Thanks much to the Meadowlands Commission’s Parks Department for providing this nifty feature.

The Hackensack River’s modern name may stem from one of two Lenape phases: Hackink Saquik, meaning “a stream that unites with another on low ground” or Hocquan Sakuwit, meaning “hooked mouth of a river.”

Both reference the River’s curving junction with the Passaic River at Newark Bay.

The name may also be derived from the Lenape word, Hackingh, meaning “land of the pipe” from the clay material found in the meadows and used in pipe making.

(Reference: Fields of Sun & Grass by John Quinn)

Henry Kocanda writes:

“I’m sending you picture of Bay-breasted Warbler I took [Monday afternoon at DeKorte].

(Thanks, Henry!)  

The Meadowlands Marsh Hawks (NJMC Naturalist Mike Newhouse, Chris Takacs, and Mike Wolfe) placed second out of 18 teams in their division in Saturday’s 31st annual World Series of Birding and raised more than $3,000 for projects benefiting wildlife in the Meadowlands. Congratulations, Marsh Hawks!

The team set a Bergen County World Series of Birding record with an incredible 149 species in less than 24 hours, including 26 warbler species, 4 owls, and all three falcons. Some of the rarities found by the Marsh Hawks are Cerulean and Hooded Warbler, Glossy Ibis, and Seaside Sparrow.

In case you were clamoring for a wonderful photograph of a snail, you are in luck. Ron Shields photographed this no-longer-shy guy last week at the Kearny Marsh. (Thanks, Ron!)

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 →

Ron Shields reports:

I photographed two Black-billed Cuckoos  in back of Gunnell Oval on Sunday morning.

One was sharing tent caterpillars with the other.  (Thanks, Ron!

The Sixth Annual Mother’s Day Bird Walk in Ridgefield turned out great — fine weather and a strong turnout by both people and birds.

Highlights included appearances by Redstarts, Rose-breasted Grosbeaks, Ovenbirds, Ms. New York (you can’t make this stuff up), and a giant squirrel.

The Record’s coverage of the event is here.

Bird pix from yesterday’s walk are here.

Full list follows. Continue reading →

Francisco Artigas of the Meadowlands Environmental Research Institute shared this recent photo.

(Thanks, Francisco!)

Wonderful walk this morning in Ridgefield. More than 30 great folks and more than 50 incredible (and incredibly colorful) bird species.

Will post full list and more pix on Monday.  (Thank you, Bergen County Audubon Society and Ridgefield Environmental Commission, and a happy Mother’s Day to all!)

Marco Van Brabant shared some Midge shots with us. Just a reminder that Midges do not bite, and they provide great meals on the go for migratory birds and our local swallows and other birds.

A Yellow-rump is enjoying a Midge meal in one of the photos below.  (Thanks, Marco!)