Phoebe Epstein, owner of the Wild Bird Center in West Caldwell, helped hikers identify Turkey Vultures, Red Tailed Hawks , a black throated green warbler, a northern flicker , northern cardinals, an eastern phoebe, blue jays, an American Gold Finch , and a ruby crowned kinglet. Phoebe also pointed out a great old tree with a large hole that is home to a screech owl family. Sadly, this tree is on property scheduled for development by builders.
Hikers also identified plants that serve as food and cover to birds and butterflies. Included were mugwort, bird-foot tree foil, chicory, Queen Ann's lace, cat tails, phragmites, Japanese knot weed, wild grapes, wild raspberries, bittersweet, oak trees, knock-berry trees, pines, maples, golden rod, iron weed, thistle, and common milkweed - the sole food of monarch butterfly caterpillars. Some of these plant species are not native to Northern New Jersey, such as the Japanese knotweed, and will be eliminated during the meadow restoration period.
Attendees were each given a flyer with a map of the Hilltop property
and an application in case they would like to become a member of the
Conservancy. They were also given a critter tally sheet so that they
could inventory what they found during the hike. This sheet and observations for the past YEAR can be
found at this website
Conservancy members are hopeful that this is just the first of many 'Hilltop Nature Hikes' and similar activities.
Anne Stires