We photographed this  Blue-headed Vireo at the bird-banding station yesterday afternoon. A big thanks to NJMC Naturalist Mike Newhouse and his crew.

Two teasers in one: Who’s this guy, photographed at the NJMC’s bird-banding station late last month?

And what would you get if you crossed him with a Turkey Vulture?

Big clue to first question follows. Continue reading →

We saw it at lunchtime today, hanging with a bunch of Greater Yellowlegs at the Clay Avenue Wetlands in Lyndhurst. Ron Stukins sent in this pic, taken Friday. (Thanks, Ron!)

Posting this better late than never — another sign that the Disposal Road raptor action is heating up. This from Doug Tilley:

Just wanted to pass along that I had 3 Northern Harriers (2 adult, 1 immature) hunting over the dumps off Disposal Rd., Thursday evening.  Attached photo is one adult diving on prey.

Mike Girone filed this report earlier this month — about an intent Peregrine hunting for a duck.

A link to the sequence of photos and more, plus Mike’s account, follow. (Thanks, Mike!) Continue reading →

Each Monday, we post the upcoming events for the Meadowlands Commission and the Meadowlands Environment Center  through the upcoming weekend.

This week’s programs are the public viewing nights on Monday and Wednesday from 8 to 10 p.m. at the McDowell Obervatory in DeKorte Park.

Click here for details.

The foliage is pretty nifty, and we’ve got lots of birds moving through, so come on over!

Park hours are 8 a.m. to dusk. Environment Center, with bathrooms, water fountains and gift shop, is open 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Mike Girone took this shot earlier this month by the Carillon on Disposal Road. If you squint, you just might see the second rainbow.  (Thanks, Mike!)

Our next walk with the Bergen County Audubon is in the legendary Harrier Meadow on Sunday, Nov. 3, at 10 a.m. Part of the fun will be seeing three new native-plant gardens for the first time.

The gardens were provided by a grant from the National Audubon Society and Bergen County Audubon Society (thank you!). We’ll post more details about the gardens as the day approaches, but save the date now.  Sneak preview of one of the gardens is above. (Thanks, Audubons!)

Details follow.
Continue reading →