Karl Lukens just reported a calling Northern Bobwhite on a fence post at Cape May Point State Park near the first dune crossover.
Todd Pover, beach nesting bird biologist with the state, sent me the following somewhat heartening note about the Black Skimmer colony in Hereford Inlet. It seems some skimmers are giving it a go on Stone Harbor Point:
"Just as a brief update, now that Champagne Island is largely unsuitable for nesting due to recent storms (too low and small), Black Skimmers have finally starting to amass on the southern tip of Stone Harbor Point (just a stone's throw away from the island). They had been flying over for about a week or so, but just earlier this week about 200 settled in and we now have our first nests. I expect that number to continue to grow. The Point is also flood prone, but the habitat is not bad - better than Champagne for the last 2 years - so we'll see how it goes. Also, on the plus side, no apparent mammalian predators on the Point so far this spring. We've had our first successful oystercatcher nests at the Point in some years and the plover nests that didn't get flooded are hatching (and chicks hanging in there). A small number of common terns are also nesting with the skimmers, and a handful of royal terns are lingering. If the royals plan to nest they best do so soon - timing wise they should be close to hatching by now.
"With regard to the royal terns, I have heard from folks in MD, where our "Champagne" terns likely originally came from - I figured they might have gone back there this year. Apparently, their numbers are way down too because of unsuitable habitat. Royals will travel far to nest so they could be further south, but could you get word out around NJAS, especially anybody who goes out on the boat in the back bay to keep their eyes out for royal terns that might be nesting. - Todd"
Wednesday, June 10, 2009
Tuesday, June 9, 2009
A Farewell to Shorebirds, + Willow Flycatchers and Other Notes
This evening I took a one mile (each way) walk along Delaware Bay near Villas on the rising tide, about an hour after low, and, like Tom Reed reports below, found a few lingering shorebirds. More than a few, actually: 50 Ruddy Turnstones, 30 Red Knots, 250 Sanderlings, and 75 Semi-palmated Sandpipers. My notes on all of them read: "Some basic [i.e. basic or non-breeding plumage] and thin; others breeding and fat." I'm guessing if I take the same walk tomorrow night, many of the fat breeding-plumage birds will be gone. There's a strong south wind this evening.
One breeding-plumaged Semipalmated Sandpiper wore a green leg flag but had an un-dyed breast. The lack of dye means this bird was banded by NJAS researchers last year or earlier, and the green flag means it was banded in the U.S. (yellow is South America, white is Canada). Current year color-flagged semis are dyed on the breast to make them easier to re-sight, but the dyed feathers molt out by the time the birds make their next migration.
I used a clicker on the Laughing Gulls, and came up with 1240. A few Black Skimmers, a few Forster's and Least Terns, a single Common Tern (these are uncommon up the bay shore) and the other "usual suspects" like Ospreys and Snowy Egrets rounded out the evening. A Northern Mockingbird fed a fledged but earnestly begging baby on the beach.
Early this morning a foggy bike ride from the bayshore out to Stone Harbor and back yielded a Willow Flycatcher in the shrub island at the base of the free bridge to Nummy Island, and another at the parking lot for Stone Harbor Point at Second Avenue. A few Royal Terns were audible wherever bridges crossed major channels; I wonder where and whether they will nest this year. Every hedgerow and brushy area away from the coast had at least one Orchard Oriole, this is quite a common bird down here in the right habitat, and they sing like crazy in early June at dawn and dusk.
One breeding-plumaged Semipalmated Sandpiper wore a green leg flag but had an un-dyed breast. The lack of dye means this bird was banded by NJAS researchers last year or earlier, and the green flag means it was banded in the U.S. (yellow is South America, white is Canada). Current year color-flagged semis are dyed on the breast to make them easier to re-sight, but the dyed feathers molt out by the time the birds make their next migration.
I used a clicker on the Laughing Gulls, and came up with 1240. A few Black Skimmers, a few Forster's and Least Terns, a single Common Tern (these are uncommon up the bay shore) and the other "usual suspects" like Ospreys and Snowy Egrets rounded out the evening. A Northern Mockingbird fed a fledged but earnestly begging baby on the beach.
Early this morning a foggy bike ride from the bayshore out to Stone Harbor and back yielded a Willow Flycatcher in the shrub island at the base of the free bridge to Nummy Island, and another at the parking lot for Stone Harbor Point at Second Avenue. A few Royal Terns were audible wherever bridges crossed major channels; I wonder where and whether they will nest this year. Every hedgerow and brushy area away from the coast had at least one Orchard Oriole, this is quite a common bird down here in the right habitat, and they sing like crazy in early June at dawn and dusk.
Monday, June 8, 2009
More Cape Island Notes; Leftover Bayshore Shorebirds
Mark Garland and I spent some time this morning poking around the Meadows and the State Park, and encountered the same pea-soup fog described below by Don. There are evidently at least two Least Bitterns toward the back side of the east path at the Meadows- while one was calling from the thicker vegetation closer to the crossover path, we watched another fly in. We tallied at least 6-7 Willow Flycatchers between the Meadows and the State Park trails this morning, which is more than I can recall finding in recent years. Most went unseen, but one sat up for a nice view near the intersection of the red and yellow trails in the Park. There were also two Blue Grosbeaks singing along the back side of the State Park.
The mid-morning high tide at Reed's Beach produced a plethora of Laughing and Herring Gulls, as well as a couple Ring-billed Gulls, and a few small flocks of straggler Turnstones and Knots. The few Knots that remained were rather slim-looking and none too dapper (including a few that were still in basic plumage), as could be expected for birds that have lingered this late into the season and haven't gained the body weight necessary to make the last leg of their journey. Two adult Bald Eagles showing heavy wing-molt also made an appearance. A half-hearted search for storm-petrels and pelicans went unrewarded, but both of these species should appear in Delaware Bay with at least some frequency within the next couple of weeks.
Diamondback Terrapins are on the move right now- I saw at least three laying eggs in my Reed's Beach backyard this afternoon, and had to swerve for three others in my travels during the day. Be cautious while driving, particularly when in areas adjacent to salt marshes.
The mid-morning high tide at Reed's Beach produced a plethora of Laughing and Herring Gulls, as well as a couple Ring-billed Gulls, and a few small flocks of straggler Turnstones and Knots. The few Knots that remained were rather slim-looking and none too dapper (including a few that were still in basic plumage), as could be expected for birds that have lingered this late into the season and haven't gained the body weight necessary to make the last leg of their journey. Two adult Bald Eagles showing heavy wing-molt also made an appearance. A half-hearted search for storm-petrels and pelicans went unrewarded, but both of these species should appear in Delaware Bay with at least some frequency within the next couple of weeks.
Diamondback Terrapins are on the move right now- I saw at least three laying eggs in my Reed's Beach backyard this afternoon, and had to swerve for three others in my travels during the day. Be cautious while driving, particularly when in areas adjacent to salt marshes.
Foggy Morning Meadows, Champagne Island-less, a Couple Goodies from Brig, and Cumberland County Notes
Well, thank goodness the fog had lifted enough by the time we got around to the east path when the Least Bittern flushed. The South Cape May Meadows (a.k.a. the Cape May Migratory Bird Refuge) were otherwise pretty socked-in this morning, something you would not have known a mere 10 miles north, where the skies were clear.
Despite the fog, we were able to sort-of see one of the two calling Willow Flycatchers, along with sort-of-seeing a single Piping Plover at the edge of the plover pond. Chuck and MJ Slugg told me their "Plover Patrol" yesterday along the meadows beachfront yielded 16 adult Piping Plovers and 9 chicks, along with 4 adult American Oystercatchers and 1 chick. This beach has been the most productive Piping Plover nesting site in NJ in recent years.
Pass-through shorebirds have all but disappeared - we detected a few dowitchers, 1 Semipalmated Sandpiper, 1 Semipalmated Plover, 1 Dunlin, and 1 Sanderling. Green Herons evidently are nesting at or near the meadows, with multiples seen every visit.
A kayak trip out to Champagne Island in Hereford Inlet on Saturday revealed that "island" is too big a word for what's left there - a single apparent Herring Gull nest and a single American Oystercatcher, also on an apparent nest, were visible on the precariously small peak of the former tern and skimmer colony. Well over 100 Black Skimmers were resting on Nummy Island on the ocean side, giving me pause to wonder whether they would ever conceivably venture nesting on the highest salt marsh the way Forster's and Common Terns will do. It seems extremely unlikely, since skimmers prefer open, sandy substrate, but the literature does indicate they will use salt marsh islands if some sandy substrate is available, and will even nest on mats of wrack (dead vegetation).
Up Brigantine way, Dave Lord et. al. had a nice trip Saturday: "Karen Johnson, Janet Crawford, and myself (Dave Lord) took a trip to the Brigantine division of Forsythe NWR, during the "doldrums" of breeding season, but the trip proved to be anything but. We had a first year (baby) Yellow-Crowned Night Heron, picking at Fiddler Crabs off the childrens menu. Funny a bird still needing a high chair and bib could provide such entertaining viewing as he fed. Turtle's ruled the day, with Red-Bellieds, Painteds, Diamond Backed Terrapians, and Snapping Turtles all engaged in either sunbathing, swimming, laying eggs or hunting for food. Other highlights included a Willet on a Blue-bird box, a lone Snow Goose, a Black-necked Stilt, Wood Ducks, and 4 Gull Billed Terns. Just goes to show that nature doesn't take breaks."
North along our other coast, I spent part of the weekend in Cumberland County. We ran the Bear Swamp MAPS station on Sunday. Birdsong in the woods outside of Dividing Creek seemed much dimished, but all the good stuff was still detectable, starting with Whip-poor-wills as we arrived at 5:00 a.m., along with Summer Tanagers, Kentuckys, Worm-eating, Acadian Flycatcher, Yellow-billed Cuckoos, etc. A Broad-winged Hawk also called repeatedly overhead.
Saturday evening I took a short bike ride out of Mauricetown, covering James Moore Road and Strawberry Avenue. Perhaps the highlight was the calling Northern Bobwhite on Strawberry, and that area is rife with things like Orchard Oriole, Yellow-breasted Chat, Blue Grosbeak, and Prairie Warbler, the classic south Jersey scrub-shrub bird assemblage. Two Louisiana Waterthrushes were at the "U.S. Silica Kentucky Warbler spot" near where Noble Street out of Mauricetown joins the Port Norris-Mauricetown road. Kentucky Warbler, however, was not.
I understand that a male Bufflehead continues in the Maple Avenue impoundments at Dividing Creek.
[Male Worm-eating Warbler prior to release at Bear Swamp, sexed by the presence of a "CP" or cloacal protuberance, and lack of a brood patch. Male and female worm-eatings are identical in the field. Photo by Don Freiday.]
Despite the fog, we were able to sort-of see one of the two calling Willow Flycatchers, along with sort-of-seeing a single Piping Plover at the edge of the plover pond. Chuck and MJ Slugg told me their "Plover Patrol" yesterday along the meadows beachfront yielded 16 adult Piping Plovers and 9 chicks, along with 4 adult American Oystercatchers and 1 chick. This beach has been the most productive Piping Plover nesting site in NJ in recent years.
Pass-through shorebirds have all but disappeared - we detected a few dowitchers, 1 Semipalmated Sandpiper, 1 Semipalmated Plover, 1 Dunlin, and 1 Sanderling. Green Herons evidently are nesting at or near the meadows, with multiples seen every visit.
A kayak trip out to Champagne Island in Hereford Inlet on Saturday revealed that "island" is too big a word for what's left there - a single apparent Herring Gull nest and a single American Oystercatcher, also on an apparent nest, were visible on the precariously small peak of the former tern and skimmer colony. Well over 100 Black Skimmers were resting on Nummy Island on the ocean side, giving me pause to wonder whether they would ever conceivably venture nesting on the highest salt marsh the way Forster's and Common Terns will do. It seems extremely unlikely, since skimmers prefer open, sandy substrate, but the literature does indicate they will use salt marsh islands if some sandy substrate is available, and will even nest on mats of wrack (dead vegetation).
Up Brigantine way, Dave Lord et. al. had a nice trip Saturday: "Karen Johnson, Janet Crawford, and myself (Dave Lord) took a trip to the Brigantine division of Forsythe NWR, during the "doldrums" of breeding season, but the trip proved to be anything but. We had a first year (baby) Yellow-Crowned Night Heron, picking at Fiddler Crabs off the childrens menu. Funny a bird still needing a high chair and bib could provide such entertaining viewing as he fed. Turtle's ruled the day, with Red-Bellieds, Painteds, Diamond Backed Terrapians, and Snapping Turtles all engaged in either sunbathing, swimming, laying eggs or hunting for food. Other highlights included a Willet on a Blue-bird box, a lone Snow Goose, a Black-necked Stilt, Wood Ducks, and 4 Gull Billed Terns. Just goes to show that nature doesn't take breaks."
North along our other coast, I spent part of the weekend in Cumberland County. We ran the Bear Swamp MAPS station on Sunday. Birdsong in the woods outside of Dividing Creek seemed much dimished, but all the good stuff was still detectable, starting with Whip-poor-wills as we arrived at 5:00 a.m., along with Summer Tanagers, Kentuckys, Worm-eating, Acadian Flycatcher, Yellow-billed Cuckoos, etc. A Broad-winged Hawk also called repeatedly overhead.
Saturday evening I took a short bike ride out of Mauricetown, covering James Moore Road and Strawberry Avenue. Perhaps the highlight was the calling Northern Bobwhite on Strawberry, and that area is rife with things like Orchard Oriole, Yellow-breasted Chat, Blue Grosbeak, and Prairie Warbler, the classic south Jersey scrub-shrub bird assemblage. Two Louisiana Waterthrushes were at the "U.S. Silica Kentucky Warbler spot" near where Noble Street out of Mauricetown joins the Port Norris-Mauricetown road. Kentucky Warbler, however, was not.
I understand that a male Bufflehead continues in the Maple Avenue impoundments at Dividing Creek.
[Male Worm-eating Warbler prior to release at Bear Swamp, sexed by the presence of a "CP" or cloacal protuberance, and lack of a brood patch. Male and female worm-eatings are identical in the field. Photo by Don Freiday.]
Saturday, June 6, 2009
Beanery Breeders, Waders
[Green Heron (left) and Black-crowned Night-Heron (right), seen today at the Beanery/Rea Farm. Photos by Karl Lukens.]
"CMBO Walk - Breeding Birds at the Rea Farm. Once again the Indigo Buntings and a Blue Grosbeak showed up at the parking lot before we started the walk. Later we heard a Yellow-breasted Chat, had good views of Black-crowned Night-Heron, and Green Herons, and a close up view of Glossy Ibis. An Empidonax flycatcher confirmed our assessment as a Willow Flycatcher by singing as we left the area "he" was patrolling."
- Karl
[Blue Grosbeak at the Beanery/Rea Farm, by Karl Lukens.]
Location: The Beanery
Observation date: 6/6/09
Notes: CMBO Trip-K,+5.Cldy,60.W5.
Number of species: 50
Canada Goose 18
Wood Duck 1 heard
Mallard 12
Great Egret 2
Snowy Egret 2
Green Heron 5 /p
Black-crowned Night-Heron 2 /p
Glossy Ibis 1
Black Vulture 1
Turkey Vulture 4
Osprey 2
Killdeer 1
Laughing Gull 8
Herring Gull 1
Least Tern 1
Forster's Tern 1
Rock Pigeon 1
Mourning Dove 5
Chimney Swift 8
Ruby-throated Hummingbird 1
Northern Flicker 1
Willow Flycatcher 1 seen & heard
Great Crested Flycatcher 3
Eastern Kingbird 1
Red-eyed Vireo 1 heard
American Crow 5
Tree Swallow 1
Northern Rough-winged Swallow 1
Barn Swallow 2
Carolina Chickadee 2
Tufted Titmouse 4
Carolina Wren 3 heard
Blue-gray Gnatcatcher 1 heard
American Robin 8
Gray Catbird 1
Northern Mockingbird 2
European Starling 25
Cedar Waxwing 3
Common Yellowthroat 3
Yellow-breasted Chat 1 heard
Song Sparrow 2
Northern Cardinal 10
Blue Grosbeak 1 /p
Indigo Bunting 6
Red-winged Blackbird 15
Common Grackle 20
Brown-headed Cowbird 6
House Finch 2
American Goldfinch 2
House Sparrow 3
This report was generated automatically by eBird v2(http://ebird.org)
Thursday, June 4, 2009
CAPE MAY BIRDING HOTLINE - June 4, 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, June 4th, 2009.
Highlights this week include reports of WHITE-FACED IBIS, BLACK SCOTER, MISSISSIPPI KITE, BLACK-NECKED STILT, AMERICAN AVOCET, WHITE-RUMPED SANDPIPER, STILT SANDPIPER, RED-NECKED PHALAROPE, CASPIAN TERN, WILLOW FLYCATCHER, KENTUCKY WARBLER, and SUMMER TANAGER.
- 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 WHITE-FACED IBIS was observed flying over Pond Creek Marsh on 5/29. The same or another was seen near a pond at the intersection of Shunpike and Stimpson Roads in West Cape May on 5/30, as well as flying over the South Cape May Meadows/CMMBR the same day. Another WHITE-FACED IBIS was noted at Brig/Forsythe NWR on 6/1.
A MISSISSIPPI KITE was seen from the Natural Lands Trust's "Peek Preserve," near Millville, on 6/3. Another MISSISSIPPI KITE was observed over West Cape May on 5/30.
An AMERICAN AVOCET has been seen along the south dike at Brig/Forsythe NWR this week, last reported on 6/2. 20 WHITE-RUMPED SANDPIPERS were noted there on 6/1, as was a STILT SANDPIPER on 6/2.
A RED-NECKED PHALAROPE was found at Heislerville WMA on 5/29, and continued through 5/31. 2 BLACK-NECKED STILTS were noted there as fly-overs on 5/30. 18 WHITE-RUMPED SANDPIPERS and a CASPIAN TERN were there on 6/1.
Breeding birds reported from Belleplain State Forest this week included KENTUCKY WARBLER and SUMMER TANAGER.
A female BLACK SCOTER was seen at Cape May Pt. State Park on 6/4.
WILLOW FLYCATCHERS were heard at the South Cape May Meadows/CMMBR and at Cape May Pt. State Park this week.
ANNOUNCEMENTS:
***Beginning June 1st, CMBO's Northwood Center will be open Wednesday - Monday (closed Tuesdays), 9:30am - 4:30pm. These hours will be in place through the end of August.***
**In the coming days, East Lake Drive in Cape May Point (where CMBO's Northwood Center is located) will become a one-way street. Vehicles will only be able to travel west along the road, from Lighthouse Ave to Oak Ave.**
*Due to a staffing shortfall, Cape May Bird Observatory's Center for Research and Education on Route 47 north of Goshen is closed to the public effective April 11, 2009. The grounds and gardens will remain open to the public. CMBO's Northwood Center on East Lake Drive in Cape May Point is open Wednesday - Monday, 9:30am - 4:30pm.*
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!
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, June 4th, 2009.
Highlights this week include reports of WHITE-FACED IBIS, BLACK SCOTER, MISSISSIPPI KITE, BLACK-NECKED STILT, AMERICAN AVOCET, WHITE-RUMPED SANDPIPER, STILT SANDPIPER, RED-NECKED PHALAROPE, CASPIAN TERN, WILLOW FLYCATCHER, KENTUCKY WARBLER, and SUMMER TANAGER.
- 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 WHITE-FACED IBIS was observed flying over Pond Creek Marsh on 5/29. The same or another was seen near a pond at the intersection of Shunpike and Stimpson Roads in West Cape May on 5/30, as well as flying over the South Cape May Meadows/CMMBR the same day. Another WHITE-FACED IBIS was noted at Brig/Forsythe NWR on 6/1.
A MISSISSIPPI KITE was seen from the Natural Lands Trust's "Peek Preserve," near Millville, on 6/3. Another MISSISSIPPI KITE was observed over West Cape May on 5/30.
An AMERICAN AVOCET has been seen along the south dike at Brig/Forsythe NWR this week, last reported on 6/2. 20 WHITE-RUMPED SANDPIPERS were noted there on 6/1, as was a STILT SANDPIPER on 6/2.
A RED-NECKED PHALAROPE was found at Heislerville WMA on 5/29, and continued through 5/31. 2 BLACK-NECKED STILTS were noted there as fly-overs on 5/30. 18 WHITE-RUMPED SANDPIPERS and a CASPIAN TERN were there on 6/1.
Breeding birds reported from Belleplain State Forest this week included KENTUCKY WARBLER and SUMMER TANAGER.
A female BLACK SCOTER was seen at Cape May Pt. State Park on 6/4.
WILLOW FLYCATCHERS were heard at the South Cape May Meadows/CMMBR and at Cape May Pt. State Park this week.
ANNOUNCEMENTS:
***Beginning June 1st, CMBO's Northwood Center will be open Wednesday - Monday (closed Tuesdays), 9:30am - 4:30pm. These hours will be in place through the end of August.***
**In the coming days, East Lake Drive in Cape May Point (where CMBO's Northwood Center is located) will become a one-way street. Vehicles will only be able to travel west along the road, from Lighthouse Ave to Oak Ave.**
*Due to a staffing shortfall, Cape May Bird Observatory's Center for Research and Education on Route 47 north of Goshen is closed to the public effective April 11, 2009. The grounds and gardens will remain open to the public. CMBO's Northwood Center on East Lake Drive in Cape May Point is open Wednesday - Monday, 9:30am - 4:30pm.*
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!
Beanery Restoration
We've been working on a restoration and enhancement project at The Rea Farm (a.k.a. The Beanery) and need your help with a planting on June 23. More info:
Rea Farm Planting June23.pdf
Rea Farm Planting June23.pdf