Lynn McKenzie offers this mystery. Who are these guys, seen recently on the far edge of the lake?

I hope the Bug Sit folks see some today from the Pirie-Mayhood Platform.

(Thanks, Lynn!)

After chatting with a couple of congenial acquaintances at Goldberg's Bagels this a.m., I am now on the lookout for a black squirrel that hangs out around TB Bank and environs, among other places.

I am told the squirrel's name is Gene. Keep your eyes peeled.

( Photos by Matt Klemchalk. Thanks, Matt!)

The rumors are true!

On Thursday, October 31, the afternoon raptor counter at State Line Hawk Watch is sponsoring a little costume party. Everyone is invited.

(He stole the idea from Kerri Wallace, so she gets a special invite. Karl Soehnlein has suggested "Halloween over the Hudson" for a previous Oct. 31, so Karl also gets a special tip of the hat.

The first 12 people in attendance between 12:30 p.m. and 4 p.m. wearing some sort of bird costume will receive a free chocolate bar. Anyone dressed as a Peregrine will get -- what else?-- a Dove Bar.

The rules are simple: Just wear something that identifies you as a bird, preferably a mask. (Sorry, no hybrids.)

For example, can you identify the bird pictured above?

Correct answer:  an adult Bald Eagle that's occasionally immature.

Happy Hawk-o-ween. Hope to see you on Oct. 31.

,

Sustaining Wildlife in Fall and Winter Gardens
A free talk by Deb Ellis of the Essex Chapter of the Native Plant Society of N.J.
Fri., Oct. 25, 8 pm LIVE at the Allendale Municipal Building

Sustaining Wildlife in Fall and Winter Gardens, with Deb Ellis of the Essex Chapter of the Native Plant Society of N.J.

Fall is a terrific time to plant native plants. They provide food during the cold months for birds, and their leaves create habitat for the overwintering of larvae and cocoons of butterflies and moths, as well as the American bumblebee. At this live Fyke presentation, you’ll learn which flowers and shrubs can serve as a home and food source for pollinators and birds in fall and winter, and take-home tips for fall cleanup.

Our presenter is Deb Ellis, founder and leader of the Essex chapter of the Native Plant Society of New Jersey, a Master Gardener, a Rutgers Environmental Steward, and formerly served on the Montclair Environmental Commission.

Location: Allendale Municipal Building, 500 W. Crescent Ave., Allendale.

No registration is required for this live program. It will be recorded and posted to the Fyke Nature website (https://www.fykenature.org/meetings.php#nextprogram)under Programs.

Since 2015, Fyke’s monthly speaker costs have been funded by a generous grant from the Winifred M. And George P. Pitkin Foundation.

The pied-billed grebe is one of North Jersey's oddest visitors. Photo credit: John Pastore

My latest column is all about Pied-billed Grebes. I actually saw two at the Celery Farm this month... Always a treat. You can read the column here:

What kind of fish is this? I found it on the trail by the Warden's Watch today.  The quarter is there for scale, so to speak.

No need for "Wanda" or "Gil" jokes...