Leaders: Roger Horn, Bernie Hodgdon, Holly and Mark Lemieux
Temp: 42° F
Winds: NE 9 mph
Weather Conditions: cloudy, foggy
Foggy, cloudy and 42 degrees with a low wind at Cape May Point State Park this morning. Looking from the Dune crossing our visibility was quite limited due to fog. We were able to view quite a few Northern Gannets flying just above the surface of the water. They probably had their visibility hampered as well, thus staying just above the surface. Three species of gull Ring-billed, American Herring and Great Black-backed were walking or standing around on the beach and few Black and Surf Scoter were seen too. The majority of all these species were headed north out of the bay. Many of them had most likely roosted up the Delaware Bay for the night and we’re now migrating north.
Next, we walked along the dunes viewing the “plover ponds” for water birds. It was a bit light today, but we did have Northern Shoveler, Buffleheads, Mallard Ring-necked, and Lesser Scaup. One Tundra Swan was still with us along with a small number of Mute Swans. The Blue and Yellow trails were very quiet today. American Crows, Northern Cardinals and only a few Yellow-rumped Warblers were evident. Though we did have a resting Turkey Vulture we viewed in the scope. Also, the usual cacophony of Carolina Wrens accompanied us throughout our walk. “Not too shabby” for a dark and foggy day in mid-March.
30 species
| Species | Count |
| Canada Goose | 12 |
| Mute Swan | 7 |
| Tundra Swan | 1 |
| Northern Shoveler | 8 |
| Mallard | 10 |
| Ring-necked Duck | 12 |
| Lesser Scaup | 2 |
| Surf Scoter | 5 |
| Black Scoter | 11 |
| Surf/Black Scoter | 25 |
| Bufflehead | 10 |
| Mourning Dove | 3 |
| Greater Yellowlegs | 1 |
| Ring-billed Gull | 1 |
| American Herring Gull | 13 |
| Great Black-backed Gull | 4 |
| Northern Gannet | 120 |
| Turkey Vulture | 1 |
| Accipitrine hawk sp. (former Accipiter sp.) | 1 |
| American Crow | 6 |
| Carolina Chickadee | 2 |
| Tufted Titmouse | 1 |
| Carolina Wren (Northern) | 10 |
| European Starling | 1 |
| Northern Mockingbird | 1 |
| American Robin | 1 |
| White-throated Sparrow | 1 |
| Song Sparrow | 1 |
| Red-winged Blackbird (Red-winged) | 13 |
| Common Grackle | 2 |
| Yellow-rumped Warbler (Myrtle) | 8 |
| Northern Cardinal | 6 |
Blog write-up and eBird list by Roger Horn
