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The Bergen County Audubon Society Walk will be led by President Don Torino from 9:30-10:30 a.m. on Nov. 20.
Participants will look for fall migrants and wintering birds, while also connecting with the wetland forest of the Teaneck Creek.
"It's a unique habitat," said Torino, 61,of Moonachie, who started bird watching when he was kid and has been leading walks at Teaneck Creek for five years. "The walk is an attempt to have people appreciate the nature here. It's a little eden of Bergen County. It’s an incredible natural area a lot of people don't know about."
Torino, who is the naturalist at Wild Birds Unlimited in Paramus, said the bird watching walks take place the first Tuesday and third Sunday of each month at 9:30 a.m. A special Thanksgiving walk is set for 9 a.m.
"It's important to keep our connection with nature," he said.
The walks happen rain or shine and people who don't have binoculars can borrow a pair.
"We have a steady group that comes each week, and also a lot of new people; it's a good mix. People who know the birds help the newcomers," he said, adding that he gets about an average of 30 people. "It's not formal — people ask questions and we have fun."
Torino said he expects to see a cross section of birds, like the Yellow-bellied Sapsucker, Chickadees, Hermit Thrush, and maybe even a Great Horned Owl and some Bluebirds. There's also a chance spotting of a Rusty Blackbird, whose population is down 90 percent over last 20 years, he said.
"Teaneck Creek is a good wintering spot. The Rusty Blackbirds have to be recorded so biologists can keep track of them," he said.
He said the open habitat of Teaneck Creek lends itself to a lot of species. Over the years, invasive growth has been pulled, replaced with native plants.
"A lot of native plants means more birds," he said.
For more information call Don Torino 201-230-4983 or email greatauk4@gmail.com.
Participants will meet at the Teaneck Creek Conservancy, 20 Puffin Way, Teaneck.
The Bergen County Audubon Society is located in Paramus.
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