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Birding
Events
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Birding Cape May Point
Cape May Point State Park Hawkwatch Platform Light House Avenue, Cape May Point, NJ, United StatesJoin CMBO naturalists for 2 hours of birding around beautiful Cape May Point! The “shoulder season” in Cape May is a wonderful time for birding and there’s no better place to do it than the Cape May Point State Park. With its diversity of habitat – beach, dunes, ponds, forest, and marsh – it’s the perfect spot for migrating waterfowl, songbirds and shorebirds to stop and refuel as the push of spring migration begins. We’ll travel the trails, check out CMBO’s Northwood Center and other surrounding hotspots on The Point, as we soak up the wonder of this annual phenomenon of Nature. Join us every Saturday for 2 hours of birding at the Cape May Point State Park and let us share with you the wonder of this special time of year. We may walk up to 1.5 miles, over generally level, sometimes muddy or sandy terrain. Some trips involve walks over jetties. PREREGISTRATION REQUIRED. COST: $8 members, $12 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. CANCELLATION: NJ Audubon’s CMBO programs are virtually never cancelled. If we cancel, due to lack of participation, severe weather, or unforeseen circumstances, all participants will be notified as soon as possible and are eligible for a full refund. Participants may cancel without penalty if greater than 48 hours in advance. Sorry, no refund for cancellations less than 48 hours in advance unless due to health emergencies; however, registrations can be transferred to another program in the future. REGISTER HERE
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Youth Birders at Sandy Hook
FeaturedSandy Hook - Lot B Hartshorne Drive, Sandy Hook, NJ, United StatesEarly spring migration at the hook may include waterfowl, raptors, gulls, and sparrows. Trip limited to youth ages 8-17 & parents/guardian. March at Sandy Hook can have numbers of loons, grebes, and migrants if the winds are right. We may also encounter raptors and swallows and will look for returning Piping Plovers. Trip is restricted to youth ages 8-17 who are interested in birds plus parents/guardian. Meet at parking lot B, about halfway down the lot by the restroom building. Led by Scott Barnes and Linda Mack. PRE-REGISTRATION REQUIRED COST: FREE When registering, please use the youth birders name. REGISTER HERE
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Forsythe (Brigantine) NWR
Edwin B Forsythe National Wildlife Refuge Admin Building And Visitor Contact Station 800 Great Creek Road, Galloway, NJ, United StatesLate winter birding at one of the state's best hotspots. Expect good numbers of ducks, geese, and swans, plus eagles and other raptors. This can be an excellent time of year at “Brig,” when eagles and other raptors are in evidence, plus large numbers of geese and ducks. 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. Meeting location: 800 Great Creek Road, Oceanville, Forsythe NWR at main lot by headquarters. 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
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Gulls Simplified
FeaturedNature Center of Cape May 1600 Delaware Avenue, Cape May, NJ, United StatesJoin Kevin Karlson to learn the easy way to separate the four common winter gulls and practice sifting flocks of gulls for something rare. Gulls are an interesting lot; as a group they can be found on every continent around the world, yet there is a tendency for them to be, well, a little ‘samey’! In this workshop, we aim to spend time focusing on the four regular, wintering species in Cape May - Herring, Great Black-backed, Ring-billed and Bonaparte’s; in the process, we will practice “sifting flocks” for rarer gulls. Perhaps we’ll see an Iceland Gull or other unusual species, or perhaps the season’s first Laughing Gull will wend its way northward past us. As well as considering identification, we’ll also help to demystify the fancy terminology surrounding age, plumage and condition of molt, useful considerations when working through a seemingly bewildering group. There will be a1-hr indoor session before the group heads out into the field. We don’t pre-set an itinerary but will explore those parts of Cape May County that regularly hold good numbers of gulls, such as Cape May Point, Cape May Harbor and the Cape May Ferry Terminal area. Final location decisions will be made by the leader, based on local knowledge and conditions at the time. 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: $50 members, $65 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
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NJ Audubon: Wingspan Board Game Tutorial and Bonus Bird Walk
New Jersey Audubon's Scherman Hoffman Wildlife Sanctuary 11 Hardscrabble Road, Bernardsville, NJ, United StatesJoin our second Wingspan tutorial game day! Join us if you're new to the game, or if you attended the first session and you'd like a review of the game. 1:00 to 2:30 - Wingspan is a popular, fun, nature-oriented board game chock full of bird facts and beautiful bird illustrations. Our tutorial session will be focused on a review of game objectives, set-up, player actions, and goals. No experience necessary. Recommended for adults due to the required reading ability, strategizing, and understanding of rules.2:30 to 3:00 - Bonus Birding Walk: After our session, join us for a half hour walk around the Scherman Hoffman Wildlife Sanctuary grounds in search of bird species featured in the game. Loaner binoculars will be available. Registration required at Eventbrite by 4:00 PM 03/20/26. COST: Free for members, $10 nonmembers. Interested in becoming a member? Please click on the following link to learn more or join: Become a Member today! CANCELLATION: NJ Audubon’s programs require a minimum number of registrants to run. If we cancel, due to lack of participation, severe weather, or unforeseen circumstances, all participants will be notified as soon as possible and are eligible for a full refund. Participants may cancel without penalty if greater than 48 hours in advance. Sorry, no refund for cancellations less than 48 hours in advance unless due to health emergencies; however, registrations can be transferred to another program in the future. REGISTER HERE
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NJ Audubon Learning the Birds by Song Series
New Jersey Audubon's Scherman Hoffman Wildlife Sanctuary 11 Hardscrabble Road, Bernardsville, NJ, United StatesLed by Randy Little, Associate Naturalist For beginners and those with some experience, this birding-by-ear series will improve your bird identification skills. More often than not, birds are heard before they are seen (if seen at all!) Learning their songs will add another dimension to your birdwatching. Randy Little is a former NJA board member and long-time NJA volunteer. Randy learned birding as a youngster under the wings of the Cornell Laboratory of Ornithology’s founders and is a master at recording bird songs for the Cornell Lab. This series will begin Sunday March 15 and continue Sunday afternoons until April 26; there will be no class April 5. March 15 & 22 classes will cover the winter resident birds, March 29 & April 12 classes will cover the early migrant birds, and April 19 & 26 classes will cover the summer resident birds. Registration and fee are per class. You must pre-register for each class you wish to attend. Ticket sale for each class ends at 4:00 PM on the day before each class. COST PER CLASS: $15 members, $22 nonmembers. Interested in becoming a member? Please click on the following link to learn more or join: Become a Member today! IMPORTANT INFORMATION: This class will be held in-person at Scherman Hoffman Wildlife Sanctuary. CANCELLATION: NJ Audubon’s programs require a minimum number of registrants to run. If we cancel, due to lack of participation, severe weather, or unforeseen circumstances, all participants will be notified as soon as possible and are eligible for a full refund. Participants may cancel without penalty if greater than 48 hours in advance. Sorry, no refund for cancellations less than 48 hours in advance unless due to health emergencies; however, registrations can be transferred to another program in the future. REGISTER HERE
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NJ Audubon World Series of Birding Youth Development Team
FeaturedNew Jersey Audubon's Scherman Hoffman Wildlife Sanctuary 11 Hardscrabble Road, Bernardsville, NJ, United StatesJoin Scherman Hoffman Wildlife Sanctuary's Youth World Series of Birding Development Team. Learn bird id and participate in NJ Audubon WSB. Led by Angus Macaulay, Teacher Naturalist Sundays March 22, April 12, and May 3, World Series of Birding event Saturday, May 9 Attention young birders! Do you want to be a part of the largest and most prestigious birding competition in the country? Here is the perfect opportunity. Scherman Hoffman Wildlife Sanctuary will be host to the World Series of Birding Youth Development Team. Join Mr. Angus for a mix of birding, teamwork, and fun. The team will meet for three practice sessions on March 22, April 12, and May 3, and a full day of birding on competition day (May 9). Registration is limited to six participants ages 10 to 16. Don’t miss out! COST: $100 for members, $120 for nonmembers. Interested in becoming a member? Please click on the following link to learn more or join: Become a Member today! CANCELLATION: NJ Audubon’s programs require a minimum number of registrants to run. If we cancel, due to lack of participation, severe weather, or unforeseen circumstances, all participants will be notified as soon as possible and are eligible for a full refund. Participants may cancel without penalty if greater than 48 hours in advance. Sorry, no refund for cancellations less than 48 hours in advance unless due to health emergencies; however, registrations can be transferred to another program in the future. REGISTER HERE
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Raritan Bay Waterfront Park
Raritan Bay Waterfront Park 201 John T O'Leary Boulevard, South Amboy, NJ, United StatesEarly spring birding for loons, grebes, gulls, & migrants. If winds are right, we could have a modest hawk flight. Raritan Bay Waterfront Park has long been known as a concentration point for Bonaparte's Gulls in spring. If we're lucky a Little Gull or Black-headed Gull could be among them. The bay usually hosts a variety of waterbirds in early spring and some landbird migrants could be around. Once you enter the park, go north and park at the end of the lot close to the bay. Be prepared for easy walking for 3 hours. Restrooms on site. Led by Scott Barnes and Hank Burk. PRE-REGISTRATION REQUIRED COST: $25 Members, $30 Non-members 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
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Birding Cape May Point
Cape May Point State Park Hawkwatch Platform Light House Avenue, Cape May Point, NJ, United StatesJoin CMBO naturalists for 2 hours of birding around beautiful Cape May Point! The “shoulder season” in Cape May is a wonderful time for birding and there’s no better place to do it than the Cape May Point State Park. With its diversity of habitat – beach, dunes, ponds, forest, and marsh – it’s the perfect spot for migrating waterfowl, songbirds and shorebirds to stop and refuel as the push of spring migration begins. We’ll travel the trails, check out CMBO’s Northwood Center and other surrounding hotspots on The Point, as we soak up the wonder of this annual phenomenon of Nature. Join us every Saturday for 2 hours of birding at the Cape May Point State Park and let us share with you the wonder of this special time of year. We may walk up to 1.5 miles, over generally level, sometimes muddy or sandy terrain. Some trips involve walks over jetties. PREREGISTRATION REQUIRED. COST: $8 members, $12 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. CANCELLATION: NJ Audubon’s CMBO programs are virtually never cancelled. If we cancel, due to lack of participation, severe weather, or unforeseen circumstances, all participants will be notified as soon as possible and are eligible for a full refund. Participants may cancel without penalty if greater than 48 hours in advance. Sorry, no refund for cancellations less than 48 hours in advance unless due to health emergencies; however, registrations can be transferred to another program in the future. REGISTER HERE
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Sandy Hook
Sandy Hook - Lot B Hartshorne Drive, Sandy Hook, NJ, United StatesEarly spring migration at “the hook.” If the winds are right, we could have a good flight of hawks, swallows, and other migrants. 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. Meet at parking lot B by the bathrooms. Led by Linda Mack, Carole Hughes, Jonathan Klizas, and Chris Daly. 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