Saturday, January 17, 2026: Great Swamp National Wildlife Refuge

Song sparrow on left, field sparrow on right. Photo by Ric Cohn.

Meet at the Helen C. Fenske Visitor Center 32 Pleasant Plains Road, Harding Township, NJ

Trip cancels if weather is threatening.

8:30-11:30 a.m.

Great Swamp National Wildlife Refuge is a 7,000-acre refuge located in suburban Morris County.  It has a variety of habitats including hardwood swamp, marsh, upland deciduous woods, fields and open water that support a wide diversity of bird life year-round.  We will start out birding around the Helen Fenske Visitor Center and make our way to the boardwalk areas.  On last year’s January trip to Great Swamp, we saw 36 species including eastern bluebird, white-crowned sparrow, and red-shouldered hawk.  Ebird lists 106 species as being seen in January at the Great Swamp including such niceties as American tree sparrow and rusty blackbird as well as a variety of ducks and waterfowl, raptors, sparrows and other passerines.   Bring binoculars, a snack and something to drink.  Dress warmly.  Be sure to email mbcoutings@gmail.com if you plan to come, in case of inclement weather or road closures.  

There are outhouses at the meeting location and a bathroom by the boardwalks.