CAPE MAY BIRDING HOTLINE - June 4, 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 4th, 2009.

Highlights this week include reports of WHITE-FACED IBIS, BLACK SCOTER, MISSISSIPPI KITE, BLACK-NECKED STILT, AMERICAN AVOCET, WHITE-RUMPED SANDPIPER, STILT SANDPIPER, RED-NECKED PHALAROPE, CASPIAN TERN, WILLOW FLYCATCHER, KENTUCKY WARBLER, and SUMMER TANAGER.

- 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 WHITE-FACED IBIS was observed flying over Pond Creek Marsh on 5/29. The same or another was seen near a pond at the intersection of Shunpike and Stimpson Roads in West Cape May on 5/30, as well as flying over the South Cape May Meadows/CMMBR the same day. Another WHITE-FACED IBIS was noted at Brig/Forsythe NWR on 6/1.

A MISSISSIPPI KITE was seen from the Natural Lands Trust's "Peek Preserve," near Millville, on 6/3. Another MISSISSIPPI KITE was observed over West Cape May on 5/30.

An AMERICAN AVOCET has been seen along the south dike at Brig/Forsythe NWR this week, last reported on 6/2. 20 WHITE-RUMPED SANDPIPERS were noted there on 6/1, as was a STILT SANDPIPER on 6/2.

A RED-NECKED PHALAROPE was found at Heislerville WMA on 5/29, and continued through 5/31. 2 BLACK-NECKED STILTS were noted there as fly-overs on 5/30. 18 WHITE-RUMPED SANDPIPERS and a CASPIAN TERN were there on 6/1.

Breeding birds reported from Belleplain State Forest this week included KENTUCKY WARBLER and SUMMER TANAGER.

A female BLACK SCOTER was seen at Cape May Pt. State Park on 6/4.

WILLOW FLYCATCHERS were heard at the South Cape May Meadows/CMMBR and at Cape May Pt. State Park this week.


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.***

**In the coming days, East Lake Drive in Cape May Point (where CMBO's Northwood Center is located) will become a one-way street. Vehicles will only be able to travel west along the road, from Lighthouse Ave to Oak Ave.**

*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!