Programs for Adults and Teens

Nature STUDY

WILDFLOWERS

OF PYRAMID MOUNTAIN

Saturdays,

August 28 and September 4

10:00 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.

Join associate naturalist George Petty on this expedition to observe late-blooming summer wildflowers. Bring your field guide, proper footwear, and water. If it is a nice day, the hike will conclude with a climb to the top of Pyramid Mountain to enjoy the view. Highlights may include: cardinal flower, Joe Pye weed, bottle gentian, turtlehead, goldenrods, and silverrod. (Heavy soaking rain may postpone hike to next day.) Hike meets at Pyramid Mountain; directions will be sent upon registration. Limit: 12.  Cost: $5 members, $8 nonmembers.

BEECH ROAD BIRD WALKS

Thursdays, September 9 through October 21

7:30 to 9:00 a.m.

Located across Route 511 from the Long Pond boat launch in Ringwood, this area has open water, mudflats, meadows, woodlands, and stream habitats that attract diverse migrating and breeding birds. Join associate naturalist Suzanne Serafini for these weekly snapshots of the changes that come with fall. Bring binoculars if you have them and meet at the site.  Cost:  free for members, $5 for nonmembers.

HISTORIC MONTCLAIR

HAWK WATCH

Sunday, September 19

9:00 to 11:00 a.m.

Since its founding in 1957, approximately one million migrating hawks have been counted over the Montclair Hawk Watch. Peak flights during the fall occur between the middle and end of September, making this the perfect time to go and hopefully see some of the 15,000 Broad-winged Hawks that may pass the lookout during this window of time. The hawk watch, a NJ Audubon sanctuary, is the second-oldest continuous hawk watch in North America. NJ Audubon staff members and volunteers will be on hand during this visit to the lookout to explain the dynamics of hawk migration and assist with the identification of raptors. Directions will be sent upon registration.  Cost:  free for members,  $5 nonmembers.

BASICS OF BIRDING:

AUTUMN HAWK WATCH

Saturday, October 2

8:30 a.m. to noon.

Join associate naturalist Suzanne Serafini and learn new ID skills or brush up on old ones. We will begin with a short slide show, handouts, and discussion at Weis followed by an outing to nearby Mount Peter to take in the migration phenomenon. Limit: 15. Cost (includes handouts): $6 members, $10 nonmembers.

CELERY FARM

Saturday, October 2

Meet at 8:45 a.m.

Allendale Celery Farm expert Rob Fanning will guide you there in search of passerines and surprises.  Cost: $15 members, $20 nonmembers.

THE PINE BARRENS

Sunday, October 3

Meet at 8:45 a.m.

New Jersey Pines Barrens expert Rick Radis will take you to some of his favorite haunts for Pine Barrens natural history.  Cost: $15 members, $20 nonmembers.

BASICS OF BIRDING:

BACKYARD BIRD FEEDING

Saturdays:

October 2 and November 13

Sundays:

October 3 and November 14

1:30 to 3:00 p.m.

Learn the basics of feeding wild birds (and not the bears or squirrels) in winter. What works depends on your yard and which species you want to attract. Bring your questions, stories, and problems to Weis so we can help you make the best choices in feeders, seed type, and placement. Our discussion will be followed by a short bird walk and observation of the center feeding stations. The cost of this workshop can be applied to a bird feeder, accessory, or bird seed purchase made in Weis’s nature store the day of the workshop. Limit: 15.  Cost: $5 members, $8 nonmembers.

SOWING THE SEEDS FOR OPEN SPACE: BIRD SEED SALE

Saturday, October 2

(order by September 18)

Saturday, December 4

(order by November 20)

9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.

Help preserve open space in New Jersey! When you purchase your bird seed in support of this fundraising effort by NJ Audubon, you are providing food for wildlife and supporting local farms. New this year, you may purchase local, New Jersey-grown black oil sunflower seed. Order forms are mailed to members about 6 weeks before each pickup date (extra forms can be picked up at WEC, or call and we’ll mail you one). To order seed, download a form from www.njaudubon.org and return the completed form and payment to Weis two weeks before the pickup date, or call to order over the phone with a credit card.

Where it’s “AT” for Hawks

The Appalachian Trail (AT) is “where it’s at,” especially during autumn hawk migration. Join associate naturalists Philip (Flip) De Rea and Ray Fowlie for one or both of these field trips to popular hawk-watching spots along the Appalachian Trail.

I. SUNRISE MOUNTAIN

Sunday, October 10

9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.

Meet at the summit of Sunrise Mountain, just a short walk from the parking area, for a beginner-friendly hawk-watching adventure. Directions sent upon registration.

Cost (includes handouts): $6 members, $10 nonmembers.

II. RACCOON RIDGE

Sunday, November 7

9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.

This late-in-the-season all-day excursion to Raccoon Ridge in Warren County can offer great rewards to those willing to make the moderately strenuous hike to get to the spot along the Appalachian Trail, where the Kittatinny Mountains become a single ridge 1,200 feet above the Delaware River. A Guide to Bird Finding in New Jersey says, “This is the best place in northern New Jersey to see Osprey, Bald Eagle, Northern Goshawk, Golden Eagle, and Common Raven during fall migration.” Directions sent upon registration. Limit: 20.  Cost (includes handouts):  $10 members, $15 nonmembers.

   Nature Adventure

WEIS WOMEN’S HIKES  

WEIS WOMEN’S HIKES

Saturdays, September 18,

October 23, November 20

8:00 to 10:00 a.m.

Moderately strenuous 2- to 3-mile hikes. Join the ladies of Weis for these early morning hikes to some of their favorite scenic spots! A great way to enjoy time outdoors, get some exercise, and get home early enough to spend time with family and friends! Each hike will meet at Weis and carpool to the trailhead if needed. Please wear appropriate hiking footwear, bring plenty of water, and dress in layers for the weather.  Cost: $5.