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What bird left these tracks at Losen Slote Park in Little Ferry recently?  Thanks to Don Torino for submitting this Tuesday Teaser. Feel free to send in some of your own!  (Thanks, Don!)

Mill Creek Marsh is not back to the way it was before the storm, but it sure has come a long way. 

Just wanted to post a couple of shots from Sunday that reflect the park's natural beauty — after the volunteers worked their magic.

The trail system at Mill Creek Marsh in Secaucus is now open again to the public — thanks in large part to the 32 folks who gave up their Sunday morning to clean up the trails and adjacent marsh.

No spectacularly wacky debris was found — just several coconuts, a lot of plastics and styrofoam, and mostly small assorted other debris. 

We did find a lot of damaged Tree Swallow boxes. Note to the community groups who build these wonderful  boxes: Please use stronger nails in the future! : – )

A dramatic before and after shot of one wrack-covered section of Mill Creek Marsh trail, taken by Megan Helsel, follows. (Thanks, Megan!)

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Ron writes:

"Attached is photo of a recent sunset at the Meadowlands.  Despite recent events, nature can still be so beautiful." (Thanks, Ron!)

A huge, huge thanks to everyone who participated in this morning's cleanup at Mill Creek Marsh.  You made a tremendous difference, and the park could reopen as early as Monday morning. Awesome.

Regina Geoghan volunteered to photograph the cleanup folks at work. (One of the pix is above.)

Here is the link. Click "slideshow" in upper right=hand corner of site for easy viewing. (Thanks, Regina!)

We guess we have started a new tradition for the Meadowlands Commission/Bergen County Audubon cleanups — documenting some of the exceptional items we find amid the debris.

Above, a doll leg and a slightly disturbing doll that has seen better days. Below: A message in a bottle (to be opened once we get a pair of pliers and a Tetanus shot) and a Pocahontas mug with a hummingbird on the side. Bottom: Mystery test tube (we're not opening that, ever) and strange glass-like resin.

Thanks to everyone who helped collect this strange debris.

Our next volunteer cleanup is this Sunday, Nov. 25, at Mill Creek Marsh in Secaucus. Scroll down for details.

Nearly three dozen volunteers participated in this morning's Harrier Meadow cleanup and put another big dent in the debris strewn all over the 70-acre site.

The Meadowlands Commission and the Bergen County Audubon Society wish to thank everyone who gave up their morning to spend time helping the Meadowlands bounce back from Hurricane Sandy. Thank you!

Our next cleanup is Sunday at Mill Creek Marsh. Scroll down for details.

Tomorrow: Photos of some of the weird and odd stuff we found during today's cleanup.

Our next cleanup is Sunday, Nov. 25, at 10 a.m. at Mill Creek Marsh in Secaucus. 

This beautiful 207-acre marsh and park (see photo above) had several downed trees and lots of washed-up debris from  Hurricane Sandy, and we want return the site to a semblance of normal so it can be reopened soon — possibly next week.

Work crews have cut up fallen trees, cleaned up dead-Phragmites debris, called "wrack," and cleared many of the paths. Alas, much of the site is still strewn with litter of all sorts — and that's where the Meadowlands Commission and Bergen County Audubon need your help.

We will be picking up trash and recyclables – glass bottles, metal cans and plastics. 

You might even find neat stuff like this  kitsch found last Sunday by a cleanup crew in Harrier Meadow (see photo at left.)

Participants must wear work gloves and protective clothing and footwear and sign a liability release.

The release will be available on Sunday, and is also ready for download now (upper left-hand corner of the blog).

The Meadowlands Commission is providing coffee and doughnuts to volunteers.

Directions to Mill Creek Marsh are listed on the left-hand side of the blog.

Participants must be at least 16 years old; 16- and 17-year-old participants must have the liability release signed by a parent or guardian.

If you would like to receive an e-mail notification of future cleanups, or get more information, please e-mail the NJMC’s Jim Wright at jim.wright@njmeadowlands.gov. Also e-mail Jim if you plan to participate so he can plan accordingly.