Things have been pretty slow for me since I returned from my western peregrinations. However, migration is finally starting to get underway. I saw a male Blue-winged Warbler at the local park the other day, never seen one there before!! Been to Jones Beach, like my dear friend Birderbf. Also found the fallen-out Black Terns, and a bunch of fledgling Least Terns. Saw my first Whimbrel too!! I've been looking at sandpipers closely, but sadly I cannot find the reported Baird's and Buff-breasted. As I was leaving Jones, I noticed an American Crow being harried by a small, crossbow-shaped bird. A bird which moved like a bullet, the Sun flashing on his gray-blue wings. That's right folks, the falls first Merlin!! He looked liek a young male, as he was brownish, but had a hint of blue. After he saw the crowing corvid off, he lit in a snag near the dunes, less then 20 feet from me, alulas still out on his wings. I watched him for about a minute (trying to ignore the mosquitoes eating me alive) before he dashed off and disappeared into the sunset (seriously, I was blinded thru my binocs!) School begins tomorrow, but thankfully it is not a full day, and I get last year's Year Book!!