To save money and paper, the New Jersey Meadowlands Commission has a paperless annual report this year.
It can be viewed here. We're partial to Page 33, which includes some of the rare birds seen here in the past 15 months. And to Page 22, which highlights our partnership with the Bergen County Audubon Society.
Note: The opening of the report features a little music to brighten your day, so you might want to hit the "mute" button if you need to watch silently. (Thanks, Mike G!)
We are still seeing Great Egrets in the Meadowlands, in and around DeKorte Park. The one above was seen on Disposal Road last Thursday.
(Within 100 yards of the egret, we had a perched Redtail and a perched Am. Kestrel.)
Over the past couple of winters, the 
Meadowlands has attracted some great rare birds.
Two years ago, From late December into February, we had two Snowy Owls (including the one on the right).
Last year, a Northern Shrike visited the Disposal Road area from mid-December to Saint Patrick's Day.
And both winters we had at least one Rough-legged Hawk.
Taking a page from birder Mike Hiotis' playbook, the New Jersey Meadowlands Commission is offering two free pontoon boat rides during the 2011 season for the first birder to find a Snowy Owl, Northern Shrike or Rough-legged Hawk in the 30.4-square-mile Meadowlands District in the coming weeks.
The only ground rule, courtesy of Mike, is that the bird must be seen "for more than one day with multiple observers." Of course, if you can share a photo of your find, you will receive all sorts of fame and recognition.
E-mail the NJMC's Jim Wright here.
Pix of the Disposal Road Shrike and one of the Meadowlands' wintering Rough-legged Hawks follow.
NJMC Staffer Jim Wright's latest "Nature Next Door" column in The South Bergenite previews the upcoming talk by noted nature author Scott Weidensaul. Here is the column:
Part of the New Jersey Meadowlands Commission’s mission is help people connect with nature nearby, and To help accomplish that, we like to invite well-known writers and other experts to provide their unique perspective.
That’s why the commission is hosting 
award-winning author Scott Weidensaul at the Meadowlands Environment Center on Monday, Dec. 6.
Weidensaul’s talk is free and open to the public, and his subject is perfect for a place located in the middle of the Middle Atlantic Flyway: “Against All Odds – Miracles of Bird Migration.”
If you’ve ever been to DeKorte Park or down to the Hackensack River, you’ve likely seen many migrating birds first-hand – from the raptors and waterfowl of winter to the shorebirds of spring and fall.
But where do these birds come from, and why are they here? Weidensaul will provide the big picture.
The talk, hosted by NJMC and sponsored by the Bergen County Audubon Society, will take place at 7:30 p.m. in the Environment Center auditorium.
(Rest of column continues on "jump.")
Tuesday's Teaser, photographed during a guided walk at Harrier Meadow last month, was toughie because of the angle, but then again attempted bird IDs often involve bad angles and fleeting glimpses.
To all who said "Song Sparrow," congrats. Above, another (better) view. Thanks to all who responded.
Looking for a great way to beat the “Black Friday” day-after-Thanksgiving shopping crush?
Visit the New Jersey Meadowlands Commission’s DeKorte Park for a free “Green Friday” guided nature walk and talk beginning at 10 a.m. outside the Meadowlands Environment Center.
The Nov. 26 event, sponsored by the NJMC and the Bergen County Audubon Society, will feature a walk on DeKorte Park’s Marsh Discovery Trail and other nearby trails, followed by a bring-your-own-lunch talk and slide show featuring some of the amazing critters that live in the Meadowlands.
The walk runs from 10 a.m. to 11:45 a.m. The brown-bag lunch is from noon to 1 p.m. in the Meadowlands Environment Center’s Visitor Center, which offers great views of DeKorte Park’s Shorebird Pool and the Manhattan skyline.
For more information, contact Jim Wright at jim.wright@njmeadowlands.gov or 201-460-2002, or go the NJMC nature blog, www.meadowblog.net.
Some 200 Green-winged Teal, a Peregrine Falcon and great looks a Golden-crowned Kinglet were among the highlights of the Third-Tuesday walk at Mill Creek Marsh in Secaucus.
The two-hour walk, sponsored by the Meadowlands Commission and Bergen County Audubon Society, drew 10 of us hearty souls who didn't mind braving some raw November weather to do some birding and enjoy this beautiful marsh.
Full list and two pix follows.
Ron Shields sez: "I've attached a few images from Mill Creek that include a Blue-gray Gnatcatcher and a plover (lower right) from Saturday."
Always tough to tell from photos, but we thought it's an American Golden Plover — but Ron's initial pick appears right — Black-bellied. (Thanks, Ron!)
