Saturday, May 17: Cold Brook Farm

Meet at 8:30 am in Tewksbury, New Jersey, at the address sent to you on registration. 

This trip will take place rain or shine, unless it is pouring.

Join us at Cold Brook Farm, the home of club members Deb and Jason DeSalvo. We will explore fields, wooded areas, the river, and wetlands to discover the many different migratory and breeding bird species that use this restored property to refuel and to nest. Deb and Jason have been working hard to remove invasive plant species and plant natives to improve the habitat for insects, birds, and other animals. Among the nest boxes they have installed are those for American kestrels and eastern bluebirds. Last year’s May visit yielded 41 species, including three vireo species, both orioles, a rose-breasted grosbeak, and a ruby-throated hummingbird.  

Bring binoculars, a snack, and something to drink. If it has rained recently, waterproof boots are recommended. 

Email mbcoutings@gmail.com if you want to attend. Address and driving directions will be sent to you once you register. 

Saturday, May 24: South Mountain Reservation

Meet at 7:30 am in the main parking lot on Crest Drive (2nd on right; you'll see a wooden sign reading Bramhall Terrace, entrance to Summit Field).

South Mountain Reservation is a 2,100-acre nature reserve in southern Essex county. Nestled between the first and second ridges of the Watchung Mountains and overlooking the urban sprawl of the greater Newark area, it can be a tremendous migrant trap in the heat of spring migration. We will walk several trails, hoping to see good numbers of thrushes, warblers, sparrows, and others as they pass through our area.

Many of the trails are paved, but it is recommended to wear sturdy hiking boots, as some trails are a little rocky and uneven.

There are no bathrooms at this location, but there are at a later stop.

For more information, email mbcoutings@gmail.com.

Directions: From I-280, take Exit 7, Pleasant Valley Way, south for 3.5 miles, then turn left onto South Orange Avenue. Take this road for 1 mile and turn right onto Crest Drive, marked with a sign for the dog park (you will encounter Crest Drive just after you've reached the crest of the hill). Stay straight on Crest Drive, and within a half mile there will be a very long parking lot on the right, in an open space with a vista to your left. We will meet at the far end of this parking lot.

Sunday, June 1: Sterling Forest State Park

Meet promptly at 8:00 am at 299 Ironwood Drive, Tuxedo Park, New York, where the road dead-ends at the loop.

The path along the powerline cut at the end of Ironwood Drive is the single best place in our area to find breeding Golden-winged Warblers. Other notable species we have a chance at seeing include Yellow-billed and Black-billed Cuckoos, Red-shouldered Hawk, Alder and Olive-sided Flycatchers, Scarlet Tanager, Indigo Bunting, and Cerulean, Blue-winged, and Prairie Warblers.

There are very many ticks here, so please come prepared. There are no bathrooms at this location.

Call Evan Cutler at 917 583-4294 if you get lost or are running late.