Roy Woodford writes:

What do you call this thing again? 

I'm sticking with Common Moorhen.  I found five of these guy in Kearny Marsh on Sunday afternoon.  I got a few shots as they ran for cover.

Thank, Roy!

Sunday's Butterfly Talk and walk was a big success — if you didn't mind a little heat. The butterflies sure didn't.

During the day we saw 15 species of Butterflies, including a second-ever-reported-for-DeKorte American Snout (one of the ugliest names for a butterfly). See fleeting photo at right.

To see the North American Butterfly Association's checklist for DeKorte Park, click here.

Full list follows.

Continue reading →

That elusive Nessus Sphinx Moth that Regina Geoghan photographed last week was back at the Butterfly Bushes today (above) — joined by a Clear-winged Moth (below), Painted Ladies, Red Admirals, Common Buckeyes (a first for the year) and tons of Skippers.

If the weather holds, DeKorte should be great for butterflies and moths for the next few days.

Our next birding event with the Bergen County Audubon Society is our third  annual Birding By Boat cruise on the Hackensack River and its marshes. We will see Ospreys, shorebirds, waders and more.

The two-hour cruise is on Tuesday, July 17, at 10 a.m. Suggested donation is (the bargain price of) $15.  Reserve your seat now!

For a list of birds we saw on last July's trip, click here.

Note: You can also sign up for a Birding by Boat cruise scheduled for Tuesday, Aug. 28, at 10 a.m.

Full info follows.

Continue reading →

With Moth Night coming (and because we'd like a little help with this Clear-winged moth photographed at DeKorte at 3:30 p.m. on Sunday), we offer these two photos.

What is it — Hummingbird Clearwing or Snowberry Clearwing?

Due to circumstances beyond our control, NJ Transit plans to repair the railroad crossing in front of DeKorte Park — starting Saturday, July 7.

This means that access to DeKorte Park from Valley Brook Avenue will be blocked — most likely for two weeks.

Access to DeKorte will be via Schuyler Avenue and Disposal Road.

 We appreciate your understanding.

The link to alternate directions and a map is here.

Since this month is unofficially Butterfly Month in the Meadowlands, we thought we'd toss out some appropriate teasers — like the one above.

Who she?  (Thanks to Regina Geoghan for providing the photo!)

The William D. McDowell Observatory in DeKorte Park begins a new month of programming tonight (Monday, July 2).

Free public access is from 9 to 10:30 on Monday and Wednesday nights  this month — weather permitting, of course.

Dress for the weather; with the dome open, you are basically outside.

Each evening at least two major objects in the night sky will be viewed, plus one or two other celestial objects or events depending on the observing conditions.

For more information about free public viewing nights and to check out the observatory's website, click here.

For a South Bergenite column by the NJMC's Jim Wright about the observatory, click here. The observatory will be closed Wednesday, July 4.

We had a great First-Sunday-of-the-Month bird walk yesterday.

Two-dozen folks saw 37 species, including Black-crowned Night Heron and Cedar Waxwing and (naturally!)  Tree Swallow, right.

Full list follows. (Thanks to all who participated in the event — our first-ever NJMC/BCAS monthly walk in 2009!)

Continue reading →

River Barge Park in Carlstadt will be open tonight for all Bergen, Passaic and Hudson County residents who'd like to see the town's Fireworks Display.

Bring your own lawnchairs and (just in case) bug spray.

The fireworks start at 9 p.m. The park's rowing dock will be open if you'd like to sit down by the river (the marina will be closed).

Directions to River Barge Park are on the left-hand column of this blog.

You can download a flyer about the Secaucus fireworks here:

Download 4thjuly-celebration.