CAPE MAY BIRDING HOTLINE - June 18, 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, June 18th, 2009.

Highlights this week include reports of WHITE-FACED IBIS, AMERICAN WIGEON, COMMON LOON, CORY'S SHEARWATER, GREATER SHEARWATER, WILSON'S STORM-PETREL, NORTHERN GANNET, BROWN PELICAN, LEAST BITTERN, LITTLE BLUE HERON, TRICOLORED HERON, MISSISSIPPI KITE, LESSER BLACK-BACKED GULL, and PROTHONOTARY WARBLER.

- 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) -


A probable WHITE-FACED IBIS was observed between the ponds on Bayberry Road and the first stretch of Stone Harbor Boulevard, in Cape May Court House, on 6/14.

A GREATER SHEARWATER was observed from the South Cape May Meadows/CMMBR on 6/16. Several CORY'S SHEARWATERS were seen from various locations in Cape May on 6/16. Another was noted the same day from the 8th Street Jetty in Avalon, along with 54 NORTHERN GANNETS.

5 MISSISSIPPI KITES were observed from the cemetery on Shunpike Road, in West Cape May, on 6/13. MISSISSIPPI KITES were also noted from the Beanery/Rea Farm and the South Cape May Meadows/CMMBR during the past week.

4 WILSON'S STORM-PETRELS and a LESSER BLACK-BACKED GULL was observed at Sunset Beach on 6/18.

4 BROWN PELICANS were seen from Cape May Point State Park on 6/17. Another was at Reed's Beach on 6/14.

An AMERICAN WIGEON was seen from St. Mary's in Cape May Point on 6/16.

A COMMON LOON was noted from the back bays near Somers Point on 6/16.

As many as 3 LEAST BITTERNS have been heard and seen in the South Cape May Meadows/CMMBR throughout the week.

A PROTHONOTARY WARBLER and a LITTLE BLUE HERON were noted at Villas WMA on 6/14. TRICOLORED HERONS were noted from Stone Harbor Blvd and Avalon Blvd this week.


ANNOUNCEMENTS:
***CMBO's Northwood Center is open Wednesday - Monday, 9:30am - 4:30pm. These hours will be in place through the end of August.***

**CMBO will be closed for Independence Day on Saturday, July 4th.**

*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!