Observation start time: 09:00:00 Observation end time: 17:45:00 Total observation time: 8.75 hours
Official Counter: Jim Thomson
Observers: Al Ambler, Brian Butler, Harry Quinn, Phil Rodriguez
Visitors: Additional observers that did an amazing spotting job today include : Marc Chelemer, Patrick Keelen, Craig Stockert, John Berry, Ted Lurker, Jeff Climpson
Visitor- Daniel Mulleavy- Thanks for the treat
Hikers- 32
Weather: Temps- 41-48 Deg.F Wind- NW@ 7-14mph w/higher gusts Mostly cloudy to start to partly cloudy in early pm to clear blue skies by late afternoon.
A first ever species recorded on Coon today !!! We picked up a bird in front of the hawk watch that had a long neck and was showing a wide triangular shaped fanned out tail. The bird appeared to have wider/broader wings and was soaring almost directly above us for 30-45 seconds. We were all stunned
when we realized that we were looking at an ANHINGA !!!! The bird slowly circled almost directly above us before drifting off to the south. Amazing !!! We also had a very solid raptor flight today. The birds seemed to be taking a much higher line of flight than we would have hoped for but we still managed to get some great looks as the birds moved down ridge. Bald Eagles were all over the sky today and at one point we had 8 Balds in one field of view. ( None of those birds were counted as migrating today ) We also had our first nice push of Redtails and Red shoulders. Also it's always nice to get the falcon trifecta and the Merlins in particular were putting on a nice show. Our Bird of the Day selection goes to the adult Bald Eagle that passed by close to the ridge on the reservoir side below eye level. Watching this majestic eagle soar overtop the stunning fall foliage was just magical ! above us before drifting off to the south after le
Non-raptor Observations: ANHINGA !!!! Red headed Woodpecker- immature Common Loon- 3 Canada geese- many skeins TV's - many Tree swallows Bluejays ======================================================================== Report submitted by Jim Thomson (<hawkinflight...>)
Date: 10/13/26 11:36 am From: Evan Cutler <evancutler...> Subject: [JERSEYBI] Montclair Bird Club program this month: ALL THINGS MERLIN
This Wednesday at 7:30 pm, join the Montclair Bird Club for a special program entitled "Merlin and audio recordings of birds: How Sound ID works and how you can help to improve it." We'll be joined by Blaine Carnes, who is the project coordinator at the Cornell Lab of Ornithology for Merlin Sound ID (US and Canada). The program will cover how the Merlin team at Cornell makes Sound ID, what sorts of mistakes Merlin can make and why, the best ways to use Merlin, and how birders can make and contribute their audio recordings to help Merlin improve over time. We're sure you'll have lots of questions for Blaine. For a Zoom invite, please send an email to <montclairbirdclub1920...> This program is free and open to all. For more info about the Montclair Bird Club, visit us at www.montclairbirdclub.org. Hope to see you there!
Another incredibly fine day of hawking on Coon ! Today featured a big push of Coopers Hawks, the Falcon trifecta, and double digit Bald Eagles! The day started with a thick heavy air mass still hanging over the ridge. Shortly after 10:00am we saw clearing towards the north and west of the watch site which ushered in a cool breeze and clearing skies and that's when the birds started moving. And they didn't stop moving all day long ! We rarely had a couple of minutes of empty sky as there always seemed to be birds being picked up by one of us. The Sharpie show was magnificent. The merlin show was just over the top !! And the Coopers Hawks seemed to just dominate the skies at times !! A glorious day to be up on the ridge ! Our Bird of the Day selection goes to the 12:13 adult Peregrine that came thru carrying a Bluejay !!! We picked this bird out up ridge and noticed a flash of blue.. which turned into a Bluejay being clutched in the bird's talons! The PG moved down ridge over the river giving all of us a great look before circling twice and moving off to find a quieter place to eat lunch !! Incredible !
Non-raptor Observations: TV's- Obvious migration today with over 80 birds seen BV Tree Swallows Buckmoths Monarch- 2 Bluejays Cormorant ======================================================================== Report submitted by Jim Thomson (<hawkinflight...>)
I have just learned that Tom Southerland of Princeton NJ passed away on Oct. 5, 2026. He had been in hospice since the summer. Tom and his wife Margot were both DVOC members, and together they operated Princeton Nature Tours to destinations including Africa, Antarctica and South America since the early 1980s. He had served as a board member for NJ Audubon in the 1980s. Among many birding activities and publications, he taught a beginning birding class at Princeton Adult School for decades. He loved teaching people about birds and seeing their interest blossom into a lifetime of enjoyment. He was a mentor and friend to me, and he will be deeply missed.
When I have a full obituary I will share it.
Tom is survived by his wife Margot, two daughters and their families. There will be a memorial service on November 24 at 4 PM in the Trinity Church in Princeton, NJ.
Observation start time: 09:30:00 Observation end time: 17:30:00 Total observation time: 8 hours
Official Counter: Jim Thomson
Observers: Al Ambler, Brian Butler, Phil Rodriguez, Ted Lurker
Visitors: Denise Thomson and foster doggie "Prospect" Sydney Long- of the Kalter/Long clan from New Hampshire !Our dear friends who are celebrating 51 years of hawking on Coon !!! Love you guys !
Patrick Keelen- Welcome back to Coon after a long absence !!
Visitors Paul & Jake- Welcome to Coon
Hikers- 9
Weather: Temps- 53-67 Deg.F Wind AM- W@3-10mph, PM- WNW@4-10mph Clear Blue Skies all day long
A much quieter day on the ridge than yesterday with tough spotting in the clear blue skies. We did have a number of Sharpies at the owl decoy which is always exciting ! Flight was scattered high and low today with most birds on the river side of the ridge. Our Bird of the Day selection goes to the immature Peregrine that passed by at eye level in tight to the ridge on the river side filling the bins as it passed by !
Non-raptor Observations: Monarch- 14 Buckmoths YR Warbler WB Nuthatch Ravens TV's & BV's 2 Blackbears seen from watch site by Phil and Brian 1 Blackbear seen by JT ON THE HIKE OUT. ======================================================================== Report submitted by Jim Thomson (<hawkinflight...>)
An EPIC afternoon of hawk watching on Coon today !!! It was raining Peregrines !!!! What a flight !! Up until noon we had only counted 22 raptors. And than someone turned on the faucet and the birds came pouring down ridge ! We've had larger afternoon flights in the past but what made this day epic was that the entire flight was either directly over our heads and low or tucked tightly into the ridge on the river side at or below eye level !!! Too many birds at the owl decoy to count ! Almost every Merlin we had today was at the owl ! Also Kestrels, Sharpies, Coops, and a Peregrine came to the decoy !! Many passed by us by mere feet after swooping on the owl !! The Peregrine parade started in the 2:00pm hour and lasted until near 6:00pm. We had 21 peregrines today which was 1 bird short of tying our site record of 22 in a day which happened twice. ( 10/5/2002 & 10/6/2012 ) I stayed up top until 6:15pm hoping to tie or break the record but it wasn't meant to be. Every single Peregrine gave us eye popping views in beautiful light and close to the ridge. Coon at it's finest ! Thanks to Tom Campbell for his help and company in the late pm and sorry that Phil missed the late day action. Our Bird of the Day selection goes to the 4:03 adult peregrine that came in and made a pass at the owl decoy in beautiful light. So close.. no bins required . Tom and I both agreed that it was one of the best afternoons of hawking that we've ever had on Coon !
Non-raptor Observations: TV's & BV's Bluejays WB Nuthatch Ravens Buckmoths Monarch- 5 ======================================================================== Report submitted by Jim Thomson (<hawkinflight...>)
A nice "clean up" day after the wonderful flight we had yesterday. Clear Blue skies made for very difficult spotting conditions. Today featured our first GOLDEN EAGLE of the season !!! We picked up this bird far up ridge and stayed on it for approx. 5 minutes before it finally made it's way to the watch site. It was slightly above eye level and "wing-on" out over the river. As it passed us it turned slighlly to it's left showing off that beautiful golden hackle. Wooo Hooo !!!!! We had great looks today at the few close raptors we had. A point blank adult Red-shoulder that popped up right in front of us was sweet ! A beautiful Gray Ghost over the river. A Redtail dogfighting with a Raven was exciting to watch and a big immature Coop at the owl decoy ! Our Bird of the Day selection is a "no-brainer". The first Golden Eagle of the season will ALWAYS get that honor !
Bobcat- Seen by John Berry on the hike in. John was hiking up the AT and spotted the bobcat on the trail ahead of him heading in the same direction. John followed behind for about a minute before the cat noticed him and moved off the trail. This was John's "lifer" New Jersey bobcat ! ======================================================================== Report submitted by Jim Thomson (<hawkinflight...>)
Days like today make the long, sweaty hikes into Coon all worthwhile. A very solid flight today with many close and incredible looks at raptors. We had approx. 2 dozen raptors ( mostly Sharpies) at the owl decoy !! The partly cloudy skies made for great spotting and the moderate to strong NW winds ( perfect for our ridge) had the birds hurtling down ridge right on top of us at times !! Our falcon flight was one of the best I've had in a number of years with Kestrels leading the charge ! Mostly gorgeous male birds putting on an incredible show. Sharpies just all day long ! A great Bald Eagle flight with a few late afternoon adults at point blank range. Our first solid Coopers hawk flight of the season was a treat .All 6 Peregrines were nice looks. As a matter of fact.. the 2:08 Adult Peregrine is our selection for Bird of the Day. This bird passed close by on the river side and drew a collective "WOW" from the count crew!! Just gorgeous !! Thanks to all for the great spotting efforts on this very memorable day on the ridge !! IT WAS AWESOME !!!!
Non-raptor Observations: Ravens- many TV's- many BV's Monarch- 5 Buckmoths WB Nuthatch YB Sapsucker Red-bellied Woodpecker Porcupine- ( seen by Harry & Bruce on the hike out) ======================================================================== Report submitted by Jim Thomson (<hawkinflight...>)
Observation start time: 09:00:00 Observation end time: 16:30:00 Total observation time: 7.5 hours
Official Counter: Jim Thomson
Observers: Phil Rodriguez
Visitors: University Heights Seventh Day Adventist Church Group- Welcome!!!
Charlene- A.T.Ridge Runner- nice talking to you
Hikers- 54
Weather: Temps- 53-67 Deg.F. Wind- N/NE @ 3-8mph Clear blue skies for most of the day becoming partly cloudy in late afternoon
Raptor Observations: BE- I(1)
Today was one of those quality over quantity types of day. Some beautiful close looks at raptors flying tight to the ridge in the am. A few early Sharpies dogfighting close to the watch site. 5 Bald Eagles seen but not counted putting on a bit of a show. A gorgeous adult local Peregrine hunting along the ridge filling the bins at times. And of course our Bird of the Day selection.. a male Kestrel coming in from a long distance out to take a swipe at the owl decoy in great light !
Non-raptor Observations: Monarch- 1 Black Rat Snake Red-headed Woodpecker- immature Buckmoths- many TV's & BV's Ravens Canada geese Bluejays American Goldfinch Eastern Phoebe
======================================================================== Report submitted by Jim Thomson (<hawkinflight...>)
Observation start time: 09:00:00 Observation end time: 17:00:00 Total observation time: 8 hours
Official Counter: Jim Thomson
Observers: Al Ambler, Tom Campbell
Visitors: Phil Rodriguez with "Meat" stopped by for a couple of hours.
Steve Byrne- Thanks for visiting today and thanks for the spotting help ! John Berry- Great seeing you again Jose' Gomez- Welcome to Coon !!! Glad you had some close birds today! Safe travels and if you are ever back in this part of the world please pay us another visit!
Hikers-8
Weather: Temps-56-67 Deg.F. Wind- NW@3-8mph Heavy cloud cover in am to partly cloudy at noon and back to heavy cloud cover by late afternoon.
A fun day on the ridge with just enough action to keep things interesting. Our 3 Peregrines were high overhead and moving quickly down ridge. We counted 7 Bald Eagles with numerous other Bald Eagles seen but not counted as migrating. A few close Merlins were great but our Bird of the Day selection goes to the Sharpie that came in to the owl decoy. This feisty little hawk circled the decoy closely 3 times and than started
heading down ridge before deciding it needed to take one more pass at the owl just to be sure the owl knew who was boss !!
Non-raptor Observations: Monarch- 4 TV's Ravens- many One flock of 22 Cormorants Red-bellied Woodpecker Northern Flickers Bluejays- many ======================================================================== Report submitted by Jim Thomson (<hawkinflight...>)
First things first... a correction to my previous post concerning our Broadwing numbers this season. I discovered that I had a "senior moment" when tallying our birds. We DID NOT hit the 10k mark ! We are currently at 9970 Broadwings. I thought we were just over 10k.. turns out we are just under. Apologies for the error !! Still a great number for us and still our best count since 2011 and who knows ... maybe we'll pick up a few stragglers. Now for today's mess !! LOL ! I really don't like NE winds for our ridge as I've never had a good flight on those winds and the birds are scattered all over the place. Not a good thing when I'm the only set of eyes up there. Having said that I did have a few close birds. A Sharpie and a beautiful male Kestrel both paid the owl decoy a visit. Also a curious Raven flew 4 tight circles around the decoy before heading off to join it's buddies. My Bird of the Day selection goes to the immature Bald Eagle that popped up from the river valley right near the watch site. It kited in the strong wind looking like an oversized Redtail. Wonderful looks at this gorgeous youngster before it headed down ridge.
Non-raptor Observations: Large flock of Turkeys on the hike in Bluejays- 75+ Ravens and TV'S flying up and down the ridge all day long Cedar Waxwings ======================================================================== Report submitted by Jim Thomson (<hawkinflight...>)
A real fall like feel on the ridge today which felt great ! The NE winds had our flight very high and scattered. A much quieter day of migration than our previous few days. However... our Broadwing count for today put us over 10,000 Broadwings for the season !!!!! Woo Hooo !!! A real milestone for our site ! The last time we surpassed the 10k mark was back in 2011 ( 14,106 BW's ) My thanks to everyone who spent time observing and spotting ! Our pick for Bird of the Day goes to Broadwing # 41 which put us at 10,000 !!!
Non-raptor Observations: Monarch- 8 Bluejays- ( numbers increasing ) TV's Ravens ======================================================================== Report submitted by Jim Thomson (<hawkinflight...>)
Big thanks to Phil Rodriguez for hiking in and getting us some coverage for the afternoon. Rain subsided mid-morning and with the clearing skies we felt birds would be on the move. Phil had some migration in the first couple of hours but the activity shut down after 2pm. The Bird of the Day goes to the lone Osprey moving down ridge in clearing skies giving a nice look.
Non-raptor Observations:
======================================================================== Report submitted by Jim Thomson (<hawkinflight...>)
Observation start time: 08:45:00 Observation end time: 18:00:00 Total observation time: 9.25 hours
Official Counter: Jim Thomson
Observers: Matt Jardel, Phil Rodriguez, Ted Lurker
Visitors: Matt Jardel - So great having you up top today Matt !!!! Crazy cool that you got to witness today's flight !
Hikers- 7
Weather: Temps- 58-67 Deg.F Wind N/NE @ 5-10mph ( stronger gusts in AM ) Fogged in until 9:45am than partly cloudy to mostly cloudy in pm back to partly cloudy later in the afternoon.
Raptor Observations: BE-7 ( 6A, 1I) PG- 1:05Unaged Just an incredible late afternoon of Broadwing action on Coon !!! Our day started slow for migration and than got a bit frustrating as we had picked up 3 or 4 huge kettles of Broadwings swirling well to the south of the watch site. These birds were just beyond the capabilities of our optics and disappeared into the clouds without being counted. As we got into the afternoon hours the flight line started to shift in our favor and we were picking up small kettles of BW's on the reservoir side of the watch. By 4pm we had tallied 1212 Broadwings... and than all hell broke loose !!!! We were spotting big
kettles directly up ridge and on the river side. The kettles combined and we had a huge "wall" of broad wings streaming down upon us !! 3-4 fields of view high and thick with birds !! We had birds stretching back for as far as we could see. I was in the bins for over an hour straight just trying to count huge wave after wave of Broadwings !! Phil and Matt yelling instructions as the birds came on. "High stream 3 glasses up !! " Low stream just below horizon ! " We were giddy at times !!! It was the most intense and enjoyable 2 hours of Broadwing migration that we have ever experienced ! I'll never forget it !! 3845 BW's passed in one hour and 45 minutes. The last group passed over us low at treetop level at 5:45pm Huge thanks to Phil Rodriguez and Matt Jardel for their awesome spotting efforts today. Ted.. we really felt bad that you missed this late day action. Our Bird of the Day selection goes to Broadwing# 5057 for bringing it all home for us today ! I'm still pumped !!!!
Non-raptor Observations: Monarch- 7 Red headed woodpecker- adult Bluejays TV's & BV's ======================================================================== Report submitted by Jim Thomson (<hawkinflight...>)
