Gnatcatchers on the move...

Blue-gray Gnatcatchers followed yesterday's Yellow-throated Warblers by turning up in a number of places today at both ends of Cape May County. Purple Martin numbers increased at Cape May Point State Park with at least 15 around the boxes today, as well as small numbers of Tree, Barn and Northern Rough-winged Swallows over the ponds. Vince Elia also reported the first two Chimney Swifts of the year at the state park and our two resident Eurasian Collared Doves took a few spins around the state park parking lot this morning. The bay continues to heave with Northern Gannets, and Double-crested Cormorant squadrons pour across the skies. Forster's Terns are on the move too with several birds calling over Bunker Pond and numbers of Greater and Lesser Yellowlegs and Willets are increasing at coastal roost locations. The Cackling Goose put in another appearance at The Meadows on our Monday morning walk and the skies at The Beanery at lunch time today were full of raptors as temperatures reached the high seventies...

Up at Belleplain, birds are steadily trickling in just in time for our spring walks there. I heard of a couple of reports of Blue-headed Vireos there over the past couple of days and resident as well as early spring migrants are breaking into song now. Mourning Cloaks and Blueberry Azures should soon be joined by Falcate Orange-tips and Henry's Elfins, while I saw my first of season Orange Sulphur on Bayshore Road today, and first of season Summer Azure at the Northwood Center just seconds ago - this stuff is hot off the press!

While all these birds are inbound, don't forget outbound birds too, as it's all too easy to miss recording 'last of season' birds. The odd Red Crossbill still pops up on the message services from time to time and I saw my first Hermit Thrush for quite some time at the state park today - probably a bird on the move now. Garter Snakes were noticeable in the state park this morning, hunting fish and small frogs along the edges of the wetlands.

As the weekend heads nearer, think about joining us on a Maurice River boat trip for eagles, ospreys and much, much more...

Another bird that should be an outgoing migrant soon is Red-breasted Nuthatch. Last year's impressive movement of this species resulted in good numbers hanging on at backyard feeders throughout our area [photo by Beth Polvino].

The Yellow-crowned Night Herons at Avalon always know how to pose perfectly for the camera [photo by Beth Polvino].