The Lee Memorial Library is now home to three caterpillars as part of Allendale"s Butterfly (and Moth) Summer. We think we know who these two guysare but... What do you think? (Note: The one guy is tiny!) Continue reading

This Carolina Wren in Waldwick is one of the many birds that love to feast on mealworm entrees. My latest Bird Watcher column for The Record and other USA Today Newspapers in New Jersey is more about mealworms -- featuring... Continue reading

Allendale's Lee Memorial Libary wants your caterpillars! Once again, the library is hosting butterflies in the making. If you see a caterpillar on fennel, milkweed, parsley or dill in your yard, bring it to the library and we’ll help protect... Continue reading

Ginny Chucka writes: Woke Saturday to the sounds of Bluejays making a ruckus flying in and out where the Blue Jays made a nest (babies). My front bushes have five nests this year: Robin, Wren, Robin, Blue Jay, Wren. I... Continue reading

This cattle egret was in full breeding plumage at the Ocean City Rookery. My latest column for The Record and other USA Today newspapers in N.J. is on the Ocean City Rookery. What a place! You can read it here:... Continue reading

Saw these late last month walking around town. The flowering plant was on the Franklin Turnpike south of the Fell House. What are they? Continue reading

This weekend is the big silent auction to benefit The Raptor Trust. Here is the package I donated -- the result of my book about the ornithologist and author James Bond, whose name was stolen by Ian Fleming for his 007: * A signed copy of my book The Real James Bond. * A new Blu-Ray copy of Goldfinger. * A signed Real James Bond coffee mug, uniquely inscribed, * A later edition of Birds of the West Indies (by James Bond). * A first edition of How James Bond Got His Name by Mrs. James Bond. * A new... Continue reading

On Monday, I asked: What happened here? My neighbor's shutter appears t be the scene of a crime. But what? (I know the likely answer only because I once witnessed it happen...) The likely answer, from Lisa Potash: "Something bat-related."... Continue reading

This weekend is the big silent auction to benefit The Raptor Trust. Here is the package I donated -- the result of my book about the ornithologist and author James Bond, whose name was stolen by Ian Fleming for his... Continue reading

This weekend is the big silent auction to benefit The Raptor Trust. Here is the package I donated -- the result of my book about the ornithologist and author James Bond, whose name was stolen by Ian Fleming for his 007: * A signed copy of my book The Real James Bond. * A new Blu-Ray copy of Goldfinger. * A signed Real James Bond coffee mug, uniquely inscribed, * A later edition of Birds of the West Indies (by James Bond). * A first edition of How James Bond Got His Name by Mrs. James Bond. * A new... Continue reading

Pete Branigan discovered a Killdeer nesting at Crestwood Lake yesterday and promptly marked off the area with yellow caution tape. (Great job, Pete!) Killdeer nest every few years at the park, so please give them a wide berth. They are... Continue reading

This weekend is The Raptor Trust's big fund-raiser, and I am pleased to be part of the event's online auction. I have donated an incredible mix of 007 and Real James Bond items. (Hint: They'd also make an awesome Father's... Continue reading

What happened here? My neighbor's shutter appears t be the scene of a crime. But what? (I know the likely answer only because I once witnessed it happen...) Continue reading

A big shout-out to the Harts for displaying all the American flags on the lawn of Allendale's historic John Fell House for Memorial Day Weekend. The flags in the Field of Flags were donated in memory of loved ones by... Continue reading

I was very lucky early this morning to capture a courtship display by two Northern Flickers that have been living near our backyard. Just love those yellow under-wings.... Sorry for the blurs, but there wasn't much light... Continue reading

My new column for The Record and other USA Today newspapers in New Jersey is all about mealworms. Mmmmmmm. You can read it below. If you have any mealworm advice, please email me. By Jim Wright Special to The Record... Continue reading

A resident living near a local Red-shoulder nest has been finding headless snakes in her yard. Can you I.D. the snakes and explain what happened? (Last week I saw a Red-shoulder fly out of the Celery Farm with a snake... Continue reading

Please look out for turtles of all sizes as you drive along the Franklin Turnpike and elsewhere in town. A big thank you to Sgt. Griffith and the Allendale Police Department for putting up the sign so quickly. Continue reading

Roy Netherton took these shots along the Allendale Brook this past week and was nice enough to share. More on Canada Warblers here: https://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Canada_Warbler Thanks, Roy! Continue reading

The annual turtles crossing the road by the Celery Farm to lay their eggs has begun once again. Please drive extra-carefully along the Franklin Turnpike and be prepared to stop. A big thank you to all the drivers who stopped... Continue reading

Friday's Zoom Talk: Moths through the Seasons with Wade Wander, 8 p.m. Though they share the same order of Lepidoptera, moths have long played second fiddle to butterflies. But of the nearly 180,000 species in that order, fewer than 20,000... Continue reading

Wait till you see the slow-motion version... Recorded this morning in Snap-o-Vision. Continue reading

The real James Bond's wife, Mary Wickham Bond, was not only on the board of the Free Library of Philadelphia, but she also stole a very valuable book from that very same library.* Learn more about the amazing Mary and... Continue reading

The real James Bond's wife, Mary Wickham Bond, was not only on the board of the Free Library of Philadelphia, but she also stole a very valuable book from that very same library.* Learn more about the amazing Mary and her equally amazing husband, at my free talk for the Ridgewood Public Library this Tuesday at 7 p.m. You can register here: https://engagedpatrons.org/EventsExtended.cfm?SiteID=5615&EventID=456516&PK= *We do not approve of what Mary did and ask that others not follow her example. Continue reading

Two mysteries: What's this warbler (from Wave Hill) and this feather (from Massachusetts)? (Click to enlarge. Feather is 18 inches long.) Continue reading