Cape May Overnight with the SCSC Seasons Class – Day 2
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Oct 1, 2009 | by Kevin Loughlin
Day two started with rain… however, by the time we finished breakfast the sun was making an effort to appear. We arrived at the Cape May Point Hawk Watch and were immediately greeted with a Peregrine Falcon overhead as well as many, many accipiters zipping passed!
Assignment #1 for the kids — learn the raptor silhouettes. Make a sketch in the workbook Paula put together and make notes of important field identification points.
A Red-tailed Hawk drifted slowly overhead to offer a fun ID challenge for new birders. Distant Bald Eagles kept the excitement up as did the quick flying Merlins.
Checking the school’s Monarch “hatchery” we found one more just emerged and unfolding its wings. It was later a perfect specimen ready for a tag and release!
As we entered the boardwalk trail, warblers and other migrants were everywhere. The American Redstart above was joined by a few Chestnut-sided Warblers and many Blue-gray Gnatcatchers.
An Eastern Wood Peewee stretched and yawned before sallying for another bug.
Speaking of bugs… dragonflies were all around us! This Twelve-spotted Skimmer was joined by many Green Darners and others we did not get to ID.
One of the hits of our walk were sightings of no less than three Gray Tree Frogs sitting silently on the cedar trees along the edge of the trail. Reptiles and amphibians are always exciting for kids and adults!
After the lunch we joined the Monarch tagging demonstration with Dick Walton, Louise Zamaitis, Mark Garland and Patsy (who’s last name I can’t remember!) for a fun learning experience. Then came the ride home with exhausted, but very happy kids!
photos © Kevin Loughlin