ENVIRONMENTAL EDUCATION CENTER 190 LORD STIRLING ROAD, BASKING RIDGE, NJ 07920

908 766-2489 WWW.SOMERSETCOUNTYPARKS.ORG

CANCELATIONS: The Environmental Education Center will refund program registration fees if notified a minimum of seven days prior to the start of the program.

REGISTRATION: For more information or to register for any of these programs, please call the Environmental Education Center at 908 766-2489 or visit our website somersetcountyparks.org.

If you have individualized needs due to a disability, please call 908 526-5650 and we will be happy to arrange reason-able accommodations. Three weeks notice is required to ensure that appropriate accommodations can be provided.

Saturday Bird Walks (All Ages)Spring has arrived and so has our spring Saturday Bird Walks. Join a Naturalist on a stroll around our grounds looking for the plethora of migrants that pass through our area this time of year. Immerse yourself in the sounds and colors that make spring the best time to be out birding. Pre-registration is not required.FREESaturdays, April 28, 7:00am-9:00amMay 5 and 19, 6:00am-9:00am

Birding the Gap(Adult)Birding the Gap is a full day birding trip and is intended for more serious birders. We will spend a good portion of our day in High Point State Park, Stokes State Forest, and Delaware Water Gap (Old Mine Road) area looking for migrants that have started to pass through our area. There are few better spots in New Jersey to be in early May. If time allows we may visit locally famous butterfly locations.$50 per adults/$40 per seniorCourse Code: 51834EEC-01 Tuesday, May 8 6:00am-4:00pm

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BIRDINGGarret Mountain(Adult)Can you believe that such a fantastic birding spot is located in Paterson, NJ? Spend the morning roaming and birding around Garret Mountain Reservation looking for bright and colorful spring warblers. Bring binoculars and dress for the weather. $50 per adult/$40 per student/seniorCourse Code: 51691EEC-5 Tuesday, May 15 6:00am-Noon

World Series of Birding(Ages 12-15)Are you an aspiring young birder? Do you want to be a part of the largest and most prestigious birding competition in the country? The World Series of Birding occurs every year in New Jersey and calls upon the toughest and brightest birders in the world. Once again this year, New Jersey Audubon’s Scherman-Hoffman Wildlife Sanctuary and the Environmental Education Center will be fielding a joint team of budding birders. However this year we are increasing the intensity and are going for even more species than last year! We will have four meetings prior to the event to build our team dynamics, discuss species identification, and plan our birding route for the day. The meetings will occur on Saturdays from 3:30pm-4:30pm; February 10, March 17, April 14, and May 5. Then on competition day, we will spend nearly all day birding in various parts of southern New Jersey trying to find as many species as possible. Dinner will be provided, but please pack a lunch. While this is a commitment, it is led by an eight-time participant (two-time champion) in the World Series. For more information contact Naturalist Ben Barkley, bbarkley@scparks.org, 908-766-2489 ext. 326, to learn about this exciting day of birding. Registration is limited to six participants, so do not miss out!$20 per personCourse Code: 51798EEC-02 Saturday, May 12 3:00am-11:00pm

Birding Seminar: Birding by Ear (All Ages, 8 years and older with parent)A continuation of our seminar series, this program will focus on bird songs, bird calls, and how to identify local species by sound. If time and weather permits we may take a short hike. $6 per personCourse Code: 51832EEC-02 Saturday, April 7 1:30pm-2:30pm

Bluebird Walk (All Ages)Spring migration for Eastern Bluebirds begins earlier in the season than most migratory birds. Join a Naturalist for a walk on the trails to seek and hopefully find these beautiful birdies! Bring binoculars if you have them.$9 per personCourse Code: 52007EEC-10 Sunday, April 15 10:30am-Noon EEC-11 Saturday, April 21 9:00am-10:30am

Birding at Brig(Adult)Fantastic waterfowl, amazing shorebirds, spectacular raptors and beautiful songbirds are only a sample of what may be found residing at Forsythe National Wildlife Refuge. Whether you are a beginner or an advanced birder, come and enjoy the sights and sounds of “Brig”! Bring binoculars and lunch.$50 per adult/$40 per student/seniorCourse Code: 51736EEC-07 Tuesday, April 24 10:00am-9:00pm

Birding Identification Workshops: Warblers(All Ages, 8 years and older with parent)A continuation of our birding identification series, this program will take a look at the northeastern United States’ most iconic group of birds, the warblers! We have close to 30 different warbler species in our area and each one is just as pretty as the next. This class, unlike the others, will be run in the

morning to coincide with the free morning bird walk.$6 per personCourse Code: 51822EEC-04 Saturday, April 28 9:15am-10:15am

The North Shore Tour (Adult)If you love birding along the Jersey Shore, then join us for a day you will never forget! Depending on where the birds are, we might visit the Shark River estuary, the Manasquan River, Spring Lake, Wreck Pond, and/or Lake Como. All of these places are great for viewing thousands of winter waterfowl. Bring binoculars, lunch, and bundle up!$50 per adult/$40 per senior Course Code: 51198EEC-17 Thursday, February 1 8:30am-5:30pm

Backyard Birds(All Ages, 8 years and older with parent)Whether you want to know more about your local bird species or are looking to get your foot in the door and begin your birdwatching career this is the program for you. The program will largely be presentation based as we talk about how to find, identify, and enjoy our little local avian friends. If the weather is accommodating we may do a short walk to find some of the species mentioned in the presentation. Pre-registration is required. FREECourse Code: 51546EEC-8 Saturday, February 3 1:00pm-2:00pm

Birds at Barnegat Light(Adult)Join us for a fantastic day of coastal winter bird watching! We will be visiting Barnegat State Lighthouse for our coveted annual sighting of the unique Harlequin Ducks! Come see for yourself, the amazing feathered friends that call Jersey home in the winter. Bring binoculars, lunch, and bundle up!$50 per adult/$40 per seniorCourse Code: 51582EEC-10 Wednesday, February 21 9:00am-4:30pm

Somerset County Birding(Adult)Come enjoy some of Somerset County’s great birding locations before the madness of spring migration. This will be a nice trip for beginning birders to learn about our local species at a nice relaxed pace. $25 per adult/$20 per seniorCourse Code: 51831EEC-01 Wednesday, March 14 1:00pm-5:00pm

Loantaka Brook Birding (Adult)Join a Naturalist to take a leisurely stroll through Loantaka Brook Reservation and enjoy some spring birdwatching. Wear comfortable walking shoes, dress for the weather, and bring binoculars if you have them.$25 per adult/$20 per seniorCourse Code: 51788EEC-02 Tuesday, March 20 9:00am-Noon

Woodcock Watch(All Ages)We mark the return of spring by the fanciful flight of the adorable American Woodcock! Take a walk into the fields and meadows of Lord Stirling Park as we look and listen

for these elusive and amorous bog suckers.$9 per personCourse Code: 51458EEC-12 Thursday, March 29 7:00pm-8:30pm

Birding Seminar: March Migration Madness (All Ages, 8 years and older with parent)Introducing a new program series that will discuss various topics in the birding world. This program will discuss the great spectacle of bird migration. Twice a year hundreds of bird species fly an astounding number of miles from their wintering grounds to their breeding areas and back. How a little bird can do this year after year is simply incredible. Spring migration is just around the corner. We will talk about why birds migrate, what species migrate, and where they are going. If time and weather permits we may take a short hike. $6 per personCourse Code: 51832EEC-01 Saturday, March 31 1:30pm-2:30pm

Green-Wood Cemetery (Adult)Join us for a relaxing day of birding at the beautiful Green-wood Cemetery in Brooklyn, New York. Enjoy this birdwatcher’s paradise by exploring the 478 acres of hills, valleys, glacial ponds, and paths. The trip wouldn’t be complete without a visit to the main entrance to spy on the adorable Monk parakeets! Please bring lunch, binoculars, and wear comfortable walking shoes.$65 per adult/$55 per seniorCourse Code: 51726EEC-04 Wednesday, April 4 9:00am-4:00pm

Join Somerset County Naturalists on this exciting series of birdwatching day trips to tri-state area locations. Van trans-portation, admission fees, and all interpretation included. Please book early, as these limited-space trips fill quickly! Registration will begin Wednesday, January 17.