Chris Takacs writes:

Took this one about 6 p.m. on Monday on Kingsland Landfill from Disposal Road. One of 4 birds I saw and heard Monday. (Thanks, Chris!)

Don Torino, who leads the "Birding for Beginners" classes for Bergen County Audubon Society and the N.J. Meadowlands Commission, has a new post on the subject for wildnewjersey.tv.

"From time to time with whatever we do in life, we need to reinvigorate
ourselves. It's easy to feel a little world-weary or to take things for granted
at times.

As veteran birders, we tend to search more for the infrequent visitor and look past some of the birds we have learned to love over the years. We allow the beautiful azure of the Blue Jay or the wonderful trills of the Song Sparrow go by without a second look.

"But I have a surefire way to bring back the same feeling of excitement and discovery that you felt on your very first day of birding.

"The answer is not in a new book, on a webpage, in a trial bottle, or a new supplement that you can buy on late night TV for $19.95. The answer is simple – introduce someone new to birding." …

The link is here.

Spent a chilly couple of hours on the Hackensack River earlier this week, and saw Osprey on their nests in both Kearny (below) and Jersey City — confirming that all three established nests in the Meadowlands are occupied so far this spring.

We also saw two first-year Osprey nests. Due to their location and the newness of the nest, we are not that confident that they will succeed in 2012, but one never knows.

In addition, we saw a brand-new, occupied Red-tailed Hawk nest just north of River Barge Park.

Along the way, from River Barge Park to the southern end of the district on the river, we also an adult Bald Eagle, a juvenile Bald Eagle (above the docks at River Barge Park), a perched Peregrine Falcon and Forster's Terns. A nice preview of NJMC's pontoon boat rides later this spring.