Morning Flight – 31 August 2014

I guess we may have almost forgot it was summer until the hot and heavy air and lack of any songbird activity set in at dawn, today. Then again it was really cool to get the reminder that summer is still here and there are plenty of other birds active in the area. A Great Black-backed Gull pursued a Parasitic Jaeger with long, slanting approaches. After the dwarfed-looking jaeger seemed tired and beaten it sat on the water within our view while it pulled itself together. A high north-flying Brown Pelican passed soon after the jaeger. Later on, a Blackpoll Warbler gleaned through some Baccharis trees next to the main path up the dike.

       Weather and time: sunny and humid; 74–79 ºF; winds SW at 3-7 mph; 80% cloud cover; very good visibility; 0627 sunrise; 2.25 hours.
   
       Morning Flight Count totals

Bobolink (Dolichonyx oryzivorus)  2

That's right, just 2 BOBOs are the only birds I had the gumption to count for the Morning Flight Project. But click on the eBird checklist below to find out about all the birds seen this AM.


Today's full list can be viewed at: http://ebird.org/ebird/view/checklist?subID=S19629700

Morning Flight – 30 August 2014

It was sparse for migration action at the dike this morning. But how yesterday was so very special! For a new installment in this blog I've tallied up the Morning Flight for 2014 thus far. Thanks to the good folks at our CMBO Northwood Center (Hi Jess, Cari, and Mike!) for also keeping up with the migration action and reporting to visitors on it.


       Weather and time: sunny and humid; 70–74 ºF; winds SE at 1-2 mph; 10% cloud cover; excellent visibility; 0626 sunrise; 2.25 hours.
   
       Morning Flight Count totals

Ruby-throated Hummingbird (Archilochus colubris)  1
Eastern Kingbird (Tyrannus tyrannus)  11
Blue-gray Gnatcatcher (Polioptila caerulea)  2
Northern Waterthrush (Parkesia noveboracensis)  5
Black-and-white Warbler (Mniotilta varia)  1
American Redstart (Setophaga ruticilla)  3
Scarlet Tanager (Piranga olivacea)  1
Dickcissel (Spiza americana)  1
Bobolink (Dolichonyx oryzivorus)  1
Baltimore Oriole (Icterus galbula)  10
House Finch (Haemorhous mexicanus)  20
American Goldfinch (Spinus tristis)  1

Today's full list can be viewed at: http://ebird.org/ebird/view/checklist?subID=S19613975



Daily total Season total Max Max Date
Ruby-throated Hummingbird 1 101 33 17-Aug
Belted Kingfisher 0 1 1 28-Aug
Red-bellied Woodpecker 0 1 1 24-Aug
Downy Woodpecker 0 5 3 18-Aug
Northern Flicker 0 1 1 23-Aug
Eastern Wood-Pewee 0 2 2 29-Aug
Empidonax sp. 0 1 1 24-Aug
Great-crested Flycatcher 0 2 2 18-Aug
Eastern Kingbird 11 1,452 346 29-Aug
Red-eyed Vireo 0 18 7 18-Aug
Red-breasted Nuthatch 0 1 1 29-Aug
Blue-gray Gnatcatcher 2 167 57 18-Aug
American Robin 0 25 16 29-Aug
Northern Mockingbird 0 3 2 20-Aug
Cedar Waxwing 0 848 314 29-Aug
Ovenbird 0 3 2 29-Aug
Worm-eating Warbler 0 9 4 16-Aug
Northern Waterthrush 5 182 52 29-Aug
Louisiana Waterthrush 0 3 1 17-Aug
Blue-winged Warbler 0 3 1 18-Aug
Black-and-white Warbler 1 95 38 29-Aug
Prothonotary Warbler 0 6 1 16-Aug
Tennessee Warbler 0 4 3 29-Aug
American Redstart 3 1,171 561 29-Aug
Cape May Warbler 0 26 12 28-Aug
Northern Parula 0 13 5 24-Aug
Magnolia Warbler 0 4 3 29-Aug
Blackburnian Warbler 0 5 3 29-Aug
Yellow Warbler 0 215 81 24-Aug
Chestnut-sided Warbler 0 12 11 29-Aug
Black-throated Blue Warbler 0 16 15 29-Aug
Pine Warbler 0 1 1 24-Aug
Prairie Warbler 0 10 3 18-Aug
Black-throated Gray Warbler 0 1 1 29-Aug
Black-throated Green Warbler 0 1 1 28-Aug
Canada Warbler 0 3 2 29-Aug
warbler sp. 0 209 77 29-Aug
Summer Tanager 0 1 1 29-Aug
Scarlet Tanager 1 3 2 29-Aug
Blue Grosbeak 0 7 3 29-Aug
Indigo Bunting 0 33 7 25-Aug
Dickcissel 1 3 1 24-Aug
Bobolink 1 511 198 18-Aug
Orchard Oriole 0 3 2 16-Aug
Baltimore Oriole  10 197 130 29-Aug
House Finch 20 342 77 18-Aug
American Goldfinch 1 13 5 18-Aug
House Sparrow 0 54 16 21-Aug

Morning Flight – 29 August 2014

A look at NEXRAD radar last night revealed heavy bird migration occurring over portions of the Northeast and Mid-Atlantic states, including here at Cape May. Light northwest winds gradually shifted to the north as the night progressed, and these conditions remained constant through the start of this morning's count.

A strong first hour was dominated by American Redstarts, with nearly 400 passing through before 7:30am-- though these would soon take a backseat to the steady parade of Baltimore Orioles that came bouncing up the dirt road in front of the dike. It was a good morning for both species, and the day's total of 130 Baltimore Orioles could go down as the season high. A lovely Summer Tanager and a delightful duo of Scarlet Tanagers added a couple more splashes of color, and a Red-breasted Nuthatch was a nice treat (and the first I've seen this fall). We enjoyed a few of the less-common, regular warblers such as Canada, Ovenbird, Cape May, and Tennessee, but the star of the show was a Black-throated Gray Warbler that shot past at 7:15am! This individual represents the 10th or so recorded in Cape May County, three of which have flown past the dike.

Other interesting birds included a White-rumped Sandpiper, 5 Common Nighthawks, 5 Northern Harriers, a Broad-winged Hawk, and 2 Willets.

Summer looks to stage a late-season comeback over the holiday weekend, so it might well be that songbird flights are again on the light side for the next few days. However, any day is a good day to visit at this point in the season. Diversity is on the rise, and you just never know when a big surprise might magically appear...


       Weather and effort: mostly sunny; 59–72 ºF; winds N->NE at 10 mph; 10->30% cloud cover; very good visibility; 0627 sunrise; 4.25 hours. Observer: Tom Reed.
   
       Morning Flight Count totals
Ruby-throated Hummingbird (Archilochus colubris)  14
Downy Woodpecker (Picoides pubescens)  1
Eastern Wood-Pewee (Contopus virens)  2
Eastern Kingbird (Tyrannus tyrannus)  346
Red-eyed Vireo (Vireo olivaceus)  7
Red-breasted Nuthatch (Sitta canadensis)  1
Blue-gray Gnatcatcher (Polioptila caerulea)  54
American Robin (Turdus migratorius)  16
Cedar Waxwing (Bombycilla cedrorum)  314
Ovenbird (Seiurus aurocapilla) 2
Northern Waterthrush (Parkesia noveboracensis)  52
Blue-winged Warbler (Vermivora cyanoptera)  1
Black-and-white Warbler (Mniotilta varia)  38
Tennessee Warbler (Oreothlypis peregrina)  3
American Redstart (Setophaga ruticilla)  561
Cape May Warbler (Setophaga tigrina)  8
Northern Parula (Setophaga americana)  2
Magnolia Warbler (Setophaga magnolia)  3
Blackburnian Warbler (Setophaga fusca)  3
Yellow Warbler (Setophaga petechia)  52
Chestnut-sided Warbler (Setophaga pensylvanica)  11
Black-throated Blue Warbler (Setophaga caerulescens)  15   
Prairie Warbler (Setophaga discolor)  1
Black-throated Gray Warbler (Setophaga nigrescens)  1
Canada Warbler (Cardellina canadensis)  2
warbler sp. (Parulinae sp.)  77 
Summer Tanager (Piranga rubra)  1
Scarlet Tanager (Piranga olivacea)  2
Blue Grosbeak (Passerina caerulea)  3
Indigo Bunting (Passerina cyanea)  6
Bobolink (Dolichonyx oryzivorus)  106
Baltimore Oriole (Icterus galbula)  130
House Finch (Haemorhous mexicanus) 39
House Sparrow (Passer domesticus)  10


-Tom Reed


[Black-throated Gray Warbler: the warbler that thinks it's a chickadee. This is a very exciting bird to see in Cape May (or anywhere in the East), and this is also the first time one has been seen here in August. Most previous records of the species are from September and October. Photo by Tom Reed.]

Morning Flight – 28 August 2014

A really rallying flight day was given rise by a warm breeze from the north. We reached a diversity of 12 species of warblers, with 111 American Redstart out of 175 total warblers. The second and third most abundant parulids (belonging to Parulidae) were Northern Waterthrush (15) and Cape May Warbler (11). This counter loves seeing good flights of these, often in pairs, in August-- and that's the time for more adults. A moderate display of Eastern Kingbird activity, with 166 counted, was concentrated mostly along the east treeline. Two interesting waterbirds were Wilson's Snipe and a Green-winged Teal that did a lap around the impoundment which included a dip down low over the road.

Nearing the close of August the overall neotropical migrant passage is in full-swing and mid-season. Many more species should be counted in just the next few weeks while some very early birds like Louisiana Waterthrush and Orchard Oriole could be >95% through. Michael O'Brien just returned from a trip to Panama seeing arriving waterthrushes and Yellow Warblers. Yellow Warbler is somewhat like the "Northern Harrier" of the warblers at Morning Flight, being counted much earlier in summer and continuing well into October in small numbers. 

We could be in for SOMETHING OF A FLIGHT comparable or even bigger tomorrow as NW to NE winds continue through the night.


       Weather and time: sunny and humid; 75–77 ºF; winds NNW at 12-15 mph; 5% cloud cover; very good visibility; 0625 sunrise; 3.75 hours.
   
       Morning Flight Count totals

Ruby-throated Hummingbird (Archilochus colubris)  5
Belted Kingfisher (Megaceryle alcyon)  1
Eastern Kingbird (Tyrannus tyrannus)  166
Red-eyed Vireo (Vireo olivaceus)  2
Blue-gray Gnatcatcher (Polioptila caerulea)  2
American Robin (Turdus migratorius)  1
Cedar Waxwing (Bombycilla cedrorum)  204
Northern Waterthrush (Parkesia noveboracensis)  15
Blue-winged Warbler (Vermivora cyanoptera)  1
Black-and-white Warbler (Mniotilta varia)  7
Prothonotary Warbler (Protonotaria citrea)  1
American Redstart (Setophaga ruticilla)  111
Cape May Warbler (Setophaga tigrina)  11
Northern Parula (Setophaga americana)  4
Magnolia Warbler (Setophaga magnolia)  1
Blackburnian Warbler (Setophaga fusca)  1
Yellow Warbler (Setophaga petechia)  5
Black-throated Blue Warbler (Setophaga caerulescens)  1     male
Black-throated Green Warbler (Setophaga virens)  1
warbler sp. (Parulinae sp.)  21     a few could be NOWA and YWAR
Indigo Bunting (Passerina cyanea)  2
Bobolink (Dolichonyx oryzivorus)  25
Baltimore Oriole (Icterus galbula)  4
House Finch (Haemorhous mexicanus)  17

Today's full list can be viewed at: http://ebird.org/ebird/view/checklist?subID=S19595879

Gallinago (snipe) in the sunglare

Morning Flight – 27 August 2014

A clear, near-windless, and otherwise quiet morning was to be had today at the dike. A small collection of American Redstarts and a few others was heralded in by a south horizon to north horizon calling Dickcissel. Most of the migration activity (and a low figure at that) occurred 30-70 minutes after sunrise.

There was a better "neotrop" diversity to be had than the data show. Click on the list below. Magnolia, Yellow, Prairie (likely local breeders), Black-throated Green Warbler, Red-eyed Vireo, and Baltimore Oriole were all in with the regular crowd of House, Carolina Wren, Gray Catbird, Northern Cardinal, Blue Grosbeak, and Indigo Bunting. These were the birds in my neighborhood!



       Weather and time: sunny; 62–74 ºF; winds light and variable; 5% cloud cover; excellent visibility; 0624 sunrise; 2.25 hours.
   
       Morning Flight Count totals

Ruby-throated Hummingbird (Archilochus colubris)  5
Eastern Kingbird (Tyrannus tyrannus)  8
Northern Waterthrush (Parkesia noveboracensis)  5
Black-and-white Warbler (Mniotilta varia)  1
American Redstart (Setophaga ruticilla)  13
Northern Parula (Setophaga americana)  1
warbler sp. (Parulinae sp.)  2
Dickcissel (Spiza americana)  1
Bobolink (Dolichonyx oryzivorus)  13

Today's full list can be viewed at: http://ebird.org/ebird/view/checklist?subID=S19586050

Morning Flight – 26 August 2014

Another clear, and much stiller morning than yesterday saw a further decline in Morning Flight migration numbers since Sunday. A Louisiana Waterthrush perched up in the black walnut trees on the dike slope. Prothonotary and Prairie Warbler, and Alder/Willow Flycatcher (aka Traill's Flycatcher) skulked around the road. A few birds seemed to not care about going against the prevailing trend and were seen flying quite high. This behavior was predominated by Eastern Kingbird and American Redstart.


       Weather and time: sunny; 67–75ºF; NE at 3 mph; 2% cloud cover; very good visibility; 0623 sunrise; 2.25 hours.
   
       Morning Flight Count totals

Ruby-throated Hummingbird (Archilochus colubris)  2
Belted Kingfisher (Megaceryle alcyon)  1
Downy Woodpecker (Picoides pubescens)  1
Eastern Kingbird (Tyrannus tyrannus)  46
Red-eyed Vireo (Vireo olivaceus)  2
Blue-gray Gnatcatcher (Polioptila caerulea)  1
American Robin (Turdus migratorius)  2
Cedar Waxwing (Bombycilla cedrorum)  16
Louisiana Waterthrush (Parkesia motacilla)  1
Northern Waterthrush (Parkesia noveboracensis)  11
Black-and-white Warbler (Mniotilta varia)  10
Prothonotary Warbler (Protonotaria citrea)  1
American Redstart (Setophaga ruticilla)  27
Northern Parula (Setophaga americana)  1
Blackburnian Warbler (Setophaga fusca)  1
Yellow Warbler (Setophaga petechia)  3
Black-throated Blue Warbler (Setophaga caerulescens)  1
Prairie Warbler (Setophaga discolor)  1
warbler sp. (Parulinae sp.)  9
Indigo Bunting (Passerina cyanea)  2
Bobolink (Dolichonyx oryzivorus)  42
Baltimore Oriole (Icterus galbula)  2
oriole sp. (Icterus sp.)  1
House Finch (Haemorhous mexicanus)  5

Today's full list can be viewed at: http://ebird.org/ebird/view/checklist?subID=S19577966

Cape May Warbler may be encountered in Cape May in at least August, September, October, and May (Photo by: Tom Reed)

Morning Flight – 25 August 2014

This one was very pleasant with a shorter, but sweeter, list of "neotrops". This flight was about an order of magnitude less than yesterday's flight. My favorite was the Ovenbird that flew straight north 30 ft over our heads.


       Weather and time: partly cloudy; 63–73ºF; NE at 8-12 mph; 5% cloud cover; very good visibility; 0622 sunrise; 3.25 hours.
   
       Morning Flight Count totals

Ruby-throated Hummingbird (Archilochus colubris)  4
Eastern Kingbird (Tyrannus tyrannus)  113
Blue-gray Gnatcatcher (Polioptila caerulea)  11
American Robin (Turdus migratorius)  1
Cedar Waxwing (Bombycilla cedrorum)  37
Ovenbird (Seiurus aurocapilla)  1
Northern Waterthrush (Parkesia noveboracensis)  10
Black-and-white Warbler (Mniotilta varia)  5
American Redstart (Setophaga ruticilla)  40
Cape May Warbler (Setophaga tigrina)  2
Yellow Warbler (Setophaga petechia)  12
Prairie Warbler (Setophaga discolor)  3
warbler sp. (Parulinae sp.)  17
Indigo Bunting (Passerina cyanea)  7
Bobolink (Dolichonyx oryzivorus)  28
Baltimore Oriole (Icterus galbula)  7
House Finch (Haemorhous mexicanus)  13
American Goldfinch (Spinus tristis)  1

Today's full list can be viewed at: http://ebird.org/ebird/view/checklist?subID=S19573956

American Redstart

Warblers are pragmatic and versatile flyers capable of many aerial poses.

Tree Swallow (Photos by: Glen Davis)

Morning Flight – 24 August 2014

Now we're talking! Today's Morning Flight migration event included 759 warblers and at least 300 Eastern Kingbird. Flight activity was greatest 40-70 minutes after sunrise. The winds increased from the east throughout the three hours counted and served to well-shut down things by the middle of the third hour. Well-seen warbler highlights were Louisiana Waterthrush, Prothonotary, Tenessee, Cape May, and Pine Warbler. The first Red-bellied Woodpecker and empidonax flycatcher of the season were also 'doing it'. Swallows and blackbirds were slightly less in evidence since yesterday, but the neotropical migrants really came in with a good showing on the northeast wind.

This counter will note that northeast winds often cause the primary flight-line of warblers to be off to the east, over the impoundment, and today, very much in the sun-- making for difficult viewing conditions-- don't worry, today's warbler-watchers present on the dike scarcely heard a complaint coming from my direction (If only that were true, hee hee).

       Weather and time: partly cloudy; 66–70ºF; NE at 8 mph for hour 1; NE at 12 mph for hour 2; NE at 12-15 mph for hour 3; 5% cloud cover; excellent visibility; 0621 sunrise; 3.25 hours.
   
       Morning Flight Count totals

Ruby-throated Hummingbird (Archilochus colubris)  9
Red-bellied Woodpecker (Melanerpes carolinus)  1
Downy Woodpecker (Picoides pubescens)  1
Empidonax sp. (Empidonax sp.)  1
Eastern Kingbird (Tyrannus tyrannus)  300
Red-eyed Vireo (Vireo olivaceus)  1
Blue-gray Gnatcatcher (Polioptila caerulea)  17
American Robin (Turdus migratorius)  2
Cedar Waxwing (Bombycilla cedrorum)  23
Worm-eating Warbler (Helmitheros vermivorum)  1
Louisiana Waterthrush (Parkesia motacilla)  1
Northern Waterthrush (Parkesia noveboracensis)  35
Black-and-white Warbler (Mniotilta varia)  23
Prothonotary Warbler (Protonotaria citrea)  1
Tennessee Warbler (Oreothlypis peregrina)  1
American Redstart (Setophaga ruticilla)  341
Cape May Warbler (Setophaga tigrina)  4
Northern Parula (Setophaga americana)  5
Yellow Warbler (Setophaga petechia)  81
Pine Warbler (Setophaga pinus)  1
Prairie Warbler (Setophaga discolor)  1
warbler sp. (Parulinae sp.)  66
Blue Grosbeak (Passerina caerulea)  1
Indigo Bunting (Passerina cyanea)  6
Dickcissel (Spiza americana)  1
Bobolink (Dolichonyx oryzivorus)  66
Baltimore Oriole (Icterus galbula)  7
House Finch (Haemorhous mexicanus)  35
American Goldfinch (Spinus tristis)  1
House Sparrow (Passer domesticus)  13

Today's full list can be viewed at: http://ebird.org/ebird/view/checklist?subID=S19558175

The bright sunlight compliments the Yellow Warbler above the rest.

This American Redstart thinks I'm slowly improving with flight photography.

Baby-juvenile eagle was begging an accompanying adult along the canal.

Ever wonder what the inside of a Chimney Swift mouth looks like? Peachy-orange with a very W I D E opening (Photos by: Glen Davis).

Morning Flight – 23 August 2014

The winds had a variable intensity and a few migrants appeared for Morning Flight. Most of the birds in today's modest totals came through in little spurts of activity. Lone Worm-eating and Chestnut-sided Warblers kept me on my toes. Also, like the late-summer harvest of New Jersey produce, there were a whole bunch of Barn Swallows (450-ish). A Brown Pelican hoofing it high and to the south was a welcome sight. That makes me want to go seawatching!Today and tomorrow are good days to find out what these northeast winds are bringing in from the Atlantic Ocean.

       Weather and time: partly cloudy; 66–72ºF; E at 8 mph for hour 1; NE at 2 mph for hour 2; ENE at 15 mph for hour 3; 50% cloud cover; excellent visibility; 0620 sunrise; 3.25 hours.
   
       Morning Flight Count totals

Ruby-throated Hummingbird (Archilochus colubris)  8
Northern Flicker (Colaptes auratus)  1
Eastern Kingbird (Tyrannus tyrannus)  114
Blue-gray Gnatcatcher (Polioptila caerulea)  1
American Robin (Turdus migratorius)  1
Cedar Waxwing (Bombycilla cedrorum)  19
Worm-eating Warbler (Helmitheros vermivorum)  1
Northern Waterthrush (Parkesia noveboracensis)  9
Black-and-white Warbler (Mniotilta varia)  1
American Redstart (Setophaga ruticilla)  22
Yellow Warbler (Setophaga petechia)  6
Chestnut-sided Warbler (Setophaga pensylvanica)  1
Prairie Warbler (Setophaga discolor)  1
warbler sp. (Parulinae sp.)  3
Indigo Bunting (Passerina cyanea)  1
Bobolink (Dolichonyx oryzivorus)  5
Baltimore Oriole (Icterus galbula)  2
House Finch (Haemorhous mexicanus)  41
American Goldfinch (Spinus tristis)  2
House Sparrow (Passer domesticus)  2

Today's full list can be viewed at: http://ebird.org/ebird/view/checklist?subID=S19551599


Bank Swallow in wing molt

Thanks to this morning's company of Tom B. and Bill from Philly I wasn't feeling like a solitary sandpiper. This Solitary Sandpiper was feeling like that though. (Photos by: Glen Davis)

Morning Flight – 22 August 2014

Showers and thunderstorms moved offshore just before dawn arrived at the Higbee Dike this Friday morning. A rainy night and a strengthening onshore flow joined forces to ensure that few migrants would be counted during today's observation period, but as always, there were interesting bits and pieces. The morning's highlight was a single Prothonotary Warbler that showed fairly well on two occasions. Shorebird numbers were also up a bit, with several flocks of peeps and Lesser Yellowlegs moving through as the morning progressed.

       Weather and time: mostly cloudy and humid with light rain during first 15min; 70–73ºF (dew point 66ºF); winds E to NE at 10–15mph; poor->good visibility; 2.25 hours.
   
       Morning Flight Count totals
Ruby-throated Hummingbird (Archilochus colubris)  5
Eastern Kingbird (Tyrannus tyrannus)  29
Blue-gray Gnatcatcher (Polioptila caerulea)  2
Cedar Waxwing (Bombycilla cedrorum)  9
Northern Waterthrush (Parkesia noveboracensis)  4
Prothonotary Warbler (Protonotaria citrea) 1
American Redstart (Setophaga ruticilla) 8
Yellow Warbler (Setophaga petechia)  1
warbler sp. (Parulinae sp.) 2
Blue Grosbeak (Passerina caerulea)  1
Indigo Bunting (Passerina cyanea) 2
Bobolink (Dolichonyx oryzivorus)  16
House Finch (Haemorhous mexicanus) 7


[TOP: Eastern Kingbird. BOTTOM: Prothonotary Warbler. Photos by Tom Reed.]

Morning Flight – 21 August 2014

The overall number of birds and bird activity were down today. A Worm-eating Warbler made a few flights over the treetops. A second-year Northern Gannet cruised by to the south, one mile into the bay.

       Weather and time: mostly clear; 68–76ºF; winds E at 2 mph; 2% cloud cover; excellent visibility; 0618 sunrise; 2.25 hours.
   
       Morning Flight Count totals

Ruby-throated Hummingbird (Archilochus colubris)  5
Eastern Kingbird (Tyrannus tyrannus)  59
Red-eyed Vireo (Vireo olivaceus)  1
Cedar Waxwing (Bombycilla cedrorum)  41
Worm-eating Warbler (Helmitheros vermivorum)  1
Northern Waterthrush (Parkesia noveboracensis)  2
American Redstart (Setophaga ruticilla)  1
Blue Grosbeak (Passerina caerulea)  2
House Finch (Haemorhous mexicanus)  17
American Goldfinch (Spinus tristis)  1
House Sparrow (Passer domesticus)  16

Today's full list can be viewed at: http://ebird.org/ebird/view/checklist?subID=S19534614

The young kingbirds (all or almost all juvenile Eastern Kingbird) gave us some overhead joy

The shape of a gliding Northern Waterthrush

juvenile Laughing Gull (All photos by: Glen Davis)

Morning Flight – 20 August 2014

By the data tallied below you can see that it wasn't a flight day. One hour after sunup a few waves of Eastern Kingbird moved forces to the north and the southeast. I wonder what they will look like they are up to tomorrow, perhaps it'll be continued trolling for warm, insect-laden corridors and sassafras treetops. Similar weather is forecast for tomorrow AM that is preceding a decent sized high pressure-low pressure battle originating in the western Altlantic Ocean with the potential to affect us birdwise.

       Weather and time: mostly clear; 66–76ºF; winds E at 5-7 mph; 5% cloud cover; very good; 0617 sunrise; 2.25 hours.
   
       Morning Flight Count totals

Eastern Kingbird (Tyrannus tyrannus)  88
Blue-gray Gnatcatcher (Polioptila caerulea)  7
Northern Mockingbird (Mimus polyglottos)  2
Cedar Waxwing (Bombycilla cedrorum)  24
Northern Waterthrush (Parkesia noveboracensis)  4
American Redstart (Setophaga ruticilla)  2
Yellow Warbler (Setophaga petechia)  1
warbler sp. (Parulinae sp.)  1
Bobolink (Dolichonyx oryzivorus)  1
Baltimore Oriole (Icterus galbula)  2
House Finch (Haemorhous mexicanus)  41

Today's full list can be viewed at: http://ebird.org/ebird/view/checklist?subID=S19524459

The ever so slightly migratory (??)...
Think about it over a kingbird intermission

Northern Mockingbird, in juvenile plumage. (Photos by: Glen Davis)

Morning Flight – 19 August 2014

Today was light in the Morning Flight department. There weren't too many neotropical migrants present (but when can you have TOO many!?) and even fewer seemingly interested in flying for this counter. Flight direction was quite variable and across the board-- more on this below. House Finch led the trickle, and there was a small but present movement of shorebirds, swallows, and blackbirds.

       Weather and time: mostly clear; 64–77ºF; winds E at 10 mph; 20% cloud cover; visibility excellent; 0616 sunrise; 3.25 hours.
   
       Morning Flight Count totals

Ruby-throated Hummingbird (Archilochus colubris)  2
Eastern Kingbird (Tyrannus tyrannus)  7
Blue-gray Gnatcatcher (Polioptila caerulea)  4
American Robin (Turdus migratorius)  1
Northern Mockingbird (Mimus polyglottos)  1
Cedar Waxwing (Bombycilla cedrorum)  29
Northern Waterthrush (Parkesia noveboracensis)  10
Black-and-white Warbler (Mniotilta varia)  1
Prothonotary Warbler (Protonotaria citrea)  1
American Redstart (Setophaga ruticilla)  3
Yellow Warbler (Setophaga petechia)  8
Canada Warbler (Cardellina canadensis)  1
warbler sp. (Parulinae sp.)  2
Bobolink (Dolichonyx oryzivorus)  28
Baltimore Oriole (Icterus galbula)  1
House Finch (Haemorhous mexicanus)  48
American Goldfinch (Spinus tristis)  3

Today's full list can be viewed at: http://ebird.org/ebird/view/checklist?subID=S19515327

So where does the Morning Flight Project, sponsored by Swarovski Optik, take place?  At the diked impoundment at Higbee Beach WMA (Wildlife Management Area), or just the 'Higbee Dike' to those familiar with it.

As seen from space.......


Hey, that's better! Now we can see the Cape May penisula.

The birds and birders are really closing in now

Everything south of the Cape May canal, including the Coast Guard base around the harbor, is called Cape Island.



That gray slab of mud that the arrow points to is the impoundment, itself.

On days with favorable conditions the night before to bring nocturnal migrants to the area, most species counted at Morning Flight are heading north, often following the contours of ground features, and pass within about 200 meters of the counting location. The birds that are counted, at least, are within 200 meters. Birds are not limited to north-ward paths however, and on a day such as today a variety of flight directions were observed.

Which way will the birds be headed on your first visit?





Morning Flight – 18 August 2014

The night's radar portended a good showing at the dike this morning. While a discernible migration was at hand, the early morning calls of out-of-limit Bobolinks and the altidutinous 'zeep' calls of likely Yellow Warblers gave suspicion that there might have been some birds missed due to these open, gentle conditions. The flight from the early morning built momentum and seemed to peak between 45 and 90 minutes after dawn. A smattering of warblers, mixed with a few Red-eyed Vireos and Downy Woodpeckers started off the peak time, and was to be finished off by a nice showing of Baltimore Orioles (28 for the day). Groups of Eastern Kingbird, young House Finch, swallows, Red-winged Blackbird, and House Sparrow were also to be seen.

You know it's a good day in Cape May when your friends come up to see the flight with you. Doubly good when you are encased in sweet Swarovision EL bins supplied by our sponsor Swarovski Optik!

       Weather and time: mostly clear; 64–77ºF; winds NNE at 5-10 mph; visibility excellent; 0615 sunrise; 4.25 hrs.
   
       Morning Flight Count totals:

Ruby-throated Hummingbird (Archilochus colubris)  8
Downy Woodpecker (Picoides pubescens)  3
Great Crested Flycatcher (Myiarchus crinitus)  2
Eastern Kingbird (Tyrannus tyrannus)  198     southbound movement
Red-eyed Vireo (Vireo olivaceus)  7
American Robin (Turdus migratorius)  3
Cedar Waxwing (Bombycilla cedrorum)  100
Worm-eating Warbler (Helmitheros vermivorum)  2
Louisiana Waterthrush (Parkesia motacilla)  1
Northern Waterthrush (Parkesia noveboracensis)  13
Blue-winged Warbler (Vermivora cyanoptera)  1
Black-and-white Warbler (Mniotilta varia)  5
Prothonotary Warbler (Protonotaria citrea)  1
American Redstart (Setophaga ruticilla)  31
Northern Parula (Setophaga americana)  1
Blackburnian Warbler (Setophaga fusca)  1
Yellow Warbler (Setophaga petechia)  28
Prairie Warbler (Setophaga discolor)  3
warbler sp. (Parulinae sp.)  13
Indigo Bunting (Passerina cyanea)  6
Bobolink (Dolichonyx oryzivorus)  193     southbound movement
Baltimore Oriole (Icterus galbula)  28
House Finch (Haemorhous mexicanus)  77
American Goldfinch (Spinus tristis)  5
House Sparrow (Passer domesticus)  13

Today's full list can be viewed at: http://ebird.org/ebird/view/checklist?subID=S19509789

Yellow Warbler  calls on a glide; Photo by: Tom Reed


Bank Swallow, known around the globe as Collared Sand Martin (Riparia riparia); Photo by: Glen Davis

The mother of all hunters... and shots! Sphecius speciosus, the cicada killer wasp by: Tom Reed

Morning Flight – 17 August 2014


Dawn broke on day two of the Morning Flight Project with good visibility, a cool breeze from the southwest, and a smattering of landbirds putting in the ole' morning flight try.  Being my first day of counting, I sure was excited to!  Ruby-throated Hummingbirds were the most obvious and numerous of these, with 33 counted.  The environs around the dike harbored more migrants hanging around such as about 115 Eastern Kingbirds and 3 Tennessee Warblers, all adults. Other highlights were a close-passing Black Tern, juvenile Peregrine Falcon, and the juvenile male Cooper's Hawk that greeted me before dawn. I look forward to the experiences I know to expect from the dike in the upcoming weeks.  I hope to see you there with me!

       Weather and time: mostly cloudy; 68–76ºF; winds southwest at 8-10 mph; visibility excellent; 0615 sunrise; 4.25 hrs.
   
       Morning Flight Count totals:

Ruby-throated Hummingbird - 33
Louisiana Waterthrush - 1
Northern Waterthrush - 2
Louisiana/Northern Waterthrush - 1
Black-and-white Warbler - 1
American Redstart - 4
Yellow Warbler - 4
warbler sp. - 2
Bobolink - 3     southbound
Orchard Oriole - 1

Today's full list can be viewed at: http://ebird.org/ebird/view/checklist?subID=S19494886


These four Laughing Gulls vying for a tasty morsel was mirrored by the efforts of the four humans (and one dog) at the dike trying the same for a songbird engaged in morning flight behavior. Photo by:  Glen Davis

Black Tern right over the road.  Photo by: Glen Davis

Morning Flight – 16 August 2014

Greetings from Cape May, and welcome to Fall 2014!

Mostly cloudy skies and a southerly breeze set the tone for Morning Flight's opening day. Today's movement was a small one, but included seven warbler species and some August specialties, such as Prothonotary Warbler and Worm-eating Warbler. "Non-count" highlights included 150+ Barn Swallows headed south along the beachfront, and a juvenile Gull-billed Tern that flew past as the observation period ended. A complete listing of the birds counted this morning can be found below, along with some photos.

The project's primary counter, Glen Davis, will be back in the director's chair tomorrow. I'm sure he'd enjoy your company (and some coffee...and some donuts...).


Summary for 16 August 2014: 

       Weather: mostly cloudy; 63–73ºF; winds calm, becoming south at 5–10mph after 7:00AM; visibility excellent.
   
       Count totals:
Ruby-throated Hummingbird – 2
Eastern Kingbird – 13
Blue-gray Gnatcatcher – 10
Cedar Waxwing – 32
Worm-eating Warbler – 4
Northern Waterthrush – 16
Black-and-white Warbler – 6
Prothonotary Warbler – 1
American Redstart – 31
Yellow Warbler – 18
Prairie Warbler – 1
warbler, sp. – 2
Indigo Bunting – 3
Bobolink –22
Orchard Oriole – 2
Baltimore Oriole – 6

Daily Total: 169


Blue-gray Gnatcatcher circling over the dike. Photo by Tom Reed.



One of four Worm-eating Warblers to exit the woods this morning. Photo by Tom Reed.

More Worm-eater. Photo by Tom Reed.

Maybe not your typical view of a Worm-eating Warbler. Photo by Tom Reed.