5 Species of Swallow, Red-Necked Grebe, Common Eider, Snowy Egret, and tomorrow?

[This Snowy Egret graced the pool near the Wetlands Institute in Stone Harbor this morning. Click to enlarge photos.]

Mike Crewe, Richard Crossley et. al. teamed up to find 5 swallow species yesterday at the Beanery, along Bayshore Road in Cape May: Cliff (early arrival), Barn (arrival), Rough-winged (arrival), Tree and Purple Martin.

Karl Lukens et. al. had the Red-necked Grebe again yesterday, in Great Channel south of Stone Harbor, north of Nummy Island, but it was not there this morning, or at least Richard Crossley and I did not see it. A Pine Warbler was chipping in the shrub island at the base of the free bridge to Nummy Island, and a single Greater Yellowlegs was on Nummy Island. Flocks of Laughing Gulls soared and swam, very obviously glad to be back.

Mike Hannisian detected a female Common Eider at the 8th Street jetty in Avalon last night.

[Karl Lukens got the Red-necked next to a Horned Grebe yesterday at Great Channel. I like this photo - it shows how heavy -headed Red-neckeds look. When we were up in Newburyport this winter, where Red-neckeds are fairly easy to find, it was a simple matter to identify them even when sleeping with bill tucked, just on the size and width of their heads.]

[Laughing Gulls celebrating spring on Nummy Island.]

Dave La Puma just poked his head in my office and said, "Tomorrow." I agree, the prospects are good for a nocturnal migration grounded by impending rain on Friday. Check Dave's woodcreeper web site, but, like I just told him, blame him if it doesn't happen ;>).

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