Deer threaten parks

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

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

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

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

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.