Just after leaving DeKorte Park yesterday at 5:40 p.m., we saw a bird fly over our car and land to my left. Hoping it might be a Short-eared Owl, we pulled over. It turned out to be a male Ring-necked Pheasant, our first of the year — the sky was too dark for a decent photograph. Passing this along in case someone is interested in trying to add the bird to their list.
Today, saw a pair of male Hooded Mergansers at lunchtime at the Clay Avenue Wetlands in Lyndhurst.
We have some tallies as of January 31, 2013, from many of the folks competing in the Meadowlands Big Year.
Congrats to all for competing. We hope you are having fun close to home, and seeing lots of great birds.
Keep in mind that some birders are in the Meadowlands all the time, and others get here occasionally, so their birdage may differ.
(These are unofficial numbers, and obviously change all the time.)
If you're name's not on the list, please e-mail Jim Wright at jim.wright (at) njmeadowlands.gov. It's still early! Sign up now!
Here is the leader board:
1. Chris Takacs: 76, (2012 reigning champion, ineligible for prizes in 2013 as a result, lives in district)
2. Mike Newhouse 66 (NJMC, setting a target number for competitors)
3. Mike Wolfe 62 species (out of district)
4. Ray Duffy, 60 (in district)
5. Oliver Stringham, 60 (in district)
6. Jackie DeMarco, 60 (out of district)
7. Jim Wright, 58 (NJMC staff, ineligible for prizes)
8. Julie McCall, 55 (in district)
9. Dennis Cheeseman, 51 (out of district)
10. Roy Woodford 47 (out of district)
11. Rob Fanning 29 (out of district)
12. Mike Turso 28 (out of district)
The leader board as of Jan. 31, 2012, follows.
The "10,000 Birds" 
Blog just posted an extensive review of "The Nature of the Meadowlands," and we couldn't be more excited.
The reviewer, Donna Lynn Schulman, is extremely knowledgeable about the Meadowlands, its checkered history, and its amazing environmental comeback — and "got" what the Meadowlands Commission set out to accomplish with the book. We sure appreciate her kind words.
A link to the review is here.
Dave Rotondi writes:
"As I drove into work today, I exited off of the Bergen Bridge up to North Bergen (by the Toys R Us) and stopped at a light at the intersection of 30th st. and Kennedy Boulevard.
"Lo and behold, a Peregrine Falcon landed on the barrier fence that protects the motorists on I-495 below. I was able to get a great look at this awesome bird as it stayed perched for the 30 seconds I was at stopped the light.
"I got my closest look (about 20ft) as I passed it when the light turned green, but I couldn't tell if it was banded. I've often seen Red-tails and Peregrines hunting the pigeons that are plentiful in the area, but to see one land in such an odd spot was a nice treat for a cold and snowy Tuesday morning." (Thanks, Dave!)
We had a great Super Bird Sunday IV Walk — with roughly 50 folks, and 33 species of birds.
Mike Turso ID'd the first bird on the walk that had the same name as an NFL team — a (Arizona) Cardinal. and Jackie DeMarco correctly ID'd an (Atlanta) falcon (American Kestrel).
What's more, since the first part of the walk produced no NFL team birds, Tony Gregorio was credited for identifying a (Detroit) Red-wing.
All three winners received NJMC pontoon boat cruises for two this summer.
(Congrats to Mike, Jackie and Tony!)
Although a (Philadelphia) eagle was seen by two of the walk leaders, no participant saw it so the prize went unclaimed.
We saw no (Baltimore) Ravens on the walk, though we did see some later at the Kearny Marsh.
Thanks to Julie McCall and Denise Farrell for helping to compile the list of birds seen on Super Bird Sunday Walk at the former Kingsland landfill.
The full list follows, along with a list of birds seen at the Kearny Marsh (and another photo of the American White Pelican, with American [black] Coots).
Mickey Raine took this just-before-sunrise shot from the Mill Creek Marsh on Saturday. Yes, those are those celebrated Atlantic White Cedar stumps….(Thanks, Mickey!)
Ron Shields photographed this guy on Disposal Road this winter. What is it?
Carole Hughes led an NJ Audubon trip to Losen Slote Creek Park and other spots in the Meadowlands on Saturday and posted this on JerseyBirds:
"Highlight bird was a single male White-winged Crossbill feeding on the sweet gums, a life bird for many of the participants. The bird cooperated enough for some quick looks in the scope. The bird was with a small flock of Black-capped Chickadees and a single American Goldfinch.
"We also had multiple Fox Sparrows in the meadow area along with both an adult and an immature Bald Eagle.
"Other birds at either Mehrhof Pond or the edge of the Hackensack River included Great Cormorants, Common Mergansers, Lesser Scaup, a single Ring-necked Duck, Gadwall and Northern Shovelers.
"Mill Creek Marsh was still frozen in the impoundments but we had 20+ Green-winged Teal in the open water. A Northern Harrier was actively hunting." (Thanks, Carole!)
Today's Photographers Showcase fatures Dennis Cheeseman. He is a contributor to the blog and to the "The Nature of the Meadowlands" book. Dennis writes:
Whether it is a landscape shot or trying to get a close-up macro, I love nature photography. I work in the Carlstadt area, so come lunch time you can see me wandering around one of the parks getting in my exercise.
My camera is always with me so as I walk, I love to hunt for the next great shot. Things change from season to season, birds migrate, flowers bloom and die. There is always something different, even though you may be in the same spot. You may see me hiding in the trees trying to get a bird shot or lying on the ground shooting a bug or flower.
My passion for birding started five or six years ago. During my frequent walks, I began to notice the different varieties of birds that visit the Meadowlands. I found it amazing what I saw when I really start looking. From there, my hobby has grown.
Two more pix, a link to Dennis' galleries, and more of Dennis' comments follow. (Thanks, Dennis!)
