Spring 2019 Cape May Bird Observatory

Birds and Wildlife

Spring Programs 2019 March through May 2019 • Volume 23, Number 2 CAPE MAY BIRD OBSERVATORY Northwood Center P.O. Box 3, 701 East Lake Drive Cape May Point, NJ 08212 Phone: 609.400.3868 • Fax: 609.884.6052 MAY 16-19, 2019 March: Wednesday - Monday, 9:30am - 4:30pm Closed Tuesdays. April & May: Open every day, 9:30am. - 4:30pm Center for Research and Education 2019 CAPE MAY 600 Route 47 North Cape May Court House, NJ 08210 SCHOOL OF BIRDING Phone: 609.246.3581 • Fax: 609.861.1651 Gulls Simplified Starting April 2 - June 1 Open Tuesday - Saturday, 9:30am - 4:30pm With Michael O’Brien • March 30 Cape May Birding - Right Place, Right Time With Tom Reed • March 31 Birds In Flight - Spring Edition www.birdcapemay.org • www.njaudubon.org With Tom Reed • April 6 www.featheredgeoptics.org Spring Migration Special HOLIDAY OBSERVANCES & CLOSURES With David La Puma • May 3-5 Both CMBO centers will be CLOSED Memorial Day (Monday, Birding by Ear: Birding and May 27). Northwood will be closed April 13 so staff can assist with the Optics Sale at the Center for Research & Education. Calls and Songs learning in of Eastern Birds famous The 24th Annual CAPE MAY BIRD OBSERVATORY With Michael O’Brien • May 6-7 Cape May, Center for Research and Education New Jersey NEW and gently Spring Shorebirds and used binoculars and spotting scopes, factory Southern Breeders OPTCS close-outs and demos while supplies last. With Pete Dunne • May 15-16 No Rain Checks. Warblers By SE Sight & Sound SATURDAY With Scott Whittle • May 20-21 Representatives from Leica, Appalachian & SUNDAY Opticron, Swarovski, Vanguard APRIL 13 & 14 • 9AM - 5PM Zeiss, and Kowa will be on hand Spring Birding Saturday to answer questions INCREDIBLE DEALS! and demonstrate equipment. 600 Route 47 North • Goshen, NJ • 609-246-3581 With Scott Barnes • May 22-23 www.birdcapemay.org – 609.400.3864 2 The Kestrel Express Cape May Bird Observatory 3 Season’s Passage Spring 2019 Spring Programs 2019 The peepers down my block are peeping around the clock It can mean one thing WEEKLY WALKS/ACTIVITIES We’re into spring Led by CMBO’s stellar Associate Naturalists and/or staff, these and migrants soon will flock! programs meet at locations highlighted on the CMBO Bird and Butterfly Map (available at our stores, or downloadable from our Check out our full schedule of bright and early bird walks, website). Bring binoculars and dress for prevailing weather and field trips, and workshops. I’ll be leading our Friday walk insects according to season. Children accompanied by parents at Higbee Beach, but the others are great too! are always welcome (age 15 and younger are free) - walks that Spring is here – let’s go birding! are especially Family-friendly are noted. Most involve walking a mile or more on varied terrain such as asphalt, boardwalk, gravel, beach, and dirt (sometimes muddy) paths. For more David La Puma information about accessibility for those with limited mobility, Director, New Jersey Audubon’s Cape May Bird Observatory contact the Northwood Center at 609.400.3868. Note: Programs may be cancelled due to difficult/unsafe weather conditions. Become a New Jersey Audubon member and enjoy discounts on tours, events, and field trips at all New Jersey NO PREREGISTRATION NECESSARY Audubon centers. Members also get a 10% discount at our Nature Stores (some exclusions apply). Optics and Saturdays tripods are already at their lowest prices. 1 BIRDING CAPE MAY POINT Saturdays, March 2 to April 20 8:00 am - 10:00 am Meets near the Hawkwatch Platform at Cape May Point State Park. Enjoy late winter-early spring waterfowl, songbirds and more. No preregistration required. Cost: $6 members, $10 nonmembers. 2 BELLEPLAIN HOTSPOTS • Saturdays, April 13 to May 25 • EXCEPT May 11 & 18 7:30 am - 10:30 am Meets at the Belleplain State Forest Office on Henkensifkin Road, just off Route 550. Many southern birds, including Summer Tanager, Hooded Warbler, Acadian Flycatcher and Yellow-billed Cuckoo, are near the northern limit of their breeding range in Belleplain. No preregistration required. Cost: $9 members, $15 nonmembers. 3 A BIRD WALK FOR ALL PEOPLE Saturdays, April 20 to May 25 EXCEPT May 11 & 18 3:00 pm - 5:00 pm Meets near the Hawkwatch Platform at Cape May Point State Park. Join us for a relaxed afternoon of birding whether you are a seasoned birder or have never really watched birds before. Loaner binoculars are available and we’ll show you how to use them. No preregistration required. Family-friendly. Cost: $6 members, $10 nonmembers. 4 SPRING BIRDING AT THE GARRETT FAMILY PRESERVE Saturdays, April 27 to May 25 EXCEPT May 11 & 18 7:30 am - 9:30 am Meets at the parking lot at the end of Wilson St. off of Seashore Road on Cape Island. Located along Cape Island Creek, this hidden gem holds warblers, sparrows and much more, plus great views of the tidal marsh. No preregistration required. Cost: $6 members, $10 nonmembers. 4 The Kestrel Express Cape May Bird Observatory 5 11E-Z BIRDING Sundays Tuesdays, April 16 to May 21 5 SUNDAY MORNING AT TURKEY POINT 8:30 am - 10:30 am Sundays, March 3 to 31 Meets near the Hawkwatch Platform at Cape May Point 8:00 am - 10:00 am State Park. For beginning birders and anyone who wants to Meets at the end of Turkey Point Road in Cumberland County learn more about birds and how to find them. The park has a (reached from Route 553 south of the town of Dividing Creek) variety of habitats – woods, fields, ponds, dunes, and beach. in the Natural Lands' Glades Wildlife Refuge. Walk New Loaner binoculars are available. No preregistration required. Jersey’s miracle mile for an exciting array of winter birds.No Family-friendly. Cost: $6 members, $10 nonmembers. preregistration required. Cost: $6 members, $10 nonmembers. 6 NIGHTFALL AT JAKES LANDING Wednesdays Sundays, March 3 4:30 pm - dusk 12MIGRATION AT THE POINT Sundays, March 10 & 17 5:00 pm - dusk Wednesdays, April 3 to May 29 8:00 am - 10:00 am Meets at the end of Jakes Landing Road, near Dennisville, With Program Director Brett Ewald and CMBO Naturalists. off of Route 47. Watch for Northern Harriers, Short-eared Meets at the outer parking lot at the entrance to Cape May Owls, Great Horned Owls, and winter songbirds where the Point State Park. With migration in full swing, every day forest meets the salt marsh. No preregistration required. sees new arrivals: seabirds, waterfowl, raptors, warblers, Cost: $6 members, $10 nonmembers. sparrows and more! No preregistration required. 7 SUNSET BEACH: A Place For All Seasons Cost: $6 members, $10 nonmembers. Sundays: March 10, April 7, May 5 9:00 am - 11:00 am 13OPTICS 101 – NEW! Meets at the parking lot behind the miniature golf course, Wednesdays, April 10 & May 8 1:00 pm - 3:00 pm on the north side of Sunset Blvd. Part of the world-famous With Chuck Slugg. Meets at the Northwood Center. Our Higbee Beach Wildlife Management Area, the Sunset resident expert on all things optics will explain what all Beach area hosts an array of birds, including sparrows, those numbers mean, how to choose binoculars and warblers, hawks, and waterbirds. This FREE walk is spotting scopes that fit your budget and any special sponsored by the NJ Division of Fish and Wildlife. needs you have. You will have the opportunity to field 8 ABOVE PAR BIRDING AT COX HALL CREEK test an array of optics in our backyard wildlife habitat. Sundays, April 7 to May 5 7:30 am - 9:30 am No preregistration required. Cost: FREE. Meets at the west end of Shawmount Ave. (off Route 603 14BIRDS OF NUMMY ISLAND / Bayshore Road). Explore this former golf course, now a Wednesdays, April 10 to May 15 4:30 pm - 6:30 pm state wildlife management area, on easy-walking asphalt Meets at the north end of Nummy Island, just over the trails. Good for woodpeckers, Pine Warblers, sparrows bridge from Stone Harbor. This rich salt marsh is one of and other early migrants. No preregistration required. the best spots to observe breeding Clapper Rails, herons Cost: $6 members, $10 nonmembers. and egrets, American Oystercatchers, Ospreys, Black Skimmers, terns and Seaside Sparrows. No preregistration Mondays required. Cost: $6 members, $10 nonmembers. 9 BIRDING THE MEADOWS WITH PETE DUNNE 15EXPLORING CUMBERLAND Mondays, March 18 to May 27 7:30 am - 9:30 am Wednesdays, May 1 to 15 7:30 am - 10:30 am With Pete Dunne and CMBO Naturalists. Meets at The Meets at the parking area at the base of the Maurice River Bridge Nature Conservancy’s South Cape May Meadows Preserve on Route 670, just a few miles from the western junction of Routes parking lot on Sunset Blvd. Spring birding for lingering 47 and 347. Visit little-known hotspots in eastern Cumberland waterfowl and migrant shorebirds can be very rewarding County and search for migrant and breeding birds. No at this freshwater wetland. No preregistration required. preregistration required. Cost: $9 members, $15 nonmembers. Family-friendly. Cost: $6 members, $10 nonmembers. Thursdays Tuesdays 16BIRDS OF BELLEPLAIN STATE FOREST 10HIDDEN CORNERS OF BELLEPLAIN Thursdays, April 11 to May 23 7:30 am - 10:30 am Tuesdays, April 16 to May 14 7:30 am - 10:30 am Meets at the Belleplain State Forest Office on Henkensifkin Meets at the Belleplain State Forest Office on Henkensifkin Road, just off Route 550. Varied habitats yield an amazing Road, just off Route 550. Visit some of the lesser-known diversity of spring migrants and breeders. Highlights parts of this marvelous State Forest for spring migrant birds, include many target species, such as Acadian Flycatcher, wildflowers and whatever crosses our path.No preregistration Yellow-throated Warbler, and Louisiana Waterthrush. No required. Cost: $9 members, $15 nonmembers. preregistration required. Cost: $9 members, $15 nonmembers. 6 The Kestrel Express Cape May Bird Observatory 7 17SHOREBIRDS AT HEISLERVILLE Woodcock. Don't miss this wonderful and short-lived Thursdays, April 11 to May 16 1:30 pm - 3:30 pm spring phenomenon. Preregistration required. With Pete Dunne and CMBO naturalists. Meets at the clamshell Cost: $15 members, $20 nonmembers. parking area at the end of Matt’s Landing Road near Heislerville, 22 POOR MAN’S PELAGIC next to the impoundment and across from the marina. Saturday, March 23 12:30 pm - 4:30 pm Heislerville WMA has become a spring legend for attracting With Karen Johnson and Janet Crawford. Meets for a half rarities, plus zillions of shorebirds. Depending on tide conditions, hour of birding before traveling across the Delaware Bay we may visit nearby East Point or Thompson’s Beach. No aboard the Cape May-Lewes Ferry at 1 pm, and returns preregistration required. Cost: $6 members, $10 nonmembers. on the 2:45 boat. Expect to see Northern Gannets, loons, Fridays cormorants, gulls, terns and scoters in the bay. PHOTO I.D. 18 WILL BE REQUIRED. Preregistration required. Cost: $30 HIGBEE BEACH BIRDING members, $40 nonmembers (includes round trip ferry fee). Fridays, April 12 - May 24 EXCEPT May 17 7:30 am - 9:30 am 23 BIRDS OF PEASLEE WILDLIFE MANAGEMENT AREA With David La Puma and CMBO naturalists. Meets at the Sunday, April 28 7:00 am - 11:00 am parking lot at the west end of New England Road. Blue With Janet Crawford and Mary Watkins. Peaslee is an Grosbeaks, Brown Thrashers, Yellow-breasted Chats, extension of Belleplain State Forest with special areas that Yellow Warblers and White-eyed Vireos all arrive in April attract migrant and breeding songbirds. Get to know some of to breed here. Many spring warblers and other songbirds the very best spots in this wonderful natural area – great for migrate through. No preregistration required. Cost: $6 vireos, tanagers, warblers and much more! Preregistration members, $10 nonmembers. required. Cost: $24 members, $32 nonmembers. 19A MEADOWS AFTERNOON 24 SHOREBIRDS ON THE BAY Fridays, April 12 to May 10 3:00 pm - 5:00 pm Monday, May 13, Wednesday, May 22, Meets at The Nature Conservancy’s South Cape and Tuesday, May 28 1:00 pm - 4:30 pm May Meadows Preserve parking lot on Sunset Blvd. Join CMBO Naturalists on this special trip to Delaware Bayshore Seasonally flooded ponds attract ducks and shorebirds, beaches - at the best time of year for migrating shorebirds, such while beach nesters like Least Terns and American as Red Knots and Ruddy Turnstones, stopping over to feed on Oystercatchers will be back and busy. No preregistration Horseshoe Crab eggs before heading to the high Arctic to breed. required. Cost: $6 members, $10 nonmembers. We’ll visit several protected shorebird hotspots in our search SPECIAL FIELD TRIPS for shorebirds and Horseshoe Crabs in action!Preregistration PREREGISTRATION REQUIRED required. Cost: $15 members, $20 nonmembers. Register online through our website www.birdcapemay.org. CAPE MAY SCHOOL Please register early; group size is limited. OF BIRDING WORKSHOPS For more information, contact the Program Registrar at PREREGISTRATION REQUIRED [email protected] or by calling 609.400.3864. Register online through our website www.birdcapemay.org. 20BREAK INTO BIRDING MINI-WORKSHOP Please register early; group size is limited. Saturdays, March 9 & 23, April 6 1:00 pm - 3:00 pm For more information, contact the Program Registrar at Wednesdays, April 17, May 1, 15, & 29 1:00 pm - 3:00 pm [email protected] or by calling 609.400.3864. With Chuck Slugg. Meets at the Northwood Center in 25 GULLS SIMPLIFIED • Saturday, March 30 Cape May Point. Learn where to find birds and how to With Michael O’Brien. This workshop combines time in identify them. Discover how to get the most out of field the field learning the easy way to separate and identify guides and optics. For absolute beginners, backyard the more common winter gulls and practicing sifting flocks birders, and any birder who wants to improve their skills. of gulls for something rare, with an indoor review of gull Preregistration required by calling 609.400.3864. plumages, aging, and some of the rarer species. By the Family-friendly (age 12 and up). end, you're sure to love gulls too! Preregistration required. Cost: $15 members, $25 nonmembers (includes a $10 Cost: $90 members, $120 nonmembers. certificate towards membership). 26 CAPE MAY BIRDING - RIGHT PLACE, RIGHT TIME 21 WOODCOCK DANCE Sunday, March 31 Saturday, March 16 6:00 pm - 8:00 pm With Tom Reed. It may seem like magic that certain birders With Janet Crawford and Karen Johnson. Meets first for always seem to be at the right place at the right time, but is it a brief indoor session, then travel to a nearby woodcock really? Learn some of the tricks that experienced field birders hotspot to witness the nuptial flight of the male American use to predict where and when birds will be found including 8 The Kestrel Express Cape May Bird Observatory 9 the calendar, tide cycles, weather events, geography, without a trip seeking warbler waves. Here’s your trip, timed to habitat, and history. This workshop includes both indoor catch the peak of the northern migrant wave and see warblers and outdoor sessions. Preregistration required. like Blackburnian and Canada and southern species like Cost: $90 members, $120 nonmembers. Hooded and Prothonotary. And did we mention that vireos, 27 BIRDS IN FLIGHT - SPRING EDITION • Saturday, April 6 thrushes and tanagers will also be about?! Preregistration With Tom Reed. Cape May is synonymous with migration required. Cost: $150 members, $200 nonmembers. and birds in flight. This may include waterfowl, wading 32 APPALACHIAN SPRING BIRDING birds, raptors, shorebirds, swallows, and songbirds. Join Wednesday-Thursday, May 22-23 our veteran Migration Count Coordinator for a day of With Scott Barnes. With mountain forests, hemlock glens, watching water and sky for northbound migrants, while marshes, streams, and bogs, there is no better place learning in-flight ID tips and more about the status and in New Jersey than High Point State Park and Stokes distribution of spring migrants at Cape May. Preregistration State Forest to see and hear a diversity of northern required. Cost: $90 members, $120 nonmembers. breeding birds. This workshop is entirely in the field and, 28 SPRING MIGRATION SPECIAL yes, we will look at birds like Cerulean and Chestnut- Friday-Sunday, May 3-5 sided Warblers, Yellow-bellied Sapsuckers, search for With Director David La Puma. Celebrate spring with drumming Ruffed Grouse and tally well over 100 species migrating songbirds deposited by the night sky and in two days. Preregistration required. shorebirds teeming on the mud flats. Hooded and Cost: $150 members, $200 nonmembers. Kentucky Warblers sing in the shadows of Belleplain State SEASONAL RESEARCH Forest, while Summer Tanagers “piki-tuck” overhead. 33 CAPE MAY SPRINGWATCH March 1 to May 31 Red Knots and Sanderlings feed in mosaics of rust and • silver on the Delaware Bayshore, and egrets and herons Coastal migration is monitored daily for three hours dot the back bay meadows. This workshop is all about starting at sunrise at the Coral Avenue dune crossover diversity and focuses not only on identifying the birds, but platform in Cape May Point. Waterbirds, shorebirds, and also learning about their lives. Preregistration required. songbirds all pass by in great numbers as they head north Cost: $225 members, $300 nonmembers. towards their breeding grounds. Dress warmly, bring a 29 BIRDING BY EAR: CALLS AND SONGS scope if you have one, and enjoy the spectacle! Please OF EASTERN BIRDS • Monday-Tuesday, May 6-7 be mindful that this watch takes place in a residential With Michael O’Brien. Everyone’s dreamed of learning area. No preregistration, just drop by. bird songs, and everyone can. Even experienced birders SPECIAL EVENTS spend time each spring “getting their ear in,” re-learning 34 CMBO ANNUAL OPTICS SALE the songs they already know. Jump-start your audio recall Saturday & Sunday, April 13 & 14 9:00 am - 5:00 pm by learning how to listen critically, group and categorize Come to the CMBO Center for Research and Education song types, and (as your song and call repertoire grow) in Goshen for a super selection of new, closeout, demo, gain confidence and skill. Many of southern NJ’s breeding factory-refurbished, and used optics priced to move. birds are back and singing heartily, and migrants will be Binoculars and spotting scopes from all major brands will be joining the chorus, too. Preregistration required. available. There are no advance or phone orders: first come, Cost: $150 members, $200 nonmembers. 30 first served. All are welcome for the best deals of the year! SPRING SHOREBIRDS AND SOUTHERN BREEDERS 35 Wednesday-Thursday, May 15-16 WORLD SERIES OF BIRDING • Saturday, May 11 With Birding Ambassador Pete Dunne. Heislerville’s It’s the 36th annual World Series of Birding, the event that celebrated shorebird concentration coupled with Belleplain raises over $500,000 annually for conservation. Learn State Forest (and nearby Delaware Bay and Cumberland how to participate or become a team sponsor at County hotspots) – a lot of great birds, all close together! www.WorldSeriesofBirding.org. Red Knots, Dunlin, maybe a Curlew Sandpiper, plus Don’t have a team? Consider joining CMBO’s Century Run woodland birds like Yellow-throated and Prothonotary Team led by Brett Ewald and CMBO Associate Naturalists Warblers and Summer Tanagers. Preregistration required. and help raise funds to support our conservation, education, Cost: $150 members, $200 nonmembers. and research missions. We’ll be birding at a moderate pace 31 WARBLERS BY SIGHT AND SOUND in Cape May County at the peak of spring migration and Monday-Tuesday, May 20-21 likely to get close to 150 species! Consider joining us for the With Scott Whittle. No other family of North American birds World Series Sunday Brunch where teams gather, tales are is so colorful, vocal and animated. No spring is complete told and camaraderie is shared! Preregistration required. 10 The Kestrel Express Cape May Bird Observatory 11 Cost: Pledges of at least $1 per bird (raised by you: get family, friends, co-workers to pledge). Sunday Brunch (optional): $25. To join the team, call 609.400.3864. 2019 Business Partnerships 36 CAPE MAY SPRING FESTIVAL This listing highlights the businesses that support our organization Thursday through Sunday, May 16 to 19 at the Partner level. Visit our website at www.birdcapemay.org for a complete list. Join us for So. Many. Birds., the 42nd Annual Cape May Please let these businesses know that you appreciate their support Spring Festival, featuring world renowned author Kenn of the Cape May Bird Observatory. Many of them offer discounts to Kaufman speaking Saturday evening on his new book: A current NJ Audubon/ CMBO members. So keep your card handy Season on the Wind: Inside the World of Spring Migration. when you visit! Enjoy Cape May! Our Thursday evening Kick-off Party will be at Harry's Ocean BIRDING BY BOAT – THE OSPREY Bar & Grill. On Friday evening, Scott Whittle will present, Miss Chris Marina “What’s a Warbler?” Get your shorebird and horseshoe crab 1212 Wilson Avenue, Cape May, NJ 08204 609-898-3500 • www.birdingbyboat.com fix and enjoy all the famed Spring birding hotspots like Higbee, COASTLINE REALTY LLC The Meadows, Heislerville, Belleplain, Trip to the Rips, and 941 Columbia Avenue, Cape May, NJ 08204 more. Register early to secure your spot. See you soon! 609-884-5005 • www.coastlinerealty.com BOAT TRIPS FINS BAR & GRILLE The Osprey is a 37’ pontoon boat that has a comfortable enclosed cabin 142 Decatur Street Washington Street Mall with large viewing windows, a front deck with a railing, and a restroom on Cape May, NJ 08204 board. Non-motorized wheelchair accessible. More information, detailed 609-884-3449 • www.finscapemay.com directions, and online reservations at birdingbyboat.com or call The THE GRAND HOTEL Osprey at (609) 898-3500. Unless otherwise stated, all trips depart from 1045 Beach Avenue, Cape May, NJ 08204 the Miss Chris Marina, 1212 Wilson Drive, Cape May. Free parking. 609-884-5611/800-257-8550 37 LOONS AND SHOREBIRDS CRUISE www.grandcapemay.com HYLAND MOTOR INN Saturdays, March 16 and April 20 1:00 pm - 4:00 pm Sunday, March 24 10:00 am - 1:00 pm 38 East Mechanic Street Join the crew of The Osprey and CMBO naturalists on this Cape May Court House, NJ 08210 609-465-7305 • www.hylandmotorinn.com special birding boat trip as we focus on loons, lingering MAD BATTER RESTAURANT waterfowl and some great shorebird viewing. Reservations at the Carroll Villa Hotel required. Cost: $33 members, $38 nonmembers. 38 19 Jackson St., Cape May, NJ 08204 BALD EAGLE CRUISE ON THE MAURICE RIVER 609-884-5970 • www.carrollvilla.com Saturdays, March 30 and April 6 & 13, MONTREAL BEACH RESORT Sundays, March 31 and April 7 & 14 1:30 pm - 4:00 pm Beach & Madison Avenues, Cape May, NJ 08204 The Maurice River is a well-known wintering and nesting area 609-884-7011 • www.montrealbeachresort.com for Bald Eagles. Participants will search for eagles and other PERIWINKLE INN raptors, wintering waterfowl, welcome the return of nesting 1039 Beach Ave., Cape May, NJ 08204 609-884-9200 • www.periwinkleinn.com Ospreys, and enjoy the natural beauty of this part of the river, THE RUSTY NAIL/BEACH SHACK largely inaccessible by land. Departs from the public landing at the City of Millville Municipal Marina on Ware Avenue at 205 Beach Avenue, Cape May, NJ 08204 609-884-0017 • www.caperesorts.com the Route 49 intersection (adjacent to Millville municipal SALT MARSH SAFARI – THE SKIMMER complex/city hall). Ample free parking. Family-friendly. Cape May Inlet Marina Cost: $35 adults; $20 children 12 and under. 1001 Ocean Drive, Wildwood Crest, NJ 08260 39 BACK BAY BIRDING BY BOAT on The Osprey 609-884-3100 • www.skimmer.com Saturdays, April 27 to May 25 SEA CREST INN EXCEPT May 18 10:00 am - 12:30 pm 101 Beach Avenue, Cape May, NJ 08204 Sundays, April 21 to May 26 EXCEPT May 19 609-884-4561 • www.seacrestinn.com Mondays, April 22 to May 27 10:00 am - 1:00 pm SUNSET LIQUORS Join Capt. Bob & the naturalists and crew of The Osprey 106 Sunset Boulevard, Cape May, NJ 08204 609-435-5052 • www.sunsetliquorsnj.com for close-up looks at secretive rails, nesting Ospreys, WEST CAPE MOTEL migrant shorebirds, terns, gulls, herons and more. We 307 Sunset Boulevard, Cape May, NJ 08204 explore the coastal saltmarsh of Cape May from Cape 609-884-4280 • www.westcapemotel.com Island Creek to the Wildwoods and view the natural THE WILDLIFE GARDENER wonders of historic Cape May Harbor. Family-friendly. 795 Goshen Road, Cape May Court House, NJ 08210 Cost: $28 members, $33 nonmembers (Saturdays), $33 609-536-8036 • www.njwildlifegardener.com members, $38 nonmembers (Sundays, Mondays) 12 The Kestrel Express Cape May Bird Observatory 13 pm pm am am am am am 2 9 pm pm 30 16 23 pm 8-10 8-10 8-10 8-10 8-10

12:30-4:30 pm BIRDING CAPE MAY PT. BIRDING CAPE MAY BIRDING 1-3 BREAK INTO PT. BIRDING CAPE MAY BIRDING 1-3 BREAK INTO PT. BIRDING CAPE MAY POOR MAN’S PELAGIC GULLS SIMPLIFIED BALD EAGLE CRUISE 1:30-4 BIRDING CAPE MAY PT. BIRDING CAPE MAY BIRDING CAPE MAY PT. BIRDING CAPE MAY WOODCOCK DANCE 6-8 LOONS AND SHOREBIRDS CRUISE 1-4

SATURDAY 1 20 1 20 22 1 25 38 1 1 21 37 1 8 15 22 29 FRIDAY CAPE MAY SPRINGWATCH March 1 to May 31 SPRINGWATCH CAPE MAY

33 7 14 21 28 THURSDAY 0 6 13 27 20 WEDNESDAY 5 12 19 26 TUESDAY am am 4 11 18 25 MONDAY BIRDING THE MEADOWS 7:30-9:30 BIRDING THE MEADOWS 7:30-9:30

9 9

dusk 3 - dusk dusk - - am am am am am 31 10 17 pm pm pm pm 5 5

8-10 8-10 8-10 8-10 8-10 4:30

24/31 am 9-11

pm -1 TURKEY PT. TURKEY TURKEY PT. TURKEY PT. TURKEY PT. TURKEY TURKEY PT. TURKEY am @ @ @ @ @ JAKES LANDING JAKES LANDING JAKES LANDING @ @ @ SUNDAY MORNING NIGHT

MORNING NIGHT MORNING MORNING LOONS AND SHOREBIRDS CAPE MAY BIRDING - CAPE MAY BALD EAGLE CRUISE 1:30-4 CRUISE 10 RIGHT PLACE, TIME MORNING NIGHT SUNSET BEACH

5 6 5 6 5 37 5 26 38 5 6 7 Numbers next to events on calendar correspond event numbers in text. Ex. MARCH 2019 14 The Kestrel Express Cape May Bird Observatory 15 am am

am pm pm am am am 6 am pm 20 27 13 pm pm 8-10 8-10 8-10

7:30-10:30 7:30-10:30 7:30-10:30

7:30-930

pm pm pm -5:00 -12:30 am am BIRDING CAPE MAY PT. BIRDING CAPE MAY BELLEPLAIN HOTSPOTS BELLEPLAIN HOTSPOTS 3-5 ALL FOR BIRD WALK SPRING BIRDING CMBO ANNUAL OPTICS SALE ANNUAL CMBO BALD EAGLE CRUISE 1:30-4 BOAT BIRDING BY BACK BAY 9:00 10 BIRDING CAPE MAY PT. BIRDING CAPE MAY BIRDING 1-3 BREAK INTO BIRDS IN FLIGHT - BALD EAGLE CRUISE 1:30-4 SPRING EDITION BIRDING CAPE MAY PT. BIRDING CAPE MAY BELLEPLAIN HOTSPOTS 3-5 ALL FOR BIRD WALK LOONS AND SHOREBIRDS CRUISE 1-4

SATURDAY 1 2 34 38 2 3 4 39 1 20 27 38 1 2 3 37 am am am pm pm pm 5 3-5 3-5 3-5 19 26 12 Northwood Center Closed Center Sale - Optics Northwood FRIDAY HIGBEE BEACH BIRDING 7:30-9:30 A MEADOWS AFTERNOON CAPE MAY SPRINGWATCH March 1 to May 31 SPRINGWATCH CAPE MAY HIGBEE BEACH BIRDING 7:30-9:30 A MEADOWS AFTERNOON

HIGBEE BEACH BIRDING 7:30-9:30 A MEADOWS AFTERNOON

18 19 33 April 13 - 18 19 18 19 am am am 4 18 25 11 HEISLERVILLE HEISLERVILLE HEISLERVILLE @ @ @ pm pm pm BIRDS OF BELLEPLAIN 7:30-10:30 SHOREBIRDS 1:30-3:30 THURSDAY BIRDS OF BELLEPLAIN 7:30-10:30 SHOREBIRDS

1:30-3:30 BIRDS OF BELLEPLAIN 7:30-10:30 SHOREBIRDS 1:30-3:30

16 17 16 17 16 17 0 pm pm pm am am am am 3 17 24 10 8-10 8-10 8-10 8-10 pm

4:30-6:30 4:30-6:30 4:30-6:30

pm THE POINT THE POINT THE POINT THE POINT @ @ @ @ MIGRATION MIGRATION OPTICS 101 1-3 ISL. BIRDS OF NUMMY MIGRATION ISL. BIRDS OF NUMMY MIGRATION MIGRATION MIGRATION MIGRATION ISL. BIRDS OF NUMMY BIRDING 1-3 BREAK INTO

WEDNESDAY 12 13 14 12 14 12 12 14 20 2 9 am am am 16 23 30 am am am 8:30-10:30 8:30-10:30 8:30-10:30

TUESDAY HIDDEN CORNERS 7:30-10:30 E-Z BIRDING HIDDEN CORNERS 7:30-10:30 E-Z BIRDING HIDDEN CORNERS 7:30-10:30 E-Z BIRDING

10 11 10 11 10 11 am am am am am 1 8 15 22 29 pm pm -1:00 -1:00 MONDAY am am BIRDING THE MEADOWS 7:30-9:30 BIRDING THE MEADOWS 7:30-9:30 BIRDING THE MEADOWS 7:30-9:30 BACK BAY BIRDING BY BOAT BIRDING BY BACK BAY BOAT BIRDING BY BACK BAY 10 10 BIRDING THE MEADOWS 7:30-9:30 BIRDING THE MEADOWS 7:30-9:30

9 9 39 9 39 9 9 am am am 7 am pm 28 14 21 pm am 7:30-9:30 7:30-9:30 7:30-9:30 7:30-9:30

7-11

9-11

pm pm pm -5:00 -1:00 -1:00 SUNDAY am am am SUNSET BEACH BIRDING ABOVE PAR BALD EAGLE CRUISE 1:30-4

ABOVE PAR BIRDING ABOVE PAR BIRDING ABOVE PAR BACK BAY BIRDING BY BOAT BIRDING BY BACK BAY BIRDS OF PEASLEE BOAT BIRDING BY BACK BAY 10 10 ABOVE PAR BIRDING ABOVE PAR CMBO ANNUAL OPTICS SALE ANNUAL CMBO BALD EAGLE CRUISE 1:30-4 9:00

7 8 38 8 39 8 23 39 8 34 38 Numbers next to events on calendar correspond event numbers in text. Ex. APRIL 2019 APRIL 16 The Kestrel Express Cape May Bird Observatory 17 am am 4 am am 11 18 25 pm pm 7:30-10:30 7:30-10:30

7:30-930 7:30-930

pm pm pm -12:30 -12:30 -12:30 am am am BELLEPLAIN HOTSPOTS 3-5 ALL FOR BIRD WALK SPRING BIRDING WORLD SERIES OF BIRDING BOAT BIRDING BY BACK BAY BOAT BIRDING BY BACK BAY 10 10 BELLEPLAIN HOTSPOTS 3-5 ALL FOR BIRD WALK SPRING BIRDING SPRING MIGRATION SPECIAL SPRING MIGRATION BOAT BIRDING BY BACK BAY 10 CAPE MAY SPRING FESTIVAL CAPE MAY

SATURDAY 35 39 2 3 4 39 2 3 4 28 39 36 am am am pm pm 3 3-5 3-5 10 17 24 31 FRIDAY HIGBEE BEACH BIRDING 7:30-9:30 HIGBEE BEACH BIRDING 7:30-9:30 A MEADOWS AFTERNOON SPRING MIGRATION SPECIAL SPECIAL SPRING MIGRATION CAPE MAY SPRING FESTIVAL CAPE MAY CAPE MAY SPRINGWATCH March 1 to May 31 SPRINGWATCH CAPE MAY

HIGBEE BEACH BIRDING 7:30-9:30 A MEADOWS AFTERNOON

18 18 19 28 36 33 18 19 am am am am 2 9 16 23 30 HEISLERVILLE HEISLERVILLE HEISLERVILLE @ @ @ pm pm pm BIRDS OF BELLEPLAIN 7:30-10:30 APPALACHIAN SPRING BIRDING APPALACHIAN THURSDAY BIRDS OF BELLEPLAIN 7:30-10:30 SHOREBIRDS

1:30-3:30 BIRDS OF BELLEPLAIN 7:30-10:30 SHOREBIRDS 1:30-3:30 BIRDS OF BELLEPLAIN 7:30-10:30 SHOREBIRDS SPRING SHOREBIRDS SPRING FESTIVAL CAPE MAY 1:30-3:30 AND SOUTHERN BREEDERS

16 32 16 17 16 17 16 17 30 36 0 pm am am am pm pm pm am am am am am 1 8 1-4:30 15 29 22

8-10 8-10 8-10 8-10 pm pm 8-10 pm

7:30-10:30 7:30-10:30 7:30-10:30

4:30-6:30 4:30-6:30 4:30-6:30

pm THE POINT THE POINT THE POINT THE POINT THE POINT @ @ @ @ @ MIGRATION MIGRATION OPTICS 101 1-3 ISL. BIRDS OF NUMMY EXPLORING CUMBERLAND MIGRATION MIGRATION BIRDING 1-3 BREAK INTO SHOREBIRDS ON THE BAY APPALACHIAN SPRING BIRDING APPALACHIAN MIGRATION MIGRATION ISL. BIRDS OF NUMMY EXPLORING CUMBERLAND BIRDING 1-3 BREAK INTO MIGRATION MIGRATION ISL. BIRDS OF NUMMY EXPLORING CUMBERLAND BIRDING 1-3 BREAK INTO SPRING SHOREBIRDS AND SOUTHERN BREEDERS

WEDNESDAY 12 13 14 15 12 24 32 12 20 12 14 15 20 12 14 15 20 30 pm 7 am am 14 21 28 1-4:30

am am am 8:30-10:30 8:30-10:30 8:30-10:30

TUESDAY HIDDEN CORNERS 7:30-10:30 E-Z BIRDING E-Z BIRDING BIRDING BY EAR: CALLS AND EAR: CALLS BIRDING BY SIGHT BY WARBLERS SHOREBIRDS ON THE BAY SONGS OF EASTERN BIRDS AND SOUND HIDDEN CORNERS 7:30-10:30 E-Z BIRDING

10 11 29 11 31 24 10 11 am am am pm am 6 13 20 27 1-4:30

pm pm pm pm -1:00 -1:00 -1:00 -1:00 MONDAY am am am am BIRDING THE MEADOWS 7:30-9:30 BIRDING THE MEADOWS 7:30-9:30 BIRDING THE MEADOWS 7:30-9:30 BIRDING BY EAR: CALLS AND EAR: CALLS BIRDING BY BOAT BIRDING BY BACK BAY SIGHT BY WARBLERS BOAT BIRDING BY BACK BAY BOAT BIRDING BY BACK BAY SONGS OF EASTERN BIRDS 10 AND SOUND 10 10 BIRDING THE MEADOWS 7:30-9:30 SHOREBIRDS ON THE BAY BOAT BIRDING BY BACK BAY 10

MEMORIAL DAY MEMORIAL Both CMBO Centers Closed 9 29 39 9 31 39 9 39 9 24 39 am 5 26 12 19 7:30-9:30

am 9-11

pm pm pm -1:00 -1:00 -1:00 SUNDAY am am am SUNSET BEACH BIRDING ABOVE PAR SPRING MIGRATION SPECIAL SPRING MIGRATION BOAT BIRDING BY BACK BAY 10

CAPE MAY SPRING FESTIVAL CAPE MAY BOAT BIRDING BY BACK BAY 10 BACK BAY BIRDING BY BOAT BIRDING BY BACK BAY 10

7 8 28 39 36 39 39 Numbers next to events on calendar correspond event numbers in text. Ex. MAY 2019 MAY 18 The Kestrel Express Cape May Bird Observatory 19 Non-Profit Org. U.S. Postage P A I D Permit No. 258 Rahway, NJ Cape May Bird Observatory P.O. Box 3 Cape May Point, NJ 08212 Save These Dates: Spring 2019 Schedule Enclosed APRIL 13 & 14: Optics Sale MAY 11: World Series of Birding MAY 16 - 19: SO.MANY.BIRDS Spring Festival