Ron Shields writes:

I found this guy zipping around the fragrant honeysuckle in back of Gunnell Oval this past weekend.

(Thanks, Ron — this might be the first hummingbird pic on this blog, although we did come close here.)

Found by Don Smith … Will post pix asap. Male.

On Saw Mill Creek mudflats.

Mickey Raine reports:

We went to River Barge park yesterday around 5:15-5:30 or so, and we each did a count of them and after several times, concluded that there had been anywhere between 30 and possibly 33.

I took some shots from an angle that should allow a fairly accurate count‎. The problem is that some that were situated almost directly behind ones closer may easily get lost; however, in spite of that 30 should clearly be evident.

Hey, maybe by the weekend, word amongst the Black Skimmer society might get out there and generate even more–perhaps akin to what folks see in Long Island or Cape May. . .

Thanks, Mickey!

A link to the NJMC’s Jim Wright’s June 2013 South Bergenite column on Black Skimmers is here.

The park is open on Monday, May 26, but the Meadowlands Environment Center and the Observatory are closed.  Have a great holiday.

Our next free guided walk will be Sunday, June 1, at 10 a.m., at DeKorte Park, followed by a free reception for the Flyway Gallery show, images from “The Nature of the Meadowlands.”

More on the gallery show here.

Full listing follows. Continue reading →

Dennis Cheeseman reports that he got these great birds on his lunch hour at DeKorte yesterday — both are seldom seen around here. (Thanks, Dennis!)

Don Smith just phoned to say that 23 Black Skimmers are on the mudflats by River Barge Park right now. Directions to RBP are in the right-hand column of this blog. Scroll down for lots of Black Skimmer shots.  Dennis Cheeseman supplied the photo.  (Thanks, Don and Dennis!)

Laura Frazer writes:

I recently took this photo of a Song Sparrow at sunset at DeKorte  along the Transco Trail.

(Thanks, Laura!)

Mickey Raine writes:

Tuesday was an amazing late day at River Barge Park–18 Black Skimmers!!!

To see the actual full resting posture was a tremendous treat. We read about the weight of the head causing them to lie flat on the belly with extended head‎ position, but to witness first hand was a joy (below, center). Notice the other one a little down from the main sleeper?

Lots of “good” birds and nice people on Tuesday’s Mill Creek Marsh walk.

Full list follows.

Continue reading →