Fyke Events and Field Trips
Please register with the leader to facilitate planning and to enable last-minute communication about any changes or cancellation on account of the weather. Beginners are welcome.
May 4-5, 2024, Saturday and Sunday
Stepping Up For The Celery Farm
Our annual fundraiser is based on the number of bird species observed over a two day period by citizen-scientists like you. To sign up for the count, please contact Gabriele Schmitt at gaby413@aol.com.
Pledges per species can be emailed to our Treasurer, Kurt Muenz,
at elkumu@aceweb.com
or mailed to:
Fyke Nature Association
PO Box 141, Ramsey. NJ 07446
Stepping Up For The Celery Farm Pledge Form – 2023
Yes, I want to support Stepping Up For The Celery Farm by making a pledge per bird species seen over the two day period. I understand that 65 to 93 species have been recorded, however, the total could be higher if conditions are ideal.
My pledge is: __$1/species __$.75/species __$.50/species __$.25/species $___/species
Name:
Address:
Phone:
June 29, 2024, Saturday, 10:30 AM to 12:00 PM
Discover the Plants of the Celery Farm
Enjoy finding early summer wildflowers and other plants. Meet at the end of Green Way.
Mike Lefebvre is a naturalist who has led Plant ID Walks and Talks for the Fyke Nature Association, Friends of the Bonsal Preserve (Montclair) the Friends of the NJ School of Conservation (Stokes State Forest) and Bergen County Audubon Society. He is the Publicity Chairperson for the Fyke Nature Association and currently working as a teacher naturalist for NJ Audubon’s Lorrimer Sanctuary. He kept a nature blog (now retired) which documented local hikes along with flora and fauna for many years. Mike’s hobby is documenting the flora of local nature preserves including the Celery Farm.
Contact Mike LeFebvre njurbanforest@hotmail.com to let him know to expect you. Rain date Sunday, June 30.
Every Sunday 8:00 AM to 9:00 AM at the Celery Farm
Usually on the Pirie-Mayhood Tower platformHour on the Tower
Everyone is invited to join with the group of regulars who keep a list of every species of bird they can identify over the course of one hour. It's a good way to improve your birding skills and catch up on Celery Farm news. The location may shift between the Pirie-Mayhood Tower platform on the east side of Lake Appert and the Warden's Watch platform near the Franklin Turnpike parking area. Contact Gaby Schmitt to find out where to meet up.
Self-Directed Exploration Open to Fyke Members
North Harpersfield Property
George Rand and Pamela Ryder invite Fyke members to visit 135 acres of forest, field, stream, and pond in upstate NY. Please download and print this document,which contains essential information you must read before your visit, including directions, contact numbers, waiver, lodging, and area attractions. You will also want to download and print this map of the property and this release and waiver document.
April 20, 2024, Saturday, 10:30 AM to 12:00 PM
Discover the Plants of the Celery Farm
Enjoy finding early spring wildflowers and other plants. Meet at the end of Green Way.
Mike Lefebvre is a naturalist who has led Plant ID Walks and Talks for the Fyke Nature Association, Friends of the Bonsal Preserve (Montclair) the Friends of the NJ School of Conservation (Stokes State Forest) and Bergen County Audubon Society. He is the Publicity Chairperson for the Fyke Nature Association and currently working as a teacher naturalist for NJ Audubon’s Lorrimer Sanctuary. He kept a nature blog (now retired) which documented local hikes along with flora and fauna for many years. Mike’s hobby is documenting the flora of local nature preserves including the Celery Farm.
Contact Mike LeFebvre njurbanforest@hotmail.com to let him know to expect you. Rain date Sunday, April 21.
April 6, 2024, Saturday, 10:00 AM to 12:00 PM
Annual Spring Celery Farm Cleanup
The winter snow melt reveals what has been left behind by certain visitors or blown in or carried down the flooded Allendale Broook. Many hands make light work. Meet at the end of Green Way.
Bring gloves and a tool if you have one to assist in grabbing and picking up trash, such as a rake, broom handle with a nail at the end, or grabbers. Garbage bags will be provided. Contact Mike Limatola mike.limatola@gmail.com to let him know you are coming. Rain date Sunday, April 7.
March 8, 2024, Friday, 6:00 PM
Woodcocks at Dusk
Meet at the end of Halifax Road in Mahwah for a chance to see the dramatic courtship display of these otherwise reclusive birds. What we hope to witness goes something like this:
First, male woodcocks utter a distinctive one-note peent call with a buzzy, nasal quality. They then flutter high into the air and circle repeatedly, allowing the rushing air to rise in a winnowing whistle as it passes over their wings. To finish off, they acrobatically descend back to the very same spot they took off from and repeat the process in the hopes of attracting a female.
There are no guarantees in birding, but with luck you will have a memorable experience. Contact Mike Limatola mike.limatola@gmail.com to let him know to expect you.
December 16, 2023, Saturday
Christmas Bird Count
Co-compilers Lisa and Rob Fanning
The annual Ramsey Christmas Bird Count (CBC) will be held Saturday, December 16, 2023 as part of Audubon’s 124th CBC. Eight separate team circles will combine to cover a 15-mile diameter circle centered on Lake Erskine, including all or part of Ramsey, Mahwah, Allendale, Wyckoff, Franklin Lakes, Oakland, Wayne, Pompton Lakes, Bloomingdale, Ringwood, West Milford, Greenwood Lake, Tuxedo, Hillburn, Sloatsburg and Suffern. Roundup will be virtual once again.
If you would like to participate in the Ramsey count, email fyke@fykenature.org for more information.
Or to participate in the Hackensack/Ridgewood count email Dave Hall david.hall@einsteinmed.edu.
Or to participate in the Teaneck Creek Conservancy count email Don Torino greatauk4@gmail.com.
October 22, 2023, Sunday, 6:00 PM to 8:00 PM
Ducks at Dusk at the Celery Farm
Gather at the Warden's Watch platform with Mike Limatola at this annual event. It's a wonderful time to see migrating waterfowl.
October 8, 2023, Sunday
The Big Sit! at the Celery Farm
The Big Sit! is an annual, international, noncompetitive birding event. Our team, The Celery Stalkers, sits in a circle 17 feet in diameter for 24 hours counting all the bird species we see or hear. The center of our circle is the Pirie-Mayhood Tower. Observations can only be made within the 17 foot circle. If a bird is seen or heard from within the circle but is too distant to identify, you may leave the circle to get a closer look. Any new bird species seen or heard while out of the circle cannot be counted unless it is seen or heard by someone in the circle or you see it again when you return to the circle.
To sign up for a 2-3 hour team contact Carol Flanagan, carolflana@aol.com.
September 2, 2023, Saturday, 9:00 AM to 12:00 PM (Rain date September 3, Sunday)
Mt. Peter Clean-Up
Our annual Clean-Up is scheduled for Saturday, September 2, 2023, from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. Rain date is Sunday, September 3. We pick up garbage, cut back trails and clear sight lines that obscure incoming hawks using hand tools. We can always use volunteers. Contact Judy Cinquina to volunteer or for more information.
September 1 - November 15, 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM
Mt. Peter Hawk Watch
Mount Peter would welcome new counters/leaders this fall. If you are all interested, consider becoming part of our hawk watch family and contact Judy Cinquina. Fyke members can also help with the count or just keep a lonely hawk watcher company. Best time to visit is between September 11 and 21 for "kettles" of Broad-winged Hawks climbing thermals up to the clouds. Mid to late October the Sharp-shinned and Cooper's Hawks flap and glide past the lookout following the migrant songbirds, and the end of October through November 15, the big guys come through—Red-shouldered and Red-tailed Hawks. Bald Eagles, Osprey, Peregrines, Northern Harriers, and Osprey are possible any time. And don't forget the homemade ice cream available at the Creamery below the lookout. The watch begins September 1, 2023, and continues daily from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. until November 15. Contact Judy Cinquina to volunteer or for more information.
Directions: click here to open Google Maps. The lookout is located on the top of 17A, between Greenwood Lake and Warwick, NY, and is marked by a pair of microwave towers. To reach the lookout, take Route 17 through Tuxedo to 17A and turn left. Follow 17A up the mountain and into Greenwood Lake. Keep right when you reach the lake and follow 17A up the second mountain. When you reach the top, you will see a sign for Bellvale Farms Creamery (excellent homemade ice cream) ahead. Turn right at the ice cream shop onto Kain Road and turn right again up the pot- holed dirt road to the lot or park down below.
July 24, 2023, Monday, 7:45 PM
A Moths & Movie Monday at the Fell House
Monday, July 24, is Allendale's 11th anniversary Moth Night. The John Fell House, the Fyke Nature Association and Lee Memorial Library are celebrating at the historic home on Franklin Turnpike. Elena Tartaglia, a biology professor at Bergen Community College and a National Moth Week founder, will do a short talk at 7:45 p.m. and supply the moth lights.
We will also show "Godzilla, Mothra and King Ghidorah: Giant Monsters All-out Attack" outside on the library's outdoor movie projector and movie screen to see if any real-live moths are attracted to the cinematic Mothra. We might even try to serve s'mores (but not s'moths) if everyone behaves. Bring your own water and non-aerosol mosquito spray. Rain date is Tuesday, July 25. Ends at 10 p.m. To register, email Jim Wright at celeryfarm@gmail.com.
The Fell House is at 475 Franklin Turnpike, caddy-corner across from the Celery Farm. You can park on the northbound side of the Franklin Turnpike so long as you don’t park on the sidewalk (against state law; you could get a ticket).
This program is brought to you thanks to a generous grant from the Winifred M. and George P. Pitkin Foundation.
July 22, 2023, Saturday, 10:30 AM
Butterfly Walk at the Celery Farm
The Fyke Nature Association's annual Celery Farm Butterfly Walk is held in memory of Tom Burr, the late Fyke member, naturalist, photographer, and friend. Meet at the end of Green Way at 10:30 a.m. for a 90-minute stroll. Here is the Google Map location. Dress for bright sun. Bring water and sunscreen. Children must be accompanied by an adult. Rain cancels this walk. Sponsored by the Fyke Nature Association and the Lee Memorial Library. This event is free. To register, email Jim Wright at celeryfarm@gmail.com.