Golden Eagle with porcupine quill.

We’re used to thinking about wild animals being threatened by humans. But they also have to contend with other formidable potential foes.

“In 17 studies, dating from 1909 to 2009, [scientists]  found reports of at least nine bird species that had known the pain of the [porcupine’s] hostile quills, the researchers report in the current issue of The Wilson Journal of Ornithology. Included in the list were other golden eagles, a bald eagle, a peregrine falcon, a few great horned owls, several hawks, and even a ruffed grouse. In seven cases, the spines proved fatal or nearly so.”

Read the article by Emily DeMarco in Science News here.

The Nine Muses by Carlos Dorrien

If you haven’t been there yet, you are missing out on a real NJ treasure. Conceived and founded by sculptor J. Seward Johnson on the former grounds of the NJ State Fair in Hamilton, it has grown over 30 years into a well-respected art institution – a unique and wonderful blend of art and landscape.

The 42-acre site showcases many outdoor sculptures by well-known artists, including several by Mr. Johnson. Plenty of room for kids to roam and explore. The recently-added East Gallery provides indoor space for art and performances as well.

“In accordance with its mission, Grounds For Sculpture presents visitors with an evolving permanent outdoor collection, seasonal exhibitions, and educational programs designed to facilitate the understanding of and appreciation for contemporary sculpture.”

Visit the Grounds for Sculpture website here.

Presented by the Conserve Wildlife Foundation
Thursday, May 21, 7:00-8:30 pm at the MEC
$6/person; $5 MEC members. Register here.

Ospreys – those amazing fish-hunting hawks — have made an amazing comeback in the Meadowlands, and all of NJ, after being almost eradicated in the 1970s by the then-legal pesticide DDT. Conserve Wildlife Foundation has been in the thick of that comeback, building nesting platforms, banding Osprey, and monitoring nests statewide. CWF will present a talk and slide show about their work with the Osprey. Sponsored by NJMC and BCAS.

Someone sent this on Facebook…no information about it…none I can read, that is!

The team scored this prize – a Willet, recorded for only the second time in the meadowlands.

For the fifth year in a row, a team representing the meadowlands took part in the national World Series of Birding. Known as the Meadowlands Marsh Hawks, the team consisted of Mike Newhouse, Chris Takacs, and Mike Wolfe, who took second place in their category. Congratulations to all!

The team counted 135 species during their 22-hour marathon of bird watching throughout Bergen County. The Willet, shown above, was a standout, being only the second recording ever in the meadowlands. Other special sightings included the Least Bittern, Dickcissel, and Glossy Ibis. The numbers of neo-tropical birds like warblers and vireos were low. Mike Newhouse speculates that recent weather patterns sent many migrators westward to the Central Flyway. Peak migration for these birds is mid-May.

The World Series of Birding is the country’s largest and most prestigious birding competition. Over the years, the WSB has brought birding to the attention of the media, and has raised close to $9 million for conservation.

The Marsh Hawks raised over $2000 this year, which will be used to fund local bird conservation efforts. Past projects include establishing a butterfly garden along Disposal Road and enhancing native plantings at the Kingsland Overlook and Harrier Meadow, projects which also received funding from Bergen County Audubon Society.

There’s still time to support the team! The link to the Meadowlands Marsh Hawks page is here.

Some 40 people joined the NJSEA and the NJ State Police Marine Division at River Barge Park in Carlstadt for “Boating Safety Day” on Saturday, May 9. Trooper Robert Albano discussed how boat drivers can navigate waterways while staying out of harm’s way by obeying speed regulations and keeping aware of other boats, swimmers or obstacles.  He also performed safety checks on boats docked at the marina – there should be flares, first-aid kits and life jackets onboard, among other items.
Participants were also treated to NJSEA pontoon boat tours of the Hackensack River. Our regular pontoon boat tour season begins June 3 and run through September. The tours, led by expert narrators, provide a unique opportunity to experience and learn about the river and its surrounding environment and wildlife from an up-close vantage point.
For a complete pontoon boat tour schedule/registration sheet click here.

“Parking spots in big cities such as Washington DC, Seattle and Los Angeles are being transformed into miniature parks. Based on a concept started in San Francisco nine years ago to improve public space, these temporary parks, commonly referred to as parklets, beautify small spaces until they are disassembled at the end of the day. Proponents see the short-lived green spaces as a way to promote active streets, friendly neighborhoods, and to support local businesses.” Read more on Voice of America here.

I ran across one of these in Seattle last February. Philadelphia also has an active program to develop parklets. But there’s no reason the idea couldn’t work in smaller towns as well, such as those here in the meadowlands.

Want to try it your community?

Read about Park(ing) Day, an international event held in September.
See San Francisco’s program guide here.
See more projects from around the country on Inhabit, here.

We started with a walk through the woods at the Ridgefield Nature Center, where we saw native plants like Persimmon and Bottlebrush Buckeye, as well as a Carolina Wren and a Red-bellied Woodpecker, among the more common Robins, Catbirds, and Blue Jays.

We stopped to see the Monk Parakeets under the Hendrick’s Causeway bridge, and boy, are they noisy. We learned that the primary reason that these tropical birds have been able to naturalize in the northeast is their ability to build large well-insulated nests from sticks.

We continued to Skeetkill Marsh where the tide was super-low. We saw Robins hopping busily on the mossy mud and quite a few Tree Swallows swooping and posing. The Ridgefield Environmental Commission brought Douglas Fir seedlings which they distributed to participants. Thanks!

Don Torino added a bonus at the end by taking us to see the famous Ridgefield Bald Eagles, Alice and Al, who have three large chicks in the nest they’ve maintained for the past five years. The chicks won’t begin to leave the nest for another four to six weeks. I was happy to see Yellow Flag Iris growing at the side of the creek.

Thanks to Don and the BCAS, as well as the Ridgefield Environmental folks.

Boating Safety at River Barge Park on Saturday. Details here.

Mother’s Day walk in Ridgefield on Sunday. Details here.

World Series of Birding on Saturday. Details here.

Yes, it’s here: Peecycling.  Urine as Fertilizer.  Why, you ask?

“Aside from the fact that we use large amounts of potable water to remove a relatively small amount of urine from our houses each day, that yellow liquid also happens to be full of nutrients that could be used as fertilizer for crops.”

“A group of researchers at the University of Michigan Engineering department are investigating the use of disinfected human urine as fertilizer on a large scale, where it could supply important plant growth nutrients and help to close “the nutrient cycle.”

Read more on Treehugger. Go directly to the U of M research here.
Ready to try it yourself? Read here.