Don's Jersey Birding: New Birders Visit the Meadowlands
by Don Torino
Don Torino teaching new birders at the Meadowlands Environmental Center at DeKorte Park in Lyndhurst.
Photos courtesy of Mike Malzone.
The only thing that I enjoy just as much as birding is helping new birders begin. I feel the excitement all over again when a new birder spots his first Red-Winged Blackbird or Red-Tailed Hawk. It’s a great reminder to appreciate every bird I see and realize how lucky I am to be able to help folks get started on the road to what hopefully will become a lifelong passion.
This is why I greatly anticipated this year’s event for new birders. The New Jersey Meadowlands Commission hosted “Joys of Birding,” a Bergen County Audubon Society (BCAS) program created to help new birders from all over the area get started. The Meadowlands provided the perfect location to introduce newcomers to New Jersey’s great birding opportunities. Forty-seven students began the 3-day course at DeKorte Park in Lyndhurst, the heart of the Meadowlands.
Just as spring revitalizes everything in nature, the yearly “birding for beginners” course revitalizes everyone at BCAS.
“We were all beginners when we first picked up our binoculars,” says Beth Goldberg, President of BCAS. “These classes give me a chance to give back to the community that encouraged my interest. It ‘s great to show folks that they can still connect with nature and enjoy New Jersey’s wonderful and diverse habitats.”
Peggy O’Neill, long time board member of BCAS, says that she loves to share the wonder and beauty of nature with the beginner classes. “Modern times have taken away so much from nature, making everything that is left even more precious,” she says.
Birding for beginners class.
One of the students, Suzanne from Cliffside Park said, “I have had an interest in birds since childhood. I enjoy wildlife and being outside so birding allows me to be engaged with nature on several levels.”
Another student, Pat, told me that he and his wife thought that the birding classes would be a great opportunity to get outside, enjoy the day and appreciate the wildlife around us. That is, after all, what it really is all about.
So many people have sacrificed their time and worked so hard over the years to preserve and protect our state’s natural areas. One of the most important things we can do as birders and conservationists is to teach other people to love the wild areas of New Jersey the same way that we do. There remains the hope that the people we teach will carry on the hard work to keep our state’s natural places protected for future generations to enjoy.
Julie McCall, a hard working volunteer for BCAS, put it best by saying, “The more people there are out there appreciating birds, the better the chance that the birds and their habitats will be protected.” Well said, Julie.
New Jersey’s birding trails will have a few more people this year who will help to revitalize us all.
For more information on DeKorte Park, visit www.meadowblog.net 
Don Torino is the Education Chairperson for Bergen County Audubon Society.
Categories: Don's Jersey Birding
Tags: Bergen County Audubon Society Birding birding classes birding for beginners New Jersey Meadowlands Commission
I became interested in birding years ago My life was work. Now I am retired and the first thing I did was go on birding outings with Don and join Audubon. My work world is becoming a distant memory of computer desks, gossip and florescent lights. I had no idea what was in my own neighborhood - NJMC!
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Thanks Judy, I am so glad you enjoy getting out with us, That is why we do what we do. Happy Earth Day !
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I went on one of the walks, and found the group members friendly and very helpful in helping one to I.D. a bird and or many offered a look tour there very powerful tripod viewing scopes, It was very enjoyable walk and nice to be out there with nature and enjoying the many different wildlife and to do this with a nice group of other people into are wetlands and nature and with members of the group and the host, plus the walk/hike was nice good excerzice. It all made for a enjoyable day and I cant wait to do it again. Also to all the BCAS and the folks who also just came out to be with nature and take a healthy walk.Thanks for being out there spotting the wildlife, so thoese us can't get out there as often as like do to health,We are thankful for ur effort to spot and Jim and others who take pictures of various birds and waterfowl and post the picture online is great idea, I find it enjoyable seeing the various pictures of all the diffrent birds and animals spoted. So the post is and adds addional interst to how the days events went and is enjoyable for us to enjoy as well. Well all the best to you all, I hope to be joining you soon for another nature outdoors walk.
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Glad you enjoyed your trip with us! hope to see you out there again
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