Soras are highly secretive and extremely difficult to locate. But Ron Shields’ patience paid off with these great photos of a Sora in the Kearny Marsh.

Join the Bergen County Audubon Society this coming Tuesday, May 17, on a guided nature walk of Mill Creek Marsh in Secaucus. The walk takes place from 10 am to noon.

Mill Creek Marsh is a great place for birding and a site of historical significance. The marsh contains dozens of stumps of Atlantic White Cedars, the last vestiges of a primeval forest that once covered a third of the Meadowlands for hundreds of years.

The cedar stumps are popular perches for the birds to be seen at the marsh.The BCAS will be looking for  warblers, egrets, herons, shorebirds and other birds of interest. Mill Creek Marsh is located adjacent to the Mill Creek Mall. Park in the lot by Bob’s Discount Furniture.

For more information email greatauk4@gmail.com or call 201-230-4983.

Courtesy Marie Longo

As we speak, the Monarch Butterfly is enduring its perilous and miraculous journey north. Sadly, in the past few years we have had Monarch butterfly numbers drop to a 20- year low. Although there are multiple reasons why this magnificent butterfly is threatened and being considered for the endangered species list, for the most part there are two main reasons why the Monarch is in deep trouble.

First is the lack of Milkweed, the only plant that Monarch caterpillars can consume. No milkweed, no Monarchs. It’s that simple and also that frightening. And the latest study also points to the lack of the available wildflower habitat, especially on their journey southward in late summer.

The good news is that over the last couple of years there have been many positive things happening. Government agencies and local community groups have been getting more milkweed into our environment. At schools, libraries, town halls, local businesses and wherever there is an extra plot of soil, milkweed is being planted and protected. Continue reading →