Slowly but surely, the Hackensack River is getting healthier, but there’s more work to be done.
    Those are the findings of the first-ever “State of the Hackensack River” review compiled for Earth Day, based on studies by the New Jersey Meadowlands Commission’s scientific arm, the Meadowlands Environmental Research Institute, which has monitored water quality in the river for 16 years.
     MERI has been monitoring the percentages of dissolved oxygen in the Hackensack River each season since 1993, and has found that the water quality of has improved significantly.
   Dissolved-oxygen levels – a key to sustaining aquatic life – have increased by 11 percent over that time. MERI now continually takes the river’s pulse through solar-powered water-quality monitoring stations located at four sites along the Hackensack year-round.
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   The NJMC's  Earth Day 2010 Celebration tomorrow (Thursday) is a day of free, fun and educational eco-friendly activities for all ages to celebrate Earth Day. The event runs from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
    Programming includes nature walks, craft projects for kids, green living workshops, giveaways and more.
    All programs will be held in Lyndhurst at the Meadowlands Environment Center and in surrounding DeKorte Park, a one-square mile urban oasis of  wetlands, nature trails and water views, all framed by the New York City skyline.
     A brown-bag lunchtime Green Living Program includes discussions on green landscaping and composting, recycling, and green shopping. For more information, call 201-460-1700 or click here to download flier with specific times.
   Details on the Earth Day Bird Walk at 10 a.m. follow.

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  For Earth Week, the Meadowlands Commission is recycling old sneakers.
   If you are attending the Bergen Audubon talk about the Birds of the Meadowlands tonight (Wednesday evening), attending the Earth Day events at DeKorte on Thursday, or just visiting the park this week, bring those old sneaks along.
   More info here: Download Nike Poster with NJMC

Alice Leurck photographed this Bald Eagle equipped with a transmitter at Bergen County's Overpeck Preserve this past weekend on a Bergen County Audubon Society field trip. It was either flying to or from the Meadowlands, we believe. :- )

According to Alice, Don Torino of BCAS e-mailed the state DEP; they responded that they don't think New Jersey has transmitters on Eagles, but they will check into this. Can anyone help?  (Thanks, Alice!)

Gil Hawkins, executive director of the preserve, says this was the third instance of a Bald Eagle with a transmitter seen  this year. Two eagles with transmitters were seen flying together.

The New York State DEC has an eagle/transmitter program. (Link is here.) We have contacted them as well.

  
  Dave Hall of the Bergen County Audubon Society will give a talk about the birds of the Meadowlands tomorrow (Wednesday) night at 8 in the Meadowlands Environment Center.
   The talk, part of the BCAS monthly meeting, is free and open to the public.
   If time and the weather allows, we will visit the McDowell Observatory to view the night sky after the meeting. And don't forget to bring your old sneakers to recycle!
   Details follow.

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   We saw some great birds at Harrier Meadow today, beginning with a Northern Flicker at a bird-banding demonstration by NJMC Naturalist Mike Newhouse and his trusty volunteers. 
    Among the attractions — a male Northern Harrier, plenty of Greater Yellowlegs, a nice variety of ducks and a host of Tree Swallows who insisted on showing off.
    We'll post the full list and many more pix later this week. Thanks to the 30 people who joined us for the walk…

  Can you ID this tree next to Losen Slote Park in Little Ferry by its buds?
  Pic of the full tree is below.

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   Tomorrow's Harrier Meadow Walk and Bird-banding Demo is all set for 10 a.m, though be aware that the bird-banding has been a tad slow.
   The good news is that an American Kestrel can easily be seen working the top of the (closed) Erie Landfill, and a pair of Ospreys have been fishing and gathering nesting materials nearby at DeKorte. Hope to see you tomorrow.
   Details on the walk follow, but be aware you will need to sign a standard release to visit this site, which is usually closed to the public.You can download the release here: Download HARRIER Release.

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