| May Lee |
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Viewing Migratory Birds on the Delaware Bay
Some seabirds on their way back to the breeding ground in the northern America, stop over the Delaware Bay to
feed on the abundant fish in late March and April. When we heard that the Gannets are back in the Bay now from
Cape May's birding expert, we decided to make a trip to Cape May. In the 2005 Newfoundland trip, twice I visited the
Cape St. Mary's Ecological Reserve, only once was the Gannets on bird rock were visited, through the thick fog. The
second time the fog was so discouraging that we did not leave the parking lot. Thousands of gannets crowded on
the cliff 300 feet off the sea, nesting with their young. They hit their beaks to each other as greeting ritual. These
memories are still fresh in mind. So when they are announced in Delaware Bay,
we got to go see them. From an article describing how gannets followed the ferry and fished in the wake, we
decided to be the walk on passenger and take a round trip, which does not need a 24hr reservation. I first hoped to
see them from the shore, but that was unsuccessful. So on this sunny April 2nd, we boarded the Cape May Lewes
Ferry. Not long after we pulled off the harbor, This is what we saw:
feed on the abundant fish in late March and April. When we heard that the Gannets are back in the Bay now from
Cape May's birding expert, we decided to make a trip to Cape May. In the 2005 Newfoundland trip, twice I visited the
Cape St. Mary's Ecological Reserve, only once was the Gannets on bird rock were visited, through the thick fog. The
second time the fog was so discouraging that we did not leave the parking lot. Thousands of gannets crowded on
the cliff 300 feet off the sea, nesting with their young. They hit their beaks to each other as greeting ritual. These
memories are still fresh in mind. So when they are announced in Delaware Bay,
we got to go see them. From an article describing how gannets followed the ferry and fished in the wake, we
decided to be the walk on passenger and take a round trip, which does not need a 24hr reservation. I first hoped to
see them from the shore, but that was unsuccessful. So on this sunny April 2nd, we boarded the Cape May Lewes
Ferry. Not long after we pulled off the harbor, This is what we saw:
Gannets followed the
Ferry looking for fish in
the wake.
Ferry looking for fish in
the wake.
They follow the ferry
on the left side of the
ferry and make a U
turn to fly away and
start from about 300
meter away again.
on the left side of the
ferry and make a U
turn to fly away and
start from about 300
meter away again.
Now I realize that this
fly pattern allows them
to see the fish better,
in the same direction
as the sun, but with
minimum surface
reflection
fly pattern allows them
to see the fish better,
in the same direction
as the sun, but with
minimum surface
reflection
They line up almost
like the jets line up to
land in Newark airport.
Occasional spotting of
fish, Gannets dive
head in vertically into
water with the half
folded quivering wings,
as if to accelerate onto
the target.
Often other birds will
follow suit and dive
down, hoping there will
be a school of fish
enough for all.
like the jets line up to
land in Newark airport.
Occasional spotting of
fish, Gannets dive
head in vertically into
water with the half
folded quivering wings,
as if to accelerate onto
the target.
Often other birds will
follow suit and dive
down, hoping there will
be a school of fish
enough for all.
This Gannet caught his
trophy fish, which was
at least 5-6" wide over
a foot long. It will take
quite a strong beak to
hold on to it.
trophy fish, which was
at least 5-6" wide over
a foot long. It will take
quite a strong beak to
hold on to it.
The Gannets disappeared after half way through the bay. Perhaps it is not worth their going back wards that far with
the ferry, Also possible is that there's another Ferry going toward Cap May Ferry Harbor.
the ferry, Also possible is that there's another Ferry going toward Cap May Ferry Harbor.
One of the Gannets has
a dark upper beak and
was not found in other.
a dark upper beak and
was not found in other.