Chris Takacs shared a couple of photos from the Losen Slote walk on Sunday — a Barred Owl (found by Mary Kostus) and a Common Redpoll. (Thanks, Chris and Mary!)
More Rare Treasures from Harrier Meadow!
Our latest cleanup/archaeological dig at Harrier Meadow over the weekend turned up a few goodies, including this frankfurter. We initially thought it might be a member of the Hostess Twinkie family but it turned out to be plastic.
More goodies follow.
Great Birds at Losen Slote Walk Today!
Don Torino reports:
"We saw Redpolls, Alice the Eagle and one of here relatives, and Chris Takacs found us a Barred Owl too? How is that for a walk?"
Not too shabby! (Thanks, Don and crew!)
A Big Thank You for Saturday’s Clean-Up
Harrier Meadow is beginning to look normal again — thanks to our amazing vounteers. Did a lot of raking and floatables removal Saturday morning. Thank you!!!
On Monday, we'll post photos of the "treasures" we found, including a partial bowling ball (definitely not a floatable).
Next Cleanup: Harrier Meadow, Tomorrow (Sat.),10:30 a.m.
The Meadowlands Commission and Bergen County Audubon Society are conducting two more Harrier Meadow cleanups this month.
The first is tomorrow (this Saturday, Dec. 8) from 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. The second cleanup is Sunday, Dec. 30, from 10 a.m. to noon.
Info on this Saturday's cleanup follows.
Let's hope the weather clears!
Observer Story on PSE&G Transmission Towers
DeKorte Park's Saw Mill Creek Trail has been closed long term, awaiting some major new transmission towers from PSE&G.
The Obersver has an informative article on this ambitious project. Although much of the article deals with the part of the project that's in Kearny, it also describes the company's long-term regional plan for the new towers.
From what we have heard, the new towers would run along the Saw Mill Creek Trail and necessitate major construction work — after which the trail would reopen.
The link is here.
Our New South Bergenite Column: Salute to Volunteers!
Jim Wright, who maintains this blog, also writes a twice-monthly column for the South Bergenite. His latst column is about the volunteers who have been pitching to help clean the Meadowlands after the big storm.
Here's a sample:
As I review our lists of cleanup volunteers, I realize that helping out is not just about “the kind of community you want to live in,” but also the kind of natural world you want to visit and maintain — and leave for the next generation.
The volunteers who have helped out are from all over New Jersey, from our own backyard to 28 communities outside the district – and as far away as Sparta.
Volunteerism, it turns out, knows no boundaries.
Full column follows.
New Column on Snowy Owls in New Jersey
Don Torino, one of the leaders of our twice-monthly walks with Bergen County Audubon Society, has a new column about Snowy Owls in the Garden State and the prospects of seeing one or more this winter.
Writes Don: "It is hard to forget the winter of 2009 when two Snowy Owls spent a few months in the Meadowlands. People from all walks of life, expert birders and folks who never even saw a Cardinal unless it was on the side of a football helmet, lined the roadsides just to get a glimpse of these amazing creatures."
The link is here. Photo at left is by Jeff Nicol. (Thanks, Jeff!)
More on Tuesday’s Teaser
When we posted Tuesday's Teaser, we noted that "we have a couple of theories on ID" that we did not post. Here are the theories: One birder thought Swamp Sparrow, and another thought Lark Sparrow.
Lo and behold, Here's the additional vote so far: 5 for Swamp Sparrow, 1 for Lark Sparrow.
Original post is here.
Feel free to weigh in.
Bonus Walk: Losen Slote on Sunday
Bergen County Audubon Society is sponsoring a walk at storm-damaged Losen Slote Park in Little Ferry on Sunday from 10 a.m. to noon. Birds of interest are for winter migrants, raptors and whatever else shows up. Wear waterproof boots — the trails can be muddy. To rsvp, contact Don Torino of the BCAS at greatauk4@aol.com or 201-230-4983.