Field Trips

Washington Crossing Audubon Society offers free field trips to birding hot spots

Experienced birders from WCAS lead regular birding field trips to some of the region’s top birding hotspots in Central New Jersey, the New Jersey shore, the Delaware Bay, Delaware Water Gap. and eastern Pennsylvania. Field trips are free and open to the public. 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.

If the trip is co-sponsored, please note the registration request in the trip description. In case of inclement weather, please check this website.

Trips are free, but participation may be limited to 20-25 participants. Preregistration is preferred, but not required, except for the Forsythe and Sandy Hook trips. Also, you only need to register for one slot no matter how many people are in your party. The benefits of signing up are that you will recieve direct notification of any changes in the trip, including cancellation, and get a reminder about the trip. If you don’t sign up, we can’t guarantee you’ll get notified. If you want to sign up and slots are full or you are having trouble, please email contact.wcas@gmail.com

COVID state guidelines in place at the time of the trip will be followed.  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.

Note that most trips last 2-2.5 hours, except where indicated.  You are always free to leave earlier or stay longer if you want! 

Sign up online for as many trips as you would like via Sign-Up Genius. Details of meeting places, contact numbers and leader names will be supplied in follow-up emails to those who sign up.

    • Brigantine NWR A field trip on Saturday, September 16 at 9:00 AM. PRE-REGISTRATION IS REQUIRED.
    • Mercer Meadows/Pole Farm A field trip on Saturday, September 23 at 8:00 AM. Known for years as the AT&T Overseas Transmission Station, it is now preserved and more familiarly called The Pole Farm, with woods and large areas of fields and meadows managed for grassland birds and butterflies. Meet in the parking lot by the barn at the confluence of Keefe Rd and Cold Soil Rd.
    • Institute Woods & Rogers Refuge A field trip on Saturday, September 30 at 8:00 AM. Learn more about the Rogers Refuge: https://rogersrefuge.org/forr/
    • Negri Nepote Grasslands CANCELLED due to rain!  How many rainy Saturdays can we take???   A field trip on Saturday, October 7 at 8:00 AM. This 164-acre property between Skillmans Lane to the east, Bennetts Lane to the north, and the Six Mile Run Reservoir site to the west and south, contains 111 acres of grassland and 53 acres of woodland, home to a variety of bird species. Directions: From Rte 206, take Rte 514 East (Amwell Rd). Turn right on Route 615 South (S.Middlebush Rd), then turn left on Skillmans Lane. Entrance off west side of Skillmans Lane.
    • Mercer County Park RESCHEDULED to 10/21 due to rain! A field trip on Saturday, October 21 at 8:00 AM.
    • Fiddler’s Creek Preserve  A field trip on Saturday, October  21 at 8:00 AM.
    • Mount Rose Preserve A field trip on Saturday, November 4 at 8:00 AM.
    • Sandy Hook A field trip on Saturday, November 11 at 9:00 AM. 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.  PRE-REGISTRATION IS REQUIRED. You will reeive directions after pre-registering.
    • Winter Birds at the Watershed Reserve, a field trip on Saturday, December 2 from 9:00 – 11:00 AM. Free event for Adults, Children 12 and up with Parent. Explore the Watershed Reserve with Education Director Jeff Hoagland on a hike in search of wintering birds. We will discover a variety of birds, learning about their adaptations to life in winter. This hike is dedicated to the memory of Lou Beck, a scout master and president of the Trenton Naturalist Club and Washington Crossing Audubon. Bring binoculars and dress for walking outdoors. A small number of binoculars are available to borrow – please indicate this need when registering. Co-sponsored by Washington Crossing Audubon Society and the Watershed Institute. Register with the Watershed Institute here.
    • Princeton Christmas Bird Count – Sunday, December 17, 2023
    • Trenton Christmas Bird Count – Saturday, December 30, 2023

    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 contact.wcas@gmail.com

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

    If there are field trips you would like to see added to WCAS field trip offerings, please feel free to contact us.

    Field Trips

    by | Mar 16, 2016

    Field trip leader Brad Merritt (middle) © Tyler Christensen
    "Kentucky warbler" by Andrew Weitzel

    Baldpate specialty: “Kentucky warbler” by Andrew Weitzel is marked with CC BY-SA 2.0.

    "Kentucky warbler" by Andrew Weitzel

    All other photos unless otherwise noted © Tyler Christensen excepting lower right © Diana Hayes.

    Birding Baldpate Summit © Diana Hayes
    Photos © Tony Singleton

    Pole Farm at Mercer Meadows at corner of Cold Soil and Keefe Rds.

    Known now as the “Red Barn” entrance at Cold Soil & Keefe Rds. Most birders enter Pole Farm from both this corner or Federal City Rd. entrance aka Reed/Bryan Farm. Can also park at Maidenhead Trail entrance on Keefe Rd. or at Blackwell Rd. entrance.
    GPS: 40.312911, -74.737523

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

    Deer management in winter

    Baldpate Mountain, Fiddler's Creek Entrance

    Fiddler’s Creek Entrance Parking lot for birding the Summit Trail (blue) and driveway on the left
    Mercer County Website lists address as 327 Fiddlers Creek Road, Titusville, NJ 08560
    Baldpate formerly known as Kuser Mountain
    GPS: 40.317418, -74.889530

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

    Check for Deer Management closing dates in winter

    Abbott Marshlands

    Abbott Marshlands formerly Hamilton- Trenton – Bordentown Marsh

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

    Use Sewell Avenue entrance to Roebling Park section of the Abbott Marshlands and park by Spring Lake. Be mindful that this natural area is located in an urban setting. Use caution when visiting. Don’t leave your camera or valuables lying about. Report any suspicious behavior to the Hamilton (609-581-4000) or Bordentown Township (609- 298-2800) Police. In an emergency, call 911.

    GPS Coordinates: N40 11.714 W74 43.923  

    Baldpate Mtn., Pleasant Valley Rd. entrance

    Pleasant Valley Rd. entrance to Ted Stiles Perserve at Baldpate Mountain formerly known as Kuser Mountain
    40.330450, -74.871657

    Rogers Wildllife Refuge next to Institute Woods

    Charles Rogers Wildlife Refuge entrance to Institute Woods, Princeton

    Directions: From Princeton take Alexander Street toward Route 1. At the bend before the canal turn right on West Drive. Go a short distance on West Drive and park near the entrance to Rogers Wildlife Refuge.

    GPS:
    40°19’38.5″N 74°39’33.6″W
    40.327353, -74.659342

    Pole Farm Federal City Rd./Reed Bryan entrance

    Reed Bryan section of the Pole Farm at Mercer Meadows also known as Federal City entrance with gray barn and “Last pole standing.”
    GPS: 40.316586,-74.758068

    St. Michaels Preserve

    St. Michaels Preserve, Princeton Ave. aka Carter Road entrance.

    Stony Brook-Millstone Watershed Association

    Stony Brook-Millstone Watershed Association

    GPS:
    40°21’06.3″N 74°46’21.3″W
    40.351751, -74.772571

    Mercer County Park

    West Windsor

    Negri-Nepote Native Grassland Preserve

    Caution: Hunting in Fall

    Washington Crossing State Park Nature Center

    Washington Crossing State Park Nature Center
    355 Washington Crossing Pennington Rd, Titusville, NJ 08560, USA

    GPS:
    40°18’49.5″N 74°51’46.6″W
    40.3137529, 
    -74.86295740000003

    Assunpink Wildlife Management Area

    Assunpink Wildlife Management Area Boat Launch parking lot
    Intersection of Imlaystown-Hightstown Rd & Clarksburg-Robbinsville Rd, Millstone, NJ 08535, USA
    Directions: East on I-195 to exit 11, Imlaystown. North on Imlaystown Road 2.6 miles to parking area at Lake Assunpink.

    GPS:
    40°12’54.9″N 74°31’00.7″W
    40.215254, -74.516866

    Cumberland County Heislerville WMA

    Heislerville Wildlife Management Area in Maurice River Twp., Cumberland County, NJ
    Dikes on Matts Landing Rd, Leesburg, NJ 08327, USA

    GPS:
    39°14’02.9″N 75°01’34.5″W
    39.234133, -75.026264

    Peace Valley Nature Center

    Peace Valley Nature Center
    42-64 N Chapman Rd, Doylestown, PA 18901, USA

    GPS:
    40°20’23.8″N 75°10’16.2″W
    40.339942, -75.171179

    Mt. Rose Preserve

    Mount Rose Preserve, Carter Rd., Hopewell Township, NJ 08540, USA
    Entrance to parking lot on west side of Carter Rd.

    GPS:
    40°21’41.4″N 74°44’15.4″W
    40.361489, -74.737621

    Garret Mountain Reservation

    Garret Mountain Reservation
    2 Mountain Ave, Woodland Park, NJ 07424, USA  (near Patterson)

    Directions: Take I-287 to I-80. Go east to exit 56A (Squirrelwood Road). Go to the stop sign and turn right on Rifle Camp Road. Go up the hill about 0.5 miles to Mountain Ave., which comes in from the left. Turn left on Mountain Ave. (look for army tank and reservoir on the left) and go 0.3 miles to the entrance to Garret Mountain Reservation. Go right up the hill for a short distance to a large parking area. The distance from Somerville on I-287 and I-80 to exit 56A is 40 miles.

    GPS:
    40°54’08.5″N 74°10’54.5″W
    40.902367, -74.181791

    Round Valley Reservoir Boat Launch

    Round Valley Reservoir Boat Launch
    County Rd 629, Lebanon, NJ 08833, USA

    GPS:
    40°37’54.9″N 74°50’57.5″W
    40.631908, -74.849302

    Pryde's Point Trail

    Pryde’s Point Trail Conservation easement area is adjacent to the Alexauken Creek Wildlife Management Area. It has a wonderful wooded area with vistas of Hunterdon County. The terrain is steep in spots but allows for a leisurely walk to experience a remote area of West Amwell.

    Park on 23 Gulick Rd., Ringoes, NJ:
    https://goo.gl/maps/D3jcGqNVTSP2

    GPS: 40.407954, -74.870407

    Don’t park at the WMA entrance for Pond Trail on Rocktown-Lambertville Rd. Pryde’s Point Trail map on NJ Trails website: http://njtrails.org/trail/prydes-point-alexauken-creek/