(Editor's Note: Here's a possible preview of Sunday's Raptor Walk along Disposal Road.)

Mike Girone writes:

Apologies for the lateness of this.

Spent much of last Friday afternoon on Disposal Road. The usual cast of characters (both human and avian) was present, especially later in the afternoon. We watched at least 2 Northern Harriers patrolling the landfill (they never got along with each other).

A few fiesty American Kestrels were present, as was an adult Cooper's Hawk. Also seen was a juvenile Red-tailed Hawk (a Northern Harrier escorted it along), and a juvenile Peregrine Falcon that landed in one of the Kestrels' trees atop the landfill, much to the annoyance of one kestrel in particular.

It chased the larger falcon off, and escorted it over the retention pond (the Peregrine ended up atop a nearby high-tension tower). Beautiful weather that day was capped off by a beautiful sunset.

As Ron Shields recently said, in light of recent events, it's good to see the nice side of nature again. (Thanks, Mike!)

Tomorrow: Disposal Road Raptor Dogfight

Friday: Recent Disposal Road Bald Eagle

More pix follow.

Continue reading →

Chris Takacs took this photo of one of two Baltimore Orioles he saw on Chubb Avenue on Sunday.  (Thanks, Chris!)

Continue reading →

What bird left these tracks at Losen Slote Park in Little Ferry recently?  Thanks to Don Torino for submitting this Tuesday Teaser. Feel free to send in some of your own!  (Thanks, Don!)

Mill Creek Marsh is not back to the way it was before the storm, but it sure has come a long way. 

Just wanted to post a couple of shots from Sunday that reflect the park's natural beauty — after the volunteers worked their magic.

The trail system at Mill Creek Marsh in Secaucus is now open again to the public — thanks in large part to the 32 folks who gave up their Sunday morning to clean up the trails and adjacent marsh.

No spectacularly wacky debris was found — just several coconuts, a lot of plastics and styrofoam, and mostly small assorted other debris. 

We did find a lot of damaged Tree Swallow boxes. Note to the community groups who build these wonderful  boxes: Please use stronger nails in the future! : – )

A dramatic before and after shot of one wrack-covered section of Mill Creek Marsh trail, taken by Megan Helsel, follows. (Thanks, Megan!)

Continue reading →

Ron writes:

"Attached is photo of a recent sunset at the Meadowlands.  Despite recent events, nature can still be so beautiful." (Thanks, Ron!)

A huge, huge thanks to everyone who participated in this morning's cleanup at Mill Creek Marsh.  You made a tremendous difference, and the park could reopen as early as Monday morning. Awesome.

Regina Geoghan volunteered to photograph the cleanup folks at work. (One of the pix is above.)

Here is the link. Click "slideshow" in upper right=hand corner of site for easy viewing. (Thanks, Regina!)

We guess we have started a new tradition for the Meadowlands Commission/Bergen County Audubon cleanups — documenting some of the exceptional items we find amid the debris.

Above, a doll leg and a slightly disturbing doll that has seen better days. Below: A message in a bottle (to be opened once we get a pair of pliers and a Tetanus shot) and a Pocahontas mug with a hummingbird on the side. Bottom: Mystery test tube (we're not opening that, ever) and strange glass-like resin.

Thanks to everyone who helped collect this strange debris.