Seawatch - 23 October 2014

Observation time: 0614 – 1816

Observer: Skye Haas

Species counted:

Snow Goose – 5

Brant – 196

Wood Duck – 1

Gadwall – 1

American Wigeon – 1

American Black Duck – 206

Mallard – 2

Northern Shoveler – 1

Northern Pintail – 2

Green-winged Teal – 57

Greater Scaup – 2

Lesser Scaup – 9

Duck sp. – 90

Common Eider – 1

Surf Scoter – 403

Black Scoter – 2,737

Dark-winged Scoter – 890

Scoter sp. – 93

Long-tailed Duck – 1

Red-breasted Merganser – 1

Red-throated Loon – 31

Common Loon – 63

Horned Grebe – 1

Ring-necked Grebe – 1

Northern Gannet – 483

Brown Pelican – 6

Double-crested Cormorant – 13,536

Great Cormorant – 3

Great Blue Heron – 65

Laughing Gull – 684

Bonaparte’s Gull – 6

Ring-billed Gull – 37

Herring Gull – 16

Great Black-backed Gull – 56

Black Kittiwake – 1

Caspian Tern – 2

Forster’s Tern – 85

Royal Tern – 50

Parasitic Jaeger – 6

Lesser Black-backed Gull – 3

Redhead – 2

American Oystercatcher – 1

Dunlin – 26

Black-bellied Plover – 43

Red Knot – 21

Semipalmated Plover – 6

Sanderling – 500

Purple Sandpiper – 1

Ruddy Turnstone – 2

Calidris sp. – 3

Total: 20,439

Hawkwatch – 22 October 2014

Cape May
Cape May Point, New Jersey, USA
Daily Raptor Counts: Oct 22, 2014
-------------------------------------------------------------------

Species            Day's Count    Month Total   Season Total
------------------ ----------- -------------- --------------
Black Vulture                2             75             81
Turkey Vulture              52            439            556
Osprey                      25           1460           3629
Bald Eagle                   6            193            494
Northern Harrier            49            419            595
Sharp-shinned Hawk         413           5551           8799
Cooper's Hawk               88           1827           2681
Northern Goshawk             0              0              0
Red-shouldered Hawk          3             28             35
Broad-winged Hawk            4            450            658
Red-tailed Hawk              7             65            175
Rough-legged Hawk            0              0              0
Golden Eagle                 1              5              5
American Kestrel             8           1537           3775
Merlin                      10            651           1164
Peregrine Falcon             5            576            889
Unknown Accipiter            0              1              4
Unknown Buteo                0              0              0
Unknown Falcon               0              0              1
Unknown Eagle                0              0              0
Unknown Raptor               0              0              1
Zone-tailed Hawk             0              0              1

Total:                     673          13277          23543
----------------------------------------------------------------------

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

Official Counter:        Tom Reed

Observers:        

Weather:
Cool and damp. Winds N 10-15mph; cloud cover >90% throughout; visibility
good->fair->poor. Rain developing during the late-PM. 

Raptor Observations:
A short-lived burst of birds during the late-AM. 

Non-raptor Observations:
Eurasian Wigeon (4), Black/Surf Scoter (10,000+), American Bittern (1),
Parasitic Jaeger (~10), Yellow-billed Cuckoo (1), Lapland Longspur (1),
Yellow-rumped Warbler (8,000). 

Predictions:
Cloudy, 59ºF, winds NW 20-30mph. 

Morning Flight -- 22 October 2014

POW! This morning's migration really knocked my socks off. There was great late diversity and moderately high numbers for the time of season. Kinglets and Chipping Sparrow stepped out to be recognized in Morning Flight today and the Yellow-rumped Warbler flight was outrageous. Other highlights included 2 Orange-crowned Warblers, Clay-colored Sparrow, and 154 Purple Finches.

Weather and time: mostly cloudy; 56 degrees F; winds NNE at 8-20 mph; 85% cloud cover; very good visibility; 0716 sunrise; 4.25 hours.

Morning Flight Count totals:

Belted Kingfisher (Megaceryle alcyon)  1
Red-bellied Woodpecker (Melanerpes carolinus)  1
Yellow-bellied Sapsucker (Sphyrapicus varius)  2
Downy Woodpecker (Picoides pubescens)  2
Northern Flicker (Colaptes auratus)  9
Eastern Phoebe (Sayornis phoebe)  3
Blue-headed Vireo (Vireo solitarius)  1
Blue Jay (Cyanocitta cristata)  86
Red-breasted Nuthatch (Sitta canadensis)  1
Golden-crowned Kinglet (Regulus satrapa)  24
Ruby-crowned Kinglet (Regulus calendula)  40
kinglet sp. (Regulus sp.)  2
American Robin (Turdus migratorius)  28
European Starling (Sturnus vulgaris)  95
American Pipit (Anthus rubescens)  1
Cedar Waxwing (Bombycilla cedrorum)  17
Black-and-white Warbler (Mniotilta varia)  1
Tennessee Warbler (Oreothlypis peregrina)  1
Orange-crowned Warbler (Oreothlypis celata)  2
American Redstart (Setophaga ruticilla)  1
Northern Parula (Setophaga americana)  3
Magnolia Warbler (Setophaga magnolia)  1
Blackpoll Warbler (Setophaga striata)  12
Black-throated Blue Warbler (Setophaga caerulescens)  7
Palm Warbler (Setophaga palmarum)  253
Pine Warbler (Setophaga pinus)  3
Yellow-rumped Warbler (Setophaga coronata)  12486     12,466 north, 20 south in 4th hour
Black-throated Green Warbler (Setophaga virens)  1
warbler sp. (Parulinae sp.)  517
Chipping Sparrow (Spizella passerina)  336
Clay-colored Sparrow (Spizella pallida)  1
Field Sparrow (Spizella pusilla)  1
Savannah Sparrow (Passerculus sandwichensis)  27
White-throated Sparrow (Zonotrichia albicollis)  1
Dark-eyed Junco (Junco hyemalis)  60
Indigo Bunting (Passerina cyanea)  2
Dickcissel (Spiza americana)  2
Eastern Meadowlark (Sturnella magna)  11
House Finch (Haemorhous mexicanus)  124
Purple Finch (Haemorhous purpureus)  154
Pine Siskin (Spinus pinus)  43
American Goldfinch (Spinus tristis)  23

Morning Flight -- 21 October 2014

 It was a quite seasonably slow day with rain interrupting the count in the second hour.

Weather and time: cloudy; 62 degrees F; winds SW at 3-5 mph; 75-95% cloud cover; excellent visibility; 0715 sunrise; 1.75 hours.

Morning Flight Count totals:

Belted Kingfisher (Megaceryle alcyon)  1
Red-bellied Woodpecker (Melanerpes carolinus)  1
Northern Flicker (Colaptes auratus)  2
Eastern Phoebe (Sayornis phoebe)  2
Red-breasted Nuthatch (Sitta canadensis)  1
Ruby-crowned Kinglet (Regulus calendula)  1
American Robin (Turdus migratorius)  2
American Pipit (Anthus rubescens)  5
Cedar Waxwing (Bombycilla cedrorum)  6
Northern Waterthrush (Parkesia noveboracensis)  1
Tennessee Warbler (Oreothlypis peregrina)  1
Northern Parula (Setophaga americana)  1
Blackpoll Warbler (Setophaga striata)  3
Palm Warbler (Setophaga palmarum)  20
Yellow-rumped Warbler (Setophaga coronata)  343     127 north, 216 south
warbler sp. (Parulinae sp.)  20
Chipping Sparrow (Spizella passerina)  13
Savannah Sparrow (Passerculus sandwichensis)  1
Eastern Meadowlark (Sturnella magna)  16     south
Purple Finch (Haemorhous purpureus)  8
Pine Siskin (Spinus pinus)  8

Morning Flight -- 20 October 2014

Today there was an intriguing flight. The first 1.5 hours after sunrise was a fairly typical flight, although maybe heavier than expected, with birds flying north. These seemed to be migrants that arrived in Cape May a few hours before dawn and then were seen engaging in the morning flight phenomenon-- following the conventional idea of what this project is all about. During the second half of the four and a quarter hour effort, the songbirds, and predominantly Yellow-rumps (as expected at this time) were seen coming in high and from the Delaware Bay, moving south. These were apparent to be two different sets of migrants in different modes of migration, specific to where they were at sunrise-- the first set having dropped down on land some time before daylight, and the second set just making landfall from the bay.

Weather and time: sun with increasing clouds; 41-58 degrees F; winds SE at 5-8 mph; 2-40% cloud cover; excellent visibility; 0714 sunrise; 4.25 hours.

Morning Flight Count totals:

Belted Kingfisher (Megaceryle alcyon)  2
Red-bellied Woodpecker (Melanerpes carolinus)  31     20 north, 11 south, maybe some of the same individuals
Yellow-bellied Sapsucker (Sphyrapicus varius)  4
Northern Flicker (Colaptes auratus)  50     some back south, thought to be the same individuals
Eastern Phoebe (Sayornis phoebe)  10
Blue Jay (Cyanocitta cristata)  82     63 south, 19 north
Tufted Titmouse (Baeolophus bicolor)  2
Red-breasted Nuthatch (Sitta canadensis)  8
White-breasted Nuthatch (Sitta carolinensis)  1
Golden-crowned Kinglet (Regulus satrapa)  5
Ruby-crowned Kinglet (Regulus calendula)  9
Eastern Bluebird (Sialia sialis)  2
American Robin (Turdus migratorius)  65     27 north, 38 south
American Pipit (Anthus rubescens)  29     14 north, 15 south
Cedar Waxwing (Bombycilla cedrorum)  36     19 north, 17 south
Tennessee Warbler (Oreothlypis peregrina)  1
Northern Parula (Setophaga americana)  2     1 north, 1 south
Blackpoll Warbler (Setophaga striata)  1
Black-throated Blue Warbler (Setophaga caerulescens)  2
Palm Warbler (Setophaga palmarum)  43     35 north, 8 south
Pine Warbler (Setophaga pinus)  1     south
Yellow-rumped Warbler (Setophaga coronata)  3049     1499 north, 1550 south
Black-throated Green Warbler (Setophaga virens)  1     south
warbler sp. (Parulinae sp.)  706     690 north, 16 south
Chipping Sparrow (Spizella passerina)  20
Savannah Sparrow (Passerculus sandwichensis)  2
Dark-eyed Junco (Junco hyemalis)  9
Indigo Bunting (Passerina cyanea)  1
Bobolink (Dolichonyx oryzivorus)  1     south
Eastern Meadowlark (Sturnella magna)  37
Rusty Blackbird (Euphagus carolinus)  8     1 north, 7 south
Baltimore Oriole (Icterus galbula)  1
House Finch (Haemorhous mexicanus)  53     22 north, 31 south
Purple Finch (Haemorhous purpureus)  74     60 north, 14 south
Pine Siskin (Spinus pinus)  63     52 north, 11 south
House Sparrow (Passer domesticus)  24     south

Seawatch - 22 October 2014

Observation time: 0611 – 1811

Observer: Skye Haas/Sam Galick

Species counted:

Brant – 36

American Wigeon – 1

American Black Duck – 22

Northern Pintail – 6

Green-winged Teal – 23

Ring-necked Duck – 2

Lesser Scaup – 5

Surf Scoter – 4,181

Black Scoter – 6,172

Dark-winged Scoter – 4,845

Scoter sp. – 30

Red-throated Loon – 8

Common Loon – 12

Northern Gannet – 174

Brown Pelican – 1

Double-crested Cormorant – 2,518

Laughing Gull – 228

Ring-billed Gull – 9

Forster’s Tern – 11

Royal Tern – 1

Black Skimmer – 1

Parasitic Jaeger – 8

Jaeger sp. – 1

Waterbird sp. – 40

Black-bellied Plover – 20

Semipalmated Plover – 4

Sanderling – 80

Dunlin – 25

Calidris sp. – 3

Total: 18,461

Seawatch - 21 October 2014

Observation time: 0600 - 1745

Observer: Tom Reed

Species counted:

Brant - 12

Wood Duck - 7

American Black Duck - 49

American Black Duck x Mallard - 1

Northern Pintail - 1

Green-winged Teal - 29

Greater Scaup - 2

Lesser Scaup - 6

Scaup sp. - 2

Surf Scoter - 23,270

White-winged Scoter - 11

Black Scoter - 12,913

Dark-winged Scoter - 401

Long-tailed Duck - 1

Bufflehead - 1

Red-breasted Merganser - 4

Red-throated Loon - 72

Common Loon - 60

Horned Grebe - 2

Northern Gannet - 102

Brown Pelican - 62

Double-crested Cormorant - 6,953

Great Cormorant - 1

Great Blue Heron - 4

Laughing Gull - 786

Ring-billed Gull - 46

Great Black-backed Gull - 23

Caspian Tern - 1

Common Tern - 1

Forster's Tern - 446

Royal Tern - 110

Black Skimmer - 72

Parasitic Jaeger - 10

Total: 45,461

Hawkwatch - 21 October 2014

Cape May
Cape May Point, New Jersey, USA
Daily Raptor Counts: Oct 21, 2014
-------------------------------------------------------------------

Species            Day's Count    Month Total   Season Total
------------------ ----------- -------------- --------------
Black Vulture                0             73             79
Turkey Vulture              25            387            504
Osprey                       6           1435           3604
Bald Eagle                   7            187            488
Northern Harrier            44            370            546
Sharp-shinned Hawk          93           5138           8386
Cooper's Hawk              125           1739           2593
Northern Goshawk             0              0              0
Red-shouldered Hawk          8             25             32
Broad-winged Hawk           12            446            654
Red-tailed Hawk             15             58            168
Rough-legged Hawk            0              0              0
Golden Eagle                 2              4              4
American Kestrel             5           1529           3767
Merlin                       7            641           1154
Peregrine Falcon            21            571            884
Unknown Accipiter            0              1              4
Unknown Buteo                0              0              0
Unknown Falcon               0              0              1
Unknown Eagle                0              0              0
Unknown Raptor               0              0              1
Zone-tailed Hawk             0              0              1

Total:                     370          12604          22870
----------------------------------------------------------------------

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

Official Counter:        Mary Raikes

Observers:        

Weather:
Very nice day starting with S/SW winds 5-10mph, but switching to light W/NW
winds in the afternoon.  Skies were mostly cloudy with a few sprinkles in
the morning then clearing with very little cloud coverage in the late
afternoon.  Temperatures reaching high 60's.

Raptor Observations:
A slow morning with the S/SW winds, but as the winds decreased and changed
directions nice kettles formed with a good diversity of buteos and a good
number of coopers hawks.  Quite a few harriers and peregrines streamed on
out and 2 Golden Eagles were sighted. 

Non-raptor Observations:
Lots of diversity on the pond still with Eurasian Widgeon(4), Pied-billed
Grebe(2), American Widgeon, Northern Shoveler, Northern Pintail, and
Green-winged Teal to name a few.

Predictions:
Rain likely with N/NE winds 10-20mph.
========================================================================
Cape May information may be found at:
http://www.njaudubon.org/Centers/CMBO/

Seawatch - 20 October 2014

Observation time: 0614 - 1815
Observer: Tom Reed

Species counted:
Snow Goose - 18
Canada Goose - 94
Brant - 370
Wood Duck - 111
American Wigeon - 15
American Black Duck - 324
Mallard - 2
American Black Duck/Mallard - 12
American Black Duck x Mallard - 1
Northern Pintail - 138
Green-winged Teal - 1,638
Dabbler sp. - 33
Ruddy Duck - 1
Greater Scaup - 11
Lesser Scaup - 15
Scaup sp. - 4
Surf Scoter - 540
Black Scoter - 5,256
Dark-winged Scoter - 521
Long-tailed Duck - 5
Red-breasted Merganser - 4
Red-throated Loon - 64
Common Loon - 68
Horned Grebe - 4
Northern Gannet - 4
Brown Pelican - 12
Double-crested Cormorant - 14,066
Black-crowned Night Heron - 1
Great Blue Heron - 38
Laughing Gull - 760
Ring-billed Gull - 11
Lesser Black-backed Gull - 2
Common Tern - 1
Forster's Tern - 382
Royal Tern - 113
Parasitic Jaeger - 7

Total: 24,646

Hawkwatch - 20 October 2014

Cape May
Cape May Point, New Jersey, USA
Daily Raptor Counts: Oct 20, 2014
-------------------------------------------------------------------

Species            Day's Count    Month Total   Season Total
------------------ ----------- -------------- --------------
Black Vulture                0             73             79
Turkey Vulture              15            362            479
Osprey                       2           1429           3598
Bald Eagle                   5            180            481
Northern Harrier            21            326            502
Sharp-shinned Hawk          74           5045           8293
Cooper's Hawk               47           1614           2468
Northern Goshawk             0              0              0
Red-shouldered Hawk          1             17             24
Broad-winged Hawk            7            434            642
Red-tailed Hawk              6             43            153
Rough-legged Hawk            0              0              0
Golden Eagle                 0              2              2
American Kestrel             5           1524           3762
Merlin                       9            634           1147
Peregrine Falcon             7            550            863
Unknown Accipiter            0              1              4
Unknown Buteo                0              0              0
Unknown Falcon               0              0              1
Unknown Eagle                0              0              0
Unknown Raptor               0              0              1
Zone-tailed Hawk             0              0              1

Total:                     199          12234          22500
----------------------------------------------------------------------

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

Official Counter:        Mary Raikes

Observers:        

Weather:
Day started a cold 36F with clear skies and no wind.  Winds were light from
the south starting around 800EST and increasing to 15mph in the afternoon
with gusts of 20+ from the south/southwest.

Raptor Observations:
An early flight of accipiters and harriers and kettles of vultures,
red-tails and broad wings, but flight shut down with the increasing
southerly winds.

Non-raptor Observations:
Noticeable numbers of American Robin, Blue Jays, Red-winged Blackbirds,
Eastern Meadowlark, Killdeer, and Double-crested Cormorants.  Typical
waterfowl on the pond including Wood ducks(8).  Also, Yellow-headed
Blackbird(1).

Predictions:
Chance of showers in the afternoon with warmer temperatures and winds from
the southwest 5-10mph.
========================================================================
Cape May information may be found at:
http://www.njaudubon.org/Centers/CMBO/

Morning Flight -- 19 October 2014

It was a wonderful and blustery day at the dike! Yellow-rumped Warbler stole the show with 15,782 counted. The high wind speed created a spectacle of whipping and winding birds streaming by. The flight didn't really get started until 20-30 minutes past sunrise. Another major highlight was the staggering number of raptors (primarily Sharp-shinned Hawk with over 2,000 conservatively estimated) streaming north for the 6 hours of the day that the count was conducted. 

Weather and time: sun and clouds; 53 degrees F; winds NW at 18-28 mph; 30-60% cloud cover; very good visibility; 0712 sunrise; 6.25 hours.

Morning Flight Count totals:

Belted Kingfisher (Megaceryle alcyon)  1
Yellow-bellied Sapsucker (Sphyrapicus varius)  1
Northern Flicker (Colaptes auratus)  93
Eastern Phoebe (Sayornis phoebe)  4
Red-eyed Vireo (Vireo olivaceus)  1
Red-breasted Nuthatch (Sitta canadensis)  1
Golden-crowned Kinglet (Regulus satrapa)  1
Ruby-crowned Kinglet (Regulus calendula)  6
kinglet sp. (Regulus sp.)  8     
American Robin (Turdus migratorius)  1
American Pipit (Anthus rubescens)  9
Cedar Waxwing (Bombycilla cedrorum)  59
Northern Waterthrush (Parkesia noveboracensis)  1
Black-and-white Warbler (Mniotilta varia)  1
Tennessee Warbler (Oreothlypis peregrina)  3
Orange-crowned Warbler (Oreothlypis celata)  1
Nashville Warbler (Oreothlypis ruficapilla)  2
Oreothlypis sp. (Oreothlypis sp.)  1     
American Redstart (Setophaga ruticilla)  1
Northern Parula (Setophaga americana)  5
Magnolia Warbler (Setophaga magnolia)  2
Blackpoll Warbler (Setophaga striata)  14
Black-throated Blue Warbler (Setophaga caerulescens)  6     Filter
Palm Warbler (Setophaga palmarum)  185
Yellow-rumped Warbler (Setophaga coronata)  15782
Black-throated Green Warbler (Setophaga virens)  2
warbler sp. (Parulinae sp.)  1741     
Chipping Sparrow (Spizella passerina)  24
Savannah Sparrow (Passerculus sandwichensis)  2
Dark-eyed Junco (Junco hyemalis)  1
Rose-breasted Grosbeak (Pheucticus ludovicianus)  1
Indigo Bunting (Passerina cyanea)  1
Eastern Meadowlark (Sturnella magna)  3
Purple Finch (Haemorhous purpureus)  1
Pine Siskin (Spinus pinus)  6
American Goldfinch (Spinus tristis)  2

Hawkwatch - 19 October 2014

Cape May
Cape May Point, New Jersey, USA
Daily Raptor Counts: Oct 19, 2014
-------------------------------------------------------------------

Species            Day's Count    Month Total   Season Total
------------------ ----------- -------------- --------------
Black Vulture                2             73             79
Turkey Vulture              34            347            464
Osprey                      27           1427           3596
Bald Eagle                  11            175            476
Northern Harrier            39            305            481
Sharp-shinned Hawk         504           4971           8219
Cooper's Hawk              110           1567           2421
Northern Goshawk             0              0              0
Red-shouldered Hawk          1             16             23
Broad-winged Hawk            8            427            635
Red-tailed Hawk              5             37            147
Rough-legged Hawk            0              0              0
Golden Eagle                 0              2              2
American Kestrel           339           1519           3757
Merlin                      82            625           1138
Peregrine Falcon            10            543            856
Unknown Accipiter            1              1              4
Unknown Buteo                0              0              0
Unknown Falcon               0              0              1
Unknown Eagle                0              0              0
Unknown Raptor               0              0              1
Zone-tailed Hawk             0              0              1

Total:                    1173          12035          22301
----------------------------------------------------------------------

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

Official Counter:        Mary Raikes

Observers:        

Weather:
A cold front passed through with temperatures only reaching 55F and strong
Northwest winds all day, steady 15-20 mph with gusts up to 29mph.  Skies
were mostly cloudy for the majority of the day and becoming clear in the
late afternoon.

Raptor Observations:
A good flight for most of the day with numbers fluctuating between periods
of sun and clouds.  A strong sharp-shinned, kestrel, and harrier flight. 
Flight remained low, but in all directions with no kettles forming.

Non-raptor Observations:
A good variety of waterfowl remain on the pond including Gadwall, Northern
Shoveler, Northern Pintail, Green-winged Teal, American Widgeon, Eurasian
Widgeon, American Coot, Greater Scaup, and Pied-billed Grebe.  Noticeable
flocks of Great Blue Heron(50+) and a variety of shorebirds-Pectoral
Sandpipers(7), Killdeer(45), Stilt Sandpiper(2), Snipe, and Greater
Yellowlegs.  Also, Brant(5) and Snow Goose(6).

Predictions:
Sunny, with winds west becoming south 5-10mph.
========================================================================
Cape May information may be found at:
http://www.njaudubon.org/Centers/CMBO/

Seawatch - 19 October 2014

Observation time: 0602 - 1840
Observer: Skye Haas

Species counted:
Canada Goose - 79
Brant - 604
Wood Duck - 11
American Wigeon - 10
American Black Duck - 217
Mallard - 15
American Black Duck/Mallard - 2
Northern Shoveler - 1
Northern Pintail - 104
Green-winged Teal - 134
Dabbler sp. - 41
Duck sp. - 340
Surf Scoter - 22
Black Scoter - 335
Dark-winged Scoter - 216
Red-throated Loon - 26
Common Loon - 46
Loon sp. - 11
Northern Gannet - 1
Brown Pelican - 3
Double-crested Cormorant - 5,340
Great Cormorant - 3
Black-crowned Night Heron - 11
Great Blue Heron - 47
Great Egret - 87
Snowy Egret - 44
Glossy Ibis - 1
Laughing Gull - 545
Bonaparte's Gull - 2
Ring-billed Gull - 34
Herring Gull - 18
Great Black Backed Gull - 11
Caspian Tern - 6
Forster's Tern - 72
Royal Tern - 35
Parasitic Jaeger - 3
Waterbird sp. - 47
American Oystercatcher - 90
Killdeer - 9
Semipalmated Plover - 7
Black-bellied Plover - 43
Dunlin - 212
Ruddy Turnstone - 1
Sanderling - 300
Greater Yellowlegs - 1
White-rumped Sandpiper - 2
Western Sandpiper - 1
Dowitcher sp. - 1

Total: 9,191

Seawatch - 18 October 2014

Observation time: 0610 - 1834
Observer: Skye Haas

Species counted:
Brant - 312
American Black Duck - 7
Northern Pintail - 4
Surf Scoter - 47
Black Scoter - 291
Scoter sp. - 9
Common Loon - 9
Northern Gannet - 6
Brown Pelican - 19
Doube-crested Cormorant - 951
Great Cormorant - 1
Great Blue Heron - 21
Great Egret - 173
Snowy Egret - 58
Laughing Gull - 115
Great Black-backed Gull - 7
Forster's Tern - 94
Royal Tern - 43
Parasitic Jaeger - 5
Jaeger sp. - 1
American Oystercatcher - 13
Sanderling - 1,340
Dunlin - 80
Red Knot - 45
Dowitcher sp. - 1
Ruddy Turnstone - 2
Semipalmated Plover - 4
Black-bellied Plover - 187
Sempalmated Sandpiper - 1
Calidris sp. - 15

Total: 3,861


Butterflies:
Monarch - 197
Buckeye - 9
Red Admiral - 5
Mourning Cloak - 4

A note from Skye:
Ok, so we have been in a little bit of a slump lately but as I type this, I can hear the wind picking up and I am very hopeful that a big push of birds for tomorrow. 

So today... It was not too happening but there is always something to catch one's eye when running a day long count. Foremost, I got a new seawatch bird- a White-breasted Nuthatch so huzzah for forest birds lost on well-developed barrier islands! After several days of only a few birds present, Ospreys made a modest push today, likely birds in active migration coming down the coast. Red Knots made a decent show with a couple of flocks flying by. Ducks were again pretty pitiful in numbers, but I really think thats about to change in the next day or so. Only a few jaegers today, but one was a sharp-looking dark morph. All other adult Parasitic Jaegers I've had this season have been light morphs. But the highlight of the day came in the last two hours of the count when waders made a big push down the coastline with 21 Great Blue Herons, a rousing 173 Great Egrets and 58 Snowy Egrets. At one point a flock of egrets came low over the ocean behind the rips, and were veiled in the spray of the breakers- a very lovely sight in the early evening light. Enchanting creatures!

Great Egrets. [Photo by Skye Haas.]

Bald Eagles. [Photo by Skye Haas.]

Hawkwatch - 18 October 2014

Cape May
Cape May Point, New Jersey, USA
Daily Raptor Counts: Oct 18, 2014
-------------------------------------------------------------------

Species            Day's Count    Month Total   Season Total
------------------ ----------- -------------- --------------
Black Vulture                4             71             77
Turkey Vulture              36            313            430
Osprey                      49           1400           3569
Bald Eagle                  10            164            465
Northern Harrier            30            266            442
Sharp-shinned Hawk         369           4467           7715
Cooper's Hawk              122           1457           2311
Northern Goshawk             0              0              0
Red-shouldered Hawk          2             15             22
Broad-winged Hawk            8            419            627
Red-tailed Hawk              3             32            142
Rough-legged Hawk            0              0              0
Golden Eagle                 0              2              2
American Kestrel           142           1180           3418
Merlin                      51            543           1056
Peregrine Falcon            23            533            846
Unknown Accipiter            0              0              3
Unknown Buteo                0              0              0
Unknown Falcon               0              0              1
Unknown Eagle                0              0              0
Unknown Raptor               0              0              1
Zone-tailed Hawk             0              0              1

Total:                     849          10862          21128
----------------------------------------------------------------------

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

Official Counter:        Mary Raikes

Observers:        

Weather:
Winds were light(5-10mph) from the west/southwest in the morning increasing
and switching to northwest/west in the afternoon with gusts up to 20mph. 
Skies with most cloudy in the am and then clearing and becoming partly
cloudy in the late afternoon.  Pleasant temperatures in reaching 70F.

Raptor Observations:
A nice flight today with lots of accipiters in the morning and then a
decent falcon flight in the afternoon.  Flight was lower than it has been
and following the treeline to the north and the dunes.

Non-raptor Observations:
Cliff swallow(2), Stilt sandpiper(2), Lesser Black-backed Gull(1), Caspian
Tern(2), Eurasian Widgeon(2), Blue Jays and Fish Crow flocks.

Predictions:
Northwest winds 20-25mph, becoming mostly sunny with temperatures only
reaching 58F.
========================================================================
Cape May information may be found at:
http://www.njaudubon.org/Centers/CMBO/

Morning Flight -- 18 October 2014

Weather and time: sun and clouds; 63 degrees F; winds W at 10-20 mph; 20-60% cloud cover; very good visibility; 0712 sunrise; 3.25 hours. 

Morning Flight Count totals:

Belted Kingfisher (Megaceryle alcyon)  2
Red-headed Woodpecker (Melanerpes erythrocephalus)  1
Red-bellied Woodpecker (Melanerpes carolinus)  7     4 north, 3 south
Downy Woodpecker (Picoides pubescens)  2
Northern Flicker (Colaptes auratus)  5
Blue Jay (Cyanocitta cristata)  201     181 north, 20 south; fix filter
Red-breasted Nuthatch (Sitta canadensis)  3
White-breasted Nuthatch (Sitta carolinensis)  1
Golden-crowned Kinglet (Regulus satrapa)  3
kinglet sp. (Regulus sp.)  1     Fix filter
American Robin (Turdus migratorius)  2
European Starling (Sturnus vulgaris)  27
Cedar Waxwing (Bombycilla cedrorum)  25
Northern Waterthrush (Parkesia noveboracensis)  1
Nashville Warbler (Oreothlypis ruficapilla)  1
Northern Parula (Setophaga americana)  1
Palm Warbler (Setophaga palmarum)  22
Yellow-rumped Warbler (Setophaga coronata)  410     307 north, 103 south
Eastern Meadowlark (Sturnella magna)  3
House Finch (Haemorhous mexicanus)  24
Purple Finch (Haemorhous purpureus)  5
Pine Siskin (Spinus pinus)  21     15 north, 6 south

Today's full checklist can be viewed here: 

Seawatch - 17 October 2014

Observation time: 0609 - 1819
Observer: Skye Haas

Species counted:
American Black Duck - 1
Northern Pintail - 41
Green-winged Teal - 1
Surf Scoter - 43
Black Scoter - 133
Dark-winged Scoter - 10
Red-throated Loon - 4
Common Loon - 7
Loon sp. - 1
Northern Gannet - 9
Brown Pelican - 11
Double-crested Cormorant - 591
Laughing Gull - 153
Great Black-backed Gull - 7
Caspian Tern - 3
Forster's Tern - 233
Royal Tern - 61
Black Skimmer - 20
Parasitic Jaeger - 13
American Oystercatcher - 16
Black-bellied Plover - 148
Semipalmated Plover - 7
Sanderling - 250
Dunlin - 200
Red Knot - 28
Ruddy Turnstone - 4
Dowitcher sp.- 4
White-rumped Sandpiper - 1

Total: 2,000

White-rumped Sandpiper. [Photo by Sam Galick.]

Hawkwatch - 17 October 2014

Cape May
Cape May Point, New Jersey, USA
Daily Raptor Counts: Oct 17, 2014
-------------------------------------------------------------------

Species            Day's Count    Month Total   Season Total
------------------ ----------- -------------- --------------
Black Vulture                1             67             73
Turkey Vulture              24            277            394
Osprey                      59           1351           3520
Bald Eagle                   8            154            455
Northern Harrier            15            236            412
Sharp-shinned Hawk         192           4098           7346
Cooper's Hawk               79           1335           2189
Northern Goshawk             0              0              0
Red-shouldered Hawk          2             13             20
Broad-winged Hawk            8            411            619
Red-tailed Hawk              2             29            139
Rough-legged Hawk            0              0              0
Golden Eagle                 0              2              2
American Kestrel            19           1038           3276
Merlin                      19            492           1005
Peregrine Falcon            20            510            823
Unknown Accipiter            0              0              3
Unknown Buteo                0              0              0
Unknown Falcon               0              0              1
Unknown Eagle                0              0              0
Unknown Raptor               0              0              1
Zone-tailed Hawk             0              0              1

Total:                     448          10013          20279
----------------------------------------------------------------------

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

Official Counter:        Mary Raikes

Observers:        

Weather:
Started with W(slightly NW) winds this morning, then switching to SW and S
in the afternoon.  Very clear skies and high of 72F.

Raptor Observations:
An early high flight with large kettles of turkey vultures mixed with other
raptors.  Flight was most evident to the far north of the platform. 

Non-raptor Observations:
Nice variety still on the pond including Northern Shoveler, Eurasian
Widgeon, American Widgeon, Pied-billed Grebe, Greater Scaup, Northern
Pintail, Green-winged Teal, Ruddy Duck, American Coot, and Gadwall.  Large
number of Blue Jays in the am (200), Eastern Meadowlark, Golden-crowned
Kinglet, Cliff Swallow, Purple Finch.

Predictions:
West winds 15-20mph, mostly sunny, and temps in the high 60's.
========================================================================
Cape May information may be found at:
http://www.njaudubon.org/Centers/CMBO/

Hawkwatch – 16 October 2014

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

Species            Day's Count    Month Total   Season Total
------------------ ----------- -------------- --------------
Black Vulture                0             66             72
Turkey Vulture              35            253            370
Osprey                     117           1292           3461
Bald Eagle                   5            146            447
Northern Harrier            34            221            397
Sharp-shinned Hawk         364           3906           7154
Cooper's Hawk              109           1256           2110
Northern Goshawk             0              0              0
Red-shouldered Hawk          1             11             18
Broad-winged Hawk           22            403            611
Red-tailed Hawk              1             27            137
Rough-legged Hawk            0              0              0
Golden Eagle                 0              2              2
American Kestrel            12           1019           3257
Merlin                      15            473            986
Peregrine Falcon            44            490            803
Unknown Accipiter            0              0              3
Unknown Buteo                0              0              0
Unknown Falcon               0              0              1
Unknown Eagle                0              0              0
Unknown Raptor               0              0              1
Zone-tailed Hawk             0              0              1

Total:                     759           9565          19831
----------------------------------------------------------------------

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

Official Counter:        Tom Reed

Observers:        

Weather:
Mild. Mostly sunny; high 73ºF; winds SW 5-10mph. Visibility good.

Raptor Observations:
A high and distant flight that gradually developed through the late-AM and
peaked during the early-PM.

Non-raptor Observations:
Eurasian Wigeon (3), Pectoral Sandpiper (49), Eastern Kingbird (1)

Predictions:
Sunny; 72ºF; winds W @ 10mph. 

Morning Flight - 16 October 2014

Weather and time: cloudy; 63-65 ºF; winds SSW at 5-8 mph; 60-50% cloud cover; very good visibility; 0710 sunrise; 2.25 hours.

Morning Flight Count totals:  
Belted Kingfisher (Megaceryle alcyon)  2     south
American Robin (Turdus migratorius)  4     south
Blackpoll Warbler (Setophaga striata)  3
Yellow-rumped Warbler (Setophaga coronata)  35     22 north, 13 south
Black-throated Green Warbler (Setophaga virens)  1     south
House Finch (Haemorhous mexicanus)  16     south

Morning Flight - 15 October 2014

Weather and time: cloudy; 69 ºF; winds SE at 15-20 mph; 30% cloud cover; very good visibility; 0709 sunrise; 2.25 hours.

Morning Flight Count totals:  
Belted Kingfisher (Megaceryle alcyon)  2     south
Red-bellied Woodpecker (Melanerpes carolinus)  1
Blue Jay (Cyanocitta cristata)  32
European Starling (Sturnus vulgaris)  12
Cedar Waxwing (Bombycilla cedrorum)  2
Yellow-rumped Warbler (Setophaga coronata)  139     15 north, 124 south
Chipping Sparrow (Spizella passerina)  2
Eastern Meadowlark (Sturnella magna)  1
House Finch (Haemorhous mexicanus)  97
American Goldfinch (Spinus tristis)  5

Morning Flight - 14 October 2014

Weather and time: clear; 66-68 ºF; winds SE at 8-10 mph; 5% cloud cover; excellent visibility; 0708 sunrise; 2.25 hours.

Morning Flight Count totals:  
Red-bellied Woodpecker (Melanerpes carolinus)  5
Yellow-bellied Sapsucker (Sphyrapicus varius)  1
Northern Flicker (Colaptes auratus)  7     south
European Starling (Sturnus vulgaris)  125
American Pipit (Anthus rubescens)  4
Northern Waterthrush (Parkesia noveboracensis)  3     2 north, 1 south
Black-and-white Warbler (Mniotilta varia)  1
Tennessee Warbler (Oreothlypis peregrina)  1     south
American Redstart (Setophaga ruticilla)  1
Northern Parula (Setophaga americana)  2     1 north, 1 south
Blackpoll Warbler (Setophaga striata)  2
Black-throated Blue Warbler (Setophaga caerulescens)  1
Palm Warbler (Setophaga palmarum)  5
Yellow-rumped Warbler (Setophaga coronata)  241     16 north, 225 south
Black-throated Green Warbler (Setophaga virens)  1
warbler sp. (Parulinae sp.)  18     13 north, 5 south
Pine Siskin (Spinus pinus)  6

Morning Flight - 13 October 2014

Weather and time: cloudy; 63-68 ºF; winds E at 3-5 mph; 100% cloud cover; very good visibility; 0707 sunrise; 2.25 hours.
 
Morning Flight Count totals:
Belted Kingfisher (Megaceryle alcyon)  2     south
Red-bellied Woodpecker (Melanerpes carolinus)  4
Yellow-bellied Sapsucker (Sphyrapicus varius)  8
Northern Flicker (Colaptes auratus)  35
Blue Jay (Cyanocitta cristata)  7     south
American Robin (Turdus migratorius)  6
European Starling (Sturnus vulgaris)  41
American Pipit (Anthus rubescens)  7
Cedar Waxwing (Bombycilla cedrorum)  18
Northern Waterthrush (Parkesia noveboracensis)  4
Black-and-white Warbler (Mniotilta varia)  1
Nashville Warbler (Oreothlypis ruficapilla)  1
Northern Parula (Setophaga americana)  4
Magnolia Warbler (Setophaga magnolia)  1
Blackpoll Warbler (Setophaga striata)  15
Black-throated Blue Warbler (Setophaga caerulescens)  1
Palm Warbler (Setophaga palmarum)  22
Yellow-rumped Warbler (Setophaga coronata)  253     117 north, 136 south
Black-throated Green Warbler (Setophaga virens)  2
warbler sp. (Parulinae sp.)  6
Dark-eyed Junco (Junco hyemalis)  4
Indigo Bunting (Passerina cyanea)  2
Eastern Meadowlark (Sturnella magna)  6
Purple Finch (Haemorhous purpureus)  1
Pine Siskin (Spinus pinus)  5     4 north, 1 south

Morning Flight - 12 October 2014

Weather and time: sun and clouds; 59-63 ºF; winds NE at 5-10 mph; 150% cloud cover; very good visibility; 0706 sunrise; 3.25 hours.


Morning Flight Count totals:  
Belted Kingfisher (Megaceryle alcyon)  1     south
Red-bellied Woodpecker (Melanerpes carolinus)  25
Yellow-bellied Sapsucker (Sphyrapicus varius)  26
Downy Woodpecker (Picoides pubescens)  2
Northern Flicker (Colaptes auratus)  167
Eastern Wood-Pewee (Contopus virens)  2
Eastern Phoebe (Sayornis phoebe)  27
Blue-headed Vireo (Vireo solitarius)  2
Red-eyed Vireo (Vireo olivaceus)  11
Blue Jay (Cyanocitta cristata)  96
Red-breasted Nuthatch (Sitta canadensis)  5
Golden-crowned Kinglet (Regulus satrapa)  14
Ruby-crowned Kinglet (Regulus calendula)  18
American Robin (Turdus migratorius)  93
American Pipit (Anthus rubescens)  10
Cedar Waxwing (Bombycilla cedrorum)  95
Northern Waterthrush (Parkesia noveboracensis)  6
Black-and-white Warbler (Mniotilta varia)  13
Tennessee Warbler (Oreothlypis peregrina)  3
Nashville Warbler (Oreothlypis ruficapilla)  4
Common Yellowthroat (Geothlypis trichas)  1
American Redstart (Setophaga ruticilla)  15
Cape May Warbler (Setophaga tigrina)  4
Northern Parula (Setophaga americana)  9
Magnolia Warbler (Setophaga magnolia)  7
Yellow Warbler (Setophaga petechia)  1
Blackpoll Warbler (Setophaga striata)  24
Bay-breasted/Blackpoll Warbler (Setophaga castanea/striata)  3
Black-throated Blue Warbler (Setophaga caerulescens)  9
Palm Warbler (Setophaga palmarum)  152
Pine Warbler (Setophaga pinus)  1
Yellow-rumped Warbler (Setophaga coronata)  1201
Prairie Warbler (Setophaga discolor)  1
Black-throated Green Warbler (Setophaga virens)  14
warbler sp. (Parulinae sp.)  408
Chipping Sparrow (Spizella passerina)  10
Savannah Sparrow (Passerculus sandwichensis)  3
Dark-eyed Junco (Junco hyemalis)  10

Scarlet Tanager (Piranga olivacea)  1

Rose-breasted Grosbeak (Pheucticus ludovicianus)  1
Blue Grosbeak (Passerina caerulea)  2
Indigo Bunting (Passerina cyanea)  10
Dickcissel (Spiza americana)  1
Bobolink (Dolichonyx oryzivorus)  5
Eastern Meadowlark (Sturnella magna)  18
Baltimore Oriole (Icterus galbula)  1
House Finch (Haemorhous mexicanus)  26
Purple Finch (Haemorhous purpureus)  15
Pine Siskin (Spinus pinus)  127
American Goldfinch (Spinus tristis)  25
House Sparrow (Passer domesticus)  6

Seawatch - 16 October 2014

Observation Time: 0710 - 1823
Observer: Skye Haas

Species counted:
Northern Pintail - 10
Green-winged Teal - 2
Surf Scoter - 78
Black Scoter - 11
Dark-winged Scoter - 6
Red-throated Loon - 4
Common Loon - 2
Northern Gannet - 14
Brown Pelican - 11
Double-crested Cormorant - 783
Great Cormorant - 1
Snowy Egret - 1
Laughing Gull - 137
Great Black-backed Gull - 8
Caspian Tern - 3
Forster's Tern - 226
Royal Tern - 94
Parasitic Jaeger - 21
Jaeger sp. - 2
Lesser Black-backed Gull - 1
American Oystercatcher - 24
Black-bellied Plover - 345
Semipalmated Plover - 17
American Golden Plover - 1
Sanderling - 3,900
Dunlin - 51
Redknot - 11
Ruddy Turnstone - 6
Short-billed Dowitcher - 1
Dowitcher sp. - 7
White-rumped Sandpiper - 1
Calidris sp. - 75

Total: 5,854

A note from Skye:
Good gosh were there a lot of shorebirds flying by the Seawatch today! Sanderling numbers were truly impressive as were Black-bellied Plovers! A few goodies were plucked out as well including White-rumped Sandpiper, American Golden-Plover and some Red Knots. Not as many Jaegers and Royal Terns compared to yesterday, but both species were on the move with 23 and 94 respectively. Actually my very first birds of the day was a flock of four Parasitic Jaegers coursing across the ocean. Coming in as 2nd place in the Hilarity Moments at the Seawatch was a flock of migrating Laughing Gulls with a pair of Jaegers traveling with them. It was an uneasy truce as every time the Jaegers made a slight quick movement the Laughers would panic and and break formation for a moment shooting the Jaegers quite the look that seemed to say "Settle down now!". Again there were barely any ducks, with today scoters being conspicuously absent. In fact it was the only pair of Green-winged Teal seen today that had took first place in the Hilarity Moments as they flew low over the the waves and had the daylights scared out of them when a pair of Dolphins happened to leap right out of a breaker nearly on top of the teal- man those birds had must of had a heart attack and blasted straight up into the sky in opposite directions they were so startled by the leaping cetaceans! And good fun was a close flock of Brown Pelicans overhead in the 3rd hour. Non-waterbird highlights were few, but included eight Peregrine Falcons, and one each of Tennessee and Black-throated Green Warbler. 

Parasitic Jaeger.  [Photo by Mike Kilpatrick.]

Black Bellied Plover, American Golden Plover, and Red Knots. [Photo by Mike Kilpatrick.]

Brown Pelican. [Photo by Skye Haas.]

Hawkwatch – 15 October 2014

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

Species            Day's Count    Month Total   Season Total
------------------ ----------- -------------- --------------
Black Vulture                0             66             72
Turkey Vulture               0            218            335
Osprey                       6           1175           3344
Bald Eagle                   0            141            442
Northern Harrier             5            187            363
Sharp-shinned Hawk          11           3542           6790
Cooper's Hawk                1           1147           2001
Northern Goshawk             0              0              0
Red-shouldered Hawk          0             10             17
Broad-winged Hawk            0            381            589
Red-tailed Hawk              0             26            136
Rough-legged Hawk            0              0              0
Golden Eagle                 0              2              2
American Kestrel             0           1007           3245
Merlin                       4            458            971
Peregrine Falcon            19            446            759
Unknown Accipiter            0              0              3
Unknown Buteo                0              0              0
Unknown Falcon               0              0              1
Unknown Eagle                0              0              0
Unknown Raptor               0              0              1
Zone-tailed Hawk             0              0              1

Total:                      46           8806          19072
----------------------------------------------------------------------

Observation start time: 06:00:00 
Observation end   time: 15:30:00 
Total observation time: 9.5 hours

Official Counter:        Tom Reed

Observers:        

Weather:
Mild. Overcast and windy; winds SSE 15-25mph throughout; rain showers
developing during the PM. Visibility fair->poor. Count suspended at 1530EST
due to heavy rain/thunder. 

Raptor Observations:
Zzz...

Non-raptor Observations:
Eurasian Wigeon (3); Double-crested Cormorant (2000+); Parasitic Jaeger
(15+) 

Predictions:
Mostly cloudy; high 71ºF; winds SW 10-15mph. 

Seawatch - 15 October 201486

Observation time: 0609 - 1824
Observer: Skye Haas

Species counted:
Brant - 1
Surf Scoter - 499
White-winged Scoter - 1
Black Scoter - 561
Dark-winged Scoter - 4
Red-throated Loon - 1
Common Loon - 2
Northern Gannet - 9
Double-crested Cormorant - 9
Laughing Gull - 313
Herring Gull - 38
Great Black-backed Gull - 23
Lesser Black-backed Gull - 1
Caspian Tern - 35
Common Tern - 2
Forster's Tern - 237
Royal Tern - 486
Black Skimmer - 1
Parasitic Jaeger - 43
Jaeger sp. - 1
American Oystercatcher - 11
Black-bellied Plover - 76
Semipalmated Plover - 15
Sanderling - 1,246
Dunlin - 86
Dowitcher sp. - 18
Redknot - 12
Ruddy Turnstone - 5
Calidris sp. - 55

Total: 3,791

A note from Skye:
Another interesting day at the Avalon Seawatch, but then again, aren't they all? The day was a bit light on the ducks (other then just over a thousand scoters), but notable was a strong movement of gulls, terns and jaegers. Both Laughing Gull and Forster's Terns saw decent pulses of activity, but the bird of the day was Royal Tern with a robust 486 migrating past the Seawatch. Caspian Terns also had a decent day and the 3rd Lesser Black-backed Gull of the fall was seen. Jaegers continue to be seen in excellent numbers with 44 recorded today. This puts us at over 200 jaegers for the season; already making 2014 the 3rd highest jaeger fall in Seawatch history! It should be interesting to see if this season continues to be good for jaeger sightings or if it fizzles out before coming close to last year's amazing 662 jaegers!

Also notable today was the first decent shorebird movement in a week, with several Red Knots being seen and surprising 18 Dowitchers. 

Forster's Tern. [Photo bye Skye Haas.]

Royal Tern. [Photo by Mike Kilpatrick.]

Hawkwatch – 14 October 2014

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

Species            Day's Count    Month Total   Season Total
------------------ ----------- -------------- --------------
Black Vulture                0             66             72
Turkey Vulture               0            218            335
Osprey                       6           1169           3338
Bald Eagle                   0            141            442
Northern Harrier             2            182            358
Sharp-shinned Hawk          48           3531           6779
Cooper's Hawk               17           1146           2000
Northern Goshawk             0              0              0
Red-shouldered Hawk          1             10             17
Broad-winged Hawk            1            381            589
Red-tailed Hawk              1             26            136
Rough-legged Hawk            0              0              0
Golden Eagle                 0              2              2
American Kestrel             9           1007           3245
Merlin                       4            454            967
Peregrine Falcon            12            427            740
Unknown Accipiter            0              0              3
Unknown Buteo                0              0              0
Unknown Falcon               0              0              1
Unknown Eagle                0              0              0
Unknown Raptor               0              0              1
Zone-tailed Hawk             0              0              1

Total:                     101           8760          19026
----------------------------------------------------------------------

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

Official Counter:        Mary Raikes

Observers:        

Weather:
Southeast winds 10-15 mph, warm temps with a high of 75F, and clear skies
in the morning and partly cloudy in the afternoon.

Raptor Observations:
Majority of flight was accipiters in the morning.  A very slow afternoon
with a few falcons.

Non-raptor Observations:
Eurasian Widgeon(4), American Widgeon, Northern Pintail, Gadwall, Northern
Shoveler, Ringed-necked Duck, American Coot, Green-winged Teal, Pied-billed
Grebe, Pectoral Sandpiper.

Predictions:
Rain likely in the afternoon, with southeast winds 15-20mph and gusts up to
30mph.

Seawatch - 14 October 2014

Observation time: 0608 -1723
Observer: Tom Reed

Species counted:
Green-winged Teal - 7
Lesser Scaup - 1
Scaup sp. - 10
Common Eider - 1
Harlequin Duck - 1
Surf Scoter - 708
Black Scoter - 3,190
Dark-winged Scoter - 57
Red-throated Loon - 2
Common Loon - 8
Northern Gannet - 76
Brown Pelican - 1
Double-crested Cormorant - 1,583
Great Cormorant - 1
Laughing Gull - 441
Ring-billed Gull - 1
Forster's Tern - 295
Royal Tern - 85
Parasitic Jaeger - 9

Total: 6,477

A mixed flock of Surf Scoters and Black Scoters with one Common Eider. [Photo by Skye Haas.]

Hawkwatch - 13 October 2014

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

Species            Day's Count    Month Total   Season Total
------------------ ----------- -------------- --------------
Black Vulture                0             66             72
Turkey Vulture               0            218            335
Osprey                       1           1163           3332
Bald Eagle                   0            141            442
Northern Harrier             3            180            356
Sharp-shinned Hawk          34           3483           6731
Cooper's Hawk                8           1129           1983
Northern Goshawk             0              0              0
Red-shouldered Hawk          0              9             16
Broad-winged Hawk            0            380            588
Red-tailed Hawk              0             25            135
Rough-legged Hawk            0              0              0
Golden Eagle                 0              2              2
American Kestrel             3            998           3236
Merlin                       7            450            963
Peregrine Falcon             8            415            728
Unknown Accipiter            0              0              3
Unknown Buteo                0              0              0
Unknown Falcon               0              0              1
Unknown Eagle                0              0              0
Unknown Raptor               0              0              1
Zone-tailed Hawk             0              0              1

Total:                      64           8659          18925
----------------------------------------------------------------------

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

Official Counter:        Mary Raikes

Observers:        

Weather:
Mostly cloudy with rain/sprinkles/mist/fog/low visibility starting at
0800EST.  Southeast winds from 5-10mph.

Raptor Observations:
Accipiters moving in the am, but flight stopped with rain and low clouds. 
A handful of falcons passed by low in the afternoon.

Non-raptor Observations:
Great Cormorant(1). Lots of activity on the pond including Eurasian
Widgeon(3), American Widgeon, Northern Pintail, Northern Shoveler,
Green-winged Teal, Gadwall, Ring-necked Duck, Ruddy Duck, American Coot,
Pied-billed Grebe, Common Gallinule.

Predictions:
Partly sunny, southeast winds 10-20mph. High of 73F.
========================================================================
Cape May information may be found at:
http://www.njaudubon.org/Centers/CMBO/

Seawatch - 13 October 2014

Observation time: 0607 - 1724
Observer: Tom Reed

Species counted:
Brant - 5
American Wigeon - 1
American Black Duck - 8
Blue-winged Teal - 1
Northern Pintail - 3
Green-winged Teal - 252
Greater Scaup - 1
Lesser Scaup - 2
Surf Scoter - 1,099
White-winged Scoter - 5
Black Scoter - 6,110
Dark-winged Scoter - 36
Red-throated Loon - 28
Common Loon - 17
Northern Gannet - 35
Brown Pelican - 39
Double-crested Cormorant - 440
Great Cormorant - 1
Great Blue Heron - 4
Laughing Gull - 313
Great Black-backed Gull - 10
Caspian Tern - 1
Common Tern - 1
Forster's Tern - 99
Royal Tern - 35
Parasitic Jaeger - 3
Pacific Loon - 1

Total: 8,550

Seawatch - 12 October 2014

Observation time: 0605 -. 1845
Observer: Skye Haas

Species counted:
Dabbler sp. - 7
Wood Duck - 1
Gadwall - 18
American Wigeon - 17
American Black Duck - 41
Mallard - 6
Blue-winged Teal - 1
Northern Pintail - 29
Green-winged Teal - 409
Scaup sp. - 12
Aythya sp. - 27
Common Eider - 3
Duck sp. - 63
Surf Scoter - 737
White-winged Scoter - 4
Black Scoter - 2,045
Dark-winged Scoter - 90
Scoter sp. - 25
Long-tailed Duck - 1
Ruddy Duck - 1
Red-throated Loon - 19
Common Loon - 16
Loon sp. - 4
Red-necked Grebe - 1
Northern Gannet - 7
Brown Pelican - 4
Double-crested Cormorant - 6,369
Great Cormorant - 1
Great Blue Heron - 28
Great Egret - 72
Snowy Egret - 43
Laughing Gull - 257
Ring-billed Gull - 2
Herring Gull - 5
Great Black-backed Gull - 9
Caspian Tern - 8
Forster's Tern - 159
Royal Tern - 26
Parasitic Jaeger - 5
Jaeger sp. - 4
American Oystercatcher - 38
Dunlin - 135
Black-bellied Plover - 85
Semipalmated Plover - 1
Calidris sp. - 40

Total: 10,875

A note from Skye:
What a great day at the Seawatch! A lot of birds migrated past Avalon today, and along with some large numbers, the species diversity was excellent with 40 species of waterbirds. Several season "firsts" were seen including Mallard, Common Eider, Long-tailed Duck, Ruddy Duck and Red-necked Grebe. 

I really enjoyed the pacing of the flight today and how it progressed. The morning started with a strong dabbler flight; Green-winged Teal had their best flight this season, and nearly every other dabbler except for Shovelors made an appearance. All the while Double-crested Cormorants flocks were flying by, and by mid-morning as the ducks slowed down, the corms really picked up with nearly two thousands by in one hour midday. Then in the late afternoon, the comorants started to slow down just as the scoters really started moving in big numbers. The combined scoter total for the day ended up being 2,897. While there are even bigger days to come, it is good to see this staple of the Avalon count finally get going. Very entertaining was the large pod of Bottle-nosed Dolphins that started doing vigorous back-flips in the waves as the scoters skimmed above them. It was in the scoter flocks that we started picking out the little cool nuggets, the hen Ruddy and Long-tailed Ducks, the Red-necked Grebe and late in the final hour three female Common Eiders came by. Particularly cool was down at the Hawk Deck, the CMBO "Big Sit" team was busy working on breaking the North American record for a Sit. I would contact Tom Reed after getting a good bird past Avalon and then about 25-30 minutes later they actually picked up a couple of them! In fact their final bird of the day was the Red-necked Grebe winging its way past the Cape! But there was a final push of a few new birds late in the count; a little helping of Jaegers started to move through, but particularly enchanting in the pink and purple evening clouds were flocks of Great and Snowy Egrets migrating far over the ocean, truly a beautiful sight to behold!

Great Egrets and Snowy Egrets. [Photo by Mike Kilpatrick.]

Black Scoter, White-winged Scoter, and the Red-necked Grebe that was the 150th species for the Big Sit. [Photo by Mike Kilpatrick.]

Hawkwatch - 12 October 2014

Cape May
Cape May Point, New Jersey, USA
Daily Raptor Counts: Oct 12, 2014
-------------------------------------------------------------------

Species            Day's Count    Month Total   Season Total
------------------ ----------- -------------- --------------
Black Vulture                4             66             72
Turkey Vulture              29            218            335
Osprey                      89           1162           3331
Bald Eagle                   9            141            442
Northern Harrier            17            177            353
Sharp-shinned Hawk         565           3449           6697
Cooper's Hawk              184           1121           1975
Northern Goshawk             0              0              0
Red-shouldered Hawk          1              9             16
Broad-winged Hawk           11            380            588
Red-tailed Hawk              2             25            135
Rough-legged Hawk            0              0              0
Golden Eagle                 1              2              2
American Kestrel            28            995           3233
Merlin                      17            443            956
Peregrine Falcon            27            407            720
Unknown Accipiter            0              0              3
Unknown Buteo                0              0              0
Unknown Falcon               0              0              1
Unknown Eagle                0              0              0
Unknown Raptor               0              0              1
Zone-tailed Hawk             0              0              1

Total:                     984           8595          18861
----------------------------------------------------------------------

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

Official Counter:        Mary Raikes

Observers:        

Weather:
North, Northeast, and then East winds today from 5-10mph.  Mainly clear
skies, with late afternoon cloud coverage.  Cool temperatures in the
morning with a low of 48.

Raptor Observations:
Quite a high flight with lots of accipiters starting at daybreak and
continuing through most of day. 

Non-raptor Observations:
The "Big Sit" day with 150 species identified from midnight to 1830. 
Common Gallinule(1) on back of pond, American Bittern(1), Ruddy Ducks(14),
Wood Duck(1), Pied-billed Grebe(2), Little Blue Heron(1), Eurasian
Widgeon(3).

Predictions:
Slight chance of showers, winds southeast 10-20, and temps in the high
60's.
========================================================================
Cape May information may be found at:
http://www.njaudubon.org/Centers/CMBO/

Morning Flight - 11 October 2014

Alright Morning Flight Afficionados, we need to have a serious talk about the last three days (9-11 October 2014). It has been great!-- huge numbers and diversity were tallied. This is the crux of the season just on the cusp when the flights will be dominated by Yellow-rumped Warbler and a little later, American Robin. The magic began just after dawn on Thursday, October 9th. That first hour saw Palm Warbler as the dominant species identified, but after that the harbinger of late fall, YRWA (aka: the Butterbutt) took command. I will be posting a review of this fantastic migration event this week.

Weather and time: light drizzle for 1st hour, then discontinued due to rain; 58 ºF; winds NE at 5-15 mph; 100% cloud cover; good visibility; 0705 sunrise; 1.25 hours.

Morning Flight Count totals:  
Yellow-bellied Sapsucker (Sphyrapicus varius)  1
Northern Flicker (Colaptes auratus)  2
Eastern Phoebe (Sayornis phoebe)  1
Red-eyed Vireo (Vireo olivaceus)  7
Ruby-crowned Kinglet (Regulus calendula)  1
American Robin (Turdus migratorius)  1
Cedar Waxwing (Bombycilla cedrorum)  8
Northern Waterthrush (Parkesia noveboracensis)  6
Black-and-white Warbler (Mniotilta varia)  20
Tennessee Warbler (Oreothlypis peregrina)  9
Nashville Warbler (Oreothlypis ruficapilla)  3
Connecticut Warbler (Oporornis agilis)  1
Common Yellowthroat (Geothlypis trichas)  2
American Redstart (Setophaga ruticilla)  2
Cape May Warbler (Setophaga tigrina)  1
Northern Parula (Setophaga americana)  34
Magnolia Warbler (Setophaga magnolia)  3
Yellow Warbler (Setophaga petechia)  1
Blackpoll Warbler (Setophaga striata)  23
Bay-breasted/Blackpoll Warbler (Setophaga castanea/striata)  4
Black-throated Blue Warbler (Setophaga caerulescens)  36
Palm Warbler (Setophaga palmarum)  64
Yellow-rumped Warbler (Setophaga coronata)  279
Black-throated Green Warbler (Setophaga virens)  3
warbler sp. (Parulinae sp.)  290
Chipping Sparrow (Spizella passerina)  2
Scarlet Tanager (Piranga olivacea)  1
Blue Grosbeak (Passerina caerulea)  1
Indigo Bunting (Passerina cyanea)  7
Bobolink (Dolichonyx oryzivorus)  1
Eastern Meadowlark (Sturnella magna)  3
Pine Siskin (Spinus pinus)  1