Migrants are definitely on their way, I’m sending them along (yup, still down here in NJ) Yesterday around the neighborhood around here a smattering of migrants (Palm Warblers, Yellow-rumped Warblers, White-throated Sparrows, Dark-eyed Juncos, Hermit Thrushes, and Ruby-crowned Kinglets) was evidence of a good overnight flight.

I expected a good flight last night, but it wasn’t too busy on this morning’s visit to Duke Island Park. A few more Palm and Yellow-rumped Warblers were around, Barn Swallows have arrived, and there was a scattering of White-throated Sparrows. We also had one Winter Wren, a single Pine Warbler, and a pair of Wood Ducks calling from the top of a huge, riverside Sycamore. And, the park’s riparian Bluebells are just beginning to blossom.

Yesterday, Jeannette and I managed to sneak out for a few hours of hawkwatching. We headed over to the venerable Montclair Hawkwatch, one of the longest-running hawkwatches in the country. I spent quite a bit of time there when I lived in NJ, so it is always good to get back.

Yes, the hawkwatching is great, but the people are even better! It was good to see my old friend Steve, Montclair regular Rich, and to meet the new official counter, Alex. But, first and foremost we just had to visit Elsa! Elsa is Montclair’s “Coordinator.” However, to most people Elsa – and her husband Wayne – ARE The Montclair Hawkwatch. Elsa and Wayne are two of the nicest people you’ll ever meet, and they have dedicated countless years of service to the Montclair Hawkwatch, Montclair Bird Club, and New Jersey Audubon.

We actually ran into Elsa before we got to the count site, as she was in town picking up a sandwich for the hawkcounter. Jeannette and I were packing in as many real deli sandwiches as possible before heading back to Maine - sorry the “Real Italian” does not cut it if you grew up in NY/NJ delis! The tight space of a crowded deli was not conducive to one of Elsa’s famous hugs, so we had to make due with a half-hug until we were all up on the hillside.

A light south/southeast breeze should have produced a good flight, but it was slower than expected. The birds we did see however were very, very high. In the 3 ½ hours that we were present, 35 migrant raptors were tallied. A few, such as a male Sharp-shinned Hawk were low, but most, like the 9 Broad-winged Hawks, passed overhead at insane altitudes. With light winds, warm air, and few clouds, we knew birds were passing overhead, undetected.

This was later proven as about 50 raptors were spotted in the hour AFTER we left – likely birds that were coming lower as the thermals waned, and were now within the limits of conjecture. Figures. But, our excuse to take the afternoon off and spot some birds was to combine it with a visit to the Wild Bird Center of West Caldwell. We wanted to say hello to our friend Phoebe (yes, that’s her name, how convenient, ey?), who owns the store (it’s the one that Tony Soprano bought is cracked corn for his ducks – and to hide money in - from by the way), and visiting other stores is a good way to learn about new products, ideas for displays, and of course, gossip. But, did they HAVE to get a late day falcon flight while we were stuck in traffic on Bloomfield Avenue???