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9 May Re: OT - Possum skulls [Gary&Karen Gentile ] 9 May The Rose-breasted [Gary&Karen Gentile ] 9 May OT - Possum skulls [susan richart ] 9 May Wisconsin Whooping Cranes abandon nests [Peter Burke ] 9 May Eating Crane [Christopher Vogel ] 9 May breeding Yellow Rail in Maine [Tom Bailey ] 9 May Celery Farm (Friday AM) [John Workman ] 9 May DVOC Gloucester County trip clarification [Sandra Keller ] 9 May rain and shorebird fields [Sandra Keller ] 8 May stoneybrook milstone watershed 5/7 [Chris Wyluda ] 9 May Celery Farm today [Erica Mueller ] 8 May Sandy Hook- Swallow tailed & Mississippi Kites, etc [Scott Barnes ] 8 May A few birds and an early Butterfly [Shawn Wainwright ] 8 May second Curlew Sand-tis the season! [Christopher Vogel ] 8 May Re: Scissor-tailed Flycatcher [Joe T ] 8 May DE - Wood Sandpiper - yes [Sandra Keller ] 8 May red knot [barry ] 8 May Sandhill Crane, Eurasian Whimbrel, Iceland Gull, Curlew Sandpiper in S. Jersey [Christopher Vogel ] 8 May Wow, what a yard day [Gary&Karen Gentile ] 8 May Prothonotary Warbler @ the CF [Rob Fanning ] 8 May Returning the Favor: Scissor-tailed Flycatcher (NYC) [Robert DeCandido, PhD ] 8 May Re: Sandy Hook May 7th [Theodore Chase ] 7 May Phalarope & Shrike/Sandy Hook [Neil Nappe ] 7 May Ruff at South Cape May [Christopher Vogel ] 8 May Hudson/Passiac/Bergen - Laurel Hill Ravens update, Garret Mt PM, Tenafly [Edna & Ray Duffy ] 7 May Birds and Butterflies at Silver Ridge 5-7 [Shawn Wainwright ] 7 May Chester birds [paul murray ] 7 May Extra-limital - Wood Sandpiper in DE [Dave Magpiong ] 7 May Park Closure Protest Planned-May 31 1:30pm Stephen's State Park, Hackettstown [Laurie Braman ] 7 May Sandy Hook May 7th [Stuart and Wendy ] 7 May School House Rd./Edgeboro Rd. Eat Brunswick [judson hamlin ] 7 May Garret Mountain 5/7 [Rob Fanning ] 7 May Princeton Institute Woods, 5-7 May ["Christina P Riehl (criehl AT Princeton.EDU)" ] 7 May Princeton Institute Woods, 5-7 May ["Christina P Riehl (criehl AT Princeton.EDU)" ] 7 May Garret 5/sixth and seventh/2008 [belrick ] 7 May Glassboro Woods 5/7 [Matt Webster ] 7 May Grey-Chheked Thrush [judson hamlin ] 6 May Common Eider, Lesser Black-backed Gull, Hawks, etc. In Cape May today [Christopher Vogel ] 6 May Cape May County scouting highlights - Roseate Tern, Kentucky Warbler [Scott Haber ] 6 May Birds and Butterflies 5-5-08 [Shawn Wainwright ] 6 May Grassland scouting in Burlington County [Sandra Keller ] 6 May Photos Wilson's Phalarope & Log. Shrike [Trina Anderson ] 6 May Palmyra Cove 5/6 AM [Marty DeAngelo ] 6 May Great Piece [Michael Britt ] 6 May Califon birds [AandB Rennie ] 6 May Sandy Hook - Fork-tailed Flycatcher [Linda Mack ] 5 May Sandy Hook Wilson's Phalarope [Scott Barnes ] 5 May Lunchtime walk @ LSP [Michael Britt ] 5 May Old Mine Road 5/5/08 ["Raymond M. Soff Jr." ] 5 May Bald Pate Mtn. 5/4/08 [Chris Wyluda ] 5 May Re: Nantuxent and Dix WMAs, 5/5/2008 [Steve Glynn ] 5 May Garrett Mt 05/03/08 - WCAS List [Tom Cosmas ] Subject: Re: OT - Possum skulls From: Gary&Karen Gentile <kbbb99 AT HOTMAIL.COM> Date: Fri, 9 May 2008 16:45:39 -0400 I was once told, by a naturalist at Cattus Island, that field mice chew bones any time that they find them, as a source of calcium. > Date: Fri, 9 May 2008 16:37:34 -0400> From: newjerseytea AT PATMEDIA.NET> Subject: [JerseyBirds] OT - Possum skulls> To: JerseyBirds AT Princeton.EDU> > After the first of the ice melted during the winter, I went out in the yard> to spread deer scram around the native shrubs. While going about the yard,> I noticed a number of possum skulls, maybe 4, which struck me as being> unusual. I find skulls every so often but have never seen that many at one> time. (I don't know whether it's illegal or not, but I have a beautiful> screech owl skull on my mantle.)> > Anyway, sometime later I noticed one of the skulls inside the fence (all had> been on the other side of the fence when I first noticed them) on top of a> wood pile. A few days later it was gone.> > Last weekend, I found a skull at the base of a white pine. At the> suggestion of another JerseyBirder, I marked it and put it back at the base> of the tree. A few days later it was 20' away, then it was moved another 5'> and today it is nowhere in sight. The skull doesn't seem to have been> chewed at all. Very strange.> > What's messing with my possum skulls?> > Susie R.> Tewksbury/Califon> > > > > > _________________________________________________________________ Stay in touch when you're away with Windows Live Messenger. http://www.windowslive.com/messenger/overview.html?ocid=TXT_TAGLM_WL_Refresh_messenger_052008 Subject: The Rose-breasted From: Gary&Karen Gentile <kbbb99 AT HOTMAIL.COM> Date: Fri, 9 May 2008 16:39:20 -0400 Grosbeaks were in the yard again today, in the pouring rain, although there were only 2 males and 1 female. They were on the mixed seed feeders and when a Red-winged Blackbird came onto the feeder, the female Grosbeak made the most unbelievable screeching sounds, pecked at the Blackbird (m) and off the Blackbird flew! For those of you who asked..........I live outside of Asbury Park, in Wanamassa, in a wooded area! Although we are getting more and more species of birds, we don't get many Warblers or Vireos, although I will look harder now that we had such a Great yard day this week! The Catbirds are enjoying the fresh grapes and Mandarin Orange sections and cranberries that I put out every day. We still do not have the 9 or 10 Catbirds we had 1 summer. _________________________________________________________________ With Windows Live for mobile, your contacts travel with you. http://www.windowslive.com/mobile/overview.html?ocid=TXT_TAGLM_WL_Refresh_mobile_052008 Subject: OT - Possum skulls From: susan richart <newjerseytea AT PATMEDIA.NET> Date: Fri, 9 May 2008 16:37:34 -0400 After the first of the ice melted during the winter, I went out in the yard to spread deer scram around the native shrubs. While going about the yard, I noticed a number of possum skulls, maybe 4, which struck me as being unusual. I find skulls every so often but have never seen that many at one time. (I don't know whether it's illegal or not, but I have a beautiful screech owl skull on my mantle.) Anyway, sometime later I noticed one of the skulls inside the fence (all had been on the other side of the fence when I first noticed them) on top of a wood pile. A few days later it was gone. Last weekend, I found a skull at the base of a white pine. At the suggestion of another JerseyBirder, I marked it and put it back at the base of the tree. A few days later it was 20' away, then it was moved another 5' and today it is nowhere in sight. The skull doesn't seem to have been chewed at all. Very strange. What's messing with my possum skulls? Susie R. Tewksbury/Califon Subject: Wisconsin Whooping Cranes abandon nests From: Peter Burke <peterburke AT GMAIL.COM> Date: Fri, 9 May 2008 14:48:44 -0400 JerseyBirders, For anyone interested on this rainy day, I noticed a story reporting that the 11 pairs of Whooping Cranes that nested in central Wisconsin this spring have all abandoned their nests. Biologists collected at least seven fertile eggs, however, and transported them to the ICF for incubation. You can read Matt Mendenhall's post here: http://bwfov.typepad.com/birders_world_field_of_vi/2008/05/cranes-abandon.html Peter Burke Peapack, NJ Subject: Eating Crane From: Christopher Vogel <glaucidium AT YAHOO.COM> Date: Fri, 9 May 2008 08:06:57 -0700 Big ole "oops!" Apparently the Sandhill Crane at the Cape May Cty. Zoo is NOT a wild bird. Despite what I had "heard" (from 2 different folks, not just the first fellow who "asked the zookeeper". Ahem.... My own fault for not looking into it personnaly, and taking hearsay at face value! Oh Well, sorry for causing confusion & spreading bad info. But I am getting a pretty good laugh this morning out of having one inadvertently put over on me though. Cheers CJV Cape May, NJ birdcapemay.net Subject: breeding Yellow Rail in Maine From: Tom Bailey <ammodramus AT COMCAST.NET> Date: Fri, 9 May 2008 16:01:38 +0000 Several people have mentioned the St. Lawrence region of Quebec in the previous Yellow Rail discussion. Evidently a few also breed in Maine - http://elibrary.unm.edu/sora/JFO/v062n04/p0509-p0516.pdf Tom -- Tom Bailey Tabernacle, NJ ammodramus AT comcast.net Subject: Celery Farm (Friday AM) From: John Workman <JSWorkman AT AOL.COM> Date: Fri, 9 May 2008 11:49:38 EDT Raining steadily. Wet, cool and a little miserable. A good opportunity (I thought) to look for a grounded KY Warbler (no luck). Total # species in the rushed hour of birding before work: 40 (of which only 5 were warbs; full list submitted to eBird). Top pre-WSB honors went to: 1. Indigo Bunting: Award for "Best-Looking Bird in the Rain." 2. Northern Waterthrush (2): "Singing in the Rain" Award, with one enjoying the flooded footpath. 3. Rusty Blackbird: "Best Female Vocalist in a Solo Performance": she was a beauty, and there were no others of her species around, which was a damn shame. ============= Public Service Notice / Attn WSB teams: This morning, I did NOT see, or hear, the Prothonotary Warbler found yesterday by Rob Fanning. John Workman Ridgewood, NJ ************** Wondering what's for Dinner Tonight? Get new twists on family favorites at AOL Food. (http://food.aol.com/dinner-tonight?NCID=aolfod00030000000001) Subject: DVOC Gloucester County trip clarification From: Sandra Keller <sandrakeller AT VERIZON.NET> Date: Fri, 9 May 2008 10:04:39 -0500 Hello, Just noticed that the date in some reports is still Monday, May 12. No. I changed it to Monday, May 19. Everything else is still the same. Only I will make a run by the Fries Mill entrance to see if open. If it is we will start there. Glassboro Woods I am talking about. It should be open until May 23. The end of Turkey hunting season. And no I don't figure these things out, a fellow Jerseybirder emailed me. Anyway, I will come collect people at Carpenter. I don't want to change the meeting location as the gate could be closed at Fries Mills. We will hit some of Glassboro Woods and then some of Scotland Run which is nearby. I haven't decided on two afternoon spots yet. Sandra Keller Barrington, NJ sandrakeller AT verizon.net Subject: rain and shorebird fields From: Sandra Keller <sandrakeller AT VERIZON.NET> Date: Fri, 9 May 2008 09:20:56 -0500 I am hoping this deluge will flood a few of my favorite farmfields in Burlington County. But we need the shorebirds to fly in and find them also! We have time to check some areas in the afternoon. County run teams probably do. Full state run teams are locked into a schedule. This will be the only change to our plans. Look for flooded fields. A Curlew Sandpiper would be nice. Heislerville is the spot for that one though! I'll get down Tues maybe for some more spring shorebirding. I miss. The front is supposed to clear long before we start listening for night birds. I am keeping my fingers crossed on that! Good luck all. Sandra Keller Barrington, NJ sandrakeller AT verizon.net Subject: stoneybrook milstone watershed 5/7 From: Chris Wyluda <Lutachris AT AOL.COM> Date: Thu, 8 May 2008 22:59:50 EDT squeezed in an hour from 6:30-7:30 pm at this site- rather quiet but I did see blue winged and yellow warblers. Other years there have always been singing prairies- heard a possible faint song but no bird sighting. Also, there are barn swallows back (some one was studying this last year..) and a purple martin (this is a place with a purple martin house but I have not seen martins in it...). Brown thrasher, still very vocal and I saw him about 10 days ago in the exact same location, still singing...white eyed vireo. blue gray gnatcatchers. **************Wondering what's for Dinner Tonight? Get new twists on family favorites at AOL Food. (http://food.aol.com/dinner-tonight?NCID=aolfod00030000000001) Subject: Celery Farm today From: Erica Mueller <blueocean92082 AT OPTONLINE.NET> Date: Fri, 9 May 2008 02:51:39 +0000 Birded Celery Farm from 5pm until 7:15. No luck on seeing the Prothonotary, but the weather turned out to be gorgeous. Species seen Great Blue Heron- 2, one caught a good sized fish Great Egret- 3 Black Crowned Night Heron- nice view of this guy perched in a tree Mute Swan Canada Goose Mallard Wood Duck- 1 female Sharp shinned Hawk Mourning Dove Northern Flicker Eastern Kingbird Purple Martin Tree Swallow Black capped Chickadee Tufted Titmouse Carolina Wren Blue Gray Gnatcatcher American Robin Gray Catbird- very abundant- lots of them singing Northern Mockingbird Blue Jay American Crow Warbling Vireo-2 American Redstart- 1 male Yellow Warbler- also lots of males singing Common Yellowthroat Northern Waterthrush Northern Cardinal American Goldfinch White throated Sparrow Song Sparrow Common Grackle Rusty Blackbird-1 Red winged Blackbird Northern Oriole- 2 males House Sparrow Subject: Sandy Hook- Swallow tailed & Mississippi Kites, etc From: Scott Barnes <myiarchus16 AT YAHOO.COM> Date: Thu, 8 May 2008 19:06:52 -0700 Jerseybirders, Today was an awesome day for birding at Sandy Hook. The southwest winds, warm temperatures, overcast skies, and light drizzle made for excellent birding all day long. Lots of visible diurnal migration in the morning, followed by a raptor flight in the afternoon. Shorebirds moving all day. Warblers feeding through afternoon, especially in the beach plum thickets at the start of the fisherman's trail. Highlights: SWALLOW-TAILED KITE- flew past the migration watch at 11:30. Last seen headed toward Brooklyn. This was a different individual than the one seen last Friday base on the tail length as compared in photos. MISSISSIPPI KITE- three birds made it out to the end of the hook today and were visible together at 4:45 pm. At least bird appeared to be an adult male. Like many raptors that don't want to cross the mouth of Raritan Bay, one of the kites turned around and flew south over the Spermaceti Cove sandbar towards Highlands. WHITE-WINGED DOVE- found by Tom Boyle this morning as it flew out of the locust grove near north pond. Subsequently seen two more times by John van Dort and others from the hawk watch platform. Last sighting was around noonish. Other interesting birds today and some noteworthy numbers included: 2 Least Bitterns 23 Ospreys 2 Bald Eagles 23 Northern Harriers 13 Merlins 35 Solitary Sandpipers 100+ Gr./Ls. Yellowlegs Iceland Gull (all white, probably FY)- flyby this evening from hawk watch 300 Common Terns 3 Black Skimmers Olive-sided Flycatcher 120 Eastern Kingbirds 300 Blue Jays Cliff Swallow 2 American Pipits 80 Cedar Waxwings 20 species of warbler (4 Cape Mays, Tennessee, 2 "western" Palms) 2 Seaside Sparrows 2 Saltmarsh Sharp-tailed Sparrows 8 White-crowned Sparrows Dark-eyed Junco (late) 14+ Bobolinks 5 Orchard Orioles 2 Purple Finches 6 Pine Siskins 200+ American Goldfinches Associate Naturalist Tom Boyle and Sandy Hook Migration Watch counter John van Dort contributed to this report. Good Birding, Scott Barnes Senior Naturalist Sandy Hook Bird Observatory New Jersey Audubon Society www.njaudubon.org/Centers/SHBO --------------------------------- Be a better friend, newshound, and know-it-all with Yahoo! Mobile. Try it now. Subject: A few birds and an early Butterfly From: Shawn Wainwright <Shawneagleeyes1 AT AOL.COM> Date: Thu, 8 May 2008 21:30:08 EDT Hi everyone, here's what i saw at Silver Ridge in Toms River. T.V. - 6 RT Hawk - 1 Whip-poor-will - 2 RT Hummingbird - 2 GC Flycatcher - 1 Carolina Wren - 1 Northern Parula - 3 Yellow Warbler - 2 Pine Warbler - 4 Black-and-white Warbler - 3 Ovenbird - 2 Chipping Sparrow - 6 Towhee - 3 Butterflies seen: Spicebush Swallowtail - my earliest date by 8 days! American Lady - 2 - been seeing ladies everywhere, reminds me of the Red Admiral invasion we had last year. Cabbage White - 3 Shawn Wainwright Toms River _ShawnEagleEyes1 AT aol.com_ (mailto:ShawnEagleEyes1 AT aol.com) **************Wondering what's for Dinner Tonight? Get new twists on family favorites at AOL Food. (http://food.aol.com/dinner-tonight?NCID=aolfod00030000000001) Subject: second Curlew Sand-tis the season! From: Christopher Vogel <glaucidium AT YAHOO.COM> Date: Thu, 8 May 2008 17:12:11 -0700 A second Curlew Sandpiper was found around Cape May today. This one was this evening, and on on the north end of Nummy's Island. word came from the Maryland Ornithological Society folks. It was still present at around 7 or so. This is the best time of year to find these guys, and the New York Bight has historically been a hotspot for Spring Curlew Sandpipers, it is very cool that the first two of the year turned up on the same day, and in traditional spots though. At least 20 Royal Terns were on Champagne Island this evening too. Nice. Cheers CJV Cape May, NJ birdcapemay.net Subject: Re: Scissor-tailed Flycatcher From: Joe T <jbirds268 AT YAHOO.COM> Date: Thu, 8 May 2008 18:00:38 -0700 This Scissor-tailed Flycatcher is not a NYC first record.  There are at least 3 from Staten Island, including a well-seen [and photogrphed] one-day-wonder at Mt. Loretto Unique Area in June 2005. ____________________________________________________________________________________ Be a better friend, newshound, and know-it-all with Yahoo! Mobile. Try it now. http://mobile.yahoo.com/;_ylt=Ahu06i62sR8HDtDypao8Wcj9tAcJ Subject: DE - Wood Sandpiper - yes From: Sandra Keller <sandrakeller AT VERIZON.NET> Date: Thu, 8 May 2008 19:13:02 -0500 For those thinking of the trip, it's a good 2 hours and 10 minutes one way from exit number 30 off of Rt. 295. Barrington. I did take a five minute safety stop. It's a great bird and hopefully will stick around a bit as many have WSB commitments. Directions are fairly straightforward, so hit DEbirds. Broadkill Beach Rd. is just Rt. 16 going east. It's well marked off of Rt. 1 which I recommend to any Jerseybirder heading down. It was moving around a lot when myself and fellow birders saw it. Both sides of the road. Nice marsh system there. Watch for a smaller version of a Lesser Yellowlegs in flight. Or a smaller Lesser Yellowlegs, more of a Solitary Sandpiper look while feeding. That rear bobbing like the Spotted Sandpiper stands out. Lots of pics taken today by others. I can't wait to see! Good chasing all. Hmmmm..... For those doing a Cape May run who don't care too much for numbers...... a ferry ride in the afternoon could have you there and back in a few hours! Keep an eye on DEBirds that Sat morning! And I hear the WHITE-WINGED TERN has been seen recently at Ted Harvey. Not sure of a date on that. But a trip up there and a check would be worthwhile for any who want to see again. I debated on my drive home, but was running late and had to get back. I wasn't expecting that long a drive one way! Sandra Keller Barrington, NJ sandrakeller AT verizon.net Subject: red knot From: barry <b-goggin AT COMCAST.NET> Date: Thu, 8 May 2008 17:41:31 -0400 I received the following email today. Note the " These include a delayed, male-only harvest in New Jersey and Delaware". How does this fit in with recent decisions? Barry Goggin Verona, NJ b-goggin at Comcast.net The following is the text of a news release issued by the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission: Alexandria, VA - The Commission's Horseshoe Crab Management Board has approved Draft Addendum V to the Interstate Fishery Management Plan for Horseshoe Crab for public comment and review. Addendum IV is due to expire on September 30, 2008. Draft Addendum V was initiated to continue horseshoe crab management in Delaware Bay. Based on the most recent surveys of horseshoe crabs, it appears that management measures in Addendum IV and previous management plans are resulting in increased horseshoe crab abundance. A horseshoe crab trawl survey administered by Virginia Tech shows increases over the past four to five years of male and female horseshoe crabs in ocean waters near the Delaware Bay. A survey of spawning crabs on the beaches of Delaware Bay indicate stable female spawning activity and increased male spawning over the past nine years. However, horseshoe crab management is a multi-species issue. Despite the positive signs in population growth of horseshoe crabs around Delaware Bay, red knots, one of many shorebird species that feed on horseshoe crab eggs, show no sign of recovery. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Shorebird Technical Committee will again examine shorebird survey data from this spring to determine the latest trends. The Draft Addendum will contain all the current provisions of Addendum IV as options. These include a delayed, male-only harvest in New Jersey and Delaware; a delayed harvest in Maryland; and a prohibition on landing of horseshoe crabs in Virginia from federal waters from January 1 through June 7. Further, the Draft Addendum proposes that no more than forty percent of VirginiaĆ¢ā‚¬*s quota may be landed from ocean waters and those landings must be comprised of a minimum male to female ratio of 2:1. Copies of the Draft Addendum will be made available by June 13, 2008. It is anticipated that several Mid-Atlantic states will be conducting public hearings on the Draft Addendum. A notice of the Draft Addendum's availability as well as the public hearing schedule will be released in mid-June. For more information, please contact Braddock Spear, Senior Fisheries Management Plan Coordinator for Policy, at (202) 289-6400 or bspear AT asmfc.org. ************************* Tina Berger Public Affairs Specialist Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission 1444 I Street. NW, Sixth Floor Washington, DC 20005 Phone: (202)289-6400 FAX: (202)289-6051 Email: tberger AT asmfc.org www.asmfc.org Subject: Sandhill Crane, Eurasian Whimbrel, Iceland Gull, Curlew Sandpiper in S. Jersey From: Christopher Vogel <glaucidium AT YAHOO.COM> Date: Thu, 8 May 2008 12:00:17 -0700 In the interest of getting the word out for rarity-seekers or month-listers: There is a Sandhill Crane in, of all places the Zebra exhibit in the "african Savannah" at the Cape May County Zoo. It is a free-flying, wild bird apparently, who dropped in and is paling around with the captive Crowned Cranes. Thanks to the birder who's name I do not know who told me to go look into it. The scouting efforts of busy birders scouring the state, and unlikely to post here have turned up, just today: A Eurasian Whimbrel found by Marshall Illif et. al. is presently at Brigantine, an Iceland Gull at the South Cape May Meadows this morning, but not this afternoon, and a Curlew Sandpiper at Heiserlville. Not exactly sure who found the last two though, so apologies in advance for any thunder-stealing! No word on the Ruff found in the Meadows yesterday- he made a bee-line to the northwest, and has not, as yet, returned. Cheers CJV Cape May, NJ birdcapemay.net Subject: Wow, what a yard day From: Gary&Karen Gentile <kbbb99 AT HOTMAIL.COM> Date: Thu, 8 May 2008 13:53:59 -0400 yesterday was for us. There were 5 Rose-breasted Grosbeaks (3 males and 2 females), the male Indigo Bunting, Thrush, Thrasher, Magnolia Warbler, 2 Hummingbirds, Carolina Wrens, House Wrens, 6 Catbirds, Goldfinches (at least 12 in various shades of yellow), 3 Downy Woodpeckers, 2 Red-bellied Woodpeckers, Robins, Cardinals, White-throated Sparrows (3), Song Sparrow, 2 Chipping Sparrows, Baltimore Oriole (male), House Finches, Mr. and Mrs. Mallard, House Sparrows, Jays, Crows, White-breasted Nuthatch. Needless to say, I have not seen all of the species today! _________________________________________________________________ Windows Live SkyDrive lets you share files with faraway friends. http://www.windowslive.com/skydrive/overview.html?ocid=TXT_TAGLM_WL_Refresh_skydrive_052008 Subject: Prothonotary Warbler @ the CF From: Rob Fanning <lapwing4 AT JUNO.COM> Date: Thu, 8 May 2008 13:49:53 GMT A singing male PROTHONOTARY WARBLER is present at the Allendale Celery Farm this morning. I first saw the bird around 6:45 and it was still present when I left at 8:45. This is the 6th Prothonotary Warbler I've seen at the CF since 2001! Hopefully it will stick around all day as most others have. It's hanging around the edges of the main lake not far from the main entrance. Also of note today were 2 singing WHITE-EYED VIREOS--a bird which is not even annual at the CF. Good Birding, -Rob Fanning -Morristown _____________________________________________________________ Boost your online security with a personal firewall. Click here! http://thirdpartyoffers.juno.com/TGL2111/fc/Ioyw6iigboj8wBzTkz3TGLfJ2AgrGrxodrKxS05ob1TJfd6OybaK1Q/?count=1234567890 Subject: Returning the Favor: Scissor-tailed Flycatcher (NYC) From: Robert DeCandido, PhD <rdcny AT EARTHLINK.NET> Date: Thu, 8 May 2008 08:04:36 -0400 On Monday, 5 May a very fine Bronx Birder, Ivan Martinez, found a Scissor-tailed Flycatcher in Pelham Bay Park (Bx). Perhaps this bird (once known as the Swallow-tailed Flycatcher) might head south again in the footsteps of the kite reported here last week from Sandy Hook. So this is a heads up note... Mr. Martinez is a recently retired NYC Police Officer. And this record of the Scissor-tailed Flycatcher seems to be the first for NYC - not a bad rap sheet at all - with photos too. Your Humble Servant, Grand Master Roberto _______________________________________ No viruses found in this outgoing message Scanned by iolo AntiVirus 1.5.3.5 http://www.iolo.com Subject: Re: Sandy Hook May 7th From: Theodore Chase <chase_c AT AESOP.RUTGERS.EDU> Date: Thu, 8 May 2008 07:35:53 -0400 If you were the couple (more particularly Stuart) who found the Cape May Warblers in the beach plum, which I watched over your shoulders, I thank you. The only bird I could add to this is a Brown Thrasher, near North Pond. And Ospreys overhead continuously, not to mention Tree and Barn Swallows. I saw - twice - a perplexing bird. At first I said White-eyed Vireo, but on seeing it again it had a dark eye and no 'spectacles'. Grayish above, whitish below, two strong white wing bars, essentially no yellow (maybe a bit on the sides). If we were in range I would say a Bell's Vireo, but we aren't, and even at Sandy Hook it seems unlikely. Ted Chase On May 7, 2008, at 5:06 PM, Stuart and Wendy wrote: > Like the folks who went to Garret Mtn. today, the Hook did not > disappoint. We had 15 species of warbler and another 5 species were > seen by others. The grand highlight in the warbler category were > the 4-5 male and 1-2 female Cape May warblers that were feeding in > the beach plum flowers at the beginning of the Fisherman's Trail. > We viewed them between 10AM and 2PM. At any given time there were > other warbler species feeding with them as well. When it was all > said and done at least 10 sp. of warbler were feeding in the beach > plum flowers as well as White-Eyed and Yellow-Throated Vireo. For > those who watched this extravaganza we all agreed we had never seen > such a sight as what transpired today. We have been birding for > almost 20 years and this was a first time experience watching the > Cape May warblers at close range and at eye level like we saw them > today!! > > The Wilson's Phalarope continues at the salt pond at the end of the > Fisherman's Trail at the north end of the Hook. > Neither the Glaucous Gull or Loggerhead Shrike were refound today. > > > Highlights seen by us and/or others > > Peregrine Falcon dining on either a RW Blackbird or Grackle > Bald Eagle- flyover at the hawkwatch platform > E.Wood-Pewee > Least Flycatcher > E.Phoebe > E.Kingbird > Red-breasted Nuthatch > RC Kinglet > Veery > Hermit Thrush > Swainson's Thrush > White-eyed Vireo > Red-Eyed vireo > Yellow-throated Vireo > Blue-winged warbler > Tenn. > Nashville > N.Parula > Yellow > Magnolia > Cape May > BTB and BTG > Yellow-Rumped > Blackburniam > Prairie > Western Palm > Blackpoll > Black and white > Am.Redstart > Ovenbird > N.Waterthrush > Com. Yellowthroat > Scarlet Tanager > Rose-breasted Grosbeak > Indigo bunting > Dickcissel > Chipping Sparrow > Lincoln's Sparrow > White-crowned Sparrow- yesterday > Dark-eyed junco > Bobolink > E.Meadowlark > Orchard Oriole > Baltimore Oriole > > Good birding, > > Wendy and Stuart Malmid > Monroe Twp, NJ Subject: Phalarope & Shrike/Sandy Hook From: Neil Nappe <jbird AT nappe.com> Date: Wed, 7 May 2008 23:41:44 -0400 These images are from yesterday. Light was so-so. Was there 13 hours today, no sign of the shrike. Thought I saw it early, pretty sure it was just a distant kingbird. Phalarope continues in pond. SH was awesome today, as per other comments. The warblers in the Beach Plum Blossoms are a must see. Will try to post some image links as time permits. The birds bills are covered with pollen. Totally nuts. Also, 3 very cooperative male tanagers in the grove, late afternoon. Apologies for the man-made thorns, but is is a shrike, after all... http://www.d-v-tech.com/images/D300/DSC_8330-750.jpg http://www.d-v-tech.com/images/D300/DSC_8338-750.jpg ___ Neil Subject: Ruff at South Cape May From: Christopher Vogel <glaucidium AT YAHOO.COM> Date: Wed, 7 May 2008 18:01:59 -0700 There was an immature male Ruff-with a black "cap" and some patchy black feathers on his breast- this afternoon along the east path of the South Cape May Meadows. Otherwise in Cape May, several Bald Eagles (as in two very young birds, and one adult kettling up together), a "raft" of three Parasitic Jaegers, a Hen Common Eider waddling around on the beach, and some territotiral Yellow-breasted Chats were also very nice birds. Royal and Common Terns are in Hereford Inlet, and there were roughly 300 Whumbrel- all dark-rumped as far as I could tell, at Nummy's Island at Sunset. Cheers CJV Cape May, NJ birdcapemay.net Subject: Hudson/Passiac/Bergen - Laurel Hill Ravens update, Garret Mt PM, Tenafly From: Edna & Ray Duffy <marshwren AT COMCAST.NET> Date: Thu, 8 May 2008 01:54:51 +0000 - I can now officially confirm that the Secaucus Raven nest has at least 5 fledglings. I had thought so a few weeks ago, but 3 of the fledglings have left the nest and started perching on nearby rocks and 2 still remain on the nest. Nick from the paddling center at the park saw one of the adults take out a mockingbird nest and I'm guessing that is what one of the adults was flying back to the fledglings with. Other notes include 1 black-crowned night heron and 2 green herons. - I visited Garret Mt this afternoon at 3:30pm. I found my FOY Swainson's Thrush. I also found a Lincoln's Sparrow on the east side of Barbour's Pond. Lists : Tenafly Nature Center/Lost Brook Preserve - 5/5/08 3:30pm-6:15pm 37 species : 1 Female Wood Duck 1 turkey Vulture 1 female belted kingfisher 5 wood thrush 1 male chestnut-sided warbler 2 male magnolia warbler 1 male black-throated blue warbler 5 yellow-rumped warblers 2 palm warblers 15 black-and-white warblers 1 male american redstart 25 ovenbirds 6 male common yellow-throat 1 female scarlet tanager 1 male eastern towhee 2 swamp sparrows 1 female rose-breasted grosbeak 7 baltimore orioles Garret Mt 5/7 3:30pm-6:50pm 46 species Canada Geese - there's about 10 or 12 goslings around Barbour's pond 4 solitary sandpipers around barbour's pond 1 warbling vireo (barbour's pond) 2 veery 3 swainson's thrush 1 hermit thrush 2 wood thrushes 1 brown thrusher 1 male northern parula 2 male magnolia warbler (wilson ave) 1 female black-throated blue (near barbour's pond) yellow-rumped warblers 3 male american redstarts (Barbour's & Wilson) ovenbirds 3 northern waterthrush common yellowthroats 2 scarlet tanagers (1 m/1 f) 1 lincoln's sparrow (near barbour's pond) 1 male indigo bunting (near barubour's pond) 1 male orchard oriole (wilson's ave) baltimore orioles I also have photos of the Wilson's Phalarope & Loggerhead Shrike from Sandy Hook on 5/6/08 on my flickr account. http://www.flickr.com/photos/14485831 AT N04/ Ray Duffy Secaucus, NJ Subject: Birds and Butterflies at Silver Ridge 5-7 From: Shawn Wainwright <Shawneagleeyes1 AT AOL.COM> Date: Wed, 7 May 2008 21:38:15 EDT Hi all here's what i saw today. At Silver Ridge in Toms River: 39 species RT Hawk - 1 Whip-poor-will - 2 RT Hummingbird - 2 Flicker - 1 GC Flycatcher - 1 Gray Catbird - 8 Mockingbird - 3 WB Nuthatch - 1 Carolina Wren - 1 Northern Parula - 3 Yellow Warbler - 1 Pine Warbler - 4 Black-and-white Warbler - 3 Ovenbird - 2 Common Yellowthroat - 6 Chipping Sparrow - 5 Field Sparrow - 2 Towhee - 3 BH Cowbird - 1 Butterflies seen: Juvenal's Duskywing - 1 - my 1st for the year American Lady - 1 Spring Azure - 1 Cabbage White - 4 Shawn Wainwright Toms River ShawnEagleEyes1 AT aol.com **************Wondering what's for Dinner Tonight? Get new twists on family favorites at AOL Food. (http://food.aol.com/dinner-tonight?NCID=aolfod00030000000001) Subject: Chester birds From: paul murray <pdm723 AT YAHOO.COM> Date: Wed, 7 May 2008 17:47:50 -0700 JBs, Monday thru today,Wednesday 5/7in Chester has seen a nice influx of birds. 16 Warbler species + numerous Least Flycatchers, have been seen as well as Wood Thrush and Veerys. The Black River WMA off Pleasant Hill Rd has had a calling Am. Bittern all week as well as Sora. No Virginia Rail has been heard the past week though. Elizabeth Kay Environmental Center on Pottersville Rd, Chester has had a nice number of Hooded Warblers singing on territory and the Lawrence's Hybrid Warbler has returned. Paul Shanahan reported seeing it on 5/6 and I was also able to locate it today. Being one of only a few locations in the state to see this bird, it is usually easy enough to find. The best spot to see the bird is on the road leading up to the office at Kay. Park in the lot at the top of the hill then walk back down the drive until you arrive at the field on your left(literally 100 yards from the parking area. The bird may be singing from the few trees in this field or the hedge row to your right. It will be doing the standard ascending Blue Winged buzz-bee call. Good Birding and good luck to all World Series participants. Paul Chester NJ --------------------------------- Be a better friend, newshound, and know-it-all with Yahoo! Mobile. Try it now. Subject: Extra-limital - Wood Sandpiper in DE From: Dave Magpiong <dayvm AT AOL.COM> Date: Wed, 7 May 2008 19:31:40 -0400 Just passing along word in case anyone was interested in the details on Wood Sandpiper in Delaware. Hello, DE-BIRDers & others-- Congratulations to Sharon Lynn on her amazing find of a Wood Sandpiper at Broadkill Beach Impoundment in Prime Hook National Wildlife Refuge, east of Milton, Delaware.?I've posted a photo set about it on flickr:? http://www.flickr.com/photos/jeffgyr/sets/72157604940005597/ ?Click any photo to view it larger size. A couple of details about this bird.... Finding & observing it: It's hanging out on the near shore, quite close to the right (south) shoulder of Rt 16, about 0.3 miles beyond the "big bend" where the gated Island Farm Road continues straight. It's the second pulloff on the right, as you head east towards the bay. The distance to the spot is about a hair more than 3.3 miles from the intersection of Rt 1 & Rt 16. There is a small green and white "Important Bird Area" sign on the right that is just about a perfect marker for the spot, though it does range up and down the shore a few hundred feet, especially in the direction of the bay. There are only a few shorebirds in the area--some Leasts, a Lesser Yellowlegs, and the Wood Sandpiper. Here's a Google Map of the exact spot: ?http://snipurl.com/27rzk Backstory: It was found Monday, May 5 by Sharon Lynn, who knew it was odd, but couldn't quite decide what it was. Sharon forwarded me excellent photos which I received this morning, and which I admit I at first passed off as an odd yellowlegs, but on second viewing strongly suspected Wood Sandpiper. Liz & I immediately dashed out to Broadkill and were able to re-find and confirm the bird. Observing it: It is tolerant of people within limits. It will flush before you even leave the road if you pursue it, so please be very careful about your movements. I did not flush it, by the way, but several passing vehicles did at times, and it was obvious from the bird's behavior when I approached it that it would have flushed had I pressed it at all. Be very careful of traffic, both blocking it and getting hit by it. We all want this to be a positive event for everyone in the local community, both birders and non-birders. Things to watch for: Dumpy shape compared to Lesser Yellowlegs, with wings less projecting at rear. Capped appearance, with dark crown and prominent eyestripe. Dull straw legs. Two tone bill with greenish-straw base, thicker than Lesser Yellowlegs. High thin call, somewhat like Lesser Yellowlegs, but more like Solitary Sandpiper. Moves like Solitary Sandpiper; bounces when alert and on landing. White rump with strong black bands near end of tail. Gray wing linings. Documentation: Obviously, the more the better. But be aware that the bird has already been photographed, videotaped, and sound recorded, so there is not a *pressing* need to get close to it for more. The main priority is to make sure it stays as long as it cares to and is enjoyed safely by all those who come to see it.? It would be an excellent subject for digiscoping, though, which can be done at longer distances. Light is best in the afternoon. Good birding, Jeff Jeff Jeffrey Gordon Lewes, DE jeffgyr AT mac.com Subject: Park Closure Protest Planned-May 31 1:30pm Stephen's State Park, Hackettstown From: Laurie Braman <d.braman155 AT COMCAST.NET> Date: Wed, 7 May 2008 17:48:39 -0400 Warren County Young Republicans, Elected officials and others are hosting an event protesting the Corzine's proposed closure of several New Jersey state parks, including three of the four parks located in Warren County-Stephen's State Park, Jenny Jump State Park and Worthington State Forest. The event will be held at 1:30pm Saturday, May 31 at the covered picnic area in Stephen's State Park, Hackettstown. The public is welcome and encouraged to attend. There will be a free bar-b-que lunch and a petition to sign. Information from Warren Reporter Article Friday, May 9. -- Laurie Braman Franklin Township, Warren County, NJ (North Jersey close to PA, Round Valley, Spruce Run and Merrill Creek) D.braman155 AT comcast.net There is no key to happiness. The door is always open! Subject: Sandy Hook May 7th From: Stuart and Wendy <weluvowls AT COMCAST.NET> Date: Wed, 7 May 2008 17:06:32 -0400 Like the folks who went to Garret Mtn. today, the Hook did not disappoint. We had 15 species of warbler and another 5 species were seen by others. The grand highlight in the warbler category were the 4-5 male and 1-2 female Cape May warblers that were feeding in the beach plum flowers at the beginning of the Fisherman's Trail. We viewed them between 10AM and 2PM. At any given time there were other warbler species feeding with them as well. When it was all said and done at least 10 sp. of warbler were feeding in the beach plum flowers as well as White-Eyed and Yellow-Throated Vireo. For those who watched this extravaganza we all agreed we had never seen such a sight as what transpired today. We have been birding for almost 20 years and this was a first time experience watching the Cape May warblers at close range and at eye level like we saw them today!! The Wilson's Phalarope continues at the salt pond at the end of the Fisherman's Trail at the north end of the Hook. Neither the Glaucous Gull or Loggerhead Shrike were refound today. Highlights seen by us and/or others Peregrine Falcon dining on either a RW Blackbird or Grackle Bald Eagle- flyover at the hawkwatch platform E.Wood-Pewee Least Flycatcher E.Phoebe E.Kingbird Red-breasted Nuthatch RC Kinglet Veery Hermit Thrush Swainson's Thrush White-eyed Vireo Red-Eyed vireo Yellow-throated Vireo Blue-winged warbler Tenn. Nashville N.Parula Yellow Magnolia Cape May BTB and BTG Yellow-Rumped Blackburniam Prairie Western Palm Blackpoll Black and white Am.Redstart Ovenbird N.Waterthrush Com. Yellowthroat Scarlet Tanager Rose-breasted Grosbeak Indigo bunting Dickcissel Chipping Sparrow Lincoln's Sparrow White-crowned Sparrow- yesterday Dark-eyed junco Bobolink E.Meadowlark Orchard Oriole Baltimore Oriole Good birding, Wendy and Stuart Malmid Monroe Twp, NJ Subject: School House Rd./Edgeboro Rd. Eat Brunswick From: judson hamlin <jhhamlin AT HOTMAIL.COM> Date: Wed, 7 May 2008 15:19:05 -0400 A quick, spur-of-the moment walk near this intersection produced 6 Yellow Warblers and 2 or 3 Orchard Orioles at 245 this afternoon. judson hamlin metuchen _________________________________________________________________ Windows Live SkyDrive lets you share files with faraway friends. http://www.windowslive.com/skydrive/overview.html?ocid=TXT_TAGLM_WL_Refresh_skydrive_052008 Subject: Garret Mountain 5/7 From: Rob Fanning <lapwing4 AT JUNO.COM> Date: Wed, 7 May 2008 18:00:34 GMT Another good morning at Garret. Saw 17 species of warblers, including 5 male Cape Mays! I heard that another Cerulean was seen by several observers. Good Birding, -Rob Fanning -Morristown ---------- Forwarded Message ---------- Location: Garret Mountain Park Observation date: 5/7/08 Notes: My High (one day count) for Cape May Warbler at Garret Number of species: 56 Canada Goose X Common Loon 2 (flyovers) Red-tailed Hawk 1 Solitary Sandpiper 4 Hairy Woodpecker 1 Northern Flicker (Yellow-shafted) 2 Least Flycatcher 2 (Heard only) Great Crested Flycatcher 1 (H) Eastern Kingbird 1 Blue-headed Vireo 2 Warbling Vireo 2 Red-eyed Vireo 2 Blue Jay X American Crow X Northern Rough-winged Swallow X Black-capped Chickadee X Tufted Titmouse X Red-breasted Nuthatch 1 (female) White-breasted Nuthatch X Carolina Wren X Ruby-crowned Kinglet 1 Veery 3 Swainson's Thrush 4+ (my first this year) Wood Thrush 1 American Robin X Gray Catbird X Brown Thrasher X Nashville Warbler 7+ (only 1 seen) Northern Parula 20+ singing everywhere Chestnut-sided Warbler 2 Magnolia Warbler 2 Cape May Warbler 5 (all males--2 trees had 2 males each) Black-throated Blue Warbler 15+ 1 female seen Yellow-rumped Warbler (Myrtle) 20+ Black-throated Green Warbler 6+ Blackburnian Warbler 1 (heard only) Prairie Warbler 1 Blackpoll Warbler 1 (FOS for me) Black-and-white Warbler 5+ American Redstart ~3 Worm-eating Warbler 1 Ovenbird ~5 Northern Waterthrush 4 (one had some charactertics of LA--but not enough) Common Yellowthroat 12+ Scarlet Tanager 2 (males) Eastern Towhee X Chipping Sparrow X Song Sparrow X Swamp Sparrow X White-throated Sparrow X Northern Cardinal X Rose-breasted Grosbeak 3 (males) Common Grackle X Brown-headed Cowbird X Baltimore Oriole X House Sparrow X other warblers reported incl. Cerulean, Tenn, Bay-breast, Hooded, Pine, and Canada, This report was generated automatically by eBird v2(http://ebird.org) _____________________________________________________________ Need cash? Click here to get a payday loan. http://thirdpartyoffers.juno.com/TGL2111/fc/Ioyw6iifS8KI0BZw3rgfkA5zftBqB3vb7jsGhK76s2Vlog1PFNff6u/?count=1234567890 Subject: Princeton Institute Woods, 5-7 May From: "Christina P Riehl (criehl AT Princeton.EDU)" <criehl@Princeton.EDU> Date: Wed, 7 May 2008 13:41:21 -0400 Sorry for the partial post! Here's the full message: Sorry for the late post; the Institute Woods in Princeton have been full of migrants for the past couple of days, including this morning. Highlights were big numbers of parulas, Black-throated Greens, Black-throated Blues, Ovenbirds, and a diversity of other warblers including several Chestnut-sideds and a lone Hooded. The big push seems to have been over the weekend, as in elsewhere in the state, but there's still plenty of stuff out there! The list from 5-7 May is below (migrants only): Eastern Wood-pewee 2 Great Crested Flycatcher 6 Eastern Kingbird 1 Blue-headed Vireo 1 Barn Swallow 3 Tree Swallow 20 House Wren 7 Ruby-crowned Kinglet Subject: Princeton Institute Woods, 5-7 May From: "Christina P Riehl (criehl AT Princeton.EDU)" <criehl@Princeton.EDU> Date: Wed, 7 May 2008 13:38:20 -0400 Sorry for the late post; the Institute Woods in Princeton have been full of migrants for the past couple of days, including this morning. Highlights were big numbers of parulas, Black-throated Greens, Black-throated Blues, Ovenbirds, and a diversity of other warblers including several Chestnut-sideds and a lone Hooded. The big push seems to have been over the weekend, as in elsewhere in the state, but there's still plenty of stuff out there! The list from 5-7 May is below (migrants only): Eastern Wood-pewee 2 Great Crested Flycatcher 6 Eastern Kingbird Subject: Garret 5/sixth and seventh/2008 From: belrick <belrick AT OPTONLINE.NET> Date: Wed, 7 May 2008 13:37:11 -0400 Hi,NJ birders, Its been a quite fantastic last two days at Garret. Today was unbelievable for Cape Mays I had 2 females with 2 males, 2 Bay breasted and 3 Indigo bunting plus all sorts of other birds in one tree around 7.15am near the dump. Later found more down at the Elvis parking lot and on the main rd. The total numbers of birds after dawn was unbelievable and surprisingly there were no other birders today. I kept getting the nagging feeling I must be missing birds down near the pond as no one was around. There were birds there later as I found out but not so many. These are the days that make it worth the while going to Garret just did not know where to look first. Bill Elrick Wyckoff, NJ belrick AT bugmenot.com Garret Mtn :: 5/6/2008 - 5/7/2008 Common Loon -May 6, 2008 total =1 Double-crested Cormorant -May 6, 2008total =1 Double-crested Cormorant -May 7, 2008 total =1 high overhead Green Heron -May 7, 2008 Black Vulture -May 6, 2008 total =2 Broad-winged Hawk -May 6, 2008 total =2 Solitary Sandpiper -May 6, 2008 total =4 Solitary Sandpiper -May 7, 2008 total =4 - 2 flying overhead going north Spotted Sandpiper -May 7, 2008 total =1 Black-billed Cuckoo -May 7, 2008 total =1 Yellow-bellied Sapsucker -May 6, 2008 total =1 female Least Flycatcher -May 6, 2008 total =2 Least Flycatcher -May 7, 2008 total =1 Great Crested Flycatcher -May 6, 2008 total =1 Great Crested Flycatcher -May 7, 2008 total =4 Eastern Kingbird -May 6, 2008 total =1 Eastern Kingbird -May 7, 2008 total =1 House Wren -May 6, 2008 total =14 1 female looking at nest site while male sang House Wren -May 7, 2008 total =18 Gray Catbird -May 6, 2008 total =34 Gray Catbird -May 7, 2008 total =24 Veery -May 6, 2008 total =5 Veery -May 7, 2008 total =6 Swainson's Thrush -May 6, 2008 total =3 Swainson's Thrush -May 7, 2008 total =7 Hermit Thrush -May 6, 2008 total =1 Hermit Thrush -May 7, 2008 total =2 Wood Thrush -May 6, 2008 total =14 Wood Thrush -May 7, 2008 total =16 Red-breasted Nuthatch -May 6, 2008 total =5 Red-breasted Nuthatch -May 7, 2008 total =6 Common Raven -May 7, 2008 total =1 Red-eyed Vireo -May 6, 2008 total =2 Red-eyed Vireo -May 7, 2008 total =4 Purple Finch -May 6, 2008 total =2 Purple Finch -May 7, 2008 total =12 Blue-winged Warbler -May 6, 2008 total =1 Nashville Warbler -May 6, 2008 total =1 Nashville Warbler -May 7, 2008 total =4 Northern Parula-May 6, 2008 total =40 Northern Parula-May 7, 2008 total =45 Yellow Warbler -May 6, 2008 total =1 Yellow Warbler -May 7, 2008 total =1 Chestnut-sided Warbler -May 6, 2008 total =3 Chestnut-sided Warbler -May 7, 2008 total =4 Magnolia Warbler -May 6, 2008 total =4 Magnolia Warbler -May 7, 2008 total =10 Cape May Warbler -May 6, 2008 total =1 Cape May Warbler -May 7, 2008 total =9 - 2 males 2 females early in same tree Black-throated Blue Warbler -May 6, 2008 total =18 Black-throated Blue Warbler -May 7, 2008 total =18 Yellow-rumped Warbler -May 6, 2008 total =still 100's Yellow-rumped Warbler -May 7, 2008 total =100's Black-throated Green Warbler -May 6, 2008 total =24 Black-throated Green Warbler -May 7, 2008 total =36 Blackburnian Warbler -May 6, 2008 total =4 Blackburnian Warbler -May 7, 2008 total =4 Prairie Warbler-May 7, 2008 total =1 Palm Warbler -May 6, 2008 total =8 Palm Warbler -May 7, 2008 total =1 Bay-breasted Warbler -May 7, 2008 total =2 in same tree as early Cape Mays Blackpoll Warbler -May 6, 2008 total =1 Blackpoll Warbler -May 7, 2008 total =4 Black-and-white Warbler -May 6, 2008 total =20 Black-and-white Warbler -May 7, 2008 total =60 American Redstart -May 6, 2008 total =3 American Redstart -May 7, 2008 total =12 Worm-eating Warbler -May 6, 2008 total =1 Worm-eating Warbler -May 7, 2008 total =3 Ovenbird -May 6, 2008 total =19 Ovenbird -May 7, 2008 total =24 Northern Waterthrush -May 6, 2008 total =1 Northern Waterthrush -May 7, 2008 total =2 Common Yellowthroat -May 6, 2008 total =14 Common Yellowthroat -May 7, 2008 total =18 Hooded Warbler -May 6, 2008 total =1 Scarlet Tanager-May 6, 2008 total =14 mix males and females Scarlet Tanager-May 7, 2008 total =14 Swamp Sparrow -May 6, 2008 total =1 Swamp Sparrow -May 7, 2008 total =5 White-crowned Sparrow -May 7, 2008 total =1 adult in dump Rose-breasted Grosbeak -May 6, 2008 total =8 Rose-breasted Grosbeak -May 7, 2008 total =14 Indigo Bunting -May 6, 2008 total =3 Indigo Bunting -May 7, 2008 total =8 Baltimore Oriole -May 6, 2008 total =30+ Baltimore Oriole -May 7, 2008 total =40 Orchard Oriole -May 6, 2008 total =2 Subject: Glassboro Woods 5/7 From: Matt Webster <mattweb100 AT COMCAST.NET> Date: Wed, 7 May 2008 16:49:53 +0000 Was able to take a drive through Glassboro Woods today and had some nice highlights 10:00-11:30am 4+ Yellow Billed Cuckoos ("cooing" the whole time I was there) 1 Scarlet Tanager 1 Kentucky Warbler (heard, not seen) 1 Prothonotary Warbler (heard, not seen) 6+ Worm Eating Warblers 3 Hooded Warblers 6+ N Parulas 2 Swamp Sparrows 2 G C Flycatchers Matt Webster Marlton, NJ mattweb100 AT comcast.net Subject: Grey-Chheked Thrush From: judson hamlin <jhhamlin AT HOTMAIL.COM> Date: Wed, 7 May 2008 11:51:31 -0400 Found a Grey-Cheeked this am in the trees at the back of our yard. It was giving its "schweer" descending note and i was able to get the bins on it as it perched, about 20 feet away, on a lower branch of our neigbor's sweet gum. It then moved off in a northerly direction. judson hamlin metuchen _________________________________________________________________ With Windows Live for mobile, your contacts travel with you. http://www.windowslive.com/mobile/overview.html?ocid=TXT_TAGLM_WL_Refresh_mobile_052008 Subject: Common Eider, Lesser Black-backed Gull, Hawks, etc. In Cape May today From: Christopher Vogel <glaucidium AT YAHOO.COM> Date: Tue, 6 May 2008 20:30:51 -0700 No fewer than three Common Eider are still hanging around Cape May Point. Two young males were off Higbee's Beach today, and a hen-bird was at the Point itself. There was also a fine little hawk flight, with good numbers of Harriers, multiple Merlins, a coule of adult Peregrines, an Eagle, some Broadwings, etc. being seen at the Beanery this afternoon. Alas, though the conditions seemed and felt just right, there were no Kites. A third-year Lesser Black-backed Gull continues at the South Cape May Meadows too, which is very nice. Cheers CJV Cape May, NJ birdcapemay.net Subject: Cape May County scouting highlights - Roseate Tern, Kentucky Warbler From: Scott Haber <birderscott AT YAHOO.COM> Date: Tue, 6 May 2008 19:01:10 -0700 Some new arrivals while scouting with members of the Cornell/Swarovski Redhead over the past few days in Cape May County included: Kentucky Warbler - 5/5: 1 singing loudly mid-morning in laurel thicket along New Bridge Road in Belleplain SF - about 1/3 mile from intersection with Sunset Road Roseate Tern - 5/4: 1 adult on jetty at St. Pete's in Cape May Point mid-day. Not seen since. Best, Scott Haber, Boston, MA and Tenafly, NJ ____________________________________________________________________________________ Be a better friend, newshound, and know-it-all with Yahoo! Mobile. Try it now. http://mobile.yahoo.com/;_ylt=Ahu06i62sR8HDtDypao8Wcj9tAcJ Subject: Birds and Butterflies 5-5-08 From: Shawn Wainwright <Shawneagleeyes1 AT AOL.COM> Date: Tue, 6 May 2008 20:47:02 EDT Went out birding for my birthday 5-5-08, here's what i saw : 76 species all together At Brigantine: 48 species i'll just list some of them Blue-winged Teal - 4 Peregrine Falcon - 1 Clapper Rail - many calling Whimbrel - 30+ Greater and Lesser Yellowlegs Willow Flycatcher - 1 Eastern Bluebird - 1 Tree and Barn Swallows Purple Martins back Yellow Warbler - 1 Common Yellowthroat - 3 Savannah Sparrow - 3 BT Grackle - 1 Butterflies seen: Monarch - 1 American Lady - 1 Cabbage White - 1 also at Brig was a Red Fox, 8 deer, Cotton-tailed Rabbit, Red-bellied Turtle, Bull Frogs, and a few Mosquitos. At Cattus Island: 30 species i'll list a few Little Blue Heron - 1 Belted Kingfisher - 1 Gray Catbird - 6 BG Gnatcatchers - 6 Tree and Barn Swallows Pine Warbler - 5 Common Yellowthroat - 7 WT Sparrow - 6 still hanging around Chipping Sparrow - 2 Baltimore Oriole - 1 Butterflies seen: Pearl Crescent - 1 American Lady - 7 Spring Azure - 11 Cabbage White - 2 My parents yard in Toms River: RT Hawk - 1 RT Hunmmingbird - 1 RB Woodpecker - 1 Eastern Phoebe - 1 YR Warbler - 7 Butterflies seen: Red Admiral - 1 American Lady - 1 Spring Azure - 1 Cabbage White - 7 Silver Ridge in Toms River : Whip-poor-will - 1 RT Hummingbird - 2 Northern Flicker - 1 GC Flycatcher - 1 Pine Warbler - 3 Ovenbird - 1 Common Yellowthroat - 2 Chipping Sparrow - 5 Field Sparrow - 3 Towhee - 2 BH Cowbird - 2 Butterflies seen: American Lady - 1 Cabbage White - 3 Shawn Wainwright Toms River _ShawnEagleEyes1 AT aol.com_ (mailto:ShawnEagleEyes1 AT aol.com) _http://www.flickr.com/photos/shawn_wainwright/_ (http://www.flickr.com/photos/shawn_wainwright/) **************Wondering what's for Dinner Tonight? Get new twists on family favorites at AOL Food. (http://food.aol.com/dinner-tonight?NCID=aolfod00030000000001) Subject: Grassland scouting in Burlington County From: Sandra Keller <sandrakeller AT VERIZON.NET> Date: Tue, 6 May 2008 18:58:47 -0500 Hello, Which basically means Brightview Farm which is north of McGuire Air Force Base. I don't know the town. Burlington County. Years ago I had GRASSHOPPER SPARROWS elsewhere, but not BOBOLINKS and such. Brightview Farm is the place. It was hopping today. 14 BOBOLINKS - displaying. I had a few perched in trees giving an alternate song. I just read in BNA that males have 2 song types and both can be given either perched or in flight. So my sample set was not good here! Many GRASSHOPPER SPARROWS. What I needed was one that was perched on a fence and singing at noon. I wasn't expecting that. I was thinking of hitting here early just to hear the sparrows. Now I won't. SAVANNAH SPARROWS were around in good numbers. They like areas with little vegetation. Try the far pastures. BLUEBIRDS. 1 singing EASTERN MEADOWLARK. 1 GREEN HERON in the pond area. No Kestrel. Not good for that one. A surprise was a male SUMMER TANAGER. That's a migrant overshoot. I had a couple back in Lebanon State Forest. My real surprise was a BARRED OWL that sounded off in a white cedar area in Leabanon. At 3:30PM. Hopefully not needed on 5-10! I wasn't calling it. It just decided to sing a couple times. BLACKPOLL and REDSTARTS around. I only had three PARULAS today. They moved on. Butterfly notes: Black Swallowtails at Brightview Farm. Flight call notes: I was comparing Chipping and Field Sparrows at Brightview. Simple enough when each does the traditional flight call note. But given variations and such. And I have to hear it well. Always interesting..... Par number - is 179 for Burlington County. Sure. Good scouting all. Sandra Keller Barrington, NJ sandrakeller AT verizon.net Subject: Photos Wilson's Phalarope & Log. Shrike From: Trina Anderson <laporello AT GMAIL.COM> Date: Tue, 6 May 2008 14:52:20 -0400 Located on the Fisherman's trail as well as the Salt Pond on Sandy Hook. They're not great pics, but they are posted here: http://picasaweb.google.com/laporello/WPhalLogShrike Trina Anderson Red Bank Subject: Palmyra Cove 5/6 AM From: Marty DeAngelo <martytdx AT YAHOO.COM> Date: Tue, 6 May 2008 10:49:55 -0700 A busy morning of playing hooky and looking at birds at Palmyra Cove this morning (7:30 - 11:30 a.m.). I went out primarily for warblers, and saw a bunch although no newbies, although Chestnut-sided Warblers were seen near the entrance (not by me)... * = FOS N. Parula (12+) American Restart (male) - 2 Black-and-white Warbler - 2 Black-throated Blue Warbler (male) - 1 Black-throated Green Warbler (male) - 1 Blue-Gray Gnatcatcher - 12+ Worm-eating Warbler - 1 (same spot as 2 weeks ago, do they breed here?) Yellow Warbler - 50+ Yellow-rumped Warbler - 2 Common Yellowthroat - 4 Warbling Vireo - 4* Baltimore Oriole - 20+ Orchard Oriole - 5 House Wren - 20+ Carolina Wren - 5 Hermit Thrush - 1 (heard 3 others) Veery - 1* Brown Thrasher - 3 (1 building a nest) Solitary Sandpiper - 1* Great Blue Heron - 1 Red-tailed Hawk - 1 Blue Jay - 3 Downy Woodpecker - 2 Red-bellied Woodpecker - 1 Flicker - 2 Brown Creeper - 1 Song Sparrow - 12+ White-throated Sparrow - 12+ White-crowned Sparrow - 1* Field Sparrow - 3 Swamp Sparrow - 1 Eastern Towhee - 4 American Goldfinch - 12+ Mallard - 2 Canada Goose - 6 Brown-headed Cowbird - 12+ Common Grackle - 12+ Northern Cardinal - 12+ Tree Swallow - 12+ American Robin - 100+ Gray Catbird - I stopped counting at 1,0000,000 poss. Swainson's Thrush - need to look closer at the one picture I got BUTTERFLIES Cabbage White Falcated Orangetip American Lady Eastern Comma DRAGONFLIES Common Whitetail Common Green Darner (immature) Marty DeAngelo martytdx AT yahoo.com Haddonfield, NJ http://www.flickr.com/photos/martytdx ____________________________________________________________________________________ Be a better friend, newshound, and know-it-all with Yahoo! Mobile. Try it now. http://mobile.yahoo.com/;_ylt=Ahu06i62sR8HDtDypao8Wcj9tAcJ Subject: Great Piece From: Michael Britt <mbritt78 AT HOTMAIL.COM> Date: Tue, 6 May 2008 13:38:21 -0400 "Highlights" Solitary Sand (ditch) Spotted Sand (ditch Lesser Yellowlegs (ditch) Blue-gray Gnatcatcher (2) Ovenbird (several) Common Yellowthroat (20+) Yellow Warbler (20+) Black-throated Blue (few) Prairie (few) Parula Black and White Yellow-rumps Baltimore Orioles (4-5 males) Orchard Oriole (male) Bobolink (2 males; heard & observed) Savannahs (6) Rose-breasted Grosbeak Marsh Wrens (singing) Turkey (partial albino) Is it just me...or are Redstarts and N. Waterthrush scarce? Ran into a hunter that told me some interesting things... Mike Britt Clifton _________________________________________________________________ Make Windows Vista more reliable and secure with Windows Vista Service Pack 1. http://www.windowsvista.com/SP1?WT.mc_id=hotmailvistasp1banner Subject: Califon birds From: AandB Rennie <canoe2bird AT YAHOO.COM> Date: Tue, 6 May 2008 10:27:10 -0700 Sunday we Bue Jays, Tit Mice, Chipping Sparrows, Cardinals, Yellow Warblers, Lousiana Waterthrush, Pileated, R-B, Hairy and Downy Woodpeckers. Courting Broadwings in the woods behind the house, a turkey eating from all the feeder areas, and our first RT hummingbird of the season. Wood Ducks were on the Califon Pond. A and B Rennie Califon --------------------------------- Be a better friend, newshound, and know-it-all with Yahoo! Mobile. Try it now. Subject: Sandy Hook - Fork-tailed Flycatcher From: Linda Mack <LJ.MACK AT COMCAST.NET> Date: Tue, 6 May 2008 09:57:49 -0400 JerseyBirders: A possible Fork-tailed Flycatcher has been reported this morning about 9:15am near the Coast Guard base. Both Scott Barnes (leading a morning field trip) and our hawk watcher are searching for the bird. Best areas would be the north end: the Salt Pond and along the fence leading out adjacent to the Fisherman's Trail. Any additional information and/or sightings will be forthcoming. Linda Mack NJAS-SHBO Associate-Naturalist Subject: Sandy Hook Wilson's Phalarope From: Scott Barnes <myiarchus16 AT YAHOO.COM> Date: Mon, 5 May 2008 20:23:42 -0700 Jerseybirders, A Wilson's Phalarope molting into alternate plumage was found by Nerses Kazanjian today at the salt pond at Sandy Hook. The bird was present most of the day in the permanent pond to left of the end of the fisherman's trail, accessible along the south side of the string-line fence. Wilson's Phalarope appears less than annually in the state during spring and is always a noteworthy sighting along the north coast. There was a moderate hawk flight today of expected raptors including a Bald Eagle, Red-shouldered Hawk, and Merlins. Passerine migrants were way down from yesterday, but included a first-of-season "Western" Palm Warbler feeding on insects attracted to a blooming beach plum at north pond and several immature male Orchard Orioles around the Sandy Hook Migration Watch. Two migrant Seaside Sparrows were found in the small pond on the back side of Plum Island this morning. Photos of the recent Swallow-tailed Kite and today's Wilson's Phalarope will appear soon on the NJAS website under the Sandy Hook Rarities section. Good Birding, Scott Barnes Senior Naturalist Sandy Hook Bird Observatory New Jersey Audubon Society www.njaudubon.org/Centers/SHBO --------------------------------- Be a better friend, newshound, and know-it-all with Yahoo! Mobile. Try it now. Subject: Lunchtime walk @ LSP From: Michael Britt <mbritt78 AT HOTMAIL.COM> Date: Mon, 5 May 2008 23:15:40 -0400 Only had an hour or so at lunch today...took a walk along the I.C. trail "Highlights" Bay-breasted Warbler (male) Blackburnian Warbler (male) Parula Black and White Ovenbird Yellow-rumped Yellow Common Yellowthroat (7+) Palm Prairie (several) Blue-headed Vireo Blue-gray Gnatcatcher Catbirds (plentiful) White-crowned Sparrow (2; adults) WT Sparrows Savannah (several) Chippies Towhee (10+) Mike Britt Clifton _________________________________________________________________ Stay in touch when you're away with Windows Live Messenger. http://www.windowslive.com/messenger/overview.html?ocid=TXT_TAGLM_WL_Refresh_messenger_052008 Subject: Old Mine Road 5/5/08 From: "Raymond M. Soff Jr." <clarksnutcracker AT HOTMAIL.COM> Date: Mon, 5 May 2008 22:40:15 -0400 5/5/08: Old Mine Road, Mid-afternoon- 2:00-4:40 p.m. Leisurely birding Northern Parula in the campgrounds at Worthington State Forest. American Redstart and Hooded Warbler continuously sining on territory near the river a few miles south of Van Campen's Glen (by the "Welcome to Worthington State Forest" sign going south). Louisiana Waterthrushes must have a nest at Van Campen's Glen: gave agitated "chip" calls. Black-throated Green Warbler sings in territory up the first hill on path from the brook. _________________________________________________________________ Make Windows Vista more reliable and secure with Windows Vista Service Pack 1. http://www.windowsvista.com/SP1?WT.mc_id=hotmailvistasp1banner Subject: Bald Pate Mtn. 5/4/08 From: Chris Wyluda <Lutachris AT AOL.COM> Date: Mon, 5 May 2008 22:15:10 EDT I hiked around this very late (4:30-6:30 pm) and had a FOY e. wood pee wee, which I have not seen in other reports, so I thought I'd mention it. Also oven birds ++++, veery, wood thrush, e. towhees, yellow rumps and B&W warblers, several blue winged warblers (heard), thought I heard a BTB warbler, Baltimore oriole, Phoebe nesting, blue gray gnatcatchers. butterflies: mourning cloak, azure, cabbage whites. **************Wondering what's for Dinner Tonight? Get new twists on family favorites at AOL Food. (http://food.aol.com/dinner-tonight?NCID=aolfod00030000000001) Subject: Re: Nantuxent and Dix WMAs, 5/5/2008 From: Steve Glynn <SouthJerseyGlynn AT COMCAST.NET> Date: Mon, 5 May 2008 21:42:15 -0400 I've been having great trouble trying to get time to enjoy birding here at home. After spending almost 3 weeks out west, my time close to home has been almost nothing. That much said, I did have some time on Sunday, though only from 7am to 8:30am, to bird around Dix WMA. Sunday morning was overcast, but the fog wasn't low, so the birds were visable and very active. In my hour and a half I was able to tally 71 species. Highlights included FOS Scarlett Tanager, Blue-headed Vireo, Baltimore and Orchard Orioles, B&W, Black-throated Blue, Parula, Overbird, Worm-eating, Black-throated Green, Hooded, Yellow, Prairie, Yellow-rump, Pine and Common Yellowthroat Warblers, Indigo Buntings and Wood Thrush. The only real surprise bird was found at the Green Swamp Nature Area parking lot when a really sharp dressed White-crowned Sparrow came out. This bird was unexpected, as were the number of White-throated Sparrows that I encountered. Birding the Dix WMA has become perhaps my most favorite place anymore. It's remote, quiet and wonderfully birdy, even if you only have 90 minutes to enjoy it. Steve Glynn Millville, NJ http://www.flickr.com/photos/southjerseybirder Subject: Garrett Mt 05/03/08 - WCAS List From: Tom Cosmas <tcosmas AT GMAIL.COM> Date: Mon, 5 May 2008 20:49:01 -0400 Cliff Miller is correct that Saturday was quite a good day to go to Garrett Mt to see birds. The Washington Crossing Audubon Society trip there and the nearby Rifle Camp produced a list of 70 species of birds! The list can be viewed at http://washingtoncrossingaudubon.org/wcasbb/index.php?topic=147.0 Thanks!