SATURDAYS

BREEDING BIRDS AT THE REA FARM*
Every Saturday, June 2 to 30
7:00 to 9:00 a.m.
Breeding Prothonotary and Yellow Warblers, Blue Grosbeaks and Indigo Buntings, White-eyed and Red-eyed Vireos, Common Yellowthroats, and Ruby-throated Hummingbirds are all easy to see (sometimes even at their nests) on this working farm (also known as “The Beanery”). N.J. Audubon has leased the birding privileges. Meet Tom Parsons, Karl Lukens, and Judy Lukens in The Beanery parking lot on Bayshore Road.

BIRDING CAPE MAY POINT*
Every Saturday, July 7 to August 11
7:30 to 9:30 a.m.
Great birding occurs year-round right in the heart of Cape May Point. Meet Tom Parsons, Karl Lukens, and Judy Lukens at Cape May Point State Park on the Wildlife Viewing Platform (also known as the Hawkwatch).

FALL MIGRANTS AT THE REA FARM*
Every Saturday
August 18 to September 29
7:00 to 9:00 a.m.
Some of the fall’s best birding occurs on this working farm (also known as “The Beanery”). N.J. Audubon has leased the birding privileges. Meet Tom Parsons, Karl Lukens, and Judy Lukens in The Beanery parking lot on Bayshore Road.
 

SUNDAYS

BACK BAY BIRDING BY BOAT
Every Sunday, June 3 to 24
September 2 to October 21
10:00 a.m. to noon (June and Sept. 2)
10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. (Sept. 9 to Oct. 21)
Join Captain Bob Carlough aboard the Skimmer (a stable forty-foot catamaran whose enclosed viewing deck has removable windows) for close looks at rails, Ospreys, shorebirds, terns, gulls, waders, and more. Boat leaves from Miss Chris Marina, Second Avenue and Wilson Drive, in Cape May (free parking). To register for these CMBO-sponsored WILDLIFE UNLIMITED Skimmer tours, call (609) 884-3100. Space is limited.
Cost: $25 (June and Sept. 2),
      $35 (Sept. 9 to Oct. 21).
     
VILLAS WMA BIRD WALK*
Every Sunday
August 19 to September 30
7:00 to 9:00 a.m.
Join George Myers, Villas resident and CMBO associate naturalist, to explore this recently preserved 253-acre state wildlife management area, formerly a golf course. Trails include easy-walking asphalt golf cart paths that traverse extensive greens – now grown up as meadow habitat – numerous ponds, and wet woods along Cox Hall Creek. Meet the leaders at the Villas WMA parking area at the end of Shawmount Road (off Route 603 / Bayshore Road, south of Route 654 / Fulling Mill Road, and 0.2 miles south of the Lower Township municipal buildings and library).

MONDAYS

CONCRETE SHIP BIRD WALK*
Every Monday
June 4 to 25
7:30 to 9:30 a.m.
This walk will explore a variety of habitats: waters around the Concrete Ship and at the mouth of the Delaware Bay, Signal Hill and Davey’s Lake at Higbee Beach, and grassland habitat at the old Magnesite Plant (now part of Higbee Beach WMA). Led by “the Gang” (many of CMBO’s associate naturalists and field trip assistants), often accompanied by Don Freiday, CMBO director of birding programs. Meet in the new WMA parking lot behind the Sunset Beach gift shop (at the end of Sunset Boulevard).

BIRDING AT THE MEADOWS*
Every Monday
July 2 to September 24
7:30 to 9:30 a.m.
This Monday morning bird walk at The Nature Conservancy’s Cape May Migratory Bird Refuge is led by “the Gang” (many of CMBO’s associate naturalists and field trip assistants), often accompanied by Don Freiday, CMBO director of birding programs. There’s always a great variety of birds at this dynamic site. Meet at the refuge parking lot on Sunset Boulevard. If there are closures at this site, this walk will instead meet at Cape May Point State Park on the Wildlife Viewing Platform (also known as the Hawkwatch).

BACK BAY BIRDING BY BOAT
Every Monday,
June 4 to October 29
10:00 a.m. to noon
(June 4 to September 3)
10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.
(September 10 to October 29)
See Sunday writeup for details on same trip. To register for these CMBO-sponsored WILDLIFE UNLIMITED Skimmer tours, call (609) 884-3100. Space is limited.
Cost: $25 (June 4 to September 3), $35 (September 10 to Oct. 29).

TUESDAYS

SUNSET BIRDING
AT STONE HARBOR POINT*
Tuesdays: June 12, 26
6:00 to 8:00 p.m.
Enjoy these high tide walks and associated concentrations of shorebirds, nesting terns, marsh songbirds, and more. Meet Gail Dwyer and Jim Armstrong in the Stone Harbor Point parking lot at the south end of Second Avenue in Stone Harbor, on the left just past 122nd Street. Allow approximately forty minutes from Cape May Point. Note: Walking is on sandy terrain.

WEDNESDAYS

BIRDING CAPE MAY POINT*
Every Wednesday
June 6 to September 26
7:30 to 9:30 a.m.
Great year-round birding occurs right in the heart of Cape May Point. Meet Tom Parsons, Karl Lukens, and Judy Lukens at Cape May Point State Park on the Wildlife Viewing Platform (also known as the Hawkwatch).
 

THURSDAYS

SUNSET BIRDING AT SUNSET BEACH*
Every Thursday, June 7 to 21
6:00 p.m. to dusk
Bird the second peak of the day, as terns trade back and forth in their last feeding flights and shorebirds and songbirds feed, perhaps in preparation for a night’s migration. And see the sunset from, where else, Sunset Beach! Meet Don Freiday in the new WMA parking lot behind the Sunset Beach gift shop (at the end of Sunset Boulevard). This walk will explore a variety of habitats: waters around the Concrete Ship and at the mouth of the Delaware Bay, Signal Hill and Davey’s Lake at Higbee Beach, and grassland habitat at the old Magnesite Plant (now part of Higbee Beach WMA).

THE BIRDS OF CAPE MAY:
A BIRD WALK FOR ALL PEOPLE*
Every Thursday,
July 12 to Sepember 27
8:30 to 10:30 a.m.
Not watching birds when you’re in Cape May is like not visiting the Grand Canyon when you’re in Arizona. Whether you are a seasoned birder or have never really thought about watching birds on purpose before, meet Don Freiday (or, occasionally, another Cape May expert) on the Wildlife Viewing Platform (also known as the Hawkwatch) at Cape May Point State Park for a relaxed morning of birding. No binoculars? No problem – Don will have a crate full of good ones (including some really good ones) and will show you how to use them if necessary. You’ll see at least twenty species of birds or the walk is free!

HIDDEN VALLEY BIRD WALK *
Every Thursday,
August 16 to September 27
7:00 to 9:00 a.m.
The fields and wet forests of Hidden Valley are dynamic migration hotspots. Meet Dick Turner and Chuck and Mary Jane Slugg in the small clamshell parking lot on the south side of New England Road 0.3 miles past the intersection with Bayshore Road.
 

FRIDAYS

SUNSET BIRDING AT THE MEADOWS*
Every Friday, June 1 to September 28
6:30 p.m. to dusk (June 1 to Aug. 10)
5:30 p.m. to dusk (August 17 to September 28)
Join us when creatures of the day and night meet on common ground, and watch the sun set behind the Cape May Point Lighthouse. Meet Karl and Judy Lukens and Chuck and Mary Jane Slugg at The Nature Conservancy’s parking area on Sunset Boulevard. If there are closures at this site, this walk will instead meet at Cape May Point State Park on the Wildlife Viewing Platform (also known as the Hawkwatch).

HIGBEE BEACH BIRD WALK*
Every Friday,
August 17 to September 28
7:00 to 9:00 a.m.
Meet Dick Turner and George Myers at world-famous Higbee Beach Wildlife Management Area’s parking lot at the west end of New England Road, just outside of Cape May. Additional parking is available out the unpaved road leading right from the entrance to the parking lot.

PREREGISTRATION and SPECIAL PROGRAMS

See boxed program registration information at the end of this listing for details on how to register for these limited-registration programs.  Please register early: undersubscribed programs may be cancelled five days in advance.

LOOKING FOR CHILDREN’S AND FAMILY PROGRAMS?
Our sister center, the Nature Center of Cape May, has a full schedule of daily programs for all ages, exploring many facets of the natural world. 
Contact the NCCM at (609) 898-8848 or click here.

CMBO’s WILDLIFE ART GALLERY IN GOSHEN
Tuesday through Sunday
9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
The CMBO Center for Research and Education displays the work of internationally renowned bird artists. Most works are for sale. No admission fee. Call (609) 861-0700 to learn the topics of upcoming shows.

DIGISCOPING FOR BEGINNERS
Saturday, June 2
10:00 a.m. to noon (indoors)
1:00 to 4:00 p.m. (outdoors)
Betty Lemley, CMBO garden naturalist, mastered digiscoping the hard way, through trial and error. She will teach this indoor-outdoor program twice this spring at the CMBO Center for Research and Education in Goshen (600 Route 47 North). It will save you many steps, headaches, and dollars and set you well on the way to understanding and succeeding in digiscoping. Bring your digital point-and-shoot camera and telescope (if available). Limit: 20.
Cost: $20 members, $30 nonmembers.

PHOTOSHOP FOR DUMMIES
Basic Steps for Preparing Beautiful Digital Photographs
Sunday, June 3
1:00 to 4:00 p.m.
Kevin Karlson, well-known and often-published bird photographer, will teach this interactive indoor workshop twice this spring at the CMBO Center for Research and Education in Goshen (600 Route 47 North). The basic steps needed for processing a digital image from start to finish, using the Photoshop software, will be covered. Whether using a raw tiff or jpeg file, basic pathways will be shown in detail on a projected computer screen to allow for better understanding of processing and correcting digital images. This workshop, suited for beginners, will also share some advanced tricks that Kevin uses for digital image corrections and tips on how to shoot more creative, action digital photos. Photoshop CS will be used during visual demonstrations, and users of all versions will benefit. Limit: 30.
Cost: $20 members, $30 nonmembers.

BEGINNING BIRDERS (INSTANT 100 CLUB)
Cape May School of Birding Field Course
Wednesday and Thursday, June 13 and 14   Rescheduled, call for information.
7:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Spring migration is over. Fall migration hasn’t started. But if you think you can’t find and study lots of birds in summer, think again. In two days you will see and savor over 100 species of birds, from ducks to finches. Since birds are tied to territory, this is a terrific way to gain easy familiarity with bird family groups – the basic building blocks of bird identification. You’ll learn what distinguishes a duck from a grebe, a tern from a gull, a vireo from a warbler, an oriole from a tanager, and gain skill and confidence just in time for autumn migration. Leader(s) to be announced. Limit: 24.
Cost: $150 members, $185 nonmembers.

CRUISIN’ FOR CHICKS AT SUNSET
Thursday, June 28
Saturday, June 30
5:00 to 8:00 p.m.
Join us for one or both of these evening boat cruises through marshes rich in nesting colonies of Forster’s and Common Terns, Laughing Gulls, and dotted with nests of American Oystercatchers, Ospreys, and Clapper Rails. We’ve timed this trip to coincide with nests full of hungry young and food-carrying adults. Expect close looks as we glide by creek-edge nests in an otherwise inaccessible watery world. This trip will be by boat (beginning and ending at Cape May) through protected back bay waters aboard the Skimmer, a very stable forty-foot catamaran whose enclosed viewing deck has removable windows. Limit: 32.
Cost: $38 members, $48 nonmembers.

TERNS, TERNS, TERNS
Cape May School of Birding Field Course
Monday, July 9
7:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Common vs. Forster’s; Royal vs. Caspian? Throw in the odd Roseate, a lingering Arctic, and a prospecting Sandwich Tern (along with the expertise of the leaders) and you’ve got the makings of a workshop that even experienced birders might covet. Stone Harbor Point is one of North America’s most strategic outposts for terns (and upwards of ten species have been seen there in June and July). See them close and well. Michael O’Brien and Louise Zemaitis lead. Limit: 24.
Cost: $75 members, $110 nonmembers.

TOURS OF PRIVATE BUTTERFLY GARDENS
(1) SOUTH “Cape Island”
      Friday, July 13
      Saturday, August 11
      Sunday, September 9
(2) MID-COUNTY “North Cape May to Rio Grande”
      Saturday, July 14
      Sunday, August 12
      Friday, September 7
(3) NORTH “Goshen to Dennisville”
      Sunday, July 15
      Friday, August 10
      Saturday, September 8
10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.
Enjoy many design ideas and new wildlife plants while being entertained by butterflies and hummingbirds and knowledgeable wildlife gardeners. Twenty-two gardens will be showcased each weekend of tours. These popular trips have inspired many wildlife gardeners and gardens; they will be led by Pat Sutton through N.J. Audubon’s Nature Center of Cape May. To register or for more details on these tours (and other backyard habitat programs in the area), contact the Nature Center of Cape May at (609) 898-8848 or click here.

BUTTERFLY COUNTS
Thursday, July 19 – BELLEPLAIN
Thursday, July 26 – CAPE MAY
Tuesday, July 31 – CUMBERLAND
These counts are part of the thirty-third annual Fourth of July Butterfly Count sponsored by the North American Butterfly Association and the Xerces Society. Everyone is welcome, regardless of skill or experience level. To participate, contact the CMBO Center for Research and Education, (609) 861-0700, and we will send specifics on when and where to meet.

ADULT SHOREBIRDS PEAKING AT
BOMBAY HOOK – THE FIRST WAVE
Cape May School of Birding Field Course
Wednesday and Thursday, July 25 and 26
7:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Sure, shorebird identification is tough, but adult birds, still bearing much of their breeding plumage, offer more clues and greater confidence for beginners. Late July  is also the best time to find some of the rarer shorebirds (like Ruff, Curlew Sandpiper, and even Red-necked Stint). Bombay Hook ranks as the region’s premier shorebirding spot with lots of birds and close viewing opportunities. Come with a spotting scope and high expectations. Leave with a level of confidence you’ll find hard to believe. Don Freiday and another leader to be announced. Limit: 24.
Cost: $150 members, $185 nonmembers.

PURPLE MARTIN SPECTACULAR
Friday, August 17
and Saturday, August 18
Naturalist-led evening viewing, dinner, kayak and boat trips. Centered at Maurice River Causeway, with boat trips leaving from Port Norris. Call Linda Costello at Maurice River Township Hall, (856) 785-1120, x-11 for more information.

SHOREBIRDS
Cape May School of Birding Field Course
Wednesday, August 22, through Friday, August 24
7:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Had trouble with shorebirds? Consider them beyond your skill? Well, maybe the problem isn’t you. Maybe you’ve just been told to look at them the wrong way. Want to know how to distinguish Least and Semipalmated Sandpipers? It’s easy. Look where they’re standing. One likes to keep their feet wet, one dry. Can’t figure out how to tell Greater and Lesser Yellowlegs apart? Greater run around like crazed linebackers. Lesser Yellowlegs are methodical pickers. The trick to shorebird identification is knowing the tricks, and this course will cover the tricks, the basics, and the subtleties, too. Now, want to know the easy way to tell Western Sandpipers from Semipalmateds in July? Sorry, you’ll have to take the course. Michael O’Brien (co-author of the new The Shorebird Guide) and Don Freiday lead. Limit: 24.
Cost: $225 members, $260 nonmembers.

FLYCATCHERS AND VIREOS AND FALL WARBLERS
Cape May School of Birding Field Course
Thursday, August 30, and Friday, August 31
7:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
The trick to learning those cryptic and subtly plumaged species is to see them often and well – a difficult task in these days of dwindling bird populations. No place offers better viewing opportunities than Cape May, and late August and early September constitute migratory prime-time for Neotropical migrants. So here you’ll be, at the right place, at the right time, with trip leaders who love sharing their knowledge. Consider taking the workshop and staying a day or two longer to apply what you’ve learned. Louise Zemaitis and another leader if warranted. Limit: 24.
Cost: $150 members, $185 nonmembers.

FALL MIGRATION – FULL SPECTRUM
Cape May School of Birding Field Course
Friday, September 14, through Sunday, September 16
7:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
A Cape May Sampler Workshop. Songbirds in the morning, shorebirds, seabirds, or raptors in the afternoon. We go where weather conditions dictate. We strive to see the greatest species diversity. Mid-September straddles the migratory timetable. You’re not too late for shorebirds, not too early for hawks, and right on time for warblers and other Neotropical migrants. If you want the most, then this is the workshop that has the most to offer. Louise Zemaitis and Michael O’Brien lead. Limit: 24.
Cost: $225 members, $260 nonmembers.

CMBO PERENNIALS

WANTED:
USED (and not-so-used) BOOKS
Clean your shelves and help fill ours for a good cause! Birding, butterflies, nature, gardening for wildlife (no magazines or periodicals, please). On your next visit to the Northwood Center, check out our new used book selection. Bring donated items to the CMBO Northwood Center, 701 East Lake Drive, Cape May Point, NJ 08212. Questions, contact Sheila Lego at (609) 884-2736 or by e-mail: sheila.lego@njaudubon.org.

WILDLIFE PLANTS FOR SALE
Mid-April through October
Plantings beneficial to butterflies, hummingbirds, and fruit-eating birds are difficult to find. The CMBO Center for Research and Education in Goshen sells nectar plants, caterpillar food plants, fruit- and seed-bearing native trees, and shrubs. Plant selection changes throughout the season, so stop by often. Call for hours.

SEVEN-POINT BINO-CHECK
and LENS CLEANING
Stop by either CMBO center to have your binocular performance checked and the lenses cleaned. May not be available during peak visitation hours. Call for hours. Cost: free.

YEAR-ROUND VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES
at both CMBO Centers

(609) 861-0700 (Goshen)
(609) 884-2736 (Cape May Point)
Your time is valuable to us!

• Nature Store staff: Friendly people are needed to greet visitors, answer the phone, provide information, and process sales. Contact Brian Moscatello in Goshen or Jason Guerard in Cape May Point.

• Nature Store inventory in July/August (call for date): Help count our stock at CMBO Northwood in Cape May Point; contact Jason Guerard. Or at CMBO CRE in Goshen; contact Brian Moscatello.

• Feeder filler: Handy person to clean and fill seed feeders regularly.

• Garden maintenance in Goshen. Contact staff.

• Packet preparation for information packets, membership packets, and packets for walks. Contact Deb Shaw in Goshen.