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 are 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. ***********************************************************************************
Spring Migrants Walk · Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area
Sunday · May 5, 2024 • 8:00am
Leader: Karyn Cichocki
Meet at the Millbrook Village Parking lot (Warren County) at 8:00 am. We will walk along Old Mine Road, south to the powerline. Other trails may be explored. 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.
Lake Iliff Trail
Wednesday May 8, 2024 • 8:00am
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 & drink.
For more information and trip registration contact Karyn at kdc05@ptd.net.
Dryden Kuser Natural Area (Note Change in Date and Leader)
Saturday, May 11, 2024 • 8:15am
High Point State Park – Natural Area Parking Lot
Leader: Sandy McPhail
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, snacks and drinks. For more information and trip registration contact Sandy at: smcphailemt@yahoo.com .
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.
Birding Hike at Tilcon Lake – Waterloo State Park
Saturday – May 18, 2024 • 9:00am
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
Sparta Mountain Wildlife Management Area
Sunday · May 19, 2024 • 8:00am
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 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 Sparta 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
Wawayanda State Park
Saturday – June 2, 2024
Leader Matt Skalla
Meet at 8:00am. 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 as time/interest permits. Bring lunch and a drink. Please email leader with questions and to register. matt.skalla@gmail.com
***********************************************************************************
The Sussex County Bird Club 