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Birding
Forsythe (Brigantine) NWR
Edwin B Forsythe National Wildlife Refuge 800 Great Creek Road, Galloway, NJ, United StatesFall birding at one of the state's best hotspots. Expect good numbers of ducks, geese, and swan, 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. Led by Scott Barnes and Carole Hughes. Location: 800 Great Creek Road, Oceanville, Forsythe NWR at main lot by headquarters. PRE-REGISTRATION REQUIRED COST: $20 Members, $25 Non-members REGISTER HERE
Brigantine and Mott’s Creek
Edwin B Forsythe National Wildlife Refuge 800 Great Creek Road, Galloway, NJ, United StatesJoin 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, $26 nonmembers. Interested in becoming a member? Please click on the following link to learn more or join: Become a Member today! NEW JERSEY AUDUBON’S PROGRAM GUIDELINES: New Jersey counties are varied in their COVID-19 community transmission rates. New Jersey Audubon highly recommends that anyone who is not fully vaccinated or who wants additional protection should consider wearing a mask and social distancing, especially indoors. Please do not come to a program if you are sick, have a sick family member or have reason to believe you may have been exposed to the COVID-19 virus. 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 […]
Birding Cape May Point
Cape May Point State Park Hawkwatch Platform NJ, United StatesJoin CMBO naturalists for 2 hours of birding around beautiful Cape May Point! Crossbills, siskins, redpolls – oh, my! Winter can be such a special time to bird Cape May Point. Each week we’ll scour the Park or wander the streets to see what avian visitors are calling Cape May Point their winter home. The winter finch prediction sounds promising, the ponds are full of ducks, and loons and scoters are on the move. Our path may take us through the quiet streets of Cape May Point, visiting local feeders. Or maybe we’ll travel along the dunes to check the morning flight line. Lily Lake and the Northwood Center often hold wintering songbirds and, of course, the State Park is always good. So let us add some joy to your winter – join us every Saturday for 2 hours of birding around Cape May Point. 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. TRANSPORTATION: We may walk up to 1.5 miles, over generally level, sometimes muddy or sandy terrain. Some trips involve walks over jetties. 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
Barnegat Lighthouse State Park
Barnegat Lighthouse State Park Broadway, Barnegat Light, NJ, United StatesHarlequins & 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 & Linda Mack. LOCATION: Meet in the main parking lot of Barnegat Lighthouse State Park. PRE-REGISTRATION REQUIRED COST: $20 Members, $25 Non-members REGISTER HERE
Birding Cape May Point
Cape May Point State Park Hawkwatch Platform NJ, United StatesJoin CMBO naturalists for 2 hours of birding around beautiful Cape May Point! Crossbills, siskins, redpolls – oh, my! Winter can be such a special time to bird Cape May Point. Each week we’ll scour the Park or wander the streets to see what avian visitors are calling Cape May Point their winter home. The winter finch prediction sounds promising, the ponds are full of ducks, and loons and scoters are on the move. Our path may take us through the quiet streets of Cape May Point, visiting local feeders. Or maybe we’ll travel along the dunes to check the morning flight line. Lily Lake and the Northwood Center often hold wintering songbirds and, of course, the State Park is always good. So let us add some joy to your winter – join us every Saturday for 2 hours of birding around Cape May Point. 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. TRANSPORTATION: We may walk up to 1.5 miles, over generally level, sometimes muddy or sandy terrain. Some trips involve walks over jetties. 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
Harlequin Romance
Barnegat Lighthouse State Park Broadway, Barnegat Light, NJ, United StatesJoin CMBO staff and naturalists on this 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. This trip involves walking over jetties. 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. Some trips involve walks over jetties. PREREGISTRATION REQUIRED COST: $28 members, $35 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. ACCOMMODATIONS: For those of you traveling from further afield and looking for somewhere to stay, please take a look at our list of Business Supporters of the Cape May Bird Observatory below: Carroll Villa Hotel-Mad Batter Restaurant – Carroll Villa Hotel-Mad Batter Restaurant West Cape Motel – West Cape Motel Coastline Realty – Coastline Realty Periwinkle Inn - Periwinkle Inn The Jetty Motel Mt. Vernon Motel The Views at Cove Beach Avondale by the Sea Capri Motor Inn Cape May is a popular place, so we suggest making reservations as early as possible. Accommodations are the responsibility of participants and are not included in the price. 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
Island Beach State Park
NJ, United StatesThis beautiful park can be great for a wide variety of migrant birds from shorebirds to waders, falcons, thrushes & warblers. One of the This beautiful park can be great for early winter waterfowl, seabirds, and birds of prey. We'll also look for Snow Buntings and Horned Larks. Our focus will be on waterbirds at this beautiful and productive park. We’ll search for a variety of scoters, maybe some eiders, other ducks, loons, grebes, and gulls from various spots overlooking the ocean and Barnegat Bay. Raptors, sparrows, and perhaps some Snow Buntings or even a Lapland Longspur may be present along the beaches. There is a $5 entry fee for NJ residents who do not have a state park pass. Persons 65 years of age or older get free entry. 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: $20 Members, $25 Non-members REGISTER HERE
Birding Cape May Point
Cape May Point State Park Hawkwatch Platform NJ, United StatesJoin CMBO naturalists for 2 hours of birding around beautiful Cape May Point! Crossbills, siskins, redpolls – oh, my! Winter can be such a special time to bird Cape May Point. Each week we’ll scour the Park or wander the streets to see what avian visitors are calling Cape May Point their winter home. The winter finch prediction sounds promising, the ponds are full of ducks, and loons and scoters are on the move. Our path may take us through the quiet streets of Cape May Point, visiting local feeders. Or maybe we’ll travel along the dunes to check the morning flight line. Lily Lake and the Northwood Center often hold wintering songbirds and, of course, the State Park is always good. So let us add some joy to your winter – join us every Saturday for 2 hours of birding around Cape May Point. 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. TRANSPORTATION: We may walk up to 1.5 miles, over generally level, sometimes muddy or sandy terrain. Some trips involve walks over jetties. 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
NJ Audubon: The Peregrine Project
New Jersey Audubon's Scherman Hoffman Wildlife Sanctuary 11 Hardscrabble Road, Bernardsville, NJ, United StatesPresented by Wayne Quinto Greenstone, Photographer Wayne Quinto Greenstone will present The Peregrine Project, a documentation of the return of the Peregrine Falcon. For the past year, Mr. Greenstone has been documenting the Peregrine Falcons that have returned to their historic nesting sites along the Palisades Cliffs, some 500 feet above the Hudson River. This classic tale of human sin and redemption as told by the Peregrine Falcons of the Palisades holds the promise of hope and belief that we can address our current existential threats with the same focus and resolve that returned the Peregrine Falcon from the brink. The Peregrine Falcon is the fastest animal on Earth, capable of reaching speeds over 200 miles per hour when diving upon prey. Yet this master of the skies fell victim to the pesticide DDT, and by the early 1960’s there were no known nesting pairs east of the Mississippi River. As the result of extraordinary human efforts to ban this dreaded poison and raise falcons in captivity for release into the wild, these formidable birds have made an incredible comeback over the past two decades. This is an in-person program. Registration at Eventbrite required by 12/16 at 4:00 PM. COST: FREE 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
Kick Off Your Year List-Sandy Hook
Sandy Hook - Lot B Hartshorne Drive, Sandy Hook, NJ, United StatesStart 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: $20 Members, $25 Non-members REGISTER HERE