Brigantine's 20,000 acres of salt marsh, bays, freshwater impoundments, fields, and forests are known for their abundant waterfowl during autumn migration. Bring binoculars, field guide, lunch, and beverage, as well as money for the Refuge entrance fee. Meet at the parking lot by the visitor center, where rest rooms and checklists are available.

Directions: Garden State Parkway south to exit #48. Drive south on Route 9 for 6 miles to Oceanville. Turn left on Great Creek Road ( there is a stoplight and a small sign for the refuge). Pre-registration is recommened because the trip may be cancelled due to bad weather or other reasons. To register, call Lou Beck (609) 737-0070.

This event is led by the Friends of the Marsh and is cosponsored by Washington Crossing Audubon Society and D&R Greenway Land Trust.

Directions: Meet at Divine Word Missionaries, 101 Park St. Bordentown. For additional information, call (732) 821-8310. See Friends of Marsh website (www.marsh-friends.org) for listings of additional outings and canoe trips that complement those of WCAS.

Palmyra park is located off Route 73 just under and south of the Tacony-Palmyra Bridge. The park has been exceptional for various species including warblers and sparrows. The park has a variety of habitats including marsh, deciduous trees, conifers, and bushes/vines. It is located along the Delaware River. Call Lou Beck if you have questions at (609) 737-0070.

Directions: Travel time is about one hour from the Princeton area. Go south on Rt. 295 to Route 73/Palmyra exit (Exit 36). Go five miles west on Route 73 to just before the Tacony-Palmyra Bridge. Look for sign to the Palmyra Cove Park.

Note: Registration is required, limited to 12 persons. Call Lou Beck at (609) 737-0070 to register.

Directions: Registered participants will meet at Featherbed Lane, just north of Hopewell. From Rt. 518 in Hopewell, turn north on Greenwood Avenue and drive approximately 1.5 miles. Turn right onto Featherbed Lane and go about 0.5 miles to the banding area, and park along the right side of the lane.

NPLD is the nation's largest hands-on volunteer effort to improve and enhance public lands. Join us on this day as we take pride in caring for the gift of our Nature Reserve. We will examine the local ecology while removing some encroaching invasive plant species. This SB-MWA event is for Families (children 10 and older) and Adults and is Free! Call the Buttinger Nature Center (609-737-7592) to register and for more information.

This event is led by the Friends of the Marsh and is cosponsored by Washington Crossing Audubon Society and D& R Greenway. For information, call 732-821-8310.

Directions: Meet at the Bradlees/ShopRite shopping center on Route 206 south of Crosswicks Creek.

See Friends of Marsh website (www.marsh-friends.org) for listings of additional outings and canoe trips that complement those of WCAS.

Join us as we celebrate fall on the Watershed Reserve! Drop in any time during the Open House and take an informal bird hike with one of our naturalists. The Buttinger Nature Center and Nature Shop will also be open - check out our vast inventory of field guides, pick out a new birdfeeder, make time to enjoy our hands-on displays and visit with our animals. All members will receive 20% off on nature shop purchases this day. This program is co-sponsored by Stony Brook-Millstone Watershed Association. Call the Buttinger Nature Center (609-737-7592) to register ($5 suggested donation per person) and for more information.

Mercer County Park central is a 2500 acre public park with fields, forests, and a 300 acre freshwater lake. We will walk for two to three hours along Lake Mercer. Bring binoculars and a field guide, and dress for the weather.

Directions: Enter the park from Hughes Drive or Old Trenton Road (Route 535). Meet at the parking lot for the boat house. For more information contact Mark Witmer at (609) 730-0826.

Migratory birds from northern climates more frigid than New Jersey's head our way to spend the winter in the warmer, open, and fish-filled waters they find here. Mary Doscher helps us see these winter arrivals as they add beauty and interest to the fresh, brackish, and salt waters along the Jersey shore.

Directions: Meet at Marina, Route 35 in Belmar. Bring lunch and beverage, dress for the weather. For more information, contact Lou Beck at (609) 737-0070.

Join SBMWA Education Director Jeff Hoagland on a hike of the Watershed Reserve in search of wintering birds. We hope to observe sparrows scratching the earth, chickadees and titmice foraging in the trees, and vultures soaring far above. Bluebirds, owls, hawks and pheasants are also possible, but we will focus primarily on the common winter birds and their behavior. This program is co-sponsored by the Stony Brook-Millstone Watershed Association. Please pre-register for this program by calling (609) 737-7592 — directions will be provided. $5 suggested donation per person to SB-MWA.