A Great (Wet) Sunday Walk

IMG_9550 We had an enjoyable Sunday guided walk, with a Black Skimmer on the highlight reel for maybe half of the participants. IMG_9558

We also had great views of an energetic Marsh Wren, one of the 37 species seen on the walk.

The walk was sponsored by the N.J. Meadowlands Commission and Bergen Audubon.

Thanks to all who participated, including the two young birders who helped us hone our observation skills, and the other young birder who liked to splash in the puddles and who reminded some of us how much fun it is to be a kid.

Full list and pic of exuberant Marsh Wren follow.  (Also thanks to Julie McCall and Denise Farrell for the list!)


DeKorte Park Guided Walk, Lyndhurst, N.J.
July 3, 2011, 10 a.m. to 12:15 p.m.
15 participants, 37 species

Mallard IMG_4932-1
Gadwall
American Black Duck
Canada Goose
Mute Swan
Double-crested Cormorant
Great Egret
Snowy Egret
Great Blue Heron
Black-crowned Night-heron
Greater Yellowlegs
Killdeer
Peep sp.
Black Skimmer
Forster's Tern
Herring Gull
Ring-billed Gull
Barn Swallow
Tree Sparrow
Mourning Dove
Marsh Wren
Eastern Kingbird
Gray Catbird
American Robin
Cedar Waxwing
Northern Cardinal
Warbling Vireo
Common Yellowthroat
Yellow Warbler
Common Grackle
Red-winged Blackbird
Brown-headed Cowbird
Oriole sp.
Song Sparrow
American Goldfinch
European Starling
House Sparrow

4 thoughts on “A Great (Wet) Sunday Walk

  1. Mike G.

    Thanks for the list, Julie and Denise.
    This is just a wild guess, but could the [i]Peep sp.[/i] be a juvenile spotted sandpiper? They nest all around DeKorte and there are still a bunch of fledglings around the area.
    And an Orchard Oriole pair recently fledged their chicks down at the Carillon. Maybe these could account for the [i]Oriole sp.[/i] seen on the walk??
    These are just guesses, of course. 🙂

    Reply
  2. julie mccall

    Mike, it’s anyone’s guess with regard to both birds.
    The oriole was not far where an orchard’s have been seen lingering on the overlook path, but also right across from where baltimores frequently hang out. The looks were too brief and fleeting, and behind shrubs, before the bird flew off out of sight.
    The peep (with “peep” usually denoting either least, semipalmated, or western sandpipers) was along the marsh trail and popped out from behind some phrags. It was seen for about two seconds as it flew. And heard for less than that. Another peep was seen in flight also at a distance. I can’t say that either wasn’t a spotted, but definitely can’t say they were. 🙂
    Sometimes, we just never know. 🙂

    Reply
  3. Debbie C.

    Darn, sorry I missed the black skimmer, but the marsh wren was a life bird for me too, and was fun to see that one.

    Reply

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