December brings building flocks of wintering waterfowl and other species at this coastal hotspot. Good time for building flocks of waterbirds including sea ducks and loons, plus gannets and gulls. We’ll work the beaches for a flock or two of Snow Buntings and Horned Larks, with a chance for Lapland Longspur or another rarity. Be prepared for a fair amount of walking over flat and sandy terrain. Bring lunch. Led by Scott Barnes and Linda Mack. 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

Start the year off with some coastal birding at Sandy Hook looking for waterfowl, loons, grebes, and gulls. 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. 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. Location: Meet at Parking Lot B, about halfway down the lot by the restrooms. PRE-REGISTRATION REQUIRED COST: $25 Members, $30 Non-members REGISTER HERE

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 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. Bring binoculars, spotting scope if you have one, warm clothing, and lunch. Meet at the Lake Assunpink Boat Launch just north of the intersection of Imlaystown Rd and Clarksburg-Robbinsville Rd. NOTE: there are no restrooms at Assunpink, so plan accordingly. Sometimes there is one port-a-john available. Led by Scott Barnes and Linda Mack. PRE-REGISTRATION REQUIRED COST: $25 Members, $30 Non-members 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, 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. Bring binoculars, spotting scope if you have one, lunch, and dress warmly! Led by Scott Barnes & Carole Hughes. LOCATION: Meet in the main parking lot of Barnegat Lighthouse State Park. PRE-REGISTRATION REQUIRED COST: $25 Members, $30 Non-members REGISTER HERE

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 main lot by headquarters. PRE-REGISTRATION REQUIRED COST: $25 Members, $30 Non-members REGISTER HERE