First-Ever New Jersey Meadowlands Festival of Birding

First-Ever New Jersey Meadowlands

Festival of Birding Set for October 17

By Hugh M. Carola

Hackensack Riverkeeper in partnership with the New Jersey Audubon Society (NJAS) and the New Jersey Meadowlands Commission (NJMC), is inviting everyone to the region’s first-ever birding festival. Set for Sunday, October 17, the NJ Meadowlands Festival of Birding will take place from 9 a.m. until 5 p.m. at the Meadowlands Environment Center in Lyndhurst.

The festival is the result of a collaboration between Hackensack Riverkeeper and NJAS. “The concept grew out of a series of meetings we were having with Bob Ceberio at the NJMC about ecotourism,” said Captain Bill. The Meadowlands Regional Chamber of Commerce is also supporting the event.

Mid-October is a natural transition time in the Meadowlands as many summer resident birds like Great and Snowy egrets move south while winter resident ducks like Pintails, Canvasbacks as well as large numbers of Red-tailed hawks arrive from the north. With all that feathered activity going on, there’s plenty for birders to see and do.

The Meadowlands Birding Festival will offer walks, talks, boat rides, workshops, films and children's activities on Sunday, October 17.

Some of the activities planned for the Festival (which will be held rain or shine) include:

Bird walks led by NJAS guides through DeKorte Park and the Sawmill Creek Wildlife Management Area;
Marsh birding aboard Hackensack Riverkeeper’s pontoon boats;
Environmental displays and exhibits;
Nature films in the Environment Center’s theatre;
Special activities for kids;
Workshops on where to go birding, choosing binoculars, creating backyard habitats, birdhouse building and more!

The highlight of the day will be a keynote address delivered at 1:30 p.m. by Pete Dunne, NJAS vice president and director of its Cape May Bird Observatory. Dunne is the author of seven books including “Hawks in Flight,” “The Wind Masters,” “The Feather Quest” and “Tales of a Low-Rent Birder.”

“Pete Dunne and the New Jersey Audubon Society helped turn Cape May into one of the East Coast’s premier ecotourism destinations,” said Captain Bill. “What enabled that change was birding – one of the most popular hobbies in America.”

The Festival will have something for everyone, whether you’ve been birding for decades or just thinking about getting your first pair of binoculars. Advance tickets, which include admission to all activities, cost $10 ($15 at the door) and are available from Hackensack Riverkeeper by calling 201-968-0808 or on the web at www.HackensackRiverkeeper.org. Those under age 18 are admitted free.

Right: Noted author of seven books on birding,
Pete Dunne will deliver the keynote address at
the inaugural Meadowlands Birding Festival.