Soras and Least Bitterns are usually quite stealthy, but the small, secretive birds have been making themselves known at DeKorte Park over the past week. There have been multiple, near daily reports of a Sora; if anyone has photos, please send to me at brian.aberback@njmeadowlands.gov and I’ll post. Dennis Cheeseman caught the Least Bittern in the sequence above.

Judging by these photos, the kids had a great time at Butterfly Day while learning about the importance of environmental conservation and stewardship. Getting youngsters out into our parks and natural areas is crucial in inspiring the next generation of naturalists, biologists, scientists and all matter of champions of the envirnoment.