The Montclair Bird Club
Celebrating Over 100 Years of Birding
Outings & Trips
The Montclair Bird Club conducts a full program of field excursions, including both trips with a designated leader and "meet-up" outings arranged to take advantage of seasonal happenings at local hotspots. All of our activities are open to all members, friends, and visitors. For further information, please make contact with the listed leader or write to Beni at MBCOutings@gmail.com.
All participants are required to read and abide by our
For more information about any of our trips and outings, email mbcoutings@gmail.com.
Join Fred Pfeifer each Wednesday morning at 8:00 for a walk around Garret Mountain Reservation or another nearby park to enjoy the avian treasures of the season. Text or call Fred at 973 809-7674 to register and to find out the meeting location.
Mill Creek Marsh, Secaucus
Saturday, July 27, 2024
* Please text Alex at 973 202-7977 to register and to confirm the starting time, which may change.
Meet in the parking lot at 3 Mill Creek Marsh Drive, Secaucus.
Less than a month after the last northbound semipalmated sandpipers have left us, the first returning birds appear. Their numbers slowly increase through July, then explode in the last days of the month, when many thousands of adult semipalmateds gather at high tide on the ancient cedar stumps of Mill Creek Marsh. Presenting the most impressive wildlife spectacle in our area, these birds are often joined by numbers of least sandpipers, greater and lesser yellowlegs, solitary sandpipers, and short-billed dowitchers, and there is always the possibility of a surprise rarity.
Meet in the parking lot at Bob’s Discount Furniture, Secaucus, at 1:00 pm; *this time may change if the weather is adverse. We will walk a leisurely mile on wide, level trails. The shorebirds are often very close to the path on the rising tide, but binoculars or a spotting scope will give you the best views. Dress for what may well be hot and humid weather; a broad-brimmed hat and sunscreen are advised. Insects are rarely a problem here, though there may be a mosquito or two if the day is unusually calm. Bring plenty of water and a snack; restrooms are available in the adjacent strip mall.
Driving directions to Mill Creek Marsh Trail, 3 Mill Creek Drive, Secaucus, are here.
Saturday, July 27, at 1:00 pm*
Walkill River NWR: Moth Night
Saturday, July 27, 2024
Meet at 136 Owens Station Road, Sussex, NJ.
Montclair Bird Club joins the Friends of Wallkill River for a moth night, led by MBC’s own Don Traylor, to discover the many species that live in the woods and fields of Wallkill River NWR. An indoor talk will be followed by an outdoor viewing, with special lights used to attract the moths. The indoor program will take place even if the weather is adverse.
Long sleeves and pants are recommended. Bring a flashlight and a camera if you have one.
For more information, visit friendsofwallkillriver.org or call or text 973 702-7255 ext. 15.
Saturday, July 27, at 7:30 pm
West Essex Wetlands
Saturday, August 10, 2024
canceled in the event of rain
A birder's meetup
Meet at 8:30 am at 119 Naylon Avenue, Livingston, NJ (use this address for GPS).
Located along the Passaic River, West Essex Wetlands is adjacent to such well-known hotspots as Troy Meadows and Hatfield Swamp. In August, we are likely to see a number of sandpipers (hopefully up close), several species of flycatchers and a variety of herons including, with luck, little blue heron. Red-headed woodpeckers are what West Essex Wetlands is best known for, and we can hope to see them as well on this half-day trip.
Bring binoculars, a sunhat, sunscreen, insect repellent, water, and a snack. Trails are likely to be wet and muddy, so wear appropriate footwear. There are no bathrooms at this location. Write to mbcoutings@gmail.com for more information and in case of inclement weather.
To reach our meeting site from the Montclair area, take the Garden State Parkway south to Exit 145 and get on I-280 West. Take Exit 4A to Eisenhower Parkway South. Make a right onto Naylon Avenue. Drive to the end and park.
Saturday, August 10, at 8:30 am
Walker Avenue Wetlands, Wayne, New Jersey
Saturday, August 24
please write MBCOutings@gmail.com if there has been recent rain
A birder's meetup
Meet at Vincent Street, Wayne, NJ.
Walker Avenue Wetlands is a marsh habitat bordering the Pompton River in Passaic County. It is a great place to see herons and egrets, ducks, swallows, and sandpipers. In years past, a number of rarities have been found at Walker in August, and we will keep our fingers crossed on this half-day trip.
Wear waterproof shoes or boots. Bring binoculars, a scope if you have one, bug spray, and sunscreen. Be sure to wear a hat and carry water. There are no bathrooms at this location.
This area can be impassable after rain. Please write to mbcoutings@gmail.com for further information and to confirm the trip if there has been recent rain.
To reach our meeting site from the Montclair area, take Route 23 north and exit at the Newark Pompton Turnpike. Make a left onto Ryerson Avenue, a right onto Walker Avenue, and a left onto Vincent Street. Park along Vincent Street.
Saturday, August 24, at 8:00 am
A Montclair Chimney Swift Roost
Sunday, September 8, 2024
rain date September 9
with Evan Cutler
Meet at 6:00 pm on Norwood Avenue between Lorraine Avenue and Bellevue Avenue, next to the parking lot of the Bellevue Avenue branch of the Montclair Public Library.
For decades, Buzz Aldrin Middle School in Montclair has played host to one of the most fascinating birding spectacles in all of New Jersey. Each evening, flocks of Chimney Swifts fill the sky, feeding on flying insects, until suddenly, one by one they enter the school’s chimney, where they will roost until the next morning. This is a terrific opportunity to watch this phenomenon up close. Feel free to bring a lawn chair and a snack or beverage. We’ll be out until 7:30 pm.
Write mbcoutings@gmail.com for further information.
Chimney swift: photo Sanford M. Sorkin
Sunday, September 8, at 6:00 pm
Cold Brook Preserve
Saturday, October 19, 2024
A birder’s meetup
Meet at 8:30 am in the preserve parking lot at 65 Old Turnpike Road, Oldwick, NJ 08858.
Just forty-five minutes from Montclair, in the middle of New Jersey's horse county, this 287-acre Hunterdon County park is well known for beautiful views and excellent fall birding. Hedgerows provide plenty of edge where birds can forage and find shelter from predators (or nosy birders). The occasional heron or duck can be found on the small pond. Northern harriers, red-tailed hawks, American kestrels, and other raptors are often seen at this season, and many sparrow species are known from this site. Ring-necked pheasants are also seen on occasion.
Our walk of one and a half or two miles will end at 11:30. The trails are flat, though there are a few areas where the terrain is rolling and sloped; a trail map is here. Bathrooms are available at the Oldwick Market, two minutes from the preserve.
Driving directions: From the Montclair area, take the Garden State Parkway south to exit 142B for I-78 west; alternatively, take I-80 west to exit 43 and follow 287 south to exit 21B for I-78 west. Leave I-78 at exit 24 for Route 523, Oldwick. Continue straight through the village of Oldwick and past Zion Church on your right. The preserve parking is ahead on your left, just at the end of Oldwick.