Morning Flight Tuesday August 31, 2010

This morning featured a flight much reduced from those of the past several days at the Higbee dike. However, 52 Red-breasted Nuthatches were pretty neat to see - good August numbers continue to indicate a big autumn flight for this species. A single juvenile Baird's Sandpiper flying around with other sandpipers may have been the same individual present yesterday.

Tree Swallow diving after a Red-breasted Nuthatch. Higbees Beach (Michael O'Brien).

Baird's Sandpiper (right) with a Semipalmated Sandpiper (left). Higbees Beach (Tom Johnson).

Location: Cape Island--Higbees Beach SWA--Dike
Observation date: 8/31/10
Notes: Calm, warm, humid conditions led to a smaller flight than previous days. Flight highlights include a continued strong August showing by Red-breasted Nuthatches, with 52 individuals today. 177 individual warblers representing 14 species were recorded today. A Mourning Warbler popped up along the edge of the woods, and a Baird's Sandpiper continued on the dike mudflats, occasionally flying by and offering nice size and shape comparisons with other sandpipers. Only birds that appeared to be engaged in morning flight behavior are included on this eBird list.
Number of species: 26

Ruby-throated Hummingbird - Archilochus colubris 11
Eastern Wood-Pewee - Contopus virens 2
Eastern Kingbird - Tyrannus tyrannus 410
Red-eyed Vireo - Vireo olivaceus 4
Red-breasted Nuthatch - Sitta canadensis 52
Blue-gray Gnatcatcher - Polioptila caerulea 20
American Robin - Turdus migratorius 3
Cedar Waxwing - Bombycilla cedrorum 37
Tennessee Warbler - Vermivora peregrina 1
Northern Parula - Parula americana 4
Yellow Warbler - Dendroica petechia 14
Chestnut-sided Warbler - Dendroica pensylvanica 1
Magnolia Warbler - Dendroica magnolia 2
Cape May Warbler - Dendroica tigrina 2
Black-throated Blue Warbler - Dendroica caerulescens 7
Blackburnian Warbler - Dendroica fusca 1
Prairie Warbler - Dendroica discolor 2
Bay-breasted/Blackpoll Warbler - Dendroica castanea/striata 2
Black-and-white Warbler - Mniotilta varia 4
American Redstart - Setophaga ruticilla 66
Ovenbird - Seiurus aurocapilla 1
Northern Waterthrush - Seiurus noveboracensis 44
warbler sp. - Parulinae sp. 34
Chipping Sparrow - Spizella passerina 1
Blue Grosbeak - Passerina caerulea 1
Indigo Bunting - Passerina cyanea 5
Bobolink - Dolichonyx oryzivorus 29
Baltimore Oriole - Icterus galbula 2

This report was generated automatically by eBird v2(http://ebird.org)

Morning Flight Monday August 30, 2010

It was a great day to be out in Cape May! In addition to a few unusual species (2 Summer Tanagers, Lark Sparrow, Baird's Sandpiper, and flyby Buff-breasted Sandpiper) for the Higbee Dike, there was a big flight of American Redstarts and Northern Waterthrushes with the highest counts for both species so far this fall. Interestingly, birders in the woods reported seeing lots of redstarts and waterthrushes, and Buff-breasted Sandpiper, Baird's Sandpiper, and Lark Sparrow all showed up elsewhere on Cape Island today - it really seemed that the morning flight was the preview for an excellent day throughout the area. Eastern Kingbirds continue to stage in large numbers at Higbees Beach, and provide great entertainment as they hawk insects, storm around in big clouds, and bicker with each other constantly. Additionally, a whole bunch of great counters and interpretive naturalists showed up in Cape May to spend the rest of the fall. The hawkwatch officially begins on Wednesday, and the Seawatch begins in about 3 weeks. See you out there!

Eastern Kingbirds are everywhere! This seems to be an adult male (check out the unusual shape of the outer primaries). Higbees Beach (Tom Johnson).

A Lark Sparrow played hard to get at the dike today. This was not that bird, but instead was one in the dunes at the Meadows later in the morning. I think it is a young (hatching year) bird that has almost completed its molt - a few leftover streaks on the flanks suggest that, anyway. Generally, adult-plumaged Lark Sparrows are tough to precisely age in the fall.

Location: Cape Island--Higbees Beach SWA--Dike
Observation date: 8/30/10
Notes: West winds overnight drifted lots of birds out over the Atlantic last night as shown on radar. This was the highest warbler count so far this season, with 919 individual warblers tallied. Species highlights were numerous today, with 2 Summer Tanagers, a Lark Sparrow, a Baird's Sandpiper, and a flyby Buff-breasted Sandpiper. This list only reflects birds that appeared to be engaged in morning flight behavior.
Number of species: 31

Ruby-throated Hummingbird - Archilochus colubris 14
Eastern Wood-Pewee - Contopus virens 1
Eastern Kingbird - Tyrannus tyrannus 250
Red-eyed Vireo - Vireo olivaceus 2
Red-breasted Nuthatch - Sitta canadensis 10
Blue-gray Gnatcatcher - Polioptila caerulea 25
American Robin - Turdus migratorius 19
Northern Mockingbird - Mimus polyglottos 2
Cedar Waxwing - Bombycilla cedrorum 53
Tennessee Warbler - Vermivora peregrina 9
Northern Parula - Parula americana 12
Yellow Warbler - Dendroica petechia 41
Chestnut-sided Warbler - Dendroica pensylvanica 3
Magnolia Warbler - Dendroica magnolia 2
Cape May Warbler - Dendroica tigrina 1
Black-throated Blue Warbler - Dendroica caerulescens 9
Black-throated Green Warbler - Dendroica virens 2
Blackburnian Warbler - Dendroica fusca 2
Pine Warbler - Dendroica pinus 1
Prairie Warbler - Dendroica discolor 4
Bay-breasted/Blackpoll Warbler - Dendroica castanea/striata 1
Black-and-white Warbler - Mniotilta varia 8
American Redstart - Setophaga ruticilla 594
Ovenbird - Seiurus aurocapilla 2
Northern Waterthrush - Seiurus noveboracensis 116
Wilson's Warbler - Wilsonia pusilla 2
warbler sp. - Parulinae sp. 110
Lark Sparrow - Chondestes grammacus 1
Summer Tanager - Piranga rubra 2
Blue Grosbeak - Passerina caerulea 1
Indigo Bunting - Passerina cyanea 1
Bobolink - Dolichonyx oryzivorus 315
Baltimore Oriole - Icterus galbula 7

This report was generated automatically by eBird v2(http://ebird.org)

Morning Flight Sunday August 29, 2010

At the Higbee Dike today, there was yet another warbler flight on clear skies with light winds (which today were SW or W). There weren't as many warblers today as the last three days, but there were some interesting sightings. One was a very surprising, very bright Empidonax flycatcher that zipped over and actually gave all observers extended views - Michael O'Brien also took some photos. Some characters gleaned from the photos suggest Acadian Flycatcher, but given the difficulty of Empid ID, I'll leave it as an Empidonax sp. on the count totals. A Yellow-throated Warbler late in the morning was a splendid addition to the list (and the third YTWA this week!). A high southbound flock of Northern Shoveler and Northern Pintail was a strong reminder that despite afternoon temperatures in the 90s, we are well into the fall migration (in case the boreal warblers weren't enough of a tip off)!Northern Waterthrush in morning flight. Higbees Beach (Tom Johnson).


Black-throated Blue Warbler in morning flight. Higbees Beach (Tom Johnson).



Location: Cape Island--Higbees Beach SWA--Dike
Observation date: 8/29/10
Notes: Clear, light variable wind, 70-75 F; observers almost outnumbered the warblers, but there was a small flight anyway. Only species engaged in morning flight are listed below.
Number of species: 22

Ruby-throated Hummingbird - Archilochus colubris 6
Empidonax sp. - Empidonax sp. 2 *one possible Acadian photographed by M'OB high overhead, very unusual view and a very difficult ID!
Eastern Kingbird - Tyrannus tyrannus 260
Red-eyed Vireo - Vireo olivaceus 10
Red-breasted Nuthatch - Sitta canadensis 17
Blue-gray Gnatcatcher - Polioptila caerulea 24
Northern Mockingbird - Mimus polyglottos 1
Cedar Waxwing - Bombycilla cedrorum 11
Tennessee Warbler - Vermivora peregrina 1
Northern Parula - Parula americana 1
Yellow Warbler - Dendroica petechia 8
Cape May Warbler - Dendroica tigrina 1
Black-throated Blue Warbler - Dendroica caerulescens 4
Black-throated Green Warbler - Dendroica virens 1
Yellow-throated Warbler - Dendroica dominica 1
Prairie Warbler - Dendroica discolor 2
Black-and-white Warbler - Mniotilta varia 5
American Redstart - Setophaga ruticilla 53
Northern Waterthrush - Seiurus noveboracensis 32
Canada Warbler - Wilsonia canadensis 1
warbler sp. - Parulinae sp. 19
Indigo Bunting - Passerina cyanea 2
Bobolink - Dolichonyx oryzivorus 18
Baltimore Oriole - Icterus galbula 12

This report was generated automatically by eBird v2(http://ebird.org)

Morning Flight Saturday August 28, 2010

This morning was met with another great warbler flight at the Higbee Dike. Highlights include several "first of season" birds at the dike including Palm, Yellow-rumped, and Bay-breasted Warblers, and even a male Cerulean Warbler! Red-breasted Nuthatches are starting to make a serious push, with 20 more today - perhaps it will prove to be another big flight year for that species (other northerners are welcome here too - pass the word). Vince Elia counted the flight today.

American Redstart passing the moon. 28 Aug 2010 Higbees Beach (Tom Johnson).

Location: Cape Island--Higbees Beach SWA--Dike
Observation date: 8/28/10
Notes: Vince Elia counted, TBJ entered data. Calm winds, clear skies, another good warbler flight! Highlights = early Palm and Yellow-rumped Warbler, and a Cerulean Warbler that several observers saw briefly but well at close range! Only species engaged in morning flight are noted on this checklist.

Number of species: 35

Ruby-throated Hummingbird - Archilochus colubris 4
Empidonax sp. - Empidonax sp. 2
Eastern Kingbird - Tyrannus tyrannus 72
Philadelphia Vireo - Vireo philadelphicus 1
Red-eyed Vireo - Vireo olivaceus 7
Red-breasted Nuthatch - Sitta canadensis 20
Blue-gray Gnatcatcher - Polioptila caerulea 33
American Robin - Turdus migratorius 1
Cedar Waxwing - Bombycilla cedrorum 33
Blue-winged Warbler - Vermivora pinus 2
Tennessee Warbler - Vermivora peregrina 3
Nashville Warbler - Vermivora ruficapilla 1
Northern Parula - Parula americana 7
Yellow Warbler - Dendroica petechia 56
Chestnut-sided Warbler - Dendroica pensylvanica 3
Magnolia Warbler - Dendroica magnolia 3
Cape May Warbler - Dendroica tigrina 3
Black-throated Blue Warbler - Dendroica caerulescens 8
Yellow-rumped Warbler - Dendroica coronata 1
Black-throated Green Warbler - Dendroica virens 2
Blackburnian Warbler - Dendroica fusca 3
Prairie Warbler - Dendroica discolor 1
Palm Warbler - Dendroica palmarum 1
Bay-breasted Warbler - Dendroica castanea 1
Cerulean Warbler - Dendroica cerulea 1
Black-and-white Warbler - Mniotilta varia 47
American Redstart - Setophaga ruticilla 454
Ovenbird - Seiurus aurocapilla 1
Northern Waterthrush - Seiurus noveboracensis 56
Canada Warbler - Wilsonia canadensis 1
warbler sp. - Parulinae sp. 340
Scarlet Tanager - Piranga olivacea 1
Blue Grosbeak - Passerina caerulea 1
Indigo Bunting - Passerina cyanea 4
Dickcissel - Spiza americana 2
Bobolink - Dolichonyx oryzivorus 30
Baltimore Oriole - Icterus galbula 3

This report was generated automatically by eBird v2(http://ebird.org)

Morning Flight Friday August 27, 2010

High pressure associated with the clearing of a front brought some more northerly winds and another goodly songbird flight today. Diversity was quite good, with 17 species of warblers recorded, including 2 Yellow-throated Warblers, one of which passed very close to observers standing atop the dike. Other highlights include good numbers of Black-throated Blue and Chestnut-sided Warblers.

Canada Warbler in flight by Michael O'Brien. 27 Aug 2010, Higbees Beach.


Location: Cape Island--Higbees Beach SWA--Dike
Observation date: 8/27/10
Notes: 5-10 mph N/ NE wind, clear skies, 65-75 F. Another nice flight, with 17 sp. warblers including blistering looks at a Yellow-throated Warbler (and fair looks at a 2nd YTWA)
Number of species: 35

Ruby-throated Hummingbird - Archilochus colubris 4
Eastern Wood-Pewee - Contopus virens 1
Empidonax sp. - Empidonax sp. 3
Eastern Kingbird - Tyrannus tyrannus 170
Warbling Vireo - Vireo gilvus 2
Red-eyed Vireo - Vireo olivaceus 6
Red-breasted Nuthatch - Sitta canadensis 37
Blue-gray Gnatcatcher - Polioptila caerulea 45
American Robin - Turdus migratorius 16
Northern Mockingbird - Mimus polyglottos 4
Cedar Waxwing - Bombycilla cedrorum 194
Tennessee Warbler - Vermivora peregrina 4
Northern Parula - Parula americana 5
Yellow Warbler - Dendroica petechia 15
Chestnut-sided Warbler - Dendroica pensylvanica 27
Magnolia Warbler - Dendroica magnolia 12
Cape May Warbler - Dendroica tigrina 7
Black-throated Blue Warbler - Dendroica caerulescens 42
Black-throated Green Warbler - Dendroica virens 1
Yellow-throated Warbler - Dendroica dominica 2
Prairie Warbler - Dendroica discolor 5
Black-and-white Warbler - Mniotilta varia 21
American Redstart - Setophaga ruticilla 241
Prothonotary Warbler - Protonotaria citrea 1
Worm-eating Warbler - Helmitheros vermivorum 1
Ovenbird - Seiurus aurocapilla 5
Northern Waterthrush - Seiurus noveboracensis 58
Wilson's Warbler - Wilsonia pusilla 1
Canada Warbler - Wilsonia canadensis 1
warbler sp. - Parulinae sp. 56
Savannah Sparrow - Passerculus sandwichensis 1
Rose-breasted Grosbeak - Pheucticus ludovicianus 1
Blue Grosbeak - Passerina caerulea 2
Indigo Bunting - Passerina cyanea 4
Bobolink - Dolichonyx oryzivorus 345
Baltimore Oriole - Icterus galbula 35
House Sparrow - Passer domesticus 20

This report was generated automatically by eBird v2(http://ebird.org)

Morning Flight Thursday August 26, 2010

As David La Puma suggested they would, conditions fell into place for a nice flight at the Higbee dike this morning. Clearing skies and westerly winds (with NW higher up in the sky) resulted in a decent number of birds flying out heading north. 565 warblers of 16 species flew out (that 565 number includes 105 unidentified warbler species), and we also tallied 3 Dickcissels which gave their amusing flight calls from somewhere up in the ether. Just as interesting as the northbound flight was the movement of 1485 southbound Bobolinks.
Other neat birds this morning included a flyover Whimbrel and the continuing waves of sandpipers and plovers roosting and chasing small flies on the dredge spoil (at least 1 White-rumped joined in today). I heard that the woods and fields were good this morning as well - it will be nice to see what else turns up on the Cape today.

Location: Cape Island--Higbees Beach SWA--Dike
Observation date: 8/26/10
Notes: A light to moderate west wind led to the best morning flight count of the season so far. 565 warblers (105 sp.) and 3 Dickcissels = highlights. Shorebirds included lots of Semipalmated and Least Sandpipers, 1 White-rumped Sandpiper, and a flyover Whimbrel. Only birds that appeared to be engaged in morning flight behavior are reported on this checklist.

- Hide quoted text -

Number of species: 27

Ruby-throated Hummingbird - Archilochus colubris 12
Eastern Wood-Pewee - Contopus virens 1
Eastern Kingbird - Tyrannus tyrannus 13
Red-eyed Vireo - Vireo olivaceus 5
Red-breasted Nuthatch - Sitta canadensis 1
Blue-gray Gnatcatcher - Polioptila caerulea 24
Northern Mockingbird - Mimus polyglottos 1
Cedar Waxwing - Bombycilla cedrorum 42
Blue-winged Warbler - Vermivora pinus 1
Tennessee Warbler - Vermivora peregrina 5
Yellow Warbler - Dendroica petechia 52
Chestnut-sided Warbler - Dendroica pensylvanica 2
Magnolia Warbler - Dendroica magnolia 5
Cape May Warbler - Dendroica tigrina 4
Black-throated Blue Warbler - Dendroica caerulescens 7
Blackburnian Warbler - Dendroica fusca 3
Prairie Warbler - Dendroica discolor 3
Black-and-white Warbler - Mniotilta varia 12
American Redstart - Setophaga ruticilla 297
Worm-eating Warbler - Helmitheros vermivorum 1
Ovenbird - Seiurus aurocapilla 3
Northern Waterthrush - Seiurus noveboracensis 62
Wilson's Warbler - Wilsonia pusilla 2
Canada Warbler - Wilsonia canadensis 1
warbler sp. - Parulinae sp. 105
Dickcissel - Spiza americana 3
Bobolink - Dolichonyx oryzivorus 1485
Baltimore Oriole - Icterus galbula 1

This report was generated automatically by eBird v2(http://ebird.org)

Morning Flight Wednesday August 25, 2010

If local wind conditions were an indicator, this morning should have been better than it was at the Higbee dike; however, the sky was heavily overcast all night and there was rain to the north, which may have shut down some of the migration that north/ northwest winds typically help shuttle in to Cape May. Still, we had some nice diversity, with Northern Waterthrush contesting American Redstart for the warbler crown this morning (and a Louisiana for comparison too!). Today was a nice example of why the Morning Flight platform is so nicely placed for birdwatching: if you had been there at about 7:30 AM, you would have had Baltimore Orioles and Eastern Kingbirds swirling all around at close range. At least 6-7 Empidonax flycatchers were seen at the dike this morning, with potentially four species represented. Best views were had (by me anyway) of Least and "Traill's" Flycatchers, while a possible Yellow-bellied got away (but looked very greenish/ yellowy in flight).

Location: Cape Island--Higbees Beach SWA--Dike
Observation date: 8/25/10
Notes: N/ NW winds last night, but heavily overcast with rain to the north. There were definitely some new birds around today, including lots of indecisive Baltimore Orioles and Eastern Kingbirds. BTNW and MAWA were new tallies for the official morning flight count which started 16 August.
Number of species: 14

Ruby-throated Hummingbird - Archilochus colubris 4
Empidonax sp. - Empidonax sp. 2
Blue-gray Gnatcatcher - Polioptila caerulea 5
Cedar Waxwing - Bombycilla cedrorum 33
Northern Parula - Parula americana 2
Yellow Warbler - Dendroica petechia 3
Magnolia Warbler - Dendroica magnolia 1
Black-throated Blue Warbler - Dendroica caerulescens 2
Black-throated Green Warbler - Dendroica virens 1
Black-and-white Warbler - Mniotilta varia 1
American Redstart - Setophaga ruticilla 36
Northern Waterthrush - Seiurus noveboracensis 27
Louisiana Waterthrush - Seiurus motacilla 1
warbler sp. - Parulinae sp. 7
Indigo Bunting - Passerina cyanea 1
Bobolink - Dolichonyx oryzivorus 79

This report was generated automatically by eBird v2(http://ebird.org)

Morning Flight Tuesday August 24, 2010

This morning saw another light flight at the Higbee dike. Highlights included several Bald Eagles (including a young bird dogging an Osprey behind the Cape May - Lewes Ferry), a flyby Worm-eating Warbler, and a neat flyby look at an adult Long-billed Dowitcher. The dowitcher was very rusty orange throughout the underparts and had big raggedy notches in the wings showing active flight feather molt. Over 250 Eastern Kingbirds also provided entertainment this morning - these active birds occasionally boiled up in a cloud over the dune forest to the south, and then just as quickly put down in the treetops, bickering and hawking bugs.


Location: Cape Island--Higbees Beach SWA--Dike
Observation date: 8/24/10
Notes: chilly, with a 10+ mph NE wind; 100% overcast; not surprisingly, another light flight
Number of species: 13

Ruby-throated Hummingbird - Archilochus colubris 1
Blue-gray Gnatcatcher - Polioptila caerulea 9
American Robin - Turdus migratorius 2
Cedar Waxwing - Bombycilla cedrorum 14
Yellow Warbler - Dendroica petechia 11
Black-throated Blue Warbler - Dendroica caerulescens 2
Prairie Warbler - Dendroica discolor 4
Black-and-white Warbler - Mniotilta varia 5
American Redstart - Setophaga ruticilla 42
Worm-eating Warbler - Helmitheros vermivorum 1
Northern Waterthrush - Seiurus noveboracensis 8
warbler sp. - Parulinae sp. 11
Bobolink - Dolichonyx oryzivorus 106
Baltimore Oriole - Icterus galbula 1

This report was generated automatically by eBird v2(http://ebird.org)

Morning Flight Monday August 23, 2010

Location: Cape Island--Higbees Beach SWA--Dike
Observation date: 8/23/10
Notes: Considering the soft N/ NW winds for several hours pre-dawn this morning, the flight was a bit lighter than expected. Eight observers noted a light to moderate warbler flight that peaked about 45 minutes after sunrise and died down quickly thereafter. This list only includes species and numbers of birds that appeared to be engaged in morning flight behavior.

Number of species: 15

Ruby-throated Hummingbird - Archilochus colubris 3
Empidonax sp. - Empidonax sp. 1
Eastern Kingbird - Tyrannus tyrannus 135
Blue-gray Gnatcatcher - Polioptila caerulea 23
American Robin - Turdus migratorius 2
Northern Mockingbird - Mimus polyglottos 1
Cedar Waxwing - Bombycilla cedrorum 6
Yellow Warbler - Dendroica petechia 10
Cape May Warbler - Dendroica tigrina 1
Black-throated Blue Warbler - Dendroica caerulescens 4
Blackburnian Warbler - Dendroica fusca 1
Black-and-white Warbler - Mniotilta varia 2
American Redstart - Setophaga ruticilla 52
Northern Waterthrush - Seiurus noveboracensis 3
warbler sp. - Parulinae sp. 10
Indigo Bunting - Passerina cyanea 6
Bobolink - Dolichonyx oryzivorus 80

This report was generated automatically by eBird v2(http://ebird.org)