R.I.P. Charlie Kontos

In terrible news, Scarlet Knight-Herons member Charlie Kontos passed away earlier this week. Charlie was a 2nd-year student in the Ecology and Evolution graduate program at Rutgers. You can view his fisher website at http://njfishers.org

Charlie will be dearly missed by everyone who knew him. He was always wearing a smile and his positive, outgoing attitude were contagious.

Funeral arrangments are tentative right now, but the dates are as follows:
Tuesday: viewing at Costello-Greiner Funeral Home in Woodbridge, NJ
Wednesday: funeral

Charlie´s family has asked that no flowers be sent - a memorial fund will be created in Charlie´s name. Further details to come for those who are interested.

RIP, buddy. I don´t know how we´re going to stay sane during those long World Series drives without you.

Derek's Review

The newest Scarlet Knight-Heron has posted about the WSB experience on his Maine Outdoors Journal blog. You can find it here.

Wantage Grasslands

This is it!

With less than 7 hours until the 2010 World Series of Birding, teams are gathering in their war rooms and going over potential strategies. How many teams will start at the Great Swamp National Wildlife Refuge? It's been a staple in the past, but new regulations mean teams will have to walk in from the road as opposed to being able to drive in. That may change some game plans and send teams elsewhere.

What about the middle of the day? Our current plan is to head south from Sussex County until we hit Heislerville Wildlife Management Area, but strong migration and impressive reports from migrant traps has us hesitating and considering other options. There can't be any second guessing once we make our decision, though. Every second counts.

Piping Plover, Photo by Bill Lynch (c) 2010

Please consider supporting our team and the cause of conservation in New Jersey by donating! You can use the PayPal link on the right or donate directly to one of our team members. ALL donations will go directly to the New Jersey Audubon Society.

Thanks for your support, everyone! Wish us luck. We'll have reports and results posted here following the big day. Follow @woodcreeper and @Billtacular on Twitter for updates during and following the event.