Over the weekend, Ron Shields got this shot of one of the Red-shouldered Hawks that have been hanging out in the vicinity of DeKorte Park for nearly a month. (Thanks, Ron!)

We had a light-morph Rough-legged Hawk (left) over Disposal Road by the Carillon at lunchtime (along with two combative Northern Harrriers).

A Eurasian (Common) Green-winged Teal was seen this morning among the American Green-winged Teal by the second bridge at Mill Creek Marsh in Secaucus.

The William D. McDowell Observatory in DeKorte Park begins a new year of programming tonight with free public access at 7, 8 and 9 p.m. — weather permitting, of course.

Dress for the weather; with the dome open, you are basically outside.

Each evening at least two major objects in the night sky will be viewed, plus one or two other celestial objects or events depending on the observing conditions.

For the complete January schedule and more information about free public viewing nights, click here.

For a South Bergenite column by the NJMC's Jim Wright about the observatory, click here.

We had a nice turnout for our first Sunday-of-the-Year Walk at DeKorte Park despite the fog and otherwise less-than-ideal weather — more than 20 people and more than 20 species.

Highlights included two Long-tailed Ducks and a Goldeneye. (Thanks to Julie McCall for the list, Beth Goldberg for the pix, and everyone for participating.)

Full list follows.

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