I am pleased to announce that Allendale’s Red-shouldered Hawks raised three more fledglings this year.

By popular demand, the fledglings are named Sheila, Jack and Lillian, after three legendary longtime local luminaries.

I am told that two of next spring’s young will be named Hans and Dora, after two more local legends.

The proud raptor parents (or their cohorts) have nested in Allendale for more than two decades. Red-shouldered Hawks, the more-handsome cousins of Red-tailed Hawk, are considered endangered in New Jersey when nesting. We are lucky to have them in Allendale.

If Allendale someday chooses to have an official borough bird, my vote’s for these beautiful buteos.

(That’s Mom on the right in the photo.)