| Author |
Message |
    
Meandtheboys
Citizen
Username: Meandtheboys
Post Number: 438
Registered: 12-2004
| | Posted on Wednesday, March 23, 2005 - 9:39 am: |     |
joy: Great idea! I would love to go birding around town. I'm pretty much always on the lookout for birds when I'm out and about anyway. I do have binocs, probably not the best, but they'll do.
Let's see what we can figure out! |
mjc
Citizen
Username: Mjc
Post Number: 394
Registered: 10-2004
| | Posted on Wednesday, March 23, 2005 - 10:16 am: | |
me too, joy |
Tom Reingold
Supporter
Username: Noglider
Post Number: 5961
Registered: 1-2003
| | Posted on Wednesday, March 23, 2005 - 10:52 am: | |
Me three. |
joy
Citizen
Username: Joy
Post Number: 232
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Wednesday, March 23, 2005 - 3:01 pm: | |
Very Cool!!! Okay - so, here we go...weekends are best for me. The early morning is best for the birds. As for the little birders - the more the merrier. I have a spare pair of binocs and a bird guide or two. We can start local and depending on turnout, we can make a field trip or two to Sandy Hook, Great Swamp, etc...Prime birding is April and May. We can go out for an hour or two and see what we find - sometimes the birds play along and sometimes they decide not to. Depending on the weather - we can start next weekend April 2 & #). Please email me and we can set up a time and a place. email: jnprimavera@netscape.net. |
Lydia
Supporter
Username: Lydial
Post Number: 1022
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Wednesday, March 23, 2005 - 7:59 pm: | |
How early is best for birds? I'm not good at committing to group things, but I like going out by myself and looking at the birds.
I've seen amazing hawks up at Eagle Rock reservation in WO - sometimes I have to be careful not to get distracted by them while I'm driving. A good & safe place to sit and watch the hawks is the Sept. 11 Memorial by that fancy restaurant (forgot the name) up in Eagle Rock.
It's not a bird, but I saw a coyote (dead) up there last year too.
Joy and Deb - When the hawks land on your glove do you lure them with food? Do they look at you or just sort of hang out? |
sac
Supporter
Username: Sac
Post Number: 1951
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Wednesday, March 23, 2005 - 8:20 pm: | |
In our family, we always find that fairly early in the morning and late in the afternoon can usually be counted on to be the most productive times. (i.e. soon after sunrise and just before sunset) In the summertime, we sometimes get to the Great Swamp after work and before the sun goes down and have pretty good luck. But we have had plenty of good birding experiences in the middle of the day also. Once it gets dark, they mostly go to sleep, although we did go "owling" once (not around here) ... that was interesting, but we didn't find too much. I guess we've seen nighthawks after dark also, but not much else.
Hey Joy ... next time you see a blue grosbeak, please send him (her?) over to see us - the spouse has seen one at some point, but not in Mwood. I've never seen one. We did have a rose-breasted grosbeak at our feeder once. |
Hank Zona
Supporter
Username: Hankzona
Post Number: 2246
Registered: 3-2002
| | Posted on Wednesday, March 23, 2005 - 8:25 pm: | |
one of the best birdwatching experiences for a novice like me was the night my wife and I took a believe it or not lovely sunset cruise through the Meadowlands. Its a great thing to do on these small pontoon boats navigating the waterways between the two Turnpike extensions...saw lots of cool birds that evening. |
sac
Supporter
Username: Sac
Post Number: 1952
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Wednesday, March 23, 2005 - 8:40 pm: | |
Who runs those cruises? We've never done that and would probably enjoy it. (I know that my spouse, who is really the more expert birder in the family, sometimes spots some interesting species from the train as it runs through those swampy waterways.) |
Hank Zona
Supporter
Username: Hankzona
Post Number: 2247
Registered: 3-2002
| | Posted on Wednesday, March 23, 2005 - 8:49 pm: | |
sac,
try this link...the NJ Meadowlands Commission..children under 10 arent allowed on the pontoon cruises but theres a full list of events starting in the spring usually. Havent checked the 2005 schedule yet. We did the cruise on an early September evening...from a dock near some bar back off the service road next to the football stadium.
http://www.meadowlands.state.nj.us/eco_tourism/index.cfm
|
DeborahG
Citizen
Username: Deborahg
Post Number: 1264
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Wednesday, March 23, 2005 - 9:02 pm: | |
sounds like a great field trip for us birders!! |
joy
Citizen
Username: Joy
Post Number: 233
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Wednesday, March 23, 2005 - 9:16 pm: | |
Lydia - the VT school - I had food in hand and the hawk landed on my glove. all the other ones were unreleaseble, and yes, they sort of just hung out. They look around, some one them try to fly - but I'm holding onto the jesses and they end up hanging upside down until they realize they can't go anywhere- then i swing them up and around and they land on my wrist again. |
sac
Supporter
Username: Sac
Post Number: 1953
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Wednesday, March 23, 2005 - 9:19 pm: | |
Looks good ... and the younger child will be ten in May, so we can do this soon. Thanks! |
joy
Citizen
Username: Joy
Post Number: 234
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Wednesday, March 23, 2005 - 9:42 pm: | |
sac - count me in as well.
And here's a really cool site:
http://www.kodak.com/go/birdfans |
Meandtheboys
Citizen
Username: Meandtheboys
Post Number: 453
Registered: 12-2004
| | Posted on Wednesday, March 23, 2005 - 9:55 pm: | |
Check out this one. www.calvorn.com
This guy takes spectacular pictures of all kinds of birds, which can be found under "Gallery." I'm also an avid hobby photographer, so I checked out the lense he uses to get most of his shots--$8,000.00! Guess I won't be getting that one any time soon.  |
Lydia
Supporter
Username: Lydial
Post Number: 1025
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Wednesday, March 23, 2005 - 10:03 pm: | |
Joy - that sounds amazing - what a cool thing to do.
I went to the "spy museum" in DC and the spy birds (pigeons) were so interesting - they had a track record better than humans - I can't recall the number because my daughter was cranky and rushing me through, but only about 10 birds were ever lost - and this is flying across the Atlantic.
I never thought I was a bird watcher, but I've been walking a lot and I've finally calmed down enough to notice all the amazing birds we have around here - the heron is still my favorite, I have to learn the details of the little birds yet. |
tulip
Citizen
Username: Braveheart
Post Number: 2146
Registered: 3-2004
| | Posted on Thursday, March 24, 2005 - 8:00 am: | |
We've seen American eagles on the Delaware just south of P'burg. |
Tom Reingold
Supporter
Username: Noglider
Post Number: 5981
Registered: 1-2003
| | Posted on Thursday, March 24, 2005 - 8:07 am: | |
Surely, that's a typo, since the Delaware doesn't go anywhere near Pittsburgh. What did you mean? |
tulip
Citizen
Username: Braveheart
Post Number: 2147
Registered: 3-2004
| | Posted on Thursday, March 24, 2005 - 8:10 am: | |
Oh, sorry! That's Jersey-speak for Phillipsburg, Tom. Also, we've seen them up farther north as well, along the Delaware in the Water Gap National Park and Worthington State Forest. My husband has been a birder for many years. |
Meandtheboys
Citizen
Username: Meandtheboys
Post Number: 454
Registered: 12-2004
| | Posted on Thursday, March 24, 2005 - 8:16 am: | |
Bald eagles? They are spectacular birds as well.
Anyone interested in seeing any of the birds discussed on this thread up close, should really plan a visit to The Raptor Trust in Millington, just on the edge of the Great Swamp. They are a rehabilitation facility specializing in Raptors. They have a large collection of birds on the premises who cannot be released back in to the wild because of injuries. Some of the birds they have include Bald Eagles, Red Tail Hawks, Peregrin Falcons, Kestrals, several species of owls including three of the most spectacular looking snowy owls. The Trust and the man who runs it are very well known in the birding community. Most birds found injured in NYC are brought to the Trust for rehabilitation. They also do educational programs for anyone who might be interested in bringing a group for a visit. Most importantly, they run entirely on private funding.
So go, enjoy the birds, and leave a donation so they can continue thier great work!
www.theraptortrust.org |
tulip
Citizen
Username: Braveheart
Post Number: 2148
Registered: 3-2004
| | Posted on Thursday, March 24, 2005 - 8:20 am: | |
Yes. We were surprised, and you probably don't believe me, but that's OK, because we did see them, and up around Merrill Creek over to the Delaware, there have been sightings other than ours. |
Meandtheboys
Citizen
Username: Meandtheboys
Post Number: 456
Registered: 12-2004
| | Posted on Thursday, March 24, 2005 - 8:22 am: | |
Tulip, I believe you. So great to know these birds are coming back strong after being endangered. |
tulip
Citizen
Username: Braveheart
Post Number: 2149
Registered: 3-2004
| | Posted on Thursday, March 24, 2005 - 8:26 am: | |
Thanks, Meand...
Actually it was one of my boys on a walk with my husband, and my sighting on a separate occasion, catching a glimpse. My husband knows his birds.
We have the Musconetcong just near us, and a beautiful grey, (or is it green) heron is often perched on a rock in the morning and late afternoon. When it flies, it does look like a pterodactyl.
We are near a protected area out here, the Pohatcong Grasslands.
http://www.state.nj.us/drbc/edweb/baldeagle.htm |
Meandtheboys
Citizen
Username: Meandtheboys
Post Number: 458
Registered: 12-2004
| | Posted on Thursday, March 24, 2005 - 8:30 am: | |
Tulip: Great photo of those babies! Just want to pick them up and squeeze them! Yeah, I'm a bit crazy.
Tulip, where the heck are you? Pohatcong Grasslands? |
tulip
Citizen
Username: Braveheart
Post Number: 2150
Registered: 3-2004
| | Posted on Thursday, March 24, 2005 - 8:38 am: | |
Yup, follow route 78 almost to the NJ/PA border. Exit at Bloomsbury and travel due west along routes 173, 637, 627 (all the same road) and you will arrive, within about eight/ten miles, at the Delaware River, Riegelsville Bridge, (designed by Roebling, by the way.) If you turn north on the bumpy NJ side you will arrive in a town called Carpentersville, hard-hit by Hurrican Ivan, but recovering. To your right are the Pohatcong Grasslands. Thanks to the recent gubernatorial and state assembly efforts, it has become somewhat protected, as some of our area along the Delaware has become federal land, but who knows how long that will last...
But we love it. There's actually a spot on that bumpy road that reminds me of certain areas in Quebec along the Gaspe Peninsula (stretch of the imagination, of course), where you see no signs of human habitation, and just the river and forests on both sides. Not for long, I'm sure. |
tulip
Citizen
Username: Braveheart
Post Number: 2151
Registered: 3-2004
| | Posted on Thursday, March 24, 2005 - 8:40 am: | |
talk to you later, gotta go to work... |
Meandtheboys
Citizen
Username: Meandtheboys
Post Number: 459
Registered: 12-2004
| | Posted on Thursday, March 24, 2005 - 8:42 am: | |
So tulip, when you get back, I'm curious, being that you are way out there in the hinterlands, enjoying nature at it's finest on a daily basis, what brings you to MOL? Sort of odd, on the surface of it.  |
Duncan
Supporter
Username: Duncanrogers
Post Number: 4023
Registered: 12-2001
| | Posted on Thursday, March 24, 2005 - 9:29 am: | |
Saw a bald eagle in Delaware a few weeks ago. Flew low and slow over the river in my Father-in-law's back yard. Almost surreal experience completely lost on my son..LOL
And remember...LOOK AT THE BIRDS NOT THE BOOK, CAUSE YOU WILL ALWAYS HAVE THE BOOK LATER! |
joy
Citizen
Username: Joy
Post Number: 235
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Thursday, March 24, 2005 - 9:42 am: | |
My first Bald eagle was at Hoffman-Sherman off 78. It's a NJ Audubon property. I was walking up a hill and for some reason, turned around and there it was - rising up out of the Great Swamp. Someone in the group asked if it really was a bald eagle. Another in the group, handed her a quarter and asked her to check...I've also see golden eagles in the area of 287/78 intersection. |
Meandtheboys
Citizen
Username: Meandtheboys
Post Number: 471
Registered: 12-2004
| | Posted on Thursday, March 24, 2005 - 12:03 pm: | |
Check this out: www.55water.com/falcons
Live, streaming video, three different views, of peregrin falcon nest at 55 Water Street (view of the Seaport and FDR as well). I'm a little confused because it looks as though there are eggs in the nest, but right now no one is incubating them. Perhaps you experienced falconers/birdwatchers can shed some light? |
mjc
Citizen
Username: Mjc
Post Number: 397
Registered: 10-2004
| | Posted on Thursday, March 24, 2005 - 12:47 pm: | |
and on a much smaller scale ...
Two very handsome sandpiperish birds with white rings around their necks, this morning by the stream behind SOMS. Spring IS coming.
Has anyone seen the egret or heron in SO yet this year?
Looking forward to going out with people who know more about birds than I do!
MC |
Meandtheboys
Citizen
Username: Meandtheboys
Post Number: 473
Registered: 12-2004
| | Posted on Thursday, March 24, 2005 - 3:24 pm: | |
So cool! www.55water.com/falcons Go to the Birdcam.
I'm watching right now and somebody (male or female, I can't tell) is incubating the eggs. I love this! Does this make me some kind of techno bird geek? |
Lydia
Supporter
Username: Lydial
Post Number: 1031
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Thursday, March 24, 2005 - 7:41 pm: | |
MJc - Sally the Heron lives in SO - if you go down third street from Ridgewood and walk along the path by the river, her nest is about a quarter mile from third street - it's got a red white and blue beach ball next to it. The nest looks like a jumble of reeds and branches.
I went down there today and didn't see Sally, but there were some duck families that were pretty cute.
Today I noticed all the bags and toys and plastic junk in the water - is there a group that wades into the water to clear this stuff out?
If there's not a group then maybe the bird watchers of Maplewood/SO could get together with some garbage bags and long boots and clean out for a few hours. It would be fun to do it in a group, and the river is realy messy and not good for the birds. |
tulip
Citizen
Username: Braveheart
Post Number: 2154
Registered: 3-2004
| | Posted on Thursday, March 24, 2005 - 8:01 pm: | |
Meand:
Maplewood and South Orange are just about the most interesting towns I have seen in NJ. I worked there for only one and a half years, and found it difficult, but fascinating. |
mjc
Citizen
Username: Mjc
Post Number: 402
Registered: 10-2004
| | Posted on Friday, March 25, 2005 - 3:39 pm: | |
Lydia, thanks for the info about Sally. I'd love to see her nest if it wouldn't bother her. I've never walked along the river south of 3rd Street, so thanks for the heads up.
I would be glad to go wading and pick up trash, anytime after 4/15. I believe there's an annual organized stream clean-up (in spring? maybe around Earth Day?), but I don't know if they go south of SO Ave. |
tulip
Citizen
Username: Braveheart
Post Number: 2201
Registered: 3-2004
| | Posted on Wednesday, March 30, 2005 - 8:25 pm: | |
I saw a wild turkey close up this afternoon on the way home. Although it was bald, its neck was quite colorful, with blue, purplish, pinkish coloring. Its feathers were several subtle shades of brown and black. It looked very dinosaurish. Real nice. |
Yossarian
Citizen
Username: Yossarian
Post Number: 260
Registered: 8-2003
| | Posted on Thursday, March 31, 2005 - 9:06 am: | |
Here's a second for Raptor Trust. Went there last weekend. Lots of Red Tail Hawks. Beautiful owls. Bald Eagles. Worth the 30 minute trip. |
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