Friends of Garret Mountain Reservation

Palms, Pines and Yellow-rumps

2011-04-13T03:59:00.000-07:00

Palms, Pines and Yellow-rumps seemed to be the birds around Barbour's Pond yesterday before the rains came. Some Common Loons were flying over. Chipping Sparrows were seen in a few flocks of 30-40 birds. Many more White-throated Sparrows were seen in the park as well. Construction crews are working on replacing the old wood and concrete benches in the reservation. Work is currently being done in the field just south of Lambert's Observation Tower.

6 Warbler species still here

2011-04-08T02:55:00.000-07:00

All six Warbler species seen on Wednesday were still at Garret on Thursday. Many Pine and Palm Warblers were still seen around Barbour's Pond. Brown Creepers, Kinglets and Phoebes were still present in good numbers. Sapsuckers and Flickers were seen around Barbour's Pond and some of the higher elevations of the park. 5 Pied-billed Grebes were seen on Great Notch Reservoir on Wednesday morning with 2 Great Blue herons, 2 Common Mergansers, 8 Ring-necked Ducks, 2 Buffleheads and a few Hooded Mergansers. Levine Reservoir had 8 Buffleheads and a handful of Killdeer. Today's photo of Northern Parula is courtesy of Kevin Bolton. Thanks Kevin!

Another Banner Day for Birds

2011-04-06T11:03:00.000-07:00

Today is the 3rd day in a row at Garret with great numbers of birds and a few new arrivals. Parula and Prairie Warbler were 2 more Warblers seen today, making 6 total species today. Barbour's Pond and Wilson Ave. were the hotbeds of activity today. 30+ Phoebes, 30+ Palm Warblers and 20+ Pine Warblers were seen on the sunny side of Barbour's Pond this morning. A Parula and a couple of Yellow-rumped Warblers as well as Brown Creepers and both kinglets were seen in the mix. Yellow-bellied Sapsuckers were still seen in good numbers around the park with 4 birds on Wilson Ave., 5 north of the basketball courts, and more in the higher elevations of the park. 20+ were seen again. Hermit Thrush numbers are increasing with at least 10 seen around. Winter Wrens were seen all over the park with at least 15 seen. Creepers numbered 15+ as well. Adult Bald Eagle, 2 Ospreys, Sharpie and Cooper's Hawk was some of the flyovers. Prairie Warbler photos were taken at the base of Wilson Ave.

4 Warblers and lots of Flickers

2011-04-05T19:17:00.000-07:00

4 Warbler species were seen today at Garret with an influx of passerines coinciding with the rains in the late morning. Yellow-rumped Warblers joined the other 3 today. In the afternoon, Barbour's Pond area had 25+ Pine Warblers, 30+ Palm Warblers, 4-5 Yellow-rumped Warblers, 25+ Tree Swallows, 4-5 Northern Rough-winged Swallows and at least 1 Barn Swallow. FOS Blue-gray Gnatcatcher was seen on Wilson Ave. Northern Flickers were all around the park with numbers seen in the 50's. Over 50 Species were seen in the park today without a Hawk flight.
Other sightings
Ring-necked Duck 4
Hooded Merganser 4
Common Merganser 2
Double-crested Cormorant 1
Black Vulture 2
Turkey Vulture 3
Cooper's Hawk 1
Red-tailed Hawk 3
Killdeer 1
Wilson's Snipe 1
American Woodcock 1
Ring-billed Gull 1
Mourning Dove 2
Belted Kingfisher 1
Red-bellied Woodpecker 8
Yellow-bellied Sapsucker 15+
Downy Woodpecker 6
Hairy Woodpecker 2
Northern Flicker (Yellow-shafted) 50+
Eastern Phoebe 18
Blue Jay 15
American Crow 3
Northern Rough-winged Swallow 4-5
Tree Swallow 25+
Barn Swallow 1
Black-capped Chickadee 4
Tufted Titmouse 2
White-breasted Nuthatch 3
Brown Creeper 8+
Winter Wren 6
Golden-crowned Kinglet 6
Ruby-crowned Kinglet 2
Eastern Bluebird 2
Hermit Thrush 5
American Robin 300+
Northern Mockingbird 3
Pine Warbler 25+
Palm Warbler (Yellow) 35+
Louisiana Waterthrush 1
Eastern Towhee 3
Chipping Sparrow 75
Fox Sparrow 6
Swamp Sparrow 6
White-throated Sparrow 1
Dark-eyed Junco (Slate-colored) 150+
Northern Cardinal 6
Red-winged Blackbird 10
Rusty Blackbird 3
Common Grackle 12
Brown-headed Cowbird 4
House Finch 3
American Goldfinch 3
House Sparrow 12

Sapsuckers Galore!

2011-04-05T03:02:00.000-07:00

Every area of Garret Mountain Reservation on Monday April 4 had Yellow-bellied Sapsuckers. Some were even calling. Palm Warblers joined the Pine Warblers around Barbour's Pond. Pete Both reported an early Orchard Oriole. Other arrivals include Brown Thrasher, Eastern Towhee, Golden-crowned Kinglet, Great Egret and Hermit Thrush. A Hawk flight had 12 Ospreys, 2 Cooper's Hawks, 2 Sharp-shinned Hawks, 4 Kestrels and 3 Red-shouldered Hawks.

More migrants arrive

2011-04-03T17:58:00.000-07:00

More migrant birds have arrived at Garret Mt. Reservation in the last few days. April 3 saw the arrival of Louisiana Waterthrush on Slippery Rock Brook, yep that's the name, same location as usual in the spring. Also arriving in the last few days, more Pine Warblers, Chipping Sparrow, Hermit Thrush, multiple Yellow-bellied Sapsuckers, Northern Rough-winged Swallows as well as more flyovers from Great Blue Herons, Doulble-crested Cormorants, Osprey, and loads of Robins.

Spring migrants begin to arrive

2011-03-24T05:00:00.000-07:00

Over the last 2 weeks a good number of migrants have arrived at Garret.
Pine Warblers, Eastern Phoebes, Tree Swallows, Brown Creepers, Woodcock, Fox Sparrows, Song Sparrows as well as some migrating raptors. 13 Black Vultures (seen 3/19) were migrating north on the ridge as well as Red-tailed Hawks, 1 Osprey (seen 3/23), and numerous Turkey Vultures.

Deer threaten parks

2010-10-05T04:23:00.000-07:00

Click here for Jennifer Cunningham's article on deer threatening Garret Mt. Reservation and Riflecamp Park in the Bergen Record Deer threaten parks

May Migration

2010-05-14T16:52:00.000-07:00

The May migration has been up and down. A few days this month 20+ species of warbler were seen in the park. On the colder, windier days the south end Barbour's Pond was the place to see Warblers. The "Warbler Tree" near the basketball courts held 10 species of Warbler on May 8. It's still one of the better spots to view Warblers through the 14th. May 14th was highlighted by a Mourning Warbler and 30+ Blackburian Warblers. During the second week of May some rare birds for the park were seen. Mississippi Kite, Blue Grosbeak and Grasshopper Sparrow were seen by a few birders. It's been common to see upwards of 80 species of birds in a day, if you spend the time. Complete list of May sightings can be viewed May Bird list

Garret's 22-Warbler Salute to Arbor Day

2010-04-30T12:26:00.000-07:00

Garret Mt. Reservation held true to it's reputation as a top spring migration birding area. At 6AM birds started pouring in from the ridge. People were birding the ridge from the stables north past the tower to the north end of the mountain for up to 2 hours. 22 species of Warbler were seen today, I believe 80+ species of birds in total were seen. Many new arrivals for the year like Scarlet Tanager, White-crowned Sparrow, Indigo Bunting, Ruby-throated Hummingbird, Warbling Vireo, Green Heron and Solitary Sandpiper. Arbor Day bird list

Migration at Garret Mt. this week

2010-04-23T17:50:00.000-07:00

This week's migration at Garret produced a few new birds. Sunday through Wednesday were busy days with many birds seen throughout the park. Thursday and Friday most birds had moved out with a small amount of birds moving in. 3 Louisiana Waterthrushes were seen on Wednesday along Slippery Rock Brook (behind the restored warming shelter. We've seen 8 in the park this spring. Numerous Palm Warblers and Yellow-rumped Warblers have been seen this week. A single Worm-eating Warbler was seen briefly near Wilson Ave. A singing Yellow-throated Vireo was seen on the ridge near the Overlook Meadow Thursday morning. A male Green-winged Teal was spotted on Barbour's Pond Wednesday as well as a bathing Savannah Sparrow. Friday had new arrivals of 3 Black-throated Green Warblers along the ridge near Lambert's Observation Tower. Gray Catbird was seen near the basketball court. A Male Hooded Warbler was seen behind the restored warming shelter Friday at noon. Single House Wrens have been seen sporadically throughout the week. Barn Swallows have joined Tree and Northern Rough-winged Swallows seen on Barbour's Pond. Broad-winged Hawks continue to move north over Garret Mt. too! April Bird list Thanks to Kevin Watson for the wonderful Waterthrush photograph!

Trail Maintenance around Barbour's Pond

2010-04-23T17:32:00.000-07:00

A couple of members of the Friends of Garret added wood chips from a Garret Mt. Reservation tree to the south end of the trail around Barbour's Pond. We were given the chips from the Passaic County Parks Dept. and Tree Dept. and thank them greatly for their help. This part of the the trail is wet most of the spring. Wood chips on the trail have made it a walkable and dry trail. All of the responses from park users have been positive, even from some of the harshest critics in the park.

Garret Mt. birding in the news

2010-04-23T17:14:00.000-07:00

Click here for the article on Garret Mt. birding in the Bergen Record Birding at Garret Mountain

Torrey Botanical Society plant walk - April 17, 2010

2010-04-15T04:23:00.000-07:00

17 April (Saturday). GARRET MOUNTAIN RESERVATION, WOODLAND PARK/ WEST PATERSON, PASSAIC CO., N.J. Meet at 10:00 AM in the parking lot of Mina’s on the Mountain Restaurant in the strip mall along Rifle Camp Road opposite the Park. By car: via Route. 80, east or west-bound take Squirrelwood Road exit (Exit 56), bearing right and proceed through the light for about 0.5 miles to the intersection of Rifle Camp Road. Look for the strip mall with corner restaurant opposite the New Street Reservoir. By bus: Take NJ Transit 192 bus from Port Authority Bus Terminal in N.Y.C. Get off of the bus at the corner of Valley Road and Fenner Avenue in Clifton and could be met at the Getty Service Station for pick up and short shuttle to the meeting place. Please check most current bus schedule with NJ Transit in advance of the trip. Call first trip co-leader by early Friday evening so local transportation can be arranged. After a brief meeting we will car caravan via the lower Park loop road to the parking lot at the south end of the Pond. We will explore the south end of the Park for early spring flora of the First Watchung Mountain and compare our findings with the last previous trip here in April 2005. The trip will cover the most “natural” area of the Park and will be dedicated to the late Dr. S. Marie Kuhnen, botanist and educator. The trip will finish around 12 noon. Wear sturdy footwear for rocky/wet trails and bring beverage and insect repellant; binoculars and camera optional . Trip Leaders: Joseph A. Labriola, 863 Allwood Road, Apt. D-1, Clifton, N.J. 07012; 973-472-8451; jlabriola49@optimum.net and Dr. Barbara Brummer, State Director, The Nature Conservancy, NJ Chapter, Chester, N.J. , (908) 879-7262, Ext. 350, bbrummer@tnc.org.

This weekend's new arrivals

2010-04-12T04:23:00.000-07:00

Hooded Warbler was found along Barbour's Pond on Saturday afternoon. Northern Parula was seen and heard on Saturday and Sunday. Louisiana Waterthrush was seen in the stream along the tiered parking lot as well as near the bridge entering the Barbour's Pond "wet area". At least 8 Blue-headed Vireos total were seen in the park and Wilson Ave. Numerous Ruby-crowned Kinglets and Chipping Sparrows were seen all through the park. A leucistic Phoebe was spotted in the Rocky Hollow Picnic area. Hawks in migration seen on Garret Mt. this weekend included Bald Eagle, Broad-winged Hawk, American Kestrel, Sharp-shinned Hawk, and Cooper's Hawk. Other raptors seen were Black Vulture, Turkey Vulture and Red-tailed Hawk. April's sightings are listed here April Bird list Thanks to Tom Walsh for the great photo of the Hooded Warbler.

New arrivals this week

2010-04-08T10:21:00.000-07:00

Palm Warblers and Pine Warblers have been the predominant warbler so far this spring. Louisiana Waterthrush has been seen 3 days. Yellow-rumps have been seen a few days as well. Larger numbers of Hermit Thrushes, Flickers, Towhees, Ruby-crowned Kinglets and Chipping Sparrows have been seen throughout Garret Mt. Reservation. Winter Wren and Swamp Sparrows have been more numerous. Other migrants seen in the last few days include Green-winged Teal and Peregrine Falcon at Rifle Camp Park, Spotted Sandpiper, Blue-headed Vireo, Blue-gray Gnatcatcher, Eastern Bluebird, Brown Thrasher, Field Sparrow, Savannah Sparrow, and Rusty Blackbird at Garret Mt. Reservation. Complete Wild Bird list for April April Bird list
Skunk Cabbage (Symplocarpus foetidus) and Trout Lily (Erythronium americanum) are coming up in their usual places. Bluets (Hedyotis caerulea) are popping up all over the grassy hill east of Barbour's Pond. Turtles are out sunning themselves at Barbour's Pond. Chipmunks are out all around the park. Butterflies seen so far are Mourning Cloak (Nymphalis antiopa), Eastern Comma (Polygonia comma) and Cabbage White (Pieris rapae).

Garret Mt. Birds April 1 & 2

2010-04-02T16:35:00.000-07:00

Birds have been on the move at Garret the first 2 days of April. Louisiana Waterthrush arrived in the afternoon April 1, 6 Pine Warblers and a single Palm Warbler were seen on April 2. Rusty Blackbird, Eastern Towhee, Brown Thrasher and Chipping Sparrows are other new arrivals. Northern Flickers and Yellow-bellied Sapsuckers have increased in number, while Song Sparrows and Dark-eyed Juncos have decreased as they continue to move northward. Eastern Phoebes are nest building while others are calling around the park. Up to 12 have been seen in a day. Hermit Thrushes arrived April 1 with at least 6 seen in the northern part of the park. Eastern Bluebirds have been seen just north of the stables and in the picnic area below. Complete list of April 1 and 2 sightings click here April 1 & 2 Bird list

Spring has arrived at Garret

2010-03-24T18:33:00.000-07:00

Garret Mountain's harbinger of spring Eastern Phoebe has arrived with as many as 7 seen in the reservation alone. Other highlights of spring so far have been Wood Duck, Red-shouldered Hawk, Osprey (3/24 arrival), American Woodcock, Yellow-bellied Sapsucker, Brown Creeper, Golden-crowned Kinglet, Ruby-crowned Kinglet, Hermit Thrush, Pine Warbler and Fox Sparrow. Hundreds of Juncos, Robins and Song Sparrows have been moving through as well as 20+ Northern Flickers. View March's complete list through 24th March bird list thru 24th

Red-breasted Nuthatches on Wilson Ave.

2010-03-02T16:28:00.000-08:00

I took a quick spin around the Wilson Ave area of Garret Mt. today. The trails are covered with a foot of snow in some places so I stayed along Wilson and Mountain Aves. 3 Red-breasted Nuthatches were low in the trees near Wilson Ave. 2 Black Vultures cruised over Barbour's Pond. The wintering Pine Warblers were not seen. 2 Pine Warblers were seen along Wilson and Mountain Ave pines in December, January and February. - Chris
Birds seen:
Canada Goose 20
Mallard 2
Ring-necked Duck 1
Black Vulture 2
Turkey Vulture 1
Mourning Dove 4
Red-bellied Woodpecker 2
Downy Woodpecker 1
Blue Jay 12
American Crow 18
Black-capped Chickadee 4
Tufted Titmouse 2
Red-breasted Nuthatch 3
White-breasted Nuthatch 2
Brown Creeper 1
American Robin 1
White-throated Sparrow 4
Northern Cardinal 4
Red-winged Blackbird 1
American Goldfinch 15
House Sparrow 6

Bob Busha - Trail Supervisor Garret Mountain

2010-03-02T15:49:00.000-08:00

Bob Busha of Clifton passed away February 28, 2010. Bob was the creator of the "White" Trail at Garret Mountain Reservation. He was NY/NJ Trail Conference Trail Supervisor of Garret Mt. and Rifle Camp Park for 12 years before giving it up a few of years ago. He was still seen hiking through Garret frequently in his last years. Bob was a carpenter by trade. Bob's carpentry skills were used on trail blazes that can still be seen on the Yellow and White trails. His blazes are unique at Garret. His painted blazes were chiseled into the bark of many larger trees throughout the Garret Mountain trail system. His efforts will be remembered. Following is his obituary.

BUSHA Robert F. of Clifton on February 28, 2010. Beloved husband of the late Sara ( Esposito). Loving father to Robert B. Busha and his wife Donna of Clifton. Grandfather to Allison Busha. Brother of late Ruth Norton. Mr. Busha was born in Paterson and lived the last 43 years in Clifton. Mr. Busha was a World War II – Army Veteran. He was a Carpenter for 40 years with the Carpenter Union Local # 15 of Hackensack. He was involved in the scouting program serving with Troop #36 at St. Anthony's Church in Passaic as Assistant Scoutmaster and Scoutmaster. He was also a member of Ser-Vis-Plus and the Order of the Arrow with North Jersey Council BSA. He volunteered to provide trail maintenance with the Passaic County Parks and Morris County Parks. Funeral from the Marrocco Memorial Chapel, 470 Colfax Avenue, Clifton on Wednesday at 10 AM. Interment St. Mary's Cemetery . Visiting Tuesday 3-5 and 7-9 PM. In lieu of flowers memorial contributions to the Morris County Park Commission/Pyramid Mountain, c/o Pyramid Mountain Natural Historical Area 472A Boonton Avenue, Boonton, NJ 07005

More support for the deer hunt

2010-02-16T13:52:00.000-08:00

This is a letter to the editor 2/16/10 The Record

Overreacting against deer hunt

All I know about the deer hunt on Garret Mountain is what I've read in The Record. In "Questions on hunt mount like deer" (Page L-1, Feb. 11) Columnist Mike Kelly says bow hunting is "medieval," that scientific conclusions about ecosystems seem "overly exaggerated" and that dialogue about deer is "hyper-embellished." With these comments at the heart of his column about the recent deer hunt on Garret Mountain, his general assessment is wrong.

The scientific reason for culling the deer is that they destroy the natural ecosystem because the deer density is too high in the county park. This is a serious problem that should be dealt with. One of the simplest solutions is a bow hunt, and the Passaic County Board of Chosen Freeholders should be given credit for authorizing it.

It appears that Kelly is upset at United Bowhunters because they had not told him or The Record how many deer were killed. Have a little patience; the results should be made public. Similarly, a report on the amount of venison given to homeless people should be forthcoming. Kelly should commend the freeholders for giving the deer meat to homeless people, and not call it a "lame attempt at political correctness."

If the bow hunters were allowed to complete their mission, it could have been a success. However, as the momentum has turned against the hunt, it's easy to jump on the bandwagon and to conclude that the deer hunt was a bad idea.

Michael J. Sebetich

Hawthorne, Feb. 11

The writer, a bow and gun hunter, is an ecologist in William Paterson University's biology department.

Torrey Botanical Society plant walk - April 17, 2010

2010-02-10T13:37:00.000-08:00

NJ Dept of F&W - An Evaluation of Deer Management Options

2010-02-10T04:33:00.000-08:00

New Jersey Division of Fish & Wildlife's website contains an evaluation of Deer management options. This report represents the lastest state of the science on deer management. An Evaluation of Deer Management Options

Freeholders suspend deer cull

2010-02-10T04:10:00.000-08:00

Passaic County Freeholders have suspended the deer cull on Garret Mountain indefinitely. Too many questions have been raised about how United Bow Hunters handled the hunt and whether all rules were followed properly. Division of Fish and Wildlife says it has received several anonymous tips suggesting that there have been problems with the tagging process. This sounds like the fringe deer lovers have found a way to attack the hunt by contacting Fish & Wildlife with either truths or lies about the hunt. If the tagging was in question, was Division of Fish and Wildlife doing its job on site? Every deer was to be tagged and processed on site. Was Fish and Wildlife neglectful or were the bow hunters? Read The Record's Richard Cowen's story Freeholders suspend deer cull

US Government Sharpshooters to cull National Park Deer Herd

2010-02-04T15:40:00.000-08:00

Government sharpshooters will cull 2000 deer in 15 years from Catoctin Mountain Park in Maryland to reduce the herd which has devoured so many saplings and low-hanging tree branches that the health of both the forest and the deer have suffered. Estimated deer density in the park is 123 per square mile is about eight times that of healthy forest ecosystems. If Garret Mountain has only 200 deer, and it may have 400-600, it would have an estimated density of 100 per square mile, still well over a healthy amount. Read more Sharpshooters hunt deer in park around Camp David

Deer-Vehicle Collision Frequency Jumps 18 Percent In Five Years

2010-02-01T04:19:00.000-08:00

See link below to very recent (Sept 2009) press release from State Farm Insurance with updated public safety related data on the hazards posed by too many deer.
“Among the 35 states where at least 7,000 deer-vehicle collisions occur per year, ... New Jersey and Nebraska have posted the largest increases, 54 percent.”
Entire press release is here:
State Farm deer-vehicle collision Press Release

The alternatives to hunting simply don't work

2010-02-01T04:10:00.000-08:00

The Record columnist James Ahearn offers his views on the Garret Mountain Deer Hunt read it here Ahearn: Bulletins from the deer-control front

The greatest mistake ever made in wildlife management

2010-01-13T13:56:00.000-08:00

In 2005 Audubon Magazine ran an article about the deer, hunters and wildlife management together destroy the ecosystem which the deer depend on. Check it out here Audubon and Deer Hunting

Deer and Forest Health

2010-01-13T04:53:00.000-08:00

The deer herd on Garret Mountain depends on the survival of healthy forest, and a healthy forest depends upon the survival of deer. Scientists have been studying deer and their impact on forests for 50+ years. Read about results from nearby Pennsylvania by using this link Deer and Forest Health

Parks closed for deer hunt

2010-01-10T05:54:00.000-08:00

Passaic County officials have set Monday January 11 as the start date for a deer hunt on Garret Mountain in Woodland Park, formerly West Paterson. It begins in Rifle Camp Park Monday morning at sunrise. I believe both parks will be closed. Anyone coming to Garret to bird or walk in January and February should be prepared for park closings 2 days per week. This will be a bow hunt. Please stay out of the parks if they are closed to allow the hunters to cull this oversized herd. Passaic County Sheriff's Dept. will secure the parks for the hunt.

The Record editorial: Time for the hunt

2010-01-04T15:42:00.000-08:00

The Record and Herald News ran an editorial supporting the deer hunt on Garret Mountain. Click here to read it all Editorial : Time for the hunt

Questions and oppositon to deer hunt

2009-12-31T05:01:00.000-08:00

As the activists mobilize in opposition to the Garret Mountain deer hunt, it's time to correct some fallacies in their arguments. We're sure Marc Weiss of NJ Bow Hunters has encountered this type of opposition before, has remedies for all the problems. There is a lot of education needed to ensure those opposing the hunt know why this is desperately needed. Construction of Four Seasons is not a reason for overpopulation of deer on the mountain as some believe. Four Seasons was built in a rock quarry, not a forest or meadow on the mountain. That old quarry was there for decades. Deer do not eat rock. They did not feed in that quarry. Most of the nature-loving opposition to the deer hunt doesn't understand what the deer have done to other wildlife as well as the trees and plants that make up the forest on Garret Mountain. It seems the only nature these people love are what they perceive to be big, warm and fuzzy. Do they love the birds that can no longer nest and reproduce at Garret because the understory has been virtually eliminated? Do they love the trees and the shade and color they give the mountain? If they do, do they realize that as old trees die, new ones aren't there to grow because the deer have eaten all the saplings? Do they love all the other plants and wildlife that has been eliminated from a once healthy forest? Or maybe they love the fact that friends and family can contract Lyme and other tick-born diseases while visiting Garret Mountain, that these large herds of deer spread.
The deer problem on Garret Mountain as well as throughout NJ has been caused by governments taking years to address the problems the deer have caused, allowing herds to grow to numbers that their territory cannot sustain. Deer do not have any natural predators, like wolves and coyotes, on the mountain as they do elsewhere. 20+ years ago you had to look hard to find a white-tailed deer on the mountain, now some days you can see upwards of 100 alone in Rifle Camp Park. The deer have been fed illegally by people who thought they were helping. It's against a county park ordinance to interfere with or harm wildlife. These people need to know they contributed to dozens of fawns and sub-ordinate deer starving to death last year because the dominant deer ate at these "feeding stations".
We applaud the Freeholders of Passaic County for taking a stance and stand by their decision to save Garret Mountain. We have confidence the Passaic County Sheriff's Dept. will maintain the safety needed to get this done.
Read about some opposition in The Record's article Opposition to deer hunt mounts . Email any comments to garretbirds@aol.com

Garret Mountain's Deer Herd to be Culled by Bow Hunters

2009-12-29T04:18:00.000-08:00

Passaic County Freeholders have an agreement with the United Bow Hunters of New Jersey to reduce the population of the deer herd on Garret Mountain. A decade plus of over-browsing by the deer, have caused the forest in Garret Mountain Reservation and Rifle Camp Park to be severely damaged. Read about it here Garret Mountain’s big deer herd to be culled by bow hunters . New Jersey Audubon's evaluation of Garret Mountain says, "One of the greatest threats the park faces comes from its extremely dense white-tailed deer population. This problem is more recent in the Garret Mountain IBA than in other urban parks in NJ, and therefore more easily reversible. However, the damage being inflicted by extensive browsing of deer is severe and must be remedied before the site becomes permanently damaged. Examples of native understory plants can still be seen, however the impacts of white-tailed deer and their systematic destruction of this important component of the forest is evident." Read their report here Important Bird and Birding Areas- Garret Mountain .
Passaic County Parks Dept. has stopped the feeding of deer on Garret Mountain. Feeding the deer herd bread contributed to at least 20 deaths last year, mostly young deer. 18 young deer were found dead in the parks on the mountain. Many more died outside the park. Problems start because feeding congregate deer into unnaturally high densities. As many as 75 deer were seen along the road in Rifle Camp Park feeding on bread. These high deer densities can spread diseases among deer. Feeding can cause aggression in the herd, wasting deer's vital energy reserves and leading to injury or death; as well as using up critical fat reserves as deer expend energy traveling to and from the feed site. Feeding can deny access to food for subordinate deer and fawns.

Hackensack - Ridgewood Christmas Bird Count at Garret Mountain

2009-12-22T03:53:00.000-08:00

Saturday December 19, Linda Mullaney and Chris Takacs participated in the Hackensack - Ridgewood Christmas Bird Count, which contains a section of Garret Mountain Reservation and nearby Levine Reservoir in Paterson. The highlight of the early morning was a Hermit Thrush seen feeding on the SE corner of the Overlook Meadow feeding on some small black berries.
Garret Mountain Reservation list:
125 Canada Goose
3 Red-tailed Hawk
3 Mourning Dove
6 Red-bellied Woodpecker
2 Downy Woodpecker
2 Blue Jay
202 American Crow
5 Tufted Titmouse
4 White-breasted Nuthatch
1 Hermit Thrush
1 Fox Sparrow
10 White-throated Sparrow
116 Dark-eyed Junco (Slate-colored)
30 American Goldfinch
10 House Sparrow

Levine Reservoir was frozen but held some Gulls while the trees along the road had 2 Brown Creepers.
Levine Reservoir list is :
1 Red-tailed Hawk
13 Ring-billed Gull
17 Herring Gull
3 Great Black-backed Gull
4 Rock Pigeon
2 American Crow
2 Black-capped Chickadee
2 Brown Creeper

Deer problems in Woodland Park

2009-11-26T05:44:00.000-08:00

Passaic Valley Today has an article on the current deer problems in Woodland Park. The problems in Woodland Park are related to the overpopulation of deer on Garret Mountain, within Rifle Camp Park and Garret Mountain Reservation. Read the whole story

Barbour's Pond gets stocked Tuesday

2009-11-19T14:57:00.000-08:00

On Tuesday, November 24, the state will stock Barbour's Pond with 160 14- to 18-inch year-old rainbow trout according to The Record's "Hole of the Week" and Mark J. Czerwinski. Read the "Hole of the Week" by using this link Hole of the Week. Fishermen please remember to remove all fishing line, lures, bobbers, bait cups and other trash. Lots of receptacles are provided by the park as well as local fishermen.

Bald Eagle over Riflecamp

2009-11-17T17:13:00.000-08:00

This afternoon a juvenile Bald Eagle was seen over Riflecamp Park around 1PM. It was photographed by one of the park's local photographers.
Photo credits: Snowface

Warm weather brings 'em out

2009-11-16T15:09:00.000-08:00

It was a beautiful 50-60 degree November morning at Garret Mountain Reservation. Lots of birds around as well as a few migrating Red-tailed Hawks. Red-bellied Woodpeckers were seen all around the park. 10 Hooded Mergansers dove on Barbour's Pond. Song, White-throated, Fox, Field, and Chipping were seen today too. A Red-breasted Nuthatch was seen in the pines of the New St. Reservoir as was a Cooper's Hawk. Purple Finch was seen in the wet area north of the pond and a Yellow-bellied Sapsucker by the gazebo on the south end of the pond. 10 turtles were out sunning on Barbour's Pond. The highlight of the day was the Eastern Box Turtle seen along Benson Dr. near the Stoney Brook Picnic Grove.

Garret Mountain Birding Highlights

2009-11-13T10:54:00.000-08:00

A red-breasted Nuthatch was seen and heard at the Great Notch Reservoir. Garret Mountain Reservation's highlights included 5 Hooded Mergansers, Eastern Towhee, Brown Creeper, 2 Golden-crowned Kinglets, numerous White-throated Sparrows and Juncos and 300+ Crows around Barbour's Pond.

Hoodies are back!

2009-11-12T09:56:00.000-08:00

Hooded Mergansers are back on Barbour's Pond. 6 males and 3 females were seen late in the morning of 11/12/09 on a walk around the pond. Juncos and White-throated Sparrows are seen around all Garret Mountain Reservation. Other birds seen this morning were Blue Jays, Belted Kingfisher, Downy Woodpecker, Red-bellied Woodpecker. Ring-necked Ducks are on the Great Notch Reservoir.

Why feeding deer is unhealthy for them

2009-11-12T04:26:00.000-08:00

Many people think of feeding deer like feeding the birds. But there are some critical differences that make feeding deer unhealthy for the deer population, for plants near the feed site and for passing motorists.

Problems start because feed sites congregate deer into unnaturally high densities. These high deer densities can spread diseases among deer. Feeding can cause aggression in the herd, wasting deer's vital energy reserves and leading to injury or death; as well as using up critical fat reserves as deer expend energy traveling to and from the feed site. Feeding can deny access to food for subordinate deer and fawns, and can encourage over-browsing of local vegetation and ornamental plants. It also increases the likelihood of deer-vehicle collisions.

Deer must store body fat for the winter. The amount of body fat a deer has when it enters the winter directly determines if it will survive until spring. Deer accumulate body fat by increasing the amount of food they eat in September and October, when high-quality foods, such as acorns and other nuts, are abundant. By November, most deer have accumulated all the fat they will need to survive the winter. Research has also shown that large, dominant adult deer fill their bellies first at feeding sites, which means that smaller and weaker individuals, including the vulnerable fawns, will have wasted valuable energy traveling to the feeding site, where they may get little feed. Over time, feeding sites attract more and more deer competing for the same food supplies, which can lead to over-browsing and degradation of the natural habitat around a feeding site, as well as wreaking havoc on homeowners’ ornamental plantings.

Wildlife biologists also worry that deer feeding might help spread Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD), which affects deer and elk and is always fatal. Although biologists don’t know exactly how this disease spreads, they believe its transmission requires close contact between animals. When humans put out food for deer, they create a situation where an unnaturally high number of deer become concentrated in a small area.

If you care about deer, leave them alone -- let them be wild, and find natural foods and appropriate winter shelter on their own. The bottom line is, please don't feed the deer, and please discourage your neighbors, friends and relatives from engaging in this harmful activity.

Welcome to the Friends of Garret Mountain Reservation blog

2009-11-11T11:28:00.000-08:00

Welcome to the Friends of Garret Mountain Reservation blog. Click on the New Garret Mountain Reservation map and print a new all-purpose trail map! We spent countless hours on this map to get it right! There will more information to come in the next few months, like bird lists, trip lists, hikes, nature walks, general park information and much, much more.