The president of Bergen County Audubon Society, Don Torino, stopped by N.J. Meadowlands Commission offices  earlier this week to present a check for $1,500 to NJMC Executive Director Marcia Karrow for restoration work in Harrier Meadow.

The purpose of the project is to improve the habitat by bringing more  native shrubs, trees and flowers to Harrier Meadow.

Harrier Meadow is a 70 acre* site is located within the Saw Mill Creek basin. It is part of the New Jersey Meadowlands which is a IBA (important birding area) location and a critical habitat on the Atlantic flyway.  It was acquired by the NJMC in 1996 from the Land Reserve and Franklin Contracting Company. 

Harrier Meadow  was initially part of a large marsh system influenced by Kingsland Creek and Sawmill Creek. 

Bird banding by the New Jersey Meadowlands Commission has shown that the area is important breeding and migratory habitat for Savannah Sparrows and American Kestrels as well as many shorebird, heron and passerine species. It is, of course, is an important habitat for a New Jersey  endangered species, the Northern Harrier, for which it is named.

(Thank you, Bergen County Audubon Society!)

For the second time in four years, we had our first Osprey sighting in the Meadowlands on St. Patrick's Day — making it an O'Sprey.

Ron Shields reports:  "Photographed [the Osprey] on Disposal Road Sunday afternoon.  I believe that's a white perch on the menu (below)."

The day before, Chris Takacs saw our first-of-the-year Great Egret sighting. Weather may be currently dreary, but spring is almost here.  (Thanks, Ron and Chris!)

It's tough to call a 90-minute walk "amazing" when the walk was in the rain, through snow and slush,but eight of us adventurous souls waethered the weather and were treated to a first-of-the-year Great Egret (for us) and FOY Greater Yellowlegs and some other nifty sights. Full list of 30 species follows. (Thanks to all who participated!)

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