Put Your Stamp on Conservation
One thing the Covid-19 pandemic brought home was the importance of public lands and outdoor recreation for Americans during lock-down. Visitation at Great Swamp NWR doubled during the 3-month shut-down as visitors flocked to the refuge to bird, take photographs, observe nature, exercise – or just get outdoors. So, here is one easy and effective […]
A New Jersey Beauty – Flowering Dogwood
The Flowering Dogwood (Cornus florida) is one of New Jersey’s loveliest trees – bursting forth in early May with spectacular white and pink blooms– a sure sign that winter is over. Flowering dogwood is the state tree of Missouri and the state flower of North Carolina. It is also the New Jersey State Memorial Tree […]
Here’s a good excuse to get outside
We all know that we should not pick wildflowers, much less, dig them up. But here’s an exception! Garlic mustard. This is a non-native, highly invasive herbaceous plant that is spreading rapidly in our woodlots, forests, and along wooded roadsides. It dominates in our forest understory, crowding out native species and reducing the diversity of […]
Spring Beauties
Most of the year, many shrubs and understory trees can be difficult to identify, but when they bloom in the spring it’s really an easy call. Look for these three native shrubs, all of which are in full bloom right now. All are great additions to the home landscape. Shadbush (Amelanchier canadensis) If you are […]
Mr. Woodcock
Video courtesy of Main Audubon Media During mating season, males of many species engage in ritualistic courtship behaviors. We find numerous examples in this area. The throaty croak of a bullfrog, the rhythmic flashing of a firefly or the purchase of a Porsche 911 by a middle aged divorcee. These all serve the same purpose; […]
Skunk Cabbage Heralds Spring
Although it is still winter, the days are getting noticeably longer, the chickadee starts singing its spring mating song, and the first wildflower of the year – skunk cabbage – is in full bloom. How is this possible when the ground is frozen and the threat of snow still very real. Skunk cabbage has a […]
Great Backyard Bird Count
Photo: Chuck Hantis February 14 – 16, 2020, 10:00 am to 4:00 pm every day at the Helen C. Fenske Visitor Center Join us for three days of birding fun. Help volunteers count the birds at the feeders from inside the Visitor Center. Daily bird counts will be reported to the Cornell Lab of Ornithology to […]
Introducing Winter Walks
Photo: Robert Stapperfenne Thursdays, 10:30 a.m., Helen C. Fenske Visitor Center We all know that exercise is good for your health, and research shows that it’s even better if you do it outdoors. It’s official! Spending time outside can improve your physical, mental, and emotional wellbeing. But winter often makes it harder. Friends are here […]
Birding reaches new heights at the Wildlife Observation Center
Following nearly 2,000 hours of volunteer work, the new Chandler S. Robbins Memorial Viewing Platform is now finished and open to the public. This new observation deck, at the site of the former Friends Blind, is a two-level viewing platform. The lower level is ADA compliant and raised about four feet from ground level. The […]
October 13 – 19, 2019 is National Wildlife Week
Welcome to Wild! Sunday, October 13—All day, 8:00 a.m.—4:00 p.m. The Big Sit! Join the Friends and identify as many bird species as possible within a 17 foot diameter circle. Stop by the Overlook to find out what it’s all about. All are welcome! Sunday, October 13, 9:00—10:30 am Guided Bird Walk We’ll meet at […]