THE TUNDRA, THE TRAILER AT CAPE MAY APRIL 29, '09 Day 10 April 19 2009 Horseshoe Crab Eggs
More about the eggs later in the blog. But first it was the severe weather change that was in the news. From those 80's and 90’s earlier in the week this morning was a real turnabout. We woke to a 50 F temp with strong winds. But onward with the day!
The bird feeders at the trailer were attracting the Blue Jays, Titmouse and today the Red Bellied Woodpecker. (see) Of course there were squirrels.
Ruth wanted to “do” some stores that we had heard about, but inasmuch as we are not on summer schedule in these resort towns yet, they only open Thursday through Sunday and only after 10:00 Am. Today was not one of those. We did drive around town appreciating many of the large edifices that have been built here. Cape May is known for its large Federal, Colonial and especially Victorian houses scattered throughout the city. (See pic).
We did try to walk around a set of ponds near the shore, but after 30 minutes of 35 mph winds and open fields it was time to get to a warmer place. There were a few birds there, namely the hardy gulls and Egrets but most were “hunkered down”. We did manage to see a Parula in its brilliant yellow and blue/grays.
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HORSESHOE CRAB SHELLS ON DELAWARE BAY (NJ).JPG)
More about the eggs later in the blog. But first it was the severe weather change that was in the news. From those 80's and 90’s earlier in the week this morning was a real turnabout. We woke to a 50 F temp with strong winds. But onward with the day!
The bird feeders at the trailer were attracting the Blue Jays, Titmouse and today the Red Bellied Woodpecker. (see) Of course there were squirrels.
Ruth wanted to “do” some stores that we had heard about, but inasmuch as we are not on summer schedule in these resort towns yet, they only open Thursday through Sunday and only after 10:00 Am. Today was not one of those. We did drive around town appreciating many of the large edifices that have been built here. Cape May is known for its large Federal, Colonial and especially Victorian houses scattered throughout the city. (See pic).
We did try to walk around a set of ponds near the shore, but after 30 minutes of 35 mph winds and open fields it was time to get to a warmer place. There were a few birds there, namely the hardy gulls and Egrets but most were “hunkered down”. We did manage to see a Parula in its brilliant yellow and blue/grays.
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FEEDING FRENZY AT REED'S BEACH
We revisited two places as they seemed to be the better of the units to find avian species. That was a revisit to Reed’s Beach where we had heard that the seagulls and sandpipers feast on the Horseshoe Crab eggs as they float on the high tide. It was true. After getting through the sand road (see previous day) we arrived there with no one in sight. It was true. Thousands of birds were feasting on the eggs, as far as the eye could see down the beach. That was a treat with Laughing Gulls as the dominant bird, but with White Rumped and Semi Palmated Sandpipers running along the beach, and the sea filled with Black Back Gulls and Little Gulls. Two Ruddy Turnstones flew out from the beach and we had not seen them yet. There were a few of the Little Gulls, and they stood out from the Laughing Gulls as they have no black heads. We lingered long even though the wind was still blowing hard. It was nature at its best.
Note that the Horseshoe Crab is the oldest continuous living creature on earth (that we know) and predates those dinosaurs by many millions of years. Good reason to keep them healthy, eh?
Then it was back to Nummy Island for one more try at finding the Whimbrel and lots of Black Brands. They were still there along with many other birds
Today was the best count day for us at 50 birds even. A Swamp Sparrow, and a Northern Harrier in flight added to that count, along with a Catbird and a White crowned Sparrow seen at the Bird Center of Cape May.
After a short rest and getting warm again, we ate dinner once more at “Erma’s Pizza and Deli” (did I spell that Irma before—sorry—). Ruth had a hamburger and I had a “Stromboli” of course. Excellent. We headed home and will look at a long trip tomorrow up north to a place called Heislerville WMA where the estuary allows many millions of birds to come in on high tide. It is a long drive but might be worth it. Stay tuned.
We revisited two places as they seemed to be the better of the units to find avian species. That was a revisit to Reed’s Beach where we had heard that the seagulls and sandpipers feast on the Horseshoe Crab eggs as they float on the high tide. It was true. After getting through the sand road (see previous day) we arrived there with no one in sight. It was true. Thousands of birds were feasting on the eggs, as far as the eye could see down the beach. That was a treat with Laughing Gulls as the dominant bird, but with White Rumped and Semi Palmated Sandpipers running along the beach, and the sea filled with Black Back Gulls and Little Gulls. Two Ruddy Turnstones flew out from the beach and we had not seen them yet. There were a few of the Little Gulls, and they stood out from the Laughing Gulls as they have no black heads. We lingered long even though the wind was still blowing hard. It was nature at its best.
Note that the Horseshoe Crab is the oldest continuous living creature on earth (that we know) and predates those dinosaurs by many millions of years. Good reason to keep them healthy, eh?
Then it was back to Nummy Island for one more try at finding the Whimbrel and lots of Black Brands. They were still there along with many other birds
Today was the best count day for us at 50 birds even. A Swamp Sparrow, and a Northern Harrier in flight added to that count, along with a Catbird and a White crowned Sparrow seen at the Bird Center of Cape May.
After a short rest and getting warm again, we ate dinner once more at “Erma’s Pizza and Deli” (did I spell that Irma before—sorry—). Ruth had a hamburger and I had a “Stromboli” of course. Excellent. We headed home and will look at a long trip tomorrow up north to a place called Heislerville WMA where the estuary allows many millions of birds to come in on high tide. It is a long drive but might be worth it. Stay tuned.
HORSESHOE CRAB SHELLS ON DELAWARE BAY (NJ)
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