This month, instead of a Third-Tuesday walk, we are having a Third-Tuesday guided birding cruise on the NJMC's pontoon boats.
Due to a few last-minute cancellations, we have several slots available. If you are interested, please call Gaby at 201-638-7054 to reserve space and get directions. The cruise costs $15 — a bargain.
Last year we saw a Peregrine Falcon, Diamondback Terrapins and more. (Link to post on last year's cruise is here.)
We are also trying to set up another cruise for August, so stay tuned. You can book a cruise at another time, too — download the summer schedule here:
Tomorrow's (Tuesday's) two-hour cruise — sponsored by the NJMC and Bergen County Audubon Society — leaves from the new docks at River Barge Park in Carlstadt at 10 a.m. All three pontoon boats are filled. Please bring water and sun block.
Directions to River Barge Park are on the left-hand column of the blog, or click here for map. Allow a little extra time if you have not been there before.
Other upcoming events follow.
Sunday, July 24, 10 a.m. – 3 p.m.
(Free) Butterfly Day With the NJMC and BCAS
The Meadowlands Commission is holding a free one-day butterfly fest on Sunday, July 24 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at DeKorte Park. In addition to butterfly walks for the whole family, there’ll be brief introductory slide shows on the Butterflies of DeKorte Park, tables with loads of information on butterfly identification, binoculars and gardening to attract butterflies – plus contests and great door prizes. Butterfly Day is run by the N.J. Meadowlands Commission and the Bergen County Audubon Society, with a huge assist from the Northern New Jersey Chapter of the North American Butterfly Association. To rsvp, contact Don Torino of the BCAS at greatauk4@aol.com or 201-230-4983. (Rain Date, July 31)
Sunday, July 31, 10 – 11:30 a.m.
(Free) Summer Bird Count for Families With the NJMC and BCAS
To encourage more children and families to go birding and enjoy nature, the Meadowlands Commission and Bergen Audubon Society are holding their first-ever summer bird count at DeKorte Park. We’ll walk the square-mile park and point out all the species of birds and butterflies and do an informal bird census as well. Think of it as a family friendly, warm-weather alternative the National Audubon Society’s annual Christmas Bird Count. Check meadowblog.net for last-minute updates and weather advisories. Rain cancels. To rsvp, contact Don Torino of the BCAS at greatauk4@aol.com or 201-230-4983.
August
Sunday, August 7, 10 a.m.
First-Sunday-of-the-Month Nature Walk with the NJMC and BCAS
This free two-hour guided nature walk starts outside the Meadowlands Environment Center in DeKorte Park in Lyndhurst, and runs from 10 a.m. We’ll walk around the square-mile park, looking for migrating shorebird, butterflies and various egrets and herons. The walk is run by the N.J. Meadowlands Commission and the Bergen County Audubon Society. Check meadowblog.net for last-minute updates and weather advisories. You will have to sign a standard liability release for this event. To rsvp, contact Don Torino of the BCAS at greatauk4@aol.com or 201-230-4983.
Tuesday, August 16, 10 a.m.
Third-Tuesday-of-the-Month Nature Walk with the NJMC and BCAS
This free two-hour guided nature walk will take us to the legendary Harrier Meadow in North Arlington. The 70-acre site, usually off limits to the public, features ponds and tidal impoundments and birds aplenty. We meet at 10 a.m. at the entrance to Harrier Meadow on Disposal Road. You can also meet us at the visitors’ parking lot at DeKorte Park in Lyndhurst at 9:30 a.m. and we can carpool. The walk is run by the N.J. Meadowlands Commission and the Bergen County Audubon Society. Check meadowblog.net for last-minute updates and weather advisories. You will have to sign a standard liability release for this event. To rsvp, contact Don Torino of the BCAS at greatauk4@aol.com or 201-230-4983.
Saturday, August 20, 8:30 a.m. – 3 p.m.
3rd Annual Kevin Karlson Shorebird Day, with the NJMC and BCAS
Spend the day with noted shorebird expert and nature photographer Kevin Karlson. Karlson is leading 90-minute bird walks at 8:30 and 10:30 a.m., presenting a talk on “Tips on Becoming a Better Birder” at 1 p.m. At 2 p.m. Kevin will discuss and show images from his latest books. At 2:45 p.m., he and another noted photographer, Lloyd Spitalnik, will lead an hour-long wildlife photography workshop. All events are free, but you must sign a standard liability release for 2011 if you have not already. To rsvp, contact Don Torino of the BCAS at greatauk4@aol.com or 201-230-4983.
That pontoon boat ride sounds awesome. I would have loved to have gone, and dd try to call Gaby, but got no answer. Oh well, I spent the time stripping wallpaper instead which was less fun but much more necessary.
Gaby is in the field a lot of the time, so she might not be able to pick up the phone. But she is wonderful about answering emails and returning phone calls, so that’s probably the best way to reach her.