Visitor center and bookstore are open Tuesday to Saturday, 9:00 A.M. to 5:00 P.M.; Sunday, noon to 5:00 P.M. Trails are open seven days, dawn to 5:00 P.M. (park in the Scherman lot if visiting Mondays or before 9:00 A.M. other days).
Whether you register for programs by mail or phone, please be sure to provide the following information: Your name, address, phone, and e-mail; dates and titles of program(s) you are registering for; name and phone of an emergency contact, and whether you will get instructions from the Web site or will need them mailed.
Program Registration Information: Checks should be made payable to NJ Audubon and sent to 11 Hardscrabble Road, Bernardsville, NJ 07924, or brought to the Hoffman Center during open hours. Indicate which program(s) you are registering for, and please be sure to include your name, address, and phone number in case we need to contact you. It is also possible to register by phoning us during office hours; please have your credit card ready. Prepaid registration ensures a place and is required for all trips. Walk-ins are possible for in-house programs at the Hoffman Center if not full. No refunds except in case of cancellation by us. No cancellation for bad weather unless specifically stated.
Tips and Rules for All Field Trips: We target the best sites for natural history of the season, and invite birders/naturalists at all levels. Trips go in any weather. See the individual trip descriptions for hoped-for highlights. Preregistration is required so that we can notify participants of last-minute changes in time or meeting place. Trips begin at the site promptly at the specified time, and normally travel by car-caravan to other nearby locations.
BIRD SEED SALE DAYS
Saturday, October 2
9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Orders due by
Saturday, September 18.
Saturday, December 4
9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Orders due by
Saturday, November 20
Saturday, February 12, 2011
9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Orders due by
Saturday, January 29, 2011.
PROGRAMS AND EVENTS
AUTUMN 2010
NATURE WALKS AT SCHERMAN HOFFMAN WILDLIFE SANCTUARY
Every Friday and Saturday, 8:00 to 9:00 A.M. Meet at the Hoffman Center. Normally with Mike Anderson, these walks are just plain fun and informative: breeding birds, trees, tracks, wildflowers, reptiles and amphibians. Our free walks are a great way to introduce friends and family to NJ Audubon – bring a companion along!
Cost: Free.
FREE NATURE WALKS AT KITTATINNY VALLEY STATE PARK – Andover
Second and third Saturdays
of September, October, and November
8:00 a.m. to about 11:30 a.m. on September 11 & 18, October 9 & 16
8:30 a.m. to about 11:30 a.m. on November 13 & 20
Led by Tom Halliwell, Joe Burgiel, or other NJ Audubon naturalists. Cosponsored by NJ Audubon and the Paulinskill Valley Trail Committee. Meet in the parking lot on the left at the south end of Twin Lakes on Goodale Road, Andover. This is about 0.5 mile east of route 206. (DeLorme 24, G-2; Boyle p. 44). Bring binoculars. No preregistration required. Cost: free.
PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT WORKSHOPS
HAWKWATCHING
MONTCLAIR HAWK LOOKOUT 54th ANNIVERSERY OPEN HOUSE
Sunday, September 19
10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
The window for the spectacular Broad-winged Hawk migration is between September 14 and September 25. Montclair Hawk Lookout is one of the best places in NJ to see thousands of these migrating birds of prey. The record single-day high count for Broad-winged Hawks was over 17,000 seen on September 16, 1988 at the dedication of the lookout in memory of Andrew Bihun, Jr. Big flights are weather-dependent. You can’t see them if you’re not there….
Bring water, binoculars, visor, and wear a smile in your heart. We will have some loaner binoculars available.
Cost: free.
RAPTOR IDENTIFICATION WORKSHOPS by SCOTTS MOUNTAIN HAWK WATCH AT MERRILL CREEK RESERVOIR
Saturdays, September 11, 25,
and October 2, and 16
10:30 a.m. to noon.
Raptor identification workshops will be offered by the Scott’s Mountain Hawk Watch at Merrill Creek Reservoir. Anyone interested in these free classes (Limit 15 people per session) may register by calling Merrill Creek Visitor Center at 908.454.3339. Scott’s Mountain Hawk Watch is conducting the ID workshops in coordination with the New Jersey Audubon Society and Merrill Creek Reservoir. Everyone is welcome.
Cost: free.
BEGINNER HAWK WATCH AT WASHINGTON VALLEY PARK
Saturday, September 18
Sunday, September 19
10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
The only county park-owned hawk watch in N.J. is located in Somerset County Park Commission’s Washington Valley Park. The watch is located on the southern edge of the Watchung Ridge and is a good location to witness southbound migrant hawks in the fall. Mid-September to early October is the best time to see the greatest number and diversity of hawks. In mid September, on a good day, we expect to see thousands of migrating hawks. Mike Anderson (NJAS) and Dave Dendler (Somerset County Park Commission) will help you find and identify southbound hawks.
Cost: Free.
DIRECTIONS: Washington Valley Park is located on the First Watchung Ridge in Martinsville, New Jersey. The park is most easily accessible from Interstate 287. From the north or south take 287 to the exit for Route 22 east.
Follow Route 22 east for approximately 1 mile. Turn right onto the jug handle at Vosseler Avenue. Go north onto Vosseler Avenue and cross Route 22. Proceed uphill until you reach the peak (about .6 miles). Look for Miller Lane on your left. Turn left onto Miller Lane. Drive about ½-mile down Miller Lane to the parking lot for the hawk watch.
NOTE: Miller Lane is a very narrow road with a number of private residences along it. Please drive slowly and yield to oncoming cars. The trail to the watch begins at the far end of the parking lot.
Cost: free, no preregistration. Just come; stay as long as you want.
YOUTH FIELD TRIPS
Youth field trips for focused individuals between the age of 11 and 16.
All participants must preregister. Parents can join us (but the trip is for the younger generation) or drop off and pick up at pre-determined location. All the trips are free.
Limit 15.
Montclair Hawk Lookout
Sunday, September 19
10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Meet at Montclair Hawk Lookout.
Sandy Hook
Sunday, October 10
8:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.
Led By Scot Barnes, senior naturalist at Sandy Hook Bird Observatory
Forsythe National Wildlife Refuge – Brigantine
Saturday, November 6
8:00 a.m. meet at the sanctuary and car pool or meet at Brigantine at 10:15 a.m.
Return to the sanctuary by 5:00 p.m.
ADULT FIELD TRIPS - SEPTEMBER TO NOVEMBER
BEGINNING BIRDING FIELD TRIPS: Great Swamp
Saturday, September 25
Saturday, November 27
9:00 a.m. until noon
Meet at the Hoffman Center
We’ll start by observing the birds at the bird feeders outside the bookstore window at the Hoffman Center and then we’ll migrate to the Great Swamp. “The Swamp” is always a very productive destination. Led by Rich Borzelli.
Cost: $10 members, $15 nonmembers (can be applied to membership).
ISLAND BEACH STATE PARK
Friday, November 5
9:00 a.m. to mid-afternoon
There won’t be crowds of people on the beach, but we should see lots of birds. Join us for a weekday of birding at the Shore. Migrating scoters, loons, gannets, raptors, and always the possibility of a November rarity. Led by Mike Anderson
Cost: $15 members,
$20 nonmembers.
OLD MINE ROAD,
Delaware Water Gap
National Recreation Area
Sunday, September 19
Meet at 8:15 a.m.
Join associate naturalist Carole Hughes on Old Mine Road along the Delaware looking for migrating songbirds, raptors, and birds of the year. Old Mine Road never fails to provide spectacular scenery and pleasant surprises.
Cost: $15 members,
$20 nonmembers
ALLENDALE CELERY FARM
Saturday, October 2
8:45 a.m. to early afternoon.
This is an excellent time and place to see migrating songbirds, arriving winter birds, wading birds, and raptors. Led by NJ Audubon associate naturalist and Allendale Celery Farm expert Rob Fanning.
Cost: $15 members,
$20 nonmembers.
PINE BARRENS
Sunday, October 3
8:45 to mid-afternoon
N.J. Pines Barrens expert Rick Radis will take you to some of his favorite local haunts for Pine Barrens natural history.
Cost: $15 members,
$20 nonmembers.
COLD BROOK PRESERVE
Sunday, October 10
8:45 a.m. to early afternoon
Migrant sparrows, passerines and raptors are the focus of the day at Cold Brook Preserve in Hunterdon County. Led by NJ Audubon associate naturalist Carole Hughes.
Cost: $15 members,
$20 nonmembers.
GLENHURST MEADOWS
A.K.A. WARREN GREEN ACRES
Sunday, October 17
8:00 a.m. to early-afternoon
Warren Green Acres in mid-October is always good for sparrows, Raptors and usually has a couple surprises. The trails can be wet so knee-high boots are advised. Led by NJ Audubon associate naturalist Mike Newlon.
Cost: $15 members,
$20 nonmembers
ROUND VALLEY AND
SPRUCE RUN RESERVOIRS
Saturday, November 13
8:00 a.m. to early-afternoon.
Join NJ Audubon associate naturalist Dave Harrison to meander the wide, level, well-maintained trails at Spruce Run and Round Valley Reservoirs in search of: loons, grebes, gulls, waterfowl, and raptors.
Cost: $15 members,
$20 nonmembers.
PROGRAMS AT THE HOFFMAN CENTER
WONDER WALKS
at the Sanctuary
Sunday, September 12,
Sunday, October 17, and
Saturday, November 13
10:30 a.m. to noon.
Led by teacher/naturalist Laurie Sindlinger, wonder walks are family-oriented, leisurely strolls on wide, level, well-maintained trails. Everything we can let the children discover will be the focus of our walk. No strollers.
Cost: $5 members, $7 nonmembers.
EXPLORING THE WORLD
OF FUNGI
Thursday, September 2
10:00 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
Fungi are essential to a healthy forest as both decomposers and mycorrhizae, the latter being mutualistic associations with plant roots. Join teacher/naturalist Dorothy Smullen in exploring the variety of mushrooms and fungi in both an indoor and outdoor program. We will look for bracket fungi, jelly fungi, cups, and corals as well as typical mushrooms along the trails at the sanctuary. Limit 15.
Cost: $5 members, $7 nonmembers.
BABY NATURALISTS CLASS
Thursdays, September 9, 16, 23, 30 and October 7
9:30 to 10:30 A.M.
Five week session for toddlers and young children with their parents, grandparents, or caregivers. We will meet weekly for nature-based programs featuring stories, mini-hikes, crafts, and outdoor activities. Each class will focus on an aspect of the natural world, and books and activities will highlight that theme. Preregistration and adult participation is required.
Cost: $5 per child for members, $7 per child for nonmembers
BEGINNING BIRDING:
BACKYARD BIRD FEEDING
Saturday, October 2
11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.
(drop in anytime)
It is estimated that over eighty-five million people nationwide are feeding birds in their backyards – that’s a lot of happy squirrels! Whether you’re new to this fun and informative activity, or just looking to expand your existing feeding station, why not stop by this informal workshop before or after picking up your seed. Store manager Denis Cleary will show you the latest squirrel-proof feeders and answer your questions concerning your individual feeding situation. Please leave your squirrels at home.
Cost: free.
INSECT INVESTIGATIONS
Saturday, October 16
2:00 to 3:30 p.m.
For families with children age 5 to 8. Insects are the largest group of animals on earth. Learn about their many groups, how they are valuable, and their remarkable life cycles. After an indoor introduction we will explore for insects and insect signs along the trails. Limit 15.
Cost: members $5 per child,
nonmembers $7 per child.
BEAR FACTS – DO’s and DON’Ts about living with Black Bear.
Wednesday, October 20
7:00 to 8:30 p.m.
Native to New Jersey, Black Bears are the largest land mammals in the state. They were wiped out a century ago by habitat destruction and indiscriminate killing. Today they are thriving in the northwestern part of the state – and their range is expanding to the south and east. Michelle Ruggerio from the NJ DEP Endangered and Nongame species program will present bear facts: a summary of the history of Black Bear in New Jersey, and a look to the future of Black Bears in New Jersey.
Cost: free.
Geographic Information System (GIS) workshop
Thursday, November 4
9:30 a.m. to noon.
Patrick Woerner from NJ DEP Endangered and Non Game species program will conduct this workshop, which is designed for landowners, professionals, and teachers. Learn about the state’s Division of Fish and Wildlife’s geographic information system (GIS) approach to mapping endangered and threatened wildlife habitat throughout New Jersey! The Landscape Project is used in many state planning efforts and is referenced in a number of state regulations. It is also widely used in local environmental resource inventories throughout the state.
Professional Development Credits available for teachers.
Cost: free.
TURKEY TIME
Saturday, November 13
2:00 to 3:30 p.m.
For families with children ages 4 to 8.
Have you ever seen a wild turkey? Ben Franklin wanted it to be our national bird. We will see turkey feathers and try to make turkey sounds with a “turkey caller.” After a short walk to find what turkeys like to eat, children will create a turkey decoration for their Thanksgiving table. Limit 15.
Cost: members $5 per child,
nonmembers $7 per child.
HOLIDAY SHOPPING GUIDE TO BINOCULARS AND SPOTTING SCOPES
Saturday, November 20
2:00 to 4:00 p.m.
Whether you’re buying a binocular or scope for someone else, saving that holiday loot for your own Ultimate Fantasy Binocular, or hoping to steer a loved one to the perfect scope for you, this workshop is a must. Store manager Denis Cleary will briefly review what the numbers and the jargon mean, after which there will be an extended period of hands-on comparisons of the various models we carry.
Cost: free to members, $5 nonmembers (can be applied to purchase).
DIGITAL PHOTOGRAPHY WORKSHOPS
Workshops are led by Phil Witt, Dave DesRochers, and Jacki Dickert
All workshops (except field trip) are from 10:00 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. and held at Sherman-Hoffman Wildlife Sanctuary.
DIGITAL PHOTOGRAPHY
WORKSHOP I
Saturday, November 13
10:00 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
With Phil, Dave, and Jacki.
Workshop 1 will review the basics of nature photography. Participants will learn what equipment can be used to achieve different effects. By the end of the workshop participants will understand lenses, camera bodies (mostly digital single-lens reflex cameras), megapixels, shutter speeds, f/stops, focal lengths, apertures, exposure histograms, and depth of field – and how all of these can be used to take good nature photographs. Beyond equipment, the workshop will begin to cover the principles of composition and digital editing. Although the focus will be on nature photography, many of the same principles and equipment needs apply to other kinds of photography as well.
Cost: $8 members, $15 nonmembers.
DUKE FARMS