Ron Shields passed along his latest from DeKorte Park, taken earlier this month. Shots include a male Green-winged Teal and a female Canvasback.

An accipiter is on the jump — Coop or Sharpie? (Thanks, Ron!)

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Fourteen of us  went to Laurel Hill to look for American Woodcocks and Common Ravens last evening — with great success.

The guided walk, sponsored by the N.J. Meadowlands Commission and the Bergen County Audubon Society, found the ravens at their nest at 5 and the woodcocks in the weeds/bushes about 6:05 p.m. — located in the underbrush before the first parking lot on the left.

Although we did not see the woodcocks, we sure did hear them — peenting on the ground and then chirping as the males did their courtship dances.  We estimated at least five woodcock — and heard at least 10 courtship displays.

We also had at least 28 Black-crowned Night Herons leaving their rost.

A beautiful early spring evening, and a walk definitely out of the ordinary.

Thanks to all who participated.

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Went to the Kearny Marsh on our lunch hour on Wednesday and saw quite a few good birds on  awalk along the railroad tracks overlooking the marsh.

Highlights included: A raft of 100+ Ruddy Ducks, a few Common Mergansers, a dozen American Coots, an adult Bald Eagle soaring above the marsh and — on the way back to DeKorte Park — a Peregrine Falcon flying just to the east of Schuyler Avenue.

Full list follows.

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