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Last page update on Sunday, May 27, 2007
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> Field Trips
Last page update on
Sunday, May 27, 2007
2000, 2001, 2002,
2003, 2004 Field
Trip Archives
2005 Christmas Counts
2005 FIELD TRIP SCHEDULEFIELD TRIP CO-CHAIRPERSONS:
Adrian Binns
Martin Selzer
NOTE: PLEASE MAKE EVERY EFFORT TO NOTIFY THE FIELD TRIP LEADER
THAT YOU PLAN TO ATTEND.
Contact Information for Field Trip Leaders
Additional field trips will be posted when scheduled
December 31, 2004 (Friday) – PELAGIC CHRISTMAS COUNT TO THE HUDSON
SHELF VALLEY |
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| Explore the underwater trench called the
Hudson Shelf Valley that extends from near shore all the way to the Hudson
Canyon, covering mostly the Mud Hole and Glory Hole areas. We will set up
a fixed transect for CBC purposes, and it will be selected to hit both New
York / New Jersey pelagic waters. Looking for Fulmar, Gannet, Razorbill,
murres, Dovekie, Puffin, Red Phalarope, Pomarine Jaeger, Great Skua, Black-legged
Kittiwake………From Belmar 7:30AM to 3:30PM approx. Fee.
Leader: Paul Guris (215) 234-6805
2004 Field Trip Report |
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January 8, 2005 (Saturday)– Philadelphia Mid-Winter Bird Census, Pennsylvania
(PMWBC) |
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Help count birds within the city limits. |
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January 9, 2005 (Sunday) - WINTER BIRDING IN THE DIX WILDLIFE MANAGEMENT
AREA |
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| Come check out a little birded area in Cumberland
County, NJ. The mixture of farm fields with great hedgerows (a scarce habitat
these days), oak/holly woodlands, salt-marsh, and bayshore provides excellent
food and cover for a variety of winter birds. This territory on the Cumberland
County CBC has produced some notable winter birds like Gyrfalcon, Sandhill
Crane, Northern Goshawk, Saw-whet Owl, Yellow-breasted Chat, and Lincoln's
Sparrow. Both diurnal and nocturnal raptor numbers can be excellent, and
this area produced the nation's highest CBC counts for Eastern-Screech and
Great-horned Owls ever. Some years it holds large numbers of sparrows, can
be very good for Hermit Thrush and Fox Sparrow, and often holds numbers
of lingering birds like Gray Catbird, Brown Thrasher, and Eastern Towhee.
So come out and try birding somewhere new. Meeting Time: 7:00 AM. Meeting
Place: The end of Duck Cove Road, Fairton, NJ (DeLorme NJ Atlas Page 68,
Block G-1) This is the first right turn off Route 601 / Back Neck Rd., and
overlooks an area of the Cohansey River where the local Bald Eagle pair
can often be seen. Leader: Paul Guris (215) 234-6805 2005 Field Trip Report 2004 Field Trip Report |
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January 15-17, 2005 (Saturday-Monday) – MONTAUK (LONG ISLAND), NY
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| For winter finches, eiders, scoters, alcids
and any Eurasian accidentals. Car pool from N.E. Philadelphia at 6AM. Space
is limited due to lodging constraints – first come, first served!
Shared expenses. Leaders: Erica Brendel (215) 844-3456, Chris Walters (215) 642-6862 2005 Field Trip Report 2004 Field Trip Report 2003 Field Trip Report |
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January 22, 2005 (Saturday) – TULLYTOWN DUMP AND FALLS TOWNSHIP PARK,
BUCKS COUNTY, PA |
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| 9:30 am until you can't stand it anymore
(probably around 3-4) Meet at the mega-Wawa off of Route 13 where the PA Turnpike exit ramp takes you. Since the gull masses are not freguenting Florence NJ this year we will check some other spots in lower Bucks. Good numbers of Iceland have been reported this year, and who knows what else we might find. Dress for standing around in the freezing cold. Leader: Matt Sharp (215) 299-1069 Directions |
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January 23, 2005 (Sunday) – BARNEGAT LIGHT |
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| This trip was
CANCELLED The best location in New Jersey to see Harlequin Duck and Purple Sandpiper. Common Eider are regular here and we’ll look for King Eider. An assortment of ducks and loons should be found in the inlet. The dunes hold “Ipswich” Sparrow and usually Snow Buntings, and in good years longspurs. Dress warm. Meet at the lighthouse parking lot at 8:00AM Leader: Adrian Binns (215) 364-4407 |
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January 29, 2005 (Saturday) – The NORTH JERSEY SHORE |
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We’ll search the ponds, inlets,
jetties and shoreline from Manasquan to Sandy Hook for loons, ducks, gulls
and alcids. Meet at the south jetty of Manasquan Inlet at 8:30AM. We’ll
be birding through early afternoon. |
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February 11-13, 2005 (Friday - Sunday) – ONTARIO |
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| Limited registration. Fee. Leader: Adrian Binns (215) 364-4407 2005 Field Trip Report |
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February 19-21, 2005 (Saturday - Monday) – NEW ENGLAND |
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| A 3 day trip over President’s Weekend
to look for alcids, loons, Red-necked Grebe, white-wing gulls, King Eider,
Barrow’s Goldeneye, Snowy and Short-eared Owl, Rough-legged Hawk,
longspurs, Snow Buntings and any winter invasion species. Limited registration.
Fee. Leader: Adrian Binns (215) 364-4407 2005 Field Trip Report |
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February 26, 2005 (Saturday) – INDIAN RIVER INLET NORTH |
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| Join us as we search for wintering waterfowl,
gulls, seabirds and other late winter visitors. We meet at the Super
Wawa on Route 1 just outside of Lewes at 9am. Besides birding Indian
River Inlet and Rehoboth Bay, we will stop at Silver Lake, Cape
Henlopen State Park, Prime Hook
and Bombay Hook as we bird our
way back north. Meet at the Super WAWA on Route 1 just north of Cape Henlopen at 9AM Leader : Martin Selzer (215) 233-9090 2004 Trip Report 2005 Trip Report |
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March 5, 2005 (Saturday) – CONOWINGO DAM and MUDDY RUN, PA |
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| We will meet below the dam by the river at
9:00. Looking for Gulls and Bald Eagles. There is also an active Eagles
nest. With luck a Red-headed Woodpecker. There is a Lincolns Sparrow at
a near-by feeder. We will then continue to Muddy Run looking for a variety
of waterfowl. Meet at 9AM at Fisherman’s Park. Directions: From Rt.1. Immediately after crossing the dam, turn left on Fisherman Park Rd. for .07 mile and follow signs to Fishermans Park. Leader: Tom Reeves Home - (610) 544-4217, Cell (267) 879-0000 |
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March 5, 2005 (Saturday) – GULL BONANZA |
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| The plan is to be scoping gulls by 9 AM at
Franklins Cove. I need to be back in Phila by 6PM. Unfortunately the closest
Black-headed Gull I know of is in Cape May, an approximately 4 1/2 hour
round trip which would eat up most of the day. Essentially I think we should
play it by ear and see how we do in the lower Bucks/Florence NJ area and
how we are enjoying the birds there before committing to 4+ hours in the
car and thus little time spent birding. One secret to extended gull watching
is believing that there is a Glaucous-winged or Slaty-backed in the masses
and it is just a matter of time before it lands in front of you and poses
for pictures. Please bring camcorders digital cameras, or 600mm lenses if
you have them. And dress warmly - no such thing as over dressing when it
comes to standing around in the cold. Leader: Matt Sharp (215) 299-1069 Meeting time: 8:30 AM Sat Place: Mega Wawa on PA Route 13 and the PA Turnpike on-ramp. Directions: 1. From Center City or to the south, take Route 95 north to Route 13. Then Route 13 north to the PA Turnpike. Stay on Route 13. It will go under the Turnpike, the Wawa will be on the right about 50 yds past the Tturnpike. 2. From the PA Turnpike or to the west, take the last exit in PA (Bristol/Route 13 North) the Wawa will be on the right about a hundred yards after the exit ramp. 3. From east or north (basically the same but change Route 95 North to Route 95 South and PA Turnpike to NJ Turnpike and the 1st exit in PA not the last) |
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March 13, 2005 (Sunday) – BARNEGAT LIGHT |
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This trip is designed especially for YOUNG
BIRDERS (Upper Main Line Y students will be participating), although all
are welcome. |
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March 19, 2005 (Saturday) – CHERRY ISLAND LANDFILL, WILMINGTON DE |
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| This trip was cancelled. "The Delaware Solid Waste Authority has changed their visitor policy such that guests are no longer allowed in without an appointment, without an escort, and movement is severely restricted. We (DOS) are trying to convince the landfill and DSWA management to loosen their policy in the name of citizen science, but until those discussions bear more fruit, we have no other real option but to cancel the trips." Join DOS for a half-day trip to search for rarer gull species and study plumages at the Wilmington Landfill. Meet at 7:30 AM at Fox Point State Park off the EdgeMoor/Hay Rd exit on I-495. Coming from the north, the exit is about 4-5 miles past the DE/PA line, take the second exit, marked for Hay Road, follow the clover-leaf back underneath I-495, then make a left (north) onto Hay at the stop sign. Follow this to the end, straight into Fox Point Park. We go to Cherry Island Landfill, so if folks miss us at Fox Point they can head straight down Hay Road (south) to the end, right onto 12th street then quickly left into the landfill. Or they can hop back on I-495 to the next exit, left onto 12th street almost to its end, then right into the landfill. Leader: Mike Smith 2004 Field Trip Report |
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April 2, 2005 (Saturday) - SOUTHWEST NEW JERSEY (PEDRICKTOWN and
MANNINGTON MARSH |
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| This
trip was cancelled. The leader, Frank Windfelder, cancelled this trip due to the forecast of an all day rain on Saturday. For possible winter stragglers (Ross Goose, Eurasian Wigeon, blackbirds) and any early migrants (Ruffs have previously been seen on this trip). Leader: Frank Windfelder (215) 673-0240 2004 Field Trip Report 2003 Field Trip Report Information Sheet (*.pdf file) Summary of trips 1997-2004 (excluding 1998) (*.pdf file) |
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May 6 - 8, 2005 (Friday - Sunday) - BIRDING SOUTHERN DELAWARE AND INTO MARYLAND |
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This weekend trip starts at Bombay
Hook NWR on Friday morning and works south to Trap
Pond State Park where you can camp or you can motel nearby. Saturday
we bird Nanticoke
WMA and areas around Seaford before returning to Trap Pond. Sunday,
we bird the Cypress Swamps in DE and MD, then head north to the bayside
areas. Interspersed throughout is a gourmet tour trying local delicacies
such as crab, scrapple and muskrat. Yummy. Full details on a flyer nearer
the time. Let me know in advance if you intend to come. |
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May 8, 2005 (Sunday) – FORT WASHINGTON STATE PARK, MONTGOMERY
COUNTY, PA |
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| For spring migrants. Meet at the Hawkwatch
platform at 8AM Leader: Bill Murphy (215) 885-2488 |
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May 15, 2005 (Sunday) - HAWKINS ROAD AND BRIGHTVIEW FARM, BURLINGTON CO.,
NJ. |
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The target species at Hawkins Road will
be breeding Prothonotary, Worm-eating, Kentucky and Hooded Warblers and
grasslands species at Brightview Farm. Meet at 6:30 AM at the bridge over
Little Creek where the macadam turns to dirt road on Hawkins Road |
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May 21, 2005 (Saturday) – RIDLEY CREEK STATE PARK FOR SPRING MIGRANTS.
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Expected: warblers, including Louisiana
Waterthrush and possibly Kentucky Warbler; thrushes (possibly including
Swainson's), vireos, flycatchers, many others. Meet at 6:30 AM at the
Ridley Creek bridge on Gradyville Road (near Newtown Square, PA). We will
bird until 11:00 or noon, depending on when the birds give out. |
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May 22, 2005 (Sunday) - CARPENTER’S WOODS, PHILADELPHIA (Please
note date change) |
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| For Spring migrants Meet at 6:30 AM at the bus stop at Wayne Ave and Sedgwick St., and probably bird until 11:00 or 12:00 Noon, or until we run out of birds. Interested members Leader: Erica Brendel 215-844-3456 |
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May 28, 2005 (Saturday) - PEREGRINE WATCH |
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| Help monitor peregrine fledglings from 7-10
AM. Meet at the Betsy Ross Bridge Leader: Matt Sharp (215) 299-1069 |
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June 9, 2005 (Thursday) - LAKEHURST NAVAL AIR STATION FOR UPLAND SANDPIPERS |
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Meeting time is 7 AM in Lakehurst NJ |
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June 18, 2005 (Saturday) - BIRDING THE NATIVE GRASSLANDS AT THE PENNYPACK
TRUST, MONTGOMERY CO., PA |
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| The sixth growing year for the restoration
of the grasslands at the Trust might produce some good breeding birds. Come
help us survey the bird species and enjoy a two-mile walk. Meet at the Trust
center parking lot at 7:30 AM. Location is 2955 Edgehill Road, Huntingdon
Valley, Pa. Telephone leader for driving instructions or go to their
web site where a map can be found. Leaders: JoAnn Raine (215) 659-3921, Chuck Hetzel, Don Jones 2003 Field Trip Report 2005 Field Trip Report |
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June 24-26, 2005 (Friday-Sunday) – WESTERN PENNSYLVANIA GRASSLANDS
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For such specialty sparrow species as
Henslow's, Savannah, Grasshopper, Clay-colored, and Vesper Sparrows, etc.
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July 16, 2005 (Saturday) - BOMBAY HOOK NWR AND ENVIRONS, DE PART 1. |
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| Join us to witness the early part of the
annual southbound shorebird migration spectacle. Meet at 7:30AM at the headquarters Leader: Colin Campbell 2005 Field Trip Report 2004 Field Trip Report |
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July 23, 2005 (Saturday) - Annual Picnic |
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Hosted by Paul
and Anita Guris |
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August 20, 2005 (Saturday) – BOMBAY HOOK NWR AND COASTAL DE
PART 2 |
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A trip to catch the later wave of the
shorebird migration spectacle. Meet at 7:30AM at the headquarters.
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August 27, 2005 (Saturday) – BRANDYWINE CREEK STATE PARK, DE
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| A good time for early warblers (Golden-winged
and Mourning) and possible unusual flycatchers (Yellow-bellied or Olive-sided).
Meet at the park nature
center at 7:45 AM. Park fee is in effect. Leader: Andy Ednie (302) 792-9591 |
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September 2, 2005 (Friday) – "CONFUSING FALL WARBLERS" AT
HIGBEE BEACH WMA, NJ |
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Spend a morning birding the fields and
forest edges looking for songbird migrants. We will sort through the fall
plumages of the (hopefully) numerous migrants at this Fall hotspot. With
luck we will get to see a big fallout of birds, but there should be plenty
to see regardless this time of year. Emphasis will be on sorting out "confusing
fall warblers". The warblers are not confused, we are. They know
who they are, but we are the ones confused (sometimes anyway). Meet at
the main lot at Higbee
Beach WMA (the one at the end of the road) Cape May Point NJ at 7:30
AM |
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September 3, 2005 (Saturday) – JOHNSON SOD FARM, CUMBERLAND COUNTY,
NJ |
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For an assortment of shorebirds including
plovers and sandpipers. Sharp-tailed Sandpiper in 2003 and Pacific Golden
Plover in 2002. Meet on Grier’s Lane, just east of Rte 77 at 7:30AM |
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September 12, 2005 (Monday) – MANAYUNK SWIFT ROOST |
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In autumn migration, huge numbers of Chimney
Swifts roost in chimneys of certain schools in the Roxborough/Manayunk
area. Meet at the Dobson
School on Umbria Street and Hermitage Lane in Manayunk on Monday,
at 7:00 PM to witness this annual spectacle. Please call ahead to confirm
location of the roost. Parking is limited; carpooling advisable. |
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September 17, 2005 (Saturday) - FALL BIRDING AT THE BAILEY TRACT,
PALMYRA COVE NATURE PARK, NJ. |
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| Focusing on migrating warblers anything is
possible including numerous Connecticut’s. Up to 20 species of warblers
have been seen in past trips at this wonderful birding location. Meet at
7:00 AM at car park. Palmyra Cove
Nature Center Website Leader: Ward Dasey (609) 953-1685 |
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September 18, 2005 (Sunday) – HAWK MOUNTAIN, PA |
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The peak time for Broad-wing migration.
Meet at the visitor’s center at 8:00AM. Bring a packed lunch. Entrance
fee unless you are a Hawk
Mountain member. |
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October 2, 2005 (Sunday) - FALL BIRDING AT THE BAILEY TRACT, PALMYRA COVE
NATURE PARK, NJ. |
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| Focusing on late migrating warblers and early
wintering sparrows, with Clay-colored and Lincoln’s possible. Meet
at 7:00 AM at car park. Palmyra Cove
Nature Center Website Leader: Ward Dasey (609) 953-1685 |
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October 15, 2005 (Saturday) - TUCKERTON MARSHES, NJ |
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For Sharp-tailed Sparrows. We should get
great looks at Salt Marsh Sharp-tail’s as well as being able to
compare all races of Nelson’s. A walk along 7 bridges road will
add additional species. We have gotten Clay-colored Sparrow in several
years. Bring high |
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October 22, 2005 (Saturday) - BIRDING THE NATIVE GRASSLANDS AT THE PENNYPACK
TRUST, MONTGOMERY CO., PA |
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| Tour the native grasslands at Pennypack Trust
for sparrows and other grassland birds. Notable recent finds there include
Dickcissel, Lapland Longspur, Orange-crowned Warbler and Vesper Sparrow.
Savannah Sparrows are abundant. The area is also good for raptors. Meet
at the Creek Road entrance off Terwood Road, 1.2 miles south of Edgehill
Road, Huntingdon Valley, PA. Telephone leader for driving instructions or
go to their web site
where a map can be found. Leaders: JoAnn Raine (215) 396-2594 and Paul Driver 2005 Field Trip Report |
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November 5, 2005 (Saturday) - BAKE OVEN KNOB, PA |
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For raptors and possible Golden Eagle
and Goshawk. A decision on which day should have the best conditions will
be made the week prior. Meet at parking lot at 8:30AM and bring lunch. |
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November 12, 2005 (Saturday) – SAWWHET OWL BANDING
AT HIDDEN VALLEY, PA. |
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Join Scott Weidensaul at his banding station
along the Kittitany Ridge on Second Mountain in Schuylkill County during
the peak of Saw-whet migration. Meet at the banding station at 6:30PM.
Dress warmly. Expect to be out until 11PM. Limited to 15 participants. |
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November 19, 2005 (Saturday) - BUCKS COUNTY PA / FLORENCE NJ GULL TRIP |
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| Cherry Island landfill is closed to the public
so we will have to do this trip in Bucks County PA / Florence NJ. Meet at Florence boat ramp. 9 am. Directions Leader: Matt Sharp (215) 299-1069 Matt writes" Since access to the local landfill in both Bucks Co. and Delaware is restricted and since the location of the feeding/roosting flock at Florence moves around and can often settle in inaccessible locales, this trip will be somewhat exploratory. We will hope to find large numbers of birds easily visible from Florence, but may have to check some other locations in Bucks Co. including several of the known hang-outs on lakes and reservoirs." 2005 Field Trip Report |
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November 28-30, 2005 (Monday-Wednesday) - NIAGARA FALLS GULL AND WATERFOWL
EXTRAVAGANZA |
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To watch the gull spectacle on the Niagara
River at a time when they congregate in tremendous numbers. There is good
chance of a dozen species, as we search for California, Thayer’s,
Little, Black-headed and one never knows even the possibility of a Ross’.
Large numbers of waterfowl can also be seen. Leave in the early hours
of Monday and return late evening Wednesday. Shared expenses.Leader: Adrian
Binns (215) 364-4407 |
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December 30, 2005 (Friday) – PELAGIC CHRISTMAS COUNT TO THE HUDSON
SHELF VALLEY |
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Explore the underwater trench called the
Hudson Shelf Valley that extends from near shore all the way to the Hudson
Canyon, covering mostly the Mud Hole and Glory Hole areas. We will set
up a fixed transect for CBC purposes, and it will be selected to hit both
New York / New Jersey pelagic waters. Looking for Fulmar, Gannet, Razorbill,
murres, Dovekie, Puffin, Red Phalarope, Pomarine Jaeger, Great Skua, Black-legged
Kittiwake………From Belmar 7:30AM to 3:30PM approx. Fee.
Leader: Paul Guris (215) 234-6805 |
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