Nov
16
10:00 AM10:00

MCAS November Field Trip - Richard W. DeKorte Park, Lyndhurst NJ

  • Monmouth County Audubon Society (map)
  • Google Calendar ICS

We will explore and bird Richard W. DeKorte Park in Bergen County, meet at 1 DeKorte Park, Lyndhurst, NJ 07071 at 10AM.

DeKorte Park features 3.5 miles of walking paths, panoramic views of wetlands and waterways, and birds galore, all framed by the New York City skyline. The park, which was once slated to be a landfill, is the focal point of NJSEA activities. Birders and nature lovers frequent its trails and educators from the park’s Science Center lead hands-on environmental education classes for school groups. The park is also home to the NJSEA’s administrative offices.

A series of colorful, interpretive signs highlight the park’s resources and the wildlife that inhabit its tidal waters, marshes, and uplands. These informational signs provide visitors with an understanding and appreciation of the Meadowlands’ unique and diverse urban eco-system.

DeKorte Park, like the entire Meadowlands District, is located along the Atlantic Flyway, one of three major routes used by migratory birds in North America. More than 285 species of birds have been identified in the Meadowlands, including many on the State threatened, endangered and species of special concern lists. DeKorte Park has been nationally recognized by Birder’s World magazine as a birding hotspot. Birders can be seen throughout the year with their binoculars and spotting scopes looking for Egrets, Osprey, hawks and falcons.

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Sep
22
10:00 AM10:00

MCAS September Field Trip - The Great Swamp NWR

  • Monmouth County Audubon Society (map)
  • Google Calendar ICS

Our field trip will be explore the Great Swamp starting at 10am meeting at 220 Long Hill Rd, Gillette, NJ 07933. Wildlife Observation Center

Great Swamp National Wildlife Refuge is located only 26 miles west of New York City’s Times Square. It is a 12-square-mile natural oasis in an area that is mostly suburban, making the refuge an outstanding area for migrating waterfowl to stop, rest and feed on their migration. Points of interest include the Helen Fenske Visitor Center (currently open on Tuesdays and Saturdays from 11AM-3PM and on Thursdays, Fridays, and Sundays from 10AM-4PM), Wildlife Observation Center, Overlook Parking Area, and over eight miles of trails in the Wilderness area.

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Aug
22
6:00 PM18:00

Summer Sandy Hook Walk Series - AUG 22

  • Monmouth County Audubon Society (map)
  • Google Calendar ICS

SANDY HOOK GATEWAY NATIONAL RECREATION AREA — Spend an evening on Sandy Hook with the Monmouth County Audubon Society.

Join the Monmouth County Audubon Society for a summer evening bird walk to look for nesters and shorebirds on Sandy Hook. The event will take place on Thursday, Aug 22 starting at 6:00 p.m. The trip will be led by members of the Monmouth County Audubon Society who are familiar with Sandy Hook and its birds.

We never know what we will discover on these summer walks – herons, shorebirds, Ospreys and gulls are all regulars.

We will hike the Fisherman’s Trail to ocean for nesting Osprey, Piping Plover, American Oystercatcher and terns. The trip is open to both members and non-members of the Monmouth County Audubon Society, and participation is free. Advance registration is required.

Participants should bring binoculars and field guides and should dress appropriately for the weather, including clothing suitable for rain if the forecast is questionable. Insect repellent also is recommended. The walk will take place light rain or shine. Pets are not permitted.

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Jul
11
6:00 PM18:00

Summer Sandy Hook Walk Series - JULY 11

  • Monmouth County Audubon Society (map)
  • Google Calendar ICS

SANDY HOOK GATEWAY NATIONAL RECREATION AREA — Spend an evening on Sandy Hook with the Monmouth County Audubon Society.

Join the Monmouth County Audubon Society for a summer evening bird walk to look for nesters and shorebirds on Sandy Hook. The event will take place on Thursday, July `11 starting at 6:00 p.m. The trip will be led by members of the Monmouth County Audubon Society who are familiar with Sandy Hook and its birds.

We never know what we will discover on these summer walks – herons, shorebirds, Ospreys and gulls are all regulars.

We will hike the Fisherman’s Trail to ocean for nesting Osprey, Piping Plover, American Oystercatcher and terns. The trip is open to both members and non-members of the Monmouth County Audubon Society, and participation is free. Advance registration is required.

Participants should bring binoculars and field guides and should dress appropriately for the weather, including clothing suitable for rain if the forecast is questionable. Insect repellent also is recommended. The walk will take place light rain or shine. Pets are not permitted.

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May
4
7:00 AM07:00

The Spring "Little Sit" at Sandy Hook

NOTE: DUE TO THE WEATHER FORECAST, THIS EVENT HAS BEEN RESCHEDULED TO SATURDAY MAY 4, 2024

Join us in search of as many species of birds as we can find during Spring Migration!

SATURDAY, May 4, 2024

Stop by anytime between 7AM - 2PM
Spermaceti Cove, Sandy Hook

* No registration necessary, stay as long as you like.

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Apr
13
10:00 AM10:00

CANCELLED: Spring Birding at Sandy Hook

  • Monmouth County Audubon Society (map)
  • Google Calendar ICS

UNFORTUNATELY, THIS EVENT IS CANCELLED DUE TO THE HIGH WIND FORECAST

The lure of Sandy Hook isn't just the birds. Sandy Hook is a peaceful, beautiful natural area with a variety of interesting habitats to explore. Spring is one of the best times to visit, because of the abundance of birds and wildlife. Falcons such as the American Kestrel and Peregrine Falcon migrate north along the coast. The songbirds begin arriving in late March, along with the Osprey (listed as threatened by the NJ Department of Environmental Protection) and the federally threatened Piping Plover.

The trip is open to both members and non-members of the Monmouth County Audubon Society, and participation is free. Advance registration is not required. Participants should dress appropriately for chilly temperatures, which are common along the coast at this time of year. Binoculars are essential, and a field guide is helpful. Pets are not permitted.

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Mar
9
5:00 PM17:00

CANCELLED: Courtship of the Timberdoodle

  • Monmouth County Audubon Society (map)
  • Google Calendar ICS

Good evening, we have been monitoring the weather forecast for Saturday's walk, and it does not appear to be improving, with high chance of rain and wind. Sunday's forecast is for high winds, which will prevent the birds from displaying as well. 

As such, we have made the difficult decision to CANCEL the filed trip at this time.

We apologize for any inconvenience. 

MCAS Field Trips


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Jan
22
10:00 AM10:00

MCAS Jan 2023 Field Trip - Manasquan Reservoir

  • Monmouth County Audubon Society (map)
  • Google Calendar ICS

Shake off the winter doldrums and join us for a winter bird walk at Manasquan Reservoir!

MEET AT THE ENVIRONMENTAL CENTER 331 Georgia Tavern Rd, Howell Township, NJ 07731

For more info and to register, visit here: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/mcas-jan-2023-field-trip-manasquan-reservoir-tickets-440112818287

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Oct
15
10:00 AM10:00

Oct. Bird Walk at Sandy Hook

  • Monmouth County Audubon Society (map)
  • Google Calendar ICS

Monmouth County Audubon October Bird Walk at Sandy Hook

Join our 2-hour walk in search of birds migrating south along the coast to their wintering grounds.  We will look for waterfowl, hawks and passerines.

Meeting Location: Old visitor center parking lot between D and E lots

Expect to walk 2 miles & bring binoculars

To register, select the “Register” button below. Spaces are limited, and free!

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Thompson Park Bird Walk
May
7
8:00 AM08:00

Thompson Park Bird Walk

  • Thompson County Park: Meet at Old Orchard picnic lot/ shelter (map)
  • Google Calendar ICS

Join us at Thompson Park for warblers and other spring migrants. Meet at Old Orchard picnic lot/ shelter. Rob Fanning will be leading the event.

Please preregister via email to monmouthaudubon@gmail.com Masks or face coverings are optional per current COVID19 recommendations for outdoor activities. Bring binoculars, water and bug spray.

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“Timberdoodle Walk” at Big Brook Park
Mar
19
6:30 PM18:30

“Timberdoodle Walk” at Big Brook Park

This field trip has reached its maximum capacity of registered participants and is now closed to additional pre-registration.

Due to the weather forecast for Saturday, March 12, the Timberdoodle walk has been RESCHEDULED for Saturday, March 19 at 6:30 PM EDT.

Join MCAS for an evening at Big Brook Park Saturday, March 19, 2022 to observe the ritual/display flight of the American Woodcock/ Timberdoodle. Rob Fanning will be leading the event.

Located on County Road 520 in Marlboro, the original 379-acre parcel of land that established Big Brook Park was formerly used as farmland for patients at the Marlboro Psychiatric Hospital, located across the street. Named for Big Brook, which drains into the Swimming River Reservoir, the park contains forest made up of young wetland and maturing American beech, white oak, tulip poplar and hickory trees. Perhaps the park is better known for its rolling fields; made up of grasses, goldenrod and other perennials that provide a contiguous field habitat for butterflies, birds and other wildlife.

One bird species in particular is the target for this trip: the American Woodcock. American Woodcock spend most of their time hidden in fields and on the forest floor, where they probe for earthworms. On spring nights, however, their priorities change, and attracting a mate becomes more important than remaining camouflaged. Males advertise for a mate with a buzzy “peent” call. That vocalization signals the start of one wacky courtship display. The male takes flight and climbs from 50 to 100 yards into the air. He descends, zigzagging and banking while singing a liquid, chirping song. This high spiraling flight produces a melodious twittering sound as air rushes through the male's outer primary wing feathers. This display is truly like nothing else in nature and is why the group is making a special trip at dusk to experience it.

The group will meet at 5:30 pm in the parking lot of the park, located just off County Road 520.

The trip is open to both members and non-members of the Monmouth County Audubon Society, and participation is free. Advance registration is required. Participants should dress in weather-appropriate clothing, keeping in mind that temperatures drop quickly toward evening. Binoculars are recommended, and a field guide may be helpful.

Masks or face coverings are optional per current COVID19 recommendations for outdoor activities. Bring binoculars and water.

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Sandy Hook Bird Walk
Feb
12
10:00 AM10:00

Sandy Hook Bird Walk

  • Sandy Hook: E-lot at south end (if parking lot closed use D-lot at north end) (map)
  • Google Calendar ICS

Join our 2-hour walk in search of ducks and loons that spend the winter in our waters. We will check sandbars for Harbor and Gray Seals that haul out to rest during low tide. Expect to walk 1 mile and wear warm layers. Linda Mack will be leading the event.

Please preregister via email to monmouthaudubon@gmail.com Masks or face coverings are optional per current COVID19 recommendations for outdoor activities. Bring binoculars and water.

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