Quick checks today found the Long-tailed Duck (above) in the cove by the far parking lot of DeKorte Park in the morning and the nearest part of the Saw Mill mudflats around 2 p.m.

We saw the Common Moorhen walking on the ice and swimming in the open water in the Kearny Marsh by Gunnell Oval (below) yesterday morning.

Eighteen brave folks fought the wind and cold for our first Winter Solstice Nature walk, in search of the elusive Long-tailed Duck and equally elusive Orange-crowned Warbler.

We did tally 24 species, with nine flavors of duck, including the Lesser Scaup above.

And we were treated to a Winter Solstice talk and slide show by Laura Venner and her team at the MEC Auditorium, which featured a small-scale version of Stonehenge and lots of interesting info on solstices.

(Thanks to all who attended, and to Laura and her crew!)  Full bird list follows.

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The year 2010 marked the New Jersey Meadowlands Commission's 41th anniversary and the continued expansion of our nature programs with Bergen County Audubon Society — including an Earth Day Celebration, a Kearny Marsh Cleanup, a Butterfly Day, a "Green Friday" nature walk, and a talk by Scott Weidensaul.

We thought we'd celebrate by looking back at 2010, month by month.    

Here are some May highlights:

May 3: Common Moorhen, Kearny Marsh

May 5: The Kearny Cedar Swamp

May 6: Little Blue Heron, Harrier Meadow

May 12: DeKorte Is Swallow Central

May 14: Ravens of Laurel Hill

May 19: Amazing Kearny Snapping Turtle Pix

May 26: Red Admirals Galore

May 28: Incredible Fish Story