Following last week's post about the chicken roaming Mill Creek Marsh, a reader wrote in to say that if you see an escapee chicken, consider calling the town's animal control officer instead of letting it become a sitting duck for local hawks  – as this hen apparently did. The reader said that all she found the following day were feathers.

Don Torino, a friend of this blog, has a nifty column — about the importance of getting young folks interested in nature — on the wildnewjersey.tv blog. 

Equally cool, Don’s post features photos of the Meadowlands by Marco Van Brabant, another friend of this blog.

Writes Don, “Over time, many factors have allowed kids to become separated from nature. Urban sprawl has destroyed many local natural places where kids used to play.

“Overprotection and a disconnection from nature by parents has caused kids to fear everything from a bird to a bee. We need to find new ways to help bring kids back from the brink of losing their love of nature for good.”

The link is here.

Jeff Nicol writes:

"I took a trip to Mill Creek Marsh Sunday morning. Terribly cold and windy. Got some nice shots of several Mockingbirds there. I also saw a Woodcock there but no photos unfortunately.  

"I stopped at DeKorte on the way out, even colder and windier there!!! Only stayed about a half hour but I got some nice waterfowl shots and a cute little Muskrat (below) who was very cooperative for the camera."

Thanks, Jeff!