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Birding
Birding the Meadows
The Nature Conservancy's South Cape May Meadows 692 Sunset Blvd, Cape May, NJ, United StatesJoin CMBO naturalists for this 2-hour walk around The Nature Conservancy's South Cape May Meadows Preserve property! Expect wading birds, gulls, beach-nesters, and migrating shorebirds. PREREGISTRATION REQUIRED. COST: $8 members, $12 nonmembers. SCHEDULE: Monday 09/09/24 - REGISTER HERE Monday 09/16/24 - REGISTER HERE Monday 09/23/24 - REGISTER HERE Monday 09/30/24 - REGISTER HERE Monday 10/07/24 - REGISTER HERE Monday 10/14/24 - REGISTER HERE Monday 10/21/24 - REGISTER HERE Monday 10/28/24 - REGISTER HERE Monday 11/04/24 - REGISTER HERE 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.
NJA Eco-Travel—Delmarva Van Tour
A four-day van tour to the bird-rich Delmarva Peninsula visiting Bombay Hook and Chincoteague NWRs, Assateague Island National Seashore, Kiptopeke State Park, and more. Tour begins/ends in Plainsboro NJ. For more information on this trip and other Eco Travel opportunities please visit us at Eco Travel | New Jersey Audubon (njaudubon.org)
November Novelties
Cape May Point State Park - Outer Parking Lot Lighthouse Ave, Cape May Point, NJ, United StatesMid-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
Forsythe (Brigantine) NWR
Edwin B Forsythe National Wildlife Refuge Admin Building And Visitor Contact Station 800 Great Creek Road, Galloway, NJ, United StatesFall birding at one of the state's best hotspots. Expect shorebirds, wading birds, marsh birds, and raptors. Migratory shorebirds, returning waterfowl, and lingering wading birds should highlight this visit to one of the state’s best year-round birding locations. Easy birding with minimal walking. Restrooms on site. Bring lunch. 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 IMPORTANT INFORMATION: Wear long pants and a lightweight long-sleeved shirt. Insect repellant is advised. REGISTER HERE
Raritan Bay Waterfront Park
Raritan Bay Waterfront Park 201 John T O'Leary Boulevard, South Amboy, NJ, United StatesFall birding for waterbirds at this productive park. We'll look for waterfowl, loons, grebes, gulls, and raptors along the shores of the bay. Raritan Bay Waterfront Park lies at the western end of Raritan Bay near the mouths of the Raritan River and the Arthur Kill. The bay usually hosts a variety of waterbirds from fall through spring. Species we may see include Common and Red-throated Loons, Horned Grebe, a variety of diving ducks, several species of gulls, and raptors. 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 Patrick Belardo and Jason Denesevich. PRE-REGISTRATION REQUIRED COST: $20 Members, $25 Non-members REGISTER HERE
Back Bay Birding by Boat on the Osprey
Miss Chris Marina - The Osprey 1212 Wilson Dr, Cape May, NJ 08204, NJ, United StatesJoin Captain Bob and the crew of The Osprey for close-up looks at secretive rails, nesting Ospreys, migrant shorebirds, terns, gulls, herons and more. We explore the coastal saltmarsh of Cape May from Cape Island Creek to the Wildwoods and view the natural wonders of historic Cape May Harbor. The Osprey is a 37' pontoon boat that has a comfortable enclosed cabin with large viewing windows, a front deck with a railing, and a restroom on board. Non-motorized wheelchair accessible. More information, detailed directions, and online reservations at www.ospreycruise.com or call the Osprey at 609-898-3500. All trips depart from the Miss Chris Marina in Cape May. Free parking. Family-friendly. Preregistration is suggested. Cost: $38 members, $43 nonmembers, $25 Children (12 and under) REGISTER HERE
NJ Young Birders Club-Avalon Seawatch
Avalon Seawatch Avalon, NJ, United StatesAn afternoon learning about waterbird migration at the east coast's only full-time seawatch. We may view sea ducks, loons, gannets, & gulls. This trip is open only to young birders and parent/guardian. The migration of seabirds along the coast New Jersey coast is spectacular, and an average of almost 800,000 seabirds are counted at the Avalon Seawatch annually. In some years the count approaches one million birds. As remarkable as those numbers are, the bulk of this flight is extremely contracted. In most years about 70 percent of all the migrant seabirds pass in five weeks (from about October 7 to November 14). Varieties can and do show up at any time, and some very unexpected species have chosen to fly by the Avalon Seawatch during the past 19 years. Led by Adehl Schwaderer, Program Coordinator, and Kristal Stahler, George Meyers Naturalist Cape May Bird Observatory. Location: Meets at the Avalon Seawatch, located on the beach in Avalon between 8th and 9th Street. Address: 25 East 9th Street Avalon, NJ PRE-REGISTRATION REQUIRED COST: FREE REGISTER HERE
Seabird ID Mini-Workshop
Avalon Seawatch Avalon, NJ, United StatesThe migration of scoters and other sea ducks, loons, cormorants and gannets can be an overwhelming sight. For example, the CMBO full-time Avalon Seawatch project sighted over one million seabirds here in 2014! Join CMBO interpretive naturalists for this outdoor workshop to witness and learn about this migration spectacle. Meets at the Avalon Seawatch location on the Beach between 8th and 9th St., at the north end of Avalon. NO preregistration required. IMPORTANT INFORMATION: Bring binoculars, scope and tripod, if available Dress in layers for wind, cold, or warm weather COST: FREE Interested in becoming a member? Please click on the following link to learn more or join: Become a Member today!
6hr Mini Pelagic Trip with the Cape May Whale Watch and Research Center
South Jersey Marina 1231 Route 109 South, Cape May, NJ, United StatesNEW 2024! This 6hr Mini Pelagic tour is offered in partnership with the Cape May Whale Watch and Research Center. The cruise will focus on exploring the inshore Pelagic Zone (approx. 3-20 miles) off Cape May, NJ for Pelagic Birds and Marine Mammals. Marine Mammal Naturalists from Cape May Whale Watch and Research Center with our expert Pelagic Bird Naturalists from the Cape May Bird Observatory and will guide you through spotting and photographing the amazing wildlife Cape May has to offer! This trip is an excellent choice for the beginner in pelagic birding to try out a longer cruise, as well as a convenient option for the experienced birder to get out on the ocean! Enjoy the comfort of our heated inside cabin and full galley/bar aboard the American Star. eBird checklists are created by our team of experts and shared after the trip. Prepaid Reservations Only! Due to the special nature of this trip, we are not able to offer the marine mammal guarantee. Possible sightings include: Baleen Whales: Humpback, Fin, Minke, or Right Common Dolphins, Bottlenose Dolphins, Harbor Porpoise Harbor Seals, Grey Seals Inshore Birds: Great Cormorant, Common and Red-throated Loons, scoters and other seaducks, Harlequin Duck (uncommon), Northern Gannet Pelagic Birds: Black-legged Kittiwake, Razorbill, Common Murre, Thick-billed Murre (rare), Dovekie, Iceland Gull Please note, trips are subject to varying weather and sea conditions. Trips will only sail in favorable weather conditions. Captain will make the final decision if the trip is sailing 48hrs prior to the scheduled cruise. Cost: $85 Adults (age 13+) REGISTER HERE
Seabird ID Mini-Workshop
Avalon Seawatch Avalon, NJ, United StatesThe migration of scoters and other sea ducks, loons, cormorants and gannets can be an overwhelming sight. For example, the CMBO full-time Avalon Seawatch project sighted over one million seabirds here in 2014! Join CMBO interpretive naturalists for this outdoor workshop to witness and learn about this migration spectacle. Meets at the Avalon Seawatch location on the Beach between 8th and 9th St., at the north end of Avalon. NO preregistration required. IMPORTANT INFORMATION: Bring binoculars, scope and tripod, if available Dress in layers for wind, cold, or warm weather COST: FREE Interested in becoming a member? Please click on the following link to learn more or join: Become a Member today!