We had a nice brisk walk in Harrier Meadow yesterday. With at least 20 sets of eyes, we saw some pretty cool birds, beginning with a Snowy Owl on the way to the natural area.
Other highlights included American Woodcock, American Wigeon, American Robin, and American Tree Swallow. (Do we sense a them here?)
Also: Northern Shoveler, Northern Pintail, Northern Harrier and Northern Cardinal.
Full list follows. Continue reading
Doug Morel saw a Long-tailed Duck at DeKorte over the weekend and passed along these two pics. Photographed from near the T where the Saw Mil Creek Trail meets the recently restored Lyndhurst Nature Reserve Trail.
(Thanks, Doug!)
Don Torino, Bergen County Audubon Society president and friend of this blog, has a new column on wildnewjersey.tv — titled ‘In Search of Spring.”
Here’s a sample:
In ancient mythology and literature, a quest is a search for a special reward.
As I looked out my window and saw that there was still snow lingering in my yard and thought about all the trials and tribulations we all have been through this winter, what better quest to undertake than one that is in search of the most beautiful reward of all, Spring?
Although the official start of Spring is just days away, I worried that this year the search for Spring might be just a fruitless journey, like looking for Atlantis or maybe even like searching for a Sasquatch or Yeti. But no, way back I seem to remember a time called Spring and somewhere out there it still might be found.
The link is here.
Highlights of today’s Third Tuesday walk included a distant Snowy Owl (above) on Disposal Road on the way to the walk. We also had nine species of ducks, a few American Woodcock and several raptors. A big thank you to the many folks who attended.
Full list tomorrow.
We had a chilly American Woodcock Walk at Laurel Hill.
Jackie DeMarco, one of the walk leaders, writes:
Had a good walk…a bit cold but a nice group of about 20 came out to join the fun. Woodcocks were heard and seen but weren’t plentiful. We were hoping to spot an osprey by the bridge but no luck. Soon enough they’ll be back.
Full list follows. Continue reading
Jill Homcy photographed this Greater Yellowlegs on Sunday @ Mill Creek Marsh.
Five years ago, as part of the N.J. Meadowlands Commission’s Oral History Project, we interviewed lots of folks about the region in the old days. We are going to reprint the best of them here, every Tuesday, for 11 weeks. This week: Paulette (DeKorte) Ramsey.
In this audio interview, Paulette Ramsey talks about the contributions to the Meadowlands and foresight of her late husband, Richard W. DeKorte.
As a state assemblyman in the late 1960s, DeKorte was instrumental in crafting the legislation that created the New Jersey Meadowlands Commission.
He also laid out the foundation for the region’s environmental restoration and economic development over the past four decades.
A plaque in his honor hangs in the lobby of the NJMC Administration Building in DeKorte Park.
A Franklin Lakes resident, DeKorte was a well-respected 
legislator and former head of the state energy office who many thought would become governor someday.
DeKorte died of cancer at age 38 in 1975. DeKorte Park, the home of the NJMC, is named in his honor.
Click “Continue reading …” below to hear the interviews with Paulette Ramsey and to see some archival photos.
Regina Geoghan, a friend of this blog, has a nifty column for wildnewjersey.tv about the great state-owned parks that are worth a visit as the weather improves — including, of course, the great places in the Meadowlands.
The link is here. (Thanks, Regina!)
Jill Homcy writes:
Wanted to let you know the neck-banded Canada Goose is continuing at Laurel Hill. I never did hear back from the banding folks. Got this shot of the neck banded goose standing next to an ankle banded one.
We’ll see if we can see this guy on tonight’s walk. Original post is here. Thanks, Jill.
Chris Takacs writes:
“Last evening, about sundown, Fred Pfiefer and I observed a Bald Eagle flying from 1-E landfill towards Disposal Road. The eagle had a pack and antenna on. It continued flying toward Schuyler Ave. and then turned right before we lost it. Is this Alice, or is there another around?”
We think it’s Alice but are open to other ideas. More on Alice here. (Thanks, Chris!)