A reminder: The N.J. Meadowlands Commission and the Bergen County Audubon Society  are co-sponsoring a free Mother’s Day Walk that begins at the Ridgefield nature Center in Ridgefield on Sunday, May 10.

  The walk will also include a trip to Skeetkill Creek Marsh, with a stop to see the Monk Parakeet colony along the way.

   Click immediately below for more information and directions.

   We meet at the Ridgefield Nature Center at 8 a.m. for a 45-minute nature walk, with some birding along the way. The nature center is a beautiful wooded natural area comprising 5.4 acres off Shaler Boulevard by Ray Avenue.

   The property was the source of the spring for the Great Bear Spring Water Co. from 1920 to 1975, at which point the land was sold to the Borough of Ridgefield.

    For those with a little extra time, we will drive over to the Skeetkill Creek Marsh a  mile away to look for egrets, herons and shorebirds.

  Along the way, we will stop to take a look at the nearby Monk Parakeet colony. These colorful birds live under a bridge, above the train tracks. Bring binoculars and wear comfortable walking shoes.

    To register, contact Jim Wright of the Meadowlands Commission – at this e-mail address, 201-460-2002, or Don Torino of the BCAS at this e-mail address, 201-636-4022. 

  Directions: The Ridgefield Nature Center is at Ray Avenue and Shaler Boulevard in Ridgefield, a few blocks off of Routes 1 and 9.  You can use Google Maps or Maqquest or Yahoo Maps for directions from your locale.

   Here are the directions from Route 46: Take Exit for South 1 & 9, Broad Avenue. Head South on Broad Avenue. Turn Left onto Ray Avenue at first traffic light and proceed up the steep hill. After second stop sign Ridgefield Nature Center will be on the right,  enclosed by a green fence. At  Shaler Boulevard, make a right and park. The park  entrance is on Shaler Blvd. 

   We hope to see you Sunday!