Monthly Archives: December 2011
Early CBC Totals: Down a Bit from 2010
Mike Britt, coordinator for the Christmas Bird Count for most of the Meadowlands, reports:
"One team's list is still outstanding but the cumulative total is looking to be 10-15 species below last year's total of 95…five best birds being American Bittern, Common Moorhen, 2 Lesser Yellowlegs, Common Yellowthroat, & Yellow-breasted Chat.
"I think the reason for the lousy total is…the late October snow storm drove out most half-hardies and essentially ended fall migration, coupled with the fact that the winter has been quite mild thus far and some wintering species have yet to arrive."
"I'll send a more comprehensive report when I get that list…" (Thanks, Mike!)
2011 in Review: April
The year 2011 marked the dedication of a new riverside park in Carlstadt, lots of great nature sightings, and the continued partnership with Bergen County Audubon Society.
We thought we'd celebrate by looking back at 2011, month by month.
Here are some highlights from April:
April 1: Really Unusual Blackbird
April 4: Wilson's Snipe!
April 21: Of Ospreys and Earth Day
April 28: Red-necked Phalarope at DeKorte
April 30: Virginia Rail at DeKorte
Christmas Bird Count Article
The Record did a nice story yesterday on the Hackensack-Ridgewood Circle of the Christmas Bird Count, which includes Little Ferry's Losen Slote Park.
The circle is run by the Bergen County Audubon Society and features folks that help with NJMC/BCAS guided walks and other events.
Link is here.
Christmas Bird Count Highlights
The Meadowlands Commission and friends participated in Lower Hudson Christmas Bird Count yesterday, visiting natural areas and landfills in Carlstadt, Lundhurst, North Arlington and Kearny.
Our group counted 56 species. Highlights included a Horned Grebe (above) on the outskirts of DeKorte Park, dozens of migrating Common Megansers, an American Kestrel and our fairly reliable Bald Eagles.
We had two eagles (an adult and a juvenile) on our portion of the count yesterday.
2011 in Review: March
The year 2011 marked the dedication of a new riverside park in Carlstadt, lots of great nature sightings, and the continued partnership with Bergen County Audubon Society.
We thought we'd celebrate by looking back at 2011, month by month.
Here are some highlights from March:
March 3: Tree Swallows
March 4: Rare Seal Sighting
March 17: St. Pattie's Day Creeper
March 18: Horned Grebe plus
March 22: Monk Parakeet Update
March 29: Long-eared Owl, North Arlington
Bird Report: Baltimore Oriole at Skeetkill
Don Torino reports:
"Did the CBC at Skeetkill this morning. Had a Baltimore Oriole! Also had a Common Yellow-throat."
Raptor Trust: Stolen Screech Owl Is Returned
Edith Wallace Wins Award
The Record ran a nice story today about Edith Wallace, a friend of the Meadowlands and a leader of many guided walks here.
Edith is the recipient of Bergen County Audubon Society's annual Harold Fineberg Conservation Award — and it is well-deserved.
If you've ever gone on one of her nature walks at DeKorte — at Butterfly Day, for example, or her annual plant walk each June — you know what a great teacher she is.
The link is here. Congratulations, Edith!
A Poignant Monk Parakeet Story
Joe Pescatore of Bernardsville posted a version of this on Jersey Birds yesterday… (Thanks, Joe!)
I want to share a personal story: Earlier this year, my older brother passed away quite unexpectedly and suddenly.
My brother was a larger-than-life powerful attorney in Bergen County, and used to tease me in good fun about my being a birder. Sometimes, there was a bit of sibling tension between us, but always love.
Wednesday, Dec. 14, would have been his 66th birthday. I drove to Ridgefield, where he is buried at the English Neighborhood Reformed Church. I stood beside his grave silently for 15-20 minutes, prayed and whispered quietly about how much I missed him.
As I was about to leave, I said I was sorry for the things we sometimes said to each other and how I wish I could tell him how much I loved him, and if only we could speak to each other….at that very moment, I heard the odd sound of some unfamiliar noisy birds.
I looked up, and passing directly over me was a flock of no fewer than 25 Monk parakeets. Life birds for me. Surely sent as a sign from Heaven. I smiled as I departed. Life birds: an early Christmas gift from my brother.