All about the Celery Farm Natural Area in Allendale, NJ, with occasional forays afield. Copyright 2013, Jim Wright, author of "Hawk Mountain" and "The Nature of the Meadowlands" -- with additional posts by Rob Fanning and Seymour Drakes.
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.
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.
A little-known fact about Fred Weber's record-setting Celery Farm Big Year in 2008 is that it also contained a record-setting Big Day. I'll let Fred explain...
Since I was spending every day at the Celery Farm from mid April through May as part of my Big Year in 2008, I decided to do a Big Day as well. Rather than pick a particular date, I waited for a fall out to occur. On May 2 by 7:30 AM I had 13 species of warblers, 3 species of Vireos, a few other neo-tropical migrants, American Bittern, and 6 species of waterfowl, so that seemed like a good start for a Big Day...
Click "Continue reading..." for the rest of Fred's account.
Drum roll, please... Rob Fanning has been kind enough to share his Celery Farm Big Year totals with us. I am going to post them, with a little perspective: A Celery Farm Big Year for my friend Seymour Drakes (or me for that matter) is when the total is in double figures. Here are Rob's totals. I do not know if they have been notarized. :- )
1999: 154 (153 seen) 2000: 150 (147 seen) 2001: 163 (158 seen) 2002: 162 (159 seen) 2003: 156 (150 seen) 2004: 158 (152 seen) 2005: 166 (162 seen) 2006: 183* (179 seen) *Contest year w/ Stiles 2007: 171 (167 seen) 2008: 175 (172 seen)
We are lucky to have a digital copy of another Celery Farm Big Year -- this one is from 2006, and it totals 175 birds. The birder is the marsh warden himself, Stiles Thomas. (click "Continue reading..." for the entire list.) Stiles says that he is really embarassed and reluctant to point this out, but he couldn't help but notice that Fred Weber's recently posted record-setting list had not been properly notarized. Our hands are tied. We have no choice but to put an asterisk next to Fred's record. That is really unfair, and I personally think it stinks to high heaven, but bylaws are bylaws. Why have bylaws if they are not enforced uniformly? Sorry, Fred. Life can be so unfair. Stiles says no one feels worse about this than he does.
Jim Wright and Jerry Barrack: Swan Babies This children's book, photographed at the Celery Farm, is the heart-warming true story of a pair of mute swans who overcame a nor'easter to save their nest.
All profits go to the Lillian and Stiles Thomas Scholarship Fund at Northern Highlands, and to the restoration of the historic Fell House.
Available at Rohsler's Nursery in Allendale, Wild Birds Unlimited in Paramus and Wild Bird Emporium in Midland Park.
Wright, Barrack & Friends of the Celery Farm: Survival: The Red-shouldered Hawks of Allendale This book is now avaialble as a download for iPads. Via Blurb.com: http://www.blurb.com/my/book/detail/2677163
Jim Wright, Doug Goodell and Jerry Barrack: Jungle of the Maya The definitive coffee-table book about Central America's largest -- and threatened -- rainforest. With sections on rare birds, howler monkeys and spider monkeys, Maya history, butterflies and more.
Available on line. Wild Birds Unlimited may have a few copies.
Jim Wright and Jerry Barrack, with Doug Goodell: In the Presence of Nature
This is the coffee table book about the Celery Farm Natural Area in Allendale, published in 2002 and now out of print. It tells the history of the farm and features great photography, Foreword by David Allen Sibley.
Copies are available at Rohsler's Nursery in Allendale, Wild Birds Unlimited in Paramus and Wild Bird Emporium in Midland Park.
Jim Wright and Jerry Barrack: Icky the Hungry Heron
A children's book about an amazing Great Blue Heron's quest for a gigantic carp at the Celery Farm, featuring photographs taken at the natural area.
All profits go to the Lillian and Stiles Thomas Scholarship Fund at Northern Highlands, and to the restoration of the historic Fell House.
Available at Rohsler's Nursery in Allendale, Wild Birds Unlimited in Paramus and Wild Bird Emporium in Midland Park.
Jim Wright and Kevin Watson: Hawk Mountain
This coffee-table book was published in 2009 as part of the world-famous raptor sanctuary's 75th anniversary. Features great photos by Kevin Watson, thoughtful prose, and some neat archival photos as well.
Available at Wild Birds Unlimited in Paramus and online.
Jim Wright and the Artists of Northern Highlands: Ghosts of Allendale
A ghost story featuring Founding Father John Fell and the Celery Farm Natural Area.
All profits go to the Lillian and Stiles Thomas Scholarship Fund at Northern Highlands, and to the restoration of the historic Fell House.
Now on sale at the Lee Memorial Library in Allendale, Rohsler's Nursery in Allendale, Wild Birds Unlimited in Paramus It tells the history of the farm and features great photography, Foreword by David Allen Sibley. While supplies last.
Jim Wright, Jerry Barrack, Doug Goodell: Duck Enough To Fly
The classic children's book is now back in print. Photographed at the Celery Farm. The book is for sale as Nov. 29 at Rohsler's Nursery in Allendale and Wild Birds Unlimited in Paramus.
Photography by Jerry Barrack, Text by Jim Wright: Birds of the Celery Farm
This is a collection of Jerry Barrack's classic bird photography taken at the Celery Farm -- where else?
Available at Rohsler's Nursery in Allendale, Wild Birds Unlimited in Paramus, and Wild Bird Emporium in Midland Park.
