FreeLists / va-bird / [va-bird] Fun time at Cape May and Lewes Ferry! Oct/28-30th

[Ntrlst1@xxxxxxx]

Joined up with a "Reserved" bird walk unknowingly.  But got several  Savannah 
and one Vesper sparrow out of it anyway.  This was near the Rhea  farm.  Also 
saw several hawks
and 6 Eastern Meadowlarks.  Couldn't really count the Nashville  warbler 
(boo-hoo!).
Not a good enough look for my list.
 
Several people had seen a Lincoln's sparrow at the sparrow feeding area  
under the platform.
 
The ferry on the way to Cape May had one Brown Pelican on October 28. one  
mile out on the rocks.
 
On the way back to Lewes, saw six white very fast low-flying  ducks over the 
water.  Maybe Greater Scaups?  Anyone know any  good birding books or web 
sites that discuss bird formation profiles and flight  patterns for identifying 
flocks in flight?
 
Saw 3 Gannets folding their wings to dive for fish 1/2 way back from Cape  
May to Lewes.
 
But was especially surprised and pleased to have a fellow birder  point out, 
not an osprey, but a Peregrine Falcon sitting on a nest,  approximately 3/4 
mile out from Lewes while coming in to port.  The  nest sat almost at the top 
of 
 a red-lighted beacon on top of those  huge gravel blocks that limit water 
movement near port.  Anyone know more  about this bird?  Is he or she actually 
nesting there?  Or is that  just an old osprey nest to temporarily sit on 'til 
he/she passes on?
 
Good trip!