The Celery Farm & Beyond

Program on the Celery Farm -- this Friday

      

The estimable Edith Wallace is doing a program on the Celery Farm this Friday afternoon:     

      "From Farm to Nature Preserve"
      The story of the woody plants of the Celery Farm that supply food and shelter for the creatures that live there.  

Friday April 3 at 1 p.m.

Midland Park Library

250 Godwin Ave.

Midland Park

 

The Fanning Report 033009

  

  My imaginary friend Seymour Drakes and I are back from vacation, and will begin posting again soon.
    In the meantime, here's the latest word from ace birder Rob Fanning -- 30 species seen at the CF today.
   Thanks, Rob!
   Click "Continue reading..." for the complete list.

Taking a short break

    After more than two years of producing this blog, Seymour Drakes and I are taking a break. Please stay tuned. We shall return.

   In the meantime, you might check out the Meadowlands Nature Blog here.

  More on pishing here. 

The Fanning Report

   Rob reports he had his first Tree Swallow of the year at the Celery Farm Monday morning.

   Click "Continue reading..." for his full list.

Monday Morning Mystery 031609

   There I was, sitting in my living room, minding my own bidness, when this raptor comes zipping down the trail. I grabbed my camera and zipped down my driveway.
   My first instinct was Sharpie, not to be confused with this similar species.
   Perched raptors can be tough to ID. What do you think?
     Click here for more memorable Monday Morning Mysteries.

Checklist Mania: John Workman's Amazing 2006

 
   Several weeks back, after we got wind that Fred Weber has set the all-time Celery Farm Big Year, we asked Fred and several other top birders to share their Celery Farm Big Year checklists with us, to form something of an on-line archive of these amazing documents.
  John Workman, having recently awakened from a winter's slumber, finally shared his 2006 Big Year list with us -- 172 species.
  John not only lists the birds he recorded, but he includes a drawing and a list of "almosts."

   It is unclear whether it has been notarized, which could be a problem in years to come.  We hope not.

   Click "Continue reading..." to see John's whole list.
    Click here to see all the lists, and commentary on the bylaws on notarization.

Coming Sunday: John Workman's Big Year Checklist

 

  We have been publishing the best Celery Farm Big Year Checklists in recent weeks. Tomorrow, we are publishing John Workman's illustrated 2006 list.
   Perfect reading material for the Ides of Marsh, although for reasons that escape us at the moment.

My most-viewed Screech Owl Video Ever

     I don't use YouTube for my videos much, but I happened to see how my various videos have been doing.
   To my surprise, the above video has had more than 7,000 plays. It is one of the simplest videos I've done, just a duet last spring between Mr. and Mrs. Ace while she was sitting on the five eggs.
  To my way of thinking, "Screech Owl Jamboree" is still my "Citizen Kane." I laughed, I cried...

The Fanning Report

   Rob Fanning saw 27 species at the Celery Farm on Tuesday, including 34 Hooded Mergansers (28 at Phairs Pond). Rob says that Fred Weber saw a male Nothern harrier at the CF on Monday.

 Thanks, Rob and Fred!

Click "Continue reading..." for Rob's full report.

Swan cools it as ice melts

   Mute Swan, 8 a.m., Saturday, by the Warden's Watch.