CAPE MAY BIRDING HOTLINE - July 30, 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, July 30th, 2009.

Highlights this week include sightings of BLACK-BELLIED WHISTLING-DUCK, ROSEATE SPOONBILL, BLUE-WINGED TEAL, WILD TURKEY, COMMON LOON, CORY'S SHEARWATER, GREATER SHEARWATER, AUDUBON'S SHEARWATER, WILSON'S STORM-PETREL, AMERICAN BITTERN, CATTLE EGRET, COMMON MOORHEN, AMERICAN GOLDEN-PLOVER, AMERICAN AVOCET, UPLAND SANDPIPER, PECTORAL SANDPIPER, LESSER BLACK-BACKED GULL, and BLACK TERN.

-- For more up-to-the-minute Cape May sightings information and a downloadable 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 BLACK-BELLIED WHISTLING-DUCK was seen flying past the South Cape May Meadows/CMMBR on 7/25, and was later seen the same day at Lighthouse Pond in Cape May Pt. State Park. The bird was missing its hind claw on both feet, thus making its origin uncertain. There have been no reports since.

The ROSEATE SPOONBILL at Brig/Forsythe NWR continued to be seen this week, with reports from the south dike and the east pool. 2-3 AMERICAN AVOCETS and 2 BLACK TERNS were observed at Brig on 7/28.

A tuna fishing trip ranging 20-35 miles east of Avalon encountered 2 AUDUBON'S SHEARWATERS, 2 GREATER SHEARWATERS, 10 CORY'S SHEARWATERS, 2 COMMON LOONS and 25 WILSON'S STORM-PETRELS on 7/28.

2 AMERICAN GOLDEN-PLOVERS and an UPLAND SANDPIPER were noted from Cape May Pt. State Park on 7/29. A pair of PECTORAL SANDPIPERS were seen there on 7/30. An AMERICAN BITTERN flew out of Lighthouse Pond on 7/25.

Reports from the South Cape May Meadows/CMMBR this week included 3 COMMON MOORHENS and BLUE-WINGED TEAL on 7/24; BLACK TERN and CATTLE EGRET on 7/27. 6 CATTLE EGRETS were seen in West Cape May on 7/27.

Multiple LESSER BLACK-BACKED GULLS continue to be seen along the beachfront between Cape May Pt. State Park and the Meadows.

5 WILD TURKEYS were spotted along New England Road, across from Hidden Valley WMA, on 7/25.


ANNOUNCEMENTS:

*CMBO's Center for Research & Education in Goshen will be closed for inventory on August 27th and 28th.*

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!

Pectoral Sandpipers, American Kestrel at the State Park

Two Pectoral Sandpipers joined the dowitchers, yellowlegs, Least Sandpipers, and Spotted Sandpipers on the second plover pond at Cape May Point State Park. The pecs were my first of "fall." Other shorebirds included 6 Whimbrel flying across the bay before the Bird Walk for All People began, as well as a Piping Plover with 2 tiny chicks on the first plover pond. The Greater Yellowlegs with the bad left leg is still around, today on Bunker Pond..

The female American Kestrel flying down the beach past the Bunker was another first of "fall" for me, although one (this bird?) has been reported before. Winds right at this moment are northwest, so this could be a new one.

Suddenly there are swallows, Tree Swallows mainly - I e-Birded 100 but there easily could have been more.

Perhaps the funniest moment this morning came before the walk when a very new juvenile Snowy Egret flew over, tried to land on a bush near the parking lot and failed, and then landed in the parking lot, standing there and looking around as if to say, "Hey, this isn't water!?" Among the butterflies this morning were a very fresh and lovely American Copper, a Monarch, a Buckeye, and Black and Spicebush Swallowtails.

Our full bird list is below.

Location: Cape May Point SP
Observation date: 7/30/09
Notes: CMBO Bird Walk for All People. Missed Mute Swan!
Number of species: 57

Canada Goose 40
Mallard 20
Great Blue Heron 1 juv
Great Egret 1
Snowy Egret 1 juv landed in parking lot before walk, all yellow legs and pale bill
Green Heron 1
Glossy Ibis 50
Black Vulture 2
Turkey Vulture 2
Osprey 5
American Kestrel 1 female flew down beach towards bunker
Semipalmated Plover 1 heard overhead
Piping Plover 4 2 very small chicks first plover pond
Killdeer 10
American Oystercatcher 2
Spotted Sandpiper 8
Greater Yellowlegs 5
Lesser Yellowlegs 45
Whimbrel 6 flying low across bay before walk
Least Sandpiper 10
Pectoral Sandpiper 2
Short-billed Dowitcher 15
Laughing Gull 75 sev juvs
Herring Gull 10
Great Black-backed Gull 10
Least Tern 75
Gull-billed Tern 1
Common Tern 100
Forster's Tern 1
Royal Tern 1 before walk
Black Skimmer 40
Rock Pigeon 10
Northern Flicker 2
Eastern Kingbird 2
Fish Crow 5
Purple Martin 100
Tree Swallow 100
Northern Rough-winged Swallow 5
Barn Swallow 25
Carolina Chickadee 5
Tufted Titmouse 5
Carolina Wren 5
House Wren 1
American Robin 10
Northern Mockingbird 6
European Starling 10
Cedar Waxwing 15
Yellow Warbler 2 overhead
Common Yellowthroat 3
Song Sparrow 2
Northern Cardinal 2
Indigo Bunting 2
Red-winged Blackbird 25
Common Grackle 5
House Finch 1
American Goldfinch 5
House Sparrow 10

Breeders, Shorebirds, Pelicans - State Park

"...The walk at the state park produced both breeding birds and some migrants. The usually reliable Orchard Orioles were difficult to find today although one was singing close by, Indigo Buntings are still reliable and a few shore birds were found at the Plover Ponds, including a Piping Plover with chicks and several migrant Short-billed Dowitchers, Least Sandpipers, and both Yellowlegs. Brown-headed Cowbirds were everywhere."

- Karl, (David, Patty, Tom)


Location: Cape May Point SP
Observation date: 7/29/09
Notes: CMBO Trip-K,DL,PR,T,+6.PtlySun,78,S10.
Number of species: 62

Canada Goose 15
Mute Swan 6
Mallard 10
Brown Pelican 4
Great Egret 1
Snowy Egret 1
Glossy Ibis 40
Turkey Vulture 1
Osprey 3
Semipalmated Plover 3
Piping Plover 4
Killdeer 5
American Oystercatcher 3
Spotted Sandpiper 4
Greater Yellowlegs 1
Lesser Yellowlegs 10
Whimbrel 1
Sanderling 1
Least Sandpiper 4
Short-billed Dowitcher 12
Laughing Gull 30
Ring-billed Gull 1
Herring Gull 10
Great Black-backed Gull 10
Least Tern 50
Common Tern 20
Forster's Tern 20
Black Skimmer 18
Rock Pigeon 2
Mourning Dove 8
Chimney Swift 4
Ruby-throated Hummingbird 2
Northern Flicker 1
Eastern Kingbird 4
Blue Jay 1 heard
American Crow 2
Fish Crow 8
Purple Martin 50
Tree Swallow 8
Northern Rough-winged Swallow 2
Bank Swallow 1
Barn Swallow 10
Carolina Chickadee 1
Carolina Wren 5
House Wren 1
American Robin 20
Gray Catbird 1
Northern Mockingbird 4
European Starling 15
Cedar Waxwing 6
Yellow Warbler 6
Common Yellowthroat 5
Song Sparrow 1
Northern Cardinal 5
Indigo Bunting 2
Red-winged Blackbird 25
Common Grackle 15
Brown-headed Cowbird 50
Orchard Oriole 1 heard
House Finch 3
American Goldfinch 2
House Sparrow 5

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

Somer's Point Evening Cruise

Last evening's weekly cruise through the Great Egg Harbor Bay produced a number of highlights, even though breezy conditions, and perhaps a low tide, possibly suppressed the number of birds seen. The Duke o' Fluke encountered both Night-Herons with regularity, as well as the two scarcer herons and quite a few southbound shorebirds, including 18 Whimbrel and 83 Short-billed Dowitchers. There were a few juvenile Osprey stretching their wings under the watchful eyes of their parents, and numbers of juvenile Laughing Gulls are also on the rise. Oh, and the number of Black Skimmers on Malibu Beach is just truly impressive- I hear that over 1,000 were counted there last weekend.

Trip list is included below.

Location: Great Egg Harbor Bay Cruise
Observation date: 7/28/09
Number of species: 42

American Black Duck 7
Double-crested Cormorant 9
Great Egret 54
Snowy Egret 36
Little Blue Heron 7
Tricolored Heron 6
Black-crowned Night-Heron 26
Yellow-crowned Night-Heron 24
Glossy Ibis 28
Osprey 42
Clapper Rail 13
Black-bellied Plover 1
Semipalmated Plover 3
American Oystercatcher 23
Greater Yellowlegs 4
Willet (Eastern) 1
Lesser Yellowlegs 3
Whimbrel 18
Sanderling 6
Semipalmated Sandpiper 15
Least Sandpiper 3
Short-billed Dowitcher 83
Laughing Gull 792 (61 juveniles)
Herring Gull 188
Great Black-backed Gull 68
Least Tern 38
Common Tern 147
Forster's Tern 1
Black Skimmer 750
Rock Pigeon 3
Mourning Dove 2
Fish Crow 38
Purple Martin 6
Barn Swallow 4
Marsh Wren 1
European Starling 75
Seaside Sparrow 9 (counted by K. Rossner)
Song Sparrow 1
Red-winged Blackbird 91
Common Grackle 1
Boat-tailed Grackle 54
House Sparrow 3

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

RUTU in a Neat Spot

Bob Claussen sent me a note that yesterday afternoon there was a Ruddy Turnstone sitting with the terns on the railing of the platform on the south side of Bunker Pond.

Audubon's + Other Shearwaters, Storm-petrels and Loons Offshore

Yesterday on a tuna fishing expedition with Mike Fritz, mostly 20-35 miles more or less east of Avalon, we encountered several pelagic species of interest.

For the first 12 or so miles out of Cold Spring Inlet it was pretty quiet, with only a few Wilson's Storm Petrels. 12 miles out we bumped into two Common Loons, swimming together. Interestingly, on the way back in we went past almost the exact spot and the two were still there.

Beginning about 20 miles offshore we began encountering more storm-petrels and the first shearwaters. Cory's was the most common shearwater on the day, with about 10 of them. We also observed 2 Greater Shearwaters, and of most interest, 2 Audubon's Shearwaters, both of which came over to investigate the boat for nice, close looks. Both Sibley's Birds of Cape May (1997) and Birds of New Jersey (1999) considered Audubon's a very rare visitor summer and early fall, though they are almost certainly annual and can occur in fair numbers. Many reports of this warm-water species are within 40 miles of shore - our first was 20-25 miles out.

Bird life was not abundant out there on this trip, just a few Laughing Gulls and Common Terns and a couple distant swallows (sp.), in addition to the species above.

Meadows Report, 6 (!) Cattle Egrets, and Thoughts on the Whistling-duck

After some investigation, Michael O'Brien has suggested that the lack of claws on the Black-bellied Whistling-duck does not necessarily prove captive origin, there could be some other explanation. If anyone has any knowledge of this, please let us know.

A bright hatch year male Prairie Warbler was a nice find along the west path at the Cape May Meadows/TNC Cape May Migratory Bird Refuge this morning, though it was perhaps bested by the adult Black Tern that flew over. The warbler could have wandered over from Higbee beach, where they breed, or could have been from farther afield. I hear it or another was there yesterday.

5 Sanderlings were on the beach, the first we've had there, though they have appeared on other shores in recent days. An adult male Blue Grosbeak sang cooperatively behind the TNC shed at the entrance, as did an Indigo Bunting, and a Cattle Egret flew over at the start of the walk.

On leaving the meadows, I passed 6 more Cattle Egrets, all in nice breeding plumage, in a little meadow along Broadway, on the left if you are headed towards the West Cape May bridge. This is a high count away from their lingering "stronghold" in Salem County, where birds breeding on Pea Patch Island appear.

The full meadows list is below.

Location: South Cape May Meadows
Observation date: 7/27/09
Notes: CMBO Meadows walk
Number of species: 68

Canada Goose 100
Mute Swan 30
Mallard 75
Brown Pelican 1
Double-crested Cormorant 1
Great Blue Heron 1
Great Egret 5
Snowy Egret 1
Cattle Egret 1 flyover, 6 were along broadway later
Green Heron 1
Black-crowned Night-Heron 2
Glossy Ibis 10
Turkey Vulture 1
Osprey 2
Piping Plover 2
Killdeer 10
American Oystercatcher 2
Spotted Sandpiper 3
Greater Yellowlegs 5
Willet (Western) 2
Lesser Yellowlegs 15
Sanderling 5
Least Sandpiper 10
Short-billed Dowitcher 10
Laughing Gull 155
Ring-billed Gull 10
Herring Gull 40
Lesser Black-backed Gull 4
Great Black-backed Gull 40
Least Tern 50
Black Tern 1
Common Tern 25
Forster's Tern 10
Royal Tern 2
Black Skimmer 40
Rock Pigeon 2
Mourning Dove 25
Chimney Swift 25
Ruby-throated Hummingbird 3
Northern Flicker 1
White-eyed Vireo 1
Fish Crow 5
Purple Martin 50
Tree Swallow 5
Northern Rough-winged Swallow 5
Bank Swallow 5
Barn Swallow 15
Tufted Titmouse 1
Carolina Wren 1
House Wren 1
Marsh Wren 3
American Robin 10
Gray Catbird 1
Northern Mockingbird 5
European Starling 44
Cedar Waxwing 10
Yellow Warbler 10
Prairie Warbler 1
Common Yellowthroat 3
Northern Cardinal 5
Blue Grosbeak 1
Indigo Bunting 1
Bobolink 3
Red-winged Blackbird 25
Common Grackle 10
House Finch 10
American Goldfinch 10
House Sparrow 20

There's a problem with the duck. . .

[See a problem? Check the foot. Photo by Don Freiday, click to enlarge.]

"Does it have a hind claw?"

Turns out the answer to Michael O'Brien's question was not only no, but careful examination in the field and of photos reveal that the Black-bellied Whistling Duck appears to have NO claws on either foot. Not good evidence for a bird of wild provenance. A quick check of a couple sources reveals no logical explanation, other than that they were cut or pulled.

[Right foot, too. Photo by Don Freiday, click to enlarge.]

[The Black-bellied Whistling-duck flew just fine, but this photo reveals another problem with the bird. Mallards can vary in size, but compare the whistling-duck to the Mallard in this photo, and then check the measurements listed in Sibley or Pyle. Photo by Don Freiday, click to enlarge.]

Whistling-Duck Update, Photo

[Black-bellied Whistling-Duck on Lighthouse Pond this afternoon.
Photo by Karl Lukens, click to enlarge.]

The Black-bellied Whistling-Duck continued this evening on the dock/platform next to the bird blind at Lighthouse Pond, where I left it at 6:00pm. To get to the bird's current location, park at the far east end of the Cape May Pt. State Park lot, find the start of the walking trail system, and continue left along the red trail. After only 100 feet or so, there will be a sign for a bird blind- walk the narrow boardwalk toward the blind, and the bird is visible to the left.

Stay tuned for updates.

(Edit: Don Freiday reports that the duck continues in the same location, as of 7:05pm.)

Birds Of The State Park, 7/25

[A fine comparison of Common (foreground) and Forster's Terns,
as seen by this morning's CMBO walk at Cape May Point State Park.
Photo by Karl Lukens, click to enlarge.]

"CMBO Cape May Point Walk. A good number of species were found at the State Park this morning, although we never did run into the Black-bellied Whistling Duck that was seen/heard at the Park and the Meadow. Purple Martins continue on most available perches. Shore birds are still not back in numbers, but we still found a few of several species. Nice comparison of Common and Forster's Terns sitting on the pier railing at Bunker Pond."

- Karl, (Kathy, Roger, Warren, Tom)


Location: Cape May Point SP
Observation date: 7/25/09
Notes: CMBO Trip-K,K&RH,WC,+6.PtlySun,78,S7.
Number of species: 65

Canada Goose 15
Mute Swan 8
Mallard 10
Double-crested Cormorant 3
Great Blue Heron 1
Great Egret 2
Snowy Egret 1
Green Heron 1
Glossy Ibis 15
Turkey Vulture 1
Osprey 3
Semipalmated Plover 2
Piping Plover 4
Killdeer 6
American Oystercatcher 2
Spotted Sandpiper 1
Greater Yellowlegs 1 heard
Lesser Yellowlegs 7
Ruddy Turnstone 3
Least Sandpiper 12
Short-billed Dowitcher 12
Laughing Gull 30
Herring Gull 10
Great Black-backed Gull 35
Least Tern 50
Common Tern 25
Forster's Tern 25
Black Skimmer 8
Rock Pigeon 3
Mourning Dove 5
Chimney Swift 6
Ruby-throated Hummingbird 2
Red-bellied Woodpecker 1
Downy Woodpecker 1 heard
Eastern Kingbird 2
Blue Jay 1
American Crow 5
Fish Crow 10
Purple Martin 75
Tree Swallow 4
Northern Rough-winged Swallow 2
Bank Swallow 1
Barn Swallow 5
Carolina Chickadee 8
Tufted Titmouse 1
Carolina Wren 5
House Wren 4
Blue-gray Gnatcatcher 1
American Robin 8
Gray Catbird 1
Northern Mockingbird 1
European Starling 15
Cedar Waxwing 5
Yellow Warbler 6
Common Yellowthroat 5
Song Sparrow 1
Northern Cardinal 5
Indigo Bunting 4
Red-winged Blackbird 30
Common Grackle 10
Brown-headed Cowbird 25
Orchard Oriole 3
House Finch 5
American Goldfinch 5
House Sparrow 10

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

Black-bellied Whistling Duck

Karl Lukens reported that the Black-bellied Whistling Duck was on Lighthouse Pond at Cape May Point State Park at 3:15 p.m. Lighthouse pond is the one next to Lighthouse Ave, best viewed from the Red Trail at the State Park - go to the bird blind.

Wild [Black-bellied Whistling-] Duck Chase, Turkeys, Bittern

Vince Elia heard and then spotted a single Black-bellied Whistling Duck over the South Cape May Meadows/Cape May Migratory Bird refuge early this morning. He texted a bunch of us, just to torment us, I figure. I was at Higbee at the time, and since Vince said the bird was headed northwest, I ran up to the dike (bring muck boots if you try this, there's a very unpleasant puddle at the base of the dike) and saw. . .nothing. Well, there were some shorebirds at the top of the dike, the star attraction being a lone Western Sandpiper mixed with a lot of Leasts and a few Semipalmated Sandpipers and dowitchers.

Then Vince called me again to tell me the whistling-duck had come back and dropped down somewhere between the meadows and the state park, maybe the plover pond with the osprey platform. Great. Driving out of Higbee, I spotted about 5 Wild Turkeys along New England Road opposite Hidden Valley (a Cape Island lifer for me, I'd only found droppings until today.)

On arrival at the state park, I headed up the Red Trail and almost immediately heard the Black-bellied Whistling Duck - a sound I dialed in on in northwestern Mexico many years ago, where the locals call this bird "Pichihuili," not the worst rendition of its call. But, thus far, it has not been seen again. While I was chatting with Tom Parsons, a surprising American Bittern circled Lighthouse Pond and headed towards the Meadows. There was an American Bittern report earlier this month, seen from Sunset Boulevard flying into the meadows.

The Piping Plover pair at the state park still has two chicks, which they seem to be keeping closely guarded at the second plover pond. In a few days the chicks will be too big for Fish Crows to eat, here's hoping.

Higbee, landbird wise, was pretty dead, although I did hit a group of 7 Yellow Warblers at the south side of the first field, and there were more of these at the state park. Singers at Higbee included Blue Grosbeak, Indigo Bunting, Great-crested Flycatcher, and a maybe, distant chuck from a Yellow-breasted Chat, not sure about that one. Brown Thrashers get very secretive in summer, so it was nice to see two well-grown juveniles along the blue trail at the state park while I was looking for the duck.

Common Moorhen, Blue-winged Teal In The Meadows

[One of five Great Egrets seen during last evening's walk.
Photo by Karl Lukens, click to enlarge.]

Karl Lukens reports that the weekly Friday evening walk around the South Cape May Meadows produced 53 species, with highlights including three Common Moorhens, a Blue-winged Teal and over five dozen Glossy Ibis. All three of these species are typical "early-fall" migrants, with Glossies actually starting to move as early as the last ten days of June. It'll be interesting to see if Moorhens start to become more of a regular commodity at the Meadows, now that the effects of the restoration are taking hold.

The walk also encountered a few shorebirds, including a nice tally of 17 Semipalmated Plovers, along with two "Western" Willets. The full list is included below.

[Two Common Moorhens along the east path of the Meadows last evening.
The white "racing stripe" is just barely visible on the bird standing to the right.
Photo by Karl Lukens, click to enlarge.]

Location: South Cape May Meadows
Observation date: 7/24/09
Notes: CMBO Trip-K,K&RH,PR,WC,+8.PtlySun,73,S5
Number of species: 53

Canada Goose 40
Mute Swan 10
Wood Duck 2
Mallard 25
Blue-winged Teal 1
Great Egret 5
Snowy Egret 4
Green Heron 1
Black-crowned Night-Heron 5
Glossy Ibis 65
Osprey 3
Common Moorhen 3
Semipalmated Plover 17
Killdeer 15
American Oystercatcher 3
Spotted Sandpiper 4
Greater Yellowlegs 1
Willet 2 * inornata (Western)
Lesser Yellowlegs 5
Least Sandpiper 4
Laughing Gull 50
Ring-billed Gull 4
Herring Gull 18
Great Black-backed Gull 30
Least Tern 20
Common Tern 10
Forster's Tern 10
Black Skimmer 12
Rock Pigeon 1
Mourning Dove 10
Chimney Swift 8
Ruby-throated Hummingbird 1
Northern Flicker 1
Eastern Kingbird 2
Fish Crow 1
Purple Martin 10
Northern Rough-winged Swallow 1
Barn Swallow 2
Marsh Wren 3
American Robin 2
Northern Mockingbird 2
European Starling 15
Yellow Warbler 3
Common Yellowthroat 3 heard
Song Sparrow 1
Northern Cardinal 4
Indigo Bunting 1 heard after walk
Red-winged Blackbird 30
Common Grackle 10
Brown-headed Cowbird 5
House Finch 1
American Goldfinch 5
House Sparrow 5

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

CAPE MAY BIRDING HOTLINE - July 23, 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, July 23rd, 2009.

Highlights this week include sightings of ROSEATE SPOONBILL, WHITE-WINGED SCOTER, BLACK SCOTER, GREATER SHEARWATER, WILSON'S STORM-PETREL, AMERICAN AVOCET, UPLAND SANDPIPER, WESTERN SANDPIPER, STILT SANDPIPER, LESSER BLACK-BACKED GULL, GULL-BILLED TERN, ROSEATE TERN, SANDWICH TERN, ACADIAN FLYCATCHER, WORM-EATING WARBLER, and SUMMER TANAGER.

-- For more up-to-the-minute Cape May sightings information and a downloadable 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 ROSEATE SPOONBILL was discovered along the north dike at Brig/Forsythe NWR on 7/18 and continued through at least 7/22. Also at Brig this week were AMERICAN AVOCET and STILT SANDPIPER.

2 ROSEATE TERNS were seen together on the beach between St. Mary's and Whilldin Avenue in Cape May Point on 7/18. Also seen from Cape May Point this week were GREATER SHEARWATER and WILSON'S STORM-PETREL.

A WHITE-WINGED SCOTER was seen from Norbury's Landing on 7/19. A BLACK SCOTER continues to be seen along the beachfront adjacent to the South Cape May Meadows/CMMBR.

Also along the Meadows beachfront this week have been at least 5 LESSER BLACK-BACKED GULLS. An UPLAND SANDPIPER flew over the Meadows on 7/20, and a GULL-BILLED TERN was seen along the east path on 7/22.

A WORM-EATING WARBLER was noted from the Higbee dike on 7/19. Breeding birds noted at Belleplain State Forest this week included ACADIAN FLYCATCHER and SUMMER TANAGER.


ANNOUNCEMENTS:

*CMBO's Northwood Center will be closed for inventory on July 28th and 29th. CMBO-CRE will be closed for inventory August 27th and 28th.*

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!

Shorebirds et. al. at the State Park, Sandwich Tern up the Bay

Shorebirds continue at a trickle, based on the Cape May Point State Park walk this morning. Plenty of Leasts, a very few Semipalmated Sandpipers - only 1 this morning, though I had 25 semis with 60+ Leasts up the bay yesterday, at Norbury's Landing. At least 2 Solitary Sandpipers were flying around the state park this morning, along with dowitchers and a few yellowlegs.

We pished out a little mixed flock near the end of the Red trail that contained 2 Blue-Gray Gnatcatchers and a juvenile Pine Warbler. Wonder where the gnatcatchers came from, but suspect north of the canal.

Last night a Sandwich Tern dropped briefly onto a sand bar at Norbury's Landing before continuing north up the bay. This was pretty unusual, since you don't even see Common Terns much up the bay (Norbury's is about 10 miles from the point), and I've never really heard of a Sandwich that far in.

There's this semi-weird weather pattern in Cape May at present, with a low coming up from the Carolinas hanging just offshore and dropping a lot of rain offshore. Onshore it's humid and not all that windy - what wind there is is from the east north-east. Wish I had a little time to seawatch. . .

Piping Plovers at the state park continue to get hammered, unfortunately, mainly by Fish Crows. The next-to-last brood, with 4 chicks, that we saw last week is down to 2 chicks. One plover is still incubating.

The full list from the state park this morning follows.

Location: Cape May Point SP
Observation date: 7/23/09
Notes: CMBO Bird Walk for all People
Number of species: 59

Canada Goose 20
Mute Swan 15
Mallard 10
Great Egret 2
Snowy Egret 1
Black-crowned Night-Heron 1
Glossy Ibis 15
Osprey 1
Semipalmated Plover 1
Piping Plover 2
Killdeer 5
American Oystercatcher 1
Spotted Sandpiper 1
Solitary Sandpiper 1
Greater Yellowlegs 2
Semipalmated Sandpiper 1
Least Sandpiper 15
Short-billed Dowitcher 25
Laughing Gull X
Ring-billed Gull 3
Herring Gull 15
Great Black-backed Gull 20
Least Tern 50
Common Tern 10
Forster's Tern 35
Rock Pigeon 5
Mourning Dove 5
Chimney Swift 1
Ruby-throated Hummingbird 2
Red-bellied Woodpecker 2
Downy Woodpecker 3
Northern Flicker 1
Eastern Kingbird 5
Fish Crow 15
Purple Martin 25
Tree Swallow 10
Northern Rough-winged Swallow 5
Bank Swallow 5
Barn Swallow 5
Carolina Chickadee 10
Tufted Titmouse 3
Carolina Wren 5
House Wren 2
Blue-gray Gnatcatcher 2
American Robin 20
Gray Catbird 1
Northern Mockingbird 5
European Starling 25
Yellow Warbler 4
Pine Warbler 1
Common Yellowthroat 3
Song Sparrow 2
Northern Cardinal 5
Indigo Bunting 1
Red-winged Blackbird 50
Common Grackle 10
Brown-headed Cowbird 20
House Finch 5
House Sparrow 15

Gull-billed Tern, Gadwall Ducklings and More, SCMM

The east path of the Meadows was hopping this evening, with highlights including a Gull-billed Tern hunting the marshy area behind the "gull island," as well as a hen Gadwall with 11 youngsters in tow. Gadwall is an uncommon (though annual) breeding bird in the area, so it's always a treat to see young ones.

Four "Western" Willets flew over calling, and another was feeding on the beach. Also on the beach was the continuing Black Scoter, along with at least three Lesser Black-backed Gulls. A trio of Brown Pelicans evidently flew out of the bay, and continued south into the ocean. A noisy Royal Tern also flew past.

There was a fair variety of shorebirds, though almost everything came in 2's, 3's and 4's, including Black-bellied Plover, Semipalmated Plover, Least and Semipalmated Sandpipers, Spotted Sandpiper, both yellowlegs and Short-billed Dowitcher.

Baby Beach Birds At The State Park

[Juvenile Least Tern on the beach at Cape May Point State Park this morning.
Two Piping Plover chicks were also seen. Hopefully there's more to come!
Photo by Karl Lukens, click to enlarge.]

Here's the word from this morning's walk at the State Park:

"...A mix of the usual breeding birds which are getting quieter, and some new shorebirds. About 10 Least Sandpipers, a Spotted and a Solitary Sandpiper were presumed newly arrived. Purple Martins seemed to be on every dead snag, with youngsters begging for food. One juvenile Least Tern was found on the beach. Also met some friendly deer on the trail."

- Karl, (Warren, Patty, Tom)

[White-tailed Deer crossing a State Park trail this morning.
Photo by Karl Lukens, click to enlarge.]

Location: Cape May Point SP
Observation date: 7/22/09
Notes: CMBO Trip-K,WC,T,PR,+3.PtlyCldy,72,SW5.
Number of species: 57

Canada Goose 25
Mute Swan 10
Mallard 20
Double-crested Cormorant 2
Great Blue Heron 1
Great Egret 4
Snowy Egret 1
Green Heron 1
Glossy Ibis 12
Turkey Vulture 5
Osprey 2
Piping Plover 6 two chicks
Killdeer 10
American Oystercatcher 2
Spotted Sandpiper 1
Solitary Sandpiper 1
Least Sandpiper 10
Short-billed Dowitcher 7
Laughing Gull 30
Ring-billed Gull 1
Herring Gull 5
Great Black-backed Gull 10
Least Tern 50
Common Tern 5
Forster's Tern 5
Rock Pigeon 2
Mourning Dove 6
Chimney Swift 2
Ruby-throated Hummingbird 2
Eastern Kingbird 2
American Crow 1
Fish Crow 8
Purple Martin 75 lots on dead snags
Tree Swallow 2
Bank Swallow 2
Barn Swallow 5
Carolina Chickadee 2
Carolina Wren 5
Blue-gray Gnatcatcher 2
American Robin 10
Gray Catbird 2
Northern Mockingbird 3
European Starling 12
Cedar Waxwing 5
Yellow Warbler 2
Common Yellowthroat 5 heard
Yellow-breasted Chat 1 heard
Song Sparrow 1
Northern Cardinal 5
Indigo Bunting 1
Red-winged Blackbird 15
Common Grackle 10
Brown-headed Cowbird 10
Orchard Oriole 4 ad male 2, femal 2
House Finch 5
American Goldfinch 2
House Sparrow 10

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

Greater Shearwater, Wilson's Storm-Petrel Off Cape May Pt.

In addition to Don's notes, a late-morning seawatch from the second dune crossover at Cape May Pt. State Park on Monday produced a Greater Shearwater feeding with 100 or so Laughing Gulls about half a mile offshore, as well as a single Wilson's Storm-Petrel in a bit closer.

There were 5 Lesser Black-backed Gulls on the beach between the Meadows and the State Park, in addition to two juvenile Laughing Gulls tagging along with their parents at the Meadows plover pond.

Uppie, White-winged Scoter

Before this morning's meadows walk began, I had an Upland Sandpiper fly over the TNC parking lot, headed northwest i.e. towards Higbee, or Pond Creek. Uppies trickle through beginning in late June - such a small trickle it was great to see this one.

A very contrasting bird was the White-winged Scoter floating off Norbury's Landing last night.

Yesterday morning three Western Sandpipers, apparent females based on their bills, flew past me at Alexander Avenue, briefly joining two Western Willets before outdistancing them and continuing across the bay. Four Brown Pelicans flew over the state park, and I heard about Greater Shearwater in the rips and a migrant Worm-eating Warbler seen from the Higbee Dike by Tony Leukering. Now's the time to begin thinking about those ultra early migrants after every cold front, although it doesn't really pick up passerine wise until August. Louisiana Waterthrush and Ovenbird are two others to look for in late July - neither breed on Cape Island, so if you find one south of the canal, it's a migrant.

We found the continuing Black Scoter on this morning's walk, standing on the beach off the meadows. Remarkably, we missed Forster's Tern this morning, crazy. There were plenty of other birds to keep us occupied, however. Nothing outlandish, just a nice trickle of migrants plus the locals. The male Bobolink sitting up on a reed at the start of the walk was a highlight; the idiotic jogger who ran along the dune and through the tern colony was definitely not. I yelled to chase him out of there, but he just veered off and kept going. When we reported the incident to TNC staff, we learned they had an encounter with perhaps the same individual yesterday. They are watching for him.

Other observations including plenty of young swallows accompanying parents, mostly Purple Martins and Barns, and a more or less expected assortment of shorebirds. The full list from this morning follows.

Location: South Cape May Meadows
Observation date: 7/20/09
Notes: CMBO Monday Meadows Walk
Number of species: 70

Canada Goose 150
Mute Swan 28
Gadwall 10
Mallard 25
Black Scoter 1
Double-crested Cormorant 2
Great Blue Heron 3
Great Egret 8
Snowy Egret 5
Green Heron 3
Black-crowned Night-Heron 1 pre-walk
Glossy Ibis 30
Black Vulture 1
Turkey Vulture 5
Osprey 5
Black-bellied Plover 1
Semipalmated Plover 1
Piping Plover 5
Killdeer 25
American Oystercatcher 3
Spotted Sandpiper 5
Greater Yellowlegs 5
Willet 2
Lesser Yellowlegs 10
Upland Sandpiper 1 flyover pre-walk
Least Sandpiper 25
Short-billed Dowitcher 15
Laughing Gull X
Ring-billed Gull 5
Herring Gull 50
Lesser Black-backed Gull 1
Great Black-backed Gull 50
Least Tern 50
Common Tern 35 missed forster's!
Royal Tern 1
Black Skimmer 1
Rock Pigeon 10
Mourning Dove 25
Chimney Swift 35
Ruby-throated Hummingbird 3
Northern Flicker (Yellow-shafted) 1
Eastern Kingbird 5
White-eyed Vireo 1
American Crow 10
Fish Crow 20
Purple Martin 50
Tree Swallow 5
Northern Rough-winged Swallow 5
Bank Swallow 5
Barn Swallow 20
Tufted Titmouse 1
Carolina Wren 5
House Wren 1
Marsh Wren 2
American Robin 15
Northern Mockingbird 3
European Starling 25
Cedar Waxwing 10
Yellow Warbler 5
Common Yellowthroat 6
Song Sparrow 1
Northern Cardinal 5
Indigo Bunting 1 pre-walk
Bobolink 15 incl male in body molt in scope
Red-winged Blackbird 30
Common Grackle 8
Brown-headed Cowbird 10
House Finch 5
American Goldfinch 5
House Sparrow 25

2 Roseate Terns, Cape May Pt.

Glen Davis sent word at 11am that there were 2 Roseate Terns sitting on the beach between St. Mary's (Lehigh Ave) and Whilldin Ave, in Cape May Point.

Meadows, State Park Notes

First, here's this morning's report from the State Park, courtesy of Karl Lukens:

"CMBO Cape May Point Walk at the State Park. Some movement of shorebirds with numerous Short-billed Dowitcher fly-overs, and also a Whimbrel. Purple Martins were out and about with most dead snags having multiple fledgling martins waiting to be fed."

- Karl (Roger, Kathy, Warren, Gary)

Location: Cape May Point SP
Observation date: 7/18/09
Notes: CMBO Trip-K,R&KH,WC,GD,+2.Clr,70,NW10.
Number of species: 58

Canada Goose 20
Mute Swan 10
Mallard 25
Great Blue Heron 2
Great Egret 3
Snowy Egret 6
Glossy Ibis 38
Turkey Vulture 3
Osprey 5
Piping Plover 2
Killdeer 11
American Oystercatcher 4
Whimbrel 1
Least Sandpiper 4
Short-billed Dowitcher 18
Laughing Gull 50
Ring-billed Gull 1
Herring Gull 10
Great Black-backed Gull 15
Least Tern 25
Common Tern 35
Forster's Tern 35
Royal Tern 3
Black Skimmer 1
Rock Pigeon 2
Mourning Dove 6
Chimney Swift 4
Ruby-throated Hummingbird 2
Red-bellied Woodpecker 1
Downy Woodpecker 1
Eastern Kingbird 2
White-eyed Vireo 1 heard
American Crow 1
Fish Crow 3
Purple Martin 75
Tree Swallow 3
Northern Rough-winged Swallow 5
Bank Swallow 1
Barn Swallow 5
Carolina Chickadee 1
Carolina Wren 5
House Wren 2
American Robin 25
Gray Catbird 1 after walk
Northern Mockingbird 2
European Starling 10
Cedar Waxwing 4
Common Yellowthroat 5
Yellow-breasted Chat 1
Northern Cardinal 6
Indigo Bunting 2 heard
Red-winged Blackbird 15
Common Grackle 15
Brown-headed Cowbird 25
Orchard Oriole 3
House Finch 2
American Goldfinch 1
House Sparrow 5

------------

Next, a summary of last evening's walk in the Meadows:

"CMBO Evening Walk at "The Meadows", TNC. Good waders, including 6 Black-crowned Night-Herons, Gulls & Terns, and some returning/migrating shorebirds.One person reported seeing a fleeting glimpse of a Least Bittern, and the Black Scoter seen earlier in the week was still wandering on the beach.

- Karl (Chuck, Mary Jane, Kathy, Roger, Warren, Tom Reed, Patti Reed)

Location: South Cape May Meadows
Observation date: 7/17/09
Notes: CMBO Trip-K,C&MJ,R&KH,WC,TR,+14.Cldy,73,SW10
Number of species: 55

Canada Goose 120
Mute Swan 12
Wood Duck 2
Mallard 30
Black Scoter 1
Great Blue Heron 1
Great Egret 3
Snowy Egret 2
Green Heron 4
Black-crowned Night-Heron 6
Glossy Ibis 40
Turkey Vulture 1
Osprey 5
Semipalmated Plover 9
Piping Plover 4
Killdeer 8
American Oystercatcher 10
Spotted Sandpiper 3
Greater Yellowlegs 2
Willet (Western) 1
Semipalmated Sandpiper 2
Least Sandpiper 5
Short-billed Dowitcher 5
Laughing Gull 75
Ring-billed Gull 1
Herring Gull 25
Lesser Black-backed Gull 1
Great Black-backed Gull 30
Least Tern 40
Common Tern 25
Forster's Tern 25
Royal Tern 4
Black Skimmer 4
Rock Pigeon 2
Mourning Dove 8
Chimney Swift 20
Eastern Kingbird 2
American Crow 1
Fish Crow 4
Purple Martin 15
Tree Swallow 1
Barn Swallow 4
Marsh Wren 4
Northern Mockingbird 3
European Starling 12
Cedar Waxwing 4
Common Yellowthroat 5
Northern Cardinal 4
Indigo Bunting 1
Red-winged Blackbird 12
Common Grackle 12
Brown-headed Cowbird 2
House Finch 3
American Goldfinch 1
House Sparrow 5

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

CAPE MAY BIRDING HOTLINE - July 16, 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, July 16th, 2009.

Highlights this week include reports of BRANT, BLACK SCOTER, CORY'S SHEARWATER, GREATER SHEARWATER, WILSON'S STORM-PETREL, AMERICAN BITTERN, LEAST BITTERN, LITTLE BLUE HERON, TRICOLORED HERON, YELLOW-CROWNED NIGHT-HERON, AMERICAN AVOCET, WESTERN SANDPIPER, LESSER BLACK-BACKED GULL, BLACK TERN, ROSEATE TERN, SANDWICH TERN, BLACK-BILLED CUCKOO, WHIP-POOR-WILL, and SUMMER TANAGER. Also, an announcement regarding the re-opening of CMBO's Center for Research and Education in Goshen.

- 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 NORTHERN SAW-WHET OWL was observed circling a boat in the "rips" off Cape May Point on 7/13.

CORY'S SHEARWATER and GREATER SHEARWATER were noted from Cape May Pt. on 7/12, as well as a ROSEATE TERN on 7/10. WILSON'S STORM-PETREL has also been seen from the Point during the past week.

BLACK TERN and SANDWICH TERN were seen offshore of Cape May Pt. State Park on 7/16.

An AMERICAN BITTERN was noted flying into the South Cape May Meadows/CMMBR on 7/16, and LEAST BITTERN continues there daily. A BLACK SCOTER was on the beach adjacent to the Meadows on 7/13, and LESSER BLACK-BACKED GULLS continue along the beachfront.

4 AMERICAN AVOCETS were found at Brig/Forsythe NWR on 7/12, as well as BRANT and WESTERN SANDPIPER.

A CMBO boat trip to Great Egg Harbor Bay on 7/14 produced 40 YELLOW-CROWNED NIGHT-HERONS, 20 TRICOLORED HERONS and 19 LITTLE BLUE HERONS.

A BLACK-BILLED CUCKOO has been seen throughout the week at the South Cape May Meadows/CMMBR. WHIP-POOR-WILL and SUMMER TANAGER were heard in Bear Swamp near Dividing Creek, Cumberland County on 7/12.

ANNOUNCEMENTS:

**CMBO’s Center for Research and Education in Goshen re-opened on Tuesday, June 30th, 2009. CRE hours will be Tuesday-Saturday 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. CMBO's Northwood Center on East Lake Drive in Cape May Point is open Wednesday - Monday, 9:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.**

*CMBO’s Northwood Center will be closed for inventory on July 28th and 29th. CMBO-CRE will be closed for inventory August 27th and 28th.*

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!

Sandwich and Black Terns in the Rips, Baltimore Orioles, New Plovers

There was no shortage of terns in Cape May Point today, that's for sure, and before our 8:30 a.m. walk Kyle Rossner and I found both Black and Sandwich Terns feeding out in the rips, with 2 Brown Pelicans and hundreds of Common and Forster's Terns. During the walk itself a nice little shorebird movement was evident, with passing Semipalmated Plovers, dowitchers, both yellowlegs, and Semipalmated, Least, Solitary and Spotted Sandpipers. Three Western Willets spent time on the beach, and presumably two of them wound up in the second plover pond. The three Baltimore Orioles we found nectaring on trumpet creeper were also migrants, or at least wanderers, as they do not nest south of the canal.

All the state park Piping Plover nests have failed to produce surviving young this year so far, but there are 2 pairs re-nesting, or were - one of the re-nests hatched very recently, and we saw the parents with 4 tiny downy young near the second plover pond.

The full list follows, including a few birds seen before the walk began.


Location: Cape May Point SP
Observation date: 7/16/09
Notes: CMBO Bird Walk for All People
Number of species: 62

Mute Swan 15
Mallard 10
Brown Pelican 2
Great Egret 1
Snowy Egret 5
Glossy Ibis 15
Osprey 1
Semipalmated Plover 5
Piping Plover 6 Pair with 4 very new downy chicks at 2nd plover pond
Killdeer 5
American Oystercatcher 3
Spotted Sandpiper 1
Solitary Sandpiper 1
Greater Yellowlegs 2
Willet (Western) 4
Lesser Yellowlegs 10
Semipalmated Sandpiper 5
Least Sandpiper 15
Short-billed Dowitcher 15
Laughing Gull 200
Ring-billed Gull 5
Herring Gull 10
Lesser Black-backed Gull 1
Great Black-backed Gull 20
Least Tern 69
Black Tern 1 Before walk. Breeding plumage.
Common Tern 300 wing molt evident in some
Forster's Tern 100 first flying juveniles of summer for me at state park
Royal Tern 2
Sandwich Tern 1 before walk
Black Skimmer 2
Rock Pigeon 5
Mourning Dove 10
Chimney Swift 15
Eastern Kingbird 2
Blue Jay 2
Fish Crow 25
Purple Martin 148
Tree Swallow 5
Northern Rough-winged Swallow 10
Barn Swallow 10
Carolina Chickadee 5
Carolina Wren 1
House Wren 1
American Robin 15
Northern Mockingbird 5
European Starling 20
Cedar Waxwing 10
Yellow Warbler 3
Pine Warbler 1
Common Yellowthroat 3
Northern Cardinal 2
Blue Grosbeak 2
Indigo Bunting 1
Red-winged Blackbird 15
Common Grackle 10
Brown-headed Cowbird 5
Orchard Oriole 2
Baltimore Oriole 3 poss. family group apparently nectaring on trumpet creeper, does not nest on cape island
House Finch 5
American Goldfinch 5
House Sparrow 20

Migration Warming Up; News From The State Park

As evidenced by the last few reports, fall migration is definitely starting to gear up in Cape May. Shorebirds such as yellowlegs, dowitchers and Willets are all on the move right now, and more will join the party in the days ahead. In the past week we've also seen the vanguard movement of several early season passerines, notably Bobolink and Yellow Warbler. Stay tuned for news of the next arriving migrants in Cape May.

Karl Lukens has the following to say about this morning's stroll through Cape May Pt. State Park:

"CMBO Walk at Cape May Point State Park. Again we found the usual suspects, i.e., mostly breeding birds with a few migrants. Numerous good looks at Orchard Orioles, 3 adult males and 3 females. An Orchard Oriole nest was found back near Al's Pond."

- Karl, (Steve, Patty, Carrie, Tom)

Location: Cape May Point SP
Observation date: 7/15/09
Notes: CMBO Trip-K,SW,PR,CB,T,+8.Clr,70,SE5.
Number of species: 48 (species of interest and recent migrants/arrivals boldfaced)

Canada Goose 20
Mute Swan 6
Mallard 20
Double-crested Cormorant 2
Great Egret 3
Glossy Ibis 6
Turkey Vulture 3
Osprey 3
Piping Plover 1
Killdeer 9
American Oystercatcher 2
Spotted Sandpiper 3
Laughing Gull 75
Herring Gull 5
Great Black-backed Gull 5
Least Tern 25
Forster's Tern 3
Rock Pigeon 2
Mourning Dove 6
Belted Kingfisher 1
Eastern Kingbird 4
White-eyed Vireo 1 heard
Blue Jay 3
American Crow 1
Fish Crow 1
Purple Martin 75
Tree Swallow 2
Northern Rough-winged Swallow 1
Bank Swallow 1
Barn Swallow 5
Carolina Chickadee 2
Tufted Titmouse 3
Carolina Wren 5
House Wren 1
American Robin 12
Northern Mockingbird 3
European Starling 10
Cedar Waxwing 3
Common Yellowthroat 6
Northern Cardinal 6
Indigo Bunting 2 heard
Red-winged Blackbird 15
Common Grackle 15
Brown-headed Cowbird 20
Orchard Oriole 6 3 adult male, 3 female
House Finch 4
American Goldfinch 3
House Sparrow 10

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

Where the Herons Are, plus Whimbrel and Clapper Rails

[The relatively unassuming Cowpens Island in Great Egg Harbor Bay is home to a substantial heron rookery. Click for a larger image. Photo by Don Freiday.]

If you're going to get stuck in the mud while boating the back bays at low tide, I heartily recommend Rainbow Channel, in the Great Egg Harbor Bay near Ocean City.

The mud-sticking business certainly wasn't planned, and we'll avoid it on future CMBO boat trips out of Somers Point, but what a heron and egret show we had!

Since the disappearance of the old heron rookery at the Stone Harbor Bird Sancutary, almost entirely abandoned in the early 1990's, finding a place to see significant numbers of the scarcer herons has been problematic and depends largely on using a boat or kayak. In Great Egg Harbor Bay there are multiple heronrys, the largest being on Cowpens Island. We were stuck with good views of that rookery, as well as another on "Bird" island - unnamed on the charts - and a night-heron rookery near the causeway into Ocean City. Using clickers and notebooks, we came up with nice numbers of both night-herons, including an honest 40 Yellow-crowneds, plus Tri-colored Herons, Little Blue Herons, both white herons, and Glossy Ibis (see the list below for the counts).

Whimbrel passed overhead, including a group of about 8 with some dowitchers mixed in, and Clapper Rails put on quite a show foraging on the edges of the marsh. As dusk came, the night-herons became very active and visible - I can't recall ever seeing a Yellow-crowned Night-heron run, but one foraging near the boat did just that, scurrying from one deliberate posing spot to another as it hunted crabs.

Location: Great Egg Harbor Bay & Inlet
Observation date: 7/14/09
Notes: CMBO boat trip out of Somers Point, spent nearly entire time in one location, in Rainbow Channel south of Rte. 52 Bridge, with good views of Bird & Cowpens Islands and the Night-heron Rookery along 52.
Number of species: 35

Canada Goose 20
Mallard 10
Double-crested Cormorant 15 many apparent adults
Great Blue Heron 2
Great Egret 93 actual count clicked by k rossner
Snowy Egret 109 actual count clicked by k rossner
Little Blue Heron 19 actual count
Tricolored Heron 20 actual count
Black-crowned Night-Heron 63 actual count clicked by dpf
Yellow-crowned Night-Heron 40 actual count clicked by dpf
Glossy Ibis 400 could have been more. many apparent juvs roosting in treetops on cowpens island
Osprey 5
Red-tailed Hawk 1 adult, seen in same location as 2 weeks ago in night-heron rookery along Route 52 bridge
Peregrine Falcon 1
Clapper Rail 3
American Oystercatcher 15
Willet 5
Whimbrel 10
Short-billed Dowitcher 15
Laughing Gull X
Herring Gull X
Great Black-backed Gull X
Common Tern 35
Forster's Tern 5
Black Skimmer 15
Rock Pigeon 10
Mourning Dove 5
Fish Crow 100
Purple Martin 40
Barn Swallow 20
Northern Mockingbird 2
European Starling 25
Seaside Sparrow 5
Red-winged Blackbird 10
Boat-tailed Grackle 10

A Few More Early Migrants

While doing some yard work this morning in Reed's Beach, a single Bobolink called as it flew over, and a Blue-gray Gnatcatcher was buzzing around in a Spanish Red Oak. Gnatcatchers don't breed in the immediate vicinity (our property is essentially surrounded by salt marsh), so this bird was either an early migrant, or a wanderer. Numbers of swallows here have increased noticeably over the past three days.

3 Solitary Sandpipers, a "Western" Willet, a Black-bellied Plover and a Semipalmated Plover were in the Meadows this evening, along with 3 Yellow Warblers that dropped in behind the dunes around 7pm.

3 Spotted Sandpipers were drying off after a thunderstorm at the end of the Reed's Beach jetty at dusk.

Heart of Summer, Signs of Fall: Fledged Wood Thrushes, Baby Killdeer, Least Bitterns, Migrant Shorebirds. . .

[Killdeer family along east path at the meadows. Photo by Karl Lukens, click to enlarge.]

At our MAPS Station in Bear Swamp, Cumberland County yesterday we encountered the first HY (Hatch Year) birds of the banding season, in the form of two fully feathered juvenile Wood Thrushes. The Kentucky Warbler has finally stopped singing, but not the Whip-poor-wills, Summer and Scarlet Tanagers, and especially not the Red-eyed Vireos - do they ever stop? The flocked-up Common Grackles passing through Bear Swamp jive well with a decrease in grackles south of the Cape May Canal. It felt like summer yesterday, with hot and heavy air.

On the other hand, a drizzle of shorebirds brightened the meadows/a.k.a. Cape May Migratory Bird Refuge this morning, including small numbers of both yellowlegs, dowitchers, Black-bellied Plover and Willet. Bank Swallows were there, another migrant. And Bobolinks, including a few that dropped into the meadows. One male Bobolink showed heavy wing molt. Two Least Bitterns showed themselves, one near the tower, the other at the east side of the east pool.

What the Black-billed Cuckoo at the south end of the west path is doing is unclear - it flies back and forth, but I haven't heard anyone report it carrying anything (like nesting material, food for young, or fecal sacs.)

A very unhappy looking male Black Scoter stood on the beach off the meadows and had his picture taken by tourists at point-blank range. A few juvenile Piping Plovers were present, a happy sign considering apparently all the Piping Plover chicks on the state park end of the beach were killed, mainly by Fish Crows. Hardly any terns were about, and no seabirds, and yet we nearly reached 70 species on the morning. The full list is below.

Location: South Cape May Meadows
Observation date: 7/13/09
Notes: CMBO Monday walk.
Number of species: 68

Canada Goose 200 Actual count
Mute Swan 31 Clicked by C Bell
Wood Duck 1
Gadwall 5
American Black Duck 1
Mallard 135 clicked by DPF
Black Scoter 1 molting, perhaps sick male on beach
Double-crested Cormorant 3 flyovers just before walk headed NE
Least Bittern 2 one in center pool near tower (flew), one in east pool, east side, both in flight
Great Blue Heron 5 At least one HY with a few downy plumes on the head
Great Egret 3
Snowy Egret 2
Green Heron 5
Black-crowned Night-Heron 4
Glossy Ibis 72 clicked by C Slugg
Black Vulture 1
Turkey Vulture 5
Osprey 10
Black-bellied Plover 3 All with plain bellies
Piping Plover 8 Some HY
Killdeer 10
American Oystercatcher 8
Spotted Sandpiper 3
Greater Yellowlegs 3
Willet 1
Lesser Yellowlegs 5
Short-billed Dowitcher 5
Laughing Gull 75
Ring-billed Gull 1
Herring Gull 40
Great Black-backed Gull 40
Least Tern 50
Common Tern 25
Forster's Tern 5 Where were they?
Black Skimmer 1
Rock Pigeon 10
Mourning Dove 40
Black-billed Cuckoo 1
Chimney Swift 35
Ruby-throated Hummingbird 1
Downy Woodpecker 1
White-eyed Vireo 2
American Crow 5
Fish Crow 15
Purple Martin 8
Tree Swallow 1
Northern Rough-winged Swallow 5
Bank Swallow 3
Barn Swallow 30
Carolina Chickadee 1
Tufted Titmouse 1
House Wren 1
Marsh Wren 2
American Robin 10
Gray Catbird 1
Northern Mockingbird 5
European Starling 15
Yellow Warbler 5
Common Yellowthroat 5
Song Sparrow 3 2 in dune thicket giving flight notes, one song elsewhere
Northern Cardinal 8
Indigo Bunting 4
Bobolink 15 noticed 1 male heavy wing molt
Red-winged Blackbird 25
Common Grackle 19 clicked by J Crawford, Many apparently already flocked up and moved off island
Brown-headed Cowbird 10
American Goldfinch 10
House Sparrow 25

Cory's Shearwater In "The Rips" This Evening

Bob Fogg reports that a Cory's Shearwater is currently (5:50pm) feeding close to shore at Cape May Point, viewed from the dune crossover at the intersection of Cape and Lincoln Avenues.

Reports South of the Canal, and Southbound Shorebirds along the Bay

[This Black-billed Cuckoo cooperated at the Cape May Meadows Friday night. Photo by Karl Lukens.]

A "V" of 8 Willets flew down the bayshore this morning, with a smaller bird in their midst: a Short-billed Dowitcher, my first soutbound dow of fall. A Sanderling in faded breeding plumage on the beach at Norbury's Landing was another returning bird. Much talk has been made about troubling breeding conditions in the Arctic, in the form of late-lingering snow and cold. Southbound migration of shorebirds should be watched with care: is it early (breeders giving up)? Is it late (breeders hanging in up north and perhaps nesting successfully after all)? Are there juveniles (in most species generally not expected until August), indicating some successful nesting?

Karl Lukens sent two reports of good birdng south of the canal. From Friday night:

" CMBO Evening Walk at the TNC "Meadows." Great evening of birding. Besides the usual suspects we observed a Black Swan (an escapee no doubt), 2 Wood Ducks, 2 Least Bitterns, Piping Plover fledglings, an Oystercatcher chick, shore bird migrants such as Spotted Sandpiper, Willet, Lesser Yellowlegs, numerous Black Skimmers, and a very cooperative Black-billed Cuckoo.- Karl, Chuck, Mary Jane, Kathy, Roger, Warren, Carrie."

And from Saturday morning:

"CMBO Walk at Cape May Point State Park. Good day for Orchard Orioles viewing and hearing and we also located a nest thanks to Vince Elia. Other highlights were Brown Pelican, Black-crowned Night-Heron, Oystercatcher and chick, 6 Ruby-throated Hummingbirds, 2 Blue-gray Gnatcatchers, and a Bank Swallow. Finished up with 2 juvenile Forster's Terns begging for food at Bunker Pond. -Karl, Chuck, Warren, Kathy, Roger"


[Black Swans are somewhat frequent escapes from captivity. This one was at the Meadows on Friday. Photo by Karl Lukens.]

Bird Walk For All People

Dave Lord reports the following from yesterday's introductory program at the State Park:

"The 'Bird Walk for All People' enjoyed a very pleasant breeze and slightly overcast skies as the wonders of Cape May birding were experienced for the first time by many. The highlight was a male American Kestrel sitting on one of the snow fences by the last plover pond behind the dunes.. Other highlights included an immature Great Blue Heron, several Indigo Buntings, and male and female Orchard Orioles."

- Dave Lord, (Chuck Slugg, Karl Lukens, Tom Parsons, Patty Rourke)


Location: Cape May Point SP
Observation date: 7/9/09
Number of species: 50

Canada Goose 12
Mute Swan 18
Mallard 19
Great Blue Heron 1
Great Egret 8
Glossy Ibis 12
Black Vulture 2
Turkey Vulture 11
Osprey 6
American Kestrel 1
Piping Plover 8
Killdeer 4
American Oystercatcher 4
Laughing Gull 117
Herring Gull 15
Great Black-backed Gull 7
Least Tern 75
Common Tern 45
Forster's Tern 65
Black Skimmer 4
Rock Pigeon 16
Mourning Dove 12
Chimney Swift 12
Great Crested Flycatcher 2
Eastern Kingbird 7
Blue Jay 6
American Crow 3
Fish Crow 9
Purple Martin 145
Northern Rough-winged Swallow 5
Barn Swallow 31
Carolina Chickadee 5
Carolina Wren 6
American Robin 7
Gray Catbird 4
Northern Mockingbird 1
Cedar Waxwing 4
Yellow Warbler 3
Common Yellowthroat 5
Eastern Towhee 1
Chipping Sparrow 5
Song Sparrow 3
Northern Cardinal 5
Indigo Bunting 3
Red-winged Blackbird 75
Common Grackle 18
Brown-headed Cowbird 12
Orchard Oriole 2
American Goldfinch 20
House Sparrow 16

CAPE MAY BIRDING HOTLINE - July 9, 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, July 9th, 2009.

Highlights this week include reports of GRAY KINGBIRD, BRANT, GREATER SHEARWATER, WILSON'S STORM-PETREL, BROWN PELICAN, LEAST BITTERN, CATTLE EGRET, YELLOW-CROWNED NIGHT-HERON, BLACK RAIL, 'WESTERN' WILLET, LESSER BLACK-BACKED GULL, GULL-BILLED TERN, BLACK TERN, ROSEATE TERN, SANDWICH TERN, PARASITIC JAEGER, BLACK-BILLED CUCKOO, NORTHERN PARULA, and BOBOLINK. Also, an announcement regarding the re-opening of CMBO's Center for Research and Education in Goshen.

- 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 GRAY KINGBIRD was found along the beach at the South Cape May Meadows/CMMBR on 7/4, and has not been seen since.

The BLACK RAIL at the Meadows was last reported on 7/3.

A ROSEATE TERN was again seen from Cape May Point on 7/3, and a PARASITIC JAEGER was seen from the Meadows on 7/2. A WILSON'S STORM-PETREL was spotted from the same spot on 7/6. Also on 7/6 was an adult BLACK TERN, seen from St. Mary's. GREATER SHEARWATER was seen sporadically from Cape May Point through at least 7/7.

78 ROYAL TERNS, 2 GULL-BILLED TERNS, a SANDWICH TERN and 5 'WESTERN' WILLETS were noted at Stone Harbor Point on 7/6.

A BRANT was seen again this week, this time at Two Mile Landing on 7/6.

2 NORTHERN PARULAS were noted at Higbee Beach WMA on 7/8, and a BLACK-BILLED CUCKOO was seen at the Meadows on 7/3.

The first southbound BOBOLINKS of the season were recorded at Norbury's Landing on 7/5.

3-4 CATTLE EGRETS have been seen in West Cape May during the past week. A YELLOW-CROWNED NIGHT-HERON visited the Meadows on 7/6, and LEAST BITTERN continues to be reported daily from the same location.

BROWN PELICANS and LESSER BLACK-BACKED GULLS were noted at Cape May Point and Stone Harbor Point this week.

ANNOUNCEMENTS:

**CMBO’s Center for Research and Education in Goshen re-opened on Tuesday, June 30th, 2009. CRE hours will be Tuesday-Saturday 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. CMBO's Northwood Center on East Lake Drive in Cape May Point is open Wednesday - Monday, 9:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.**

*CMBO’s Northwood Center will be closed for inventory on July 28th and 29th. CMBO-CRE will be closed for inventory August 27th and 28th.*

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!