Subject: Cape May Nature Notes

From: Hank Brodkin <[email-masked]>
Date: Sun, 27 Aug 1995 23:22:03 -0700

The following Nature Notes have been excerpted from the Cabe May Rare
Bird Report of 24 August -

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        Hank Brodkin <[email-masked]> Marina Del Rey, CA
                        33.58'24"N 118.27'39"W
 finger <[email-masked]> for information about the Calbird-L Mail List

---------- Forwarded message ----------

- Transcript
Hotline:      Cape May Birding & Butterfly Hotline
Date:         Aug. 24, 1995
Number:       609-884-2626
To Report:    609-884-2736
Coverage:     Cape May, Cumberland and Altantic Co., NJ
Compiler:     Cape May Bird Observatory staff
Transcriber:  L. Larson ([email-masked])

You have reached the Cape May Birding Hotline, a service of
the New Jersey Audubon Society's Cape May Bird Observatory.
Highlights for the week ending Aug. 24, 1995 include
EURASIAN WIGEON, BUFF-BREASTED SANDPIPER, OLIVE-SIDED
FLYCATCHER, some migration news, hawkwatch, nature notes
and announcements.

(Bird Stuff Deleted - hb)

Note that the parking lot at Higbee Beach is still closed
until after Labor Day. You can park at Hidden Valley and
walk, but remember that Hidden Valley can be just as good
as Higbee.

Local Nature Notes follow.

This week was exciting for butterfly and dragonfly
enthusiasts. Several species were added to the Cape May
County check-list. On Aug. 20, a COMPTON'S TORTOISE-SHELL
was discovered in a yard in Whitesboro, a few miles north
of Rio Grande. This is species number 105 for the County. A
dragonfly never before seen in NJ was discovered on Aug. 19
at Lily Lake in Cape May Point. A FOUR-SPOTTED PENNANT,
fairly common in Florida and Dry Tortugas, also is known
>from  the coastal plain in Delaware. It was seen as recently
as Aug. 22, and may still be present; its favorite perch is
in Lily Lake, near the south end of the lake, on a twig
sticking out of the water. It likes to perch here and dart
out after prey.

Also on Aug. 18, two VARIEGATED MEADOW-FLIES were seen at
Lily Lake. This dragonfly was first found here in 1992.

Higbee Beach right now has lots of butterfly action;
numbers of RED-BANDED HAIRSTREAKS, RED-SPOTTED PURPLES,
HACKBERRY EMPERORS and TAWNY EMPERORS have been reported.
The Villas reported a first CLOUDLESS SULPHUR on Aug. 22,
along with VARIEGATED FRITILLARY, 17 SACHEMS, &  6
MONARCHS. On Aug. 23, the Circle Gardens in Cape May Point
enjoyed dozens of MONARCHS, as well as SACHEMS, TIGER
SWALLOWTAILS, PAINTED & AMERICAN LADIES, SILVER-SPOTTED
SKIPPERS, CABBAGE WHITE, and SULPHURS. These gardens are
active all day and anything is possible.

[Program Information Omitted]

The Cape May Bird Observatory is a research and education
unit of the New Jersey Audubon Society. Our aim is to
perpetuate and preserve the ornithological significance of
Cape May. Your membership supports these goals and this
birding hotline. For more information regarding Cape May
birding, our programs and field trips, and the Observatory,
call our office at 609-884-2736 or a send a request for
info to CMBO, P.O. Box 3, Cape May Point, NJ 08212. If you
are in the area, do not hesitate to visit our headquarters
and growing birding bookstore at 707 E. Lake Dr., Cape May
Point. We're open 9-5 every day but Monday.

The Cape May birding hotline [(609) 884-2626] is a service
of Cape May Bird Observatory and includes sightings from
Cape May, Atlantic, and Cumberland counties and adjacent
areas. Updates are made on Thursday evening, more often if
warranted. [Compiled by CMBO staff; transcribed by L.
Larson ([email-masked]).] Please report
sightings of rare or unusual birds to CMBO at (609)
884-2736. Thank you for calling; good birding.

- End transcript