We have tallies through April for most of the folks involved in the Meadowlands Big Year competition.

Congrats to all for competing. We hope you are having fun close to home, and seeing lots of great birds.

Keep in mind that some birders are in the Meadowlands all the time, and others get here occasionally, so their birdage may differ.

(These are unofficial numbers, and obviously change all the time.)

If you're name's not on the list, please e-mail Jim Wright at jim.wright (at) njmeadowlands.gov. It's not too late to participate!

Here is the leader board:

1. Chris Takacs:  110  (lives in district; counting birds within district boundaries, not district towns)
2. Mike Newhouse 108 (NJMC naturalist, setting a target number for competitors)
3. Julie McCall: 105 species  (lives in district)
4. Ray Duffy:  100 (lives in district)
5. Doug Morel: 97 (out of district)
6. Ramon Gomez  96 (out of district)
7. Jim Wright: 94 (NJMC staff)
8. Roy Woodford: 85 (out of district)
9. Lillian Rivera: 84 (out of district)
10. Dennis Cheeseman: 75  (out of district)
11. Rob Fanning: 68 (out of district)

One question that arose in April was whether birds seen at Liberty State Park and environs should be included, since part of Jersey City is inside the Meadowlands District. We decided that since that area is such a distinctly different birding area, those birds should not be included. Sorry if this messes anybody up…

P.S. If any competitors would like to join Mike Newhouse for his daily morning bird-banding, let us know. You can reach him via Jim Wright at the e-mail address above.

P.P.S.: Denise Farrell of the Bergen County Audubon Society tells us that 84 species have been seen so far on our twice-monthly bird walks this year.  (Thanks, Denise!)

Still time to join the fun! (Congrats to all!)

The Meadowlands has a Big Year for birders, so why not a "Meadowlands Little Year" for butterfly lovers?

The Meadowlands Commission and Bergen County Audubon Society are pleased to announce a brand-new butterfly competition to see how many species you (or you and your family) can identify in the Meadowlands this year.

Best way to start is to pick up a free DeKorte Park  Butterfly Guide at the Meadowlands Environment Center and check off the butterflies as you see them.

Surprisingly, we have already seen many butterfly species in the Meadowlands already this year. They like warm sunny weather, and we finally got some on Friday.

The individual and family that have found the most species by Oct. 31 will be declared the winners.

Their prize will be their choice of one of several beautiful butterfly-related prize from our Tideland Treasures Gift Shop.

Don't hesitate to photograph the butterflies you see. You never know — we see a new-for-the-Meadowlands species or two each year to add to our list.

Biggest rule of the competition: Have fun!

E-mail Jim wright at jim.wright (at) njmeadowlands.gov if you have questions/suggestions.

According to National Geographic, the Full Moon this weekend is supposed to be the brightest of the year (clouds permitting).

Link is here.

The Moon will be full both Saturday and Sunday night — a link that will give you moonrise times is here. Saturday's moonrise might be great for photography…

There's no telling how long the butterflies will hang around DeKorte Park, but a good place to look this weekend would be up on the Kinglsand Overlook Trail, where honeysuckles are in bloom and all sorts of insects are nectaring.

On the map at left, the purple. .25-mile line is the Kingsland Overlook Trail.

It is on the hill overlooking the Visitors Parking Lot, just inside the gate.

Let us know how you do…

Good luck!

The Meadowlands Marsh Hawks, our World Series of Birding team, has nifty new T-shirts and baseball caps (it is the World Series, after all!).

This is really snazzy apparel, celebrating one of our favorite raptors (a.k.a. the Northern Harrier.).

The shirts sell for $12. The caps sell for $16.  Both are available exclusively in our Tideland Treasures Gift Shop in DeKorte Park's Meadowlands Environment Center.

Rumor has it that your birding skills could improve by 12 percent or more when wearing this garb, but we are not so sure.  Your birdage may differ.

Please let us know how you do with the new Meadowlands Marsh Hawks gear!

Dave Rotondi writes:

"Two of the Jersey City Peregrine Falcons have hatched!  The pair had a clutch of 5 eggs, so the next few days should be busy at the scrape. You can see the action on the state DEP's Peregrine Cam."

Link is here. (Thanks, Dave!)

We are still tabulating the results, but the Big Year is shaping up as a lot of fun — and a whole lot of birds. We hope to post the latest totals on Monday.

The New Jersey Meadowlands Commission  and the Bergen County Audubon Society will celebrate the opening of  River Barge Bark in Carlstadt on Saturday, May 19, with a day of free, family-friendly activities focused on raising awareness of the importance of environmental protection, conservation and keeping our waterways clean.

The events include free 30-minute guided boat rides on the NJMC's pontoon boats.

River Barge Park Day is scheduled from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. with a rain date of Sunday, May 20.

Activities at the scenic, 5.5-acre park on the Hackensack River also include mini kayak lessons provided by REI, environmental education activities for children conducted by Meadowlands Environment Center educators and park tours.

There will also be bird watching, a live barn owl exhibit, environmental exhibitors, food vendors and more.

Continue reading →