Events

Wintering Hawks, Eagles and Owls

Friday, January 27 - Sunday, January 29
Thursday, February 9 - Friday, February 10
Cape May Bird Observatory
Meet 8 a.m. at CMBO/CRE in Goshen.
With Pete Dunne. A weekend of raptor watching and learning. Thirteen diurnal raptors and all eight New Jersey owls are possible on this workshop, thanks to southern New Jersey’s mosaic of prey-rich habitats. You’ll see a lot of other great birds in the process, along with some of the most beautiful and remote landscapes on the Eastern Seaboard. Learn to find and recognize good wintering hawk and owl habitat. The bulk of this workshop is in the field, with indoor sessions to heighten your understanding of wintering birds of prey. Past years have featured a Golden Eagle hunting Snow Geese in the company of several Bald Eagles, plus point-blank Eastern Screech-owl, Rough-legged Hawks of both color morphs and hunting Short-eared and Great Horned Owls. Second leader (if registration warrants): January - Megan Crewe, February - Tom Reed. Preregistration required. Cost: January - $225 members, $265 nonmembers, February $150 members, $190 nonmembers.

Eagle Festival & Chili Bowl

Saturday, February 11, 8 a.m. - 4 p.m.
Citizens United to Protect the Maurice River and Its Tributaries, Inc.
Mauricetown Firehall, Mauricetown, New Jersey
Join New Jersey Audubon, Citizens United, Cumberland County Planning Commission and Natural Lands Trust’s other New Jersey partners to celebrate the raptors of South Jersey! 7 a.m. Sunrise Walk at Turkey Point led by CU Trustee Karen Johnson. Four staffed viewing sites will be open throughout the day, walks with NLT Steve Eisenhauer and Brian Johnson begin at 10 a.m. and 1:30 p.m., and, at 5 p.m. the day finishes up with the traditional Owl Watch led by Pete Dunne and Michael Crewe and docents of the day. The indoor portion of the festival is held at the Mauricetown Firehall. This year the family programming has been enhanced so bring children and grandchildren. Visitors will have a chance to see displays and merchandise from many different organizations and vendors. Crabcake and fried oyster sandwiches, along with other goodies, will be on sale throughout the day. Tickets are $10 for adults and $5 for children 12 and under, paid at the door. And don’t forget the CU Chili Dinner, held at 6:30 p.m. at the Mauricetown Firehall, immediately after the Owl Watch! Free transportation to and from the event is available for in-county seniors and disabled via the Cumberland Area Transit System. Please call (856) 691-7799 to arrange transport. For more information please call (856) 453-2177 or visit www.co.cumberland.nj.us or contact Jane at Forrivers@aol.com.

Bird & Botany Breakfast Walks

beginning Saturday, February 18, and Tuesday, February 21, 9 a.m.
Citizens United to Protect the Maurice River and Its Tributaries, Inc.
This year’s Millville Riverfront Walks have a new format. They will take place twice monthly, from February through November and excluding August. The walks will be at 9 a.m. on the third Saturday of the month targeting families and friends, and also at 9 a.m. the following Tuesdays, primarily for adults and home-schooled children. Additional walks and outings will take us to other locales. For more information please contact Jane at Forrivers@aol.com.

SJLWT Walk in the Woods

Saturday, February 21, at 10 a.m.
Timber Creek Park
South Jersey Land and Water Trust
Timber Creek Park is the former site of Slims Ranch and was purchased by Camden County for open space. The 60-acre park is located along the upper tidal portion of the North Branch of the Big Timber Creek. The creek flows through a wide valley in this area and contains a mature hardwood forest with large oaks, American beech, and tulip poplar trees and tidal and forested wetlands. There are also a few remaining American chestnut trees along the creek, a very rare site to see. The trail follows the south bank of the Timber Creek. The tidal wetlands along the creek are a wintering site for waterfowl and bald eagles and red-tailed hawks. The woodlands along the creek provide habitat for wintering songbirds. Directions: Take Route 168 North. Turn Right onto Chews Landing Rd. Turn Left into Timber Creek Park approximately 3/10 mile from Rt. 168. Please RSVP. For more information, please contact Michael Hogan at 609-476-2086 or hoganphoto@verizon.net.