New Jersey's Division of Fish and Wildlife reports that the Peregrine nest in Jersey City has its first egg — the earliest in the season that this had been documented.
The Peregrine cam should be up and running any day.
You can read the latest news about the nest here.
(Thanks for the tip, Mike G.!)
We are beginning to get reports of Osprey sightings in the Meadowlands, so keep your eyes peeled.
NJMC Executive Director Marcia Karrow saw one flying in DeKorte last week, Julie McCall had one on Sunday, and Mike Gempp saw one yesterday.
Sightings of these dynamic hawks — the 2012 NJMC Bird of the Year — should soon be daily occurrences.
Here's a link to an earlier post on Ospreys and what to do if you see any nesting activity in the Meadowlands.
The photo above is one of the Osreys from the Carlstadt nest in 2010 — the first successful nest in Bergen County in decades.
R. T. Geoghan photographed this groundhog this past weekend at Mill Creek Marsh.
R.T. writes: "What a great time of year – the Red-winged Blackbirds calling, the Tree Swallows – a symphony better than anyone could possibly compose."
Incidentally, the groundhog did not see its shadow, which means we can expect six more weeks of summer. (Thanks, R.T.!)
Jim Wright, who keeps this blog for the New Jersey Meadowlands Commission, also writes a twice-monthly column for The South Bergenite. Here's his latest, on the Meadowlands Big year.
This year, the New Jersey Meadowlands Commission is sponsoring a “Big Year” — a friendly competition to see who can see the most species of birds in the Meadowlands District for 2012.
The goal is not only to encourage folks to do more bird-watching in the Meadowlands, but also to highlight the wide range of amazing birds we have here.
The results have been gratifying.
As of March 1, we have eight competitors and a tie for the total number of species — 76 — between Chris Takacs and Julie McCall, both of Lyndhurst. Several others inside and outside the district are also faring well.
Rest of column follows.
The New Jersey Meadowlands Commission and the Bergen County Audubon Society are teaming to present two birding-by-boat pontoon cruises this summer, on Tuesday, July 17, and Tuesday, Aug. 28. A photo from last July's birding cruise is above.
Full info follows.
Another season of the Meadowlands Commission's popular eco-cruises and guided canoe trips begins in May, but you can start reserving a spot now.
The pontoon-boat cruises leave from the brand-new River Barge Park in Carlstadt. The weekday and weeknight cruises last two hours, and are for people ages 10 and up. Suggested minimum donation per person is $15. Pre-registration is required.
The canoe tours are three hours, and are scheduled for Saturday June 16, Saturday July 17, Saturday August 18, and Saturday Sept. 22 — all beginning at 8:30 a.m. Cost is $15 per person.
The link to pontoon-boat and canoe schedule and registration forms is here.
This week's "Focus on the Meadowlands" on the wildnewjersey.tv blog features photos of:
* A Wilson's Snipe.
* DeKorte Crocuses.
*An early Great Egret.
The link is here.
Due to circumstances beyond the NJMC's control, please be advised that the entire Transco Trail (from Disposal Road to the Western Spur of the Turnpike) will be closed from Friday, March 23, until June 30.
Work on the pipeline is scheduled to take place 10 hours a day – six days a week (Monday – Saturday).
Williams (Transco Pipeline) is conducting a pressure test of the natural-gas pipeline. The contractor is installing construction fencing this week and we will post the appropriate signage as reminders.
Please do not enter the construction site. Proceed with caution when entering and leaving the Lyndhurst Nature Reserve and when entering the southern end of DeKorte Park.
During this time, you can only enter and exit the Marsh Discovery Trail from the main entrance (by the guard booth). There will only be one way in and out, you will not be able to complete the loop. The trail will be blocked/closed where it meets Transco Trail.
Trucks and equipment will be entering and exiting these areas frequently.
We appreciate your patience and understanding. E-mail jim.wright (at) njmeadowlands.gov if you have questions.
The butterfly in that rare painting posted yesterday was identified in the NY Times auction ad as a Red Admiral, when in fact it was a Painted Lady.
More on the artist here.
Photos of both species, taken at DeKorte Park, follow.
Just wanted to give everyone a heads-up that Tideland Treasures, the gift shop inside the Meadowlands Environment Center, is undergoing an overhaul (as opposed to overgoing an underhaul), and a lot of the previous merchandise is being sold at amazingly low prices from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. next Tuesday, March 27.
Items include childen's toys, stuffed animals, bric-a-brac, knick-knacks, collectible collectibles, stocking stuffers, novelties and other unusual stuff (a lot of it for kids) you never realized you needed.
The new Tideland Treasures, with very little of the above, will be reopen on Friday, March 30, with 15 percent off all merchandise through Sunday, April 1.