We took this shot of a drag race between a Redtail and a jumbo jet earlier this month in North Arlington…
Monthly Archives: March 2009
APRIL WALK OF THE MONTH: Harrier Meadow
On Friday, April 3, five days after the free Birding for Beginners Course at DeKorte, NJMC naturalists are leading a free, 90-minute bird walk likely to include an influx of migrating waterfowl, sparrows and maybe some early shorebirds.
Tree swallows will also be returning and raptors should be in view. A bird-banding demonstration is also possible, depending on migration patterns.
The 10 a.m. walk is open on a first-come, first-accepted basis, and space is limited. Please RSVP to Mike Newhouse, 201-460-2002, michael.newhouse@njmeadowlands.gov.
Click "Continue reading…" for walk details and photos taken just this month at Harrier Meadow.
What’s In a Name Wednesday: Berry’s Creek
At our 40th Anniverasry Slide Show presentation in East Rutherford last week, we showed this shot of Berry's Creek, which prompted a question from the audience: "Where did Berry's Creek get its name?'
The short answer is that the creek is named for Captain John Berry, one of the early Meadowlands landowners.
More on Capt. Berry here.
Click "Continue reading…" to see two maps of Berry's Creek — before and after it was straightened.
TUESDAY TEASER 031709
Can you identify this bird.
Click "Continue reading… " for the answer.
Click here for more Tuesday Teasers.
Wetlands and Greenhouse Gases
What impact do wetlands have on greenhouse gases?
Beginning this week, the New Jersey Meadowlands Commission will begin to find out.
The NJMC's research arm, the Meadowlands Environmental Research Institute (MERI), will measure the capability of urban wetlands to capture and contain a harmful greenhouse gas.
Click "Continue reading…" for more information on this project.
Another Sign of Spring
On Friday afternoon, we saw our first garter snake of the year, sunning itself in Lyndhurst.
Click "Continue reading …" to see a photo.
Saturday events
Two programs of note will be at the Meadowlands Environment Center this Saturday. Here are the descriptions:
Recycling Revisited
Saturday, March 21, 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
Ages 10 and up, including adults
One of the simplest things every citizen can do to conserve natural resources is comply with your local recycling program, but many people DO NOT contribute to the recycling system correctly and may or may not "close the loop" so necessary to encourage recycling.
In this informative session, we will review the life-cycle of a package as it goes through the entire recycling loop and what our roles are as citizens. We'll point out how to avoid "overcycling" while encouraging recycling and upcycling through your shopping choices.
$5/person, $4 for members
BATS, BATS, BATS!
Saturday, March 21, 1 p.m.
All ages
Go batty with NJ's own Batman, Joseph D'Angeli, and get up-close and personal with LIVE BATS! Throughout the world, bats have been misunderstood and persecuted, causing a serious decline in the bat population.
Join Mr. D'Angeli as he explains and dispels the many myths of these most important nocturnal creatures.
$5/person, $4 for members
Name that flora
These guys are in bloom now at DeKorte Park? Who are they?
Click "continue reading…" for the answer.
Duck Heaven
It may be Friday the 13th, but it doesn't take any luck at all to get great views of waterfowl at DeKorte Park and environments these days.
The tidal
impoundments have been home to a bevy of birds these days — not only Northern Shovelers (one is pictured at left) but also Green-winged Teal, Canvasbacks, Pintails (below, flying), Gadwalls, Common Mergs (female is below), Black Ducks, Mallards, Buffleheads, Hooded Mergs and more.
The Marsh Discovery is now open again for its entire length.
We mention this in case you are looking for something to do this weekend. The birding at DeKorte Park and elsewhere near the Hackensack River is great.
Just don't forget your camera.
First Great Egret of the Year
DeKorte Park, March 12, 9:45 a.m.