Who dis? Photographed on Oct. 14 at the NJMC’s bird-banding station — second-ever…

Dubious, arguably counter-productive clue follows. Continue reading →

Today we honor America’s veterans, and one of the best places in the Meadowlands to do so is the AMVETS Memorial Carillon on Disposal Road.

If you’ve ever gone birding along Disposal Road, you’re probably familiar with the AMVETS Carillon.

The carillon chimes on the quarter hour, with a lengthier anthem on the hour. Then first time you walk by when it chimes, it catches you by surprise but who knows –the pealing may be appealing once you get accustomed to it.

There are several AMVETS carillons nationwide, including one at Arlington Cemetery in Arlington, Va. For more information on the AMVETS Carillon program, click here.

Background on Veterans Day is here.

Natalie Gregorio, a friend of this blog, writes:

I am on an NJ Audubon trip to Delmarva.

We’re on our way back and stopped at Fowlers beach part of Prime Hook NWR, and we spotted an American White Pelican with a bunch of cormorants.

This area is pretty much right across Delaware bay from Cape May, where George the Meadowlands’ Pelican was last seen…  Could it be George?

Or an impostor? (Thanks, Natalie!)

Bird-bander Chris Takacs steered us to this young Peregrine perched in Harrier Meadow.

We could see the silver federal band, but not any other band — until it decided to fly. When it took off and headed for the mud flats, Green-winged Teal took off and flew faster than we’ve ever seen them before.

We have sent in the info and let you know what we find out. (Thanks, Chris!)

Quite a few folks mistakenly thought last Tuesday’s Teaser was a Downy Woodpecker. The Hairy Woodpecker — the Teaser subject — is much bigger, of course, but you really can’t tell from the photographs that were included. The bill size, in this case, was the biggest tip-off, even if it did look a little small.

We’ve included a Downy pic below for comparison.

Congrats to everyone who got the I.D. right.

The Hairy is much bigger, of course.

On Tuesday, a state holiday, DeKorte Park will be closed all day for repaving work. Between now and then, the  park’s entrance road will be under construction, so please drive cautiously.

Thinking of visiting DeKorte Park or nearby Disposal Road this weekend?

To see what’s being reported at DeKorte on eBird Hotspot Explorer, click here.

To see what’s being reported along Disposal Road on eBird Hotspot Explorer, click here.

On a visit to Laurel Hill this week, we saw two Peregrines and an American Kestrel.

One of the Peregrines was perched on the old Common Ravens’ nest (above) yet again.

The American Kestrel (below) was perched on a couple of the ball-field light posts before one of the Peregrines drove it away.

Next time you visit Laurel Hill, don’t forget to check for the Peregrines on the cliffs and Kestrels on the light poles.

(And if you have a spotting scope, might look for a Bald Eagle perched on 1-E landfill across the river and past the Saw Mill Creek Wildlife Management Area. An adult Bald Eagle was perched on a tree on the landfill yesterday afternoon, and is seen there fairly often.)

The main entrance to DeKorte Park will be closed for repaving the remainder of today (Friday). You will be directed to a back entrance on Disposal Road. The Meadowlands Environment Center will close at 2 p.m. today.

On Tuesday, a state holiday, DeKorte Park will also be closed all day for repaving work. Between now and then, the  park’s entrance road will be under construction. Please drive cautiously.

The most recent eBird rare-bird alert mention of the Carillon Lark Sparrow was for Tuesday. Dennis Cheeseman took the shot above on Monday.

Has anyone seen the bird yesterday or today?  We looked a couple of times yesterday to no avail.