The Meadowlands Blog

Your Slip Is Showing -- at River Barge Park in Carlstadt

The New Jersey Meadowlands Commission will hold information sessions on 17  boat slip rentals at the NJMC’s new River Barge Park on Wednesday, March 14, at 6 p.m. and Saturday, March 17, at 9 a.m.

The March 14 meeting will be held at the Meadowlands Environment Center in DeKorte Park in Lyndhurst. The March 17 session will take place at River Barge Park, off Outwater Lane in Carlstadt. The seasonal rentals offer the first new slips in the Meadowlands District in a decade.

The maximum boat length for each slip is 28 feet. The marina includes a launch ramp, waste disposal system, a wash-out yard and a hose bib on the courtesy dock. Electrical service is not available on the docks. 
 
River Barge Park is the NJMC’s latest urban environmental jewel. The 5.5-acre park includes a paddling ramp, riverfront promenade with seating, catch-and-release fishing, park trail, education pavilion, historical and interpretive signage, and native plants. 

Teaser Answered, and Then Some...

We asked readers to ID this seed pod -- and generated a little debate.

One of our in-house experts agrees with reader Janet T, who thinks its a Honey Locust seed pod.  Another says it's a Black Locust pod.

After viewing the video below, we are leaning toward Honey Locust.

(Thanks, Janet!)

Warning: This video is not for the faint of heart. (If video is not visible, try this link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eY1UvIrcDIc)

Looking Ahead to March

To see what might be in store in the coming month, we thought we'd take a quick look back at March 2011.

Here are some highlights:

March 3: Tree Swallows

March 4: Rare Seal Sighting

March 17: St. Pattie's Day Creeper

March 18: Horned Grebe plus

March 22: Monk Parakeet Update

March 29: Long-eared Owl, North Arlington

 

 

 

Don Torino's Latest Column: DucKorte Park!

Don Torino of Bergen County Aundubon just posted his latest column on the wildnewjersey.tv blog -- all about the ducks of DeKorte Park and the recent Great Backyard Bird Count held there.  

It also features some great DeKorte duck pix by Jeff Nicol.

The link is here.

Kingfisher Plus!

Kingfishers and kinglets are two of the peskiest birds to photograph beacuse they seldom sit still.

Roy Woodford took this nice shot, plus the Common Merg below and the Lesser Scaup on the jump.

(Thanks, Roy!)

Tuesday Teaser 022812

Saw this seed pod and plenty like it on the trail by the Gunnell Oval at the Kearny Marsh last week.  What is it?

Sign of Spring!

Ron Shields writes:

"Due to the high winds on Saturday, this killdeer was hunkered down on the soccer field behind the Kearny Marsh.

"Several killdeer were also spotted being blown about the landfill off Disposal Road as well."

Our Free Guided Walks in March

 

 

Next month's free guided walks begin at Mill Creek Marsh this Sunday, followed by an arrival-of-spring walk at DeKorte Park on March 20.

The shot above is a Bald eagle's-eye view of the marsh. Our walks are on the trails to the right of the turnpike near the middle of the photo, taken last spring with the assistance of LightHawk.

The two-hour walks are brought to you by the Meadwolands Commission and the Bergen County Audubon Society.

Full details follow.

American Kestrel!

Jana Brusich writes:

"I just read on Conserve Wildlife Foundation of NJ that 'the kestrel is listed as a threatened species in New Jersey.' 

"I'm happy that I was able to photograph this beauty on Disposal Rd. on Wednesday.  Hope that the population can bounce back soon!"

 

Ron Shields' Latest Pix

Ron Shields passed along his latest from DeKorte Park, taken earlier this month. Shots include a male Green-winged Teal and a female Canvasback.

An accipiter is on the jump -- Coop or Sharpie? (Thanks, Ron!)

Thursday's Laurel Hill Walk: The List

Fourteen of us  went to Laurel Hill to look for American Woodcocks and Common Ravens last evening -- with great success.

The guided walk, sponsored by the N.J. Meadowlands Commission and the Bergen County Audubon Society, found the ravens at their nest at 5 and the woodcocks in the weeds/bushes about 6:05 p.m. -- located in the underbrush before the first parking lot on the left.

Although we did not see the woodcocks, we sure did hear them -- peenting on the ground and then chirping as the males did their courtship dances.  We estimated at least five woodcock -- and heard at least 10 courtship displays.

We also had at least 28 Black-crowned Night Herons leaving their rost.

A beautiful early spring evening, and a walk definitely out of the ordinary.

Thanks to all who participated.

Bird Report: Kearny Marsh

 
Went to the Kearny Marsh on our lunch hour on Wednesday and saw quite a few good birds on  awalk along the railroad tracks overlooking the marsh.

Highlights included: A raft of 100+ Ruddy Ducks, a few Common Mergansers, a dozen American Coots, an adult Bald Eagle soaring above the marsh and -- on the way back to DeKorte Park -- a Peregrine Falcon flying just to the east of Schuyler Avenue.

Full list follows.