Dennis Cheeseman reported a gbanner day for warblers on Friday at Mill Creek Marsh. Here's are a couple of examples. (Thanks, Dennis!)
New Article on ‘The Lost Bird Project’ Screening
Karen Zautyk of The Observer wrote a dandy story on "The Lost Bird Project" screening at DeKorte Park last week.
Zautyk writes:
"In 1800, the Passenger Pigeon was considered 'the most abundant land bird on Earth.' An estimated 3 to 5 billion populated North America…
"A century later, they were all gone. All those billions…
"The extinction had been unthinkable, but it happened. A lesson to humankind — and yet to be learned by far too many people.
"Now, a new documentary, 'The Lost Bird Project,' seeks to teach us a bit more about the fragility of nature."
The link is here.
Incredible Caterpillar
Believe it or not, there's a moth caterpillar in this photo — disguising itself as a flower!
NJMC Botanist Kate Lepis found the caterpillar adorned with Goldenrod flowers at Skeetkill Creek Marsh earlier this month, and took the photo above.
The moth caterpillar is Synchlora aerata — a.k.a. a Wavy Lined Emerald Moth caterpillar.
More info on this caterpillar can be found here.
How cool is that!!
More of Kate's shots of the moth follow. (Thanks, Kate!)
Help
Nellie Tsipoura of New Jersey Audubon writes:
As part of the Harbor Herons project, We are trying to locate nighttime roosts of egrets in the Meadowlands and other locales.
We are wondering if any folks who read this blog might know of potential roost sites or have seen large concentrations of egrets at dusk or dawn in the Meadowlands around this time of year.
You can e-mail Nellie at nellie.tsipoura [at] njaudubon.org. Thanks!
Mystery DeKorte Butterfly Plus
Can anyone help us ID this upside-side skipper we photographed on Wednesday at Jill's Butterfly Garden?
We also saw a Black Swallowtail, a bit worn Painted Lady and a Snowberry Clear-winged Moth.
Would love to hear/see what folks see at the Butterfly Garden this weekend.
Tuesday’s DeKorte Walk: The Full List
A couple of folks showed up for Tuesday's walk, including a birder who had never been to Harrier Meadow, so we took them on a quick tour before the rains hit.
High winds kept the dicky birds hunkered down, but we did get serval raptors and herons.
Full list follows, thank to Denise Farrell of Bergen County Audubon Society!
Our Next Walk: Sunday, Oct. 7 @ Mill Creek Marsh
Save the date: Our next guided walk is Sunday, Oct. 7, at the incredible Mill Creek Marsh, especially beautiful this time of the year.
The walk, sponsored by the Meadowlands Commission and Bergen County Audubon Society, begins at 10 a.m. at the trail's entrance, just off Park Plaza Drive. (Directions are on the left-hand side of this blog.)
For a list of birds we saw at Mill Creek during an October walk last year, click here.
For the full listing, click here.
Ron Shields’ Kearny Marsh Report
Ron writes: The Kearny Marsh was on fire this weekend. Action included a splendid variety of ducks, herons and raptors that included flyovers by an adult Bald Eagle, Red-tailed hawks and several Am. Kestrels.
"A six-pack of pecs (Pectoral Sandpipers) put on quite a show as they allowed extremely close-up encounters.
"But the clear winner was a juvenile Peregrine Falcon that landed on a mudflat a few feet off the bow my kayak in an unsuccessful attempt to secure a pectoral sandpiper for dinner. Startling and exhilarating to say the least!
"The weekend closed with another beautiful sunset!"
More of Ron's pix, including that sunset and a Pied-billed Grebe, follow. (Thanks, Ron!)
To RSVP for the signing and talk, call 201-460-4637 or e-mail us at info@njmeadowlands.gov.
Tuesday Teaser 091812
Roy Woodford took this shot last month in Mill Creek Marsh.
What is it?