A few weeks back, we posted a Rick Wright sighting of Sand Wasps on the beach at Teal Pool. ("The Beach at Teal Pool" — sounds like a new condo development, no?)

Rick now has a semi-official ID, for those who follow these things. They are likely Bembix american spinolae.

Link is here. (Thanks, Rick!)

Note to birders and photographers: We are opening the tidegate for Shorebird Pool for the next few days to flush the water and increase dissolved oxygen levels.

The tide is low now (just after 5 p.m.). In theory at least, it will also be low around 5:30 a.m. and 6 p.m. tomorrow (Friday); 6:30 a.m. and 7 p.m. Saturday; and 7:30 a.m. and 8 p.m. Sunday.

We plan to close the tidegates again on Monday at low tide to create the round-the-clock mudflats again. They should be back to "low normal" by Wednesday." A big thank you to NJMC Naturalist Mike Newhouse for  adjusting the tidegates; it is a lot of work.

We just saw two of the least Least Bitterns on Least Least Bittern Island (we just made up that name, believe it or not) in the Shorebird Pool.

Ron Shields reports seeing the Tricolored Heron today along the Marsh Discovery Trail where the Alpha Male Red-winged Blackbird used to hang out.

Herb Houghton took this shot of the young Tricolored Heron fishing in the Shorebird Pool.

Greg Gard got this Semipalmated Plover shot in the Shorebird Pool thsi week.

(Thanks, Greg!)

Our latest "Focus on the Meadowlands" feature for wildnewjersey.tv includes the young Tricolored (surprise, surprise), plenty o' peeps and this young Forster's Tern.

The link is here.

Nice way to end a Wednesday afternoon. (Thanks to Vicki D. for the news tip!)

Sandy Sorkin took this recent shot of young Barn Swallows perched on Phragmites by the Shorebiord Pool at DeKorte.

(Thanks, Sandy!)

Regina Geoghan sent along this photo of some of the thousands of peeps at DeKorte in the past week.

When mud flats are exposed nearby, the mostly Semipalmated Sandpipers fly over and feed on them.

When the tide comes back in, they can be seen in the middle of the Shorebird Pool (above) and along the shore.

(Thanks, Regina!)

Patrick Carney took this photo of a Stilt Sandpiper yesterday in the Shorebird Pool at DeKorte Park.

We have received reports of as many as five this week.

(Thanks, Patrick!)