Watching for Hawks

When I was a child, I did not look forward to Labor Day. September in general and Labor Day in particular meant returning to school. This started to change when I went to college. I enjoyed being away from home.

Now that I am an adult, especially one who works from home, I understand how my parents must've felt when it was time to send me back to school. I am greatly looking forward to having children safely elsewhere during the day and then inside doing homework as the evening comes on.

I only regret the usual Thursday after Labor Day this year is the Jewish holiday Rosh Hashana, new year's, and the children will have a few extra days of liberty before school starts the following Monday.

Still, this Labor Day weekend is the "new year" in another sense, too. It is when New Jersey's many autumnal hawk watches are open for "business."

Certain areas have just the right conditions for eagles, osprey, the various types of buteos and accipiters and falcons heading south to their winter homes. On a sunny day, warm air rises from ridges and mountain tops, keeping birds aloft. So some of New Jersey's hawk watches are on or near quarries on or near one of the two Watchung Mountains or the Kittanny Ridge.

Add a north wind providing a push from behind and you can have a parade of these southbound big birds.

Different birds fly south at different times over the next two months - this is as true for little warblers as it is for bald eagles - which is why there are counters working every day and visitors most weekends. New Jersey, for such a crowded state, has a lot of hills, mountains and ridges. It also has a lot of hawk watches. Some require long, challenging climbs - I've heard that about the Blairstown hawk watch  known as Racoon Ridge - while some, like the Chimney Rock hawk watch in Martinsville, requires just a short walk. 

Having decided after my last mountain climb that those days are behind me (despite the unique access being on a high peak brings you to the raptors), my hawk watch of choice is the one atop Scott's Mountain, near the Merrill Creek reservoir in Harmony Township (Warren County). All you have to do is drive up, park and take out your folding chair. A lot of regulars visit, and the whole thing is run by volunteers coordinated by the indefatigable Henry Kielblock.

Other birds will be migrating too, of course. If you keep your eyes open, once you get the kids off to school, you'll be amazed by what you see.