Morning Flight - 30 September 2014

As radar indicated, last night a small push of migrants were on the move. The Cape May Point State Park had a decent dawn showing of warblers with 150-200 estimated by Tom Johnson. The Higbee dike, however, did not have this number of moving or recently arrived songbirds. Perhaps it's that the majority of the birds moving were accomplishing their feats of mass relocation with great success. It's possible that only the birds in the more open habitats near the beaches were spurred on to a Morning Flight activity. The southwest tip of the Cape May peninsula lies by the State Park. It marks the end of the road if crossing water, especially in the daytime, isn't your thing. Higbee Beach WMA lies a couple miles to the north of this tip. How can songbird behavior at sunrise be so different at the same time in two only closely separated locations. We have a lot to explore on this topic!


Weather and time: light rain at sunrise and afterwards cloudy; 62-61 ºF; winds SE at 3 mph; 85% cloud cover; excellent visibility; 0654 sunrise; 2.25 hours.
 

Morning Flight Count totals 
Red-bellied Woodpecker (Melanerpes carolinus)  1
Fish Crow (Corvus ossifragus)  169     south
Northern Waterthrush (Parkesia noveboracensis)  7
Black-and-white Warbler (Mniotilta varia)  1
American Redstart (Setophaga ruticilla)  1
Northern Parula (Setophaga americana)  2
Blackpoll Warbler (Setophaga striata)  23
Palm Warbler (Setophaga palmarum)  3
Yellow-rumped Warbler (Setophaga coronata)  1
warbler sp. (Parulinae sp.)  7
Indigo Bunting (Passerina cyanea)  1

Today's full list can be viewed at: http://ebird.org/ebird/view/checklist?subID=S19992000

Hawkwatch - 30 September 2014


Cape May
Cape May Point, New Jersey, USA
Daily Raptor Counts: Sep 30, 2014
-------------------------------------------------------------------

Species            Day's Count    Month Total   Season Total
------------------ ----------- -------------- --------------
Black Vulture                0              6              6
Turkey Vulture               0            117            117
Osprey                      42           2169           2169
Bald Eagle                   5            301            301
Northern Harrier             8            176            176
Sharp-shinned Hawk         199           3248           3248
Cooper's Hawk               91            854            854
Northern Goshawk             0              0              0
Red-shouldered Hawk          3              7              7
Broad-winged Hawk           21            208            208
Red-tailed Hawk              3            110            110
Rough-legged Hawk            0              0              0
Golden Eagle                 0              0              0
American Kestrel            43           2238           2238
Merlin                       8            513            513
Peregrine Falcon            38            313            313
Unknown Accipiter            0              3              3
Unknown Buteo                0              0              0
Unknown Falcon               0              1              1
Unknown Eagle                0              0              0
Unknown Raptor               0              1              1
Zone-tailed Hawk             0              1              1

Total:                     461          10266          10266
----------------------------------------------------------------------

Observation start time: 06:00:00 
Observation end   time: 16:00:00 
Total observation time: 10 hours

Official Counter:        Mary Raikes

Observers:        

Weather:
Light rain before sunrise and very calm for the first two hours.  Clouds
slowly cleared throughout day with winds at 5-10mph from the E/NE with
temperatures in the low 70's.

Raptor Observations:
Very slow first two hours of the day then as clouds cleared and winds
increased, large kettles of accipiters formed with a good diversity of
buteos as well.  A small, but steady flow of falcons in the late afternoon,
high and to the north of the platform.

Non-raptor Observations:
Pied-billed Grebe(1), American Widgeon, Little Blue Heron(2), Green Heron,
large flocks of Blue Jays(150+), Caspian Tern(2), Red-breasted Nuthatch(1),
Indigo Bunting(1)

Predictions:
Slight chance of showers, winds NNE 10-15mph, temps in the low 70's.
========================================================================
Cape May information may be found at:
http://www.njaudubon.org/Centers/CMBO/

Morning Flight - 29 September 2014

With light south to west winds overnight it seems like a small amount was occurring but there was very little evidence of this, today at the Higbee dike.


Weather and time: cloudy; 64–67 ºF; winds W at 3 mph; 85% cloud cover; very good visibility; 0653 sunrise; 2.25 hours.
 
       Morning Flight Count totals
Red-bellied Woodpecker (Melanerpes carolinus)  1
Northern Flicker (Colaptes auratus)  5
Blue Jay (Cyanocitta cristata)  2
Fish Crow (Corvus ossifragus)  22
Northern Waterthrush (Parkesia noveboracensis)  1
Black-and-white Warbler (Mniotilta varia)  1
American Redstart (Setophaga ruticilla)  6
Cape May Warbler (Setophaga tigrina)  1
Northern Parula (Setophaga americana)  6
Blackpoll Warbler (Setophaga striata)  4
Black-throated Green Warbler (Setophaga virens)  1
warbler sp. (Parulinae sp.)  2
Indigo Bunting (Passerina cyanea)  2
Bobolink (Dolichonyx oryzivorus)  8   south

Today's full list can be viewed at: http://ebird.org/ebird/view/checklist?subID=S19980232

Morning Flight - 28 September 2014

For a morning lacking any real migration vibe it was still quite a decent and fun to watch flight. The largest tally of southbound Blue Jays for the year was reached with 101.

Weather and time: mostly clear; 59–68 ºF; winds ENE to ESE at 2-3 mph; 25% cloud cover; good visibility; 0652 sunrise; 3.25 hours. 

Morning Flight Count totalsBelted Kingfisher (Megaceryle alcyon)  1     south
Red-bellied Woodpecker (Melanerpes carolinus)  16     plus 7 south
Yellow-bellied Sapsucker (Sphyrapicus varius)  4
Downy Woodpecker (Picoides pubescens)  3
Northern Flicker (Colaptes auratus)  33
Eastern Phoebe (Sayornis phoebe)  1
Red-eyed Vireo (Vireo olivaceus)  14
Blue Jay (Cyanocitta cristata)  144     43 north, 101 south
Fish Crow (Corvus ossifragus)  25     south predawn
Red-breasted Nuthatch (Sitta canadensis)  7
Blue-gray Gnatcatcher (Polioptila caerulea)  1
Ruby-crowned Kinglet (Regulus calendula)  2
American Robin (Turdus migratorius)  3
European Starling (Sturnus vulgaris)  13
American Pipit (Anthus rubescens)  1
Cedar Waxwing (Bombycilla cedrorum)  14
Northern Waterthrush (Parkesia noveboracensis)  6
Black-and-white Warbler (Mniotilta varia)  4
Nashville Warbler (Oreothlypis ruficapilla)  1
Connecticut Warbler (Oporornis agilis)  1     took off from reeds below and went south
American Redstart (Setophaga ruticilla)  4
Cape May Warbler (Setophaga tigrina)  3
Northern Parula (Setophaga americana)  4
Magnolia Warbler (Setophaga magnolia)  2
Bay-breasted Warbler (Setophaga castanea)  1
Blackpoll Warbler (Setophaga striata)  22
Bay-breasted/Blackpoll Warbler (Setophaga castanea/striata)  3
Black-throated Blue Warbler (Setophaga caerulescens)  8
Palm Warbler (Setophaga palmarum)  8
Yellow-rumped Warbler (Setophaga coronata)  7
Black-throated Green Warbler (Setophaga virens)  3
warbler sp. (Parulinae sp.)  5
Savannah Sparrow (Passerculus sandwichensis)  1
Scarlet Tanager (Piranga olivacea)  1
Indigo Bunting (Passerina cyanea)  4
Bobolink (Dolichonyx oryzivorus)  3
House Finch (Haemorhous mexicanus)  2
Purple Finch (Haemorhous purpureus)  2
Pine Siskin (Spinus pinus)  3
American Goldfinch (Spinus tristis)  1

Today's full list can be viewed at:
http://ebird.org/ebird/view/checklist?subID=S19974278
Is this a Peach- and Marigold-shafted Flicker???
Is this a pigment aberration? I'm not sure, but it sure is pretty! (Photos by: Glen Davis) 

And now for the smooth photographic stylings of Tom Johnson
Most Blue Jays have been heading south at Morning Flight.
Dull the blue and add some yellow to color up a Magnolia Warbler
Lookout little mutant/abberrent flicker, a giant Monarch is bearing down on you!
(Photos by: Tom Johnson)


Morning Flight - 27 September 2014

Photo by: Glen Davis
Today was a surprisingly, spectacular flight with 48 species counted for Morning Flight. It was also extra especially challenging to stay grounded with. Birds carried on their movements in a great variety of flightlines and with erratic pacing. On the warbler front Palm Warbler (259), Northern Parula (155), American Redstart (108), and Black-and-white Warbler (82) led the charge. Northern Flicker had it's second biggest flight of the year (highest so far is 451 on Sept 23) with 235.The first three Pine Siskins of the year also now indicate that this year will see a notable influx of both this species and Purple Finch (season high of 9 today) this fall. A count of 20 Red-breasted Nuthatches bodes well for them too.


Weather and time: clear; 61–75 ºF; winds NNW at 5 mph; 0% cloud cover; very good visibility; 0652 sunrise; 4.25 hours.
 
       Morning Flight Count totals
 
Ruby-throated Hummingbird (Archilochus colubris)  2
Belted Kingfisher (Megaceryle alcyon)  2
Red-headed Woodpecker (Melanerpes erythrocephalus)  1
Red-bellied Woodpecker (Melanerpes carolinus)  20
Downy Woodpecker (Picoides pubescens)  1
Northern Flicker (Colaptes auratus)  235
Eastern Wood-Pewee (Contopus virens)  3
Eastern Kingbird (Tyrannus tyrannus)  1
Red-eyed Vireo (Vireo olivaceus)  41
Fish Crow (Corvus ossifragus)  40     south
Red-breasted Nuthatch (Sitta canadensis)  20
Blue-gray Gnatcatcher (Polioptila caerulea)  5
Ruby-crowned Kinglet (Regulus calendula)  3
American Robin (Turdus migratorius)  6
Northern Mockingbird (Mimus polyglottos)  1
European Starling (Sturnus vulgaris)  24
American Pipit (Anthus rubescens)  5
Cedar Waxwing (Bombycilla cedrorum)  353
Northern Waterthrush (Parkesia noveboracensis)  25
Black-and-white Warbler (Mniotilta varia)  82
Tennessee Warbler (Oreothlypis peregrina)  2
Nashville Warbler (Oreothlypis ruficapilla)  1
American Redstart (Setophaga ruticilla)  108
Cape May Warbler (Setophaga tigrina)  3
Northern Parula (Setophaga americana)  155
Magnolia Warbler (Setophaga magnolia)  6
Bay-breasted Warbler (Setophaga castanea)  1
Blackburnian Warbler (Setophaga fusca)  2
Yellow Warbler (Setophaga petechia)  4
Chestnut-sided Warbler (Setophaga pensylvanica)  1
Blackpoll Warbler (Setophaga striata)  43
Bay-breasted/Blackpoll Warbler (Setophaga castanea/striata)  8
Black-throated Blue Warbler (Setophaga caerulescens)  37
Palm Warbler (Setophaga palmarum)  259
Yellow-rumped Warbler (Setophaga coronata)  38
Prairie Warbler (Setophaga discolor)  1
Black-throated Green Warbler (Setophaga virens)  13
warbler sp. (Parulinae sp.)  403
Chipping Sparrow (Spizella passerina)  2
Savannah Sparrow (Passerculus sandwichensis)  11
Scarlet Tanager (Piranga olivacea)  9
Rose-breasted Grosbeak (Pheucticus ludovicianus)  1
Indigo Bunting (Passerina cyanea)  16
Bobolink (Dolichonyx oryzivorus)  97
Baltimore Oriole (Icterus galbula)  4
House Finch (Haemorhous mexicanus)  19
Purple Finch (Haemorhous purpureus)  9
Pine Siskin (Spinus pinus)  3
American Goldfinch (Spinus tristis)  22
House Sparrow (Passer domesticus)  12

Seawatch - 29 September 2014

Observation time: 0539 - 1746
Observer; Tom Reed

Species counted:
American Black Duck - 1
Green-winged Teal - 11
Surf Scoter - 12
Black Scoter - 26
Dark-winged Scoter - 1
Red-throated Loon - 1
Common Loon - 4
Northern Gannet - 6
Brown Pelican - 9
Double-crested Cormorant - 1,074
Great Blue Heron - 1
Laughing Gull - 144
Herring Gull - 9
Great Black-backed Gull - 39
Caspian Tern - 2
Common Tern - 22
Forster's Tern - 202
Royal Tern - 27
Parasitic Jaeger - 2

Total: 1,593

Other sightings:
Monarch Butterfly - 94
Painted Lady - 2
Red Admiral - 1
Common Green Darner - 30
Wandering Glider - 3
Bottlenose Dolphin - 50

[A Peregrine Falcon seen at the Seawatch. Photo by Tom Reed.]

Hawkwatch - 29 September 2014


Cape May
Cape May Point, New Jersey, USA
Daily Raptor Counts: Sep 29, 2014
-------------------------------------------------------------------

Species            Day's Count    Month Total   Season Total
------------------ ----------- -------------- --------------
Black Vulture                0              6              6
Turkey Vulture               0            117            117
Osprey                      29           2127           2127
Bald Eagle                   1            296            296
Northern Harrier             7            168            168
Sharp-shinned Hawk         114           3049           3049
Cooper's Hawk               18            763            763
Northern Goshawk             0              0              0
Red-shouldered Hawk          0              4              4
Broad-winged Hawk            3            187            187
Red-tailed Hawk              0            107            107
Rough-legged Hawk            0              0              0
Golden Eagle                 0              0              0
American Kestrel            26           2195           2195
Merlin                      10            505            505
Peregrine Falcon            21            275            275
Unknown Accipiter            0              3              3
Unknown Buteo                0              0              0
Unknown Falcon               0              1              1
Unknown Eagle                0              0              0
Unknown Raptor               0              1              1
Zone-tailed Hawk             0              1              1

Total:                     229           9805           9805
----------------------------------------------------------------------

Observation start time: 06:00:00 
Observation end   time: 16:00:00 
Total observation time: 10 hours

Official Counter:        Mary Raikes

Observers:        

Weather:
Mostly cloudy all day with high humidity and very little wind.  Winds 0-5
mph coming off the water from the west, southwest, and south.

Raptor Observations:
Fairly slow day with the majority of the flight in the am; very slow
afternoon hours.  Flight, however, was much lower than the past few days
with most of the accipiters and falcons passing above the treeline to the
north of the platform.

Non-raptor Observations:
Good movement of Blue Jays in the am(50+), Caspian Tern(4), American
Bittern(1) on back of Bunker Pond shore, American Widgeon, Gadwall, Blue
and Green-winged Teal, Pied-billed Grebe(1), Little Blue Heron(1),
Double-crested cormorant flocks(300+).

Predictions:
Cloudy with a chance of rain in the am, then clearing and sunny with winds
from the southeast 5-10mph. Temperatures reaching 72F.
========================================================================
Cape May information may be found at:
http://www.njaudubon.org/Centers/CMBO/

Hawkwatch - 28 September 2014


Cape May
Cape May Point, New Jersey, USA
Daily Raptor Counts: Sep 28, 2014
-------------------------------------------------------------------

Species            Day's Count    Month Total   Season Total
------------------ ----------- -------------- --------------
Black Vulture                0              6              6
Turkey Vulture               0            117            117
Osprey                      63           2098           2098
Bald Eagle                   3            295            295
Northern Harrier             4            161            161
Sharp-shinned Hawk         203           2935           2935
Cooper's Hawk               64            745            745
Northern Goshawk             0              0              0
Red-shouldered Hawk          0              4              4
Broad-winged Hawk            4            184            184
Red-tailed Hawk              0            107            107
Rough-legged Hawk            0              0              0
Golden Eagle                 0              0              0
American Kestrel            86           2169           2169
Merlin                       5            495            495
Peregrine Falcon            40            254            254
Unknown Accipiter            0              3              3
Unknown Buteo                0              0              0
Unknown Falcon               0              1              1
Unknown Eagle                0              0              0
Unknown Raptor               0              1              1
Zone-tailed Hawk             0              1              1

Total:                     472           9576           9576
----------------------------------------------------------------------

Observation start time: 05:45:00 
Observation end   time: 16:00:00 
Total observation time: 10.25 hours

Official Counter:        Mary Raikes

Observers:        

Weather:
Very light and variable winds for all of day; 0-5 mph from the east, south,
and southwest.  A low ground fog limited visibility until 0630EST.  Very
warm temperatures (79F) with high cirrus clouds.

Raptor Observations:
Flight was north of the platform, moving east to west, far above and beyond
the treeline. 

Non-raptor Observations:
Large flocks of Blue Jays in the am (70+), Cape May Warbler(2), Yellow
Warbler, Palm Warbler, Caspian Tern(2), Black Skimmer(50), American
Widgeon, Gadwall, Little Blue Heron.

Predictions:
Partly cloudy.  Winds light and variable.
========================================================================
Cape May information may be found at:
http://www.njaudubon.org/Centers/CMBO/

Seawatch - 28 September 2014

Observation time: 0552 - 1846
Observer: Skye Haas

Species observed:
American Wigeon - 6
Nothern Pintail - 4
Green-winged Teal - 74
Duck sp. - 3
Surf Scoter - 3
Dark-winged Scoter - 1
Common Loon - 1
Nothern Gannet - 1
Brown Pelican - 1
Double-crested Cormorant - 252
Great Cormorant - 2
Caspian Tern - 1
Forster's Tern - 8
Royal Tern - 24
Parasitic Jaeger - 2
Jaeger sp. - 2
Semipalmated Plover - 28
Calidris sp. -9
Sulid sp. - 1

Total: 423


A note from Skye:
Hot and slow is the succinct summary of today's count at Avalon. Still there were a few fun sightings and after all, any day spent birding is a good one right? Green-winged Teal and Cormorants were seen moving in modest numbers, and two different young Great Cormorants were observed. Four jaegers were seen; the morning bird was quite feisty and attacked an Osprey. There was a very subtle but prolonged Royal Tern migration over the course of the day. They do seem to be clearing out fast. Non-waterbirds of note include another Red-bellied Woodpecker, a Cape May Warbler and quite a few butterflies. Several Monarchs were seen, as well as a Lady of some kind, 5 Buckeyes, Milbert's Tortoiseshell, and some kind of small Lycanid (hairstreak/blue).

[Ospery. Photo by Skye Haas.]

Seawatch - 27 September 2014

Observation time; 0550 - 1850
Observer: Skye Haas

Species Observed:
Northern Pintail – 4
Green-winged Teal – 110
Dabbler sp. – 2
Duck sp. – 15
Surf Scoter – 4
Black Scoter – 7
Common Loon – 2
Northern Gannet – 3
Brown Pelican – 1
Double-crested Cormorant – 803
Laughing Gull – 39
Caspian Tern – 2
Forster’s Tern – 14
Royal Tern – 3
Tern sp. – 5
Semipalmated Plover – 19
Sandpiper sp. – 4


Total: 1,037

A note from Skye:
It was a moderate flight today at Avalon. Green-winged Teal made their first decent yet humble push of birds, and the Cormorants continued a second morning of flying. A few more Northern Gannets were seen today, including a nice adult off the 8th street jetty. Peregrines have been seen the last few days hunting shorebirds along the seawall. There was a small morning Northern Flicker flight down the shoreline, but the non-waterbird that really caught my attention was the Ammodramus sparrow that came flying off the ocean. But alas, I could not tell what kind it was. There were still decent numbers of Tree Swallows passing by the count site, but I didn't see the huge flock that has been feeding at the Townsend's Inlet the last few days. A nice afternoon event was the Cobbs Creek Docent Program bring a group of students from Philadelphia. It was fun to see them checking out the seawatch and I ended up talking pine forest fire ecology with them for a few. Hopefully some of these kids will be coming back to Cape May Bird Observatory in a few years to be interpretive naturalists!  
[Peregrine Falcon. Photo by Skye Haas.]
[Tree Swallow. Photo by Skye Haas.]

Hawkwatch - 27 September 2014


Cape May
Cape May Point, New Jersey, USA
Daily Raptor Counts: Sep 27, 2014
-------------------------------------------------------------------

Species            Day's Count    Month Total   Season Total
------------------ ----------- -------------- --------------
Black Vulture                0              6              6
Turkey Vulture              13            117            117
Osprey                      71           2035           2035
Bald Eagle                  10            292            292
Northern Harrier             9            157            157
Sharp-shinned Hawk         443           2732           2732
Cooper's Hawk               76            681            681
Northern Goshawk             0              0              0
Red-shouldered Hawk          0              4              4
Broad-winged Hawk           18            180            180
Red-tailed Hawk             13            107            107
Rough-legged Hawk            0              0              0
Golden Eagle                 0              0              0
American Kestrel            67           2083           2083
Merlin                      39            490            490
Peregrine Falcon            32            214            214
Unknown Accipiter            0              3              3
Unknown Buteo                0              0              0
Unknown Falcon               0              1              1
Unknown Eagle                0              0              0
Unknown Raptor               0              1              1
Zone-tailed Hawk             1              1              1

Total:                     792           9104           9104
----------------------------------------------------------------------

Observation start time: 05:45:00 
Observation end   time: 16:00:00 
Total observation time: 10.25 hours

Official Counter:        Mary Raikes

Observers:        

Weather:
Zero cloud coverage today with light and variable winds for most of the
day.  Starting from the N in the early morning then NE, switching to NW
mid-day, and then S/SE/SW in the afternoon.  Temperatures reaching 77F.

Raptor Observations:
ZONE-TAILED HAWK: seen first in small kettle over bunker 0945(EST), then
headed north, circled back high over platform and headed SW from point over
Delaware Bay.
Lots of sharp-shinned hawks in the morning followed by a really, really
high flight in the afternoon.

Non-raptor Observations:
Pied-billed Grebe(1), American Widgeon(7), Little Blue Heron, Black
Skimmer(10), Caspian Tern(1).  Large flocks of Blue Jays(50+). 

Predictions:
Sunny, mid-70's, winds light and variable E/SE 0-5mph.
========================================================================
Cape May information may be found at:
http://www.njaudubon.org/Centers/CMBO/

Seawatch - 26 September 2014

Observation time: 0549 - 1855
Observer: Skye Haas

Species observed:
Green-winged Teal – 1
Surf Scoter – 8
Black Scoter – 7
Common Loon – 1
Northern Gannet – 1
Brown Pelican – 5
Double-crested Cormorant – 1930
Great Cormorant – 1
Cormorant sp. – 3
Great Blue Heron – 2
Laughing Gull – 7
Caspian Tern – 6
Forster’s Tern – 6
Royal Tern – 12
American Oystercatcher – 3


Total: 1,993

Skye's summary of the day:
The Avalon Seawatch was a more pleasant place today than the previous two days. The ocean was far more gentle and viewing conditions greatly improved. My first bird of the day was a Northern Gannet, so for a Great Lakes guy I took it as a good omen. It of course ended up being my only gannet of the day, but it quickly became apparent that it was going to be a good Cormorant day. A nice early season total of 1,930 Double-crested Cormorants were recorded as well as the first Great Cormorant of the season. Only a few ducks were seen today, both species of dark-winged scoter and a single Green-winged Teal. An oddity for the count location was an out-of-place Red-bellied Woodpecker in the parking lot pines that seemed eager to keep moving. Shorebird numbers are building on the jetty as well with a mix of Turnstones, Western, Semipalmated & Least Sandpipers and over 250 Sanderlings. Finally, the Bottle-nosed Dolphin show was pretty exciting today, but there haven't been any more Humpback Whale sightings since Tuesday.

[Double-crested Cormorants. Photo by Skye Haas.]


[Bottle-nosed Dolphins. Photo by Skye Haas.]

Hawkwatch - 26 September 2014


Cape May
Cape May Point, New Jersey, USA
Daily Raptor Counts: Sep 26, 2014
-------------------------------------------------------------------

Species            Day's Count    Month Total   Season Total
------------------ ----------- -------------- --------------
Black Vulture                0              6              6
Turkey Vulture               2            104            104
Osprey                     116           1964           1964
Bald Eagle                  12            282            282
Northern Harrier             8            148            148
Sharp-shinned Hawk         255           2289           2289
Cooper's Hawk              129            605            605
Northern Goshawk             0              0              0
Red-shouldered Hawk          0              4              4
Broad-winged Hawk            8            162            162
Red-tailed Hawk              5             94             94
Rough-legged Hawk            0              0              0
Golden Eagle                 0              0              0
American Kestrel            83           2016           2016
Merlin                      68            451            451
Peregrine Falcon            32            182            182
Unknown Accipiter            0              3              3
Unknown Buteo                0              0              0
Unknown Falcon               0              1              1
Unknown Eagle                0              0              0
Unknown Raptor               0              1              1

Total:                     718           8312           8312
----------------------------------------------------------------------

Observation start time: 05:45:00 
Observation end   time: 16:00:00 
Total observation time: 10.25 hours

Official Counter:        Mary Raikes

Observers:        

Weather:
Mainly clear skies in the am with winds from the north 5-10 mph, then
mostly cloudy skies in the afternoon with winds light and variable from the
NW, S, SE, and SW.  

Raptor Observations:
Large kettles of very high accipiters throughout most of the day, as well
as nice numbers of falcons.  All quite high, often disappearing in the
clouds.

Non-raptor Observations:
Pied-billed grebe, Northern Shovelers, Green and Blue-winged Teal, Gadwall,
Little Blue Heron, Common Nighthawk(1) feeding over pond mid-day.  Movement
of Blue Jays in the am (25+).

Predictions:
Mainly sunny, high of 76, with winds from the NE 5-10 mph.
========================================================================
Cape May information may be found at:
http://www.njaudubon.org/Centers/CMBO/

Morning Flight – 26 September 2014

This morning brought a stop-and-go flight along a broad front, with Blackpolls, Parulas, and Palms leading the charge. A couple American Pipits, a Yellow-bellied Sapsucker, and a Warbling Vireo were enjoyable, as was the Merlin that almost snagged a Scarlet Tanager <15ft above observers' heads. 

     Weather and time: sunny; 57–63ºF; winds N at 10 mph; 0–10% cloud cover; excellent visibility; 0651 sunrise; 4.25 hours. Observer: Tom Reed.

     Morning Flight Count totals
Ruby-throated Hummingbird (Archilochus colubris)  1
Red-bellied Woodpecker (Melanerpes carolinus)  9
Yellow-bellied Sapsucker (Sphyrapicus varius)  1
Downy Woodpecker (Picoides pubescens)  1
Northern Flicker (Colaptes auratus)  84
Eastern Wood-Pewee (Contopus virens)  1
Warbling Vireo (Vireo gilvus)  1
Red-eyed Vireo (Vireo olivaceus)  12
Red-breasted Nuthatch (Sitta canadensis)  1
Blue-gray Gnatcatcher (Polioptila caerulea)  4
American Robin (Turdus migratorius)  19
American Pipit (Anthus rubescens)  2
Cedar Waxwing (Bombycilla cedrorum)  108
Northern Waterthrush (Parkesia noveboracensis)  8
Black-and-white Warbler (Mniotilta varia)  12
Tennessee Warbler (Oreothlypis peregrina)  6
Nashville Warbler (Oreothlypis ruficapilla)  2
American Redstart (Setophaga ruticilla)  41
Cape May Warbler (Setophaga tigrina)  5
Northern Parula (Setophaga americana)  121
Magnolia Warbler (Setophaga magnolia)  11
Bay-breasted Warbler (Setophaga castanea)  1
Yellow Warbler (Setophaga petechia)  2
Chestnut-sided Warbler (Setophaga pensylvanica)  2
Blackpoll Warbler (Setophaga striata)  138
Bay-breasted/Blackpoll Warbler (Setophaga castanea/striata)  27
Black-throated Blue Warbler (Setophaga caerulescens)  17
Palm Warbler (Setophaga palmarum)  121
Yellow-rumped Warbler (Setophaga coronata)  9
Prairie Warbler (Setophaga discolor)  1
Black-throated Green Warbler (Setophaga virens)  2
warbler sp. (Parulinae sp.)  111
Scarlet Tanager (Piranga olivacea)  9
Rose-breasted Grosbeak (Pheucticus ludovicianus)  1
Indigo Bunting (Passerina cyanea)  13
Bobolink (Dolichonyx oryzivorus)  12
Baltimore Oriole (Icterus galbula)  1
House Finch (Haemorhous mexicanus) 9
Purple Finch (Haemorhous purpureus)  1
American Goldfinch (Spinus tristis)  36

Seawatch - 25 September 2014

Observation time: 0559 - 1851
Observer: Skye Haas

[Two Brant flying past the Seawatch. Photo by Skye Haas.]


Species observed:
Brant – 2
American Black Duck – 1
Surf Scoter – 1
Black Scoter – 6
Dark-winged Scoter – 14
Brown Pelican – 1
Double-crested Cormorant – 17
Laughing Gull – 28
Herring Gull – 5
Greater Black-backed Gull – 3
Caspian Tern – 2
Forster’s Tern – 3
Royal Tern – 5
Parasitic Jaeger – 3
Long-tailed Jaeger – 1
Jaeger sp. – 1
Calidris sp. – 8


Total: 101

A note from Skye:
I must admit I didn't have high hopes for today as I drove up the Cape in the predawn stormy weather, and upon arriving at the count site, I couldn't even see the 8th Street Jetty for the first hour of the count due to the rain and fog. So imagine my surprise in the second hour when the fog rolled back a couple hundred meters when a small dark jaeger came fighting its way through the wind down the seawall! The bird was clearly a juvenile LONG-TAILED JAEGER and gave me some great looks as it flew right in front of me and up over the seawall before rounding the yellow house at the end of the lot! Very exciting and a rare treat for me! The next hour of the watch ended up being the most productive which is not saying too much, as only a few Parasitic Jaegers flew by and a handful of dark-winged scoters moved through the troughs. The afternoon was nearly dead, but a Brown Pelican and a pair of Brant gave me something to look at besides the Caspian and Royal Terns. I think the next few days should be a bit dryer, hopefully a few more ducks start flying. 

Now you can be treated to the worst Long-tail photograph ever!

[Long-tailed Jaeger. Photo by Skye Haas]

Hawkwatch – 25 September 2014


Cape May
Cape May Point, New Jersey, USA
Daily Raptor Counts: Sep 25, 2014
-------------------------------------------------------------------

Species            Day's Count    Month Total   Season Total
------------------ ----------- -------------- --------------
Black Vulture                0              6              6
Turkey Vulture               0            102            102
Osprey                       3           1848           1848
Bald Eagle                   0            270            270
Northern Harrier             0            140            140
Sharp-shinned Hawk           0           2034           2034
Cooper's Hawk                0            476            476
Northern Goshawk             0              0              0
Red-shouldered Hawk          0              4              4
Broad-winged Hawk            0            154            154
Red-tailed Hawk              0             89             89
Rough-legged Hawk            0              0              0
Golden Eagle                 0              0              0
American Kestrel             0           1933           1933
Merlin                       1            383            383
Peregrine Falcon             8            150            150
Unknown Accipiter            0              3              3
Unknown Buteo                0              0              0
Unknown Falcon               0              1              1
Unknown Eagle                0              0              0
Unknown Raptor               0              1              1

Total:                      12           7594           7594
----------------------------------------------------------------------

Observation start time: 06:00:00 
Observation end   time: 16:00:00 
Total observation time: 10 hours

Official Counter:        Tom Reed

Observers:        

Weather:
Overcast with light rain throughout; winds E/NE 10-20mph; visibility poor.
Count conducted from south pavilion. 

Raptor Observations:
Zzz...

Non-raptor Observations:
Marbled Godwit (1), White-rumped Sandpiper (1), Pectoral Sandpiper (22),
Stilt Sandpiper (3), Western Sandpiper (1), Parasitic Jaeger (3), Ovenbird
(1), Connecticut Warbler (1)

Predictions:
Partly sunny, 72ºF, winds N 10-15mph.
========================================================================
Report submitted by Tom Reed (coturnicops@gmail.com)
Cape May information may be found at:
http://www.njaudubon.org/Centers/CMBO/

Morning Flight - 24 September 2014

Wind and clouds and few birds passing by was the status from the Higbee dike this morning. Two non-Morning Flight highlights were a pair of Brant and a Common Loon heading south 200 feet straight over our position. 


Weather and time: cloudy; 60–63 ºF; winds ENE at 10-15 mph; 100% cloud cover; good visibility; 0649 sunrise; 2.25 hours.
   
       Morning Flight Count totals
Northern Flicker (Colaptes auratus)  15
Red-eyed Vireo (Vireo olivaceus)  1
Fish Crow (Corvus ossifragus)  96     south; at sunrise
Blue-gray Gnatcatcher (Polioptila caerulea)  3
Cedar Waxwing (Bombycilla cedrorum)  7
Northern Waterthrush (Parkesia noveboracensis)  1
Black-and-white Warbler (Mniotilta varia)  2
American Redstart (Setophaga ruticilla)  8
Northern Parula (Setophaga americana)  27
Magnolia Warbler (Setophaga magnolia)  1
Blackpoll Warbler (Setophaga striata)  4
Bay-breasted/Blackpoll Warbler (Setophaga castanea/striata)  1
Black-throated Blue Warbler (Setophaga caerulescens)  1
Palm Warbler (Setophaga palmarum)  10
Yellow-rumped Warbler (Setophaga coronata)  1
warbler sp. (Parulinae sp.)  20
Chipping Sparrow (Spizella passerina)  1
Savannah Sparrow (Passerculus sandwichensis)  1
Scarlet Tanager (Piranga olivacea)  1
Purple Finch (Haemorhous purpureus)  1
American Goldfinch (Spinus tristis)  1

Today's full list can be viewed at: 
http://ebird.org/ebird/view/checklist?subID=S19927846

Hawkwatch – 24 September 2014


Cape May
Cape May Point, New Jersey, USA
Daily Raptor Counts: Sep 24, 2014
-------------------------------------------------------------------

Species            Day's Count    Month Total   Season Total
------------------ ----------- -------------- --------------
Black Vulture                0              6              6
Turkey Vulture               0            102            102
Osprey                      38           1845           1845
Bald Eagle                   0            270            270
Northern Harrier             3            140            140
Sharp-shinned Hawk          97           2034           2034
Cooper's Hawk                9            476            476
Northern Goshawk             0              0              0
Red-shouldered Hawk          0              4              4
Broad-winged Hawk            0            154            154
Red-tailed Hawk              0             89             89
Rough-legged Hawk            0              0              0
Golden Eagle                 0              0              0
American Kestrel            31           1933           1933
Merlin                      17            382            382
Peregrine Falcon            29            142            142
Unknown Accipiter            0              3              3
Unknown Buteo                0              0              0
Unknown Falcon               0              1              1
Unknown Eagle                0              0              0
Unknown Raptor               0              1              1

Total:                     224           7582           7582
----------------------------------------------------------------------

Observation start time: 05:45:00 
Observation end   time: 16:00:00 
Total observation time: 10.25 hours

Official Counter:        Tom Reed

Observers:        

Weather:
Seasonable. Overcast; 14-21ºC, winds E 10-15mph during early-AM, becoming
E 20mph w/ gusts to 35mph. Visibility excellent->good->fair as day
progressed. 

Raptor Observations:
A light but steady movement during the AM hours, followed a small pulse of
Osprey and Peregrines during the mid-PM. 

Non-raptor Observations:
Vesper Sparrow (1), Rusty Blackbird (1), Parasitic Jaeger (2)

http://ebird.org/ebird/view/checklist?subID=S19932129

Predictions:
AM rain; winds NE 10-20mph.
========================================================================
Report submitted by Tom Reed (coturnicops@gmail.com)
Cape May information may be found at:
http://www.njaudubon.org/Centers/CMBO/

Seawatch - 24 September 2014

Observation time: 0547 - 1853
Observer: Skye Haas

Species observed:
American Black Duck – 2
Dabbler sp. – 5
Surf Scoter – 1
Black Scoter – 11
Common Loon – 2
Northern Gannet – 1
Double-crested Cormorant – 94
Laughing Gull – 135
Bonaparte’s Gull – 9
Ring-billed Gull – 14
Herring Gull – 36
Greater Black-backed Gull – 25
Lesser Black-backed Gull – 1
Caspian Tern – 8
Common Tern – 1
Forster’s Tern – 7
Royal Tern – 6
Tern sp. – 14
Jaeger sp. – 1
American Oystercatcher – 2
Ruddy Turnstone – 3
Calidris sp. – 3

Total: 381

It was a windy day at the Seawatch, and not too much was flying past during the first couple of hours. A small Laughing Gull flight occurred, not quite as heavy as Tuesday's 1000+ birds. Highlights included an early flock of Bonaparte's Gulls, a distant jaeger, and a young Gannet. Also notable, was a flock of 1500+ Tree Swallows foraging over the inlet. 


[One of many migrating Laughing Gulls counted at the Seawatch. Photo by Skye Haas.]

Seawatch – 23 September 2014

Observation time: 0633 – 1855
Weather: Increasing clouds, 48–65ºF, winds N->NE 5–10mph; visibility fair/good.
Observer: Tom Reed

Species counted:
Canada Goose – 42
Northern Pintail – 4
Green-winged Teal – 7
Ring-necked Duck – 1
Black Scoter – 1
Red-throated Loon – 1
Common Loon – 2
Northern Gannet – 3
Double-crested Cormorant – 1029
Great Cormorant – 1
Great Blue Heron – 11
Laughing Gull – 1257
Herring Gull – 17
Great Black-backed Gull – 38
Common Tern – 81
Forster's Tern – 38
Royal Tern – 19
Black Skimmer – 11
Parasitic Jaeger – 1
TOTAL: 2,574

Other:
Humpback Whale: 2+
Bottlenose Dolphin: 50+
Red Bat: 8
Monarch: 171
Orange Sulphur: 1
Common Buckeye: 4
Red Admiral: 1
Common Green Darner: 50+
Spot-winged Glider: 3
Wandering Glider: 1
Twelve-spotted Skimmer: 3

Morning Flight – 23 September 2014

Twenty-nine of us up on the dike this morning had quite a hopping spectacle happening around us. A decent showing of Palm Warblers and the season's first Yellow-bellied Sapsucker and American Pipit were tallied, marking a definite mid-season milestone for the 2014 Morning Flight. Over 550 warblers of 19 species, 451 Northern Flickers, 12 Eastern Phoebes, 2 Philadelphia and 40 Red-eyed Vireos, and 323 Cedar Waxwings. The four most abundant warbler species were Palm Warbler (153), Northern Parula (92), Blackpoll Warbler (59), American Redstart (56). Scarlet Tanager (17) and Rose-breasted Grosbeak (11) also represented well.

Weather and time: sunny and mostly clear; 53–59 ºF; winds NNE at 5-10 mph; 20% cloud cover; good visibility; 0648 sunrise; 4.25 hours.
    
       Morning Flight Count totals 
Ruby-throated Hummingbird (Archilochus colubris)  2
Belted Kingfisher (Megaceryle alcyon)  3     2 north, 1 south
Red-bellied Woodpecker (Melanerpes carolinus)  5
Yellow-bellied Sapsucker (Sphyrapicus varius)  1
Downy Woodpecker (Picoides pubescens)  1
Northern Flicker (Colaptes auratus)  451
Eastern Wood-Pewee (Contopus virens)  3
Empidonax sp. (Empidonax sp.)  1
Eastern Phoebe (Sayornis phoebe)  12
Philadelphia Vireo (Vireo philadelphicus)  2
Red-eyed Vireo (Vireo olivaceus)  40
Fish Crow (Corvus ossifragus)  25     south; predawn -15 min
Red-breasted Nuthatch (Sitta canadensis)  2
Blue-gray Gnatcatcher (Polioptila caerulea)  1
Ruby-crowned Kinglet (Regulus calendula)  4
kinglet sp. (Regulus sp.)  1
American Robin (Turdus migratorius)  11
European Starling (Sturnus vulgaris)  31
American Pipit (Anthus rubescens)  1
Cedar Waxwing (Bombycilla cedrorum)  323
Northern Waterthrush (Parkesia noveboracensis)  23
Black-and-white Warbler (Mniotilta varia)  25
Tennessee Warbler (Oreothlypis peregrina)  5
Nashville Warbler (Oreothlypis ruficapilla)  3
Connecticut Warbler (Oporornis agilis)  2
American Redstart (Setophaga ruticilla)  56
Cape May Warbler (Setophaga tigrina)  19
Northern Parula (Setophaga americana)  92
Magnolia Warbler (Setophaga magnolia)  3
Bay-breasted Warbler (Setophaga castanea)  5
Blackburnian Warbler (Setophaga fusca)  3
Yellow Warbler (Setophaga petechia)  2
Chestnut-sided Warbler (Setophaga pensylvanica)  1
Blackpoll Warbler (Setophaga striata)  59
Bay-breasted/Blackpoll Warbler (Setophaga castanea/striata)  10
Black-throated Blue Warbler (Setophaga caerulescens)  36
Palm Warbler (Setophaga palmarum)  153
Yellow-rumped Warbler (Setophaga coronata)  16
Prairie Warbler (Setophaga discolor)  2
Black-throated Green Warbler (Setophaga virens)  6
warbler sp. (Parulinae sp.)  135
Chipping Sparrow (Spizella passerina)  1
Savannah Sparrow (Passerculus sandwichensis)  3
Scarlet Tanager (Piranga olivacea)  17
Rose-breasted Grosbeak (Pheucticus ludovicianus)  11
Blue Grosbeak (Passerina caerulea)  1
Indigo Bunting (Passerina cyanea)  5
Bobolink (Dolichonyx oryzivorus)  166
Baltimore Oriole (Icterus galbula)  5
House Finch (Haemorhous mexicanus)  4
Purple Finch (Haemorhous purpureus)  1
American Goldfinch (Spinus tristis)  3

Today's full list can be viewed at: http://ebird.org/ebird/view/checklist?subID=S19915278



 The baby baldy has not yet learned the fine art of fishing from below.

And now a showcase of Cape May Warblers


Pause for one of the many poses of Red-breasted Nuthatch.


 Fleeting Northern Parula zoomed way in
And coming back around again. (Photos by: Glen Davis)

Hawkwatch - 23 September 2014


Cape May
Cape May Point, New Jersey, USA
Daily Raptor Counts: Sep 23, 2014
-------------------------------------------------------------------

Species            Day's Count    Month Total   Season Total
------------------ ----------- -------------- --------------
Black Vulture                1              6              6
Turkey Vulture               7            102            102
Osprey                      91           1807           1807
Bald Eagle                  28            270            270
Northern Harrier            19            137            137
Sharp-shinned Hawk         284           1937           1937
Cooper's Hawk               84            467            467
Northern Goshawk             0              0              0
Red-shouldered Hawk          1              4              4
Broad-winged Hawk           75            154            154
Red-tailed Hawk             18             89             89
Rough-legged Hawk            0              0              0
Golden Eagle                 0              0              0
American Kestrel            61           1902           1902
Merlin                      22            365            365
Peregrine Falcon            30            113            113
Unknown Accipiter            0              3              3
Unknown Buteo                0              0              0
Unknown Falcon               0              1              1
Unknown Eagle                0              0              0
Unknown Raptor               0              1              1

Total:                     721           7358           7358
----------------------------------------------------------------------

Observation start time: 05:30:00 
Observation end   time: 16:00:00 
Total observation time: 10.5 hours

Official Counter:        Mary Raikes

Observers:        

Weather:
Much cooler temperatures(48F) in the am with light and variable winds
throughout the day (from north to northeast to east to south to southwest
to west to northwest to south.) Fairly clear skies with high cirrus clouds.


Raptor Observations:
A very, very high flight with large kettles with very good variety
including broadwings, harriers, cooper's hawks, peregrines and eagles.  

Non-raptor Observations:
Lots of Northern Flickers (100+) throughout the day, as well as a
Red-headed Woodpecker.  A good variety of ducks on the pond:  American
Widgeon, Northern Pintail, Green and blue winged Teal, Gadwall.  Also,
Monarchs all over the skies (150+) from the platform.

Predictions:
Windy from the ENE 20-30mph.  Chance of rain in the afternoon with temps in
the low 70's.
========================================================================
Cape May information may be found at:
http://www.njaudubon.org/Centers/CMBO/

Seawatch – 22 September 2014

Observation time: 0632 – 1857
Weather: Mostly sunny, 66–72ºF, winds W/NW 10–15mph, visibility excellent.
Observer: Tom Reed

Species counted:
Canada Goose – 25
Brant – 3
Wood Duck – 2
American Wigeon – 7
Northern Pintail – 49
Green-winged Teal – 2
Surf Scoter – 2
dark-winged scoter – 1
Brown Pelican – 1
Double-crested Cormorant – 487
Great Blue Heron – 14
Snowy Egret – 21
Laughing Gull – 111
Lesser Black-backed Gull – 3
Caspian Tern – 7
Common Tern – 27
Forster's Tern – 12
Royal Tern – 2
Parasitic Jaeger – 4
TOTAL: 780

Other:
Humpback Whale – 1
Bottlenose Dolphin – 50+
Monarch – 206
Common Buckeye – 10
Sachem – 2
Orange Sulphur – 6
Common Green Darner – 363
Twelve-spotted Skimmer – 15
Wandering Glider – 10