http://birdcapemay.org/times Cape May Bird Observatory News Thu, 22 Dec 2011 06:00:01 +0000 http://backend.userland.com/rss092 en Published in Exit Zero, 12/22/11     The other day I got a call from a person who wanted to know, “Where do all the birds go in the winter?”      “Can you narrow down the field?” I proposed.      “Can I what?” she countered.      “Can you be a bit more specific?  There are ... Published in Exit Zero, 12/15/11     Well it’s December and that means that fall is officially over.      Okay.  Technically winter doesn’t begin until December 21 but November 30 is the traditional last day of the Hawk Count at Cape May.       The counter goes home.       Daily tabulation end.       Hawks stop migrating.      One ... Published in Exit Zero, 12/8/11              You’ve probably noticed that Laughing Gulls are mostly out of here. You probably haven’t noticed that Bonaparte’s Gulls have taken their place, have you? . . .        What’s a Bonaparte’s Gull?             It’s a small, tern-like gull that breeds in the subarctic and winters both coastally ... Published in Exit Zero, 12/1/11  This column is about Snow Geese.  You know, those big white birds that you see in winter that aren’t swans.  They used to be common.  Then they became rare - the snow geese, not the swans.  Then they became common - in fact, abundant.      Sounds like life, ... Published in Exit Zero, 11/24/11       I almost got suckered by an owl this morning.      My fault.  Serves me right.  You engage the natural world and you do so at your own risk.      What did I do?       I squeaked like a mouse that was protesting the inopportune grip of raptor talons.  ... Published in Exit Zero, 11/17/11      White-throated Sparrows are back.      So what’s the big deal about more sparrows?      Well, I’ll tell you what.  In about a Cape May Minute (about a month or two) it’s going to be dark and cold and maybe even snowing.  The Northern Hemisphere is going to ... Published in Exit Zero, 11/10/11      It’s November and that means the end of birding in Cape May.      You heard me.  When the calendar moves into November it’s time for all good little visiting birders to call it a season.  Go home.  Clean out the gutters.  Caulk the windows.  Hang up ... Published in Exit Zero, 11/3/11     You are a new birder and you are confused.      Well, get in line.       You are confused because you decided to try bird watching.  You thought it would be fun and stress relieving.  And you knew that you needed to buy binoculars and a field guide.      ... Published in Exit Zero, 10/27/11      OK.  This is it.  Your big chance.  You can become a birder this week or forget it.      Yes, this is New Jersey Audubon’s big weekend in Cape May.  It’s been part of the social landscape since 1946.  It’s part happening; part treasure hunt and a ... Published in Exit Zero, 10/20/11      Some people hate the Cape May Bird Observatory.  I can see that.      They hate it because it absolutely ruined October for locals.  Thirty...even twenty years ago, nobody but nobody came to Cape May in October.  We locals had it to ourselves.      Heck, even September was ...