Ron Shields and Ray Duffy saw a male Northern Pintail last yesterday with a flock of mallards near Teal Pool, or in Teal Pool, in DeKorte Park. 

A cursory look this morning did not find the bird, but it could still be around.

Yesterday we posted a column about the new Sensory Garden, and this photo by Ed Rumain is a timely reminder that the garden can also be a great place to look for mushrooms. (Although it was a tad lean last time we checked.)

If anyone can ID this beauty, photographed by Ed in the garden last month …

One recent Friday afternoon, we got word from an NJMC staffer that the remains of a large, dead banded bird were atop a closed North Arlington landfill.

By the time we could investigate the following week, we could find no trace of the bird — just these pale feathers.

Anyone want venture a theory on what kind of bird it was, based on these very light (in more ways than one) feathers?

NJMC staffer Jim Wright, who keeps this blog, also writes a column every other Thursday for The South Bergenite. His latest, about the new Sensory Garden at DeKorte, is below:

DeKorte Park’s newest attraction is also its smallest: a charming tenth-of-an-acre sensory garden near the park’s entrance.

From more than a mile of wheelchair-accessible trails to interactive educational kiosks, the N.J. Meadowlands Commission has long been a champion of connecting the disabled with the natural world.  The sensory garden, according to NJMC Senior Landscape Architect Lisa Cameron, was the next logical step.

“We’ve always wanted to help DeKorte visitors who have disabilities and who have a very different experience coming to the park than others do,” says Cameron.  “We wanted to create a small space with a diversity of plants within reach so those who have limited mobility or eyesight can still have a meaningful experience.”

The rest of the column follows.

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For the second time in a week, we have had reports of skirmishes between Peregrine Falcons and Common Ravens at Laurel Hill County Park in Secaucus. 

Michael Mastropasqua was able to photograph some of the most recent action on Tuesday. (Thanks, Mike!)

He writes:

I took a trip out to Laurel Hill this morning that turned into quite a spectacle. 

Just as I entered the park I noticed a huge group of Ravens and Turkey Vultures encircling and eating what seemed to be small, mostly eaten, muskrat carrion. 

As soon as they saw me, everyone flew off into the trees first, then onward to the hill. 

When I drove out to ballpark to follow them, I witnessed a series of dramatic events…

Rest of Mike's account and more pix follow.

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We had fleeting looks at Black Skimmers on Sunday's free DeKorte walk, but Herb Houghton got better looks (and some nice pix) following the reception for his month-long photography show at the Flyway Gallery at the Meadowlands Environment Center.

Herb was nice enough to share a couple. (Thanks, Herb!)

Yes, this bird is a Cedar Waxwing — you can tell by the red "waxy" wingtips and yelllow tip of the  tail. Thanks to all who got it right. We even saw a flock on Sunday's walk.

Don Torino, who leads so many of the walks sponosored by the New Jersey Meadowlands Commission and the Bergen County Audubon Society, has a nifty column on wildnewjersey.tv on the bird that symbolizes the Meadowlands for many of us.

Link is here.

We counted half a bazillion Tree Swallows and Barn Swallows at DeKorte Park one morning before 7:30 last week.

A different view of Barn Swallows congregating follows. (Tilt your head or tilt your laptop.)

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Name that bird….