Monthly Archives: November 2009

Flyway Gallery: November

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      The Meadowlands Commission is hosting its annual Staff Art Exhibit from Friday, Nov. 6, through Sunday, Nov. 29, at the Flyway Gallery in the Meadowlands Environment Center. 

   The exhibit – which is open daily to the public for free – features nature photography and watercolors by Commission employees.

     This year’s show includes interesting multi-media works of Meadowlands landmarks by landscape architect Lisa Cameron, who also exhibited with the Highland Park Artists’ Collective this past May. Her work "WMCA" is pictured above.

    The gallery is open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday and 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday and Sunday.

     It is one of several free attractions at the Meadowlands Environment Center, which is located in DeKorte Park, a 110-acre oasis with walking trails and water views, all framed by the New York City skyline.

   Click "Continue reading …" for more information.

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Brant at DeKorte

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    Ron Shields photographed this Brant at DeKorte on Thursday. (Thanks, Ron!)

   NJMC naturalists also saw several Brants on Thursday on the Hackensack River, in addition to three Bald Eagles, a Bonaparte's Gull, and a Goshawk.

Caveat Paddler: It’s Hunting Season

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  We kayaked the Kearny Freshwater Marsh last Friday, and as we pulled our boats from the water, we saw a hunter launch his camouflaged boat at Gunnell IMG_0032 Oval and head into the marsh.

  We also saw a newly refurbished hunting blind in the marsh itself (left).

   The point is: Although we wore bright-orange vests, we are thinking this is not a great time of year to be kayaking in the marshes.

    If you still plan on kayaking or canoeing, at least wear bright outerwear.  To be continued….

Bird Banding Report: October Totals

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  NJMC Naturalist Michael Newhouse reports that October was a banner month for bird-banding at the former Erie Landfill in North Arlington.

 All told, Mike and his wonderful team of volunteers banded 46 species, and more than 2,300 birds. 

   We will post the fall banding totals soon.

   Can you guess what species this is? It takes a sharp eye.

   Click "continue reading…" to see the answer and the full October list.

   Click here for other blog posts on the NJMC bird-banding project.


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Bald Eagles: Bird Report 110409

  Chris Takacs reports: "Today I had to pull off Belleville Turnpike in Kearny around 10:45 for a 10 minute display by 2 adult Bald Eagles. They flew together along the NJ Turnpike, then right over my head. Then a 'chase' began as one Eagle flew after the other in the bright blue sky we had today.

    "They flew for about 10 minutes over the 1-E landfill, flapping and climbing, then diving and climbing up again. After a climb together they hooked talons and tumbled together in the sky for 2-3 seconds. They separated, regained some altitude and flew about separately for a few minutes before I returned to the car and continued my drive to Jersey City.

    "It amazed me that 100+ cars drove by on the NJ Tpk. and the Belleville Tpk., nobody saw this magnificent display. I'm sure glad I did. Right place, right time!"

 

North Arlington: Meadowlands Slide Show Thursday

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    Jim Wright, who runs this blog for the New Jersey Meadowlands Commission, will be speaking about the Meadowlands, Past, Present and Future  tomorrow night (Thursday, Nov. 5) at the North Arlinton Library

    The free talk will feature some nifty nature photography taken in North Arlington — like the rare Black-necked Stilt pictured here.

   The talk, which begins at 6:30 p.m., runs about 40 minutes, so you will have plenty of time to see Game Seven of the World Series, if the yankees don't win in six games. The talk is open to the public.  We hope you can attend.

    Contact Jim here if you would like more information.

Last Sunday’s Walk

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    Don Torino of the Bergen County Audubon Society reports:

   "We had a good nature walk Sunday morning morning, The weather was overcast and windy but we had some good birds — including two Northern Harriers, 30+ Cedar Waxwings, and at least six duck species– plus about 20 people. A special thanks to Dave Hall and Beth Goldberg of the BCAS for helping out."

    Click "Continue reading…" for the full list.

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Bird Report 110309

   Mike Britt reports: The Meadowlands was generally devoid of migrants Monday…I observed a GREAT EGRET, 12 GREATER YELLOWLEGS, 300 NORTHERN SHOVELER, GREEN-WINGED TEAL, NORTHERN PINTAIL, 4 HORNED LARK, MERLIN, PEREGRINE, COOPER'S HAWK (Imm), HARRIER (Imm), and a handful of RED-TAILED HAWKS.

Notes: The Harrier and Merlin were hunting over the Erie & Kingsland landfills. The Horned Larks were on the defunct Encap site. The Coop has been hanging around the Kingsland for about a week or so…I've seen it from the train.