WINTER (DECEMBER, JANUARY AND FEBRUARY) 2007-2008
FIELD TRIP DIRECTIONS

BEGINNING BIRDING FIELD TRIP: HOFFMAN AND GREAT SWAMP
Saturday, December 8
Saturday, February 16
10:00 a.m. to early afternoon
We’ll start out learning the birds at the bird feeders outside the bookstore window at the sanctuary. Then we will caravan to the Great Swamp National Wildlife Refuge for winter raptors, waterfowl etc. Bring warm clothes for the Great Swamp portion of the trip. We will have loaner binoculars, field guides, and spotting scopes to share.
Cost: $8 members, $15 nonmembers (can be applied to membership).
Directions: Meet at the Hoffman Center Exit Route 287 at 30B, bear right after exiting,        proceed through the light at 202 onto Childs Road, and bear right at the fork onto Hardscrabble Road.  We’re one mile ahead on the right; go up the long driveway to the Hoffman Nature Center.  Meet at the Hoffman Parking Lot. 


ROUND VALLEY AND MERRILL CREEK RESERVOIRS
AND THE ALPHA GRASSLANDS
Sunday, December 9
8:45 a.m. to early afternoon
Join NJAS associate naturalist Patrick Belardo on a trip to Merrill Creek and Round Valley Reservoirs and the Alpha Grasslands in search of waterfowl, raptors, Lapland Longspurs, and gulls.
Cost: $15 members, $20 nonmembers.
Directions: The trip will start at the Merrill Creek Reservoir at the Scott's Mountain hawk-watch site at the Overlook parking area on Fox Farm Road. Get on Interstate 78 heading west.
Take I-78 west to Exit 3, the last exit in New Jersey.
Proceed on US22 1.1 miles to the traffic light at Route 519 and turn right (north). Proceed 2.2 miles north on Route 519,  crossing Route 57, and turn right onto Fox Farm Road at the small sign for Merrill Creek Reservoir. Go 2.6 miles, bearing right at the fork after one mile, to the entrance to the parking lot, on the right.
Meet at the public parking area at Merrill Creek Reservoir.

      
HAPPY NEW YEAR! ALPHA GRASSLANDS AND MERRILL CREEK
Tuesday, January 1
10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.
Meet at the Phillipsburg Shop Rite. Kick off your year list on a half-day expedition in western New Jersey. This will be the third year for this trip, which starts a little later than usual for those who may have had too much fun the night before. Alpha is home to Horned Larks and elusive Lapland Longspurs, plus wintering raptors. Merrill Creek should produce Bald Eagle and wintering ducks. With Michael Pollock.
Cost: $15 members, $20 nonmembers.
Directions:  Meet at the Phillipsburg Shop-rite Parking lot.  From the junction of Routes 287 and 78, proceed west on Route 78 about 26.4 miles to Exit 3.  Bear right onto Route 22 west, proceed about .8 miles to the Phillipsburg Shop-Rite/Home Depot complex on the right.  Turn into the complex, then turn left into the Shop-Rite section of the parking lot.  We will meet at the east side of the parking lot, opposite and farthest away from the Shop-Rite store.


CUMBERLAND COUNTY HOTSPOTS
Sunday, January 13
9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Join NJAS associate naturalist Rick Radis on a tour of Cumberland County hotspots. Meets at CMBO in Goshen.
Cost: $15 members, $20 nonmembers.
Directions: Meet at CMBO in Goshen
* From Route 55:
Take Rt. 55 south to the end, which merges onto Rt. 47. Continue south onto Rt. 347 (which rejoins Rt. 47 just north of Dennisville). Continue south on Rt. 47 through Dennisville and past the turn off for Rt. 83. Go through the traffic light at Rt. 657 (Southville Restaurant on corner) and continue exactly 1 mile. The Center will be on your left just around a bend in the road.

* From the Garden State Parkway:
Take the Garden State Parkway south to Exit 17. Turn left (west) at the bottom of the exit ramp and proceed to the light at Rt. 9. Turn left (south) and continue for several miles until Rt. 83. Take Rt. 83 west (right) to Rt. 47. At Rt. 47 turn left (south) and follow directions from above.
 
      
OLD MINE ROAD: DELAWARE WATER GAP NWR AREA AND WORTHINGTON STATE PARK
Saturday, January 26
9:00 a.m. to midafternoon
This is always one of our favorite trips, and highlights along the Delaware usually include Common Goldeneye, Common Merganser, Ruby-crowned Kinglet, Yellow-bellied Sapsucker, Purple Finch, and Bald Eagle. It will probably be cold.
Led by Mike Anderson
Cost: $15 members, $20 nonmembers.
Directions: Take the last exit in NJ off Rte 80. Turn left at the end of the off ramp. Go under 80 and park at the visitor center (facilities) just down the road on the right.
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NORTH SHORE
Saturday, February 2
9:00 a.m. to midafternoon
Join associate naturalist Bruce McWhorter on the North Shore and other local hotspots in search of seabirds, waterfowl, and gulls. It will probably be cold and windy, so dress warmly.
Cost: $15 members, $20 nonmembers.
Directions: Meet in parking lot B at Sandy Hook – Gateway National Recreation Area.
* From the North: Exit the Garden State Parkway at Exit 117 and proceed on Route 36 South for 13 miles to the entrance to Sandy Hook - Gateway National Recreation Area.
* From the South: Exit the Garden State Parkway at Exit 105 and proceed on Route 36 North. The road will take you in an easterly direction until you reach Ocean Avenue where you and Route 36 North both make a left turn. Proceed north on Ocean Avenue for 5.5 miles to the entrance to Sandy Hook - Gateway National Recreation Area.


WALLKILL RIVER
NATIONAL WILDLIFE REFUGE
Sunday, February 3
8:45 a.m. to early afternoon
Join associate naturalist and Wallkill River NWR volunteer Ken Witkowski to search the refuge for wintering raptors, including Northern Harrier, Rough-legged Hawk, and Short-eared Owls, as well as sparrows and other wintering passerines.
Cost: $15 members, $20 nonmembers.
Directions: Meet at the Refuge Headquarters on county Route 565 approximately 1.5 miles north of Route 23. From Route 287, take Route 23 north for about 25 miles to Route 565 north.  Proceed north on Route 565 about 1.4 miles to the refuge headquarters, on the left.  http://wallkillriver.fws.gov/directions.htm


LIBERTY STATE PARK
Saturday, February 16
9:00 a.m. to midafternoon
Join NJAS associate naturalist Bruce McWhorter to observe diving and dabbling ducks, loons, grebes, gulls, and cormorants and search for owls. Liberty State Park is one of the best winter birding destinations in North Jersey. Possible after-lunch destinations include the Hackensack Meadowlands or the Great Swamp, depending on what’s around.
Cost: $15 members, $20 nonmembers.
Directions: Meet at Liberty State Park in Jersey City.  We will form up at the end of the lot at the Visitor Center.  Exit the NJ Turnpike at exit 14B, Jersey City, and follow the signs to the Visitor Center.  


GREAT SWAMP NATIONAL WILDLIFE REFUGE
Sunday, February 17
8:45 a.m. to early afternoon
Join associate naturalist Rob Fanning to explore the Great Swamp, looking for wintering raptors, Red-headed woodpeckers, and other wintering birds.
Cost: $15 members, $20 nonmembers.
DIRECTIONS TO: GREAT SWAMP NATIONAL WILDLIFE REFUGE
Meet at the Wildlife Observation Center on Long Hill Road (the Blinds) at 8:45 AM. From the north or south, exit 287 at the Basking Ridge exit. Go east off the ramp past AT&T to a traffic light at Madisonville Road. Turn left at the light (this point can also be reached from the east and south via Maple Avenue, Basking Ridge). Madisonville Road becomes Lees Hill Road. Continue until you get to Long Hill Road on your right. This is opposite the Harding School. Turn right on Long Hill Road. The Wildlife Observation Center is a few miles down the road on your right. If you get to White Bridge Road, you went too far. There are facilities (bathrooms) just beyond the parking area. Bring lunch, water bottle, binoculars, scope, field guides, and camera and wear comfortable walking shoes.
      

BRIGANTINE AND BARNEGAT LIGHT (AKA FORSYTHE NWR)
Saturday, February 23
10:00 a.m. to late afternoon
Join associate naturalist Bruce McWhorter as ducks are massing, Northern Harriers and perhaps Short-eared Owls are hunting, and Harlequins are still at Barnegat Light.
Cost: $15 members, $20 nonmembers.
Directions: Meet at Brigantine NWR parking lot. Take the Garden State Parkway south to Exit 48 (Route 9 south).  Follow 9 south for about 6 miles to Great Creek Road, and turn left at the National Wildlife Refuge sign.  Continue across a small bridge and turn left into the parking area. Each car will be required to pay a small admission fee at the refuge, unless one passenger has a federal Duck Stamp or refuge pass.
      

HACKENSACK MEADOWLANDS
Saturday, March 1
8:30 a.m. to early afternoon
Join associate naturalist Ken Witkowski to look for late winter and early spring raptors, waterfowl, and passerine birds in the Meadowlands.
Cost: $10 members, $15 nonmembers.
Directions: Meet at Dekorte State Park
* From the NJ Turnpike: Take exit 16W to Rt. 3 West. Take Rt. 3 West to Route 17 South (Lyndhurst Exit). Follow around the ramp to the traffic light (Quality Inn will be on your left). Make a left onto Polito Avenue. Continue to the end of Polito Avenue. At the STOP sign make a left onto Valley Brook Avenue. Follow this road to the end (approx. 1 ½ miles). Cross the railroad tracks (keep to the left). Meadowlands Environment Center is the first building on the left after the tracks. The second building houses Commission administrative offices; meet in the parking lot for the offices.
* From the Garden State Parkway: From the Parkway North, take Exit 153A; or from the Parkway South, take Exit 153 to Rt. 3 East. Follow Rt. 3 East to the 2nd Rt. 17 South Exit (the sign will read: Rt. 17 South/Lyndhurst - Service Road). At the end of the exit ramp there will be a traffic light, and the Quality Inn will be directly across the street to your left. Go straight through the intersection onto Polito Avenue. Continue to the end of Polito Avenue. At the STOP sign make a left onto Valley Brook Avenue. Follow this road to the end (approx. 1 ½ miles). Cross the railroad tracks (keep to the left). Meadowlands Environment Center is the first building on the left after the tracks. The second building houses Commission administrative offices; meet in the parking lot for the offices.
* From Newark:  Rt. 21 North to Exit for Route 3 (East/West). Follow signs for Rt. 3 East. You will come off exit and be on Rt. 3 heading east. Stay in the right lane and you will pass exits for Park Ave., Ridge Road, and the third exit will be Rt. 17 South/Service Road. Take this exit and continue straight onto Polito Avenue. Take to the first STOP sign and make a left onto Valley Brook Avenue. Follow this road to the end (approx. 1 ½ miles). Cross the railroad tracks (keep to the left). Meadowlands Environment Center is the first building on the left after the tracks. The second building houses Commission administrative offices; meet in the parking lot for the offices.
* From Northern Bergen County:  Take Rt. 17 South; cross over Rt. 3 (divided highway ends after Rt. 3) to the first traffic light (Quality Inn will be on your left). Make a left onto Polito - At the STOP sign make a left onto Valley Brook Avenue. Follow this road to the end (approx. 1 ½ miles). Cross the railroad tracks (keep to the left). Meadowlands Environment Center is the first building on the left after the tracks. The second building houses Commission administrative offices; meet in the parking lot for the offices.
      

LAVA FLOWS AND DINOSAURS: THE JURASSIC IN NEW JERSEY
Saturday, March 8
9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.
During the Jurassic Period, New Jersey lay near the center of the super-continent of Pangaea, which was beginning to split apart. This event was accompanied by massive flows of basalt lava. Dinosaurs and other now-extinct animals roamed the earth. On this field trip we will examine both the basalt flows of the Watchung Ridge and associated sedimentary deposits in an attempt to understand what New Jersey was like at the time. Meet at the Essex County Environmental Center. Led by Michael Pollock.
Cost: $10 members, $15 nonmembers.
Directions: Meet at the Essex County Environmental Center
* From Livingston:
Drive north on Eisenhower Parkway to Eagle Rock Avenue.
Turn left on Eagle Rock Avenue.
Follow “From Eagle Rock Avenue/Eisenhower Parkway intersection” below.
From Garden State Parkway North and South:
Take exit 145 NJPAC/Newark/280.  Bear left off exit to merge onto 280 West/The Oranges.  Follow directions below from 280 W.
From Route 280 East or West:
Take exit 4A – Eisenhower Parkway South.
Continue to the light and turn right on to Eagle Rock Avenue. Proceed approximately ¼ mile to the Center on the left.
Follow “From Eagle Rock Avenue/Eisenhower Parkway intersection” below.
From Eagle Rock Avenue/Eisenhower Parkway intersection:
Drive west on Eagle Rock Avenue for about ¼ mile. (You will pass 2 office buildings on the left; Ultimate Trading Corp. and ITW: American Safety Technologies, Inc.) *Note: The driveway entrance is difficult to see.  As soon as you see the “SLOW” markings on the road slow down.  The driveway is immediately after the 2nd office building on the left.