NJ Transit work on Valley Brook 
Avenue RR crossing at DeKorte Park has been completed. The detour is over. Valley Brook Ave. is now open again in both directions. Ignore any old DETOUR signs.
Thanks for your patience during the two weeks of construction.
The Meadowlands Commission and Bergen County Audubon Society have so many awesome events scheduled for this summer and early fall that we have neglected to trumpet our Fourth Annual Kevin Karlson Shorebird Day on 
Saturday, Aug. 11.
We thought you might want to save the date.
The all-day event is free, and it features ace nature photographer Kevin Karlson leading morning walks, talking about shore bird identification, and offering a free seminar on bird photography — featuring another top bird photographer, Lloyd Spitalnik.
Details follow.
In the meantime, to recap the dates for our other big upcoming events:
Tuesday, July 17, 10 a.m.–noon: Birding by Boat, River Barge Park in Carlstadt
Sunday, July 22, 10 a.m.- 3 p.m.: DeKorte Butterfly Day
Wednesday, July 25,8:30 – 11:30 p.m.: Moth Night at DeKorte:
Saturday, Aug. 11, 8:15a.m. 3:45 p.m.: Kevin Karlson Shorebird Day at DeKorte.
Tuesday, Aug. 28, 10 a.m.–noon: Birding by Boat, River Barge Park in Carlstadt.
Thursday, Sept. 13: 7 – 9 p.m.: Special Free Screening and Talk: "The Lost Bird Project."
Ron Shields photographed this Indigo Bunting on Disposal Road Sunday evening. Two more pix follow. (Thanks, Ron!)
Happy Independence Day from the New Jersey Meadowlands Commission!
Roy Woodford writes:
What do you call this thing again?
I'm sticking with Common Moorhen. I found five of these guy in Kearny Marsh on Sunday afternoon. I got a few shots as they ran for cover.
Thank, Roy!
Sunday's Butterfly Talk and walk was a big success — if you didn't mind a little heat. The butterflies sure didn't. 
During the day we saw 15 species of Butterflies, including a second-ever-reported-for-DeKorte American Snout (one of the ugliest names for a butterfly). See fleeting photo at right.
To see the North American Butterfly Association's checklist for DeKorte Park, click here.
Full list follows.
That elusive Nessus Sphinx Moth that Regina Geoghan photographed last week was back at the Butterfly Bushes today (above) — joined by a Clear-winged Moth (below), Painted Ladies, Red Admirals, Common Buckeyes (a first for the year) and tons of Skippers.
If the weather holds, DeKorte should be great for butterflies and moths for the next few days.
Our next birding event with the Bergen County Audubon Society is our third annual Birding By Boat cruise on the Hackensack River and its marshes. We will see Ospreys, shorebirds, waders and more.
The two-hour cruise is on Tuesday, July 17, at 10 a.m. Suggested donation is (the bargain price of) $15. Reserve your seat now!
For a list of birds we saw on last July's trip, click here.
Note: You can also sign up for a Birding by Boat cruise scheduled for Tuesday, Aug. 28, at 10 a.m.
Full info follows.
With Moth Night coming (and because we'd like a little help with this Clear-winged moth photographed at DeKorte at 3:30 p.m. on Sunday), we offer these two photos.
What is it — Hummingbird Clearwing or Snowberry Clearwing?
Due to circumstances beyond our control, NJ Transit plans to repair the railroad crossing in front of DeKorte Park — starting Saturday, July 7.
This means that access to DeKorte Park from Valley Brook Avenue will be blocked — most likely for two weeks.
Access to DeKorte will be via Schuyler Avenue and Disposal Road.
We appreciate your understanding.
The link to alternate directions and a map is here.