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Silver Lake is a haven for winter birds

I have been an amateur bird watcher for over 20 years and I walk my dog near Silver Lake every morning.  Did you know Silver Lake is very attractive habitat for birds, especially in Winter?   I already posted about Atlantic Brant which use the lake and surrounding area, but if you pay attention there are other birds that use the lake all winter for feeding and shelter.

Most mornings the Atlantic Brant, which have spent the night roosting on the water in Shark River Bay, will fly in to Silver Lake in small flocks to bathe in the fresh water that Silver Lake has to offer.  There will sometimes be over 100 birds all thrashing around in the lake to keep their feathers clean.

There is also a small flock of ducks known as Hooded Mergansers that call the Lake their winter home.  These ducks dive in unison to probe the bottom for worms and other invertebrates.  The males have a beautiful white crest that they raise and lower when they are agitated.

Ruddy Ducks are another diving duck that feed in Silver Lake in the same fashion but they are usually in smaller numbers.  American Widgeons feed along the edges of the lake and Northern Shovelers will feed on the surface of the lake.   Occasionally a rarer species like a Canvasback or  a Redhead can be found.   Last winter birders came from all over to find a Drake Eurasian Widgeon that spent the winter here.

And don’t forget the island is a roosting spot for Great Blue Herons and Black Crowned Night Herons.  Look for them every morning sitting in the sun on the Southeast side of the Island.

I’ll post updates on individual species throughout the winter so keep posted, and when you’re walking around the lake pay attention to some of our unusual winter visitors.

October 24 is “Make A Difference Day”- Town Cleanup Event

 

Volunteers are needed to help with Belmar’s “Make-a-Difference-Day” activities, on Saturday, October 24th from 9-12.

Activities include town wide cleanup, a sticker removal project and planting of donated flowers and plants.

Tools and clean up materials will be provided.

Volunteers should meet at 9:00am on the Sixth Avenue side of the Municipal Building, at 601 Main Street.

Please come out and help make a difference.

For more information contact Claire Deicke at 732-681-0522 or email ctd@verizon.net<

Event Date(s) and Time(s):

October 24, 2009 9:00 am to 12:00 pm 9:00 am to 12:00 pm

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Gazebo Arrives at 8th & Main

As part of continuing plans to improve the lot at the corner of 8th Avenue and Main Street, a small gazebo was put in place as a decorative seating area. The lot will be edged by arborvitae trees and the area around the gazebo will be landscaped with flowers and native shrubs, in a design created by members of Belmar’s Green Team.

Volunteers Plant Main Street Flowers

Rain did not stop nearly a dozen Green Team members from planting flowers in the Main Street barrel planters that had been set on every street corner by the Department of Public Works. Most of the flowers were started from seed in the Magical Garden Community Garden greenhouse on 15th Avenue at E Street, and are expected to fill out the planters nicely in the coming weeks. The use of “homegrown” flowers and volunteer labor were a cost savings for the borough, and everyone involved was glad to be a part of the planting.

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