Today's count was a noticeable deceleration from yesterday, but still contained a good passage of warblers (454 individuals of 13 species). The composition of the flight was interesting, with an excellent flight of Northern Waterthrushes (126) - more than 3x yesterday's count (39) - and more Yellow Warblers (53) too. Northern Waterthrushes were on the move early this morning, with a dozen tallied before the sun even came up. Red-breasted Nuthatches moved in appreciably smaller numbers today (20; only ~5% of yesterday's 374). Otherwise, following on the heels of 8/29's first tanagers of the fall, today's flight featured the first Rose-breasted Grosbeak.
Ruby-throated Hummingbird - 11
Empidonax flycatcher - 1
Eastern Kingbird - 43
Red-eyed Vireo - 3
Red-breasted Nuthatch - 20
Blue-gray Gnatcatcher - 2
Northern Mockingbird - 1
Cedar Waxwing - 48
Tennessee Warbler - 1
Northern Parula - 9
Yellow Warbler - 53
Chestnut-sided Warbler - 1
Magnolia Warbler - 2
Cape May Warbler - 1
Black-throated Blue Warbler - 7
Blackburnian Warbler - 1
Prairie Warbler - 5
Black-and-white Warbler - 25
American Redstart - 156
Ovenbird - 1
Northern Waterthrush - 126
warbler sp. - 66
Scarlet Tanager - 1
Rose-breasted Grosbeak - 1
Blue Grosbeak - 2
Indigo Bunting - 5
Bobolink - 38
Baltimore Oriole - 30
Total = 659
Other highlights included 8 Brown Pelicans in an offshore feeding frenzy and a small flight of 20 northbound Black Terns. The real surprise, however, was an unidentified whale that Tom Johnson spotted in the Delaware Bay; it was only seen a few times in partial breaches.
Morning Flight - 29 August 2012
Where to begin? Firstly, today's flight was an excellent one! After a 10-day stretch without a noteworthy front, last night's winds were finally conducive for migration. And the birds responded. The day was full of highlights and the flight as a whole was very enjoyable. Compared to the recent dribs and drabs, today's flight stood out in stark relief. All told, more than 2500+ birds were tallied and nearly a thousand warblers (949). American Redstarts comprised half of that figure (473) but warbler diversity was certainly in evidence today, with at least 24 species (!) and a photo-documented "Brewster's Warbler."
Despite this, the warblers were outshined today by a massive late August flight of Red-breasted Nuthatches (374); only 28 were counted from here during the prior two weeks. This is the highest count since the Morning Flight officially began nearly a decade ago (the prior high count was 276 on a more expected date of 12 October 2010). However, The Birds of Cape May (Sibley 1997) mention two other round number counts which exceed today's number: 500 on 28 September 1995 and 400 on 21 September 1981. In contrast to these late September and October flights, the early date of today's passage makes it all the more exceptional. Is it possible that numbers will continue to build for this species?
A number of other notable species made appearances today: Olive-sided Flycatcher, Hooded Warbler, Summer Tanager, 2 Lark Sparrows (!), and 4 Purple Finches. The large number of Baltimore Orioles (174), which included a flock of 76 birds, also deserves mentioning.
Thanks to everyone who contributed to today's count!
Yellow-billed Cuckoo - 1
Ruby-throated Hummingbird - 12
Red-bellied Woodpecker - 1
Olive-sided Flycatcher - 1
Eastern Wood-Pewee - 2
Empidonax flycatcher - 2
Eastern Kingbird - 20
Philadelphia Vireo - 1
Red-eyed Vireo - 37
Red-breasted Nuthatch - 374
Blue-gray Gnatcatcher - 17
American Robin - 5
Northern Mockingbird - 1
Cedar Waxwing - 829
Blue-winged Warbler - 1
"winged-warbler" sp. (Golden-winged/Brewster's) - 1
"Brewster's" Warbler - 1
Tennessee Warbler - 5
Nashville Warbler - 4
Northern Parula - 18
Yellow Warbler - 45
Chestnut-sided Warbler - 15
Magnolia Warbler - 10
Cape May Warbler - 12
Black-throated Blue Warbler - 49
Yellow-rumped Warbler - 1
Black-throated Green Warbler - 6
Blackburnian Warbler - 2
Pine Warbler - 1
Prairie Warbler - 3
Blackpoll Warbler - 1
Black-and-white Warbler - 33
American Redstart - 473
Worm-eating Warbler - 1
Ovenbird - 2
Northern Waterthrush - 39
Louisiana Waterthrush - 1
Wilson's Warbler - 1
Hooded Warbler - 1
Canada Warbler - 1
warbler sp. - 222
Scarlet Tanager - 3
Summer Tanager - 1
Lark Sparrow - 2
Blue Grosbeak - 1
Indigo Bunting - 5
Dickcissel - 2
Bobolink - 254
Baltimore Oriole - 174
Purple Finch - 4
Total = 2691
Morning flight aside, there was still one more highlight for the day. Two Upland Sandpipers dropped in for a brief stay at the ephemeral mudflats atop the dredge spoils.
Despite this, the warblers were outshined today by a massive late August flight of Red-breasted Nuthatches (374); only 28 were counted from here during the prior two weeks. This is the highest count since the Morning Flight officially began nearly a decade ago (the prior high count was 276 on a more expected date of 12 October 2010). However, The Birds of Cape May (Sibley 1997) mention two other round number counts which exceed today's number: 500 on 28 September 1995 and 400 on 21 September 1981. In contrast to these late September and October flights, the early date of today's passage makes it all the more exceptional. Is it possible that numbers will continue to build for this species?
A number of other notable species made appearances today: Olive-sided Flycatcher, Hooded Warbler, Summer Tanager, 2 Lark Sparrows (!), and 4 Purple Finches. The large number of Baltimore Orioles (174), which included a flock of 76 birds, also deserves mentioning.
Thanks to everyone who contributed to today's count!
Yellow-billed Cuckoo - 1
Ruby-throated Hummingbird - 12
Red-bellied Woodpecker - 1
Olive-sided Flycatcher - 1
Eastern Wood-Pewee - 2
Empidonax flycatcher - 2
Eastern Kingbird - 20
Philadelphia Vireo - 1
Red-eyed Vireo - 37
Red-breasted Nuthatch - 374
Blue-gray Gnatcatcher - 17
American Robin - 5
Northern Mockingbird - 1
Cedar Waxwing - 829
Blue-winged Warbler - 1
"winged-warbler" sp. (Golden-winged/Brewster's) - 1
"Brewster's" Warbler - 1
Tennessee Warbler - 5
Nashville Warbler - 4
Northern Parula - 18
Yellow Warbler - 45
Chestnut-sided Warbler - 15
Magnolia Warbler - 10
Cape May Warbler - 12
Black-throated Blue Warbler - 49
Yellow-rumped Warbler - 1
Black-throated Green Warbler - 6
Blackburnian Warbler - 2
Pine Warbler - 1
Prairie Warbler - 3
Blackpoll Warbler - 1
Black-and-white Warbler - 33
American Redstart - 473
Worm-eating Warbler - 1
Ovenbird - 2
Northern Waterthrush - 39
Louisiana Waterthrush - 1
Wilson's Warbler - 1
Hooded Warbler - 1
Canada Warbler - 1
warbler sp. - 222
Scarlet Tanager - 3
Summer Tanager - 1
Lark Sparrow - 2
Blue Grosbeak - 1
Indigo Bunting - 5
Dickcissel - 2
Bobolink - 254
Baltimore Oriole - 174
Purple Finch - 4
Total = 2691
Morning flight aside, there was still one more highlight for the day. Two Upland Sandpipers dropped in for a brief stay at the ephemeral mudflats atop the dredge spoils.
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| Red-breasted Nuthatch (Photo by Tom Johnson) |
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| "Brewster's Warbler" (Photo by Tony Leukering) |
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| Black-throated Blue Warbler (Photo by Tom Johnson) |
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| Lark Sparrow (Photo by Tony Leukering) |
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| Baltimore Oriole (Photo by Tony Leukering) |
Morning Flight - 28 August 2012
Songbird migration has come to a virtual standstill so tonight's promising winds couldn't be more timely. Warbler "diversity" (and I use that term lightly) was down to a season-low today and very few warblers were seen. Period. Only the swarm of staging Eastern Kingbirds (~123) provided some air-borne passerines in any sizable number.
Ruby-throated Hummingbird - 6
Red-bellied Woodpecker - 1
Eastern Kingbird - 7
"Traill's" Flycatcher - 1
Northern Mockingbird - 1
American Redstart - 11
Worm-eating Warbler - 1
Northern Waterthrush - 1
warbler sp. - 1
Blue Grosbeak - 1
Bobolink - 35
Total = 66
Highlights, in general, were limited, although 4 Black Terns were again seen today. In fact, Black Terns have become expected from Higbee in recent weeks.
Ruby-throated Hummingbird - 6
Red-bellied Woodpecker - 1
Eastern Kingbird - 7
"Traill's" Flycatcher - 1
Northern Mockingbird - 1
American Redstart - 11
Worm-eating Warbler - 1
Northern Waterthrush - 1
warbler sp. - 1
Blue Grosbeak - 1
Bobolink - 35
Total = 66
Highlights, in general, were limited, although 4 Black Terns were again seen today. In fact, Black Terns have become expected from Higbee in recent weeks.
Morning Flight - 27 August 2012
South winds stalled songbird movement, leaving few birds airborne today. Aside for the minor movement of predominantly Yellow Warblers yesterday, there hasn't been a warbler flight since 8/22, now five days ago. Today's highlight was the first migrant sparrow of the year: Clay-colored Sparrow.
Ruby-throated Hummingbird - 10
Blue-gray Gnatcatcher - 2
Cedar Waxwing - 4
Yellow Warbler - 3
Black-and-white Warbler - 2
American Redstart - 21
Ovenbird - 1
Northern Waterthrush - 7
warbler sp. - 5
Clay-colored Sparrow - 1
Indigo Bunting - 5
Bobolink - 17
Total = 78
Other non-morning flight highlights included a Northern Gannet and continued good numbers of Black Terns. I tallied at least 20, although I'm sure there were more filtering in and out of the bay. At one point, a larid feeding frenzy contained no less than 17 Black Terns!
Ruby-throated Hummingbird - 10
Blue-gray Gnatcatcher - 2
Cedar Waxwing - 4
Yellow Warbler - 3
Black-and-white Warbler - 2
American Redstart - 21
Ovenbird - 1
Northern Waterthrush - 7
warbler sp. - 5
Clay-colored Sparrow - 1
Indigo Bunting - 5
Bobolink - 17
Total = 78
Other non-morning flight highlights included a Northern Gannet and continued good numbers of Black Terns. I tallied at least 20, although I'm sure there were more filtering in and out of the bay. At one point, a larid feeding frenzy contained no less than 17 Black Terns!
Morning Flight - 26 August 2012
Although heavy downpours (2+ inches of rain yesterday and more this morning) and intense nighttime thunderstorms had largely subsided by dawn, I was still delayed by the last remnants of rain and lightning before ascending to my sunrise perch. After the weather broke, the morning turned out to be quite nice, but with moderately strong east winds. I guess this recipe proved just right for Yellow Warblers, which took the opportunity to at last upend American Redstart as the most numerous warbler for the first time this year. An obliging Ovenbird and a flock of six Baltimore Orioles rounded out the list of highlights.
Ruby-throated Hummingbird - 6
Red-breasted Nuthatch - 2
American Robin - 1
Cedar Waxwing - 7
Yellow Warbler - 41
Prairie Warbler - 1
Black-and-white Warbler - 5
American Redstart - 22
Worm-eating Warbler - 1
Ovenbird - 1
Northern Waterthrush - 18
warbler sp. - 18
Bobolink - 5
Baltimore Oriole - 6
Total = 134
Other highlights include a southbound flight of waterbirds:
Double-crested Cormorant - 48
Great Egret - 15
Snowy Egret - 23
Glossy Ibis - 8
Otherwise, today's 5 Stilt Sandpipers and 27 Black Terns were the high counts from Higbee so far. Lastly, yesterday's Chuck-will's-widow continued between 6:00 - 6:05 AM, before disappearing for good into the woods.
Ruby-throated Hummingbird - 6
Red-breasted Nuthatch - 2
American Robin - 1
Cedar Waxwing - 7
Yellow Warbler - 41
Prairie Warbler - 1
Black-and-white Warbler - 5
American Redstart - 22
Worm-eating Warbler - 1
Ovenbird - 1
Northern Waterthrush - 18
warbler sp. - 18
Bobolink - 5
Baltimore Oriole - 6
Total = 134
Other highlights include a southbound flight of waterbirds:
Double-crested Cormorant - 48
Great Egret - 15
Snowy Egret - 23
Glossy Ibis - 8
Otherwise, today's 5 Stilt Sandpipers and 27 Black Terns were the high counts from Higbee so far. Lastly, yesterday's Chuck-will's-widow continued between 6:00 - 6:05 AM, before disappearing for good into the woods.
Morning Flight Musings - Red Crossbills heading our way?
Although it is only August, it is never too early to speculate. So with that in mind: could this be the year for a major Red Crossbill flight? After considering the rash of Red Crossbill sightings so far this month, it seems at least possible.
Red Crossbills are currently moving in unprecedented numbers in the Upper Midwest. Karl Bardon, from his perch at Hawk Ridge (Duluth, Minnesota), has already broken the state high-count three times in the past two weeks alone! Since 8/15, he has tallied 2811 southbound Red Crossbills, including 1192 yesterday (8/24):
Hawk Ridge fall counts (2012)
Other Red Crossbill sightings from around the Midwest come from Kansas, central Nebraska, northern Illinois, and southern Wisconsin. Things don't seem quite so advanced (yet?) in the Northeast; however, there have been multiple sightings from Massachusetts in the past week, a flyover yard bird in Connecticut (8/24), and a single flyover in northeastern Pennsylvania just this morning (8/25). If we compare last year's August eBird records with those already entered from this fall, we can see a pretty clear difference. This is particularly noticeable in the Upper Midwest, but a closer inspection of the Northeast reveals crossbills inching their way south.
Whether or not this early season push actually amounts to anything is too soon to say, but, in any case, it is worth keeping an eye - and particularly a keen ear - out for Red Crossbills in the near future.
Red Crossbills are currently moving in unprecedented numbers in the Upper Midwest. Karl Bardon, from his perch at Hawk Ridge (Duluth, Minnesota), has already broken the state high-count three times in the past two weeks alone! Since 8/15, he has tallied 2811 southbound Red Crossbills, including 1192 yesterday (8/24):
Hawk Ridge fall counts (2012)
Other Red Crossbill sightings from around the Midwest come from Kansas, central Nebraska, northern Illinois, and southern Wisconsin. Things don't seem quite so advanced (yet?) in the Northeast; however, there have been multiple sightings from Massachusetts in the past week, a flyover yard bird in Connecticut (8/24), and a single flyover in northeastern Pennsylvania just this morning (8/25). If we compare last year's August eBird records with those already entered from this fall, we can see a pretty clear difference. This is particularly noticeable in the Upper Midwest, but a closer inspection of the Northeast reveals crossbills inching their way south.
Whether or not this early season push actually amounts to anything is too soon to say, but, in any case, it is worth keeping an eye - and particularly a keen ear - out for Red Crossbills in the near future.
Morning Flight - 25 August 2012
The "flight" - if you can even call it that - was nearly nonexistent this morning. In fact, only 53 birds were tallied in the truncated count period, before a wide band of light rain engulfed Cape May. However, that doesn't mean that there weren't some goodies to be seen. Among the 38 warblers in northbound flight were the season's first Cape May Warbler, a close Golden-winged Warbler, and an even closer Prothonotary Warbler. Otherwise, American Redstarts narrowly beat out Ruby-throated Hummingbirds as the day's most numerous migrant.
Ruby-throated Hummingbird - 8
Red-breasted Nuthatch - 4
American Robin - 1
Northern Mockingbird - 1
Golden-winged Warbler - 1
Yellow Warbler - 6
Cape May Warbler - 1
Prairie Warbler - 1
Black-and-white Warbler - 4
American Redstart - 12
Prothonotary Warbler - 1
Northern Waterthrush - 6
warbler sp. - 6
Indigo Bunting - 1
Total = 53
The interesting birds, however, were not just confined to songbirds. At approximately 6:05 AM (15-20 minutes before sunrise), a Chuck-will's-widow was seen doing a broad circuit of the road and another shorter sally a bit later. Following this observation in the pre-dawn light, I was greeted with a rare sunrise rainbow - that appeared exactly at sunrise - before dissipating a few short minutes later. About an hour afterward (7:13 AM), a flock of 8 southbound Hudsonian Godwits - the second occurrence of this species already this season - were scoped heading down the bayshore. Not too shabby for a "bad" day of migrants at the Cape...
Ruby-throated Hummingbird - 8
Red-breasted Nuthatch - 4
American Robin - 1
Northern Mockingbird - 1
Golden-winged Warbler - 1
Yellow Warbler - 6
Cape May Warbler - 1
Prairie Warbler - 1
Black-and-white Warbler - 4
American Redstart - 12
Prothonotary Warbler - 1
Northern Waterthrush - 6
warbler sp. - 6
Indigo Bunting - 1
Total = 53
The interesting birds, however, were not just confined to songbirds. At approximately 6:05 AM (15-20 minutes before sunrise), a Chuck-will's-widow was seen doing a broad circuit of the road and another shorter sally a bit later. Following this observation in the pre-dawn light, I was greeted with a rare sunrise rainbow - that appeared exactly at sunrise - before dissipating a few short minutes later. About an hour afterward (7:13 AM), a flock of 8 southbound Hudsonian Godwits - the second occurrence of this species already this season - were scoped heading down the bayshore. Not too shabby for a "bad" day of migrants at the Cape...
Morning Flight - 24 August 2012
Conditions were similar to yesterday and resulted in another very light warbler flight. Again, Bobolinks saved the day and kept overall numbers in triple-digits. Red-breasted Nuthatch numbers continue to creep upward and today's count bumped the season total up to 22. The highlight was a Warbling Vireo that was scoped on the treeline just prior to its departure.
Ruby-throated Hummingbird - 10
Empidonax sp. - 1
Eastern Kingbird - 5
Warbling Vireo - 1
Red-eyed Vireo - 1
Red-breasted Nuthatch - 9
Blue-gray Gnatcatcher - 7
Cedar Waxwing - 22
Yellow Warbler - 2
Black-throated Blue Warbler - 2
Blackburnian Warbler - 2
Prairie Warbler - 1
Black-and-white Warbler - 6
American Redstart - 22
Northern Waterthrush - 8
warbler sp. - 14
Indigo Bunting - 2
Bobolink - 118
Total = 234
Other highlights included 25 flyby Brown Pelicans, a male Black Scoter that was southbound over Delaware Bay, and 4 Black Terns.
Ruby-throated Hummingbird - 10
Empidonax sp. - 1
Eastern Kingbird - 5
Warbling Vireo - 1
Red-eyed Vireo - 1
Red-breasted Nuthatch - 9
Blue-gray Gnatcatcher - 7
Cedar Waxwing - 22
Yellow Warbler - 2
Black-throated Blue Warbler - 2
Blackburnian Warbler - 2
Prairie Warbler - 1
Black-and-white Warbler - 6
American Redstart - 22
Northern Waterthrush - 8
warbler sp. - 14
Indigo Bunting - 2
Bobolink - 118
Total = 234
Other highlights included 25 flyby Brown Pelicans, a male Black Scoter that was southbound over Delaware Bay, and 4 Black Terns.
Morning Flight - 23 August 2012
It was muggy, calm, and overcast this morning and the birds - as if they were trying to tell us something - apparently slept in. Vince Elia relieved me of my vigil for the morning and spared me a slow flight. Nevertheless, a few sightings were noteworthy, including the 4th Dickcissel of the year already.
Ruby-throated Hummingbird - 2
Eastern Kingbird - 25
Red-breasted Nuthatch - 2
Blue-gray Gnatcatcher - 1
American Robin - 3
Cedar Waxwing - 4
Northern Parula - 1
Yellow Warbler - 4
Prairie Warbler - 1
Black-and-white Warbler - 1
American Redstart - 11
Ovenbird - 1
Northern Waterthrush - 10
Blue Grosbeak - 1
Dickcissel - 1
Baltimore Oriole - 1
Total = 69
The highlight of the day was a jaeger sp. (probable Parasitic Jaeger) that Vince spotted in flight over the Delaware Bay.
Ruby-throated Hummingbird - 2
Eastern Kingbird - 25
Red-breasted Nuthatch - 2
Blue-gray Gnatcatcher - 1
American Robin - 3
Cedar Waxwing - 4
Northern Parula - 1
Yellow Warbler - 4
Prairie Warbler - 1
Black-and-white Warbler - 1
American Redstart - 11
Ovenbird - 1
Northern Waterthrush - 10
Blue Grosbeak - 1
Dickcissel - 1
Baltimore Oriole - 1
Total = 69
The highlight of the day was a jaeger sp. (probable Parasitic Jaeger) that Vince spotted in flight over the Delaware Bay.
Morning Flight - 22 August 2012
Today's flight brought a number of firsts for the fall, including Red-bellied Woodpecker, Red-eyed Vireo, and Black-throated Blue Warbler. In fact, although the flight was rather light and protracted, we ended up with a nice diversity of warblers (9 species). And among those warblers, we were afforded some fantastic in-flight looks, lit up beautifully with the morning sun to our backs (eventually that same sun would make things uncomfortably toasty). Red-breasted Nuthatches finally flew in numbers greater than one - a promising sign of a fall flight for that species. But despite all of this, the day's highlight was certainly not a passerine or near-passerine (read on).
Ruby-throated Hummingbird - 7
Red-bellied Woodpecker - 1
Empidonax flycatcher - 1
Eastern Kingbird - 14
Red-eyed Vireo - 3
Red-breasted Nuthatch - 8
Blue-gray Gnatcatcher - 26
American Robin - 4
Northern Mockingbird - 2
Cedar Waxwing - 14
Yellow Warbler - 19
Black-throated Blue Warbler - 3
Yellow-rumped Warbler - 1
Blackburnian Warbler - 2
Prairie Warbler - 4
Black-and-white Warbler - 8
American Redstart - 101
Worm-eating Warbler - 2
Northern Waterthrush - 13
warbler sp. - 10
Indigo Bunting - 2
Bobolink - 10
Baltimore Oriole - 3
Total = 261
At 7:51 AM, a Hudsonian Godwit was spotted over the Delaware Bay, heading north. It appeared to land on the beach just north of the Cape May Canal, but despite a long walk on the beach a few hours later, it could not be re-found. Other highlights for the day include a nice flight of north-bound Snowy Egrets (26), a Whimbrel, and a single Black Tern.
Ruby-throated Hummingbird - 7
Red-bellied Woodpecker - 1
Empidonax flycatcher - 1
Eastern Kingbird - 14
Red-eyed Vireo - 3
Red-breasted Nuthatch - 8
Blue-gray Gnatcatcher - 26
American Robin - 4
Northern Mockingbird - 2
Cedar Waxwing - 14
Yellow Warbler - 19
Black-throated Blue Warbler - 3
Yellow-rumped Warbler - 1
Blackburnian Warbler - 2
Prairie Warbler - 4
Black-and-white Warbler - 8
American Redstart - 101
Worm-eating Warbler - 2
Northern Waterthrush - 13
warbler sp. - 10
Indigo Bunting - 2
Bobolink - 10
Baltimore Oriole - 3
Total = 261
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| Northern Waterthrush (left) and Blackburnian Warbler (right; photo by Sam Galick) |
At 7:51 AM, a Hudsonian Godwit was spotted over the Delaware Bay, heading north. It appeared to land on the beach just north of the Cape May Canal, but despite a long walk on the beach a few hours later, it could not be re-found. Other highlights for the day include a nice flight of north-bound Snowy Egrets (26), a Whimbrel, and a single Black Tern.
Morning Flight - 21 August 2012
Aside from three large flocks of Bobolinks (including one of 85), the flight was light this morning. But for the third consecutive morning, a single Red-breasted Nuthatch flew out. Also, the consistent passage of Ruby-throated Hummingbirds continues, with 59 heading north in the past six days alone. Otherwise, highlights included a Worm-eating Warbler and another Orchard Oriole.
Ruby-throated Hummingbird - 13
Eastern Kingbird - 39
Red-breasted Nuthatch - 1
Blue-gray Gnatcatcher - 1
American Robin - 2
Northern Mockingbird - 1
Cedar Waxwing - 13
Yellow Warbler - 6
Prairie Warbler - 1
Black-and-white Warbler - 2
American Redstart - 30
Worm-eating Warbler - 1
Northern Waterthrush - 20
warbler sp. - 13
Indigo Bunting - 2
Bobolink - 183
Baltimore Oriole - 4
Orchard Oriole - 1
Total = 333
Ruby-throated Hummingbird - 13
Eastern Kingbird - 39
Red-breasted Nuthatch - 1
Blue-gray Gnatcatcher - 1
American Robin - 2
Northern Mockingbird - 1
Cedar Waxwing - 13
Yellow Warbler - 6
Prairie Warbler - 1
Black-and-white Warbler - 2
American Redstart - 30
Worm-eating Warbler - 1
Northern Waterthrush - 20
warbler sp. - 13
Indigo Bunting - 2
Bobolink - 183
Baltimore Oriole - 4
Orchard Oriole - 1
Total = 333
Morning Flight - 20 August 2012
What the flight today lacked in quantity, it made up for in quality. Sam Galick spotted (and photographed) a southbound White-winged Dove quickly winging its way through the treetops this morning (7:15 AM). After about an hour-and-a-half (8:51 AM), presumably the same White-winged Dove was then seen flying over the treeline to our west. We watched as it flew across the Cape May Canal and out-of-sight. The warbler flight this morning was definitely "light," but, notably, contained a single Prothonotary Warbler, which flew by nicely for those few, patient observers. Other highlights included 4 Brown Pelicans, 8 Black Terns, the second consecutive day with a Red-breasted Nuthatch, and a single Dickcissel.
White-winged Dove - 1
Ruby-throated Hummingbird - 14
Empidonax flycatcher - 1
Eastern Kingbird - 25
Red-breasted Nuthatch - 1
Blue-gray Gnatcatcher - 3
American Robin - 1
Cedar Waxwing - 30
Yellow Warbler - 21
Yellow-rumped Warbler - 2
Chestnut-sided Warbler - 1
Prairie Warbler - 3
Black-and-white Warbler - 4
American Redstart - 23
Prothonotary Warbler - 1
Northern Waterthrush - 15
warbler sp. - 25
Blue Grosbeak - 1
Dickcissel - 1
Bobolink - 61
Baltimore Oriole - 1
Total = 235
White-winged Dove - 1
Ruby-throated Hummingbird - 14
Empidonax flycatcher - 1
Eastern Kingbird - 25
Red-breasted Nuthatch - 1
Blue-gray Gnatcatcher - 3
American Robin - 1
Cedar Waxwing - 30
Yellow Warbler - 21
Yellow-rumped Warbler - 2
Chestnut-sided Warbler - 1
Prairie Warbler - 3
Black-and-white Warbler - 4
American Redstart - 23
Prothonotary Warbler - 1
Northern Waterthrush - 15
warbler sp. - 25
Blue Grosbeak - 1
Dickcissel - 1
Bobolink - 61
Baltimore Oriole - 1
Total = 235
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| White-winged Dove (photo by Sam Galick) |
Morning Flight - 19 August 2012
Today was numerically the best warbler flight of the fledgling season (406 warblers), but consisted overwhelmingly of American Redstarts (>80% of identified warblers) with relatively little diversity. The single Chestnut-sided, Pine, and Wilson Warblers were all firsts for the season, as was the lone Red-breasted Nuthatch. The second Orchard Oriole of the season was also tallied today - these two birds may represent the majority of that species' season total.
Ruby-throated Hummingbird - 11
Eastern Kingbird - 19
Great Crested Flycatcher - 1
Red-breasted Nuthatch - 1
Blue-gray Gnatcatcher - 4
American Robin - 8
Northern Mockingbird - 1
Cedar Waxwing - 15
Yellow Warbler - 21
Chestnut-sided Warbler - 1
Blackburnian Warbler - 1
Pine Warbler - 1
Prairie Warbler - 5
Black-and-white Warbler - 13
American Redstart - 288
Northern Waterthrush - 28
Wilson's Warbler - 1
warbler sp. - 47
Blue Grosbeak - 2
Indigo Bunting - 2
Bobolink - 81
Baltimore Oriole - 1
Orchard Oriole - 1
Total = 553
Other highlights included 6 Brown Pelicans that landed in the bay, 2 Stilt Sandpipers, and a flight of 444 north-bound Purple Martins (thanks to Ramsay Koury)
Ruby-throated Hummingbird - 11
Eastern Kingbird - 19
Great Crested Flycatcher - 1
Red-breasted Nuthatch - 1
Blue-gray Gnatcatcher - 4
American Robin - 8
Northern Mockingbird - 1
Cedar Waxwing - 15
Yellow Warbler - 21
Chestnut-sided Warbler - 1
Blackburnian Warbler - 1
Pine Warbler - 1
Prairie Warbler - 5
Black-and-white Warbler - 13
American Redstart - 288
Northern Waterthrush - 28
Wilson's Warbler - 1
warbler sp. - 47
Blue Grosbeak - 2
Indigo Bunting - 2
Bobolink - 81
Baltimore Oriole - 1
Orchard Oriole - 1
Total = 553
Other highlights included 6 Brown Pelicans that landed in the bay, 2 Stilt Sandpipers, and a flight of 444 north-bound Purple Martins (thanks to Ramsay Koury)
Morning Flight - 18 August 2012
The passing front last night didn't quite clear Cape May in time for a good flight, but did manage to delay the count (and wash my car!). I spent the first hour waiting out thunderstorms and heavy rain, and eventually the system let up enough to spare my spreadsheet from becoming unusable. The main three August warblers - Yellow Warbler, American Redstart, and Northern Waterthrush - again predominated, as expected, with little else flying. Small flocks of 5 or more Blue-gray Gnatcatchers sputtered into the headwind, providing most of the mid-morning entertainment. Highlights were few and far between but included a pair of Black Terns and a close flyby Blackburnian Warbler.
Ruby-throated Hummingbird - 4
Eastern Kingbird - 14
Warbling Vireo - 1
Blue-gray Gnatcatcher - 43
American Robin - 3
Cedar Waxwing - 7
Yellow Warbler - 3
Blackburnian Warbler - 1
American Redstart - 22
Northern Waterthrush - 17
warbler sp. - 14
Blug Grosbeak - 2
Indigo Bunting - 1
Bobolink - 20
Total = 152
Ruby-throated Hummingbird - 4
Eastern Kingbird - 14
Warbling Vireo - 1
Blue-gray Gnatcatcher - 43
American Robin - 3
Cedar Waxwing - 7
Yellow Warbler - 3
Blackburnian Warbler - 1
American Redstart - 22
Northern Waterthrush - 17
warbler sp. - 14
Blug Grosbeak - 2
Indigo Bunting - 1
Bobolink - 20
Total = 152
Morning Flight - 17 August 2012
The winds switched direction and changed the nature of the flight today. Today, birds were flying both north and south which made the flight more challenging to count. For instance, 30 Northern Waterthrushes were counted in redetermined migration (heading north), but 20 were seen flying the other direction. Rumors reached us of good numbers of Blue-winged Warblers elsewhere at Higbee, but only one flew out today. Other highlights include 2 Black Terns, the first Ovenbird of the season, 2-3 Louisiana Waterthruses, and two Dickcissels.
Eastern Kingbird - 1
Blue-gray Gnatcatcher - 7
American Robin - 9
Northern Mockingbird - 2
Cedar Waxwing - 9
Blue-winged Warbler - 1
Yellow Warbler - 22
Blackburnian Warbler - 1
Prairie Warbler - 1
Black-and-white Warbler - 6
American Redstart - 35
Ovenbird - 1
Northern Waterthrush - 30
Louisiana Waterthrush - 2
Northern/Louisiana Waterthrush - 1 (probable LOWA)
warbler sp. - 23
Dickcissel - 2
Bobolink - 12
Total = 165
Other sightings include a moderate south-bound flight of Eastern Kingbirds (159) and Bobolinks (127).
Eastern Kingbird - 1
Blue-gray Gnatcatcher - 7
American Robin - 9
Northern Mockingbird - 2
Cedar Waxwing - 9
Blue-winged Warbler - 1
Yellow Warbler - 22
Blackburnian Warbler - 1
Prairie Warbler - 1
Black-and-white Warbler - 6
American Redstart - 35
Ovenbird - 1
Northern Waterthrush - 30
Louisiana Waterthrush - 2
Northern/Louisiana Waterthrush - 1 (probable LOWA)
warbler sp. - 23
Dickcissel - 2
Bobolink - 12
Total = 165
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| Ovenbird (Photo by Sam Galick) |
Morning Flight - 16 August 2012
The front last night brought NW winds...and Blue-gray Gnatcatchers. The first official day of the 2012 Morning Flight season got underway with an incredible flight of gnatcatchers, apparently the all-time Cape May high - 313 (!). A little bit of sleuthing turned up prior high counts of 210 on 19 August 1993 and 202 on 23 August 2011. And in typical gnatchatcher fashion, the flight picked up steam as the morning wore on. The four full count hours, with the first such hour beginning at sunrise (6:14 AM) progressed as follows: 0, 15, 98, and 173 (9:14 - 10:14 AM). We even stayed a bit longer, just to nudge the final tally over the 300 threshold. Otherwise, highlights include 1 Gull-billed Tern, 17 Black Terns (all north-bound), Yellow-throated Warbler (which narrowly missed being the first bird to fly out for the season), 2 early Yellow-rumped Warblers, 2 Louisiana Waterthrushes, and an Orchard Oriole.
Ruby-throated Hummingbird - 12
Empidonax flycatcher - 4
Least Flycatcher - 1
Eastern Kingbird - 32
Blue-gray Gnatcatcher - 313
American Robin - 5
Northern Mockingbird - 4
Cedar Waxwing - 15
Yellow Warbler - 37
Yellow-rumped Warbler - 2
Black-throated Green Warbler - 1
Blackburnian Warbler - 5
Yellow-throated Warbler - 1
Prairie Warbler - 2
Black-and-white Warbler - 7
American Redstart - 149
Worm-eating Warbler - 1
Northern Waterthrush - 11
Louisiana Waterthrush - 2
Canada Warbler - 1
warbler sp. - 80
Blue Grosbeak - 6
Indigo Bunting - 3
Bobolink - 45
Baltimore Oriole - 4
Orchard Oriole - 1
Total = 744
Ruby-throated Hummingbird - 12
Empidonax flycatcher - 4
Least Flycatcher - 1
Eastern Kingbird - 32
Blue-gray Gnatcatcher - 313
American Robin - 5
Northern Mockingbird - 4
Cedar Waxwing - 15
Yellow Warbler - 37
Yellow-rumped Warbler - 2
Black-throated Green Warbler - 1
Blackburnian Warbler - 5
Yellow-throated Warbler - 1
Prairie Warbler - 2
Black-and-white Warbler - 7
American Redstart - 149
Worm-eating Warbler - 1
Northern Waterthrush - 11
Louisiana Waterthrush - 2
Canada Warbler - 1
warbler sp. - 80
Blue Grosbeak - 6
Indigo Bunting - 3
Bobolink - 45
Baltimore Oriole - 4
Orchard Oriole - 1
Total = 744
Canada Warbler (photo by Sam Galick)
Yellow Warbler (photo by Sam Galick)