Monday, July 28: Mill Creek Marsh, Secaucus

Western sandpiper. Photo Rick Wright

Meet at 8:30 am in the parking lot by the Mill Creek Marsh entrance near Bob’s Discount Furniture.

Less than a month after the last northbound semipalmated sandpipers have left us, the firstreturning birds appear. Their numbers slowly increase through July, then explode in the last days of the month, when many thousands of adult semipalmateds gather at high tide on the ancient cedar stumps of Mill Creek Marsh. Presenting the most impressive wildlife spectacle in our area, these birds are often joined by lesser numbers of least sandpipers, greater and lesser yellowlegs, solitary sandpipers, and short-billed dowitchers, and there is always the possibility of a surprise rarity.

We will walk a leisurely mile on wide, level trails. The shorebirds are often very close to the

path on the rising tide, but binoculars or a spotting scope will give you the best views. Dress for what may well be hot and humid weather; a broad-brimmed hat and sunscreen are advised. Insects are rarely a problem here, though there may be a mosquito or two if the day is unusually calm. Bring plenty of water and a snack; restrooms are available at Bob’s, which

opens at 10:00 am.

Driving directions to Mill Creek Marsh Trail, 3 Mill Creek Drive, Secaucus, are here.

Contact mbcoutings@gmail.com for more information and in case of inclement weather.

Saturday, August 9: Great Swamp National Wildlife Refuge

Meet at 8:30 am at the Helen C. Fenske Visitor Center, 32 Pleasant Plains Road, Harding Twp, New Jersey—canceled in case of threatening weather

The 7,000 acres of Great Swamp National Wildlife Refuge, in suburban Morris County, comprise hardwood swamp, marsh, deciduous woods, fields, and open water, all supporting a wide diversity of bird life year-round. We will start the morning around the Helen Fenske Visitor Center, one of the club’s favorite places for “parking lot” birding, then move on to other locations.

We should see a variety of waterfowl and raptors, alongside other summer residents such as

Photo Deb DeSalvo

(fingers crossed) yellow-billed cuckoo, willow flycatcher, yellow-throated vireo, blue-gray gnatcatcher, marsh wren, brown thrasher, cedar waxwing, blue-winged warbler, scarlet tanager, and rose-breasted grosbeak.

Bring binoculars, a snack, and something to drink, along with bug spray, sunscreen, and a hat. There are outhouses at the meeting location and a bathroom by the boardwalks.

We will finish at 11:30 am. Please be sure to email mbcoutings@gmail.com if you plan to join us.  

Saturday, September 13: A Piece of the Great Piece

Yellow-billed cuckoo. Photo Rick Wright

Meet at 8:00 am at Centennial Park on Pine Brook Road, Lincoln Park, New Jersey.

Although it is in many ways a typical suburban town, much of Lincoln Park is wetland that cannot be developed. Thus, a large portion of the town’s square mileage is green space, offering many excellent birding opportunities. The town is home to Great Piece Meadows, a remnant wetland of Glacial Lake Passaic, which attracts numerous migrants.

Centennial Park, a small “pocket” park at the edge of Great Piece Meadows, probably has records of more bird species per square foot (including Morris County’s first Ash-throated Flycatcher) than any other location in the area. Another section of Great Piece is known as Two Bridges, at the confluence of the Passaic and Pompton Rivers. At both sites, we hope to see a variety of migrating songbirds and raptors as well as resident and lingering breeding birds such as the wood duck, great crested flycatcher, yellow-throated vireo, wood thrush, and rose-breasted grosbeak.

Please bring binoculars, a sunhat, insect repellant, water, and a snack. There is a port-o-john in Centennial Park.

If you plan on joining us, contact Ivan Kossak at ivankossak@gmail.com to RSVP or to get more information.