BrandonBirds : Disposal Road and Saw Mill Creek Trail

Superstorm Sandy took its toll on every aspect of life in New Jersey. Although the lines to the gas stations are finally quelled, there are still people without power along the Jersey Shore. I feel very lucky and blessed that I was not affected as bad as some were. My prayers go out to the people still affected and without a home or power.

Birding was obviously put to a halt the ensuing days after the storm. It was not safe to go out as roads were inundated with utility crews, power lines were all over the place and trees were still falling down on people and property.

This last Saturday (11-10-12) was the first time I had gotten near Richard W. DeKorte Park since the storm. It is closed indefinitely until further notice so the closest you can get to it is via Disposal Road. This road runs along back side of the park wrapping around a retired landfill area. Birding for sparrows and raptors is excellent along this road in the fall and winter. Reports of Merlin, Vesper Sparrow and Blackpoll Warbler sparked my interests and so I tried my luck.

At the end of Disposal Road lies the Saw Mill Creek Trail. This man-made isthmus is a great way to access the water impoundments to see waterfowl. I happened to run into a guy who I had met on a pervious Bergen County Audubon event. We ended up walking the Saw Mill Creek Trail and were able to safely peer into DeKorte from the southwest corner. I got a good picture of some of the destruction caused by Superstorm Sandy. Needless to say, it will be awhile before DeKorte reopens to the public.

Disposal Road

Song Sparrows

American Tree Sparrow

House Finch

American Goldfinch

Bird Killer!

White-crowned Sparrow, 1st Winter

Bufflehead female

Northern Shovelers

Swamp Sparrow with minnow

Savannah Sparrow

Saw Mill Creek Trail

Northern Pintail

Ruddy Duck

This is part of the Marsh Discover Trail! It is on the OTHER side of the dike from where it is usually located. I can't even imagine what it looks like on the other side!