The Cape May Bird Observatory's Cape May Birding Hotline

Updated April 8, 2006

By Pat Sutton

The first RUBY-THROATED HUMMINGBIRD was seen in New Jersey (and at Cape May) on April 5, in Delaware on April 6, and in Maryland on April 1. They’re all over eastern Virginia, North Carolina and south and west of North Carolina. So, it’s time to hang your feeders! Remember that hummingbirds are moving north as flowers bloom and insects are available. A cold snap could be disastrous for them. FLOWERING QUINCE is in bloom, a shrub with red tubular flowers. When that blooms, I know hummingbirds aren’t far behind!

TREE SWALLOWS were hunting insects at CMBO’s meadow in Goshen on April 6. The first PURPLE MARTINS were seen at Cape May Point on April 2 and at Goshen Landing on April 5. They are all over eastern PA and NJ.

GREAT HORNED OWLS are the earliest nesting bird, having laid eggs in late January. Right now they are feeding growing chicks. A very visible nest at the John Heinz NWR in the Philadelphia area has been a highlight on organized bird walks.

On April 2, during a warm spring day, visitors to the jetty at Barnegat Light State Park enjoyed the following winter birds: 30+ HARLEQUIN DUCKS, a COMMON EIDER, PURPLE SANDPIPERS, and other goodies.

On the April 1, “Birds of Belleplain State Forest” walk E. PHOEBES were singing and working on nests, YELLOW-THROATED WARBLERS were singing, a LOUISIANA WATERTHRUSH was seen and heard, OSPREY were calling and circling overhead, a din of PINE WARBLERS were heard, and 2 male WILD TURKEYS were strutting and displaying for a gathering of females. The April 1 Saturday morning, “Spring Migrants at the Rea Farm” walk enjoyed RUSTY BLACKBIRDS, TREE SWALLOWS, E. PHOEBES, WILSON’S SNIPE, and 17 LAUGHING GULLS. WHIP-POOR-WILLS were at Jakes Landing on April 2. The April 2 Sunday morning “Hidden Valley Walk” encountered dozens of BLUE-GRAY GNATCATCHERS. The Tuesday morning April 4 “Spring at Two Mile Beach” walk enjoyed PURPLE MARTIN, AMERICAN KESTREL (no doubt a migrant), and E. PHOEBES. And today, April 8, a YELLOW-BILLED CUCKOO was seen in Goshen a full 10 days ahead of schedule according to Sibley’s Birds of Cape May.

On March 31, the Great Egg Harbor River area (including the Corbin City impoundments and the Tuckahoe WMA impoundments) held 15 GREAT EGRETS, 6 SNOWY EGRETS, 1 LITTLE BLUE HERON, 2 GLOSSY IBIS, 700+ GREEN-WINGED TEAL, GADWALL, AM. WIGEON, BLUE-WINGED TEAL, N. SHOVELER, SCAUP, LONG-TAILED DUCKS, 50 OSPREY, 22 LAUGHING GULL, N. ROUGH-WINGED SWALLOW, YELLOW-THROATED WARBLER, and an adult LESSER BLACK-BACKED GULL. OSPREYS are back in force, many have returned to their nests.

The first CATTLE EGRET was seen at the Cape May Point State Park on April 5 and a flock was near Pleasantville on April 6. 10 YELLOW-CROWNED NIGHT HERONS were in Avalon on April 3 off Dune Drive, between 44th and 46th Streets.

PIPING PLOVERS are back on the beaches. 3 were seen at the Cape May Point State Park on April 7, and 5 at TNC’s Cape May Migratory Bird Refuge on April 3.

Flocks of CEDAR WAXWINGS are exploring woodlands for food. A flock covered the trees at CMBO’s Northwood Center on April 6. A flock came to a yard in Rio Grande and feasted on Crab Apples on April 1 and returned on April 2 to feast on American Holly berries.

RED-THROATED LOONS stage / gather at the mouth of the Delaware Bay each spring in the vicinity of the Concrete Ship. That is happening right now! Also, be sure to check out any cormorant perched on the Concrete Ship since it could very well be a GREAT CORMORANT. CMBO’s “Cruisin’ For Loons” on Saturday, April 22 (1-5:30 p.m.) is timed for a stellar loon adventure, with 7 spaces left. Call 609-861-0700, x-16 to register or for more information.

The recent warm weather was conducive to butterfly watching, since it triggered many to emerge and many to fly. On March 31 in the Great Egg Harbor area, 200 SPRING AZURES were seen, nearly all “Blueberry” Azures (the very early spring flyer) and a few “Holly” Azures. Also seen there were 3 HENRY’S ELFINS (all newly emerged), 17 MOURNING CLOAKS, 6 E. COMMA, 10 QUESTION MARKS, and 2 ORANGE SULPHURS, as well as lots of frogs and turtles, including a chorus of WOOD FROGS, a few SPRING PEEPERS, RED-BELLIED TURTLE, 10 SPOTTED TURTLE, PAINTED TURTLE, MUD TURTLE, and a SNAPPING TURTLE. A JUVENILE’S DUSKYWING was seen March 31 at Tarkiln Pond. By April 1 SPRING PEEPERS were not just giving a solitary peep now and then, but a steady din could be heard. An AMERICAN SNOUT was seen in Port Norris on April 2 laying eggs on the buds of a HACKBERRY tree, as well as 3 Azure species (5 SUMMER AZURES, 10 C. lucia, and 1 C. idella). A GRAY HAIRSTREAK was seen in Heislerville on April 2, and an E. TAILED BLUE in Goshen on April 7. CABBAGE WHITES and SULPHURS are being seen quite a bit. 2 CORPORAL SKIMMERS, the first of our dragonflies, were seen in Port Republic on April 2.

MONARCHS began leaving their overwintering sites in the mountains of Mexico in late February. They arrived on the Gulf Coast and laid eggs on Milkweed. Those eggs hatched and growing caterpillars metamorphosed into chrysalids and will soon become the first generation of Monarchs of the spring, and will journey further north. SWAMP MILKWEED is just beginning to peek through the ground. Believe it or not, northbound Monarchs will be looking for these tiny shoots in your gardens to lay their eggs on. CMBO has TROPICAL MILKWEED seeds for sale at the Center in Goshen. Stop by & get your garden ready for this year’s Monarchs.

BRADFORD PEAR trees are in bloom all over yards and city streets with their showy white flowers. Ornamental PLUMS and Japanese CHERRY trees are also in bloom with their showy pink flowers. SALTMARSHES are still winter-brown. PENNSYLVANIA BITTERCRESS, MUSTARD, PURPLE DEAD-NETTLE, CHICKWEED, and DANDELION are all blooming in our yards, and sought after by nectaring butterflies. Wild Mustard is blooming in farm fields.

The Cape May Birding Hotline is a service of the New Jersey Audubon Society’s Cape May Bird Observatory and details sightings from Cape May, Cumberland, and Atlantic Counties. Please report sightings of rare or unusual birds to CMBO at (609) 884-2736.

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