Sunday, June 7, 2026: Negri-Nepote Native Grassland Preserve

Yellow warbler. Photo by Beni Fishbein.

Negri-Nepote Native Grassland Preserve

260 Skillmans Lane, Somerset, NJ (use this address for GPS)

8 a.m. to 12 p.m.

Trip is canceled if it rains.

In the heart of Franklin Township, the 164 acres of restored native grasses and other plants at Negri-Nepote Grassland Preserve attract a variety of breeding and migratory birds. eBird lists 115 species seen at the preserve in June. We hope to see the site’s specialty, the grasshopper sparrow, along with other nesting birds such as the eastern meadowlark, orchard oriole, common yellowthroat, yellow warbler, American kestrel, and blue grosbeak. A small wetland area can attract shorebirds and waterfowl. 

There is no restroom on site.  There is a bathroom at the QuickChek on the right immediately after you leave Route 287 at Exit 10 and one at the WaWa on the corner of Route 27 and Skillmans Lane. 

We will be walking on open, flat trails. Bring a sunhat and sunscreen, water, a snack, binoculars, and a scope if you have one.  Email mbcoutings@gmail.com for more information. 

Saturday, June 13, 2026: Halifax Road, Mahwah, NJ

Orchard oriole. Photo by Michael Yellin.

Meet at 8:00 am at Continental Soldiers Park, 550 Ramapo Valley Road, Mahwah, NJ.

Halifax Road is a birding hotspot in Bergen County. We will hike an easy, forested trail along the Ramapo River that loops around a lake. We might see wood ducks, snowy egrets and green herons, yellow-billed cuckoos, a variety of warblers and vireos, and flycatchers including great crested flycatchers, eastern kingbirds, and eastern wood-pewees. If time permits, we may also hike another easy trail that cuts through a meadow where we can possibly see indigo buntings, blue-gray gnatcatchers, eastern bluebirds, and orioles; there may be ticks here, so please come prepared to do battle.

Bring binoculars, sunscreen, insect repellent, a sun hat, water and a snack. There are restroom facilities at Continental Soldiers Park.

Call Michael Yellin at 908 380-2719 if you need more information. 

September, 2028: Birding South Africa with Rick Wright and VENT

Interested in birding South Africa with Rick Wright and VENT?

In September 2028, our very own Rick Wright is offering MBC members a chance to travel to South Africa with Victor Emanuel Nature Tours (VENT). The preliminary plan for this trip is as follows:

• 2 weeks of travel (exclusive of international travel time).

• Starting in Cape Town with visits to West Cape National Park (NP), Kirstenbosch, False Bay, Stellenbosch, and the Bot Valley, among other local sites, topped off with a whale watch and pelagic trip.

• Internal flight to Skukuza and then on to Sabi Sands for several days at Kruger NP.

• Ending with visits to Soweto and the Johannesburg Apartheid Museum.

  
  

Details:

• Estimated cost around $15,000, which would include the internal (but not international) flight, all meals, ground transportation, accommodations, and the usual high-quality VENT services.

• Arrival location: Cape Town. Departure location: Johannesburg.

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  Two leaders: Rick Wright and Geoff Lockwood.

To express interest, please email mbcoutings@gmail.com  An expression of interest is just that, an expression of interest, not a firm commitment. VENT is assessing whether enough MBC members would be interested or if this opportunity should be offered to another club.