Whitesbog, February 14, 2018
The ML Birders were anticipating a nice day for seeing waterfowl on the big ponds at Whitesbog. An added bonus would be seeing a pair of Ross’ Geese, which were seen a couple of days before our arrival.
The ML Birders were anticipating a nice day for seeing waterfowl on the big ponds at Whitesbog. An added bonus would be seeing a pair of Ross’ Geese, which were seen a couple of days before our arrival.
Two ML Birders decided to test the old adage “there is no such thing as bad weather only bad clothing.” It was a cold and very windy but sunny day at Barnegat Light
Nine ML Birders made the trip to the refuge that was enhanced by a nice sunny day. We started birding around the parking area checking for land birds.
The Pathways trip to Bombay Hook NWR had one of those “I wish the weather was like this every day” days. Crystal clear blue skies, gentle breeze and temperature in the 70’s. The birds did not match the weather as the variety and number were not great.
It was a pleasant morning of mostly sun and little wind at Palmyra Cove. We managed to spot 29 species of birds and a few other flying critters (butterflies and dragonflies).
We could not have asked for a nicer day to end our trip season. Bright sun and warmer temperatures with just enough breeze for comfort. The fenced rolling pastureland with three gamboling horses tacking our progress made for great entertainment. We totaled 29 species seen and/or heard.
In a week of dreary weather the ML Birders caught only a few sprinkles and even a little sun on their trip to Fish House Cove and environs along the Delaware River.
Since this trip was originally scheduled for last fall the thought was to segue from the nice Fall to the pleasant weather of Spring. What greeted the birders was a hint of Winter in May!!
Our Pathways trip to the Delaware refuge enjoyed perfect weather and interesting birds.
We enjoyed a very pretty walk through historic Batsto village to the lake, which was mirror-calm. Later, we looked for a Red-headed Woodpecker along a sand road near Chatsworth, but instead found the Pine Barrens endemic plant “Pyxie” in full bloom.
The rain date of Sept. 27 was a lucky, sunny, 65-degree day in between two days of clouds due to Tropical Storm Ophelia. Despite a shortage of migrants, there were some surprises.
A mild spring day with high clouds made for good birding at Assunpink. We made a side trip to Roosevelt, a town with a fascinating history.
For the second year in a row we visited Bombay Hook in November, for a transitional season look at departing shorebirds and arriving waterfowl.
The PPA’s Rancocas Creek Farm was our second short trip of the year, and we combined it with a visit to the Eagles’ Walk Green Acres trail in Vincentown. The weather was delightful with starting temperatures in the mid 60’s into the mid 70’s at Eagles’ Walk Green Acres.
The ML Birders took our first short trip of the year to Boundary Creek Park on a mostly overcast day with temperatures in the low 60’s. The bird of the day based on numbers was the Gray Catbird. We observed a total of 30 species for the morning.
Combined notes from two trips, April 8 and April 27 2022. April 8 was a fine early spring day, while April 27 was very windy, with less bird activity.
Salem County in spring can offer very interesting birding; it has early migrants and arrivals, but also can hold on to winter birds.
Arriving at the hawkwatch about 10:15, we found a moderate flight of accipiters underway, with constant Cooper’s and Sharpshinned Hawks in the air…. On our way home we found and identified a couple of interesting caterpillars.
Two trips in one – a scouting run and a fall field trip, in shorebird season.
A great day of bird photography at the rookery.
The ML Birders headed out to Belleplain State Forest on a gray and blustery day hoping to see some early arriving warblers. The birding gods were conspiring against them!
Mannington Marsh, the tidal estuary of the Salem River, is a beautiful place to look for waterfowl and early spring migrants.
A beautiful day, with thousands of Myrtle (Yellow-rumped) Warblers and plenty of hawks to watch.