Cape May 2009

Date: Oct. 17-18, 2009


Location: Cape May, NJ


Reported by: Joe Giunta


Under very challenging weather conditions our group of 11 dedicated birders left the NYC Audubon headquarters at 9am. It

would rain off and on for the next two days making our trip difficult as a northeaster moved up the coast. The first thing I

did was to change the itinerary somewhat to keep our group as dry as possible. Instead of going immediately to the hawk

watch in Cape May we went to Brigantine where we birded the auto loop. At Brigantine we saw many birds from the van and

we also got out at appropriate times to view interesting species. The first birds seen were Northern Harriers as at least 3

flew very close to us. Special birds seen were many Snow Geese including one Blue Goose. We witnessed a Merlin on the

ground feasting on a passerine or more likely a Dunlin. The number of Dunlin probably exceeded 10,000. The shorebirds

were constantly harassed by Peregrine Falcons and Merlins. Northern Pintails provided excellent views. All four of the

regular gull species were seen. At one time two Forster’s Terns flew right next to our van but they seemed immobile as they

fought against the wind but didn’t make any progress. This provided excellent views for our group. Just as we left the park

and crossed the exit bridge we saw both Blue-winged Teal and a very impressive Wood Duck. After spending about three

hours in this venue we left and headed towards our Hotel, the Ocean Holiday, in Wildwood Crest.


After checking in at the hotel and taking a short break we were on the road again. This time we headed for Nummy Island.

The rain had stopped, at least momentarily, and we were able to exit the van. At exactly ten minutes after sunset many

Black-crowned Night Herons left their day time roost and headed out to feed. It was a very impressive sight. We left this

area and headed towards the Lobster House where we would have a leisurely dinner.


I wanted to bird the beach just at sunrise but the weather prevented this. We went to WAWA and had an excellent breakfast.

I really enjoyed this new store as it was computerized and the food was far above expectations. I set the Tom-Tom for

Higbee Field and we arrived there just after 8am. There were hardly any other birders there. Hard to believe but the

number of birds was extremely high. Best of all was that after about one half hour the rain stopped and we would be

basically dry for the rest of our trip. The storm must have forced birds down as they were all around us. One tree held 10

Yellow-rumped Warblers and there were many trees like this. Swamp Sparrows could be found almost anywhere you

looked. Species diversity was not high but the number of birds was very high. Everywhere you looked you saw a bird.

Merlins, Peregrines, Cooper’s Hawks and Sharp-shinned Hawks were constantly seen as they buzzed through the flocks of

migrants. It was a real fallout. Of special note was an adult White-crowned Sparrow which gave everyone excellent looks.

One grassland field had a somewhat cooperative Meadowlark. Everyone got good views. We stayed in Higbee Field about

three hours. I again changed the route to take advantage of the weather and we went right to the Hawk Watch Platform.

The number of Hawks flying over was very high. We saw Kestrel, Merlin, Peregrine, Sharp-shinned, and Cooper’s Hawks.

Sometimes three or four flew over at a time. An immature Bald Eagle flew over. The most interesting bird seen from the

platform was an American Avocet. The bird was in the small pond in front of the platform. We put the scope on the bird and

everyone had excellent views. The temperature on the platform was about 45 degrees and with the wind it felt colder than

that. We didn’t stay too long at this location as we had basically seen all the hawk species that can be expected. We went to

the NJ Audubon/Cape May Bird Observatory (CMBO) for a break and a chance to pick up some books and souvenirs.


After leaving CMBO we picked up lunch and were on the road again, this time heading for Jakes Landing. Wind and

drizzle made this venue difficult. We saw numerous Savannah Sparrows, Egrets and a Marsh Hawk. We could not locate

any Seaside or Saltmarsh Sparrows which are known to winter here. We left this venue, set the Tom-Tom for NYC and

after one stop along the way we arrived back at 23rd St. at 6pm. Believe it or not we actually saw more species on this damp

trip than on the two previous dry NYC Audubon Cape May trips.




SPECIES SEEN




Pied-billed Grebe


Double-crested Cormorant


Great Blue Heron


Great Egret


Snowy Egret


Black-crowned Night-Heron


Mute Swan


Snow Goose


Canada Goose


Brant


Wood Duck


Gadwall


Green-winged Teal


Mallard


American Black Duck


Northern Pintail


Blue-winged Teal


Northern Shoveler


Ruddy Duck


Black Vulture


Turkey Vulture


Osprey


Bald Eagle


Northern Harrier


Sharp-shinned Hawk


Cooper's Hawk


Red-tailed Hawk


American Kestrel


Merlin


Peregrine Falcon


American Avocet


Black-bellied Plover


Semipalmated Plover


Short-billed Dowitcher


Greater Yellowlegs


Lesser Yellowlegs


Sanderling


Semipalmated Sandpiper


Dunlin


Ring-billed Gull


Great Black-backed Gull


Herring Gull


Laughing Gull


Forster's Tern


Rock Pigeon


Mourning Dove


Belted Kingfisher


Yellow-bellied Sapsucker


Northern Flicker


Eastern Phoebe


Tree Swallow


Golden-crowned Kinglet


Carolina Wren


Gray Catbird


Northern Mockingbird


Brown Thrasher


Carolina Chickadee


Blue Jay


American Crow


Fish Crow


European Starling


Black-throated Blue Warbler


Yellow-rumped Warbler


Palm Warbler


Blackpoll Warbler


Common Yellowthroat


Eastern Towhee


Savannah Sparrow


Song Sparrow


Swamp Sparrow


White-crowned Sparrow


Northern Cardinal


Indigo Bunting


Red-winged Blackbird


Eastern Meadowlark


Boat-tailed Grackle


Baltimore Oriole


House Sparrow




Species seen - 78

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