The past week I’ve hiked up the high trail in Inwood Hill Park that leads up and under the Henry Hudson Bridge. From this high vantage point, observers can get great views of Spuyten Duyvil, the Hudson River, and the New Jersey Palisades. The high trail also affords good views of herons and raptors.
I had climbed the trail because raptor season is beginning, and I’ve spotted several hawks, Bald Eagles, and Ospreys. But the attraction lately has been to watch the herons.
In season, Great Blue Herons frequent the tops of the trees at the Spuyten Duyvil peninsula. Regular birdwatchers will share how many herons they have spotted in these trees. I saw three of them on one of my walks, a modest number compared to other reports.
From the trail one morning, I could see a lone Great Blue Heron near the entrance of the Salt Marsh (featured image) bracing itself against the tide in search of fish.
Great Egrets may also be spotted from this high vantage point. On the morning of August 24, 2024, I saw a Great Egret fishing in the waters below the heron perch. A Metro-North train rolled by. I try to never miss an opportunity to take pictures of herons with passing trains.
A Juvenile Black-crowned Night Heron at the Salt Marsh
Last summer, a pair of juvenile Black-crowned Night Herons explored the Salt Marsh around this time (post from last year), and I had been missing them. Recently, though, one juvenile showed up. I’ve mainly seen it on the kayak/canoe launch, sometimes in company with the usual herons, ducks, and gulls.
This morning, I spotted the juvenile vigorously fishing near low tide, and I am happy to report that it caught some little fish.
After fishing, it joined the Great Egret on the dock for cleaning and preening time.
Late August Sightings
The juvenile Black-crowned Night Heron wasn’t the only juvenile bird spotted this week. See the August sightings page for more.
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Birds of Inwood 
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