Field Trips

Field Trips to local birding “Hot Spots” and beyond

Experienced birders from WCAS lead regular birding field trip to some of the region’s top birding hotspots in Central New Jersey, the Delaware Water Gap, Delaware Bay, the New Jersey shore, and eastern Pennsylvania. Field trips are free, open to the public, and most require no advance registration. Participants of all experience levels are welcome. If there are field trips you would like to see added to WCAS field trip offerings, please feel free to contact us.

For more field trip information, contact our Field Trip Chair, Brad Merritt, [email protected] If the trip is co-sponsored, please note the registration request in the trip description. In case of inclement weather, please check this website or contact Brad for field trip cancellation updates by 10:00 p.m. the night before.

* PRE-REGISTRATION REQUIRED FOR FIELD TRIPS *

Sign up online for as many trips as you would like via Sign-Up Genius:

https://www.signupgenius.com/go/fallfieldtrips

You will receive a sign-up confirmation and an additional message a day or two ahead of time to confirm the trip is a “go” or if a cancellation is necessary (e.g. inclement weather).

Covid state guidelines in place at the time of the trip will be followed.  Right now, masks are optional for those who are vaccinated, and we ask that you not participate if you are not feeling well on the day.  Group size may be limited, to ensure safety and a good birding experience for everyone.

• Saturday Sept. 11 – Field trip to Brigantine (Edwin B. Forsythe NWR) led by Brad Merritt, meeting at Brig at 9 AM.  This is a great opportunity to see migrating shorebirds and songbirds. The trip is free, but space is limited due to ongoing Covid concerns and pre-registration is required.  Sign up at [email protected] and receive a confirmation email with directions and details on where to meet.  Masks are optional for those who are fully vaccinated unless state guidelines change.
• St. Michael’s Preserve A field trip on Sat. Sept 25 at 8AM led by Sharyn Magee and Juanita Hummel
  
• Negri-Nepote Native Grassland Preserve A field trip on Saturday, October 2 at 8:00 AM led by Brad Merritt. The Negri-Nepote Native Grassland Preserve, 164 acres of grasslands and woodlands in Somerset Co., is home to sensitive species, including the Grasshopper Sparrow, Cooper’s Hawk, American Kestrel (NJ State threatened species), and Eastern Meadowlark (NJ State special concern species). We have opportunities to view Fall migrants such as Sparrows, Warblers and Kinglets.
• Mercer County Park Central a field trip on Sat. Oct. 9 at 8AM led by Mark Witmer. Mercer County Park Central is a 2,500-acre public park with fields, forests, and a 300-acre freshwater lake. We will walk for two to three hours along Lake Mercer looking for migrating Warblers and Fall Sparrows. A western species, Ash-throated Flycatcher, was once found by the dam in early December. Bring binoculars and a field guide, and dress for the weather.
• Fiddler’s Creek Preserve a field trip on Sat. Oct.16 at 8AM led by Sharyn Magee. Fiddler’s Creek Preserve is the old Hollystone Farm across Fiddler’s Creek Road from Baldpate Mountain. The main field and hedgerows support numerous species of sparrows during fall migration, making the reserve a hot spot.
• Mount Rose Preserve a field trip on Sat. Oct 23 at 8AM led by Sharyn Magee. Mount Rose Preserve consists of 387 acres of meadows, shrub land, and forest. On this walk we will be looking for a variety of late fall migrants. With the diversity of habitat, this should be a naturalist’s treat.

• Sandy Hook a field trip on Sat. Nov 13 at 9AM led by Brad Merritt. Sandy Hook is a prime spot for birding and a great way to learn more about shore birds. Opportunities to see raptors, marsh birds, and migrating songbirds along the Jersey shore.

UPCOMING FIELD TRIPS, DETAILS TBA

Sun. Dec 19, 2021
Princeton CBC
Compiler – Brad Merritt

Sun Jan. 2,   2022
Trenton Marsh CBC
Compiler – Brad Merritt

We are looking for additional team leaders—naturalists who can head out into the field and lead a small group of members and friends around your favorite natural location(s). We’ll help coordinate your team and support donation collection. If you would like to volunteer or lead a team, please email Juanita Hummel or Brad Merritt at [email protected]

Vsit our birding “Hot Spots” page for a map of local hot spots.