Our next free walk is Sunday (Sept. 7) at 10 a.m. in DeKorte Park, and it features a special football theme  — and nifty prizes.

We’ll walk around parts of the park, looking for George the Pelican, shorebirds, raptors and other birds, and we’re offering prizes to the first people who see  any bird species with the same name as a pro-football team: Cardinal, Raven, Falcon, Eagle, Seahawk (osprey), Giant (Great) Egret  and Giant (Great) Blue Heron. All seven team bird species can be seen in the park.

The walk is run by the N.J. Meadowlands Commission and the Bergen County Audubon Society. Check meadowblog.net for last-minute weather updates. You will have to sign a standard liability release that is good for NJMC/BCAS events throughout the year.

Bring water, and wear comfortable walking shoes. To rsvp, contact Don Torino of the BCAS at greatauk4@aol.com or 201-230-4983.

Dennis Cheeseman reports:

Mill Creek Marsh today, Falcon buzzing the marsh chasing the sandpipers all over.   Plus a pretty Yellow Warbler.  Thanks, Dennis!

Great Spangled Fritillary on Common Milkweed.

Great variety of butterflies at Jill’s Garden this morning, including the slightly chewed Great Spangled Fritillary above.

Most folks who have seen George the Pelican during his two-month stay at DeKorte Park get a long-distance look through a spotting scope.

One day in July, though, George took a breather and headed to the Kearny Marsh, where Ron Shields happened to be waiting in his kayak, camera at the ready. (Thanks, Ron!)

And yes, George was seen this morning, far out on the Saw Mill Creek mudflats. That’s Day 62 of his stay.

The hummingbird was seen briefly by the Trumpet Vines in Jill’s Garden at 10 a.m. Friday, along with many cool butterflies and two Snowberry Clearwing Moths.

It was on our windshield earlier this week …

Here’s a link to another (better)  photo of this ilk (we just like to use the word “ilk”).