This month’s winter storm was incredibly harsh for American Woodcocks, but things seem to be getting better. Ron Shields sent these shots of a Woodcock on Disposal Road on Tuesday feeding on one of at least 10 earthworms. Ron writes that the plowed shoulder of the road, its southern exposure and the bright sunlight resulted in thawed conditions beneficial to ground feeding.
Beautiful Spring weather is just about here and diehard gardeners, including myself, can’t wait to get outside and get their hands and shovels into the dirt. But before we do that it is very important that we recognize and understand that our backyard gardens are in reality wildlife habitats.
In fact there are many scientists that believe that if we are to save migrating birds, butterflies and pollinators, we will need to change the way we think about our gardens and transform our old ways of gardening into new methods that keep wildlife in mind.
The Bergen County Audubon Society is offering a Birding for Beginners course at DeKorte Park on Sunday, April 2, from 1 to 3 p.m. It’s a great opportunity for all ages who are interested in bird watching to learn from the best. See below for more info and how to register.
To print out the flier click here
Steve Ceragno recently took this photo of a Kestrel enjoying lunch, above. Below is a Red-tailed Hawk. Thanks Steve!
Great story in The Record on Sunday about Bergen County Audubon Society President Don Torino’s talk on Saturday in Ringwood about creating a backyard habitat hospitable to birds, butterflies and other wildlife. The story also mentions the BCAS Certified Wildlife Garden program. Read more about the program here
Fox Sparrow
Rich Brown got some great photos of Fox Sparrows and Eastern Phoebes at Losen Slote Creek Park in Little Ferry on Saturday. Check them out. Thanks Rich!
Fox Sparrow
Fox Sparrow
Eastern Phoebe
Eastern Phoebe
The Bergen County Parks Department is formulating its first ever Parks Master Plan, and they want public input on how you use parks in the Meadowlands and throughout the county, including what you like, what you’d like to see and what can be improved. Don’t miss this opportunity to make your voice heard. Take the survey here.
Last week the NJSEA spotlighted the Meadowlands Environmental Research Institute (MERI), which was recently merged into the Rutgers University-Newark Department of Earth & Environmental Sciences under an agreement with the Sports Authority. MERI is housed in the NJSEA offices and performs critical scientific research.
Check out a story in The Record about MERI’s important research and a video tour of its facilities, including the state-of-the-art laboratory.
Getting kids to enjoy nature is one of my great joys in life. Whether it’s taking them on our field trips, working with them on our junior naturalist programs or bringing environmental education into our local schools, working with young people is an unforgettable experience that I will always cherish and treasure.
Green-winged Teal
An amazing number of Green-winged Teal were the highlight of yesterday’s Bergen County Audubon Society walk at Mill Creek Marsh in Secaucus. There was also a Red-tailed Hawk, Ring-billed Gull and much more. Here’s a sampling from Joe Koscielny and Mickey Raine!
Green-winged Teal
Green-winged Teal
Red-tailed Hawk
Red-tailed Hawk
Red-winged Blackbird
Ring-billed Gull
Northern Mockingbird