I very rarely holiday in the same place twice but Cape May has lived fondly in my memory since 1999 and a return visit had to be made with camera this time. The last two weeks of September would, I hoped, yield the best of wader, warbler and raptor migration. The 2009 visit was very different in bird numbers with no major fall of birds caused by persistent westerly winds so it was down to getting around and visiting local sites, speaking to other birders etc. Hopefully my photographs display what can be seen in the area even during a comparatively poor year. I also failed to photograph many other species which were present such as Northern Cardinal, several warblers etc etc so the gallery is by no means comprehensive - maybe reason for a third visit!!
One disconcerting drop in numbers was the American Kestrel. In 1999 more than a 1000 passed the Hawk Watch in one day, in the two week visit I saw only 6! Hopefully they were migrating mid country.
With full time expert birders available every morning at the Higbee platform for assistance in warbler id etc and then at the Hawkwatch for the rest of the day there is plenty support in identifying those difficult 1st winter and moulting birds (I certainly needed them).
Whether a serious birder, or on a family holiday Cape May is a superb birding destination.