The Nature Conservancy in New Jersey & NJ Audubon co-hosted an inclusive birding outing and nature preserve tour as part of Birdability Week, a week-long celebration filled with engaging virtual and in-person events designed to connect birders of all abilities. Two accessible outings were held at the South Cape May Meadows preserve of Friday, October 25th, and Saturday, October 26th. Together, at a leisurely pace, we explored the diverse habitats of the Meadows and enjoyed the newly opened ADA Boardwalk on the property. An American Sign Language interpreter was also present for both tours.
Leaders: Adehl Schwaderer. Kristal Stahler, Erika Iouriev, Phoebe Lanzone
Temp:
Winds:
Weather Conditions: The morning was chilly, and the sky was clear with a light breeze.
Our group spent the entirety of the program on the new boardwalk, taking in the numerous yellow-rumped warblers jumping across the trail, kettling turkey vultures, and swarming tree swallows. We had a hard time moving quickly along the boardwalk with all the bird activity and the addition of Emily, our ASL Interpreter, made the experience even more enjoyable.
28 species
| Species | Count |
| Mallard | 9 |
| Killdeer | 1 |
| Greater Yellowlegs | 4 |
| Double-crested Cormorant | 48 |
| Little Blue Heron | 1 |
| Great Egret | 3 |
| Great Blue Heron | 2 |
| Black Vulture | 1 |
| Turkey Vulture | 55 |
| Sharp-shinned Hawk | 3 |
| Cooper’s Hawk | 2 |
| Bald Eagle | 4 |
| Broad-winged Hawk | 1 |
| Red-shouldered Hawk | 2 |
| Red-tailed Hawk | 2 |
| Red-bellied Woodpecker | 1 |
| Northern Flicker | 4 |
| Blue Jay | 2 |
| Tree Swallow | 300 |
| Golden-crowned Kinglet | 2 |
| Carolina Wren | 2 |
| American Robin | 2 |
| American Goldfinch | 3 |
| Song Sparrow | 3 |
| Swamp Sparrow | 2 |
| Red-winged Blackbird | 67 |
| Brown-headed Cowbird | 1 |
| Yellow-rumped Warbler | 110 |
