Spring Weekend Cape May Bird Observatory

33rd Annual Cape May Spring Weekend

May 21 - 23, 2010

Congregate. . .
Delaware Bay Shorebirds                
         . . .Where the Birds Migrate

 

MIGRATION MAINLINE - CAPE MAY, NJ

Celebrate spring and enjoy a weekend in North America's world famous bird watching destination where there is something for everyone, from the novice to the seasoned naturalist, with three days of field trips, variety of boat trips, workshops, and programs.

Field Trip

Field Trips - Friendly and easy-paced trips to Cape May's birding hotspots led by North America's finest naturalists.  Weekend bird checklist can tally close to 200 species.

Workshops & Programs - Indoor programs, workshops, and field workshops covering species identification, beginning and intermediate birding, gardening for wildlife, butterflies, how to choose binoculars and spotting scopes, and more. 

Birding by Boat - Cape May Boat Tours

Salt Marsh Eco Tour - Explore Cape May’s coastal waters aboard The Osprey with naturalist Captain David Githens. Combine birding, ecology of the tideline, Cape May history, and fun! Excellent views of many species unique to the salt marsh, including Osprey, herons, egrets, oystercatchers, shorebirds, and possibly rails. ▲Additional cost; registration required.

Mini-Pelagic aboard the Cape May Lewes Ferry - A ½ day round trip excursion across the Delaware Bay in search of gannets, a variety of gulls and terns, lingering scoters and loons, and the possibility of jaegers, petrels or shearwaters. ▲Additional cost; registration required.

Kayak on Cape Island Creek

Cruising Cape Island Creek - Kayak along Cape Island Creek with experienced naturalists for up close looks at Osprey, egrets, and other marine life. Single and double kayaks provided for a fun, safe adventure. No experience or equipment needed. ▲Additional cost; registration required. 

Birders on Bikes


Pedaling Ponderlodge -
Bring your bicycle (thin tires are not recommended), helmet &  binoculars for an easy paced ride through Villas Wildlife Management Area (formerly Ponderlodge Golf Course) on paved paths winding through former fairways.  No additional cost but registration required.
 

Biking Belleplain - Bring your bicycle (thin tires are not recommended), helmet &  binoculars for an easy paced ride along paved roads through Belleplain State Forest. No additional cost but registration required.  


 Artist

GRAND OPENING • Sluice Creek Art GalleryCelebrating the Natural World

CMBO's Center for Research and Education

Thursday evening, May 20 from 7 to 9 PM

                       featuring over 30 South Jersey artists


EVENING PROGRAMS*
featuring
Dr. David Mizrahi
Pete Dunne

Friday Evening Program

Dr. David MizrahiDr. David Mizrahi
Extreme Globe Trotters: 
The Extraordinary Migrations of Shorebirds


Learn about the extreme migrations of shorebirds and how this and other factors make them highly  vulnerable.  New Jersey Audubon's Vice President of Research, Dr. David Mizrahi, will also talk about the current efforts to conserve populations at risk.

Saturday Evening ProgramPete Dunne

Pete Dunne
Bayshore Summer


Between the tide and the pines lies New Jersey's forgotten shore - a land of Black Duck and blue mud; salt hay famers and tenth generation watermen.  Visitors skirt it.  Most New Jersey residents don't know it exists.  The natural and cultural heritage of the Delaware Bayshore is as rich as it is unheralded. Enjoy, while author Pete Dunne, shares many of those secrets tonight.  (Bayshore Summer, the 2nd of Pete Dunne's Season Series and is available at CMBO).

*Evening Programs are not available separately; you must be registered for dinner in order to attend the evening program.


REGISTRATION INFORMATION

Registration is required to participate in any weekend activities.  We offer several packages but individual walks/activities are not available.  Participants may choose any activities they wish for the period they are registered; however, any activity marked▲requires additional registration. A packet containing a detailed schedule of events, map, admission tags and tickets will be mailed to all registrants. All transportation throughout the weekend is the responsibility of the participant.

The WEEKEND REGISTRATION FORM is now available in pdf format.  It can be completed online and you may print, and mail or fax (609.861.1651) with your payment.  No registrations will be accepted without payment in full.   If you are unable to download the form, please call (609.861.0700 or 609.884.2736) and asked to be mailed a Spring Weekend brochure (available late March).

Advance registrations will be accepted until May 5, 2010.  You may also register in person during the event at the New Jersey Audubon desk in the lobby of the Grand Hotel in Cape May.  Event organizers reserve the right to cancel or substitute activities when necessary.

LODGING IS NOT INCLUDED with Spring Weekend registration. The Grand Hotel is offering special rates for our festival registrants using Group Code 116176 (follow this direct link to hotel reservation page).  If you cannot access The Grand Hotel's reservations page, please call them directly (609.884.5611 or toll free 800.257.8550).  


WEEKEND ACTIVITIES

This is a PRELIMINARY schedule. The detailed schedule of events with

exact activities, times, and meeting places will be mailed to registered participants. 

Friday, MAY 21


7:30 AM - 9:30 AM

FIELD TRIP

Cape May Point State Park

7:30 AM - 9:30 AM

FIELD TRIP

Cape May Migratory Bird Refuge

7:30 AM - 9:30 AM

FIELD TRIP

Higbee Beach

7:30 AM - 9:30 AM

FIELD TRIP

Rea Farm  

7:30 AM - 10:30 AM

FIELD TRIP

Belleplain State Forest

8:00 AM - 10:30 AM

FIELD TRIP

Peaslee Wildlife Management Area

9:30 AM - 10:30 AM

PROGRAM

Shorebirds & Horseshoe Crabs with John Heuges

10:00 AM - Noon

FIELD TRIP

Cape May Point State Park

10:00 AM - Noon

FIELD TRIP

Cape May Migratory Bird Refuge

10:00 AM - Noon

FIELD TRIP

Higbee Beach

10:00 AM - Noon

FIELD TRIP

Rea Farm

11:00 AM - Noon

WORKSHOP

Selecting A Spotting Scope

11:00 AM - 12:30 PM

FIELD TRIP

Jakes Landing for Rails & Raptors

1:00 PM - 3:00 PM

FIELD TRIP

Up Close with Shorebirds & Horseshoe Crabs

1:00 PM - 3:30 PM

BOAT TRIP▲

Salt Marsh Eco-Tour

1:30 PM - 2:30 PM

WORKSHOP

Options for Optics, What Binoculars to Choose

1:30 PM - 2:15 PM

PROGRAM

10 Simple Things to Make Bird Watching More

Fun with Don Freiday

1:30 PM - 3:30 PM

FIELD TRIP

Cape May Migratory Bird Refuge

1:30 PM - 3:30 PM

FIELD WORKSHOP

Cape May Peninsula Shorebirds by Impression with Kevin Karlson

2:00 PM - 2:45 PM

PROGRAM

Discover New Jersey’s Highlands with Rick Radis

2:00 PM - 3:30 PM

FIELD TRIP

Lake Lily

2:00 PM - 3:30 PM

PROGRAM

How to Create a Butterfly & Hummingbird Garden with Patricia Sutton

2:00 PM - 4:00 PM

FIELD TRIP

Stone Harbor Point

2:00 PM - 4:00 PM

BOAT TRIP ▲

Cruising Cape Island Creek Kayak Trip

2:30 PM - 3:30 PM

PROGRAM

Pete Dunne on Bird Watching

3:00 PM - 3:45 PM

PROGRAM

Fresh Water Fish of NJ with Patrick Scheuer

4:00 PM - 4:45 PM

PROGRAM

Birds on the Beach with Don Freiday

4:00 PM - 4:45 PM

PROGRAM

The Art of Pishing with Pete Dunne

Saturday, MAY 22


7:30 AM - 9:30 AM

FIELD TRIP

Cape May Point State Park

7:30 AM - 9:30 AM

FIELD TRIP

Cape May Migratory Bird Refuge

7:30 AM - 9:30 AM

FIELD TRIP

Higbee Beach

7:30 AM - 9:30 AM

FIELD TRIP

Rea Farm

9:30 AM - 10:30 AM

PROGRAM

Shorebirds & Horseshoe Crabs with John Heuges

10:00 AM - Noon

FIELD TRIP

Cape May Point State Park

10:00 AM - Noon

FIELD TRIP

Cape May Migratory Bird Refuge

10:00 AM - Noon

FIELD TRIP

Higbee Beach

10:00 AM - Noon

FIELD TRIP

Rea Farm  

10:00 AM - Noon

FIELD TRIP▲

Pedaling Ponderlodge

10:00 AM - 12:30 PM

BOAT TRIP ▲

Salt Marsh Eco Tour

10:30 AM - 11:30 AM

PROGRAM

Discover New Jersey’s Pine Barrens with Rick Radis

10:30 AM - 2:30 PM

BOAT TRIP▲

Cape May Lewes Ferry Mini-Pelagic

1:00 PM - 1:45 PM

PROGRAM

Not All Grasslands Are Created Equal with Beth Ciuzio

1:00 PM - 2:00 PM

WORKSHOP

Selecting A Spotting Scope

1:00 PM - 2:30 PM

WORKSHOP

Intermediate Birding with Vince Elia

1:00 PM - 3:00 PM

FIELD TRIP

Up Close with Shorebirds & Horseshoe Crabs

1:00 PM - 3:30 PM

FIELD TRIP

Pine Barrens of Belleplain State Forest with Rick Radis

1:30 PM - 3:00 PM

WORKSHOP

Cape May Peninsula Shorebirds by Impression with Kevin Karlson

1:30 PM - 3:30 PM

FIELD TRIP

Stone Harbor Point

1:30 PM - 4:00 PM

BOAT TRIP ▲

Salt Marsh Eco Tour

2:00 PM - 2:45 PM

PROGRAM

Warbler Identification with Louise Zemaitis

2:00 PM - 3:00 PM

WORKSHOP

Options for Optics, What Binoculars to Choose

2:00 PM - 4:00 PM

BOAT TRIP ▲

Cruising Cape Island Creek Kayak Trip

2:30 PM - 4:00 PM

FIELD TRIP

Intermediate Birding with Vince Elia

3:00 PM - 4:30 PM

WORKSHOP

Birding by Ear with Michael O’Brien

3:30 PM - 4:30 PM

PROGRAM

Birds and Birding at Cape May with Pat & Clay Sutton


BOOKSIGNING - Saturday, May 22 - 5 PM - 6 PM
Join noted authors Pete Dunne, Mark Garland, Kevin Karlson, Michael O'Brien, Pat and Clay Sutton, Louise Zemaitis
for a reception and booksigning.


A limited selection of books will be available for sale during the booksigning; pick up your favorite
titles at the Cape May Bird Observatory, or bring your books from home.


Sunday, MAY 23

7:30 AM - 9:30 AM

FIELD TRIP

Cape May Point State Park

7:30 AM - 9:30 AM

FIELD TRIP

Cape May Migratory Bird Refuge

7:30 AM - 9:30 AM

FIELD TRIP

Higbee Beach

7:30 AM - 9:30 AM

FIELD TRIP

Rea Farm 

7:30 AM - 10:00 AM

FIELD WORKSHOP▲

Birding By Ear with Michael O’Brien

8:00 AM - 10:00 AM

FIELD TRIP

Villas Wildlife Management Area

10:00 AM - Noon

FIELD TRIP

Cape May Point State Park

10:00 AM - Noon

FIELD TRIP

Cape May Migratory Bird Refuge

10:00 AM - Noon

FIELD TRIP

Higbee Beach

10:00 AM - Noon

FIELD TRIP

Rea Farm 

10:00 AM - 12:30 PM

BOAT TRIP▲

Salt Marsh Eco Tour

10:00 AM - 12:30 PM

FIELD TRIP▲

Biking Belleplain

11:00 AM - Noon

PROGRAM

Spring Butterflies of Cape May with Will Kerling

11:00 AM - Noon

WORKSHOP

Selecting A Spotting Scope

1:00 PM - 3:00 PM

FIELD TRIP

Up Close with Shorebirds & Horseshoe Crabs

1:00 PM - 3:00 PM

FIELD TRIP

Spring Butterflies of Cape May with Will Kerling

1:00 PM - 3:00 PM

FIELD TRIP

Birds on the Beach with Don Freiday

1:30 PM - 2:30 PM

WORKSHOP

Options for Optics, What Binoculars to Choose

1:30 PM - 3:30 PM

FIELD TRIP

Jakes Landing for Rails & Raptors

1:30 PM - 4:00 PM

BOAT TRIP▲

Salt Marsh Eco Tour

2:00 PM - 4:30 PM

FIELD TRIP

Forsythe National Wildlife Refuge

 
Monday, MAY 24

7:30 AM - 9:30 AM

FIELD TRIP

Birding the Meadows with Pete Dunne

8:00 AM - 4:00 PM

WORKSHOP▲

Peak of the Red Knots

10:00 AM - 1:00 PM

BOAT TRIP ▲

Back Bay Birding by Boat

 

Special Workshop - Peak of the Red Knots Red Knot

Thursday, May 20  - or -  Monday, May 24
8:00 AM - 4:00 PM

The concentration of Red Knots and other shorebirds drawn to Delaware Bay by spawning horseshoe crabs peaks in late May.  If you’ve never seen it, it’s time.  If you have, you want to see it again.  A great way to stretch your CMBO spring weekend!  On this all day birding field trip with Don Freiday and other CMBO naturalists, we’ll visit Delaware Bayshore sites and other areas like Stone Harbor and Nummy Island for knots and other shorebird species.  Participants may have an opportunity to witness shorebird banding by researchers.  Advance registration required.  Cost is $45 for members, $60 for nonmembers.

For more information on the weekend, please send an email to CMBO Events or call 609.884.2736


New Jersey Audubon fosters an awareness and respect for our natural world since 1897. New Jersey Audubon is an independent, privately supported, not-for-profit, membership organization and not
affiliated with National Audubon.

Art by Charley Harper © 2006.
Photo Credits:  Linda Dunne, Don Freiday, Kevin Karlson, Robert Lego, Marleen Murgitroyde, CMBO Files

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