Rob Fanning saw some great birds at DeKorte on Sunday, including the shrike and a male Wood Duck.  We hope to post the list from the Birding for Beginners Walk on this Wednesday.

   Rob's full report follows. (Thanks, Rob!)

Continue reading →

 Tomorrow (Tuesday) and Wednesday, a contractor will be fixing potholes on Disposal Road. Please drive slowly around the contractor if and when using the road.

  
  The Marsh Discovery Boardwalk is closed for repairs at the Transco Trail Entrance until further notice.
   The only entrance and exit to the trail is near the entrance to DeKorte Park. 
   Thank you for your patience.

   We had a great turnout for the Birding for Beginners Talk and Walk, with three dozen people on hand for the walk and roughly 50 for the walk.
   Highlights included the White-crowned Sparrows, plenty of Canvasbacks, Buffleheads, a few Harriers along Disposal Road (like the one above).
   The shrike was seen repeatedly Sunday morning, but not on the walk. (Something to due with his contract.)

 Debby Goldman took the shot below of the first turtle of the season. (Thanks, Debby!)

   We plan to print more pix and a full list on Wednesday.

   Mike Britt reports: "An adult Bald Eagle was soaring over the Hackensack River by the Rt. 3 bridge (seen from Exit 16W) Saturday afternoon. Highlights at Kearny Marsh were Peregrine, Harrier, Pied-billed Grebe, and 30 American Coots.
   "Five White-crowned Sparrows (four adults, one first-winter) were near the entrance of DeKorte. There were approximately 160 Canvasbacks between the shorebird pool and impoundment. Otherwise, just the usual suspects and Harrier activity on Kingsland Landfill. Migrant Turkey Vultures were non-stop overhead." (Thanks, Mike!)

   Nigel Bates reports: "Along with many others, I observed the Northern Shrike [Saturday] along Disposal Rd at 4:45 p.m. (it made an appearance at almost exactly the same time as Friday).
   "Other good birds present in the impoundments and surrounding area were: dozens of Canvasbacks, a Merlin, 3 Harriers, at least 5 White-crowned Sparrows, and a Ring-necked Pheasant (making the longest flight I have ever seen out of this species).
    "I then made a foray to Ridgefield and found the Monk Parakeets (about 8 were visible) at the usual spot — corner of Edgewater and Railroad Aves." (Thanks, Nigel!)

   The Northern Shrike, after eluding us most of the week, put on a nice little performance with a piece of prey late Friday afternoon (around 4:45) near the NJMC Maintenance Shed. The shrike was eating an early supper, and decided to fly into the tall trees on the former landfill  across the road to finish up.
    Got this grab shot of the shrike and his meal –  thanks to Ron Shields, who had spotted him a couple minutes earlier.
    By the way, it has been brought to our attention that this week this blog violated our "No Shrike Wednesdays" pledge.
   Thanks for keeping us honest. We'll try not to let that happen again, at least this week.
    We are hoping the dude hangs around until Sunday's bird walk. He has been here since Dec. 12. What's another couple of days?