Due to the fact that we have not seen the Little Blue Heron today, and the possibility of heavy rains, we are canceling today's 4 p.m. walk at Harrier Meadow.

Always great to see Alice, one of our wonderful local Bald Eagles. Dennis Cheeseman took this shot at Losen Slote Park in Little Ferry on Tuesday.

How do we know it's Alice?  It's double-banded, it has that missing feather (or it doesn't have that missing feather), and it appears to be looking out for Al (her mate).

If you turn the blog over, you can see the transmitter on her back. (Thanks, Dennis!)

We plan to look for the Little Blue Heron this afternoon from 4 to 5 p.m., weather permitting.  Did not see the bird this morning yet but lots of heavy machinery out there, including Hurricane Sandy repair work.

Please call Jim Wright at 201-469-7349 after 3 p.m. if you plan to attend…

Jim Wright, who keeps this blog, also writes a twice-monthly column for the South Bergenite.  His latest is on DeKorte Park's recovery from storm damage:

The past half-year has been trying for all of us who love DeKorte Park.

Late last October, Superstorm Sandy walloped our region and knocked the park for a loop, wrecking boardwalks, destroying trails and causing extensive electrical damage.

I am happy to report that after an unprecedented repair effort – including cleanups by volunteers — the park is now open again to the public, free of charge, seven days a week.

The recovery efforts have been difficult and expensive, but they have been fruitful. Our gardens are in bloom, and our wonderful butterflies are returning.

Iridescent blue tree swallows are nesting throughout the park, and majestic ospreys, which catch fish in the park’s tidal impoundments, are nesting again nearby. Many trails have reopened. Our educational programming is moving full steam ahead, and our observatory is open for free viewing by the public every Monday and Wednesday night.

The rest of the column, and a status report on our trails, follow.

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