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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Appalachian Trail Lands – Friday September 11, 2026 8:00am – Leader Kathy Wilson
Meet at Maple Grange Park at 36 Maple Grange Rd in Vernon NJ
We will drive from Maple Grange to a parking area close to a short trail which we will traverse to a woodland trail leading to the Boardwalk Trail.
For questions and to register email or call. Kat.wils@hotmail.com 201-400-3993.
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Sunrise Mountain Overlook Field Trip – Saturday September 19, 2026 8:30am Leader Melissa deWall
Meet at the Overlook parking lot. The Sunrise Mountain parking lot is about 4.8 miles northeast of US Route 206 in Sandyston Twp. From US 206, take the one-way-only Sunrise Mountain Rd for 4 miles, then turn right onto the two-way spur road that ends after about 0.8 miles at the parking lot. Be careful: the spur road, though two-way, is narrow & has a few sharp curves. Primitive bathroom in parking lot. We will bird along the road to the parking lot as well as take a short hike to the scenic overlook to watch for raptors. Likely birds this time of year should include hawks, migrating songbirds, and possibly migrating monarch butterflies.
For questions and to register for trip email leader m.dewaal@fdu.edu.
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Rosenkrans Farm. = Sunday, September 27, 2026 8am-11am – Leader Bradley White
Join birder and naturalist Bradley White to explore his favorite birding hotspot in Sussex County — Rosenkrans Farm. It is situated adjacent to the Delaware River in an area known as Walpack bend and features a variety of interesting habitats to attract migrant birds. A diversity of songbirds, sparrows and raptors can be found there and late September is the prime time for rare and uncommon species like Connecticut Warbler and Wilson’s Warbler.
We will meet near the Old Mine Road historical marker located at (41.09812° N, 74.97618° W)
Bring water, snacks, long pants and sturdy footwear. Terrain is mostly easy to moderate, but the initial walk down the driveway is a little steep. Nearest bathroom facilities are located at Millbrook Village, a five minute drive away.
Any questions and to register please email leader bhw357@gmail.com
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Bill McDaniel Red-headed Woodpecker Memorial Walk – Saturday October 3, 2026, 8:30am – Leader Kathy Wilson
We will meet near the ITC Crossing mall 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 we dedicate this walk in his memory.
Meeting location: ITC Crossing Mall South, Lowe’s parking lot-south of Rt 80, off of Route 206 South, turn onto International Drive.
Make the first left onto Link Rd, then your first right into the Lowe’s parking lot and turn left to park in the first row on the left. You will see the water tower in the distance in front of you.
For questions and to register call or email leader kat.wils@hotmail.com 201-400-3993
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Sparta Mt – Fall Migration Trip – Saturday, October 10, 2026 8:30 am – Leader Matt Skalla
Trip starts where Powerline crosses Angelo Drive (near 45 Angelo Drive) in Sparta.
Walk will be mostly along powerline cuts as well as through adjacent woodland. We will be looking for late migrants and sparrows.
Will cover about 3 miles. The powerline “road” is a bit rough at points with loose stones. We will make a second stop to bird off Edison road.
Please email leader with questions and to register. matt.skalla@gmail.com
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Wallkill River NWR Liberty Loop Trail – Saturday October 17, 2026 8:30am Leader Ken Witkowski
Meet at Owens Station Crossing parking lot. Restrooms available.
We will walk the Liberty Loop Trail. Focus will be waterfowl and sparrows.
Please email leader with questions and to register.
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Sussex Branch Trail – November 14, 2026 8:30am – Leader: Sandy McPhail
Meet at the parking lot to the entrance of the trail on Route 206 North in Andover NJ.
We will walk this flat easy trail in and back. Trail goes through forest and has ponds (Whites Pond) we can check out and see what we can find.
If there is interest we can head over to Limecrest Rd parking lot and walk around and check out Gardners pond.
Email leader with questions and to register for trip. Smcphailemt@yahoo.com
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Sussex County Lakes Tour – Saturday, November 21, 2026 – 9:00 am
Leader: Karyn Cichocki
Join Karyn to search for migrating waterfowl at Swartswood, Little Swartswood, Culver and Ashroe Lakes. Meet at Swartswood State Park, at the end of the large beach parking lot where the bathrooms are. There will be a short walk in the area to search for waterfowl on the lake. Afterwards we will car pool (a must) into as few cars as possible, to travel around the lake, stopping at various viewing spots. We will then proceed to Little Swartswood and then back to Swartswood State Park to break for lunch. After lunch we will head for Culver’s Lake to search its waters and the causeway and then proceed to Ashroe Lake to see what waterfowl are there.
Dress for the weather! Bring spotting scope if you have one; if not there will be others happy to share. You may leave at any time during the trip.
Please register for the trip with Karyn at kdc05@ptd.net so that she can contact you for trip updates if necessary.
The Sussex County Bird Club 