2008 FIELD TRIP SCHEDULEAll who have an interest in birds are invited to attend functions of the DVOC
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Sunday, May 11, 2008
2008 FIELD TRIP SCHEDULE
All who have an interest in birds are invited to attend functions of the DVOC
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DVOC offers a variety of field trips to locations in and around the Delaware Valley area. Some trips target specific species while others concentrate on birding a certain habitat or area. Our field trips are led by a number of DVOC members who eagerly share their knowledge, experience and enthusiasm with trip participants. Most trips are half to full day events, with some being longer excursions to more distant locations. We offer approximately 40 field trips annually - a number
that has been steadily increasing each year. We are always seeking new
leaders and exciting destinations. DVOC field trips are open to members
and non members of all skill levels. These field trips are a fun way to
see birds, learn about avian behavior and meet new birders. |
NOTE: PLEASE MAKE EVERY EFFORT TO NOTIFY THE FIELD TRIP LEADER THAT YOU PLAN TO ATTEND, AND ALSO SHOULD YOU NEED TO CANCEL. FIELD TRIP COMMITTEE Contact Information for Field Trip Leaders 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007 Field Trip Archives |
FULL 2008 FIELD TRIP SCHEDULE
January 4 (Friday) – Hudson Shelf Valley CBC Pelagic
Explore the underwater trench called the Hudson Shelf Valley that extends from
near shore all the way to the Hudson Canyon. Birds of interest seen in the past
include Dovekie, Razorbill, Common Murre, Atlantic Puffin, Black-legged Kittiwake,
Iceland Gull, and Northern Gannet.
The trip sails from Belmar, NJ from 8:00 AM to approx. 4:00 PM
Cost: $90 + $5 CBC Fee (optional)
Leader: Paul Guris
2008 Field Trip Report
2007 Field Trip
Report
2005 Field Trip
Report
January 12 (Saturday) – Philadelphia Mid-Winter Bird Census, PA (PMWBC)
Help count birds within the city limits.
Contact: Keith Russell
2008 Report
2007
Report
2006
Report
2005
Report
2004
Report
2003 Report
January 19-21 (Saturday-Monday) - Montauk (Long Island), NY
A trip over Martin Luther King weekend 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.
Leaders: Erica Brendel and Chris
Walters
2008 Field Trip Report
2007 Field Trip
Report
2006 Field Trip
Report
2005 Field Trip
Report
2004 Field Trip Report
2003 Field Trip Report
January 19 (Saturday) - Conowingo Dam and Muddy Run, PA
In recent years there has been a nice concentration of bald eagles at Conowingo.
After birding the dam we will head north to Muddy Run, a Pennsylvania Power
and Light Reservoir for wintering waterfowl.
Meet at 9am at Fisherman’s Park at Conowingo.
Directions: from route 1. Immediately after crossing the dam, turn left on fisherman
park road for .07 mile and follow signs to fisherman’s park.
Leader: Tom Reeves
2008 Field Trip Report
2007 Field Trip
Report
January 26 (Saturday) - Cape May, NJ
Meet 8:30 am at the Wawa Parking Lot (Rtes 47 and 347) for seabirds and wintering
waterfowl. Dress for the weather and bring lunch and scopes. We will end the
day at Jake's Landing Road looking for short-eared owls.
Leader: Martin Selzer
2008 Field Trip Report
2007 Field Trip
Report
February 3 (Sunday) – Winter Waterfowl at Roosevelt Park, PA
New in 2008
The lakes in this urban, south-philly park hosts hundreds of ducks during the
winter ducks, including Scaup, Ring-Neck, Bufflehead, Wigeon, Shoveler, Green-Winged
Teal, Ruddy Duck, Redheads and there is always the possibility of Canvasback.
Meet at the parking lot on the south side of the main lake at 9:00AM. Afterwards
we can drive to nearby Tinicum NWR. Dress warmly; bring scope and binoculars
for fairly rewarding, close-up views.
Leader: Debbie Beer. Trip will be cancelled
if rain or snow.
Directions
2008 Field Trip Report
February 9 (Saturday) – Delaware City, DE
A morning trip around the freshwater ponds can be very productive. Meet 8am
Veteran's Park (Delaware River end of Clinton St) in Delaware City
Leader: Colin Campbell
2008 Field Trip Report
February 16-18 (Saturday - Monday) – Algonquin Park and Amherst Island,
Ontario
A 3 day trip over President’s weekend to look for winter finches, raptors
and owls. In Algonquin we hope for crossbills, redpolls, Pine Grosbeak, Boreal
Chickadee, Gray Jay, Black-backed Woodpecker and Spruce Grouse, while in the
south the woods and fields should hold Saw-whet, Long-eared, Short-eared and
Snowy Owl. If they are around we’ll also search for Boreal, Great Gray
and Hawk Owl. Quality, not quantity! Limited registration. Fee.
Leader: Adrian Binns
2008 Field Trip Report
2007 Field Trip
Report
2006 Field Trip
Report
2005 Field Trip Report
February 16 (Saturday) - Indian River Inlet (Delaware) and Points North
Join us as we search for wintering waterfowl, gulls, seabirds and other late
winter visitors. 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. Dress for the weather, bring lunch and scopes. This
is a joint field trip with Wyncote Audubon.
Meet at the parking lot on the north side of the Indian River Inlet at 9am.
Leader : Martin Selzer
2008 Field Trip Report
2007 Field
Trip Report
2006 Field
Trip Report
2005 Field
Trip Report
2004 Field Trip
Report
March 15 (Saturday) – Photography Trip at Barnegat Lighthouse, Barnegat,
NJ
This field trip will focus on getting some good photographs of wintering
gulls and waterfowl at Barnegat Light. Almost no effort will be made to find
rarities. We’ll plan to walk the jetty, find cooperative birds and photograph
them. Target birds include Red-throated Loons, Common Loon, Long-tailed Ducks,
Scoters, Purple Sandpipers, Eiders, Snow Buntings and Ipswich Sparrow -- basically
whatever we find. Whether you're new to photography or a pro, you're welcome
on this trip. I will be shooting almost exclusively with a Digital SLR and 300mm
lens. Digiscopers and more traditional photographers are both welcome, and we'll
do our best to find some subjects for everyone. If interested, contact Steve
Kacir and let him know whether you'll be digiscoping or just using a camera.
Some information about your lens will also help in planning our approach to
this trip. In case of foul weather the trip will be rescheduled.
Field Trip meeting place: Lighthouse Parking Lot
Meeting Time: 8:00am
Leader: Steve Kacir
2008 Field Trip Report
March 16 (Sunday) - Barnegat Light, NJ
A ½ day field trip for NEW MEMBERS and STUDENTS
to 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 9:00AM
Leader: Chris Walters
2008 Field Trip Report
2007 Field Trip
Report (March)
2007 Field Trip Report
(January)
2006 Field Trip
Report
2005 Field Trip
Report
2004 Field Trip Report
March 29 (Saturday) - Southwest New Jersey (Pedricktown and Mannington Marsh,
NJ
For possible winter stragglers such as Ross' Goose, Eurasian Teal, Eurasian
Wigeon, Rusty, Brewer's and Yellow-headed Blackbirds, and any early migrants
(Ruffs have previously been seen on this trip) as well as being a good time
of the year for Cackling Goose, Sandhill Crane, Winter Wren, American Woodcock,
Fox Sparrow, Bald Eagle, and any early shorebirds.
Meet at the Center Square location no later than 6:15 AM or the Pedricktown
Road location at the foot of the causeway at 7:30 AM.
Click Here for directions
and map
Leader: Frank Windfelder
2008 Field Trip Report
2007 Field
Trip Report
2006 Field Trip
Report
2004 Field Trip
Report
2003 Field
Trip Report
Summary of trips 1999-2008 (*.pdf
file)
April 13 (Sunday) – John Heinz NWR at Tinicum, PA
Highlights possible include 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, Blue-gray Gnatcatcher, Brown Thrasher, Hermit Thrush,
Yellow-rumped Warbler, Pine Warbler, Palm Warbler, Prairie Warbler, Black-throated
Green Warbler, Fox Sparrow, Field Sparrow and Rusty Blackbird.
Meet at: Cusano Environmental Education Center at 8601 Lindbergh Blvd, Philadelphia
at 8AM
Leader: Denis Brennan
Official John Heinz NWR website
2007 Field Trip Report
2006 Field Trip Report
April 20 (Sunday) - Riverwinds and National Park Dredge Spoils, NJ
A spring morning is planned at Riverwinds and later at the National Park Red
Bank Dredge Spoils, both adjacent to Philadelphia in Gloucester County. Jeff
has personally seen over 130 species at Riverwinds alone and the dredge spoils
is an excellent place for over wintering waterfowl and nesting marsh species.
Targets for the morning will be early migrants and nesting bitterns, rails,
Moorhen, Coot and Pied-billed Grebe. Meet at 7AM at Riverwinds
Leader: Jeff Holt
Information on Riverwinds
Directions
2008 Field Trip Report
2007 Field
Trip Report
2006 Field Trip
Report
April 26 (Saturday) – Chesapeake and Delaware Canal Rail Trip, DE
We'll be listening for night birds along Dutch Neck Rd from 3:30
am until the birds stop calling. We'll spend the hours before sunrise
listening for calling Sora, Virginia Rail, King Rail, Marsh Wren and Sedge Wren
at the 1000 Acre Marsh and Grier's Pond. Depending on our success, we may try
some additional night birding in the area. After the sun has risen, an optional
extension to the trip will involve birding our way south to Bombay Hook NWR
or hitting Salem County in NJ. Though not completely necessary, tall boots may
be good to have on hand. Please bring insect repellant, as Grier's Pond is infested
with Deer Ticks. Please make all efforts to contact Steve Kacir if you plan
on attending.
Field Trip meeting place:
S Reedy Point Rd at Dutch Neck Rd
South of Delaware City off Route 9
Chesapeake and Delaware Canal
Location
on Google Maps
Meeting Time: 3:30 AM
If you arrive late, turn left onto Dutch Neck Rd from S. Reedy Point Road where
S. Reedy Point Rd ends at the Chesapeake and Delaware Canal. Continue to drive
west along Dutch Neck Rd until you see a group of birders. If you get to the
intersection of Knightsbridge Rd and Dutch Neck Rd, you are too far west.
Leader: Steve Kacir
2008 Field Trip Report
2007 Field Trip Report
May 4 (Sunday) - Fort Washington State Park, Montgomery County, PA
Fort Washington State Park (FWSP) is an excellent place for spring migration.
We have tallied up to twenty-eight species in prior spring migration periods.
For this trip we will meet at the Hawk Watch platform at Militia Hill at 7:30
a.m. If you are interested in participating, please contact Bill and Naomi at
ndmurphy3 at hotmail.com.
Leaders: Bill and Naomi
Murphy
2008 Field Trip Report
2007
Field Trip Report
2006 Field Trip Report
May 9-11 (Friday-Sunday) - Birding Southern Delaware and into Maryland
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. Let me know in advance if you intend to
come. Alternate contact (April 12-May 4): Bob Horton
Leader: Colin Campbell
Alternate contact (April 12-May 4): Bob
Horton
2008 Trip Information (*.pdf) 
2007
Field Trip Report
2006
Field Trip Report
2005 Field
Trip Report
2004 Field
Trip Report
The New Jersey Audubon's World Series of Birding is Saturday May 10
May 17 (Saturday) - Carpenter's Woods, Philadelphia, PA
Spring migrants in Carpenter's Woods. Please meet at 6:30 AM at the
intersection of Wayne Ave. and Sedgwick St. (the bus stop). We'll
walk around and through the Woods until 11:00 or 12:00, or until we
run out of birds.
Leader: Erica Brendel
2007 Field Trip
Report
2006 Field Trip
Report
May 18 (Sunday) - Ridley Creek State Park, PA
For breeders and spring migrants. Expected: warblers, including Kentucky, Hooded
and Louisiana Waterthrush; thrushes (possibly including Swainson's), vireos,
flycatchers and 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.
Leader: Art McMorris
2007 Field Trip
Report
MAY 19 (Monday) – Gloucester County "Run",
NJ - Weekday!
We will spend most of the morning at Glassboro Woods WMA looking for southern
swamp breeders such as Kentucky, Prothonotary, and Hooded Warblers, Acadian
Flycatcher and Scarlet Tanager.For the afternoon, we will hit a couple "off
the beaten" path areas in the county for additional breeding birds.
We will meet at 7:00AM at Glassboro Woods WMA on Carpenter - the west (Rt. 47)
end. Pull into the parking area by the gate.
Leader: Sandra Keller
May 29 - June 1 (Thursday - Sunday) –North Carolina “Surf &
Turf Specialties”, Manteo, NC
New in 2008
June 6-8 (Friday to Sunday) – Weekend at Camp Susquehannock in NE PA
New in 2008
June 28th (Saturday) – Wharton State Forest for Nighthawks, NJ New
in 2008
For Nighthawks (booming) and Whip-poor-wills (calling) and Chuck-will's-widow
(unlikely). Steve may develop some other birding location we’ll hit first
before making our way to Carranza Rd; in 2007 we hit the Red-headed Woodpecker
Habitat Enhancement Area at Brendan Byrne SF (formerly Lebanon SF) before heading
to Wharton. Meeting time and place are to be announced.
Leader: Steve Kacir
July 12 (Saturday) - Bombay Hook NWR And Environs,
Delaware
Join us to witness the early part of the annual southbound shorebird migration
spectacle. Meet at 7:30AM at the headquarters
Leader: Martin Selzer
2007 Field Trip
Report
2006 Field Trip
Report
2005 Field
Trip Report
2004 Field Trip
Report
July 26 (Saturday) – 5th Annual Potluck Picnic
Hosted by the Guris’ in Green Lane, PA beginning at 1PM until you are
asked to leave!
Contact: Anita Guris
August 9 (Saturday) – Shorebirds at Green Lane Reservoir, Montgomery County,
PA
Join Steve Kacir
on his Montgomery County Big Year for shorebirds at Green Lane Reservoir. This
is one of the best locations in eastern PA for shorebirds. This will
probably be a half day trip. However, if any participants want to continue to
bird Montgomery County through the day with me, they will be welcome. Meeting
Time: 7:00am Meeting Place: Church Rd Parking Lot at Green Lane Reservoir
Directions: From the Northeast Extension of I-476, take Exit 44 for PA
663
towards Quakertown/Pottstown. Take PA 663 South towards Pottstown. PA 663
starts as John Fries Hwy and becomes Pottstown Ave. Turn right onto Schoolhouse
Rd. Turn left onto Church Rd. Follow Church Rd for less than a mile.
Immediately before the intersection of Church Rd and Hock Rd, turn left into
the
parking area that borders Green Lane Reservoir. If you get to Kutztown Rd, you
have gone too far.
Intersection
of Church Road and Hock Road on Google Maps.
Leader: Steve Kacir
August 16 (Saturday) – Edwin B. Forsythe NWR (aka Brigantine), NJ
A trip to catch the later wave of the shorebird migration spectacle. Meet 8:00
am at the refuge headquarters.
Leader: Martin Selzer
2007 Field Trip
Report
August 31 (Sunday) – Palmyra Cove Nature Park, NJ
We will bird for passerines, then go to the cove for waterbirds. 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.
Meet in the parking lot at 6:45 am
Leader: Frank Windfelder
September 14 (Sunday) - John Heinz NWR at Tinicum , PA
For Bald Eagle, lingering shorebirds, Blue-winged Teal, Bobolink and fall warblers
– Northern Parula, Yellow Warbler, Magnolia Warbler, Black-throated Blue
Warbler, Black-throated Green Warbler, Palm Warbler, Black and White Warbler,
Redstart...... Meet at 8 AM at the Cusano Environmental Education Center
Leader: Denis Brennan
2007 Field Trip
Report
2006 Field Trip
Report
October 4 (Saturday) – Sharp-tailed Sparrows at Tuckerton Marshes, NJ
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 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!
Leader: Frank Windfelder
Directions
2007 Field Trip
Report
2006 Field Trip
Report
2005 Field Trip
Report
2004 Field Trip
Report
2003 Field Trip
Report
Summary of trips
1998-2007 (*.pdf file)
November 1 or 2 (Saturday or Sunday) - Bake Oven Knob, PA
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.
Leaders : Frank Windfelder, Bill
Murphy and Chris Walters
Directions
2007 Field
Trip Report
2006 Field Trip Report
2005 Field Trip
Report
2004 Field Trip
Report
2003 Field Trip
Report
November 8 (Saturday) - Saw-whet Owl Banding at Hidden Valley, PA
Visit Scott Weidensaul’s 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.
Leader: Adrian Binns
2007 Field Trip
Report
2006 Field Trip
Report
2005 Field Trip
Report
2004 Field Trip
Report
2003 Field Trip
Report
November 22 (Saturday) - Brigantine (Forsythe) NWR, NJ
A field trip geared towards the youth, though anyone
is invited for waterfowl - ducks, snow geese, etc. This is a good area to start
learning flight id. Meet in the parking lot at 9:00AM
Leader: Sandra Keller
Further trips will be posted as available