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White winged scoter by Beni Fishbein.
White winged scoter by Beni Fishbein.

8:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.

Meet at 8:30 am at the end of Broadway in Point Pleasant Beach; driving directions are here. 

A birder’s meetup

 

With the beginning of winter, the birding on New Jersey’s North Shore is at its very best. Depending on winds and weather, we can hope to see hundreds or thousands of northern gannets, all three scoters, common eiders, both loon species, horned grebes, great cormorants, purple sandpipers, and perhaps a razorbill or two. Dress for what is likely to be cold weather—and it will feel even colder, as we expect to spend much of the morning standing on the southern jetty guarding the inlet. If time allows, we’ll explore other nearby areas for more wintering species. Bring binoculars, a snack and something warm to drink.  If you have one, a spotting scope can be very useful here.  Should the weather be threatening, please check the Montclair Bird Club website the evening before for confirmation or cancellation.  For more information, contact MBCoutings@gmail.com.

 

There are no bathrooms at this location; however, just over the bridge on Route 35 is a Dunkin’ Donuts that has bathrooms. 

 

Driving directions: Take the Garden State Parkway south to Exit 98.  Get on Route 34 South which turns into Route 35 South.  Just over the bridge, make a U-turn and continue on Route 35 north to Broadway.  Turn right, (sign says “To beach”).  Park at end of beach across from 24-2 Broadway.  For GPS use this address: 24-2 Broadway, Point Pleasant Beach.  

Song sparrow on left, field sparrow on right. Photo by Ric Cohn.
Song sparrow on left, field sparrow on right. Photo by Ric Cohn.

Meet at the Helen C. Fenske Visitor Center 32 Pleasant Plains Road, Harding Township, NJ

Trip cancels if weather is threatening.

8:30-11:30 a.m.

 

Great Swamp National Wildlife Refuge is a 7,000-acre refuge located in suburban Morris County.  It has a variety of habitats including hardwood swamp, marsh, upland deciduous woods, fields and open water that support a wide diversity of bird life year-round.  We will start out birding around the Helen Fenske Visitor Center and make our way to the boardwalk areas.  On last year’s January trip to Great Swamp, we saw 36 species including eastern bluebird, white-crowned sparrow, and red-shouldered hawk.  Ebird lists 106 species as being seen in January at the Great Swamp including such niceties as American tree sparrow and rusty blackbird as well as a variety of ducks and waterfowl, raptors, sparrows and other passerines.   Bring binoculars, a snack and something to drink.  Dress warmly.  Be sure to email mbcoutings@gmail.com if you plan to come, in case of inclement weather or road closures.  

 

There are outhouses at the meeting location and a bathroom by the boardwalks. 

© 2024 Montclair Bird Club.

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