Calliope Hummingbird

It's official - Michael O'Brien doesn't play fair!! What would we all give to have Michael's sharpness of ear and keenness of eye? And also his ability seemingly to never sleep and always be working the local patch. Michael was driving (yes, he even finds rare birds when he's driving!) along Lighthouse Avenue and paused just for a second to check for butterflies at the small triangle garden on the corner of Lighthouse and Coral - when he heard a Calliope Hummingbird calling. That's right, not seen, heard calling!

This gem of the Western US spent time feeding at the wonderful clumps of Pineapple Sage that grow along the edge of the triangle garden, just behind the Cape May Point boat that adorns this corner of Lighthouse Avenue. Between feeding sessions, it perched high in Persimmons and oaks on either side of Lighthouse and Coral Avenues. If you are looking for this bird tomorrow, be sure to park wisely and be mindful of traffic coming into the north end of Coral Avenue from Lighthouse Avenue.

This individual is only the seventh Calliope Hummingbird to be found in New Jersey and the fifth for Cape May County, with all records to date occurring in October or November. Compared with Ruby-throated Hummingbird, Calliope is even smaller, being just 3.25 inches long (compared with 3.75 inches for Ruby-throated), but at least some of this difference in size is due to Calliope's relatively shorter tail and bill. It is amazing to imagine a bird, weighing in at just one tenth of an ounce, heading all this way from breeding grounds in western North America - Calliopes breed from southern British Columbia, south to eastern California and Utah and breed no closer to New Jersey than Western Wyoming; they are essentially a bird from West of the Rockies. Their migration takes them south to the Pacific slope of southern Mexico for the winter.

Two pictures (above) of today's Calliope Hummingbird at Cape May Point, with one picture (below) of a Ruby-throated Hummingbird for comparison. Identification of the smaller hummingbirds can be very difficult in the field but, comparing the two species here, note the Calliope's relatively finer bill and shorter tail. Note also that Ruby-throated has a solidly black loral area between the eye and bill, while Calliope has a small but diagnostic white stripe above the gape line at the base of the bill [photos by Mike Crewe].

 

Week in review: 5 – 11 October, 2013

CMBO is pleased to provide weekly summaries of the Cape's birding highlights. Coverage is limited to sightings in Cape May County. Readers should keep in mind that some reports may not be confirmed. Information and photos that may be of use for weekly summaries should be emailed to compiler Tom Reed (coturnicops at gmail dot com). 


The period began with an increasing southerly flow, ahead of a strong cold front that cleared Cape May during the evening hours 7 Oct. Cooler temperatures and NE winds followed behind the front, with a coastal storm affecting the area 9-11 Oct. Migration was generally unremarkable throughout, though a good hawk flight occurred 5 Oct and decent numbers of songbirds and wading birds were present during the coastal storm. Birders reported 219 species to eBird during the period. Notable birds included Eurasian Wigeon, Northern Goshawk, American Avocet, Baird's Sandpiper, Black Tern, and Clay-colored Sparrow.


WATERFOWL THROUGH RAPTORS
The male Eurasian Wigeon continued at CMPSP throughout, with sightings during recent days at Bunker Pond (m. ob.). Small flights of dabbling ducks and scoters occurred at ASW most days (CB, TM). The week's best Double-crested Cormorant flight entailed 6,448 individuals tabulated at ASW 8 Oct (CB).  Twelve Brown Pelicans were noted at ASW 5 Oct (CB). Noticeable movements of wading birds occurred during the coastal storm 9-11 Oct, with dozens of Black-crowned Night-Herons and Great Blue Herons at Cape May Point, along with two Tricolored Herons at CMPSP 10 Oct (TR). The week's only 1000+ hawk flight occurred 5 Oct, and featured an early Northern Goshawk, a season-high 173 Peregrine Falcons, 120 Ospreys, and 196 Cooper's Hawks (TR). Another 127 Peregrines were tallied at CMHW 7 Oct (TM).

RAILS THROUGH JAEGERS
Sora reports came from CMPSP and SCMM this week (v. ob.). Lingering Piping Plovers were noted at the north end of Avalon 8 Oct (fide MO'B) and at Stone Harbor Point 6 Oct (JC). At least one American Golden-Plover was viewed at SCMM through 9 Oct (m. ob.). The American Avocet at CMPSP was last seen 5 Oct (TR, LZ, et al.), and at least three Marbled Godwits were in the area of the Wetlands Institute most of the period (v. ob.). One or more Baird's Sandpipers and multiple White-rumped Sandpipers were viewed at SCMM and CMPSP 10-11 Oct (MeC, TR et al.). Recent rainfall eliminated much of the shorebird habitat at both locations. A Long-billed Dowitcher was seen at SCMM 11 Oct (MO'B). A late Black Tern was noted in the "rips" off Cape May Point 6 Oct (RC). At least 53 Parasitic Jaegers were viewed during an impressive southbound movement out of Delaware Bay 7 Oct (MO'B, SG et al.).

DOVES THROUGH FINCHES
At least two Eurasian Collared-Doves continued at Cape May Point throughout (m. ob.). A Red-headed Woodpecker was viewed from the Higbee Dike 6 Oct (SG). Northern Rough-winged Swallows continued to be seen daily at CMPSP (m. ob.), and two Cliff Swallows were at SCMM 11 Oct (MiC). Five Bicknell's Thrush flight calls were recorded over Cape May City on the evening of 8 Oct (MO'B). Songbird flights at the Higbee Dike continued to be fairly light. Highlights from the dike this week included 1,054 Yellow-rumped Warblers, 108 Northern Parulas, and 461 Blackpoll Warblers 8 Oct, and single Dickcissels Oct 5 and 6 (SG). A Dickcissel appeared at CMHW 10-11 Oct (m. ob.). Two Clay-colored Sparrows and a Nelson's Sparrow were noted at SCMM 11 Oct (MO'B). Additional Clay-colored Sparrow reports came from Stone Harbor Bird Sanctuary 10 Oct (MeC et al.) and St. Mary's at Cape May Point 8 Oct (MP).


Observers/contributors: Calvin Brennan, Megan Crewe (MeC), Mike Crewe (MiC), Jacob Cuomo, Richard Crossley, Vince Elia, Sam Galick, Tom Magarian, Michael O'Brien, Mike Pasquarello, Tom Reed, Louise Zemaitis.

Location Abbreviations: ASW (Avalon Seawatch), CMHW (Cape May Hawk Watch), CMPSP (Cape May Pt. State Park), Higbee Dike (raised dredge spoil berm at n. end of Higbee Beach WMA), SCMM (South Cape May Meadows) 

Things to do on a rainy day - Part 2

Well, after suggesting a whole range of ideas for things to do indoors on a rainy day, luckily a lot of people ignored me and went outside! I say luckily, because Cape May has been over-flowing with birds this week and all it takes is a few extra layers of clothes and some hot coffee and the rewards are there to be enjoyed. The presence of so many birds may seem non-intuitive since it is reasonable to think that birds won't be migrating during such blustery conditions. However, when we get a north-easterly like we have just experienced (and are still experiencing as I write!) it is not unusual to find birds caught up in the weather pattern and finding themselves unceremonially dumped at Cape May Point. Some interesing nocturnal heron flights have been taking place this week and, this morning, at least 30 Black-crowned Night Herons were roosting in trees at Lake Lily, while a Least Bittern was reported from the South Cape May Meadows - the first of this rapidly declining species that I have heard of south of the canal this year. To witness the spectacle of heron and egret flight, I would suggest trying one of the Cape May Point dune crossovers at either dawn or dusk and just keep an eye on the sky.

Yesterday saw something of a 'Patagonia Picnic Table Effect' at The Meadows. It's a long story but essentially, a rare bird was once found at some picnic tables near Patagonia, Arizona; in the following days, birders travelling there to look for this bird, progressively found other rarities at the same site. There were no rarities as such found at the Meadows, but a nice run of birds was turned up by those seeking earlier finds. Michael O'Brien set the ball rolling with reports of a Long-billed Dowitcher, two Clay-colored Sparrows and a Nelson's Sparrow along the East Trail. Those heading out for these turned up Greater Scaup, 20+ Pectoral Sandpipers, single Baird's and White-rumped Sandpipers, two Wilson's Snipe and two Cliff Swallows - a pretty good list of birds! The hawkwatch has been quiet, as one might expect, but with a lot less rain so far today, American Kestrels, Merlins and Peregrines have been readily viewable. The Eurasian Wigeon remains on Bunker Pond and the House Sparrow flock in front of the Hawkwatch Platform currently holds Eastern Towhee, White-crowned Sparrow and a very obliging Dickcissel. Yesterday, Cox Hall Creek WMA was full of birds, including Scarlet Tanager, Rose-breasted Grosbeak and Baltimore Oriole.

Almost expected at this time of year, the Northwood Center is holding good numbers of warblers and other songbird migrants. I heard of a late Cape May Warbler today, while Nashville, Black-throated Blue and Black-throated Green Warblers are all still present among the parties of Blackpoll and Yellow-rumped Warblers, Golden-crowned and Ruby-crowned Kinglets and more. Both Winter and House Wrens have been at Northwood this week and a small influx of Brown Creepers took place mid-week.

The backbays have been interesting recently, at least in part due to the weather keeping water in the channels and providing some very high tides. It's been a good time to see Seaside Sparrows and both species of night heron out on the marshes, while a couple of late Whimbrels were reported today. What little habitat remains on the barrier islands is also worth checking - such as the small bird reserves at Stone Harbor, Avalon and Ocean City.

Heron migration is always spectacular to watch when these large birds are moving in good numbers. Here, part of a large flock of Great Egrets and Great Blue Herons heads out over Delaware Bay against a moody sky [photo by Mike Crewe].

 

Sparrow flocks are worth studying during October and early November as a wide range of species will be passing through. This smart White-crowned Sparrow spent today feeding right in front of the Hawkwatch Platform [photo by Mike Crewe].

This Dickcissel also spent the day at the Hawkwatch. The similarity of feather colors and markings between Dickcissels and House Sparrows - shown here - is really remarkable, given that the two species are not that closely related to each other [photo by Mike Crewe].

Despite the great birding to be had outside, work schedules dictated that I had much to do indoors today. Thankfully though, my old faithful window came up trumps and offered me this superb Black-throated Green Warbler - life can be tough sometimes! [Photo by Mike Crewe]

As an added incentive to be outside tomorrow, you can make your mark by paying a visit to the Hawkwatch Platform, for Sunday, October 13th will be the day that Cape May birders put in their effort for The Big Sit! This competition is an annual event run for fun, sponsored by Swarovski Optik and hosted by Birdwatcher's Digest. Cape May has a fine track record in this competition so come and check out how the list is going through the course of the day and, if you don't think you can contribute a bird to the list, how about some cookies or coffee?!!! See you at the platform....

Things to do on a rainy day

October is the month that, for me at least, really signifies fall; with autumn colors now tinting the trees and temperatures dropping, certain sounds begin to resonate in my ears; White-throated Sparrows contacting each other with sharp, discordant tseeps, from hedge bottoms; Golden-crowned Kinglets revealing their presence with a penetrating see-see-see and the soft tupp calls of Yellow-rumped Warblers just about everywhere you walk.

Coats, hats and scarves come out of their enforced aestivation, iced tea gives way to hot coffee and, before you know it, we're all gearing up for the main event of the year - CMBO's Autumn Birding Festival. As ever, this wonderful, annual celebration of birding in Cape May has a lot to offer - as demonstrated by the number of people who come back year after year; a chance to meet up with old friends, catch up on all the bird gossip and - of course - some great opportunities for being right on the spot while the pure exuberance of fall migration takes place all around.

But until we get there, we have the rest of October to fill all our birding desires so what to do over the next few days... Well, there's a catch, since Mother Nature has seen fit to mix up a whole swirly mess of clouds, wind and rain, which is bound to put a dint in the spirits of the most optimistic of birders. So, what does one do on a rainy day in Cape May? Here's some ideas...

1. Catch up on your birding notes. There's so much to see here that finding time to keep note of it all can be difficult. So, pick yourself a quiet corner in a favorite restaurant and get those notes up to date - there's a great range of places to go to do this and, though some of Cape May will be shutting down for the winter now, our friends at Bella Vida in West Cape May will be open. And if you really insist on keeping an eye on the birds while you do this, there's no better place than the Sunset Grille on Sunset Beach! Oh, and if you want to keep note-taking, the Northwood Center has waterproof notebooks to keep you happy!

2. Hook yourself up to the internet and get your notes permanently into your personal database. And don't forget, Cornell Lab of Ornithology would love you to share your sightings and have them be part of the ever-growing ground swell of information that is there to be tapped in eBird.

3. Visit the Northwood Center. This should be number one on the list really of course, for the Northwood Center has a multitude of things to keep you occupied while the rain trickles down the glass. How about buying a field guide to that destination that you know you have been promising yourself for next year? Buy a CD of bird calls and add an extra dimension to your birding or simply get your teeth into an infuriating jigsaw puzzle - we have some great ones to choose from. Then again, you could just swing by the Northwood Center and hang out; come and check out a new scope or binocular, catch up on the latest wildlife sightings with fellow enthusiasts or maybe, just maybe, you could be right on the spot when one of the pupating Monarchs spectacularly unfolds itself from its jade chrysalis and becomes a black and orange gem, ready to head south to Mexico.

4. OK, this is for those of you that really, really just can't stop birding. Head up to the Avalon Seawatch. No really!! It may seem like a crazy idea, and you will most certainly need your wet weather gear on, but the sort of weather that is heading our way can produce some wonderful flights of ducks, cormorants and all manner of other birds along the coast. No promises, of course; this is nature after all. But, well, you never know....

Recent Sightings
Just to catch you up with what's been happening this past few days, here's a few things that have come to my attention of late. Water levels at The Meadows are really low right now as the site is being prepared for some winter management, but the wet mud is still drawing in some good shorebirds. Both American Golden Plover and Baird's Sandpiper were reported today, while Pectoral Sandpiper, Tricolored Heron and a good range of other birds have been present recently. The ponds at Cape May Point State Park are similarly short on water (though not for much longer!!) but Bunker Pond has a good range of ducks present, including the male Eurasian Wigeon today.

Off Cape May Point, Parasitic Jaegers continue to harass terns and gulls in the rips and scoters are starting to ferry in and out of the bay. A few Northern Gannets are now present and Brown Pelicans are worth keeping an eye out for. Along the dune lines, American Pipits, American Kestrels and Merlins are passing overhead in good numbers and the dunes are filling up with Palm Warblers and Savannah Sparrows. Though October slowly creeps upon us, there are still a few warblers around; I managed 12 species of warbler on one street at Cape May Point yesterday, with at least two other species a couple of streets away. A Clay-colored Sparrow was also a nice find on Alexander Avenue.

I spent a little time recently out on the barrier islands and was pleased to chance across a nice array of interesting birds. The barrier islands are quietening down as far as tourism is concerned now and any weather-blown stray bird has at least a modicum of opportunity to find what tiny patches of habitat remain there to rest and feed up. Small parties of Black-crowned and Yellow-crowned Night Herons can be found roosting in trees on less accessible patches of saltmarsh, while my own list of passerine species out there included both Golden-crowned and Ruby-crowned Kinglets, Brown Thrasher, Gray-cheeked Thrush, Common Yellowthroat, Northern Flicker and Eastern Phoebe - all species that should be moving in good numbers now. The Northwood Center provided me with my first Winter Wren of the season today, balls of Cedar Waxwings moved through in blustery winds this morning and there was a very noticeable arrival of Swamp Sparrows today.

Tomorrow is another day - don't get too cold or wet, if you can't face the weather, come and hang out with CMBO!!

Getting great shots of Virginia Rails is never easy and if you achieve it, it often comes at a cost. This bird had spent the last 36 hours or so looking rather forelorn at one of the dune cross-overs at Cape May Point. Meddling with nature is always a difficult judgement call, but in this case, it seemed to me that this bird had a better fighting chance if it was in something of a less public place and in habitat more befitting a rail. The fact that it could be picked up so easily was not encouraging, but it seemed strong and reasonably well fed so we released it along the edge of Lake Lily and wish it well over the coming days [photo by Mike Crewe].

Patsy, Lu Ann, Lousie and Samm - just four of the industrious Cape May Monarch team at the Pavilion Circle a few days ago (yes, sun, shadows and T-shirts!!). CMBO's Monarch Monitoring Project doesn't get anywhere near enough mentions on this blog, so here's an opportunity for you to catch up on this season's Monarch migration story and see how the project (and the Monarchs) are doing. Follow links by clicking here for the Monarch Monitoring Project blog, or clicking here for the project's main data page [photo by Mike Crewe].

And just to put it all into perspective for those of you not able to be here right now - this was the view from Stone Harbor, looking towards Wildwood on Monday evening. Doesn't it conjure up thoughts of Saraman and Lord Voldemort heading this way?! [Photo by Mike Crewe]

So many places, so little time!

If you are down in Cape May for a week, the sheer volume of birds and other wildlife, and the number of locations to visit can almost seem overwhelming. This last few days has certainly been a case in point; wherever you choose to go right now, you are likely to have great wildlife experiences - but you can bet there will be something equally good going on elsewhere. It's a tough decision. With a front heading our way, bringing the possibility of some rain over the next couple of days, there may be time to reflect, catch up and plan a course of action for later in the week. The good news is that north-west winds are forecast for Wednesday and Thursday so it could be a great week ahead.

So where are the hotspots right now? Well you can plan a day like this: start at either Higbee Beach or at one of the dune crossovers around Cape May Point. Both locations are ideal for watching migrant birds early in the morning; at Higbee Beach, birds are mostly night migrants reorienting themselves to find suitable habitat in which they can spend the day. At the point, birds are mostly species that are happy to continue moving during the day. At the former, expect warblers, vireos and flickers; at the latter, expect blackbirds, finches and flickers. As the day warms up, it can be a good move to head for the Hawkwatch Platform at Cape May Point State Park. If raptors are moving, mid morning to early afternoon is usually peak time - though falcons also push through in late afternoon too. Late afternoon can be spent around the Northwood Center for warblers - and a good place to find out what is being seen elsehwere too. Early evening is a good time to visit The Meadows off Sunset Boulevard for a chance of Sora and a good mix of ducks and other waterbirds.

Having crammed all that into your day, you somehow also have to remember not to miss Nummy's Island and Stone Harbor Point for shorebirds (still Piping Plovers and Western Sandpipers at the latter), Cox Hall Creek WMA for warblers, sparrows and much more, a visit to the Avalon Seawatch, a boat trip out on the back bays..... oh yes, and you need to find time to eat and sleep too!!!

One thing is for sure, there's a lot of happy faces around Cape May right now!

Higbee Dike is perhaps something of an acquired taste, as rapidly passing birds that don't stay in view for long are not everyone's favorite thing. But the experience of being there on a good flight is certainly something different and, even if you can't identify everything that whizzes by, it's still a great thing to do at least once. The dike itself is a bit of a monster to take on, but there is a readily accessible wooden platform from which you can get some great moments. This Red-headed Woodpecker was one of my own highlights on the dike a few days ago [photo by Mike Crewe].

Have you had your fill of Peregrines for the year yet? If not, you probably weren't at the Cape May Hawkwatch Platform yesterday. Peregrines put on a fabulous show with this year's counter, Tom Reed, totalling 173 Peregrines past the platform, including this superb adult that got the oohhs and ahhs going! [Photo by Mike Crewe]

The trees around CMBO's Northwood Center at the north end of Lake Lily have become justly famous for producing great birding around this time of year. Much of the activity centers around the Siberian Elms, which harbor huge numbers of aphids on their bark. These insects are moving in to overwinter in the cracks of the deeply fissured bark and the birds have been quick to work out that there is a quick meal to be had. Siberian Elms have been planted at a number of locations around Cape May Point and those along East Lake Drive and Coral Avenue are generally very good also. Indeed, the original 'Magic Tree' is a Siberian Elm, standing in Bill and Edie Schuhl's garden on the corner of Cambridge and Coral and always worth more than a passing glimpse at this time of year. The Scarlet Tanager above chose to peer in through my office window at the Northwood Center a couple of days ago, reminding me that it really was time to get back into the field... [photo by Mike Crewe].

Even at the height of migration, Cape May is not just about the birds. Yesterday, Will Kerling and Dave Amadio chanced across this Checkered White at the Rea Farm and set off a mini twitch. Though this species was once fairly common in the east, it has declined greatly and it has been many years since this species was reported around Cape May. Checkered Whites are abundant further west in the US and its decline in the east may be due to a loss of farmland to development. However, it is also speculated that the species has never been common in the east and its presence here is simply a result of occasional influxes which result in relatively short-lived colonies becoming established [photo by Mike Crewe].

Week in review: 28 September – 4 October, 2013

CMBO is pleased to provide weekly summaries of the Cape's birding highlights. Coverage is limited to sightings in Cape May County. Readers should keep in mind that some reports may not be confirmed. Information and photos that may be of use for weekly summaries should be emailed to compiler Tom Reed (coturnicops at gmail dot com).


The period featured mild and dry conditions throughout. Moderate easterly winds prevailed through the final days of Sep. A weak trough brought light westerlies to open the month of October, with good hawk and songbird flights recorded 2 October. Near-record warmth accompanied a light southerly flow for the week's end. A total of 213 species were reported to eBird 28 Sep-4 Oct. Notable birds included Eurasian Wigeon, Golden Eagle, American Avocet, and Lapland Longspur.

WATERFOWL THROUGH PELICANS
The male Eurasian Wigeon continued at CMPSP through 4 Oct, with most recent sightings from Lighthouse Pond and Lighthouse Pond East (m. ob.). The season's first Ring-necked Duck was at CMPSP 1 Oct (MW et al.). Easterly winds produced flights of 4,516 and 2,228 Double-crested Cormorants at ASW 28 and 29 Sep (CB). A total of 39 Brown Pelicans was recorded at ASW 29 Sep (CB).

HERONS THROUGH SHOREBIRDS
American Bitterns have been seen during recent days at CMPSP and SCMM (m. ob.). Two juvenile Tricolored Herons were at Bunker Pond, CMPSP 3 Oct. Hawk flights of 1,000+ individuals were tallied Oct 2 & 4. Selected daily maxima for the period included 1297 Sharp-shinned Hawks, 172 Cooper's Hawks, and 217 American Kestrels on 2 Oct, and 126 Peregrines on 4 Oct (TR). An early Golden Eagle appeared over West Cape May 4 Oct (MO'B). An American Avocet spent 2-4 Oct at Bunker Pond, CMPSP (m. ob.). The season's first Purple Sandpiper arrived at ASW 1 Oct (CB). An American Golden-Plover flew past ASW 1 Oct (CB), while another was at SCMM 4 Oct (MC et al.). A Whimbrel flew past ASW 2 Oct (CB), and three Long-billed Dowitchers were at Nummy Island 4 Oct (DF).

JAEGERS THROUGH WOODPECKERS
Parasitic Jaegers were found on land at Cape May Point 28-29 Sep (m. ob.) and at Stone Harbor Point 30 Sep (MC). A Bonaparte's Gull was at Bunker Pond, CMPSP 29 Sep (m. ob.). A minimum of 17 Caspian Terns were at Bunker Pond, CMPSP 3 Oct. At least two Eurasian Collared-Doves continue to frequent the south end of residential Cape May Point. Red-headed Woodpeckers were seen from CMHW 3 and 4 Oct (TR), and a decent movement of Northern Flickers occurred Oct 2, when over 600 were viewed from CMHW (TR).

SWALLOWS THROUGH FINCHES
A single flock of 19 Northern Rough-winged Swallows were viewed from CMHW 3 Oct (TR, SG). An early Lapland Longspur was photographed flying along the SCMM beach 1 Oct (MO'B). A Hooded Warbler was seen at the Higbee Dike 3 Oct (SG). The season's first noticeable Yellow-rumped Warbler flights occurred Oct 2 & 3. A Vesper Sparrow flew over CMHW 3 Oct (TR), and  two Dickcissels flew over there 3 Oct (TR).

Observers/contributors: Calvin Brennan, Megan Crewe, Richard Crossley, Vince Elia, Sam Galick, Kathy Horn, Tom Magarian, Michael O'Brien, Tom Reed, Matt Webster

Location Abbreviations: ASW (Avalon Seawatch), CMHW (Cape May Hawk Watch), CMPSP (Cape May Pt. State Park), Higbee Dike (raised dredge spoil berm at n. end of Higbee Beach WMA), SCMM (South Cape May Meadows)

The Switch

As if by clockwork, the birds seemed to know that September is over and October has began. And this morning The Switch took place; it actually caught most of us off guard. The weather forecast certainly didn't look overly promising, with winds in the 'wrong' quarter, but we awoke to the sound of birds this morning - birds chirping and tweeting overhead.

On our regular Wednesday morning walk at the state park, it soon became apparent that The Switch had taken place. Gone were the American Redstarts and other late September birds and in their place was the first major push of Yellow-rumped Warblers. Other early October birds were apparent too: a good number of Indigo Buntings and Savannah Sparrows were around, several Eastern Phoebes and small waves of Northern Flickers and Blue Jays. A number of Yellow-bellied Sapsuckers were reported today too, and one or two American Pipits were drifting along the dune line. All signs of The Switch; signs that October is upon us and, while it may be a sign that the warblers will be on the wane, it is also an indication of greater numbers of birds, for October has a tendency to send us great wadges of sparrows, raptors, ducks and more.

And of course, this increase in birds is the very reason that our Autumn Weekend will take place at the end of this month - a whole series of walks, talks and other fun events, as well as all the entertainment at the convention center in town. Many birds will pass our way between now and then, but the end of October is almost certain to be a great time to be birding in Cape May - check out details of our autumn weekend by clicking here, and get signed up to be part of the fun!!

The Switch brought us our first notable movement of Yellow-rumped Warblers today, but with them came another classic October switch - the Magic Trees were plugged in and switched on!! Siberian Elms over a certain age have deeply fissured, craggy bark which serves as a wintering location for aphids. Once a few cooler nights kick in, the aphids turn up on the bark of the trees and the warblers have discovered this - like this Tennessee Warbler, photographed in the original - and still best - Magic Tree in Bill and Edie Schuhl's garden at Cape May Point. Stop by the Northwood Center for updates on which elms are currently producing the best birding [photo by Mike Crewe].

The Switch usually also brings a change to the ponds at Cape May Point, with outgoing shorebirds giving way to incoming ducks. The male Eurasian Wigeon seen here having a conversation with a female American Wigeon turned up at the state park just a few days ago and is most likely the same male that has appeared around this time for several years now [photo by Mike Crewe].

Of interest in the area recently has been a peculiar run of jaeger sightings on land. Jaegers making landfall at Cape May are very rare, but this Parasitic Jaeger, photographed at Stone Harbor Point on 1st is the third jaeger (two Parasitics and a Long-tailed) to have appeared on Cape May beaches in the past few weeks and gives certain cause for concern. When standing up, this bird could be seen to be extensively oiled below with a greasy substance and it seems likely that some unpleasant spillage is swilling around offshore somewhere. Most birds like this one die by ingesting the oil when they try to preen it out of their feathers [photo by Megan Crewe].

With promises of some reasonable migration weather to come in the next few days, it's time to get out into the field...