V18 N25

Bird Droppings
Dispatches from the nation’s birdwatching capital… by Seymore Thanu
fall dinners
Join us in celebrating the harvest of fall in the fresh air at Beach Plum Farm.
for information and reservations visit
beachplumfarmcapemay.com/dinners
Please note we will be following strict social distancing rules.
6:30PM | BYOB | $98 per person - plus 20% service fee & tax
Now it begins for real, Fall, that is.
On September 1, Cape May Bird
Observatory initiated the 44th
year of the Cape May Hawk Count.
Situated on the Hawk Watch
Platform at Cape May Point State Park, this
cooperative effort between NJ Audubon, NJ
Forests and Parks and Swarovski will be conducted
daily until the end of November.
The public is welcome to join the counter
and interpretive interns under raptor filled
skies at the “Raptor Capital of North America.”
Cape May is a giant migrant trap, catching and
directing southbound birds to its terminus
where migrants face a hard decision. Cross 12
miles of open water or turn around and bypass
the bay. Some species, like the Peregrine
Falcon, think nothing of a 12-mile crossing
— adult male Peregrines are mostly pelagic.
They jump off breeding cliffs in Greenland
and their taloned feet never touch down until
they feel the tropical sun on the left side of
their face. Banding studies show that virtually
the entire Arctic population of Peregrines
flows down the Atlantic Seaboard. Hundreds
of Peregrines will be tallied in a typical year.
Merlin, another falcon, is a very common
migrant as is an American Kestrel, our smallest
but jauntiest raptor.
The hawk count takes the pulse of the
natural world — changes in raptor numbers
signal changes in the environment. Featured
raptors include kestrels, Sharp-shinned
Hawks, Osprey and Bald Eagle. Peregrine’s
and Merlins will peak at month’s end, then
the big, burly, cold-weather Buteos anchor
the count.
We on the platform are equal-opportunity
viewers. All migrating birds are grist for the
mill. Last year, a Cassin’s Kingbird flew by for
a first state record. You never know what will
pass, so everyday breaks with new promise.
One of the songbird migrants passing now
is Bobolink. Flying in large flocks, their mustard-colored
underparts catching the morning
sun, the “bink” notes of passing birds makes
the sky ring with the sound of ceramic wind
chimes. But don’t dawdle — Bobolinks will be
in South America by late September.
You’ll want to dress warmly and want
binoculars — Raptors fly high. As for social
distancing, the platform is large and birders as
a community are respectful of other visitors.
Stop by and witness one of nature’s greatest
spectacles. Over 50,000 hawks will be counted
this season. Take a seat and reap your share.
You can count on lots of help from the Cape
May Birding community who turn out daily.
Visit our market, stocked with fresh produce, farm-raised meats, eggs,
a selection of Hawk Haven wines...and beautiful fresh-cut flowers.
Farm & Market: Open Daily 8AM — 5PM
Kitchen: Open Wednesday - Sunday 8AM — 3PM
140 Stevens Street, West Cape May
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