Environmental writer Jim O'Neill has a cool story on the front page of The Record today about Bobcat Alley -- a wildlife corridor that The Nature Conservancy and other groups are trying to create in the northwestern part of New Jersey.

As part of TNC, I have been out to the region several times and also photographed it from the air. It is an awesome place and definitely in need of saving.

The Record has some great bobcat shots and a video to go along with the story, here.

I thought I'd share (for the first time anywhere, I think) a trail cam shot of a bobcat taken along -- you guessed it -- Bobcat Alley, by Dennis Briede (above). Thanks, Dennis!

Below is one of the shots I took of Bobcat Alley  (Johnsonburg Swamp).

Had a terrific Earth Day Warbler Walk this morning, with more than 40 bird species and our local Mink among the highlights.

A big thank you to Gabrielle Schmitt for compiling the bird list that follows.

On Monday, I asked where this Celery Farm cairn is located. 

The answer: Near Barbara's Bog to the northeast of the main trail.

Now you know!

My "Bird Warter" column in The Record today is all about the nature hikes in the region this weekend, and features photos by Dennis Cheeseman (above) and Marie Longo (below, at Teaneck Creek), plus one or two by me.

The link is here. (Thanks, Marie and Dennis!)

Barbara Dilger and I both happened upon a mink at the Spillway (by the Warden's Watch, near the parking lot) this morning around 8:40, and it did not seemed very concerned about us.

At one point it started heading in our direction and was on the Spillway bridge at one point. I took several photos before it moved away.  One of the photos is full frame with a 400mm lens, just to show you how close it got.

Nice looks at that white chin. I doubt they would go after a human but I would not linger if I saw this guy again.
      Full frame, with Spillway bridge in foreground ...