Louis Balboa writes:

“I  got some eagle shots on Disposal Road on two days last week. Here are a few.”

(Thanks, Louis!)

Ron Shields, the dean of Meadowlands nature photography, is presenting a talk and slide show on “The Birds of the Meadowlands” this Wednesday (Jan. 14) at the Meadowlands Environment Center in DeKorte Park at 2 p.m.

For a sampling of Ron’s photos, click here.

(More info on the talk follows.)

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Dennis Cheeseman writes:

Haven’t been to Losen Slote Park in Little Ferry in awhile, but I got out there on Thursday and must say I like how the trails have been more clearly marked now.   This will make it easier when the vegetation grows back to navigate around.

There were a few eagles hanging around there on Thursday.   I think they were checking out the pond.

Lots of sparrows and woodpeckers about in there also.    Attached are a few pics —  not my best but it hard to hold still when it is 15 degrees out there and the wind is howling.

(Thanks, Dennis!)

Dennis asks, btw, if nearby Mehrhof Pond part of this challenge. The short answer is no.

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. (Hint: lots of ducks.)

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

EFFECTIVE IMMEDIATELY, Disposal Road is closed to all vehicular traffic — including weekends.

A substantial construction project is under way along the road for the foreseeable future and ALL access to the construction area, whether vehicular or on foot, is prohibited.

The portions of Disposal Road outside of the construction area may be accessed by foot, but please be advised that construction vehicles and equipment move throughout the site and that if you choose to enter Disposal Road by foot, you are doing so at your own risk.

Please use Valley Brook Avenue to access DeKorte Park. You can access Disposal Road on foot by parking in DeKorte Park and taking the Transco Trail. Disposal Road is a private, unmaintained road that is closed to vehicular traffic.

We appreciate your cooperation.

Ron Shields writes:

I checked out the duckage  at DeKorte Park earlier  this week and was extremely impressed.

The Canvasbacks (19 in number) huddled close to shore allowing for some good photo opportunities despite the conditions.  (Thanks, Ron!)

Trying to find something on the blog — an upcoming walk, a certain photographer’s photos, posts on Muskrats, sightings of a favorite raptor?

Don’t forget that you can search 5 years of blog posts by using the Google search engine in the upper-right part of the blog. Let the searches begin.

Dennis Cheeseman got these shots (and the accompanying I.D.s) during a recent winter precipitation event at Mill Creek Marsh. (Thanks, Dennis!)

Next up for Dennis: snowy owls and snowy egrets, no doubt.

Our Third Tuesday of the Month Walk for January is the amazing Laurel Hill County Park in Secaucus, which abounds in both natural history and local history. Never know what you’ll see at Laurel Hill — Common Ravens, Redtails, Peregrines and more. The walk begins at 10 a.m.

Full information follows.

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On Tuesday, we asked readers to I.D. the owls who coughed up these four pellets in the Meadowlands.

We said we are certain of two of the three pellet producers, and have a hunch who the other coughivore was.

The first pellet is from a Barn Owl. We saw it this week, flying away from the drop zone.

Middle photo: We think these two pellets are from a Long-eared Owl.

Right-hand Photo: Snowy Owl pellet, found by Ray Gilbert last winter along the Transco Trail.