If you missed today's noontime Marsh Discovery Trail walk — and the three Least Bittern sightings — don't despair.
   The Meadowlands Commission and Bergen Audubon are leading a free walk on the trail at 10 a.m. on Sunday, and we will be looking for these guys. (Click here for more info.)
   All three Leasts were perched midway up the phrags, which was a switch — we typically see them at the water's edge or in flight.
   Also seen on the walk: Osprey, Ruddy Ducks, lots of Forster's Terns, Black-crowned Night Heron.
   (Thanks to Dennis Cheeseman for the group shot, and thanks to Chris Takacs for the bittern shot. I had guaranteed that we would get good birds today because I did not take my camera.)

    The NJMC's Jim Wright writes the "Nature Next Door"  column for The South Bergenite."  His latest column, on shorebirds, follows.

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    Save the date: Well-known  bird photographer and author Kevin Karlson will offer a full day of free programs at DeKorte Park, home of the New Jersey Meadowlands Commission (NJMC), on Saturday, Aug. 21. 
   The event, sponsored by the NJMC and the Bergen County Audubon Society, will kick off with a shorebird walk along DeKorte’s Shorebird Pool at 8:30 a.m. Another free walk is slated for 10:30 a.m.
   Also on tap: an hour-long  mini-seminar on Bird IDs at 1 p.m. and a preview of Kevin's new book on Cape May at 2:20 p.m.
   Stay tuned for a big announcement regarding Kevin Karlson Day.
   To rsvp, contact Don Torino  of the BCAS at greatauk4@aol.com or 201-636-4022.

Brian Thompson of WNBC filed this report last week on remediation efforts at the Richard P. Kane Natural Area in Carlstadt and Little Ferry. Hundreds of acres of Phragmites have been cleared in order to make way for native marsh grasses.