While my social media feeds are awash in warblers, I have been waiting to see them in my neck of the woods. I went to the Mercer Meadows Pole Farm today with high hopes to spot one.
My friend Andy caught up with me shortly after I arrived, and — to relieve you of the suspense — I’ll say right now that we did not see or hear or any warblers. But it was a fine day nonetheless.
I was greeted by an Eastern meadowlark singing from the top of a tree just up from the Cold Soil Road parking lot. The sun was spotlighting the bird, and I was delighted to get clear shots (one tops the post) through the branches, which are beginning to leaf out.
Eastern bluebirds were nearby, and I was pleased to get a couple of clear looks at them.
Andy and I staked out a couple of bird boxes that tree swallows call home, and we hoped to capture the iridescent beauties in flight. Andy got a nice one, and I got the fair one below.
We saw a pair of American kestrels on a bird box far across one of the fields, and Andy used his long Nikon 700mm prime lens to get some decent shots, no doubt. I need to be some yards closer before I can get a shot I’m proud to post here.
I spotted a blue-gray gnatcher in a tree near the old AT&T Building One site. The bird was too quick for my shutter finger, but I was still charmed to see it, my first of the year.
White-throated sparrows are still around, and I was fortunate to spot one just after the gnatcatcher flew off.
As we were on our way back down the trail, some passing birders spotted a brown thrasher on the ground. I was happy to get the one sharp shot I got.
All in all, it was a fine outing.
The Jersey Birder 