As of Friday, the American Avocet has been in Harrier Meadow for 32 days — ever since Hurricane Irene.
We see hanging out and feeding with Snowy Egrets regularly. (This shot was taken this afternoon at 3:30.)
No one has the heart to tell it that it's an avocet, not an egret.
On Tuesday, we posted an item 
about a mystery object brought in by John and Peggy Koney of Ringwood. They found it on their lawn under a tree. It resembled a very small brown derby, closed top and bottom, clearly hollow — it was as light as a feather.
The Koneys wondered what it could be. We asked for help, and we have gotten requests for other views of this odd object. Peggy sent in photos from other angles. We hope these help. (Thanks, Peggy!)
Any ideas? Please post your answer in the "Comments" section below. 
Don't miss our next guided walk — at Laurel Hill in Secaucus at 10 a.m. on Sunday, Oct. 2. We'll look for Ospreys and other raptors, waterfowl, shorebirds and whatever else turns up. The walk is brought to you by the N.J. Meadowlands Commission and the Bergen County Audubon Society.
A visit earlier in the week brought lots of herons and egrets and cormorants along the Hackensack River.
For a list of the 28 species of birds we saw on Oct. 3, 2010, at Laurel Hill, click here.
Full info follows.