Roy Woodford writes:
"Ron Shields and I took a little tour by kayak on Saturday afternoon. Aside from the usual cast of characters, we managed to find a rare treat sitting on one of the mudflats — a pair of Least Terns. The were quite cooperative as we drifted toward them.
"Oh … we also had one grumpy GBH. He circled us twice squawking like mad … I don't think he was too happy with our presence." (Thanks, Roy!)
Ron Shields writes:
"Nature…..the greatest show on earth!"
This plant is a favorite of birds and naturalists alike, and it is found in DeKorte Park.
Botanist Edith Wallace featured it on her recent plant walk at DeKorte.
What is it?
Ron Shields got this amazing sequence of a Double-crested Cormorant tangling (literally) with an American Eel.
Ron writes:
"I was thinking that Aaron Copland's "Rodeo/Hoe-Down" would be the
perfect background music for this cormorant/eel struggle
at DeKorte Park. BTW, the eel escaped." (Thanks, Ron!)
There's litter along the Hackensack River, and then there's litter. The Meadowlands Commission's Angelo Urato recently removed this old runabout, embedded deep in the Phragmites along the river.
For those who like this sort of thing, a photo of the inside of the boat (with much of the Phragmites removed) follows.
When we were leaving DeKorte Park Friday night, we encountered a Diamondback Terrapin crossing the road where there was no designated pedestrian (or terrapin) crossing.
We stopped anyway, thinking this would be a great Tuesday Teaser (Why did the terrapin cross the road?), but it turned out to be an amazing action sequence.
More photos follow.
We have plenty of great events coming up in July, so save the dates now.
On Sunday, July 1, we have a guided DeKorte walk at 10 a.m. and a Butterflies for Beginners event at 1 p.m.
On Tuesday, July 17, we have a Birding by Pontoon Boat trip at 10 a.m. at River Barge Park.
Sunday, July 22, is our 3rd Annual Butterfly Day at DeKorte.
And Wednesday, July 25, is Moth Night.
All these events are done in conjunction with the Bergen County Audubon Society.
Details on thefive events follow.
NJMC Naturalist Mike Newhouse just reported seeing a Seaside — not a Saltmarsh — Sparrow in the Secaucus High School Marsh. As you drive out to Mill Creek Point, the sparrow was seen in the marsh across from the last light pole on the last ball field.
Directions to Mill Creek Point are on the left-hand column of this blog (scroll down a little).
Chris Takacs took this shot of a young Yellow Warbler near the Jill's Garden Fountain yesterday. (Thanks, Chris!)
Kris Niewiadomski took this shot of an American Redstart bathing at the Jill's Garden fountain earlier this week. (Thanks, Kris!)
We are wondering, with so many amazing photos of birds bathing at the fountain, whether we should have some sort of contest.
Any ideas?