V21 N41

Bird Droppings
Dispatches from the nation’s birdwatching capital… by Seymore Thanu
It’s called a “Hawk Watch” platform, but
that elevated wooden structure is much
more. Those in attendance are equal
opportunity observers. Anything with
feathers and a few things without are
grist for our mill. Snapping turtles, Southern
Gray Tree Frogs, Green Darner dragonflies. If
it’s within binocular range, it has our interest.
Take today, bluebird conditions and SSW
winds, hardly hawk watching conditions.
But there is always something to appreciate.
Today it was scores of Tree Swallows cutting
cookie-cutter patterns over the platform.
There were Monarch butterflies, White Ibis,
and a White crowned Sparrow.
Hawks, yes, a few. Lots of Cooper’s
Hawks, a few harriers, Red-tailed and Redshouldered
Hawks and a late Osprey and
later Broad-winged Hawk. The showstopper
was the multiple flocks or “kettles,” of Turkey
Vultures, swirling in thermals, rising aloft.
Not necessarily attractive up close, but at a
distance, vultures are the picture of grace and
aerial finesse. “It’s like Zen,” one newcomer to
the hawk watch assessed. And it is. The flight
of vultures is mesmerizing, soothing. The
opposite of haste and hurry.
From now until early December, vultures
can be counted upon to enliven the skies.
In their wheeling ranks, you will find burley
Red-tailed Hawks, elegant Red-shouldereds
and the odd eagle or two, all drawn to the rising
bubble of air the vultures seek.
Vultures are bellwethers. You find vul-
tures, you find hawks. Out on Bunker Pond,
the ranks of migrating ducks are filling nicely.
Gadwall, in their tasteful gray attire, tends
to hug the northern shore. Elegant Pintails
cluster mid-pond, Green-winged Teal hug
the shores. Wigeon and Mallards space
themselves out. While most observers gush
about the colors of waterfowl, the mix of duck
sounds is equally gratifying.
Mallards quack. Gadwall’s quack is muffled.
Teal squeal. Shovelers snort and wigeon
whistle, a comical two-note toot. Eurasian
Wigeon emits a held single note. Canada
Geese? Well, you guess. The great thing about
November are the numbers of real live wild
Canada’s that come to town. Arriving in classic
echelon formation the birds breast the
water with a whoop and a whoosh.
I love the spectacle of November migrants.
Bring binoculars and dress warmly. A northeast
wind is best. Migrating seabirds like a tail
wind. For daily, real-time count numbers go
to njaudubon.org and click on “Watches.” It’s
the next best thing to being there.
November 16, 2023 EXIT ZERO Page 31