Stunning. That’s what I thought when I first saw these photos of Yellow-Crowned Night Herons in the Kearny Marsh that Ron Shields sent earlier today. Ron writes: Yellow-crowned night herons are common in the Saw Mill Creek Wildlife Management Area and along the river where I have photographed them on numerous occasions.
However, finding them in the Kearny Marsh is unusual at best. I was lucky to come across this trio of juveniles recently and they proved to be most cooperative.
Those who attended our special walk at Harrier Meadow this morning were treated to a clear view of the Ruff, the rare bird that has been seen in and around DeKorte for the past week. Thanks to Michael Addis for his photos!
Our favorite day of summer is just a day away! Butterfly Day at DeKorte Park is this Saturday, July 30, from 10 am to 3 p.m.
The free event includes butterfly talks and guided walks. We’ll look for majestic monarchs, fabulous fritillarys and more at Jill’s Garden and throughout the park. Experts from co-sponsors Bergen County Audubon Society and the North American Butterfly Association – North Jersey Chapter will be on hand to help you find and identify the butterflies and will have tables with plenty of information on the species.
The family-friendly day features plenty for kids, including a scavenger hunt, costume contest at noon (for ages 12 and under), face painting, coloring and crafts. Rain date is Sunday, July 31. Don’t miss out! Register for the free event here.
Ray Duffy sent us this great photo of peeps roosting on drift wood at Mill Creek Marsh from earlier this week. Ray writes: The high tides at Mill Creek often provides a unique chance to catch the peeps as they start to roost as the tide covers up the mudflats for them to feed and they’re looking for a place to rest. You get neat opportunities to see them lining the cedar stumps and the branches of driftwood. Thanks Ray!
The Bergen County Audubon Society will lead a very special walk in Harrier Meadow tomorrow morning to see if we can spot the Ruff. Our rare avian visitor from Eurasia was spotted by NJSEA staff in the Meadow this morning. Access to Harrier will be from 8 am to 11 am only. This walk is limited to viewing of the rare shorebird. There is no guarantee that the bird will be seen.
Please wear approrpiate clothing and bug spray to protect against mosquitoes and flies. Heavy rain cancels.
Harrier Meadow is located off Disposal Road in North Arlington, adjacent to DeKorte Park.
Least Skipper Courtesy Patrick Carney
Silver Spotted Skipper
Wild Indigo Dusky Wing
Credit: Marie Longo
Of course we have our much beloved Monarchs, the stalely Swallowtails, the gorgeous Gossamer-wings and the beautiful Brush Foots, but there is another group of butterflies, more diverse and challenging than all the others, but very often overlooked when most folks are out enjoying the butterflies of the Meadowlands. They are the Skippers.
Regina Geoghan sent in these photos she took of butterflies at DeKorte Park earlier this week. We hope to see a bunch more on Butterfly Day this Saturday (July 30)! The free event takes place at the park from 10 am to 3 pm and includes butterfly walks and talks and plenty of activities for kids including a scavenger hunt and crafts. To register click here.
A view of a silver-spotted skipper butterfly nectaring on a purple butterfly bush.
A side view view of a Red Admiral butterfly with closed wings on a purple butterfly bush flower.
A view of a broad-winged skipper butterfly with wings closed on a white butterfly bush flower.
Ron Shields was up early today and got these magnificent sunrise shots from the Transco Trail. Enjoy!
A view of a clear-winged hummingbird moth on a white butterfly bush flower.
Don’t forget to join us for Moth Night tomorrow (July 28) at DeKorte Park from 8:30 to 10 pm. The free event was rescheduled from Monday due to the bad weather.
The program starts with a talk by National Moth Week co-founder Dr. Elena Tartaglia on these spectacular yet misunderstood cousins of butterflies.
Then it’s out to the park where industrial-strength lamps and white sheets will be set up and sugar bait will be used to attract moths for easier viewing. The event is part of National Moth Week. For more information, including some astounding facts and figures, click here
Michael Maddaloni sent in these breathtaking photos that he took from his car yesterday of lightning coming down on the Vreeland Ditch side of the Saw Mill Creek Trail in DeKorte. Spectacular and scary.
