Location Abbreviations: ASW (Avalon Seawatch), CMHW (Cape May Hawk Watch), CMPSP (Cape May Pt. State Park), SCMM (South Cape May Meadows)
--The period began with strong southerly winds ahead of a cold front that arrived 2 Nov. Winds became westerly for about 36 hours and produced good songbird and hawk flights 3-4 Nov. High pressure built over the Cape 5-6 Nov, with light easterly winds and little migration. A cold front with associated rain showers arrived 7 Nov and brought strong NW winds 8 Nov. Notable birds included American White Pelican, White-winged Dove, (possible) Black-chinned Hummingbird, Rufous/Allen's Hummingbird, Western Kingbird, and Red Crossbill.--
WATERFOWL THROUGH RAPTORS
Two Eurasian Wigeon remained at CMPSP/SCMM through 8 Nov (m. ob.). A strong scoter flight occurred 4 Nov, when over 40,000 were recorded at ASW (CB). Unfortunately, most data from ASW was unavailable. Four Common Eiders were reported from the 2nd Avenue Jetty 6 Nov (AMM). Four American White Pelicans were seen soaring east of the Rea Farm/Beanery 3 Nov (CS), and ten American White Pelicans flew south past CMPSP 4 Nov (RC et al.). A lingering Brown Pelican was seen offshore CMPSP 6 Nov (TR). Large hawk flights occurred 3 Nov (1,865 individuals) and 4 Nov (1,005 individuals) [TR]. Noteworthy single-day species totals included 10 Golden Eagles, 403 Red-tailed Hawks, and 152 Red-shouldered Hawks 3 Nov (TR).
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| American White Pelicans over Cape May Point, 4 Nov. [Photo by Tom Reed] |
RAILS THROUGH WOODPECKERS
Multiple Virginia Rails were heard at SCMM throughout the period (m. ob.). A late American Golden-Plover flew over CMHW 7 Nov (TR). Pectoral Sandpipers were still on the move, with sightings from CMHW through 8 Nov (TR). Lesser Black-backed Gulls continue to be found regularly on beaches around Cape May Point (m. ob.). A White-winged Dove flew past CMHW 4 Nov, the first of the season (TR). Two Eurasian Collared-Doves remained in Cape May Point, with the latest sighting 1 Nov (KL). Multiple Long-eared and Short-eared Owls were observed lifting off from SCMM and CMPSP at dusk 3-4 Nov (v. ob.). Small numbers of Northern Saw-whet Owls were banded at SCMM during the period (fide AH). A possible Black-chinned Hummingbird was photographed in a Del Haven backyard 7 Nov (HT). A Rufous/Allen's Hummingbird visited a North Cape May backyard throughout much of the period (BP).
FLYCATCHERS THROUGH FINCHES
A Western Kingbird flew past CMHW 4 Nov (TR). Cave Swallows were seen at CMHW Nov 3, 4, and 8 (TR), with a peak of 15 on Nov 3. Barn Swallow sightings continued at CMHW through 8 Nov, and Northern Rough-winged Swallows were observed through 3 Nov. Two Bank Swallows were seen at CMHW 3 Nov, and a Cliff Swallow made an appearance 7 Nov (TR, m. ob.). Largely absent this fall, a small influx of Red-breasted Nuthatches was noticeable around Cape May Point 3 Nov (v. ob.). Also noticeably scarce on Cape Island this fall, a White-breasted Nuthatch flew past CMHW 3 Nov (TR). A huge movement of Eastern Bluebirds (600+) graced the skies over CMHW 8 Nov (TR). An impressive morning flight over Cape May Point 3 Nov was highlighted by approximately 200,000 American Robins (TR, DG, TJ). Over 200 American Pipits migrated past CMHW 8 Nov (TR). Single Lapland Longspurs flew past CMHW Nov 3, 4, 7, and 8 (TR et al.). Snow Buntings have been seen along the Cape May Point beachfront in recent days (v. ob.). An Orange-crowned Warbler was at CMHW 4 Nov (TR). An influx of Vesper Sparrows 3 Nov was headlined by a total of 9 at the Magnesite Plant (SG et al.). Single Grasshopper Sparrows were discovered at CMPSP (MC, MeC) and Cape Island Creek Preserve (DG, TJ) 3 Nov. Multiple Seaside, Saltmarsh, and Nelson's Sparrows were observed at Nummy Island during high tide 7 Nov (AH). Two Red Crossbills flew over CMHW 4 Nov (TR). Very small numbers of Purple Finch and Pine Siskin were recorded throughout the period (v. ob.).
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| Grasshopper Sparrow at CMPSP, 3 Nov. [Photo by Mike Crewe] |
Contributors:
Calvin Brennan, Megan Crewe (MeC), Mike Crewe, Richard Crossley, Sam Galick, Doug Gochfeld, Alec Humann, Tom Johnson, Karl Lukens, Ann Marie Morrison, Beth Polvino, Tom Reed, Clay Sutton, Harvey Tomlinson.