Author Archives: NJMC

Bird Report: 090710

Chris Takacs reports: "5 Raptors around Disposal Rd., DeKorte and Harrier Meadow today. Male Northern Harrier hunting the Kingsland Landfill along Disposal Rd., Kestrel and 2 Peregrines along Disposal and Harrier Meadow, Osprey at DeKorte and Red-tailed  hawk on Disposal. 55+ Bobolinks flying over the Erie Landfill near Harrier Meadow just after sunrise.

"Michael Newhouse of the Meadowlands Commission reports a White Ibis over Harrier Meadow also at sunrise." (Thanks, Chris and Mike!)

Let's hope the ibis hangs around for BirdFest this weekend.

Arrgh: Another Released Bird at DeKorte?

2010_09060079 Jeff Nicol reports: "I photographed this bird Sunday just outside of the gate to the Marsh Discovery Trail.

"When I first saw the Yellow flash into the tree, I thought Yellow Warbler, but this is not a Yellow Warbler.

"This was much larger (a bit larger than a Parakeet, which I also saw in the same area) and it had a redish-orange color on the top of its head.

"Could this be yet another escaped/released pet of some sort?"  (Thanks, Jeff.)

We are thinking that this another escaped/released pet. Can anyone tell us what kind of bird it is?  We will be posting more about this problem in the coming weeks.

Observatory: September’s Schedule

IMG_9258 The William D. McDowell Observatory in  DeKorte Park begins a new schedule of programming on wednesday night with free public access at 8 and 10 p.m. — weather permitting, of course.

Dress for the weather; with the dome open, you are basically outside.

Each evening two major objects in the night sky will be viewed, plus one or two other celestial objects or events depending on the observing conditions.

Pictured at left is the observatory's state-of-the-art telescope with a 20-inch mirror, housed beneath a retractable dome.

The telescope, one of the largest in the area, is equipped with cameras to record the stars and planets. Special filters block light pollution.

For detailed information, click here.  The full September schedule will be posted when it becomes available.

 

Sunday’s DeKorte Walk

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IMG_1182Another great walk at DeKorte today, with more birders than we could count — and some great birds.

What can you say when the first bird seen on the walk was a Pied-billed Grebe, and the last bird (on Valley Brook) was a way distant Bald Eagle?

We'll post more on Tuesday — including the list we came up between 11 and noon, when a lot of birds seemed to go into hiding. :- )

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Ron Shields: Scenes from the Kearny Marsh

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Ron Shields writes: The Kearny Marsh has been alive and well as of late.  Included is an image of a flock of greenCopy of IMG_1511-winged teals along with at least one blue-winged teal .  They have beenfrequent visitors lately. 

 
In addition, there is a close-up shot of a Short-billed Dowitcher as photographed on the mudflats.  Finally, a lone Monarch Butterfly is captured against a sea of pink — Marsh Fleabane (?).
(Thanks, Ron!) Copy of IMG_2056