The morning was, in short, spectacular. There were birds going all over the place. Once again, 20 species of warblers were observed and, including 759 unidentified warblers, 1797 warblers were counted. The highlights included the first two Connecticut Warblers of the season, a Yellow-bellied Flycatcher, a lateish Orchard Oriole, as well as spectacular views of most of the common warblers in stellar light.
Location: Cape Island--Higbees Beach SWA--Dike
Observation date: 9/6/09
Number of species: 96
Mallard 8
Blue-winged Teal 1
Northern Shoveler 3
Double-crested Cormorant 85
Great Blue Heron 1
Great Egret 2
Snowy Egret 3
Black Vulture 4
Turkey Vulture 3
Osprey 2
Northern Harrier 1
Sharp-shinned Hawk 3
Cooper's Hawk 1
American Kestrel 5
Peregrine Falcon 1
Semipalmated Plover 5
Killdeer 2
Spotted Sandpiper 3
Lesser Yellowlegs 8
Sanderling 5
Semipalmated Sandpiper 45
Western Sandpiper 5
Least Sandpiper 14
Laughing Gull 115
Herring Gull 10
Great Black-backed Gull 15
Common Tern 12
Forster's Tern 15
Royal Tern 6
Rock Pigeon 18
Mourning Dove 10
Common Nighthawk 2
Chimney Swift 9
Ruby-throated Hummingbird 4
Belted Kingfisher 1
Yellow-bellied Flycatcher 1
Empidonax sp. 3
Eastern Kingbird 85
White-eyed Vireo 2
Warbling Vireo 1
Red-eyed Vireo 7
Blue Jay 3
American Crow 16
Fish Crow 4
Purple Martin 6
Tree Swallow 22
Bank Swallow 3
Cliff Swallow 1
Barn Swallow 45
Carolina Chickadee 4
Tufted Titmouse 3
Red-breasted Nuthatch 1
Carolina Wren 8
Blue-gray Gnatcatcher 4
Veery 6
Wood Thrush 1
American Robin 32
Gray Catbird 8
Northern Mockingbird 3
European Starling 120
Cedar Waxwing 35
Blue-winged Warbler 2
Tennessee Warbler 4
Nashville Warbler 4
Northern Parula 131
Yellow Warbler 133
Chestnut-sided Warbler 2
Magnolia Warbler 14
Cape May Warbler 3
Black-throated Blue Warbler 38
Black-throated Green Warbler 5
Blackburnian Warbler 5
Prairie Warbler 3
Blackpoll Warbler 5
Black-and-white Warbler 118
American Redstart 480
Worm-eating Warbler 1
Ovenbird 8
Northern Waterthrush 82
Connecticut Warbler 2
Common Yellowthroat 8
Scarlet Tanager 7
Field Sparrow 2
Northern Cardinal 12
Rose-breasted Grosbeak 2
Blue Grosbeak 1
Indigo Bunting 2
Dickcissel 2
Bobolink 380
Red-winged Blackbird 65
Common Grackle 4
Orchard Oriole 1
Baltimore Oriole 86
House Finch 6
American Goldfinch 4
House Sparrow 9
Morning Flight Saturday September 5 2009
In the wee hours of Saturday morning the wind shifted from NE to NW; a welcome change that brought us a solid morning of birding. While not massive,the flight was perfect, manageable and diverse with a few goodies thrown in for added interest. 19 species of warblers were observed in morning flight while the presents of the morning flight adverse Common Yellowthroats around the dike added a twentieth species for the morning. Including 82 warbler sp, 532 warblers were counted. A handful of Scarlet Tanagers and a great flight of Baltimore Oriole added non-warbler spice. Highlights included 2! Olive-sided Flycatchers and 2! Prothonotary Warblers. These two species of early migrants along with an excellent late movement of Yellow Warblers gave the flight more of an August feel. Non bird highlights included a stunning Comet Darner and the naturalist on the morning flight platform spotted a Swamp Darner that had captured a Common Green Darner and was eating it alive!
Totals below are for all birds seen and include species or individuals not participating in morning flight.
Location: Cape Island--Higbees Beach SWA--Dike
Observation date: 9/5/09
Number of species: 91
Mallard 6
Green-winged Teal 1
Brown Pelican 9
Double-crested Cormorant 12
Osprey 2
Bald Eagle 1
Sharp-shinned Hawk 2
Broad-winged Hawk 2
Merlin 1
Semipalmated Plover 3
Killdeer 2
Spotted Sandpiper 2
Greater Yellowlegs 1
Lesser Yellowlegs 8
Whimbrel 1
Ruddy Turnstone 1
Sanderling 65
Semipalmated Sandpiper 55
Western Sandpiper 2
Least Sandpiper 15
Laughing Gull 80
Ring-billed Gull 1
Herring Gull 6
Great Black-backed Gull 45
Common Tern 90
Forster's Tern 15
Royal Tern 4
Rock Pigeon 30
Mourning Dove 18
Common Nighthawk 5
Chimney Swift 12
Ruby-throated Hummingbird 9
Red-bellied Woodpecker 1
Northern Flicker (Yellow-shafted) 1
Olive-sided Flycatcher 2 In and out for most of the first two hours. Incredibly dark vested.
Eastern Wood-Pewee 2
Alder Flycatcher 1
Least Flycatcher 1
Empidonax sp. 2
Great Crested Flycatcher 2
Eastern Kingbird 75
White-eyed Vireo 2
Red-eyed Vireo 5
Blue Jay 5
American Crow 18
Fish Crow 10
Purple Martin 15
Tree Swallow 20
Bank Swallow 1
Cliff Swallow 1
Barn Swallow 80
Carolina Chickadee 3
Carolina Wren 6
Blue-gray Gnatcatcher 5
Veery 7
American Robin 8
Gray Catbird 12
Northern Mockingbird 6
European Starling 180
Cedar Waxwing 45
Tennessee Warbler 4
Nashville Warbler 1
Northern Parula 47
Yellow Warbler 74
Chestnut-sided Warbler 1
Magnolia Warbler 4
Cape May Warbler 6
Black-throated Blue Warbler 20
Black-throated Green Warbler 2
Blackburnian Warbler 3
Pine Warbler 1
Prairie Warbler 8
Bay-breasted Warbler 1
Blackpoll Warbler 1
Black-and-white Warbler 29
American Redstart 217
Prothonotary Warbler 2 Great looks!
Ovenbird 1
Northern Waterthrush 28
Common Yellowthroat 3
Scarlet Tanager 8
Northern Cardinal 6
Blue Grosbeak 3
Indigo Bunting 2
Bobolink 300
Red-winged Blackbird 120
Common Grackle 8
Baltimore Oriole 83
House Finch 7
American Goldfinch 5
House Sparrow 12
Totals below are for all birds seen and include species or individuals not participating in morning flight.
Location: Cape Island--Higbees Beach SWA--Dike
Observation date: 9/5/09
Number of species: 91
Mallard 6
Green-winged Teal 1
Brown Pelican 9
Double-crested Cormorant 12
Osprey 2
Bald Eagle 1
Sharp-shinned Hawk 2
Broad-winged Hawk 2
Merlin 1
Semipalmated Plover 3
Killdeer 2
Spotted Sandpiper 2
Greater Yellowlegs 1
Lesser Yellowlegs 8
Whimbrel 1
Ruddy Turnstone 1
Sanderling 65
Semipalmated Sandpiper 55
Western Sandpiper 2
Least Sandpiper 15
Laughing Gull 80
Ring-billed Gull 1
Herring Gull 6
Great Black-backed Gull 45
Common Tern 90
Forster's Tern 15
Royal Tern 4
Rock Pigeon 30
Mourning Dove 18
Common Nighthawk 5
Chimney Swift 12
Ruby-throated Hummingbird 9
Red-bellied Woodpecker 1
Northern Flicker (Yellow-shafted) 1
Olive-sided Flycatcher 2 In and out for most of the first two hours. Incredibly dark vested.
Eastern Wood-Pewee 2
Alder Flycatcher 1
Least Flycatcher 1
Empidonax sp. 2
Great Crested Flycatcher 2
Eastern Kingbird 75
White-eyed Vireo 2
Red-eyed Vireo 5
Blue Jay 5
American Crow 18
Fish Crow 10
Purple Martin 15
Tree Swallow 20
Bank Swallow 1
Cliff Swallow 1
Barn Swallow 80
Carolina Chickadee 3
Carolina Wren 6
Blue-gray Gnatcatcher 5
Veery 7
American Robin 8
Gray Catbird 12
Northern Mockingbird 6
European Starling 180
Cedar Waxwing 45
Tennessee Warbler 4
Nashville Warbler 1
Northern Parula 47
Yellow Warbler 74
Chestnut-sided Warbler 1
Magnolia Warbler 4
Cape May Warbler 6
Black-throated Blue Warbler 20
Black-throated Green Warbler 2
Blackburnian Warbler 3
Pine Warbler 1
Prairie Warbler 8
Bay-breasted Warbler 1
Blackpoll Warbler 1
Black-and-white Warbler 29
American Redstart 217
Prothonotary Warbler 2 Great looks!
Ovenbird 1
Northern Waterthrush 28
Common Yellowthroat 3
Scarlet Tanager 8
Northern Cardinal 6
Blue Grosbeak 3
Indigo Bunting 2
Bobolink 300
Red-winged Blackbird 120
Common Grackle 8
Baltimore Oriole 83
House Finch 7
American Goldfinch 5
House Sparrow 12
Morning Flight Friday September 4, 2009
A decent movement of birds early on despite the unfavorable conditions (at least the 4th day in a row of NE winds). It was highlighted by a couple of Cape May Warblers in the last hour and change, well after the flight had slowed to almost nothing.
eBird list:
Location: Cape Island--Higbees Beach SWA--Dike
Observation date: 9/4/09
Notes: NNE/NE Winds.
Number of species: 54
Mallard 3
Double-crested Cormorant X
Turkey Vulture 17
Sharp-shinned Hawk 1
Cooper's Hawk 2
Broad-winged Hawk 1
Peregrine Falcon 1
Semipalmated Plover 9
Killdeer 1
Spotted Sandpiper 2
Lesser Yellowlegs 11
Semipalmated Sandpiper 50
Least Sandpiper 1
Laughing Gull X
Ring-billed Gull X
Herring Gull X
Great Black-backed Gull X
Caspian Tern 1
Common Tern X
Forster's Tern X
Rock Pigeon X
Mourning Dove 6
Chimney Swift X
Ruby-throated Hummingbird 12
Belted Kingfisher 1
Hairy Woodpecker 1
Eastern Wood-Pewee 2
Eastern Kingbird 75
American Crow X
Fish Crow X
Purple Martin 2
Tree Swallow X
Barn Swallow X
Carolina Chickadee X
Carolina Wren 4
Blue-gray Gnatcatcher 1
Northern Parula 7
Yellow Warbler 3
Magnolia Warbler 1
Cape May Warbler 2
Black-throated Blue Warbler 5
Prairie Warbler 1
Blackpoll Warbler 1
Black-and-white Warbler 10
American Redstart 117
Northern Waterthrush 4
Common Yellowthroat 1
Northern Cardinal X
Blue Grosbeak 1
Bobolink 3
Red-winged Blackbird X
Common Grackle X
Brown-headed Cowbird 1
American Goldfinch X
eBird list:
Location: Cape Island--Higbees Beach SWA--Dike
Observation date: 9/4/09
Notes: NNE/NE Winds.
Number of species: 54
Mallard 3
Double-crested Cormorant X
Turkey Vulture 17
Sharp-shinned Hawk 1
Cooper's Hawk 2
Broad-winged Hawk 1
Peregrine Falcon 1
Semipalmated Plover 9
Killdeer 1
Spotted Sandpiper 2
Lesser Yellowlegs 11
Semipalmated Sandpiper 50
Least Sandpiper 1
Laughing Gull X
Ring-billed Gull X
Herring Gull X
Great Black-backed Gull X
Caspian Tern 1
Common Tern X
Forster's Tern X
Rock Pigeon X
Mourning Dove 6
Chimney Swift X
Ruby-throated Hummingbird 12
Belted Kingfisher 1
Hairy Woodpecker 1
Eastern Wood-Pewee 2
Eastern Kingbird 75
American Crow X
Fish Crow X
Purple Martin 2
Tree Swallow X
Barn Swallow X
Carolina Chickadee X
Carolina Wren 4
Blue-gray Gnatcatcher 1
Northern Parula 7
Yellow Warbler 3
Magnolia Warbler 1
Cape May Warbler 2
Black-throated Blue Warbler 5
Prairie Warbler 1
Blackpoll Warbler 1
Black-and-white Warbler 10
American Redstart 117
Northern Waterthrush 4
Common Yellowthroat 1
Northern Cardinal X
Blue Grosbeak 1
Bobolink 3
Red-winged Blackbird X
Common Grackle X
Brown-headed Cowbird 1
American Goldfinch X
Morning Flight Thursday September 3 2009
Definitely a bit on the slow side today, but it highlights how important weather is to the birding here in Cape May. If we don't get the weather we don't get the birds, if we do then there are few better placed to be.
Totals below are for all birds seen and include species or individuals not participating in morning flight.
Canada Goose 2
Mallard 8
Northern Shoveler 1
Double-crested Cormorant 6
Black Vulture 6
Turkey Vulture 4
Osprey 3
Bald Eagle 1
Semipalmated Plover 1
Spotted Sandpiper 3
Solitary Sandpiper 1
Greater Yellowlegs 1
Lesser Yellowlegs 8
Semipalmated Sandpiper 35
Least Sandpiper 3
Laughing Gull 60
Herring Gull 3
Great Black-backed Gull 12
Common Tern 2
Forster's Tern 6
Royal Tern 9
Rock Pigeon 4
Mourning Dove 6
Chimney Swift 18
Ruby-throated Hummingbird 4
Red-bellied Woodpecker 1
Great Crested Flycatcher 1
Eastern Kingbird 18
White-eyed Vireo 1
Blue Jay 3
American Crow 8
Fish Crow 2
Purple Martin 25
Tree Swallow 15
Bank Swallow 1
Cliff Swallow 1
Barn Swallow 55
Carolina Chickadee 4
Tufted Titmouse 1
Carolina Wren 8
Blue-gray Gnatcatcher 2
Veery 3
American Robin 12
Gray Catbird 6
Northern Mockingbird 4
Brown Thrasher 1
European Starling 150
Cedar Waxwing 15
Nashville Warbler 1
Northern Parula 8
Yellow Warbler 4
Cape May Warbler 1
Black-throated Blue Warbler 1
Black-throated Green Warbler 1
Black-and-white Warbler 6
American Redstart 34
Northern Waterthrush 2
Common Yellowthroat 3
Northern Cardinal 6
Bobolink 4
Red-winged Blackbird 85
Common Grackle 6
House Finch 6
American Goldfinch 3
House Sparrow 1
Totals below are for all birds seen and include species or individuals not participating in morning flight.
Canada Goose 2
Mallard 8
Northern Shoveler 1
Double-crested Cormorant 6
Black Vulture 6
Turkey Vulture 4
Osprey 3
Bald Eagle 1
Semipalmated Plover 1
Spotted Sandpiper 3
Solitary Sandpiper 1
Greater Yellowlegs 1
Lesser Yellowlegs 8
Semipalmated Sandpiper 35
Least Sandpiper 3
Laughing Gull 60
Herring Gull 3
Great Black-backed Gull 12
Common Tern 2
Forster's Tern 6
Royal Tern 9
Rock Pigeon 4
Mourning Dove 6
Chimney Swift 18
Ruby-throated Hummingbird 4
Red-bellied Woodpecker 1
Great Crested Flycatcher 1
Eastern Kingbird 18
White-eyed Vireo 1
Blue Jay 3
American Crow 8
Fish Crow 2
Purple Martin 25
Tree Swallow 15
Bank Swallow 1
Cliff Swallow 1
Barn Swallow 55
Carolina Chickadee 4
Tufted Titmouse 1
Carolina Wren 8
Blue-gray Gnatcatcher 2
Veery 3
American Robin 12
Gray Catbird 6
Northern Mockingbird 4
Brown Thrasher 1
European Starling 150
Cedar Waxwing 15
Nashville Warbler 1
Northern Parula 8
Yellow Warbler 4
Cape May Warbler 1
Black-throated Blue Warbler 1
Black-throated Green Warbler 1
Black-and-white Warbler 6
American Redstart 34
Northern Waterthrush 2
Common Yellowthroat 3
Northern Cardinal 6
Bobolink 4
Red-winged Blackbird 85
Common Grackle 6
House Finch 6
American Goldfinch 3
House Sparrow 1
Hawkwatch Thursday September 3, 2009
Today saw a rather slow raptor flght, as expected with the NE winds through the day and a smattering of drizzle later on. Aside from the 43 migrant raptors, there were also 2-3 Cliff Swallows in the afternoon once again, and another immature Northern Gannet offshore early in the morning.
Full eBird list below:
Location: Cape Island--CMBO Hawk Watch Site
Observation date: 9/3/09
Notes: NNE wind early on, shifting to NE after a couple of hours and staying
that way for the duration. A few droplets of rain came a couple of times in the later afternoon. Mostly cloudy all day.
Number of species: 73
Canada Goose X
Mute Swan 8
Mallard X
Blue-winged Teal 1
Pied-billed Grebe 1
Northern Gannet 1
Double-crested Cormorant X
Great Blue Heron 1
Great Egret 7
Snowy Egret 2
Green Heron 2
Glossy Ibis 5
Black Vulture 10
Turkey Vulture 20
Osprey 10 (8 migrants)
Bald Eagle 3 (2 migrants)
Northern Harrier 1
Sharp-shinned Hawk 5
Cooper's Hawk 9 (8 migrants)
Broad-winged Hawk 7
Red-tailed Hawk 5
American Kestrel 3
Merlin 1
Peregrine Falcon 4
Killdeer 1
Greater Yellowlegs 2
Lesser Yellowlegs 2
Semipalmated Sandpiper 2
Least Sandpiper 4
peep sp. 5
Laughing Gull X
Ring-billed Gull X
Herring Gull X
Great Black-backed Gull X
Common Tern X
Forster's Tern X
Royal Tern 16
Rock Pigeon X
Mourning Dove X
Chimney Swift 41
Ruby-throated Hummingbird 4
Belted Kingfisher 1
Eastern Kingbird 1
Blue Jay 3
American Crow X
Fish Crow X
Purple Martin 40
Tree Swallow 250
Bank Swallow 2
Cliff Swallow 2
Barn Swallow 100
Carolina Chickadee X
Carolina Wren 5
Blue-gray Gnatcatcher 1
Gray Catbird X
Northern Mockingbird 2
European Starling X
Cedar Waxwing 2
Yellow Warbler 3
Black-and-white Warbler 1
American Redstart 1
Northern Waterthrush 1
Common Yellowthroat 3
Song Sparrow X
Northern Cardinal X
Indigo Bunting 1
Bobolink 99
Red-winged Blackbird 240
Common Grackle 1
Brown-headed Cowbird 1
House Finch 1
American Goldfinch X
House Sparrow X
Full eBird list below:
Location: Cape Island--CMBO Hawk Watch Site
Observation date: 9/3/09
Notes: NNE wind early on, shifting to NE after a couple of hours and staying
that way for the duration. A few droplets of rain came a couple of times in the later afternoon. Mostly cloudy all day.
Number of species: 73
Canada Goose X
Mute Swan 8
Mallard X
Blue-winged Teal 1
Pied-billed Grebe 1
Northern Gannet 1
Double-crested Cormorant X
Great Blue Heron 1
Great Egret 7
Snowy Egret 2
Green Heron 2
Glossy Ibis 5
Black Vulture 10
Turkey Vulture 20
Osprey 10 (8 migrants)
Bald Eagle 3 (2 migrants)
Northern Harrier 1
Sharp-shinned Hawk 5
Cooper's Hawk 9 (8 migrants)
Broad-winged Hawk 7
Red-tailed Hawk 5
American Kestrel 3
Merlin 1
Peregrine Falcon 4
Killdeer 1
Greater Yellowlegs 2
Lesser Yellowlegs 2
Semipalmated Sandpiper 2
Least Sandpiper 4
peep sp. 5
Laughing Gull X
Ring-billed Gull X
Herring Gull X
Great Black-backed Gull X
Common Tern X
Forster's Tern X
Royal Tern 16
Rock Pigeon X
Mourning Dove X
Chimney Swift 41
Ruby-throated Hummingbird 4
Belted Kingfisher 1
Eastern Kingbird 1
Blue Jay 3
American Crow X
Fish Crow X
Purple Martin 40
Tree Swallow 250
Bank Swallow 2
Cliff Swallow 2
Barn Swallow 100
Carolina Chickadee X
Carolina Wren 5
Blue-gray Gnatcatcher 1
Gray Catbird X
Northern Mockingbird 2
European Starling X
Cedar Waxwing 2
Yellow Warbler 3
Black-and-white Warbler 1
American Redstart 1
Northern Waterthrush 1
Common Yellowthroat 3
Song Sparrow X
Northern Cardinal X
Indigo Bunting 1
Bobolink 99
Red-winged Blackbird 240
Common Grackle 1
Brown-headed Cowbird 1
House Finch 1
American Goldfinch X
House Sparrow X
Hawk Watch Wednesday September 2, 2009
Steady northeast winds throughout contributed to a rather slow day raptor-wise, with 63 migrant raptors counted. There were some non-raptor highlights however, including 2 Cliff Swallows (6 species of swallow seen from the platform today), 8 Brown Pelicans (flock of 7 south of the watch plus a single bird soaring over towards the Meadows), an early morning Northern Gannet, and a juvenile Black Tern that showed up at Bunker Pond early in the AM and then again after 3 PM. My complete eBird list is below:
Canada Goose X
Mallard 6
Pied-billed Grebe 1
Northern Gannet 1
Brown Pelican 8
Double-crested Cormorant 55
Great Blue Heron 3
Great Egret 18
Green Heron 2
Glossy Ibis 3
Black Vulture 16
Turkey Vulture 10
Osprey 14 (10 migrants)
Bald Eagle 4
Sharp-shinned Hawk 4
Cooper's Hawk 19
Broad-winged Hawk 10
Red-tailed Hawk 8 (4 migrants)
American Kestrel 5
Merlin 1
Peregrine Falcon 5
Killdeer 1
Lesser Yellowlegs 8
Semipalmated Sandpiper 12
Least Sandpiper 15
Laughing Gull X
Ring-billed Gull X
Herring Gull X
Great Black-backed Gull X
Caspian Tern 1
Black Tern 1
Common Tern X
Forster's Tern X
Royal Tern 8
Black Skimmer 70
Rock Pigeon X
Mourning Dove 10
Chimney Swift 20
Ruby-throated Hummingbird 1
Belted Kingfisher 1
Northern Flicker 1
Eastern Kingbird 4
American Crow X
Fish Crow 10
Purple Martin 40
Tree Swallow 100
Northern Rough-winged Swallow 3
Bank Swallow 2
Cliff Swallow 2
Barn Swallow 100
Carolina Chickadee X
Carolina Wren 8
Marsh Wren 2
Blue-gray Gnatcatcher 3
Northern Mockingbird X
European Starling X
Cedar Waxwing 2
Yellow Warbler 5
Prairie Warbler 1
American Redstart 6
Northern Waterthrush 2
Common Yellowthroat 2
Song Sparrow 2
Northern Cardinal 4
Blue Grosbeak 1
Indigo Bunting 1
Bobolink 135
Red-winged Blackbird X
House Finch 2
American Goldfinch X
House Sparrow X
Canada Goose X
Mallard 6
Pied-billed Grebe 1
Northern Gannet 1
Brown Pelican 8
Double-crested Cormorant 55
Great Blue Heron 3
Great Egret 18
Green Heron 2
Glossy Ibis 3
Black Vulture 16
Turkey Vulture 10
Osprey 14 (10 migrants)
Bald Eagle 4
Sharp-shinned Hawk 4
Cooper's Hawk 19
Broad-winged Hawk 10
Red-tailed Hawk 8 (4 migrants)
American Kestrel 5
Merlin 1
Peregrine Falcon 5
Killdeer 1
Lesser Yellowlegs 8
Semipalmated Sandpiper 12
Least Sandpiper 15
Laughing Gull X
Ring-billed Gull X
Herring Gull X
Great Black-backed Gull X
Caspian Tern 1
Black Tern 1
Common Tern X
Forster's Tern X
Royal Tern 8
Black Skimmer 70
Rock Pigeon X
Mourning Dove 10
Chimney Swift 20
Ruby-throated Hummingbird 1
Belted Kingfisher 1
Northern Flicker 1
Eastern Kingbird 4
American Crow X
Fish Crow 10
Purple Martin 40
Tree Swallow 100
Northern Rough-winged Swallow 3
Bank Swallow 2
Cliff Swallow 2
Barn Swallow 100
Carolina Chickadee X
Carolina Wren 8
Marsh Wren 2
Blue-gray Gnatcatcher 3
Northern Mockingbird X
European Starling X
Cedar Waxwing 2
Yellow Warbler 5
Prairie Warbler 1
American Redstart 6
Northern Waterthrush 2
Common Yellowthroat 2
Song Sparrow 2
Northern Cardinal 4
Blue Grosbeak 1
Indigo Bunting 1
Bobolink 135
Red-winged Blackbird X
House Finch 2
American Goldfinch X
House Sparrow X
Morning Flight Wednesday September 2 2009
The game of the day was low volume but high diversity. 16 species of warblers were observed participating in morning flight in the first two hours after sunrise. An additional 2 species, Worm-eating and Common Yellowthroat, were also observed bring the total for the day up to 18. Good warbler diversity combined with an excellent sunrise, and another visit from the infamous Peregrine from yesterday made for a quality morning.
Totals below are for all birds seen and include species or individuals not participating in morning flight.
Canada Goose 2
Mallard 8
Northern Shoveler 1
Double-crested Cormorant 6
Great Egret 2
Snowy Egret 3
Black Vulture 3
Turkey Vulture 5
Osprey 5
Bald Eagle 2
Peregrine Falcon 1
Semipalmated Plover 2
Killdeer 1
Spotted Sandpiper 4
Solitary Sandpiper 1
Greater Yellowlegs 1
Lesser Yellowlegs 12
Sanderling 18
Semipalmated Sandpiper 55
Western Sandpiper 1
Least Sandpiper 8
Laughing Gull 200
Herring Gull 8
Great Black-backed Gull 18
Caspian Tern 1
Common Tern 45
Forster's Tern 15
Royal Tern 12
Rock Pigeon 8
Mourning Dove 12
Ruby-throated Hummingbird 3
Belted Kingfisher 2
Red-bellied Woodpecker 1
Least Flycatcher 1
Great Crested Flycatcher 2
Eastern Kingbird 35
White-eyed Vireo 1
Red-eyed Vireo 2
Blue Jay 2
American Crow 12
Fish Crow 1
Purple Martin 15
Tree Swallow 12
Barn Swallow 85
Carolina Chickadee 4
Carolina Wren 6
House Wren 1
Blue-gray Gnatcatcher 19
American Robin 12
Gray Catbird 6
Northern Mockingbird 6
Brown Thrasher 1
European Starling 120
Cedar Waxwing 28
Tennessee Warbler 1
Nashville Warbler 1
Northern Parula 8
Yellow Warbler 6
Chestnut-sided Warbler 1
Magnolia Warbler 1
Cape May Warbler 2
Black-throated Blue Warbler 1
Black-throated Green Warbler 1
Blackburnian Warbler 2
Pine Warbler 1
Prairie Warbler 1
Blackpoll Warbler 1
Black-and-white Warbler 8
American Redstart 49
Worm-eating Warbler 1
Northern Waterthrush 18
Common Yellowthroat 4
Chipping Sparrow 1
Northern Cardinal 3
Blue Grosbeak 1
Bobolink 6
Red-winged Blackbird 125
Common Grackle 8
Baltimore Oriole 3
House Finch 14
American Goldfinch 2
Totals below are for all birds seen and include species or individuals not participating in morning flight.
Canada Goose 2
Mallard 8
Northern Shoveler 1
Double-crested Cormorant 6
Great Egret 2
Snowy Egret 3
Black Vulture 3
Turkey Vulture 5
Osprey 5
Bald Eagle 2
Peregrine Falcon 1
Semipalmated Plover 2
Killdeer 1
Spotted Sandpiper 4
Solitary Sandpiper 1
Greater Yellowlegs 1
Lesser Yellowlegs 12
Sanderling 18
Semipalmated Sandpiper 55
Western Sandpiper 1
Least Sandpiper 8
Laughing Gull 200
Herring Gull 8
Great Black-backed Gull 18
Caspian Tern 1
Common Tern 45
Forster's Tern 15
Royal Tern 12
Rock Pigeon 8
Mourning Dove 12
Ruby-throated Hummingbird 3
Belted Kingfisher 2
Red-bellied Woodpecker 1
Least Flycatcher 1
Great Crested Flycatcher 2
Eastern Kingbird 35
White-eyed Vireo 1
Red-eyed Vireo 2
Blue Jay 2
American Crow 12
Fish Crow 1
Purple Martin 15
Tree Swallow 12
Barn Swallow 85
Carolina Chickadee 4
Carolina Wren 6
House Wren 1
Blue-gray Gnatcatcher 19
American Robin 12
Gray Catbird 6
Northern Mockingbird 6
Brown Thrasher 1
European Starling 120
Cedar Waxwing 28
Tennessee Warbler 1
Nashville Warbler 1
Northern Parula 8
Yellow Warbler 6
Chestnut-sided Warbler 1
Magnolia Warbler 1
Cape May Warbler 2
Black-throated Blue Warbler 1
Black-throated Green Warbler 1
Blackburnian Warbler 2
Pine Warbler 1
Prairie Warbler 1
Blackpoll Warbler 1
Black-and-white Warbler 8
American Redstart 49
Worm-eating Warbler 1
Northern Waterthrush 18
Common Yellowthroat 4
Chipping Sparrow 1
Northern Cardinal 3
Blue Grosbeak 1
Bobolink 6
Red-winged Blackbird 125
Common Grackle 8
Baltimore Oriole 3
House Finch 14
American Goldfinch 2
Morning Flight Tuesday Septemer 1 2009
The birds I was expecting yesterday decided that they would rather come today instead. The first hour was busy bordering on crazy but things slowed down fairly quickly. Including 180 warbler sp. there were 557 warblers counted representing 16 species. The warbler highlights were a Cerulean and a Canada. The highlight of the morning, however, was the full blown shootout between a hefty juvenile female Peregrine Falcon and a Lesser Yellowlegs! The thrilling duel lasted several minutes during which I was certain that the yellowlegs would meet its end at least 6 or 7 times. The Peregrine finally broke off the pursuit, visibly winded and without dinner, and left to take a nap. The Yellowlegs went the opposite direction likely in search of a therapist and a fresh pair of shorts.
Totals below are for all birds seen and include species or individuals not participating in morning flight.
Mallard 8
Double-crested Cormorant 85
Great Blue Heron 1
Great Egret 3
Snowy Egret 2
Green Heron 2
Black Vulture 3
Turkey Vulture 3
Osprey 8
Sharp-shinned Hawk 3
Cooper's Hawk 2
Broad-winged Hawk 2
Merlin 1
Peregrine Falcon 1
Semipalmated Plover 6
Spotted Sandpiper 3
Solitary Sandpiper 1
Greater Yellowlegs 1
Lesser Yellowlegs 12
Sanderling 35
Semipalmated Sandpiper 40
Least Sandpiper 6
Stilt Sandpiper 1
Short-billed Dowitcher 2
Laughing Gull 215
Herring Gull 35
Great Black-backed Gull 25
Least Tern 2
Caspian Tern 1
Common Tern 115
Forster's Tern 90
Royal Tern 4
Rock Pigeon 40
Mourning Dove 18
Common Nighthawk 2
Chimney Swift 6
Ruby-throated Hummingbird 4
Belted Kingfisher 1
Northern Flicker (Yellow-shafted) 1
Empidonax sp. 1
Great Crested Flycatcher 3
Eastern Kingbird 140
Red-eyed Vireo 6
Blue Jay 2
American Crow 12
Fish Crow 14
Purple Martin 45
Tree Swallow 80
Barn Swallow 40
Carolina Chickadee 4
Tufted Titmouse 2
Carolina Wren 12
Blue-gray Gnatcatcher 50
American Robin 47
Gray Catbird 8
Northern Mockingbird 5
European Starling 350
Cedar Waxwing 139
Blue-winged Warbler 2
Tennessee Warbler 2
Nashville Warbler 1
Northern Parula 21
Yellow Warbler 7
Chestnut-sided Warbler 4
Magnolia Warbler 18
Cape May Warbler 5
Black-throated Blue Warbler 16
Blackburnian Warbler 3
Prairie Warbler 4
Cerulean Warbler 1
Black-and-white Warbler 16
American Redstart 266
Northern Waterthrush 10
Common Yellowthroat 5
Canada Warbler 1
Scarlet Tanager 1
Northern Cardinal 6
Indigo Bunting 2
Dickcissel 1
Bobolink 125
Red-winged Blackbird 135
Common Grackle 6
Brown-headed Cowbird 3
Baltimore Oriole 71
American Goldfinch 5
House Sparrow 8
Totals below are for all birds seen and include species or individuals not participating in morning flight.
Mallard 8
Double-crested Cormorant 85
Great Blue Heron 1
Great Egret 3
Snowy Egret 2
Green Heron 2
Black Vulture 3
Turkey Vulture 3
Osprey 8
Sharp-shinned Hawk 3
Cooper's Hawk 2
Broad-winged Hawk 2
Merlin 1
Peregrine Falcon 1
Semipalmated Plover 6
Spotted Sandpiper 3
Solitary Sandpiper 1
Greater Yellowlegs 1
Lesser Yellowlegs 12
Sanderling 35
Semipalmated Sandpiper 40
Least Sandpiper 6
Stilt Sandpiper 1
Short-billed Dowitcher 2
Laughing Gull 215
Herring Gull 35
Great Black-backed Gull 25
Least Tern 2
Caspian Tern 1
Common Tern 115
Forster's Tern 90
Royal Tern 4
Rock Pigeon 40
Mourning Dove 18
Common Nighthawk 2
Chimney Swift 6
Ruby-throated Hummingbird 4
Belted Kingfisher 1
Northern Flicker (Yellow-shafted) 1
Empidonax sp. 1
Great Crested Flycatcher 3
Eastern Kingbird 140
Red-eyed Vireo 6
Blue Jay 2
American Crow 12
Fish Crow 14
Purple Martin 45
Tree Swallow 80
Barn Swallow 40
Carolina Chickadee 4
Tufted Titmouse 2
Carolina Wren 12
Blue-gray Gnatcatcher 50
American Robin 47
Gray Catbird 8
Northern Mockingbird 5
European Starling 350
Cedar Waxwing 139
Blue-winged Warbler 2
Tennessee Warbler 2
Nashville Warbler 1
Northern Parula 21
Yellow Warbler 7
Chestnut-sided Warbler 4
Magnolia Warbler 18
Cape May Warbler 5
Black-throated Blue Warbler 16
Blackburnian Warbler 3
Prairie Warbler 4
Cerulean Warbler 1
Black-and-white Warbler 16
American Redstart 266
Northern Waterthrush 10
Common Yellowthroat 5
Canada Warbler 1
Scarlet Tanager 1
Northern Cardinal 6
Indigo Bunting 2
Dickcissel 1
Bobolink 125
Red-winged Blackbird 135
Common Grackle 6
Brown-headed Cowbird 3
Baltimore Oriole 71
American Goldfinch 5
House Sparrow 8
Morning Flight Monday August 31 2009
A minor internet snafu delayed the posting of yesterdays totals.
The winds shifted east too soon severely limiting what I expected would be a great flight. While the volume of birds was far less than expected the diversity was excellent in the first hour then dropped off. Small morning flight tip: the first two hours after sunrise are when the bulk of the flight occurs. Particularly early in the season virtually all the birds move early and visitors arriving at 9:30 get a tiny taste of what a flight is like at best. The highlights were a Whimbrel that flew directly over our heads and a Louisiana Waterthrush that nearly slipped by as a Northern.
Totals below are for all birds seen and include species or individuals not participating in morning flight.
Mallard 6
Northern Shoveler 1
Double-crested Cormorant 28
Great Egret 1
Snowy Egret 1
Osprey 8
Bald Eagle 2
Semipalmated Plover 8
Spotted Sandpiper 3
Solitary Sandpiper 1
Greater Yellowlegs 1
Lesser Yellowlegs 14
Whimbrel 1
Semipalmated Sandpiper 30
Least Sandpiper 12
White-rumped Sandpiper 1
Short-billed Dowitcher 2
Laughing Gull 65
Herring Gull 3
Great Black-backed Gull 15
Least Tern 1
Common Tern 3
Forster's Tern 8
Royal Tern 3
Rock Pigeon 8
Mourning Dove 12
Chimney Swift 9
Ruby-throated Hummingbird 5
Red-bellied Woodpecker 1
Downy Woodpecker 1
Alder Flycatcher 2
Eastern Kingbird 300
White-eyed Vireo 1
Blue Jay 6
American Crow 4
Fish Crow 6
Purple Martin 8
Tree Swallow 15
Barn Swallow 35
Carolina Chickadee 3
Carolina Wren 8
Blue-gray Gnatcatcher 3
American Robin 14
Gray Catbird 12
Northern Mockingbird 8
European Starling 400
Cedar Waxwing 90
Northern Parula 1
Yellow Warbler 12
Chestnut-sided Warbler 1
Cape May Warbler 3
Black-throated Blue Warbler 8
Black-throated Green Warbler 3
Blackburnian Warbler 2
Prairie Warbler 1
Black-and-white Warbler 5
American Redstart 49
Northern Waterthrush 13
Louisiana Waterthrush 1
Common Yellowthroat 12
Northern Cardinal 15
Blue Grosbeak 1
Indigo Bunting 2
Bobolink 450
Red-winged Blackbird 600
Common Grackle 5
Brown-headed Cowbird 3
Baltimore Oriole 15
House Finch 6
American Goldfinch 8
The winds shifted east too soon severely limiting what I expected would be a great flight. While the volume of birds was far less than expected the diversity was excellent in the first hour then dropped off. Small morning flight tip: the first two hours after sunrise are when the bulk of the flight occurs. Particularly early in the season virtually all the birds move early and visitors arriving at 9:30 get a tiny taste of what a flight is like at best. The highlights were a Whimbrel that flew directly over our heads and a Louisiana Waterthrush that nearly slipped by as a Northern.
Totals below are for all birds seen and include species or individuals not participating in morning flight.
Mallard 6
Northern Shoveler 1
Double-crested Cormorant 28
Great Egret 1
Snowy Egret 1
Osprey 8
Bald Eagle 2
Semipalmated Plover 8
Spotted Sandpiper 3
Solitary Sandpiper 1
Greater Yellowlegs 1
Lesser Yellowlegs 14
Whimbrel 1
Semipalmated Sandpiper 30
Least Sandpiper 12
White-rumped Sandpiper 1
Short-billed Dowitcher 2
Laughing Gull 65
Herring Gull 3
Great Black-backed Gull 15
Least Tern 1
Common Tern 3
Forster's Tern 8
Royal Tern 3
Rock Pigeon 8
Mourning Dove 12
Chimney Swift 9
Ruby-throated Hummingbird 5
Red-bellied Woodpecker 1
Downy Woodpecker 1
Alder Flycatcher 2
Eastern Kingbird 300
White-eyed Vireo 1
Blue Jay 6
American Crow 4
Fish Crow 6
Purple Martin 8
Tree Swallow 15
Barn Swallow 35
Carolina Chickadee 3
Carolina Wren 8
Blue-gray Gnatcatcher 3
American Robin 14
Gray Catbird 12
Northern Mockingbird 8
European Starling 400
Cedar Waxwing 90
Northern Parula 1
Yellow Warbler 12
Chestnut-sided Warbler 1
Cape May Warbler 3
Black-throated Blue Warbler 8
Black-throated Green Warbler 3
Blackburnian Warbler 2
Prairie Warbler 1
Black-and-white Warbler 5
American Redstart 49
Northern Waterthrush 13
Louisiana Waterthrush 1
Common Yellowthroat 12
Northern Cardinal 15
Blue Grosbeak 1
Indigo Bunting 2
Bobolink 450
Red-winged Blackbird 600
Common Grackle 5
Brown-headed Cowbird 3
Baltimore Oriole 15
House Finch 6
American Goldfinch 8
Morning Flight Sunday August 30 2009
This morning featured a small movement of migrants. Highlights included some striking adult male Redstarts, a brief glimpse at an adult male Black-throated Green, and an Orchard Oriole, the first in over a week. Shorebird highlights were three Stilt Sandpipers including a juvenile sporting the fresh from the arctic tundra buffy wash typical of fresh juvenile sandpipers.
Not all birds listed were participating in morning flight.
Mallard 4
Double-crested Cormorant 2
Great Egret 1
Snowy Egret 1
Green Heron 1
Osprey 2
Sharp-shinned Hawk 1
Black-bellied Plover 1
Semipalmated Plover 6
Spotted Sandpiper 3
Greater Yellowlegs 1
Lesser Yellowlegs 18
Whimbrel 1 Very short billed. Flying up the bay.
Semipalmated Sandpiper 35
Western Sandpiper 1
Least Sandpiper 8
White-rumped Sandpiper 1
Stilt Sandpiper 3 Juv was very long billed. Still with faint peach wash but far less obvious than the juvs 2 weeks ago.
Short-billed Dowitcher 2
Laughing Gull 55
Herring Gull 15
Great Black-backed Gull 45
Common Tern 5
Forster's Tern 8
Royal Tern 7
Rock Pigeon 35
Mourning Dove 18
Chimney Swift 9
Ruby-throated Hummingbird 3
Belted Kingfisher 1
Downy Woodpecker 1
Least Flycatcher 1
Eastern Kingbird 145
White-eyed Vireo 1
Red-eyed Vireo 3
Blue Jay 2
American Crow 8
Fish Crow 1
Purple Martin 18
Tree Swallow 20
Northern Rough-winged Swallow 1
Barn Swallow 35
Carolina Chickadee 3
Tufted Titmouse 2
Carolina Wren 9
House Wren 1
Blue-gray Gnatcatcher 7
American Robin 25
Gray Catbird 9
Northern Mockingbird 6
Brown Thrasher 1
European Starling 350
Cedar Waxwing 65
Northern Parula 1
Yellow Warbler 12
Cape May Warbler 1
Black-throated Green Warbler 1
Blackburnian Warbler 1
Prairie Warbler 3
Black-and-white Warbler 1
American Redstart 98
Northern Waterthrush 4
Common Yellowthroat 3
Chipping Sparrow 1
Northern Cardinal 6
Blue Grosbeak 1
Indigo Bunting 2
Dickcissel 1
Bobolink 45
Red-winged Blackbird 160
Common Grackle 20
Brown-headed Cowbird 1
Orchard Oriole 1
Baltimore Oriole 10
House Finch 6
American Goldfinch 4
Not all birds listed were participating in morning flight.
Mallard 4
Double-crested Cormorant 2
Great Egret 1
Snowy Egret 1
Green Heron 1
Osprey 2
Sharp-shinned Hawk 1
Black-bellied Plover 1
Semipalmated Plover 6
Spotted Sandpiper 3
Greater Yellowlegs 1
Lesser Yellowlegs 18
Whimbrel 1 Very short billed. Flying up the bay.
Semipalmated Sandpiper 35
Western Sandpiper 1
Least Sandpiper 8
White-rumped Sandpiper 1
Stilt Sandpiper 3 Juv was very long billed. Still with faint peach wash but far less obvious than the juvs 2 weeks ago.
Short-billed Dowitcher 2
Laughing Gull 55
Herring Gull 15
Great Black-backed Gull 45
Common Tern 5
Forster's Tern 8
Royal Tern 7
Rock Pigeon 35
Mourning Dove 18
Chimney Swift 9
Ruby-throated Hummingbird 3
Belted Kingfisher 1
Downy Woodpecker 1
Least Flycatcher 1
Eastern Kingbird 145
White-eyed Vireo 1
Red-eyed Vireo 3
Blue Jay 2
American Crow 8
Fish Crow 1
Purple Martin 18
Tree Swallow 20
Northern Rough-winged Swallow 1
Barn Swallow 35
Carolina Chickadee 3
Tufted Titmouse 2
Carolina Wren 9
House Wren 1
Blue-gray Gnatcatcher 7
American Robin 25
Gray Catbird 9
Northern Mockingbird 6
Brown Thrasher 1
European Starling 350
Cedar Waxwing 65
Northern Parula 1
Yellow Warbler 12
Cape May Warbler 1
Black-throated Green Warbler 1
Blackburnian Warbler 1
Prairie Warbler 3
Black-and-white Warbler 1
American Redstart 98
Northern Waterthrush 4
Common Yellowthroat 3
Chipping Sparrow 1
Northern Cardinal 6
Blue Grosbeak 1
Indigo Bunting 2
Dickcissel 1
Bobolink 45
Red-winged Blackbird 160
Common Grackle 20
Brown-headed Cowbird 1
Orchard Oriole 1
Baltimore Oriole 10
House Finch 6
American Goldfinch 4
Morning Flight Saturday August 29 2009
The word for the day is "precipitation"! I'll be using a kayak to reach the dike for the next week or two. Unsurprisingly there was no morning flight. There was, however, an excellent Prothontary Warbler kicking around for most of the morning. Since Prothontary was my "spark" bird I always enjoy them. I believe an a case can be made that for many birders the first bird on their life list is more important than the 600 0r 700 milestone that we celebrate.
None of the birds seen today were participating in morning flight.
Location: Cape Island--Higbees Beach SWA--Dike
Observation date: 8/29/09
Number of species: 49
Mallard 6
Great Egret 5
Snowy Egret 1
Osprey 1
Semipalmated Plover 4
Spotted Sandpiper 2
Solitary Sandpiper 1
Greater Yellowlegs 2
Lesser Yellowlegs 6
Semipalmated Sandpiper 15
Least Sandpiper 12
Pectoral Sandpiper 1
American Woodcock 1
Laughing Gull 65
Herring Gull 6
Great Black-backed Gull 15
Forster's Tern 8
Royal Tern 2
Rock Pigeon 2
Yellow-billed Cuckoo 1
Chimney Swift 6
Belted Kingfisher 1
Eastern Kingbird 90
White-eyed Vireo 1
Red-eyed Vireo 3
Blue Jay 2
American Crow 6
Purple Martin 35
Tree Swallow 12
Barn Swallow 55
Carolina Chickadee 4
Tufted Titmouse 1
Carolina Wren 7
House Wren 1
American Robin 4
Cedar Waxwing 8
Yellow Warbler 6
Black-and-white Warbler 3
American Redstart 5
Prothonotary Warbler 1
Northern Waterthrush 4
Common Yellowthroat 2
Northern Cardinal 8
Blue Grosbeak 1
Bobolink 20
Red-winged Blackbird 15
Common Grackle 2
Baltimore Oriole 1
American Goldfinch 2
None of the birds seen today were participating in morning flight.
Location: Cape Island--Higbees Beach SWA--Dike
Observation date: 8/29/09
Number of species: 49
Mallard 6
Great Egret 5
Snowy Egret 1
Osprey 1
Semipalmated Plover 4
Spotted Sandpiper 2
Solitary Sandpiper 1
Greater Yellowlegs 2
Lesser Yellowlegs 6
Semipalmated Sandpiper 15
Least Sandpiper 12
Pectoral Sandpiper 1
American Woodcock 1
Laughing Gull 65
Herring Gull 6
Great Black-backed Gull 15
Forster's Tern 8
Royal Tern 2
Rock Pigeon 2
Yellow-billed Cuckoo 1
Chimney Swift 6
Belted Kingfisher 1
Eastern Kingbird 90
White-eyed Vireo 1
Red-eyed Vireo 3
Blue Jay 2
American Crow 6
Purple Martin 35
Tree Swallow 12
Barn Swallow 55
Carolina Chickadee 4
Tufted Titmouse 1
Carolina Wren 7
House Wren 1
American Robin 4
Cedar Waxwing 8
Yellow Warbler 6
Black-and-white Warbler 3
American Redstart 5
Prothonotary Warbler 1
Northern Waterthrush 4
Common Yellowthroat 2
Northern Cardinal 8
Blue Grosbeak 1
Bobolink 20
Red-winged Blackbird 15
Common Grackle 2
Baltimore Oriole 1
American Goldfinch 2
Morning Flight Friday August 28 2009
I generally consider it a good omen when the first bird of the day is something fun. Today as I opened my car door in the pre-dawn murkiness of Higbee's Beach a Barred Owl sounded off. While this omen did not foreshadow an excellent flight of warblers, movement today was a bare trickle, it did proceed the arrival of a great bird. Glen Davis and I were deftly not seeing warblers when a small flock of Lesser Yellowlegs began a quick reconnaissance of the muddy flat at the top of the dike. In their midst was a odd mottled black shorebird that Glen quickly recognized as a Ruff! The Ruff settled on the mudflat briefly then then took flight again, circled the impoundment several times and flew south not to be seen again. I was quite pleased to see an adult, still largely in alternate plumage, rather than the more expected juvenile. It always amazes me what can be seen if you stay in one place long enough, particularly if that place happens to be in Cape May.
Canada Goose 2
Mallard 8
Blue-winged Teal 1
Double-crested Cormorant 35
Osprey 2
Bald Eagle 1 A different bird than the one that has been around Higbee recently
Semipalmated Plover 3 Still have yet to see a juv this fall
Spotted Sandpiper 2
Solitary Sandpiper 1
Greater Yellowlegs 4
Lesser Yellowlegs 12
Sanderling 6
Semipalmated Sandpiper 60 Back to all juvs
Western Sandpiper 1
Least Sandpiper 25
White-rumped Sandpiper 1
Stilt Sandpiper 1
Ruff 1 Flew in with a flock of 5 LEYE. Upper breast and back largely blackish while the head was a bit pale due to incoming basic feathers. Landed on the flats for less than a minute then circled around the impoundments for several times then took off toward Pond Creek. Just before 7:20.
Laughing Gull 120
Herring Gull 16
Great Black-backed Gull 20
Common Tern 3
Forster's Tern 8
Royal Tern 4
Rock Pigeon 5
Mourning Dove 15
Yellow-billed Cuckoo 1
Barred Owl 1 Calling in the woods before 6.
Chimney Swift 14
Ruby-throated Hummingbird 5
Belted Kingfisher 1
Downy Woodpecker 1
Hairy Woodpecker 1
Eastern Kingbird 240
White-eyed Vireo 1
Red-eyed Vireo 3
Blue Jay 6
American Crow 8
Purple Martin 20
Tree Swallow 20
Bank Swallow 1
Barn Swallow 45
Carolina Chickadee 5
Tufted Titmouse 1
Carolina Wren 6
Blue-gray Gnatcatcher 2
Veery 1
American Robin 5
Gray Catbird 8
Northern Mockingbird 5
European Starling 125
Cedar Waxwing 150
Yellow Warbler 4
Prairie Warbler 1
Black-and-white Warbler 3
American Redstart 5
Northern Waterthrush 5
Common Yellowthroat 2
Northern Cardinal 6
Blue Grosbeak 1
Indigo Bunting 3
Bobolink 350 Southbound
Red-winged Blackbird 180
Common Grackle 4
Baltimore Oriole 2
American Goldfinch 3
House Sparrow 12
Canada Goose 2
Mallard 8
Blue-winged Teal 1
Double-crested Cormorant 35
Osprey 2
Bald Eagle 1 A different bird than the one that has been around Higbee recently
Semipalmated Plover 3 Still have yet to see a juv this fall
Spotted Sandpiper 2
Solitary Sandpiper 1
Greater Yellowlegs 4
Lesser Yellowlegs 12
Sanderling 6
Semipalmated Sandpiper 60 Back to all juvs
Western Sandpiper 1
Least Sandpiper 25
White-rumped Sandpiper 1
Stilt Sandpiper 1
Ruff 1 Flew in with a flock of 5 LEYE. Upper breast and back largely blackish while the head was a bit pale due to incoming basic feathers. Landed on the flats for less than a minute then circled around the impoundments for several times then took off toward Pond Creek. Just before 7:20.
Laughing Gull 120
Herring Gull 16
Great Black-backed Gull 20
Common Tern 3
Forster's Tern 8
Royal Tern 4
Rock Pigeon 5
Mourning Dove 15
Yellow-billed Cuckoo 1
Barred Owl 1 Calling in the woods before 6.
Chimney Swift 14
Ruby-throated Hummingbird 5
Belted Kingfisher 1
Downy Woodpecker 1
Hairy Woodpecker 1
Eastern Kingbird 240
White-eyed Vireo 1
Red-eyed Vireo 3
Blue Jay 6
American Crow 8
Purple Martin 20
Tree Swallow 20
Bank Swallow 1
Barn Swallow 45
Carolina Chickadee 5
Tufted Titmouse 1
Carolina Wren 6
Blue-gray Gnatcatcher 2
Veery 1
American Robin 5
Gray Catbird 8
Northern Mockingbird 5
European Starling 125
Cedar Waxwing 150
Yellow Warbler 4
Prairie Warbler 1
Black-and-white Warbler 3
American Redstart 5
Northern Waterthrush 5
Common Yellowthroat 2
Northern Cardinal 6
Blue Grosbeak 1
Indigo Bunting 3
Bobolink 350 Southbound
Red-winged Blackbird 180
Common Grackle 4
Baltimore Oriole 2
American Goldfinch 3
House Sparrow 12
Morning Flight Thursday August 27 2009
A weak front passed overnight bringing with it a moderate, but enjoyable, morning flight. Mostly Redstarts and Black-and-White Warblers. The total for the day was 652 with 395 warblers counted including 80 unidentified warblers. Flyby Stilt and White-rumped Sandpipers were shorebird highlights. Totals below are for all birds seen and include species or individuals not participating in morning flight.
Location: Cape Island--Higbees Beach SWA--Dike
Observation date: 8/27/09
Number of species: 74
Mallard 4
Double-crested Cormorant 45 2 migrating flocks
Osprey 2
Black-bellied Plover 2
Semipalmated Plover 6
Spotted Sandpiper 3
Solitary Sandpiper 2
Greater Yellowlegs 2
Lesser Yellowlegs 4
Semipalmated Sandpiper 70 Adults made up almost half of todays total
Western Sandpiper 2
Least Sandpiper 30
White-rumped Sandpiper 2
Stilt Sandpiper 2
Short-billed Dowitcher 1
Laughing Gull 120
Ring-billed Gull 2
Herring Gull 12
Great Black-backed Gull 20
Least Tern 1
Common Tern 2
Forster's Tern 8
Royal Tern 3
Rock Pigeon 6
Mourning Dove 14
Chimney Swift 4
Ruby-throated Hummingbird 8
Downy Woodpecker 1
Alder Flycatcher 1
Least Flycatcher 1
Empidonax sp. 1
Eastern Kingbird 300
White-eyed Vireo 1
Red-eyed Vireo 3
Blue Jay 9
American Crow 6
Fish Crow 2
Purple Martin 20
Tree Swallow 35
Barn Swallow 25
Carolina Chickadee 6
Tufted Titmouse 2
Carolina Wren 5
Blue-gray Gnatcatcher 19
Veery 1
American Robin 35
Gray Catbird 9
Northern Mockingbird 4
European Starling 80
Cedar Waxwing 60
Nashville Warbler 2
Northern Parula 3
Yellow Warbler 18
Chestnut-sided Warbler 1
Magnolia Warbler 1
Black-throated Blue Warbler 3
Blackburnian Warbler 3
Prairie Warbler 4
Black-and-white Warbler 41
American Redstart 218
Worm-eating Warbler 1
Northern Waterthrush 19
Field Sparrow 1
Savannah Sparrow 1
Northern Cardinal 6
Blue Grosbeak 1
Indigo Bunting 3
Bobolink 180
Red-winged Blackbird 115
Common Grackle 12
Baltimore Oriole 8
House Finch 6
American Goldfinch 9
House Sparrow 12
Location: Cape Island--Higbees Beach SWA--Dike
Observation date: 8/27/09
Number of species: 74
Mallard 4
Double-crested Cormorant 45 2 migrating flocks
Osprey 2
Black-bellied Plover 2
Semipalmated Plover 6
Spotted Sandpiper 3
Solitary Sandpiper 2
Greater Yellowlegs 2
Lesser Yellowlegs 4
Semipalmated Sandpiper 70 Adults made up almost half of todays total
Western Sandpiper 2
Least Sandpiper 30
White-rumped Sandpiper 2
Stilt Sandpiper 2
Short-billed Dowitcher 1
Laughing Gull 120
Ring-billed Gull 2
Herring Gull 12
Great Black-backed Gull 20
Least Tern 1
Common Tern 2
Forster's Tern 8
Royal Tern 3
Rock Pigeon 6
Mourning Dove 14
Chimney Swift 4
Ruby-throated Hummingbird 8
Downy Woodpecker 1
Alder Flycatcher 1
Least Flycatcher 1
Empidonax sp. 1
Eastern Kingbird 300
White-eyed Vireo 1
Red-eyed Vireo 3
Blue Jay 9
American Crow 6
Fish Crow 2
Purple Martin 20
Tree Swallow 35
Barn Swallow 25
Carolina Chickadee 6
Tufted Titmouse 2
Carolina Wren 5
Blue-gray Gnatcatcher 19
Veery 1
American Robin 35
Gray Catbird 9
Northern Mockingbird 4
European Starling 80
Cedar Waxwing 60
Nashville Warbler 2
Northern Parula 3
Yellow Warbler 18
Chestnut-sided Warbler 1
Magnolia Warbler 1
Black-throated Blue Warbler 3
Blackburnian Warbler 3
Prairie Warbler 4
Black-and-white Warbler 41
American Redstart 218
Worm-eating Warbler 1
Northern Waterthrush 19
Field Sparrow 1
Savannah Sparrow 1
Northern Cardinal 6
Blue Grosbeak 1
Indigo Bunting 3
Bobolink 180
Red-winged Blackbird 115
Common Grackle 12
Baltimore Oriole 8
House Finch 6
American Goldfinch 9
House Sparrow 12
Morning Flight 8/26/09
After the deluge of birds yesterday, today was quite tame. Still the two American Avocets made an appearance to spice things up. There are still a number of Eastern Kingbirds around even after 380 Don counted yesterday. A fair number of them seem to be suffering from acute "Brett Favre Syndrome". Most cannot decide if they are coming or going.
Location: Cape Island--Higbees Beach SWA--Dike
Observation date: 8/26/09
Number of species: 74
Mallard 8
Double-crested Cormorant 6
Green Heron 1
Glossy Ibis 1
Osprey 2
Bald Eagle 1
Cooper's Hawk 1
American Kestrel 1
Peregrine Falcon 1
Semipalmated Plover 8
Killdeer 2
American Avocet 2 back again after missing yesterday.
Spotted Sandpiper 4
Solitary Sandpiper 1
Greater Yellowlegs 6
Lesser Yellowlegs 8
Sanderling 30
Semipalmated Sandpiper 35 Mostly Juveniles. The switch to juvs has happened suddenly in the past few days.
Western Sandpiper 1
Least Sandpiper 35 Mostly very bright juvs.
White-rumped Sandpiper 1
Laughing Gull 140
Ring-billed Gull 2
Herring Gull 8
Great Black-backed Gull 30
Caspian Tern 5
Common Tern 4
Forster's Tern 12
Royal Tern 3
Rock Pigeon 8
Mourning Dove 12
Ruby-throated Hummingbird 8
Belted Kingfisher 1
Red-bellied Woodpecker 1
Downy Woodpecker 3
Great Crested Flycatcher 1
Eastern Kingbird 180 Counted 88
White-eyed Vireo 1
Red-eyed Vireo 3
Blue Jay 6
American Crow 8
Purple Martin 20
Tree Swallow 15
Barn Swallow 65 Most appeared to be on the move again today after milling about in the N wind yesterday
Carolina Chickadee 3
Carolina Wren 8
Blue-gray Gnatcatcher 4
Veery 1
American Robin 16
Gray Catbird 6
Northern Mockingbird 3
Brown Thrasher 1
European Starling 350
Cedar Waxwing 85
Blue-winged Warbler 1
Northern Parula 1
Yellow Warbler 8 Counted 6
Blackburnian Warbler 1
Prairie Warbler 2 Counted 1
Black-and-white Warbler 8 Counted 4
American Redstart 35 Counted 27
Ovenbird 2
Northern Waterthrush 15
Common Yellowthroat 3
Northern Cardinal 12
Blue Grosbeak 1
Indigo Bunting 4 Counted 2
Bobolink 250 High overhead southbound.
Red-winged Blackbird 95
Common Grackle 6
Brown-headed Cowbird 10
Baltimore Oriole 6 Counted 4
House Finch 3
American Goldfinch 5
Location: Cape Island--Higbees Beach SWA--Dike
Observation date: 8/26/09
Number of species: 74
Mallard 8
Double-crested Cormorant 6
Green Heron 1
Glossy Ibis 1
Osprey 2
Bald Eagle 1
Cooper's Hawk 1
American Kestrel 1
Peregrine Falcon 1
Semipalmated Plover 8
Killdeer 2
American Avocet 2 back again after missing yesterday.
Spotted Sandpiper 4
Solitary Sandpiper 1
Greater Yellowlegs 6
Lesser Yellowlegs 8
Sanderling 30
Semipalmated Sandpiper 35 Mostly Juveniles. The switch to juvs has happened suddenly in the past few days.
Western Sandpiper 1
Least Sandpiper 35 Mostly very bright juvs.
White-rumped Sandpiper 1
Laughing Gull 140
Ring-billed Gull 2
Herring Gull 8
Great Black-backed Gull 30
Caspian Tern 5
Common Tern 4
Forster's Tern 12
Royal Tern 3
Rock Pigeon 8
Mourning Dove 12
Ruby-throated Hummingbird 8
Belted Kingfisher 1
Red-bellied Woodpecker 1
Downy Woodpecker 3
Great Crested Flycatcher 1
Eastern Kingbird 180 Counted 88
White-eyed Vireo 1
Red-eyed Vireo 3
Blue Jay 6
American Crow 8
Purple Martin 20
Tree Swallow 15
Barn Swallow 65 Most appeared to be on the move again today after milling about in the N wind yesterday
Carolina Chickadee 3
Carolina Wren 8
Blue-gray Gnatcatcher 4
Veery 1
American Robin 16
Gray Catbird 6
Northern Mockingbird 3
Brown Thrasher 1
European Starling 350
Cedar Waxwing 85
Blue-winged Warbler 1
Northern Parula 1
Yellow Warbler 8 Counted 6
Blackburnian Warbler 1
Prairie Warbler 2 Counted 1
Black-and-white Warbler 8 Counted 4
American Redstart 35 Counted 27
Ovenbird 2
Northern Waterthrush 15
Common Yellowthroat 3
Northern Cardinal 12
Blue Grosbeak 1
Indigo Bunting 4 Counted 2
Bobolink 250 High overhead southbound.
Red-winged Blackbird 95
Common Grackle 6
Brown-headed Cowbird 10
Baltimore Oriole 6 Counted 4
House Finch 3
American Goldfinch 5
Morning Flight Results - Tuesday, August 25 2009
What an amazing morning! Much of the early flightline was well east of the dike, leading to many warbler "sp.'s." Nice diversity overall, 3,217 total birds.
Location: Higbee Beach
Observation date: 8/25/09
Notes: CMBO Morning Flight Count. Add 908 Warbler "sp." D. Freiday official counter with help from Cameron Cox, Vince Elia, Michael O'Brien, Tom Reed. *'d species were not engaged in Morning Flight; many of these species are not considered as part of Morning Flight count. Cold front finally cleared area Monday, high pressure building into area, winds light and generally with north component, northeast early, northwest late.
Number of species: 88
Canada Goose 5 *
Mallard 2 *
Green-winged Teal 2 *
Double-crested Cormorant 50 *
Great Blue Heron 1 *
Great Egret 3 *
Snowy Egret 5 *
Glossy Ibis 3 *
Black Vulture 5 *
Turkey Vulture 25 *
Osprey 5 *
Bald Eagle 1 *
Cooper's Hawk 1 *
Red-tailed Hawk 1 *
Black-bellied Plover 2 *
Semipalmated Plover 10 *
Spotted Sandpiper 1 *
Solitary Sandpiper 4 *
Greater Yellowlegs 2 *
Lesser Yellowlegs 5 *
Sanderling 5 *
Semipalmated Sandpiper 25 *
Laughing Gull 50 *
Ring-billed Gull 5 *
Herring Gull 15 *
Great Black-backed Gull 10 *
Least Tern 1 *
Common Tern 3 *
Forster's Tern 15 *
Royal Tern 5 *
Black Skimmer 1 *
Rock Pigeon 20 *
Mourning Dove 20 *
Ruby-throated Hummingbird 10
Belted Kingfisher 1 *
Downy Woodpecker 3 *
Hairy Woodpecker 1 *
Eastern Wood-Pewee 1
Alder Flycatcher 1 *
Alder/Willow Flycatcher (Traill's) 2 *
Least Flycatcher 1 *
Empidonax sp. 2
Great Crested Flycatcher 3 *
Eastern Kingbird 840
White-eyed Vireo 1 *
Yellow-throated Vireo 1
Warbling Vireo 3
Red-eyed Vireo 8
Fish Crow 10 *
Purple Martin 75 *
Tree Swallow 10 *
Barn Swallow 20 *
Carolina Chickadee 5 *
Carolina Wren 3 *
Blue-gray Gnatcatcher 181
American Robin 2
Gray Catbird 3 *
Northern Mockingbird 4
European Starling 50 *
Cedar Waxwing 135
Blue-winged Warbler 2
Nashville Warbler 6
Northern Parula 1
Yellow Warbler 31
Magnolia Warbler 4
Cape May Warbler 1
Black-throated Blue Warbler 6
Black-throated Green Warbler 1
Prairie Warbler 11
Cerulean Warbler 2
Black-and-white Warbler 92
American Redstart 652
Prothonotary Warbler 2
Ovenbird 3
Northern Waterthrush 44
Louisiana Waterthrush 2
Common Yellowthroat 1 *
Lark Sparrow 1
Northern Cardinal 5 *
Blue Grosbeak 2 *
Indigo Bunting 2 *
Bobolink 183
Red-winged Blackbird 200 *
Common Grackle 20 *
Brown-headed Cowbird 10 *
Baltimore Oriole 82
House Finch 20 *
American Goldfinch 5 *
Location: Higbee Beach
Observation date: 8/25/09
Notes: CMBO Morning Flight Count. Add 908 Warbler "sp." D. Freiday official counter with help from Cameron Cox, Vince Elia, Michael O'Brien, Tom Reed. *'d species were not engaged in Morning Flight; many of these species are not considered as part of Morning Flight count. Cold front finally cleared area Monday, high pressure building into area, winds light and generally with north component, northeast early, northwest late.
Number of species: 88
Canada Goose 5 *
Mallard 2 *
Green-winged Teal 2 *
Double-crested Cormorant 50 *
Great Blue Heron 1 *
Great Egret 3 *
Snowy Egret 5 *
Glossy Ibis 3 *
Black Vulture 5 *
Turkey Vulture 25 *
Osprey 5 *
Bald Eagle 1 *
Cooper's Hawk 1 *
Red-tailed Hawk 1 *
Black-bellied Plover 2 *
Semipalmated Plover 10 *
Spotted Sandpiper 1 *
Solitary Sandpiper 4 *
Greater Yellowlegs 2 *
Lesser Yellowlegs 5 *
Sanderling 5 *
Semipalmated Sandpiper 25 *
Laughing Gull 50 *
Ring-billed Gull 5 *
Herring Gull 15 *
Great Black-backed Gull 10 *
Least Tern 1 *
Common Tern 3 *
Forster's Tern 15 *
Royal Tern 5 *
Black Skimmer 1 *
Rock Pigeon 20 *
Mourning Dove 20 *
Ruby-throated Hummingbird 10
Belted Kingfisher 1 *
Downy Woodpecker 3 *
Hairy Woodpecker 1 *
Eastern Wood-Pewee 1
Alder Flycatcher 1 *
Alder/Willow Flycatcher (Traill's) 2 *
Least Flycatcher 1 *
Empidonax sp. 2
Great Crested Flycatcher 3 *
Eastern Kingbird 840
White-eyed Vireo 1 *
Yellow-throated Vireo 1
Warbling Vireo 3
Red-eyed Vireo 8
Fish Crow 10 *
Purple Martin 75 *
Tree Swallow 10 *
Barn Swallow 20 *
Carolina Chickadee 5 *
Carolina Wren 3 *
Blue-gray Gnatcatcher 181
American Robin 2
Gray Catbird 3 *
Northern Mockingbird 4
European Starling 50 *
Cedar Waxwing 135
Blue-winged Warbler 2
Nashville Warbler 6
Northern Parula 1
Yellow Warbler 31
Magnolia Warbler 4
Cape May Warbler 1
Black-throated Blue Warbler 6
Black-throated Green Warbler 1
Prairie Warbler 11
Cerulean Warbler 2
Black-and-white Warbler 92
American Redstart 652
Prothonotary Warbler 2
Ovenbird 3
Northern Waterthrush 44
Louisiana Waterthrush 2
Common Yellowthroat 1 *
Lark Sparrow 1
Northern Cardinal 5 *
Blue Grosbeak 2 *
Indigo Bunting 2 *
Bobolink 183
Red-winged Blackbird 200 *
Common Grackle 20 *
Brown-headed Cowbird 10 *
Baltimore Oriole 82
House Finch 20 *
American Goldfinch 5 *
Fall 2009 Migration Counts are Underway!
Well, one of them is , anyway, that being Morning Flight, conducted from the dike at Higbee Beach by primary counter Cameron Cox. Cameron will posting his results here soon - check back often to learn neotropical migrants are passing through Cape May, and how many.
Sea Watch Count - 12/22/08
Counter: Dan Berard
Snow Goose - 103
Brant - 23
Canada Goose - 672
Tundra Swan - 16
American Black Duck - 38
Mallard - 13
Green-winged Teal - 89
Greater Scaup - 40
Lesser Scaup - 14
Bufflehead - 21
Red-breasted Merganser - 7
Total - 1,036
Notes: This was the last day of the season for the Avalon Sea Watch. The low temps and high wind seemed to be a swift kick to the undertail coverts for many waterfowl, resulting in a nice showing of ducks, geese, and swans with most flocks relatively low (by high flock 'o geese standards).
Thank you to everyone who made this season possible: everyone at the Cape May Bird Observatory and all the sea hardy visitors!
Sea Watch Count - 12/21/08
Counter: Dan Berard
Snow Goose - 17
Canada Goose - 132
Tundra Swan - 12
Razorbill - 8
Total - 169
Sea Watch Count - 12/20/08
Counter: Dan Berard
Snow Goose - 40
Brant - 225
Canada Goose - 139
American Black Duck - 4
Bufflehead - 2
Red-breasted Merganser - 9
American Oystercatcher - 39
Total - 458
Sea Watch Count - 12/19/08
Counter: Dan Berard
Canada Goose - 6
Surf Scoter - 11
Black Scoter - 58
Red-breasted Merganser - 5
Red-throated Loon - 7
Total - 87
Notes: Low Visibility and rain made viewing conditions poor. Two Sanderlings feeding in the parking lot all afternoon was a plus.
Sea Watch Count - 12/18/08
Counter: Dan Berard
Brant - 21
Greater Scaup - 1
Lesser Scaup - 1
Surf Scoter - 1203
White-winged Scoter - 10
Black Scoter - 3554
Long-tailed Duck - 15
Common Goldeneye - 1
Red-throated Loon - 65
Double-crested Cormorant - 5
Total - 4876
Sea Watch Count - 12/17/08
Counter: Sean Fitzgerald
Snow Goose - 75
Gadwall - 3
American Black Duck - 6
Surf Scoter - 588
White-winged Scoter - 2
Total: 2,489
Notes: Today was my final day conducting the seawatch as I'm heading back to the midwest for a prior obligation. I want to thank everyone who came up and kept me company, kept me well supplied with warm drinks and snacks, and helped me out on the major flight days. Many helped, but I want to especially thank Jon Kauffman, who did a terrific job not only being the interpretive naturalist and interacting with visitors, but also in spotting and counting birds when it got busy. Special thanks also go out to Gail Dwyer and Shaun Bamford for their constant company even on the "slow days", and also to Tony Leukering, Cameron Cox, Glenn Davis, Michael O'Brien, Sam Galick, and Clay Sutton for their assistance on the mega days and for their willingness to drop what they were doing to come help me out. It's been an incredible season and I'm extremely honored to have been a part of a truly spectacular migration phenomenon.
-Sean Fitzgerald
Snow Goose - 75
Gadwall - 3
American Black Duck - 6
Surf Scoter - 588
White-winged Scoter - 2
Black Scoter - 592
dark-winged scoter - 70
dark-winged scoter - 70
Long-tailed Duck - 17
Red-breasted Merganser - 3
Red-throated Loon - 64
Common Loon - 1
Northern Gannet - 1,026
Bonaparte's Gull - 39
Ring-billed Gull - 2
Dovekie - 1Northern Gannet - 1,026
Bonaparte's Gull - 39
Ring-billed Gull - 2
Total: 2,489
Notes: Today was my final day conducting the seawatch as I'm heading back to the midwest for a prior obligation. I want to thank everyone who came up and kept me company, kept me well supplied with warm drinks and snacks, and helped me out on the major flight days. Many helped, but I want to especially thank Jon Kauffman, who did a terrific job not only being the interpretive naturalist and interacting with visitors, but also in spotting and counting birds when it got busy. Special thanks also go out to Gail Dwyer and Shaun Bamford for their constant company even on the "slow days", and also to Tony Leukering, Cameron Cox, Glenn Davis, Michael O'Brien, Sam Galick, and Clay Sutton for their assistance on the mega days and for their willingness to drop what they were doing to come help me out. It's been an incredible season and I'm extremely honored to have been a part of a truly spectacular migration phenomenon.
-Sean Fitzgerald
Sea Watch Count - 12/16/08
Counter: Sean Fitzgerald
Surf Scoter - 374
White-winged Scoter - 7
Total: 1,264
Surf Scoter - 374
White-winged Scoter - 7
Black Scoter - 499
Long-tailed Duck - 5
Red-breasted Merganser - 20
Red-throated Loon - 248
Common Loon - 4
Northern Gannet - 64
Bonaparte's Gull - 32
Ring-billed Gull - 11
Northern Gannet - 64
Bonaparte's Gull - 32
Ring-billed Gull - 11
Total: 1,264
Sea Watch Count - 12/15/08
Counter: Sean Fitzgerald
American Black Duck - 9
Lesser Scaup - 1
Common Eider - 1
Surf Scoter - 411
White-winged Scoter - 12
Total: 1,360
American Black Duck - 9
Lesser Scaup - 1
Common Eider - 1
Surf Scoter - 411
White-winged Scoter - 12
Black Scoter - 545
Long-tailed Duck - 9
Red-breasted Merganser - 25
Red-throated Loon - 180
Common Loon - 1
Horned Grebe - 1
Red-necked Grebe - 1
Northern Gannet - 124
Great Cormorant - 1
Bonaparte's Gull - 37
Razorbill - 2
Horned Grebe - 1
Red-necked Grebe - 1
Northern Gannet - 124
Great Cormorant - 1
Bonaparte's Gull - 37
Razorbill - 2
Total: 1,360
Sea Watch Count - 12/14/08
Counter: Sean Fitzgerald
Canada Goose - 6
American Black Duck - 48
Green-winged Teal - 16
Greater Scaup - 14
Lesser Scaup - 2
King Eider - 1
Common Eider - 1
Harlequin Duck - 1
Surf Scoter - 1,786
White-winged Scoter - 113
Total: 8,197
Canada Goose - 6
American Black Duck - 48
Green-winged Teal - 16
Greater Scaup - 14
Lesser Scaup - 2
King Eider - 1
Common Eider - 1
Harlequin Duck - 1
Surf Scoter - 1,786
White-winged Scoter - 113
Black Scoter - 4,958
dark-winged scoter - 163
dark-winged scoter - 163
Long-tailed Duck - 81
Common Goldeneye - 1
Hooded Merganser - 5
Common Goldeneye - 1
Hooded Merganser - 5
Red-breasted Merganser - 41
Red-throated Loon - 342
Common Loon - 14
Horned Grebe - 2
Northern Gannet - 522
Bonaparte's Gull - 18
Ring-billed Gull - 31
Herring Gull - 18
Great Black-backed Gull - 2
Razorbill - 7
large alcid sp. - 4
Horned Grebe - 2
Northern Gannet - 522
Bonaparte's Gull - 18
Ring-billed Gull - 31
Herring Gull - 18
Great Black-backed Gull - 2
Razorbill - 7
large alcid sp. - 4
Total: 8,197
Sea Watch Count - 12/13/08
Counter: Sean Fitzgerald
Snow Goose - 236
Canada Goose - 1,334
Tundra Swan - 3
American Black Duck - 9
Mallard - 4
Northern Pintail - 3
dabbler sp. - 8
Greater Scaup - 4
Lesser Scaup - 10
Surf Scoter - 172
White-winged Scoter - 24
Total: 6,694
Snow Goose - 236
Canada Goose - 1,334
Tundra Swan - 3
American Black Duck - 9
Mallard - 4
Northern Pintail - 3
dabbler sp. - 8
Greater Scaup - 4
Lesser Scaup - 10
Surf Scoter - 172
White-winged Scoter - 24
Black Scoter - 2,807
dark-winged scoter - 799
dark-winged scoter - 799
Long-tailed Duck - 147
Bufflehead - 4
Common Goldeneye - 4
Bufflehead - 4
Common Goldeneye - 4
Red-breasted Merganser - 62
Red-throated Loon - 747
Common Loon - 7
Horned Grebe - 2
Northern Gannet - 102
Horned Grebe - 2
Northern Gannet - 102
Double-crested Cormorant - 70
Great Cormorant - 1
Laughing Gull - 2
Bonaparte's Gull - 8
Ring-billed Gull - 32
Herring Gull - 83
Great Black-backed Gull - 7
Great Cormorant - 1
Laughing Gull - 2
Bonaparte's Gull - 8
Ring-billed Gull - 32
Herring Gull - 83
Great Black-backed Gull - 7
Total: 6,694
Sea Watch Count - 12/11/08
Observer: Dan Berard
Black Scoter - 32
Long-tailed Duck - 9
Red-breasted Merganser - 43
Red-throated Loon - 19
Total - 103
Sea Watch Count - 12/12/08
Counter: Sean Fitzgerald
Snow Goose - 101
Brant - 20
Canada Goose - 325
American Black Duck - 17
Greater Scaup - 6
Lesser Scaup - 4
Surf Scoter - 76
White-winged Scoter - 5
Total: 2,195
Other birds of note: Continuing 1st year Iceland Gull and Lesser Black-backed Gull, Common Eider (16) and King Eider (both northbound), Marbled Godwit (2 - Townsend's Inlet), and Snow Bunting (1).
Snow Goose - 101
Brant - 20
Canada Goose - 325
American Black Duck - 17
Greater Scaup - 6
Lesser Scaup - 4
Surf Scoter - 76
White-winged Scoter - 5
Black Scoter - 330
Long-tailed Duck - 55
Bufflehead - 3
Common Goldeneye - 1
Bufflehead - 3
Common Goldeneye - 1
Red-breasted Merganser - 6
Red-throated Loon - 438
Common Loon - 11
Red-necked Grebe - 1
Northern Gannet - 542
Red-necked Grebe - 1
Northern Gannet - 542
Double-crested Cormorant - 157
Bonaparte's Gull - 55
Herring Gull - 37
Great Black-backed Gull - 5
Bonaparte's Gull - 55
Herring Gull - 37
Great Black-backed Gull - 5
Total: 2,195
Other birds of note: Continuing 1st year Iceland Gull and Lesser Black-backed Gull, Common Eider (16) and King Eider (both northbound), Marbled Godwit (2 - Townsend's Inlet), and Snow Bunting (1).
Sea Watch Count - 12/10/08
Observer: Dan Berard
American Black Duck - 1
Green-winged Teal - 5
Greater Scaup - 4
Lesser Scaup - 3
Common Goldeneye - 8
Red-breasted Merganser - 39
Red-throated Loon - 57
Total - 117
Note: Heavy fog 75% of the day left visibility almost 0
Sea Watch Count - 12/9/08
Counter: Sean Fitzgerald
Canada Goose - 55
American Black Duck - 6
Mallard - 3
Northern Pintail - 2
Green-winged Teal - 64
Greater Scaup - 31
Lesser Scaup - 19
Surf Scoter - 1,562
White-winged Scoter - 46
Glaucous Gull - 1
Lesser Black-backed Gull - 1
Total: 7,656
Canada Goose - 55
American Black Duck - 6
Mallard - 3
Northern Pintail - 2
Green-winged Teal - 64
Greater Scaup - 31
Lesser Scaup - 19
Surf Scoter - 1,562
White-winged Scoter - 46
Black Scoter - 4,231
dark-winged scoter - 182
dark-winged scoter - 182
Long-tailed Duck - 64
Bufflehead - 17
Common Goldeneye - 3
Hooded Merganser - 23
Bufflehead - 17
Common Goldeneye - 3
Hooded Merganser - 23
Red-breasted Merganser - 261
Ruddy Duck - 1
Ruddy Duck - 1
Red-throated Loon - 596
Common Loon - 2
Horned Grebe - 1
Northern Gannet - 329
Horned Grebe - 1
Northern Gannet - 329
Laughing Gull - 1
Bonaparte's Gull - 94
Bonaparte's Gull - 94
Ring-billed Gull - 60
Iceland Gull - 1Glaucous Gull - 1
Lesser Black-backed Gull - 1
Total: 7,656
Sea Watch Count - 12/8/08
Counter: Sean Fitzgerald
Snow Goose - 10,174
Brant - 159
Canada Goose - 5,377
American Wigeon - 5
American Black Duck - 25
Mallard - 27
Greater Scaup - 79
Lesser Scaup - 24
Harlequin Duck - 1
Surf Scoter - 23
White-winged Scoter - 8
Lesser Black-backed Gull - 1
Total: 21,890
Snow Goose - 10,174
Brant - 159
Canada Goose - 5,377
American Wigeon - 5
American Black Duck - 25
Mallard - 27
Greater Scaup - 79
Lesser Scaup - 24
Harlequin Duck - 1
Surf Scoter - 23
White-winged Scoter - 8
Black Scoter - 1,740
dark-winged scoter - 1,161
dark-winged scoter - 1,161
Long-tailed Duck - 138
Bufflehead - 6
Common Goldeneye - 10
Hooded Merganser - 6
Bufflehead - 6
Common Goldeneye - 10
Hooded Merganser - 6
Red-breasted Merganser - 29
Red-throated Loon - 892
Common Loon - 10
Horned Grebe - 2
Northern Gannet - 942
Double-crested Cormorant - 125
Great Cormorant - 1
Great Blue Heron - 3
Horned Grebe - 2
Northern Gannet - 942
Double-crested Cormorant - 125
Great Cormorant - 1
Great Blue Heron - 3
Laughing Gull - 1
Bonaparte's Gull - 57
Bonaparte's Gull - 57
Ring-billed Gull - 520
Herring Gull - 344Lesser Black-backed Gull - 1
Total: 21,890
Sea Watch Count - 12/7/08
Counter: Sean Fitzgerald
Brant - 3
Canada Goose - 3
Gadwall - 1
American Wigeon - 9
Greater Scaup - 141
Lesser Scaup - 75
Surf Scoter - 211
White-winged Scoter - 21
Forster's Tern - 2
Total: 4,483
Brant - 3
Canada Goose - 3
Gadwall - 1
American Wigeon - 9
Greater Scaup - 141
Lesser Scaup - 75
Surf Scoter - 211
White-winged Scoter - 21
Black Scoter - 2,242
dark-winged scoter - 349
dark-winged scoter - 349
Long-tailed Duck - 24
Bufflehead - 1
Bufflehead - 1
Red-breasted Merganser - 8
Red-throated Loon - 382
Common Loon - 10
Northern Gannet - 756
Double-crested Cormorant - 55
Northern Gannet - 756
Double-crested Cormorant - 55
Laughing Gull - 6
Bonaparte's Gull - 27
Bonaparte's Gull - 27
Ring-billed Gull - 30
Herring Gull - 127Forster's Tern - 2
Total: 4,483
Sea Watch Count - 12/6/08
Counter: Sean Fitzgerald
Brant - 35
Canada Goose - 26
Wood Duck - 5
Gadwall - 2
American Wigeon - 15
American Black Duck - 13
Mallard - 3
Green-winged Teal - 89
dabbler sp. - 41
Greater Scaup - 27
Lesser Scaup - 40
Common Eider - 7
Surf Scoter - 2,338
White-winged Scoter - 115
Total: 15,246
Brant - 35
Canada Goose - 26
Wood Duck - 5
Gadwall - 2
American Wigeon - 15
American Black Duck - 13
Mallard - 3
Green-winged Teal - 89
dabbler sp. - 41
Greater Scaup - 27
Lesser Scaup - 40
Common Eider - 7
Surf Scoter - 2,338
White-winged Scoter - 115
Black Scoter - 6,895
dark-winged scoter - 2,731
dark-winged scoter - 2,731
Long-tailed Duck - 66
Bufflehead - 22
Common Goldeneye - 2
Hooded Merganser - 6
Bufflehead - 22
Common Goldeneye - 2
Hooded Merganser - 6
Red-breasted Merganser - 46
Red-throated Loon - 1,622
Common Loon - 13
Horned Grebe - 3
Northern Gannet - 746
Double-crested Cormorant - 247
Great Cormorant - 1
Horned Grebe - 3
Northern Gannet - 746
Double-crested Cormorant - 247
Great Cormorant - 1
Laughing Gull - 11
Bonaparte's Gull - 31
Bonaparte's Gull - 31
Ring-billed Gull - 48
Total: 15,246
Sea Watch Count - 12/5/08
Counter: Sean Fitzgerald
Wood Duck - 3
American Wigeon - 2
American Black Duck - 4
Mallard - 1
Northern Pintail - 1
Green-winged Teal - 6
dabbler sp. - 35
Redhead - 4
Greater Scaup - 71
Lesser Scaup - 57
Aythya sp. - 14
Harlequin Duck - 1
Surf Scoter - 140
White-winged Scoter - 12
Total: 10,441
Wood Duck - 3
American Wigeon - 2
American Black Duck - 4
Mallard - 1
Northern Pintail - 1
Green-winged Teal - 6
dabbler sp. - 35
Redhead - 4
Greater Scaup - 71
Lesser Scaup - 57
Aythya sp. - 14
Harlequin Duck - 1
Surf Scoter - 140
White-winged Scoter - 12
Black Scoter - 5,345
dark-winged scoter - 953
dark-winged scoter - 953
Long-tailed Duck - 54
Bufflehead - 19
Common Goldeneye - 6
Bufflehead - 19
Common Goldeneye - 6
Red-breasted Merganser - 8
Red-throated Loon - 1,318
Common Loon - 12
Horned Grebe - 1
Northern Gannet - 922
Double-crested Cormorant - 858
Great Cormorant - 4
Horned Grebe - 1
Northern Gannet - 922
Double-crested Cormorant - 858
Great Cormorant - 4
Laughing Gull - 4
Bonaparte's Gull - 5
Bonaparte's Gull - 5
Ring-billed Gull - 107
Herring Gull - 340
Great Black-backed Gull - 2
Razorbill - 1
American Oystercatcher - 131Herring Gull - 340
Great Black-backed Gull - 2
Razorbill - 1
Total: 10,441
Sea Watch Count - 12/4/08
Counter: Dan Berard
Red-breasted Merganser - 7
Red-throated Loon - 31
Double-crested Cormorant - 5
Total - 43
Sea Watch Count - 12/3/08
Counter: Dan Berard
Brant - 1
Green-winged Teal - 8
Red-breasted Merganser - 40
Red-throated Loon - 261
Double-crested Cormorant - 159
Great Cormorant - 1
Great Cormorant - 1
Total - 470
Sea Watch Count - 12/2/08
Counter: Sean Fitzgerald
American Black Duck - 7
Mallard - 1
dabbler sp. - 10
Greater Scaup - 4
Surf Scoter - 111
White-winged Scoter - 8
American Black Duck - 7
Mallard - 1
dabbler sp. - 10
Greater Scaup - 4
Surf Scoter - 111
White-winged Scoter - 8
Black Scoter - 51
dark-winged scoter - 18
dark-winged scoter - 18
Long-tailed Duck - 21
Red-breasted Merganser - 13
Red-throated Loon - 1,083
Common Loon - 31
Horned Grebe - 5
Northern Gannet - 1,184
Double-crested Cormorant - 31
Great Cormorant - 2
Great Blue Heron - 2
Horned Grebe - 5
Northern Gannet - 1,184
Double-crested Cormorant - 31
Great Cormorant - 2
Great Blue Heron - 2
Laughing Gull - 18
Bonaparte's Gull - 10
Bonaparte's Gull - 10
Ring-billed Gull - 57
Total - 2,667
Sea Watch Count - 12/1/08
Counter: Sean Fitzgerald
Other noteworthy sightings: Black Skimmer and Marbled Godwit continue at Townsend's Inlet. A King Eider (young male) was also observed flying north with Common Eider (7) early in the morning.
Snow Goose - 2
Canada Goose - 55
American Black Duck - 5
Northern Pintail - 1
Greater Scaup - 3
Lesser Scaup - 6
Common Eider - 2
Surf Scoter - 212
White-winged Scoter - 18
Canada Goose - 55
American Black Duck - 5
Northern Pintail - 1
Greater Scaup - 3
Lesser Scaup - 6
Common Eider - 2
Surf Scoter - 212
White-winged Scoter - 18
Black Scoter - 50
Long-tailed Duck - 10
Bufflehead - 4
Bufflehead - 4
Red-breasted Merganser - 133
Red-throated Loon - 629
Common Loon - 18
Northern Gannet - 1,054
Brown Pelican - 1
Double-crested Cormorant - 2
Great Cormorant - 1
Northern Gannet - 1,054
Brown Pelican - 1
Double-crested Cormorant - 2
Great Cormorant - 1
Laughing Gull - 11
Bonaparte's Gull - 74
Bonaparte's Gull - 74
Ring-billed Gull - 11
American Oystercatcher - 2
Total - 2,304Other noteworthy sightings: Black Skimmer and Marbled Godwit continue at Townsend's Inlet. A King Eider (young male) was also observed flying north with Common Eider (7) early in the morning.
Sea Watch Count - 11/30/08
Counter: Sean Fitzgerald
Other noteworthy sightings: Black Skimmer (21) and Marbled Godwit (6) continue at Townsend's Inlet
American Black Duck - 2
Greater Scaup - 11
Surf Scoter - 744
White-winged Scoter - 10
Greater Scaup - 11
Surf Scoter - 744
White-winged Scoter - 10
Black Scoter - 1,879
dark-winged scoter - 2,905
dark-winged scoter - 2,905
Long-tailed Duck - 11
Red-breasted Merganser - 116
Red-throated Loon - 250
Common Loon - 4
Northern Gannet - 18
Northern Gannet - 18
Laughing Gull - 31
Bonaparte's Gull - 3
Bonaparte's Gull - 3
Ring-billed Gull - 151
Black-legged Kittiwake - 1
Total - 6,136Other noteworthy sightings: Black Skimmer (21) and Marbled Godwit (6) continue at Townsend's Inlet
Hawk Watch Count 11-30-2008
Official Observer: Seth Cutright
Species Day's Count Month Total Season Total
------------------ ----------- -------------- --------------
Black Vulture 0 109 173
Turkey Vulture 0 625 1071
Osprey 0 21 1010
Bald Eagle 0 36 285
Northern Harrier 0 82 613
Sharp-shinned Hawk 0 512 10931
Cooper's Hawk 0 287 4454
Northern Goshawk 0 4 6
Red-shouldered Hawk 0 163 227
Broad-winged Hawk 0 2 528
Red-tailed Hawk 0 478 737
Rough-legged Hawk 0 0 1
Golden Eagle 0 17 25
American Kestrel 0 29 3021
Merlin 0 9 1263
Peregrine Falcon 0 9 1409
Unknown Accipiter 0 0 0
Unknown Buteo 0 0 0
Unknown Falcon 0 0 0
Unknown Eagle 0 0 0
Unknown Raptor 0 0 1
Mississippi Kite 0 0 2
Swallow-tailed Kite 0 0 1
Swainson's Hawk 0 0 3
Total: 0 2383 25761
Non-raptor Observations:
Around 2,000 Snow Geese flew over the hawk count area. Two large flocks at
around 700 birds each came together to make a large flock. They went over
the parking lot together and then flew around past the lighthouse. They
then flew off to the North, North-East. Then for the rest of the day I saw
a number of smaller flocks going past.
Since this is the last official count day I would just like to thank a few
people. First thanks to Vince Elia and CMBO for the chance to count here.
It has been a great time. Then I would like to thank all of the local Cape
May birders that have been so nice to me, helped me out, and made me feel
welcome here. A big thanks also goes out to all of the Interpretive
Naturalist, Lizzie Condon, Ashley Green, Jon Kauffman, and Melissa Roach,
who did a great job at the hawk watch. Then to the other people I got to
know and live with, Sam Galick, Morning Flight Counter, Erin Cord, Monarch
Intern, and Sean Fitzgerald, Sea Watch Counter, it was great to get to know
you guys, and you are good friends. Last but not least a big thanks goes
out to Swing Counter, Dan Berard. Thanks for helping count the count, and
learning the count here with me. The count has been fun with you Dan.
Here are just a few notes on the totals of the official season. We counted
over 25,000 raptors this season. A new single day high count on 10
November of 14 Golden Eagles was recorded. Over 10,000 Sharp-shinned Hawks
were recorded, and over 1400 Peregrine Falcons. Another highlight was the
first ever Swallow-tailed Kite counted from the hawk watch platform. I
will do another blog post about all of the other totals and other notes
from this season. I will also keep posting the new un-official count
totals and notes for the next two weeks.
Sea Watch Count - 11/29/08
Counter: Sean Fitzgerald
Total - 11,078
Other noteworthy sightings: Black Skimmer (22) at Townsend's Inlet after sunset
Canada Goose - 2
Wood Duck - 1
Gadwall - 7
American Wigeon - 36
Wood Duck - 1
Gadwall - 7
American Wigeon - 36
American Black Duck - 31
Mallard - 9
Northern Shoveler - 1
Northern Pintail - 6
Green-winged Teal - 11
Mallard - 9
Northern Shoveler - 1
Northern Pintail - 6
Green-winged Teal - 11
dabbler sp. - 14
Greater Scaup - 30
Lesser Scaup - 17
Common Eider - 1
Surf Scoter - 801
White-winged Scoter - 21
Greater Scaup - 30
Lesser Scaup - 17
Common Eider - 1
Surf Scoter - 801
White-winged Scoter - 21
Black Scoter - 2,125
dark-winged scoter - 461
dark-winged scoter - 461
Long-tailed Duck - 59
Bufflehead - 6
Bufflehead - 6
Red-breasted Merganser - 13
Red-throated Loon - 1,854
Common Loon - 23
Northern Gannet - 4,639
Double-crested Cormorant - 492
Great Cormorant - 1
Northern Gannet - 4,639
Double-crested Cormorant - 492
Great Cormorant - 1
Laughing Gull - 52
Bonaparte's Gull - 40
Bonaparte's Gull - 40
Ring-billed Gull - 325
Other noteworthy sightings: Black Skimmer (22) at Townsend's Inlet after sunset
Hawk Watch Count 11-29-2008
Official Observer: Seth Cutright
Species Day's Count Month Total Season Total
------------------ ----------- -------------- --------------
Black Vulture 37 109 173
Turkey Vulture 114 625 1071
Osprey 0 21 1010
Bald Eagle 2 36 285
Northern Harrier 5 82 613
Sharp-shinned Hawk 5 512 10931
Cooper's Hawk 14 287 4454
Northern Goshawk 0 4 6
Red-shouldered Hawk 13 163 227
Broad-winged Hawk 0 2 528
Red-tailed Hawk 20 478 737
Rough-legged Hawk 0 0 1
Golden Eagle 0 17 25
American Kestrel 0 29 3021
Merlin 0 9 1263
Peregrine Falcon 0 9 1409
Unknown Accipiter 0 0 0
Unknown Buteo 0 0 0
Unknown Falcon 0 0 0
Unknown Eagle 0 0 0
Unknown Raptor 0 0 1
Mississippi Kite 0 0 2
Swallow-tailed Kite 0 0 1
Swainson's Hawk 0 0 3
Total: 210 2383 25761
Non-raptor Observations:
Not much else was around. More Tree Swallows were seen along with more
American Goldfinch. A few Red-throated Loons and Northern Gannets went by
over the ocean.
Sea Watch Count - 11/28/08
Counter: Sean Fitzgerald
Total - 4,509
Brant - 6
Gadwall - 2
American Wigeon - 3
Gadwall - 2
American Wigeon - 3
American Black Duck - 30
Green-winged Teal - 14
Green-winged Teal - 14
Lesser Scaup - 4
Surf Scoter - 474
White-winged Scoter - 14
Surf Scoter - 474
White-winged Scoter - 14
Black Scoter - 98
Long-tailed Duck - 27
Bufflehead - 2
Bufflehead - 2
Red-breasted Merganser - 26
Red-throated Loon - 1,771
Common Loon - 20
Horned Grebe - 1
Northern Gannet - 1,341
Double-crested Cormorant - 13
Great Cormorant - 1
Great Blue Heron - 7
Northern Gannet - 1,341
Double-crested Cormorant - 13
Great Cormorant - 1
Great Blue Heron - 7
Laughing Gull - 79
Bonaparte's Gull - 352
Little Gull - 1
Bonaparte's Gull - 352
Little Gull - 1
Ring-billed Gull - 221
Iceland Gull - 1
Lesser Black-backed Gull - 1
Iceland Gull - 1
Lesser Black-backed Gull - 1
Hawk Watch Count 11-28-2008
Official Observer: Seth Cutright
Species Day's Count Month Total Season Total
------------------ ----------- -------------- --------------
Black Vulture 0 72 136
Turkey Vulture 0 511 957
Osprey 0 21 1010
Bald Eagle 0 34 283
Northern Harrier 0 77 608
Sharp-shinned Hawk 0 507 10926
Cooper's Hawk 0 273 4440
Northern Goshawk 0 4 6
Red-shouldered Hawk 0 150 214
Broad-winged Hawk 0 2 528
Red-tailed Hawk 0 458 717
Rough-legged Hawk 0 0 1
Golden Eagle 0 17 25
American Kestrel 0 29 3021
Merlin 0 9 1263
Peregrine Falcon 0 9 1409
Unknown Accipiter 0 0 0
Unknown Buteo 0 0 0
Unknown Falcon 0 0 0
Unknown Eagle 0 0 0
Unknown Raptor 0 0 1
Mississippi Kite 0 0 2
Swallow-tailed Kite 0 0 1
Swainson's Hawk 0 0 3
Total: 0 2173 25551
Non-raptor Observations:
The Ash-throated Flycatcher was still around seen in the state park. Not
to much else was seen around the Hawk Watch.
Hawk Watch Count 11-27-2008
Official Observer: Seth Cutright
Species Day's Count Month Total Season Total
------------------ ----------- -------------- --------------
Black Vulture 0 72 136
Turkey Vulture 0 511 957
Osprey 0 21 1010
Bald Eagle 0 34 283
Northern Harrier 0 77 608
Sharp-shinned Hawk 0 507 10926
Cooper's Hawk 0 273 4440
Northern Goshawk 0 4 6
Red-shouldered Hawk 0 150 214
Broad-winged Hawk 0 2 528
Red-tailed Hawk 0 458 717
Rough-legged Hawk 0 0 1
Golden Eagle 0 17 25
American Kestrel 0 29 3021
Merlin 0 9 1263
Peregrine Falcon 0 9 1409
Unknown Accipiter 0 0 0
Unknown Buteo 0 0 0
Unknown Falcon 0 0 0
Unknown Eagle 0 0 0
Unknown Raptor 0 0 1
Mississippi Kite 0 0 2
Swallow-tailed Kite 0 0 1
Swainson's Hawk 0 0 3
Total: 0 2173 25551
Non-raptor Observations:
An Ash-throated Flycatcher was seen from the park today and another near by
land. Not from the hawk watch.
Sea Watch Count - 11/26/08
Counter: Dan Berard
American Black Duck - 2
Green-winged Teal - 11
Red-breasted Merganser - 2
Red-throated Loon - 193
Common Loon - 2
Double-crested Cormorant - 4
Total - 214
Hawk Watch Count 11-26-2008
Official Observer: Seth Cutright
Species Day's Count Month Total Season Total
------------------ ----------- -------------- --------------
Black Vulture 0 72 136
Turkey Vulture 0 511 957
Osprey 0 21 1010
Bald Eagle 0 34 283
Northern Harrier 0 77 608
Sharp-shinned Hawk 0 507 10926
Cooper's Hawk 0 273 4440
Northern Goshawk 0 4 6
Red-shouldered Hawk 0 150 214
Broad-winged Hawk 0 2 528
Red-tailed Hawk 0 458 717
Rough-legged Hawk 0 0 1
Golden Eagle 0 17 25
American Kestrel 0 29 3021
Merlin 0 9 1263
Peregrine Falcon 0 9 1409
Unknown Accipiter 0 0 0
Unknown Buteo 0 0 0
Unknown Falcon 0 0 0
Unknown Eagle 0 0 0
Unknown Raptor 0 0 1
Mississippi Kite 0 0 2
Swallow-tailed Kite 0 0 1
Swainson's Hawk 0 0 3
Total: 0 2173 25551
Non-raptor Observations:
Many American Goldfinch went over in the first few hours of the day. Also
many Red-winged Blackbirds, along with a few Common Grackles and Rusty
Blackbirds flew over.
Sea Watch Count - 11/25/08
Counter: Sean Fitzgerald
Total - 4,072
Brant - 6
American Black Duck - 13
Green-winged Teal - 1
Greater Scaup - 2
Green-winged Teal - 1
Greater Scaup - 2
Lesser Scaup - 2
Surf Scoter - 65
White-winged Scoter - 3
Surf Scoter - 65
White-winged Scoter - 3
Black Scoter - 17
dark-winged scoter - 33
Long-tailed Duck - 3
Bufflehead - 1
Bufflehead - 1
Red-breasted Merganser - 2
Ruddy Duck - 1
Ruddy Duck - 1
Red-throated Loon - 2,198
Common Loon - 27
Northern Gannet - 1,528
Double-crested Cormorant - 52
Great Cormorant - 1
Double-crested Cormorant - 52
Great Cormorant - 1
Laughing Gull - 5
Bonaparte's Gull - 34
Bonaparte's Gull - 34
Ring-billed Gull - 61
Herring Gull - 14
Great Black-backed Gull - 3
Herring Gull - 14
Great Black-backed Gull - 3
Hawk Watch Count 11-25-2008
Official Observer: Dan Berard
Species Day's Count Month Total Season Total
------------------ ----------- -------------- --------------
Black Vulture 0 72 136
Turkey Vulture 0 511 957
Osprey 0 21 1010
Bald Eagle 0 34 283
Northern Harrier 0 77 608
Sharp-shinned Hawk 0 507 10926
Cooper's Hawk 0 273 4440
Northern Goshawk 0 4 6
Red-shouldered Hawk 0 150 214
Broad-winged Hawk 0 2 528
Red-tailed Hawk 0 458 717
Rough-legged Hawk 0 0 1
Golden Eagle 0 17 25
American Kestrel 0 29 3021
Merlin 0 9 1263
Peregrine Falcon 0 9 1409
Unknown Accipiter 0 0 0
Unknown Buteo 0 0 0
Unknown Falcon 0 0 0
Unknown Eagle 0 0 0
Unknown Raptor 0 0 1
Mississippi Kite 0 0 2
Swallow-tailed Kite 0 0 1
Swainson's Hawk 0 0 3
Total: 0 2173 25551
Non-raptor Observations:
A Northern Saw-whet Owl was seen from the platform and then from the side
of the trail. When looking for the Saw-whet a Long-eared Owl was found. A
few White-winged Crossbills flew over with American Goldfinch.
Sea Watch Count - 11/24/08
Counter: Sean Fitzgerald
Snow Goose - 39
Total - 8,017
Snow Goose - 39
Brant - 3
Canada Goose - 52
Gadwall - 1
American Wigeon - 2
Canada Goose - 52
Gadwall - 1
American Wigeon - 2
American Black Duck - 62
Mallard - 15
Northern Shoveler - 1
Green-winged Teal - 53
Greater Scaup - 30
Northern Shoveler - 1
Green-winged Teal - 53
Greater Scaup - 30
Lesser Scaup - 48
Surf Scoter - 329
White-winged Scoter - 28
Surf Scoter - 329
White-winged Scoter - 28
Black Scoter - 5,181
dark-winged scoter - 4
Long-tailed Duck - 14
Bufflehead - 1
Hooded Merganser - 1
Bufflehead - 1
Hooded Merganser - 1
Red-breasted Merganser - 24
Red-throated Loon - 1,137
Common Loon - 16
Horned Grebe - 8
Horned Grebe - 8
Northern Gannet - 768
Great Cormorant - 2
Great Cormorant - 2
Laughing Gull - 9
Bonaparte's Gull - 62
Bonaparte's Gull - 62
Ring-billed Gull - 110
Forster's Tern - 3
Black Skimmer - 14
Forster's Tern - 3
Black Skimmer - 14
Hawk Watch Count 11-24-2008
Official Observer: Dan Berard
Species Day's Count Month Total Season Total
------------------ ----------- -------------- --------------
Black Vulture 0 72 136
Turkey Vulture 0 511 957
Osprey 0 21 1010
Bald Eagle 0 34 283
Northern Harrier 1 77 608
Sharp-shinned Hawk 0 507 10926
Cooper's Hawk 0 273 4440
Northern Goshawk 0 4 6
Red-shouldered Hawk 0 150 214
Broad-winged Hawk 0 2 528
Red-tailed Hawk 0 458 717
Rough-legged Hawk 0 0 1
Golden Eagle 0 17 25
American Kestrel 0 29 3021
Merlin 0 9 1263
Peregrine Falcon 0 9 1409
Unknown Accipiter 0 0 0
Unknown Buteo 0 0 0
Unknown Falcon 0 0 0
Unknown Eagle 0 0 0
Unknown Raptor 0 0 1
Mississippi Kite 0 0 2
Swallow-tailed Kite 0 0 1
Swainson's Hawk 0 0 3
Total: 1 2173 25551
Non-raptor Observations:
A Cackling Goose went over along with a Dickcissel. One Deer was also
seen.
Sea Watch Count - 11/23/08
Counter: Sean Fitzgerald
Snow Goose - 523
Total - 18,062
Snow Goose - 523
Brant - 14
Canada Goose - 4,240
Cackling Goose - 4
Canada Goose - 4,240
Cackling Goose - 4
Tundra Swan - 2
Wood Duck - 1
Gadwall - 5
Wood Duck - 1
Gadwall - 5
American Black Duck - 43
Mallard - 10
Northern Pintail - 6
dabbler sp. - 52
Greater Scaup - 5
dabbler sp. - 52
Greater Scaup - 5
Lesser Scaup - 2
King Eider - 1 (adult male!)
King Eider - 1 (adult male!)
Harlequin Duck - 1
Surf Scoter - 185
Surf Scoter - 185
Black Scoter - 211
dark-winged scoter - 229
Long-tailed Duck - 7
Bufflehead - 10
Hooded Merganser - 2
Bufflehead - 10
Hooded Merganser - 2
Red-breasted Merganser - 51
Red-throated Loon - 2,630
Common Loon - 13
Horned Grebe - 1
Horned Grebe - 1
Northern Gannet - 8,478
Double-crested Cormorant - 170
Great Cormorant - 5
Great Cormorant - 5
Laughing Gull - 17
Ring-billed Gull - 1,048
Herring Gull - 96
Herring Gull - 96
Hawk Watch Count 11-23-2008
Official Observer: Seth Cutright
Species Day's Count Month Total Season Total
------------------ ----------- -------------- --------------
Black Vulture 7 72 136
Turkey Vulture 77 511 957
Osprey 0 21 1010
Bald Eagle 0 34 283
Northern Harrier 0 76 607
Sharp-shinned Hawk 10 507 10926
Cooper's Hawk 19 273 4440
Northern Goshawk 0 4 6
Red-shouldered Hawk 15 150 214
Broad-winged Hawk 0 2 528
Red-tailed Hawk 79 458 717
Rough-legged Hawk 0 0 1
Golden Eagle 1 17 25
American Kestrel 0 29 3021
Merlin 0 9 1263
Peregrine Falcon 0 9 1409
Unknown Accipiter 0 0 0
Unknown Buteo 0 0 0
Unknown Falcon 0 0 0
Unknown Eagle 0 0 0
Unknown Raptor 0 0 1
Mississippi Kite 0 0 2
Swallow-tailed Kite 0 0 1
Swainson's Hawk 0 0 3
Total: 208 2172 25550
Non-raptor Observations:
It was the first really good day for Canada Geese to be on the move. Also
a few Snow Geese flocks went over very, very high up. One Iceland Gull
flew over the platform and parking lot at around 12:45PM or so.
Sea Watch Count - 11/22/08
Counter: Sean Fitzgerald
Snow Goose - 418
Snow Goose - 418
Brant - 22
Canada Goose - 454
Canada Goose - 454
Gadwall - 5
American Wigeon - 24
American Black Duck - 55
Mallard - 16
Northern Shoveler - 1
Northern Shoveler - 1
Northern Pintail - 7
Green-winged Teal - 12
dabbler sp. - 22
Greater Scaup - 22
dabbler sp. - 22
Greater Scaup - 22
Lesser Scaup - 36
Surf Scoter - 281
White-winged Scoter - 2
Black Scoter - 846
dark-winged scoter - 549
Long-tailed Duck - 10
Bufflehead - 4
Bufflehead - 4
Red-breasted Merganser - 33
Red-throated Loon - 237
Common Loon - 3
Horned Grebe - 2
Horned Grebe - 2
Northern Gannet - 665
Double-crested Cormorant - 170
Laughing Gull - 49
Bonaparte's Gull - 37
Ring-billed Gull - 1,103
Lesser Black-backed Gull - 1
Razorbill - 1
Killdeer - 2
Lesser Black-backed Gull - 1
Razorbill - 1
Killdeer - 2
Total - 5,089
Hawk Watch Count 11-22-2008
Official Observer: Seth Cutright
Species Day's Count Month Total Season Total
------------------ ----------- -------------- --------------
Black Vulture 0 65 129
Turkey Vulture 0 434 880
Osprey 0 21 1010
Bald Eagle 0 34 283
Northern Harrier 0 76 607
Sharp-shinned Hawk 0 497 10916
Cooper's Hawk 0 254 4421
Northern Goshawk 0 4 6
Red-shouldered Hawk 0 135 199
Broad-winged Hawk 0 2 528
Red-tailed Hawk 2 379 638
Rough-legged Hawk 0 0 1
Golden Eagle 0 16 24
American Kestrel 0 29 3021
Merlin 0 9 1263
Peregrine Falcon 0 9 1409
Unknown Accipiter 0 0 0
Unknown Buteo 0 0 0
Unknown Falcon 0 0 0
Unknown Eagle 0 0 0
Unknown Raptor 0 0 1
Mississippi Kite 0 0 2
Swallow-tailed Kite 0 0 1
Swainson's Hawk 0 0 3
Total: 2 1964 25342
Non-raptor Observations:
A few Tundra Swans flew over. A or the Wilson's Snip was still around. A
flock of Snow Geese was far away going by. Then about 20 Snow Buntings
came in two times by the pond.
Sea Watch Count - 11/21/08
Counter: Sean Fitzgerald
Snow Goose - 58
Snow Goose - 58
Brant - 96
Canada Goose - 126
Canada Goose - 126
Wood Duck - 3
Gadwall - 13
American Wigeon - 23
American Black Duck - 38
Mallard - 8
Northern Pintail - 1
Green-winged Teal - 61
Greater Scaup - 7
Lesser Scaup - 16
King Eider - 1
Common Eider - 2
King Eider - 1
Common Eider - 2
Surf Scoter - 340
White-winged Scoter - 1
Black Scoter - 1,826
dark-winged scoter - 686
Long-tailed Duck - 3
Bufflehead - 12
Hooded Merganser - 7
Bufflehead - 12
Hooded Merganser - 7
Red-breasted Merganser - 34
Red-throated Loon - 1,056
Common Loon - 26
Northern Gannet - 5,129
Double-crested Cormorant - 83
Great Cormorant - 4
Great Cormorant - 4
Laughing Gull - 33
Bonaparte's Gull - 7
Ring-billed Gull - 916
Herring Gull - 65
Forster's Tern - 3
Royal Tern - 4
American Oystercatcher - 64
American Oystercatcher - 64
Total - 10,752
Hawk Watch Count 11-21-2008
Official Observer: Seth Cutright
Species Day's Count Month Total Season Total
------------------ ----------- -------------- --------------
Black Vulture 0 65 129
Turkey Vulture 41 434 880
Osprey 0 21 1010
Bald Eagle 0 34 283
Northern Harrier 4 76 607
Sharp-shinned Hawk 5 497 10916
Cooper's Hawk 19 254 4421
Northern Goshawk 0 4 6
Red-shouldered Hawk 14 135 199
Broad-winged Hawk 0 2 528
Red-tailed Hawk 46 377 636
Rough-legged Hawk 0 0 1
Golden Eagle 0 16 24
American Kestrel 1 29 3021
Merlin 0 9 1263
Peregrine Falcon 0 9 1409
Unknown Accipiter 0 0 0
Unknown Buteo 0 0 0
Unknown Falcon 0 0 0
Unknown Eagle 0 0 0
Unknown Raptor 0 0 1
Mississippi Kite 0 0 2
Swallow-tailed Kite 0 0 1
Swainson's Hawk 0 0 3
Total: 130 1962 25340
Non-raptor Observations:
A Wilson's Snipe was flying around a few times during the day. 162 Snow
Geese were counted going over in a few different flocks. 1 Bonaparte's
Gull was seen on the pond for a short time. Then many Northern Gannets
were feeding and going by in close later in the day.
Sea Watch Count - 11/20/08
Counter: Dan Berard
Brant - 7
Wood Duck - 28
Gadwall - 25
American Wigeon - 20
American Black Duck - 164
Mallard - 25
Northern Shoveler - 42
Northern Pintail - 24
Green-winged Teal - 204
Redhead - 2
Ring-necked Duck - 7
Greater Scaup - 43
Lesser Scaup - 28
Surf Scoter - 196
White-winged Scoter - 3
Black Scoter - 84
dark-winged scoter - 360
Long-tailed Duck - 11
Red-breasted Merganser - 23
Red-throated Loon - 7,882
Common Loon - 587
Horned Grebe - 2
Northern Gannet - 2,478
Double-crested Cormorant - 98
Great Blue Heron - 2
Laughing Gull - 17
Bonaparte's Gull - 12
Ring-billed Gull - 826
Herring Gull - 249
Great Black-backed Gull - 47
Forster's Tern - 2
Royal Tern - 7
Total - 13,505
Hawk Watch Count 11-20-2008
Official Observer: Seth Cutright
Species Day's Count Month Total Season Total
------------------ ----------- -------------- --------------
Black Vulture 13 65 129
Turkey Vulture 21 393 839
Osprey 0 21 1010
Bald Eagle 0 34 283
Northern Harrier 5 72 603
Sharp-shinned Hawk 2 492 10911
Cooper's Hawk 1 235 4402
Northern Goshawk 1 4 6
Red-shouldered Hawk 2 121 185
Broad-winged Hawk 0 2 528
Red-tailed Hawk 10 331 590
Rough-legged Hawk 0 0 1
Golden Eagle 0 16 24
American Kestrel 0 28 3020
Merlin 0 9 1263
Peregrine Falcon 0 9 1409
Unknown Accipiter 0 0 0
Unknown Buteo 0 0 0
Unknown Falcon 0 0 0
Unknown Eagle 0 0 0
Unknown Raptor 0 0 1
Mississippi Kite 0 0 2
Swallow-tailed Kite 0 0 1
Swainson's Hawk 0 0 3
Total: 55 1832 25210
Non-raptor Observations:
On the pond many duck and waterbird species were around. Hooded
Merganser(8), Mallard(6), American Wigeon(12), Gadwall(50), Green-winged
Teal(160), Ruddy Duck(2), Bufflehead(2), Northern Pintail(1), Northern
Shoveler(4), Mute Swan(2), Tundra Swan(1). Also around were Great Blue
Heron(8), Great Egret(3), American Coot(3), Snow Geese(5), and many Surf and Black Scoters went
by along with Northern Gannets. Also over the ocean were some American
Black Ducks, Red-breasted Merganser(1), Many Red-throated Loons,
Double-crested Cormorants, and Forster's Terns(2). Also a fly by Ruddy
Turnstone over the pond by the hawk watch. Then along with Song Sparrows,
White-throated Sparrows, and Dark-eyed Juncos a Field Sparrow was around
feeding near the hawk watch.
Sea Watch Count - 11/19/08
Counter: Dan Berard
Snow Goose - 16
Brant - 4
American Wigeon - 1
American Black Duck - 2
Green-winged Teal - 21
Greater Scaup - 11
Surf Scoter - 251
White-winged Scoter - 1
Black Scoter - 35
dark-winged scoter - 480
Long-tailed Duck - 3
Red-breasted Merganser - 23
Red-throated Loon - 1,585
Common Loon - 281
Northern Gannet - 281
Double-crested Cormorant - 125
Laughing Gull - 4
Ring-billed Gull - 71
Herring Gull - 135
Great Black-backed Gull - 8
Total - 3,117
Hawk Watch Count 11-19-2008
Official Observer: Seth Cutright
Non-raptor Observations:
Species Day's Count Month Total Season Total
------------------ ----------- -------------- --------------
Black Vulture 0 52 116
Turkey Vulture 33 372 818
Osprey 0 21 1010
Bald Eagle 0 34 283
Northern Harrier 5 67 598
Sharp-shinned Hawk 4 490 10909
Cooper's Hawk 1 234 4401
Northern Goshawk 0 3 5
Red-shouldered Hawk 5 119 183
Broad-winged Hawk 0 2 528
Red-tailed Hawk 42 321 580
Rough-legged Hawk 0 0 1
Golden Eagle 0 16 24
American Kestrel 0 28 3020
Merlin 0 9 1263
Peregrine Falcon 1 9 1409
Unknown Accipiter 0 0 0
Unknown Buteo 0 0 0
Unknown Falcon 0 0 0
Unknown Eagle 0 0 0
Unknown Raptor 0 0 1
Mississippi Kite 0 0 2
Swallow-tailed Kite 0 0 1
Swainson's Hawk 0 0 3
Total: 91 1777 25155
Non-raptor Observations:
A Belted Kingfisher was around in the background area of the hawk watch.
Also a late Wilson's Snip was a fly by. Many sparrows were around and a
good number or species. Song, Fox, White-throated, Chipping, and Dark-eyed
Junco. Over 2,000 Northern Gannets went by and were feeding in close to
the shore. A few flocks of Snow Geese went over for a total of 56.
Sea Watch Count - 11/18/08
Counter: Sean Fitzgerald
Brant - 82
Canada Goose - 31
Tundra Swan - 10
Wood Duck - 3
American Wigeon - 21
American Black Duck - 46
Mallard - 10
Northern Pintail - 9
Green-winged Teal - 97
dabbler sp. - 123
Greater Scaup - 6
Lesser Scaup - 11
aythya sp. - 57
Common Eider - 5
Surf Scoter - 2,537
White-winged Scoter - 19
Black Scoter - 2,272
dark-winged scoter - 7,061
Long-tailed Duck - 53
Bufflehead - 102
Hooded Merganser - 9
Red-breasted Merganser - 28
Red-throated Loon - 2,534
Common Loon - 9
Horned Grebe - 1
Northern Gannet - 5,673
Double-crested Cormorant - 1,456
Great Cormorant - 3
Great Blue Heron - 1
Great Egret - 13
Laughing Gull - 90
Ring-billed Gull - 1,792
Herring Gull - 151
Great Black-backed Gull - 34
Forster's Tern - 13
Royal Tern - 11
Black Skimmer - 49
Razorbill - 1
American Oystercatcher - 5
Total: 24,428
Other birds of note at Seawatch: Snow Bunting (5), Lapland Longspur (1)
And at Townsend's Inlet: Marbled Godwit (8), and Black-headed Gull (1)
Brant - 82
Canada Goose - 31
Tundra Swan - 10
Wood Duck - 3
American Wigeon - 21
American Black Duck - 46
Mallard - 10
Northern Pintail - 9
Green-winged Teal - 97
dabbler sp. - 123
Greater Scaup - 6
Lesser Scaup - 11
aythya sp. - 57
Common Eider - 5
Surf Scoter - 2,537
White-winged Scoter - 19
Black Scoter - 2,272
dark-winged scoter - 7,061
Long-tailed Duck - 53
Bufflehead - 102
Hooded Merganser - 9
Red-breasted Merganser - 28
Red-throated Loon - 2,534
Common Loon - 9
Horned Grebe - 1
Northern Gannet - 5,673
Double-crested Cormorant - 1,456
Great Cormorant - 3
Great Blue Heron - 1
Great Egret - 13
Laughing Gull - 90
Ring-billed Gull - 1,792
Herring Gull - 151
Great Black-backed Gull - 34
Forster's Tern - 13
Royal Tern - 11
Black Skimmer - 49
Razorbill - 1
American Oystercatcher - 5
Total: 24,428
Other birds of note at Seawatch: Snow Bunting (5), Lapland Longspur (1)
And at Townsend's Inlet: Marbled Godwit (8), and Black-headed Gull (1)
Hawk Watch Count 11-18-2008
Official Observer: Dan Berard
Non-raptor Observations:
Species Day's Count Month Total Season Total
------------------ ----------- -------------- --------------
Black Vulture 0 52 116
Turkey Vulture 0 339 785
Osprey 0 21 1010
Bald Eagle 0 34 283
Northern Harrier 6 62 593
Sharp-shinned Hawk 0 486 10905
Cooper's Hawk 0 233 4400
Northern Goshawk 0 3 5
Red-shouldered Hawk 0 114 178
Broad-winged Hawk 0 2 528
Red-tailed Hawk 0 279 538
Rough-legged Hawk 0 0 1
Golden Eagle 0 16 24
American Kestrel 0 28 3020
Merlin 0 9 1263
Peregrine Falcon 0 8 1408
Unknown Accipiter 0 0 0
Unknown Buteo 0 0 0
Unknown Falcon 0 0 0
Unknown Eagle 0 0 0
Unknown Raptor 0 0 1
Mississippi Kite 0 0 2
Swallow-tailed Kite 0 0 1
Swainson's Hawk 0 0 3
Total: 6 1686 25064
Non-raptor Observations:
A Blue-winged Teal was around. Also many Finches went over and a Snow
Goose. Many sparrows were around. Also a few Cave Swallows went over too.
Sea Watch Count - 11/17/08
Counter: Sean Fitzgerald
Canada Goose - 2
Tundra Swan - 39
Wood Duck - 44
Gadwall - 3
American Black Duck - 33
Mallard - 18
Northern Shoveler - 5
Northern Pintail - 3
Green-winged Teal - 664
dabbler sp. - 78
Ring-necked Duck - 2
Greater Scaup - 60
Lesser Scaup - 129
aythya sp. - 51
Surf Scoter - 173
White-winged Scoter - 10
Black Scoter - 37
dark-winged scoter - 148
Long-tailed Duck - 101
Bufflehead - 339
Hooded Merganser - 6
Red-breasted Merganser - 26
Red-throated Loon - 1,085
Common Loon - 13
Northern Gannet - 4,171
Double-crested Cormorant - 886
Great Cormorant - 3
Great Blue Heron - 1
Laughing Gull - 101
Ring-billed Gull - 838
Herring Gull - 57
Lesser Black-backed Gull - 1
Great Black-backed Gull - 5
Common Tern - 2
Forster's Tern - 7
Royal Tern - 4
Parasitic Jaeger - 1
American Oystercatcher - 79
Total: 9,225
Canada Goose - 2
Tundra Swan - 39
Wood Duck - 44
Gadwall - 3
American Black Duck - 33
Mallard - 18
Northern Shoveler - 5
Northern Pintail - 3
Green-winged Teal - 664
dabbler sp. - 78
Ring-necked Duck - 2
Greater Scaup - 60
Lesser Scaup - 129
aythya sp. - 51
Surf Scoter - 173
White-winged Scoter - 10
Black Scoter - 37
dark-winged scoter - 148
Long-tailed Duck - 101
Bufflehead - 339
Hooded Merganser - 6
Red-breasted Merganser - 26
Red-throated Loon - 1,085
Common Loon - 13
Northern Gannet - 4,171
Double-crested Cormorant - 886
Great Cormorant - 3
Great Blue Heron - 1
Laughing Gull - 101
Ring-billed Gull - 838
Herring Gull - 57
Lesser Black-backed Gull - 1
Great Black-backed Gull - 5
Common Tern - 2
Forster's Tern - 7
Royal Tern - 4
Parasitic Jaeger - 1
American Oystercatcher - 79
Total: 9,225
Hawk Watch Count 11-17-2008
Official Observer: Dan Berard
Species Day's Count Month Total Season Total
------------------ ----------- -------------- --------------
Black Vulture 6 52 116
Turkey Vulture 23 339 785
Osprey 4 21 1010
Bald Eagle 10 34 283
Northern Harrier 13 56 587
Sharp-shinned Hawk 6 486 10905
Cooper's Hawk 8 233 4400
Northern Goshawk 0 3 5
Red-shouldered Hawk 3 114 178
Broad-winged Hawk 1 2 528
Red-tailed Hawk 10 279 538
Rough-legged Hawk 0 0 1
Golden Eagle 0 16 24
American Kestrel 2 28 3020
Merlin 0 9 1263
Peregrine Falcon 1 8 1408
Unknown Accipiter 0 0 0
Unknown Buteo 0 0 0
Unknown Falcon 0 0 0
Unknown Eagle 0 0 0
Unknown Raptor 0 0 1
Mississippi Kite 0 0 2
Swallow-tailed Kite 0 0 1
Swainson's Hawk 0 0 3
Total: 87 1680 25058
Sea Watch Count - 11/16/08
Counter: Sean Fitzgerald
Brant - 12
Canada Goose - 23
Tundra Swan - 16
Gadwall - 6
American Wigeon - 8
American Black Duck - 16
Mallard - 7
Northern Pintail - 13
Green-winged Teal - 4
Greater Scaup - 1
Lesser Scaup - 27
Surf Scoter - 72
White-winged Scoter - 1
Black Scoter - 26
dark-winged scoter - 5
Long-tailed Duck - 46
Bufflehead - 213
Common Goldeneye - 1
Red-breasted Merganser - 12
Ruddy Duck - 3
Red-throated Loon - 1,730
Common Loon - 9
Northern Gannet - 1,762
Double-crested Cormorant - 385
Laughing Gull - 94
Bonaparte's Gull - 2
Ring-billed Gull - 52
Herring Gull - 30
Lesser Black-backed Gull - 1
Great Black-backed Gull - 20
Forster's Tern - 11
Royal Tern - 18
jaeger sp. - 1
Total: 4,627
Other birds of note: Cave Swallow (1) and Eastern Bluebird (1)
Brant - 12
Canada Goose - 23
Tundra Swan - 16
Gadwall - 6
American Wigeon - 8
American Black Duck - 16
Mallard - 7
Northern Pintail - 13
Green-winged Teal - 4
Greater Scaup - 1
Lesser Scaup - 27
Surf Scoter - 72
White-winged Scoter - 1
Black Scoter - 26
dark-winged scoter - 5
Long-tailed Duck - 46
Bufflehead - 213
Common Goldeneye - 1
Red-breasted Merganser - 12
Ruddy Duck - 3
Red-throated Loon - 1,730
Common Loon - 9
Northern Gannet - 1,762
Double-crested Cormorant - 385
Laughing Gull - 94
Bonaparte's Gull - 2
Ring-billed Gull - 52
Herring Gull - 30
Lesser Black-backed Gull - 1
Great Black-backed Gull - 20
Forster's Tern - 11
Royal Tern - 18
jaeger sp. - 1
Total: 4,627
Other birds of note: Cave Swallow (1) and Eastern Bluebird (1)
Hawk Watch Count 11-16-2008
Official Observer: Seth Cutright
Species Day's Count Month Total Season Total
------------------ ----------- -------------- --------------
Black Vulture 0 46 110
Turkey Vulture 0 316 762
Osprey 0 17 1006
Bald Eagle 0 24 273
Northern Harrier 2 43 574
Sharp-shinned Hawk 2 480 10899
Cooper's Hawk 1 225 4392
Northern Goshawk 0 3 5
Red-shouldered Hawk 1 111 175
Broad-winged Hawk 0 1 527
Red-tailed Hawk 1 269 528
Rough-legged Hawk 0 0 1
Golden Eagle 0 16 24
American Kestrel 0 26 3018
Merlin 0 9 1263
Peregrine Falcon 0 7 1407
Unknown Accipiter 0 0 0
Unknown Buteo 0 0 0
Unknown Falcon 0 0 0
Unknown Eagle 0 0 0
Unknown Raptor 0 0 1
Mississippi Kite 0 0 2
Swallow-tailed Kite 0 0 1
Swainson's Hawk 0 0 3
Total: 7 1593 24971