Starting last week and running through October and November, our Tuesday Teaser is a banded bird from this fall’s bird-banding project at Harrier Meadow.

To give you an added incentive, we are offering a prize to the person who correctly identifies the most birds. (In the case of a tie, the winner’s name will be drawn from a cap.)

The prize? Rick Wright of WINGS Birding Tours is graciously donating a copy of “The Warbler Guide” by Tom Stephenson and Scott Whittle. (Thanks, Rick!)

There are nine total birds, some easy, some tough — including a pair of two-part questions, for 11 correct answers. Please e-mail your bird-ID to Jim Wright each Tuesday by midnight (just click” e-mail us” in the right-hand column of this blog). IDs received after midnight will not be counted. Also, the “comments” section of the Teaser will be closed so no one can post their answer.  (Just trying to be fair.)

Mike Newhouse and his dedicated team of banders have come up with some real challenges, including last week’s mystery bird above left. (Thanks, Mike and crew!)

To ensure a level playing field, the contest is closed to NJMC employees and banding volunteers. (Sorry, crew!)

We had a request for information on where Ray Duffy and others saw the Nelson’s Sparrows yesterday, and thought we’d share.

Above is a map of Mill Creek Marsh to help those interested in looking for the Nelson’s and a Sora that Ray saw on the same trail. “X’ marks the Nelson’s; “Y” marks the Sora — with the understanding that these birds may be nowhere near these spots 24 hours later.

Park in the Mill Creek Marsh Parking Lot next to Bob’s Discount Furniture. Start following the dotted blue line at “Walking Trail Entrance” in lower right hand corner of map. At first fork, bear left. (Sora was seen hanging out on left near two smallish downed trees, across from a wooden platform.) At second fork, stay left. Pass the first cul de sac on left. Nelson’s Sparrows were seen on the left, just before the second cul de sac on left, in the Spartina. They occasionally popped up. (Thanks again, Ray!)

Directions to Mill Creek Marsh are in the right-hand column of this blog.

Good luck, and e-mail us any photos you get!

We had a very entertaining walk yesterday — 42 species in all. The highlight for many was a pair of Nelson’s Sparrows that popped up from under the Spartina every once in a while.

When we went back after the walk to try to photograph them (and a Sora that Ray Duffy reported), we struck out — but the Osprey above was nice to fly overhead close enough to show how it holds a small fish in its talons.

Full list follows. Thanks to all who participated! Continue reading →

Each Monday, we post the upcoming events for the Meadowlands through the upcoming weekend.

This week’s event is a talk about New Jersey’s search-and-rescue dogs — featuring a working rescue dog.

Details follow. Continue reading →