Bergen County Audubon Society President Don Torino is excited to welcome Dr. Cailin O’Connor on the next episode of The Nature Connection, this Sunday, Nov. 23, from 6:30 a.m. to 7 a.m. The radio program runs the fourth Sunday of each month on WFDU FM (89.1) and is archived on the station’s website for the following two weeks.

“We will discuss issues affecting the bird population, like window strikes and habitat loss. We will also talk about bird banding in the Meaodwlands and more,” Don said. “Dr. O’Connor has amazing energy and knowledge that makes for a great interview. Don’t miss it!” 

Dr. Cailin O’Connor is a lecturer of wildlife ecology at Kean University and holds a PhD in environmental science. She has worked in wild bird rehabilitation for over 20 years and has been a bird bander for nearly as long, currently functioning as the bander-in-charge of the Meadowlands Bird Banding Station in New Jersey.

Dr. O’Connor is an expert on window strike mitigation and treatment of window-struck passerines. Her research tracks avian migration after window strikes with the Motus wildlife tracking system, and the fate of birds raised in captivity.  

Join us for a BCAS Nature Walk as your expert guides from the Bergen County Audubon Society take you through Laurel Hill County Park in Secaucus.

The walk runs from 10 a.m. to noon and we’ll be on the lookout for late migrants and raptors such as the Peregrine Falcon, pictured above. The Peregrine Falcon is the fastest animal on Earth and an especially powerful predator.

Park and meet at first parking lot as you enter Laurel Hill County Park off Laurel Hill Drive.

Contact: Don Torino – greatauk4@gmail.com or (201) 230-4983

The NJSEA William D. McDowell Observatory was front and center in the Local Section of this past Sunday’s Record newspaper. The article can also be found online.

The Observatory is open for public viewing on Wednesdays, year-round, weather permitting, though it will be closed on Wednesday, Nov. 26. It provides the public with spectacular views of the night sky through a hand-made, Classical-Cassegrain telescope that sits within a six-meter retractable dome.

Hours vary by season – November, December and January hours are 7:30 p.m. to 10 p.m. and viewing sessions are for ages 10 and up.

On Wednesday, Nov. 19, it’s possible that the Andromeda Galaxy (after 9:00 p.m.) and Saturn, Neptune, Uranus, and Jupiter (after 9:30) will come into view.

For more information, visit njsea.com/observatory, email info@njsea.com or call 201-460-1700.

Your expert guides from the Bergen County Audubon Society will take you through Laurel Hill County Park in Secaucus.

The walk runs from 10 a.m. to noon and we’ll be on the lookout for late migrants and raptors such as the Peregrine Falcon, pictured above. The Peregrine Falcon is the fastest animal on Earth and an especially powerful predator.

Park and meet at first parking lot as you enter Laurel Hill County Park off Laurel Hill Drive.

Contact: Don Torino – greatauk4@gmail.com or (201) 230-4983

Please note: The NJSEA offices will be closed on Tuesday, Nov. 11, in observance of Veterans Day.

We have some great photos from Al Hughes to brighten your Thursday! All were taken recently at DeKorte Park.

Intrigued and want to see more? Al’s Instagram handle is @al_10009

Thank you Al!

Great Egret

Double-crested Cormorant

Mourning Dove

Tree Sparrow

Great Blue Heron

Ring-billed Gull

Northern Mockingbird

Hermit Thrush

Juvenile Black-crowned Night Heron

Note: The NJSEA Administrative Offices will be closed on Tuesday, Nov. 4, for Election Day.

Red-shouldered Hawk

Join the Bergen County Audubon Society as they lead a walk through Harrier Meadow, a nature reserve usually closed to the public.

Harrier Meadow is located off Disposal Road in North Arlington. The walk goes from 10 a.m. to noon.

Contact:  Don Torino – greatauk4@gmail.com or (201) 230-4983

Red-shouldered Hawk

Join the Bergen County Audubon Society as they lead a walk through Harrier Meadow, a nature reserve usually closed to the public.

Harrier Meadow is located off Disposal Road in North Arlington. The walk goes from 10 a.m. to noon.

Contact:  Don Torino – greatauk4@gmail.com or (201) 230-4983

The latest episode of Don Torino’s The Nature Connection program is online at WFDU.com. Don, President of the Bergen County Audubon Society, interviewed NJSEA Meadowlands Research and Restoration Institute Wildlife Biologist Mike Turso this past Sunday (Oct. 26).

Don and Mike discussed MRRI projects including bioacoustics, which specify soundscapes as indicators of biodiversity, Saltmarsh Sparrow Monitoring, Bat Monitoring, and Diamondback Terrapin Mark and Recapture. You’ll definitely want to check out the highly-engaging interview.

“Mike Turso began birding with us when he was in the sixth grade, so It was wonderful when he began working with the NJSEA and it is a thrill for me to have him on “The Nature Connection.”

The Nature Connection airs from 6:30 a.m. to 7 a.m. on the fourth Sunday of each month and is archived on https://wfdu.fm/ for the following two weeks.