Author Archives: Jim Wright

Our New Column: Birds to Look For

1-IMG_7223 (1280x876)Jim Wright, who maintains this blog, also writes a monthly column for the South Bergenite. His latest column is an interview with NJMC naturalist about birds we might see in the coming weeks:

Early December in the Meadowlands is a time to look ahead and predict what rare birds might be coming our way this season.

Winter, after all, can be a prime time for seeing rarities — especially a certain charismatic white owl.

“Right now, snowy owls are being seen in the vicinity of the Meadowlands,” says N.J. Meadowlands Commission naturalist Mike Newhouse. “It might be just a matter of time until one is found here.”

Early 2014 saw an invasion of these large raptors the likes of which had not been seen in decades. During one stretch, a snowy owl was seen daily in DeKorte Park.

Sometimes the owl would be seen sitting on the ice in an impoundment. After the ice thawed, it could be seen sitting on a park bench, watching the ducks that swam past it.

The most amazing sighting came one Saturday afternoon last February, when lucky DeKorte visitors got to see four snowy owls at once! Continue reading

Flyway Gallery: Young Artist’s Work on View

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“Starbreaker,” by Gabriel Diaz.

Next week, eight-year-old Lyndhurst resident Gabriel Diaz will become the first elementary-school-aged student to have his very own exhibit at the New Jersey Meadowlands Commission’s Flyway Gallery.

Diaz will introduce area residents to his artistic talents during the multi-media, wildlife-themed show, “The Wonders of the Universe.”

The show runs from Wednesday, Dec. 10, through Friday, Jan. 23. A reception is scheduled for Tuesday, Dec. 16, from 3 to 5 p.m.

Some of Gabriel’s work measures as large as 5 feet high by 4½ feet wide.

More information about the show is here.

It’s Beginning to Look a Lot like Festivus

1-DSCN0001The annual Festivus pole is up in the lobby of the Meadowlands Commission’s administration building.

There is talk of camouflaging it with the ersatz evergreen boughs seen in the photo (right), so thought you’d like to see the pole in its natural state before it was too late.

The feats of strength are scheduled for this Sunday at 10 a.m., when we’ll see how many folks can brave the weather on our First-Sunday walk for December.

Airing of grievances has been scheduled for April 1 of next year. Sorry, but no early signups allowed.

More about the origins of Festivus here.

Hooded Mergansers Galore

1-112914 FTD B Merganser Hooded 020bf MCM Mdwlnds NJ Overcast n Competing for Female 112914 OK FLICKRMickey and Elaine Raine visited Mill Creek Marsh over the weekend and got a nice assortment of birds — including the wonderful Hoodies above and the excellent duckage and Downy below.

Tuesday Teaser 120214

1-IMG_7769-001We saw this guy foraging along the road in lousy light in Harrier Meadow today. Never flew but had a kind of goofy gait.

What is it?

 

Mill Creek Marsh Is Still Open!

1-DSCN9602Because of winter-weather concerns, the contractors for the Mill Creek Marsh Trail renovation have decided not to begin work this year.

They will start on March 3, 2015. They anticipate completion by the end of May 2015.

Please spread the word!  Mill Creek Marsh trails are still open.

 

Cedar Waxwing Jubilee @ DeKorte

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Mickey and Elaine report that as they were approaching the entrance to DeKorte Park’s Marsh Discovery Trail on Sunday afternoon, they encountered a flock of Cedar Wings gorging themselves on a crab apple tree. Here’s a sample of their photos. Pretty amazing!  (Thanks, Mickey and Elaine!)

What to Expect in December

_MVB4682-02-copyTo see what we might see this month in the Meadowlands, we thought we’d look back and check what was seen last year in December,  and showcase some of the great photography that folks have contributed.

Here’s December. (Thanks to all!) Just click on the text to see the post.

December 4: Nelson’s Sparrow@Mill Creek Marsh on Tuesday

December 5: Nifty Article on the Schuyler Copper Mine

December 11: Fog Fotos from Marco van Brabant  (above)

December 12: South Bergenite Column: Christmas Bird Count

December 13: Losen Slote in Snow Time

December 27: Welcome to DucKorte Park

December 30: Meadowlands Mystery Rock

December 31:  Peregrinating young Peregrine