The American White Pelican is being seen this morning from the Transco Trail as you head toward the turnpike. It is with a Mute Swan and several DC Cormorants in the Sawmill Creek tidal impoundment (soon to be mudflats, tide-wise)  along the Bergen/Hudson border. (Thanks, Rob and Frank!). The tide is going out, so it might be hanging around a bit this morning

Marianne Ofenloch took the above photo yesterday. A link to other photos taken yesterday by Marianne is here. These photos give you a good idea of what you’re looking for. Thanks, Marianne!)

We finally saw our first Monarch this morning, in Jill’s Garden — a day late for our “Butterflies for Beginners” event.

Full list of butterflies from the event tomorrow.

Instead of our usual Third Tuesday bird walk, the Meadowlands Commission and Bergen County Audubon Society are sponsoring a Birding By Boat pontoon ride on Tuesday, Jul 15, from 10 a.m. to noon.  The cost is $15 per person — reserve a seat now!

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We had a great bird walk yesterday morning, with nearly 50 people and more than 40 species of birds.

Highlights included an American White Pelican, and adult Bald Eagle (no transmitter, so not Alice), a Cedar Waxwing nest, and many great looks at Black-crowned Night Herons.

One of the younger birders had a unique approach to looking through her binoculars (right).

A big thank you to all our participants.

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For the second day in a row, an American White Pelican has been seen at DeKorte Park. Yesterday it was seen flying above the Sawmill Creek Mudlflats. Today it was seen on the mudflats.

Hoping for a photo later today.  We have seen American White Pelicans at least three prior years, including one at the Kearny Marsh in February 2013, pictured below.

Please let this blog know if you see the pelican again!

Workers are removing the original plastic boardwalk material and will replace it with wood — a huge upgrade and much cooler in warmer weather.

We have two free guided walks this Sunday  (July 6) at DeKorte Park in Lyndhurst — a bird-oriented nature walk at 10 a.m. and a butterflies-for-beginners program and walk at 1 p.m.

Bring a lunch and enjoy a picnic between events. (Also might bring water and sunblock!)

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Courtesy of Ron Shields.

Happy Independence Day.

Had three Black Skimmers at River Barge Park from 9:30 a.m. until we left around noon.  They were still there when we left. (Below.)

The butterflies are taking their sweet time getting here this year, but we did have several skippers arrive the past two days — plus this beautiful clear-winged moth.