DeKorte Park is open on Labor Day (Monday, Sept. 3) but the Environment Center (restrooms, gift shop, Flyway Gallery) will be closed.

River Barge Park and Marina will be open Monday with full bathroom access.

Thanks to all who joined us for our Birding by Boat on Tuesday,and thanks to Denise Farrell for the following report.

Highlights included Boat-tailed Grackle, Common Raven, Bald Eagle, an American Kestrel at River Barge Park, and Clapper Rail (heard only).

Butterfly notes: Cloudless Sulphur seen at River Barge Park, plus butterflies zipping along the river (in migration?) throughout the cruise.

The full list follows. (Thanks, Denise, and thanks to Michele Sunberg for the photo of the American Kestrel!)

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Stephen Buckingham writes:

I saw a cool dragonfly species earlier this month along Disposal Road, a Needham's Skimmer (above).

They (there were 3) were flying and perching around a large mucky/algaeous puddle that backs up to phragmites between the white trailer and the fenced in machinery with the methane burn stack. 

There were also twelve-spotted skimmers, black saddlebags, and eastern pondhawk dragonflies, and familiar bluet damselflies in and around the same puddle.  The Needham's was a first for me. 

(Thanks, Steve!)

Kearny has a new butterfly garden in Riverbank Park, and Karen Zautyk of The observer wrote about it recently. The link is here.

Kathy Clark of the state's Endangered and Non-game Species Program writes:

"Keep in mind that with kestrels recently listed as threatened, we're interested in documented reports of them during nesting and non-nesting seasons. 

"Documented nest sites and recent fledglings are of particular importance, of course."

"We encourage you to use our Sighting Report Form found on our website: http://njfishandwildlife.com/ensp/rprtform.htm."

Mike Girone took the above shot last weekend. (Thanks, Mike!)

Ron Shields happened this American Kestrel last week on Disposal Road (where else?).

What does the kestrel have in its mouth?

(Thanks, Ron)

Mike Maddaloni specializes in sunset shots of the Meadowlands, and he offered to share some he's taken from DeKorte Park, including some recent ones.

(Thanks, Mike!)

More follow.

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Greg Gard shared this video of one of our American Kestrels eating a dragonfly on Disposal Road.

(Thanks, Greg!)

Joan Giovia writes:

"Is this all pollen on this bee?"

(Photo taken at the flower bed in front of her house on Orient Way, Lyndhurst. 

We are thinking it is all pollen  — how about you?

(Thanks, Joan!)

Our last Birding-by-Boat cruise of 2012 with the Bergen County Audubon Society is tomorrow (Tuesday, Aug. 28), at 10 a.m. We hope to see Ospreys, shorebirds, waders and plenty more.

Suggested donation is (the bargain price of) $15.  Reserve your seat now; seating is extremely limited at this point!

Full info follows.

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