If you are looking for raptors on Disposal Road on a weekday, please be aware that huge landfill vehicles use the road regularly and may not see you if you are birding on the road. Best to be cautious, and park off the road itself.
Monthly Archives: January 2011
Tuesday Teaser Answer
New, Improved DeKorte Duck Map
Thanks to the Meadowlands Commission's art director, Mimi Sabatino, the crude DeKorte Duck Map we put together last month has been superseded by a spiffy new improved version.
To help novice birders identify the various species, we have included photos the "Ducky Dozen" — the most-likely-to-be-seen ducks, and what tidal impoundments you are most likely to see them. As we note on the map, "Your duckage may differ."
Download the map here: Download NJMC Winter Duck Map LR.
Bonus Nature Walk This Sunday: Rough-legs
With the Rough-legs making almost daily appearances on Disposal Road, we thought we would add a free nature walk for this Sunday, Jan. 23, at 10 a.m. at DeKorte Park.
We'll check Disposal Road for an array of raptors, from Rough-legs to Northern Harriers to American Kestrels — and we'll do a quick look for ducks as well.
The walk is brought to you by the New Jersey Meadowlands Commission and the Bergen County Audubon Society.
The Rough-leg at left, photographed two weeks ago today, is a frequent flier — we can distinguish it by the missing tail feather.
Stay tuned to this blog for the latest Meadowlands raptor sightings.
Details of the walk follow.
Disposal Road Report: 011811 Rough-leg
Tuesday’s Laurel Hill Walk Is Cancelled!
Because of the likelihood of snow and rain, we are cancelling the 10 a.m. walk at Laurel Hill.
E-mail Jim Wright — jim.wright (at) njmeadowlands.gov if you have any questions.
Tuesday Teaser 011811: DeKorte Double Bill
Skeetkill and Losen Slote Updates
Visited Skeetkill Creek Marsh (above) in Ridgefield and Losen Slote Park (below) in Little Ferry late last week, both thick with snow. Mehrhof Pond was frozen as well.
All three locales were almost devoid of bird life, and without leaves on the trees, civilization seemed much closer (and louder, despite the blanket of snow).
Bird Report 011510: 3 Rough-legs
Mike Britt reports:
There are now at least three light morph Rough-legged Hawks in the Hackensack Meadowlands.
In a very short span of time Saturday morning, I observed:
* a single light morph perched atop a small tree to the right of the towers at the MRI tract (viewed from Mill Creek Point)
* a second light perched low on a tower guy wire along Berry's Creek
* a light morph rose (from a perch or kill?) from along the railroad tracks along Valley Brook and flew high over the Kingsland Landfill.
Disposal Road 011411