Natalie Gregorio provided both the photo and the name for the photo.

Taken recently at DeKorte.

(Thanks, Natalie!)

We are now accepting photos of Grackle-toed Pigeons.

We finally had wonderful weather for one of Mill Creek Marsh walk, and the birds did not disappoint. Highlights included a couple of Dunlin, a Semipalmated Plover and other shorebirds.

We also had a Mudhog, Painted Lady and lots of spawning carp, who really ought to get a room. (Click thumbnail to see pix.)

The walk was sponsored by the Bergen County Audubon Society and the N.J. Meadowlands Commission.

Will post a full list tomorrow.

For those who keep track of such things, Oliver Stringham reports seeing two deer at the Kearny Marsh, plus a lot of turtles around, including  a pretty big snapping turtle (~1.5 feet long) swimming.

(Thanks, Oliver!)

The NJMC’s Angelo Urato reports seeing Black Skimmers by River Barge park on Sunday as well, and passed along this shot.  (Thanks, Angelo!)

Looks like RBP is the best place to see them so far — we are hoping they visit DeKorte soon.

This revived  weekly feature is brought to you courtesy of the Meadowlands Commission’s Parks Department to give you some historical background on how local places, landmarks, and geographical features  got their name.

Map Robert Erskine -1776

Schuyler Avenue, North Arlington  

In the entire history of the Hackensack Meadowlands no one ever said, “Thar’s gold in them thar hills!”

But in the early 1700’s someone said, “There’s copper in those hills.”

That “someone” was Arent Schuyler born in Albany, New York in 1662.

His is the story of the discovery of copper in the Meadowlands.

Arent was the first of the Schuylers who gave their name to one of this area’s oldest roads: Schuyler Avenue.

Click “Continue reading…” for more information and archival images, Continue reading →

Due to circumstances beyond our control, Meadowblog was off-line for most of the day today. We apologize for the inconvenience.

Had great views of six Black Skimmers on the dock at River Barge Park this morning. They were just sitting on the dock chilling, and were unfazed by our passing pontoon boat…  You can really see the disproportionate-sized lower mandible…  Needless to say, these are awesome birds.

Our next free guided walk is Tuesday, May 20, at 10 a.m. at Mill Creek Marsh in Secaucus.  The photo of the Snowy Egret above was taken on last year’s May MCM walk.

For a list of birds seen on that walk, click here.

Full details follow.  Directions to Mill Creek Marsh are on the right side of this blog. Continue reading →

Thinking of visiting DeKorte Park or nearby Disposal Road this weekend?

To see what’s being reported at DeKorte on eBird Hotspot Explorer, click here.

To see what’s being reported along Disposal Road on eBird Hotspot Explorer, click here.

We’ve been running a lot of bird shots because of the recent rash of avian activity, so to placate our mammal aficianados, a rabbit photo herewith. Certainly nothing to sniff at.