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The Herald

THURSDAY,JANUARY 4,1979

Wildlife Group Asks Help

FIRST EAGLE CENSUS CONDUCTED

By CMBO Naturalist Director Pete Dunne . Winter has a way of putting the skids to a host of activities. Beach bathing, for instance, is not nearly as much fun and golfing is tough in the snow. Even “going for a drive” doesn’t have much appeal now that winter has cast its cloak of gray on woods and field. With the holiday season past, there is a strong tendancy in all of us to throw another log on the fire, settle back into a well contoured easy chair and wait for spring. If hibernating doesn’t fire your imagination, try picking up a pair of binoculars and a Peterson’s field guide and go birding. Not all birds go south in the winter and not all birds that go south go any further than right here. The amount of avian activity around the Cape May area during the winter months is considerable and unique. Many of the birds encountered during December, January and February were found here only in cold and blustery weather. Waterfowl in particular are plentiful now and easily observed. Flocks of Oldsquaw ride the swells just beyond breakers. Their soft clamour sounded to the ears of early explorers of the Canadian Northwest like the gossiping of a bunch of “old squaws,” hence the name. Oldsquaw are highly gregarious and a flock of these small sea ducks will draw a single like a magnet. The drankes with their long trailing tail feathers are the epitome of grace in the air or on the water but their mode of landing is strictly Wright Brothers. The transition from “flight” to “float" is accomplished by cutting power just short of the drop zone, letting gravity do the rest. Goldeneye too occur here only during the winter months. Both the male and the female have the bright yellow eye which gave the bird its name. The

Goldeneye is also called the “cub head” because of its largish head and “whistler” because of the loud whistling sound produced by the wings of flighted birds. While the Oldsquaw is bold to the point of foolishness, the Goldeneye is alert and quick to take flight. Search for them in the large bays and channels. They will, most likely, be in mid-channel. Other birds which call Cape May home during the “off-season”, include an assortment of gulls including “white winged gulls” like the Glaucous and Iceland. A large number of birds of prey, too, take up residency including Sharp-shinneds, Cooper’s and Goshawk; Rough-legged andarsh Hawks. The owls are well represented and the Short-eared Owl in particular is often seen coursing over the marsh hunting rodents and small birds. Winter birding can be as exciting as it is invigorating and it makes a pleasant alternative to sitting in front of the tube watching reruns of Happy Days or Howard Cosell’s ringside. The Cape May Bird Observatory will offer a field identification course in “Winter Birds of Cape May” at the Wetlands Institute, Stone Harbor Blvd., Middle Twp. The course will run from Jan. 25th to Feb. 24th and consist of 5 Thursday evening slide seminars and 5 Saturday morning field trips. The course will focus upon the field identification, habits and habitat of Cape May’s diverse winter birds including many of the species just mentioned and many which were not. A course fee of $25.00 will be charged to Cape May Bird Observatory members and Wetland’s Institute supporters, $35.00 for all others. The course is. designed particularly for the beginning birder. Registration can be made by calling the Cape May Bird Observatory at 368-3156.

The National Wildlife Federation is calling on federal and state agencies as well as bird clubs and other outdoor groups to assist in its first nationwide bald eagle count. The survey, which is planned as an annual census, will be conducted during the last three weeks of January under the auspices of NWF’s Raptor Information Center. That period was chosen because eagle movements are at a minimum at that time of the year, according to William S. Clark, director of the Raptor Information Center.

Elton Fawks, of East Moline, Ill., an NWF consultant who has conducted eagle surveys in the Mississippi Balley for many years, will be cooperating in this nationwide effort. Because eagles are plentiful and not threatened in Alaska, and not found in Hawaii, the survey will be confined to the “lower 48”

states.

“We need a more accurate estimate of the number and distribution of wintering bald eagles in the 48 contiguous states,” said Thomas L. Kimball, NFW Executive Vice President.

“ The midwinter census will provide valuable information of total numbers and age ratios, and will identify important wintering locations. In the past, this data has been partly conjectural due to incomplete coverage of all potential wintering habitat.” Those who would like to assist with the eagle count, or obtain more information, should contact: Raptor Information Center, National Wildlife Federation, 1412 16th Street, NW, Washington, DC 20036. Or call (703) 790-4264.

Drive the Dunes

We Americans seem to be wedded to our cars, so the most popular sidetrip for visitors is the Ocean Drive, from Atlantic City to Cape May. This drive starts at the Inlet where Historic Gardner’s Basin is located, and links five barrier islands to deliver the motorist to Cape May. The Ocean Drive terminates in a “Y”, one branch entering old Victorian Cape May City, the other going to the terminal where the Cape May Ferry sets sail for Lewes, Delaware Over the 40 miles one sees many stretches of sand dunes and panoramic views of the Atlantic Ocean. Changing seasons and weather and tides make this always interesting. The six bridges lift the traveler well up above the ship channels, which enhances the view of ocean, backwaters, wetlands, harbors, marinas, and all. Mixed reactions are reported to the emptiness of the 14 resort cities along the way: Ocean City, Avalon, the Wildwoods...This uncrowded condition off-season is a blessing to those who like to tour without traffic jams and crowds of pedestrians. A couple dozen restaurants and hotels are open all year, so the Ocean Drive meets the traveler’s needs in every changing month and season.

HUNDREDS OF OTHER SIGHTS To help motorists enjoy the Jackpots to Dunes to Diamonds Tour more fully, copies of the All Year Club’s Sight Map are available. It describes and maps 350 things to see and places to see them in Southern New Jersey, omitting altogether seasonal things which close up after Labor Day. The address is All Year Club, Box 876, Millville, N.J. 08332 - the cost,

$2.

SEARCH FOR DIAMONDS A curious feature of some Cape May County beaches if the occurance of quartz pebbles known as Cape May Diamonds. These are made into jewelry and offered for sale at handsome prices, but nothing wrong with visitors “Mining” their own on a beach walk. Choose from scores of beaches, but we’ll suggest just two: Sunset Beach and Higbee’s Beach, both on the Delaware Bay Side of the penninsula. To reach these beaches, you go into Cape May City and turn right two miles. Parking here at Sunset Beach, you can beachcomb for a mile to the north to Higbee’s beach and a

mile or more southward to Cape

May Point.

Cape May Diamonds vary from pea-size to walnut size, though a half-pounder has been recorded. Some are colorless and resemble real diamonds, others tinted yellow to amber brown. To see rough and polished stones on display, stop at the Cape May Historical Museum in Cape May Court House on your return trip up the Garden State

Parkway.

WOMEN’S REPUBLICAN CLUB A desert card party and Bingo will be held by the Cape May City Women’s Republican Club on Tuesday, January 9th, 1979, at the Victorian Towers at 12:30 pm, announced Mrs. James McShea, Chairman.(8844355) There will be prizes. Those attending are requested to bring cards. Donation $1.50.

L. TWP. TAX ASSOC. Regular meeting Lower Twp. Tax. Assoc, will be held Tues., Jan. 16, 8 P.M. at St. Raymond’s Auditorium, Ocean Ave. & Bayshore Rd., Villas. “All Taxpayers Welcome.”

The Poet's Pen There's nothing whatever the matter with me I’m just as healthy as can be Have arthritis in both my knees And when I talk I talk with a wheeze My pulse is weak and my blood is thin But I’m awfully well for the shape I'm in My teeth will eventually have to come out I'm overweight and can't get thin But I'm awfully well for the shape I'm in Arch support I have for my feet Or I wouldn't be able to walk down the street Sleep is denied me every night And every morning I'm a sight My memories' failing, my head’s in a spin I'm practically living on aspirin Old age is golden I've heard it said But-sometimes I wonder as I go to bed My ears in a drawer, my teeth in a cup My eyes on a table till I get up As sleep dims my eyes I say to myself Is there anything else l could put on the shelf? But I'm happy as I close my eyes My friends are the same as in days gone by The moral is as this tale unfolds That it ’s for you and me who are getting old It’s better to say I’m fine with a grin Than to let them know the shape I'm in.

Adopt A Pet 6 month old mixed Doberman/Shepherd, male. 1 year old Irish Setter, female. Also a variety of mixed breed puppies plus many matured animals all looking for loving homes. Put a little happiness in your home. There is nothing more sincere than the wag of a dog’s tail. For further information please call 884-4285 or 368-5468.

FOURMOST