One of the tricks of finding shorebirds at DeKorte is timing the mudflats. Unfortunately, it's a bit of an art and a science. 

   In this post, we'll try to suggest some ways of increasing your odds of  getting a good shorebird day.

   (Be advised that this week, we are trying to reduce the water levels in the Shorebird Pool to complete some building maintenance, so there should be  opportunities to see good birds — like the Lesser Yellowlegs above — all week long.)

  Here's the main rule of thumb for timing the other tidal impoundments:

   To find out roughly when the low tide at DeKorte is going to be, calculate the low tide at the Amtrak Swing Bridge on the Hackensack River, and add two hours.

   Click "Continue reading…" for links to the tide charts and another mudflat shot.

   Link for tide charts for August at the Amtrak Bridge is here. (Just place cursor over the specific date to read high- and low-tide info.)

   Link for tide charts for September at the bridge is here.

   Example: For Thursday, August 27, low tide in the DeKorte area should be around 11 a.m., or two hours after the Amtrak Bridge low tide.

  Be advised that other factors affect water levels — especially rain and wind.

   If you've worked out your own formula for getting the DeKorte tides right, please let us know.