Spring birding at one of the state's best hotspots. Expect good numbers of ducks, long-legged wading birds, plus shorebirds and songbirds. Mid-April brings many herons, egrets, and shorebirds to the refuge, as well as returning breeding species. We may also find sparrows and other songbirds along the dikes and keep our eyes out for secretive marsh birds like American Bittern and rails. Bring lunch and weather appropriate clothing. Led by Mike Mandracchia and Hank Burk. Meeting location: 800 Great Creek Rd, Galloway NJ 08205. Forsythe NWR at main lot by headquarters, near the bathrooms. PRE-REGISTRATION REQUIRED COST: $20 Members, $25 Non-members REGISTER HERE

Spring songbird migrants at two productive urban oases. Good days can produce a dozen or more species of warblers, plus thrushes & vireos. These Middlesex County hotspots provide green oases for migratory species. Warren Park (at the border of Woodbridge & Perth Amboy) has an excellent hardwood forest—complete with understory that is excellent for thrushes, vireos, and warblers; we’ll also visit the Oros Wildlife Preserve where pin oaks, brushy fields, and a large pond/wetland will complement the day’s bird list. Oros Preserve is sometimes muddy, so hiking shoes or other footwear you don’t mind getting a little dirty are best. A spotting scope is not necessary for this trip. Led by Scott Barnes and Patrick Belardo. A NOTE ON MEETING LOCATION! Some navigational devices may take you to a condo complex adjacent to the park. Take a moment to make sure you go to the right location. Once you enter the park, you will come to a T intersection. Turn left and follow this road clockwise until it ends in a wooded parking lot north of what the park map calls "The Open Grove." PRE-REGISTRATION REQUIRED COST: $20 Members, $25 Non-members REGISTER HERE

Spring migration at the hook; we may see a wide range of species from wading birds to raptors to songbirds at this regional hotspot. The wide variety of habitats here ensures a good diversity of bird species from herons and egrets to shorebirds, hawks, and songbirds. Be prepared for a fair amount of walking over flat and sometimes sandy terrain.  Led by Scott Barnes and Linda Mack. Location: Meet at Parking Lot B, about halfway down the lot by the restrooms. PRE-REGISTRATION REQUIRED COST: $20 Members, $25 Non-members REGISTER HERE

Spring migration at “the hook.” If the winds are right, we could have a good flight of hawks, and swallows, and songbirds. The wide variety of habitats here ensures a good diversity of bird species from herons and egrets to shorebirds, hawks, and songbirds. Be prepared for a fair amount of walking over flat and sometimes sandy terrain. Bring lunch. Led by Linda Mack, Carole Hughes, and Chris Daly. Location: Meet at Parking Lot B, about halfway down the lot by the restrooms. PRE-REGISTRATION REQUIRED COST: $20 Members, $25 Non-members REGISTER HERE

Spring songbird migrants at two productive urban oases. Good days can produce a dozen or more species of warblers, plus thrushes & vireos. These Middlesex County hotspots provide green oases for migratory species. Warren Park (at the border of Woodbridge & Perth Amboy) has an excellent hardwood forest—complete with understory that is excellent for thrushes, vireos, and warblers; we’ll also visit the Oros Wildlife Preserve where pin oaks, brushy fields, and a large pond/wetland will complement the day’s bird list. Oros Preserve is sometimes muddy, so hiking shoes or other footwear you don’t mind getting a little dirty are best. A spotting scope is not necessary for this trip. Led by Scott Barnes and Patrick Belardo. A NOTE ON MEETING LOCATION! Some navigational devices may take you to a condo complex adjacent to the park. Take a moment to make sure you go to the right location. Once you enter the park, you will come to a T intersection. Turn left and follow this road clockwise until it ends in a wooded parking lot north of what the park map calls "The Open Grove." PRE-REGISTRATION REQUIRED COST: $20 Members, $25 Non-members REGISTER HERE

Spring migration at the hook; we may see a wide range of species from wading birds to raptors to songbirds at this regional hotspot. Spring birding at the hook for migrants. The wide variety of habitats here ensures a good diversity of bird species from herons and egrets to shorebirds, hawks, and songbirds. Be prepared for a fair amount of walking over flat and sometimes sandy terrain. Led by Scott Barnes and Linda Mack. Location: Meet at Parking Lot B, about halfway down the lot by the restrooms. PRE-REGISTRATION REQUIRED COST: $20 Members, $25 Non-members REGISTER HERE