More on Golden Eagles

It's fitting that on the day after Cape May's record Golden Eagle flight, we get to learn a little bit more about a golden that passed through earlier in the year. Linda LaPan and Brian McAllister of Lake Placid, NY spotted a golden with a radio transmitter in Cape May on October 18, tracked down the source of the bird, and forwarded us the information. It was one that Libby Mojica of the College of William and Mary had tagged in Maryland last March. Libby wrote to Linda:

"The Golden Eagle you saw at Cape May was one of our tagged birds. We trapped her in March 2008 at Aberdeen Proving Ground, Harford Co, MD in second-year plumage. She spent this summer in northern Quebec and is now back on the Delmarva Peninsula where she wintered last year. The map on our web page tracks her movements. The transmitter number is 74417. . .

The eagle arrived at Cape May on Oct 17 and roosted on Sluice Creek east of Goshen. She left the roost between 9 and 10 am (EST) on Oct 18 and crossed Delaware Bay between 10 and 11 am (EST). . ."

Record Golden Day!

Check out Seth Cuttright's post under View from the Field to read more about yesterday's terrific day on the platform, which included 14 Golden Eagles. Dan Berard was the counter, and. . .well, I'll just let Seth tell it!

Highlights from the weekend included the continuing Sedge Wren at Higbee along the west side of the first field, and Rusty Blackbirds and Red-headed Woodpeckers at Villas WMA during CMBO's Sunday walk. Several Cave Swallows were also reported from around Cape Island.

Also, this just in from Mike Newlon: "At Brigantine today (Mon 11/10) observed an imm Ross's goose in with ca 300 Snow geese on the S dike."

[Photos of the Sedge Wren and a Rusty Blackbird are below, courtesy of Karl Lukens and Roger Horn, respectively.]

THICK-BILLED MURRE off St. Mary's Jetty

(Photo courtesy of Bob Fogg, www.keekeekerr.com)

A call came in to CMBO about a possible Dovekie off Cape May Point around 1:30 pm. Low and behold the bird was actually a Thick-billed Murre! First seen from St. Mary's Jetty the bird was paddling towards the Delaware Bay and at around 3:00 pm was probably best seen from St. Pete's Jetty. The bird appears to have one injured leg and was circled by Herring Gulls at one point.

A few Royal Terns and a Parasitic Jaeger are also of note along with a solitary Surf Scoter - all seen from the beach at St. Mary's.

South Easterly winds = GREAT birding in Cape May?

(Cave Swallow photo courtesy of Bob Fogg, www.kee.kee.kerr.com)

One thing that I am not really fond of discussing in extreme detail is politics. But I hope that everyone able could get out and cast a vote today. It's good to hear about the record number of voters who turned out today. No matter who you voted for, I find seeing the electoral process in action is a fascinating thing. Much like being able to watch migration in the process which we get to see here in Cape May quite a bit (more on that later). Something I do discuss in a bit more depth though.

Yesterday Laura and I set out at about 3:20 a.m. on our November Cape Island Big Day attempt. But first, to my knowledge the Western Tanager was not seen again since the day of its discovery. Also, the Sedge Wren which was around it seems both in the morning and evening yesterday, was not found this evening. Nor have I heard word on the Common Eider, Cave Swallow or any new rarities that we'd expect at this time of year.

Back to yesterday...I was a bit concerned with the weather/wind having turned to coming from a south easterly direction. Of course the one bonus was that we'd have pretty nice weather to bird all day as long as the possible showers that The Weather Channel decided might hit the area during the day did not materialize....I brought the rain coats a a precautionary measure anyway. In the end we had a most beautiful day with overall more sun than clouds I'd say.

But, one of the things that of course worried me the most was the possibility of finding those surprise birds that are institutional in making a big day run a whole lot less work in the end. With the good migration that had happened over the previous few nights we certainly have good numbers of birds around and hopefully the southerly flow has discouraged many of these migrants to stick around. But if there is no chance at much influx into the area the search for species could be a good bit more difficult.

So, as I said, we set off in the middle of the night to see what nocturnal bird we might be able to encounter. A highlight minimum number of 3 Eastern Screech-Owls in various locations started the day of in the right direction. While not the most productive nocturnal search on record we had two of the three local owls but of course we're wishing we would happen upon an owl or two more.

As the sun rose over the Atlantic and with the good seabird numbers as of late we figured that doing a bit of first thing sea watching would probably help our attempt. One, this is a good time as the sun angle is not too harsh and I find that often birds can be close. Plus I was operating on the assumption that letting the sun get high enough on its transit that its warmth heats up the woods edge a bit and would hopefully drawn out birds to feed.

Higbee started off quite well I'd say. For one, Laura got to start off her day with a life bird. She had been unable to look for the Sedge Wren the day before but low and behold in the opposite corner in the southern portion of the first field I heard its grunty like call while it skulked low in the grasses. Not only that, we were treated to excellent views as the bird would come up and sit in the sumac on occasion.

Other great finds for the morning were; a Yellow-breasted Chat, great looks at a Lincoln's Sparrow near the parking lot and a clucking Wild Turkey heard while on our way to the Sedge Wren spot. In fact the two locations were probably less than 20 yards apart. Also, the numbers of sparrows (not only at Higbee but everywhere on the island) should be noted.

In fact I suppose that there were over all a good number of "surprise" birds which made the day great. Especially since I always take the negative approach and figured that 100 species might be a stretch if things played out a slight bit differently. Though the numbers of the more common species must again be noted. I really find a lot of satisfaction in sorting through flocks of sparrows no matter how maddening it may be. This short distant migrant time is especially fascinating in my opinion.

Other good sightings would include a very cooperative Orange-crowned Warbler at the beginning if the dune road at the State Park feeding in some goldenrod. I don't think I've ever had such great looks at this species before. Also, a Common Eider in the pilings at the Coast Guard Base, seen from Poverty Beach, was slightly expected as I knew at least one had been around. A couple of Blackpoll Warblers at the Beanery and a yellowthroat and Black-throated Blue to round out the warblers.

To make a long story short, we had over 100 species tallied somewhere around 10:45 to 11:00 a.m. Something that I completely did not expect. I was really thinking we'd have to struggle a bit more. As it turns out out total tally was 120 species (the list below says 121 as we counted one Mallard X Black Duck hybrid) which is only two less than our October attempt. Also only five less than the September total and I think the fourth highest total for the year. Not that I am trying to implicate that November should be thought of as a poor month to bird Cape May. In fact I'd say that over all the month is probably well under birded.

As you'll see with the list below we had quite the day out observing birds and all in all the day was quite birdy. And with easterly winds. I mean we are all taught that easterly winds are the kiss of death for Cape May. But, when the weather cooperates just right, even what could possibly turn out to be a poor day can end up being great. And I'd say we very much enjoyed ourselves. In fact, I'd say I really couldn't have scripted the day much better.


Location: Cape Island
Observation date: 11/3/08
Notes: November Cape Island Big Day-24022 steps = approx. 15.66 miles
Number of species: 121

Snow Goose 4
Brant (Atlantic) 6
Canada Goose X
Mute Swan X
Wood Duck 12
Gadwall 55
American Wigeon 125
American Black Duck 25
American Black Duck x Mallard (hybrid) 1
Mallard X
Northern Shoveler 16
Northern Pintail 25
Green-winged Teal 145
Ring-necked Duck 12
Common Eider 1
Surf Scoter X
White-winged Scoter 1
Black Scoter X
Bufflehead 22
Hooded Merganser 4
Ruddy Duck 15
Wild Turkey X
Red-throated Loon 35
Common Loon 12
Pied-billed Grebe 12
Northern Gannet X
Double-crested Cormorant X
Great Cormorant 2
Great Blue Heron 4
Great Egret 3
Snowy Egret 1
Black-crowned Night-Heron 4
Black Vulture 8
Turkey Vulture X
Osprey 1
Northern Harrier 1
Sharp-shinned Hawk 35
Cooper's Hawk 10
Red-shouldered Hawk 2
Red-tailed Hawk 12
American Kestrel 4
Merlin 1
Peregrine Falcon 2
Sora 1
American Coot 30
Black-bellied Plover 1
Killdeer 6
Greater Yellowlegs 1
Ruddy Turnstone 8
Sanderling X
Dunlin 1
Wilson's Snipe 1
Bonaparte's Gull 1
Laughing Gull 20
Ring-billed Gull X
Herring Gull X
Lesser Black-backed Gull 1
Great Black-backed Gull X
Forster's Tern 25
Royal Tern 12
Black Skimmer 45
Rock Pigeon X
Mourning Dove X
Eastern Screech-Owl 3
Great Horned Owl 3
Belted Kingfisher 4
Red-bellied Woodpecker 25
Yellow-bellied Sapsucker 3
Downy Woodpecker 4
Hairy Woodpecker 1
Northern Flicker (Yellow-shafted) 40

Eastern Phoebe 1
Blue Jay X
American Crow X
Fish Crow X
Tree Swallow X
Carolina Chickadee X
Tufted Titmouse X
Red-breasted Nuthatch 5
Carolina Wren X
Winter Wren 3
Sedge Wren 1
Golden-crowned Kinglet X
Ruby-crowned Kinglet 8
Eastern Bluebird 20
Hermit Thrush X
American Robin 3500
Gray Catbird 4
Northern Mockingbird X
Brown Thrasher 15
European Starling X
American Pipit 25
Cedar Waxwing 65
Orange-crowned Warbler 1
Black-throated Blue Warbler 1

Yellow-rumped Warbler (Myrtle) 750

Palm Warbler 2
Blackpoll Warbler 2
Common Yellowthroat 1
Yellow-breasted Chat 1
Eastern Towhee X
Field Sparrow 20
Savannah Sparrow 75

Song Sparrow 100
Lincoln's Sparrow 1
Swamp Sparrow 175
White-throated Sparrow 1500
White-crowned Sparrow 4
Dark-eyed Junco (Slate-colored) 10
Northern Cardinal X
Red-winged Blackbird X
Eastern Meadowlark 20
Rusty Blackbird 12
Common Grackle X
Boat-tailed Grackle 1
Brown-headed Cowbird X
Purple Finch 25
House Finch 75
Pine Siskin 4
American Goldfinch X
House Sparrow X

This report was generated automatically by eBird v2

Bird News Lately: Sedge Wren, Cave Swallow, Snow Buntings

Bob Fogg and others report that a Sedge Wren has been hanging out at the far (south) end of the first field at Higbee, as of Monday. Also Monday, Michael O'Brien and Bob had Cave Swallow and Snow Bunting at the Convention Center.

Four Snow Buntings and a Horned Lark were on the beach off the Cape May Meadows on Monday, enjoyed by participants on CMBO's Monday Meadows walk. A number of American Pipits were heard flying overhead, as were Purple Finches and a few Pine Siskins.

I understand that a Broad-winged Hawk was recorded by the Hawk Watch yesterday, certainly one of the last and something that would be considered bizarrely late anywhere in NJ but Cape May. I had a Blackpoll Warbler fly over at the Meadows yesterday, another species that is about done, just a very few will continue to trickle through as November winds down.

Jason Guerard found a Common Eider at Poverty Beach Monday.

A number of Rufous/Allen's type hummingbirds are being reported around the state, including several that are on private property. A hummingbird sp. was seen at the State Park yesterday by Laura Guerard.

Seems like about half the birders in Cape May are migrating south to the Rio Grande Valley Birding Festival this week, myself included. I always get a kick out of imagining that some of the circum-gulf migrants or wintering birds we'll see down there could have passed through Cape May just a few weeks ago.

WESTERN TANAGER @ Higbee Beach WMA

(Map of Higbee Beach WMA, X marks the spot that this bird was seen)

This morning a WESTERN TANAGER was found in the second field at Higbee Beach WMA. While the initial directions for where the bird was found were a bit confusing, I can tell you that as of about 1:00 p.m. the bird was being seen from the second field (see the red "X" above) along the left hedge row immediately to your left as you exit the overgrown area that connects the first and second field.

The tanager was hanging out in the thick area of porcelain berry which is very prevalent in this corner. While the bird was easily seen earlier in the morning, by the time Laura and I arrived it had begun to play hide and seek making quick flights out of the tangles only to return and not be seen again for upwards of 10-15 min. Begin your search in the back corner and look for the growth of porcelain berry that has grown up in the conical shape of a Christmas tree.

You might also try looking from the trail along that same hedgerow (the back side) at the southern end on the first field (see yellow "X" on the map above.) After a handful of quick flights a few of us decided to try this area to look at the "Christmas trees" shaped porcelain berry from the back side. While you do not have as open a view of the corner area we were all able to get excellent looks at this bird as it foraged in the tangles. It was moving about slowly as if foraged except for its erratic flight out and back again. From the second field location we all saw the bird for a matter of seconds over the course of 45+ min. We all looked at the bird for a number of minutes while looking for the first field train on the backside.

Below are a couple of photos from Michael O'Brien and Kathy & Roger Horn.

For those of you keeping score this is the 11th Western Tanager for Cape May County since the first one discovered on 12/4/1954. This is according to the New Jersey Bird Records Committee List of Accepted Records of Rare Birds in New Jersey Through 2006 published by the New Jersey Bird Records Committee. Interestingly of the 11 records for Cape May County only two have been found outside of "Cape May."

(photo courtesy of Michael O'Brien)

(photo coputesy of Kathy & Roger Horn)

CMBO Fall Migrants at the rea Farm (Beanery) walk- 11/1/08

Karl Lukens sends word of the findings from this mornings CMBO Fall Migrants at the Rea Farm walk. Not too bad a way to start out the month of November if you ask me!

"The CMBO "Beanery" walk at the Rea Farm was interesting this morning. A
little slow on sparrows,and raptors and warblers in general until the end of
the walk when we found 3 Nashville warblers and 2 Orange-crowned warblers in
one spot and got good looks at all!!"

Location: The Beanery
Observation date: 11/1/08
Notes: CMBO Trip-K,J,CS,B&LS,K&RH,+10.Clr,50,W5.
Number of species: 44

Canada Goose 20
Wood Duck 1
Mallard 2
Double-crested Cormorant 3
Great Blue Heron 1
Turkey Vulture 3
Sharp-shinned Hawk 5
Cooper's Hawk 1
Red-tailed Hawk 1
American Kestrel 4
Herring Gull (American) 2
Rock Pigeon 2
Mourning Dove 5
Red-bellied Woodpecker 3
Downy Woodpecker 2
Northern Flicker 5
Blue Jay 5
American Crow 15
Fish Crow 1
Carolina Chickadee 1
Tufted Titmouse 1
Carolina Wren 3
Golden-crowned Kinglet 4
Ruby-crowned Kinglet 5
American Robin 700
Northern Mockingbird 2
Brown Thrasher 1
European Starling 10
Orange-crowned Warbler 2
Nashville Warbler 3
Yellow-rumped Warbler 20
Eastern Towhee 3
Chipping Sparrow 3
Savannah Sparrow 5
Song Sparrow 3
Swamp Sparrow 5
White-throated Sparrow 3
Dark-eyed Junco 3
Northern Cardinal 5
Dickcissel 1
Red-winged Blackbird 30
Eastern Meadowlark 13
Common Grackle 50
House Finch 5

This report was generated automatically by eBird v2