Normally, there are many field trips held throughout the year. Most trips are free of charge and are open to the public as well as club members.
Pre-registration and compliance with any applicable guidelines is required.
Please read and follow the instructions provided for each listed field trip. Trip leaders reserve the right to cancel a trip for any reason.
General information for all field trips: Please bring binoculars or scopes, optional if you have them. Bring water or other non-alcoholic beverages; snacks or a lunch are up to you. Wear hiking boots or shoes; flip-flops are not recommended. Most trips are rain or shine, so dress for the weather. All ages are welcome, those age 17 or under must be accompanied by a parent or guardian.
We host several different types of Bird Walks/Field Trips:
Regular Bird Walks: Geared towards seeing the target birds that are migrating and in the habitats we bird in. It’s usually a little more intense than beginner walks. The leader kind of gears it toward the feel of the crowd. But with fun being #1.
Bird Walks for Beginners: Concentrating on Field marks, habitat and behavior for beginners. A more relaxed slower paced walk. All levels welcome. “Bird Walks for Beginners” is noted in the description for these walks.
Pop-up Bird Walks: Add on trips that may have been cancelled before or a new bird reported somewhere. A last-minute trip that anyone can do. Notifications are made by email – so watch your email! ***********************************************************************************
Please email leader with any questions and to register for trip. Registration is necessary in case of any changes or cancelations.
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Bill McDaniel Red-headed Woodpecker Memorial Walk
Sunday April 19th 2026, at 9:00 am
We will meet near the ITC Crossing mall (specific instructions will be updated later) and carpool to a small parking lot on Gold Mine Rd. From here it is a short walk to a wooded swamp known for Red-headed Woodpeckers. This stunning bird has been our mascot since the clubs inception. Past President Bill McDaniel led his first of two trips there to show club officers these special birds. It is only fitting that we dedicate this walk in his memory.
Please email leader with questions and to register and if interested in carpooling. kat.wils@hotmail.com
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Jim Zamos Memorial Hyper Humus Trip: Sunday – April 26th, 2026, at 8:00am Meet at the Warbasse Junction Rd parking lot Co-leaders: Karyn Cichocki & Sandy McPhail
The Sussex County Bird Club has held a bird walk at Hyper Humus (Paulinskill River Wildlife Management Area) on the last Sunday of April since 1975, Jim birded and explored this area throughout his entire life, he was usually the trip leader. Regardless of who led, or showed up, or the weather conditions, Jim went on this walk. He kept records of sightings for this trip for the last four decades, and was always keen to add another bird to the “Hyper Humus List”. In April 2014, Jim sadly led his last trip at Hyper Humus but he was able to add Eastern Screech Owl to the list. The trail is flat, but could be wet in some areas. Join us to explore the many different habitats in the area looking for birds.
For more information and to register please contact Sandy
at smcphailemt@yahoo.com or Karyn at kdc05@ptd.net
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Spring Migrants Walk – Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area Sunday, May 3, 2026, at 8:00 am – Leader: Karyn Cichocki
Meet at the Millbrook Village Parking lot (Warren County) at 8:00 am.
We will walk several of the trails in the area and also Old Mine Road to Watergate. These areas are good for warblers, thrushes, vireos, swallows, and other assorted passerines. The trip will end by mid afternoon. Bring lunch/snacks and drinks.
For more information and trip registration, contact trip leader Karyn at kdc05@ptd.net.
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Lake Iliff Trail Thursday – May 7, 2026, at 8:00 am Leader: Karyn Cichocki
Meet at 8:00am in the Hillside Park parking lot on Lake Iliff Road in Andover Township (between Newton/Sparta Rd. & Limecrest Rd.). We will walk the old rail trail along Lake Iliff which goes through several different types of habitats to look for spring migrants. The trail is graveled & flat. Half day trip, bring snacks
For more information and trip registration contact Karyn at kdc05@ptd.net.
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Dryden Kuser Natural Area – Saturday, May 9, 2026, at 8:15 am High Point State Park – Natural Area Parking Lot – Leader: Karyn Cichocki
Dryden Kuser Natural Area is a special place in High Point State Park. The walk around the bog is an easy mile and a half, which includes the boardwalk through the bog where sundews can be found growing in the moss. The woods are filled with native rhododendron, American white cedar, mountain laurel, eastern hemlocks, white pine, and spruce, as well as other plants. An option after the walk, is to drive along Sawmill Rd. to Deckertown Tpk. and look for spring migrants. Bring lunch.
For more information and trip registration contact Karyn at kdc05@ptd.net.
Notes and Directions: The park gate doesn’t open officially until 8:00am, but it may be opened early. There is no charge to enter the park. Upon entering High Point State Park from Route 23, follow the signs for the monument. You will pass the lake on the right and the interpretive center on the left. Just past the center there will be two left turns at the head of the lake. Take the 2nd turn (going past playground), which will take you to the parking lot at the end of the road. There is a sign on the left side of that road, which points to the natural area.
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Birding Hike at Tilcon Lake – Waterloo State Park Saturday – May 16, 2026, at 9:00 am Waterloo Village Main Parking Lot – Leader: Michael Livesey
Tilcon Lake is part of Allamuchy Mountain State Park and is administered by the Waterloo Village park staff. The lake was formed when the Musconetcong River breached its banks during a server flooding event and flooded the old quarry formerly run by Tilcon. Many species of waterfowl, swallows and warblers have been seen in this area. Bald Eagles, Great Blue Heron, Belted Kingfisher have also been reported. May is such a great birding month and the nesting season will be well in progress, so we may be treated to the unexpected.
The trails are flat, some quite close to the river allowing good viewing. Among the many swallows reported are Bank Swallows that have been known to nest here. With scopes we should be able to get a view of the nesting sites. With time we can walk through the village, we have seen Chimney Swift there in the past.
If you have any questions regarding this trip and to register please contact the trip leader, Mike Livesey at M.livesey2019@outlook.com
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Sparta Mountain Wildlife Management Area Saturday May 23, 2026, at 8:00 am Leader: Matthew Skalla.
We will meet at the Ryker Lake parking lot at 8:00 am for a short walk out and back (about a mile total). The road down to Ryker Lake is an unmarked road off Edison Road it is a few hundred feet with its junction off Glen Rd. Then we will head over to the Edison Monument parking area to do a loop of about 3 miles. This will include a section of power lines, so besides the usual woodland birds we should also have a number of field/brushy area specialists. Moderate walk, a mild up and down route but most of Spata Mountain trails are old logging roads so there is rough footing and loose rocks in places.
For questions and to register for the trip contact the leader, Matt Skalla at matt.skalla@gmail.com
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Wawayanda State Park Saturday – June 6th 2026, at 8:00 am Leader Matt Skalla
Trip starts at the P7 parking lot on Clinton Road (approx. 30-minute drive north of Sparta) this area is known as “Hiking Terrace Pond parking” on google maps. We will walk approx. 3-4 miles on logging roads through woodland. We hope to see Acadian Flycatcher, Hooded Warbler and Cerulean Warbler as well as the usual suspects for June. We may stop at other sites astime/interest permits. Bring lunch and a drink.
Please email leader with questions and to register. matt.skalla@gmail.com
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Wallkill River National Wildlife Refuge-Liberty Loop Trail Thursday, June 11, 2026, at 8:30 am – Leader Sandy McPhail.
Meet at Owens Station Parking lot off Lake Wallkill Rd in Sussex NJ. Flat easy trail. We will walk the trail through woods, field and swamp looking for warblers, Vireos and sparrows, out to the marsh for waterfowl and hopefully Sandhill Cranes. After the walk back we can check out the Purple Martin colony, the lake and visit the “Friends” store. Restrooms at parking area. Bring lunch.
For questions and to register contact leader. smcphailemt@yahoo.com
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The Sussex County Bird Club 