- Bird Quest Training - Washington Lake ParkWashington Lake Park, Sewell, NJ
This is the largest municipal park in New Jersey and in spring it comes alive with songbird and raptor migrants adding to the year-round residents. Many migrants begin nesting in the woods, especially near the streams, and the bluebirds are active around their boxes. More than 20 species of warblers have been identified here.
This event is being jointly held with the Washington Township Environmental Commission.
To learn more about the main Bird Quest event on May 4th, see here.
Directions: Meet at parking lot E by the amphitheater.
Leaders: Marie Hageman and Marilyn Henry
- Bird Quest Training - Beyond Hidden Creek Trail (Glassboro)Hampton Boulevard & Granville Avenue, Glassboro, NJ
We return to this trail for spring migration and should be able to see and hear songbirds, residents and some raptors along brushy edges, woods and open field. More than120 bird species have seen here. Most of this walk will not be on paved or groomed trails.
To learn more about the main Bird Quest event on May 4th, see here.
Directions: Park on the right side of Hampton where it intersects Granville.
Trip Leaders: Jayne Rhynard, Rich & Lori Gess
- Bird Quest Training - Scotland Run Park #2Scotland run Trails, Williamstown, NJ
Scotland Run Park, the largest of the county parks, spans over 1,000 acres and includes the 80 acre Wilson Lake. 143 species of birds have been recorded here, including 25 species of warblers. This is a great place and the right time to enjoy the spring migration!
To learn more about the main Bird Quest event on May 4th, see here.
Directions: Take exit 45 off route 55 to Centerton- Clayton. Make a left onto Buck Road (Rt. 553). Make a right at the first traffic light onto Academy Road (Rt. 610). Take Academy Road for 2 miles crossing over route 47 and Fries Mill Road. Just beyond Fries Mill Road turn right into the Nature Center parking lot. Address for GPS: 980 East Academy Street, Clayton NJ.
Leaders: Marilyn Henry & Marie Hageman
- Bird Quest Training - RiverWinds Park (Evening)Riverwinds Restaurant, West Deptford, NJ
Riverside shrubs and forested areas along the Delaware River make for great birding here. Look for migrating warblers, scarlet tanagers, hawks and maybe a bald eagle!
There are two Bird Quest training sessions for RiverWinds. The meeting places are different.
To learn more about the main Bird Quest event on May 4th, see here.
Directions: Turn onto RiverWinds Drive. Go past the Community Center, then stay left. Meet at the parking lot just before the Riverwinds Restaurant entrance.
Leaders: Gary Lizzi & Lloyd Shaw
- Bird Quest Training - West Deptford Nature TrailWest Deptford Nature Trail, West Deptford, NJ
Visit another part of RiverWinds, at another time of day! Look for scarlet tanager, magnolia warbler, blackburnian warbler, ovenbird, black- throated green warbler and many other migrants.
There are two Bird Quest training sessions for RiverWinds. The meeting places are different.
To learn more about the main Bird Quest event on May 4th, see here.
Directions; Turn onto RiverWinds Drive. Go approx. 1000 ft. (past Sandpiper Lane on your left) and turn right to meet in the Riverwinds Nature Trail parking lot.
Leaders: Dan & Danny Ceravolo
- Bird Quest 2024Wheelabrator Wildlife Refuge and Butterfly Garden, Westville, NJ
The Gloucester County Nature Club invites people of all ages to participate in the 24th annual Gloucester County Bird Quest. Novices and experienced birders are welcome.
Bird Quest starts with a morning of birding. The rules are simple: Identify as many different bird species as you can - by sight or sound - between 7 a.m. and noon, staying in Gloucester County.
You can participate by forming a team of your own or by joining any or all of three guided walks led by bird experts who will help identify bird species. Bird Quest is family and child friendly.
In the noon hour, all participants gather at WIN/Wheelabrator Wildlife Refuge in Westville for lunch, t-shirts, story swapping, and door prizes.
A series of 11 informal Bird Quest trainings is offered in late April and early May to help you brush up on your birding skills. Participants are invited to attend any of these free field trainings in the evenings, mornings and weekends before the Quest.
The cost to participate is $15 per person, which includes lunch and a T-shirt. Advance registration by April 28th is required. To register and for more details, please visit https://birdquest.gcnatureclub.org .
- Monthly Program: "Flower Flies of New Jersey"Holy Nativity Lutheran Church, Wenonah, NJ
Flower Flies (the insect family Syrphidae) are among the least known but most important of our pollinators. These colorful and diverse insects (over 400 species are native to the Northeast) are the essential pollinators for thousands of plant species and a crucial element in natural ecosystems.
Presenter: Jeff Mollenhauer
Directions: The Holy Nativity Lutheran Church is located just off Rt. 553 (Woodbury Glassboro Rd.) immediately south of the traffic light at Mantua Ave. The church parking lot can be accessed by entrances on either Woodbury-Glassboro Road or Lenape Trail (first left off of Mantua Ave).
Photo Credit: Johnny N. Dell, Bugwood.org
- Field Trip - Old Pine Farm & Timber Creek Park (Tour de Natural Places)Old Pine Farm trail parking, Deptford, NJ
Join us as we explore the natural places of Gloucester County as described in the 2020 Edition of Natural Places of Gloucester County, a publication of the Gloucester County Nature Club. Over the next year we will be scheduling outings to visit as many of the listed natural areas as possible. Activities may include bird watching, hiking, walks or ambles, or just exploring.
At Old Pine Farm we will walk about 1+ miles along the woodland trail, and explore the park. We will then take a short drive to Timber Creek Park and walk the loop trail there. Plan on about 2+ hours. Rain cancels.
This event is free and open to the public.
Trip Leader: Sue Bergmann
Site Information: See Natural Places of Gloucester County, pages 67-70, Location #16 for Old Pine Farm; and pages 35-37, Location #9 for Timber Creek.
- Field Trip - Introduction to the Pine BarrensBrendan T. Byrne State Forest, New Lisbon, NJ
With a combination of short drives and walks, we will visit several pinelands environments and look for some typical plants, including local specialties and a few “carnivorous” species. Other taxa (birds, herps, lichens) will not be ignored..
Meet at 9:30 AM at the Brendan Byrne office, on the south side of Route 70 about one mile northeast of the intersection with Route 72 at the Four Mile traffic circle. Look for the state forest entry sign on the right. Bring lunch and beverage. For more information, email leader at karlanderson6@aol.com
Trip Leader: Karl Anderson