Explore an iconic urban park. This is the right time to enjoy cherry trees in bloom and to discover early spring migrants in all their glory, including warblers in full song. Branch Brook Park is distinguished by being the first county park to be opened for public use in the United States. It has been placed on both the New Jersey (1980) and National (1981) Registers of Historic Places. Named for a branch brook that flowed through the valley into the Passaic River, the stream that remains, and much of the surrounding landscape, still retain a natural appearance. More than 4,000 cherry trees that blossom during April are greater both in variety and number than the famed Washington, D.C., display—the result of a 1927 gift from Mrs. Felix Fuld family. At its height the Cherry Blossom Festival attracts over 10,000 people a day. Meet at the Cherry Blossom Welcome Center, Park Avenue and Lake Street Newark, NJ 07104 PRE-REGISTRATION REQUIRED COST: $10 members, $15 nonmembers. NEW JERSEY AUDUBON'S PROGRAM GUIDELINES: All NJ counties are considered medium to low COVID-19 community levels.  New Jersey Audubon highly recommends that anyone who is not fully vaccinated, wants additional protection, or comes from a higher community level area 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. REGISTER HERE

Join us for late spring songbird migration with spectacular valley views from First Mountain in Verona. This is a great place to view warblers and other woodland birds. This walk is generally easy mostly on paved walkways. Kip’s Castle is a magnificent 9,000 square foot mansion that replicates a medieval Norman castle. The estate spans eleven acres of land on the ridge of First Mountain, resting in both Montclair and Verona townships, and provides spectacular views of New York City. The exteriors of both the castle and the 6,000 square foot, two story carriage house are constructed of local trap rock trimmed with sandstone. Kip’s Castle, originally known as “Kypsburg,” was constructed over a three-year period from 1902 through 1905 by Frederic Ellsworth Kip and his wife, Charlotte Bishop Williams Kip. Frederic was a wealthy textile inventor and industrialist who also published several books related to United States tariff laws. Charlotte is credited for the design of the “Kypsburg” building and grounds, cultivating a renowned octagonal rose garden in the southwest corner of the property. PRE-REGISTRATION REQUIRED COST: $10 members, $15 nonmembers. NEW JERSEY AUDUBON'S PROGRAM GUIDELINES: All NJ counties are considered medium to low COVID-19 community levels.  New Jersey Audubon highly recommends that anyone who is not fully vaccinated, wants additional protection, or comes from a higher community level area 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. REGISTER HERE

Explore varied habitats for spring migrants like warblers and raptors along with views of late-departing waterfowl. Footing may be wet or muddy. We will carpool to the trailhead. Location: Stop & Shop, 875 Bloomfield Avenue, West Caldwell, NJ 07006 PRE-REGISTRATION REQUIRED COST: $10 members, $15 nonmembers. NEW JERSEY AUDUBON'S PROGRAM GUIDELINES: All NJ counties are considered medium to low COVID-19 community levels.  New Jersey Audubon highly recommends that anyone who is not fully vaccinated, wants additional protection, or comes from a higher community level area 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. REGISTER HERE