Syringia vulgaris, common lilac (common ornamental used around homes like hydrangea)

Thanks again to Dee De Santis for providing a great array of photos from this past Sunday’s Bergen County Audubon Society Mother’s Day Walk at DeKorte Park. Yesterday we posted some of Dee’s fauna photos. Now it’s time for the flora to shine! Captions about the plants by the NJSEA’s own Gaby Bennett-Meany.

Calycanthus floridus, eastern sweetshrub, allspice (native shrub with highly fragrant twigs, leaves, and flowers. The flowers are deep red to maroon in color)

photinia pyrifolia, red chokeberry (deciduous shrub, native to eastern North America, beneficial to wildlife)

Barbarea vulgaris, garden yellow-rocket (common weed along highways and in fields noticeable for the bright yellow flowers one of the first spring bloomers)

Hesperis matronalis, Dame’s rocket (same as yellow rocket – common weed along highways and in fields noticeable for the bright purple flowers one of the first spring bloomers)

Based on the overcast conditions, the William D. McDowell Observatory public viewing session tonight (Wednesday, May 16) has been cancelled. The next public viewing night is Wednesday, May 23, from 8 to 10:30 pm.

Common Yellowthroat

Thanks to Dee De Santis for these fantastic photos of a variety of species taken during Sunday’s Bergen County Audubon Society Mother’s Day Nature Walk at DeKorte Park. And thanks to everyone who came out to celebrate mom, and Mother Nature!

Yellow warbler

Gray Catbird

Savannah Sparrow

Least Sandpiper

Gadwall

Mallards

Least Tern

Greater Yellowlegs

The Bergen County Audubon Society will lead nature walks in the Meadowlands tomorrow and Thursday. On Tuesday, May 15, explore Harrier Meadow in North Arlington, an amazing 70-acre natural area that is normally closed to the public.

Then, on Thursday, May 17, check out Losen Slote Creek Park in Little Ferry, one of the last remaining parcels of woodlands in the Meadowlands District.

Each walk lasts from 10 am to noon. For more information contact Don Torino at greatauk4@gmail.com or 201-230-4983.

Thanks to Rich Brown for sending in this photo of a Little blue heron he got at DeKorte on Saturday. Our first Little blue heron photo of the season!

Celebrate mom this Sunday with a nature walk led by the Bergen County Audubon Society at DeKorte Park from 10 am to noon!  We’ll be on the lookout for Egrets and other spring migrants and shorebirds. For more information call 201-230-4983 or email Don Torino.

The Bergen County Audubon Society will lead two nature walks in the Meadowlands next week. On Tuesday, May 15, explore Harrier Meadow in North Arlington, an amazing 70-acre natural area that is normally closed to the public.

Then, on Thursday, May 17, check out Losen Slote Creek Park in Little Ferry, one of the last remaining parcels of woodlands in the Meadowlands District.

Each walk lasts from 10 am to noon. For more information contact Don Torino at greatauk4@gmail.com or 201-230-4983.

Celebrate mom this Sunday with a nature walk led by the Bergen County Audubon Society at DeKorte Park from 10 am to noon!  We’ll be on the lookout for Egrets and other spring migrants and shorebirds. For more information call 201-230-4983 or email Don Torino.

Wood thrush at Losen Slote Creek Park

Beginning June 1 the Bergen County Audubon Society will conduct a breeding bird survey at Losen Slote Creek Park in Little Ferry, an incredible natural wonder in our Meadowlands. This will be a concerted effort to determine and document the birds that utilize Losen Slote in the breeding season.

The information gathered will help determine future management of the park and inform the best ways to help the species that depend on Losen Slote to bring forth the next generation and also for their very survival.

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Angelo Gaccione organized a trip for his Belleville High School Environmental Science class to DeKorte Park last week to participate in a cleanup and enhancement program.

The class consisting of juniors and seniors recently won a science competition created by Gaccione for their extaordinary model of a watershed.  

The goal of the project was to build a city that illustrated how point and non-point pollution affected a waterway.  Three different classes  involved in the competition were given a 2-by-4 foot piece of plywood and were asked to show how seven non-point pollution sources and three point pollution sources affect a waterway.  Each class formed sub groups to work on smaller portions of their city  – they even had a mountain stream recirculating into a pond!

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