I spent a few hours this morning catching up with my good friend Bruce, as we birded the Sourlands Mountain Preserve. Neither of us had been here in years, despite it’s proximity to where we live(d), so it was a good place to mosey through the woods, chatting, and enjoying the typical local breeding species.

We were both impressed by the density of Scarlet Tanagers and Wood Thrushes, but for me, the highlight was great views of a pair of foraging Worm-eating Warblers, a bird that is a true rarity in Maine. I’ll admit that the potential for a Kentucky Warbler was also there, but I have given up on that quest for this visit – not that I would have looked the other way if one popped into view, of course.

Since I am hanging out with old college friends tonight and attending a very good friend’s wedding on Saturday night, I have absolutely no aspirations of being out the door early enough in the next two mornings to fit in any worthwhile birding time (the heat wave, which is of course, even worse down here, certainly limits bird activity (or at least our detection thereof) – and my ability to function - even earlier than normal for mid-July.

Therefore, here’s the final scorecard for this trip:
-State birds: 1 (Wilson’s Storm-Petrel)
-Sandy Hook Patch List Birds: 1 (Wilson’s Storm-Petrel)
-Birds not seen in 1+ year: 4 (Hooded Warbler, Forster’s Tern, Clapper Rail, Black Skimmer)
-“Life” birding locations: 1 (Black River WMA)
-Birding locations not visited in 8++ years: 2 (Jockey Hollow, Sourland Mountain)
-Favored patches: 2 (Duke Island Park, Sandy Hook)
-Italian deli: 1
-Kosher deli: 1
-German deli: 1
-Slices of “real” pizza: 2 (low count)
-Cannolis: 2 (very low count)
-Pork roll, egg, and cheese on a bagel: 1 (record low count)
-Rita’s Water Ice: 1
-Ears of Jersey corn: 6
-Pints of Yeungling: No comment.

Of course I always enjoy visiting friends, family, and birds in Joisey - but my favorite part of visiting the state is LEAVING to go HOME to Maine!

And, I’ll leave you with this iinteresting article on evolution-in-action with “Darwin’s Finches” in the Galapagos Islands. Have a great weekend, and stay cool!