Our favorite Hawk Watch is the Scott’s Mountain version. With classy and kind raptor veterans like Henry, Paul, Rich among others, the Scott’s Mountain variety makes new comers welcome. The Merrill creek reservoir gives other distractions and the birds funnel through in an easy to view fashion. This Bald Eagle was a local and spun around a few times for our viewing pleasure.
This is another bird who’s call you hear and don’t forget. This Belted Kingfisher was sitting dead center in a pond in town when he decided to move to a tree right next to me so I could get a better look.
The second time we had seen the American Bittern in a three day period in just about the same place. He was perched right along the road as you approach the Gull pond Tower. The “Big Sit” was taking place there and we tried to point the Bittern out to no avail as he went back to doing his best stick/reed impression. Hope the “Sit” went well!
Only the second place we had seen a Hooded Warbler (multiple times @ Kay Environmental Center), this male wasn’t flighty and allowed us to stare at his “Hood” and adore. My second favorite Warbler! (Of course the Canada is first!)
This little guy, a Chestnut-Sided Warbler, was most accommodating as he foraged feverishly in the trees at a great warbler spot, Garret Mountain. As this was our first Fall with Warblers my first encounter with this bird left me unsure. What a difference a few seasons make in the birds plumage! 🙂
Jeanette’s “Favorite Bird of all time,” we saw the Roseate Spoonbill for the third time this summer. This was the closest we had been and we got some great shots. I was able to get out of the car, site on the hood and just watch. He just might be a favorite of mine too.
We got our first look at the swallows that inhabit the Cape May meadows at this time of year. They move around in large corkscrews (thousands of birds) and go from bush to bush weighing down their branches with their combined girth. A site to see for sure. And I hear the flock number get larger in the fall!
A Clay-colored Sparrow was my 200th Life bird and 198th Jersey Bird for the Year. Thanks to Leslie and Harvey for their help and companionship! I am sure we will see you again.
