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.