Mid-November is one of the best times to look for vagrants. Join Kathy & Roger Horn, Karen Thompson and CMBO naturalists in rounding up these rarities! Cape May is well known for the sheer number of birds that migrate through each fall, but did you know it’s also a great place for unexpected species to be spotted? Mid-November is one of the best times to look for vagrants: landbird migration is still ongoing, and rarities often show up and stick around for days or even weeks. We might seek “stake-out” birds (birds previously found and staying in the same area) and search local hotspots to try to track down our own out of place birds! Late fall has featured many irruptive landbirds and we’ll seek these out as they remain available. Join us on this Special Field Trip as we try to round up as many unexpected birds as possible around the tip of the Cape May peninsula. Because of the inherent dynamic nature of birding, we do not pre-set an exact itinerary but will visit those parts of Cape May County that regularly hold good numbers of seabirds during November. Final location decisions will be made by the leader based on local knowledge and conditions at the time. PREREGISTRATION REQUIRED COST: $20 members, $25 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 in Cape May 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  

Join Chris Marks and CMBO Naturalists, as we explore some of the iconic barrier islands in Cape May County! These long and narrow land strips are teeming with a variety of birds. For this trip, we’ll spend the majority of our time on Seven Mile Island, home to the boroughs of Stone Harbor and Avalon as well as amazing ocean views, dunes, and marshes. As we walk the beach at Stone Harbor Point, we’ll look for wintering shorebirds, gulls, and sparrows. The Avalon jetty is a great spot to try for winter goodies such as Great Cormorant and Purple Sandpiper as well as migrating scoters, loons, and other waterfowl. We may also try for salty sparrows such as Nelson’s and Saltmarsh Sparrow on Nummy Island. 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 will walk up to 2 miles on sand and boardwalk. PREREGISTRATION REQUIRED COST: $20 members, $25 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 in Cape May 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

Join Mary Watkins and CMBO Naturalists to explore Edwin B. Forsythe NWR where ducks will be massing, and raptors will be hunting! November is a great month to visit coastal South Jersey. Ducks and geese will be gathering on the back bays and saltmarshes and it’s a great time of year to be looking for the raptors that this mass of birds attracts. Conversational flocks of Brant and Snow Geese and busy parties of Northern Pintail, Northern Shoveler, American Wigeon, Buffleheads and much more will vie for our attention as we hope for views of hunting Northern Harriers, Peregrines, Bald Eagles - maybe even a Golden Eagle. We will spend part of our time at Edwin B. Forsythe National Wildlife Refuge, Brigantine Division, where the managed impoundments provide ideal wintering habitat for wetland birds. After birding the refuge, we will head to nearby Mott’s Creek, a regular - though not guaranteed - site for wintering Short-eared Owls and Rough-legged Hawks. Entrance to the NWR is contingent upon purchase of a $4 Refuge Pass, or possession of a Golden Age Pass or Federal Duck Stamp is required for each vehicle. You may purchase a day pass at the site 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 COST: $20 members, $25 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 in Cape May 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