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William D. McDowell Observatory Opening Early on Wednesday (Oct. 16) to View A3 Comet, Weather Permitting

Weather permitting, the William D. McDowell Observatory will open at 6:30 p.m. on Wednesday, Oct. 16, for A3 Comet viewing. The comet will be visible from approximately 6:45 p.m. to 7:15 pm. Regular public viewing will then continue until 10 p.m.

The rare, once-in-a-lifetime comet is visible once every 80,000 years. Bring binoculars if you have them.

Please call 201-460-4001 on Wednesday for weather-related updates.

Reminder: BCAS Losen Slote Creek Park Walk Is Tomorrow (Wednesday, Oct. 16!)

Join the Bergen County Audubon Society as they lead a walk through one of the last remaining low-lying woodlands in the Meadowlands. The trail may be muddy; boots are highly recommended. The walk goes from 10 am to noon.

Losen Slote Creek Park is located in Little Ferry. Park in the lot adjacent to the soccer field on Mehrhof Road.

Contact: Don Torino at 201-230-4983.

BCAS Losen Slote Creek Park Walk Is Next Wednesday, Oct. 16!

Join the Bergen County Audubon Society as they lead a walk through one of the last remaining low-lying woodlands in the Meadowlands. The trail may be muddy; boots are highly recommended. The walk goes from 10 am to noon.

Losen Slote Creek Park is located in Little Ferry. Park in the lot adjacent to the soccer field on Mehrhof Road.

Contact: Don Torino at 201-230-4983.

October Is Monarch Butterflies Month – Here’s Why

October is Monarch Butterflies Month in New Jersey, thanks to the laudable efforts of a Mountain Lakes teenager. As reported in northjersey.com, Elizabeth Gillen, 17, has been fighting the good fight since 2020 for the important species in decline. During the pandemic, Gillen and her friends distributed milkweed seeds throughout the State. Milkweed is the only plant on which Monarch Butterflies will lay eggs.

She received her Girl Scout Gold Award for her work in helping monarchs, and establing Monarch Butterflies Month. Kudos to Elizabeth Gillen! Read the full story here

Meadowlands Birding Festival A Great Day for Everyone!

Thank you to the 600 people who joined the New Jersey Sports and Exposition Authority and the Bergen County Audubon Society at the Meadowlands Birding Festival at DeKorte Park this past Sunday, Oct. 7!

Visitors were treated to guided bird walks, an incredible live raptor show and the NJSEA Meadowlands Research and Restoration Institute giving hands-on demonstrations on building an artificial floating island. The islands are filled with plants and create important habitats for birds, fish and pollinators.

In addition, the day featured talks on Ethical Photography, Peregrine Falcons and Rusty Blackbirds.

We Created a Birding Festival Gallery Below. Enjoy!

The birds were out in full force to enjoy their special day!
Great Egrets enjoy their special day
Tilly the Eastern Screech Owl
Raptor Show – Red-tailed Hawk
MRRI staff talk about Floating Islands
MRRI staff talk about Floating Islands
MRRI staff give an overview of Floating Islands
Bergen County Audubon Society President Don Torino Explains How People Can Create Wildlife Habitats In Their Backyards

Don Torino celebrated his birthday at the Birding Festival

Meadowlands Birding Festival This Sunday, Oct. 6, at DeKorte Park!

Join the New Jersey Sports and Exposition Authority (NJSEA) and the Bergen County Audubon Society for the annual Meadowlands Birding Festival at DeKorte Park and the Meadowlands Environment Center in Lyndhurst.

The family-friendly event includes walks, talks, live raptor shows and kid’s activities. In addition, there is a program on Ethical Bird Photography and a Birdability event to accommodate, include and celebrate all people. 

Guest speaker Rachel McGovern of the Conserve Wildlife Federation of New Jersey will present a talk on “Peregrine Falcons-Flying High in New Jersey.”

DeKorte Park and the Meadowlands Environment Center are located at 2 DeKorte Park Plaza, Lyndhurst.

The event runs from 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. with a 7 a.m. early bird walk and opportunity to view bird banding at Harrier Meadow, located off Disposal Road in North Arlington.

For more information, contact Don Torino of the Bergen County Audubon Society at greatauk4@gmail.com or 201-230-4983; or the NJSEA at info@njsea.com or 201-460-1700.