No counts were conducted on these days due to Hurricane/Superstorm Sandy.
Cape May Hawk Watch - 27 October 2012
Cape May Cape May Point, New Jersey, USA Daily Raptor Counts: Oct 27, 2012 ------------------------------------------------------------------- Species Day's Count Month Total Season Total ------------------ ----------- -------------- -------------- Black Vulture 0 50 61 Turkey Vulture 0 305 362 Osprey 6 1136 2706 Bald Eagle 0 122 267 Northern Harrier 2 604 886 Sharp-shinned Hawk 35 11316 13950 Cooper's Hawk 2 2313 2828 Northern Goshawk 0 3 4 Red-shouldered Hawk 0 58 61 Broad-winged Hawk 0 450 666 Red-tailed Hawk 0 294 321 Rough-legged Hawk 0 0 0 Golden Eagle 0 0 0 American Kestrel 5 2647 5327 Merlin 2 1189 1784 Peregrine Falcon 1 824 1137 Unknown Accipiter 0 0 0 Unknown Buteo 0 0 0 Unknown Falcon 0 0 0 Unknown Eagle 0 0 0 Unknown Raptor 0 0 0 Swainson's Hawk 0 1 2 Total: 53 21312 30362 ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Observation start time: 06:15:00 Observation end time: 16:00:00 Total observation time: 9.75 hours Official Counter: Tom Reed Observers: Alyssia Church, Cameron Rutt, Erin Lehnert, Libby Errickson Weather: Overcast, raw, winds from the ENE/NE at 10-20mph throughout. Raptor Observations: Non-raptor Observations: Predictions: Washout. Due to Superstorm Sandy, Saturday ended up being the last day of the 2012 season with the rest of our seasonal staff. Many, many thanks to each of them for their assistance during the past two months: Alyssia Church - George Myers Field Naturalist Libby Errickson - Hawk Watch Interpretive Naturalist Erin Lehnert - Hawk Watch Interpretive Naturalist Cameron Rutt - Morning Flight primary counter
Mourning Flight - 28-31 October 2012
In a very anticlimatic end to the season, Hurricane Sandy prematurely truncated the count, making 10/27 the final count day of 2012. With the trajectory of this massive storm system, its projected wind and rainfall, as well as its severe flooding potential, the remaining count days were scraped, even though the dredge spoils at Higbee Beach are one of the highest perches around.
Stay tuned, though, for some number-crunching and analyses in the aftermath of the 2012 Morning Flight season.
Stay tuned, though, for some number-crunching and analyses in the aftermath of the 2012 Morning Flight season.
Morning Flight - 27 October 2012
With East winds picking up in advance of Hurricane Sandy, today's morning flight was sparsely attended. However, nothing seems to deter the robins (1312), which were aloft and moving about, heading both north (counted) and south (not counted). The highlight of the morning was a single Blue-headed Vireo and Field Sparrow, both rare species detected taking part in morning flight here.
Red-bellied Woodpecker - 1
Blue-headed Vireo - 1
Red-breasted Nuthatch - 4
Red-bellied Woodpecker - 1
Blue-headed Vireo - 1
Red-breasted Nuthatch - 4
American Robin - 1312
American Pipit - 2
American Pipit - 2
Cedar Waxwing - 104
Yellow-rumped Warbler - 113
Palm Warbler - 3
Blackpoll Warbler - 1
Blackpoll Warbler - 1
Field Sparrow - 1
Eastern Meadowlark - 2
Purple Finch - 16
Purple Finch - 16
Pine Siskin - 7
Total = 1567
Other highlights included the first scaup sp. (5) of the fall, American Oystercatcher (1), Northern Rough-winged Swallows (3), and Barn Swallow (1). Thanks to a tip, I walked out to the end of the south jetty at the Cape May Canal and was pleased to find three Purple Sandpipers there (among the first returnees to Cape Island this fall).
Other highlights included the first scaup sp. (5) of the fall, American Oystercatcher (1), Northern Rough-winged Swallows (3), and Barn Swallow (1). Thanks to a tip, I walked out to the end of the south jetty at the Cape May Canal and was pleased to find three Purple Sandpipers there (among the first returnees to Cape Island this fall).
Morning Flight - 26 October 2012
Although variety was slim, Vince Elia once again counted American Robins (3080) flying in the thousands. Otherwise, surprisingly few Yellow-rumped Warblers were registered in northbound morning flight.
American Robin - 3080
American Robin - 3080
Cedar Waxwing - 68
Yellow-rumped Warbler - 14
Purple Finch - 1
Pine Siskin - 7
Total = 3170
Avalon Seawatch, October 20 - 26, 2012
Week 5 results:
Snow Goose 2
Brant 173
Canada Goose 164
Wood Duck 220
Gadwall 2
American Wigeon 149
American Black Duck 218
Mallard 8 Mallard/Black Duck 70
Blue-winged Teal 3
Northern Shoveler 17
Northern Pintail 38
Green-winged Teal 4027
Ring-necked Duck 5
Greater Scaup 47
Lesser Scaup 58
Scaup sp. 37
Common Eider 3
Surf Scoter 54639
White-winged Scoter 36
Black Scoter 24550
Dk-wing Scoter 7540
Scoter sp. 915
Long-tailed Duck 1
Hooded Merganser 1
Red-breasted Merganser 49
Red-throated Loon 68
Common Loon 423
Northern Gannet 10705
Brown Pelican 209
Double-crested Cormorant 44034
Great Cormorant 9
Great Blue Heron 85
Laughing Gull 1228
Bonaparte's Gull 1
Ring-billed Gull 236
Herring Gull 290
Great Black-backed Gull 56
Black-legged Kittiwake 1
Caspian Tern 3
Common Tern 3
Forster's Tern 546
Royal Tern 46
Parasitic Jaeger 12
Total 150927
Snow Goose 2
Brant 173
Canada Goose 164
Wood Duck 220
Gadwall 2
American Wigeon 149
American Black Duck 218
Mallard 8 Mallard/Black Duck 70
Blue-winged Teal 3
Northern Shoveler 17
Northern Pintail 38
Green-winged Teal 4027
Ring-necked Duck 5
Greater Scaup 47
Lesser Scaup 58
Scaup sp. 37
Common Eider 3
Surf Scoter 54639
White-winged Scoter 36
Black Scoter 24550
Dk-wing Scoter 7540
Scoter sp. 915
Long-tailed Duck 1
Hooded Merganser 1
Red-breasted Merganser 49
Red-throated Loon 68
Common Loon 423
Northern Gannet 10705
Brown Pelican 209
Double-crested Cormorant 44034
Great Cormorant 9
Great Blue Heron 85
Laughing Gull 1228
Bonaparte's Gull 1
Ring-billed Gull 236
Herring Gull 290
Great Black-backed Gull 56
Black-legged Kittiwake 1
Caspian Tern 3
Common Tern 3
Forster's Tern 546
Royal Tern 46
Parasitic Jaeger 12
Total 150927
Cape May Hawk Watch - 26 October 2012
Cape May Cape May Point, New Jersey, USA Daily Raptor Counts: Oct 26, 2012 ------------------------------------------------------------------- Species Day's Count Month Total Season Total ------------------ ----------- -------------- -------------- Black Vulture 0 50 61 Turkey Vulture 0 305 362 Osprey 10 1130 2700 Bald Eagle 1 122 267 Northern Harrier 10 602 884 Sharp-shinned Hawk 96 11281 13915 Cooper's Hawk 19 2311 2826 Northern Goshawk 0 3 4 Red-shouldered Hawk 2 58 61 Broad-winged Hawk 2 450 666 Red-tailed Hawk 1 294 321 Rough-legged Hawk 0 0 0 Golden Eagle 0 0 0 American Kestrel 2 2642 5322 Merlin 7 1187 1782 Peregrine Falcon 14 823 1136 Unknown Accipiter 0 0 0 Unknown Buteo 0 0 0 Unknown Falcon 0 0 0 Unknown Eagle 0 0 0 Unknown Raptor 0 0 0 Swainson's Hawk 0 1 2 Total: 164 21259 30309 ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Observation start time: 06:15:00 Observation end time: 16:00:00 Total observation time: 9.75 hours Official Counter: Tom Reed Observers: Weather: Mostly sunny and mild. Winds from the east for most of the day; generally 10-15mph. Raptor Observations: A bit more action than yesterday, but still not much moving on east winds. Non-raptor Observations: Double-crested Cormorant (11,130-- 8,000+ during first hour), "dark-winged" scoter (3000+), Northern Gannet (500+), Common Loon (20+), Barn Swallow (10+), Northern Rough-winged Swallow (6+), Brown Pelican (4), Pine Siskin (170), Lesser Scaup (1) Predictions: Mostly cloudy and staying mild, with winds from the east at 10-15mph. A chance for showers during the afternoon.
Cape May Hawk Watch - 25 October 2012
Cape May Cape May Point, New Jersey, USA Daily Raptor Counts: Oct 25, 2012 ------------------------------------------------------------------- Species Day's Count Month Total Season Total ------------------ ----------- -------------- -------------- Black Vulture 0 50 61 Turkey Vulture 0 305 362 Osprey 8 1120 2690 Bald Eagle 0 121 266 Northern Harrier 12 592 874 Sharp-shinned Hawk 18 11185 13819 Cooper's Hawk 4 2292 2807 Northern Goshawk 0 3 4 Red-shouldered Hawk 0 56 59 Broad-winged Hawk 0 448 664 Red-tailed Hawk 0 293 320 Rough-legged Hawk 0 0 0 Golden Eagle 0 0 0 American Kestrel 6 2640 5320 Merlin 10 1180 1775 Peregrine Falcon 8 809 1122 Unknown Accipiter 0 0 0 Unknown Buteo 0 0 0 Unknown Falcon 0 0 0 Unknown Eagle 0 0 0 Unknown Raptor 0 0 0 Swainson's Hawk 0 1 2 Total: 66 21095 30145 ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Observation start time: 06:15:00 Observation end time: 16:00:00 Total observation time: 9.75 hours Official Counter: Tom Reed Observers: Weather: Cool and overcast throughout. Winds from the east at 10-20mph. Raptor Observations: Slow day on east winds. Non-raptor Observations: An excellent waterbird flight today was highlighted by: Black/Surf Scoter (18,740), Double-crested Cormorant (5,170) and Northern Gannet (700+). Also-- Pine Siskin (250+), Purple Finch (6), Parasitic Jaeger (5+), Field Sparrow (3), Barn Swallow (11), Lesser Black-backed Gull (1), Eurasian Collared-Dove (1) Predictions: Partly sunny with continuing easterly winds.
Morning Flight - 25 October 2012
Today was yet another large songbird flight (14,761), bringing to a close a week of heavy flights (I have the day off tomorrow and do not plan on counting birds!). More than 92,000 birds have been tallied in the past five days alone, nearly equaling the season total (~95,000) through 10/20.
It was another day with lots of robins (12,365) aloft - the peak count so far this fall. Cedar Waxwings (489) staged another good flight, adding to their record total. However, today's highlights were birds that flew singly: a late Black-and-white Warbler (the last one seen 10/17), the first Vesper Sparrow of the year here, and a Dickcissel (only the third this month).
Northern Flicker - 1
Red-breasted Nuthatch - 9
Eastern Bluebird - 2
It was another day with lots of robins (12,365) aloft - the peak count so far this fall. Cedar Waxwings (489) staged another good flight, adding to their record total. However, today's highlights were birds that flew singly: a late Black-and-white Warbler (the last one seen 10/17), the first Vesper Sparrow of the year here, and a Dickcissel (only the third this month).
Northern Flicker - 1
Red-breasted Nuthatch - 9
Eastern Bluebird - 2
American Robin - 12,365
American Pipit - 4
American Pipit - 4
Cedar Waxwing - 489
Yellow-rumped Warbler - 1649
Palm Warbler - 6
Blackpoll Warbler - 5
Black-and-white Warbler - 1
Blackpoll Warbler - 5
Black-and-white Warbler - 1
warbler sp. - 28
Chipping Sparrow - 8
Savannah Sparrow - 4
Vesper Sparrow - 1
Dark-eyed Junco - 5
Dickcissel - 1
Eastern Meadowlark - 5
Rusty Blackbird - 8
Purple Finch - 39
Savannah Sparrow - 4
Vesper Sparrow - 1
Dark-eyed Junco - 5
Dickcissel - 1
Eastern Meadowlark - 5
Rusty Blackbird - 8
Purple Finch - 39
Pine Siskin - 131
Total = 14,761
Other highlights included 9 flyover Common Loons, an immature male Common Eider, hundreds of northbound scoters, 1 Greater Yellowlegs, an adult light-morph Parasitic Jaeger, and 4 Barn Swallows.
Other highlights included 9 flyover Common Loons, an immature male Common Eider, hundreds of northbound scoters, 1 Greater Yellowlegs, an adult light-morph Parasitic Jaeger, and 4 Barn Swallows.
Cape May Hawk Watch - 24 October 2012
Cape May Cape May Point, New Jersey, USA Daily Raptor Counts: Oct 24, 2012 ------------------------------------------------------------------- Species Day's Count Month Total Season Total ------------------ ----------- -------------- -------------- Black Vulture 4 50 61 Turkey Vulture 26 305 362 Osprey 21 1112 2682 Bald Eagle 7 121 266 Northern Harrier 50 580 862 Sharp-shinned Hawk 308 11167 13801 Cooper's Hawk 89 2288 2803 Northern Goshawk 0 3 4 Red-shouldered Hawk 6 56 59 Broad-winged Hawk 39 448 664 Red-tailed Hawk 9 293 320 Rough-legged Hawk 0 0 0 Golden Eagle 0 0 0 American Kestrel 16 2634 5314 Merlin 23 1170 1765 Peregrine Falcon 41 801 1114 Unknown Accipiter 0 0 0 Unknown Buteo 0 0 0 Unknown Falcon 0 0 0 Unknown Eagle 0 0 0 Unknown Raptor 0 0 0 Swainson's Hawk 0 1 2 Total: 639 21029 30079 ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Observation start time: 06:15:00 Observation end time: 16:00:00 Total observation time: 9.75 hours Official Counter: Tom Reed Observers: Weather: Mild with variable cloudiness. Winds light and variable to start, becoming W/NW by mid-morning and staying there until suddenly shifting to E at 10-15mph for the final two hours. Raptor Observations: A nice little flight during the late-morning and early-afternoon, perhaps highlighted by yet another late Peregrine movement. Non-raptor Observations: Vesper Sparrow (1), Red-headed Woodpecker (1), dark-winged scoter sp. (15,000+ -- appeared to be mainly Surf), Double-crested Cormorant (1200+), White-crowned Sparrow (3), American Robin (4500), Pine Siskin (180), Eastern Bluebird (40+), Common Loon (~20), Barn Swallow (4), Blackpoll Warbler (6), Indigo Bunting (1) Predictions: More clouds, cooler, east wind ~10mph
Morning Flight - 24 October 2012
Slowly, the large numbers of birds have continued to recede since Sunday's (10/21) big flight (40,000+). Yellow-rumped Warblers (534), especially, continue their precipitous decline since the 31,000+ on 10/21.
The flight today was dominated by robins (5776), but Cedar Waxwings (1235) staged their largest single-day movement of the year. In fact, the past five days - with hundreds of waxwings each day - have pushed the 2012 season total (8898) well past the next best year (6774 in 2005). The Morning Flight average is only 4141, less than half of this year's count. So we can now add Cedar Waxwings to the growing list of birds (Red-bellied Woodpeckers, Red- and White-breasted Nuthatches, and Pine Siskins) that are having gargantuan autumns in Cape May.
Red-bellied Woodpecker - 5
Northern Flicker - 2
Brown Creeper - 1
Red-breasted Nuthatch - 83
White-breasted Nuthatch - 4
Golden-crowned Kinglet - 1
Eastern Bluebird - 2
The flight today was dominated by robins (5776), but Cedar Waxwings (1235) staged their largest single-day movement of the year. In fact, the past five days - with hundreds of waxwings each day - have pushed the 2012 season total (8898) well past the next best year (6774 in 2005). The Morning Flight average is only 4141, less than half of this year's count. So we can now add Cedar Waxwings to the growing list of birds (Red-bellied Woodpeckers, Red- and White-breasted Nuthatches, and Pine Siskins) that are having gargantuan autumns in Cape May.
Red-bellied Woodpecker - 5
Northern Flicker - 2
Brown Creeper - 1
Red-breasted Nuthatch - 83
White-breasted Nuthatch - 4
Golden-crowned Kinglet - 1
Eastern Bluebird - 2
American Robin - 5776
American Pipit - 9
American Pipit - 9
Cedar Waxwing - 1235
Tennessee Warbler - 1
Tennessee Warbler - 1
Yellow-rumped Warbler - 534
Palm Warbler - 6
Blackpoll Warbler - 2
Blackpoll Warbler - 2
warbler sp. - 19
Chipping Sparrow - 5
Savannah Sparrow - 1
Dark-eyed Junco - 7
Eastern Meadowlark - 4
Rusty Blackbird - 6
Purple Finch - 19
Savannah Sparrow - 1
Dark-eyed Junco - 7
Eastern Meadowlark - 4
Rusty Blackbird - 6
Purple Finch - 19
Pine Siskin - 41
Total = 7763
Other highlights included an immature Great Cormorant and the largest northbound flight of House Finches (180) this year.
Other highlights included an immature Great Cormorant and the largest northbound flight of House Finches (180) this year.
Cape May Hawk Watch - 23 October 2012
Cape May Cape May Point, New Jersey, USA Daily Raptor Counts: Oct 23, 2012 ------------------------------------------------------------------- Species Day's Count Month Total Season Total ------------------ ----------- -------------- -------------- Black Vulture 0 46 57 Turkey Vulture 50 279 336 Osprey 50 1091 2661 Bald Eagle 2 114 259 Northern Harrier 20 530 812 Sharp-shinned Hawk 143 10859 13493 Cooper's Hawk 85 2199 2714 Northern Goshawk 1 3 4 Red-shouldered Hawk 9 50 53 Broad-winged Hawk 13 409 625 Red-tailed Hawk 42 284 311 Rough-legged Hawk 0 0 0 Golden Eagle 0 0 0 American Kestrel 27 2618 5298 Merlin 13 1147 1742 Peregrine Falcon 13 760 1073 Unknown Accipiter 0 0 0 Unknown Buteo 0 0 0 Unknown Falcon 0 0 0 Unknown Eagle 0 0 0 Unknown Raptor 0 0 0 Swainson's Hawk 0 1 2 Total: 468 20390 29440 ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Observation start time: 06:00:00 Observation end time: 16:00:00 Total observation time: 10 hours Official Counter: Pete Dunne Observers: Weather: Mild with increasing cloudiness. Winds from the SW/WSW during the morning, becoming S then E during the afternoon. Raptor Observations: Non-raptor Observations: Predictions: Mostly cloudy, mild, light NW winds.
Cape May Hawk Watch - 22 October 2012
Cape May Cape May Point, New Jersey, USA Daily Raptor Counts: Oct 22, 2012 ------------------------------------------------------------------- Species Day's Count Month Total Season Total ------------------ ----------- -------------- -------------- Black Vulture 0 46 57 Turkey Vulture 0 229 286 Osprey 13 1041 2611 Bald Eagle 4 112 257 Northern Harrier 63 510 792 Sharp-shinned Hawk 708 10716 13350 Cooper's Hawk 106 2114 2629 Northern Goshawk 2 2 3 Red-shouldered Hawk 4 41 44 Broad-winged Hawk 34 396 612 Red-tailed Hawk 85 242 269 Rough-legged Hawk 0 0 0 Golden Eagle 0 0 0 American Kestrel 32 2591 5271 Merlin 23 1134 1729 Peregrine Falcon 21 747 1060 Unknown Accipiter 0 0 0 Unknown Buteo 0 0 0 Unknown Falcon 0 0 0 Unknown Eagle 0 0 0 Unknown Raptor 0 0 0 Swainson's Hawk 0 1 2 Total: 1095 19922 28972 ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Observation start time: 06:00:00 Observation end time: 16:00:00 Total observation time: 10 hours Official Counter: Vince Elia Observers: Weather: Sunny, mild, W/NW winds throughout. Raptor Observations: A good AM flight, fading during the afternoon. Both Goshawks passed by between 10am-12pm EDT. Non-raptor Observations: Predictions: Indian Summer continues, with light SW winds.
Morning Flight - 23 October 2012
Without the barrage of Yellow-rumped Warblers today, it almost felt slow at times, despite enumerating nearly 10,000 birds. But American Robins (7836) picked up whatever warbler slack there was; there have now been over 24,000 robins in just the past three days alone.
The winds slackened and it warmed up nicely today, which may have accounted for the reduced numbers of northbound nuthatches, kinglets, warblers, and finches. However, waxwings (703), sparrows, and blackbirds flew in larger numbers than days past. In fact, this was only the second waxwing flight in excess of 500 birds since 9/24. Chipping Sparrows (18), Dark-eyed Juncos (37), Eastern Meadowlarks (42), and Rusty Blackbirds (84) all had their largest flights of the fall.
Red-bellied Woodpecker - 6
Northern Flicker - 58
Eastern Phoebe - 5
Blue-headed Vireo - 2
Horned Lark - 1
Red-breasted Nuthatch - 20
White-breasted Nuthatch - 1
Golden-crowned Kinglet - 16
Ruby-crowned Kinglet - 9
kinglet sp. - 5
Eastern Bluebird - 1
The winds slackened and it warmed up nicely today, which may have accounted for the reduced numbers of northbound nuthatches, kinglets, warblers, and finches. However, waxwings (703), sparrows, and blackbirds flew in larger numbers than days past. In fact, this was only the second waxwing flight in excess of 500 birds since 9/24. Chipping Sparrows (18), Dark-eyed Juncos (37), Eastern Meadowlarks (42), and Rusty Blackbirds (84) all had their largest flights of the fall.
Red-bellied Woodpecker - 6
Northern Flicker - 58
Eastern Phoebe - 5
Blue-headed Vireo - 2
Horned Lark - 1
Red-breasted Nuthatch - 20
White-breasted Nuthatch - 1
Golden-crowned Kinglet - 16
Ruby-crowned Kinglet - 9
kinglet sp. - 5
Eastern Bluebird - 1
American Robin - 7836
American Pipit - 31
American Pipit - 31
Cedar Waxwing - 703
Tennessee Warbler - 1
Tennessee/Nashville Warbler - 1
Northern Parula - 3
Black-throated Blue Warbler - 3
Tennessee Warbler - 1
Tennessee/Nashville Warbler - 1
Northern Parula - 3
Black-throated Blue Warbler - 3
Yellow-rumped Warbler - 908
Palm Warbler - 23
Blackpoll Warbler - 4
Blackpoll Warbler - 4
warbler sp. - 68
Chipping Sparrow - 18
Savannah Sparrow - 8
Dark-eyed Junco - 37
sparrow sp. - 6
Eastern Meadowlark - 42
Rusty Blackbird - 84
Purple Finch - 20
Savannah Sparrow - 8
Dark-eyed Junco - 37
sparrow sp. - 6
Eastern Meadowlark - 42
Rusty Blackbird - 84
Purple Finch - 20
Pine Siskin - 30
Total = 9950
The highlight of the day was a juvenile Northern Goshawk that briefly showed well before diving into the woods. Other interesting sightings included the largest concentration of Killdeer (23) this fall and the best northbound flight of Mourning Doves (97) this season.
The highlight of the day was a juvenile Northern Goshawk that briefly showed well before diving into the woods. Other interesting sightings included the largest concentration of Killdeer (23) this fall and the best northbound flight of Mourning Doves (97) this season.
Morning Flight - 22 October 2012
Today was day two of back-to-back big-time flights (60,000+ in the past two days!). Although only a third as many Yellow-rumped Warblers (10,147) flew out as yesterday, the American Robin (8751) flight picked up steam.
Otherwise, season high counts were amassed for Golden-crowned Kinglet (62) and Dark-eyed Junco (22). The other major news was yet another good finch flight today, continuing this fall's irruptive trend. Today's 608 Pine Siskins was their third-highest flight this year, bringing the 2012 total up to 3566, which far exceeds the next best year (800 in 2010)!
Northern Flicker - 59
Eastern Phoebe - 3
Red-breasted Nuthatch - 70
White-breasted Nuthatch - 7
Brown Creeper - 5
Golden-crowned Kinglet - 62
Ruby-crowned Kinglet - 8
kinglet sp. - 3
Otherwise, season high counts were amassed for Golden-crowned Kinglet (62) and Dark-eyed Junco (22). The other major news was yet another good finch flight today, continuing this fall's irruptive trend. Today's 608 Pine Siskins was their third-highest flight this year, bringing the 2012 total up to 3566, which far exceeds the next best year (800 in 2010)!
Northern Flicker - 59
Eastern Phoebe - 3
Red-breasted Nuthatch - 70
White-breasted Nuthatch - 7
Brown Creeper - 5
Golden-crowned Kinglet - 62
Ruby-crowned Kinglet - 8
kinglet sp. - 3
American Robin - 8751
American Pipit - 17
American Pipit - 17
Cedar Waxwing - 221
Northern Parula - 2
Black-throated Blue Warbler - 3
Northern Parula - 2
Black-throated Blue Warbler - 3
Yellow-rumped Warbler - 10,147
Palm Warbler - 31
Blackpoll Warbler - 9
Blackpoll Warbler - 9
warbler sp. - 213
Chipping Sparrow - 8
Savannah Sparrow - 1
Dark-eyed Junco - 22
Eastern Meadowlark - 8
Rusty Blackbird - 7
Purple Finch - 40
Savannah Sparrow - 1
Dark-eyed Junco - 22
Eastern Meadowlark - 8
Rusty Blackbird - 7
Purple Finch - 40
Pine Siskin - 608
Total = 20,305
Other highlights included a amelanistic Red-winged Blackbird (almost wholly white) and a good flight of American Goldfinches (564). Finally, compared to a large flight of House Finches (~1500 per Michael O'Brien) at the Cape May Point, only 32 were in northbound flight at Higbee Beach.
Other highlights included a amelanistic Red-winged Blackbird (almost wholly white) and a good flight of American Goldfinches (564). Finally, compared to a large flight of House Finches (~1500 per Michael O'Brien) at the Cape May Point, only 32 were in northbound flight at Higbee Beach.
Morning Flight - 21 October 2012
Today's flight was huge. Yellow-rumped Warblers (31,117) and American Robins (7625) flew en masse today, filling the eastern sky for the first two hours (a combined ~24,000 in just the first hour after sunrise alone!). In fact, more Yellow-rumped Warblers and American Robins flew today than had cumulatively flown all season.
Despite the mass exodus of birds, most observers agreed that today's clear highlight was the White-breasted Nuthatch (22) flight. Even though Red-breasted Nuthatches (105) made a good showing, they only outnumbered White-breasted Nuthatches about 5:1. The White-breasted Nuthatch flight was so engaging that a small cadre of observers lingered into the afternoon today in hopes of tacking on yet another bird. But try as we might, we fell one short of the all-time Cape May record (23), tallied on 18 October 2010. However, today's surge was enough to push the season total to 54, eclipsing the prior season record (52) set in 2010. These two standout White-breasted Nuthatch years are leaps-and-bounds above the other Morning Flight years, which total only 38 birds during eight entire seasons. The Birds of Cape May (Sibley 1997) states that the previous high count (13+) occurred on 30 September 1995.
Today's passage included the first triple-digit Northern Flicker (136) flight since 10/7, a good movement of Eastern Phoebes (20), ten species of warblers (!), the 3000th (!) Red-breasted Nuthatch of 2012 (season total now up to 3069), and the best Chipping Sparrow (16) flight of the season.
Red-bellied Woodpecker - 3
Northern Flicker - 136
Eastern Phoebe - 20
Blue-headed Vireo - 1
Red-eyed Vireo - 1
Red-breasted Nuthatch - 105
White-breasted Nuthatch - 22
Brown Creeper - 4
Golden-crowned Kinglet - 27
Ruby-crowned Kinglet - 17
kinglet sp. - 4
Despite the mass exodus of birds, most observers agreed that today's clear highlight was the White-breasted Nuthatch (22) flight. Even though Red-breasted Nuthatches (105) made a good showing, they only outnumbered White-breasted Nuthatches about 5:1. The White-breasted Nuthatch flight was so engaging that a small cadre of observers lingered into the afternoon today in hopes of tacking on yet another bird. But try as we might, we fell one short of the all-time Cape May record (23), tallied on 18 October 2010. However, today's surge was enough to push the season total to 54, eclipsing the prior season record (52) set in 2010. These two standout White-breasted Nuthatch years are leaps-and-bounds above the other Morning Flight years, which total only 38 birds during eight entire seasons. The Birds of Cape May (Sibley 1997) states that the previous high count (13+) occurred on 30 September 1995.
Today's passage included the first triple-digit Northern Flicker (136) flight since 10/7, a good movement of Eastern Phoebes (20), ten species of warblers (!), the 3000th (!) Red-breasted Nuthatch of 2012 (season total now up to 3069), and the best Chipping Sparrow (16) flight of the season.
Red-bellied Woodpecker - 3
Northern Flicker - 136
Eastern Phoebe - 20
Blue-headed Vireo - 1
Red-eyed Vireo - 1
Red-breasted Nuthatch - 105
White-breasted Nuthatch - 22
Brown Creeper - 4
Golden-crowned Kinglet - 27
Ruby-crowned Kinglet - 17
kinglet sp. - 4
American Robin - 7625
American Pipit - 3
American Pipit - 3
Cedar Waxwing - 191
Tennessee Warbler - 3
Nashville Warbler - 2
Tennessee/Nashville Warbler - 4
Northern Parula - 5
Magnolia Warbler - 1
Cape May Warbler - 1
Tennessee Warbler - 3
Nashville Warbler - 2
Tennessee/Nashville Warbler - 4
Northern Parula - 5
Magnolia Warbler - 1
Cape May Warbler - 1
Yellow-rumped Warbler - 31,117
Pine Warbler - 2
Pine Warbler - 2
Palm Warbler - 33
Blackpoll Warbler - 11
Blackpoll Warbler - 11
Common Yellowthroat - 1
warbler sp. - 335
Chipping Sparrow - 16
Clay-colored Sparrow - 1
Dark-eyed Junco - 4
Eastern Meadowlark - 10
Purple Finch - 68
Clay-colored Sparrow - 1
Dark-eyed Junco - 4
Eastern Meadowlark - 10
Purple Finch - 68
Pine Siskin - 271
Total = 40,044
Lastly, a huge thanks to Ramsay Koury for tabulating the Yellow-rumped Warblers on the bayshore flight line throughout the morning.
Lastly, a huge thanks to Ramsay Koury for tabulating the Yellow-rumped Warblers on the bayshore flight line throughout the morning.
Cape May Hawk Watch - 21 October 2012
Cape May Cape May Point, New Jersey, USA Daily Raptor Counts: Oct 21, 2012 ------------------------------------------------------------------- Species Day's Count Month Total Season Total ------------------ ----------- -------------- -------------- Black Vulture 0 46 57 Turkey Vulture 42 229 286 Osprey 16 1028 2598 Bald Eagle 6 108 253 Northern Harrier 49 447 729 Sharp-shinned Hawk 714 10008 12642 Cooper's Hawk 195 2008 2523 Northern Goshawk 0 0 1 Red-shouldered Hawk 9 37 40 Broad-winged Hawk 17 362 578 Red-tailed Hawk 24 157 184 Rough-legged Hawk 0 0 0 Golden Eagle 0 0 0 American Kestrel 46 2559 5239 Merlin 31 1111 1706 Peregrine Falcon 24 726 1039 Unknown Accipiter 0 0 0 Unknown Buteo 0 0 0 Unknown Falcon 0 0 0 Unknown Eagle 0 0 0 Unknown Raptor 0 0 0 Swainson's Hawk 0 1 2 Total: 1173 18827 27877 ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Observation start time: 05:30:00 Observation end time: 16:00:00 Total observation time: 10.5 hours Official Counter: Tom Reed Observers: Weather: Seasonably mild with sunny skies throughout. Winds from the W/WNW/NW all day; 10-15mph in the morning, 5-10mph in the afternoon. Raptor Observations: A decent but challenging day, with many flight lines and no clouds from start to finish. Things didn't really get rolling until mid-morning, with accipiters being the main attraction along with a trickle of falcons- highlighted by another 24 Peregrines. A nice Harrier flight included 5 adult males. Non-raptor Observations: Red Crossbill (1- male Type 3, westbound at 12:15pm), Cattle Egret (5), Tennessee Warbler (1), Yellow-rumped Warbler (10,000+), American Robin (7,000+), Pine Siskin (200+), Lincoln's Sparrow (1), Barn Swallow (8), Northern Rough-winged Swallow (10+), Purple Finch (20), House Finch (125 migrants), Ring-necked Duck (1), Northern Gannet (500+), Eastern Meadowlark (~10), Rusty Blackbird (5+) Predictions: Sunny, mild, light west wind.
Cape May Hawk Watch - 20 October 2012
Cape May Cape May Point, New Jersey, USA Daily Raptor Counts: Oct 20, 2012 ------------------------------------------------------------------- Species Day's Count Month Total Season Total ------------------ ----------- -------------- -------------- Black Vulture 4 46 57 Turkey Vulture 11 187 244 Osprey 14 1012 2582 Bald Eagle 4 102 247 Northern Harrier 25 398 680 Sharp-shinned Hawk 460 9294 11928 Cooper's Hawk 195 1813 2328 Northern Goshawk 0 0 1 Red-shouldered Hawk 3 28 31 Broad-winged Hawk 4 345 561 Red-tailed Hawk 7 133 160 Rough-legged Hawk 0 0 0 Golden Eagle 0 0 0 American Kestrel 36 2513 5193 Merlin 38 1080 1675 Peregrine Falcon 48 702 1015 Unknown Accipiter 0 0 0 Unknown Buteo 0 0 0 Unknown Falcon 0 0 0 Unknown Eagle 0 0 0 Unknown Raptor 0 0 0 Swainson's Hawk 0 1 2 Total: 849 17654 26704 ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Observation start time: 06:00:00 Observation end time: 16:00:00 Total observation time: 10 hours Official Counter: Tom Reed Observers: Weather: Mild and sunny. Winds from the WSW to start, quickly shifting to W and then NW/WNW for the afternoon hours. Raptor Observations: A high flight, though not in outer space, with biggest numbers during the PM hours. A surprisingly good afternoon Peregrine flight. Non-raptor Observations: American Robin (~4000), Yellow-rumped Warbler (~500), Parasitic Jaeger (1), Northern Rough-winged Swallow (10+), Pine Siskin (20), Caspian Tern (2) Predictions: Sunny, seasonable, winds NW 5-10
Morning Flight - 20 October 2012
Today's flight was overwhelmingly dominated by American Robins (3763), most of which flew far to the East. After only 1469 robins all season, today's count was the first time in quadruple digits. It was also a good later-season flight for birds that like to fly with robins, namely Cedar Waxwings (376), but six Eastern Bluebirds also joined the affair.
Sadly, warbler diversity (four species) is slowly dwindling down to just a few species now.
Red-bellied Woodpecker - 14
Yellow-bellied Sapsucker - 1
Northern Flicker - 3
Eastern Phoebe - 2
Horned Lark - 2
Red-breasted Nuthatch - 32
White-breasted Nuthatch - 2
Golden-crowned Kinglet - 1
Eastern Bluebird - 6
Sadly, warbler diversity (four species) is slowly dwindling down to just a few species now.
Red-bellied Woodpecker - 14
Yellow-bellied Sapsucker - 1
Northern Flicker - 3
Eastern Phoebe - 2
Horned Lark - 2
Red-breasted Nuthatch - 32
White-breasted Nuthatch - 2
Golden-crowned Kinglet - 1
Eastern Bluebird - 6
American Robin - 3763
American Pipit - 2
American Pipit - 2
Cedar Waxwing - 376
Northern Parula - 1
Northern Parula - 1
Yellow-rumped Warbler - 318
Palm Warbler - 5
Blackpoll Warbler - 12
Blackpoll Warbler - 12
warbler sp. - 58
Savannah Sparrow - 3
Eastern Meadowlark - 6
Eastern Meadowlark - 6
Total = 4607
Other highlights included an immature Great Cormorant and a calling Rose-breasted Grosbeak from somewhere within Higbee Beach.
Other highlights included an immature Great Cormorant and a calling Rose-breasted Grosbeak from somewhere within Higbee Beach.
Morning Flight - 19 October 2012
Although geese are not uncommon at Morning Flight, today was the season's first goose egg. Following two really great Cape May Fridays (coincidentally, my day off), today's anti-flight snapped that much-appreciated trend. Early morning rains conspired to limit observation time at Higbee Beach and those rain-free episodes did not offer any countable birds...
Total = 0
Total = 0
Avalon Seawatch, October 13 - 19, 2012
Week 4 results:
Snow Goose 8
Brant 613
Canada Goose 52
Wood Duck 24
American Wigeon 36
American Black Duck 112
Mallard 4
Northern Pintail 210
Green-winged Teal 824
Greater Scaup 10
Lesser Scaup 4
Scaup sp. 8
Common Eider 4
Surf Scoter 14294
White-winged Scoter 12
Black Scoter 13404
Dk-wing Scoter 6149
Red-breasted Merganser 14
Red-throated Loon 27
Common Loon 105
Northern Gannet 4007
Brown Pelican 94
Double-crested Cormorant 18725
Great Cormorant 8
Great Blue Heron 19
Great Egret 53
Snowy Egret 12
Laughing Gull 3622
Ring-billed Gull 118
Herring Gull 108
Great Black-backed Gull 168
Caspian Tern 8
Common Tern 19
Forster's Tern 624
Royal Tern 155
Parasitic Jaeger 17
Total 63671
Snow Goose 8
Brant 613
Canada Goose 52
Wood Duck 24
American Wigeon 36
American Black Duck 112
Mallard 4
Northern Pintail 210
Green-winged Teal 824
Greater Scaup 10
Lesser Scaup 4
Scaup sp. 8
Common Eider 4
Surf Scoter 14294
White-winged Scoter 12
Black Scoter 13404
Dk-wing Scoter 6149
Red-breasted Merganser 14
Red-throated Loon 27
Common Loon 105
Northern Gannet 4007
Brown Pelican 94
Double-crested Cormorant 18725
Great Cormorant 8
Great Blue Heron 19
Great Egret 53
Snowy Egret 12
Laughing Gull 3622
Ring-billed Gull 118
Herring Gull 108
Great Black-backed Gull 168
Caspian Tern 8
Common Tern 19
Forster's Tern 624
Royal Tern 155
Parasitic Jaeger 17
Total 63671
Cape May Hawk Watch - 19 October 2012
Cape May Cape May Point, New Jersey, USA Daily Raptor Counts: Oct 19, 2012 ------------------------------------------------------------------- Species Day's Count Month Total Season Total ------------------ ----------- -------------- -------------- Black Vulture 0 42 53 Turkey Vulture 0 176 233 Osprey 4 998 2568 Bald Eagle 0 98 243 Northern Harrier 1 373 655 Sharp-shinned Hawk 7 8834 11468 Cooper's Hawk 1 1618 2133 Northern Goshawk 0 0 1 Red-shouldered Hawk 0 25 28 Broad-winged Hawk 0 341 557 Red-tailed Hawk 0 126 153 Rough-legged Hawk 0 0 0 Golden Eagle 0 0 0 American Kestrel 1 2477 5157 Merlin 1 1042 1637 Peregrine Falcon 6 654 967 Unknown Accipiter 0 0 0 Unknown Buteo 0 0 0 Unknown Falcon 0 0 0 Unknown Eagle 0 0 0 Unknown Raptor 0 0 0 Swainson's Hawk 0 1 2 Total: 21 16805 25855 ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Observation start time: 06:15:00 Observation end time: 16:00:00 Total observation time: 9.75 hours Official Counter: Tom Reed Observers: Weather: A mixed bag of weather through the day. Moderate/heavy rain to start, with overcast conditions continuing for the morning hours. Some sun during the afternoon, with fog (<2km visibility) increasing during the final hour of the day. Winds 10-20mph throughout, with occasional gusts to 25+; SSE/S all day. Raptor Observations: Zzzzzzzz Non-raptor Observations: Bobolink (1), Northern Gannet (1,273), Brown Pelican (19+), Double-crested Cormorant (400+), Parasitic Jaeger (3), Northern Rough-winged Swallow (10+), Red-throated Loon (2), Common Loon (6) Predictions: Sunny; west wind around 10mph.
Cape May Hawk Watch - 18 October 2012
Cape May Cape May Point, New Jersey, USA Daily Raptor Counts: Oct 18, 2012 ------------------------------------------------------------------- Species Day's Count Month Total Season Total ------------------ ----------- -------------- -------------- Black Vulture 0 42 53 Turkey Vulture 0 176 233 Osprey 8 994 2564 Bald Eagle 2 98 243 Northern Harrier 5 372 654 Sharp-shinned Hawk 98 8827 11461 Cooper's Hawk 21 1617 2132 Northern Goshawk 0 0 1 Red-shouldered Hawk 0 25 28 Broad-winged Hawk 0 341 557 Red-tailed Hawk 0 126 153 Rough-legged Hawk 0 0 0 Golden Eagle 0 0 0 American Kestrel 8 2476 5156 Merlin 4 1041 1636 Peregrine Falcon 7 648 961 Unknown Accipiter 0 0 0 Unknown Buteo 0 0 0 Unknown Falcon 0 0 0 Unknown Eagle 0 0 0 Unknown Raptor 0 0 0 Swainson's Hawk 0 1 2 Total: 153 16784 25834 ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Observation start time: 06:00:00 Observation end time: 16:00:00 Total observation time: 10 hours Official Counter: Tom Reed Observers: Weather: A mild and clear start, with increasing wind and clouds for the afternoon. Winds started from the SSE, shifting to SE by late-morning and ESE by mid-afternoon. Cloud cover increased quickly during the mid-afternoon, with overcast conditions by day's end and scattered light showers. Raptor Observations: A quiet day. A handful of Peregrines and one ad. male NOHA served as highlights. Non-raptor Observations: Common Gallinule (1), Yellow-rumped Warbler (1,740), American Goldfinch (230), House Finch (70+ migrants), Brown Pelican (14), Double-crested Cormorant (2,037- clicked by AC), American Pipit (14), Yellow-bellied Sapsucker (2), White-breasted Nuthatch (2), Parasitic Jaeger (5), Northern Gannet (~70), Northern Rough-winged Swallow (15+) Predictions: Winds from the south; showers/t-storms.
Morning Flight - 18 October 2012
Things slowed down once again as it was time to leave those long johns at home. Like yesterday, larger numbers of birds were seen heading south with relatively few birds in northbound flight. The highlight of the morning was a single Eastern Bluebird that called as it flew overhead, the first of the season at Morning Flight.
Red-bellied Woodpecker - 6
Yellow-bellied Sapsucker - 1
Northern Flicker - 19
Red-breasted Nuthatch - 3
Ruby-crowned Kinglet - 1
Red-bellied Woodpecker - 6
Yellow-bellied Sapsucker - 1
Northern Flicker - 19
Red-breasted Nuthatch - 3
Ruby-crowned Kinglet - 1
Eastern Bluebird - 1
American Robin - 127
American Pipit - 4
American Robin - 127
American Pipit - 4
Cedar Waxwing - 8
Nashville Warbler - 1
Black-throated Blue Warbler - 1
Nashville Warbler - 1
Black-throated Blue Warbler - 1
Yellow-rumped Warbler - 192
Palm Warbler - 3
Blackpoll Warbler - 4
Blackpoll Warbler - 4
warbler sp. - 17
Dark-eyed Junco - 1
Eastern Meadowlark - 22
Purple Finch - 10
Eastern Meadowlark - 22
Purple Finch - 10
Pine Siskin - 8
Total = 429
Cape May Hawk Watch - 17 October 2012
Cape May Cape May Point, New Jersey, USA Daily Raptor Counts: Oct 17, 2012 ------------------------------------------------------------------- Species Day's Count Month Total Season Total ------------------ ----------- -------------- -------------- Black Vulture 19 42 53 Turkey Vulture 13 176 233 Osprey 18 986 2556 Bald Eagle 7 96 241 Northern Harrier 47 367 649 Sharp-shinned Hawk 487 8729 11363 Cooper's Hawk 169 1596 2111 Northern Goshawk 0 0 1 Red-shouldered Hawk 13 25 28 Broad-winged Hawk 30 341 557 Red-tailed Hawk 34 126 153 Rough-legged Hawk 0 0 0 Golden Eagle 0 0 0 American Kestrel 38 2468 5148 Merlin 9 1037 1632 Peregrine Falcon 23 641 954 Unknown Accipiter 0 0 0 Unknown Buteo 0 0 0 Unknown Falcon 0 0 0 Unknown Eagle 0 0 0 Unknown Raptor 0 0 0 Swainson's Hawk 0 1 2 Total: 907 16631 25681 ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Observation start time: 05:30:00 Observation end time: 16:00:00 Total observation time: 10.5 hours Official Counter: Tom Reed Observers: Weather: Seasonable and lightly overcast throughout. Winds calm to start; started light out of the W/WNW during the late-morning and stayed there until shifting to SSE during the late-afternoon. Raptor Observations: A fair flight on light W winds, helped by a great sky. We were unable to connect with a SWHA reported nearby during the afternoon. Non-raptor Observations: A very good southbound songbird flight during the first couple hours of daylight, including: Lark Sparrow (1), Yellow-rumped Warbler (25,000+), American Robin (10,000+), Cedar Waxwing (400), Red-winged Blackbird (1,500), Blackpoll Warbler (20+), Red-breasted Nuthatch (100+), White-breasted Nuthatch (3), Blackpoll Warbler (20+), Black-throated Blue Warbler (2) Also: Cattle Egret (1), Tricolored Heron (1), Great Cormorant (2), Double-crested Cormorant (2,000), Northern Rough-winged Swallow (12), Chimney Swift (3) Predictions: Mostly sunny, warmer, SE winds.
Cape May Hawk Watch - 16 October 2012
Cape May Cape May Point, New Jersey, USA Daily Raptor Counts: Oct 16, 2012 ------------------------------------------------------------------- Species Day's Count Month Total Season Total ------------------ ----------- -------------- -------------- Black Vulture 10 23 34 Turkey Vulture 35 163 220 Osprey 30 968 2538 Bald Eagle 18 89 234 Northern Harrier 24 320 602 Sharp-shinned Hawk 860 8242 10876 Cooper's Hawk 122 1427 1942 Northern Goshawk 0 0 1 Red-shouldered Hawk 3 12 15 Broad-winged Hawk 11 311 527 Red-tailed Hawk 41 92 119 Rough-legged Hawk 0 0 0 Golden Eagle 0 0 0 American Kestrel 366 2430 5110 Merlin 150 1028 1623 Peregrine Falcon 12 618 931 Unknown Accipiter 0 0 0 Unknown Buteo 0 0 0 Unknown Falcon 0 0 0 Unknown Eagle 0 0 0 Unknown Raptor 0 0 0 Swainson's Hawk 0 1 2 Total: 1682 15724 24774 ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Observation start time: 06:00:00 Observation end time: 17:00:00 Total observation time: 11 hours Official Counter: Pete Dunne
Morning Flight - 17 October 2012
Winds were light and variable this morning, and at times it was dead calm. This lead to a large southbound flight of birds, with lots of American Robins and Yellow-rumped Warblers heading towards Cape May Point. Michael O'Brien reported a massive flight of high Yellow-rumped Warblers heading out across the Delaware Bay. However, at Higbee Beach, I only count the northbound flight, which was only a fraction of the magnitude of the southbound flight. Nonetheless, today's flight was still very diverse and thoroughly enjoyable. Aside from a major reduction in Blackpoll and Yellow-rumped Warbler numbers, today's warbler flight was oddly similar to yesterday's, with eight species seen (ten yesterday).
Woodpeckers returned today and flew in small numbers, nuthatches and kinglets made another fantastic showing, while finch numbers were significantly reduced. My personal highlight, though, aside from a flyby Blue-headed Vireo and a late Black-and-white Warbler, was a steady trickle of Brown Creepers (12). Not a particularly strong or confident flier, these birds pass by singly or in spaced pairs very low over the Phragmites. Brown Creepers are not quite annual at Morning Flight (with season misses during 2003, 2007, and 2009). Only 66 individuals have been tallied all-time (2003-2011) at Morning Flight, and the season average is just 7 birds/year. Thus, this season's 27 Brown Creepers, second only to 38 in 2011, already comprises a great flight.
Red-bellied Woodpecker - 8
Yellow-bellied Sapsucker - 3
Northern Flicker - 7
Eastern Phoebe - 5
Blue-headed Vireo - 1
Red-eyed Vireo - 1
Red-breasted Nuthatch - 258
White-breasted Nuthatch - 4
Brown Creeper - 12
Golden-crowned Kinglet - 41
Ruby-crowned Kinglet - 5
kinglet sp. - 3
Horned Lark - 1
Catharus sp. - 1
Woodpeckers returned today and flew in small numbers, nuthatches and kinglets made another fantastic showing, while finch numbers were significantly reduced. My personal highlight, though, aside from a flyby Blue-headed Vireo and a late Black-and-white Warbler, was a steady trickle of Brown Creepers (12). Not a particularly strong or confident flier, these birds pass by singly or in spaced pairs very low over the Phragmites. Brown Creepers are not quite annual at Morning Flight (with season misses during 2003, 2007, and 2009). Only 66 individuals have been tallied all-time (2003-2011) at Morning Flight, and the season average is just 7 birds/year. Thus, this season's 27 Brown Creepers, second only to 38 in 2011, already comprises a great flight.
Red-bellied Woodpecker - 8
Yellow-bellied Sapsucker - 3
Northern Flicker - 7
Eastern Phoebe - 5
Blue-headed Vireo - 1
Red-eyed Vireo - 1
Red-breasted Nuthatch - 258
White-breasted Nuthatch - 4
Brown Creeper - 12
Golden-crowned Kinglet - 41
Ruby-crowned Kinglet - 5
kinglet sp. - 3
Horned Lark - 1
Catharus sp. - 1
American Robin - 87
American Pipit - 32
American Pipit - 32
Cedar Waxwing - 91
Nashville Warbler - 4
Northern Parula - 4
Black-throated Blue Warbler - 4
Nashville Warbler - 4
Northern Parula - 4
Black-throated Blue Warbler - 4
Yellow-rumped Warbler - 1040
Black-throated Green Warbler - 1
Black-throated Green Warbler - 1
Palm Warbler - 17
Blackpoll Warbler - 23
Blackpoll Warbler - 23
Black-and-white Warbler - 1
warbler sp. - 148
Chipping Sparrow - 3
Savannah Sparrow - 9
Dark-eyed Junco - 7
Eastern Meadowlark - 31
Purple Finch - 5
Savannah Sparrow - 9
Dark-eyed Junco - 7
Eastern Meadowlark - 31
Purple Finch - 5
Pine Siskin - 25
Total = 1882
Other highlights today included a single Caspian Tern.
Other highlights today included a single Caspian Tern.
Morning Flight - 16 October 2012
This year's second five-digit flight was overwhelmingly a one-man show: Yellow-rumped Warblers (11,889) broke 10,000 for the first time this year, flying solidly throughout the morning. And with the exception of Blackpoll Warbler (114), which staged another impressive late-season flight, very few other warblers joined the mass exodus, despite recording ten warbler species. I was particularly surprised by the dearth of Northern Parulas (3) and Palm Warbles (15; both species that flew in triple-digits on 10/11); perhaps the strong, gusty Northwest winds culled out these weaker fliers. It has been an exceptional year for Blackpoll Warblers at Morning Flight, with a cumulative season total of 2374, well above the season average (1462) and the best yearly count to date.
Interestingly, aside from a local Downy Woodpecker or two, I didn't even see another woodpecker in 4+ hours this morning. Virtually the only other birds taking on the wind were nuthatches and finches, with another good Purple Finch (68) flight today.
Eastern Phoebe - 4
Red-breasted Nuthatch - 43
White-breasted Nuthatch - 4
Brown Creeper - 1
Golden-crowned Kinglet - 1
Ruby-crowned Kinglet - 1
Interestingly, aside from a local Downy Woodpecker or two, I didn't even see another woodpecker in 4+ hours this morning. Virtually the only other birds taking on the wind were nuthatches and finches, with another good Purple Finch (68) flight today.
Eastern Phoebe - 4
Red-breasted Nuthatch - 43
White-breasted Nuthatch - 4
Brown Creeper - 1
Golden-crowned Kinglet - 1
Ruby-crowned Kinglet - 1
American Robin - 60
American Pipit - 8
American Pipit - 8
Cedar Waxwing - 25
Tennessee Warbler - 3
Nashville Warbler - 6
Northern Parula - 3
Cape May Warbler - 1
Black-throated Blue Warbler - 3
Tennessee Warbler - 3
Nashville Warbler - 6
Northern Parula - 3
Cape May Warbler - 1
Black-throated Blue Warbler - 3
Yellow-rumped Warbler - 11,889
Black-throated Green Warbler - 1
Black-throated Green Warbler - 1
Palm Warbler - 15
Blackpoll Warbler - 114
Blackpoll Warbler - 114
American Redstart - 1
warbler sp. - 1311
Chipping Sparrow - 2
White-throated Sparrow - 1
Dark-eyed Junco - 1
Eastern Meadowlark - 3
Purple Finch - 68
White-throated Sparrow - 1
Dark-eyed Junco - 1
Eastern Meadowlark - 3
Purple Finch - 68
Pine Siskin - 226
Total = 13,795
 |
| White-breasted Nuthatch (Photo by Doug Gochfeld) |
Cape May Hawk Watch - 15 October 2012
Cape May Cape May Point, New Jersey, USA Daily Raptor Counts: Oct 15, 2012 ------------------------------------------------------------------- Species Day's Count Month Total Season Total ------------------ ----------- -------------- -------------- Black Vulture 0 13 24 Turkey Vulture 0 128 185 Osprey 2 938 2508 Bald Eagle 0 71 216 Northern Harrier 2 296 578 Sharp-shinned Hawk 6 7382 10016 Cooper's Hawk 2 1305 1820 Northern Goshawk 0 0 1 Red-shouldered Hawk 0 9 12 Broad-winged Hawk 0 300 516 Red-tailed Hawk 0 51 78 Rough-legged Hawk 0 0 0 Golden Eagle 0 0 0 American Kestrel 1 2064 4744 Merlin 5 878 1473 Peregrine Falcon 13 606 919 Unknown Accipiter 0 0 0 Unknown Buteo 0 0 0 Unknown Falcon 0 0 0 Unknown Eagle 0 0 0 Unknown Raptor 0 0 0 Swainson's Hawk 0 1 2 Total: 31 14042 23092 ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Observation start time: 06:00:00 Observation end time: 15:30:00 Total observation time: 9.33 hours Official Counter: Vince Elia Observers: Weather: Mild and overcast. Winds from the SSW throughout. Some rain at the end of the day. Raptor Observations: Very quiet. Non-raptor Observations: Predictions: Cooler with NW winds.
Morning Flight - 15 October 2012
Northbound songbirds were few-and-far-between this morning, with a daily total reminiscent of those dog-days of summer/early fall. Of the mere three species catalogued, the highlight was easily the first Horned Larks for me at Morning Flight (after yesterday's first of the fall for me on Cape Island). Horned Larks are a rare flyover at Morning Flight, with an average of only four birds/year. In fact, this species isn't even annual, with misses for all of the 2007, 2008, and 2011 seasons.
Horned Lark - 2
American Robin - 22
Total = 72
With so few birds to quantify, I was able to do a bit more cogitating:
Additionally, there turned out to be a nice flight of waterbirds, including my largest southbound scoter flight of the fall:
Common Loon - 3
Black Scoter - 153
Surf Scoter - 24
Common Tern - 7
Parasitic Jaeger - 2 (both light-morph adults)
Horned Lark - 2
American Robin - 22
Yellow-rumped Warbler - 43
warbler sp. - 5
Total = 72
With so few birds to quantify, I was able to do a bit more cogitating:
 |
| The number of Yellow-rumped Warblers has fluctuated widely over the past nine years at Morning Flight (2003 - 2011). Season counts vary from as many as 267,000 to as few as 36,000; although the mean is 109,000 birds/year, the median is much lower (65,000). Thus, it seems that Yellow-rumped Warblers - by far the most numerous warbler migrant at Cape May - exhibit a quasi-bimodal distribution, with either >150,000 individuals or 35-40,000 birds/year. It remains to be seen which category, if either, 2012 will be. |
Additionally, there turned out to be a nice flight of waterbirds, including my largest southbound scoter flight of the fall:
Common Loon - 3
Black Scoter - 153
Surf Scoter - 24
Common Tern - 7
Parasitic Jaeger - 2 (both light-morph adults)
Cape May Hawk Watch - 14 October 2012
Cape May Cape May Point, New Jersey, USA Daily Raptor Counts: Oct 14, 2012 ------------------------------------------------------------------- Species Day's Count Month Total Season Total ------------------ ----------- -------------- -------------- Black Vulture 0 13 24 Turkey Vulture 0 128 185 Osprey 6 936 2506 Bald Eagle 0 71 216 Northern Harrier 8 294 576 Sharp-shinned Hawk 121 7376 10010 Cooper's Hawk 39 1303 1818 Northern Goshawk 0 0 1 Red-shouldered Hawk 0 9 12 Broad-winged Hawk 0 300 516 Red-tailed Hawk 0 51 78 Rough-legged Hawk 0 0 0 Golden Eagle 0 0 0 American Kestrel 7 2063 4743 Merlin 4 873 1468 Peregrine Falcon 12 593 906 Unknown Accipiter 0 0 0 Unknown Buteo 0 0 0 Unknown Falcon 0 0 0 Unknown Eagle 0 0 0 Unknown Raptor 0 0 0 Swainson's Hawk 0 1 2 Total: 197 14011 23061 ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Observation start time: 06:00:00 Observation end time: 16:00:00 Total observation time: 10 hours Official Counter: Tom Reed Observers: Weather: Seasonably mild and sunny throughout. Moderate winds from the S/SSW/SW throughout. Raptor Observations: A quiet day. Non-raptor Observations: Laughing Gull (6200- migrating during a two-hour window during the afternoon), Dickcissel (1), American Goldfinch (170+), Forster's Tern (600+), Rusty Blackbird (4), Parasitic Jaeger (2) Predictions: Showers, with S winds.
Morning Flight - 14 October 2012
The winds shifted so that today contained a good southerly component, effectively shutting down any sort of northbound flight. Nonetheless, I nearly achieved one of my season goals today when a Brown Creeper attempted to land on my leg. It decided better of it and scrambled momentarily to find purchase on my tripod before giving up, turning around completely, and heading back to the safety of legitimate vertical substrates. Otherwise, today's highlight was a second-straight morning with a nice Eastern Meadowlark (35) flight, including a flock of 19 birds.
Red-bellied Woodpecker - 3
Red-bellied Woodpecker - 3
Northern Flicker - 17
Red-breasted Nuthatch - 17
Brown Creeper - 1
Golden-crowned Kinglet - 6
Brown Creeper - 1
Golden-crowned Kinglet - 6
American Robin - 52
American Pipit - 5
American Pipit - 5
Northern Parula - 2
Yellow-rumped Warbler - 68
Palm Warbler - 1
Blackpoll Warbler - 1
Blackpoll Warbler - 1
warbler sp. - 8
Chipping Sparrow - 1
Eastern Meadowlark - 35
Purple Finch - 1
Eastern Meadowlark - 35
Purple Finch - 1
Total = 219
Cape May Hawk Watch - 13 October 2012
Cape May Cape May Point, New Jersey, USA Daily Raptor Counts: Oct 13, 2012 ------------------------------------------------------------------- Species Day's Count Month Total Season Total ------------------ ----------- -------------- -------------- Black Vulture 0 13 24 Turkey Vulture 29 128 185 Osprey 20 930 2500 Bald Eagle 5 71 216 Northern Harrier 41 286 568 Sharp-shinned Hawk 383 7255 9889 Cooper's Hawk 51 1264 1779 Northern Goshawk 0 0 1 Red-shouldered Hawk 1 9 12 Broad-winged Hawk 6 300 516 Red-tailed Hawk 6 51 78 Rough-legged Hawk 0 0 0 Golden Eagle 0 0 0 American Kestrel 6 2056 4736 Merlin 7 869 1464 Peregrine Falcon 0 581 894 Unknown Accipiter 0 0 0 Unknown Buteo 0 0 0 Unknown Falcon 0 0 0 Unknown Eagle 0 0 0 Unknown Raptor 0 0 0 Swainson's Hawk 0 1 2 Total: 555 13814 22864 ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Observation start time: 05:45:00 Observation end time: 16:00:00 Total observation time: 10.25 hours Official Counter: Tom Reed Observers: Alyssia Church, Vince Elia Weather: Sunny and cool; our coldest morning of the season to date. Winds from the N to start, shifting to NE by mid-morning and ESE by noon. Raptor Observations: An early exodus of SSHA, followed by a mainly slow day as the winds became less favorable. Non-raptor Observations: Our Big Sit effort tallied about 133 species. Clay-colored Sparrow (1), White-winged Scoter (1), Red-throated Loon (2), Barn Owl (1), Marsh Wren (1), Red-headed Woodpecker (1), White-breasted Nuthatch (4+) Predictions: Warmer with a 10-20mph S wind
Morning Flight - 13 October 2012
Oddly, today's flight (2023 birds) ended with a virtually identical total to yesterday's (2026 birds). However, the composition of the flight was considerably different. For the first time this year, American Robins (637) broke triple-digits, at last announcing their arrival. Yellow-rumped Warblers (701) flew in only modest numbers, despite the passage of a chilling cold front and north winds. Another large flight of White-breasted Nuthatches (7) was registered, making a total of 22 for the year (already the second-highest season total, well above the average of 9). The other highlight, aside from a nifty flight of predominantly Golden-crowned Kinglets (30), was a flock of 23 Eastern Meadowlarks (among the season high count of 32 birds).
Yellow-billed Cuckoo - 1
Red-bellied Woodpecker - 2
Yellow-bellied Sapsucker - 8
Yellow-billed Cuckoo - 1
Red-bellied Woodpecker - 2
Yellow-bellied Sapsucker - 8
Northern Flicker - 23
Red-breasted Nuthatch - 133
White-breasted Nuthatch - 7
Brown Creeper - 3
Golden-crowned Kinglet - 30
Ruby-crowned Kinglet - 4
kinglet sp. - 3
White-breasted Nuthatch - 7
Brown Creeper - 3
Golden-crowned Kinglet - 30
Ruby-crowned Kinglet - 4
kinglet sp. - 3
American Robin - 637
American Pipit - 2
American Pipit - 2
Cedar Waxwing - 80
Tennessee Warbler - 1
Northern Parula - 1
Black-throated Blue Warbler - 3
Tennessee Warbler - 1
Northern Parula - 1
Black-throated Blue Warbler - 3
Yellow-rumped Warbler - 701
Palm Warbler - 20
Blackpoll Warbler - 7
Blackpoll Warbler - 7
warbler sp. - 255
Chipping Sparrow - 2
Savannah Sparrow - 2
Dark-eyed Junco - 13
Eastern Meadowlark - 32
Rusty Blackbird - 4
Purple Finch - 16
Savannah Sparrow - 2
Dark-eyed Junco - 13
Eastern Meadowlark - 32
Rusty Blackbird - 4
Purple Finch - 16
Pine Siskin - 33
Total = 2023
Morning Flight - 12 October 2012
Another relatively diverse warbler flight (10 species) featured a late American Redstart, Ovenbird, and Northern Waterthrush. Otherwise, a large Pine Siskin flight - perhaps 1000 birds strong - was unfortunately southbound; in comparison, only a few dozen siskins were observed in northbound flight.
Red-bellied Woodpecker - 1
Yellow-bellied Sapsucker - 2
Red-bellied Woodpecker - 1
Yellow-bellied Sapsucker - 2
Northern Flicker - 19
Red-breasted Nuthatch - 13
Ruby-crowned Kinglet - 1
Ruby-crowned Kinglet - 1
American Robin - 89
Cedar Waxwing - 80
Nashville Warbler - 3
Northern Parula - 11
Black-throated Blue Warbler - 4
Nashville Warbler - 3
Northern Parula - 11
Black-throated Blue Warbler - 4
Yellow-rumped Warbler - 1370
Black-throated Green Warbler - 3
Black-throated Green Warbler - 3
Palm Warbler - 9
Blackpoll Warbler - 19
Blackpoll Warbler - 19
American Redstart - 1
Ovenbird - 1
Northern Waterthrush - 1
Ovenbird - 1
Northern Waterthrush - 1
warbler sp. - 354
Indigo Bunting - 2
Rusty Blackbird - 1
Purple Finch - 3
Rusty Blackbird - 1
Purple Finch - 3
Pine Siskin - 39
Total = 2026
Avalon Seawatch, October 6 - 12, 2012
Week 3 results:
Brant 286
Canada Goose 98
Wood Duck 11
American Wigeon 3
American Black Duck 153
Blue-winged Teal 1
Northern Pintail 854
Green-winged Teal 85
Greater Scaup 5
Common Eider 3
Surf Scoter 322
White-winged Scoter 1
Black Scoter 458
Dk-wing Scoter 347
Scoter sp. 40
Red-throated Loon 1
Common Loon 74
Northern Gannet 415
Brown Pelican 13
Double-crested Cormorant 15131
Great Cormorant 1
Great Blue Heron 155
Great Egret 62
Snowy Egret 1
Laughing Gull 2372
Ring-billed Gull 53
Herring Gull 232
Great Black-backed Gull 287
Caspian Tern 4
Common Tern 128
Forster's Tern 247
Royal Tern 37
Black Skimmer 1
Parasitic Jaeger 3
Total 21884
Brant 286
Canada Goose 98
Wood Duck 11
American Wigeon 3
American Black Duck 153
Blue-winged Teal 1
Northern Pintail 854
Green-winged Teal 85
Greater Scaup 5
Common Eider 3
Surf Scoter 322
White-winged Scoter 1
Black Scoter 458
Dk-wing Scoter 347
Scoter sp. 40
Red-throated Loon 1
Common Loon 74
Northern Gannet 415
Brown Pelican 13
Double-crested Cormorant 15131
Great Cormorant 1
Great Blue Heron 155
Great Egret 62
Snowy Egret 1
Laughing Gull 2372
Ring-billed Gull 53
Herring Gull 232
Great Black-backed Gull 287
Caspian Tern 4
Common Tern 128
Forster's Tern 247
Royal Tern 37
Black Skimmer 1
Parasitic Jaeger 3
Total 21884
Cape May Hawk Watch - 12 October 2012
Cape May Cape May Point, New Jersey, USA Daily Raptor Counts: Oct 12, 2012 ------------------------------------------------------------------- Species Day's Count Month Total Season Total ------------------ ----------- -------------- -------------- Black Vulture 8 13 24 Turkey Vulture 23 99 156 Osprey 45 910 2480 Bald Eagle 8 66 211 Northern Harrier 37 245 527 Sharp-shinned Hawk 1847 6872 9506 Cooper's Hawk 324 1213 1728 Northern Goshawk 0 0 1 Red-shouldered Hawk 0 8 11 Broad-winged Hawk 37 294 510 Red-tailed Hawk 6 45 72 Rough-legged Hawk 0 0 0 Golden Eagle 0 0 0 American Kestrel 1003 2050 4730 Merlin 442 862 1457 Peregrine Falcon 9 581 894 Unknown Accipiter 0 0 0 Unknown Buteo 0 0 0 Unknown Falcon 0 0 0 Unknown Eagle 0 0 0 Unknown Raptor 0 0 0 Swainson's Hawk 0 1 2 Total: 3789 13259 22309 ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Observation start time: 05:45:00 Observation end time: 17:30:00 Total observation time: 11.83 hours Official Counter: Tom Reed Observers: Weather: Cool and sunny, with increasing clouds by evening. Winds from the SW to start, shifting to WNW by mid-morning and holding there until evening (ended at NNW/N). Raptor Observations: A great flight, highlighted by SSHA throughout (heaviest midday/early PM) and small falcons late. Non-raptor Observations: Red Crossbill (1), Pine Siskin (1000+), Clay-colored Sparrow (1), Dickcissel (1), Rusty Blackbird (10), Surf Scoter (2 on Bunker Pond), Parasitic Jaeger (2), Cliff Swallow (2), Cape May Warbler (1), Ring-necked Duck (1), Pectoral Sandpiper (18) Predictions: Sunny; light N wind becoming SE.
Cape May Hawk Watch - 11 October 2012
Cape May Cape May Point, New Jersey, USA Daily Raptor Counts: Oct 11, 2012 ------------------------------------------------------------------- Species Day's Count Month Total Season Total ------------------ ----------- -------------- -------------- Black Vulture 5 5 16 Turkey Vulture 44 76 133 Osprey 85 865 2435 Bald Eagle 11 58 203 Northern Harrier 42 208 490 Sharp-shinned Hawk 2631 5025 7659 Cooper's Hawk 155 889 1404 Northern Goshawk 0 0 1 Red-shouldered Hawk 2 8 11 Broad-winged Hawk 66 257 473 Red-tailed Hawk 17 39 66 Rough-legged Hawk 0 0 0 Golden Eagle 0 0 0 American Kestrel 146 1047 3727 Merlin 35 420 1015 Peregrine Falcon 9 572 885 Unknown Accipiter 0 0 0 Unknown Buteo 0 0 0 Unknown Falcon 0 0 0 Unknown Eagle 0 0 0 Unknown Raptor 0 0 0 Swainson's Hawk 0 1 2 Total: 3248 9470 18520 ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Observation start time: 05:45:00 Observation end time: 16:00:00 Total observation time: 10.33 hours Official Counter: Tom Reed Observers: Weather: Sunny throughout, with winds shifting from NNW to NW to W through the day. Winds were around 15-20mph to start, but decreased through the day, ending at <5mph. Raptor Observations: A good flight of SSHA, largely during the morning hours. Non-raptor Observations: Pine Siskin (400+), Clay-colored Sparrow (1), White-crowned Sparrow (5), Rusty Blackbird (6), Eastern Meadowlark (6), Solitary Sandpiper (1), Pectoral Sandpiper (5) Predictions: Sunny with NW winds again.
Morning Flight - 11 October 2012
Strong northwest winds this morning and a surge of Sharp-shinned Hawks did not deter the warblers. What started as a fairly diverse warbler flight (14 species) with Blackpoll Warblers (219) predominating, gave way to a great mid-morning passage of Yellow-rumped Warblers (4852). This marks only the fourth time this year that Blackpoll Warblers have crested triple-digits, and the first time since 9/29 - a great flight for this relatively late date. And like the large warbler flight on 10/9, few woodpeckers and nuthatches were aloft today. However, the finches more than compensated with the second-largest Pine Siskin (697) flight and largest Purple Finch (78) flight of the year. Today's Purple Finches outnumbered the sum from the rest of the fall and we've now amassed 2356 Pine Siskins for the year!
The past seven days have featured a heavy volume of birds over Higbee Beach. In fact, since 10/5, more than 37,000 birds have been registered in morning flight!
Yellow-bellied Sapsucker - 4
Northern Flicker - 44
Red-eyed Vireo - 2
Red-eyed Vireo - 2
Red-breasted Nuthatch - 29
White-breasted Nuthatch - 1
Brown Creeper - 2
kinglet sp. - 2
White-breasted Nuthatch - 1
Brown Creeper - 2
kinglet sp. - 2
American Robin - 37
Cedar Waxwing - 53
Tennessee Warbler - 7
Nashville Warbler - 5
Northern Parula - 101
Yellow Warbler - 1
Magnolia Warbler - 2
Cape May Warbler - 1
Black-throated Blue Warbler - 22
Tennessee Warbler - 7
Nashville Warbler - 5
Northern Parula - 101
Yellow Warbler - 1
Magnolia Warbler - 2
Cape May Warbler - 1
Black-throated Blue Warbler - 22
Yellow-rumped Warbler - 4852
Black-throated Green Warbler - 2
Black-throated Green Warbler - 2
Palm Warbler - 124
Blackpoll Warbler - 219
Blackpoll Warbler - 219
Black-and-white Warbler - 1
American Redstart - 5
Northern Waterthrush - 2
American Redstart - 5
Northern Waterthrush - 2
warbler sp. - 2426
Chipping Sparrow - 2
Savannah Sparrow - 10
Indigo Bunting - 8
Rusty Blackbird - 2
Purple Finch - 78
Savannah Sparrow - 10
Indigo Bunting - 8
Rusty Blackbird - 2
Purple Finch - 78
Pine Siskin - 697
Total = 8733
Other highlights included a Solitary Sandpiper, a massive flight of Sharp-shinned Hawks (perhaps 1000+), and 3 Northern Rough-winged Swallows. A personal highlight for me was a Brown Creeper that briefly alighted on Nick Pulcinella's pant leg!
Other highlights included a Solitary Sandpiper, a massive flight of Sharp-shinned Hawks (perhaps 1000+), and 3 Northern Rough-winged Swallows. A personal highlight for me was a Brown Creeper that briefly alighted on Nick Pulcinella's pant leg!
Cape May Hawk Watch - 10 October 2012
Cape May Cape May Point, New Jersey, USA Daily Raptor Counts: Oct 10, 2012 ------------------------------------------------------------------- Species Day's Count Month Total Season Total ------------------ ----------- -------------- -------------- Black Vulture 0 0 11 Turkey Vulture 9 32 89 Osprey 95 780 2350 Bald Eagle 4 47 192 Northern Harrier 9 166 448 Sharp-shinned Hawk 663 2394 5028 Cooper's Hawk 80 734 1249 Northern Goshawk 0 0 1 Red-shouldered Hawk 2 6 9 Broad-winged Hawk 15 191 407 Red-tailed Hawk 4 22 49 Rough-legged Hawk 0 0 0 Golden Eagle 0 0 0 American Kestrel 164 901 3581 Merlin 102 385 980 Peregrine Falcon 70 563 876 Unknown Accipiter 0 0 0 Unknown Buteo 0 0 0 Unknown Falcon 0 0 0 Unknown Eagle 0 0 0 Unknown Raptor 0 0 0 Swainson's Hawk 0 1 2 Total: 1217 6222 15272 ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Observation start time: 06:00:00 Observation end time: 16:00:00 Total observation time: 10 hours Official Counter: Tom Reed Observers: Weather: Seasonable with decreasing clouds through the day. Winds from the W at 5-10mph, increasing to 10-15mph in the afternoon. Raptor Observations: An afternoon-heavy flight, featuring a steady trickle of SSHA and a light falcon movement. Non-raptor Observations: Sadly, no Wheatear today. Dickcissel (2), Clay-colored Sparrow (1), White-crowned Sparrow (7), Rusty Blackbird (7), Solitary Sandpiper (1), Cliff Swallow (1), Lesser Black-backed Gull (1), Parasitic Jaeger (2) Predictions: Sunny and cool, with a ~10mph NW wind.
Cape May Hawk Watch - 9 October 2012
Cape May Cape May Point, New Jersey, USA Daily Raptor Counts: Oct 09, 2012 ------------------------------------------------------------------- Species Day's Count Month Total Season Total ------------------ ----------- -------------- -------------- Black Vulture 0 0 11 Turkey Vulture 0 23 80 Osprey 61 685 2255 Bald Eagle 13 43 188 Northern Harrier 11 157 439 Sharp-shinned Hawk 182 1731 4365 Cooper's Hawk 123 654 1169 Northern Goshawk 0 0 1 Red-shouldered Hawk 0 4 7 Broad-winged Hawk 5 176 392 Red-tailed Hawk 6 18 45 Rough-legged Hawk 0 0 0 Golden Eagle 0 0 0 American Kestrel 82 737 3417 Merlin 37 283 878 Peregrine Falcon 24 493 806 Unknown Accipiter 0 0 0 Unknown Buteo 0 0 0 Unknown Falcon 0 0 0 Unknown Eagle 0 0 0 Unknown Raptor 0 0 0 Swainson's Hawk 0 1 2 Total: 544 5005 14055 ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Observation start time: 06:00:00 Observation end time: 16:00:00 Total observation time: 10 hours Official Counter: Pete Dunne
Morning Flight - 10 October 2012
Recent mornings have kept me guessing about whether or not a large flight will materialize. Despite west winds and heavy nocturnal flight calls over Cape May Point last night, this morning's flight was relatively light compared to counts during the past week. The highlight was the season high count for Eastern Meadowlarks (9), which included a flock of 8 birds.
Red-bellied Woodpecker - 7
Yellow-bellied Sapsucker - 5
Red-bellied Woodpecker - 7
Yellow-bellied Sapsucker - 5
Northern Flicker - 21
Eastern Phoebe - 1
Red-eyed Vireo - 2
Eastern Phoebe - 1
Red-eyed Vireo - 2
Red-breasted Nuthatch - 7
Ruby-crowned Kinglet - 2
Ruby-crowned Kinglet - 2
American Robin - 48
American Pipit - 9
American Pipit - 9
Northern Parula - 11
Yellow Warbler - 1
Black-throated Blue Warbler - 1
Yellow Warbler - 1
Black-throated Blue Warbler - 1
Yellow-rumped Warbler - 347
Palm Warbler - 33
Blackpoll Warbler - 13
Blackpoll Warbler - 13
warbler sp. - 69
Savannah Sparrow - 6
Indigo Bunting - 5
Eastern Meadowlark - 9
Rusty Blackbird - 3
Purple Finch - 1
Indigo Bunting - 5
Eastern Meadowlark - 9
Rusty Blackbird - 3
Purple Finch - 1
Pine Siskin - 48
Total = 649
 |
| A graphical representation of Eastern Meadowlarks tallied at Morning Flight over the past decade (2003- 2012, with data incomplete for the current year). Although a relatively short timespan in the grand scheme of things, this declining species has noticeably tailed off in just the past five years here. The average for the first five years (2003 - 2007) of the count was 411 individuals, but dropped to an average of only 111 birds in the past four years (2008 - 2011). |
Cape May Hawk Watch - 8 October 2012
Cape May Cape May Point, New Jersey, USA Daily Raptor Counts: Oct 08, 2012 ------------------------------------------------------------------- Species Day's Count Month Total Season Total ------------------ ----------- -------------- -------------- Black Vulture 0 0 11 Turkey Vulture 19 23 80 Osprey 30 624 2194 Bald Eagle 9 30 175 Northern Harrier 15 146 428 Sharp-shinned Hawk 196 1549 4183 Cooper's Hawk 49 531 1046 Northern Goshawk 0 0 1 Red-shouldered Hawk 0 4 7 Broad-winged Hawk 27 171 387 Red-tailed Hawk 3 12 39 Rough-legged Hawk 0 0 0 Golden Eagle 0 0 0 American Kestrel 19 655 3335 Merlin 10 246 841 Peregrine Falcon 4 469 782 Unknown Accipiter 0 0 0 Unknown Buteo 0 0 0 Unknown Falcon 0 0 0 Unknown Eagle 0 0 0 Unknown Raptor 0 0 0 Swainson's Hawk 1 1 2 Total: 382 4461 13511 ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Observation start time: 06:00:00 Observation end time: 16:00:00 Total observation time: 10 hours Official Counter: Vince Elia
Morning Flight - 9 October 2012
Today's primarily warbler flight was fast and furious. At sunrise, birds began funneling low over the slope at a frenzied pace. Later, the warbler flight picked up noticeable steam well to the east, where individual scans could produce up to triple-digits of distant warbler shapes (= warbler sp.). In the end, it proved to be another good Yellow-rumped Warbler flight, with nice numbers of Northern Parulas, Black-throated Green Warblers, and Palm Warblers. Even the Common Yellowthroats - which move, if at all, as if they were filtering through the Phragmites - made some more obviously countable movements today. Surprisingly, though, few other birds were in the air and the paucity of woodpeckers and nuthatches was especially striking.
Red-bellied Woodpecker - 1
Yellow-bellied Sapsucker - 4
Red-bellied Woodpecker - 1
Yellow-bellied Sapsucker - 4
Northern Flicker - 18
Eastern Wood-Pewee - 1
Eastern Phoebe - 2
Red-eyed Vireo - 4
Eastern Wood-Pewee - 1
Eastern Phoebe - 2
Red-eyed Vireo - 4
Red-breasted Nuthatch - 3
Brown Creeper - 1
Golden-crowned Kinglet - 3
Ruby-crowned Kinglet - 2
kinglet sp. - 1
Brown Creeper - 1
Golden-crowned Kinglet - 3
Ruby-crowned Kinglet - 2
kinglet sp. - 1
American Robin - 12
American Pipit - 11
American Pipit - 11
Cedar Waxwing - 38
Tennessee Warbler - 3
Nashville Warbler - 4
Northern Parula - 93
Magnolia Warbler - 3
Cape May Warbler - 1
Black-throated Blue Warbler - 20
Tennessee Warbler - 3
Nashville Warbler - 4
Northern Parula - 93
Magnolia Warbler - 3
Cape May Warbler - 1
Black-throated Blue Warbler - 20
Yellow-rumped Warbler - 2220
Black-throated Green Warbler - 12
Black-throated Green Warbler - 12
Palm Warbler - 163
Blackpoll Warbler - 23
Blackpoll Warbler - 23
Black-and-white Warbler - 14
American Redstart - 12
Common Yellowthroat - 5
American Redstart - 12
Common Yellowthroat - 5
warbler sp. - 2947
Chipping Sparrow - 3
Savannah Sparrow - 6
Indigo Bunting - 8
Bobolink - 9
Rusty Blackbird - 1
Purple Finch - 4
Savannah Sparrow - 6
Indigo Bunting - 8
Bobolink - 9
Rusty Blackbird - 1
Purple Finch - 4
Pine Siskin - 73
Total = 5725
Other highlights included a single adult light-morph Parasitic Jaeger offshore.
Other highlights included a single adult light-morph Parasitic Jaeger offshore.
Morning Flight - 8 October 2012
It was another chilly morning (48 F) and my binoculars and metal clickers suddenly felt icy against my fingers. Compared to the relatively lower number of Yellow-rumped Warblers (394) today, the flight featured a resurgence of Northern Parulas (70) and Blackpoll Warblers (69). In all, 1234 individuals of 14 warbler species were recorded. Other highlights include a late Empidonax flycatcher, three more White-breasted Nuthatches, four Brown Creepers, perhaps one of the last Connecticut Warblers, and a late Blue Grosbeak.
Red-bellied Woodpecker - 12
Yellow-bellied Sapsucker - 7
Red-bellied Woodpecker - 12
Yellow-bellied Sapsucker - 7
Northern Flicker - 50
Eastern Wood-Pewee - 1
Empidonax sp. - 1
Eastern Phoebe - 2
Red-eyed Vireo - 11
Eastern Wood-Pewee - 1
Empidonax sp. - 1
Eastern Phoebe - 2
Red-eyed Vireo - 11
Red-breasted Nuthatch - 122
White-breasted Nuthatch - 3
Brown Creeper - 4
Golden-crowned Kinglet - 15
Ruby-crowned Kinglet - 9
kinglet sp. - 2
White-breasted Nuthatch - 3
Brown Creeper - 4
Golden-crowned Kinglet - 15
Ruby-crowned Kinglet - 9
kinglet sp. - 2
American Robin - 5
American Pipit - 1
American Pipit - 1
Cedar Waxwing - 52
Tennessee Warbler - 2
Nashville Warbler - 2
Northern Parula - 70
Magnolia Warbler - 2
Cape May Warbler - 2
Black-throated Blue Warbler - 3
Tennessee Warbler - 2
Nashville Warbler - 2
Northern Parula - 70
Magnolia Warbler - 2
Cape May Warbler - 2
Black-throated Blue Warbler - 3
Yellow-rumped Warbler - 394
Black-throated Green Warbler - 3
Pine Warbler - 1
Black-throated Green Warbler - 3
Pine Warbler - 1
Palm Warbler - 36
Blackpoll Warbler - 69
Blackpoll Warbler - 69
Black-and-white Warbler - 4
American Redstart - 3
American Redstart - 3
Connecticut Warbler - 1
warbler sp. - 642
warbler sp. - 642
Scarlet Tanager - 1
Chipping Sparrow - 1
Dark-eyed Junco - 1
Rose-breasted Grosbeak - 2
Blue Grosbeak - 1
Indigo Bunting - 14
Bobolink - 3
Baltimore Oriole - 1
Purple Finch - 22
Chipping Sparrow - 1
Dark-eyed Junco - 1
Rose-breasted Grosbeak - 2
Blue Grosbeak - 1
Indigo Bunting - 14
Bobolink - 3
Baltimore Oriole - 1
Purple Finch - 22
Pine Siskin - 80
Total = 1666
The real highlight, though, was the late-morning appearance of a widely-reported light-morph Swainson's Hawk. It was originally found at approximately 9:56 AM over Cape May Point and by the time it made its way due north to Higbee Beach - a distance of 1.8 miles - it was 45 minutes later. I stayed on the bird as it appeared to cross Cape May Canal, heading northeast.
 |
| Connecticut Warbler - Perhaps one final look for 2012. This species is actually not as difficult to identify in flight as one might suspect, given adequate views and good light. Connecticut Warblers are large, long, sturdy warblers with sharply bicolored underparts (the front third dark and the lower two-thirds yellow) and a short tail. The relatively straightforward identification is helped by the fact that the very similar Mourning Warbler does not regularly engage in overhead morning flight, if at all. In this way, Mourning Warbler is much like Common Yellowthroats, which it now shares a genus (Photo by Tom Reed). |
The real highlight, though, was the late-morning appearance of a widely-reported light-morph Swainson's Hawk. It was originally found at approximately 9:56 AM over Cape May Point and by the time it made its way due north to Higbee Beach - a distance of 1.8 miles - it was 45 minutes later. I stayed on the bird as it appeared to cross Cape May Canal, heading northeast.
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| Swainson's Hawk - note the bird's long, pointy, upturned, and swept-back primaries (Photo by Cameron Rutt) |