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Woodcock Dance
NJ, United StatesJoin Migration Count Coordinator Tom Reed and CMBO Naturalists to observe the yearly dance or nuptial flight of the male American Woodcock! There’s something about the peculiar, crepuscular ‘peeent’ of a woodcock that captures the imagination. It’s such a distinctive sound of spring, yet many people hear it and never find out what it is! This program begins with an indoor session that looks at the life of the American Woodcock, followed by a trip out to a reliable viewing location for this enigmatic bird. -We do not set a firm daily schedule in advance, leaving us flexible to maximize birding opportunities, taking advantage of weather conditions and recent bird sightings. We may walk up to 1.5 miles on sand and boardwalk. Transportation is by private vehicle. PREREGISTRATION REQUIRED COST: $15 members, $20 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
Program Facilitator Training NJ Audubon Scherman Hoffman Wildlife Sanctuary
New Jersey Audubon's Scherman Hoffman Wildlife Sanctuary 11 Hardscrabble Road, Bernardsville, NJ, United StatesWe are offering the opportunity to join Scherman Hoffman's environmental education team as Program Facilitator. Our training program meets Tuesday mornings, 9:30 am to 12:30 pm, from March 14 to May 9. (No class April 11.) Do you enjoy the outdoors? Would you like to be involved in environmental education? We are offering the opportunity to support Scherman Hoffman's environmental education team. As a Program Facilitator, you would teach environmental education programs in an outdoor setting to school and scout groups, afterschool programs, children's birthday parties, summer camp, and outreach programs for adults and children. Share your enthusiasm and knowledge of the natural world with others and have the reward of watching children learn about and connect with the natural world all around them. Once you satisfactorily complete the program, you will join the Scherman Hoffman team of paid Program Facilitators to teach weekday, weekend, and evening programs, and summer camp. As part of your training, you will be required to volunteer as a camp assistant for one week of 2023 summer nature camp prior to teaching camp. Registration required at Eventbrite by 9:00 AM on March 10. One person per ticket. 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
Creative Hands Club: Whimsical Felt Jellyfish
Nature Center of Cape May 1600 Delaware Avenue, Cape May, NJ, United StatesCreate a one of a kind, wet felt jellyfish using sheep’s wool roving, specialized felting needles and soap and hot water. Add fun, colorful yarn for tentacles. Led by local artist, Paige Cunningham. Pre-registration is required. COST: $30 Members, $38 Non-member. CANCELLATION POLICY: 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
Harborside Chats
Nature Center of Cape May 1600 Delaware Avenue, Cape May, NJ, United StatesHarborside chats are back! Join the center staff as they host a wide variety of special guests who are experts in their fields. From local lore and scientific studies to marine trades and more. A tentative schedule of speakers is provided below, but feel free to call the center at 609-427-3045 or check out our Facebook page for updates: NJ Audubon’s Nature Center of Cape May. Programs are free but donations are welcome. Lite refreshments will be provided. Preregistration required. February 2nd Tom Reed, Migration Count Coordinator, NJ Audubon's Cape May Bird Observatory "Cape May, Migration Crossroads" February 9th Lisa Calvo, Sweet Amalia Oyster Farm "New Jersey's Oyster Revival" February 16th Katie Morgan and Steve Rodas, NOAA "An Update on the Abandoned Boat Issue in New Jersey" February 23rd Melissa Laurino, Cape May Whale Watch & Research Center "A Season Review and Looking Ahead in 2023" March 2nd Emily Reed, Program Director, NJ Audubon's Nature Center of Cape May "Mindfulness in Yoga and Nature" March 9th Captain Warren Judge, United States Coast Guard "Coast Guard Training Center Cape May" March 16th Jake Cuomo, Revolution Rail "Peddling through Nature" March 23rd Ralph Boerner, Retired College Professor/NJA Associate Naturalist "Dynamics of Barrier Beaches" WHERE: At the Nature Center of Cape May, 1600 Delaware Avenue, Cape May, NJ. COST: FREE Interested in becoming a member? Please click on the following link to learn more or join: Become a Member Today! CANCELLATION POLICY: 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
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-song 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 Thursday March 2 and continue every Thursday evening until April 6. March 2 & 9 classes will cover the winter resident birds, March 16 & 23 classes will cover the early migrant birds, and March 30 & April 6 classes will cover the summer resident birds. After the end of the series participants may join Randy for a free, outdoor, “practical hands-on” Learning the Birds by Song walk at the Sanctuary. COST PER CLASS: $10 members, $15 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. Registration and fee are per class. You must pre-register for each class you wish to attend. One person per ticket. Ticket sales ends at 4:00 PM on the day before each class. 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
Spring Dance of the Woodcock at Negri Nepote Native Grassland
NJ, United StatesLed by Chris and Paula Williams, NJ Audubon Associate Naturalists. The American Woodcock, a long-billed woodland bird, probes in soft wet soil of wetlands and eats its weight in worms each day. Woodcock return to Franklin Township in late winter or early spring to mate and nest. Males of the species begin calling and performing an aerial courtship-display-flight when the afternoon shadows are almost gone. We’ll hear more than we see. Franklin Township’s open space program will, for the 18th consecutive year, sponsor guided nature walks on Township open space parcels. Please register with Franklin Township at [email protected] or call 732.873.2500 x6279. Cost: Free. Location: 260 Skillman Lane, Somerset, NJ Registration: [email protected] or 732.873.2500 x6279
Birding for Beginners
Lorrimer Sanctuary 790 Ewing Avenue, Franklin Lakes, NJ, United StatesJoin NJA Naturalists as we explore Lorrimer Sanctuary looking for winter and early spring birds! This program is designed for beginning birders! Have you ever wondered about the birds you see in your backyard? Learn basic bird ID during this beginner friendly bird walk. Learn about the species that wander through your own backyard and how to tell different birds apart. Enjoy the late winter/early spring sights and sounds as we wander the trails at Lorrimer birding! Dress appropriately for the weather! We will be outdoors the entire time. COST: $8 members / $10 nonmembers IMPORTANT INFORMATION: Dress for the weather. This program is entirely outdoors. 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
Morning Walk at Scherman Hoffman Wildlife Sanctuary
New Jersey Audubon's Scherman Hoffman Wildlife Sanctuary 11 Hardscrabble Road, Bernardsville, NJ, United StatesEnjoy a quiet morning at the Sanctuary walking the trails with an NJ Audubon staff or Associate Naturalist. Enjoy a quiet morning here at the Sanctuary walking the trails with an NJ Audubon staff or Associate Naturalist. These walks are informal and informative: birds, trees, tracks, wildflowers, reptiles, and amphibians are a few of nature’s wonders waiting for us to discover. The walks are cancelled if there is snow, rain, or weather warnings. Registration required by 4:00 PM the day before the walk. You must pre-register, walk-ins will not be allowed to participate. One person per ticket. COST: Free for members, $5 nonmembers. Interested in becoming a member? Please click on the following link to learn more or join: Become a Member today! IMPORTANT INFORMATION: Please bring binoculars if you have them. 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
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! 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. 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. We reserve the right to substitute leaders, if necessary, though this rarely happens. REGISTER HERE
Forsythe (Brigantine) NWR
Edwin B Forsythe National Wildlife Refuge 800 Great Creek Road, Galloway, NJ, United StatesWinter 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. Led by Mike Mandracchia and Hank Burk. Meeting location: 800 Great Creek Rd, Galloway NJ 08205. Forsythe NWR at main lot by headquarters, near the bathrooms. PRE-REGISTRATION REQUIRED COST: $20 Members, $25 Non-members REGISTER HERE