Author Archives: NJMC

Heron-counting volunteers wanted!

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Kate Ruskin of New Jersey Audubon writes:

    Citizen scientists are needed for heron surveys [and you can take a training session right here in the Meadowlands]!

     The New Jersey Audubon Society (NJAS) is recruiting volunteers for wading bird surveys coordinated through its Citizen Science program.

   The study, now in its second year, will run from May until October in the
Hackensack Meadowlands, Raritan Bay, and surrounding watersheds.  

     Volunteers  are asked to commit to two surveys per month over the course of the study period and one pre-season training workshop.

     Click "Continue reading" to learn more.

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Back when wetlands were just swamps….

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   This 32-year-old diorama, found in the Kearny Library attic, showed how part of the Kearny brackish marsh could be converted to office parks.

   IMG_3631-2 In the photo at left, you can see where the eastern spur of the Turnpike crosses the Hackensack River.

The office park (and one to the west)  would have been placed on filled wetlands next to a railroad siding near the river.
      
    This was in the waning days of an era where planners thought wetlands were swamps, to be filled and developed.

     These days, almost everyone understands that marshes are vital parts of the eco-system, providing everything from wildlife habitat and the filtering of impurities in water to flood control.

     More on the value of the Meadowlands' marshes here.

    (Thanks to the Kearny Public Library for passing along the diorama.)

Monk Parakeets in the News

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    A bit of news regarding the Monk Parakeets of Ridgefield.
     Bill Boyle of  the New Jersey Bird Records Committee reports:
    "At the Spring 2008 meeting [last month], the committee voted to add Monk Parakeet to the New Jersey State List. The population in Bergen County, which has been present for many years, has been growing and spreading and is unlikely to be extirpated by natural causes."

   Click "Continue reading…" for the rest of his comments.

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DeKorte Park is in its spring finery

Kingsland overlook
   If you are looking  for a great place for a spring walk, look no farther than DeKorte Park, which isIMG_3263 just starting to burst with blooms.
  Above is the start of the Kingsland Overlook Trail just inside the main gate, including the forsythias.

    On the left is a close-up of crocuses one of the many gardens that are coming to life.

   (Almost forgot — there are plenty of great birds arrriving as well!)
   The trails at DeKorte are open from dawn to dusk. The observatory is open to the public from 8 to 10 p.m. on Mondays and Wednesdays.

   Click "Continue reading …" for more photos.

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The Snowys are gone, the Snowys are here…

Snowy egret    We have been looking for the Snowy Owls in Lyndhurst this week to no avail. Last sighting was March 28. But the Snowy Egrets have arrived. 

    This guy was photographed late yesterday at DeKorte.  And birder Ray Duffy saw oneat Mill Creek Marsh in Secaucus on Friday.

   More on Snowy Egrets (and their nifty yellow/orange feet) here.

Harrier Meadow Walk 040309

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    Despite a persiIMG_0019stent rain, the Harrier Meadow nature walk on Friday attracted three hardy  birders, 28 species of birds and plenty of earthworms soaking up the gloom.

   No Harrier walk would be complete without a Northern Harrier (above).
     Over 90 minutes, we saw our first Barn Swallow of the year, our first Eastern Phoebe, several Great Egrets, a Great Blue Heron, and a multitude of (way too skittish) ducks.
    Click "Continue reading …" for the complete list.

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