20 Hartshorne Drive
Highlands, NJ 07732
(732) 872-2500/ Fax (732) 872-2577
e-mail
shbo@njaudubon.org
HOURS:
Tuesday to Saturday, 10:00 A.M. to 5:00 P.M. / Sunday, 10:00
A.M. to 3:00 P.M. / Closed Mondays
CLOSINGS:
All Saturdays and Sundays in July and August
Friday, July 3, for Independence Day Weekend
Summer, 2009
Click Here for Field
Trip Directions
FIELD TRIPS
SATURDAY AND WEEKDAY FIELD TRIPS WITH PETE
BACINSKI
By caravan with director Pete Bacinski or our associate
naturalists to seasonally productive birding or nature areas.
Registration must be paid seven days in advance to allow time to
send directions. To facilitate sending directions please include
your e-mail address with your check or when you register,
otherwise please include your mailing address. Single trips: $15
members, $20 nonmembers, and SHBO volunteers $10, with no
cancellations or refunds. Trips go in any weather, usually to
mid-afternoon. Bring lunch, weather-appropriate gear,
binoculars, and scopes when appropriate. Upon receipt of check,
directions with instructions will be e-mailed or sent, usually
one week in advance.
Please note change in start times for many trips and new fee
schedule. Trips include:
Saturday and Sunday,
June 6 and 7
Fourth annual Sussex County Birding and Nature Festival (see
below).
Thursday, June 11,
and Wednesday June 17
Special birding trips into Lakehurst Naval Air and
Engineering Station for Upland Sandpiper, Grasshopper
Sparrows, etc. (See below).
Saturday, June 13
Pete’s annual pilgrimage to Old Mine Road at Delaware Water
Gap NRA and Worthington SF for lots of warblers, nesting
passerines, and surprises.
Meet at 8:15 a.m.
Saturday, June 20
Newark’s Pequannock Watershed, Clinton Road in the heart of
the Skylands region, with over 100 breeding species present
including lots of warblers. Meet at 8:15 a.m.
Saturday, June 20
Associate naturalist Lloyd Shaw will again visit Elephant
Swamp and Piney Preserve in Gloucester County for summer
songbirds.
Meet at 8:00 a.m.
Friday, June 26,
to Monday, June 29
SHBO’s annual van adventure to the Adirondack Mountains of
New York (see below).
Saturday, June 27
Ted Stiles Preserve/Baldpate Mountain in Mercer County with
associat naturalist Brian Clough, a new field trip location
to explore. Meet at 7:30 a.m.
Saturday, July 11
Associate naturalist Brian Clough will lead you on a botany
and general natural history adventure to the renowned
Johnsonburg Swamp in Warren County. Meet at 7:30 a.m.
Saturday, July 11
Join associate naturalist Lloyd Shaw for an expedition to
Winslow WMA and the mysterious “Black Hole of the Pine
Barrens” for birds and other interesting finds. Meet at 8:00
a.m.
Saturday, July 25
Pete’s first of his monthly summer and fall trips to
Forsythe (Brigantine) NWR for lots and lots of shorebirds,
terns, herons and surprises, with the assistance of
associate naturalist Carole Hughes. Meet at 8:45a.m.
Saturday, August 8
Join Pete and associate naturalists Terry Carruthers and
Andy Lamy for another great birding adventure to Forsythe
(Brigantine) NWR at the heart of the shorebird migration
Meet at 8:45 a.m.
Saturday, August 8
Naturalist extraordinaire Rick Radis’s last summer event of
his Pine Barrens natural history tour is a visit to Atsion
and Quaker Bridge.
Meet at 9:00 a.m.
Friday and Saturday,
August 14 and 15
Our fifteenth annual Bombay Hook weekend (see below).
Saturday, August 15
Join regional expert Ken Witkowski for a birding tour of the
New Jersey Meadowlands at the peak of the shorebird season.
Meet at 8:15 a.m.
Saturday, August 29
Associate naturalist Lloyd Shaw and Rob Fanning reprise
their Forsythe (Brigantine) NWR birding adventure from last
year. Expect lots of shorebirds and some surprises.
Meet at 8:45 a.m.
SUNDAY FIELD TRIPS WITH OUR ASSOCIATE
NATURALISTS
Birding by caravan with our associate naturalists to seasonally
productive areas. Registration fees must be mailed to the Sandy
Hook Bird Observatory seven days in advance. Bruce Fetz, our
volunteer leader, does not accept trip registration fees on the
day of the field trip. Single trips: $15 members, $20
nonmembers, and $10 for SHBO volunteers, with no cancellations
or refunds. To facilitate sending directions please include your
e-mail address with your check or when you register, otherwise
please include your mailing address. Trips go in any weather,
usually to early afternoon. Bring lunch, weather-appropriate
clothing, and binoculars. Upon receipt of check, directions with
instructions will be mailed, usually one week in advance. Please
note new fee schedule. Sunday trips include:
Saturday and Sunday,
June 6 and 7
Fourth annual, Sussex County Birding and Nature Festival.
(See below).
Sunday, June 7
Allaire State Park with long-time associate Bruce Fetz in
search of nesting warblers and late migrants
Meet at 6:00 a.m. at the campground and 8:00 a.m. at the
main lot.
Sunday, June 14
The breeding birds of High Point SP and Stokes SF are the
target of associate naturalist Susan Phelon. Expect lots of
great passerines and raptors.
Meet at 8:15 a.m.
Friday, June 26,
to Monday, June 29
SHBO’s annual van adventure to the Adirondack Mountains of
New York (see below).
Sunday, June 28
Visit Thompson Park in Lincroft for late breeding birds
and surprises with Monmouth County Parks’ own Andrew Spears.
Meet at 8:15 a.m.
Sunday, June 28
Expert naturalist Rick Radis will continue his program of
Pine Barrens field trips with a visit to Webbs Mill and
Chatsworth for great botany and general natural history.
Meet at 9:00 a.m.
Sunday, July 5
Assunpink WMA with associate naturalist Bruce Fetz for
breeding birds and other avian treats.
Meet at 7:00 a.m.
Sunday, July 12
Join associate naturalist Patrick Belardo for a beginners’
butterfly and dragonfly walk at the Willowwood Arboretum in
Chester. Meet at 10:00 a.m.
Friday and Saturday,
August 14 and 15
Our fifteenth annual Bombay Hook weekend.
Sunday, August 30
Associate naturalists Linda Mack and Carole Hughes will
guide you for a day of fall passerine migration at Sandy
Hook. Meet at 8:15 a.m.
BIRDING FOR BEGINNERS WITH PATRICK BELARDO
Sunday, June 21
8:00 a.m. to Noon
If you are new to birding, this is the bird walk for you. Join
Patrick as he introduces you to the fundamentals of bird
identification while visiting the diverse habitats of Sandy
Hook. Bring binoculars and wear appropriate clothing for the
weather. Meet at the visitors’ center parking lot. Free to the
public, but please preregister by calling 732.872.2500.
SPECIAL EVENTS
LAKEHURST NAVAL BASE SPECIAL GRASSLAND TRIPS
Thursday, June 11, and Wednesday, June 17, 2009
Join SHBO’s Scott Barnes, Pete Bacinski, Linda Mack, and Rick
Radis, along with Lakehurst’s own naturalist in residence, John
Joyce, for a morning visiting one of the most productive birding
grassland habitats in New Jersey. The base is off-limits to
civilians, but we have special permission to bring a group into
the base. This is one of two N.J. nesting locations for Upland
Sandpiper and the place with the highest density of Grasshopper
Sparrows anywhere in the state. Vesper and Henslow’s Sparrows
are rare at the base, but have been encountered on past trips.
Horned Larks, Eastern Meadowlarks, and Eastern Bluebirds are
usually encountered, while Summer Tanager, Hooded Warbler, and
Yellow-breasted Chat were observed on previous visits, but not
guaranteed. The base also offers many botanical, herpetological,
and butterfly opportunities.
Cost is $20 for members and $30 for nonmembers. Preregistration
is required. Only American citizens are allowed on the base. If
you want to drive a car into the base you must have an
up-to-date license, registration, and insurance card.
Please call Sandy Hook Bird Observatory to register at
732.872.2500.
FOURTH ANNUAL SUSSEX COUNTY BIRDING AND NATURE FESTIVAL
Saturday and Sunday, June 6 and 7, 2009
The fourth annual Sussex County Birding and Nature Festival, a
partnership between the New Jersey Audubon Society and the
County of Sussex, will be held on June 6 and 7, 2009. Two days
of field trips and lectures will highlight birds, butterflies,
and dragonflies in Sussex County. Headquarters for the event
will be the Mountain Creek Alpine Hotel in Vernon Township.
Preregistration for field trips and lectures can be done by
calling 732.872.2500 (walk-ins welcome). Sussex County in early
June is a magnet for breeding birds – 125 species are hoped for
during this weekend, including possibly 25-plus species of
warblers. Did you know that more species of dragonflies call
Sussex County home than any county in the U.S.? Butterfly
diversity also abounds. We have an extraordinary cast of leaders
assembled. If you want to combine field trips with lectures,
indoor presentations will take place throughout the weekend. The
event will also feature vendors and indoor displays. Join us for
a half day, whole day or the full weekend for exploring the
natural wonders of Sussex County! (For additional information,
contact Donna M. Traylor, Sussex County Office of Farmland
Preservation and Conservation at 973.579.0500, option 1).
ADIRONDACK MOUNTAINS VAN TRIP
Friday, June 26, to Monday, June 29, 2009
The northern Adirondack Mountains provide one of the last vast
unspoiled wilderness areas in the northeast. Over 6,000 square
miles of rugged peaks, rocky slopes, pine/spruce forests and
wetlands are both beautiful and bird-rich. From our base in
Saranac Lake, we’ll day trip to nearby bogs, boreal forests, and
mountains in search of Black-backed Woodpecker, Boreal
Chickadee, Gray Jay, Olive-sided Flycatcher, Mourning Warbler,
and “winter” finches. We’ll also focus on Boreal flora, alpine
plants, and butterflies like fritillaries, tortoiseshells, and
checkerspots. Participants will also have a chance to visit Lake
Placid and the Adirondack Interpretive Center in Paul Smith’s.
Join us for our eigth annual visit to this truly spectacular
wilderness. Package includes van transportation, three night’s
accommodations, and entrance fees, with food not included.
Leaders: Scott Barnes and Pete Bacinski. Please register by June
15.
Cost: $475 per person, single occupancy; $75 discount for double
occupancy per person.
15th ANNUAL
BOMBAY HOOK WEEKEND
Friday and Saturday, August 14 and 15, 2009
Join us for a day or for both days Friday and Saturday at one of
the best shorebirding locations in the country: Bombay Hook NWR
in Delaware. We will also visit Little Creek WMA, Ted Harvey,
Port Mahon, and Kitt’s Hummock, Woodland Beach among others.
Possibilities include godwits, phalaropes, avocets, Black-necked
Stilts, and Upland Sandpiper, and (if we’re really lucky)
Baird’s and Curlew Sandpipers, and/or Ruff. Twenty-plus species
of shorebirds are possible. We will supply a list of recommended
Dover motels upon request. Meet at 9:30 a.m. on Friday and
Saturday. Leaders will be Pete Bacinski, Scott Barnes, and Linda
Mack.
Cost for one day: $40 members, $50 nonmembers.
Cost for two days: $70 members, $85 nonmembers.
Above costs do not include transportation, food or lodging.
THE SANDY HOOK PIPER
Thanks:
To the late Mike Huber for his great support of the environment,
the arts and of course SHBO, we miss you; Irwin Lentchner for
all his excellent efforts with the POS System and Inventory; to
Carole Hughes with her great assistance with bookstore issues;
to our excellent associate naturalists for all their great
leadership: Patrick Belardo, Tom Boyle, Michael Britt, Terry
Carruthers, Rob Fanning, Bruce Fetz, Carole Hughes, Andy Lamy,
Linda Mack, Susan Phelon, Rick Radis, Andrew Spears and Ken
Witkowski: to our dedicated weekly volunteers: Bonnie Strand,
Irwin and Sharon Lentchner, Kathy Covington, June McMahon (we
miss you), Trina Anderson, David Royce, Carol Coyne, Gloria
Deodato, Georgia Dempster, Tom Tarlach, Kevin Keating, Anne
Galli, Lynne Warner and Dona Radey; to Bonnie Strand for
updating our Web site, special projects and field trip
directions; Henry Fallon for his great computer expertise;
Sharon Lentchner and Linda Mack for their efforts in the
bookstore; Greg Hartman for special repair projects; Kevin
Keating for special advice and assistance; to Laurie Larson for
her assistance getting out the Voice of N.J. Audubon and her
contributions to N.J. birding; Lyda Spear, Kathleen Mistretta,
Stephen Bagen and Jim O’Malley for home office help; Kathleen
Mistretta and Rene Buccinna for their excellent efforts with the
Travel Program; to our trusted weekend volunteers: Laura Hardy,
Patty O’Malley, Patrick Belardo, Mike Blasenheim, Brian Clough,
Donna Juettner, Susanna Treesh, Colette Buchanan, Janet
Stadelmeier, Helen Bauernschmitt, Sandra Escala, Teri Catalano,
John Salerno, Elaine Long, Sue Rinaldi and Breda May; to our
wonderful volunteer on-call Ron Blandon; Anne Galli, Dona Radey
and Lynne Warner for publicity and special projects; Debra
LaQuaglia for help at the Star-Ledger with our column; to Denis
Cleary, Norann Hein and Brian Moscatello with bookstore advice
and assistance; and Mike Lyncheski for computer advice.
SPECIAL DIRECTOR’S NOTE
The Sandy Hook Bird Observatory has an immediate need for
volunteer help on weekends to help open the center and work the
bookstore and gift shop and on weekdays also to help in the
store and to assist our staff. For weekends, we are looking for
a commitment of one or more Saturday mornings, afternoons or all
day or one or more Sundays 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. per month.
For weekdays, we are also looking for a weekly one-day
commitment to help at the center from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. or
1:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. Tuesday through Friday. If you can help
us during these periods, please do not hesitate to call SHBO and
ask for Pete or Scott. Please come be a part of our wonderful
SHBO volunteer family.
Members receive discounts on program fees. If you are not a member and would like to become one, consider
Joining New Jersey Audubon Society.
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