The Meadowlands Blog

Robin Mom in DeKorte

   

One thing about American Robins -- they don't seem to mind making their nests in the middle of things. 
   This robin built her nest atop a light fixture above the entrance to the Meadowlands Environment Center, and don't seem to mind all the visitors walking back and forth under their apartment.
   She and Pops have been feeding their young -- we've seen at least two -- like clockwork.

    More on America Robins here.

  The Meadowlands is looking more and more like an avian maternity ward. Stay tuned for some nifty news.

DeKorte Park Groundhog

   Our resident Groundhog is back and in fine fettle. Saw her shadow -- 16 more weeks of summer...

About Those Midges ...

   In the past week, those pesky little bugs called Midges returned to the region big-time.
   The good news is: They don't bite. They provide plenty of food for all those beautiful little birds that hang out in DeKorte and elsewhere in the Meadowlands. And their larvae is great food for fish. All part of nature's great food chain.
   More on Midges here.

TUESDAY TEASER 042809

  Can you identify this bird?

  For answer, click on "Continue reading..." immediately below.

  For more Tuesday Teasers, click here. 

Spring Research

                                Photo by Dr. Francisco Artigas, copyright 2009, MERI
   Meadowlands Environmental Research Institute staff have been busy in the field. In the photo above, (left to right) Danielle Cioce, Ed Konsevick and Joe Gryzb take sediment samples at the Secaucus High School Marsh to see if the new clean sediments brought into the site remain clean after being exposed to the tide.
  More on MERI here.
  More on the project here.

Shot o' the Day

 
    Thomas Knoop caught this recent shot of a Tree Swallow in flight at DeKorte Park.
    Thanks, Tom!
  

Harbor Herons Project Update -- Counters wanted!

                                                  Photo by Marc Schrieks, NJMC, COPYRIGHT 2009

   if you are interested in helping New Jersey Audubon Society and the Meadowlands Commission do a survey of Great Egrets, Snowy Egrets and other "Harbor Herons" this summer in the Meadowlands, take note:

   NJAS is holding another four-hour seminar for prospective survey volunteers at DeKorte Park on Saturday, May 30.

   The first seminar, held last Monday, drew roughly 20 people and offered all sorts of information on survey techniques, bird-ID tips, and an overview of the Harbor Herons program.

   Click immediately below for more information from NJAS. 

Neat stories and video on the Meadowlands' comeback

    Colleen Reynolds of The Leader Newspaper did an informative article on the wonders of the region's wetlands -- with some photos by her Leader colleague Alexis Tarazzi.

   "It was high tide as our watercraft ventured along the Hackensack River, and we were treated to an avian show of splendor," she writes. "Ink-black double-crested cormorants perched regally atop wooden pilings, northern harriers swooped past and graceful snowy egrets waded at water’s edge. Tree swallows, a type of aerial feeder, were munching on midges while gliding through the air...."

   The link to story is here.

   The Star-Ledger did a solid video on the river's comeback, here.

   And Celeste Regal of The Observer did a fine story on the palliative powers of spending time on the river. Link is here.

   Link to post about the Meadowlands Commission's Pontoon Boat Eco-Cruises is here.

The Barn Swallows Are Back -- Bigtime

    Next time you visit DeKorte Park, take a walk on the marsh Discovery Trail.  There are swallows galore.
     Although the Tree Swallows tend to get the most attention because they perch so cutely on their nestboxes, their cousins  the Barn Swallows may be even more handsome.
   In the shot above, four Barn Swallows perch on the same branch.
    On that same tree, Barn Swallows and Tree Swallows often perch together.
   At right, a Barn Swallow takes off from the branch, showing his beautiful wingspan.  Note the forked tail.
   The Barn Swallows have been known to nest in the observation blinds along the trail -- if you get too close a nest this summer, you may get dive-bombed.
    More on Barn Swallows here.

DON'T FORGET: Free Meadowlands History Talk on Friday

           "Snake Hill on the Jersey Meadows," Montclair Museum of Art

Noted regional historian Kevin Wright is speaking at the Meadowlands Environment Center in DeKorte Park, Lyndhurst, on Friday at 12:15 p.m. (just past noon) on the history of the Meadowlands, pre-1969.

   This is an encore presentation -- we saw him give this talk in February, and he was great. With great archival images to boot.

   Click here for details.

Muskrat at DeKorte

   This guy was near the walkway across from the first visitors parking lot one afternoon at DeKorte last week, totally oblivious of humans. Just wanted to help cut the grass, apparently.
     Muskrats were once a prime target for trappers in the Meadowlands. We will post some of their stories on our upcoming oral history blog.
     More on Muskrats in this region here.

    For a look at an old newspaper clipping about Muskrat hunting in the Meadowlands, click immediately below.

Happy Earth Day

    Today is a good day to take stock of the wonderful world around us, and to think of ways to make it a better place.
    The Meadowlands is living proof that with time, and persistent human help, nature can rebound.

    For a great link on Earth Day information, click here.