Allan Sanford writes:
"Jackie and I really enjoyed walking the park the last two days. Yesterday she pointed out a Common Yellowthroat and tonight when I was admiring a what I thought was a Robin she recognized it to be a Orchard Oriole and his potential mate.
"I included pics of the male Common Yellowthroat (above) and the male Orchard Oriole plus a Barn Swallow I thought was cool." (Thanks, Allan!)
Two more pix (of OrOr and Barn Swallow) follow.
Early May is prime time for seeing migratory birds — especially warblers — and to celebrate, we are adding a free guided walk on Sunday, May 5. It's the Early Bird Special at Losen Slote Creek Park in Little Ferry, a great wooded area for warbler-watching.
We'll also have our annual Losen Slote May walk the same day, at 10 a.m.
Details follow.
Jill Homcy's recent photo of the Bald Eagle Nest in Ridgefield Park shows at least two fuzzy heads in the nest. Typical brood size, we understand, is one to three. Congrats to the proud parents, Alice and Al. (Thanks, Jill!)
In conjunction with National Wildlife Week, North Arlington Boy Scout Troop 120 will plant native 50 trees in the Harrier Meadow marsh on Saturday, May 4, from 10:30 a.m. to noon.
The planting, sponsored by the New Jersey Meadowlands Commission and the Bergen County Audubon Society, is part of the National Wildlife Federation’s efforts to restore wildlife habitat destroyed by Superstorm Sandy last fall.
The 70-acre Harrier Meadow, located just below Schuyler Avenue in North Arlington, was one of the many natural areas in the Meadowlands hit hard by the late October hurricane.
Many trees and shrubs were destroyed, and others seriously damaged from the influx of saltwater.
The site, owned and maintained by the Meadowlands Commission, provides vital resting habitat for migratory songbirds and important habitat for wintering owls.
The 75th annual National Wildlife Week, March 18-24, is the National Wildlife Foundation’s education program designed around teaching and connecting kids to the wonders of nature. The group has donated 75,000 trees to be planted nationwide this spring.
The North Arlington scouts will plant 50 native trees, including Red Cedar, Winterberry, Red Osier Dogwood and Serviceberry trees, and remove storm-related debris.
Ron writes: "Here's a sampling of the wonderful photo opportunities to be had on the Kingsland Overlook Trail." (Thanks, Ron!)
BTW, the Meadowlands Marsh Hawks are competing in the World Series of Birding on Saturday, May 11, to raise money for improvements to this wonderful birding (and butterflying) area of DeKorte.
It is named the Kingsland Overlook because so many folks tend to overlook it.
(Not really, but don't you overlook it!)
The current display in the Flyway Gallery is presented by Congressman William Pascrell, as part of the annual Congressional Art Competition. It runs through May 3.
Here's a description from the competition's website: "Each spring, the Congressional Institute sponsors a nationwide high school visual art competition to recognize and encourage artistic talent in the nation and in each congressional district. Since the competition began in 1982, more than 650,000 high school students have participated."
Help the Meadowlands Marsh Hawks in our third annual World Series of Birding competition on May 11.
We will be exploring every woodlot, marsh, and mud flat in Bergen County in search of as many bird species as we can find.
In 2012, we had an amazing day where we counted 139 species, which gave us first place in our category.
This year we need your support so we can defend our title against some strong competition – and create a better wildlife habitat for birds along the Kingsland Overlook trail in DeKorte Park.
More information — including how to contribute — follows.
This area was hit hard by the strong winds from Hurricane Sandy, and we hope to restore and improve this habitat so we can attract and provide a resource-rich habitat for birds.
Last year, your donations supported the creation of a butterfly garden near the AMVETS Carillon for everyone to enjoy. The butterfly garden looked great last fall in its prime as it attracted several species of butterflies for both viewing and photography opportunities.
Your pledge on the number of species of birds seen by the Marsh Hawks will help support us in creating this important area for birds and for public education. Not only is this trail used as a hiking trail, but the Meadowlands Environment Center brings more than 7,000 school kids along this trail every year. Improving this area will help the Ramapo educators teach children about habitat improvement and avian ecology.
This is how it works: If, say, 130 species are found by the Marsh Hawks and your donation is for $.25 per species, the donation toward the habitat restoration would be $32.50. Or you can just make a lump-sum donation. Donations may be tax-deductible.
After the conclusion of the World Series of Birding, we will send you a complete list of the birds counted and a letter documenting your generous donation.
Thanks for your pledge and your support!
Download a pledge sheet here:
Stephen Buckingham reports (and we post belatedly):
"I finally made my way over to DeKorte on Sunday afternoon. It was great to see the Terns and Swallows again.
"There was a flock of more than 100 
Savannah Sparrows hanging around the AmVets Carillion and I was able to get some nice photos, two of which are attached.
"Also got a nice shot of a Swamp Sparrow (right) in the same area, and of a cooperative Yellow-rumped Warbler on the Transco Trail."
Thanks, Steve! Plenty of Savannahs (and Yellow-rumps) still abounding.