Hawk Migration at Cape May Point State Park

Northern Harrier (Circus cyaneus)

Saturday, My mother and I went down to Cape May Point State Park to watch the myriad of hawks that pass by this part of the pennisula.

Cape May Point State Park is at the very tip of New Jersery. It is the last land stop before the birds either fly across the Atlantic Ocean or the Delaware Bay.

It is a natural funnel. Many species of birds fly overhead or land in Cape May County. Birds are studied here all year around but the fall migration is a spectacular time. Over 300 birds species have been spotted in Cape May.

We arrived late, a little after 10 am. The directions I used were confusing. We arrived as the regular Saturday morning, hawk banding demonstration was going on. I got some really good photos of the hawks.

Sharp-shinned or Cooper's ?

After the demo we went to the Raptor ID Workshop given by the Cape May Bird Observatory and learned even more.

Hawk Watching Platform 

Finally, we made it to the hawk watching platform. It was full of birding enthusiasts. There are always spotters who call out the birds flying toward us. This was very helpful. Sometimes I think the "spotters" have the most extraordinary vision to see the birds so far off in the distance. One day I would like to be good enough that I can be a spotter and call out the birds. 

After watching the hawks for awhile we walked along the beach and behind the dunes.

behind the dunes

migrating Monarch (Danus plexippus) on Seaside Goldenrod

The dunes is where the migrating Monarch butterflies tend to rest. The strong winds had caused them to stop and rest on the few remaining plants with nectar.

The beach had few people on it. The sand was clean and smooth. A few shorebirds walked along the surf.

gull at Cape May Point

It was a good day.

Raptor species spotted: Osprey, Northern Harrier, Peregrine Falcon, Merlin, American Kestrel, Sharp-shinned Hawk.

Butterflies: Monarchs, Common Buckeyes, and numerous tiny dark butterflies too small to see clearly.

In bloom: Seaside Goldenrod (Solidago sempervirens) and New England Aster (Aster novae-angliae)

I bought this book at the Park shop and can't wait to dig into it. The Suttons have included a wealth of information about Cape May. It is a thick book, 568 pages, and each one full of information.

Silver Lake Nature Center

wetland at Silver Lake Nature Center

Silver Lake Nature Center is located in Bristol, PA in Bucks County.

Visiting Silver Lake Nature Center is a great thing to do when visiting Philadelphia or in getting to know the land where you live. This 235-acre center has a wide variety of habitats.

meadow, Silver Lake nature Center

There are Coastal Plain forests, woodlands, meadows, a lake, marshes, wetlands and an unglaciated bog.

The specialness of Silver Lake lies in its wetlands. The Center lies on the Coastal Plain Province of Pennsylvania. It's 175-acre Delhaas Woods is called the best remaining example of Coastal Plains woodlands within Pennsylvania.

Atlantic Coastal plain Forest, Silver Lake Nature Center

The Delhaas Woods Coastal Plain Forest canopy is dominated by Sweet Gum, Black (Sour) Gum, Red Maple and Pin Oak. Other Oaks such as White Oak, Red Oak and Willow Oak can be found it the forest.

The Center host many activities and programs. It provides kayaking lessons and trips for every level from beginner to advanced.

Red Admiral (Vanessa atalanta)

There is a butterfly garden near the visitor's center. While in the butterfly garden I spotted a Red Admiral and assorted skippers.

From the city it takes an hour to get to Silver Lake using the Pennsylvania Turnpike.  From Philadelphia it is a good day trip. And there are many restaurants in the surrounding area.

Silver Lake Nature Center, 1306 Bath Road, Bristol, PA 19007. phone 215.785.1177
http://www.silverlakenaturecenter.org/