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Last page update on Thursday, May 17, 2007
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> Field Trips
Last page update on
Thursday, May 17, 2007
2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005 Field Trip Archives
2006 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
January 7 (Saturday)– PHILADELPHIA MID-WINTER BIRD CENSUS, PENNSYLVANIA (PMWBC)
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Help
count birds within the city limits. | |
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January 8 (Sunday) - Winter Birding in the DIX Wildlife Management Area, NEW JERSEY | |
| 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 noteable 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 someplace 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 2004 Field Trip Report 2005 Field Trip Report | |
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January 14-16 (Saturday-Monday) - MONTAUK (LONG ISLAND), NEW YORK | |
For winter
finches, eiders, scoters, alcids and any Eurasian accidentals. Car pool from N.E.
Phila at 6AM. Space is limited due to lodging constraints – first come,
first served! Shared expenses. | |
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January 21 (Saturday) - FLORENCE, NEW JERSEY | |
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For some of the best gull watching in the east. ‘White-wing’ gulls,
Lesser Black-backs, and a search for Thayer’s, California, Slaty-back and
Yellow-legged Gull. Meet at 9AM. Half-day trip | |
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January 22 (Sunday) - BARNEGAT LIGHT, NEW JERSEY | |
The
best location in 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 | |
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January 28 (Saturday) - THE NORTH SHORE, NEW JERSEY | |
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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 18-20 (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. | |
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February 25 (Saturday) - INDIAN RIVER INLET (DELAWARE) AND NORTH | |
| 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. | |
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March 3-5 (Friday- Sunday) - AMHERST ISLAND AND ALGONQUIN PARK, ONTARIO | |
| A 3
day trip for owls, with a good chance of Boreal, Saw-whet and Snowy and possibly
Great Grey and Hawk Owl; wintering finches, both crossbills, Pine Grosbeak, Gray
Jay, Black-backed Woodpecker, Boreal Chickadee, Redpoll and Spruce Grouse. Limited
registration. Fee. | |
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March 4 (Saturday) - A GULL CHASE (starting in Florence NJ) - Full Day | |
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We will search locations in New Jersey and possibly Pennsylvania for gull
rarities. ( "White-wing" gulls, Lesser Black-backs, Thayer’s,
California, Slaty-back and Yellow-legged Gull, etc.) We will meet at the Clark
T. Carey Memorial Park in Florence NJ at 9 AM. Plan on a full day with a stop
for lunch (Pizza or Wawa). | |
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March 11 (Saturday) - CONOWINGO DAM AND MUDDY RUN, PENNSYLVANIA | |
| After
birding the dam we will head north to Muddy Run, a Pennsylvania Power and Light
reservoir. | |
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March 12, 2006 (Sunday) – BARNEGAT LIGHT | |
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 18 (Saturday) - CHERRY ISLAND LANDFILL, WILMINGTON DELAWARE | |
| Join
DOS for a half day trip to search for rarer gull species and study plumages at
the Wilmington landfill. Access to the landfill is limited so contact the leader
for details. | |
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April 1 (Saturday) - SOUTH WEST NEW JERSEY (PEDRICKTOWN and MANNINGTON MARSH) |
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| For possible winter stragglers
(Ross' Goose, Eurasian Wigeon, blackbirds) and any early migrants (Ruffs
have previously been seen on this trip). |
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April 9 (Sunday) - JOHN HEINZ NWR (TINICUM), PENNSYLVANIA |
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| Highlights seen last year
included Wood Duck, Northern Shoveler, Bufflehead, Great Egret, Northern
Harrier, Bald Eagle, Osprey, Great Horned Owl, Hairy Woodpecker, Eastern
Phoebe, Tree Swallow, Rough-winged Swallow, Golden-crowned Kinglet, Brown
Creeper, Winter Wren |
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April 23 (Sunday) - RIVERWINDS AND THE NATIONAL PARK DREDGE SPOILS, NEW
JERSEY |
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| A spring morning is planned
at Riverwinds and later at the Dredge Spoils site, both adjacent to Philadelphia
in Gloucester County. Leader Jeff Holt has personally seen over 130 species
at Riverwinds alone, and the Dredge Spoils site is excellent for nesting
marsh birds. Targets for the morning will be early migrants and nesting
bitterns, rails, moorhen, coot, and pied-billed grebe. Meet at 7 a.m. at
Riverwinds. Co-Leaders: Jeff Holt and Chris Walters Information on Riverwinds Directions 2006 Field Trip Report |
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May 12-14 (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. Colin will not be at the DVOC
meetings (20 April or 4 May) prior to this trip, but would like some idea
of those wishing to attend this weekend trip |
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May 7 (Sunday) - FORT WASHINGTON STATE PARK, MONTGOMERY COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA |
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| For spring migrants. Meet
at the hawk watch platform at 8AM |
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May 14 (Sunday) - HAWKINS ROAD and BRIGHTVIEW FARM, BURLINGTON COUNTY, NEW
JERSEY |
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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. |
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May 20 (Saturday) - RIDLEY CREEK STATE PARK, PENNSYLVANIA |
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| For spring migrants. 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 21 (Sunday) - CARPENTER’S WOODS, PHILADELPHIA PENNSYLVANIA |
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| For Spring migrants |
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May 21 (Sunday) - WESTMINSTER CEMETERY, PECO PROPERTY, WEST LAUREL HILL
CEMETERY |
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| We will meet at 7:30 am the entrance
to Westminster Cemetery, which is just north of West Laurel Hill Cemetery
on Belmont Avenue. Then we will drive into Westminster and park at the
east side of that property, and then walk down into the PECO property,
which is the best birding spot. Our leader had permission from PECO to
bring groups of birders onto their property. Then we will go back to our
vehicles and drive over to West Laurel Hill Cemetary proper for some further
birding. A thorough walk through the environs will take a minimum of 2
hours. |
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June 4-14 (Sunday - Wednesday) - OREGON |
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| An opportunity to join Tom
Bailey, Al Driscoll, Frank
Windfelder, and Don Jones
on a trip to Oregon. Click here for further
information. (updated 2/17) |
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June 23-25 (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 15 (Saturday) - BOMBAY HOOK NWR and ENVIRONS, DELAWARE 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 |
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July 29, 2006 (Saturday) - Annual Picnic |
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| Our annual picnic hosted
by Paul and Anita
Guris. Click
here for details. |
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August 19 (Saturday) - BOMBAY HOOK NWR and COASTAL, DELAWARE 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 26 (Saturday) - BRANDYWINE CREEK STATE PARK, DELAWARE |
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| At 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. |
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August 27 (Sunday) - PALMYRA COVE NATURE PARK, PALMYRA, NJ
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| We will bird for passerines,
then go to the cove for waterbirds as low tide is at 10:30AM. It’s
a good time for early fall migrants, such as Golden-winged and Mourning
Warblers, Yellow-bellied, Least and Olive-sided Flycatchers. These are
rare of course, but we're bound to find something good. Pack a lunch. |
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September 1 (Friday) - "CONFUSING FALL BIRDERS" at HIGBEE BEACH
WMA, NEW JERSEY |
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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 2 (Saturday) - JOHNSON SOD FARM IN CUMBERLAND COUNTY, NEW JERSEY |
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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 Route
77 at 7:30AM |
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September 9 (Saturday) - JOHN HEINZ NWR (TINICUM), PENNSYLVANIA |
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| For Bald Eagle, Blue-winged
Teal, Bololink and fall warblers - Northern Parula, Yellow Warbler, Magnolia
Warbler, Black-throated Blue Warbler, Black-throated Green Warbler, Palm
Warbler, Black-and-White Warbler, |
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September 16 (Saturday) - FALL BIRDING AT THE PALMYRA COVE NATURE PARK (BAILEY
TRACT), NEW JERSEY |
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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. |
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September 17 (Sunday) - HAWK MOUNTAIN, PENNSYLVANIA |
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| The skies and front should
have cleared by Sunday giving us a pleasant day and potential for the
first good wave of Broadwings. The Habitat Garden, next to the car park
& Visitors Center can sometimes be good for a few passerines and worth
checking out if you arrive early, as can walking to the North Lookout.
If I miss you at the entrance to the Visitors Center (which I believe
is closed at that time of morning) at 8AM, you can look for me at the
North Lookout from 8:30 on (its a 25 minute walk). There are bathrooms
just beyond the fee paying station (beginning of the walk to the South
& North Lookout) and a short distance from the North Lookout. Bring
snacks, drink, packed lunch should you wish to stay a while. A scope can
certainly be useful. Remember that you are on an exposed ridge on the
North Lookout and though the temps are suppose to be warm it'll likely
be cool first thing, and any wind or cloudy skies can make it chilly |
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September 18 (Monday) - MANAYUNK SWIFT ROOST, PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA |
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| In autumn migration, huge
numbers of Chimney Swifts roost in chimneys of certain schools in the
Roxborough/Manayunk area. The best site this year seems to be the chimney
ofJohn
Story Jenks School at 8310 Germantion Avenue in Philadelphia (Germantown
and Southampton Avenues in Chestnut Hill). The birds have been going down
the chimney just before dark, so people should get there around 6:45 PM
when the birds begin to gather. There is some street parking behind the
school, as well as a parking lot (free in the evening) next to the Verizon
building across Germantown Avenue from the school. Swifts can be viewed
from the rear of the school playground or from across Germantown Avenue
near Southampton. Jane will be in the playground. |
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September 30 (Saturday) - TUCKERTON MARSHES, NEW JERSEY |
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| For Sharp-tailed Sparrows.
We should get great looks at Salt Marsh Sharp-tails 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 boots or wellies. Pack a lunch if you will follow us
to Brigantine afterwards. Meet at the end of 7 Bridges Road at 7:30 sharp! |
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October 21 (Saturday) - BIRDING THE NATIVE GRASSLANDS AT THE PENNYPACK TRUST,
MONTGOMERY COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA |
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| Tour the native grasslands
at Pennypack Trust for sparrows and other grassland birds. Notable recent
finds there include Dickcissel, Orange-crowned Warbler and Vesper Sparrow.
Savannah Sparrows are abundant. The area is also good for raptors. Meet
at 8 am at the Creek Road entrance off Terwood Road, 1.2 miles south of
Edgehill Road, Huntingdon Valley, PA. Contact leader for driving instructions
or go to their web site
where a map can be found. |
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November 4 (Saturday) - PHILADEPHIA ZOO, PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA |
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| Please contact Adrian Binns to sign up. It is mandatory to sign up in advance. Meet at the Zoo at 9AM. We’ll enter the zoo through the iron gates
that lead to the Shelly Building rather than the main gates because it
will be before hours. There is a small courtyard we can meet in just inside
the zoo in front of the building. We’ll walk around the grounds
to view the outdoor exhibits and monitor any wild bird activity. At 10AM
we will meet Wendy Lenhart who
will give us a brief introduction on the new developments in the McNeil
Aviary (aka the new birdhouse). Wendy we then show us some of the birds
that she takes care of in the Jungle Bird Walk, an indoor tropical aviary
which has a hodgepodge of species including: Victoria Crowned Pigeons,
Emerald Starlings, Nicobar Pigeons, Palawan Peacock Pheasant, Ringed Teal,
Fairy Bluebirds, Yellow-vented Bulbul, Blue-necked Tanager, Blue-gray
Tanager, Blue and yellow Tanager, White-lined Tanager, Mariana Fruit Doves,
Fairy Lorikeet, and Pacific Parrotlet. Outside, she cares for a pair of
Hooded Cranes, a pair of Andean Condors, and her favorite, a pair of Southern
Ground Hornbills, which we’ll likely get to feed along with the
Humbolt Penguins. There will also be a training demo with another keeper
so we can see the work she does with the Inca Terns and Hammerkops. Following
our presentations (expect a couple of hours) you can have the rest of
the day to check out the rest of the zoo! |
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November 4 (Saturday) - BAKE OVEN KNOB, PENNSYLVANIA |
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| For raptors and possible
Golden Eagle and Goshawk. Meet at parking lot at 8:30AM and bring lunch. |
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November 11 (Saturday) - SAWWHET OWL BANDING at HIDDEN VALLEY, PENNSYLVANIA |
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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 till 11PM. Limited to 15 participants
(contact Adrian Binns to sign
up) |
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November 18 (Saturday) - FRANKLIN'S AND CALIFORNIA GULL TRIP (half day)
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| These Western species are
most likely to turn up in late fall. We will make a special trip to search
for these rarities. This is also a good chance to study plumage and molt
in Gulls at a time when at least Herring Gulls are actively molting and
most people do not look at gulls. Meet at 8:30; location to be announced. |
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November 24-26 (Friday-Sunday) - NIAGARA FALLS GULL AND WATERFOWL EXTRAVAGANZA,
ONTARIO, CANADA |
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| (This field trip was cancelled) |
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Further Field Trips will be posted shortly
DVOC Main Page > Field Trips
