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!!
The ML Birders visited two county parks on a lovely sunny day and saw and/or heard 40 species. Interestingly, Jennifer Bulava and a group were doing a Spring Bird Census at Boundary Creek on the day of our visit. The birds were plentiful and we got excellent views of Baltimore Orioles, Orchard Orioles, Yellow Warblers and Cedar Waxwings.
The ML Birders visited the Taylor Preserve in Cinnaminson and were guided through the trails by Mike Zickler who is a frequent guest on our trips and very active in the programs of the Preserve.
The John Heinz NWR located in Tinicum by the Philly airport is the first (1972) wildlife refuge established in an urban environment. The ML Birders visited the refuge on a nice, sunny day and saw 34 species of birds. We were a little too early for the warbler Spring migration but we did get nice looks at Yellow-rumped and Palm Warblers. We also saw Osprey, Bald Eagle and an immature Red-tail Hawk.
Six ML Birders and three guests visited the flooded cranberry bogs at Whitesbog on a crisp but sunny day and drove the sandy dike roads hoping to spot the waterfowl that inhabit the ponds. We expected to see the Tundra Swans and we saw 88 of them (yes they were counted) as well as a large flock of Ring-necked Ducks, a few Buffleheads, Mallards and Hooded Mergansers. The surprise of the day was two Horned Larks who “entertained” us as they ran back and forth across the sandy dike road.
It was a new experience for the ML Birders to visit the inlet at Barnegat Light on a mild, sunny and windless day in winter.
The ML Birders’ trip to the Shark River Inlet netted 36 species on a partly sunny and almost windless day. We got to see a variety of birds but water fowl and related species were the dominant birds of the trip. Brant geese were by far the most common.
Almost a year to the day the ML Birders returned to view the greatest concentration of Bald Eagles on the East Coast at the Conowingo Dam on the Susquehanna River in MD. They were there in abundance soaring, fishing, giving us some aerial displays and just “loafing” on rocks and sitting in trees and man made structures around the dam. The big surprise was the large number of Black Vultures present (100’s).
The ML Birders were greeted at the Cape May Point observation platform by a dense fog that limited what could be seen in the immediate area and especially the migrating raptors. However, we quickly put Plan B into action and headed over to Higbee Beach which gave us access to broad, open fields and vegetative borders and clear viewing as the fog abated.
It was a lovely May day, with a breeze, blue sky and moderate temperature, and plenty of birds.
Our highly anticipated trip to Bombay Hook didn’t turn out quite as expected. We had hoped to see Brown-headed Nuthatch, but something went wrong, and the little bird was nowhere to be found on Big Stone Beach Road south of Frederica, Del.
The date was late for wintering birds, but early for spring arrivals. The most numerous ducks were Long-tails, with plenty of Common Eiders as well. Flocks of migrating Northern Gannets were offshore. Other winter birds such as Harlequins were not in evidence and presumably had left for their northern homes.
The highlight of the day was the Eagle show — four Bald Eagles (2 adult and 2 immature) feeding and interacting near our vantage on the north dike. One of the adult eagles was kind enough to sit atop a solitary cedar right next to our car, just posing for a close-up.
The date and the weather were right on the cusp between winter and spring. The ML birders were hoping for lingering winter ducks and raptors, with perhaps a few new arrivals.
In the Pedricktown area three Tundra Swans flew over, and we saw a male Wood Duck on the Delaware River. At our second stop at the causeway, to our delight we got some great views of seven Sandhill Cranes!
A pair of Trumpeter Swans has spent several recent winters on the big lake here, and returned this year. Although too far away to photograph, their size and shape made them obvious.
The ML Birders headed down to the coast in pursuit of wintering waterfowl and the chance to see Razorbills that have been spotted in the Shark River Inlet in Belmar.