HOURS: Tuesday to Saturday, 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Sunday, noon to 4:00 p.m. / Closed Mondays 
CLOSINGS: Wednesday, December 24, Thursday, December 25, and New Year’s Day,
and Thursday, January 1.

Rancocas Nature Center Information Page

Autumn Calendar of Events

Winter, 2008-09

NJAS WINTER BIRDSEED SALE
Place orders by Saturday, November 22, for birdseed pickup on
Saturday, December 6,
9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.
Place orders by Saturday, January 24, for birdseed pickup on
Saturday, February 7,
9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.

CHILDREN’S NATURE SERIES
All programs require advance registration.

SUNDAY NATURE EXPLORERS
(last week of the series)
Sunday, December 7
2:00 to 4:00 p.m.
Nature Explorers is geared toward kids aged 5½ to 8. The format will be different during the last session on December 7. On that Sunday, children will collect a variety of natural objects while hiking and exploring the Rancocas trails. With their found treasures and other recycled materials, they will have the opportunity to make nature-oriented holiday gifts for family and friends.
Cost: $7 per child for members,
      $10 per child for nonmembers.

NEW!
SATURDAY NATURE EXPLORERS
Saturdays, January 17, February 7 and 28
1:30 to 3:30 p.m.
Geared for children ages 6 to 8, each Saturday program includes a creative project, games and activities, and a nature walk. A different winter topic will inspire explorations on the trails. It’s a great way for children to get out and about during a mostly indoor season.
Cost: $7 per child per session for members, $10 per child per session for nonmembers.

NEW! ADVENTURES WITH NATURE
Sundays, January 18, February 8, and March 1
1:30 to 3:30 p.m.
Sunday afternoons can become an adventure for children ages 9 to 12. Each week we’ll investigate a different aspect of the world around us and tie it to fun activities and a hike on the Rancocas trails. Children are encouraged to suggest areas of interest they would like to explore.
Cost: $7 per child per session for members, $10 per child per session for nonmembers.

NATURE TODDLERS
Fridays, January 23, 30;
February 6, 13, 20
Saturdays, January 24, 31;
February 7, 14, 21
10:00 to11:30 a.m.
This weekly program is designed to engage young children, ages 3 to 5, and their parent/caregivers in songs, games, crafts, hikes, and discoveries. Each week a different nature topic relating to the winter season and the outdoor world will be explored.
Cost: $7 per child per session for members, $10 per child per session for nonmembers.

PROGRAMS FOR ALL AGES
All programs require advance registration.

WALK THE RANCOCAS TRAILS
Sundays, December 14,
January 11, and February 15
2:30 to 3:30 p.m.
Join an NJAS staff person or an associate naturalist for a guided walk through the varied habitats at our center. It’s a great way to become familiar with our well-maintained trails; the next time you visit, you can just pick up a trail map (at the visitor’s center) and be your own guide. The easy pace is suitable for all ages; please use a backpack to transport small children.
Cost: Free for members; $4 per person, $10 per family for nonmembers.
 
WINTER NIGHT HIKE AT RANCOCAS
Friday, January 23
6:00 to 8:00 p.m.
The natural world is awakening in January and February. Raccoons, foxes, owls, and skunks are looking for partners or starting families. Come explore the trails with an RNC associate naturalist. We’ll look for signs of these animals, evidence of increased activities, and listen for their vocalizations. If we’re lucky, we might spot a pair of our resident Great Horned Owls. The easy pace is suitable for all ages. Dress for the weather, and please use backpacks to transport small children (not strollers).
Cost: $7 per person, $15 per family for members; $10 per person, $21 per family for nonmembers.

MAPLE SUGARING
Sunday, February 22
1:30 to 3:30 p.m.
What a tasty way to spend a winter afternoon! Bring the whole family and enjoy a program about maple sugaring, the oldest continuous industry in North America. Learn about the sugar maple tree and the history of maple sugaring, observe a tree-tapping demonstration, and enjoy a maple syrup tasting. To ward off the chills, we’ll have an old-fashioned campfire burning.
Cost: $7 person, $15 per family for members; $10 person, $21 per family for nonmembers.

ADULT PROGRAMS AT RNC

SCIENCE FOR SENIORS –
MARK YOUR CALENDARS!
Fridays, January 23,
February 13, and March 6
2:30 to 3:30 p.m.
Discovery is exciting at any age. Join other interested adults for an informative afternoon and add a new topic of conversation to Friday night’s dinner. Each science and nature program will include a different theme relating to the world around us. Call the center for additional information.
Cost: $6 for members,
      $9 for nonmembers.

MORNING BIRD WALKS AT RANCOCAS
Fridays, December 5, January 2, and February 6
8:00 a.m.
Join an RNC associate naturalist for a “first-Friday-of-the-month” bird walk. Migrants and resident species can be found at our center; sightings are added to the RNC bird list. Meet at the picnic tables by the parking lot. Walks begin promptly at 8:00 a.m.
Cost: Free for members,
      $5 for nonmembers.

FIELD TRIPS

Unless otherwise noted, all field trips require a five-day preregistration and advance payment of $15 for NJAS members or $20 for nonmembers. No refunds are made unless we cancel the trip. Field trips meet at or near the trip locations; instructions will be provided by e-mail or mail, or can be picked up at the center. Trips take place rain or shine (within reasonable limits). Group size is limited and a minimum number of participants is necessary. Bring binoculars and/or scopes, lunch, and appropriate gear. Register by calling 609.261.2495 with credit card information or by mailing a check to RNC,
794 Rancocas Road, Mount Holly, NJ 08060. Please include your e-mail address when you register to receive site directions.

OLD PINE FARM AND BIG TIMBER CREEK PARK IN GLOUCESTER COUNTY
Saturday, December 6
8:45 a.m. to midafternoon
Whether you are familiar with birding sites in Gloucester County or you’ve never tried winter birding there, spend the day with Lloyd Shaw at Big Timber Creek and search for winter passerines. This is a joint trip with the Sandy Hook Bird Observatory (SHBO).

WINTER BIRDING AT ISLAND BEACH STATE PARK
Saturday, December 13
8:45 a.m. to midafternoon
Naturalist and birder Rick Radis takes you for a visit to Island Beach State Park for loons, gannets, and other migrating waterfowl. This is a joint trip with SHBO.

BRUCE FETZ’S SANDY HOOK
Sunday, January 11
7:00 a.m. to early afternoon
Try a winter birding adventure at Sandy Hook. Join long-time Sandy Hook Bird Observatory associate naturalist Bruce Fetz as he scouts for shorebirds. This is a joint trip with SHBO.

BARNEGAT STATE PARK AND CEDAR RUN DOCK ROAD
Saturday January 17
Meeting time TBA
A trip to Barnegat State Park and Cedar Run Dock Road will offer winter birding at its best. Join veteran birder Lloyd Shaw as he leads this joint trip with the Burlington County Natural Sciences Club.

BIRDING AT SANDY HOOK WITH LINDA MACK
Saturday, January 24
8:45 a.m. to midafternoon
Join Linda Mack for an excellent day of birding at Sandy Hook. Linda’s leadership skills and enthusiasm will make for an enjoyable trip. This is a joint trip with SHBO.

SALEM COUNTY WINTER RAPTORS
Sunday, January 25
Noon to 6:00 p.m.
The farms and marshes of Salem County are the winter home of many raptor species including Bald Eagles and Great Horned Owls. Join naturalist Sandra Keller at the Pedricktown Causeway to see how many species we can find as we tour the winter landscape. We’ll search for owls toward evening.

CAROLE HUGHES’ SANDY HOOK
Sunday, February 1
8:45 a.m. to midafternoon
Look for waterfowl, gulls, seabirds, and other surprises with associate naturalist Carole Hughes in this joint SHBO field trip.

BARNEGAT LIGHT, OCEAN COUNTY
Saturday, February 14
9:00 a.m. to midafternoon
Haven’t seen Harlequin Ducks yet? Treat yourself to this beautiful sight and join associate naturalist John Courtney as he searches this reliable spot. Other target species include Purple Sandpipers, Snow Buntings, Horned Larks, and other winter waterfowl.

NORTH SHORE PONDS AND MANASQUAN INLET
Saturday, February 21
8:45 a.m. to midafternoon
Join Pete Bacinski as he makes his annual excursion to the North Shore ponds and Manasquan Inlet for wintering coastal birds. This is a joint trip with SHBO.

TAYLOR’S REFUGE AND AMICO ISLAND
Saturday, February 21
9:00 a.m. to midafternoon
For Burlington County residents, Taylor’s Refuge and Amico Island are a short trip away. Lloyd Shaw will share his expertise as he searches for late winter passerines along the Delaware River and surrounding area.

WINTER BIRDING ON THE RARITAN BAYSHORE
Saturday, February 28
8:45 a.m. to midafternoon
Join Scott Barnes for a tour of the winter birding spots on the Raritan Bayshore. No one knows this area better than Scott. This is a joint trip with SHBO.

BURLINGTON COUNTY NATURAL SCIENCE CLUB
NJAS members are invited to the monthly meetings of the Burlington County Natural Science Club. Meetings are held the second Wednesday of the month, September through May, at 7:45 p.m. For updates on meeting locations and presentation topics, visit the club’s Web site at http://oldsquaw.tripod.com

THANKS TO OUR VOLUNTEERS

Each season we like to say “Thank you” to all of our dedicated volunteers and acknowledge the many hours they contribute. Rancocas would not be the vibrant place it is without their help. Thank you to Heddy Bauer, Bob Birdsall, John and Marilyn Courtney, Laura Edwards, Gayle Githens, Bob Hall, Janet Jackson-Gould, Mary Klingelhoeffer, Bob Lord, Steve Mattan, Mary Metrione, Ken Mitchell, Candy Myers, Pat Pawlowski, Louise Tompkins, Diane Rothschild, George Rowland, Arlene Spangler, Barbara Wiley, Bill Wiley, and Al Wiley. We would also like to acknowledge the contributions of Sandra Keller. In addition to Sandra’s expertise as an associate naturalist, she recently completed an updated assessment of “The Birds of Rancocas”. The last checklist update was in the 1970s. This current report includes an assessment of the entire state park and is a valuable resource. A copy is at the center and the report will be available on our Web site in the near future.
 

Members receive discounts on program fees. If you are not a member and would like to become one, consider Joining New Jersey Audubon Society.