Weather and time: sun and clouds; 64–72 ºF; winds NNE at 12-15 mph for H1; NE at 12-15 mph for H2 and H3; 50% cloud cover H1; 30% cc H2 and H3; very good visibility; 0638 sunrise; 3.25 hours.
Morning Flight Count totals:
Ruby-throated Hummingbird (Archilochus colubris) 3
Eastern Wood-Pewee (Contopus virens) 1
Eastern Phoebe (Sayornis phoebe) 1
Eastern Kingbird (Tyrannus tyrannus) 36
Red-eyed Vireo (Vireo olivaceus) 5
Blue-gray Gnatcatcher (Polioptila caerulea) 4
American Robin (Turdus migratorius) 1
European Starling (Sturnus vulgaris) 69
Cedar Waxwing (Bombycilla cedrorum) 36
Northern Waterthrush (Parkesia noveboracensis) 46
Blue-winged Warbler (Vermivora cyanoptera) 2
Black-and-white Warbler (Mniotilta varia) 37
Prothonotary Warbler (Protonotaria citrea) 1
Tennessee Warbler (Oreothlypis peregrina) 5
Nashville Warbler (Oreothlypis ruficapilla) 2
American Redstart (Setophaga ruticilla) 273
Cape May Warbler (Setophaga tigrina) 5
Northern Parula (Setophaga americana) 109
Magnolia Warbler (Setophaga magnolia) 20
Bay-breasted Warbler (Setophaga castanea) 1
Blackburnian Warbler (Setophaga fusca) 2
Yellow Warbler (Setophaga petechia) 14
Chestnut-sided Warbler (Setophaga pensylvanica) 4
Blackpoll Warbler (Setophaga striata) 24
Bay-breasted/Blackpoll Warbler (Setophaga castanea/striata) 7
Black-throated Blue Warbler (Setophaga caerulescens) 48
Palm Warbler (Setophaga palmarum) 66
Yellow-rumped Warbler (Setophaga coronata) 1
Prairie Warbler (Setophaga discolor) 1
Black-throated Green Warbler (Setophaga virens) 3
warbler sp. (Parulinae sp.) 97
Summer Tanager (Piranga rubra) 1
Scarlet Tanager (Piranga olivacea) 2
Rose-breasted Grosbeak (Pheucticus ludovicianus) 1
Blue Grosbeak (Passerina caerulea) 1
Indigo Bunting (Passerina cyanea) 1
Bobolink (Dolichonyx oryzivorus) 56
Baltimore Oriole (Icterus galbula) 20
House Finch (Haemorhous mexicanus) 3
American Goldfinch (Spinus tristis) 2
House Sparrow (Passer domesticus) 1
Today's full list can be viewed at: http://ebird.org/ebird/view/checklist?subID=S19808122
Hawkwatch - 12 September 2014
Cape May Cape May Point, New Jersey, USA Daily Raptor Counts: Sep 12, 2014 ------------------------------------------------------------------- Species Day's Count Month Total Season Total ------------------ ----------- -------------- -------------- Black Vulture 0 0 0 Turkey Vulture 0 43 43 Osprey 160 847 847 Bald Eagle 41 85 85 Northern Harrier 8 55 55 Sharp-shinned Hawk 68 83 83 Cooper's Hawk 32 92 92 Northern Goshawk 0 0 0 Red-shouldered Hawk 0 1 1 Broad-winged Hawk 9 20 20 Red-tailed Hawk 8 27 27 Rough-legged Hawk 0 0 0 Golden Eagle 0 0 0 American Kestrel 146 641 641 Merlin 38 95 95 Peregrine Falcon 4 19 19 Unknown Accipiter 2 3 3 Unknown Buteo 0 0 0 Unknown Falcon 1 1 1 Unknown Eagle 0 0 0 Unknown Raptor 0 1 1 Total: 517 2013 2013 ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Observation start time: 05:00:00 Observation end time: 16:00:00 Total observation time: 11 hours Official Counter: Mary Raikes Observers: Weather: Winds 5-10mph starting north then switching to the NW for the early afternoon and finally E/SE for the latter part of the day. Temps in the mid-70's. Partly Cloudy skies. Raptor Observations: A good flight with high counts of ospreys, bald eagles, sharp-shinned hawks, and merlins. Quite high flight during the afternoon. Non-raptor Observations: A great day with the highlight being a WHISKERED TERN. Also sighted Cape May Warbler(2), Caspian Tern(1), Black Tern(1), American Oystercatcher(7), Predictions: Cloudy, mid 70's, chance of rain after 4pm, winds southeast 9-11mph. ======================================================================== Cape May information may be found at: http://www.njaudubon.org/Centers/CMBO/
Hawkwatch - 11 September 2014
Cape May Cape May Point, New Jersey, USA Daily Raptor Counts: Sep 11, 2014 ------------------------------------------------------------------- Species Day's Count Month Total Season Total ------------------ ----------- -------------- -------------- Black Vulture 0 0 0 Turkey Vulture 0 43 43 Osprey 29 687 687 Bald Eagle 1 44 44 Northern Harrier 0 47 47 Sharp-shinned Hawk 4 15 15 Cooper's Hawk 1 60 60 Northern Goshawk 0 0 0 Red-shouldered Hawk 0 1 1 Broad-winged Hawk 0 11 11 Red-tailed Hawk 0 19 19 Rough-legged Hawk 0 0 0 Golden Eagle 0 0 0 American Kestrel 16 495 495 Merlin 5 57 57 Peregrine Falcon 3 15 15 Unknown Accipiter 0 1 1 Unknown Buteo 0 0 0 Unknown Falcon 0 0 0 Unknown Eagle 0 0 0 Unknown Raptor 0 1 1 Total: 59 1496 1496 ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Observation start time: 05:30:00 Observation end time: 16:00:00 Total observation time: 10.5 hours Official Counter: Tom Reed Observers: Weather: Warm. Winds S 10–20mph during AM, becoming calm before increasing to SW ~10mph during PM. Variable cloudiness throughout, with more blue sky during PM. Visibility good. Raptor Observations: A light day, with a small pulse of birds during the PM just as the winds picked up from the SW. Non-raptor Observations: Brown Pelican (14), Parasitic Jaeger (3), Black Tern (2), Ovenbird (1), Cape May Warbler (1). http://ebird.org/ebird/view/checklist?subID=S19802871 Predictions: Partly sunny, 72ºF, winds N 15-20mph. ======================================================================== Cape May information may be found at: http://www.njaudubon.org/Centers/CMBO/
Morning Flight – 11 September 2014
The south wind halted much in the way of movement this morning. It was interesting to not detect Bobolink today since they can migrate on these type of conditions and it's still around peak time for them. There is a dredging operation in the Cape May Canal near the ferry terminal just to the north of Higbee Beach WMA and an outflow pipe was turned on into the dike impoundment. This has brought a fresh slurry of muddy water and has perhaps improved the habitat for shorebirds and ducks for the weeks to come!
Tonight into tomorrow morning looks good for migration. I hope to see you out there tomorrow!
Weather and time: sun and clouds; 70–74 ºF; winds S at 5-8 mph; 60% cloud cover H1; 30% cc H2; good visibility; 0637 sunrise; 2.25 hours.
Morning Flight Count totals:
Ruby-throated Hummingbird (Archilochus colubris) 1
Belted Kingfisher (Megaceryle alcyon) 1
Downy Woodpecker (Picoides pubescens) 1
Northern Flicker (Colaptes auratus) 2
Red-eyed Vireo (Vireo olivaceus) 1
American Robin (Turdus migratorius) 2
Northern Mockingbird (Mimus polyglottos) 1
European Starling (Sturnus vulgaris) 2
Cedar Waxwing (Bombycilla cedrorum) 4
Northern Waterthrush (Parkesia noveboracensis) 8
Tennessee Warbler (Oreothlypis peregrina) 1
American Redstart (Setophaga ruticilla) 4
Northern Parula (Setophaga americana) 2
Magnolia Warbler (Setophaga magnolia) 1
Yellow Warbler (Setophaga petechia) 5
Palm Warbler (Setophaga palmarum) 1
warbler sp. (Parulinae sp.) 1
Indigo Bunting (Passerina cyanea) 1
Baltimore Oriole (Icterus galbula) 2
House Finch (Haemorhous mexicanus) 7
American Goldfinch (Spinus tristis) 1
Today's full list can be viewed at: http://ebird.org/ebird/view/checklist?subID=S19800068
Tonight into tomorrow morning looks good for migration. I hope to see you out there tomorrow!
Weather and time: sun and clouds; 70–74 ºF; winds S at 5-8 mph; 60% cloud cover H1; 30% cc H2; good visibility; 0637 sunrise; 2.25 hours.
Morning Flight Count totals:
Ruby-throated Hummingbird (Archilochus colubris) 1
Belted Kingfisher (Megaceryle alcyon) 1
Downy Woodpecker (Picoides pubescens) 1
Northern Flicker (Colaptes auratus) 2
Red-eyed Vireo (Vireo olivaceus) 1
American Robin (Turdus migratorius) 2
Northern Mockingbird (Mimus polyglottos) 1
European Starling (Sturnus vulgaris) 2
Cedar Waxwing (Bombycilla cedrorum) 4
Northern Waterthrush (Parkesia noveboracensis) 8
Tennessee Warbler (Oreothlypis peregrina) 1
American Redstart (Setophaga ruticilla) 4
Northern Parula (Setophaga americana) 2
Magnolia Warbler (Setophaga magnolia) 1
Yellow Warbler (Setophaga petechia) 5
Palm Warbler (Setophaga palmarum) 1
warbler sp. (Parulinae sp.) 1
Indigo Bunting (Passerina cyanea) 1
Baltimore Oriole (Icterus galbula) 2
House Finch (Haemorhous mexicanus) 7
American Goldfinch (Spinus tristis) 1
Today's full list can be viewed at: http://ebird.org/ebird/view/checklist?subID=S19800068
Hawkwatch - 10 September 2014
Cape May Cape May Point, New Jersey, USA Daily Raptor Counts: Sep 10, 2014 ------------------------------------------------------------------- Species Day's Count Month Total Season Total ------------------ ----------- -------------- -------------- Black Vulture 0 0 0 Turkey Vulture 4 43 43 Osprey 91 658 658 Bald Eagle 17 43 43 Northern Harrier 5 47 47 Sharp-shinned Hawk 6 11 11 Cooper's Hawk 18 59 59 Northern Goshawk 0 0 0 Red-shouldered Hawk 0 1 1 Broad-winged Hawk 1 11 11 Red-tailed Hawk 5 19 19 Rough-legged Hawk 0 0 0 Golden Eagle 0 0 0 American Kestrel 65 479 479 Merlin 9 52 52 Peregrine Falcon 3 12 12 Unknown Accipiter 1 1 1 Unknown Buteo 0 0 0 Unknown Falcon 0 0 0 Unknown Eagle 0 0 0 Unknown Raptor 0 1 1 Total: 225 1437 1437 ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Observation start time: 06:00:00 Observation end time: 17:00:00 Total observation time: 11 hours Official Counter: Mary Raikes Observers: Weather: Clear and north winds in the am, then changing to NE/E in the afternoon with mostly cloudy skies. Raptor Observations: A good mix of raptors with mainly ospreys and kestrels, but also a nice movement of Bald Eagles and Cooper's Hawks. Scattered flight, quite high for most of the day. Non-raptor Observations: Palm Warbler(3), Black Tern(2), Little Blue Heron(3). Glossy Ibis(3). Predictions: Partly cloudy, 85, winds S/SW 10mph. ======================================================================== Cape May information may be found at: http://www.njaudubon.org/Centers/CMBO/
Morning Flight – 10 September 2014
 |
| [ABOVE: Northern Waterthrush. BELOW: American Redstart. Photos by Tom Reed.] |
The Higbee Dike hosted a better-than-advertised warbler flight this morning, but you had to wake up early to know it ever happened...most of the action was over by 8am. Redstarts led the way, followed by strong showings from Northern Waterthrush, Yellow Warbler, and Northern Parula. Bird Of The Day honors undoubtedly go to the Kentucky Warbler that showed its face on two brief occasions. Kevin Graff noticed the bird at sunrise, just as it bombed into the vegetation near the top of the foot path. It got up again about an hour later and briefly shot north, just above the phragmites, allowing an opportunity to see its classic black mask and yellow spectacles. This is a tough species to see in Cape May during the fall, and is almost never seen at the dike.
Weather and time: mostly sunny and dry; 64–73 ºF; winds N->NE at 5–15 mph; <40% cloud cover throughout; excellent visibility; 0637 sunrise; 3.25 hours. Observer: Tom Reed.
Morning Flight Count totals:
Ruby-throated Hummingbird (Archilochus colubris) 4
Eastern Wood-Pewee (Contopus virens) 1
Eastern Kingbird (Tyrannus tyrannus) 41
Red-eyed Vireo (Vireo olivaceus) 7
Blue-gray Gnatcatcher (Polioptila caerulea) 9
American Robin (Turdus migratorius) 4
Cedar Waxwing (Bombycilla cedrorum) 38
Ovenbird (Seiurus aurocapilla) 1
Northern Waterthrush (Parkesia noveboracensis) 147
Blue-winged Warbler (Vermivora cyanoptera) 1
Black-and-white Warbler (Mniotilta varia) 23
Tennessee Warbler (Oreothlypis peregrina) 1
Nashville Warbler (Oreothylpis ruficapilla) 1
Kentucky Warbler (Geothylpis formosa) 1
American Redstart (Setophaga ruticilla) 257
Cape May Warbler (Setophaga tigrina) 3
Northern Parula (Setophaga americana) 79
Magnolia Warbler (Setophaga magnolia) 2
Blackburnian Warbler (Setophaga fusca) 1
Yellow Warbler (Setophaga petechia) 83
Chestnut-sided Warbler (Setophaga pensylvanica) 7
Blackpoll Warbler (Setophaga striata) 2
Black-throated Blue Warbler (Setophaga caerulescens) 10
Palm Warbler (Setophaga palmarum) 9
Prairie Warbler (Setophaga discolor) 1
warbler sp. (Parulinae sp.) 69
Rose-breasted Grosbeak (Pheucticus ludovicianus) 1
Blue Grosbeak (Passerina caerulea) 1
Indigo Bunting (Passerina cyanea) 4
Bobolink (Dolichonyx oryzivorus) 65
House Finch (Haemorhous mexicanus) 31
American Goldfinch (Spinus tristis) 6
Hawk Watch – 9 September 2014
Cape May Cape May Point, New Jersey, USA Daily Raptor Counts: Sep 09, 2014 ------------------------------------------------------------------- Species Day's Count Month Total Season Total ------------------ ----------- -------------- -------------- Black Vulture 0 0 0 Turkey Vulture 0 39 39 Osprey 26 567 567 Bald Eagle 0 26 26 Northern Harrier 0 42 42 Sharp-shinned Hawk 0 5 5 Cooper's Hawk 0 41 41 Northern Goshawk 0 0 0 Red-shouldered Hawk 0 1 1 Broad-winged Hawk 0 10 10 Red-tailed Hawk 0 14 14 Rough-legged Hawk 0 0 0 Golden Eagle 0 0 0 American Kestrel 7 414 414 Merlin 11 43 43 Peregrine Falcon 4 9 9 Unknown Accipiter 0 0 0 Unknown Buteo 0 0 0 Unknown Falcon 0 0 0 Unknown Eagle 0 0 0 Unknown Raptor 0 1 1 Total: 48 1212 1212 ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Observation start time: 06:00:00 Observation end time: 17:00:00 Total observation time: 11 hours Official Counter: Mary Raikes Observers: Weather: Light rain in the morning, with strong E/NE winds 15-20mph. Temps in the low 70's. Raptor Observations: Fairly slow day with mainly falcons and ospreys. Non-raptor Observations: Glossy Ibis(8), Little Blue heron, Black Tern(1), Common Nighthawk(1), Double-crested cormorant flocks(250). Predictions: North winds 13-15 with a slight chance of showers in the am and temperatures in the mid-70's. ======================================================================== Cape May information may be found at: http://www.njaudubon.org/Centers/CMBO/
Morning Flight – 9 September 2014
 |
| [Wilson's Phalarope flying over the dike, just after daybreak. Photo by Tom Reed.] |
It was a dark and soggy morning up on the dike, but there were a few birds on the move. Northern Waterthrush led the way, and was also the only species to fly above 100ft. Shorebirds put on a decent show, highlighted by a brief visit from a Wilson's Phalarope. Another surprise was the White-winged Dove that rolled past the north side of the dike about an hour after sunrise. It's quite possible that this is the same individual previously seen in the area during the past week.
Weather and time: mild and damp; 70–72 ºF; winds NE at 10–20 mph; 100% cloud cover throughout with occasional rain; fair visibility; 0636 sunrise; 2.25 hours. Observer: Tom Reed.
Morning Flight Count totals:
Ruby-throated Hummingbird (Archilochus colubris) 1
Blue-gray Gnatcatcher (Polioptila caerulea) 1
Cedar Waxwing (Bombycilla cedrorum) 28
Northern Waterthrush (Parkesia noveboracensis) 31
Black-and-white Warbler (Mniotilta varia) 1
American Redstart (Setophaga ruticilla) 14
Cape May Warbler (Setophaga tigrina) 1
Northern Parula (Setophaga americana) 2
Yellow Warbler (Setophaga petechia) 6
Chestnut-sided Warbler (Setophaga pensylvanica) 2
Blackpoll Warbler (Setophaga striata) 1
Black-throated Blue Warbler (Setophaga caerulescens) 1
Scarlet Tanager (Piranga olivacea) 1
Indigo Bunting (Passerina cyanea) 1
Bobolink (Dolichonyx oryzivorus) 31
House Finch (Haemorhous mexicanus) 4
Morning Flight – 8 September 2014
 |
| [Northern Parula looking for trouble. Photo by Tom Reed.] |
A large flight over the Mid-Atlantic largely avoided Cape May, thanks to newly-established easterly winds. Small parties of warblers and other passerines flew past and over the dike at various heights and in various directions. The highlight of the observation period was a Connecticut Warbler at the start of the 3rd hour.
Weather and time: mostly cloudy and mild; winds north to east at 5–10mph; very good visibility; 0635 sunrise; 3.25 hours. Observer: Tom Reed.
Morning Flight Count totals:
Ruby-throated Hummingbird (Archilochus colubris) 1
Blue-gray Gnatcatcher (Polioptila caerulea) 2
Northern Mockingbird (Mimus polyglottos) 1
Cedar Waxwing (Bombycilla cedrorum) 49
Northern Waterthrush (Parkesia noveboracensis) 27
Blue-winged Warbler (Vermivora cyanoptera) 1
Black-and-white Warbler (Mniotilta varia) 4
Connecticut Warbler (Oporornis agilis) 1
American Redstart (Setophaga ruticilla) 40
Northern Parula (Setophaga americana) 20
Yellow Warbler (Setophaga petechia) 11
Chestnut-sided Warbler (Setophaga pensylvanica) 4
Magnolia Warbler (Setophaga magnolia) 1
Blackpoll Warbler (Setophaga striata) 2
Black-throated Blue Warbler (Setophaga caerulescens) 4
warbler sp. (Parulinae sp.) 21
Palm Warbler (Setophaga palmarum) 1
Scarlet Tanager (Piranga olivacea) 1
Blue Grosbeak (Passerina caerulea) 2
Indigo Bunting (Passerina cyanea) 1
Bobolink (Dolichonyx oryzivorus) 36 southbound, 41 northbound
Hawkwatch - 8 September 2014
Cape May Cape May Point, New Jersey, USA Daily Raptor Counts: Sep 08, 2014 ------------------------------------------------------------------- Species Day's Count Month Total Season Total ------------------ ----------- -------------- -------------- Black Vulture 0 0 0 Turkey Vulture 0 39 39 Osprey 30 541 541 Bald Eagle 3 26 26 Northern Harrier 0 42 42 Sharp-shinned Hawk 0 5 5 Cooper's Hawk 0 41 41 Northern Goshawk 0 0 0 Red-shouldered Hawk 0 1 1 Broad-winged Hawk 0 10 10 Red-tailed Hawk 0 14 14 Rough-legged Hawk 0 0 0 Golden Eagle 0 0 0 American Kestrel 17 407 407 Merlin 5 32 32 Peregrine Falcon 3 5 5 Unknown Accipiter 0 0 0 Unknown Buteo 0 0 0 Unknown Falcon 0 0 0 Unknown Eagle 0 0 0 Unknown Raptor 0 1 1 Total: 58 1164 1164 ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Observation start time: 05:45:00 Observation end time: 17:00:00 Total observation time: 11.25 hours Official Counter: Mary Raikes Observers: Weather: Winds steady from the east (10-15mph) with gusts of 20+. Mostly cloudy in the am and then light rain in the afternoon. Raptor Observations: A low flight of mainly falcons and ospreys. Non-raptor Observations: Bobo's on the move(500+), Double-crested cormorants(150), Willet(2), Caspian Tern(2), Black Tern(2), Glossy Ibis(10), Cape May Warbler(1). Predictions: Rain and thunderstorms likely, heavy at times. East winds 10-17. ======================================================================== Cape May information may be found at: http://www.njaudubon.org/Centers/CMBO/
Hawkwatch - 7 September 2014
Cape May Cape May Point, New Jersey, USA Daily Raptor Counts: Sep 07, 2014 ------------------------------------------------------------------- Species Day's Count Month Total Season Total ------------------ ----------- -------------- -------------- Black Vulture 0 0 0 Turkey Vulture 0 39 39 Osprey 122 511 511 Bald Eagle 9 23 23 Northern Harrier 6 42 42 Sharp-shinned Hawk 1 5 5 Cooper's Hawk 28 41 41 Northern Goshawk 0 0 0 Red-shouldered Hawk 0 1 1 Broad-winged Hawk 3 10 10 Red-tailed Hawk 8 14 14 Rough-legged Hawk 0 0 0 Golden Eagle 0 0 0 American Kestrel 148 390 390 Merlin 12 27 27 Peregrine Falcon 1 2 2 Unknown Accipiter 0 0 0 Unknown Buteo 0 0 0 Unknown Falcon 0 0 0 Unknown Eagle 0 0 0 Unknown Raptor 1 1 1 Total: 339 1106 1106 ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Observation start time: 05:30:00 Observation end time: 17:00:00 Total observation time: 11.5 hours Official Counter: Mary Raikes Observers: Weather: Cloudy then partly cloudy with temperatures in the low 70's. N, NE, then E winds shifting over the day between 5-15mph. Raptor Observations: A good mix of raptors with a strong movement of ospreys and kestrels. A high scattered flight for most of the day. Non-raptor Observations: BOBO's flying before dawn; several large flocks(650). Bats and Common Nighthawks(3). Black Tern(1). Willet(1). Glossy Ibis(6). Black Skimmer(2). Cape May Warbler(1). Predictions: Slight chance of showers with strong east winds. Temps in the mid 70's. ======================================================================== Cape May information may be found at: http://www.njaudubon.org/Centers/CMBO/
Morning Flight – 7 September 2014
Sorry everyone, no pictures today. This is because walking up to the top of the Higbee Dike is slippery and treacherous after a rainy night. This is because I tumbled up the dike and landed on my camera. I'm slowly cleaning the mud out of my camera. I think it's going to be OK.
Take it from me, use caution when walking up. And thank Mike Crewe, CMBO Program Director, next time you see him. Mike worked with shovel in-hand for an hour this morning to create many good steps and footholds for making a safe, tumble-free, ascent and descent. If you still have any doubts remember that you can take a less steep approach up the dike from the northwestern corner of the impoundment, adjacent to the fisherman's parking lot. The steep, but now stepped, "main" path I speak of just before is at the southwestern corner of the dike impoundment, adjacent to the wooden platform.
Now for the birds. With the exception of Bobolink, it was a low-showing of neotropical migrant numbers this morning in spite of winds from the north. A total of 1,491 BOBOs were counted and all significant movement was northbound. There were a few more warbler species than yesterday with 15 species today, including Blue-winged and the 2014 count's first Yellow-rumped Warbler.
Weather and time: cloudy, windy, and seasonably cool; 66–68 ºF; winds NE at 10-15 mph; 95% cloud cover; very good visibility; 0634 sunrise; 3.25 hours.
Morning Flight Count totals:
Eastern Wood-Pewee (Contopus virens) 1
Eastern Kingbird (Tyrannus tyrannus) 34
Red-eyed Vireo (Vireo olivaceus) 1
European Starling (Sturnus vulgaris) 7
Cedar Waxwing (Bombycilla cedrorum) 316
Northern Waterthrush (Parkesia noveboracensis) 10
Blue-winged Warbler (Vermivora cyanoptera) 1
Black-and-white Warbler (Mniotilta varia) 3
Tennessee Warbler (Oreothlypis peregrina) 1
American Redstart (Setophaga ruticilla) 47
Northern Parula (Setophaga americana) 9
Bay-breasted Warbler (Setophaga castanea) 1
Yellow Warbler (Setophaga petechia) 6
Chestnut-sided Warbler (Setophaga pensylvanica) 1
Blackpoll Warbler (Setophaga striata) 1
Black-throated Blue Warbler (Setophaga caerulescens) 3
Palm Warbler (Setophaga palmarum) 1
Yellow-rumped Warbler (Setophaga coronata) 1
Prairie Warbler (Setophaga discolor) 2
Black-throated Green Warbler (Setophaga virens) 1
Scarlet Tanager (Piranga olivacea) 1
Rose-breasted Grosbeak (Pheucticus ludovicianus) 1
Blue Grosbeak (Passerina caerulea) 1
Bobolink (Dolichonyx oryzivorus) 1491 northbound
House Finch (Haemorhous mexicanus) 14
American Goldfinch (Spinus tristis) 1
Today's full list can be viewed at: http://ebird.org/ebird/view/checklist?subID=S19760915
Take it from me, use caution when walking up. And thank Mike Crewe, CMBO Program Director, next time you see him. Mike worked with shovel in-hand for an hour this morning to create many good steps and footholds for making a safe, tumble-free, ascent and descent. If you still have any doubts remember that you can take a less steep approach up the dike from the northwestern corner of the impoundment, adjacent to the fisherman's parking lot. The steep, but now stepped, "main" path I speak of just before is at the southwestern corner of the dike impoundment, adjacent to the wooden platform.
Now for the birds. With the exception of Bobolink, it was a low-showing of neotropical migrant numbers this morning in spite of winds from the north. A total of 1,491 BOBOs were counted and all significant movement was northbound. There were a few more warbler species than yesterday with 15 species today, including Blue-winged and the 2014 count's first Yellow-rumped Warbler.
Weather and time: cloudy, windy, and seasonably cool; 66–68 ºF; winds NE at 10-15 mph; 95% cloud cover; very good visibility; 0634 sunrise; 3.25 hours.
Morning Flight Count totals:
Eastern Wood-Pewee (Contopus virens) 1
Eastern Kingbird (Tyrannus tyrannus) 34
Red-eyed Vireo (Vireo olivaceus) 1
European Starling (Sturnus vulgaris) 7
Cedar Waxwing (Bombycilla cedrorum) 316
Northern Waterthrush (Parkesia noveboracensis) 10
Blue-winged Warbler (Vermivora cyanoptera) 1
Black-and-white Warbler (Mniotilta varia) 3
Tennessee Warbler (Oreothlypis peregrina) 1
American Redstart (Setophaga ruticilla) 47
Northern Parula (Setophaga americana) 9
Bay-breasted Warbler (Setophaga castanea) 1
Yellow Warbler (Setophaga petechia) 6
Chestnut-sided Warbler (Setophaga pensylvanica) 1
Blackpoll Warbler (Setophaga striata) 1
Black-throated Blue Warbler (Setophaga caerulescens) 3
Palm Warbler (Setophaga palmarum) 1
Yellow-rumped Warbler (Setophaga coronata) 1
Prairie Warbler (Setophaga discolor) 2
Black-throated Green Warbler (Setophaga virens) 1
Scarlet Tanager (Piranga olivacea) 1
Rose-breasted Grosbeak (Pheucticus ludovicianus) 1
Blue Grosbeak (Passerina caerulea) 1
Bobolink (Dolichonyx oryzivorus) 1491 northbound
House Finch (Haemorhous mexicanus) 14
American Goldfinch (Spinus tristis) 1
Today's full list can be viewed at: http://ebird.org/ebird/view/checklist?subID=S19760915
Hawkwatch - 6 September 2014
Cape May Cape May Point, New Jersey, USA Daily Raptor Counts: Sep 06, 2014 ------------------------------------------------------------------- Species Day's Count Month Total Season Total ------------------ ----------- -------------- -------------- Black Vulture 0 0 0 Turkey Vulture 0 39 39 Osprey 65 389 389 Bald Eagle 1 14 14 Northern Harrier 0 36 36 Sharp-shinned Hawk 0 4 4 Cooper's Hawk 2 13 13 Northern Goshawk 0 0 0 Red-shouldered Hawk 1 1 1 Broad-winged Hawk 0 7 7 Red-tailed Hawk 1 6 6 Rough-legged Hawk 0 0 0 Golden Eagle 0 0 0 American Kestrel 28 242 242 Merlin 1 15 15 Peregrine Falcon 0 1 1 Unknown Accipiter 0 0 0 Unknown Buteo 0 0 0 Unknown Falcon 0 0 0 Unknown Eagle 0 0 0 Unknown Raptor 0 0 0 Total: 99 767 767 ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Observation start time: 05:30:00 Observation end time: 17:00:00 Total observation time: 11.5 hours Official Counter: Mary Raikes Observers: Weather: Steady SW winds 5-10 mph. Mostly sunny; hot and humid. High's in the mid to upper 80's. Raptor Observations: Slow in the morning, steady flow of ospreys and kestrels mid-afternoon. Most on a distant westerly flight to the north. First Red-shouldered hawk of the season. Non-raptor Observations: Black Tern(1), American Robin(15), Glossy Ibis(10), Pectoral Sandpipers(35), Black Skimmer(10), Willet(2). Predictions: Cold front moving in after midnight with thunderstorms likely. Winds shifting to the north (10-15mph). Much cooler temperatures in the mid-70's. ======================================================================== Cape May information may be found at: http://www.njaudubon.org/Centers/CMBO/
Morning Flight – 6 September 2014
Today was quiet and warm but with a nice variety of neotropical migrants still shining through. After all it's peak time for many long-distance migrants. Under 30 individual warblers were encountered this morning but there was still a good diversity with 12 species from the family Parulidae.
Tomorrow is shaping up to be a good one for migration, judging by the weather. I hope to see you out there tomorrow!
NOTE: The main path up the side of the dike impoundment is steep walking. There is an easier, but less direct way up to Morning Flight by taking the path up the slope nearby to the fisherman's parking area along the canal which is located directly across the canal from the ferry terminal.
Red-bellied Woodpecker (Melanerpes carolinus) 1
Alder Flycatcher (Empidonax alnorum) 1
Eastern Kingbird (Tyrannus tyrannus) 13
Warbling Vireo (Vireo gilvus) 1
Red-eyed Vireo (Vireo olivaceus) 1
Cedar Waxwing (Bombycilla cedrorum) 27 27 south
Ovenbird (Seiurus aurocapilla) 1
Northern Waterthrush (Parkesia noveboracensis) 7
Black-and-white Warbler (Mniotilta varia) 4
American Redstart (Setophaga ruticilla) 3
Cape May Warbler (Setophaga tigrina) 2
Magnolia Warbler (Setophaga magnolia) 2
Yellow Warbler (Setophaga petechia) 3
Chestnut-sided Warbler (Setophaga pensylvanica) 2
Blackpoll Warbler (Setophaga striata) 1
Black-throated Blue Warbler (Setophaga caerulescens) 1
Palm Warbler (Setophaga palmarum) 1
Wilson's Warbler (Cardellina pusilla) 1
Scarlet Tanager (Piranga olivacea) 2
Dickcissel (Spiza americana) 1
Bobolink (Dolichonyx oryzivorus) 99
House Finch (Haemorhous mexicanus) 5
American Goldfinch (Spinus tristis) 2
House Sparrow (Passer domesticus) 3
Today's full list can be viewed at: http://ebird.org/ebird/view/checklist?subID=S19752239
Tomorrow is shaping up to be a good one for migration, judging by the weather. I hope to see you out there tomorrow!
NOTE: The main path up the side of the dike impoundment is steep walking. There is an easier, but less direct way up to Morning Flight by taking the path up the slope nearby to the fisherman's parking area along the canal which is located directly across the canal from the ferry terminal.
Weather and time:
sunny and humid; 64–81 ºF; winds SSW-SW at 5-10 mph; 5%
cloud cover; good visibility; 0632 sunrise; 3.25
hours.
Morning Flight Count totals:
Morning Flight Count totals:
Red-bellied Woodpecker (Melanerpes carolinus) 1
Alder Flycatcher (Empidonax alnorum) 1
Eastern Kingbird (Tyrannus tyrannus) 13
Warbling Vireo (Vireo gilvus) 1
Red-eyed Vireo (Vireo olivaceus) 1
Cedar Waxwing (Bombycilla cedrorum) 27 27 south
Ovenbird (Seiurus aurocapilla) 1
Northern Waterthrush (Parkesia noveboracensis) 7
Black-and-white Warbler (Mniotilta varia) 4
American Redstart (Setophaga ruticilla) 3
Cape May Warbler (Setophaga tigrina) 2
Magnolia Warbler (Setophaga magnolia) 2
Yellow Warbler (Setophaga petechia) 3
Chestnut-sided Warbler (Setophaga pensylvanica) 2
Blackpoll Warbler (Setophaga striata) 1
Black-throated Blue Warbler (Setophaga caerulescens) 1
Palm Warbler (Setophaga palmarum) 1
Wilson's Warbler (Cardellina pusilla) 1
Scarlet Tanager (Piranga olivacea) 2
Dickcissel (Spiza americana) 1
Bobolink (Dolichonyx oryzivorus) 99
House Finch (Haemorhous mexicanus) 5
American Goldfinch (Spinus tristis) 2
House Sparrow (Passer domesticus) 3
Today's full list can be viewed at: http://ebird.org/ebird/view/checklist?subID=S19752239
 |
| A sun-blur of Bobolink |
 |
| a not-so Scarlet Tanager |
 |
| Rock Pigeons are birds too, people! |
Hawkwatch - 5 September 2014
Cape May Cape May Point, New Jersey, USA Daily Raptor Counts: Sep 05, 2014 ------------------------------------------------------------------- Species Day's Count Month Total Season Total ------------------ ----------- -------------- -------------- Black Vulture 0 0 0 Turkey Vulture 0 39 39 Osprey 26 324 324 Bald Eagle 0 13 13 Northern Harrier 0 36 36 Sharp-shinned Hawk 0 4 4 Cooper's Hawk 0 11 11 Northern Goshawk 0 0 0 Red-shouldered Hawk 0 0 0 Broad-winged Hawk 0 7 7 Red-tailed Hawk 0 5 5 Rough-legged Hawk 0 0 0 Golden Eagle 0 0 0 American Kestrel 2 214 214 Merlin 0 14 14 Peregrine Falcon 0 1 1 Unknown Accipiter 0 0 0 Unknown Buteo 0 0 0 Unknown Falcon 0 0 0 Unknown Eagle 0 0 0 Unknown Raptor 0 0 0 Total: 28 668 668 ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Observation start time: 05:30:00 Observation end time: 17:00:00 Total observation time: 11.5 hours Official Counter: Mary Raikes Observers: Weather: Light SE winds in morning and patchy fog, then stronger south winds in the afternoon. Storm passed to the northwest in the late afternoon. Temps in low 80's. Raptor Observations: Slower day due to SE/S winds. Mainly ospreys in the early afternoon, then very little movement after 1400. Non-raptor Observations: Slow. Bobolinks(75), Willet(2), Blue-winged Teal(2), Northern Pintail(2), Black Tern(1), Orchard Oriole(1). Predictions: Chance of showers and thunderstorms throughout day. High of 84 with southwest winds (10-15mph). ======================================================================== Cape May information may be found at: http://www.njaudubon.org/Centers/CMBO/
Morning Flight – 5 September 2014
 |
| [This Chestnut-sided Warbler put on a good show at the dike today. Photo by Tom Reed.] |
Warm and muggy conditions, along with a continuing light breeze out of the southeast, made for a quiet morning atop the Higbee Dike. Birds were generally high and moving on a broad front. Warblers were mostly northbound for the first 90 minutes of daylight; the few that were noted after this point were mostly southbound. A roving pocket of songbirds below the dike included 6+ Red-eyed Vireos and a Philadelphia Vireo (which eventually jumped up and shot off to the north).
Weather and time: warm and humid; 73–82 ºF; winds calm, variable or SE at 2–7 mph; 90% cloud cover at start, decreasing through period; fair->good visibility; 0633 sunrise; 3.25 hours. Observer: Tom Reed.
Morning Flight Count totals:
Ruby-throated Hummingbird (Archilochus colubris) 5
Philadelphia Vireo (Vireo philadelphicus) 1
Red-eyed Vireo (Vireo olivaceus) 3
Blue-gray Gnatcatcher (Polioptila caerulea) 2
Cedar Waxwing (Bombycilla cedrorum) 69
Northern Waterthrush (Parkesia noveboracensis) 12
Blue-winged Warbler (Vermivora cyanoptera) 1
Black-and-white Warbler (Mniotilta varia) 5
American Redstart (Setophaga ruticilla) 20
Northern Parula (Setophaga americana) 6
Magnolia Warbler (Setophaga magnolia) 1
Yellow Warbler (Setophaga petechia) 5
Chestnut-sided Warbler (Setophaga pensylvanica) 3
Blackpoll Warbler (Setophaga striata) 1
Bay-breasted/Blackpoll Warbler (Setophaga castanea/striata) 1
Black-throated Blue Warbler (Setophaga caerulescens) 3
warbler sp. (Parulinae sp.) 10
Scarlet Tanager (Piranga olivacea) 1
Indigo Bunting (Passerina cyanea) 1
Bobolink (Dolichonyx oryzivorus) 34 (southbound)
House Finch (Haemorhous mexicanus) 7
Hawkwatch – 4 September 2014
 |
| [Cooper's Hawk hunting over Bunker Pond this afternoon. Photo by Tom Reed.] |
Cape May
Cape May Point, New Jersey, USA
Daily Raptor Counts: Sep 04, 2014
-------------------------------------------------------------------
Species Day's Count Month Total Season Total
------------------ ----------- -------------- --------------
Black Vulture 0 0 0
Turkey Vulture 6 39 39
Osprey 64 298 298
Bald Eagle 2 13 13
Northern Harrier 14 36 36
Sharp-shinned Hawk 1 4 4
Cooper's Hawk 5 11 11
Northern Goshawk 0 0 0
Red-shouldered Hawk 0 0 0
Broad-winged Hawk 5 7 7
Red-tailed Hawk 4 5 5
Rough-legged Hawk 0 0 0
Golden Eagle 0 0 0
American Kestrel 72 212 212
Merlin 4 14 14
Peregrine Falcon 0 1 1
Unknown Accipiter 0 0 0
Unknown Buteo 0 0 0
Unknown Falcon 0 0 0
Unknown Eagle 0 0 0
Unknown Raptor 0 0 0
Total: 177 640 640
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Observation start time: 05:15:00
Observation end time: 16:00:00
Total observation time: 10.75 hours
Official Counter: Tom Reed
Observers:
Weather:
Seasonably mild. Partly cloudy skies early became clear by mid-morning,
clouding over by midday; gradual clearing again through PM hours. Winds
calm to start, becoming light N->E ~5mph, eventually SE ~10mph by 0930EST.
Visibility very good throughout.
Raptor Observations:
As expected, a very high movement of birds crossing Delaware Bay during AM
hours. Flight gradually diminished and became lower/more distant to the
north as SE winds took hold through PM hours.
Non-raptor Observations:
Excellent songbird flight. Select estimated totals incl. 7500 Bobolinks,
750 American Redstarts, 200 Northern Waterthrushes, 80 Yellow Warblers, 40
Black-and-white Warblers, 20 Red-eyed Vireos, 10 Chestnut-sided Warblers.
Also Connecticut Warbler (2), Wilson's Warbler (1), Blackburnian Warbler
(1), Palm Warbler (2), Yellow-rumped Warbler (1).
Predictions:
Fog early, then partly sunny; 81ºF, winds S 5-10mph.
========================================================================
Report submitted by Tom Reed (coturnicops@gmail.com)
Cape May information may be found at:
http://www.njaudubon.org/Centers/CMBO/
Morning Flight – 4 September 2014
Once again T. Reed reported a good flight over the hawkwatch but it
wasn't to be a sunrise thing at Morning Flight today... or was it,
sorta. Early on, I gave it a "sorta", but then a surge started at 45
minutes after sunrise and lasted into the third hour with almost 400
warblers and good diversity being counted. 1,724 out of 2351 birds
tallied were southbound Bobolinks.
Soon after official dawn, at 6:31, Bobolink and warbler flight calls could be heard high overhead. BOBOs were headed south, but also were the warblers. Who knows how many could have slipped through undetected? I estimate that many of these early first hour birds flew over us at 1000 feet or more. While this hard-to-detect southbound flight seemed to diminish and die out the small swarm of 'neotrop' numbers and diversity headed our way. With the very low wind I though that the northbound flight could happen all over the place, but it looked mostly contained to the area around the dike. The all-around the diversity of flycatchers, vireos, and warblers was very good with highlights like Olive-sided Flycatcher, Warbling and Philadelphia Vireo, Ovenbird, Worm-eating, Tennessee, Bay-breasted, Blackburnian, Palm, and Wilson's Warbler. A Buff-breasted Sandpiper flew very high to the northwest after an equally altitudinous juvenile and parent pair of Caspian Terns drove toward the bay.
Ruby-throated Hummingbird (Archilochus colubris) 5
Downy Woodpecker (Picoides pubescens) 1
Eastern Wood-Pewee (Contopus virens) 1
Empidonax sp. (Empidonax sp.) 1
Eastern Kingbird (Tyrannus tyrannus) 57 25 north, 32 south
Warbling Vireo (Vireo gilvus) 1
Philadelphia Vireo (Vireo philadelphicus) 1
Red-eyed Vireo (Vireo olivaceus) 4
Blue-gray Gnatcatcher (Polioptila caerulea) 2
European Starling (Sturnus vulgaris) 57
Cedar Waxwing (Bombycilla cedrorum) 99
Ovenbird (Seiurus aurocapilla) 1
Worm-eating Warbler (Helmitheros vermivorum) 2
Northern Waterthrush (Parkesia noveboracensis) 28
Black-and-white Warbler (Mniotilta varia) 12
Tennessee Warbler (Oreothlypis peregrina) 2
American Redstart (Setophaga ruticilla) 234
Cape May Warbler (Setophaga tigrina) 3
Northern Parula (Setophaga americana) 26
Magnolia Warbler (Setophaga magnolia) 6
Bay-breasted Warbler (Setophaga castanea) 2
Blackburnian Warbler (Setophaga fusca) 2
Yellow Warbler (Setophaga petechia) 8
Chestnut-sided Warbler (Setophaga pensylvanica) 2
Blackpoll Warbler (Setophaga striata) 4
Bay-breasted/Blackpoll Warbler (Setophaga castanea/striata) 3
Black-throated Blue Warbler (Setophaga caerulescens) 14
Palm Warbler (Setophaga palmarum) 2
Prairie Warbler (Setophaga discolor) 1
Black-throated Green Warbler (Setophaga virens) 2
Wilson's Warbler (Cardellina pusilla) 2
warbler sp. (Parulinae sp.) 61 26 north, 35 south
Scarlet Tanager (Piranga olivacea) 2
Blue Grosbeak (Passerina caerulea) 1
Indigo Bunting (Passerina cyanea) 3
Dickcissel (Spiza americana) 1
Bobolink (Dolichonyx oryzivorus) 1731 7 north, 1724 south
Baltimore Oriole (Icterus galbula) 1
House Finch (Haemorhous mexicanus) 39
Today's full list can be viewed at: http://ebird.org/ebird/view/checklist?subID=S19715359
Continue below the photos for today's hourly breakdown.
The following data show only north for EAKI and warbler sp. and only south for BOBO. Also note that it is out of taxonomic order.
Soon after official dawn, at 6:31, Bobolink and warbler flight calls could be heard high overhead. BOBOs were headed south, but also were the warblers. Who knows how many could have slipped through undetected? I estimate that many of these early first hour birds flew over us at 1000 feet or more. While this hard-to-detect southbound flight seemed to diminish and die out the small swarm of 'neotrop' numbers and diversity headed our way. With the very low wind I though that the northbound flight could happen all over the place, but it looked mostly contained to the area around the dike. The all-around the diversity of flycatchers, vireos, and warblers was very good with highlights like Olive-sided Flycatcher, Warbling and Philadelphia Vireo, Ovenbird, Worm-eating, Tennessee, Bay-breasted, Blackburnian, Palm, and Wilson's Warbler. A Buff-breasted Sandpiper flew very high to the northwest after an equally altitudinous juvenile and parent pair of Caspian Terns drove toward the bay.
Weather and time:
sunny and humid; 66–82 ºF; winds calm, variable or ESE at 1-2 mph; 25%
cloud cover H1-H2 0% cc H3-H4; very good visibility; 0631 sunrise; 4.25
hours.
Morning Flight Count totals:
Morning Flight Count totals:
Ruby-throated Hummingbird (Archilochus colubris) 5
Downy Woodpecker (Picoides pubescens) 1
Eastern Wood-Pewee (Contopus virens) 1
Empidonax sp. (Empidonax sp.) 1
Eastern Kingbird (Tyrannus tyrannus) 57 25 north, 32 south
Warbling Vireo (Vireo gilvus) 1
Philadelphia Vireo (Vireo philadelphicus) 1
Red-eyed Vireo (Vireo olivaceus) 4
Blue-gray Gnatcatcher (Polioptila caerulea) 2
European Starling (Sturnus vulgaris) 57
Cedar Waxwing (Bombycilla cedrorum) 99
Ovenbird (Seiurus aurocapilla) 1
Worm-eating Warbler (Helmitheros vermivorum) 2
Northern Waterthrush (Parkesia noveboracensis) 28
Black-and-white Warbler (Mniotilta varia) 12
Tennessee Warbler (Oreothlypis peregrina) 2
American Redstart (Setophaga ruticilla) 234
Cape May Warbler (Setophaga tigrina) 3
Northern Parula (Setophaga americana) 26
Magnolia Warbler (Setophaga magnolia) 6
Bay-breasted Warbler (Setophaga castanea) 2
Blackburnian Warbler (Setophaga fusca) 2
Yellow Warbler (Setophaga petechia) 8
Chestnut-sided Warbler (Setophaga pensylvanica) 2
Blackpoll Warbler (Setophaga striata) 4
Bay-breasted/Blackpoll Warbler (Setophaga castanea/striata) 3
Black-throated Blue Warbler (Setophaga caerulescens) 14
Palm Warbler (Setophaga palmarum) 2
Prairie Warbler (Setophaga discolor) 1
Black-throated Green Warbler (Setophaga virens) 2
Wilson's Warbler (Cardellina pusilla) 2
warbler sp. (Parulinae sp.) 61 26 north, 35 south
Scarlet Tanager (Piranga olivacea) 2
Blue Grosbeak (Passerina caerulea) 1
Indigo Bunting (Passerina cyanea) 3
Dickcissel (Spiza americana) 1
Bobolink (Dolichonyx oryzivorus) 1731 7 north, 1724 south
Baltimore Oriole (Icterus galbula) 1
House Finch (Haemorhous mexicanus) 39
Today's full list can be viewed at: http://ebird.org/ebird/view/checklist?subID=S19715359
Continue below the photos for today's hourly breakdown.
 | |||
| The bird with the impossibly green-colored back (Chestnut-sided Warbler) says roll the tape on today's flight shots of American Redstart and Black-and-white Warbler. This bird also says "ziiih". |
(Photos by: Glen Davis)
The following data show only north for EAKI and warbler sp. and only south for BOBO. Also note that it is out of taxonomic order.
|
Hawkwatch – 3 September 2014
Cape May Cape May Point, New Jersey, USA Daily Raptor Counts: Sep 03, 2014 ------------------------------------------------------------------- Species Day's Count Month Total Season Total ------------------ ----------- -------------- -------------- Black Vulture 0 0 0 Turkey Vulture 33 33 33 Osprey 216 234 234 Bald Eagle 11 11 11 Northern Harrier 21 22 22 Sharp-shinned Hawk 3 3 3 Cooper's Hawk 6 6 6 Northern Goshawk 0 0 0 Red-shouldered Hawk 0 0 0 Broad-winged Hawk 2 2 2 Red-tailed Hawk 1 1 1 Rough-legged Hawk 0 0 0 Golden Eagle 0 0 0 American Kestrel 138 140 140 Merlin 10 10 10 Peregrine Falcon 1 1 1 Unknown Accipiter 0 0 0 Unknown Buteo 0 0 0 Unknown Falcon 0 0 0 Unknown Eagle 0 0 0 Unknown Raptor 0 0 0 Total: 442 463 463 ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Observation start time: 05:15:00 Observation end time: 16:30:00 Total observation time: 11.25 hours Official Counter: Tom Reed Observers: Weather: Seasonably warm with gradual clearing throughout the AM. Winds calm to start, becoming NW/N 5–10mph during AM; NW/W 5–10mph during PM. Cold front cleared around 0700EST. Raptor Observations: A nice flight for the date, albeit very high and on a broad front. OSPR started to move around 0830EST and continued throughout (biggest hr total=39). AMKE also put in a fair showing, especially during PM hours. 11 BAEA during midday. Non-raptor Observations: Little Blue Heron (3), Tricolored Heron (1), American Golden-Plover (1), Pectoral Sandpiper (7), Stilt Sandpiper (1), Caspian Tern (8), Red-breasted Nuthatch (1), White-breasted Nuthatch (1), Tennessee Warbler (1), Cape May Warbler (2), Blackburnian Warbler (1), Chestnut-sided Warbler (2), Ovenbird (1), Pine Warbler (1), Palm Warbler (1), Dickcissel (1), Bobolink (500+) Predictions: Sunny, 78ºF, winds SE 10–15mph. ======================================================================== Report submitted by Tom Reed (coturnicops@gmail.com) Cape May information may be found at: http://www.njaudubon.org/Centers/CMBO/
Morning Flight – 3 September 2014
A development in the weather department dropped migrants down our way on the dawn NNW winds. Tom Reed, stationed at the hawkwatch, reported to me early on that warblers and Bobolink flocks were moving high and to the south of Higbee Beach. This key piece of coordinated observation might well explain why the dike saw very little activity until 30-45 minutes after sunrise. American Redstart lead the charge and dominated the warbler tally, and often showed in small groups approaching from a few hundred feet up or just over the treetops. There was a pleasant mixture of birds following a variety of behavioral urges. Hummingbirds chased quite a few species of migrants today. A sudden appearance by the largest group of Common Grackle yet this fall (60) caused the trees to shed their treetop Eastern Kingbird assortment and the two species mixed and mingled. With the high cloud ceiling perhaps some portion of the flight (Bobolink especially) went super high and undetected.
It was great to see Clay Taylor, with Swarovski Optik, and enjoy this morning's birding together with our Swarovski binoculars, scope, and scope phone adapter.
Ruby-throated Hummingbird (Archilochus colubris) 5
Eastern Wood-Pewee (Contopus virens) 1
Yellow-bellied Flycatcher (Empidonax flaviventris) 1
Eastern Kingbird (Tyrannus tyrannus) 58
Red-eyed Vireo (Vireo olivaceus) 1
Blue-gray Gnatcatcher (Polioptila caerulea) 7
American Robin (Turdus migratorius) 1
Northern Mockingbird (Mimus polyglottos) 6
European Starling (Sturnus vulgaris) 74
Cedar Waxwing (Bombycilla cedrorum) 67
Northern Waterthrush (Parkesia noveboracensis) 7
Black-and-white Warbler (Mniotilta varia) 2
American Redstart (Setophaga ruticilla) 83
Cape May Warbler (Setophaga tigrina) 1
Northern Parula (Setophaga americana) 2
Magnolia Warbler (Setophaga magnolia) 3
Yellow Warbler (Setophaga petechia) 2
Black-throated Blue Warbler (Setophaga caerulescens) 1
Wilson's Warbler (Cardellina pusilla) 1
warbler sp. (Parulinae sp.) 4
Blue Grosbeak (Passerina caerulea) 3
Indigo Bunting (Passerina cyanea) 3
Bobolink (Dolichonyx oryzivorus) 35
Baltimore Oriole (Icterus galbula) 1
House Finch (Haemorhous mexicanus) 5
American Goldfinch (Spinus tristis) 1
House Sparrow (Passer domesticus) 2
Today's full list can be viewed at: http://ebird.org/ebird/view/checklist?subID=S19656559
It was great to see Clay Taylor, with Swarovski Optik, and enjoy this morning's birding together with our Swarovski binoculars, scope, and scope phone adapter.
Weather and time: sunny and humid; 74–75 ºF; winds NNW at 8-10 mph; 60% cloud cover; very good visibility; 0630 sunrise; 3.25
hours.
Morning Flight Count totals:
Morning Flight Count totals:
Ruby-throated Hummingbird (Archilochus colubris) 5
Eastern Wood-Pewee (Contopus virens) 1
Yellow-bellied Flycatcher (Empidonax flaviventris) 1
Eastern Kingbird (Tyrannus tyrannus) 58
Red-eyed Vireo (Vireo olivaceus) 1
Blue-gray Gnatcatcher (Polioptila caerulea) 7
American Robin (Turdus migratorius) 1
Northern Mockingbird (Mimus polyglottos) 6
European Starling (Sturnus vulgaris) 74
Cedar Waxwing (Bombycilla cedrorum) 67
Northern Waterthrush (Parkesia noveboracensis) 7
Black-and-white Warbler (Mniotilta varia) 2
American Redstart (Setophaga ruticilla) 83
Cape May Warbler (Setophaga tigrina) 1
Northern Parula (Setophaga americana) 2
Magnolia Warbler (Setophaga magnolia) 3
Yellow Warbler (Setophaga petechia) 2
Black-throated Blue Warbler (Setophaga caerulescens) 1
Wilson's Warbler (Cardellina pusilla) 1
warbler sp. (Parulinae sp.) 4
Blue Grosbeak (Passerina caerulea) 3
Indigo Bunting (Passerina cyanea) 3
Bobolink (Dolichonyx oryzivorus) 35
Baltimore Oriole (Icterus galbula) 1
House Finch (Haemorhous mexicanus) 5
American Goldfinch (Spinus tristis) 1
House Sparrow (Passer domesticus) 2
Today's full list can be viewed at: http://ebird.org/ebird/view/checklist?subID=S19656559
 |
| Blue-winged Teal truckin' up the bay |
 |
| You can't get enough mockingbirds at Morning Flight! |
 |
| House Finch is an interesting case in migration. Eastern birds are introduced from the west. Is short-medium-distance migration of this species more pronounced in the East? |
 |
| Icterids, like this Red-winged Blackbird, also exhibit a fascinating variety of movement strategies. |
 |
| You'd swear there was a turkey there yesterday... (Photos by: Glen Davis) |
Hawkwatch - 2 September 2014
Cape May Cape May Point, New Jersey, USA Daily Raptor Counts: Sep 02, 2014 ------------------------------------------------------------------- Species Day's Count Month Total Season Total ------------------ ----------- -------------- -------------- Black Vulture 0 0 0 Turkey Vulture 0 0 0 Osprey 13 18 18 Bald Eagle 0 0 0 Northern Harrier 0 1 1 Sharp-shinned Hawk 0 0 0 Cooper's Hawk 0 0 0 Northern Goshawk 0 0 0 Red-shouldered Hawk 0 0 0 Broad-winged Hawk 0 0 0 Red-tailed Hawk 0 0 0 Rough-legged Hawk 0 0 0 Golden Eagle 0 0 0 American Kestrel 2 2 2 Merlin 0 0 0 Peregrine Falcon 0 0 0 Unknown Accipiter 0 0 0 Unknown Buteo 0 0 0 Unknown Falcon 0 0 0 Unknown Eagle 0 0 0 Unknown Raptor 0 0 0 Total: 15 21 21 ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Observation start time: 05:30:00 Observation end time: 17:00:00 Total observation time: 11.5 hours Official Counter: Mary Raikes Observers: Weather: Very hot with light S/SW winds. Raptor Observations: Overall fairly slow day. Early afternoon flight of ospreys thermaling then heading out, as well as two female kestrels. Non-raptor Observations: Small movement of shorebirds: Least Sandpipers(80), Lesser Yellowlegs(40) and Pectoral Sandpipers(15). Other interesting birds included a Brown Pelican heading east. Predictions: Winds shifting west after midnight. Sunny, low 80's, west winds 6-9mph. ======================================================================== Cape May information may be found at: http://www.njaudubon.org/Centers/CMBO/
Morning Flight – 2 September 2014
A light, but pleasant and well-seen flight happened today up at the Higbee dike. Activity dropped way down after the first hour. American Redstart and Bobolink were both seen at high altitudes. It seems like the SW winds today were strong enough to put the charge into the migration activity in evidence.
Ruby-throated Hummingbird (Archilochus colubris) 3
Red-bellied Woodpecker (Melanerpes carolinus) 1
Eastern Kingbird (Tyrannus tyrannus) 5
Red-eyed Vireo (Vireo olivaceus) 1
Blue-gray Gnatcatcher (Polioptila caerulea) 1
Cedar Waxwing (Bombycilla cedrorum) 66
Northern Waterthrush (Parkesia noveboracensis) 2
Blue-winged Warbler (Vermivora cyanoptera) 1
Black-and-white Warbler (Mniotilta varia) 1
American Redstart (Setophaga ruticilla) 49
Cape May Warbler (Setophaga tigrina) 1
Northern Parula (Setophaga americana) 1
Yellow Warbler (Setophaga petechia) 2
Black-throated Blue Warbler (Setophaga caerulescens) 2
Prairie Warbler (Setophaga discolor) 1
Wilson's Warbler (Cardellina pusilla) 1
warbler sp. (Parulinae sp.) 3
Dickcissel (Spiza americana) 1
Bobolink (Dolichonyx oryzivorus) 167
Baltimore Oriole (Icterus galbula) 1
House Finch (Haemorhous mexicanus) 42
American Goldfinch (Spinus tristis) 4
House Sparrow (Passer domesticus) 2
Today's full list can be viewed at: http://ebird.org/ebird/view/checklist?subID=S19651219
Weather and time: sunny and humid; 73–81 ºF; winds SW at 8-10 mph; 5% cloud cover; good visibility; 0629 sunrise; 2.75
hours.
Morning Flight Count totals:
Morning Flight Count totals:
Ruby-throated Hummingbird (Archilochus colubris) 3
Red-bellied Woodpecker (Melanerpes carolinus) 1
Eastern Kingbird (Tyrannus tyrannus) 5
Red-eyed Vireo (Vireo olivaceus) 1
Blue-gray Gnatcatcher (Polioptila caerulea) 1
Cedar Waxwing (Bombycilla cedrorum) 66
Northern Waterthrush (Parkesia noveboracensis) 2
Blue-winged Warbler (Vermivora cyanoptera) 1
Black-and-white Warbler (Mniotilta varia) 1
American Redstart (Setophaga ruticilla) 49
Cape May Warbler (Setophaga tigrina) 1
Northern Parula (Setophaga americana) 1
Yellow Warbler (Setophaga petechia) 2
Black-throated Blue Warbler (Setophaga caerulescens) 2
Prairie Warbler (Setophaga discolor) 1
Wilson's Warbler (Cardellina pusilla) 1
warbler sp. (Parulinae sp.) 3
Dickcissel (Spiza americana) 1
Bobolink (Dolichonyx oryzivorus) 167
Baltimore Oriole (Icterus galbula) 1
House Finch (Haemorhous mexicanus) 42
American Goldfinch (Spinus tristis) 4
House Sparrow (Passer domesticus) 2
Today's full list can be viewed at: http://ebird.org/ebird/view/checklist?subID=S19651219
 |
| Today's installment of photos is all about acorn-eaters! Blue Jay, here. |
 |
| This female Wild Turkey had at least two older polts in her care to the south of the Morning Flight Platform, early at sunrise. |
 |
| Eventually more of these acorn-eating fowl will be on the move-- blurry Red-bellied Woodpecker (Photos by: Glen Davis). |
Hawkwatch - 1 September 2014
Cape May Cape May Point, New Jersey, USA Daily Raptor Counts: Sep 01, 2014 ------------------------------------------------------------------- Species Day's Count Month Total Season Total ------------------ ----------- -------------- -------------- Black Vulture 0 0 0 Turkey Vulture 0 0 0 Osprey 5 5 5 Bald Eagle 0 0 0 Northern Harrier 1 1 1 Sharp-shinned Hawk 0 0 0 Cooper's Hawk 0 0 0 Northern Goshawk 0 0 0 Red-shouldered Hawk 0 0 0 Broad-winged Hawk 0 0 0 Red-tailed Hawk 0 0 0 Rough-legged Hawk 0 0 0 Golden Eagle 0 0 0 American Kestrel 0 0 0 Merlin 0 0 0 Peregrine Falcon 0 0 0 Unknown Accipiter 0 0 0 Unknown Buteo 0 0 0 Unknown Falcon 0 0 0 Unknown Eagle 0 0 0 Unknown Raptor 0 0 0 Total: 6 6 6 ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Observation start time: 05:00:00 Observation end time: 16:15:00 Total observation time: 11.25 hours Official Counter: Mary Raikes Observers: Weather: Very hot and humid. Light SW winds. Late afternoon thunderstorm. Raptor Observations: Fairly slow flight day with light SW winds and heat. A handful of Ospreys and one Northern Harrier passed through on a SW flight direction. Non-raptor Observations: Early morning shorebird movement of Lesser Yellowlegs (100+), Short-billed Dowitchers(20), Pectoral Sandpipers (24), Solitary Sandpipers(19), Ruddy Turnstone(1), Stilt Sandpiper(1), American Golden-Plover(1). Rare Bird: LONG-TAILED JAEGER(1). Predictions: Sunny, SW 5-10, high of 89. ======================================================================== Cape May information may be found at: http://www.njaudubon.org/Centers/CMBO/