NJMC Naturalist Mike Newhouse alerted us to three Red-breasted Mergansers swimming in Teal Pool, visible from Disposal Road (where else?), half-way between the Carillon and the bend in the road leading to DeKorte Park. (Thanks, Mike!)
Monthly Archives: March 2013
NJMC Canoe Tours
Another season of the Meadowlands Commission's popular guided canoe trips begins in June, but you can start reserving a spot now.
You can download the canoe-tours registration form, with plenty of vital info, here:
Big Year Totals Through February
We have some tallies as of February 28 from the dozen folks in the Meadowlands Big Year tfor 2013.
Congrats to all for competing. We hope you are having fun near 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 as of Feb. 28:
1. Chris Takacs: 89, (2012 reigning champion, ineligible for prizes in 2013 as a result, lives in district)
2. Ray Duffy, 77 (in district)
3. Mike Newhouse 74 (NJMC, setting a target number for competitors)
4. Jackie DeMarco, 72 (out of district)
5. Jim Wright, 69 (NJMC staff, ineligible for prizes)
6. Mike Wolfe, 68 species (out of district)
7. Oliver Stringham, 67 (in district)
8. Dennis Cheeseman, 64 (out of district)
9. Julie McCall, 63 (in district)
10. Roy Woodford 54 (out of district)
11. Mike Turso 49 (out of district)
12. Rob Fanning 38 (out of district)
A list of last year's totals of Feb. 28 follow.
Coming Tomorrow: Big Year Totals Through February
We will be posting some fairly exciting results tomorrow for our second annual Meadowlands Big Year competition, as of Feb. 28.
The object is to see as many different species in the Meadowlands as you can this year — and to have fun along the way.
So far, so good! Three cheers for all the competitors. It's not too late to sign up. The year is still young.
Tuesday Teaser 030513
Liberty Valance and Jeanie Curtis write:
"We've looked in every book we have and can not identify this dark headed Duck. Can you?" (Thanks, Liberty and Jeanie!)
2013 Pontoon Boat Schedule
Another season of the Meadowlands Commission's popular eco-cruises and guided canoe trips begins in June, but you can start reserving a spot now. Today we are posting information on the 2013 pontoon-boat eco-cruises. We'll post the canoe info on Wednesday.
The cruises leave from the River Barge Park in Carlstadt. The weekday and weeknight cruises last two hours, and are for people ages 10 and up. Suggested minimum donation per person is $15. Pre-registration is required.
You can download the pontoon registration, form, with plenty of vital info, here: Download Pontoon_Registration_3-5-2013
Ray Duffy Reports: Ravens & Woodcocks at Laurel Hill
Ray Duffy reports:
We checked on the status of the raven nest and noticed a lot of progress. The nest looks as it did prior to being washed out by the storm and they appear to be defending it.
In this case, we got to see a battle royal for the territory. Not long after one of the ravens came to the nest, a red-tailed hawk flew along the ridge. One of the ravens went to intercept it and a dog fight between the two started with each maneuvering around to harass the other.
Eventually, the raven’s mate come out and they started double teaming the hawk. They chased it over the ridge and back. Not too long after returning to the park side of the ridge that a peregrine falcon bolted in and started going after the ravens.
Then the falcon decided it was time to harass the hawk. Then it kited over the ridge and gave a scolding call. The peregrine had enough fight for everyone as it decided to buzz an unsuspecting great black-backed gull that crossed its path as well.
More of Ray's report, including American Woodcocks, follows. (Thanks, Ray!)
Photographers Showcase: Elaine Raine
Elaine and Mickey Raine can often be seen, cameras at the ready, at Meadowlands walks and cleanups, and their photography appears on this blog fairly regularly.
Although they seem a bit inseparable, we thought we would each give them their own Photographers Showcase — ladies first.
Mickey writes:
We have been passionate fans of the Meadowlands for about five years now, and being avid hikers and enthusiasts of nature in all capacities, this region had immediately captured our hearts from the very first visit to DeKorte Park.
Like many, we, too, were guilty of the negative impression cast upon the Meadowlands, generated from years and years of abuse during the not too distant past, and although the remarkable work of the Meadowlands Commission and the state was in full gear from decades ago, it was not something many folks thought about, outside of birders and those who grew up locally, seeing and knowing first-hand the great improvements being administered.
Two more photos and more commentary follow.
Elaine and Mickey's Flickr site, with more Meadowlands pix, is here.
Sunday’s Mill Creek Marsh Walk: The Full List
Had a great turnout for our First Sunday walk at Mill Creek Marsh — especially considering the walk was a tad on the chilly/windy side.
Highlights included 24 Cedar Waxwings (FOY) and three Bald Eagles. A Herring Gull may have been seen during the walk. Still awaiting the judges' decision.
Full list and a point-and-shoot-camera shot of one of the eagles follow.
Story in The Record about DeKorte Trail Repairs
Scott Fallon wrote an article for The Sunday Record on the Meadowlands Commission's plan to reopen the DeKorte Park trail that goes from the Transco Trail through the Lyndhurst Nature Reserve to the Sawmill Creek Trail — it had been badly damaged by Hurricane Irene. We hope to the trail reopened by early summer.
The link is here.