Answer: Brown Thrasher.  Looks a bit like a Hermit Thrush at first glance.

More on Brown Thrashers here.

Ron Shields took this shot of a Common Moorhen on the Marsh Discovery Trail late last week  — bird was first spotted by Mike Gempp.  Not sure if it is still around, but we’ll try to find out.  (Thanks Mike and Ron!)

The William D. McDowell Observatory in DeKorte Park begins a new month of programming tonight with free public access from 9 to 10:30 p.m. on Monday and Wednesday nights — 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 more information about free public viewing nights and to check out the observatory's new website, click here.

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