Forsythe (Brigantine) NWR seems to be just warming for the continued shorebird migration. Birds tallied this week are highlighted by the continuing GLAUCOUS GULL currently residing in the NW impoundment and the American White Pelican who often can only be seen from atop the observation decks. Shorebird highlights include: six WESTERN SANDPIPERS, two WHITE-RUMPED SANDPIPERS and one PECTORAL SANDPIPER August 2. Sixteen STILT SANDPIPERS August 2 grew to 83 August 5, while SEMIPALMATED PLOVERS and dowitchers numbered a 1000+ including as many as five LONG-BILLED DOWITCHERS August 5. Five CASPIAN TERNS, one BLACK TERN, one LEAST TERN and five GULL-BILLED TERNS were recorded in the refuge this week. Other Brig birds of note are four eclipsed BLUE- WINGED TEAL, two CATTLE EGRETS and two singing BLUE GROSBEAKS all August 2.

The Johnson Sod Farm south of Pole Tavern hosted a BUFF-BREASTED SANDPIPER and three UPLAND SANDPIPERS August 3, with the latter increasing to five August 7. There are also many HORNED LARKS present on these sod farms including juvenile birds.

The Franklin Parker Preserve outside of Chatsworth produced an amazing 67 GULL-BILLED TERNS as well as an UPLAND SANDPIPER and three LONG- BILLED DOWITCHERS August 2. The cranberry bogs of the Pine Barrens are a popular post nesting haunt of the GULL-BILLED TERN in recent years.

Two CLIFF SWALLOWS passed over Sandy Hook August 3 and five BARN OWLS were detected in the New Jersey Meadowlands in the Lyndhurst area the evening of August 2.

See Life Paulagics will be running a pelagic trip out of Belmar, NJ on Saturday, August 24 to the Hudson Canyon on the Suzie Girl. The trip will visit NJ and NY waters targeting such species as White-faced Storm Petrel, Long-tailed Jaeger, Audubon's Shearwater, Bridled Tern and South Polar Skua. For more information contact See Life Paulagics at info@paulagics.com or 215-234-6805 or visit their website at http://www.paulagics.com ..

ANNOUNCEMENTS:

Sandy Hook has no summer entrance fee for birding as long as you park in designated lots. Tell the attendant "you are birding and not parking in beach access lots." This allows you to park at the Visitor's Center, Horseshoe Cove, the Scout Camp, all Fort Hancock lots, the K-lot and SHBO. Fees are not charged before 7 a.m. and after 5 p.m. If you arrive before 7 a.m. an attendant at the Ranger Station will give you a pass that allows you free access to all parking areas.

The Sandy Hook Bird Observatory will be closed weekends during August.

The Voice of NJ Audubon is a weekly report on birding in NJ. To report birds, please call 732-872-2500. Reports of Review List Species (photos, field sketches, and/or written Documentation) go to the New Jersey Bird Records Committee at 14 Crown Drive, Warren, NJ 07059. This is Pete Bacinski wishing you the best birding and thanks for calling, surfing, and reporting.