By Susan Matson
A Banner Day!
The weather was bright, blue, and sun-charged for our stroll with binoculars through the trails of Amico Island on October 4. We had the benefit of expert leadership not only from Leona and George Fluck, who know the area like the backs of their hands, but also from 12 friendly Sierrans from throughout Central New Jersey and Eastern Pennsylvania, eager to see what early migration had brought in.
We were not disappointed. Our wonderful list of watchables included not only the usual Burlington County species, such as great blue herons and Carolina wrens, but also two ospreys, a great egret soaring overhead, a little solitary sandpiper, a black-throated green warbler, indigo buntings, and more!
A special treat was a yellow-bellied sapsucker, which stops in New Jersey only when migrating. The yellow-bellied sapsucker has striated markings and drills odd holes that often form rings around tree trunks, making it distinctively different from downies, flickers, red-bellieds, and other wood-whittling species we normally see in our backyards. We all “got on the bird.” Two of our party were highly seasoned birders and even carried scopes, making the sharing all the easier.
It wasn’t all about tallying birds or enjoying a nice hike in great weather. As seasoned nature writer Deborah Hirsch says, “One of the coolest things about being a birder is the language of shared discovery, so that others can find and marvel at the same winged wonder. It is a bond woven not of obligation, but of mutual delight, strengthening our ties beyond the scope of a shared hobby.”
Want to be part of the wonder? Join us for our next birding expedition. The next one at Amico is planned for spring 2026.