We had a chilly American Woodcock Walk at Laurel Hill.
Jackie DeMarco, one of the walk leaders, writes:
Had a good walk…a bit cold but a nice group of about 20 came out to join the fun. Woodcocks were heard and seen but weren’t plentiful. We were hoping to spot an osprey by the bridge but no luck. Soon enough they’ll be back.
Full list follows. Continue reading
Jill Homcy photographed this Greater Yellowlegs on Sunday @ Mill Creek Marsh.
Five years ago, as part of the N.J. Meadowlands Commission’s Oral History Project, we interviewed lots of folks about the region in the old days. We are going to reprint the best of them here, every Tuesday, for 11 weeks. This week: Paulette (DeKorte) Ramsey.
In this audio interview, Paulette Ramsey talks about the contributions to the Meadowlands and foresight of her late husband, Richard W. DeKorte.
As a state assemblyman in the late 1960s, DeKorte was instrumental in crafting the legislation that created the New Jersey Meadowlands Commission.
He also laid out the foundation for the region’s environmental restoration and economic development over the past four decades.
A plaque in his honor hangs in the lobby of the NJMC Administration Building in DeKorte Park.
A Franklin Lakes resident, DeKorte was a well-respected 
legislator and former head of the state energy office who many thought would become governor someday.
DeKorte died of cancer at age 38 in 1975. DeKorte Park, the home of the NJMC, is named in his honor.
Click “Continue reading …” below to hear the interviews with Paulette Ramsey and to see some archival photos.
Regina Geoghan, a friend of this blog, has a nifty column for wildnewjersey.tv about the great state-owned parks that are worth a visit as the weather improves — including, of course, the great places in the Meadowlands.
The link is here. (Thanks, Regina!)
Jill Homcy writes:
Wanted to let you know the neck-banded Canada Goose is continuing at Laurel Hill. I never did hear back from the banding folks. Got this shot of the neck banded goose standing next to an ankle banded one.
We’ll see if we can see this guy on tonight’s walk. Original post is here. Thanks, Jill.
Chris Takacs writes:
“Last evening, about sundown, Fred Pfiefer and I observed a Bald Eagle flying from 1-E landfill towards Disposal Road. The eagle had a pack and antenna on. It continued flying toward Schuyler Ave. and then turned right before we lost it. Is this Alice, or is there another around?”
We think it’s Alice but are open to other ideas. More on Alice here. (Thanks, Chris!)
To prove that spring must be around the 
corner, we are pleased to remind you of two upcoming walks — an American Woodcock walk at 6:45 p.m. tonight (Monday, March 17) and a Harrier Meadow walk at 10 a.m. tomorrow (Tuesday March 18).
The Woodcock Walk is at Laurel Hill — we’ll look for Common ravens as well. You can meet us at 6:45 at Laurel Hill or meet the NJMC’s Jim Wright in the DeKorte Park visitor’s parking lot before 6:15 p.m.
Details follow.
This little guy was walking along a DeKorte trail last week until somebody dropped the dime on him (figuratively speaking), and we took his picture.
We think it is a Red-eared Slider.
If you hold up a real dime, you’ll see how small this very young reptile really is.
(Thanks to Sue Lewicki of the MEC for letting us know about the tiny tot turtle!)
Chris Takacs writes:
Yesterday evening 2 Red-necked Grebes were being seen just down river of River Barge Park. They were found by Andrew Burmester in the late afternoon.
I saw 1 today much closer but in the same area to the south. Attached is a photo taken just after sunrise.
(Thanks, Andrew and Chris. Also seen recently at RBP: Common Goldeneye and Redhead
Directions to RBP in Carlstadt are in the right-hand column of this blog.
