Nature Done Wright

Joined the incomparable Gabriel Willow and a group from NYC Audubon at DeKorte Park in Lyndhurst for a morning of birding.

Highlights included the Lapland Longspur, who was celebrating the three-month anniversary of its arrival by hanging out along the Transco Trail by the Weather Station, the first break in the trail on the left as you head from the parking lot toward the turnpike. (Chris Takacs first saw the bird on Nov. 18.)

Other highlights included more than 250 Canvasbacks, the most Northern Pintails I've ever seen, and a Pied-billed Grebe that has been hanging around for much of the winter.

In the first photo below, you can see why the Lapland Longspur is called a "long spur," with that extended rear toe.

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