Due to construction-related activities, the McDowell Observatory at DeKorte Park will be closed thru Wednesday, Nov. 16. The Observatory's regular schedule of Public Open Houses will resume on Nov 21.
Tuesday evening’s "Let’s Talk Astronomy Program" will not be affected.
Our next free guided walk is Tuesday at 10 a.m. at Mill Creek Marsh in Secaucus — one of those out-of-the-way places in the middle of everything (access is through a shopping mall parking lot).
Great for birding or just plain chilling out.
The marsh is famous for its centuries-old Atlantic Cedar stumps (above), still resisting rot after all these years.
Dennis Cheeseman, who took the photos that accompany this post, writes: "I went over there today [Thursday]. It is a great spot.
"Lots of yellowlegs (left), teal (left), shovelers out there as well as a few harriers."
Details follow.
Today we honor America's veterans, and one of the best places in the Meadowlands to do so is the AMVETS Memorial Carillon on Disposal Road.
If you've ever gone birding along Disposal Road, you're probably familiar with the AMVETS Carillon.
The carillon chimes on the quarter hour, with a lengthier anthem on the hour. Then first time you walk by when it chimes, it catches you by surprise but the pealing may be appealing once you get accustomed to it.
There are several AMVETS carillons nationwide, including one at Arlington Cemetery in Arlington, Va. For more information on the AMVETS Carillon program, click here.
Background on Veterans Day is here.
NJMC staffer Jim Wright, who keeps this blog, also writes a column every other Thursday for The South Bergenite. His latest, about Mill Creek Marsh in Secaucus, is below:
To experience the changing seasons, one of my favorite spots in the 209-acre Mill Creek Marsh in Secaucus. Although the park has a classic North Jersey location — next to the eastern spur of the turnpike, behind a shopping mall — it offers a wonderful oasis from the region’s hustle and bustle.
The marsh not only features the winding Mill Creek but it also includes several tidal impoundments that attract shorebirds in summer and ducks in winter. The upland area is nicely landscaped and home to 1.5 miles of handicapped-accessible, flat walking trails. The trails provide great views of the local birdlife — with the skyline of Manhattan to the east.
“Mill Creek is one of my favorite spots,” says NJMC Naturalist Gabrielle Bennett-Meany. “The site is easy to navigate, and you can gauge how long or short you want your walk to be. I visit Mill Creek at least once a month, and I have to say each month is pretty exciting — there’s always something new to be discovered. Most people are surprised to find this hidden little place.
The two open-water impoundments along the trail feature a blast from the Meadowlands’ part, the remnants of a stand of Atlantic white cedars. The trees once covered a much of the region at one time or another, before settlers arrived and started cutting them down over the years for roofing shingles, barrels, roads and even railroad ties.
The rest of the story follows.
Our latest post on the wildnewjersey.tv blog features recent photos of an Osprey with meal to go, a fruity Robin, and a snowy scene from DeKorte Park.
The link is here.
Ron Shields writes: "Here are a couple of distant images of a bluebird that perched on a sapling near the top of the landfill off Disposal Road this past weekend.
The American Avocet was seen fishing the mud flats between Harrier Meadow and the 1-E Landfill in North Arlington around 1:30 p.m. today — after flying from the vicinity of Teal Pool (toward the Carillon)…
Ron Shields and Dennis Cheeseman got some distant shots. One of Dennis' shots is above.
The bird was first seen this morning by NJMC Naturalist Mike Newhouse and Chris Takacs. Scroll down for post. (Thanks to all!)
The New Jersey Meadowlands Commission's next free guided walk with the Bergen County Audubon Society is next Tuesday at 10 a.m. at Mill Creek Marsh in Secaucus.
Click here to see the list of birds seen at last montrh's Mill Creek walk.
Details follow.
We have been hearing second-hand reports of 3 Western Grebes in DeKorte last weekend.
We looked Monday but saw none. If you see any, holler! (And take a photo.) This would be really rare.
Note: Ron Shields did see an Eastern Bluebird perched on a sapling on a Disposal Road former landfill over the weekend. Will post pix tomorrow.