Day Three
Today's weather was not much better. It was 62F (felt much colder), winds 12mph with gusts well over 20mph where we were. It rained on and off and teased us with brief sun. Our birding group decided to spend the day at Edwin B. Forsythe National Wildlife Refuge. The refuge is 47,000 acres, 80% of which is tidal salt marsh. There are trails and an 8 mile wildlife drive that takes you through man-made freshwater impoundments. The diversity of habitat attracts a variety of bird species. 359 species have been observed at Forsythe.
Note: Select the image to enlarge.
We came upon a feeding frenzy as water was being channeled into the impoundment. The snowy egrets were very determined to capture fish, and they did.
On the way back to Cape May we stopped off at the Avalon Seawatch. It was very cold and began to rain again. We didn’t stay long.
13 Species sited:
Brant
Black Scoter
Mourning Dove
Semipalmated Plover
Sanderling
Laughing Gull
Ring-billed Gull
Herring Gull
Great-black-backed Gull
Royal Tern
Common Loon
Double-crested Cormorant
Tree Swallow
Once we got back to Cape May the sun came out again. From the hotel I saw a flock of black skimmers on the beach. I went down to get a closer look. I tried not to get too close and disturb them. At one point something (not me) caused them to take flight. They flew overhead and around, then landed in a group closer to me. I didn’t notice at the time, not until I looked at my pictures - I got a surfer in one of the flight shots.
Sanderling
Herring Gull
