Forsythe NWR, NJ... Birding with birdie Friends

One very cool thing about birding is you meet other birders..and most birders are happy to share information..and to share birding experiences.

While birding one day last week …we saw a bird group from Cape May Bird Observatory. We recognized a gal we had met on a some of the walks we took in November and from a recent CMBO walk. She and her husband lead bird walks around the area for CMBO.

She asked if we wanted to join her the following day to bird Forsyth.

Of course we said yes..we are always happy to go out with other birders…We always learn something. We were joined by another birder from Canada.

We birded an 8-mile self-guided Wildlife Drive atop a dike system which separates 1,400 acres of fresh and brackish water wetlands from native salt marsh.

Great area for shorebirds! Ducks in the winter..very few now.

We were told by a ranger of the refugee that a common nighthawk was flying over the first pond. It was noon…strange behavior..He said that the bird was out the past two days at the same time.

We didn't see the Night hawk but we did see some gorgeous Wood Ducks.

We saw a few birds that were not expected! What was this Snow Goose doing here so late in the season? Shouldn't it be further north? Go north young Snow Goose!A Life bird for us…Gull Billed Tern I have not yet been able to photograph a flying bird. At least not well…This is one attempt. I tried many other times and end up with empty sky.

How the heck do you all do it? Give me some hints!

I find it hard to locate the bird in the viewfinder. I point and shoot and hope that I can get it!

Black skimmerI found this area..below..quite beautiful! See all the small dots? Birds!

Dunlins here with one something bird…tee hee..where is Jeff? Another duck that shouldn't have been here. Go north Bufflehead.

Osprey hanging out in the grass..We saw quite a few Osprey in the Refugee. Lee took us to a small town..outside of the 8 mile drive but still part of the refugee. Very scenic. With a few Birds. What is this gull? Jeff says Herring.. This gull makes me Laugh! Hee hee..look at those knobby knees!

We had a great time birding Cape May..not enough time!

We are now in NYC visiting our Daughter..

will post some city stuff….later….