We'll post something on this blog once the water levels are lowered for the routine inspection of last year's piling repairs.

 
    We took this shot this afternoon — followed an Osprey as it flew overhead, wheeled, slammed the water and came away with a fish.

    This Sunday at 10 a.m. is the special Father’s Day Bird Walk with NJMC and BCAS  — a free two-hour guided nature walk  to the birding hot spots at DeKorte, including the otherwise closed Marsh Discovery Trail.
   We’ll look for shorebirds, waterfowl, butterflies and other natural wonders.  We’ll meet in the visitors’ parking lot at DeKorte Park in Lyndhurst. The walk is run by the N.J. Meadowlands Commission and the Bergen County Audubon Society.
   Check meadowblog.net for last-minute updates and weather advisories. To rsvp, contact Don Torino of the BCAS at greatauk4@aol.com or 201-636-4022.

 
    This is the time of year when Diamondback Terrapins will be crossing roads, looking for places to nest, so please be careful and look out for turtles when driving along roads near tidal wetlands.
   Above, a Diamondback Terrapin in North Arlington by the Erie Landfill on Thursday afternoon. Below, a seven-inch Snapping Turtle on Disposal Road near the "eternal flame" earlier this week (Snapping Turtle photo by Chris Takacs).

 
   The NJMC's Jim Wright writes a regular nature column for The South Bergenite. His latest column is on the new butterfly guide.

  Butterflies are part of summer’s wonders, but most of us know so little about them. Besides the ever-popular orange-and-black monarch, how many species can you name or identify?
  The answer for most of us is probably “a few” at best.
   To help improve that situation – and to increase the public’s appreciation of these delicate winged marvels — the  New Jersey Meadowlands Commission has just published a new “Butterflies of DeKorte Park” guide.
   The free pamphlet features color photos of 18 species of butterflies and two species of moths — all commonly seen in the Lyndhurst park and environs. Also featured are brief sections on butterfly basics, advice on watching butterflies, helpful Internet links and useful butterfly guidebooks for this region.
   What’s so special about butterflies?  As the pamphlet explains, “People associate these captivating insects with a beautiful summer’s day, and for good reason: Butterflies, flowers and sunshine just seem to go together.
   "If you see a butterfly, chances are you’re in a pretty good place – a spot that is sunny and warm, with blossoming flowers nearby. Small wonder that butterflies might just be the world’s most popular bugs.”

Continue reading →

   We saw this guy on Tuesday's noon Marsh Discovery walk… A Mallard that was a study in brown and white.

   Any theories?

    Just wanted to give everyone a heads-up that over the next few days, DeKorte Park's Shorebird Pool (the tidal impoundment by the Environment Center) will be drained so that construction folks can check the pilings that support the Marshview Pavillion.
   The water levels could be low for up to a week, which might make the Shorebird Pool a great fishing spot for egrets at certain times of day. If you bring a spotting scope, you may be able to see the Least Bittern along the shore by the Marsh Discovery Trail toward the Transco Trail.
   The water levels were lowered for several weeks last September to shore up the pilings. The current work is a routine check on those pilings.
   There'll be free guided walks on the Marsh Discovery Trail (otherwise closed to the public) on Tuesday and Thursday, and we will be sure to look for the bittern, water levels permitting.

   On Sunday's Native Plant walk, along came a spider that we could not identify.
   Not to worry. The walk's leader, Edith Wallace, was on the case. An expert pal of hers passed along a link about the Goldrenrod Crab Spider, which — as it turns out — is even more amazing than we had thought.
   Link is here. (Thanks, Edith!)

   Ron Shields writes: "Here are some pics of Tuesday's trip into the Kearny Marsh. 
   "The photos depict a Common Moorhen (one of two adults), a Great Egret with the Newark skyline in the background and one of several Great Blue Herons (that's the Route 7 bridge in the background).
  "The Common Moorhen was accompanied by at least two chicks who disappeared into the reeds before I could get a good shot. 
   "The marsh has been holding quite of few wood ducks as well." (Thanks, Ron!)

  We had a report over the weekend of a man with a net trying to catch butterflies near one of the parking lots at DeKorte Park.
  If you see anyone trying to catch butterflies, please tell a security guard.
  The Meadowlands Commission has been working hard to attract more and more butterflies to DeKorte Park for the public's enjoyment and education — not for people to take with them.
   The park rules are clear on this:  “No person shall disturb wildlife or vegetation in any manner” and “It is illegal to remove any natural resource… from the park.” 
   Butterflies at DeKorte are free, but not for collecting. Thanks for your help on this.