Jim Wright, who keeps this blog for the N.J. Meadowlands Commission, also writes a twice-monthly nature column for the South Bergenite. His latest column is about Moth Night at DeKorte Park on July 21, and features an interview Liti Haramaty, co-founder of National Moth Week:

Liti Haramaty, co-founder of National Moth Week.

How did the idea for NMW come up?
The idea came up from the success of local public moth nights in East Brunswick.  Guided by David Moskowitz with The Friends of the East Brunswick Environmental Commission since 2005 we invited local residents to moth nights in our town’s parks. People were attracted to the light and sheet setup like moth to a flame. There were families, naturalists and birders, photographers and neighbors.

Seeing that many people are interested in night time nature we thought we should get more people involved in more places.  Dave and I are both members of a Facebook group of moth’ers and we had a conversation with other group members to test the idea of having moth nights at the same time in different locations. Everyone loved it – and so in fall of 2012 National Moth Week was born. Continue reading →

In a post this week, wildnewjersey.tv wrote:

“If you haven’t bookmarked Meadowblog.net, get to it. We here at WNJ love this site. They are always posting great photos, fun articles, and cool events. They know how to represent the beauty and wonder of wildlife in New Jersey.”  (Thanks, guys!)

On Tuesday, we asked how many birds are in this photo taken in Harrier Meadow, and what are they?

Congrats to Greg Miller for getting the answer part right. He said there was a Spotted sandpiper in the photo.

Not to be outdone, Muhammad Faizan wrote: “Spotted Sandpiper on the side the stone (left edge of the picture). Spotted Sandpiper chick on the right edge of the picture – right edge of grass.” Congrats, Faizan!

Labeled photo follows.

Continue reading →

Dennis Cheeseman writes: “Lunchtime yesterday. I think he was having lunch at the time.”

The American White Pelican continues on the Sawmill Creek mudflats at DeKorte Park. It is visible from the Transco Trail, looking south toward the distant turnpike…

The two Peregrine eyas in the nest under the Route 3 Bridge have fledged. On a boat trip last week, we were lucky to see Mom (below) and one of the young ‘uns (above).

More about Dad here.

Dennis Cheeseman photographed this Laughing Gull in DeKorte Park yesterday at lunchtime. It was also seen in Teal Pool on our Sunday guided walk. (Thanks, Dennis!)

We had a great turnout for Sunday’s Butterflies for Beginners, including a few folks who really know their butterflies.

Although we did not spot the Great Spangled Fritillary or Eastern Tiger Swallowtail seen that morning (drat!), we did get great looks at a fresh Black Swallowtail (above), a couple of Red Admirals (one is on the right), a few Silver-spotted Skippers, a couple of Broad-winged Skippers, a Summer Azure and a Snowberry Clear-winged Moth that did not hang around to have its picture taken.

The event was sponsored by the Meadowlands Commission and the Bergen County Audubon Society. (Thanks to all who participated!)

We took this pic last week in Harrier. How many birds are in the pic, and what are they?

No one said it would be easy. High-res version follows. Continue reading →

Folks typically think of Jill’s Garden as the main place to see buitterflies at DeKorte, but there are lots of wildflower gardens, a sensory garden and a native plant garden to attract butterflies and birds out by the Carillon of Disposal Road  — all spots are worth a look. (Thanks to Regina Geoghan for the photo!)