The Meadowlands Blog

$100 REWARD FOR "MEADOWLANDS GYRFALCON" PHOTO

    The New Jersey Meadowlands Commission is encouraged to hear of recent – if unconfirmed -- sightings of a very rare raptor, the Gyrfalcon, in the Meadowlands.

   In the interest of getting photographic confirmation of this large falcon in the Meadowlands, the NJMC is offering a $100 reward for the first usable photograph of a Gyrfalcon clearly taken in the Meadowlands. 

    A Gyrfalcon would be a significant find and a major addition to the list of birds seen in the 30.4-square-mile district -- and yet another reminder of what a valuable natural resource the Meadowlands is for all sorts of wildlife.

   Although there have been occasional Gyrfalcon reports in the district over the years, none that we know of has been confirmed. The NJMC wants confirmation for scientific reasons, and that is why it is enlisting the public's help.

   To report a documented Gyrfalcon sighting or for more information, click here or by contact us by phone  201-785-6604 (NJMC Staffer Jim Wright's cellphone).

   The image (of a white-morph) Gyrfalcon above is by John James Audubon.

GYRFALCON UPDATE, FRIDAY AFTERNOON

 

  

At least a dozen hawk-eyed birders are in the Meadowlands today as part of an impromptu "Team Gyr," trying to find that rare Gyrfalcon that has been seen (but not confirmed) in the Meadowlands.
   One birder who scoped out Laurel Hill early today told us he did not see the Gyrfalcon but did see an adult Bald Eagle fly over.
  One reason for the hoopla was this bird report from Pennsylvania on Wednesday:
    "About 3:30 this afternoon Gordon Yoder caught a Gyrfalcon at the Little Gap Raptor Banding Station.  Unfortunately he was alone and did not have a camera."  Since a Gyrfalcon has tremendous range, it has raised hopes of a Meadowlands sighting as well.
    Another reason for the hoopla: Check this link to Google Books, and raptor experts Clay and Pat Sutton's Gyrfalcon description in How to Spot Hawks & Eagles:  They call the Gyrfalcon "The ultimate quest for raptor spotters, the rarest and hardest of all North American hawks to find."

WANTED: GYRFALCON IN THE MEADOWLANDS

     

A falconer has reported to the Meadowlands Commission that he has seen a Gyrfalcon in the district twice in the past week. Another birder  reported earlier in the month that he had seen a Gyrfalocon-like raptor in the district as well.
    Although unconfirmed, the sightings could be significant. It would be quite a bird for the district, and the Meadowlands Commission would love to document the bird's presence with a quality photo of same with a clear Meadowlands backdrop. We will offer a suitable reward to use the photo.
     So keep a camera handy and call us if you get a solid shot of our phantom bird. In the meantime, birders are organizing "search parties" for the Gyrfalcon this weekend. We will keep you informed of any progress.

  More on Gyrfalcons here.

  How should you pronounce "Gyrfalcon"?  Click here (with your computer's sound card on).  (Answer: Jeer-falcon).

   Click "Continue reading ..." for more on the Meadowlands Gyrfalcon reports.