We are thrilled to report that Saturday’s Meadowlands Birding Festival was a great success! Nearly 500 people came to DeKorte Park for a day of bird walks, talks and kid’s activities, as well as birding boat trips at River Barge Park in Carlstadt.

The walks traversed DeKorte Park as well as Harrier Meadow and the Kingsland Landfill, areas not normally opened to the public. Keynote speaker/award-winning field guide author Richard Crossley led one of the walks and gave a captivating program on waterfowl. The live raptor presentation by the Avian Wildlife Center was another hit.

Special thanks go to the volunteers that made it all possible, including those from the Bergen County Audubon Soceiety, the New Jersey Sports and Exposition Authority and the Hackensack Rivererkeeper; especially BCAS President Don Torino, the driving force behind the festival.

Thanks also to our guest speakers Don Smith, Jim Wright, Ron Shields and Dr. Francisco Artigas; participating nature groups (Tenafly Nature Center, Teaneck Creek Conservancy, The New Weis Center for Education, Arts & Recreation, Greenbrook Sanctuary); and Belleville Troop #350 for providing food.

Also thanks to the Meadowlands Environment Center educators who kept kids enthralled in activities such as All About Eggs and Avian Adaptations.

The Record did a great story on the event too.

Below is a sampling of photos from the day.