All Things Birds

Name: ECO-TRAVEL – Minnesota in Winter 2027
Start: 2027-01-28T07:00:00+00:00
End: 2027-02-02T19:00:00+00:00

November 2026
Island Beach State Park

November 21 @ 8:45 am - 1:30 pm

One of the gems of the state park system, Island Beach has miles of beach, tidal wetlands, maritime forest and thickets that can host a good diversity of birds, especially if the winds are right. November sees peak numbers of migratory waterfowl, loons, gannets, and other seabirds and is a good time of year for rarities. There is a $5 entry fee for NJ residents who do not have a state park pass or are 65 years of age or older. Be prepared for several hours of walking on flat terrain, sometimes sandy. Bring lunch. Led by Scott Barnes and Linda Mack. A NOTE ON MEETING LOCATION! We'll meet just outside of the park entrance, in the median parking lot at the end of Rt. 35. PRE-REGISTRATION REQUIRED COST: $25 Members, $30 Non-members REGISTER HERE
Sandy Hook Birding

November 28 @ 8:45 am - 2:00 pm

Sandy Hook - Lot B Hartshorne Drive, Sandy Hook, NJ, United States

November can be excellent for migratory waterbirds, raptors, and late fall songbirds at this coastal hotspot. Arriving waterfowl and lingering land birds at one of the state’s best hotspots. We’ll scan the ocean and bay for migrating seafowl and work the hook’s thickets and woods for sparrows and other songbirds.Bring lunch and be prepared for walking over flat and sandy terrain. Led by Scott Barnes and associate naturalists. Location: Meet at Parking Lot B, about halfway down the lot by the bathrooms PRE-REGISTRATION REQUIRED COST: $25 Members, $30 Non-members REGISTER HERE
December 2026
Harlequins, Eiders, and More!

Featured December 12 @ 10:00 am - 4:00 pm

Barnegat Lighthouse State Park Broadway, Barnegat Light, NJ, United States

Join Scott Barnes, Adehl Schwaderer, All Things Birds and CMBO naturalists on this joint trip to Barnegat Light State Park! Harlequin Ducks and Purple Sandpipers are guaranteed and over time this trip has yielded Black-legged Kittiwakes, Northern Gannets, all three scoters, both eiders, both white-winged gulls, Razorbills and more. All the latter are only possibilities, and who knows what might turn up this year? We will be walking most of the day. We will take a walk on the long stone jetty near the inlet or along a sandy beach. Our route will depend on the weather on the day of the trip. Time and weather permitting, we may look for Short-eared Owls and other birds at nearby marshes later in the day. We do not set a firm daily schedule in advance, leaving us flexible to maximize birding opportunities, taking advantage of weather conditions, tides, and recent bird sightings. We may walk up to 1.5 miles, over generally level, sometimes muddy or sandy terrain. PREREGISTRATION REQUIRED - Ticket sales end 24hrs before start of program COST: $35 members, $40 nonmembers. Interested in becoming a member? Please click on the following link to learn more or join: Become a Member today! IMPORTANT INFORMATION: We bird in all weather. Be sure to check the forecast in advance and dress in layers appropriate for prevailing weather conditions. The weather can differ considerably from nearby inland areas and may be warmer, colder, or windier so it’s best to be over prepared. We may have to bird in the rain, so please bring your rain gear. TRANSPORTATION: Please arrive at the appointed time with a full tank of gas, as transportation to field sites is by private vehicles. We may walk up to 1.5 miles, over generally level, sometimes muddy or sandy terrain. Some trips involve walks over jetties. CANCELLATION: 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
January 2027
ECO-TRAVEL – Minnesota in Winter 2027

Featured January 28, 2027 @ 7:00 am - February 2, 2027 @ 7:00 pm

Led by Scott Barnes and Sean McLaughlin This tour focuses on owls, boreal birds, and winter finches with four full days of birding and is based from a lakefront hotel in Duluth. While nowhere near the top of the average traveler’s list of winter destinations, Northeast Minnesota offers a remarkable amount of excitement for any birder at this season. The lively port cities of Duluth and Superior, Lake Superior’s picturesque North Shore, the famous Sax-Zim Bog, and the vast Superior National Forest all come together to present a unique blend of wildlife and general experiences that are not to be missed! Given the cyclical and irruptive nature of many of the birds we seek in these northern environs, the “list of possibilities” will be slightly different winter-to-winter and sometimes even month-to-month. Species we hope to find on this short tour include Great Gray, Snowy, and Northern Hawk owls, Spruce, Sharp-tailed, and Ruffed grouse, Canada Jay, Black-backed Woodpecker, Common Redpoll, Pine and Evening Grosbeaks, Boreal Chickadee, Northern Shrike, Black-billed Magpie, and Red or White-winged Crossbills. Rarer species that occasionally appear here include American Three-toed Woodpecker, Boreal Owl, Townsend’s Solitaire, Harlequin Duck, and Gyrfalcon. Mammals can also be a highlight, with possibilities including Porcupine, Snowshoe Hare, Pine Marten, Ermine, and if we’re very lucky – Moose, Gray Wolf, or Canada Lynx. GROUP SIZE: Travel during this tour will be in a passenger van with no more than 7 participants plus the leader. A second vehicle may take up to 5 participants and leader. ACTIVITY LEVEL: Easy to Moderate We will typically leave our hotel around 6-6:30 am, depending on how far we intend to travel to reach our first stop of the day. Sunrise is around 7:30am with sunset around 5:30pm here during late January, meaning days in the field will never be extremely long. Temperatures generally range from 0-30ºF but can potentially be a bit lower or higher than this at times; effects from windchill can be a concern in more open areas. Being prepared for the cold is key! Snow and sleet are the most likely precipitation types to be encountered. There will be extended time spent in the tour vehicles, with a couple of longer (~2 hour) drives possible. MEETING LOCATION: The tour begins and ends at our hotel in the Canal Park section of Duluth, Minnesota. TOUR PRICE: $3,295 based on double occupancy. Single supplement $300. Tour price includes transportation in Minnesota, 5 nights lodging, all entrance fees, and leadership. It does not include meals. A deposit of $500 will hold your space until November 30, 2026 when full payment is due. PROVISIONAL ITINERARY: Day 1: Arrival to Duluth during afternoon. Arrangements for transportation to hotel, or participants with own transportation can go birding in the immediate Duluth area. Group meets at hotel at 6:00pm for introductions and then dinner. Days 2-5: Our daily schedule will be flexible on account of weather and road conditions, and the latest information on bird sightings. We plan to dedicate at least one full day to exploring Sax-Zim Bog and nearby environs, where many of the trip’s target species can be found. […]