The Meadowlands Commission is considering creating a new free color brochure called “Common Birds of the Meadowlands,” with an emphasis on frequently seen birds that can be seen in DeKorte Park and along the Hackensack River.
We are thinking of dividing the birds into three sections — colder months, warmer months and year-round — with a total of 25 birds altogether.
The idea is produce a pamphlet for young people, new birders and folks on our popular pontoon boat cruises.
(For example, we have omitted two very common birds — the Northern Cardinal and the American Robin — because we figure almost everybody recognizes them. And such rarities as Snowy Owls, Tri-colored Herons and Cinnamon Teal are just too uncommon.)
A preliminary list follows. What do you think should be added — or subtracted?
Year-round
Northern Harrier
Bald Eagle
Northern Mockingbird
Peregrine Falcon
Great Black-backed Gull
Belted Kingfisher
American Goldfinch
Warmer months
Great Egret
Great Blue Heron
Black-crowned Night Heron
Osprey
Double-crested Cormorant
Snowy Egret
Red-winged Blackbird (male & female)
Tree Swallow
Barn Swallow
Baltimore Oriole
Orchard Oriole
Colder months
Canvasback
Bufflehead
Ruddy Duck
Pintail
Green-winged Teal
Long-eared Owl
Rough-legged Hawk
American Kestrel, Northern Shoveler, the various sparrows (and yellow rumped warbler right now) that buzz along with you down the Transco trail, I’m not sure how often they’re around but I’ve had a northern flicker a few times picking spiders off the boardwalk rails, yellowlegs… all in no particular order.
Red tailed hawks are always a good sight in the area.
I question listing Long-eared Owl as it’s a tough bird to find and see for beginners. I’d rather see White-crowned sparrow listed as it is easy to see when found and is a regular at DeKorte. And/or one of the mergansers as they are equally regular and photogenic.
I would also hope that there would be some text stating what is common in each season — no pictures necessary.
Definitely need the Mergansers in the colder months part. I’ve actually had people (non-birders) ask me about “the ducks with huge heads” before. I have some nice shots of Hooded and Red-Breasted, too.
This project reminds me of the brochure, “Let’s Start Birding!”, produced by NJAS and Zeiss with art by Emily Willoughby. It includes a checklist with photos of 25 common birds. The Meadowlands pamphlet could be complementary to the NJAS/Zeiss one, i.e., with common species found in the Meadowlands but not those already included in the NJAS/Zeiss one.
I agree with the preceding comments. In addition, the draft list is thin on shorebirds, gulls, terns, and sparrows. Plus, Skimmers are big, dramatic, and easily identified.
Good idea–and interesting comments. Completely agree that LE Owl should be removed and that Merganser (Common and Hooded?) and White-crowned Sparrow should be added–as well ask Skimmers and Forster’s Terns. Other birds I’d consider adding would be Yellow Warbler, Indigo Bunting, Red-tailed hawk–and at least one of the common shorebirds (Yellowlegs, Spotted Sand, Killdeer) I’d consider removing Orchard Oriole as they can be tough for beginners to find. I also would expand the list to 30! : )
I would be willing to donate photos to use for this project as long as credit was giving. Please email me if interested!! đŸ™‚