 1
Little Blue Heron 2
Green Heron 1
Glossy Ibis 1
Turkey Vulture 2
Osprey 5
Semipalmated Plover 10
Killdeer 2
Spotted Sandpiper 1
Greater Yellowlegs 1
Lesser Yellowlegs 5
Sanderling 10
Semipalmated Sandpiper 20
Least Sandpiper 5
Pectoral Sandpiper 2
Short-billed Dowitcher 2
Laughing Gull X
Ring-billed Gull 1
Herring Gull X
Lesser Black-backed Gull 2
Great Black-backed Gull X
Least Tern 10
Black Tern 2
Forster's Tern 20
Royal Tern 5
Black Skimmer 25
Rock Pigeon 4
Mourning Dove 5
Ruby-throated Hummingbird 5
Fish Crow 1
Purple Martin 5
Tree Swallow 150
Barn Swallow 25
Carolina Wren 5
Northern Mockingbird 1
Cedar Waxwing 1
Red-winged Blackbird 10
Brown-headed Cowbird 10
House Sparrow X
Marc Breslow was on the hawk watch platform this morning and reported that 2 American Kestrels had passed. Our interpreters and hawk counter arrive in town today, in preparation for the offical hawk watch season which begins on Monday, September 1.
Location: Cape May Point SP
Observation date: 8/28/08
Notes: CMBO Bird Walk for All People.
Number of species: 44
Canada Goose 50
Mute Swan 6
Mallard 25
Blue-winged Teal 8
Brown Pelican 1
Double-crested Cormorant 1
Little Blue Heron 2
Green Heron 1
Glossy Ibis 1
Turkey Vulture 2
Osprey 5
Semipalmated Plover 10
Killdeer 2
Spotted Sandpiper 1
Greater Yellowlegs 1
Lesser Yellowlegs 5
Sanderling 10
Semipalmated Sandpiper 20
Least Sandpiper 5
Pectoral Sandpiper 2
Short-billed Dowitcher 2
Laughing Gull X
Ring-billed Gull 1
Herring Gull X
Lesser Black-backed Gull 2
Great Black-backed Gull X
Least Tern 10
Black Tern 2
Forster's Tern 20
Royal Tern 5
Black Skimmer 25
Rock Pigeon 4
Mourning Dove 5
Ruby-throated Hummingbird 5
Fish Crow 1
Purple Martin 5
Tree Swallow 150
Barn Swallow 25
Carolina Wren 5
Northern Mockingbird 1
Cedar Waxwing 1
Red-winged Blackbird 10
Brown-headed Cowbird 10
House Sparrow X
Wednesday, August 27, 2008
Celebrating Roger Tory Peterson's Birth Centennial
The NEW Peterson Field Guide: Peterson Field Guide to Birds of North America
"In this century," wrote ecologist Paul Ehrlich, "no one has done more to promote an interest in living creatures than Roger Tory Peterson, the inventor of the modern field guide."
Born in 1908 in Jamestown, New York, Roger's enchantment with birds began when he was 11 years old. During his lifetime, Roger Tory Peterson was a renowned naturalist and birder and is considered the inventor of the modern field guide. Originally published in 1934, when he was 25 years old, A Field Guide to the Birds revolutionized bird watching—2,000 copies of the original printing sold out in just two weeks. Timed with the centennial of his birth, Houghton-Mifflin is releasing the Peterson Field Guide to Birds of North America which combines the classic Peterson guide traits with twenty-first century technology.
The new guide combines the Peterson Field Guide to Eastern Birds and Peterson Field Guide to Western Birds into a single volume, and a handy one page index is located on the very first page for quick reference. Included in the Peterson Field Guide to Birds of North America are forty new paintings, each painted by Bird Cape May contributor Michael O'Brien who said: "It is an honor to be part of the Peterson legacy." Michael also designed the plates and collaborated with Michael DiGiorgio on digitally enhancing Peterson's art to preserve the original paintings while enhancing them to reflect new knowledge. All-new range maps with the most up-to-date information, thanks to the North American bird distribution expertise of Paul Lehman, are included both with the species accounts and in a larger size at the back of the book—Peterson style. The revised text includes all of the current information known about each species and the addition of both video podcasts and a new resource website (www.petersonfieldguides.com), brings the new Peterson guide into present day and appeals to the next generation.
For a more in depth account, please read Mark Garland's review of "The New Peterson Field Guide" under Tigrina Times: Birder's Bookshelf.
Peterson died in 1996 at the age of eighty-seven at his home in Old Lyme, CT. On this day that marks the centennial of his birth, we remember how Roger changed the way we look at birds and his countless contributions to the environmental field. In fact, Roger was on the first winning World Series of Birding team which marked the beginning of a legacy in raising funds for environmental causes.To purchase a copy of The NEW Peterson Field Guide visit any one of the NJAS Stores listed here. Or to order a copy, please call CMBO's Northwood Center (609)884-2736 or the Center for Research & Education (609)861-0700.
Peterson, Roger Tory. Peterson Field Guide to Birds of North America. Contributions from Michael DiGiorgio, Jeffrey A. Gordon, Paul Lehman, Michael O'Brien, Larry Rosche, and Bill Thompson III. Boston, Houghton Mifflin Company, 2008. 527 pages softcover, $26.00. ISBN-13: 978-0-618-96614-1; ISBN-10: 0-618-96614-5.
Tuesday, August 26, 2008
Morning Flight highlights (15 Warblers, Lark Sparrow, Peregrine, American Golden Plover and Dickcissel) plus Philadelphia Vireo et. al. at State Park
Last night's cold front produced a nice 2000+ bird flight this morning at Higbee despite the northeast winds. A Bald Eagle started calling as soon as I crested the dike in the pre-dawn (I hear two adults have been hanging out along the canal near Cape May Harbor), and shortly thereafter the local Cooper's Hawk and my first Peregrine of the season passed. Eastern Kingbirds, American Redstarts and Bobolinks dominated the morning flight as you'd expect, but there were some other goodies, including 2 Dickcissels, an American Golden-plover (detected initially by Michael O'Brien, by call), and a few of the fancier warblers, like Cape Mays, Blackburnians, Tennessees, and a Prothonotary. The full results of today's flight will be up on View from the Field soon.
The Lark Sparrow was kind of a funny episode. Michael O'Brien asked, "What's this bird?" with more than usual interest, just as Vince Elia and I were also working on it. "Working on it" from the dike means hanging on to a bird with your binoculars for more than a few seconds, something that the official counter (me today, since Sam Galick had the day off) doesn't really have the luxury of doing if there's any kind of flight under way. Vince said something like, "It was a sparrow with a strong face pattern and a lot of white on the tail corners," Michael said he thought it was Lark Sparrow, Vince said that was where he was going with it, and I had reached the same conclusion. Confirmation in birding is always nice, but nowhere is it nicer than when brief looks at flyby songbirds in difficult light are involved.
A stroll around Cape May Point State Park on Sunday produced a Philadelphia Vireo for some friends and me, a bit on the early side (but still a week later than the earliest record reported in Sibley's Birds of Cape May). Three Black Terns there were also a treat.
You don't do much talking on the dike, the birding just takes too much concentration, but eventually the passing redstarts and Northern Waterthrushes slowed down and we got to chatting, we in this case being Michael, Vince, Tom Reed, Glen Davis and me. After delving into such important topics as whether or not if our bones turned to to stone they would be called fossils, and when history began, we got on the subject of the Baird's Sandpiper (s) reported at the state park recently (none were detected by my friends and I on Sunday, but we weren't exactly working hard at it). The one in the photograph posted here a few days ago was an adult, an unusual record, since virtually all the Baird's we get are juveniles and in fact I saw a juvenile Baird's in the same general area the adult was using (the second plover pond) a few days later.
The Lark Sparrow was kind of a funny episode. Michael O'Brien asked, "What's this bird?" with more than usual interest, just as Vince Elia and I were also working on it. "Working on it" from the dike means hanging on to a bird with your binoculars for more than a few seconds, something that the official counter (me today, since Sam Galick had the day off) doesn't really have the luxury of doing if there's any kind of flight under way. Vince said something like, "It was a sparrow with a strong face pattern and a lot of white on the tail corners," Michael said he thought it was Lark Sparrow, Vince said that was where he was going with it, and I had reached the same conclusion. Confirmation in birding is always nice, but nowhere is it nicer than when brief looks at flyby songbirds in difficult light are involved.
A stroll around Cape May Point State Park on Sunday produced a Philadelphia Vireo for some friends and me, a bit on the early side (but still a week later than the earliest record reported in Sibley's Birds of Cape May). Three Black Terns there were also a treat.
You don't do much talking on the dike, the birding just takes too much concentration, but eventually the passing redstarts and Northern Waterthrushes slowed down and we got to chatting, we in this case being Michael, Vince, Tom Reed, Glen Davis and me. After delving into such important topics as whether or not if our bones turned to to stone they would be called fossils, and when history began, we got on the subject of the Baird's Sandpiper (s) reported at the state park recently (none were detected by my friends and I on Sunday, but we weren't exactly working hard at it). The one in the photograph posted here a few days ago was an adult, an unusual record, since virtually all the Baird's we get are juveniles and in fact I saw a juvenile Baird's in the same general area the adult was using (the second plover pond) a few days later.
Saturday, August 23, 2008
Photos from the Meadows, and what a difference a year makes
The following were taken during last night's CMBO walk at the Meadows-
Clockwise from top left: Lesser Black-backed Gull; Seawatching from the beach; Great Egret; Black Skimmers with Royal Terns; A practical use for Mute Swans; Beach at the west path. Photos by Tom Reed.
The following is a side-by-side comparison showing the progress made at the Meadows in just over a year. The picture on the left was taken by Jason Guerard during July of last year. The picture on the right was taken by myself last evening. Cool stuff, and if you haven't been to the Meadows since last fall, you're really in for a pleasant surprise when you return.
Clockwise from top left: Lesser Black-backed Gull; Seawatching from the beach; Great Egret; Black Skimmers with Royal Terns; A practical use for Mute Swans; Beach at the west path. Photos by Tom Reed.
The following is a side-by-side comparison showing the progress made at the Meadows in just over a year. The picture on the left was taken by Jason Guerard during July of last year. The picture on the right was taken by myself last evening. Cool stuff, and if you haven't been to the Meadows since last fall, you're really in for a pleasant surprise when you return.
Left: West path, South Cape May Meadows, July '07. Photo by Jason Guerard.
Right: West path, South Cape May Meadows, August '08. Photo by Tom Reed.
A couple of lists from CMBO walks
The bottom list is from CMBO Associate Naturalist Steve Weis from Friday's "George Myers" Higbee walk. While not the birdiest day Cape May has ever seen, it looks like the walk produced some good sightings and I am sure a good tiem was had by all who participated.
The first list below is from last evenings Meadows walk, held every Friday through October. An evening walk at the TNC Cape May Migratory Bird Refuge (Meadows) is not to be missed. In fact, if you are unable to make a Friday walk, BridCapeMay.org web guru, Laura Guerard, will be leading an evening walk on Wednesdays at this location in September and October. Check out that Naturalist Calendar for more information on these and other walks. Remember, in the fall CMBO has at least one walk at day. Many time there are two to three walks, plus School of Birding Workshops and other preregistration programs. Also, starting in September we will have Monarch tagging demos and Seabird & Hawk ID min-workshops. Again, check out the Naturalist Calendar for dates and times. Or, you could stop into either CMBO center and pick up a Kestral Express, the official CMBO program publication.
Looking forward to seeing you in the fall!
Location: Cape May Migratory Bird Sanctuary (South Cape May Meadows)
Observation date: 8/22/08
Notes: The regular Friday Evening at the Meadows was a pleasant walk on a beautiful evening. The group enjoyed a variety of birds including great looks at Green Herons.
Number of species: 46
Canada Goose X
Mute Swan X
American Black Duck X
Mallard X
Double-crested Cormorant X
Great Egret X
Snowy Egret X
Green Heron X
Black-crowned Night-Heron X
Glossy Ibis X
Turkey Vulture X
Cooper's Hawk X
Semipalmated Plover X
Killdeer X
Spotted Sandpiper X
Greater Yellowlegs X
Lesser Yellowlegs X
Sanderling X
Semipalmated Sandpiper X
Least Sandpiper X
Pectoral Sandpiper X
Laughing Gull X
Ring-billed Gull X
Herring Gull X
Lesser Black-backed Gull X
Great Black-backed Gull X
Common Tern X
Forster's Tern X
Royal Tern X
Black Skimmer X
Rock Pigeon X
Mourning Dove X
Chimney Swift X
Alder/Willow Flycatcher (Traill's) X
Eastern Kingbird X
American Crow X
Fish Crow X
Purple Martin X
Tree Swallow X
Northern Rough-winged Swallow X
Barn Swallow X
Carolina Wren X
European Starling X
Red-winged Blackbird X
Common Grackle X
American Goldfinch X
This report was generated automatically by eBird v2
The first list below is from last evenings Meadows walk, held every Friday through October. An evening walk at the TNC Cape May Migratory Bird Refuge (Meadows) is not to be missed. In fact, if you are unable to make a Friday walk, BridCapeMay.org web guru, Laura Guerard, will be leading an evening walk on Wednesdays at this location in September and October. Check out that Naturalist Calendar for more information on these and other walks. Remember, in the fall CMBO has at least one walk at day. Many time there are two to three walks, plus School of Birding Workshops and other preregistration programs. Also, starting in September we will have Monarch tagging demos and Seabird & Hawk ID min-workshops. Again, check out the Naturalist Calendar for dates and times. Or, you could stop into either CMBO center and pick up a Kestral Express, the official CMBO program publication.
Looking forward to seeing you in the fall!
Location: Cape May Migratory Bird Sanctuary (South Cape May Meadows)
Observation date: 8/22/08
Notes: The regular Friday Evening at the Meadows was a pleasant walk on a beautiful evening. The group enjoyed a variety of birds including great looks at Green Herons.
Number of species: 46
Canada Goose X
Mute Swan X
American Black Duck X
Mallard X
Double-crested Cormorant X
Great Egret X
Snowy Egret X
Green Heron X
Black-crowned Night-Heron X
Glossy Ibis X
Turkey Vulture X
Cooper's Hawk X
Semipalmated Plover X
Killdeer X
Spotted Sandpiper X
Greater Yellowlegs X
Lesser Yellowlegs X
Sanderling X
Semipalmated Sandpiper X
Least Sandpiper X
Pectoral Sandpiper X
Laughing Gull X
Ring-billed Gull X
Herring Gull X
Lesser Black-backed Gull X
Great Black-backed Gull X
Common Tern X
Forster's Tern X
Royal Tern X
Black Skimmer X
Rock Pigeon X
Mourning Dove X
Chimney Swift X
Alder/Willow Flycatcher (Traill's) X
Eastern Kingbird X
American Crow X
Fish Crow X
Purple Martin X
Tree Swallow X
Northern Rough-winged Swallow X
Barn Swallow X
Carolina Wren X
European Starling X
Red-winged Blackbird X
Common Grackle X
American Goldfinch X
This report was generated automatically by eBird v2
Location: Higbee Beach Observation date: 8/22/08 Notes: This is the weekly CMBO walk at Higbee, with leaders for this week Mark Garland, Chuck Slugg and Steve Weis. In addition to the birds listed, there was a trails Flycatcher which we were not able to identify the species. Number of species: 33 Laughing Gull X Mourning Dove X Yellow-billed Cuckoo X Chimney Swift X Downy Woodpecker X Great Crested Flycatcher X Eastern Kingbird X White-eyed Vireo X American Crow X Purple Martin X Carolina Chickadee X Tufted Titmouse X Carolina Wren X Blue-gray Gnatcatcher X American Robin X Gray Catbird X Northern Mockingbird X Cedar Waxwing X Yellow Warbler X Black-and-white Warbler X American Redstart X Prothonotary Warbler X Worm-eating Warbler X Field Sparrow X Song Sparrow X Northern Cardinal X Blue Grosbeak X Indigo Bunting X Bobolink X Red-winged Blackbird X Common Grackle X Baltimore Oriole X American Goldfinch X This report was generated automatically by eBird v2
Friday, August 22, 2008
August Cape Island Big Day run...Hot & Humid but birdy
Sorry for the delay in getting this list out but things have been busy at the Northwood Center which has comanded much of my time. That's good as well as it means that birders are coiming down to see some of the great migration taht has been ahppening of late.
So, Laura and I set off on Monday the 18th for our August Cape Island Big Day attempt. While it was not the best weather for expecting migrants (Sunday was a whole lot better but we were not here) we only had one day off that could be devoted to a big day attempt.
I guess what supprised me the most was the fact that we hit 100 before 12 noon! I really was not worried about hitting 100 in August but was not expecting to be at 102 by noon. The funny part (and par for the course on big days) was that we spent about 6 more hours to find 10 more species. But, we were both pleased with our 112 for the day. By the way, the list below states 114 but that it because we had a Traill's Flycatcher and a Brewester's Warbler, which count in the eBird tally list but not for the day. Of course.
Some of the top finds for the day were a Long-billed Dowitcher which took flight with some short-billeds at the Meadows, calling as it flew. In the same area (near the platform) of the Meadows was a young Common Moorhen. We were able to hear the Northern Bobwhite call just a couple times at the TNC's Cape Island Preserve at about sun rise. Loads of robins and egrets flying over in the morning here as well. It would be very interesting to sit there in the morning and do a count of birds flying over.
We swept the swallows (except for cave of course) which was nice. The Cliff Swallow was playing a bit of hide and seek with us at the State Park. I kept seeing brief glimpses just before it flew out of sight in the tree line, but good enough looks to identify the bird. It just took a few tries to be sure. I thought I was pretty hot when I found a Blue-wined Teal at the State Park tucked back feeding with a few Mallards. That is until we had about 6 more at the Meadows.
All in all, even though the day was quite hot it ended up being migrant filled. It's funny how you have to approach each big day differently. For this run I knew that if we rushed through Higbee in the morning (especially with the little migration that seems to have happened) that we would severely inhibit our chances at 100 for the day. And, I think I was right. We ended up not being able to hit the Beanery in the day but spending the extra time at Higbee help us to find a number of species that we could have easily missed. Beside, on a day like we had if I was going to cut any location of of the route it would be the Beanery. I suppose we might have run into a prothonotary or bluebird but some time you just have to make your best judgments and run with it.
So now on to thinking about the best plan of attack for September. Well, maybe I'll think about that after this store databese trasnsition and inventory are over! Given the handfull of days that we can actually make an attempt (meaning mostly only days off) you are always hoping for great weather and migration. But you don't always get it of course. Now the question is do we hit the middle of the month or push it till toward the end....Only time and weather will tell I guess.
As usual the list form the days birding is below.
Location: Cape Island
Observation date: 8/18/08
Notes: August Cape Island Big Day 24378 steps = approx. 15.9 miles
Number of species: 114
Canada Goose 150
Mute Swan 25
Wood Duck 1
Gadwall 4
American Black Duck 1
Mallard 65
Blue-winged Teal 7
Northern Bobwhite 1
Double-crested Cormorant 25
Great Blue Heron 1
Great Egret 35
Snowy Egret 50
Little Blue Heron 5
Green Heron 9
Black-crowned Night-Heron 4
Glossy Ibis X
Black Vulture X
Turkey Vulture X
Osprey X
Cooper's Hawk 1
Red-tailed Hawk 1
Peregrine Falcon 2
Common Moorhen 1
Black-bellied Plover 3
Semipalmated Plover 125
Killdeer X
American Oystercatcher 2
Spotted Sandpiper 4
Solitary Sandpiper 12
Greater Yellowlegs 30
Lesser Yellowlegs 55
Ruddy Turnstone 3
Sanderling 100
Semipalmated Sandpiper 1000
Least Sandpiper 250
White-rumped Sandpiper 1
Pectoral Sandpiper 16
Stilt Sandpiper 3
Short-billed Dowitcher 10
Long-billed Dowitcher 1
Laughing Gull X
Ring-billed Gull 2
Herring Gull X
Lesser Black-backed Gull X
Great Black-backed Gull X
Least Tern 100
Common Tern X
Forster's Tern X
Royal Tern 2
Black Skimmer 135
Rock Pigeon X
Mourning Dove X
Yellow-billed Cuckoo 2
Eastern Screech-Owl 1
Barred Owl 1
Chimney Swift 6
Ruby-throated Hummingbird 16
Belted Kingfisher 4
Red-bellied Woodpecker 2
Downy Woodpecker 3
Eastern Wood-Pewee 3
Alder/Willow Flycatcher (Traill's) 1
Least Flycatcher 3
Great Crested Flycatcher 4
Eastern Kingbird 250
White-eyed Vireo X
Red-eyed Vireo 2
Blue Jay X
American Crow X
Fish Crow X
Purple Martin X
Tree Swallow 1000
Northern Rough-winged Swallow 5
Bank Swallow 3
Cliff Swallow 1
Barn Swallow 200
Carolina Chickadee X
Tufted Titmouse X
Carolina Wren 25
House Wren 2
Blue-gray Gnatcatcher 30
American Robin 300
Gray Catbird X
Northern Mockingbird X
Brown Thrasher 2
European Starling X
Cedar Waxwing X
Blue-winged Warbler 8
Brewster's Warbler (hybrid) 1
Yellow Warbler 20
Pine Warbler 3
Black-and-white Warbler 15
American Redstart 45
Worm-eating Warbler 10
Ovenbird 3
Northern Waterthrush 2
Common Yellowthroat X
Canada Warbler 2
Eastern Towhee 1
Field Sparrow 8
Song Sparrow 2
Northern Cardinal X
Blue Grosbeak 8
Indigo Bunting 30
Bobolink 35
Red-winged Blackbird X
Common Grackle X
Boat-tailed Grackle 1
Brown-headed Cowbird X
Orchard Oriole 3
Baltimore Oriole 5
House Finch X
American Goldfinch X
House Sparrow X
This report was generated automatically by eBird v2
So, Laura and I set off on Monday the 18th for our August Cape Island Big Day attempt. While it was not the best weather for expecting migrants (Sunday was a whole lot better but we were not here) we only had one day off that could be devoted to a big day attempt.
I guess what supprised me the most was the fact that we hit 100 before 12 noon! I really was not worried about hitting 100 in August but was not expecting to be at 102 by noon. The funny part (and par for the course on big days) was that we spent about 6 more hours to find 10 more species. But, we were both pleased with our 112 for the day. By the way, the list below states 114 but that it because we had a Traill's Flycatcher and a Brewester's Warbler, which count in the eBird tally list but not for the day. Of course.
Some of the top finds for the day were a Long-billed Dowitcher which took flight with some short-billeds at the Meadows, calling as it flew. In the same area (near the platform) of the Meadows was a young Common Moorhen. We were able to hear the Northern Bobwhite call just a couple times at the TNC's Cape Island Preserve at about sun rise. Loads of robins and egrets flying over in the morning here as well. It would be very interesting to sit there in the morning and do a count of birds flying over.
We swept the swallows (except for cave of course) which was nice. The Cliff Swallow was playing a bit of hide and seek with us at the State Park. I kept seeing brief glimpses just before it flew out of sight in the tree line, but good enough looks to identify the bird. It just took a few tries to be sure. I thought I was pretty hot when I found a Blue-wined Teal at the State Park tucked back feeding with a few Mallards. That is until we had about 6 more at the Meadows.
All in all, even though the day was quite hot it ended up being migrant filled. It's funny how you have to approach each big day differently. For this run I knew that if we rushed through Higbee in the morning (especially with the little migration that seems to have happened) that we would severely inhibit our chances at 100 for the day. And, I think I was right. We ended up not being able to hit the Beanery in the day but spending the extra time at Higbee help us to find a number of species that we could have easily missed. Beside, on a day like we had if I was going to cut any location of of the route it would be the Beanery. I suppose we might have run into a prothonotary or bluebird but some time you just have to make your best judgments and run with it.
So now on to thinking about the best plan of attack for September. Well, maybe I'll think about that after this store databese trasnsition and inventory are over! Given the handfull of days that we can actually make an attempt (meaning mostly only days off) you are always hoping for great weather and migration. But you don't always get it of course. Now the question is do we hit the middle of the month or push it till toward the end....Only time and weather will tell I guess.
As usual the list form the days birding is below.
Location: Cape Island
Observation date: 8/18/08
Notes: August Cape Island Big Day 24378 steps = approx. 15.9 miles
Number of species: 114
Canada Goose 150
Mute Swan 25
Wood Duck 1
Gadwall 4
American Black Duck 1
Mallard 65
Blue-winged Teal 7
Northern Bobwhite 1
Double-crested Cormorant 25
Great Blue Heron 1
Great Egret 35
Snowy Egret 50
Little Blue Heron 5
Green Heron 9
Black-crowned Night-Heron 4
Glossy Ibis X
Black Vulture X
Turkey Vulture X
Osprey X
Cooper's Hawk 1
Red-tailed Hawk 1
Peregrine Falcon 2
Common Moorhen 1
Black-bellied Plover 3
Semipalmated Plover 125
Killdeer X
American Oystercatcher 2
Spotted Sandpiper 4
Solitary Sandpiper 12
Greater Yellowlegs 30
Lesser Yellowlegs 55
Ruddy Turnstone 3
Sanderling 100
Semipalmated Sandpiper 1000
Least Sandpiper 250
White-rumped Sandpiper 1
Pectoral Sandpiper 16
Stilt Sandpiper 3
Short-billed Dowitcher 10
Long-billed Dowitcher 1
Laughing Gull X
Ring-billed Gull 2
Herring Gull X
Lesser Black-backed Gull X
Great Black-backed Gull X
Least Tern 100
Common Tern X
Forster's Tern X
Royal Tern 2
Black Skimmer 135
Rock Pigeon X
Mourning Dove X
Yellow-billed Cuckoo 2
Eastern Screech-Owl 1
Barred Owl 1
Chimney Swift 6
Ruby-throated Hummingbird 16
Belted Kingfisher 4
Red-bellied Woodpecker 2
Downy Woodpecker 3
Eastern Wood-Pewee 3
Alder/Willow Flycatcher (Traill's) 1
Least Flycatcher 3
Great Crested Flycatcher 4
Eastern Kingbird 250
White-eyed Vireo X
Red-eyed Vireo 2
Blue Jay X
American Crow X
Fish Crow X
Purple Martin X
Tree Swallow 1000
Northern Rough-winged Swallow 5
Bank Swallow 3
Cliff Swallow 1
Barn Swallow 200
Carolina Chickadee X
Tufted Titmouse X
Carolina Wren 25
House Wren 2
Blue-gray Gnatcatcher 30
American Robin 300
Gray Catbird X
Northern Mockingbird X
Brown Thrasher 2
European Starling X
Cedar Waxwing X
Blue-winged Warbler 8
Brewster's Warbler (hybrid) 1
Yellow Warbler 20
Pine Warbler 3
Black-and-white Warbler 15
American Redstart 45
Worm-eating Warbler 10
Ovenbird 3
Northern Waterthrush 2
Common Yellowthroat X
Canada Warbler 2
Eastern Towhee 1
Field Sparrow 8
Song Sparrow 2
Northern Cardinal X
Blue Grosbeak 8
Indigo Bunting 30
Bobolink 35
Red-winged Blackbird X
Common Grackle X
Boat-tailed Grackle 1
Brown-headed Cowbird X
Orchard Oriole 3
Baltimore Oriole 5
House Finch X
American Goldfinch X
House Sparrow X
This report was generated automatically by eBird v2
Thursday, August 21, 2008
CAPE MAY BIRDING HOTLINE - August 21, 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, August 21, 2008. Highlights this week include sightings of BUFFLEHEAD, HOODED MERGANSER, AMERICAN WHITE PELICAN, MERLIN, MARBLED GODWIT, BAIRD'S SANDPIPER, WILSON'S PHALAROPE, RED-NECKED PHALAROPE, LESSER BLACK-BACKED GULL, GLAUCOUS GULL, BLACK TERN, RUFOUS/ALLEN'S HUMMINGBIRD, WESTERN KINGBIRD, CERULEAN WARBLER, MOURNING WARBLER, LARK SPARROW, DICKCISSEL, and YELLOW-HEADED BLACKBIRD.
A RUFOUS/ALLEN'S HUMMINGBIRD was seen flying past the South Cape May Meadows/CMMBR on 8/14. Other reports from the Meadows included a LARK SPARROW on 8/14; multiple BLACK TERNS, numerous LESSER BLACK-BACKED GULLS and the long-staying HOODED MERGANSER throughout the week.
The AMERICAN WHITE PELICAN and GLAUCOUS GULL continued at Brig/Forsythe NWR this week. The juvenile WHITE IBIS was re-found at Gull Pond on 8/19, and 2 YELLOW-HEADED BLACKBIRDS have been reported with blackbird flocks throughout the week. LARK SPARROW, WILSON'S PHALAROPE, RED-NECKED PHALAROPE and MARBLED GODWIT were tallied here on 8/16.
MARBLED GODWITS were also recorded this week from Old Avalon Boulevard on 8/20, and from Bunker Pond (Cape May Point State Park) on 8/17 and 8/19.
Another YELLOW-HEADED BLACKBIRD was reported from the back edge of Bunker Pond on 8/20, and a MERLIN was noted flying over the State Park on 8/19. The BAIRD'S SANDPIPER was last reported from the State Park on 8/15.
Highlights from Higbee Beach WMA this week included MOURNING WARBLER on 8/14, DICKCISSEL on 8/15, WESTERN KINGBIRD on 8/16, and 2 CERULEAN WARBLERS on 8/19.
A BUFFLEHEAD was noted in the back bays behind Avalon on 8/17.
ANNOUNCEMENTS:
CMBO'S Northwood Center in Cape May Point will be open 7 days a week beginning SEPTEMBER 1. CMBO's Center for Research and Education in Goshen will remain on its current schedule.
Inventory Closures: CMBO's Northwood Center in Cape May Point will be closed on Monday, 8/25 and Tuesday, 8/26 for inventory. CMBO's Center for Research & Education in Goshen will be closed on Thursday, 8/28 and Friday, 8/29 for inventory. We apologize for any inconvenience this may cause.
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 FALL HOURS (starting September 1) are as follows: Northwood Center on East Lake Drive in Cape May Point is open 7 days a week, 9:30am to 4:30pm. 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!
A RUFOUS/ALLEN'S HUMMINGBIRD was seen flying past the South Cape May Meadows/CMMBR on 8/14. Other reports from the Meadows included a LARK SPARROW on 8/14; multiple BLACK TERNS, numerous LESSER BLACK-BACKED GULLS and the long-staying HOODED MERGANSER throughout the week.
The AMERICAN WHITE PELICAN and GLAUCOUS GULL continued at Brig/Forsythe NWR this week. The juvenile WHITE IBIS was re-found at Gull Pond on 8/19, and 2 YELLOW-HEADED BLACKBIRDS have been reported with blackbird flocks throughout the week. LARK SPARROW, WILSON'S PHALAROPE, RED-NECKED PHALAROPE and MARBLED GODWIT were tallied here on 8/16.
MARBLED GODWITS were also recorded this week from Old Avalon Boulevard on 8/20, and from Bunker Pond (Cape May Point State Park) on 8/17 and 8/19.
Another YELLOW-HEADED BLACKBIRD was reported from the back edge of Bunker Pond on 8/20, and a MERLIN was noted flying over the State Park on 8/19. The BAIRD'S SANDPIPER was last reported from the State Park on 8/15.
Highlights from Higbee Beach WMA this week included MOURNING WARBLER on 8/14, DICKCISSEL on 8/15, WESTERN KINGBIRD on 8/16, and 2 CERULEAN WARBLERS on 8/19.
A BUFFLEHEAD was noted in the back bays behind Avalon on 8/17.
ANNOUNCEMENTS:
CMBO'S Northwood Center in Cape May Point will be open 7 days a week beginning SEPTEMBER 1. CMBO's Center for Research and Education in Goshen will remain on its current schedule.
Inventory Closures: CMBO's Northwood Center in Cape May Point will be closed on Monday, 8/25 and Tuesday, 8/26 for inventory. CMBO's Center for Research & Education in Goshen will be closed on Thursday, 8/28 and Friday, 8/29 for inventory. We apologize for any inconvenience this may cause.
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 FALL HOURS (starting September 1) are as follows: Northwood Center on East Lake Drive in Cape May Point is open 7 days a week, 9:30am to 4:30pm. 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!
Tuesday, August 19, 2008
Cerulean Warblers at Higbee, other notes
While the morning flight at Higbee was no great shakes this morning, there was still a good number of birds to be found on the ground. Keith and Jordan Rutter joined me for a tour around the fields here but found that, as per usual, we couldn't even get out of the parking lot for the first half hour. The reason: a fine pocket of warblers that materialized on the west side of the car-park, highlighted by 2 Cerulean Warblers, as well as a single Blackburnian, a pair of Chestnut-sideds, two notably high-in-tree Prothonotaries, a skulking Worm-eater, a duo or maybe trio of Canadas, and a handful of Blue-winged Warblers. As has been stated before, the area around the parking lot can often provide the best birding at Higbee...keep it in mind before you go dashing off to the field edges on the next good flight morning.
Continuing on, the field edges were dotted with Eastern Kingbirds, Baltimore Orioles, Redstarts and Blue Grosbeaks this morning, and a more noticeable northward movement of the former two developed as the morning continued.
A walk through the State Park provided a few more neat sightings, including a juvenile Pine Warbler, a southbound Northern Harrier, a pair of Pectoral Sandpipers and both species of teal on Bunker Pond. Kingbird numbers were notable here as well, and a single Pitch Pine toward the back of the park played host to over a dozen at one time. Rumor has it that the 2 Marbled Godwits were here again early this morning, as well.
Lists from Higbee and the State Park included-
Location: Higbee Beach
Observation date: 8/19/08
Number of species: 69
Double-crested Cormorant 1
Snowy Egret 8
Green Heron 1
Glossy Ibis 1
Osprey 3
Lesser Yellowlegs 8
Semipalmated Sandpiper 25
Least Sandpiper 6
Laughing Gull 50
Herring Gull 20
Great Black-backed Gull 12
Least Tern 1
Caspian Tern 1
Forster's Tern 3
Royal Tern 6
Mourning Dove 6
Yellow-billed Cuckoo 1
Ruby-throated Hummingbird 3
Red-bellied Woodpecker 4
Downy Woodpecker 2
Northern Flicker (Yellow-shafted) 2
Alder/Willow Flycatcher (Traill's) 2
Least Flycatcher 2
Great Crested Flycatcher 2
Eastern Kingbird 35
White-eyed Vireo 2
Red-eyed Vireo 2
Blue Jay 2
American Crow 1
Fish Crow 2
crow sp. 3
Purple Martin 30
Tree Swallow 30
Bank Swallow 1
Barn Swallow 15
Carolina Chickadee 4
Tufted Titmouse 4
Carolina Wren 8
House Wren 2
Blue-gray Gnatcatcher 12
American Robin 1
Gray Catbird 10
Northern Mockingbird 2
Brown Thrasher 2
European Starling 25
Cedar Waxwing 6
Blue-winged Warbler 4
Yellow Warbler 6
Chestnut-sided Warbler 2
Blackburnian Warbler 1
Cerulean Warbler 2
Black-and-white Warbler 12
American Redstart 20
Prothonotary Warbler 2
Worm-eating Warbler 2
Northern Waterthrush 10
Common Yellowthroat 2
Canada Warbler 3
Field Sparrow 2
Northern Cardinal 10
Blue Grosbeak 6
Bobolink 6
Red-winged Blackbird 30
Common Grackle 12
Brown-headed Cowbird 5
Orchard Oriole 1
Baltimore Oriole 8
House Finch 2
American Goldfinch 6
---------------
Location: Cape May Point SP
Observation date: 8/19/08
Number of species: 73
Canada Goose 30
Mute Swan 12
American Black Duck 2
Mallard 20
Blue-winged Teal 1
Green-winged Teal 2
Double-crested Cormorant 1
Great Egret 1
Snowy Egret 5
Green Heron 3
Glossy Ibis 6
Black Vulture 3
Turkey Vulture 12
Osprey 4
Northern Harrier 1
Cooper's Hawk 1
Killdeer 2
Spotted Sandpiper 2
Solitary Sandpiper 1
Greater Yellowlegs 3
Lesser Yellowlegs 22
Semipalmated Sandpiper 25
Western Sandpiper 4
Least Sandpiper 15
Pectoral Sandpiper 2
Short-billed Dowitcher 8
Laughing Gull 60
Ring-billed Gull 1
Herring Gull 12
Great Black-backed Gull 8
Least Tern 9
Common Tern 7
Forster's Tern 35
Royal Tern 12
Black Skimmer 45
Rock Pigeon 5
Mourning Dove 8
Chimney Swift 20
Ruby-throated Hummingbird 3
Red-bellied Woodpecker 2
Downy Woodpecker 1
Northern Flicker (Yellow-shafted) 1
Eastern Kingbird 30
White-eyed Vireo 1
Blue Jay 1
Fish Crow 4
Purple Martin 40
Tree Swallow 250
Northern Rough-winged Swallow 1
Barn Swallow 65
Carolina Chickadee 6
Tufted Titmouse 2
Carolina Wren 6
House Wren 4
Blue-gray Gnatcatcher 5
American Robin 2
Gray Catbird 8
Northern Mockingbird 4
European Starling 70
Cedar Waxwing 1
Prairie Warbler 1
Black-and-white Warbler 3
American Redstart 6
Northern Waterthrush 2
Song Sparrow 2
Northern Cardinal 6
Indigo Bunting 1
Red-winged Blackbird 9
Brown-headed Cowbird 2
Baltimore Oriole 2
House Finch 1
American Goldfinch 2
House Sparrow 6
This report was generated automatically by eBird v2(http://ebird.org)
Continuing on, the field edges were dotted with Eastern Kingbirds, Baltimore Orioles, Redstarts and Blue Grosbeaks this morning, and a more noticeable northward movement of the former two developed as the morning continued.
A walk through the State Park provided a few more neat sightings, including a juvenile Pine Warbler, a southbound Northern Harrier, a pair of Pectoral Sandpipers and both species of teal on Bunker Pond. Kingbird numbers were notable here as well, and a single Pitch Pine toward the back of the park played host to over a dozen at one time. Rumor has it that the 2 Marbled Godwits were here again early this morning, as well.
Lists from Higbee and the State Park included-
Location: Higbee Beach
Observation date: 8/19/08
Number of species: 69
Double-crested Cormorant 1
Snowy Egret 8
Green Heron 1
Glossy Ibis 1
Osprey 3
Lesser Yellowlegs 8
Semipalmated Sandpiper 25
Least Sandpiper 6
Laughing Gull 50
Herring Gull 20
Great Black-backed Gull 12
Least Tern 1
Caspian Tern 1
Forster's Tern 3
Royal Tern 6
Mourning Dove 6
Yellow-billed Cuckoo 1
Ruby-throated Hummingbird 3
Red-bellied Woodpecker 4
Downy Woodpecker 2
Northern Flicker (Yellow-shafted) 2
Alder/Willow Flycatcher (Traill's) 2
Least Flycatcher 2
Great Crested Flycatcher 2
Eastern Kingbird 35
White-eyed Vireo 2
Red-eyed Vireo 2
Blue Jay 2
American Crow 1
Fish Crow 2
crow sp. 3
Purple Martin 30
Tree Swallow 30
Bank Swallow 1
Barn Swallow 15
Carolina Chickadee 4
Tufted Titmouse 4
Carolina Wren 8
House Wren 2
Blue-gray Gnatcatcher 12
American Robin 1
Gray Catbird 10
Northern Mockingbird 2
Brown Thrasher 2
European Starling 25
Cedar Waxwing 6
Blue-winged Warbler 4
Yellow Warbler 6
Chestnut-sided Warbler 2
Blackburnian Warbler 1
Cerulean Warbler 2
Black-and-white Warbler 12
American Redstart 20
Prothonotary Warbler 2
Worm-eating Warbler 2
Northern Waterthrush 10
Common Yellowthroat 2
Canada Warbler 3
Field Sparrow 2
Northern Cardinal 10
Blue Grosbeak 6
Bobolink 6
Red-winged Blackbird 30
Common Grackle 12
Brown-headed Cowbird 5
Orchard Oriole 1
Baltimore Oriole 8
House Finch 2
American Goldfinch 6
---------------
Location: Cape May Point SP
Observation date: 8/19/08
Number of species: 73
Canada Goose 30
Mute Swan 12
American Black Duck 2
Mallard 20
Blue-winged Teal 1
Green-winged Teal 2
Double-crested Cormorant 1
Great Egret 1
Snowy Egret 5
Green Heron 3
Glossy Ibis 6
Black Vulture 3
Turkey Vulture 12
Osprey 4
Northern Harrier 1
Cooper's Hawk 1
Killdeer 2
Spotted Sandpiper 2
Solitary Sandpiper 1
Greater Yellowlegs 3
Lesser Yellowlegs 22
Semipalmated Sandpiper 25
Western Sandpiper 4
Least Sandpiper 15
Pectoral Sandpiper 2
Short-billed Dowitcher 8
Laughing Gull 60
Ring-billed Gull 1
Herring Gull 12
Great Black-backed Gull 8
Least Tern 9
Common Tern 7
Forster's Tern 35
Royal Tern 12
Black Skimmer 45
Rock Pigeon 5
Mourning Dove 8
Chimney Swift 20
Ruby-throated Hummingbird 3
Red-bellied Woodpecker 2
Downy Woodpecker 1
Northern Flicker (Yellow-shafted) 1
Eastern Kingbird 30
White-eyed Vireo 1
Blue Jay 1
Fish Crow 4
Purple Martin 40
Tree Swallow 250
Northern Rough-winged Swallow 1
Barn Swallow 65
Carolina Chickadee 6
Tufted Titmouse 2
Carolina Wren 6
House Wren 4
Blue-gray Gnatcatcher 5
American Robin 2
Gray Catbird 8
Northern Mockingbird 4
European Starling 70
Cedar Waxwing 1
Prairie Warbler 1
Black-and-white Warbler 3
American Redstart 6
Northern Waterthrush 2
Song Sparrow 2
Northern Cardinal 6
Indigo Bunting 1
Red-winged Blackbird 9
Brown-headed Cowbird 2
Baltimore Oriole 2
House Finch 1
American Goldfinch 2
House Sparrow 6
This report was generated automatically by eBird v2(http://ebird.org)
CMBO Villas WMA walk- 8/17/08
CMBO Associate Naturalist, Steve Weis sends word of the seasons first CMBO Villas WMA walk. If you have never birded the Villas WMA you definitely should!
Location: Villas WMA
Observation date: 8/17/08
Notes: This is the list for the CMBO weekly walk at Villas WMA, led by Steve Weis, Virginia Rettig and Janet Crawford. The highlight of the day was an epic battle between a Cooper's Hawk and 11 American Crows, staged at a tree top of the Hawk's choosing which was invaded by the Crows, which the Hawk then won decisively by systematically driving the Crows away, one by one, a truly heroic effort. If there is a Congressional Medal of Honor for birds, it truly belongs to this brave, determined Cooper's Hawk!
Number of species: 33
Mallard 10
Cooper's Hawk 2
Laughing Gull X
Rock Pigeon X
Mourning Dove X
Red-bellied Woodpecker 1
Downy Woodpecker 1
Eastern Wood-Pewee 1
Eastern Kingbird X
Blue Jay X
American Crow 20
Purple Martin 3
Northern Rough-winged Swallow X
Carolina Chickadee X
Tufted Titmouse X
Red-breasted Nuthatch X
White-breasted Nuthatch X
Carolina Wren X
Blue-gray Gnatcatcher X
Eastern Bluebird 1
American Robin X
European Starling X
Cedar Waxwing X
Yellow Warbler X
Black-and-white Warbler X
American Redstart X
Northern Waterthrush X
Chipping Sparrow X
Northern Cardinal X
Common Grackle X
Brown-headed Cowbird X
House Finch X
American Goldfinch X
This report was generated automatically by eBird v2
Location: Villas WMA
Observation date: 8/17/08
Notes: This is the list for the CMBO weekly walk at Villas WMA, led by Steve Weis, Virginia Rettig and Janet Crawford. The highlight of the day was an epic battle between a Cooper's Hawk and 11 American Crows, staged at a tree top of the Hawk's choosing which was invaded by the Crows, which the Hawk then won decisively by systematically driving the Crows away, one by one, a truly heroic effort. If there is a Congressional Medal of Honor for birds, it truly belongs to this brave, determined Cooper's Hawk!
Number of species: 33
Mallard 10
Cooper's Hawk 2
Laughing Gull X
Rock Pigeon X
Mourning Dove X
Red-bellied Woodpecker 1
Downy Woodpecker 1
Eastern Wood-Pewee 1
Eastern Kingbird X
Blue Jay X
American Crow 20
Purple Martin 3
Northern Rough-winged Swallow X
Carolina Chickadee X
Tufted Titmouse X
Red-breasted Nuthatch X
White-breasted Nuthatch X
Carolina Wren X
Blue-gray Gnatcatcher X
Eastern Bluebird 1
American Robin X
European Starling X
Cedar Waxwing X
Yellow Warbler X
Black-and-white Warbler X
American Redstart X
Northern Waterthrush X
Chipping Sparrow X
Northern Cardinal X
Common Grackle X
Brown-headed Cowbird X
House Finch X
American Goldfinch X
This report was generated automatically by eBird v2
CMBO Meadows walk- 8/15/08
Chuck and Mary Jane Slugg send word of the finds from the Friday evening's walk at the TNC's Cape May Migratory Bird Refuge. Remember that for Cape May the fall migration is well under way. The Morning Flight has started and counts will be updated to View from the Field soon. David La Puma has started reporting on the Birding Forecast for the fall, helping us to know when exactly may be the best time to Bird Cape May (or even your own neck of the woods.) I know it seem odd but the Hawk Watch wilkl even be starting in just a few short days (13 for those of you keeping count.)
CMBO also offers a walk pretty much every day of the week at this point in the season. Many times more than one walk a day!! Check out the Naturalist Calendar for information on walks, programs and workshops that will be taking place this fall.
Location: Cape May Migratory Bird Sanctuary (South Cape May Meadows)
Observation date: 8/15/08
Number of species: 43
Canada Goose 50
Mute Swan 16
Mallard 50
Great Blue Heron 1
Great Egret 8
Snowy Egret 10
Little Blue Heron 1
Black-crowned Night-Heron 1
Glossy Ibis 12
Osprey 2
Semipalmated Plover 12
Killdeer 5
American Oystercatcher 2
Spotted Sandpiper 1
Solitary Sandpiper 1
Greater Yellowlegs 4
Lesser Yellowlegs 10
Ruddy Turnstone 3
Sanderling 35
Least Sandpiper 50
Short-billed Dowitcher 1
Laughing Gull 80
Ring-billed Gull 30
Herring Gull 10
Lesser Black-backed Gull 2
Great Black-backed Gull 40
Least Tern 15
Common Tern 2
Forster's Tern 30
Royal Tern 2
Black Skimmer 30
Mourning Dove 1
Chimney Swift 10
Purple Martin 2
Tree Swallow 10
Northern Rough-winged Swallow 4
Bank Swallow 1
Barn Swallow 6
Carolina Wren 2
Northern Mockingbird 1
European Starling 12
Red-winged Blackbird 35
Common Grackle 1
This report was generated automatically by eBird v2
CMBO also offers a walk pretty much every day of the week at this point in the season. Many times more than one walk a day!! Check out the Naturalist Calendar for information on walks, programs and workshops that will be taking place this fall.
Location: Cape May Migratory Bird Sanctuary (South Cape May Meadows)
Observation date: 8/15/08
Number of species: 43
Canada Goose 50
Mute Swan 16
Mallard 50
Great Blue Heron 1
Great Egret 8
Snowy Egret 10
Little Blue Heron 1
Black-crowned Night-Heron 1
Glossy Ibis 12
Osprey 2
Semipalmated Plover 12
Killdeer 5
American Oystercatcher 2
Spotted Sandpiper 1
Solitary Sandpiper 1
Greater Yellowlegs 4
Lesser Yellowlegs 10
Ruddy Turnstone 3
Sanderling 35
Least Sandpiper 50
Short-billed Dowitcher 1
Laughing Gull 80
Ring-billed Gull 30
Herring Gull 10
Lesser Black-backed Gull 2
Great Black-backed Gull 40
Least Tern 15
Common Tern 2
Forster's Tern 30
Royal Tern 2
Black Skimmer 30
Mourning Dove 1
Chimney Swift 10
Purple Martin 2
Tree Swallow 10
Northern Rough-winged Swallow 4
Bank Swallow 1
Barn Swallow 6
Carolina Wren 2
Northern Mockingbird 1
European Starling 12
Red-winged Blackbird 35
Common Grackle 1
This report was generated automatically by eBird v2
Friday, August 15, 2008
Higbee Beach: "George's Walk," Kingbirds, Orioles, and a Broad-winged, plus a Long-billed Curlew report
I had the bittersweet pleasure of leading, with Steve Weis, CMBO's Friday morning Higbee Beach Walk today. The birds were great, the expected mix of August migrants including many Eastern Kingbirds and Baltimore Orioles, plus Yellow Warblers, a few Northern Waterthrushes, Blue-winged Warbler, and Bobolinks overhead. If you closed your eyes, you could hear the end of summer - only one Field Sparrow, one White-eyed Vireo, and one Yellow-billed Cuckoo joined in with the singing Carolina Wrens. We did detect two juvenile Blue Grosbeaks and two Indigo Buntings, thanks to their respective chink and spit call notes, and a young Broad-winged Hawk soared over the tower field, probably wishing it was somewhere else thanks to the repeated assaults by the kingbirds and Red-winged Blackbirds. Before the walk I saw a couple Black-and-white Warblers, and heard of a Canada Warbler from another birder.
It was bittersweet because George Myers always led our Friday Higbee walks, and had planned to continue them this fall. George volunteered for and supported CMBO since 1997, and gave many, many people great experiences over the years. We've been sharing memories of George here at the office, and I just learned, and this gives me goosebumps, that his CMBO membership renewal form came in today, he had mailed it before he was hospitalized.
I always enjoyed co-leading with George, for many reasons, including that with George along I knew we weren't going to miss many birds. But besides being an ace birder with great ears, he had an overdose of patience and kindness and worked well with birders of all stripes, including beginners, the most important audience for us to reach. The Higbee walk will always be known as the George Myers walk.
Sam Galick began his vigil on the Higbee dike for CMBO's Morning Flight project this morning - look for his results soon under View from the Field, but in the meantime I understand he had a fairly quiet morning but added Dickcissel to our list.
Finally, a boater reported to me a well-described Long-billed Curlew, seen with Whimbrels near Swain Channel, which is east of Sunset Lake in Wildwood Crest, an area accessible only by water. This report should be considered unconfirmed, but keep the big sicklebill in mind.
The list from this morning is below.
Location: Higbee Beach
Observation date: 8/15/08
Notes: CMBO George Myers Walk at Higbee Beach
Number of species: 39
Great Blue Heron 1
Broad-winged Hawk 1
Greater Yellowlegs 1
Laughing Gull 10
Mourning Dove 10
Yellow-billed Cuckoo 2
Chimney Swift 1
Ruby-throated Hummingbird 5
Red-bellied Woodpecker 1
Downy Woodpecker 1
Great Crested Flycatcher 2
Eastern Kingbird 25
White-eyed Vireo 2
American Crow 10
Purple Martin 5
Tree Swallow 5
Barn Swallow 10
Carolina Chickadee 5
Tufted Titmouse 2
Carolina Wren 10
Blue-gray Gnatcatcher 5
American Robin 20
Gray Catbird 2
Cedar Waxwing 25
Blue-winged Warbler 2
Yellow Warbler 5
Black-and-white Warbler 1
American Redstart 5
Northern Waterthrush 5
Field Sparrow 2
Northern Cardinal 5
Blue Grosbeak 2
Indigo Bunting 2
Bobolink 5
Red-winged Blackbird 10
Common Grackle 10
Brown-headed Cowbird 1
Baltimore Oriole 10
American Goldfinch 5
It was bittersweet because George Myers always led our Friday Higbee walks, and had planned to continue them this fall. George volunteered for and supported CMBO since 1997, and gave many, many people great experiences over the years. We've been sharing memories of George here at the office, and I just learned, and this gives me goosebumps, that his CMBO membership renewal form came in today, he had mailed it before he was hospitalized.
I always enjoyed co-leading with George, for many reasons, including that with George along I knew we weren't going to miss many birds. But besides being an ace birder with great ears, he had an overdose of patience and kindness and worked well with birders of all stripes, including beginners, the most important audience for us to reach. The Higbee walk will always be known as the George Myers walk.
Sam Galick began his vigil on the Higbee dike for CMBO's Morning Flight project this morning - look for his results soon under View from the Field, but in the meantime I understand he had a fairly quiet morning but added Dickcissel to our list.
Finally, a boater reported to me a well-described Long-billed Curlew, seen with Whimbrels near Swain Channel, which is east of Sunset Lake in Wildwood Crest, an area accessible only by water. This report should be considered unconfirmed, but keep the big sicklebill in mind.
The list from this morning is below.
Location: Higbee Beach
Observation date: 8/15/08
Notes: CMBO George Myers Walk at Higbee Beach
Number of species: 39
Great Blue Heron 1
Broad-winged Hawk 1
Greater Yellowlegs 1
Laughing Gull 10
Mourning Dove 10
Yellow-billed Cuckoo 2
Chimney Swift 1
Ruby-throated Hummingbird 5
Red-bellied Woodpecker 1
Downy Woodpecker 1
Great Crested Flycatcher 2
Eastern Kingbird 25
White-eyed Vireo 2
American Crow 10
Purple Martin 5
Tree Swallow 5
Barn Swallow 10
Carolina Chickadee 5
Tufted Titmouse 2
Carolina Wren 10
Blue-gray Gnatcatcher 5
American Robin 20
Gray Catbird 2
Cedar Waxwing 25
Blue-winged Warbler 2
Yellow Warbler 5
Black-and-white Warbler 1
American Redstart 5
Northern Waterthrush 5
Field Sparrow 2
Northern Cardinal 5
Blue Grosbeak 2
Indigo Bunting 2
Bobolink 5
Red-winged Blackbird 10
Common Grackle 10
Brown-headed Cowbird 1
Baltimore Oriole 10
American Goldfinch 5
Thursday, August 14, 2008
George Myers - Our Tribute to Him, His Tribute to Us
In case you haven't heard, CMBO lost a member of the family on August 13, 2008. George Myers. Ace birder, CMBO Associate Naturalist, in the measure of years, a man just barely 50. He was a person who asked little but gave much. His death seems like a crime against the Universe, and his sudden absence a reality none who were privileged to know him are ready to contemplate or bear.
As for knowing George, I can honestly say I've known him all my life (even though in actual fact we met, in person, a little over a decade ago). I knew him, because I was brought up to believe that people as wonderfully cast as the pixie-thin, tousle-haired man with the solemn eyes and impish grin did indeed walk this earth.
People who were kind and sharing. People you trusted implicitly and liked wholeheartedly. People who knew, firsthand, the hurt of things that hurt, so never knowingly or intentionally inflicted pain upon others. George was what fathers and mothers and teachers and all the role models wanted us to be.
A good person. Who became a good man. Who made "good" something you could believe in because it was embodied in him.
When he walked onto the Hawk Watch Platform, it was you who went out of your way, to say "Hi," to him.
Because it made you feel good.
When he walked into a crowded room, his arrival was so unassuming that it seemed that he and the Universe conspired to surprise us.
I guess that's how we first met. On a CMBO field trip or function. He a quiet, shy person who became, instantly, your "friend George." I guess, too, that is why I cannot expressly recall that first meeting with the good person I always believe in and the good person I just met.
But when did I meet George, "good" found a face. It's how I recognized him. It's how I'll remember him.
His goodness and his fantastic ears. On those Monday morning bird walks in the South Cape May Meadows, it was George, more often than not, who was first to hear that Bobolink high overhead; the one who would pin the name to the bird.
Later, in the Northwood Center, it was George who would go to the sighting sheet and dutifully note the birds that were seen. So that others might find them. So that what good there is in the world might be shared.
He had health issues that were sometimes debilitating but never tarnished his gentle spirit or his capacity to share the gift of his knowledge and enthusiasm.
And this is why I am compelled to write this not as a tribute to George but to acknowledge the gift of his talents and friendship that was, and remains, his tribute to us.
If you are lucky, you get to meet a few very special people in your life. People that made a difference. People who change you as a person.
If you are extraordinarily lucky you meet a person like George.
I am, now, in this writing, forced to face the loss of those he loved and who loved him back. And in doing so I am forced to face an ugly truth that flies in the face of the good I was taught to believe in and that George embodied.
I am forced to acknowledge, if not accept, that Life is not fair, that hurt is not evenly apportioned, and that some people's scroll is overwritten with burdens while others paint roses upon theirs.
I think that the wonder of George, the greatness of George, was that he painted roses all over that burden-creased scroll, anyway. Roses and birds and butterflies and all the things a good man finds and a good man brings others to see.
Gone, now, is his presence. Left to us is the goodness he gave to be shared.
Written by Pete Dunne
Photograph by Louise Zemaitis
If you wish to share a comment or thought about George Myers with the Bird Cape May community please send an email to laura@birdcapemay.org. We will compile the messages that we receive and post them to commemorate our dear friend Georgie in the near future.
Birding for George: Rufous/Allen's Hummingbird, Lark Sparrow, Black Terns; Baird's Sandpiper continues
I picked up my binoculars with a heavy heart this evening and headed to the Meadows, where I found that George had left me a few birds to find.
One of the first birds I saw upon walking out the east path was a hummingbird that zipped by in front of me. Naturally expecting Ruby-throated, I snapped up the binoculars to find instead a bird that featured extensive rufous coloration toward its rear- a tell-tale sign of a hummingbird belonging to the genus Selasphorus, making it either a Rufous or an Allen's! It didn't pause and kept on flying toward Cape May City. Rare hummingbirds are usually anticipated later in the season, between Halloween and Christmas, but Selasphorus-types have shown up in Cape May several times in the past during late-summer... so keep an eye on your hummer feeders.
There were as many as 4 Black Terns feeding in the Meadows itself this evening: one juvenile and two or three adult birds. Shorebird numbers weren't impressive but Steve Rodan, who later joined me here, reports that there continued to be a fine selection of 'pipers in the 2nd Plover Pond at the State Park, including the continuing Baird's Sandpiper.
Steve and me came across a nice gentleman who informed us that the Lark Sparrow was still present near the dunes at the end of the west path, and after a few minutes of waiting the beauty appeared for us as well, feeding in the grass next to the path with a cowbird.
Otherwise, there were at least 9 Lesser Black-backed Gulls visible from the dune-top at the end of the west path, a Northern Bobwhite calling near the start of the east path, and at least half a dozen Wood Ducks that flew around several times.
However, all of those great birds aside, the only real reason for getting out this evening was to remember one of the people who was instrumental in encouraging and teaching me, and countless others, to love the natural world and to learn about all its wonders. And while I found myself holding back tears several times, it was re-assuring to know that so many people had benefited from George's kindness, knowledge and passion that he shared with anyone, at anytime, and anywhere.
Perhaps Jackie Robinson said it best: "A life is not important except in the impact it has on other lives." If that's true, then George's life was more important than we could ever hope to imagine.
Thank you, George.
One of the first birds I saw upon walking out the east path was a hummingbird that zipped by in front of me. Naturally expecting Ruby-throated, I snapped up the binoculars to find instead a bird that featured extensive rufous coloration toward its rear- a tell-tale sign of a hummingbird belonging to the genus Selasphorus, making it either a Rufous or an Allen's! It didn't pause and kept on flying toward Cape May City. Rare hummingbirds are usually anticipated later in the season, between Halloween and Christmas, but Selasphorus-types have shown up in Cape May several times in the past during late-summer... so keep an eye on your hummer feeders.
There were as many as 4 Black Terns feeding in the Meadows itself this evening: one juvenile and two or three adult birds. Shorebird numbers weren't impressive but Steve Rodan, who later joined me here, reports that there continued to be a fine selection of 'pipers in the 2nd Plover Pond at the State Park, including the continuing Baird's Sandpiper.
Steve and me came across a nice gentleman who informed us that the Lark Sparrow was still present near the dunes at the end of the west path, and after a few minutes of waiting the beauty appeared for us as well, feeding in the grass next to the path with a cowbird.
Otherwise, there were at least 9 Lesser Black-backed Gulls visible from the dune-top at the end of the west path, a Northern Bobwhite calling near the start of the east path, and at least half a dozen Wood Ducks that flew around several times.
However, all of those great birds aside, the only real reason for getting out this evening was to remember one of the people who was instrumental in encouraging and teaching me, and countless others, to love the natural world and to learn about all its wonders. And while I found myself holding back tears several times, it was re-assuring to know that so many people had benefited from George's kindness, knowledge and passion that he shared with anyone, at anytime, and anywhere.
Perhaps Jackie Robinson said it best: "A life is not important except in the impact it has on other lives." If that's true, then George's life was more important than we could ever hope to imagine.
Thank you, George.
CAPE MAY BIRDING HOTLINE- August 14, 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, August 14, 2008. Highlights this week include sightings of SURF SCOTER, HOODED MERGANSER, AMERICAN WHITE PELICAN, UPLAND SANDPIPER, BAIRD'S SANDPIPER, LESSER BLACK-BACKED GULL, GLAUCOUS GULL, GULL-BILLED TERN, BLACK TERN, YELLOW-BELLIED FLYCATCHER, ALDER FLYCATCHER, GOLDEN-WINGED WARBLER, "BREWSTER'S" WARBLER, CERULEAN WARBLER, MOURNING WARBLER, LARK SPARROW, and DICKCISSEL.
The AMERICAN WHITE PELICAN and GLAUCOUS GULL continued at Brig/Forsythe NWR through at least 8/9.
A LARK SPARROW was found at the South Cape May Meadows/CMMBR on 8/13, and seen again on 8/14.
A BAIRD'S SANDPIPER was seen at Cape May Point State Park and the South Cape May Meadows through 8/13.
A DICKCISSEL and a YELLOW-BELLIED FLYCATCHER were noted at the Woodcock Trail tract of Cape May NWR on 8/12. An ALDER FLYCATCHER was seen and heard at Cape May Point State Park on 8/13.
Highlights from Higbee Beach WMA this week included UPLAND SANDPIPER and GOLDEN-WINGED WARBLER on 8/10, 2 CERULEAN WARBLERS on 8/12, MOURNING WARBLER on 8/14, and "BREWSTER'S" WARBLER on 8/14.
A GULL-BILLED TERN and the summering HOODED MERGANSER were observed at the South Cape May Meadows on 8/11. A BLACK TERN was seen at Cape May Point State Park on 8/12. Numerous LESSER BLACK-BACKED GULLS continued to be found this week along the beachfront between the South Cape May Meadows and Cape May Point State Park.
A SURF SCOTER was noted off of Stone Harbor Point on 8/9.
ANNOUNCEMENTS:
Inventory Closures- CMBO's Northwood Center in Cape May Point will be closed on Monday, 8/25 and Tuesday, 8/26 for inventory. CMBO's Center for Research & Education in Goshen will be closed on Thursday, 8/28 and Friday, 8/29 for inventory. We apologize for any inconvenience this may cause.
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!
The AMERICAN WHITE PELICAN and GLAUCOUS GULL continued at Brig/Forsythe NWR through at least 8/9.
A LARK SPARROW was found at the South Cape May Meadows/CMMBR on 8/13, and seen again on 8/14.
A BAIRD'S SANDPIPER was seen at Cape May Point State Park and the South Cape May Meadows through 8/13.
A DICKCISSEL and a YELLOW-BELLIED FLYCATCHER were noted at the Woodcock Trail tract of Cape May NWR on 8/12. An ALDER FLYCATCHER was seen and heard at Cape May Point State Park on 8/13.
Highlights from Higbee Beach WMA this week included UPLAND SANDPIPER and GOLDEN-WINGED WARBLER on 8/10, 2 CERULEAN WARBLERS on 8/12, MOURNING WARBLER on 8/14, and "BREWSTER'S" WARBLER on 8/14.
A GULL-BILLED TERN and the summering HOODED MERGANSER were observed at the South Cape May Meadows on 8/11. A BLACK TERN was seen at Cape May Point State Park on 8/12. Numerous LESSER BLACK-BACKED GULLS continued to be found this week along the beachfront between the South Cape May Meadows and Cape May Point State Park.
A SURF SCOTER was noted off of Stone Harbor Point on 8/9.
ANNOUNCEMENTS:
Inventory Closures- CMBO's Northwood Center in Cape May Point will be closed on Monday, 8/25 and Tuesday, 8/26 for inventory. CMBO's Center for Research & Education in Goshen will be closed on Thursday, 8/28 and Friday, 8/29 for inventory. We apologize for any inconvenience this may cause.
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!
In the face of tragedy...I bird! (Mourning Warbler- Higbee, Lark Sparrow- the Meadows)
This mornings walk was little bittersweet and honestly very cathartic for me. For those of you wondering what I am talking about, the Cape May community lost a very dear friend and most fantastic naturalist and birder last night. George Myers, an outstanding friend, lost his battle with liver cancer yesterday. Georgie, I'm glad to have known you and feel my life is all the more enriched by having been able to call you my friend.
So in honor of George, I did what I felt he would do if our places had been swapped. I got up early and I birded! Off to Higbee as I think that is where he would have gone. The birding was pretty good with many Blue-winged, Worm-eating and Yellow Warblers flitting about the "jug handle." This it the area that many birders can't seem to walk away from on a good flight morning in the fall. It's the first "by-pass" (for lack of a better term) in the first field. We also were able to find one Brewster's Warbler (Blue-winged x Golden-wined Warbler hybrid) in the mix.
While we were starting to seriously bird the jug handle trying to keep up with the movements of the blue-wings, worm-eaters, yellows and all, up out of the tangles in front of us pops a young Mourning Warbler with a loud pwich. This is a significant sighting for me personally. While it is the first mourning I've seen this year-heard one in the spring-it was much more significant than that for me. Years ago when my grandfather passed away was when I saw my life Mourning Warbler (actually saw the bird out the window as I was on the phone with my mother.) For the next few years, on my birthday-as he'd passed just after my birthday-I found that I was greeted on my morning birding by a singing Mourning Warbler. I always felt he was singing happy birthday to me. This morning was Georgie's turn. Since it's no where near my birthday, there was no need for him to sing. Just a quick "hi, how are ya." "I'm doing fine now." In looking back at our encounter with this bird this morning, it did seem to stay in sight for longer than mournings tend to generally. Laura says she knew I'd see a Mourning Warbler this morning due to the uncanny connection this bird has with me and the passing of a loved one. For me, it actually took a few moments for the reality to set in. I guess they don't call 'em Mourning Warbler for nothing!
But the birding did not end there. We had been greeted by a CMBO member at the Higbee parking lot who said that she had seen what she thought was a Lark Sparrow at the back (dune area) of the TNC's CMMBR (Meadows) last evening. While admittedly a new bird for her and she was wavering on her identification, she gave a very good description of the bird and pointed out in her Peterson specific details which she observed. Lark Sparrow is a rare-ish bird here in Cape May but I'd say we average at least one a year over that last five or so years at least, with out digging into the records further. We were having a good time at Higbee and wavering ourselves on whether or not to attempt a look for this bird. As I was thinking about trying to hit the Meadows as well this morning anyway,we figured that it was worth a shot. What was the worst that would happen...miss the bird, figuring it would have moved on last night with the good conditions anyway, but what the heck.
So we walked down the west past, spying a couple of Traill's Flycatchers along the way. Up to the west dune crossing to look for the bird up on the dune, with no success. It was not until we were at the east path that we spotted a few birds on the ground in front of us. Low and behold, there it was. We first found the bird around 8:50 a.m. and hung around to watch it feed, with a Song and House Sparrow, for about 20 min. before I had to head off to work. The bird was still there when we left though it had joined a flock of cowbirds but I would think it might stick as this species sometimes seems to do. Thanks again Georgie!
So there it is, the morning's birding in a nut shell. As usual the list for Higbee and the Meadows are below. Also, a very nice photo of today's Lark Sparrow provided by Bob Fogg.
Location: South Cape May Meadows
Observation date: 8/14/08
Notes: 2520 steps = approx. 1.6 miles
Number of species: 47
Canada Goose 85
Mute Swan 25
Mallard X
Great Egret 20
Snowy Egret 4
Osprey 2
Semipalmated Plover 5
Killdeer 1
Spotted Sandpiper 5
Greater Yellowlegs 1
Lesser Yellowlegs 5
Sanderling 45
Semipalmated Sandpiper X
Least Sandpiper X
Laughing Gull X
Ring-billed Gull 2
Herring Gull X
Lesser Black-backed Gull 4
Great Black-backed Gull X
Least Tern X
Common Tern X
Forster's Tern X
Black Skimmer X
Mourning Dove X
Chimney Swift 4
Ruby-throated Hummingbird 3
Alder/Willow Flycatcher (Traill's) 2
Blue Jay X
Fish Crow X
Purple Martin X
Tree Swallow X
Barn Swallow X
Blue-gray Gnatcatcher 2
Northern Mockingbird 3
European Starling X
Cedar Waxwing X
Yellow Warbler 8
Common Yellowthroat 3
Lark Sparrow 1
Song Sparrow 1
Northern Cardinal X
Red-winged Blackbird X
Common Grackle X
Brown-headed Cowbird X
House Finch X
American Goldfinch X
House Sparrow X
This report was generated automatically by eBird v2
Location: Higbee Beach
Observation date: 8/14/08
Notes: 1413 steps = .95 miles
Number of species: 47
Laughing Gull X
Great Black-backed Gull 1
Rock Pigeon X
Mourning Dove X
Yellow-billed Cuckoo 6
Chimney Swift 2
Ruby-throated Hummingbird 2
Red-bellied Woodpecker 1
Downy Woodpecker 1
Northern Flicker 1
Alder/Willow Flycatcher (Traill's) 1
Least Flycatcher 1
Eastern Kingbird X
White-eyed Vireo 4
Purple Martin X
Tree Swallow X
Barn Swallow X
Carolina Chickadee X
Tufted Titmouse X
Carolina Wren 8
Blue-gray Gnatcatcher 8
American Robin X
Gray Catbird 1
Northern Mockingbird 2
Brown Thrasher 1
Cedar Waxwing X
Blue-winged Warbler 8
Brewster's Warbler (hybrid) 1
Yellow Warbler 12
Black-and-white Warbler 4
American Redstart 5
Worm-eating Warbler 4
Ovenbird 3
Northern Waterthrush 3
Mourning Warbler 1
Common Yellowthroat X
Canada Warbler 2
Eastern Towhee 1
Northern Cardinal X
Blue Grosbeak 2
Red-winged Blackbird X
Common Grackle X
Brown-headed Cowbird X
Baltimore Oriole 6
House Finch 2
American Goldfinch X
House Sparrow X
This report was generated automatically by eBird v2
So in honor of George, I did what I felt he would do if our places had been swapped. I got up early and I birded! Off to Higbee as I think that is where he would have gone. The birding was pretty good with many Blue-winged, Worm-eating and Yellow Warblers flitting about the "jug handle." This it the area that many birders can't seem to walk away from on a good flight morning in the fall. It's the first "by-pass" (for lack of a better term) in the first field. We also were able to find one Brewster's Warbler (Blue-winged x Golden-wined Warbler hybrid) in the mix.
While we were starting to seriously bird the jug handle trying to keep up with the movements of the blue-wings, worm-eaters, yellows and all, up out of the tangles in front of us pops a young Mourning Warbler with a loud pwich. This is a significant sighting for me personally. While it is the first mourning I've seen this year-heard one in the spring-it was much more significant than that for me. Years ago when my grandfather passed away was when I saw my life Mourning Warbler (actually saw the bird out the window as I was on the phone with my mother.) For the next few years, on my birthday-as he'd passed just after my birthday-I found that I was greeted on my morning birding by a singing Mourning Warbler. I always felt he was singing happy birthday to me. This morning was Georgie's turn. Since it's no where near my birthday, there was no need for him to sing. Just a quick "hi, how are ya." "I'm doing fine now." In looking back at our encounter with this bird this morning, it did seem to stay in sight for longer than mournings tend to generally. Laura says she knew I'd see a Mourning Warbler this morning due to the uncanny connection this bird has with me and the passing of a loved one. For me, it actually took a few moments for the reality to set in. I guess they don't call 'em Mourning Warbler for nothing!
But the birding did not end there. We had been greeted by a CMBO member at the Higbee parking lot who said that she had seen what she thought was a Lark Sparrow at the back (dune area) of the TNC's CMMBR (Meadows) last evening. While admittedly a new bird for her and she was wavering on her identification, she gave a very good description of the bird and pointed out in her Peterson specific details which she observed. Lark Sparrow is a rare-ish bird here in Cape May but I'd say we average at least one a year over that last five or so years at least, with out digging into the records further. We were having a good time at Higbee and wavering ourselves on whether or not to attempt a look for this bird. As I was thinking about trying to hit the Meadows as well this morning anyway,we figured that it was worth a shot. What was the worst that would happen...miss the bird, figuring it would have moved on last night with the good conditions anyway, but what the heck.
So we walked down the west past, spying a couple of Traill's Flycatchers along the way. Up to the west dune crossing to look for the bird up on the dune, with no success. It was not until we were at the east path that we spotted a few birds on the ground in front of us. Low and behold, there it was. We first found the bird around 8:50 a.m. and hung around to watch it feed, with a Song and House Sparrow, for about 20 min. before I had to head off to work. The bird was still there when we left though it had joined a flock of cowbirds but I would think it might stick as this species sometimes seems to do. Thanks again Georgie!
So there it is, the morning's birding in a nut shell. As usual the list for Higbee and the Meadows are below. Also, a very nice photo of today's Lark Sparrow provided by Bob Fogg.
Location: South Cape May Meadows
Observation date: 8/14/08
Notes: 2520 steps = approx. 1.6 miles
Number of species: 47
Canada Goose 85
Mute Swan 25
Mallard X
Great Egret 20
Snowy Egret 4
Osprey 2
Semipalmated Plover 5
Killdeer 1
Spotted Sandpiper 5
Greater Yellowlegs 1
Lesser Yellowlegs 5
Sanderling 45
Semipalmated Sandpiper X
Least Sandpiper X
Laughing Gull X
Ring-billed Gull 2
Herring Gull X
Lesser Black-backed Gull 4
Great Black-backed Gull X
Least Tern X
Common Tern X
Forster's Tern X
Black Skimmer X
Mourning Dove X
Chimney Swift 4
Ruby-throated Hummingbird 3
Alder/Willow Flycatcher (Traill's) 2
Blue Jay X
Fish Crow X
Purple Martin X
Tree Swallow X
Barn Swallow X
Blue-gray Gnatcatcher 2
Northern Mockingbird 3
European Starling X
Cedar Waxwing X
Yellow Warbler 8
Common Yellowthroat 3
Lark Sparrow 1
Song Sparrow 1
Northern Cardinal X
Red-winged Blackbird X
Common Grackle X
Brown-headed Cowbird X
House Finch X
American Goldfinch X
House Sparrow X
This report was generated automatically by eBird v2
Location: Higbee Beach
Observation date: 8/14/08
Notes: 1413 steps = .95 miles
Number of species: 47
Laughing Gull X
Great Black-backed Gull 1
Rock Pigeon X
Mourning Dove X
Yellow-billed Cuckoo 6
Chimney Swift 2
Ruby-throated Hummingbird 2
Red-bellied Woodpecker 1
Downy Woodpecker 1
Northern Flicker 1
Alder/Willow Flycatcher (Traill's) 1
Least Flycatcher 1
Eastern Kingbird X
White-eyed Vireo 4
Purple Martin X
Tree Swallow X
Barn Swallow X
Carolina Chickadee X
Tufted Titmouse X
Carolina Wren 8
Blue-gray Gnatcatcher 8
American Robin X
Gray Catbird 1
Northern Mockingbird 2
Brown Thrasher 1
Cedar Waxwing X
Blue-winged Warbler 8
Brewster's Warbler (hybrid) 1
Yellow Warbler 12
Black-and-white Warbler 4
American Redstart 5
Worm-eating Warbler 4
Ovenbird 3
Northern Waterthrush 3
Mourning Warbler 1
Common Yellowthroat X
Canada Warbler 2
Eastern Towhee 1
Northern Cardinal X
Blue Grosbeak 2
Red-winged Blackbird X
Common Grackle X
Brown-headed Cowbird X
Baltimore Oriole 6
House Finch 2
American Goldfinch X
House Sparrow X
This report was generated automatically by eBird v2
Baird's and White-rumped Sanpipers at Cape May Point State Park
Thursday's CMBO Bird Walk for All People thoroughly enjoyed a concentration of 500+ Tree Swallows which perched tamely on the dune crossover snow fence when not foraging or drinking from Bunker Pond. A Baird's Sandpiper continues in the second plover pond, and three White-rumped Sandpipers flew by. Some songbird movement was evident, with several Northern Waterthrushes and Yellow Warblers passing overhead - CMBO's Morning Flight count at Higbee Beach begins tomorrow under the eyes of Sam Galick, who counted the flight lastyear. The full list from the Thursday walk is below.
Location: Cape May Point SP
Observation date: 8/14/08
Number of species: 49
Canada Goose 25
Mute Swan 1
Mallard 25
Double-crested Cormorant 2
Great Egret 1
Little Blue Heron 1
Glossy Ibis 2
Turkey Vulture 2
Osprey 5
Semipalmated Plover 5
Piping Plover 2
Killdeer 5
Greater Yellowlegs 2
Willet (Western) 3
Lesser Yellowlegs 10
Semipalmated Sandpiper 20
Least Sandpiper 10
White-rumped Sandpiper 3
Baird's Sandpiper 1
Short-billed Dowitcher 1
Laughing Gull X
Herring Gull X
Least Tern 10
Gull-billed Tern 1
Common Tern 1
Forster's Tern 25
Black Skimmer 25
Rock Pigeon 10
Mourning Dove 5
Belted Kingfisher 1
Eastern Kingbird 5
American Crow 1
Purple Martin 25
Tree Swallow 500
Northern Rough-winged Swallow 10
Bank Swallow 2
Barn Swallow 25
Carolina Wren 1
American Robin 25
Gray Catbird 1
Northern Mockingbird 10
European Starling 20
Yellow Warbler 5
Northern Waterthrush 3
Song Sparrow 2
Indigo Bunting 1
Red-winged Blackbird 10
American Goldfinch 5
House Sparrow 10
Location: Cape May Point SP
Observation date: 8/14/08
Number of species: 49
Canada Goose 25
Mute Swan 1
Mallard 25
Double-crested Cormorant 2
Great Egret 1
Little Blue Heron 1
Glossy Ibis 2
Turkey Vulture 2
Osprey 5
Semipalmated Plover 5
Piping Plover 2
Killdeer 5
Greater Yellowlegs 2
Willet (Western) 3
Lesser Yellowlegs 10
Semipalmated Sandpiper 20
Least Sandpiper 10
White-rumped Sandpiper 3
Baird's Sandpiper 1
Short-billed Dowitcher 1
Laughing Gull X
Herring Gull X
Least Tern 10
Gull-billed Tern 1
Common Tern 1
Forster's Tern 25
Black Skimmer 25
Rock Pigeon 10
Mourning Dove 5
Belted Kingfisher 1
Eastern Kingbird 5
American Crow 1
Purple Martin 25
Tree Swallow 500
Northern Rough-winged Swallow 10
Bank Swallow 2
Barn Swallow 25
Carolina Wren 1
American Robin 25
Gray Catbird 1
Northern Mockingbird 10
European Starling 20
Yellow Warbler 5
Northern Waterthrush 3
Song Sparrow 2
Indigo Bunting 1
Red-winged Blackbird 10
American Goldfinch 5
House Sparrow 10
Tuesday, August 12, 2008
Bayshore migrants: Yellow-bellied Fly, Dickcissel, swallows, etc.
It was a good morning for migrants along the bayshore- an area that rarely receives any coverage during the fall. I was lucky enough to have the morning off and started out by spending about a half an hour atop our back deck in Reed's Beach, which overlooks the nearby treeline to the southeast, as well as the Delaware Bay to the west. The area in between serves as a heavily-used corridor for migrants which turn around at Cape May and backtrack along the bayshore, seeking a narrower water crossing.
There was a decent passerine flight by mid-August standards, even though I didn't get out until 7am and likely missed quite a few birds. The "morning flight" phenomenon is of course not just limited to Higbee, and actually extends north along the entire length of the bayshore. This morning's flight was comprised primarily of Yellow Warblers and Redstarts, with Redstarts being most numerous. A single female Black-throated Blue Warbler and a couple of Northern Waterthrushes also passed through, and another waterthrush was chipping from along the marsh edge. Bobolinks put in a decent showing, including a flock of 21, the largest I've seen so far. Swallows were also on the move- mainly Tree, but also fair numbers of Barns and a smattering of Banks. A 2nd-year Bald Eagle and a ratty-looking Northern Harrier hurriedly made their way south down the treeline, seeming like early migrants and not local birds.
A brief stop along the second field edge at Kimble's Beach Road produced a small pocket of migrants; about half a dozen each of Redstart and Yellow Warbler, as well as a silent "Traill's" (Willow/Alder) Flycatcher. This road is extremely under-birded at this season, and without good reason...I often find 15-20 species of warblers here on a good flight day in late-August or September.
The Woodcock Trail tract of Cape May NWR (another under-birded gem) produced the best birds of the morning. The first of which was a Yellow-bellied Flycatcher that appeared amongst a nice pocket of warblers, including 4 Black-and-whites, 2 Canadas, a Prairie and of course multiple Redstarts and Yellows. Yellow-bellied Fly is generally more compact, rounder-headed and shorter-tailed when compared to other empidonax flycatchers, and also takes on a more green-ish/olive-ish cast than most of its cousins. The bird I saw this morning appeared to be a fairly worn adult and wasn't quite so bright but overall structure, as well as a lack of contrast between the throat and nape, eliminated Least Flycatcher, the next closest candidate.
The second "nice" bird was a Dickcissel that gave its loud, low, buzzy flight call as it flew north overhead. The Dickcissel's flight call is a distinctive one, and listening for it is the best way to encounter the species here. Other migrants around Woodcock included 2 adult Blue-winged Warblers and an adult male Baltimore Oriole.
Lists from Reed's Beach and Woodcock Trail included-
Location: Reed's Beach
Observation date: 8/12/08
Number of species: 50
American Black Duck 2
Double-crested Cormorant 6
Great Blue Heron 1
Great Egret 1
Snowy Egret 12
Black-crowned Night-Heron 1
Osprey 3
Bald Eagle 1
Northern Harrier 1
Clapper Rail 2
Greater Yellowlegs 1
Least Sandpiper 6
Stilt Sandpiper 1
Laughing Gull 40
Ring-billed Gull 1
Herring Gull 25
Great Black-backed Gull 50
Least Tern 2
Forster's Tern 20
Royal Tern 12
Rock Pigeon 2
Mourning Dove 6
Chimney Swift 1
Ruby-throated Hummingbird 3
Belted Kingfisher 1
Northern Flicker (Yellow-shafted) 1
Eastern Kingbird 6
Fish Crow 2
Purple Martin 6
Tree Swallow 125
Bank Swallow 10
Barn Swallow 50
Carolina Wren 2
House Wren 2
American Robin 35
Northern Mockingbird 2
European Starling 50
Cedar Waxwing 1
Yellow Warbler 18
Black-throated Blue Warbler 1
American Redstart 35
Northern Waterthrush 3
Seaside Sparrow 2
Song Sparrow 1
Northern Cardinal 2
Bobolink 56
Red-winged Blackbird 25
Common Grackle 6
House Finch 4
House Sparrow 8
This report was generated automatically by eBird v2(http://ebird.org)
Location: Woodcock Trail (Cape May NWR)
Observation date: 8/12/08
Number of species: 45
Green Heron 1
Turkey Vulture 3
Red-tailed Hawk 2
Least Sandpiper 1
Laughing Gull 15
Rock Pigeon 2
Mourning Dove 6
Yellow-billed Cuckoo 1
Chimney Swift 6
Downy Woodpecker 1
Yellow-bellied Flycatcher 1
Eastern Kingbird 5
Blue Jay 6
Fish Crow 1
Purple Martin 75
Tree Swallow 20
Bank Swallow 1
Barn Swallow 6
Carolina Chickadee 4
Tufted Titmouse 4
Carolina Wren 4
House Wren 2
American Robin 12
Gray Catbird 2
Northern Mockingbird 8
European Starling 25
Cedar Waxwing 7
Blue-winged Warbler 2
Yellow Warbler 9
Prairie Warbler 5
Black-and-white Warbler 5
American Redstart 20
Canada Warbler 2
Field Sparrow 8
Song Sparrow 2
Northern Cardinal 4
Blue Grosbeak 1
Dickcissel 1
Bobolink 6
Red-winged Blackbird 10
Common Grackle 15
Brown-headed Cowbird 2
Baltimore Oriole 1
House Finch 2
House Sparrow 2
This report was generated automatically by eBird v2(http://ebird.org)
There was a decent passerine flight by mid-August standards, even though I didn't get out until 7am and likely missed quite a few birds. The "morning flight" phenomenon is of course not just limited to Higbee, and actually extends north along the entire length of the bayshore. This morning's flight was comprised primarily of Yellow Warblers and Redstarts, with Redstarts being most numerous. A single female Black-throated Blue Warbler and a couple of Northern Waterthrushes also passed through, and another waterthrush was chipping from along the marsh edge. Bobolinks put in a decent showing, including a flock of 21, the largest I've seen so far. Swallows were also on the move- mainly Tree, but also fair numbers of Barns and a smattering of Banks. A 2nd-year Bald Eagle and a ratty-looking Northern Harrier hurriedly made their way south down the treeline, seeming like early migrants and not local birds.
A brief stop along the second field edge at Kimble's Beach Road produced a small pocket of migrants; about half a dozen each of Redstart and Yellow Warbler, as well as a silent "Traill's" (Willow/Alder) Flycatcher. This road is extremely under-birded at this season, and without good reason...I often find 15-20 species of warblers here on a good flight day in late-August or September.
The Woodcock Trail tract of Cape May NWR (another under-birded gem) produced the best birds of the morning. The first of which was a Yellow-bellied Flycatcher that appeared amongst a nice pocket of warblers, including 4 Black-and-whites, 2 Canadas, a Prairie and of course multiple Redstarts and Yellows. Yellow-bellied Fly is generally more compact, rounder-headed and shorter-tailed when compared to other empidonax flycatchers, and also takes on a more green-ish/olive-ish cast than most of its cousins. The bird I saw this morning appeared to be a fairly worn adult and wasn't quite so bright but overall structure, as well as a lack of contrast between the throat and nape, eliminated Least Flycatcher, the next closest candidate.
The second "nice" bird was a Dickcissel that gave its loud, low, buzzy flight call as it flew north overhead. The Dickcissel's flight call is a distinctive one, and listening for it is the best way to encounter the species here. Other migrants around Woodcock included 2 adult Blue-winged Warblers and an adult male Baltimore Oriole.
Lists from Reed's Beach and Woodcock Trail included-
Location: Reed's Beach
Observation date: 8/12/08
Number of species: 50
American Black Duck 2
Double-crested Cormorant 6
Great Blue Heron 1
Great Egret 1
Snowy Egret 12
Black-crowned Night-Heron 1
Osprey 3
Bald Eagle 1
Northern Harrier 1
Clapper Rail 2
Greater Yellowlegs 1
Least Sandpiper 6
Stilt Sandpiper 1
Laughing Gull 40
Ring-billed Gull 1
Herring Gull 25
Great Black-backed Gull 50
Least Tern 2
Forster's Tern 20
Royal Tern 12
Rock Pigeon 2
Mourning Dove 6
Chimney Swift 1
Ruby-throated Hummingbird 3
Belted Kingfisher 1
Northern Flicker (Yellow-shafted) 1
Eastern Kingbird 6
Fish Crow 2
Purple Martin 6
Tree Swallow 125
Bank Swallow 10
Barn Swallow 50
Carolina Wren 2
House Wren 2
American Robin 35
Northern Mockingbird 2
European Starling 50
Cedar Waxwing 1
Yellow Warbler 18
Black-throated Blue Warbler 1
American Redstart 35
Northern Waterthrush 3
Seaside Sparrow 2
Song Sparrow 1
Northern Cardinal 2
Bobolink 56
Red-winged Blackbird 25
Common Grackle 6
House Finch 4
House Sparrow 8
This report was generated automatically by eBird v2(http://ebird.org)
Location: Woodcock Trail (Cape May NWR)
Observation date: 8/12/08
Number of species: 45
Green Heron 1
Turkey Vulture 3
Red-tailed Hawk 2
Least Sandpiper 1
Laughing Gull 15
Rock Pigeon 2
Mourning Dove 6
Yellow-billed Cuckoo 1
Chimney Swift 6
Downy Woodpecker 1
Yellow-bellied Flycatcher 1
Eastern Kingbird 5
Blue Jay 6
Fish Crow 1
Purple Martin 75
Tree Swallow 20
Bank Swallow 1
Barn Swallow 6
Carolina Chickadee 4
Tufted Titmouse 4
Carolina Wren 4
House Wren 2
American Robin 12
Gray Catbird 2
Northern Mockingbird 8
European Starling 25
Cedar Waxwing 7
Blue-winged Warbler 2
Yellow Warbler 9
Prairie Warbler 5
Black-and-white Warbler 5
American Redstart 20
Canada Warbler 2
Field Sparrow 8
Song Sparrow 2
Northern Cardinal 4
Blue Grosbeak 1
Dickcissel 1
Bobolink 6
Red-winged Blackbird 10
Common Grackle 15
Brown-headed Cowbird 2
Baltimore Oriole 1
House Finch 2
House Sparrow 2
This report was generated automatically by eBird v2(http://ebird.org)