A four image montage of the first butterflies and one of dozens of bumblebees enjoying the pollen on purple coneflowers and Bee Balm.

Thanks to Regina Geoghan for this collage of beautiful butterflies and bees seen recently at DeKorte Park!

Don’t forget to register for Butterfly Day on Sunday, July 29 at the park.

The family-friendly, free  event runs from 10 am to 3 pm and includes butterfly walks, talks, onsite experts to help identify the various butterflies and kids activities including a Scavenger Hunt, Face Painting, Butterfly costume contest (12 and under) and crafts. The butterfly festival is co-sponsored by the Bergen County Audubon Society.

To register and for more info click here

Join the Bergen County Audubon Society on Tuesday, July 17, for a guided nature walk at DeKorte Park! They’ll be looking for shorebirds, nesting birds and more! The walk runs from 10 am to noon and meets outside the Meadowlands Environment Center.

For more information contact Don Torino at greatauk4@gmail.com or 201-230-4983.

This morning, just outside of DeKorte Park, Chris Soucy of the Raptor Trust released a majestic Red-Tailed hawk that had been burned more than a year ago. The Raptor Trust rehabilitated the male hawk, who flew off and immediately found a place to perch. We’re thrilled to see this happy ending/new beginning for the hawk! Attending were members of the Bergen County Audubon Society (check out the great pic of BCAS President Don Torino with the hawk below)!

Purple Milkweed

The Great First Lady of wildflowers Lady Bird Johnson once said, “Wildflowers are the stuff of my Heart.” I am sure there are many more of us that would  join her in that very special sentiment. After all wildflowers have been the inspiration for some of our greatest poems and love stories throughout the ages. Their beauty somehow touches our hearts and souls by stirring some of our most ancientemotions at the very sight of a field Bee Balm, Coneflower or Goldenrod.

But there is much much more to the true magical beauty of our native wildflowers. Almost like a mystical phenomenon they bring life seemingly out of nowhere and ultimately mean survival to an endless number of birds, butterflies and pollinators that have evolved with them and now depend on them. Whether it’s a hundred acres of flowers or just your humble backyard garden they are the foundation and building block for a healthy habitat for both people and wildlife.

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Circle Sept. 15 on your calendar for the Meadowlands Birding Festival at DeKorte Park from 8:30 am to 4:30 pm! The NJSEA and Bergen County Audubon Society are thrilled to present a day of birding walks and talks, including walks in areas normally closed to the public such as Harrier Meadow. There will also be plenty of kids activities!

Renowned birding field-guide author David Sibley will be the keynote speaker and prominent birding author Rick Wright will lead one of the walks. Both Wright and Sibley will be signing books.

Back by popular demand is a live raptor presentation by the Avian Wildlife Center.

In addition, birding boat tours will be offered by the Hackensack Riverkeeper at River Barge Park in Carlstadt.

The entire event is free. More details and registration info to come soon. For now keep Sept. 15 free on your calendars!

Live Raptor Demonstration

David Sibley

Rick Wright

Join the Bergen County Audubon Society next Tuesday, July 17, for a guided nature walk at DeKorte Park! They’ll be looking for shorebirds, nesting birds and more! The walk runs from 10 am to noon and meets outside the Meadowlands Environment Center.

For more information contact Don Torino at greatauk4@gmail.com or 201-230-4983.

Many thanks to first-time blog contributor David McClure for these great photos he took of a Great Blue Heron on Sunday at DeKorte Park. We look forward to many more submissions from David!

Dennis Cheeseman was up and at em’ early this morning at DeKorte and got these great photos of a Black-crowned Night Heron. Thanks Dennis!