Jim Wright, who maintains this blog, also writes a twice monthly column for the South Bergenite. His latest column is on Red-winged Blackbirds — and our upcoming nature walks:
You will be happy to hear that spring has arrived. Sure, the calendar says three more weeks of winter remain, but the birds don’t lie.
Last week, on a guided nature walk in North Arlington, bird-lovers were treated not only to three Killdeer — the first Meadowlands sighting of these eccentric shorebirds this year — but they also saw a tree filled with male red-winged blackbirds. Can our ospreys and tree swallows be far behind?
The male red-winged blackbirds typically arrive a few weeks before the females so they can lay claim to their nesting areas — each male with a “harem” of several female red-wings and nests.
In the months to come, you’ll hear the males’ distinctive call — “cong-a-reeeeee” — resounding throughout the Meadowlands.
The story continues below.
