Ron Shields took these American White Pelican shots on Saturday in the Kearny Marsh.

Ron writes:

“A late morning surprise at the Kearny Marsh!

“The pelican’s stay was brief as it was chased off by an extremely aggressive mute swan parent shortly after landing.

“It flew off in the direction of DeKorte Park.”

Amazing that pelican is still hanging around in the Meadowlands. It has been seen for at least eight days in a row. (Thanks, Ron!)

Last week, an NJMC colleague brought in this larva, which had been chowing down in his garden.

Anybody (say, a gardener) want to try an ID? It was eating the plant pictured, which had a little purple flower attached.

A little too long to be an inchworm. :- )  (See below.)

Rose Duger reports in the Jersey Journal that Kearny is planning a $17 million overhaul of Gunnell Oval, next to the legendary Kearny Marsh.

The link is here.

Learn all about moths — those amazing cousins of butterflies — at the Meadowlands’ third annual Moth Night at DeKorte Park from 8:30 to 11 p.m. And it’s FREE.

We’ll be hosting the folks from National Moth Week, who’ll present a short talk on moths and why they are so awesome yet misunderstood.

Then we’ll check out the NMW’s industrial-strength mercury vapor lamps and white sheets to identify and admire the various species.

We’ll also try “sugaring” to attract moths as well. The goal of the event – part of National Moth Week — is to raise awareness of these seldom seen insects and to celebrate biodiversity.

This free family-friendly event is sponsored by the N.J. Meadowlands Commission and Bergen County Audubon Society. Check meadowblog.net for last-minute weather updates.

To rsvp, contact Don Torino of the BCAS at greatauk4@aol.com or 201-230-4983. (Rain date: Tuesday, July 22.)

Rob Fanning writes:

The American White Pelican continues at the usual location. Also I saw my first returning Short-billed Dowitcher and Lesser Yellowlegs (1 of each) as well as an Immature Spotted Sandpiper.

Yes–the fall migration has begun!

Outside of Medieval Times in Lyndhurst is an amazing mushroom circle, also called a fairy ring.

More on mushroom circles here.

Saw this guy on a boat trip last week. Snow Goose? Some sort of domestic? Didn’t quite resemble anything in our field guides. We welcome your input!

This has been another good year for Ospreys in the Meadowlands, with at least five nests in the district. The one above, on Valley Brook, has one nestling ready to fledge any day. You can barely see the little head sticking up.

Informative recent Osprey article in The Hudson Reporter is here.

Chris Takacs reports seeing a flying Least Tern from the Transco Trail. Would be great if someone got a nice pic! (Thanks, Chris!)

The American White Pelican continues today (Thursday) on the Sawmill Creek Mudflats at DeKorte, but it has been too far away to get a decent photo. So Chris Takacs  rode his bike from Lyndhurst to the Belleville Pike to get a closer shot.

A lot of pedaling, a tick or two, and some poison ivy later. he got this shot.

(Thanks, Chris!)