CAPE MAY BIRDING HOTLINE - May 28, 2009

Hotline: Cape May Birding Hotline
To Report: (609) 884-2736, sightings@birdcapemay.org
Coverage: Cape May, Cumberland and Atlantic Counties, NJ
Compiler: Tom Reed, Cape May Bird Observatory
URL: http://www.njaudubon.org ; http://www.birdcapemay.org

This is the Cape May Birding Hotline, a service of New Jersey Audubon Society's Cape May Bird Observatory. This week's message was prepared on Thursday, May 28, 2009.

Highlights this week include reports of BLACK-BELLIED WHISTLING-DUCK, CURLEW SANDPIPER, SURF SCOTER, RUDDY DUCK, SOOTY SHEARWATER, LEAST BITTERN, BLACK RAIL, AMERICAN GOLDEN-PLOVER, RED KNOT, ICELAND GULL, LESSER BLACK-BACKED GULL, GULL-BILLED TERN, CASPIAN TERN, ROSEATE TERN, SANDWICH TERN, BLACKBURNIAN WARBLER, KENTUCKY WARBLER, MOURNING WARBLER, and GRASSHOPPER SPARROW.

- For more up-to-the-minute Cape May sightings information and a download-able birding map of Cape May, visit www.BirdCapeMay.org. Also follow us on Twitter at CMBObirds (www.twitter.com/cmbobirds - review list/rarities or spectacles only) -


4 BLACK-BELLIED WHISTLING-DUCKS were discovered on a private pond in Cape May Point on 5/26. This pond is also visible from the "dead-end" trail at the back side of Cape May Point State Park, though heavily shrouded in vegetation. The birds have not been re-found since the 26th.

At least 1 CURLEW SANDPIPER continued at Heislerville WMA through at least 5/23.

A SANDWICH TERN made a brief appearance on the "gull island," along the east path of the South Cape May Meadows/CMMBR, on 5/23. A ROSEATE TERN was in the same location on 5/28, as were 2 GULL-BILLED TERNS on 5/25. LESSER BLACK-BACKED GULLS have been noted there throughout the week, and a LEAST BITTERN was noted along the east path several times this week.

A SOOTY SHEARWATER was seen flying past the 2nd Avenue Jetty in Cape May on 5/26.

A BLACK RAIL was heard at Jake's Landing on the evening of 5/23.

An ICELAND GULL and a RUDDY DUCK were noted at Cook's Beach on 5/27, along with 2,000 RED KNOTS. Also in the lingering duck department were 3 SURF SCOTERS noted offshore of the South Cape May Meadows/CMMBR on 5/25.

MOURNING WARBLERS were found at CMBO's Northwood Center and at Cape May Point State Park on 5/27. A BLACKBURNIAN WARBLER was at the Northwood Center the same day.

An AMERICAN GOLDEN-PLOVER was noted at Brig/Forsythe NWR on 5/23 and 5/24. CASPIAN TERNS were also seen there this week.

4 KENTUCKY WARBLERS were noted along Sunset Road in Belleplain State Forest on 5/23.

A GRASSHOPPER SPARROW was heard from the west side of the Beanery/Rea Farm on 5/23.


ANNOUNCEMENTS:
Beginning June 1st, CMBO's Northwood Center will be open Wednesday - Monday (closed Tuesdays), 9:30am - 4:30pm. These hours will be in place through the end of August.

******Due to a staffing shortfall, Cape May Bird Observatory's Center for Research and Education on Route 47 north of Goshen is closed to the public effective April 11, 2009. The grounds and gardens will remain open to the public. CMBO's Northwood Center on East Lake Drive in Cape May Point is open Wednesday - Monday, 9:30am - 4:30pm.

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!

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 discounts in the stores).

Good luck and good birding!