Daily Archives: August 24, 2015

Experience the Meadowlands in September

snowy egret Mill Creek

snowy egret Mill Creek

The NJSEA has plenty of events scheduled for September, including guided nature walks with the Bergen County Audubon Society, the final month of our pontoon boat tours and stargazing at the William D. McDowell Observatory.

Next month’s free nature walks are Sunday, Sept. 6, at Mill Creek Marsh in Secaucus and Tuesday, Sept. 15, at Harrier Meadow in North Arlington, which is normally closed to the public. Both walks are from 10 am to noon.

The William D. McDowell Observatory is open every Wednesday in September from 8 to 10 p.m.for free public viewing nights. In addition, the Observatory will be open from 7:30 pm Sunday, Sept. 27, to 1:30 am Monday, Sept. 28 so that the public can view a Total Lunar Eclipse.

The peak of the eclipse, when the Earth is positioned completely between the Full Moon and the Sun, will take place at approximately 10:45 pm. The event will include a talk on the history of eclipses and telescope viewing of other astronomical objects, including Saturn and Neptune.

There’s still time to get in a pontoon boat ride along the Hackensack River before the season ends in late September. These great rides offer a whole new perspective of the Meadowlands’ amazing natural beauty and wildlife. For times and registration information click here.

See you in September!

Bountiful Birds Seen By Boat Thursday Evening

Last Thursday evening’s pontoon boat trip proved spectacular for bird sightings. Two dozen species were soon during the two-hour trip along the Hackensack River. The snowy egrest in this post are courtesy of one of Ron Shields, one our favorite photographers.

Here’s the list of species seen. There’s still time to take a pontoon boat tour. The season runs through Sept. 24. For schedule click here.

Mallard
Double-crested Cormorant
Great Blue Heron
Great Egret
Snowy Egret
Yellow-crowned Night-Heron
Osprey
Red-tailed Hawk
Semipalmated Plover
Greater Yellowlegs
Semipalmated Sandpiper
Laughing Gull
Ring-billed Gull
Herring Gull
Great Black-backed Gull
Caspian Tern
Rock Pigeon (Feral Pigeon)
Mourning Dove
Common Nighthawk
Peregrine Falcon
Tree Swallow
Barn Swallow
Red-winged Blackbird

Canada Goose