Notes from the NaturalistAdding a new species

to the sanctuary records is always ex-citing, but adding two in a single season is significant. The first new species was a dragonfly observed on a walk led by Alan and Della Wells in July. Della noticed a large, red dragonfly in the center of the pond that was later confirmed by Alan to be a Carolina saddle-bag (Tramea carolina). This species can be easily recognized by the large red patches at the base of the hindwing. They preferto breed in clear lakes or slow streams and are considered an irruptive vagrant. We estimated a total of six cruising in the center of the pond, all just out of camera range. Greenbrook’s dragonfly/damselfly survey was initiated in 1993-1995 by naturalist Nick Wagerik and updated by Dr. Alan Wells in 2007-2010. This newest addition is not new to Bergen County, just Greenbrook pond. In early August I observed a young black bear charging down the Long Path just outside the entrance gate. Three lucky members witnessed the event as they waited to enter the sanctuary. The bear was later sighted along P trail. This mammal has been seen before in the NJ Palisades, but has never been re-ported in the sanctuary. Since our first sighting on August 6, the young bear has been seen several times foraging for food at local bird feeders (including ours), at parkway lookouts and in Tenafly Nature Center and Lost Brook. It is critical that visitors DO NOT FEED the bear. If you are hiking along the trails and happen upon the bear be sure to remain upright. Do not surprise the animal. The bear is not aggressive and we hope to keep it that way with everyone’s help. We have temporarily removed our hanging feeders to discourage him from becoming habituated to this site. This past season we sponsored three field trips to wetland nature preserves. Members honed their shore bird identification skills at Brigantine and Jamaica Bay, with guest birder Howie Fischer and in DeKorte Park Meadowlands with Assistant Naturalist Ken Habermann. Dale Bellisfield opened her bee hive at Old Hook Farms in Emerson for an up-close introduction to beekeeping. Despite dry conditions this summer Paul Sadowski located 17 species of mushrooms in late August. Each season we provide a wide range of programs. We hope you will join us on a seasonal nature walk or special program this fall.

nancy slowik Naturalist/Director

Palisadesnature notes

Fall 2010Volume 24, Number 4

Black Bear in Lost Brook P H O T O B Y N I C K R I N A L D I

Wildlife SightingS:late Spring - early Summer(*Asterisk denotes earliest sightings)

May 3 Lady slipper orchid in bloom* (early)

May 5 Veery*, American redstart*

May 7 Blackpoll*, Eastern kingbird*, cedar waxwing*, tulip tree in bloom* (early)

May 8 Big Day Bird Count – 76 species including ruby- throated hummingbird*, 18 species of warblers

May 9 Marsh wren*, swamp sparrow

May 12 Kentucky warbler, black-billed cuckoo, rusty blackbird

May 13 Pair of ravens coaxing 3 fledglings to fly

May 14 Blackburnian warbler*

May 15 Yellow-billed cuckoo*, bay-breasted warbler*, Lincoln’s sparrow*, least flycatcher*

May 16 Two black vultures

May 22 Green heron, blue-gray gnatcatcher

May 26 Northern Copperhead*, veery

May 29 Fawn*

May 31 Coyote capturing a Canada goose

June 2 Yellow-throated vireo, green heron, banded hairstreak

June 19 Pair pileated woodpecker, Eastern milksnake, great egret

June 23 Great spangled fritillary butterfly*

June 26 Chanterelle mushrooms*

June 30 Osprey, pipevine swallowtail, Eastern comma

July 1 Five-lined skink, black vulture

July 9 Bald eagle

July 11 Butterfly Count – 10 species

July 17 Dark phase tiger swallowtail butterfly, 6 Carolina saddlebag dragonflies*

July 18 Scarlet tanager, bald eagle, silver-spotted skipper, osprey

July 22 Indigo bunting, yellow-throated vireo

August 6 Black bear* sighted at Greenbrook entrance gate and P trail

________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

ViSit uS online at:www.njpalisades.org/greenbrook.htm

Big Day Bird CountMAY 8, 2010 • 76 species counted

Double-crested cormorantCanada gooseMallardWood duckTurkey vultureRed-tailed hawkOspreyWild turkeySolitary sandpiperGreat black-backed gullHerring gullRing-billed gullMourning doveChimney swiftRuby-throated hummingbirdNorthern flickerPileated woodpeckerRed-bellied woodpeckerHairy woodpeckerDowny woodpeckerEastern KingbirdGreat-crested flycatcherEastern phoebeEastern wood peweeTree swallowNorthern-rough-winged swallowBarn swallowBlue jayAmerican crowRavenBlack-capped chickadeeTufted titmouseWhite-breasted nuthatchCarolina wrenGray catbirdAmerican robinWood thrushSwainson’s thrush

Gray-cheecked thrushVeeryBlue-gray gnatcatcherRuby-crowned kingletCedar waxwingSolitary vireoRed-eyed vireoWarbling vireoBlack and white warblerWorm-eating warblerNashville warblerNorthern parula warblerYellow warblerMagnolia warblerBlack-throated blue warblerYellow-rumped warblerBlack-throated green warblerChestnut-sided warblerBlackpoll warblerPrairie warblerOvenbirdNorthern waterthrushLouisiana waterthrushCommon yellowthroatCanada warblerAmerican redstartRed-winged blackbirdBaltimore orioleCommon grackleBrown-headed cowbirdScarlet tanagerNorthern cardinalRose-breasted grosbeakIndigo buntingHouse finchAmerican goldfinchRufous-sided towheeWhite-throated sparrow

Fourth of JulyButterfly CountSponsored by the North American Butterfly Association (NABA) JULY 11, 201010 species, 29 individuals

1 Pipevine swallowtail8 Eastern tiger swallowtail2 Spicebush swallowtail5 Cabbage white1 Spring azure

1 Mourning cloak7 Red admiral1 Red-spotted purple2 Little wood satyr1 Dun skipper

NATURE PROGRAM COOPERATIVEThis cooperative group sponsors special monthly programs that have been marked with

a co-sponsor. Programs are free or listed at a reduced rate to members of the following

organizations: Bergen County Audubon, Bergen SWAN, Closter Nature Center, Demarest

Nature Center, Flat Rock Brook Nature Center, FYKE Nature Center, Greenbrook Sanctuary,

Hackensack Riverkeeper, Meadowlands Environmental Center, NJ Audubon Society Lorrimer

Sanctuary, NJ Audubon Society.Weiss Ecology Center, Palisades Interstate Park, Teaneck

Creek Conservancy, Tenafly Nature Center, Watershed Amabassador.

Go to www.natureprogram.org for more information.

September 1 – November 7

Hawk Watch at State Line LookoutHosted by Palisades Interstate Park Commission.Go to www.njpalisades.org for more information

Sunday, October 3 — 11:00 AM – 3:00 PM

“The Zoo Come to You!” Hosted by Palisades Interstate Park Commission Special hands-on educational program with the Staten Island Zoo. Featur-ing two 45-minute shows, Birds & Mammals and Reptiles, shown at 11 am, 12:30 pm, and 2 pm. State Line Lookout in Alpine (northbound PIP opposite Exit 3). $2 admission per show. For more information: 201 768-1360.

Saturday, November 6 — BEGINNING AT 4:00 PM

Ducks at DuskHosted by Fyke Nature AssociationThe sunset event take place at the Celery Farm in Allendale. Participants will witness the amazing spectacle of hundreds of waterfowl coming to roost on Lake Appert. For directions visit www.fykenature.org/cfdir.html.

December 12 — 5:00 – 6:30 PM

Winter Solstice CampfireHosted by Tenafly Nature CenterCampfire, storytelling and roasting marshmallows for s’mores.$5.00 members, $10 non-members. For information and registration go to: www.tenaflynaturecenter.org

“Soil Profile” Outdoor Exhibit Repaired

Our thanks to Angelo Caruso of

Bergen County Soil Commission for

restoring our outdoor soil profile

exhibit. The display is located along

the gravel road to the pond. Angelo

worked on the original exhibit 25

years ago and agreed to update and

replace the faded text and photo-

graph this year. Thanks Angelo!

FALL 2010 ALMANACGuided nature walks in Greenbrook every Sunday at 2:00 PM (except where noted). Field Trips and Special Programs: Please call the office to register for programs with an *asterisk: (201) 768-1360.

Thursday, October 7 — 7:00 – 9:00 PM

PNA Annual MeetingJoin us for the 64th PNA Annual Meeting at Fort Lee Historic Park. After a business meeting and election of officers our keynote speaker will present “Advancing our Understanding of the Flora of the Northeastern US and Canada”. Dr. Robert F. C. Naczi is the Curator of North American Botany at the New York Botanical Garden. This program is free and open to the general public.

*Saturday, October 9 — 10:00 AM – 1:00 PM

Fall Watercolor WorkshopJoin Phyllis Smizaski for this introduction to watercolors with a focus on painting landscapes and creating holiday cards. All supplies will be provided for a fee of $10. Limited registration - please call 201-768-1360 and forward your check payable to PNA. The program will be held at Greenbrook Education and Orientation Center.

Sunday, October 10 — 11:00 AM – NOON

What’s Growing Inside the Deer Exclosure FenceJoin Nancy Slowik for a peek inside the deer fence to measure changes in the flora.

Saturday, October 16 — 8:30 – 11:30 AM

Morning Walk in Tallman State ParkThis nearby park can be a great place to find fall warblers, wild-flowers and mushrooms. Join Nancy Slowik for a morning walk in Rockland County. We will carpool from Greenbrook.

Sunday, October 17 — 10:00 – 11:30 AM

Hudson River Seining Program at Englewood Boat BasinChristopher Letts and Tom Lake will use a seining net to capture a sampling of some of the aquatic life that lives in the Hudson River. Children 7 years and older are welcome. Meet at the north end of the Englewood Boat Basin – Exit 1 off the Palisades Interstate Parkway.

Palisades Nature Association 64th Annual Meeting Thursday, Evening, October 7, 2010

7:00 PM - 9:00 PM AT FORT LEE HISTORIC PARK

KEYNOTE SPEAKER: DR. ROBERT F. C. NACZI

“Advancing Our Understanding of the Flora of the Northeastern US and Canada”

Dr. Robert F. C. Naczi is Curator of North American Botany at The New York Botanical Garden. The Botanical Garden has renewed its commitment to research on plants of the Northeast by embarking on a program to produce

new resources for plant identification and geographic distributions. Dr. Naczi will review the Garden’s legacy in northeastern

botany and explain the need for a new Manual of Vascular Plants of Northeastern USA and Canada and describe the project.

7:00 - 7:30 PM: REFRESHMENTS | 7:30 - 8:00 PM: BUSINESS MEETING | 8:00 - 8:30 PM: KEYNOTE PRESENTATION

go to WWW.njpaliSadeS.org for directionS to the fort lee hiStoric park

Saturday, October 23 — 10:00 AM – NOON

Fall Color HikeA leisurely hike along the cliff trails in search of autumn color along the Palisades in Greenbrook with Nancy Slowik.

Sunday, October 24 — 1:00 – 4:00 PM

Visitor’s Day at Greenbrook SanctuaryThis is an opportunity for non-members to visit the sanctuary. Volunteers needed – call 201-784-0484.

Saturday, November 6 — 9:00 AM – NOON

Fall Colors Photography WalkSpend the morning in Greenbrook with Charles Dexter, learn-ing how to capture reflections in the pond and fall colors in the woodland. Charles is the field trip photographer for NYC Sierra Club. Please bring all your own photography equipment. A tripod is recommended. Wear walking shoes and bring rain gear.

Sunday, November 7 — 11:30 AM – 1:00 PM

Fall Walk in Flat Rock Brook Nature PreserveJoin Jill Bennetta, Educational Director of Flat Rock Brook, for a fall walk in this nearby preserve. We will carpool, leaving Greenbrook by 11:00 AM. Parking at FRB is very limited.

Sunday, November 14 — No Walk Scheduled

Saturday, November 20 — 10:00 AM – NOON

Bird Nest SurveyLate November is the best time to search for bird nest locations. Nancy Slowik will lead the walk.

Saturday, November 27 — 10:00 AM – NOON

Walk off your Turkey HikeJoin Nancy Slowik for a brisk hike through Greenbrook to burn off some of those extra calories you consumed on Thanksgiving.

*Sunday, December 5 — 11:00 AM – 12:30 PM

Lifting the Spirits Herbal WorkshopJoin herbalist Dale Bellisfield for a discussion on herbal teas, foods and supplements to lighten your mood as the days grow shorter. Samples will be available. Plan to meet at the Alpine Headquarters, second floor (exit 2 off the Palisades Interstate Parkway). Limited registration (201)-768-1360. Materials fee will be $5.00.

Sunday, December 12 — No Walk Scheduled

Saturday, December 18 — 10:00 AM – 4:00 PM

Christmas Bird Count (Hackensack/Ridgewood Count)Sponsored by Bergen County Audubon. Our Greenbrook count starts at 10:00. After lunch we will descend Lambier Road (weather permitting) and walk north on the Shore Trail to the Alpine Boat Basin. Call Nancy Slowik if you are interested in volunteering for other early morning territories (201) 784-0484.

Tuesday, December 21 — 4:00 – 5:30 PM

Winter Solstice WalkCelebrate the first day of winter on a late afternoon walk with Nancy Slowik in the sanctuary.

Sunday, December 26 — No Walk Scheduled

Greenbrook Pond in autumn P H O T O B Y R H O N D A W I T T O R F

F ollowing our sunday afternoon walk on father’s day, two of our newest members were introduced to the sanc-tuary. Last year on a cold December day, foster dad Adam found a pair of baby flying squirrels in a toppled tree with their deceased parent. Adam cared for them for five months before contacting me about releasing them in Greenbrook. He wanted them to have the best possible chance for sur-vival and live in a protected place. I arranged for them to be checked by a local veterinarian before their release and we decided Father’s Day would be the perfect day. Despite the widespread distribution of southern fly-ing squirrels in our eastern forests, few get the chance to see these animals because of their nocturnal habits. Occasionally we see them on our night hikes in the sanctuary. Their large dark eyes and flattened tail make them irresistible to find and photograph. There is still much to be learned about this species and there is speculation on whether they use echolocation to communicate like bats. Like other squirrel species, they spend a good deal of time on the forest floor searching for insects and fruits, and are good at locating subterranean mushrooms Before releasing them into the wild we installed a nest box to aid their transition. Adam and his brother pro-vided living room gliding lessons to prepare them for arbo-real life. After their release we arranged a special permit for Adam to be in the sanctuary after dark so he could monitor them for 2 weeks and supplement their water and food during a seriously dry summer. I received more than one nervous late night phone call from him when one or both were no-where to be found. This new Dad experienced first-hand how much time flying squirrels spend away from their nest box looking for food. While there is no way to know how the pair sur-vived this summer, we like to think they were given the best possible odds. Adam’s commitment to the success of these two orphans was extraordinary. Eventually he had to face what all parents do when raising young. He found out just how difficult it is to let go of your children.

– nancy slowik

EDITOR’S NOTE: The southern flying squirrels were found outside the sanctuary.

All wildlife must be reared by licensed rehabilitators. This pair was checked by a

local veterinarian before releasing them into the wild. Please do not release

wildlife in nature preserve and parks. P H O T O S B Y N A N C Y S L O W I K

WE WANT YOUR FEEDBACKLet us hear from you! Send us your comments and/orsuggestions.via e-mail: PNAGreenbrook@aol.com. All comments will be kept confidential.

F I E L D N O T E S

Father’s Day: Proud Dad Lets Kids Fly

Welcome neW and returning memberS: Tony Salenger, Matthew C. Baum, William Marder, Donald Stavis, Susanne Nowak, Gabriel GiBs, Scott Fisch, Brian Riley, Stephen Blacklocks, Oleg Portarescu, David Mahler,

Gloria B. Altomare, Barbara & Phil Moss, Douglas Lavin, Gideon & Barbara Seaman, Lei Zhang, Maria Gagliardi & Mercy Garland, Madeleine & Scott Boncroft, Dorothy & Bruce

Nagel, Amelia Gold & Brian Benson, Raymond Friedmann, Hoi Man Siu & Odo Joseph Galli, Drew & Berylle Reynolds, Leonard & Helen Peiper, Davis & Esther Ross, Jonathan

Sadinoff, Robert Jennings & Lynda Donato Jennings, Madeline Gonzalez, Lois Rosenberg, Jennifer & Edwin Dan, Criton & Angie Drakontides, Robert & Jean Thomson, Diana

Riccioli, Abigail Weinshank, Achilles R. Schiano, Jonathan Weinberg, James Steel & April Mahnkopf.

Palisades NATURE NOTES_________________________________________________________________________

Editor: Nancy SlowikGraphics: Ron Zisman, ricochet.org

A D M I N I S T R A T I V E C O U N C I LPresident, Michael ColemanFirst Vice President, Howard ParishSecond Vice President, Alec MalyonTreasurer, Meg BrowarSecretary, Constance LeeExecutive Secretary, Sandy YocovelliPIPC Liaison, Jim Hall

D I R E C T O R SLaura Audino John KeatorChris Connolly Chris MurphySandra Diana Carole Prendergast Hiroko Fultz Stephen ShapiroMike Gallo

S T A F FDirector Naturalist: Nancy SlowikAssociate Naturalist: Sandra BonardiAssistant Naturalist: Kenneth Habemann

PRESORTEDFIRST CLASS MAIL

U.S. POSTAGEPAID

HACKENSACK, NJPERMIT NO. 1121

Join Us. Yes, I want to become a member of Greenbrook Sanctuary. Individual $ 35 Stewardship $ 250 Household $ 50 Life Member $ 1,000 Contributor $ 100 Organization $ 50 (Two or more persons, same household)

This is a gift membership given by:

Please make checks payable to: PNA, PO Box 155, Alpine, NJ 07626

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POST OFFICE BOx 155AlPINE, NJ 07626-0155201-768-1360

Nature Notes is now available onlineSend your e-mail address to Greenbrook@njpalisades.org.

added bonuS to your greenbrook memberShip: Greenbrook Sanctuary on Meetup.com is a private site providing members with the ability to view pictures taken at the sanctuary, upload pictures you take at the sanctuary, view the calendar of events, receive event email reminders, and much more. Please sign up at http://www.meetup.com/Greenbrook-Nature-Sanctuary or Google “Greenbrook Sanctuary Meetup”. Email greenbrooksanctuary@yahoo.com for additional information. When registering please indicate “the newsletter” is how you heard about the site.