Dennis Cheeseman, who won the Meadowlands Big Year’s out-of-district first place award and second overall, could not attend last night’s awards ceremony at the Bergen County Audubon Society meeting, but he was nice enough to share his winning list as well.  (Congratulations, Dennis!)

Dennis saw 171 species total. An interview with Dennis and overall winner Ray Duffy will appear in next week’s South Bergenite.

Dennis’ full list follows. Continue reading →

As this blog reported on Sunday, DeKorte Park was fortunate to have at least two and perhaps three Snowy Owls visit the park over the weekend. We were also pleased to hear that almost everyone stayed on the trails and was mindful of keeping a safe distance from the birds.

We have received many first-rate Snowy Owl shots from last weekend, including these shots by Mark Hilbush. We will post more over the next two days.  (Thanks, Mark!)

More of Mark’s DeKorte photos can be seen here.

We sure have had some crazy wetaher swings in the Meadowlands of late — snow, deep freeze, rain and fog.

Paula Dias was nice enough to pass along many of her moody fog shots from last weekend. (Thanks, Paula!)

Ray Duffy receives his First Place award from Don Torino of the BCAS

Ray Duffy, the overall winner in the Meadowlands 2013 Big Year contest, received his plaque from Bergen County Audubon Society last night from BCAS president Don Torino. (

The BCAS donated $220 in Ray’s name to the Meadowlands Commission for the purchase of native plants. (Thanks, BCAS!)

An interview with Ray and the other Meadowlands Big Year winner, Dennis Cheeseman, will appear in the South Bergenite next week, and we will post it here as well.

Ray’s full list of 187 birds follows. (Again, Congratulations, Ray!) Continue reading →

As this blog reported on Sunday, DeKorte Park was fortunate to have at least two and perhaps three Snowy Owls visit the park over the weekend. We were also pleased to hear that almost everyone stayed on the trails and was mindful of keeping a safe distance from the birds.

We have received many first-rate Snowy Owl shots from last weekend, including these shots by Steve Buckingham. Over the next two days, we will post more photos.

You can see more of Steve’s Snowy Owl shots here. (Thanks, Steve!)