Still catching up on Sunday posts.
  Kevin Watson reports that "there were 'at Least' 100 Least Sandpipers in the “shorebird pool” at DeKorte [Sunday] morning, and at least 3 Semipalmated, 1 White-rumped and 1Dunlin.
    "An adult Bald Eagle flew over the mudflats towards the E1 landfill, then
turned back north, and was joined by a second bird, sporting a rather
scruffy juvenal plumage.
    "By the retention pond on Disposal Road, a male Orchard Oriole was hunkered down in the weeds, I think the first time I have seen this species below eye level. He made a few attempts at song, but his heart clearly wasn't in it.
  "Photos of the Oriole and adult Eagle are here."

  Rob Fanning adds: "In addition to the birds Kevin already mentioned, there was 1 PECTORAL SANDPIPER, 1 SHORT-BILLED DOWITCHER, many Yellowlegs (95% Lesser), and all 5 species of Swallows late morning/early afternoon. I also saw a RAVEN fly past low over the 2nd parking lot." (Thanks, Kevin and Rob).

   Sounds promising for Tuesday's noon walk on the Marsh Discovery Trail.

  The Shorebird Pool at DeKorte should be fairly low on Tuesday for our noon to 1:30 p.m. Marsh Discovery Trail walk. We hope to see you there — meet at the entrance near the entrance to DeKorte — sunblock, binoculars and water are all good ideas.  These photos were taken today.

   By popular demand, we are opening the Marsh Discovery Trail for guided 90-minute walks at noon on Tuesdays and Thursdays, weather-permitting. The walks will be held until repairs begin on the storm-damaged boardwalk.

    For the fifth year in a row, clients of Spectrum for Living adult training centers have built some beautiful Tree Swallow nesting boxes for the Meadowlands — ranging from simple wooden nesting boxes with perches to some really creative works of art.
   One box from the Ringwood A.T.C. featured a ladder and a little bird swing (pictured at right ). In all, the clients built two dozen new boxes, several of which are already providing housing by the Lyndhurst Nature Preserve at DeKorte Park.
   "This has turned into a wonderful annual event," says the NJMC's Gabrielle Bennett-Meany. "All the centers work had to have the most decorated nesting box — some are way too beautiful to put in a marsh."
  Bennett-Meany says that the centers also contribute some basic well-built basic boxes to be put to use at the water’s edge.
   According to Jerry Kearns of the Spectrum for Living, the project serves two great purposes: "Besides helping the birds, our clients just love making these boxes. It builds their confidence and self-esteem."
    The adult training centers are located in Ringwood, Westwood, Teaneck, Norh Haledon and Edison.
    Link to a blog post on this project from last year is here.

     We had a great Mother's Day walk in Ridgefield today with Bergen County Audubon, with two dozen participants, lots of great birds (including this great bug-chewing Baltimore Oriole, who posed for photographs). 
   We'll post the full list during the week. but highlights included Scarlet Tanagers, several warbler species, a nice Veery, the Monk Parakeets and an American Kestrel. A couple of Egrets and shorebirds, too.
   Thanks to all who participated, and a special thanks to Karen and Bruce Riede of the Ridgefield Environmental Commission for their hospitality and hard work!

     Dennis Cheeseman passed along this portrait of a Tree Swallow — taken Friday. (Thanks, Dennis!)

   Here are some highlights from last May, in case you are looking ahead:

   May 11: Glossy Ibis and Friend

   May 14: Scenes Along the Hackensack Await 

   May 20: DeKorte Finery — With Labels

   May 22: Backyard Getaway

 
    Until the Marsh Discovery Trail repairs begin, the NJMC is leading 90-minute guided walks at noon on Tuesdays and Thursdays on the MDT. Meet at the trail gate by the park entrance.
    Lightning/torrential rain cancels. Contact Jim Wright, 201-460-2002, jim.wright@njmeadowlands.gov for more information.

 
  Spent about 45 minutes walking along the trail at Kearny Marsh by Gunnell Oval on Thursday afternoon.
   Was looking for Common Moorhens and Americans, but no luck. Instead, saw an Eastern Kingbird (left), Red Admiral (above), and Baltimore Oriole (below).
   Also had a Black-and-white Warbler and a Yellow Warbler, plus two Eastern Tiger Swallowtails.
   Had too many Tree Swallows to begin to count.  

    Just a reminder that the second annual Mother's Day Walk is this Sunday at 10 a.m. at the Ridgefield Nature Center. Earlier post with complete information is here.
    The walk, sponsored by the New Jersey Meadowlands Commission and Bergen County Audubon Society, includes a visit to the Monk Parakeet colony in Ridgefield.
    The Monk Parakeets have a Mother's Day story all their own, as reported by the NJMC's Jim Wright in this week's South Bergenite.

     Full story follows.

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