As the Cape May Songbird Stopover Project entered its sixth week, the South Cape May Meadows continued to serve as a vital rest stop for migrating birds making their long journeys south. Although overall bird activity was slower this week, there were still plenty of exciting moments and milestones for the banding team.
Over the course of the week, the team caught, banded, and safely released a total of 244 birds. Much of the week was marked by light activity, giving the banders some valuable downtime to focus on and appreciate the species in hand. But just as the week was winding down, September 27th brought a welcome surprise — a significant influx of migrants with 128 individuals banded in a single day, the highest total of the week.
One of the week’s standout highlights came on September 22nd, when the team banded their third Connecticut Warbler of the season — a notably elusive and sought-after migrant.
Several first-of-season birds were recorded toward the end of the week, adding to the excitement. An Eastern Wood-Pewee appeared on the 26th, followed by a Savannah Sparrow, Blackpoll Warbler, Yellow-rumped Warbler (Myrtle), and a Black-throated Green Warbler on the 27th. These new arrivals hint at the shift in species composition as fall migration progresses.
Perhaps the most exciting development came on September 26th, when the team deployed their first Cellular Tracking Technologies (CTT) satellite tag of the season — fitted to a Common Yellowthroat. This high-tech addition will allow researchers to gain deeper insight into the movement and stopover behavior of this tiny songbird as it continues its migration.
And in quieter moments, the banders took the opportunity to explore the meadows and successfully tracked down a Piping Plover that had recently been reported on the beach. Even in a slower week, the South Cape May Meadows continues to deliver valuable data and memorable encounters. With more migrants on the move, we look forward to what the coming weeks will bring.
All bird capture, handling, and banding are authorized under appropriate state and federal permits.
Black-throated Green Warbler photo by Noah Nei
Savannah Sparrow photo by Maia Nguyen
Yellow-rumped Warbler photo by Stephanie Bartlett
