The ML Birders were hesitant about making the trip to Edwin B. Forsythe NWR (Brigantine) as weather forecasts predicted a storm working its way up the Atlantic Coast with high winds and possible tidal flooding. Fortunately, the storm moved further off shore, the winds were tolerable and it was a bright and sunny day.
The auto tour route was as rewarding as it always is here. On the road to the Gull Tower we enjoyed over 20 Great Blue Herons sunning themselves in a pine grove at the waters edge.
There were many Great Egrets along the loop road, but just one Snowy Egret. An immature Yellow-crowned Night Heron was a surprise, and a flock of immature White Ibises, formerly rare, now expected here.
Shorebirds included Dunlins, Greater Yellowlegs and Willets. Airborne, flocks of ‘peeps’ glistened white as they wheeled and caught the sun. Still lingering were Forster’s Terns, Great Black-back Gulls, Herring Gulls and a few Laughing Gulls.
It was a great day to see Bald Eagles; we spotted them in several locations along the loop road. The best viewing was at a lone cedar tree where an eagle just sat on the tree top and said “take my picture.”
Duck species included Mallards, Black Ducks, Wood Duck (female), Shovelers, Northern Pintails, Ring-necked Ducks and Blue-winged Teal.
The wind made it difficult to find land birds. Yellow-rumped Warblers, Blue Jays, a few crows, Common and Boat-tailed Grackles, a few sparrows along the road, and a Downy Woodpecker completed our list.
Participants: Terri Keeley, Robert Koch, Sam Madeira and Barbara Trought.
List: 31 Species
1 Canada Goose
2 Mute Swan
3 Wood Duck
4 Blue-winged Teal
5 Northern Shoveler
6 Mallard
7 American Black Duck
8 Northern Pintail
9 Ring-necked Duck
10 Dunlin
11 Willet
12 Greater Yellowlegs
13 Laughing Gull
14 Ring-billed Gull
15 Great Black-backed Gull
16 Forster’s Tern
17 Double-crested Cormorant
18 Great Blue Heron
19 Great Egret
20 Snowy Egret
21 Yellow-crowned Night-Heron
22 White Ibis
23 Turkey Vulture
24 Bald Eagle
25 Downy Woodpecker
26 Blue Jay
27 American Crow
28 Savannah Sparrow
29 Common Grackle
30 Boat-tailed Grackle
31 Yellow-rumped Warbler
