Thanks to all who attended Don Smith’s talk today on the natural history of the Meadowlands at the Meadowalnds Environment Center. Don covered the history of the region, from its formation as part of a glacier to its European settlement and despoiling by decades of pollution to its remarkable environmental recovery and home for wildlife.

Don is a dynamic speaker and Meadowlands native who grew up exploring the region in the 1950s and 1960s. Those in attendance were impressed with his knowledge and the Meadowlands’ fascinating history.

“This was fantastic,” said Rutherford resident Jay Delgado. “There are so many topics and subtopics about Meadowlands history that can be discussed.” Jay, who is a Troop Leader for Boy Scout Troop 166 in Rutherford, said he wants to bring his scouts to the next talk.

Don’t miss our upcoming programs at the Environment Center. We’ll be hosting our first “Evening Yoga” program on Monday, Feb. 22, and the Bergen County Audubon Society will give a presentation on “Creating a Certified Wildlife Garden on Thursday, Feb. 25. For more information on these programs, click here.

As I wandered a sunny, wintery open field through the Meadowlands many years ago I was startled by a tiny little bird that was barley clinging to the tip of a windswept phragmite.

I was immediately captivated by this diminutive but very energetic little bird with a rusty colored cap, gray face and very small and dark but very noticeable splotch on its breast . After realizing my presence it very quickly raised the rufous hackles on its head and was off like a flash into the russet grasses of the field.

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Join Meadowlands native and naturalist, hunter, trapper and storyteller Don Smith at 2 pm in the Environment Center as he shares a lifetime of experiences of the natural history of the Meadowlands.

This is a free event. To register click here.

 

Joe Koscielny sent a bunch of awesome photos from the Super Bird Sunday Walk at Mill Creek Marsh this past Sunday. Enjoy!

Gabriel Willow of NYC Audubon submitted the following recap of his group’s visit to DeKorte Park for the first time held last Friday. It was a great day for all involved, with the early morning snowfall making for especially beautiful views of the park and bird photos. Thanks again to Bergen County Audubon Society President Don Torino, NJSEA Natural Resources Department staffers Drew McQuade and Gabrielle Bennett-Meany, and Meadowlands nature photographer Ron Shields for joining the walk and offering their insight and expertise.

From Gabriel Willow:

Hello all, thanks for braving the snow today for what turned out to be a remarkably beautiful walk around DeKorte Park, and easy 30-40 minute drive from Midtown Manhattan.

First off, a big thanks to Don, Ron, Brian, Drew, and Gabrielle, for welcoming us to this former landfill and waste site, which has been transformed over the years into a rich ecosystem of meadows, wetlands, and woodlands, and was further transformed today into a winter wonderland.

The five of you offered wonderful expertise and insight into the area.  I think many of us will be visiting again!

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Jim Macaluso, who participated in yesterday’s Super Bird Sunday, sent the following disptach:

I was on the BCAS walk at Mill Creek Marsh and photographed a couple of Canada Geese with neck collars. I did a little investigation on the USGS website and found out the following:  Orange collars were used in the Canadian portion of the Mississippi Flyway, and Blue collars were used in the US portion of the Mississippi Flyway.”

Thanks for the info, Jim!

The Bergen County Audubon Society reports a great turnout for yesterday’s morning’s annual Super Bird Sunday nature walk. More than 50 people participated in the walk at Mill Creek Marsh in Secaucus. Those who were the first to spot birds with the same names as professional football team mascots were awaraded prizes and had their choice of an Audubon baseball cap, an Audubon tote bag or an Audubon backpack.

Pictured with BCAS President Don Torino in the middle picture above are prize winners Icram Khalil, who spotted a (Seattle Sea) Hawk and Bob Galvan, who saw an (Arizona) Northern Cardinal. Not pictures are Karen Heifetz and Flo Rutherford, who both glimpsed (Philadelphia) Bald Eagles.

The BCAS’ next Meadowlands Nature Walk is Tuesday, Feb. 16, from 10 am to noon at DeKorte Park in Lyndhurst. They’ll be looking for waterfowl, raptors and wintering birds.The walk is free.

For more information contact Don Torino at greatauk4@gmail.com or 201-280-4983.

The Bergen County Audubon Society and the NJSEA today welcomed members of the New York City Audubon Society to DeKorte Park and Harrier Meadow. BCAS President Don Torino and NJSEA staffers Gaby Bennett-Meany and Drew McQuade led the group on a three-hour tour during which the group took in Killdeer, Green-winged teal, Black Duck, Gadwalls, a Red-tailed Hawk and more.

“It’s just beautiful here,” said Gabriel Willow of NYC Audubon. “All the waterfowl and wetlands are pretty spectacular. It was really nice to have all these folks from Bergen Audobon and here at the park that know the area really well to guide us.”

“Our Meadowlands were more beautiful than ever this morning in the newly fallen snow,” Don said. “We had the privilege of guiding a great group of folks from New York City Audubon on a field trip to DeKorte Park and Harrier Meadow. There is nothing better than seeing the faces of people that visit the Meadowlands for the very first time. It makes me remember how lucky we are to have this gem in our own backyard.”

 

DeKorte Park conveys a special beauty and sense of tranquility after a snowfall. I took a walk down the Marsh Discovery Trail in the park this morning along with a group from the New York City Audubon Society who are visiting today. Thanks to Bergen County Audubon for leading the walk! We’ll have updates on what we see throughout the day. For now, enjoy these photos, including an untouched portion of the trail and a “Great Blue Heron Was Here” shot.