The Meadowlands Commission and Bergen County Audubon Society are holding a two-hour walk at Harrier Meadow in North Arlington this Sunday at 10 a.m.

We did a quick scouting trip at lunch today and saw a Bald Eagle and Great Blue Heron fly side by side in the distance.

As we headed out, we got a shot of the eagle flying by again (left). Eagle sightings at common these days in Harrier Meadow. On Sunday, we will also see if any raptors are working along nearby Disposal Road.

Other birds of note that we saw in Harrier today and might also see on Sunday were Osprey, N. Harrier, Greater Yellowlegs, Belted Kingfisher (heard only), Ring-tailed Pheasant (heard only), Red-tails, and ducks including Hooded Mergs and Gadwalls.

Full details follow.

Continue reading →

A big thanks to Deedee Burnside for IDing the skipper in the Tuesday Teaser — a Peck's Skipper. A tough ID from the photo.

The William D. McDowell Observatory in DeKorte Park begins a new month of programming tonight with free public access for three hours nightly, from 7 to 10 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 website, click here.

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