We had a strong NE wind through the entire day sending in the salt spray quite well, but then there was not too many birds flying today either; only 4,888.
The only thing of special note is that we had some Hooded Mergansers fly by.
Here is what was seen today:
Brant 1
Wood Duck 4
Gadwall 16
American Black Duck 13
Green-winged Teal 52
Greater Scaup 15
Lesser Scaup 11
Common Eider 2
Surf Scoter 1441
White-winged Scoter 4
Black Scoter 1082
dark-winged scoter sp. 26
Long-tailed Duck 26
Bufflehead 1
Red-breasted Merganser 37
Red-throated Loon 484
Common Loon 19
Double-crested Cormorant 25
Noorthern Gannet 1536
Ring-billed Gull 49
Herring Gull 18
Great Black-backed Gull 12
Royal Tern 2
Hawk Watch Wednesday Novemer 18, 2009
The NE Winds kept a lid on most migration, although there was a decent push for a couple of hours. Things mostly shut down around 11:30 AM and migrant raptors were hard to come by after that. The Swainson's Hawk once again put on a good show, ranging from near the lighthouse to over the Meadows. A Goshawk came going east from the Cape May Point and then what was presumably the same individual was seen briefly a bit later over the State Park.
Non-raptor highlights were at least 6 Cave Swallows (the most seen at any one time, but perhaps up to 10), 3 Barn Swallows, 5 Wilson's Snipe, and the continuing Common Goldeneye on Bunker Pond.
Location: Cape Island--Cape May Point SP--CMBO Hawk Watch
Observation date: 11/18/09
Number of species: 60
Canada Goose 400
Mute Swan 6
Gadwall 25
American Wigeon 250
American Black Duck 10
Mallard 20
Blue-winged Teal 3
Northern Shoveler 25
Green-winged Teal 76
Ring-necked Duck 10
dark-winged scoter sp. 45
Common Goldeneye 1
Red-breasted Merganser 3
Red-throated Loon 1
Common Loon 5
Northern Gannet 50
Double-crested Cormorant 100
Great Blue Heron 5
Great Egret 3
Snowy Egret 1
Black Vulture 10
Turkey Vulture 49
Osprey 1
Bald Eagle 2
Northern Harrier 6
Sharp-shinned Hawk 74
Cooper's Hawk 9
Northern Goshawk 1
Red-shouldered Hawk 11
Swainson's Hawk 1
Red-tailed Hawk 49
American Kestrel 1
Merlin 1
Peregrine Falcon 2
Wilson's Snipe 5
Laughing Gull 1
Ring-billed Gull X
Herring Gull X
Great Black-backed Gull X
Royal Tern 1
Rock Pigeon X
Mourning Dove X
Northern Flicker (Yellow-shafted) 15
Blue Jay X
American Crow X
Tree Swallow 10
Cave Swallow 6
Barn Swallow 3
Red-breasted Nuthatch 2
Carolina Wren 5
American Robin 1200
Northern Mockingbird 2
European Starling X
American Pipit 15
Yellow-rumped Warbler 50
Song Sparrow 8
Northern Cardinal X
Red-winged Blackbird 550
Brown-headed Cowbird 200
American Goldfinch 400
House Sparrow X
Non-raptor highlights were at least 6 Cave Swallows (the most seen at any one time, but perhaps up to 10), 3 Barn Swallows, 5 Wilson's Snipe, and the continuing Common Goldeneye on Bunker Pond.
Location: Cape Island--Cape May Point SP--CMBO Hawk Watch
Observation date: 11/18/09
Number of species: 60
Canada Goose 400
Mute Swan 6
Gadwall 25
American Wigeon 250
American Black Duck 10
Mallard 20
Blue-winged Teal 3
Northern Shoveler 25
Green-winged Teal 76
Ring-necked Duck 10
dark-winged scoter sp. 45
Common Goldeneye 1
Red-breasted Merganser 3
Red-throated Loon 1
Common Loon 5
Northern Gannet 50
Double-crested Cormorant 100
Great Blue Heron 5
Great Egret 3
Snowy Egret 1
Black Vulture 10
Turkey Vulture 49
Osprey 1
Bald Eagle 2
Northern Harrier 6
Sharp-shinned Hawk 74
Cooper's Hawk 9
Northern Goshawk 1
Red-shouldered Hawk 11
Swainson's Hawk 1
Red-tailed Hawk 49
American Kestrel 1
Merlin 1
Peregrine Falcon 2
Wilson's Snipe 5
Laughing Gull 1
Ring-billed Gull X
Herring Gull X
Great Black-backed Gull X
Royal Tern 1
Rock Pigeon X
Mourning Dove X
Northern Flicker (Yellow-shafted) 15
Blue Jay X
American Crow X
Tree Swallow 10
Cave Swallow 6
Barn Swallow 3
Red-breasted Nuthatch 2
Carolina Wren 5
American Robin 1200
Northern Mockingbird 2
European Starling X
American Pipit 15
Yellow-rumped Warbler 50
Song Sparrow 8
Northern Cardinal X
Red-winged Blackbird 550
Brown-headed Cowbird 200
American Goldfinch 400
House Sparrow X
Sea Watch November 17, 2009
Well, at least there wasn't an hour where I saw more Monarchs than Black Scoters at Avalon today. It was certainly not as slow, but the diversity today wasn't quite what it was yesterday. Hundreds of Northern Gannets streamed north early and proceeded to feed around the inlet and points to the north, so none were counted today. Red-breasted Mergansers are becoming more common now, as are Scaup. A late flock of 16 Common Eider and a flock of 31 Great Egrets were the only late-in-the-day highlights.
Location: Avalon Seawatch
Observation date: 11/17/09
Notes: NE Winds, sunny, chilly
Number of species: 34
Brant 28
Wood Duck 2
Gadwall 1
American Wigeon 5
American Black Duck 8
Green-winged Teal 28
Greater Scaup 15
Lesser Scaup 30
Greater/Lesser Scaup 3
Common Eider 29
Surf Scoter 1781
White-winged Scoter 13
Black Scoter 1835
dark-winged scoter sp. 1120
scoter sp. 39
Long-tailed Duck 4
Bufflehead 1
Red-breasted Merganser 44
Red-throated Loon 994
Common Loon 6
Double-crested Cormorant 606
Great Cormorant 1
Great Egret 31
Semipalmated Plover 1
Sanderling X
Purple Sandpiper 4
Dunlin X
Ring-billed Gull 562
Herring Gull 59
Great Black-backed Gull 13
Royal Tern 1
Carolina Wren 1
European Starling 45
Yellow-rumped Warbler 3
Fox Sparrow 1
Boat-tailed Grackle 1
House Sparrow X
Location: Avalon Seawatch
Observation date: 11/17/09
Notes: NE Winds, sunny, chilly
Number of species: 34
Brant 28
Wood Duck 2
Gadwall 1
American Wigeon 5
American Black Duck 8
Green-winged Teal 28
Greater Scaup 15
Lesser Scaup 30
Greater/Lesser Scaup 3
Common Eider 29
Surf Scoter 1781
White-winged Scoter 13
Black Scoter 1835
dark-winged scoter sp. 1120
scoter sp. 39
Long-tailed Duck 4
Bufflehead 1
Red-breasted Merganser 44
Red-throated Loon 994
Common Loon 6
Double-crested Cormorant 606
Great Cormorant 1
Great Egret 31
Semipalmated Plover 1
Sanderling X
Purple Sandpiper 4
Dunlin X
Ring-billed Gull 562
Herring Gull 59
Great Black-backed Gull 13
Royal Tern 1
Carolina Wren 1
European Starling 45
Yellow-rumped Warbler 3
Fox Sparrow 1
Boat-tailed Grackle 1
House Sparrow X
Hawkwatch 11/14-16/09
Cape May
Cape May Point, New Jersey, USA
Daily Raptor Counts: Nov 14, 2009
-------------------------------------------------------------------
Species Day's Count Month Total Season Total
------------------ ----------- -------------- --------------
Black Vulture 0 77 219
Turkey Vulture 0 612 1260
Osprey 3 23 2585
Bald Eagle 0 28 439
Northern Harrier 4 190 808
Sharp-shinned Hawk 25 1272 13318
Cooper's Hawk 1 206 5436
Northern Goshawk 0 3 6
Red-shouldered Hawk 0 284 362
Broad-winged Hawk 0 16 709
Red-tailed Hawk 2 721 1352
Rough-legged Hawk 0 0 0
Golden Eagle 0 4 4
American Kestrel 1 101 3991
Merlin 1 21 1892
Peregrine Falcon 1 10 1183
Unknown Accipiter 0 0 1
Unknown Buteo 0 0 0
Unknown Falcon 0 0 0
Unknown Eagle 0 0 0
Unknown Raptor 0 0 1
Swainson's Hawk 0 1 1
Total: 38 3569 33567
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Observation start time: 07:00:00
Observation end time: 16:00:00
Total observation time: 9 hours
Official Counter: Pete Dunne
Cape May
Cape May Point, New Jersey, USA
Daily Raptor Counts: Nov 15, 2009
-------------------------------------------------------------------
Species Day's Count Month Total Season Total
------------------ ----------- -------------- --------------
Black Vulture 6 83 225
Turkey Vulture 13 625 1273
Osprey 0 23 2585
Bald Eagle 1 29 440
Northern Harrier 4 194 812
Sharp-shinned Hawk 43 1315 13361
Cooper's Hawk 6 212 5442
Northern Goshawk 0 3 6
Red-shouldered Hawk 6 290 368
Broad-winged Hawk 0 16 709
Red-tailed Hawk 11 732 1363
Rough-legged Hawk 0 0 0
Golden Eagle 0 4 4
American Kestrel 1 102 3992
Merlin 0 21 1892
Peregrine Falcon 1 11 1184
Unknown Accipiter 0 0 1
Unknown Buteo 0 0 0
Unknown Falcon 0 0 0
Unknown Eagle 0 0 0
Unknown Raptor 0 0 1
Swainson's Hawk 0 1 1
Total: 92 3661 33659
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Observation start time: 07:00:00
Observation end time: 15:45:00
Total observation time: 8.75 hours
Official Counter: Pete Dunne
Cape May
Cape May Point, New Jersey, USA
Daily Raptor Counts: Nov 16, 2009
-------------------------------------------------------------------
Species Day's Count Month Total Season Total
------------------ ----------- -------------- --------------
Black Vulture 13 96 238
Turkey Vulture 152 777 1425
Osprey 1 24 2586
Bald Eagle 6 35 446
Northern Harrier 21 215 833
Sharp-shinned Hawk 157 1472 13518
Cooper's Hawk 27 239 5469
Northern Goshawk 0 3 6
Red-shouldered Hawk 64 354 432
Broad-winged Hawk 1 17 710
Red-tailed Hawk 241 973 1604
Rough-legged Hawk 0 0 0
Golden Eagle 0 4 4
American Kestrel 13 115 4005
Merlin 1 22 1893
Peregrine Falcon 0 11 1184
Unknown Accipiter 0 0 1
Unknown Buteo 0 0 0
Unknown Falcon 0 0 0
Unknown Eagle 0 0 0
Unknown Raptor 0 0 1
Swainson's Hawk 0 1 1
Total: 697 4358 34356
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Observation start time: 06:45:00
Observation end time: 16:00:00
Total observation time: 9.25 hours
Official Counter: Melissa Roach
Sea Watch Monday November 16, 2009
White-winged Scoters, like the one above showed up in their best numbers in a week today (photo copyright Doug Gochfeld)
It was an entertaining, if moderately slow, day at Avalon. Scoters and Red-throated Loon numbers picked back up slightly, and we had first of the season Black-legged Kittiwake (adult) and Common Goldeneye (female), as well as the second Lesser Black-backed Gull of the season (an adult). A Blue-winged Teal winging south with a handful of Scoters was also nice.
Non-waterbird highlights were 2 flyby Snow Buntings, a Barn Swallow, and at least 5 Purple Sandpipers. There were several Butterflys around, mostly Monarchs but with at least 1 Red Admiral thrown into the mix, and there was even an hour where there were triple the amount of Monarchs (3) as Black Scoters (<3) seen.
Location: Avalon Seawatch
Observation date: 11/16/09
Number of species: 45
Brant 12
Wood Duck 5
Mallard 4
Blue-winged Teal 1
Lesser Scaup 6
Aythya sp. 21
Common Eider 10
Surf Scoter 832
White-winged Scoter 15
Black Scoter 222
dark-winged scoter sp. 105
Long-tailed Duck 3
Bufflehead 29
Common Goldeneye 1
Red-breasted Merganser 13
Red-throated Loon 524
Common Loon 42
Northern Gannet 36
Double-crested Cormorant 429
Great Cormorant 1
Great Egret 19
Turkey Vulture 5
Bald Eagle 2
Northern Harrier 1
Sanderling 45
Purple Sandpiper 5
Dunlin 10
Black-legged Kittiwake 1
Bonaparte's Gull 4
Laughing Gull 3
Ring-billed Gull 87
Herring Gull 61
Lesser Black-backed Gull 1
Great Black-backed Gull 9
Forster's Tern 2
Royal Tern 1
Rock Pigeon X
Barn Swallow 1
American Robin 1
Northern Mockingbird X
European Starling X
Yellow-rumped Warbler (Myrtle) 12
Dark-eyed Junco 1
Snow Bunting 2
Northern Cardinal X
Red-winged Blackbird 1
House Sparrow X
Non-waterbird highlights were 2 flyby Snow Buntings, a Barn Swallow, and at least 5 Purple Sandpipers. There were several Butterflys around, mostly Monarchs but with at least 1 Red Admiral thrown into the mix, and there was even an hour where there were triple the amount of Monarchs (3) as Black Scoters (<3) seen.
Location: Avalon Seawatch
Observation date: 11/16/09
Number of species: 45
Brant 12
Wood Duck 5
Mallard 4
Blue-winged Teal 1
Lesser Scaup 6
Aythya sp. 21
Common Eider 10
Surf Scoter 832
White-winged Scoter 15
Black Scoter 222
dark-winged scoter sp. 105
Long-tailed Duck 3
Bufflehead 29
Common Goldeneye 1
Red-breasted Merganser 13
Red-throated Loon 524
Common Loon 42
Northern Gannet 36
Double-crested Cormorant 429
Great Cormorant 1
Great Egret 19
Turkey Vulture 5
Bald Eagle 2
Northern Harrier 1
Sanderling 45
Purple Sandpiper 5
Dunlin 10
Black-legged Kittiwake 1
Bonaparte's Gull 4
Laughing Gull 3
Ring-billed Gull 87
Herring Gull 61
Lesser Black-backed Gull 1
Great Black-backed Gull 9
Forster's Tern 2
Royal Tern 1
Rock Pigeon X
Barn Swallow 1
American Robin 1
Northern Mockingbird X
European Starling X
Yellow-rumped Warbler (Myrtle) 12
Dark-eyed Junco 1
Snow Bunting 2
Northern Cardinal X
Red-winged Blackbird 1
House Sparrow X
Sea Watch, Sunday November 15, 2009
Today we had just enough birds fly by to break a half-million birds. It was not a fantastic day, having only 1,996 birds, but it was better than yesterday!
I predict that until this unusually warm weather ends, the flights are going to be relatively slow at the sea watch.
Here is what was seen today.
Brant (Atlantic) 7
American Black Duck 2
Greater Scaup 2
Ring-neck Duck 13
Common Eider 2
Surf Scoter 557
White-winged Scoter 2
Black Scoter 112
Dark-Winged 21
Long-tailed Duck 5
Red-breasted Merganser 19
Red-throated Loon 168
Common Loon 48
Northern Gannet 760
Double-crested Cormorant 106
Laughing Gull 2
Ring-billed Gull 107
Herring Gull 3
Forsters Tern 65
American Oystercatcher 4
I predict that until this unusually warm weather ends, the flights are going to be relatively slow at the sea watch.
Here is what was seen today.
Brant (Atlantic) 7
American Black Duck 2
Greater Scaup 2
Ring-neck Duck 13
Common Eider 2
Surf Scoter 557
White-winged Scoter 2
Black Scoter 112
Dark-Winged 21
Long-tailed Duck 5
Red-breasted Merganser 19
Red-throated Loon 168
Common Loon 48
Northern Gannet 760
Double-crested Cormorant 106
Laughing Gull 2
Ring-billed Gull 107
Herring Gull 3
Forsters Tern 65
American Oystercatcher 4
Sea Watch, Saturday November 14, 2009
Today was the first we day that less than a thousand birds were counted since October 3rd. We had only 858 birds fly by today and I suspect tomorrow will prove not to be much better given the warm weather.
Here is a list of birds seen today:
Brant 45
Ring-necked Duck 1
Wood Duck 1
Common Eider 2
Surf Scoter 336
White-winged 6
Black Scoter
Dark-winged 70
Long-tailed Duck 5
Bufflehead 3
Red-breasted Merganser 24
Red-throated Loon 21
Common Loon 36
Northern Gannet 3
Double-crested Cormorants
Laughing Gull 14
Ring-billed Gull 38
Herring Gull 24
Great-black Backed Gull 37
Royal Tern 1
American Oystercatcher 23
Here is a list of birds seen today:
Brant 45
Ring-necked Duck 1
Wood Duck 1
Common Eider 2
Surf Scoter 336
White-winged 6
Black Scoter
Dark-winged 70
Long-tailed Duck 5
Bufflehead 3
Red-breasted Merganser 24
Red-throated Loon 21
Common Loon 36
Northern Gannet 3
Double-crested Cormorants
Laughing Gull 14
Ring-billed Gull 38
Herring Gull 24
Great-black Backed Gull 37
Royal Tern 1
American Oystercatcher 23
Hawkwatch 11/13/09
Cape May
Cape May Point, New Jersey, USA
Daily Raptor Counts: Nov 13, 2009
-------------------------------------------------------------------
Species Day's Count Month Total Season Total
------------------ ----------- -------------- --------------
Black Vulture 0 77 219
Turkey Vulture 0 612 1260
Osprey 0 20 2582
Bald Eagle 0 28 439
Northern Harrier 0 186 804
Sharp-shinned Hawk 0 1247 13293
Cooper's Hawk 0 205 5435
Northern Goshawk 0 3 6
Red-shouldered Hawk 0 284 362
Broad-winged Hawk 0 16 709
Red-tailed Hawk 0 719 1350
Rough-legged Hawk 0 0 0
Golden Eagle 0 4 4
American Kestrel 1 100 3990
Merlin 0 20 1891
Peregrine Falcon 0 9 1182
Unknown Accipiter 0 0 1
Unknown Buteo 0 0 0
Unknown Falcon 0 0 0
Unknown Eagle 0 0 0
Unknown Raptor 0 0 1
Swainson's Hawk 0 1 1
Total: 1 3531 33529
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Observation start time: 06:45:00
Observation end time: 09:15:00
Total observation time: 2.5 hours
Official Counter: Doug Gochfeld
Observers:
Weather:
35 MPH NE Winds, Light rain
Hawk Watch Friday November 13, 2009
Wind and Rain were of course the stories of the mornng, although we didn't go completely raptorless, as an American Kestrel came whipping through the dunes at ne point. After the abbreviated watch I was able to find one of the Eurasian Wigeons (the imature male) hunkered down on Lighthouse Pond as well. 2 relatively distant flyby Glossy Ibis (presumably Glossy, as I would guess they are the same two positively ID'd as such last week) were also an interesting sight for the date.
On non-Hawkwatch news, the area of the jetty at St. Peter's on Cape May point held a raft of 80 Common Eider, 52 Scoter (3 White-winged, 8 Surf), 1 Lesser Scaup, a White-rumped and 4 Purple Sandpipers, and 2 Snow Buntings flew by as well. The Swainson's Hawk continues at the Benaery along with multiple Fox Sparrows, lingering Common Yellowthroats, 4-5 Wilson's Snipe, and ~40 American Pipits.
Location: Cape Island--Cape May Point SP
Observation date: 11/13/09
Number of species: 63
Canada Goose 8
Gadwall 75
American Wigeon 276
Eurasian Wigeon 1
American Black Duck 7
Mallard 10
Northern Shoveler 30
Ring-necked Duck 20
Greater Scaup 1
Lesser Scaup 1
Common Eider 8
Surf Scoter 6
Black Scoter 5
Long-tailed Duck 1
Hooded Merganser 3
Red-breasted Merganser 4
Red-throated Loon 7
Common Loon 1
Pied-billed Grebe 5
Northern Gannet 3
Double-crested Cormorant 15
Great Egret 1
Glossy Ibis 2
Black Vulture 5
Turkey Vulture 3
American Kestrel 1
American Coot 4
Black-bellied Plover 1
American Oystercatcher 1
Greater Yellowlegs 1
Sanderling 20
White-rumped Sandpiper 1
Dunlin 1
Bonaparte's Gull 10
Laughing Gull 5
Ring-billed Gull X
Herring Gull X
Great Black-backed Gull X
Forster's Tern 10
Royal Tern 3
Rock Pigeon X
Mourning Dove X
Blue Jay 2
American Crow X
Fish Crow X
Tree Swallow 2
Carolina Wren 2
Golden-crowned Kinglet X
Eastern Bluebird 10
American Robin X
Northern Mockingbird X
European Starling X
American Pipit 3
Yellow-rumped Warbler 20
Savannah Sparrow 2
Song Sparrow 5
Swamp Sparrow X
White-throated Sparrow X
Dark-eyed Junco 2
Northern Cardinal X
Dickcissel 1
Red-winged Blackbird X
American Goldfinch X
House Sparrow X
On non-Hawkwatch news, the area of the jetty at St. Peter's on Cape May point held a raft of 80 Common Eider, 52 Scoter (3 White-winged, 8 Surf), 1 Lesser Scaup, a White-rumped and 4 Purple Sandpipers, and 2 Snow Buntings flew by as well. The Swainson's Hawk continues at the Benaery along with multiple Fox Sparrows, lingering Common Yellowthroats, 4-5 Wilson's Snipe, and ~40 American Pipits.
Location: Cape Island--Cape May Point SP
Observation date: 11/13/09
Number of species: 63
Canada Goose 8
Gadwall 75
American Wigeon 276
Eurasian Wigeon 1
American Black Duck 7
Mallard 10
Northern Shoveler 30
Ring-necked Duck 20
Greater Scaup 1
Lesser Scaup 1
Common Eider 8
Surf Scoter 6
Black Scoter 5
Long-tailed Duck 1
Hooded Merganser 3
Red-breasted Merganser 4
Red-throated Loon 7
Common Loon 1
Pied-billed Grebe 5
Northern Gannet 3
Double-crested Cormorant 15
Great Egret 1
Glossy Ibis 2
Black Vulture 5
Turkey Vulture 3
American Kestrel 1
American Coot 4
Black-bellied Plover 1
American Oystercatcher 1
Greater Yellowlegs 1
Sanderling 20
White-rumped Sandpiper 1
Dunlin 1
Bonaparte's Gull 10
Laughing Gull 5
Ring-billed Gull X
Herring Gull X
Great Black-backed Gull X
Forster's Tern 10
Royal Tern 3
Rock Pigeon X
Mourning Dove X
Blue Jay 2
American Crow X
Fish Crow X
Tree Swallow 2
Carolina Wren 2
Golden-crowned Kinglet X
Eastern Bluebird 10
American Robin X
Northern Mockingbird X
European Starling X
American Pipit 3
Yellow-rumped Warbler 20
Savannah Sparrow 2
Song Sparrow 5
Swamp Sparrow X
White-throated Sparrow X
Dark-eyed Junco 2
Northern Cardinal X
Dickcissel 1
Red-winged Blackbird X
American Goldfinch X
House Sparrow X
Sea Watch, Friday November 13, 2009
Due to flooding, Seven Mile Island, on which Sea Watch is conducted, was closed off. No observations will be made today.
Sea Watch, Thursday November 12, 2009
Today was painfully slow, so much so that, factoring in the weather, only five hours of counting occurred today.
Here is what was seen:
Green-winged Teal 2
Common Eider 5
Surf Scoter 7
White-winged 2
Dark-winged 1005 (only thirty in the last hour of observation)
Red-breasted Merganser 4
Red-throated Loon 1
Common Loon 1
Northern Gannet 1
Laughing Gull 107
Ring-billed Gull 246
Herring Gull 25
Great-black Backed Gull 32
Lesser-black Backed Gull 1
Here is what was seen:
Green-winged Teal 2
Common Eider 5
Surf Scoter 7
White-winged 2
Dark-winged 1005 (only thirty in the last hour of observation)
Red-breasted Merganser 4
Red-throated Loon 1
Common Loon 1
Northern Gannet 1
Laughing Gull 107
Ring-billed Gull 246
Herring Gull 25
Great-black Backed Gull 32
Lesser-black Backed Gull 1
Sea Watch, Wednesday November 11, 2009
Today seems to be the start of a encore performance of four days of wind and rain that was brought to us by a double Nor'easter weather event; however, this time Ida will be sponsoring this week's venue.
There was not a whole lot seen. Only 6,905 birds, a very very slow day when compared to other days. I had perhaps been expecting more Scoter movement, but only one hour's count broke 1,000 Scoters.
Today continued the trend of setting an ever higher record for Common Eider. Today we had 43 COEI bringing the year to date total to 321.
Here are the totals for today:
Brant (Atlantic) 9
Greater Scaup 11
Common Eider 11
Surf Scoter 318
White-winged Scoter 6
Black Scoter 241
Dark-Winged 5506
Long-tailed Duck 2
Bufflehead 1
Red-breasted Merganser 72
Red-throated Loon 169
Common Loon 12
Northern Gannet 144
Double-crested Cormorant 66
Laughing Gull 94
Ring-billed Gull 141
Herring Gull 25
Great Black-backed Gull 18
Common Tern 1
There was not a whole lot seen. Only 6,905 birds, a very very slow day when compared to other days. I had perhaps been expecting more Scoter movement, but only one hour's count broke 1,000 Scoters.
Today continued the trend of setting an ever higher record for Common Eider. Today we had 43 COEI bringing the year to date total to 321.
Here are the totals for today:
Brant (Atlantic) 9
Greater Scaup 11
Common Eider 11
Surf Scoter 318
White-winged Scoter 6
Black Scoter 241
Dark-Winged 5506
Long-tailed Duck 2
Bufflehead 1
Red-breasted Merganser 72
Red-throated Loon 169
Common Loon 12
Northern Gannet 144
Double-crested Cormorant 66
Laughing Gull 94
Ring-billed Gull 141
Herring Gull 25
Great Black-backed Gull 18
Common Tern 1
Hawkwatch 11/11/09
> Cape May
>
>
> Cape May Point, New Jersey, USA
>
>
> Daily Raptor Counts: Nov 11, 2009
>
>
> -------------------------------------------------------------------
>
>
>
>
>
> Species Day's Count Month Total Season Total
>
>
> ------------------ ----------- -------------- --------------
>
>
> Black Vulture 0 77 219
>
>
> Turkey Vulture 0 612 1260
>
>
> Osprey 0 20 2582
>
>
> Bald Eagle 0 28 439
>
>
> Northern Harrier 1 186 804
>
>
> Sharp-shinned Hawk 1 1247 13293
>
>
> Cooper's Hawk 0 205 5435
>
>
> Northern Goshawk 0 3 6
>
>
> Red-shouldered Hawk 0 284 362
>
>
> Broad-winged Hawk 0 16 709
>
>
> Red-tailed Hawk 0 719 1350
>
>
> Rough-legged Hawk 0 0 0
>
>
> Golden Eagle 0 4 4
>
>
> American Kestrel 0 99 3989
>
>
> Merlin 0 20 1891
>
>
> Peregrine Falcon 0 9 1182
>
>
> Unknown Accipiter 0 0 1
>
>
> Unknown Buteo 0 0 0
>
>
> Unknown Falcon 0 0 0
>
>
> Unknown Eagle 0 0 0
>
>
> Unknown Raptor 0 0 1
>
>
> Swainson's Hawk 0 1 1
>
>
>
>
>
> Total: 2 3530 33528
>
>
> ----------------------------------------------------------------------
>
>
>
>
>
> Observation start time: 06:30:00
>
>
> Observation end time: 09:15:00
>
>
> Total observation time: 2.75 hours
>
>
>
>
>
> Official Counter: Doug Gochfeld
>
>
>
>
>
> Observers:
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> Weather:
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> 25 MPH NE Winds & Rain.
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> Raptor Observations:
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> Non-raptor Observations:
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> 3 Parasitic Jaegers, 1,000+ Northern Gannets, American Pipit.
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> Predictions:
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> NE Winds (30-35 MPH) w/ Rain
Hawk Watch Wednesday November 11, 2009
There were some raptors at the Hawkwatch today. To be more specific there were 4. And only two which were actively migrating (There were also singles of Red-tailed Hawk and Turkey Vulture).
I did count 661 Northern Gannets in one scan, and a good number of them were moving E->W, so 1,000 individuals present would probably be conservative, 3 Parasitic Jaegers living up to their names were also nice. After the washout I explored the Cape May County Airport and found 351 Black-bellied Plovers, 24 Dunlin, 1 Killdeer, and a Merlin.
Location: Cape Island--Cape May Point SP--CMBO Hawk Watch
Observation date: 11/11/09
Number of species: 39
Canada Goose X
Mute Swan X
American Wigeon X
Mallard X
Common Eider 1
Surf Scoter X
Black Scoter X
Red-throated Loon 45
Northern Gannet 1000
Double-crested Cormorant X
Great Blue Heron 3
Great Egret 1
Turkey Vulture 1
Northern Harrier 1
Sharp-shinned Hawk 1
Red-tailed Hawk 1
American Coot X
Laughing Gull X
Ring-billed Gull X
Herring Gull X
Great Black-backed Gull X
Forster's Tern 10
Royal Tern 3
Parasitic Jaeger 3
Rock Pigeon X
Mourning Dove X
Northern Flicker (Yellow-shafted) 3
Blue Jay X
American Crow X
Tree Swallow 5
Northern Mockingbird X
European Starling X
American Pipit 1
Yellow-rumped Warbler X
Savannah Sparrow X
Song Sparrow X
White-throated Sparrow 45
Red-winged Blackbird X
House Sparrow X
I did count 661 Northern Gannets in one scan, and a good number of them were moving E->W, so 1,000 individuals present would probably be conservative, 3 Parasitic Jaegers living up to their names were also nice. After the washout I explored the Cape May County Airport and found 351 Black-bellied Plovers, 24 Dunlin, 1 Killdeer, and a Merlin.
Location: Cape Island--Cape May Point SP--CMBO Hawk Watch
Observation date: 11/11/09
Number of species: 39
Canada Goose X
Mute Swan X
American Wigeon X
Mallard X
Common Eider 1
Surf Scoter X
Black Scoter X
Red-throated Loon 45
Northern Gannet 1000
Double-crested Cormorant X
Great Blue Heron 3
Great Egret 1
Turkey Vulture 1
Northern Harrier 1
Sharp-shinned Hawk 1
Red-tailed Hawk 1
American Coot X
Laughing Gull X
Ring-billed Gull X
Herring Gull X
Great Black-backed Gull X
Forster's Tern 10
Royal Tern 3
Parasitic Jaeger 3
Rock Pigeon X
Mourning Dove X
Northern Flicker (Yellow-shafted) 3
Blue Jay X
American Crow X
Tree Swallow 5
Northern Mockingbird X
European Starling X
American Pipit 1
Yellow-rumped Warbler X
Savannah Sparrow X
Song Sparrow X
White-throated Sparrow 45
Red-winged Blackbird X
House Sparrow X
Hawkwatch 11/10/09
Cape May
Cape May Point, New Jersey, USA
Daily Raptor Counts: Nov 10, 2009
-------------------------------------------------------------------
Species Day's Count Month Total Season Total
------------------ ----------- -------------- --------------
Black Vulture 0 77 219
Turkey Vulture 0 612 1260
Osprey 0 20 2582
Bald Eagle 0 28 439
Northern Harrier 4 185 803
Sharp-shinned Hawk 20 1246 13292
Cooper's Hawk 2 205 5435
Northern Goshawk 0 3 6
Red-shouldered Hawk 1 284 362
Broad-winged Hawk 0 16 709
Red-tailed Hawk 1 719 1350
Rough-legged Hawk 0 0 0
Golden Eagle 0 4 4
American Kestrel 0 99 3989
Merlin 0 20 1891
Peregrine Falcon 0 9 1182
Unknown Accipiter 0 0 1
Unknown Buteo 0 0 0
Unknown Falcon 0 0 0
Unknown Eagle 0 0 0
Unknown Raptor 0 0 1
Swainson's Hawk 0 1 1
Total: 28 3528 33526
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Observation start time: 06:30:00
Observation end time: 16:00:00
Total observation time: 9.5 hours
Official Counter: Melissa Roach
Observers:
Weather:
Calm and overcast
Raptor Observations:
Non-raptor Observations:
Cave Swallow
Predictions:
Strong NE Winds and Rain
Sea Watch Tuesday November 10, 2009
Gannets and Gulls were the name of the game today at the Seawatch. Red-throated Loons still put on a good show, but dabbling ducks and scoters were notably absent. If the data we have is correct then the single day Northern Gannet record got broken by about 30%. 2 Blue-winged Teals and a flock of 11 Common Eiders (8 of which were adult males) were the waterfowl highlights, and a group of 7 Snow Buntings coming off the water and continuing south were my first of the season.
Location: Avalon Seawatch
Observation date: 11/10/09
Number of species: 42
Snow Goose 1
Brant (Atlantic) 9
American Black Duck 2
Blue-winged Teal 2
Greater Scaup 11
Lesser Scaup 16
Common Eider 11
Surf Scoter 406
White-winged Scoter 3
Black Scoter 592
Long-tailed Duck 8
Bufflehead 5
Red-breasted Merganser 2
Red-throated Loon 1172
Common Loon 6
Horned Grebe 1
Northern Gannet 9437
Double-crested Cormorant 452
Great Cormorant 3
Northern Harrier 1
Black-bellied Plover 1
Killdeer 1
Sanderling 25
Purple Sandpiper 7
Dunlin 75
Bonaparte's Gull 93
Laughing Gull 1053
Ring-billed Gull 487
Herring Gull 139
Great Black-backed Gull 49
Forster's Tern 37
Royal Tern 11
Parasitic Jaeger 3
American Robin 3
Northern Mockingbird 2
European Starling X
American Pipit 1
Yellow-rumped Warbler (Myrtle) 15
Dark-eyed Junco 2
Snow Bunting 7
Boat-tailed Grackle 1
House Sparrow X
Location: Avalon Seawatch
Observation date: 11/10/09
Number of species: 42
Snow Goose 1
Brant (Atlantic) 9
American Black Duck 2
Blue-winged Teal 2
Greater Scaup 11
Lesser Scaup 16
Common Eider 11
Surf Scoter 406
White-winged Scoter 3
Black Scoter 592
Long-tailed Duck 8
Bufflehead 5
Red-breasted Merganser 2
Red-throated Loon 1172
Common Loon 6
Horned Grebe 1
Northern Gannet 9437
Double-crested Cormorant 452
Great Cormorant 3
Northern Harrier 1
Black-bellied Plover 1
Killdeer 1
Sanderling 25
Purple Sandpiper 7
Dunlin 75
Bonaparte's Gull 93
Laughing Gull 1053
Ring-billed Gull 487
Herring Gull 139
Great Black-backed Gull 49
Forster's Tern 37
Royal Tern 11
Parasitic Jaeger 3
American Robin 3
Northern Mockingbird 2
European Starling X
American Pipit 1
Yellow-rumped Warbler (Myrtle) 15
Dark-eyed Junco 2
Snow Bunting 7
Boat-tailed Grackle 1
House Sparrow X
Sea Watch Monday November 9, 2009
Avalon was almost completely socked in with fog and haze for the first couple of hours this morning, making for "interesting" conditions for watching the water, although all the silhouette viewing was very instructive. The highlight for me as watching a Greater Snow Goose barrel by on the ocean while not doing a very good job blending into a mixed Scoter flock.
Location: Avalon Seawatch
Observation date: 11/9/09
Notes: Low Visibility, especially early (<1 mile for the first 2 hours).
Number of species: 39
Snow Goose 1
Brant 5
Wood Duck 12
Gadwall 16
American Wigeon 3
American Black Duck 32
Northern Pintail 2
Green-winged Teal 10
Greater Scaup 12
Lesser Scaup 2
Common Eider 3
Surf Scoter 1546
Black Scoter 4636
dark-winged scoter sp. 520
Long-tailed Duck 7
Bufflehead 7
Hooded Merganser 7
Red-breasted Merganser 23
Red-throated Loon 1416
Common Loon 8
Northern Gannet 2287
Double-crested Cormorant 302
Great Cormorant 2
Semipalmated Plover 3
Sanderling 8
Purple Sandpiper 4
Dunlin 2
Bonaparte's Gull 8
Laughing Gull 195
Ring-billed Gull 162
Herring Gull 48
Great Black-backed Gull 39
Royal Tern 8
Rock Pigeon X
European Starling X
Song Sparrow 2
Dark-eyed Junco 1
Red-winged Blackbird 15
House Finch 2
House Sparrow X
Location: Avalon Seawatch
Observation date: 11/9/09
Notes: Low Visibility, especially early (<1 mile for the first 2 hours).
Number of species: 39
Snow Goose 1
Brant 5
Wood Duck 12
Gadwall 16
American Wigeon 3
American Black Duck 32
Northern Pintail 2
Green-winged Teal 10
Greater Scaup 12
Lesser Scaup 2
Common Eider 3
Surf Scoter 1546
Black Scoter 4636
dark-winged scoter sp. 520
Long-tailed Duck 7
Bufflehead 7
Hooded Merganser 7
Red-breasted Merganser 23
Red-throated Loon 1416
Common Loon 8
Northern Gannet 2287
Double-crested Cormorant 302
Great Cormorant 2
Semipalmated Plover 3
Sanderling 8
Purple Sandpiper 4
Dunlin 2
Bonaparte's Gull 8
Laughing Gull 195
Ring-billed Gull 162
Herring Gull 48
Great Black-backed Gull 39
Royal Tern 8
Rock Pigeon X
European Starling X
Song Sparrow 2
Dark-eyed Junco 1
Red-winged Blackbird 15
House Finch 2
House Sparrow X
Hawk Watch Totals: November 7-9, 2009
Cape May
Cape May Point, New Jersey, USA
Daily Raptor Counts: Nov 09, 2009
-------------------------------------------------------------------
Species Day's Count Month Total Season Total
------------------ ----------- -------------- --------------
Black Vulture 14 77 219
Turkey Vulture 78 612 1260
Osprey 0 20 2582
Bald Eagle 0 28 439
Northern Harrier 16 181 799
Sharp-shinned Hawk 99 1226 13272
Cooper's Hawk 17 203 5433
Northern Goshawk 0 3 6
Red-shouldered Hawk 12 283 361
Broad-winged Hawk 0 16 709
Red-tailed Hawk 66 718 1349
Rough-legged Hawk 0 0 0
Golden Eagle 0 4 4
American Kestrel 4 99 3989
Merlin 1 20 1891
Peregrine Falcon 0 9 1182
Unknown Accipiter 0 0 1
Unknown Buteo 0 0 0
Unknown Falcon 0 0 0
Unknown Eagle 0 0 0
Unknown Raptor 0 0 1
Swainson's Hawk 0 1 1
Total: 307 3500 33498
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Observation start time: 06:30:00
Observation end time: 16:00:00
Total observation time: 9.5 hours
Official Counter: Pete Dunne
Cape May
Cape May Point, New Jersey, USA
Daily Raptor Counts: Nov 08, 2009
-------------------------------------------------------------------
Species Day's Count Month Total Season Total
------------------ ----------- -------------- --------------
Black Vulture 10 63 205
Turkey Vulture 42 534 1182
Osprey 0 20 2582
Bald Eagle 0 28 439
Northern Harrier 15 165 783
Sharp-shinned Hawk 119 1127 13173
Cooper's Hawk 23 186 5416
Northern Goshawk 1 3 6
Red-shouldered Hawk 8 271 349
Broad-winged Hawk 0 16 709
Red-tailed Hawk 47 652 1283
Rough-legged Hawk 0 0 0
Golden Eagle 0 4 4
American Kestrel 5 95 3985
Merlin 0 19 1890
Peregrine Falcon 0 9 1182
Unknown Accipiter 0 0 1
Unknown Buteo 0 0 0
Unknown Falcon 0 0 0
Unknown Eagle 0 0 0
Unknown Raptor 0 0 1
Swainson's Hawk 1 1 1
Total: 271 3193 33191
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Observation start time: 06:30:00
Observation end time: 16:00:00
Total observation time: 9.5 hours
Official Counter: Pete Dunne
Cape May
Cape May Point, New Jersey, USA
Daily Raptor Counts: Nov 07, 2009
-------------------------------------------------------------------
Species Day's Count Month Total Season Total
------------------ ----------- -------------- --------------
Black Vulture 13 53 195
Turkey Vulture 164 492 1140
Osprey 2 20 2582
Bald Eagle 4 28 439
Northern Harrier 12 150 768
Sharp-shinned Hawk 48 1008 13054
Cooper's Hawk 22 163 5393
Northern Goshawk 0 2 5
Red-shouldered Hawk 19 263 341
Broad-winged Hawk 1 16 709
Red-tailed Hawk 78 605 1236
Rough-legged Hawk 0 0 0
Golden Eagle 1 4 4
American Kestrel 4 90 3980
Merlin 3 19 1890
Peregrine Falcon 1 9 1182
Unknown Accipiter 0 0 1
Unknown Buteo 0 0 0
Unknown Falcon 0 0 0
Unknown Eagle 0 0 0
Unknown Raptor 0 0 1
Total: 372 2922 32920
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Observation start time: 06:00:00
Observation end time: 16:00:00
Total observation time: 10 hours
Official Counter: Pete Dunne
Sea Watch, Sunday November 8, 2009
The day started out warmer then the 30 degrees that was forecasted early this morning, so the layers quickly came off.
The first hour was a little chaotic with a strong push of both Gannets and Red-throated loon; 1294 and 827 respectively. It is no surprise that we had set a new season high for each of these species today; NOGA = 5,426 RTLO = 3,523.
Other than those two species, there was not a great movement of other species. We had a few sightings of Bonaparte's Gull, Parasitic Jaegar (one almost over the jetty!), a Brown Pelican, a Green Heron, and 2 Snow Geese that came close down the bar.
Before I post the listing for the day I want to give a shout out to the family from New York that stayed at the Sea Watch for the whole day; from near sunrise to close to sunset. You guys are awesome to make the trip to have your son experience the Sea Watch even when it was as slow as it was today.
Now here is a list of birds seen today:
Brant (Atlantic) 16
American Black Duck 14
Northern Shoveler 3
Green-winged Teal 3
Ruddy Duck 1
Greater Scaup 8
Lesser Scaup 3
Scaup sp. 10
Surf Scoter 1160
White-winged Scoter 3
Black Scoter 513
dark-winged scoter sp. 120
Long-tailed Duck 3
Buffelhead 2
Red-breasted Merganser 2
Red-throated Loon 3523
Common Loon 127
Horned Grebe 3
Northern Gannet 5426
Double-crested Cormorant 272
Green Heron 1
Laughing Gull 192
Bonaparte's Gull 20
Ring-billed Gull 144
Herring Gull 98
Great Black-backed Gull 100
Forster's Tern 43
Royal Tern 21
Parasitic Jaegar 4
American Oystercatcher 5
The first hour was a little chaotic with a strong push of both Gannets and Red-throated loon; 1294 and 827 respectively. It is no surprise that we had set a new season high for each of these species today; NOGA = 5,426 RTLO = 3,523.
Other than those two species, there was not a great movement of other species. We had a few sightings of Bonaparte's Gull, Parasitic Jaegar (one almost over the jetty!), a Brown Pelican, a Green Heron, and 2 Snow Geese that came close down the bar.
Before I post the listing for the day I want to give a shout out to the family from New York that stayed at the Sea Watch for the whole day; from near sunrise to close to sunset. You guys are awesome to make the trip to have your son experience the Sea Watch even when it was as slow as it was today.
Now here is a list of birds seen today:
Brant (Atlantic) 16
American Black Duck 14
Northern Shoveler 3
Green-winged Teal 3
Ruddy Duck 1
Greater Scaup 8
Lesser Scaup 3
Scaup sp. 10
Surf Scoter 1160
White-winged Scoter 3
Black Scoter 513
dark-winged scoter sp. 120
Long-tailed Duck 3
Buffelhead 2
Red-breasted Merganser 2
Red-throated Loon 3523
Common Loon 127
Horned Grebe 3
Northern Gannet 5426
Double-crested Cormorant 272
Green Heron 1
Laughing Gull 192
Bonaparte's Gull 20
Ring-billed Gull 144
Herring Gull 98
Great Black-backed Gull 100
Forster's Tern 43
Royal Tern 21
Parasitic Jaegar 4
American Oystercatcher 5
Sea Watch, Saturday November 7, 2009
Today was a beautiful day at the Sea Watch. The strong movement of scoters of the previous two days died down a bit today with only 10,000+ birds. Instead today we had a good movement of dabblers, especially Green Winged Teal, Black ducks, and Wood Ducks. We also had a good movement of Red-throated Loon and Northern Gannets.
Here is a list of birds seen today:
Brant (Atlantic) 82
Wood Duck 109
American Black Duck 226
Gadwall 2
Mallard 32
American Wigeon 14
Northern Pintail 47
Blue-winged Teal 5
Green-winged Teal 1050
Greater Scaup 60
Lesser Scaup 45
Ring-necked Duck 4
Scaup sp. 86
Common Eider 35
Surf Scoter 2464
White-winged Scoter 28
Black Scoter 5671
dark-winged scoter sp. 2669
Long-tailed Duck 9
Buffelhead 13
Hooded Merganser 8
Red-breasted Merganser 20
Red-throated Loon 2865
Common Loon 31
Northern Gannet 4616
Double-crested Cormorant 1072
Great Egret 10
Laughing Gull 19
Bonaparte's Gull 2
Ring-billed Gull 399
Herring Gull 129
Great Black-backed Gull 46
Forster's Tern 277
Royal Tern 18
Here is a list of birds seen today:
Brant (Atlantic) 82
Wood Duck 109
American Black Duck 226
Gadwall 2
Mallard 32
American Wigeon 14
Northern Pintail 47
Blue-winged Teal 5
Green-winged Teal 1050
Greater Scaup 60
Lesser Scaup 45
Ring-necked Duck 4
Scaup sp. 86
Common Eider 35
Surf Scoter 2464
White-winged Scoter 28
Black Scoter 5671
dark-winged scoter sp. 2669
Long-tailed Duck 9
Buffelhead 13
Hooded Merganser 8
Red-breasted Merganser 20
Red-throated Loon 2865
Common Loon 31
Northern Gannet 4616
Double-crested Cormorant 1072
Great Egret 10
Laughing Gull 19
Bonaparte's Gull 2
Ring-billed Gull 399
Herring Gull 129
Great Black-backed Gull 46
Forster's Tern 277
Royal Tern 18
Hawkwatch 11/06/09
Cape May
Cape May Point, New Jersey, USA
Daily Raptor Counts: Nov 06, 2009
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Species Day's Count Month Total Season Total
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Black Vulture 14 40 182
Turkey Vulture 111 328 976
Osprey 4 18 2580
Bald Eagle 12 24 435
Northern Harrier 41 138 756
Sharp-shinned Hawk 257 960 13006
Cooper's Hawk 14 141 5371
Northern Goshawk 1 2 5
Red-shouldered Hawk 143 244 322
Broad-winged Hawk 2 15 708
Red-tailed Hawk 302 527 1158
Rough-legged Hawk 0 0 0
Golden Eagle 1 3 3
American Kestrel 37 86 3976
Merlin 6 16 1887
Peregrine Falcon 0 8 1181
Unknown Accipiter 0 0 1
Unknown Buteo 0 0 0
Unknown Falcon 0 0 0
Unknown Eagle 0 0 0
Unknown Raptor 0 0 1
Total: 945 2550 32548
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Observation start time: 06:15:00
Observation end time: 16:45:00
Total observation time: 10.5 hours
Official Counter: Doug Gochfeld
Observers:
Weather:
15-25 MPH NW Winds, clear sky.
Raptor Observations:
Juvenile Northern Goshawk 12:17 PM
Juvenile Golden Eagle 2:30 PM
Non-raptor Observations:
Hudsonian Godwit, 3 Wilson's Snipe, American Woodcock, AMerican Bittern, 2
Cave Swallows, Bank Swallow, 3 Common Eider, 7 Semipalmated Plover.
Sea Watch, Friday November 6, 2009
The day started off chilly as I arrived early to prepare for a potential big day. Well, it was a good number day (the largest of the season so far), but it was not a "big day." Since today was not a big day I am beginning accept that there might not be a big day this season at all, and that the big day is being split into several smaller day.
The weather called for high winds out of the NW, and it came, which pushed a lot of the birds far out to sea.
It was a good number day with over 22,000 scoter moving through, and over 1,000 Red-throated Loons. We had another sighting of a Harlequin Duck and a King Eider today, and we had our first Mute Swans (everyones' favorite bird) of the season. Of further note, today we broke the Sea Watch Common Eider record in a season with coming 71 individuals counted today putting our seasonal count of COEI to 229 birds.
Here is a list of bird seen today:
Brant (Atlantic) 26
Wood Duck 36
American Black Duck 10
Northern Pintail 8
Green-winged Teal 144
Lesser Scaup 3
Scaup sp. 28
King Eider 1
Common Eider 71
Harlequin 1
Surf Scoter 4090
White-winged Scoter 28
Black Scoter 8803
dark-winged scoter sp. 11359
Long-tailed Duck 12
Buffelhead 11
Red-breasted Merganser 12
Red-throated Loon 1463
Common Loon 14
Northern Gannet 1096
Double-crested Cormorant 868
Great Egret 23
Snowy Egret 2
Laughing Gull 83
Ring-billed Gull 59
Herring Gull 27
Great Black-backed Gull 3
Forster's Tern 67
Royal Tern 7
American Oystercatcher 6
Mute Swan 4
Horned Grebe 1
The weather called for high winds out of the NW, and it came, which pushed a lot of the birds far out to sea.
It was a good number day with over 22,000 scoter moving through, and over 1,000 Red-throated Loons. We had another sighting of a Harlequin Duck and a King Eider today, and we had our first Mute Swans (everyones' favorite bird) of the season. Of further note, today we broke the Sea Watch Common Eider record in a season with coming 71 individuals counted today putting our seasonal count of COEI to 229 birds.
Here is a list of bird seen today:
Brant (Atlantic) 26
Wood Duck 36
American Black Duck 10
Northern Pintail 8
Green-winged Teal 144
Lesser Scaup 3
Scaup sp. 28
King Eider 1
Common Eider 71
Harlequin 1
Surf Scoter 4090
White-winged Scoter 28
Black Scoter 8803
dark-winged scoter sp. 11359
Long-tailed Duck 12
Buffelhead 11
Red-breasted Merganser 12
Red-throated Loon 1463
Common Loon 14
Northern Gannet 1096
Double-crested Cormorant 868
Great Egret 23
Snowy Egret 2
Laughing Gull 83
Ring-billed Gull 59
Herring Gull 27
Great Black-backed Gull 3
Forster's Tern 67
Royal Tern 7
American Oystercatcher 6
Mute Swan 4
Horned Grebe 1
Hawk Watch Friday November 6, 2009
Yet another bad photo of a good bird: this the Golden Eagle that appeared north of the platform at around 2:30 this afternoon (photo copyright Doug Gochfeld)The strong Northwest winds made for yet another extremely interesting day at the Hawkwatch (as they've all been recently). The hawk flight was great, with well over 400 Buteos (447 to be exact), good numbers of Kestrels, Harriers, and Sharp-shinned Hawks and single juveniles of Northern Goshawk and Golden Eagle.
Not only was the raptor flight very good, but I observed 86 species of bird from the platform today, pretty good for having only 2 species of Warbler. Among the highlights were a (presumably THE) Hudsonian Godwit flying on almost the exact reverse path of the one from yesterday, 3 Wilson's Snipe, an American Bittern, 2 Cave Swallows, a Bank Swallow, and 3 Common Eiders flying by on Ocean. The Northern Gannet show this morning almost on-shore at times was simply spectacular, and the day was ended with a Cooper's Hawk screaming along after an American Woodcock over the State Park Parking Lot.
eBird list:
Location: Cape Island--Cape May Point SP--CMBO Hawk Watch
Observation date: 11/6/09
Notes: Strong (15-25 MPH sustained) NW Winds. Clear sky. Huge Gannet show
early.
Number of species: 86
Brant 1 Juvenile on Bunker Pond
Canada Goose X
Mute Swan 6
Wood Duck 2
Gadwall X
American Wigeon X
American Black Duck X
Mallard X
Northern Shoveler X
Northern Pintail 5
Green-winged Teal 35
Ring-necked Duck 8
Common Eider 3
Surf Scoter X
Black Scoter X
dark-winged scoter sp. X
Hooded Merganser 4
Ruddy Duck 40
Red-throated Loon 1
Common Loon 12
Pied-billed Grebe 6
Northern Gannet 580
Double-crested Cormorant X
American Bittern 1
Great Blue Heron 10
Great Egret 2
Black Vulture 14
Turkey Vulture 111
Osprey 4
Bald Eagle 12
Northern Harrier 41
Sharp-shinned Hawk 257
Cooper's Hawk 14
Northern Goshawk 1
Red-shouldered Hawk 143
Broad-winged Hawk 2
Red-tailed Hawk 312
Golden Eagle 1
American Kestrel 37
Merlin 6
American Coot 35
Semipalmated Plover 7
Killdeer 4
Hudsonian Godwit 1
Wilson's Snipe 3
American Woodcock 1 Being chased across the parking lot by a Cooper's
Hawk in the late afternon
Ring-billed Gull X
Herring Gull X
Great Black-backed Gull X
Forster's Tern X
Royal Tern X
Rock Pigeon X
Mourning Dove X
Northern Flicker (Yellow-shafted) X
Blue Jay X
American Crow X
Fish Crow X
Tree Swallow 50
Bank Swallow 1
Cave Swallow 2
Barn Swallow 8
Carolina Chickadee X
Red-breasted Nuthatch X
Carolina Wren X
Golden-crowned Kinglet X
Ruby-crowned Kinglet X
Eastern Bluebird 65
American Robin 7500
Gray Catbird X
Northern Mockingbird X
European Starling X
American Pipit 10
Cedar Waxwing X
Yellow-rumped Warbler X
Palm Warbler 4
Song Sparrow 15
Swamp Sparrow 2
White-throated Sparrow 2
White-crowned Sparrow 1
Northern Cardinal X
Red-winged Blackbird 7000
Rusty Blackbird 2
Brown-headed Cowbird 2
Purple Finch 1
House Finch X
American Goldfinch X
House Sparrow X
Sea Watch, Thursday November 5, 2009
To sum up.
Tomorrow may be the big day judging from the pick up in birds later on in the day and staying strong for the best of the day.
So to keep it short here is a list of birds seen today.
Brant (Atlantic) 36
Wood Duck 49
American Wigeon 1
American Black Duck 734
Green-winged Teal 201
Greater Scaup 20
Lesser Scaup 3
Common Eider 3
Surf Scoter 2182
White-winged Scoter 22
Black Scoter 8025
dark-winged scoter sp. 9997
Long-tailed Duck 8
Red-breasted Merganser 10
Red-throated Loon 735
Common Loon 46
Northern Gannet 4771
Double-crested Cormorant 590
Great Cormorant 2
Great Blue Heron 7
Great Egret 18
Snowy Egret 1
Laughing Gull 120
Bonaparte's Gull 6
Ring-billed Gull 59
Herring Gull 33
Great Black-backed Gull 11
Forster's Tern 144
Royal Tern 7
Parasitic Jaegar 7
American Oystercatcher 48
Tomorrow may be the big day judging from the pick up in birds later on in the day and staying strong for the best of the day.
So to keep it short here is a list of birds seen today.
Brant (Atlantic) 36
Wood Duck 49
American Wigeon 1
American Black Duck 734
Green-winged Teal 201
Greater Scaup 20
Lesser Scaup 3
Common Eider 3
Surf Scoter 2182
White-winged Scoter 22
Black Scoter 8025
dark-winged scoter sp. 9997
Long-tailed Duck 8
Red-breasted Merganser 10
Red-throated Loon 735
Common Loon 46
Northern Gannet 4771
Double-crested Cormorant 590
Great Cormorant 2
Great Blue Heron 7
Great Egret 18
Snowy Egret 1
Laughing Gull 120
Bonaparte's Gull 6
Ring-billed Gull 59
Herring Gull 33
Great Black-backed Gull 11
Forster's Tern 144
Royal Tern 7
Parasitic Jaegar 7
American Oystercatcher 48
Hawkwatch 11/05/09
Cape May
Cape May Point, New Jersey, USA
Daily Raptor Counts: Nov 05, 2009
-------------------------------------------------------------------
Species Day's Count Month Total Season Total
------------------ ----------- -------------- --------------
Black Vulture 12 26 168
Turkey Vulture 51 217 865
Osprey 2 14 2576
Bald Eagle 2 12 423
Northern Harrier 10 97 715
Sharp-shinned Hawk 191 703 12749
Cooper's Hawk 27 127 5357
Northern Goshawk 0 1 4
Red-shouldered Hawk 28 101 179
Broad-winged Hawk 0 13 706
Red-tailed Hawk 99 225 856
Rough-legged Hawk 0 0 0
Golden Eagle 0 2 2
American Kestrel 4 49 3939
Merlin 0 10 1881
Peregrine Falcon 0 8 1181
Unknown Accipiter 0 0 1
Unknown Buteo 0 0 0
Unknown Falcon 0 0 0
Unknown Eagle 0 0 0
Unknown Raptor 0 0 1
Total: 426 1605 31603
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Observation start time: 06:15:00
Observation end time: 16:00:00
Total observation time: 9.75 hours
Official Counter: Doug Gochfeld
Observers:
Weather:
Light NNE winds for most of the day, switching to slightly stronger NNW/NW
in the afternoon. Mostly clear all day.
Raptor Observations:
Non-raptor Observations:
Hudsonian Godwit, 2 Cave Swallows, American Bittern, 2 Glossy Ibis,
Northern Rough-winged Swallow, White-winged Scoter, Parasitic Jaeger,
9,000+ American Robins.
Predictions:
Strong (~25 MPH) NW Winds through most of the day, decreasing to ~15 during
the last couple f hours f the count day).
Hawk Watch Thursday November 5, 2009
Digi-binned shot of the Hudsonian Godwit that flew by the platform this morning (copyright Doug Gochfeld)Another interesting day at the Hawkwatch, although the light winds and cloudless sky made for another high raptor flight. Hudsonian Godwit (initially spotted by Michael O'Brien), American Bittern, 2 Glossy Ibis, and 2 Cave Swallows were the non-raptor highlights.
Location: Cape Island--Cape May Point SP--CMBO Hawk Watch
Observation date: 11/5/09
Number of species: 78
Canada Goose X
Mute Swan X
Gadwall X
American Wigeon X
American Black Duck X
Mallard X
Northern Shoveler X
Northern Pintail 2
Green-winged Teal 25
Ring-necked Duck 8
Surf Scoter 150
White-winged Scoter 1
Black Scoter 2000
dark-winged scoter sp. 2500
Hooded Merganser 4
Ruddy Duck 35
Red-throated Loon 9
Common Loon 8
Pied-billed Grebe 6
Northern Gannet X
Double-crested Cormorant X
American Bittern 1
Great Blue Heron 2
Great Egret 1
Glossy Ibis 2
Black Vulture 16
Turkey Vulture 84
Osprey 2
Bald Eagle 2
Northern Harrier 10
Sharp-shinned Hawk 191
Cooper's Hawk 27
Red-shouldered Hawk 28
Red-tailed Hawk 99
American Kestrel 4
American Coot 20
Killdeer 10
Hudsonian Godwit 1
Laughing Gull X
Ring-billed Gull X
Herring Gull X
Great Black-backed Gull X
Forster's Tern 150
Royal Tern X
Parasitic Jaeger 1
Rock Pigeon X
Mourning Dove X
Red-bellied Woodpecker 2
Northern Flicker (Yellow-shafted) 25
Blue Jay X
American Crow X
Fish Crow X
Tree Swallow 500
Northern Rough-winged Swallow 1
Cave Swallow 2
Barn Swallow 1
Red-breasted Nuthatch 1
Carolina Wren 6
Eastern Bluebird 25
American Robin 9500
Northern Mockingbird X
European Starling X
American Pipit 20
Cedar Waxwing X
Yellow-rumped Warbler (Myrtle) 200
Palm Warbler 5
Blackpoll Warbler 1
Field Sparrow 1
Song Sparrow 8
Swamp Sparrow 5
White-throated Sparrow 3
White-crowned Sparrow 2
Northern Cardinal X
Red-winged Blackbird 2000
Eastern Meadowlark 8
Brown-headed Cowbird 15
House Finch 2
American Goldfinch 150
House Sparrow X
Sea Watch, Wednesday November 4, 2009
It was another beautiful day at Sea Watch, but still no big day.
We had a moderate day at Sea Watch with ~15,000 birds passing through. We had 41 Long-tailed Ducks today and we had the first Horned Grebe of the season.
Here is a list of birds seen today:
Brant (Atlantic) 16
Canada Goose 23
Snow Goose
Wood Duck 4
American Black Duck 70
Mallard 5
Northern Pintail 47
Green-winged Teal 166
Ring-necked Duck 1
Greater Scaup 59
Lesser Scaup 4
Aythya sp. 3
Common Eider 5
Surf Scoter 1156
White-winged Scoter 29
Black Scoter 6671
dark-winged scoter sp. 3746
Long-tailed Duck 41
Bufflehead 1
Red-breasted Merganser 9
Ruddy Duck 3
Red-throated Loon 188
Common Loon 6
Northern Gannet 1742
Double-crested Cormorant 900
Laughing Gull 119
Ring-billed Gull 221
Herring Gull 43
Great Black-backed Gull 11
Forster's Tern 96
Royal Tern 7
Parasitic Jaegar 2
American Oystercatcher 15
We had a moderate day at Sea Watch with ~15,000 birds passing through. We had 41 Long-tailed Ducks today and we had the first Horned Grebe of the season.
Here is a list of birds seen today:
Brant (Atlantic) 16
Canada Goose 23
Snow Goose
Wood Duck 4
American Black Duck 70
Mallard 5
Northern Pintail 47
Green-winged Teal 166
Ring-necked Duck 1
Greater Scaup 59
Lesser Scaup 4
Aythya sp. 3
Common Eider 5
Surf Scoter 1156
White-winged Scoter 29
Black Scoter 6671
dark-winged scoter sp. 3746
Long-tailed Duck 41
Bufflehead 1
Red-breasted Merganser 9
Ruddy Duck 3
Red-throated Loon 188
Common Loon 6
Northern Gannet 1742
Double-crested Cormorant 900
Laughing Gull 119
Ring-billed Gull 221
Herring Gull 43
Great Black-backed Gull 11
Forster's Tern 96
Royal Tern 7
Parasitic Jaegar 2
American Oystercatcher 15
Hawkwatch 11/04/09
Cape May
Cape May Point, New Jersey, USA
Daily Raptor Counts: Nov 04, 2009
-------------------------------------------------------------------
Species Day's Count Month Total Season Total
------------------ ----------- -------------- --------------
Black Vulture 14 14 156
Turkey Vulture 95 166 814
Osprey 6 12 2574
Bald Eagle 6 10 421
Northern Harrier 4 87 705
Sharp-shinned Hawk 103 512 12558
Cooper's Hawk 57 100 5330
Northern Goshawk 1 1 4
Red-shouldered Hawk 34 73 151
Broad-winged Hawk 13 13 706
Red-tailed Hawk 91 126 757
Rough-legged Hawk 0 0 0
Golden Eagle 1 2 2
American Kestrel 10 45 3935
Merlin 2 10 1881
Peregrine Falcon 1 8 1181
Unknown Accipiter 0 0 1
Unknown Buteo 0 0 0
Unknown Falcon 0 0 0
Unknown Eagle 0 0 0
Unknown Raptor 0 0 1
Total: 438 1179 31177
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Observation start time: 06:00:00
Observation end time: 16:00:00
Total observation time: 10 hours
Official Counter: Doug Gochfeld
Observers:
Weather:
Raptor Observations:
juvenile Northern Goshawk @ 8:50 AM
juvenile Golden Eagle @ 1:45 PM
Non-raptor Observations:
Dickcissel, 12,000+ American Robins, 100+ Eastern Bluebirds, Northern Rough-winged Swallow, 2 Barn Swallows.
Hawkwatch 11/03/09
Cape May
Cape May Point, New Jersey, USA
Daily Raptor Counts: Nov 03, 2009
-------------------------------------------------------------------
Species Day's Count Month Total Season Total
------------------ ----------- -------------- --------------
Black Vulture 0 0 142
Turkey Vulture 62 71 719
Osprey 1 6 2568
Bald Eagle 3 4 415
Northern Harrier 15 83 701
Sharp-shinned Hawk 268 409 12455
Cooper's Hawk 21 43 5273
Northern Goshawk 0 0 3
Red-shouldered Hawk 31 39 117
Broad-winged Hawk 0 0 693
Red-tailed Hawk 24 35 666
Rough-legged Hawk 0 0 0
Golden Eagle 0 1 1
American Kestrel 13 35 3925
Merlin 1 8 1879
Peregrine Falcon 3 7 1180
Unknown Accipiter 0 0 1
Unknown Buteo 0 0 0
Unknown Falcon 0 0 0
Unknown Eagle 0 0 0
Unknown Raptor 0 0 1
Total: 442 741 30739
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Observation start time: 06:15:00
Observation end time: 16:00:00
Total observation time: 9.75 hours
Official Counter: Melissa Roach
Hawkwatch 11/02/09
Cape May
Cape May Point, New Jersey, USA
Daily Raptor Counts: Nov 02, 2009
-------------------------------------------------------------------
Species Day's Count Month Total Season Total
------------------ ----------- -------------- --------------
Black Vulture 0 0 142
Turkey Vulture 9 9 657
Osprey 4 5 2567
Bald Eagle 1 1 412
Northern Harrier 48 68 686
Sharp-shinned Hawk 113 141 12187
Cooper's Hawk 15 22 5252
Northern Goshawk 0 0 3
Red-shouldered Hawk 5 8 86
Broad-winged Hawk 0 0 693
Red-tailed Hawk 7 11 642
Rough-legged Hawk 0 0 0
Golden Eagle 1 1 1
American Kestrel 17 22 3912
Merlin 5 7 1878
Peregrine Falcon 2 4 1177
Unknown Accipiter 0 0 1
Unknown Buteo 0 0 0
Unknown Falcon 0 0 0
Unknown Eagle 0 0 0
Unknown Raptor 0 0 1
Total: 227 299 30297
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Observation start time: 06:30:00
Observation end time: 16:00:00
Total observation time: 9.5 hours
Official Counter: Melissa Roach
Observers:
Weather:
Raptor Observations:
Non-raptor Observations:
Hawkwatch Totals 11/01/09
Cape May
Cape May Point, New Jersey, USA
Daily Raptor Counts: Nov 01, 2009
-------------------------------------------------------------------
Species Day's Count Month Total Season Total
------------------ ----------- -------------- --------------
Black Vulture 0 0 142
Turkey Vulture 0 0 648
Osprey 1 1 2563
Bald Eagle 0 0 411
Northern Harrier 20 20 638
Sharp-shinned Hawk 28 28 12063
Cooper's Hawk 7 7 5236
Northern Goshawk 0 0 3
Red-shouldered Hawk 3 3 81
Broad-winged Hawk 0 0 693
Red-tailed Hawk 4 4 635
Rough-legged Hawk 0 0 0
Golden Eagle 0 0 0
American Kestrel 5 5 3894
Merlin 2 2 1873
Peregrine Falcon 2 2 1174
Unknown Accipiter 0 0 1
Unknown Buteo 0 0 0
Unknown Falcon 0 0 0
Unknown Eagle 0 0 0
Unknown Raptor 0 0 1
Total: 72 72 30056
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Observation start time: 06:45:00
Observation end time: 15:00:00
Total observation time: 0 hours
Official Counter: Vince Elia
Weather:
Rain in the afternoon
Hawk Watch Wednesday November 4, 2009
There was a strong push of passerines going north over the State Park this morning, with the majority being American Robins, but with lots of Blackbirds, American Bluebirds, and scattered American Pipits and Brown-headed Cowbirds.
The raptor flight got high early, and it was a decent day for Buteos and Turkey Vultures (there were 86 TVs in view at one time early on). Red-shouldereds were in view for most of the day, and the highlight was a cooperative juvenile Golden Eagle which was soaring in view of the platform for almost 15 minutes before heading over the bay towards Delaware.
Other highlights were a lingering Northern Rough-winged Swallow, 2 Barn Swallows, and a Bald Eagle soaring overhead carrying a Pied-billed Grebe in its talons (It was the highest I've ever seen a Pied-billed Grebe). Pete Riley reported Gray-cheeked Thrush (Red Trail), Field Sparrow, Blackpoll Warbler, and Baltimore Oriole from his mid-day walk on the State Park Trails
Location: Cape Island--Cape May Point SP--CMBO Hawk Watch
Observation date: 11/4/09
Notes: N/NNE Winds, shifting South after midday
Number of species: 77
American Black Duck 85
Mallard X
Northern Shoveler 30
Northern Pintail 70
Green-winged Teal 8
Ring-necked Duck 8
Surf Scoter X
Black Scoter X
Bufflehead 1
Hooded Merganser 2
Ruddy Duck 35
Common Loon 11
Pied-billed Grebe 7
Northern Gannet X
Double-crested Cormorant X
Great Blue Heron 2
Great Egret 2
Black Vulture 14
Turkey Vulture 95
Osprey 6
Bald Eagle 6
Northern Harrier 4
Sharp-shinned Hawk 103
Cooper's Hawk 57
Northern Goshawk 1
Red-shouldered Hawk 34
Broad-winged Hawk 13
Red-tailed Hawk 91
Golden Eagle 1
American Kestrel 10
Merlin 2
Peregrine Falcon 1
American Coot 25
Killdeer 12
Laughing Gull X
Ring-billed Gull X
Herring Gull X
Great Black-backed Gull X
Forster's Tern X
Royal Tern X
Black Skimmer 150
Rock Pigeon X
Mourning Dove X
Red-bellied Woodpecker 4
Hairy Woodpecker 1
Northern Flicker (Yellow-shafted) 15
Blue Jay X
American Crow X
Fish Crow X
Tree Swallow 250
Northern Rough-winged Swallow 1
Barn Swallow 2
Carolina Chickadee X
Red-breasted Nuthatch 1
Carolina Wren 5
Golden-crowned Kinglet 1
Ruby-crowned Kinglet 2
Eastern Bluebird 75
American Robin 12000
Northern Mockingbird 2
European Starling X
American Pipit 20
Yellow-rumped Warbler 150
Palm Warbler 3
Song Sparrow 15
Swamp Sparrow 8
White-throated Sparrow 5
White-crowned Sparrow 2
Dark-eyed Junco (Slate-colored) 1
Northern Cardinal 5
Dickcissel 1
Red-winged Blackbird 1200
Common Grackle 8
Brown-headed Cowbird 25
Purple Finch X
House Finch 5
American Goldfinch 400
House Sparrow X
The raptor flight got high early, and it was a decent day for Buteos and Turkey Vultures (there were 86 TVs in view at one time early on). Red-shouldereds were in view for most of the day, and the highlight was a cooperative juvenile Golden Eagle which was soaring in view of the platform for almost 15 minutes before heading over the bay towards Delaware.
Other highlights were a lingering Northern Rough-winged Swallow, 2 Barn Swallows, and a Bald Eagle soaring overhead carrying a Pied-billed Grebe in its talons (It was the highest I've ever seen a Pied-billed Grebe). Pete Riley reported Gray-cheeked Thrush (Red Trail), Field Sparrow, Blackpoll Warbler, and Baltimore Oriole from his mid-day walk on the State Park Trails
Location: Cape Island--Cape May Point SP--CMBO Hawk Watch
Observation date: 11/4/09
Notes: N/NNE Winds, shifting South after midday
Number of species: 77
American Black Duck 85
Mallard X
Northern Shoveler 30
Northern Pintail 70
Green-winged Teal 8
Ring-necked Duck 8
Surf Scoter X
Black Scoter X
Bufflehead 1
Hooded Merganser 2
Ruddy Duck 35
Common Loon 11
Pied-billed Grebe 7
Northern Gannet X
Double-crested Cormorant X
Great Blue Heron 2
Great Egret 2
Black Vulture 14
Turkey Vulture 95
Osprey 6
Bald Eagle 6
Northern Harrier 4
Sharp-shinned Hawk 103
Cooper's Hawk 57
Northern Goshawk 1
Red-shouldered Hawk 34
Broad-winged Hawk 13
Red-tailed Hawk 91
Golden Eagle 1
American Kestrel 10
Merlin 2
Peregrine Falcon 1
American Coot 25
Killdeer 12
Laughing Gull X
Ring-billed Gull X
Herring Gull X
Great Black-backed Gull X
Forster's Tern X
Royal Tern X
Black Skimmer 150
Rock Pigeon X
Mourning Dove X
Red-bellied Woodpecker 4
Hairy Woodpecker 1
Northern Flicker (Yellow-shafted) 15
Blue Jay X
American Crow X
Fish Crow X
Tree Swallow 250
Northern Rough-winged Swallow 1
Barn Swallow 2
Carolina Chickadee X
Red-breasted Nuthatch 1
Carolina Wren 5
Golden-crowned Kinglet 1
Ruby-crowned Kinglet 2
Eastern Bluebird 75
American Robin 12000
Northern Mockingbird 2
European Starling X
American Pipit 20
Yellow-rumped Warbler 150
Palm Warbler 3
Song Sparrow 15
Swamp Sparrow 8
White-throated Sparrow 5
White-crowned Sparrow 2
Dark-eyed Junco (Slate-colored) 1
Northern Cardinal 5
Dickcissel 1
Red-winged Blackbird 1200
Common Grackle 8
Brown-headed Cowbird 25
Purple Finch X
House Finch 5
American Goldfinch 400
House Sparrow X
Sea Watch Tuesday November 3, 2009
Today was yet another day of good diversity (gotta love November at the Seawatch) at Avalon. The Hooded Merganser during the first hour was the first of the seawatch season, and 14 Ruddy Ducks were an interesting sight, as they sat on the Ocean briefly before moving on. Black Scoters were also present in their highest numbers of the season so far with Northern Pintails putting in their strongest showing in 3 weeks, and a Hairy Woodpecker flying in off the water was an interesting sight as well. Purple Sandpipers are finally habitating the rocky outcroppings around the inlet, with up to 8 seen together this afternoon.
Location: Avalon Seawatch
Observation date: 11/3/09
Notes: Light NW/WNW Winds.
Number of species: 57
Brant (Atlantic) 68
Canada Goose 1
Wood Duck 50
American Black Duck 84
Mallard 2
Northern Pintail 54
Green-winged Teal 179
Greater Scaup 67
Lesser Scaup 14
Greater/Lesser Scaup 8
Aythya sp. 15
Common Eider 32
Surf Scoter 2312
White-winged Scoter 14
Black Scoter 8035
dark-winged scoter sp. 1590
scoter sp. 99
Long-tailed Duck 4
Bufflehead 12
Hooded Merganser 1
Red-breasted Merganser 7
Ruddy Duck 14
Red-throated Loon 140
Common Loon 16
Northern Gannet 2838
Double-crested Cormorant 2356
Great Cormorant 1
Turkey Vulture 15
Cooper's Hawk 1
Black-bellied Plover 2
Semipalmated Plover 2
American Oystercatcher 8
Red Knot 1
Sanderling 5
Semipalmated Sandpiper 1
Purple Sandpiper 8
Dunlin 30
Bonaparte's Gull 1
Laughing Gull 15
Ring-billed Gull 37
Herring Gull 11
Great Black-backed Gull 6
Common Tern 1
Forster's Tern 300
Royal Tern 8
Rock Pigeon X
Mourning Dove X
Hairy Woodpecker 1
Northern Flicker (Yellow-shafted) 2
Tree Swallow 8
Barn Swallow 1
Golden-crowned Kinglet 2
American Robin 5
Northern Mockingbird 1
European Starling X
Yellow-rumped Warbler 6
Palm Warbler 1
White-throated Sparrow 2
Dark-eyed Junco 1
American Goldfinch X
House Sparrow X
Location: Avalon Seawatch
Observation date: 11/3/09
Notes: Light NW/WNW Winds.
Number of species: 57
Brant (Atlantic) 68
Canada Goose 1
Wood Duck 50
American Black Duck 84
Mallard 2
Northern Pintail 54
Green-winged Teal 179
Greater Scaup 67
Lesser Scaup 14
Greater/Lesser Scaup 8
Aythya sp. 15
Common Eider 32
Surf Scoter 2312
White-winged Scoter 14
Black Scoter 8035
dark-winged scoter sp. 1590
scoter sp. 99
Long-tailed Duck 4
Bufflehead 12
Hooded Merganser 1
Red-breasted Merganser 7
Ruddy Duck 14
Red-throated Loon 140
Common Loon 16
Northern Gannet 2838
Double-crested Cormorant 2356
Great Cormorant 1
Turkey Vulture 15
Cooper's Hawk 1
Black-bellied Plover 2
Semipalmated Plover 2
American Oystercatcher 8
Red Knot 1
Sanderling 5
Semipalmated Sandpiper 1
Purple Sandpiper 8
Dunlin 30
Bonaparte's Gull 1
Laughing Gull 15
Ring-billed Gull 37
Herring Gull 11
Great Black-backed Gull 6
Common Tern 1
Forster's Tern 300
Royal Tern 8
Rock Pigeon X
Mourning Dove X
Hairy Woodpecker 1
Northern Flicker (Yellow-shafted) 2
Tree Swallow 8
Barn Swallow 1
Golden-crowned Kinglet 2
American Robin 5
Northern Mockingbird 1
European Starling X
Yellow-rumped Warbler 6
Palm Warbler 1
White-throated Sparrow 2
Dark-eyed Junco 1
American Goldfinch X
House Sparrow X
Sea Watch Monday November 2, 2009
Another fun day at Avalon, highlighted once again by the diversity of species. The single species highlight was a Pacific Loon which flew by headed south just past the rips shortly before noon, but there were also season firsts of Red-necked Grebe (1), and Bufflehead (12), and the count of 41 Common Eider was very good. Greater Scaup and Ring-billed Gull were also around in interesting numbers, and the morning Scoter flight was good. Here's hoping that tomorrow can match today.
Location: Avalon Seawatch
Observation date: 11/2/09
Notes: NNE Wind, scattered drizzles. Limited afternoon visibility.
Number of species: 37
Brant (Atlantic) 53
Wood Duck 43
Gadwall 1
American Black Duck 1
Green-winged Teal 81
Greater Scaup 71
Lesser Scaup 9
Common Eider 41
Surf Scoter 9658
White-winged Scoter 28
Black Scoter 2877
dark-winged scoter sp. 1484
Long-tailed Duck 3
Bufflehead 12
Red-breasted Merganser 8
Red-throated Loon 206
Pacific Loon 1
Common Loon 13
Red-necked Grebe 1
Northern Gannet 1151
Double-crested Cormorant 2495
Great Cormorant 7
American Coot 1
Semipalmated Plover 3
American Oystercatcher 17
Sanderling 20
Dunlin 145
Laughing Gull 6
Ring-billed Gull 189
Herring Gull 25
Great Black-backed Gull 9
Royal Tern 4
Golden-crowned Kinglet 2
American Robin 5
European Starling X
White-throated Sparrow 2
Northern Cardinal X
House Sparrow X
Location: Avalon Seawatch
Observation date: 11/2/09
Notes: NNE Wind, scattered drizzles. Limited afternoon visibility.
Number of species: 37
Brant (Atlantic) 53
Wood Duck 43
Gadwall 1
American Black Duck 1
Green-winged Teal 81
Greater Scaup 71
Lesser Scaup 9
Common Eider 41
Surf Scoter 9658
White-winged Scoter 28
Black Scoter 2877
dark-winged scoter sp. 1484
Long-tailed Duck 3
Bufflehead 12
Red-breasted Merganser 8
Red-throated Loon 206
Pacific Loon 1
Common Loon 13
Red-necked Grebe 1
Northern Gannet 1151
Double-crested Cormorant 2495
Great Cormorant 7
American Coot 1
Semipalmated Plover 3
American Oystercatcher 17
Sanderling 20
Dunlin 145
Laughing Gull 6
Ring-billed Gull 189
Herring Gull 25
Great Black-backed Gull 9
Royal Tern 4
Golden-crowned Kinglet 2
American Robin 5
European Starling X
White-throated Sparrow 2
Northern Cardinal X
House Sparrow X
Sea Watch Sunday, November 1, 2009
To elaborate. A not as a slow day, but it was still pretty unexciting.
Here is a list of birds seen today:
Brant (Atlantic) 22
American Black Duck 26
Green-winged Teal 13
American Wigeon 5
Wood Duck 25
Common Eider 5
Surf Scoter 449
Black Scoter 192
White-winged Scoter 14
dark-winged scoter 89
Red-breasted Merganser 5
Red-throated Loon 117
Common Loon 6
Northern Gannet 3729
Double-crested Cormorant 607
American Oystercatcher 11
Laughing Gull 30
Herring Gull 51
Great Black-backed Gull 45
Ring-billed Gull 17
Forster's Tern 40
Royal Tern 11
Parasitic Jaegar 1
Here is a list of birds seen today:
Brant (Atlantic) 22
American Black Duck 26
Green-winged Teal 13
American Wigeon 5
Wood Duck 25
Common Eider 5
Surf Scoter 449
Black Scoter 192
White-winged Scoter 14
dark-winged scoter 89
Red-breasted Merganser 5
Red-throated Loon 117
Common Loon 6
Northern Gannet 3729
Double-crested Cormorant 607
American Oystercatcher 11
Laughing Gull 30
Herring Gull 51
Great Black-backed Gull 45
Ring-billed Gull 17
Forster's Tern 40
Royal Tern 11
Parasitic Jaegar 1
Sea Watch, Halloween 2009
To be brief. It was a SLOW day.
Higlights:
King Eider, Common Tern, Bonaparte's Gull, Brown Pelican, and big Parasitic Jaegar day.
List of birds seen:
Brant (Atlantic) 22
American Black Duck 12
Northern Pintail 2
Green-winged Teal 3
King Eider 1
Common Eider 2
Surf Scoter 432
Black Scoter 138
dark-winged scoter 9
Red-breasted Merganser 6
Red-throated Loon 44
Common Loon 11
Northern Gannet 582
Brown Pelican 5
Double-crested Cormorant 0
Great Cormorant 1
American Oystercatcher 6
Laughing Gull 122
Herring Gull 13
Great Black-backed Gull 3
Ring-billed Gull 9
Forster's Tern 140
Royal Tern 16
Parasitic Jaegar 9
Happy Halloween!
Higlights:
King Eider, Common Tern, Bonaparte's Gull, Brown Pelican, and big Parasitic Jaegar day.
List of birds seen:
Brant (Atlantic) 22
American Black Duck 12
Northern Pintail 2
Green-winged Teal 3
King Eider 1
Common Eider 2
Surf Scoter 432
Black Scoter 138
dark-winged scoter 9
Red-breasted Merganser 6
Red-throated Loon 44
Common Loon 11
Northern Gannet 582
Brown Pelican 5
Double-crested Cormorant 0
Great Cormorant 1
American Oystercatcher 6
Laughing Gull 122
Herring Gull 13
Great Black-backed Gull 3
Ring-billed Gull 9
Forster's Tern 140
Royal Tern 16
Parasitic Jaegar 9
Happy Halloween!
Sea Watch Friday, October 30, 2009
Today started out as though it could have developed into the big day with huge flocks of cormorants flying by in the first hour and a seemingly good diversity of other birds moving through, but alas it turned out to be another day at Avalon Sea Watch with the total number of birds at 11,629.
We set new day highs for Red-breasted Mergansers (RBME) and White-winged Scoters (WWSC) with 29 RBME and 43 WWSC. And today we continue to smash past Brown Pelican records with yet another additional sighting today for a total of 626. We are now also starting to get Scaup in greater numbers with 18 Greater Scaup and 4 Lesser Scaup seen today (14 of the Greater with 4 of the Lesser in a flock with a Common Eider).
And for a few disappointed visitors wanting to see a Parasitic Jaegar, I saw 5 in the last 2 and 1/2 hours of the day. Josh, you missed yours by less than 15 minutes, and it was a pretty good look.
Here is a list of birds seen today.
Brant (Atlantic) 20
Wood Duck 4
American Wigeon 4
American Black Duck 1
Green-winged Teal 312
Greater Scaup 18
Lesser Scaup 8
Scaup sp. 1
Common Eider 5
Surf Scoter 1952
White-winged Scoter 43
Black Scoter 1449
dark-winged scoter 17
Red-breasted Merganser 29
Red-throated Loon 109
Common Loon 21
Northern Gannet 3080
Brown Pelican 1
Double-crested Cormorant 3868
Great Cormorant 2
American Oystercatcher 9
Laughing Gull 330
Herring Gull 32
Great Black-backed Gull 66
Ring-billed Gull 65
Forster's Tern 68
Royal Tern 68
Parasitic Jaegar 5
And one last note that I forgot to mention last post, as of yesterday we broke 300,000 birds we have thus far counted migrating south this season.
We set new day highs for Red-breasted Mergansers (RBME) and White-winged Scoters (WWSC) with 29 RBME and 43 WWSC. And today we continue to smash past Brown Pelican records with yet another additional sighting today for a total of 626. We are now also starting to get Scaup in greater numbers with 18 Greater Scaup and 4 Lesser Scaup seen today (14 of the Greater with 4 of the Lesser in a flock with a Common Eider).
And for a few disappointed visitors wanting to see a Parasitic Jaegar, I saw 5 in the last 2 and 1/2 hours of the day. Josh, you missed yours by less than 15 minutes, and it was a pretty good look.
Here is a list of birds seen today.
Brant (Atlantic) 20
Wood Duck 4
American Wigeon 4
American Black Duck 1
Green-winged Teal 312
Greater Scaup 18
Lesser Scaup 8
Scaup sp. 1
Common Eider 5
Surf Scoter 1952
White-winged Scoter 43
Black Scoter 1449
dark-winged scoter 17
Red-breasted Merganser 29
Red-throated Loon 109
Common Loon 21
Northern Gannet 3080
Brown Pelican 1
Double-crested Cormorant 3868
Great Cormorant 2
American Oystercatcher 9
Laughing Gull 330
Herring Gull 32
Great Black-backed Gull 66
Ring-billed Gull 65
Forster's Tern 68
Royal Tern 68
Parasitic Jaegar 5
And one last note that I forgot to mention last post, as of yesterday we broke 300,000 birds we have thus far counted migrating south this season.
Morning Flight Friday October 30, 2009
My last morning counting up on the dike this season was an extremely slow one, although there were a couple of interesting birds around, including singles of Red-headed Woodpecker and White-crowned Sparrow (both juveniles). Shorebirds up on the dike were highlighted by 27 White-rumped Sandpipers and a high count of 59 Dunlin, although they were cycling in and out. There was also another large early morning movement of Cormorants which died off after the first hour and change.
eBird list:
Location: Cape Island--Higbees Beach SWA--Dike
Observation date: 10/30/09
Notes: N-S flight line. East winds.
Number of species: 49
Brant (Atlantic) 7
Wood Duck 2
Northern Pintail 1
Surf Scoter 250
Black Scoter 600
Double-crested Cormorant 7000
Great Blue Heron 2
Osprey 1
Sharp-shinned Hawk 5
Semipalmated Plover 1
Lesser Yellowlegs 12
Semipalmated Sandpiper 5
Least Sandpiper 20
White-rumped Sandpiper 27
Dunlin 59
Laughing Gull 150
Ring-billed Gull X
Herring Gull X
Great Black-backed Gull X
Forster's Tern 15
Royal Tern 2
Rock Pigeon 21
Mourning Dove 2
Red-headed Woodpecker 1
Red-bellied Woodpecker 2
Northern Flicker (Yellow-shafted) 1
Blue Jay 8
American Crow 55
Tree Swallow 15
Carolina Chickadee 2
Red-breasted Nuthatch 1
Carolina Wren 5
Golden-crowned Kinglet 3
American Robin 335
Northern Mockingbird 2
Brown Thrasher 2
European Starling X
American Pipit 2
Yellow-rumped Warbler 78
Palm Warbler 1
Eastern Towhee 1
Song Sparrow 15
Swamp Sparrow 10
White-throated Sparrow 8
White-crowned Sparrow 1
Red-winged Blackbird 3000
Eastern Meadowlark 1
Common Grackle 5
House Finch 2
American Goldfinch 45
eBird list:
Location: Cape Island--Higbees Beach SWA--Dike
Observation date: 10/30/09
Notes: N-S flight line. East winds.
Number of species: 49
Brant (Atlantic) 7
Wood Duck 2
Northern Pintail 1
Surf Scoter 250
Black Scoter 600
Double-crested Cormorant 7000
Great Blue Heron 2
Osprey 1
Sharp-shinned Hawk 5
Semipalmated Plover 1
Lesser Yellowlegs 12
Semipalmated Sandpiper 5
Least Sandpiper 20
White-rumped Sandpiper 27
Dunlin 59
Laughing Gull 150
Ring-billed Gull X
Herring Gull X
Great Black-backed Gull X
Forster's Tern 15
Royal Tern 2
Rock Pigeon 21
Mourning Dove 2
Red-headed Woodpecker 1
Red-bellied Woodpecker 2
Northern Flicker (Yellow-shafted) 1
Blue Jay 8
American Crow 55
Tree Swallow 15
Carolina Chickadee 2
Red-breasted Nuthatch 1
Carolina Wren 5
Golden-crowned Kinglet 3
American Robin 335
Northern Mockingbird 2
Brown Thrasher 2
European Starling X
American Pipit 2
Yellow-rumped Warbler 78
Palm Warbler 1
Eastern Towhee 1
Song Sparrow 15
Swamp Sparrow 10
White-throated Sparrow 8
White-crowned Sparrow 1
Red-winged Blackbird 3000
Eastern Meadowlark 1
Common Grackle 5
House Finch 2
American Goldfinch 45
Sea Watch Thursday, October 29, 2009
Well today was a little warm-up to the "big day" with over 27,000 birds. It was a big Surf Scoter day, followed by Cormorants, and Black Scoter.
There is the potential that tomorrow maybe the "big day," because it has to happen some time.
Other than a lot of bird movement nothing new showed up. We had two more Long-tailed ducks today, and today has been the biggest Red-throated Loon day at 160 individuals.
One more item of interest, we still have the flock of 11 Common Eider hanging around the jetty.
Here is a lost of birds seen today:
Brant (Atlantic) 121
Wood Duck 3
American Black Duck 12
Mallard 1
Green-winged Teal 88
Greater Scaup 1
Lesser Scaup 2
Common Eider 7
Surf Scoter 12540
White-winged Scoter 17
Black Scoter 3904
Red-breasted Merganser 6
Red-throated Loon 160
Common Loon 14
Northern Gannet 581
Brown Pelican 10
Double-crested Cormorant 5541
Great Blue Heron 16
American Oystercatcher 12
Laughing Gull 7
Herring Gull 4
Great Black-backed Gull 3
Ring-billed Gull 36
Forster's Tern 45
Royal Tern 9
There is the potential that tomorrow maybe the "big day," because it has to happen some time.
Other than a lot of bird movement nothing new showed up. We had two more Long-tailed ducks today, and today has been the biggest Red-throated Loon day at 160 individuals.
One more item of interest, we still have the flock of 11 Common Eider hanging around the jetty.
Here is a lost of birds seen today:
Brant (Atlantic) 121
Wood Duck 3
American Black Duck 12
Mallard 1
Green-winged Teal 88
Greater Scaup 1
Lesser Scaup 2
Common Eider 7
Surf Scoter 12540
White-winged Scoter 17
Black Scoter 3904
Red-breasted Merganser 6
Red-throated Loon 160
Common Loon 14
Northern Gannet 581
Brown Pelican 10
Double-crested Cormorant 5541
Great Blue Heron 16
American Oystercatcher 12
Laughing Gull 7
Herring Gull 4
Great Black-backed Gull 3
Ring-billed Gull 36
Forster's Tern 45
Royal Tern 9
Morning Flight Thursday October 29
Today was quite slow but was salvaged by the sudden appearance of a Yellow-headed Blackbird. It flew right over my head with two Red-winged Blackbirds and rapidly disappeared. After that we went on a bit a roll with new species for the dike for this season. In rapid succession we had White-winged Scoter, Red-throated Loon, and Ruddy Duck, all new for the season. Otherwise we had a trickle of Yellow-rumpeds and not much else.
Location: Cape Island--Higbees Beach SWA--Dike
Observation date: 10/29/09
Number of species: 62
Mallard 6
Green-winged Teal 2
White-winged Scoter 1
Black Scoter 40
dark-winged scoter sp. 80
Ruddy Duck 1
Red-throated Loon 1
Common Loon 4
Northern Gannet 15
Double-crested Cormorant 15
Great Blue Heron 1
Turkey Vulture 1
Osprey 1
Bald Eagle 1
Sharp-shinned Hawk 3
Merlin 1
Black-bellied Plover 1
Semipalmated Plover 15
Lesser Yellowlegs 8
Semipalmated Sandpiper 4
Least Sandpiper 12
White-rumped Sandpiper 15
Pectoral Sandpiper 1
Dunlin 25
Laughing Gull 85
Ring-billed Gull 25
Herring Gull 40
Great Black-backed Gull 65
Forster's Tern 12
Royal Tern 3
Rock Pigeon 15
Mourning Dove 4
Belted Kingfisher 1
Red-bellied Woodpecker 1
Blue Jay 15
American Crow 12
Fish Crow 8
Tree Swallow 200
Carolina Chickadee 5
Carolina Wren 6
Golden-crowned Kinglet 3
Ruby-crowned Kinglet 1
Hermit Thrush 2
Gray Catbird 2
Northern Mockingbird 1
Brown Thrasher 3
European Starling 12
American Pipit 2
Yellow-rumped Warbler (Myrtle) 213
Palm Warbler (Western) 1
Common Yellowthroat 1
Eastern Towhee 1
Chipping Sparrow 1
Savannah Sparrow 3
Song Sparrow 3
Swamp Sparrow 2
Dark-eyed Junco 3
Northern Cardinal 3
Indigo Bunting 1
Red-winged Blackbird 95
Yellow-headed Blackbird 1
House Finch 3
American Goldfinch 45
Location: Cape Island--Higbees Beach SWA--Dike
Observation date: 10/29/09
Number of species: 62
Mallard 6
Green-winged Teal 2
White-winged Scoter 1
Black Scoter 40
dark-winged scoter sp. 80
Ruddy Duck 1
Red-throated Loon 1
Common Loon 4
Northern Gannet 15
Double-crested Cormorant 15
Great Blue Heron 1
Turkey Vulture 1
Osprey 1
Bald Eagle 1
Sharp-shinned Hawk 3
Merlin 1
Black-bellied Plover 1
Semipalmated Plover 15
Lesser Yellowlegs 8
Semipalmated Sandpiper 4
Least Sandpiper 12
White-rumped Sandpiper 15
Pectoral Sandpiper 1
Dunlin 25
Laughing Gull 85
Ring-billed Gull 25
Herring Gull 40
Great Black-backed Gull 65
Forster's Tern 12
Royal Tern 3
Rock Pigeon 15
Mourning Dove 4
Belted Kingfisher 1
Red-bellied Woodpecker 1
Blue Jay 15
American Crow 12
Fish Crow 8
Tree Swallow 200
Carolina Chickadee 5
Carolina Wren 6
Golden-crowned Kinglet 3
Ruby-crowned Kinglet 1
Hermit Thrush 2
Gray Catbird 2
Northern Mockingbird 1
Brown Thrasher 3
European Starling 12
American Pipit 2
Yellow-rumped Warbler (Myrtle) 213
Palm Warbler (Western) 1
Common Yellowthroat 1
Eastern Towhee 1
Chipping Sparrow 1
Savannah Sparrow 3
Song Sparrow 3
Swamp Sparrow 2
Dark-eyed Junco 3
Northern Cardinal 3
Indigo Bunting 1
Red-winged Blackbird 95
Yellow-headed Blackbird 1
House Finch 3
American Goldfinch 45
Sea Watch Wednesday, October 28, 2009
Well the big day still has not happened; if anything today was a rather "small" day with less than 4,000 birds moving through. The first five hours were especially hard, having counted less than five-hundred birds as I went into the sixth hour.
Today we set a new high for the number of Parasitic Jaegars seen in a day for this season, and that number is 5. This brings us up to 32 PAJA for the season. My goal is not to be the counter with the lowest Jaegar record.
The highlight of the day was the Common Eider flock that stuck around the jetty all day allowing any visitors a good view of them.
Here is a list of birds seen today:
Brant (Atlantic) 7
Wood Duck 4
American Black Duck 37
Northern Pintail 25
Green-winged Teal 10
Greater Scaup 12
Lesser Scaup 4
Common Eider 1
Surf Scoter 1841
White-winged Scoter 1
Black Scoter 556
dark-winged scoter sp. 340
Red-breasted Merganser 1
Red-throated Loon 5
Common Loon 5
Northern Gannet 255
Brown Pelican 6
Double-crested Cormorant 236
American Oystercatcher 2
Laughing Gull 15
Herring Gull 8
Great Black-backed Gull 8
Ring-billed Gull 78
Common Tern 1
Caspian Tern 1
Forster's Tern 132
Royal Tern 36
Parasitic Jaegar 5
Today we set a new high for the number of Parasitic Jaegars seen in a day for this season, and that number is 5. This brings us up to 32 PAJA for the season. My goal is not to be the counter with the lowest Jaegar record.
The highlight of the day was the Common Eider flock that stuck around the jetty all day allowing any visitors a good view of them.
Here is a list of birds seen today:
Brant (Atlantic) 7
Wood Duck 4
American Black Duck 37
Northern Pintail 25
Green-winged Teal 10
Greater Scaup 12
Lesser Scaup 4
Common Eider 1
Surf Scoter 1841
White-winged Scoter 1
Black Scoter 556
dark-winged scoter sp. 340
Red-breasted Merganser 1
Red-throated Loon 5
Common Loon 5
Northern Gannet 255
Brown Pelican 6
Double-crested Cormorant 236
American Oystercatcher 2
Laughing Gull 15
Herring Gull 8
Great Black-backed Gull 8
Ring-billed Gull 78
Common Tern 1
Caspian Tern 1
Forster's Tern 132
Royal Tern 36
Parasitic Jaegar 5
Monarch Migration Project - Week 7 & Week 8
Greetings All!
This post will be a longer one, since I will be combining Week 7 and Week 8's posts. Hopefully I haven't kept folks waiting anxiously for too long, but as they say absence makes the heart grow fonder right?
In these past two weeks, as predicted, our Monarch numbers tapered off significantly. There were some days I was scouring the point and occasionally sprinting up and down Coral Avenue after a single Monarch to take to one of the demos. Well, the results speak for themselves:
Week 7: 3.88 monarchs/hr
Week 8: 20.23 monarchs/hr
The storms really worked their magic on Week 7, leading the Monarch Team to cancel two of our weekend demos due to inclement weather and a general lack of butterflies. Week 8 picked up a bit with the arrival of a cold front and northwest winds though, for the most part, our Monarch friends have gotten out of Dodge. Most of us have instead been witnessing migrations from a different sort, leading us to Week 7 and Week 8's Butterflies of the Week(s)!
Week 7's Butterfly of the Week: the Question Mark (Polygonia interrogationis)
ID Points: Medium-sized orange butterfly, with a silver colored question mark (though some would argue the Question Mark spotting appears more like a semi-colon or slightly misshapen bass clef symbol) spotting pattern on the underside of the hindwing. The perimeters of the wings appear bright blue. Distinguishable from the Eastern Comma by an additional horizontal black spot found on the subapical region of the forewing. The Question Marks currently found around the point are a part of the fall/winter brood.
Food plant: Members of the Elm Family, Nettles, and Hackberry
Range: Widespread throughout this region, and as far north as Southern Canada, and west as North Dakota.
Interesting Facts: The Question Mark is another migratory species that, in the past week or so, has been seen on the move across the Delaware Bay to the more southern regions of the coastal U.S. Currently, we are witnessing the fall-winter broods, which are significantly more orange than their spring counterparts that appear blacker in color at the base of their hindwings. It is the spring brood that is ultimately responsible for repopulating the Cape May region each season; though their arrival in the late spring is considerably less dramatic than the movement we are seeing currently.
Week 8's Butterfly of the Week: the Eastern Comma (Polygonia comma)
ID Points: Generally appears smaller in size and lacks the subapical spot on the forewing like the Question Mark. The underside of the hindwing possesses the characteristic silver "comma" that, through binoculars, can be easily missed or mistaken as its' close relative. This species also has spring-summer and fall-winter broods with the same general black to orange hindwing patterning.
Food plant: Elms and Nettles
Range: Also widespread throughout this region, with similar distribution throughout the U.S. as the Question Mark, though less commonly found any further north of Maine.
Interesting Facts: Behaviorally speaking, they are strikingly similar to the Question Mark and it is common to find both species together in the same place. Such an example can be seen below in a fruit feeder set out on a lawn in West Cape May.
As Halloween approaches I'm finding myself wanting to stay longer here in Cape May. This town and all the wonderful people in it have truely worked their magic on me. I've been blessed to live in two countries outside the U.S. for work and school and had some wonderful job opportunities, but nothing in my life has been truely as rewarding as my experience here. I know that I will never forget the people that I have met here who have treated me like part of the big family that is the Cape May Bird Observatory/N.J. Audubon. Thank you all for the Wednesday night poker games, all of the amazing goodies at the potlucks, and for the guidance and patience many of you have given me as I've delved into the world of birding for the very first time this fall. A very special thanks goes to the members of Team Monarch: Dick Walton, Patsy Eickelberg, Louise Zemaitis, Michael O'Brien (thank you for all the pictures), Mark Garland and Paige Cunningham, Bill and Edie Schul, Cameron Cox, and Laura (thank you thank you thank you for your help on the dead-heading around the Point): I couldn't have had a better group of amazing people to work with if I tried.
Most importantly, thank you. Yes you, the readers of this blog, the individuals who came to our tagging demos, the individuals whose curiosity led them to come out and hear about our project's work, the individuals who refused to limit themselves to what they already knew - your support has been invaluable.
Though this year was a slower season, as most of us say, there's always another year and there's always tomorrow. May you all have a very safe and relaxing fall filled with life birds, butterflies, dragonflies, and everything else in between.
Cheers,
Claire
P.S. If anyone would like to reach me or keep in contact my e-mail is: ceiseton@gmail.com
This post will be a longer one, since I will be combining Week 7 and Week 8's posts. Hopefully I haven't kept folks waiting anxiously for too long, but as they say absence makes the heart grow fonder right?
In these past two weeks, as predicted, our Monarch numbers tapered off significantly. There were some days I was scouring the point and occasionally sprinting up and down Coral Avenue after a single Monarch to take to one of the demos. Well, the results speak for themselves:
Week 7: 3.88 monarchs/hr
Week 8: 20.23 monarchs/hr
The storms really worked their magic on Week 7, leading the Monarch Team to cancel two of our weekend demos due to inclement weather and a general lack of butterflies. Week 8 picked up a bit with the arrival of a cold front and northwest winds though, for the most part, our Monarch friends have gotten out of Dodge. Most of us have instead been witnessing migrations from a different sort, leading us to Week 7 and Week 8's Butterflies of the Week(s)!
Week 7's Butterfly of the Week: the Question Mark (Polygonia interrogationis)
ID Points: Medium-sized orange butterfly, with a silver colored question mark (though some would argue the Question Mark spotting appears more like a semi-colon or slightly misshapen bass clef symbol) spotting pattern on the underside of the hindwing. The perimeters of the wings appear bright blue. Distinguishable from the Eastern Comma by an additional horizontal black spot found on the subapical region of the forewing. The Question Marks currently found around the point are a part of the fall/winter brood.
Food plant: Members of the Elm Family, Nettles, and Hackberry
Range: Widespread throughout this region, and as far north as Southern Canada, and west as North Dakota.
Interesting Facts: The Question Mark is another migratory species that, in the past week or so, has been seen on the move across the Delaware Bay to the more southern regions of the coastal U.S. Currently, we are witnessing the fall-winter broods, which are significantly more orange than their spring counterparts that appear blacker in color at the base of their hindwings. It is the spring brood that is ultimately responsible for repopulating the Cape May region each season; though their arrival in the late spring is considerably less dramatic than the movement we are seeing currently.
Week 8's Butterfly of the Week: the Eastern Comma (Polygonia comma)
ID Points: Generally appears smaller in size and lacks the subapical spot on the forewing like the Question Mark. The underside of the hindwing possesses the characteristic silver "comma" that, through binoculars, can be easily missed or mistaken as its' close relative. This species also has spring-summer and fall-winter broods with the same general black to orange hindwing patterning.
Food plant: Elms and Nettles
Range: Also widespread throughout this region, with similar distribution throughout the U.S. as the Question Mark, though less commonly found any further north of Maine.
Interesting Facts: Behaviorally speaking, they are strikingly similar to the Question Mark and it is common to find both species together in the same place. Such an example can be seen below in a fruit feeder set out on a lawn in West Cape May.
As Halloween approaches I'm finding myself wanting to stay longer here in Cape May. This town and all the wonderful people in it have truely worked their magic on me. I've been blessed to live in two countries outside the U.S. for work and school and had some wonderful job opportunities, but nothing in my life has been truely as rewarding as my experience here. I know that I will never forget the people that I have met here who have treated me like part of the big family that is the Cape May Bird Observatory/N.J. Audubon. Thank you all for the Wednesday night poker games, all of the amazing goodies at the potlucks, and for the guidance and patience many of you have given me as I've delved into the world of birding for the very first time this fall. A very special thanks goes to the members of Team Monarch: Dick Walton, Patsy Eickelberg, Louise Zemaitis, Michael O'Brien (thank you for all the pictures), Mark Garland and Paige Cunningham, Bill and Edie Schul, Cameron Cox, and Laura (thank you thank you thank you for your help on the dead-heading around the Point): I couldn't have had a better group of amazing people to work with if I tried.
Most importantly, thank you. Yes you, the readers of this blog, the individuals who came to our tagging demos, the individuals whose curiosity led them to come out and hear about our project's work, the individuals who refused to limit themselves to what they already knew - your support has been invaluable.
Though this year was a slower season, as most of us say, there's always another year and there's always tomorrow. May you all have a very safe and relaxing fall filled with life birds, butterflies, dragonflies, and everything else in between.
Cheers,
Claire
P.S. If anyone would like to reach me or keep in contact my e-mail is: ceiseton@gmail.com
Sea Watch Tuesday October 27, 2009
The first couple of hours at the Seawatch today were difficult to say the least. The rain and winds made the condition of the optics less than favorable and the visibility was very bad. However, after the rain stopped the visibility rapidly improved, and despite the salt spray it became rather pleasant. Common Eiders continue to put on a good showing, with a flock that built to 11 individuals by the end of the day sitting just of the main jetty. The early morning Gannet spectacle in the rain was a great show, and the day was finished off with a Dickcissel mixed in with the local House Sparrow flock next to the parking lot.
Location: Avalon Seawatch
Observation date: 10/27/09
Notes: NE Winds, rain for the first 3 hours.
Number of species: 41
Brant (Atlantic) 14
Wood Duck 11
American Wigeon 5
American Black Duck 11
Northern Pintail 32
Green-winged Teal 142
Greater Scaup 10
Lesser Scaup 1
Common Eider 14
Surf Scoter 3403
White-winged Scoter 2
Black Scoter 2534
dark-winged scoter sp. 652
Red-breasted Merganser 9
Red-throated Loon 45
Common Loon 1
Northern Gannet 574
Brown Pelican 2
Double-crested Cormorant 147
Great Cormorant 1
Osprey 1
Peregrine Falcon 1
Black-bellied Plover 2
Semipalmated Plover 9
Sanderling 45
Dunlin 50
Laughing Gull 61
Herring Gull 17
Great Black-backed Gull 2
Forster's Tern 28
Royal Tern 55
Rock Pigeon X
Carolina Chickadee 1
Golden-crowned Kinglet 1
American Robin 1
Northern Mockingbird X
European Starling X
White-throated Sparrow 1
Dickcissel 1
Brown-headed Cowbird 2
American Goldfinch 1
House Sparrow 55
Location: Avalon Seawatch
Observation date: 10/27/09
Notes: NE Winds, rain for the first 3 hours.
Number of species: 41
Brant (Atlantic) 14
Wood Duck 11
American Wigeon 5
American Black Duck 11
Northern Pintail 32
Green-winged Teal 142
Greater Scaup 10
Lesser Scaup 1
Common Eider 14
Surf Scoter 3403
White-winged Scoter 2
Black Scoter 2534
dark-winged scoter sp. 652
Red-breasted Merganser 9
Red-throated Loon 45
Common Loon 1
Northern Gannet 574
Brown Pelican 2
Double-crested Cormorant 147
Great Cormorant 1
Osprey 1
Peregrine Falcon 1
Black-bellied Plover 2
Semipalmated Plover 9
Sanderling 45
Dunlin 50
Laughing Gull 61
Herring Gull 17
Great Black-backed Gull 2
Forster's Tern 28
Royal Tern 55
Rock Pigeon X
Carolina Chickadee 1
Golden-crowned Kinglet 1
American Robin 1
Northern Mockingbird X
European Starling X
White-throated Sparrow 1
Dickcissel 1
Brown-headed Cowbird 2
American Goldfinch 1
House Sparrow 55
Sea Watch Monday October 26, 2009
photo copyright of France Dewaghe
A very good day up at Avalon, especially due to the diversity (30 species of migrating waterbirds). The highlight was a female King Eider and the 19 Common Eiders. Wood Ducks and Red-throated Loons also gave a good showing.
Location: Avalon Seawatch
Observation date: 10/26/09
Number of species: 47
Brant (Atlantic) 133
Wood Duck 196
American Wigeon 6
American Black Duck 25
American Black Duck x Mallard (hybrid) 1
Northern Shoveler 1
Northern Pintail 22
Green-winged Teal 63
Greater Scaup 9
Lesser Scaup 3
King Eider 1
Common Eider 20
Surf Scoter 4974
White-winged Scoter 12
Black Scoter 6779
dark-winged scoter sp. 465
Red-breasted Merganser 11
Red-throated Loon 183
Common Loon 14
Northern Gannet 5214
Brown Pelican 3
Double-crested Cormorant 5290
Great Cormorant 3
Great Blue Heron 1
Turkey Vulture 6
Osprey 1
Black-bellied Plover X
Semipalmated Plover 3
American Oystercatcher 2
Sanderling 15
Dunlin 35
Laughing Gull 33
Ring-billed Gull 16
Herring Gull 3
Great Black-backed Gull 9
Caspian Tern 3
Forster's Tern 46
Royal Tern 51
Parasitic Jaeger 3
Rock Pigeon X
Tree Swallow X
Carolina Wren X
American Robin 1
Northern Mockingbird X
European Starling X
American Pipit 5
Yellow-rumped Warbler (Myrtle) 2
Song Sparrow 2
Boat-tailed Grackle 1
House Sparrow X
Morning Flight Monday October 29 2009
A bit slow this morning but there were a few interesting birds. We had seasonal high counts for both American Pipit and Purple Finch. We also had 2 Rusty Blackbirds, a Dickcissel, and numerous Gannets heading north back up the bay.
Location: Cape Island--Higbees Beach SWA--Dike
Observation date: 10/26/09
Number of species: 76
Mallard 3
Surf Scoter 5
Black Scoter 45
Common Loon 1
Northern Gannet 120
Double-crested Cormorant 65
Great Blue Heron 6
Black Vulture 2
Turkey Vulture 5
Osprey 1
Northern Harrier 2
Sharp-shinned Hawk 55
Cooper's Hawk 2
American Kestrel 1
Merlin 1
Peregrine Falcon 1
Semipalmated Plover 5
Killdeer 3
Lesser Yellowlegs 2
Sanderling 12
Semipalmated Sandpiper 1
Least Sandpiper 15
White-rumped Sandpiper 1
Pectoral Sandpiper 1
Dunlin 4
Laughing Gull 65
Ring-billed Gull 12
Herring Gull 40
Great Black-backed Gull 40
Forster's Tern 3
Royal Tern 7
Rock Pigeon 6
Mourning Dove 6
Red-bellied Woodpecker 2
Hairy Woodpecker 1
Northern Flicker (Yellow-shafted) 5
Blue Jay 6
American Crow 8
Fish Crow 2
Tree Swallow 85
Carolina Chickadee 3
Tufted Titmouse 1
Red-breasted Nuthatch 1
Brown Creeper 2
Carolina Wren 4
Golden-crowned Kinglet 8
Ruby-crowned Kinglet 4
Eastern Bluebird 2
Hermit Thrush 3
American Robin 913
Gray Catbird 4
Northern Mockingbird 1
Brown Thrasher 3
European Starling 12
American Pipit 55
Northern Parula 1
Yellow-rumped Warbler (Myrtle) 848
Palm Warbler 9
Blackpoll Warbler 4
Chipping Sparrow 8
Savannah Sparrow 2
Song Sparrow 2
Swamp Sparrow 5
White-throated Sparrow 2
Dark-eyed Junco (Slate-colored) 8
Northern Cardinal 9
Indigo Bunting 1
Dickcissel 1
Red-winged Blackbird 400
Eastern Meadowlark 5
Rusty Blackbird 2
Common Grackle 8
Brown-headed Cowbird 15
Purple Finch 20
House Finch 6
American Goldfinch 35
Location: Cape Island--Higbees Beach SWA--Dike
Observation date: 10/26/09
Number of species: 76
Mallard 3
Surf Scoter 5
Black Scoter 45
Common Loon 1
Northern Gannet 120
Double-crested Cormorant 65
Great Blue Heron 6
Black Vulture 2
Turkey Vulture 5
Osprey 1
Northern Harrier 2
Sharp-shinned Hawk 55
Cooper's Hawk 2
American Kestrel 1
Merlin 1
Peregrine Falcon 1
Semipalmated Plover 5
Killdeer 3
Lesser Yellowlegs 2
Sanderling 12
Semipalmated Sandpiper 1
Least Sandpiper 15
White-rumped Sandpiper 1
Pectoral Sandpiper 1
Dunlin 4
Laughing Gull 65
Ring-billed Gull 12
Herring Gull 40
Great Black-backed Gull 40
Forster's Tern 3
Royal Tern 7
Rock Pigeon 6
Mourning Dove 6
Red-bellied Woodpecker 2
Hairy Woodpecker 1
Northern Flicker (Yellow-shafted) 5
Blue Jay 6
American Crow 8
Fish Crow 2
Tree Swallow 85
Carolina Chickadee 3
Tufted Titmouse 1
Red-breasted Nuthatch 1
Brown Creeper 2
Carolina Wren 4
Golden-crowned Kinglet 8
Ruby-crowned Kinglet 4
Eastern Bluebird 2
Hermit Thrush 3
American Robin 913
Gray Catbird 4
Northern Mockingbird 1
Brown Thrasher 3
European Starling 12
American Pipit 55
Northern Parula 1
Yellow-rumped Warbler (Myrtle) 848
Palm Warbler 9
Blackpoll Warbler 4
Chipping Sparrow 8
Savannah Sparrow 2
Song Sparrow 2
Swamp Sparrow 5
White-throated Sparrow 2
Dark-eyed Junco (Slate-colored) 8
Northern Cardinal 9
Indigo Bunting 1
Dickcissel 1
Red-winged Blackbird 400
Eastern Meadowlark 5
Rusty Blackbird 2
Common Grackle 8
Brown-headed Cowbird 15
Purple Finch 20
House Finch 6
American Goldfinch 35
Sea Watch Sunday, October 24, 2009
Today was not the big day, but we did have a good number of birds passing through; over 21,000.
We broke 600 Brown Pelicans today, and we had a Pied-billed Grebe, the second for the season and a tie for the all season record.
Here is a list of birds seen today.
Brant 209
American Black Duck 5
Wood Duck 5
Pintail 10
Green-winged Teal 32
Surf Scoter 3309
Black Scoter 2114
White-winged Scoter 4
dark-winged scoter sp. 3479
Long-tailed Duck 2
Red-throated Loon 108
Common Loon 38
Brown Pelican 10
Northern Gannet 4,193
Double-crested Cormorant 7436
Great Cormorant 2
Laughing Gull 143
Ring-billed Gull 38
Herring Gull 5
Great Black-backed Gull 5
Common Tern 4
Forster's Tern 139
Royal Tern 75
Parasitic Jaegar 1
American Oystercatcher 41
Pied-billed Grebe 1
Marbled Godwit 2
We broke 600 Brown Pelicans today, and we had a Pied-billed Grebe, the second for the season and a tie for the all season record.
Here is a list of birds seen today.
Brant 209
American Black Duck 5
Wood Duck 5
Pintail 10
Green-winged Teal 32
Surf Scoter 3309
Black Scoter 2114
White-winged Scoter 4
dark-winged scoter sp. 3479
Long-tailed Duck 2
Red-throated Loon 108
Common Loon 38
Brown Pelican 10
Northern Gannet 4,193
Double-crested Cormorant 7436
Great Cormorant 2
Laughing Gull 143
Ring-billed Gull 38
Herring Gull 5
Great Black-backed Gull 5
Common Tern 4
Forster's Tern 139
Royal Tern 75
Parasitic Jaegar 1
American Oystercatcher 41
Pied-billed Grebe 1
Marbled Godwit 2