Join the Meadowlands Commission and Bergen County Audubon Society on Sunday (Dec. 1) at 10 a.m. for the NJMC’s Jim Wright’s short talk and slide show on “Winter Raptors of the Meadowlands” in the Meadowlands Environment Center, followed by a walk along nearby Disposal Road, Raptor Capital of the known universe (give or take).

Following the walk, the BCAS’ Don Torino will give a talk and side show on Losen Slote Creek Park in Little Ferry, arguably the eighth Wonder of the World.

Full listing follows. Continue reading →

We had 25 folks and at least 28 species of birds today’s walk. Great group, great weather, great time.  (Thanks to all.)

Full list follows. Continue reading →

After nine weeks, 15 contestants and several stumpers and curveballs, we are pleased to announce the winners of the Teaser-palooza.

And we have a tie:  Mary Kostus and Valerie Knipping. Congrats to both winners, who answered all weeks’ questions correctly except for the two trick bonus questions that involved a black-and-white TV and a “palm warbler” along the way. One of the winners will receive “The Warbler Guide,” courtesy of Rick Wright of WINGS Birding Tours, and the other will receive “Mid-Atlantic Birds: Backyard Guide.”

We hope you had fun.

And a special thanks to Mike Newhouse and his wonderful volunteers at the banding station for letting us photograph these beautiful birds up-close.

Here are the answers to the nine-week-long Teaser-palooza.

Looking for a great way to beat the “Black Friday” day-after-Thanksgiving shopping crush and work off that turkey dinner?

Visit the New Jersey Meadowlands Commission’s DeKorte Park in Lyndhurst for a free “Green Friday” guided nature walk beginning at noon inside the Meadowlands Environment Center.

The Nov. 29 event, sponsored by the NJMC and the Bergen County Audubon Society, will feature a walk on DeKorte Park’s Shore Walk and Lyndhurst Nature Reserve.

The walk runs from noon to to 1:45 p.m. Bring a brownbag lunch if you like.

For more information, contact Jim Wright at jim.wright@njmeadowlands.gov or 201-460-2002, or go the NJMC nature blog, www.meadowblog.net.  Bad weather cancels.

Wanted to see if there was any raptor action on Disposal Road this a.m. Didn’t stay long but saw a Snow Goose migrating with a flock of Canadas, and also had an Eastern Meadowlark perched behind the detention pond by the Carillon.

Lousy (and distant photo) of meadowlark is on right. If someone could please get a better one…

To see what might happen in December in the Meadowlands, we thought we’d post some highlights from last December (click on the text to link to the post):

Dec. 3: Redpolls at Losen Slote

Dec. 7: Column — Our Salute to Volunteers

Dec. 14: More Eerie Meadowlands Finds  (right)

Dec. 14: Disposal Road Great Horned Owl (photo by Ron Shields)

Dec. 16: Some Nifty Losen Slote Bird Pix (by Roy Woodford, above)