Don's Jersey Birding: Overpeck Preserve director honored by local Audubon Society
(From left to right) Gill Hawkins, President of Bergen Audubon Beth Goldberg, and Harold Feinberg.
Photos courtesy of Don Torino.
By Don Torino
Gil Hawkins, the tireless and devoted Director of the Overpeck Preseve was presented with the First Bergen County Audubon Society (BCAS) “Harold Feinberg” Conservation Award on Wednesday, December 15th.
The Overpeck Preserve, located in Leonia, has been a birding hot spot the last few years. Bald Eagles, Osprey, Great Horned Owls, and many Warbler and Sparrow species frequent this little wilderness in a heavily populated area of New Jersey. Under Gil’s direction the preserve transformed from little more than a service road with a rock pile to having marked trails, benches, an introduction of native plants, a dock to access the water, and an Osprey nesting platform. The preserve also provides nest boxes for Tree Swallows, Kestrels, and Wrens, which have been funded by BCAS.
“I was tremendously excited to see Yellow Warblers the first year and now we have dozens of nesting pairs,” says Hawkins.
As for his favorite birds?
“First it was the raptors and the dramatic experience of seeing Bald Eagles in the preserve. Now I enjoy the Warblers, Orioles, Grosbeaks, and hearing the preserve come alive with their music!”
Tree swallows on nest box at Overpeck Preserve.
Besides his hard work and accomplishments at the preserve, Gil always makes himself available to all visitors and doesn’t hesitate to show them the trails and where the best birds can be found. He helps make a visit to Overpeck enjoyable for everyone.
“To be recognized by my friends at Bergen County Audubon Society is a humbling experience,” said Hawkins. “It really means that I am doing something right in making Overpeck Preserve an accessible experience for everyone. In the long run, it is the preserve that will endure, and it is the recognition of the preserve that is most important.”
There are many new projects slated for Overpeck in the near future. Part of the preserve will undergo a remediation project and eventually be restored with native plants. This spring, BCAS will fund the first Overpeck Preserve Butterfly Garden.
If you want to visit the preserve, go to http://overpeckpreserve.org/. BCAS will also be conducting free bird walks throughout the year at the preserve. More information can be found at http://www.bergencountyaudubon.org/.
Look for more articles on WildNewJersey.tv about Overpeck Preserve real soon.
Don Torino is the Education Chairperson for Bergen County Audubon Society.
Gil Hawkins, the tireless and devoted Director of the Overpeck Preseve was presented with the First Bergen County Audubon Society (BCAS) “Harold Feinberg” Conservation Award on Wednesday, December 15th.
The Overpeck Preserve, located in Leonia, has been a birding hot spot the last few years. Bald Eagles, Osprey, Great Horned Owls, and many Warbler and Sparrow species frequent this little wilderness in a heavily populated area of New Jersey. Under Gil’s direction the preserve transformed from little more than a service road with a rock pile to having marked trails, benches, an introduction of native plants, a dock to access the water, and an Osprey nesting platform. The preserve also provides nest boxes for Tree Swallows, Kestrels, and Wrens, which have been funded by BCAS.
“I was tremendously excited to see Yellow Warblers the first year and now we have dozens of nesting pairs,” says Hawkins.
As for his favorite birds?
“First it was the raptors and the dramatic experience of seeing Bald Eagles in the preserve. Now I enjoy the Warblers, Orioles, Grosbeaks, and hearing the preserve come alive with their music!”
Tree swallows on nest box at Overpeck Preserve.
Besides his hard work and accomplishments at the preserve, Gil always makes himself available to all visitors and doesn’t hesitate to show them the trails and where the best birds can be found. He helps make a visit to Overpeck enjoyable for everyone.
“To be recognized by my friends at Bergen County Audubon Society is a humbling experience,” said Hawkins. “It really means that I am doing something right in making Overpeck Preserve an accessible experience for everyone. In the long run, it is the preserve that will endure, and it is the recognition of the preserve that is most important.”
There are many new projects slated for Overpeck in the near future. Part of the preserve will undergo a remediation project and eventually be restored with native plants. This spring, BCAS will fund the first Overpeck Preserve Butterfly Garden.
If you want to visit the preserve, go to http://overpeckpreserve.org/. BCAS will also be conducting free bird walks throughout the year at the preserve. More information can be found at http://www.bergencountyaudubon.org/.
Look for more articles on WildNewJersey.tv about Overpeck Preserve real soon.
Don Torino is the Education Chairperson for Bergen County Audubon Society.
Previous birding exclusives:
- Linda's For the Birds: What is that bird at my feeder? - Part 2
- Don's Jersey Birding: A Birder’s Time of Year for Reflection
- WNJ Exclusive: What is that bird at my feeder?
- Don's Jersey Birding: Crazy like a fox...sparrow
- Don's Jersey Birding: The Raptors of Route 17
- WNJ Exclusive: Birding New Jersey in winter
Posted by WILDNEWJERSEY at 12/30/2010 12:15 PM 
Categories: Don's Jersey Birding
Tags: overpeck preserve Bergen County Audubon Society conservation award Bald Eagle Osprey great horned owls warbler sparrow tree swallow
Categories: Don's Jersey Birding
Tags: overpeck preserve Bergen County Audubon Society conservation award Bald Eagle Osprey great horned owls warbler sparrow tree swallow
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