NJYBC Field Trips
2018 Trip Schedule
January
Sandy Hook
Leaders: Scott Barnes and Linda Mack Saturday January 6th 9:30 am to 1:30 pm Waterfowl, alcids, buntings and more; the Sandy Hook & North Shore have tons of potential in the winter months. January is a great time to seek out these wintering birds and there is no better guide to this region then All Things Birds Director Scott Barnes. Meet at Sandy Hook, parking area B near the bathrooms
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February
Barnegat Light State Park
Leaders: Scott Barnes, Linda Mack, & Barb Basset Sunday February 11th 10:00 am to 2:00 pm Winter birding at Barnegat can be spectacular! Long-tailed Ducks and Scoters are vocalizing and winter rarities often pop up at this time of year. Harbor Seals are also commonly seen along the jetty. Our main quarry will be the Harlequin Duck and Common Eider flock; Barnegat Light is the best place in New Jersey to see them! Meet at Barnegat Light State Park, the main parking lot near the lighthouse |
March
Mannington Marsh
Leaders: Scott Barnes & Linda Mack Saturday March 17 10:00 am to 2:00 pm Late winter birding at Mannington is a great place for staging waterfowl like ducks, mergansers, grebes and of course large numbers of geese. This is an ideal area to potentially pick out some interesting birds, last year we had great looks at Sandhill Cranes! Meet in the parking lot at the Super Wawa in Woodstown
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"Open House" Raptor Survey
Cape May Bird Observatory
Saturday February 17
Join CMBO Director David Lapuma for a brief indoor presentation on wintering raptors and field survey techniques at 3:30 pm. We'll caravan to nearby Jake's Landing for the raptor survey from 4:30-5:45 pm. Species may include Northern Harrier, Bald Eagle, buteos, and possibly Short-eared Owl.
Meeting location: Cape May Bird Observatory Center for Research & Education, 600 Route 47 North, Cape May Court House NJ 08210
Cape May Bird Observatory
Saturday February 17
Join CMBO Director David Lapuma for a brief indoor presentation on wintering raptors and field survey techniques at 3:30 pm. We'll caravan to nearby Jake's Landing for the raptor survey from 4:30-5:45 pm. Species may include Northern Harrier, Bald Eagle, buteos, and possibly Short-eared Owl.
Meeting location: Cape May Bird Observatory Center for Research & Education, 600 Route 47 North, Cape May Court House NJ 08210
April
Getting into the swing of spring at Sandy Hook Leaders: Scott Barnes and Linda Mack Saturday April 21 9:00 am to 1:30 pm April is a good month to see early spring migrants like hawks, swallows, and songbirds. We'll also look for Piping Plovers and interesting gulls. Meet at Sandy Hook, parking area B near the bathrooms Great Swamp NWR (World Series of Birding Prep Day!)
Leaders: Carole Hughes and Kelly Wenzel Sunday April 29th 8:30am to 12:30 pm Many songsters will be singing as passerine migration at Great Swamp gets into full swing. We’ll walk the boardwalks out to the blinds looking for waterfowl, raptors, wading birds and songbirds. After our walk to the blinds we’ll do a slow drive along Pleasant Plains Road stopping at strategic spots including the Heronry and the bridge over Great Brook. We’ll finish at the Helen Fenske Center. |
May
Garret Mountain Leaders: Pat Scheuer and Carol Hughes Sunday May 6 8:00 am to 12 pm Garret Mountain Reservation sits atop the First Watchung Ridge overlooking Paterson and the surrounding urban areas of northeastern New Jersey. For northbound migrant songbirds it is a vital resting and feeding area during spring. To many birders, it is one of the best "migrant traps" in the East. Join us for this walk at the peak of spring migration to see warblers, vireos, sparrows, and flycatchers. The walk meets in the "three-tiered parking lot" on Park Rd in Garret Mountain Reservation |
June
Old Mine Road Leaders: Scott Barnes and Linda Mack Saturday June (date to be determined) 8:30am to 1:30 pm This is one of the best places in north jersey for breeding songbirds, especially Cerulean and Hooded Warblers. We should see and hear a variety of vireos, thrushes, flycatchers, and warblers as we do roadside birding along scenic Old Mine Road. Bring weather appropriate clothing, binoculars/camera, insect repellent, and lunch. Meet at the Kittattinny Point Visitor Center, Delaware Water Gap NRA, near the restrooms |
August
FORSYTHE NWR (Brigantine), Atlantic County Saturday August 11 9:30 am to 2 pm Leaders: Scott Barnes & Linda Mack August is an excellent month to study a wide range of waterbirds at this coastal hotspot. We expect to encounter a variety of herons, egrets, shorebirds, and terns. Meeting location: 800 Great Creek Road, Oceanville NJ, at main lot by on the left by bathrooms & visitor center. Wear pants to protect against biting insects such as greenhead flies. . October
Sandy Hook, Monmouth County Saturday October 13th 8:45 am to 1:00 pm Leaders: Scott Barnes & Linda Mack We'll search for an interesting mix of warblers, orioles, and tanagers just as additional migrants like raptors and sparrows and beginning to return in numbers. Meeting location: Gateway National Recreation Area, Sandy Hook Unit, Parking Lot B by the bathrooms. This is the first long parking lot on the right-hand side after you pass through the entrance plaza. October
Cape May Birding Day Date TBD 9 to 2 |
September
Allendale Celery Farm, Bergan County Sunday September 9th 8:30 am to 12:00 pm Leaders: Carole Hughes Allendale Celery Farm offers an interesting mix of marsh and woodlands with an excellent walking trail & observation deck. We may see freshwater ducks and herons, plus woodland species. Meeting location: The main access to the Celery Farm is from a small parking lot on the east side of Franklin Turnpike, Allendale, New Jersey. From Route 17 north or southbound, take the Allendale Ave. exit, heading west towards Allendale. After 0.8 miles, turn right Cottage Place. At the end of Cottage Place, turn right at the stop sign onto Franklin Turnpike. The parking lot is about one hundred yards on the right. OCTOBER/NOVEMBER
MIGRATION COUNTER-IN-TRAINING TRIPS New Jersey Audubon is offering this opportunity to learn the why and how of migration count research. Aimed at up-and-coming youth birders with an interest in bird movements, this is a chance to spend personal time with a professional counter at a manned migration site. Join the seasonal staff/official counter(s) at the Cape May Hawkwatch, Montclair Hawkwatch, and Avalon Seawatch (schedule below) to experience migration research firsthand. You can count on having a great time! Cape May Hawkwatch - October date t.b.a. Montclair Hawkwatch – October date t.b.a. Avalon Seawatch – November date t.b.a. Each of these counter-in-training trips is limited to 3 young birders. Preregistration is required! Contact Scott Barnes at [email protected] for more information. |
September
Birding by Boat The Osprey, Cape May Saturday September 15th 1:30 pm to 4 pm Leaders: Dale Rosselet & Barb Basset Back bay birding on the intracoastal waterway. We'll search for herons, egrets, ibis, shorebirds, gulls and terns. Meeting location: 1212 Wilson Dr, Cape May, NJ 08204 Website link: ospreycruise.com November
Island Beach State Park, Ocean County Saturday November 3rd 8:45 to 2:00 Leaders Scott Barnes and Linda Mack Island Beach offers excellent sea-watching for loons, ducks, and more --last year's had a humpback whale! We'll also work the upland areas for interesting land birds. Meeting location: 2207 SW Central Ave, Seaside Heights, NJ 08752. Meet in the median parking lot just north of (outside) the entrance to the park. Entry Fee to the park is not included. December FORSYTHE NWR (Brigantine), Atlantic County Saturday December 1 9:30 am to 2 pm Leaders: Scott Barnes & Linda Mack Late fall brings thousands of waterfowl to this coastal hotspot, along with eagles, harriers, and other raptors. It's also a good time look for American Bittern, late shorebirds, and maybe something unexpected. Meeting location: 800 Great Creek Road, Oceanville NJ, at main lot by on the left by bathrooms & visitor center. |
For more information on any trips or meetings, go to the contact us page.