Daily Archives: August 31, 2015

Banded Sandpipers Spotted

Tagged Semipalmated SandpiperLast week Ray Duffy spotted two banded Semipalmated Sandpipers in DeKorte Park’s Shorebird Pool where the Transco Trail meets the New Jersey Turnpike. The sandpiper photographed by Ray was banded on May 17, 2013, near Heislerville in Cumberland County. The second bird was banded on May 20, 2013, in Fortescue in Cumberland County.  Both sandpipers are believed to have been hatched in 2012 or earlier.

Thanks to Ray for the info and photo!

A Hawk’s Happy Ending

Red-tailed hawk. Photo by Jeri KratinaGreat story in The Record today about a badly injured red-tailed hawk found in a Clifton parking lot last year that was treated at the Raptor Trust and identified by its band at Garrett Mountain Reservation in Woodland Park earlier this month. The detailed article tells the bird’s story, and that of the good samaritans who saved and redisovered it. In addition, the story gives a brief history of the Raptor Trust, which has treated more than 90,000 injured birds of various species since it was founded in 1982. Check out the story here.

Photo by Jeri Kratina

Experience the Meadowlands in September

snowy egret Mill Creek

Snowy Egret, Mill Creek

The NJSEA has plenty of events in September, including guided nature walks with the Bergen County Audubon Society, the final month of our pontoon boat tours and stargazing at the William D. McDowell Observatory.

Next month’s free nature walks are Sunday, Sept. 6, at Mill Creek Marsh in Secaucus and Tuesday, Sept. 15, at Harrier Meadow in North Arlington, normally closed to the public. Both walks are from 10 am to noon.

The William D. McDowell Observatory is open every Wednesday in September from 8 to 10 p.m.for free public viewing nights. In addition, the Observatory will be open from 7:30 pm Sunday, Sept. 27, to 1:30 a.m Monday, Sept. 28, so the public can view a Total Lunar Eclipse.

The peak of the eclipse, when the Earth is positioned completely between the Full Moon and the Sun, will take place at approximately 10:45 pm. The event will include a talk on the history of eclipses and telescope viewing of other astronomical objects, including Saturn and Neptune.

There’s still time to get in a pontoon boat ride along the Hackensack River before the season ends in late September. These great rides offer a whole new perspective of the Meadowlands’ amazing natural beauty and wildlife. For times and registration information click here.

See you in September!