Saturday, August 23: Richard W. DeKorte Park

Meet at 8:30 am in the parking lot by the Meadowlands Environmental Center—canceled in the event of inclement weather

In the Hackensack Meadowlands, DeKorte Park features 3.5 miles of level walking paths along wetlands that can host a variety of birds. At this time of year, shorebirds are migrating, waterfowl and passerines are fueling up for their journey south, and raptors are taking advantage of this mass migratory restlessness. We may walk the hill above the parking lot if passerines are active, then walk the trails around the Shorebird Pool and Lyndhurst Nature Reserve to Saw Mill Flats. If time allows, we’ll drive to the AMVETS Carillon to scan the Teal Pool and surrounding area. 

Bring binoculars and, if you have one, a scope, as well as water and a snack. It is likely to be hot and sunny, so a sunhat, sunscreen, and insect repellent are recommended. There is a porta-san in the parking lot where we will meet. 

Map and brochure: s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com/njmc/pdfs/general/dekorte-trail-guide-11-2016-lr.pdf

Travel directions from the Montclair area: Take Route 3 east to the Polito Avenue/Orient Way exit. Continue straight onto Polito Avenue.  At the stop sign, turn left onto Valley Brook Avenue. Follow Valley Brook approximately 1.5 miles to its end. Cross the railroad tracks and continue straight into the park. Bear right into the parking lot at the guardhouse.   

Monday, September 8: Montclair Chimney Swift Roost

Photo Sanford M. Sorkin

Meet at 6:15 pm on Norwood Avenue between Lorraine Avenue and Bellevue Avenue, next to the rear parking lot of the Upper Montclair Branch of the Montclair Public Library.

Rain date September 15

Leader Evan Cutler

For decades, Buzz Aldrin Middle School in Montclair has played host to one of the most

fascinating fall birding spectacles in all of New Jersey. Each evening, flocks of chimney swifts fill the sky, feeding on flying insects, until suddenly, one by one, they enter the school’s chimney, where they will roost until the next morning. This is a terrific opportunity to watch this

spectacle up close. Feel free to bring a lawn chair, a snack, or a beverage.

Please note that the birds may choose NOT to return this year, or to leave early. We will send out an alert if the event is canceled or moved to another of the several active roosts in Montclair.

Contact us at mbcoutings@gmail.com for further information.

Saturday, September 13: A Piece of the Great Piece

Yellow-billed cuckoo. Photo Rick Wright

Meet at 8:00 am at Centennial Park on Pine Brook Road, Lincoln Park, New Jersey.

Although it is in many ways a typical suburban town, much of Lincoln Park is wetland that cannot be developed. Thus, a large portion of the town’s square mileage is green space, offering many excellent birding opportunities. The town is home to Great Piece Meadows, a remnant wetland of Glacial Lake Passaic, which attracts numerous migrants.

Centennial Park, a small “pocket” park at the edge of Great Piece Meadows, probably has records of more bird species per square foot (including Morris County’s first Ash-throated Flycatcher) than any other location in the area. Another section of Great Piece is known as Two Bridges, at the confluence of the Passaic and Pompton Rivers. At both sites, we hope to see a variety of migrating songbirds and raptors as well as resident and lingering breeding birds such as the wood duck, great crested flycatcher, yellow-throated vireo, wood thrush, and rose-breasted grosbeak.

Please bring binoculars, a sunhat, insect repellant, water, and a snack. There is a port-o-john in Centennial Park.

If you plan on joining us, contact Ivan Kossak at ivankossak@gmail.com to RSVP or to get more information.