Yesterday's Monday Morning Mystery generated a terrific response, and can't wait to reveal the answer. The photo is just one small part of a larger story that I am writing a column about. In the meantime, keep those comments coming.... Continue reading

In advance of the book's publication, I asked a few experts on birds, the real James Bond, and Ian Fleming, to look at the manuscript in hopes they'd have a kind word or two. I share them now, with my great appreciation. If The Real James Bond does nothing more than convince readers that an ornithologist can be something other than proper, stodgy, or dull, it will have done a great service. This fast-paced, fun book puts the lie to the Miss Jane Hathaway stereotype, painting a portrait of a man who more than lived up to his role as... Continue reading

What's "wrong" with this picture? Add your answer to "Comments" below or email me at celeryfarm (at) gmail.com. Continue reading

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Tropical Storm Lorenzo blew several American birds clear to Ireland, including a Least Bittern that alas did not live long after. The story is here. Continue reading

The good news is I saw American Wigeon and Northern Shovelers at the Celery Farm today. The bad news? Julie McCall saw a Dark-eyed Junco. The swans continue. Continue reading

As the book's publication date (Feb. 28) approaches, I will post items more frequently -- including a calendar with all my upcoming book-related appearances. In the meantime, the easiest way to keep track of this blog is to subscribe by typing your email address in the right-hand column under "Subscribe" and then hit the gray "Subscribe" button. It's that easy. Continue reading

Just saw this item in The New York Times -- a look at how climate change is expected to affect the official state birds in each state -- including New Jersey's American Goldfinch. Here's the nut graf: "The research, released... Continue reading

Phantoms of the Ramapos & the Ghosts of Allendale Join me Thursday, October 10, at 7 p.m., at the Ramsey Public Library when I read two of my popular local haunted tales - aloud! "Ghosts" is set in Allendale during... Continue reading

In the 2002 007 film "Die Another Day," James Bond the secret agent posed as James Bond the ornithologist and even held a copy of one of the later editions of Bond's landmark field guide -- with Bond's name obliterated. There's a classic scene between Pierce Brosnan's binoculars-toting, mojito-drinking James Bond (below) and Halle Berry's bikini-clad Jinx Johnson in which Bond professes he's in Cuba "for the birds." As a result, the book has become a bit of a collector's item, though the book is often misrepresented in on-line sales. The actual one is the 1990 Collins U.K. edition, pictured... Continue reading

Can you I.D. these two insects, which I saw flying united at The Nature Conservancy's Mashomack Preserve two weeks ago? Continue reading

Alice Leurck got some cool shots of a bug I had never head of -- the aptly named Ambush Bug. Alice writes: These photos were taken 9/23 in Mahwah. In admiring a somewhat battered looking, actively feeding Painted Lady, it... Continue reading

On Monday I wrote: While visiting Shelter Island last weekend, I found the above Eastern Box Turtle shell next to the driveway at the place I was renting. There are two mysteries: How did it die and end up like... Continue reading

Alice Leurck writes: Lucky to get photos of this bird at the Celery Farm early this week. It came with a little flurry of a few other warblers that were there, then gone as quickly as they arrived. (Thanks, Alice!) Continue reading

Phantoms of the Ramapos & the Ghosts of Allendale Join me Thursday, October 10, at 7 p.m., at the Ramsey Public Library when I read two of my popular local haunted tales - aloud! "Ghosts" is set in Allendale during... Continue reading

With the water levels so low on Lake Appert, thought I'd best head out with a spotting scope and check out the action from the Pirie-Mayhood Tower. Spotting scope was essential to see some of them. I had 14 species... Continue reading

The cover of my upcoming book has generated a bit of speculation. Is the bird's head that of: a. A Cuban Green Woodpecker. b. A Flameback Woodpecker from Asia c. Another species of woodpecker, going undercover. I decided to ask Molly Shields, who should know -- she designed the cover for Schiffer Publishing. Molly says: "I had fun working on this cover! I got the image from a Cuban stamp... a Cuban green woodpecker, Xiphidiopicus percussus. More about the Cuban Green Woodpecker here. (The photo in the link is by Michael J. Good of the Caribbean Conservation Trust, the leader... Continue reading

My new column in The Record is an interview with Bill Streeter of the Delaware Valley Raptor Center. This engaging expert gives live-raptor presentations every year at Hawks over the Hudson by the Stateline Hawk Lookout in Alpine. The next... Continue reading

At Shelter Island's Mashomack Preserve, I noticed several spots that looked like composting stations. When I read the sign, I understood. Like Allendale, Shelter Island is overrun with deer. These deer-rubbing stations (and signs) drove home the need to prevent... Continue reading

I am a big fan of the bird/man on the front cover of my upcoming book, but what kind of bird's head is that? A couple of birding experts weighed in. It is either a Cuban Green Woodpecker or a Flameback Woodpeck from Asia. Or another species of woodpecker, going undercover. I will post the definitive answer (from the cover designer) this Friday. Continue reading

Ever since watching (and hearing) master pisher Rob Fanning work his magic at the Celery Farm, I have aspired to be a pisher. I even bought Pete Dunne's magnum opus on the subject, "The Art of Pishing." Despite my best... Continue reading

Took a hike to the summit of High Mountain last week with the Glen Rock Activities Club and enjoyed great views of Manhattan and nearby New Jersey. "Marry Me" rock has a new coat of paint -- an American flag... Continue reading

Stephanie Swanzey writes: I wanted to share some pictures I took today of a white-eyed vireo. Saw it this afternoon at around 12:45 between markers 13 and 14. (Thanks, Stephanie!) Continue reading