Fall 2019 - Spring 2020 Field Trips
TRIPS OUTSIDE OF NJ:
Cape Ann, Massachussetts
Leader: Donna and Don Traylor
Dates: Friday, February 14, 2020 (check in)
Monday, February 17, 2020 (check out)
The Cape Ann trip has become a yearly pilgrimage to beautiful coastal Massachusetts. Many birds of more northerly climes consider the shorelines here as downright balmy. Of course, people participating in this trip are highly recommended to pack many layers of clothing in the hopes that not all will be required! We will bird all day Saturday and Sunday and half a day Monday. Locations visited include: Newbury and Newburyport, Plum Island, Rockport and Gloucester and many small towns and parks in between. There is limited walking on this trip; we drive, park and scan at most locations. Please be prepared to car pool if we have a good turnout - makes it a lot easier for the leaders to keep cars together as we journey from one hotspot to the next. Dinners will be a group affair at some of the best local restaurants; usually we try to stop quickly for an indoor lunch in order to allow people to warm up a bit. Birds we always hope to see include alcids (last year we had a most cooperative dovekie), owls (snowy, short-eared, eastern screech and sometimes great horned), common and king eider, long-tailed duck, purple sandpipers, crossbills and other unusual winter finches and bald eagles.
Pack your binoculars, cameras and scopes and let the leaders know you plan on attending no later than February 12th (email us at dtraylor@ptd.net ). Hope to see many of you up North.
Hotel accommodations will be at the Fairfield Inn, 35 Clarks Road, Amesbury, MA 01913. Reservations must be made by Feb 4th by calling the hotel directly at 978-388-3400. Identify yourself as the Montclair Bird Club to qualify for the special nightly rate of $69.00 plus applicable taxes and fees. Participants must email the leaders at dtraylor@ptd.net to let them know who will be attending. There is no limit on participants.
New Mexico
Leader: Rick Wright
Dates: March 4 - 10, 2020
Central New Mexico is a remarkably under-birded springtime paradise. Based at a single Albuquerque hotel, we will be looking for Ross’s and Cackling Geese, Black and Say’s Phoebes, Bushtit, and Spotted Towhee. A day at world-famous Bosque del Apache National Wildlife Refuge should produce an impressive list, including a good selection of such fine southwestern specialties such as Clark’s Grebe, Scaled Quail, Greater Roadrunner, Ladder-backed Woodpecker, Vermilion Flycatcher, Crissal and Sage Thrashers, and Lesser Goldfinch. High in the dramatic Sandia Mountains, we will hope to encounter Mountain Chickadee, Gray-headed Junco, American Three-toed Woodpecker, and any or all of the American rosy finches. Raptors may include Golden Eagle, Ferruginous Hawk, and Prairie Falcon. The non-refundable registration fee (amount based on number of participants) includes van transportation from Albuquerque and covers the volunteer field trip leader’s expenses.
Limited to eight registrants. Interested members should email Sandy Sorkin at montclairbirdclub100@gmail.org to register.
TRIPS IN AND AROUND NJ:
NOTE CHANGE OF DATE Bring a Buddy Birding: Hilltop Reservation
Saturday, September 14, 2019
8:00 am - 11:000 am
Leader: Evan Cutler
Do you have someone close to you who has no idea why you are so passionate about birds? This trip is a fun and simple opportunity to introduce someone to the world of birding. All participants are encouraged to bring a friend or relative/neighbor/colleague/workmate/acquaintance along who has never birded before. We will visit a variety of habitats, all within a 15 minute drive of Upper Montclair. We will start at Hilltop Reservation, corner of Courter Lane and Mountain Avenue in North Caldwell (turn right onto Mountain Ave from Bloomfield Ave.) Meet in the area of the parking lot nearest the Dog Park.
Fall Hawk Watch
Every Day at the NJ Audubon Hawk Watch Station, Sept 1 through Nov 30
9:00 AM to 5:00 PM
40 Old Quarry Road, Cedar Grove NJ 07009
Leader: David Rosenbaum, NJ Audubon
Montclair’s Hawk Watch is the second oldest in the nation.
Fall Warbler Walks: Garrett Mtn. Reservation
Every Wednesday
8:00 AM to 11:00 AM
Leader: Fred Pfeiffer
Meet at the Stony Brook Picnic Grove Parking Lot in Garrett Mountain Reservation, 8 Mountain Ave, Woodland Park, NJ. We will walk along groomed park trails circumnavigating the reservoir. We will be looking for migrating warblers, towhees, orioles and other passerines.
Mills Reservation & Montclair Hawk Watch
Saturday, Sept 28
8:30 AM until …
Meet at Mills Reservation Parking Lot, Old Quarry Road and Crestmont Road, Cedar Grove NJ 07009
Leader: Alex Bernzweig
We will take a short walk around Mills looking for warblers, thrushes and any other unexpected migrants in the woods. Then around 9 AM we will cross to the other side of Old Quarry Road and climb the long staircase up to the Montclair Hawk Watch, where wee will have a good chance to see multiple species of migrating raptors. Trip participants are welcome to spend as much of the day at the hawk watch as they please. The trip leader/counter will be on the hawk watch all day.
Troy Meadows, Parsippany
The Troy Meadows Trip Has Been Cancelled. A new date will be announced
Sunday, Oct 6
8:00 AM - 11:00 AM
Meet at Patriot’s Path Parking lot, across the street from 1250 South Beverwyck Road, Parsippany, NJ
Leader: Alex Bernzweig
We will walk through meadows and swampy areas in search of migrants such as blue-headed vireo, winter wren, white-crowned sparrow, vesper sparrow, red-headed woodpecker, and eastern meadowlarks. Tall boots may be useful if it has recently rained. If the birding seems to be good that day, we may extend the trip to bird on Troy Meadows Road.
Brookdale Park - Bloomfield
Saturday, October 19, 2019
8:30 am - 10:30 am
Leader: Rick Wright
Meeting in the parking lot above the running track, reached from Bellevue Avenue entrance
Sandy Hook
Saturday, October 26, 2019
9:00 am to 2:00 pm
Leader: Pat Hamill
Meet leader at Parking Lot B. Participants should bring sun tan lotion, binoculars, a light lunch, and themselves.
Liberty State Park Birds & Beer
Sunday, March 22, 2020
2:30 to 6:30 pm
Leader: Bill Beren & JoAnn Katzban
Meet at the second parking lot on Morris Pesin Drive at the South end of Liberty State Park (exit 14B on the NJ Turnpike.) We will stroll on the paved Hudson River Walkway for about 1 mile in each direction, viewing waterfowl and some early migrants along the way. Typical species include Brant Geese, Shovelers, Green Wing Teals, Killdeer, Red Breasted Mergansers, Buffleheads, Yellow Warblers, Red Wing Blackbirds and others. Then on to Zeppelin Beer Hall for bratwurst, BBQ and beer. Dress for the weather with comfortable walking shoes. Binoculars recommended, scopes are a plus. Email trip leader at beren1@verizon.net to register.
For birds, meet at first Parking Lot after boat launch, off Morris Pesin Drive @ 2:30 p.m. (driving directions here)
Beer and Brats to follow at Zeppelin Hall Biergarten (driving directions here)
Wednesday Spring Warbler at Walks Garrett Mountain Reservation
Each Wednesday from April 15 – May 20, 2020
8:00 to 11:00 am
Leader: Fred Pfeiffer
Meet at the Stony Brook Picnic Grove Parking Lot in Garrett Mountain Reservation, 8 Mountain Ave, Woodland Park, NJ. We will walk along groomed park trails circumnavigating the reservoir. We will be looking for early migrating warblers, towhees, orioles and other passerines.
Sandy Hook
Saturday, April 25, 2020
9:00 am to 2:00 pm
Leader: Pat Hamill
Meet the leader at Parking Lot B. Participants should bring sun tan lotion, binoculars, a light lunch, and themselves.
May In Montclair Bonsal Preserve - Upper Montclair
Saturday, May 9, 2020
8:30 am to 10:30 am
Leader: Deb DeSalvo
Meet at 8:30 am at the entrance to Bonsal Preserve in Montclair (Riverview Drive off of Alexander Ave, east of Grove Street.) Spring migration brings a great many species to this jewel of a natural area hidden away in Montclair. Usual sightings include lots of migrating warblers, scarlet tanagers, woodpeckers, and ruby throated hummingbirds. Excellent opportunity for families to be introduced to birding. Bring bug spray! And dress in protective clothing. Parts of the trail will be quite muddy, so wear appropriate footwear.
Verona Park
Saturday, May 16, 2020
8:30am to 10:30am
Leader: Deb DeSalvo
We will meet by the bridge, just south of the boathouse, in the center of the park. Verona Park is off of Bloomfield Avenue in Verona, NJ. You can also access our meeting point by foot, if you park along Pleasant Valley Way. Bring binocs and walking shoes. We will remain on paved paths and will do a full loop of the park. This is a great walk for beginners. Last year’s highlight was a young Red Tail Hawk sparring with a mature Canada Goose. We will definitely see a host of spring migrants, some of which will be nesting in the park.
Nickerson Beach (Long Island)
Saturday, June 6, 2020
5:30 - 10:00 AM
Leader: Rick Wright
Directions: From Southern State Parkway on Long Island, take Meadowlands State Parkway south. Turn right on Loop Parkway towards Point Lookout, and right again on Lido Beach Boulevard to Nickerson Beach parking lot (880 Lido Beach Blvd, Lido Beach, NY)
We will meet at 5:30 am in the beach parking lot to visit one of the most exciting nesting sites in our area, the tern and plover colony of Nickerson Beach, on the Southern Shore of Long Island. There should be plenty to see, with breeding well underway for large numbers of common and least terns and black skimmers. This is also a traditionally reliable locality for excellent views of roseate terns. Should the odd Forster, royal, Caspian, Sandwich, Arctic, black or gull-billed tern drop in, the morning will be even more memorable. American oystercatchers and piping plovers are common nesters here, and loons, eiders, gannets, and other seabirds may linger through the summer. The beach is a short walk from the parking lot; we will cover another mile or so on the sand, always at a slow and easy pace. Bring a notebook and pencil, a good sunhat and sunscreen, plenty of water, and a snack or lunch. Binoculars and spotting scopes often produce spectacular views here, but are not necessary as many of the birds are very close. Carpooling is strongly recommended for this trip.
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Fall 2020/Spring 2021 TRIP SCHEDULE
Sandy Hook (joint outing with Linnaean Society of New York)
Saturday, October 3, 2020
8:30 - 2:30 PM
Leader: Rick Wright
Meet at 8:30 AM at Parking Lot B, on the ocean side north of the entrance station
Join Rick Wright to explore the beaches, bays, and thickety woodlands of Sandy Hook, one of New Jersey’s finest spots for observing fall migrants. The shallow waters at the northern tip of the Hook can host a good selection of shorebirds, sometimes including White-rumped or Baird Sandpipers or American Golden Plover, while out over the ocean the first Northern Gannets of the season may encounter Royal Terns and often astonishing numbers of Laughing Gulls. Arrivals may include sapsuckers, both species of kinglet, and a nice variety of New World sparrows, perhaps including Lark and Clay-colored Sparrows or even scarcer species.
Most of the time will be spent on foot, walking beaches and paved trails. The trek to the northern Hook is a bit over mile roundtrip on deep soft sand. Please bring binoculars, a notebook and pencil, snacks and drinks, and lunch. It may be cool on the beaches, making a light jacket and gloves helpful in the morning. A good hat and other sun protection are essential. Spotting scopes are not strictly necessary, but can provide more enjoyable views of distant birds and stunning views of nearby birds.
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Fall 2018/Spring 2019 TRIP SCHEDULE
Great Swamp
Wednesday, December 12, 2018
Search for Eagles Field Trips
Poconos
Sunday Full-Day Trips Feb 3 and March 3rd, 2019
Sunday Half Day Trips – Jan 27, Feb 10, and March 10, 2019
Shark River Inlet and Estuary
Wednesday, January 16, 2019
The Meadowlands
Wednesday, February 20, 2019
Return to Sandy Hook
Wednesday, March 20, 2019
Brookdale Conservancy (Brookdale Park)
Saturday, March 23, 2019
Liberty State Park Birds & Beer
Sunday, April 7, 2019
Wednesday Warbler Walks Garrett Mtn Reservation
Each Wednesday from April 17 – May 22nd
Garrett Mtn. Reservation
Saturday, April 20, 2019
8:00 AM to 11:00 AM
Leader: Walter Koenig
Meet at the Stony Brook Picnic Grove Parking Lot in Garrett Mountain Reservation, 8 Mountain Ave, Woodland Park, NJ. We will walk along groomed park trails circumnavigating the reservoir. We will be looking for early migrating warblers, towhees, orioles and other passerines.
Verona Park
Saturday, May 4, 2019
Bonsal Preserve
Saturday, May 11, 2019
High Point and Stokes State Forest
Wednesday, June 5, 2019
Mill Creek Marsh
Wednesday, August 7, 2019
All field trips are open to Bird Club members and the public at no charge.
NOTE: As of March 15, 2020 all field trips have been cancelled