Linda Gangi reports that she "took a short walk thru the Lyndhurst Reserve at  DeKorte [on Wednesday afternoon].

   "There was a flock of Ruby-crowned Kinglets, along with a good selection of sparrows– White-throated, Song, Chipping, Savannah, Swamp, House and Field.

   "Yellow-rumps were everywhere, and the Kingfisher was out fishing."

    On a later walk along the Transco Trail and Marsh Discovery Trail, we were invaded by Yellow-rumps everywhere.

    There was still a Snowy Egret or two around as well.

    We all know the fable of the Ant and the Grasshopper, and how the ant saved food for the winter while the Grasshopper goofed.

   But given the sunny weather of the past few days, who can blame this Grasshopper for chilling out on the Transco Trail in DeKorte Park? 

   The Nov. 2  deadline is fast-approaching for NJMC's Amateur Photography Contest, part of our 40th Anniversary Celebration. (Link to more information is here.)

   We now have the rules and the forms on one download. and the prize money is is sweet.

 We'd love to see your photographs! As the saying goes, you have to be in it to win it.

  Download Web_contest_packet

   NJMC Naturalist Michael Newhouse and his ace band of bird banders banded this warbler this morning.

   It appears to be a classic "confusing fall warbler." 

Mike and Co. have their hunches.  

What do you think?   

   E-mail blog-keeper Jim Wright here.

   

     We now have the November and December schedule for our First Sunday of the Month and the Third Tuesday of the Month walks with the Bergen County Audubon Society, and do we have some neat things in store.

    Highlights include Tuesday walks in two new spots — Mill Creek Marsh in Secaucus (above) and Mehrhof Woods in Little Ferry — and Sunday walks at DeKorte that include a "Winter Hawk Talk (and slide show)." 

   Click "Continue reading…" for the full schedule.

Continue reading →

  We had a great walk with the Bergen County Audubon Society in Ridgefield today — nice weather, nice birds and a nice bunch of people. 

   Don Torino of BCAS and Karen Riede of the Ridgefield Nature Center led the way. 

    Highlights included a Hermit Thrush at the Ridgefield Nature Center, lots of Ruby-crowned Kinglets at the Ridgefield Community Garden, the delightful (but loud) Monk Parakeets of Railroad Avenue (below), plus  an American Kestrel (left) and (immature) White-crowned Sparrows at the Skeetkill Creek Marsh.

  Attendance was more than two-dozen birders of all experience levels.

   Thanks to all who participated, and a special thanks to Bruce and Karen Riede for all their help.

      There may not be as many birds at DeKorte these days, now that the water levels in the Shorebird Pool are on the rise again, but for a late afternoon walk, DeKorte is still amazing — especially on a sunny autumn day.

   We walked around at 4:30 p.m. the other day, just as a Northern Harrier hunted above the tops of the Phragmites and yellowlegs and a few other lingering shorebirds worked the shallows.

   Yes, the one photo is in black-and-white. Just making sure you're paying attention.

    Hangin' along the Transco Trail at DeKorte Monday afternoon, in fall plumage.

In advance of our walk at the Ridgefield Nature Center tomorrow (Tuesday), which features a new trail for us to explore, Karen Riede passes along this photo of a mystery bug.

   Our first thought was "stink bug," but it didn't quite fit the description.

   Any thoughts?

   In the meantime, here is a link to an earlier post that gives details about tonight's Meadowlands Commission talk at the Ridgefield Library and tomorrow's nature walk at the Ridgefield Nature Center, complete with directions.

   And yes, we'll stop and see the Monk Parakeets (below) who live about a half-mile from the nature center, the former site of the Great Bear Water Co.