The year 2012 in the Meadowlands marked the opening of River Barge Park in Carlstadt, Butterfly Day and Moth Night, lots of great nature sightings, our continued partnership with Bergen County Audubon Society, Hurricane Sandy (alas) and the Big Cleanup.

We thought we'd remember 2012 by looking back, month by month.

Here are some highlights from January (click on the text to link to the post):

Jan. 2: DeKorte Bald Eagle (photo by Ron Shields)

Jan. 6: Falconer's Redtail with Jesses

Jan. 6: Another Day, Another Awesome Sunset

Jan. 18: Disposal Road Raptor Action

Jan. 23: Common Goldeneye @ DeKorte

Jan. 26: Interview with "Meadowlands" author/illustrator Tom Yezerski.

Jan. 28: American Bittern @ DeKorte

We had 33 species on our Third-Tuesday Walk at once-again-beautiful Mill Creek Marsh.

The day began drearily but kept getting sunnier as the day progressed. Highlights included a Peregrine, Northern Harrier, Tree Sparrows and all sorts of ducks.

Mill Creek Marsh looked terrific — thanks in large part to all the folks who have pitched in to clean up the trails after Hurricane Sandy.

Full list follows (thanks, Denise!).

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The Wetlands Institute's New Jersey Junior Duck Stamp Contest had 36 winner statewide — including 11 from North Jersey.

All 33 are on display through the end of January in the Flyway Gallery in the Meadowlands Environment Center, but we thought we'd give you a preview of the ones from North Jersey — and a chance for you to let us know which ones you like best.

The link to the current National Junior Duck Stamp contest is here. Link to the Wetlands Institute's Duck stamp webpage is here.

Please post your vote for first (and second and third place if you like) by posting by the illustration number in the comments section below, or email Jim Wright at jim.wright@njmeadowlands.gov.

Remember: All 11 were among the top 30 in the entire state, so you are voting for the best of the best.  Congrats to all of our local artists!

The 11 from North Jersey follow, in no particular order (so as not to influence your vote!).

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Our guided walk at Mill Creek Marsh this morning began with overcast skies, but it brightened up considerably — especially when the gull (right) agreed to serve as our guide for a little while.

Although he got poor marks for his lack of articulateness, he was roundly praised for his local knowledge.

Full list later this week.

Illustrations by 36 young New Jersey artists — winners of the Wetlands Institute’s annual Junior Duck Stamp Art Competition — are on display now through Saturday, Feb. 2, at the Flyway Gallery in the Meadowlands Environment Center in DeKorte Park.

The Flyway Gallery exhibit includes acrylics, oils, watercolors and sketches of Hooded Mergansers, Buffleheads, Ruddies and more — ducks that can be often seen this time of year from the windows of the Flyway Gallery.

The Flyway Gallery is open from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. weekdays. Please call 201-777-2431 for weekend hours and directions.

Eleven of the winning illustrations are by Bergen County artists, and tomorrow we are posting all 11 on the blog so you can enjoy them and — if you like — vote for your favorite.

We'll give the Mill Creek Marsh walk a try today, but rain may cut it short.

Elaine Raine (appropriate name) was at the marsh over the weekend, and her husband Mickey reports:

"In addition, a fair amount of Northern Shovelers, Green-winged Teals, and Mallards were out and about.  Of course, the main stay of a variety of gulls and Canada Geese occupied their regular spots. 

"It had been raining off and on, and the shot Elaine took of the Hooded Merganser in the wet conditions shows the raindrops."

(Thanks, Elaine and Mickey!)

Here's a teaser for you — where in the Meadowlands are these pay phones?

Mike Girone writes:

Spent Saturday afternoon on Disposal Rd. with a few photographers. Somewhat slow, and unfortunately no Great-horned Owl sightings, but still had some interesting moments.

After a lone Northern Harrier was working the Kingsland Landfill, we counted up to 3 American Kestrels at once: one perched on one of the black pipes protruding from the landfill, with 2 others competing for perches along the treeline that borders the road & Transco Trail.

An adult male Peregrine Falcon and a Red-tailed Hawk were actually sharing one of the high-tension towers on Saw Mill Creek Trail near the Carillon (the falcon on top, the RT on a low cross-bar).

The rest of Mike's post and two more of his pix follow. (Thanks, Mike!)

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Roy Woodford stopped by Losen Slote Thursday morning and got some cool shots, including this Tufted Titmouse (above).

Roy's photos of White-breasted Nuthatch and Red-bellied Woodpecker follow. (Thanks, Roy!)

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Roy Woodford took these two duck shots at Mill Creek Marsh on Wednesday. We'll likely see both the Green-winged Teal (above) and Hooded Merganser (below) on our guided walk there next Tuesday.

(Thanks, Roy! On Monday, we'll post some of Roy's bird photos from Losen Slote Park.)