Meadowlands Liberty Region
It's for the Birds and the Bird Watchers!
Birding
in the Meadowlands Liberty Region is taking flight.
With hundreds of acres of protected wetlands, secluded
estuaries and trails, and tidal salt marshes nestled
near the Hackensack River, its no wonder 265
species of birds of all feathers call the Meadowlands
home. Located along the Atlantic Flyway migratory
bird path, birders in the region have also spotted
several dozen migratory fowl, and the total bird population
includes 25 species that are on New Jerseys
endangered species or protected species lists. Not
to be outdone, the Liberty State Park is home to 200
species of birds and many migratory fowl as well.
The
New Jersey Audubon Society (njaudubon.org) hosts the
World Series of Birding at DeKorte Park in Lyndhurst,
a friendly competition where amateurs and enthusiasts
try to spot as many different types of birds as they
can in a 24-hour period. And the first annual Festival
of Birding was held in 2004, revealing a peregrine
falcon in Secaucus and bald eagles in North Arlington.
Birding is popular year round the spring and
fall are good for observing migrating birds, while
the summer is popular for watching baby birds learn
to fly, feed at feeders and bathe at birdbaths.
Birders
will find all they need early morning diners,
plenty of hotel rooms so they can get a good nights
rest before getting a jump on their early morning
viewing, and the resources of many environmental groups
to enhance their trip. The New Jersey Meadowlands
Commission, the Meadowlands Environment Center, the
New Jersey Audubon Society and the Hackensack Riverkeeper
all work together to offer the most opportunities
to witness natures show.