Second winter Iceland Gull.Pleasantville Jan 7-05
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Male Painted Bunting, Erma NJ. Apparently present since mid-Nov,news broke today - 1/3/05.
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12/21/04. Black Brant at S.Amboy. Darker, more contrasting underparts, darker back and complete chin strap. Typically noticeably larger and thicker-necked than 'krota'.
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Black Brant S.Amboy.Often fight with other Brant in the flock.Brant has been split into 3 species by some authorities -Black,Dark-bellied and Light-bellied.
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Black Brant - San Diego. Very easy to pick out the darkunderparts in flight.
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Allens Dec 03- The 3 Cape May Allens have all had a distinctive look - unlike any Rufous we have had.
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Allens 11/3/04. Immature male - a few metallic feathers in the gorget.
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Allens 11/3/04 - they molt much earlier than Rufous so when they turn up in New Jersey (this is the 3rd one) they look very pale and worn. It has a few newly molted green (not rufous)feathers in the back and fairly extensive rufous on the lower back. The ALLENS LOOK!
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Allens 11/3/04. They have 10 tail feathers. The fourth feather in from the outer edge (R2) has a smooth edge - Rufous has a shallow indentation near the tip.The outer feather (not clearly visible here)is thinner in Allens. Allens have been considered unidentifiable in the field - perhaps this thinking should be changed!
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Calliope - 10/16/04. Judging the size of single Hummingbirds is difficult.Wing tips protruding past the short tail is a great starting point for this one.
This garden has had all five species of Hummers recorded on the N.J. list. It is small but packed with 'natural' food (feeders are not the most important factor).
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Cave Swallow 11/04. Any Swallow with red rump in Nov/Dec is most likely this species. Only Tree is more regular in Nov.
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The dirty underparts are the best way to pick them out from Trees at long range. Beware, the throat often appears dark.
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Cave 11-04. At distance the rump can be very hard to see. Cliff tends to be slightly paler rumped, has a slightly stockier build, a dark throat and lacks the capped appearance.
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Sabines Gull 09-04. Laying on the wet beach, and digging my camera into the salt and water to be low enough to get Cape May Point Lighthoue in the background will always get you a few funny looks. Thankfully, I couldn't hear what they were saying!
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They usually have dark heads in Sept. This is probably a second year bird.
CLICK 2 FOR MORE PHOTOS.
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Present for several days, it was surpringly difficult to pick out in the feeding frenzy off the Point.
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Swainsons Warbler, Higbee ,June 04.When we say 'large' billed, this is what we mean.
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Swainsons June 04. Very vocal and usually hiding.
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Purple Gallinule,May 04,Stone Harbor Wetlands Institite. Found by a non-birding friend Marnie Mohr, her description was so detailed that all other species of Gallinule could be ruled.As it turned out, posting the news immediately wasn't vital as it put on a show for a number of days.
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Purple-Gallinule-head.jpg
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Purple Gallinule standing tall.
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Shart-tailed Sand,Johnsons Sod, sept 03.Part of a purple patch finding this,Red-necked (Wildwood Crest)and Little Stint(Stone Harbor)in the space of a few weeks.Non were as exciting as finding the Pacific Golden Plover at this site.The others I photod with film - sorry!
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