Morning Flight – 16 September 2014

Since it rained today and no migrants were tallied at Morning Flight, even after the rain stopped, let's recap the action from yesterday's memorable flight. 5,156 birds were totaled but 86% (4,459) of these came in less than one hour. This first hour included 2,482 American Redstart and 967 warbler sp. or species. Northern Parula, Black-and-white Warbler, and Northern Waterthrush were also notably abundant with 298, 118, and 96 respectively for that first hour. With the intent to count the magnitude accurately and ID as much as possible this flight was very challenging to tackle. Special thanks to Sam, Louise, and Michael for the vital help. It was a thrilling great time!

The highest September counts for numbers and diversity can often fall in the middle of September. The Morning Flight has been going on now from 16 August-16 September. Below is a tallying of the numbers thus far.

	Total	Max	Max Date
Ruby-throated Hummingbird	133	33	17-Aug
Belted Kingfisher	6	3	13-Sep
Red-headed Woodpecker	0	0	16-Aug
Red-bellied Woodpecker	3	1	24-Aug
Yellow-bellied Sapsucker	0	0	16-Aug
Downy Woodpecker	8	3	18-Aug
Hairy Woodpecker	0	0	16-Aug
Northern Flicker	23	20	15-Sep
Eastern Wood-Pewee	10	4	15-Sep
Alder Flycatcher	1	1	6-Sep
Least Flycatcher	1	1	15-Sep
Empidonax sp.	3	1	24-Aug
Eastern Phoebe	2	1	12-Sep
Great-crested Flycatcher	38	36	12-Sep
Western Kingbird	0	0	16-Aug
Eastern Kingbird	1,693	346	29-Aug
Warbling Vireo	2	1	4-Sep
Philadelphia Vireo	4	1	4-Sep
Red-eyed Vireo	51	8	15-Sep
Horned Lark	0	0	16-Aug
Red-breasted Nuthatch	1	1	29-Aug
White-breasted Nuthatch	0	0	16-Aug
Golden-crowned Kinglet	0	0	16-Aug
Ruby-crowned Kinglet	1	1	15-Sep
kinglet sp.	0	0	16-Aug
Blue-gray Gnatcatcher	223	57	18-Aug
Catharus sp.	3	3	15-Sep
American Robin	34	16	29-Aug
Northern Mockingbird	12	6	3-Sep
American Pipit	0	0	16-Aug
Cedar Waxwing	1,971	316	7-Sep
Blue-winged Warbler	8	2	12-Sep
Tennessee Warbler	41	22	15-Sep
Orange-crowned Warbler	0	0	16-Aug
Nashville Warbler	9	3	14-Sep
Northern Parula	738	391	15-Sep
Yellow Warbler	450	85	15-Sep
Chestnut-sided Warbler	43	11	29-Aug
Magnolia Warbler	57	20	12-Sep
Cape May Warbler	51	12	28-Aug
Black-throated Blue Warbler	166	58	15-Sep
Yellow-rumped Warbler	5	3	15-Sep
Black-throated Gray Warbler	1	1	29-Aug
Black-throated Green Warbler	13	6	15-Sep
Blackburnian Warbler	16	5	15-Sep
Pine Warbler	3	1	24-Aug
Prairie Warbler	17	3	18-Aug
Palm Warbler	165	66	12-Sep
Bay-breasted Warbler	6	2	4-Sep
Blackpoll Warbler	53	24	12-Sep
"Baypoll" warbler	15	7	12-Sep
Cerulean Warbler	0	0	16-Aug
Black-and-white Warbler	378	177	15-Sep
American Redstart	4,865	2,631	15-Sep
Prothonotary Warbler	8	1	16-Aug
Worm-eating Warbler	11	4	16-Aug
Ovenbird	9	3	15-Sep
Northern Waterthrush	686	147	10-Sep
Louisiana Waterthrush	3	1	17-Aug
Connecticut Warbler	3	2	15-Sep
Common Yellowthroat	16	14	15-Sep
Hooded Warbler	1	1	15-Sep
Wilson's Warbler	6	2	4-Sep
Canada Warbler	3	2	29-Aug
warbler sp.	1,464	1,006	15-Sep
Summer Tanager	2	1	29-Aug
Scarlet Tanager	23	9	15-Sep
Chipping Sparrow	0	0	16-Aug
Clay-colored Sparrow	0	0	16-Aug
Vesper Sparrow	0	0	16-Aug
Lark Sparrow	0	0	16-Aug
Savannah Sparrow	0	0	16-Aug
White-crowned Sparrow	0	0	16-Aug
Dark-eyed Junco	0	0	16-Aug
Rose-breasted Grosbeak	15	9	15-Sep
Blue Grosbeak	20	3	29-Aug
Indigo Bunting	58	7	25-Aug
Dickcissel	5	1	24-Aug
Bobolink	4,349	1,724	4-Sep
Eastern Meadowlark	0	0	16-Aug
Rusty Blackbird	0	0	16-Aug
Orchard Oriole	3	2	16-Aug
Baltimore Oriole	241	130	29-Aug
Purple Finch	2	2	15-Sep
Pine Siskin	0	0	16-Aug
House Finch	460	77	18-Aug
American Goldfinch	79	39	4-Sep
House Sparrow	67	16	21-Aug

Hawkwatch - 16 September 2014

Cape May
Cape May Point, New Jersey, USA
Daily Raptor Counts: Sep 16, 2014
-------------------------------------------------------------------

Species            Day's Count    Month Total   Season Total
------------------ ----------- -------------- --------------
Black Vulture                0              0              0
Turkey Vulture               0             46             46
Osprey                      87           1138           1138
Bald Eagle                  22            177            177
Northern Harrier             5             78             78
Sharp-shinned Hawk         103            408            408
Cooper's Hawk               26            186            186
Northern Goshawk             0              0              0
Red-shouldered Hawk          0              2              2
Broad-winged Hawk            0             63             63
Red-tailed Hawk              3             50             50
Rough-legged Hawk            0              0              0
Golden Eagle                 0              0              0
American Kestrel           109            891            891
Merlin                      26            175            175
Peregrine Falcon             9             33             33
Unknown Accipiter            0              3              3
Unknown Buteo                0              0              0
Unknown Falcon               0              1              1
Unknown Eagle                0              0              0
Unknown Raptor               0              1              1

Total:                     390           3252           3252
----------------------------------------------------------------------

Observation start time: 05:00:00 
Observation end   time: 16:00:00 
Total observation time: 11 hours

Official Counter:        Mary Raikes

Observers:        

Weather:
Heavy rain showers from 0600-0800 then clearing.  Winds early from the
south/southwest then switching to west/northwest.

Raptor Observations:
Slow in the morning with early am showers, then a nice movement of sharpies
and kestrels in the mid-afternoon.  Flight path fairly low east to west
over the treeline.

Non-raptor Observations:
WHISKERED TERN(1), Black Tern(1), Gull-billed Tern(1), Royal Tern(2),
Caspian Tern(1), Common Terns, Forster's Terns.  American Widgeon(3),
Northern Pintail, Green-winged Teal, Little Blue Heron, Great Blue Heron,
Green Heron, Glossy Ibis(3), American Golden Plover(1), Pectoral
Sandpipers(8), Killdeer(8), Sora.

Predictions:
Sunny, NE winds 10 mph, 72.
========================================================================
Cape May information may be found at:
http://www.njaudubon.org/Centers/CMBO/

Morning Flight – 15 September 2014

It was a fantastically amazing time at Morning Flight today! 4,446 warblers! 2,331 American Redstart, 391 Northern Parula, 277 Black-and-white Warbler, 137 Northern Waterthrush, 85 Yellow Warbler.  26 species of warblers. 1006 warbler sp. This last number reflects how quickly the birds came through and that a good portion of this early pulse was over in the sun glare to the eastern treeline. But the 22.5 degree component of west in the NNW wind seemed to provide us watchers with a good show happening on the west side of the dike too. Photo opportunities were great if you could pick out a subject amidst the chaos of a hundred birds a minute!

Weather and time: sunny and clear; 58–63 ºF; winds NNW at 5 mph; 0% cloud cover; excellent visibility; 0640 sunrise; 4.25 hours.
    
       Morning Flight Count totals:  
Ruby-throated Hummingbird (Archilochus colubris)  6
Red-bellied Woodpecker (Melanerpes carolinus)  1
Downy Woodpecker (Picoides pubescens)  1
Northern Flicker (Colaptes auratus)  20
Eastern Wood-Pewee (Contopus virens)  4
Yellow-bellied Flycatcher (Empidonax flaviventris)  1
Least Flycatcher (Empidonax minimus)  1
Empidonax sp. (Empidonax sp.)  1
Eastern Phoebe (Sayornis phoebe)  1
Eastern Kingbird (Tyrannus tyrannus)  20
Philadelphia Vireo (Vireo philadelphicus)  1
Red-eyed Vireo (Vireo olivaceus)  8
Fish Crow (Corvus ossifragus)  61
Blue-gray Gnatcatcher (Polioptila caerulea)  19
Ruby-crowned Kinglet (Regulus calendula)  1
Veery (Catharus fuscescens)  1
Catharus sp. (Catharus sp.)  3
European Starling (Sturnus vulgaris)  25
Cedar Waxwing (Bombycilla cedrorum)  249
Ovenbird (Seiurus aurocapilla)  3
Northern Waterthrush (Parkesia noveboracensis)  137
Black-and-white Warbler (Mniotilta varia)  277     118, 55, 4
Prothonotary Warbler (Protonotaria citrea)  1
Tennessee Warbler (Oreothlypis peregrina)  22
Nashville Warbler (Oreothlypis ruficapilla)  3
Connecticut Warbler (Oporornis agilis)  2
Mourning Warbler (Geothlypis philadelphia)  1
Common Yellowthroat (Geothlypis trichas)  14
Hooded Warbler (Setophaga citrina)  1
American Redstart (Setophaga ruticilla)  2331     2182, 110, 25, 3
Cape May Warbler (Setophaga tigrina)  6
Northern Parula (Setophaga americana)  391     2 predawn, 298, 80, 8, 3
Magnolia Warbler (Setophaga magnolia)  12
Bay-breasted Warbler (Setophaga castanea)  2
Blackburnian Warbler (Setophaga fusca)  5
Yellow Warbler (Setophaga petechia)  85     54, 18, 11, 2
Chestnut-sided Warbler (Setophaga pensylvanica)  5
Blackpoll Warbler (Setophaga striata)  11
Bay-breasted/Blackpoll Warbler (Setophaga castanea/striata)  2
Black-throated Blue Warbler (Setophaga caerulescens)  58
Palm Warbler (Setophaga palmarum)  58
Pine Warbler (Setophaga pinus)  1
Yellow-rumped Warbler (Setophaga coronata)  3
Prairie Warbler (Setophaga discolor)  1
Black-throated Green Warbler (Setophaga virens)  6
Wilson's Warbler (Cardellina pusilla)  2
warbler sp. (Parulinae sp.)  1006     976, 30
Scarlet Tanager (Piranga olivacea)  9
Rose-breasted Grosbeak (Pheucticus ludovicianus)  9
Blue Grosbeak (Passerina caerulea)  2
Indigo Bunting (Passerina cyanea)  5
Bobolink (Dolichonyx oryzivorus)  84
Baltimore Oriole (Icterus galbula)  20
House Finch (Haemorhous mexicanus)  4
Purple Finch (Haemorhous purpureus)  2
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=S19840163

Third most abundant warbler of the day (277) Black-and-white Warbler.

One of two Connecticut Warblers, which gave quick but reasonable views.

Thanks to Sam for these three great captures! Northern Waterthrush to complete the trio. (Photos courtesy of: Samuel Galick)

The east treeline just before the surge to come for the next hour and a half!

First of season Purple Finches (2) happened too.

Many Red-eyed Vireos stayed in Cape May today to fuel up for the next leg of their journey.

Palm Warblers seem to gravitate slightly toward flying on the sunny side of Morning Flight-- over the impoundment itself.

These Rose-breasted Grosbeaks are true characters!

The colors of this juvenile Peregrine Falcon belie its tundra heritage.

Many blackbirds are dealing with "tail issues" at this time of season (Photos by: Glen Davis).

Hawkwatch - 15 September 2014

Cape May
Cape May Point, New Jersey, USA
Daily Raptor Counts: Sep 15, 2014
-------------------------------------------------------------------

Species            Day's Count    Month Total   Season Total
------------------ ----------- -------------- --------------
Black Vulture                0              0              0
Turkey Vulture               0             46             46
Osprey                      56           1051           1051
Bald Eagle                  18            155            155
Northern Harrier             6             73             73
Sharp-shinned Hawk          96            305            305
Cooper's Hawk               31            160            160
Northern Goshawk             0              0              0
Red-shouldered Hawk          0              2              2
Broad-winged Hawk           17             63             63
Red-tailed Hawk              8             47             47
Rough-legged Hawk            0              0              0
Golden Eagle                 0              0              0
American Kestrel            30            782            782
Merlin                      23            149            149
Peregrine Falcon             2             24             24
Unknown Accipiter            0              3              3
Unknown Buteo                0              0              0
Unknown Falcon               0              1              1
Unknown Eagle                0              0              0
Unknown Raptor               0              1              1

Total:                     287           2862           2862
----------------------------------------------------------------------

Observation start time: 05:00:00 
Observation end   time: 16:00:00 
Total observation time: 11 hours

Official Counter:        Mary Raikes

Observers:        

Weather:
Light and variable winds from the N/NW/W all day 0-5mph.  Very clear skies
with high cirrus clouds in the late afternoon.  High temperature of 70.

Raptor Observations:
A slower day with a high flight of mainly accipters.  Nice mid-day kettles
directly overhead.

Non-raptor Observations:
WHISKERED TERN(1) continues pattern of feeding on the pond then resting on
the beach.  Black Tern(1), Common Nighthawk(1), Belted Kingfisher(2),
Sora(1), American Widgeon(4), Green-winged Teals, Northern Shovelers,
Northern Pintail, Little Blue Heron, Green Heron, Northern Parula, Northern
Waterthrush.

Predictions:
Chance of showers in the am with winds from the southwest 7-14mph,
switching to north in the afternoon.  Partly cloudy skies with temps in the
mid-70's.
========================================================================
Cape May information may be found at:
http://www.njaudubon.org/Centers/CMBO/

Morning Flight – 14 September 2014

The quick front that cleared yesterday evening made for clear and windy conditions this morning. Did the nocturnal songbird migrants take advantage of this wind? The answer seems to be that they did in a small way today, but PERHAPS WITH MORE COMING TOMORROW. Sixteen species of warblers showed at Morning Flight and at times the action was really quick with these little winged forms getting batted around by the wind. Early morning raptors were the best they've been yet this season with frequent passes by Sharpies and Merlins at the dike today.

Weather and time: sunny and clear; 59–62 ºF; winds NNE at 10-15 mph for H1; NE at 12-20 mph for H2 and H3; 0% cloud cover H1; 5% cc H2 and H3; very good visibility; 0640 sunrise; 3.25 hours.
    
       Morning Flight Count totals:  
Ruby-throated Hummingbird (Archilochus colubris)  1
Belted Kingfisher (Megaceryle alcyon)  1     1 south
Eastern Kingbird (Tyrannus tyrannus)  46
Red-eyed Vireo (Vireo olivaceus)  1
European Starling (Sturnus vulgaris)  29
Cedar Waxwing (Bombycilla cedrorum)  105
Northern Waterthrush (Parkesia noveboracensis)  9
Black-and-white Warbler (Mniotilta varia)  9
Tennessee Warbler (Oreothlypis peregrina)  1
Nashville Warbler (Oreothlypis ruficapilla)  3
Common Yellowthroat (Geothlypis trichas)  2
American Redstart (Setophaga ruticilla)  86
Cape May Warbler (Setophaga tigrina)  2
Northern Parula (Setophaga americana)  41
Magnolia Warbler (Setophaga magnolia)  5
Blackburnian Warbler (Setophaga fusca)  2
Yellow Warbler (Setophaga petechia)  5
Chestnut-sided Warbler (Setophaga pensylvanica)  1
Blackpoll Warbler (Setophaga striata)  5
Bay-breasted/Blackpoll Warbler (Setophaga castanea/striata)  1
Black-throated Blue Warbler (Setophaga caerulescens)  5
Palm Warbler (Setophaga palmarum)  20
Prairie Warbler (Setophaga discolor)  1
warbler sp. (Parulinae sp.)  18
Scarlet Tanager (Piranga olivacea)  1
Indigo Bunting (Passerina cyanea)  2
Bobolink (Dolichonyx oryzivorus)  34
House Sparrow (Passer domesticus)  1

Today's full list can be viewed at: http://ebird.org/ebird/view/checklist?subID=S19828963

Even a long-distance champ like Blackpoll Warbler has to juke and jive in a heavier wind.

It was a great morning for Common Nighthawk with 8 seen.

Merlin eyeing up the sun.

What are you doing reading this when there's still a WHISKERED TERN in Cape May!!! (Photos by: Glen Davis)

Hawkwatch - 14 September 2014

Cape May
Cape May Point, New Jersey, USA
Daily Raptor Counts: Sep 14, 2014
-------------------------------------------------------------------

Species            Day's Count    Month Total   Season Total
------------------ ----------- -------------- --------------
Black Vulture                0              0              0
Turkey Vulture               3             46             46
Osprey                     121            995            995
Bald Eagle                  50            137            137
Northern Harrier            11             67             67
Sharp-shinned Hawk         106            209            209
Cooper's Hawk               35            129            129
Northern Goshawk             0              0              0
Red-shouldered Hawk          1              2              2
Broad-winged Hawk           25             46             46
Red-tailed Hawk             11             39             39
Rough-legged Hawk            0              0              0
Golden Eagle                 0              0              0
American Kestrel            65            752            752
Merlin                      18            126            126
Peregrine Falcon             2             22             22
Unknown Accipiter            0              3              3
Unknown Buteo                0              0              0
Unknown Falcon               0              1              1
Unknown Eagle                0              0              0
Unknown Raptor               0              1              1

Total:                     448           2575           2575
----------------------------------------------------------------------

Observation start time: 05:00:00 
Observation end   time: 16:00:00 
Total observation time: 11 hours

Official Counter:        Mary Raikes

Observers:        

Weather:
A cold front passed through overnight with cooler temperatures and winds
from the north 10-15mph in the morning and then light northwest winds in
the afternoon.  Mainly clear skies with high cirrus clouds.

Raptor Observations:
A good flight for most of the day with a nice variety, including several
buteo species in the mid-day. Also, a steady, high flight of ospreys and
bald eagles continued throughout the day.  

Non-raptor Observations:
WHISKERED TERN(1), Black Tern(1), Killdeer(4), American Oystercatcher(11),
Common Nighthawk(1), Northern Pintail(2), American Widgeon(1), Little Blue
Heron(1), Green Heron(1), Palm Warblers, Blue Gray Gnatcatchers.

Predictions:
Northwest winds overnight.  Sunny, low 70's, north winds 5-8 mph.
========================================================================
Cape May information may be found at:
http://www.njaudubon.org/Centers/CMBO/

Hawkwatch - 13 September 2014

Cape May
Cape May Point, New Jersey, USA
Daily Raptor Counts: Sep 13, 2014
-------------------------------------------------------------------

Species            Day's Count    Month Total   Season Total
------------------ ----------- -------------- --------------
Black Vulture                0              0              0
Turkey Vulture               0             43             43
Osprey                      27            874            874
Bald Eagle                   2             87             87
Northern Harrier             1             56             56
Sharp-shinned Hawk          20            103            103
Cooper's Hawk                2             94             94
Northern Goshawk             0              0              0
Red-shouldered Hawk          0              1              1
Broad-winged Hawk            1             21             21
Red-tailed Hawk              1             28             28
Rough-legged Hawk            0              0              0
Golden Eagle                 0              0              0
American Kestrel            46            687            687
Merlin                      13            108            108
Peregrine Falcon             1             20             20
Unknown Accipiter            0              3              3
Unknown Buteo                0              0              0
Unknown Falcon               0              1              1
Unknown Eagle                0              0              0
Unknown Raptor               0              1              1

Total:                     114           2127           2127
----------------------------------------------------------------------

Observation start time: 05:00:00 
Observation end   time: 15:30:00 
Total observation time: 10.5 hours

Official Counter:        Mary Raikes

Observers:        

Weather:
Early east winds increasing till noon then switching to southeast/south
with intermittent bands of rain throughout the early afternoon.  Late
afternoon storm front with heavy rain and gusts from the southwest/west.

Raptor Observations:
An early movement of falcons, ospreys, and sharp-shinned hawks with the
majority of the flight occurring before noon.

Non-raptor Observations:
6 tern species:  WHISKERED TERN(1), Black Tern(1), Caspian Tern(1), Common
Terns, Royal Terns, and Forster's Terns.
Marbled Godwit(1), Killdeer(1), Snipe(1), Greater and Lesser Yellowlegs,
Pectoral Sandpiper(3), Stilt Sandpiper(1), American Widgeon(1).

Predictions:
Sunny, 70's, N/NW winds 12-17mph in the morning then decreasing in the
afternoon.
========================================================================
Cape May information may be found at:
http://www.njaudubon.org/Centers/CMBO/

Morning Flight – 13 September 2014

First, we have to savor over yesterday. It was one of those great Cape May days. There was a substantial flight at the dike with a nice diversity of species (see yesterdays entry for the totals). Then, Cape May got its and the USA's third-ever Whiskered Tern!

Today there was a small but fun-to-watch movement at the dike with birds continuing to move, a little, on northeast winds. If the rain is not to heavy tonight in the region we could be in for another exciting day AT THE DIKE TOMORROW with strong north winds forecast

Weather and time: sun and clouds; 67–75 ºF; winds NE at 5 mph for H1; ENE at 8-10 mph for H2; ENE at 10-15 mph; 50% cloud cover H1; 80% cc H2; 95% cc H3; very good visibility; 0639 sunrise; 3.25 hours.
    
       Morning Flight Count totals:  
Ruby-throated Hummingbird (Archilochus colubris)  1
Belted Kingfisher (Megaceryle alcyon)  3     2 south, 1 north
Eastern Kingbird (Tyrannus tyrannus)  4
Philadelphia Vireo (Vireo philadelphicus)  1
Red-eyed Vireo (Vireo olivaceus)  1
Northern Mockingbird (Mimus polyglottos)  1
European Starling (Sturnus vulgaris)  20
Cedar Waxwing (Bombycilla cedrorum)  30     23 north, 7 south
Northern Waterthrush (Parkesia noveboracensis)  35
Black-and-white Warbler (Mniotilta varia)  5
Tennessee Warbler (Oreothlypis peregrina)  4
American Redstart (Setophaga ruticilla)  42
Cape May Warbler (Setophaga tigrina)  3
Northern Parula (Setophaga americana)  38
Yellow Warbler (Setophaga petechia)  4
Blackpoll Warbler (Setophaga striata)  1
Bay-breasted/Blackpoll Warbler (Setophaga castanea/striata)  1
Black-throated Blue Warbler (Setophaga caerulescens)  2
Palm Warbler (Setophaga palmarum)  6
warbler sp. (Parulinae sp.)  12
Rose-breasted Grosbeak (Pheucticus ludovicianus)  1
Blue Grosbeak (Passerina caerulea)  3
Indigo Bunting (Passerina cyanea)  4
Bobolink (Dolichonyx oryzivorus)  108     2 north, 106 south
House Finch (Haemorhous mexicanus)  2
American Goldfinch (Spinus tristis)  1

Today's full list can be viewed at: http://ebird.org/ebird/view/checklist?subID=S19820758

One of the drabbest and trickiest birds to ID at the dike: female Black-throated Blue Warbler

Eastern Wood-Pewee

Tennessee Warbler

Northern Parula

This Merlin has a full crop and probably enjoys morning flight even more than I do!

Cameras are amazing! This is a record shot of a Common Loon over 1 mile away flying north up the Delaware Bay, as seen from the dike.

Lesser Yellowlegs and a small suite of other waders have enjoyed the influx of dredge material to the top of the Higbee dike impoundment.

In other news... Did you see WHISKERED TERN in the last two days!?!? What a cooperative bird, regularly patrolling Bunker Pond for food, especially odonates (dragonflies and damselflies).

I was on the Cape May Point State Park beach yesterday afternoon with Morning Flight counter alumnus Tom Johnson, waiting for that special tern to come and rest on the beach, when this adult Little Gull surprised us and shot over toward Delaware! (Photos by: Glen Davis)

Morning Flight – 12 September 2014

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

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/