Join Michael O’Brien for this special birding workshop! Most songbirds migrate at night and, when they do, many give flight calls to stay in touch with each other. Identifying the sound of faint seeps and zeeps in the night sky is one of the most challenging forms of ear birding. This highly specialized workshop with the author of the CD-ROM on flight calls will focus on analytical listening skills required to identify subtle call notes. Learn how to dissect call notes and determine if they rise or fall and if they are clear or buzzy.

Because of the specialized nature of this workshop, the schedule will be quite different from our other programs. We’ll begin with an indoor presentation on Friday afternoon, followed by a night listening session late Friday night and an early listening session on Saturday morning. The exact time and location of the listening sessions will depend on weather conditions and will be announced during the indoor program. The tentative schedule is as follows:

• Friday daytime: 2:00 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. indoor presentation
• Friday evening: 10:00 p.m. to Midnight listening
• Saturday predawn: 5:00 a.m. to 6:30 a.m. listening

Some walking is possible, but while listening we will generally be staying in one place.

PREREGISTRATION REQUIRED

COST: $90 members, $120 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.

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.

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.

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