To allow for cleanup from this weekend’s snowstorm, DeKorte Park will open at 10 am on Monday, Jan. 25.

To allow for cleanup from this weekend’s snowstorm, DeKorte Park and River Barge Park will open at 10 am on Monday, Jan. 25.

Mickey Raine sent the photos above and the following report from his venture to Mill Creek Marsh yesterday. Cause for optimism!

Mill Creek Marsh Trail was quite beautiful to walk today, for the definite signs of the real winter conditions have arrived. The haunting ancient cedar stumps during near low tide were very interesting with the way in which the frozen water and ice played off of them.

The extensive amount of ice cover prevented many of the water fowl from swimming about, but we were absolutely delighted when Elaine, who was on one of her rolls, kept finding these Praying Mantis egg casings, Cecropia Moth cocoons, and this huge odd cocoon of at least 5 inches in length. In total, we must have seen about 15 or 16 of these, giving us such great hopes for a wonderful spring of new arrivals.

Along the creek near the first part of the path stood the resident Great Blue Heron, and with the perfect time of day, the sun’s warm rays would truly amplify the stunning beauty of this large, graceful bird.

Please note: The William D. McDowell Observatory is closed until further notice for repair work. We apologize for any inconvenience.

Due to the predicted snowstorm, DeKorte Park and River Barge Park will be closed this Saturday (Jan. 23) and Sunday (Jan. 24). Both parks are expected to reopen Monday at 8 am. Please check back for confirmation.

Our lives are all about stories, the stories we recollect from the days when we could run full out day and night without rest to the years when things slowed down and our life’s sagas became more about old friends and family. These are the very same tales we love to recall when we have big audiences and the stories we love to remember when we are sitting on the front porch alone. They are the stories we love to pass on to our children and grandchildren and the stories we use to remind all our old buddies about where we have been and what we have done. They are our stories, the ones we hold deep in our hearts and save in that very special place to bring out when we need a smile or to renew our souls. And for birders, the stories can sometimes mean even more.

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Due to the predicted snowstorm, DeKorte Park and River Barge Park will be closed this coming Saturday (Jan. 23) and Sunday (Jan. 24). Check back Monday morning for an update on park status.

Due to expected heavy cloud cover, tonight’s (Jan. 20) open public viewing at the William D. McDowell Observatory in DeKorte Park in Lyndhurst has been cancelled. The next open public viewing night is Wednesday, Jan. 27, from 7 to 10 pm.

Those who braved the frigid temperatures to take part in yesterday morning’s BCAS Nature Walk at Laurel Hill Park in Secaucus were well rewarded by some great birding. Joe Koscielny shared some of the awesome photos he took during the walk. Enjoy!

Peregrine Falcon

Swans in Flight

Immature Bald Eagle

Hooded Mergansers

Great Blue Heron

Cormorants and Geese

Coots

Buffleheads and Mallards

Due to the predicted snowstorm, DeKorte Park will be closed this coming Saturday (Jan. 23) and Sunday (Jan. 24).