The Hawk Hangout

Every year, there is a huge parade over New Jersey — raptors riding the chill breezes of autumn.

The State Line Lookout in Alpine provides great scenic views of the Hudson, and serves as an ideal vantage point to witness the southern migration of hawks.

There are hawks, thousands of them, migrating south. And one of the best places to catch them in action is State Line Lookout, (www.njpalisades.org/overlooks.htm#State), the observation point high above the Hudson in Alpine.

This annual show draws bird watchers and hobbyists to the Lookout, the highest point on the cliffs of the Palisades. From there, they watch hawks, ospreys, vultures  and eagles soar from the steep tree line and dive into the river, feeding and flirting with the stiff breezes.

There was also a compelling sideshow this past weekend. Jonathan Wood and The Raptor Project, (www.raptorproject.com) a traveling display starring live birds of prey, supplemented the natural migration with a chance to see these magnificent creatures close up. The Mad About Hawks show featured falcons, eagles, hawks and owls. Many of them were injured by hunters and rehabilitated by Wood.

The program was sponsored by the New Jersey section of the Palisade Interstate Park, and attracted several dozen on-lookers. It formed a backdrop to the real show on the side of the cliffs, as serious bird folk pointed out Red Tails, Coopers, and Sharp Shinned varieties of hawk.

Beyond the hawk pageantry, the view of the river north along the Palisades, south to New York Harbor, is one of the most spectacular in the state. In a few weeks, with leaves turning, this will be a prime fall foliage watching location.

The Lookout is an easy turn off the Palisades Interstate Parkway, and well worth the short diversion. Bring your binoculars — and don’t let this parade pass you by.

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