TECHNIQUES OF FIELD OBSERVATION with Michael O'Brien - February 16

Sharpen your field skills in the workshop that every birder wishes they'd taken. Binoculars show you the bird. Field guides identify the bird. But how many times have you studied a bird, only to discover that all of the information you gathered has evaporated by the time you get to the field guide, or that the one field mark you need to distinguish one from another was the one thing you failed to note?  This workshop will teach you how to look, record and recall and, most importantly, how to bird like an expert.  World renowned author, artist, and tour leader Michael O'Brien will show you how to be a better birder on this one-of-a-kind Cape May School of Birding Workshop - you don't want to miss it!!! Preregistration required.

Saturday, February 16
8:00 - 4:30 PM
$90 members, $120 nonmembers

Register now at: Cape May School of Birding

LONG-TAILS IN LOVE Special Field Trip - February 9

Long-tailed Ducks and many other species of waterfowl frequent the ocean, bays, inlets, and ponds along he South Jersey coast. The Long-tailed Ducks court during the weeks surrounding Valentine's Day, with the males yodeling melodically to their mates. Join Chuck and Mary Jane Slugg and CMBO Naturalists on this exciting CMBO Special Field Trip to search for eiders, scoters and other waterfowl from Avalon to Cape May Harbor. Along the way, you may encounter other winter specialties, including Purple Sandpiper. Preregistration required. 

Saturday, February 9
10:00 - 4:00 PM
$24 members, $32 nonmembers.

Register now at: CMBO Programs

BRIGANTINE & MOTT'S CREEK - January 27

Edwin B. Forsythe NWR (AKA Brigantine) is a great place to see ducks, geese (including Snow Geese & Brant), Northern Harriers, Short-eared Owls, eagles and Rough-legged Hawks.  After birding the refuge, the group will head to nearby Mott's Creek for raptor watching.  A refuge pass ($4; can be purchased that day), Golden Age Pass, or federal duck stamp will be required for each vehicle to enter the NWR. Join Janet Crawford, Karen Johnson, and CMBO Naturalists on this exciting Special Field Trip. Registration required.

Sunday, January 27
1:30 - 5:30 PM
$24 members, $32 nonmembers

Register now at: CMBO Programs

COASTAL BIRDING AT TWO MILE - Jan. 12

Join CMBO Naturalists on this exciting Special Field Trip. Come explore the Cape May National Wildlife Refuge’s Two Mile Beach Unit’s barrier island habitat, where we’ll see shorebirds, gulls, and waterfowl, as well as offshore migrants such as Northern Gannett and scoters. We’ll walk the beach to the Cold Spring Jetty and look for Great Cormorant and Purple Sandpiper. We’ll also visit the duck blind to view the salt ponds for ducks and raptors. Preregistration required - $15 members, $20 nonmembers.

Saturday, January 12
1:00 - 4:00 PM

Register now at: CMBO Programs

WINTERING HAWKS, EAGLES, & OWLS - January 5 & 6

Join CMBO Program Director Brett Ewald on this exciting Cape May School of Birding Workshop. Over ten species of diurnal raptors and owls are possible, thanks to southern New Jersey's mosaic of prey-rich habitats. We'll spend time going over identification challenges and highlighting features to look for. You'll see a lot of other great birds too, along with some of the most beautiful and remote landscapes on the Eastern Seaboard. Learn to find and recognize good wintering hawk and owl habitat. Past years have featured hunting Short-eared Owls, Rough-legged Hawks and Golden Eagle. The bulk of this workshop is in the field, with an indoor session to heighten your understanding of wintering birds of prey.

Saturday, January 5 & Sunday, January 6
Preregistration required: $150 members, $200 members.

Register now at: CMBO Programs

Harlequin Romance Trip Report

We had a great time on the CMBO Special Field Trip to the Barnegat area on Saturday, December 8th. The weather cooperated with lots of sun and light winds as we gathered at Barnegat Light State Park and proceeded to explore the jetty and beach areas. Waterfowl and loons were very much in evidence, with close looks at Common Loons, Long-tailed Ducks, Brant, Black Scoters, and Common Eiders. At least 7 Harlequin Ducks (males and females) were feeding in the waves, along with Bufflehead, Surf Scoters, and Red-throated Loons, while a couple Northern Gannets glided by in the distance. Several groups of shorebirds passed by, involving Dunlin, Sanderlings, and Ruddy Turnstones (one Purple Sandpiper was seen on the distant jetty). Away from the water, our attention was grabbed by a lone Ipswich Sparrow, 3 Horned Larks, Merlin, and Sharp-shinned Hawk. After lunch, we visited some nearby areas to view the back bay waters, and were rewarded with both species of Scaup, Common Goldeneyes, an adult Lesser Black-backed Gull, lots of Bufflehead, Red-breasted Mergansers, and even a Horned Grebe. Two very close Purple Sandpipers were a highlight of the trip. All together, we enjoyed 48 species and the camaraderie of fellow birders. 

Join us on our next Special Field Trip and start the new year right - Kick Off Your Year List on Tuesday, January 1. Register and get more details at: CMBO Programs

Purple Sandpipers at Sunset Park

Atlantic Brant along the jetty

Long-tailed Ducks

Merlin watching at Barnegat SP

HARLEQUIN ROMANCE Special Field Trip - Dec. 8

There's still time to join Program Director Brett Ewald and CMBO naturalists for some exciting December birding at Barnegat Light State Park. Harlequin Ducks and Purple Sandpipers are almost guaranteed, along with scoters, Common Eiders, gulls, Northern Gannets and other winter specialties, such as Snow Buntings and Ipswich Sparrow. Past rarities have included Razorbill and Black-legged Kittiwake. This trip involves a long walk over sand and jetty, and is often windy and cold, but always productive. Hope you'll join us.

Saturday, Dec. 8
10 am - 4 pm

Preregistration required. $24 members, $32 nonmembers.

Register now at: CMBO Programs