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New Jersey Trip

Travel to premiere East Coast birding locations for the peak of spring migration! 

NJ pic with scope
Each May Spring Field Ornithology students take a bus trip to the Forsythe National Wildlife Refuge in Oceanville, NJ for a 2-day birding extravaganza!  We also travel to the Cape May area to view shorebirds and visit several other NJ birding hotspots.  Each year this trip fills up fast (often by the first day of the class) so be sure to reserve your place early!  Registrations for this trip are accepted on a first-come, first-served basis starting December 15th.

2012 trip schedule

Saturday, May 5 
Sunday, May 6
5:30 am Meet at CLO Parking Lot 5:30 am Optional early bird walk on the beach
6:00  Load bus and depart for NJ  7:00 Breakfast at the Red Oak Restaurant
12:30 pm Arrive at Forsythe (Brigantine) NWR and have a picnic lunch (Bring a non-perishable bag lunch/drink) 8:00 Depart the Landmark Motel
1:30-5:00  Birdwatching on the trails of Forsythe (Brigantine) NWR 8:30-10:00 Arrive at Higbee Beach for morning birdwatching
5:30 - 7:00 Dinner at Yesterday's Restaurant (bring money for your meal)


 10:30-12:00  Birdwatching and sightseeing at Cape May Point, followed by a picnic lunch (provided)
8:00pm  Arrive at the Landmark Motel in Wildwood, NJ, and check into rooms.  NJ nightlife on your own (beach and boardwalk are 3 min walk from motel)! 1:30-3:30  Afternoon birding at Belleplain State Forest
3:30 pm  Bus departs for Ithaca at 3:30 pm.  We will stop along the way for dinner (bring money) and plan to  arrive back at CLO Parking Lot at approximately 10:00 pm)

Please Bring
A bag lunch and a drink for Saturday, money for dinner on Saturday AND Sunday, binoculars (and/or spotting scope - if you have one), field guide, sunscreen, water bottle, and bug repellent.

Attire
Casual. Light-colored clothing (long pants) and socks, and sun hats. We recommend monitoring the weather forecast—you may need to bring rain gear and/or a windbreaker!!

Price
 $220 per person, shared occupancy; $270 for a single room.  Price includes instruction by top-notch field trip leaders, round-trip bus fare, motel room (shared, double occupancy), and any complimentary meals (as specified) above. Each motel room has two double beds, so you may want to decide who you would like to room with in advance. Private rooms are $50 extra.  No refunds after Wednesday, April 25 (though you may find someone to take your place if you need to cancel). 

Special arrangements
Much of the fun of this trip is travelling together the bus.  Enrollment in this trip is limited by the number of seats in the bus and due to logistical constraints, unfortunately we can not accommodate students who wish to meet us at Cape May or drive separately. We can pick up and drop off students in Binghamton, NY.

Motel Info
Landmark Motel, 225 East Schellenger Ave., Wildwood, NJ 08260; 609-522-2442

On board entertainment include films and birding!  The bus is equipped with wi-fi.

 
FOR MORE INFORMATION: Telephone 607-254-2466
or (toll-free) 800-843-2473
or send an email to:   sfoclass@cornell.edu