Start the year out with some coastal birding at Sandy Hook where we’ll look for sea ducks and Snow Buntings. If we're lucky we could find a Razorbill or two. We may also drop south and bird locations in Monmouth Beach and Long Branch for waterfowl, loons, and gulls. Meet at Sandy Hook, parking lot B by the bathrooms. Bring lunch and be prepared for a few hours of walking over flat and sandy terrain. Led by Scott Barnes, Linda Mack, and Carole Hughes, and other associate naturalists. Location: Meet at Parking Lot B, about halfway down the lot by the restrooms. PRE-REGISTRATION REQUIRED COST: $25 Members, $30 Non-members WEATHER & TRANSPORTATION: Please arrive at the appointed time. Be sure to check the forecast in advance and dress in layers appropriate for prevailing weather conditions. We sometimes bird in the rain, so bring rain gear if warranted. Transportation during the field trip is by private vehicle (be sure you have enough gas). Most trips involve some amount of walking, sometimes through muddy or sandy terrain. CANCELLATION: NJA/CMBO programs require a minimum number of registrants to run, five days in advance of the start of the tour but are seldom cancelled. If we do cancel, due to lack of participation, severe weather, or unforeseen circumstances, we notify all participants in advance, and all are eligible for a full credit or refund. Participants may cancel without penalty if greater than 30 days in advance. Cancellations 10 to 30 days in advance may be subject to a 25% service charge. No refunds or credits for cancellations less than ten days in advance unless due to health emergencies. REGISTER HERE

The inlets and ponds in this area can be great for a variety of winter birds including ducks, loons, gulls and maybe alcids. The "north shore" between Point Pleasant Beach and Belmar can make for great winter birding. We'll search the inlets, ponds, and oceanfront for a variety of ducks, loons, gulls, and more. In some years Razorbills or other rarer alcids may be present, and the tour can be good for "white-winged" gulls. Meet at the east end of Broadway in Point Pleasant Beach. Bring binoculars, spotting scope if you have one, and lunch. Dress warmly. This trip requires little walking. Led by Scott Barnes and Linda Mack. PRE-REGISTRATION REQUIRED COST: $25 Members, $30 Non-members WEATHER & TRANSPORTATION: Please arrive at the appointed time. Be sure to check the forecast in advance and dress in layers appropriate for prevailing weather conditions. We sometimes bird in the rain, so bring rain gear if warranted. Transportation during the field trip is by private vehicle (be sure you have enough gas). Most trips involve some amount of walking, sometimes through muddy or sandy terrain. CANCELLATION: NJA/CMBO programs require a minimum number of registrants to run, five days in advance of the start of the tour but are seldom cancelled. If we do cancel, due to lack of participation, severe weather, or unforeseen circumstances, we notify all participants in advance, and all are eligible for a full credit or refund. Participants may cancel without penalty if greater than 30 days in advance. Cancellations 10 to 30 days in advance may be subject to a 25% service charge. No refunds or credits for cancellations less than ten days in advance unless due to health emergencies. REGISTER HERE

Waterfowl, wintering thrushes, sparrows, and other land birds at this productive central jersey hotspot. This productive locale has a mix of fields, woods, wetlands, and lakes. We may see a good variety of waterfowl, sparrows, and other land birds. In recent years a pair of Trumpeter Swans has wintered here. There are no guaranteed restrooms on this trip with one or two possible port-a-johns on site. Be prepared for a moderate amount of walking over varied terrain. Bring lunch and wear weather-appropriate clothing. Led by Scott Barnes and Linda Mack. PRE-REGISTRATION REQUIRED COST: $25 Members, $30 Non-members WEATHER & TRANSPORTATION: Please arrive at the appointed time. Be sure to check the forecast in advance and dress in layers appropriate for prevailing weather conditions. We sometimes bird in the rain, so bring rain gear if warranted. Transportation during the field trip is by private vehicle (be sure you have enough gas). Most trips involve some amount of walking, sometimes through muddy or sandy terrain. CANCELLATION: NJA/CMBO programs require a minimum number of registrants to run, five days in advance of the start of the tour but are seldom cancelled. If we do cancel, due to lack of participation, severe weather, or unforeseen circumstances, we notify all participants in advance, and all are eligible for a full credit or refund. Participants may cancel without penalty if greater than 30 days in advance. Cancellations 10 to 30 days in advance may be subject to a 25% service charge. No refunds or credits for cancellations less than ten days in advance unless due to health emergencies. REGISTER HERE

Large numbers of waterfowl & raptors, plus wintering songbirds at one of the best birding spots in the state. Winter brings Tundra Swans and many other species of waterfowl at this great refuge. We’ll also search for raptors including Northern Harrier, Red-shouldered Hawk, and Bald Eagles. Some wintering songbirds may also be present. Bring binoculars, spotting scope if you have one, and dress warmly. This trip requires minimal walking and follows an eight-mile auto loop. Led by Mike Mandracchia and Hank Burk. Location: 800 Great Creek Road, Oceanville, Forsythe NWR at the main parking lot on the left-hand side by the bathrooms PRE-REGISTRATION REQUIRED COST: $25 Members, $30 Non-members WEATHER & TRANSPORTATION: Please arrive at the appointed time. Be sure to check the forecast in advance and dress in layers appropriate for prevailing weather conditions. We sometimes bird in the rain, so bring rain gear if warranted. Transportation during the field trip is by private vehicle (be sure you have enough gas). Most trips involve some amount of walking, sometimes through muddy or sandy terrain. CANCELLATION: NJA/CMBO programs require a minimum number of registrants to run, five days in advance of the start of the tour but are seldom cancelled. If we do cancel, due to lack of participation, severe weather, or unforeseen circumstances, we notify all participants in advance, and all are eligible for a full credit or refund. Participants may cancel without penalty if greater than 30 days in advance. Cancellations 10 to 30 days in advance may be subject to a 25% service charge. No refunds or credits for cancellations less than ten days in advance unless due to health emergencies. REGISTER HERE

Harlequins & other sea ducks; plus loons and gannets. We'll visit some nearby bayside spots after birding the inlet for additional species. Early winter birding for Harlequin Ducks, eiders, and scoters. In some years seabird migration is still underway (sometimes alcids), and we may also see many gulls, loons and gannets. The beaches may host Horned Larks, Am. Pipits, and/or Snow Buntings. After birding the lighthouse/inlet area, we'll caravan to nearby bayside spots for more species. Meet in the main parking lot of Barnegat Lighthouse State Park. Bring binoculars, spotting scope if you have one, lunch, and dress warmly! Led by Scott Barnes & Linda Mack. LOCATION: Meet in the main parking lot of Barnegat Lighthouse State Park. PRE-REGISTRATION REQUIRED COST: $25 Members, $30 Non-members WEATHER & TRANSPORTATION: Please arrive at the appointed time. Be sure to check the forecast in advance and dress in layers appropriate for prevailing weather conditions. We sometimes bird in the rain, so bring rain gear if warranted. Transportation during the field trip is by private vehicle (be sure you have enough gas). Most trips involve some amount of walking, sometimes through muddy or sandy terrain. CANCELLATION: NJA/CMBO programs require a minimum number of registrants to run, five days in advance of the start of the tour but are seldom cancelled. If we do cancel, due to lack of participation, severe weather, or unforeseen circumstances, we notify all participants in advance, and all are eligible for a full credit or refund. Participants may cancel without penalty if greater than 30 days in advance. Cancellations 10 to 30 days in advance may be subject to a 25% service charge. No refunds or credits for cancellations less than ten days in advance unless due to health emergencies. REGISTER HERE

Large numbers of waterfowl & raptors, plus wintering songbirds at one of the best birding spots in the state. An afternoon and evening birding at one of the state's best birding spots. The varied habitats of Forsythe NWR assure a good variety of species from ducks to raptors and sparrows. This a good time of year for eagles, hawks, and other birds of prey. Easy birding around an 8-mile wildlife drive. Led by Mike Mandracchia and Hank Burk.  Location: 800 Great Creek Road, Oceanville, Forsythe NWR at the main parking lot on the left-hand side by the bathrooms PRE-REGISTRATION REQUIRED COST: $25 Members, $30 Non-members WEATHER & TRANSPORTATION: Please arrive at the appointed time. Be sure to check the forecast in advance and dress in layers appropriate for prevailing weather conditions. We sometimes bird in the rain, so bring rain gear if warranted. Transportation during the field trip is by private vehicle (be sure you have enough gas). Most trips involve some amount of walking, sometimes through muddy or sandy terrain. CANCELLATION: NJA/CMBO programs require a minimum number of registrants to run, five days in advance of the start of the tour but are seldom cancelled. If we do cancel, due to lack of participation, severe weather, or unforeseen circumstances, we notify all participants in advance, and all are eligible for a full credit or refund. Participants may cancel without penalty if greater than 30 days in advance. Cancellations 10 to 30 days in advance may be subject to a 25% service charge. No refunds or credits for cancellations less than ten days in advance unless due to health emergencies. REGISTER HERE