The start of spring will signal the annual migration of raptors and songbirds along the Atlantic Flyway. Join the Monmouth County Audubon Society for a spring bird walk to look for these migrants. The event is scheduled for April 14 on Sandy Hook in northern Monmouth County.
The peninsula of Sandy Hook acts as a natural funnel to the north-flying migrants. The birds prefer flying over land to flying over water and often “lay over” at Sandy Hook to feed and renew their energy before flying over the expansive Raritan Bay and New York Harbor, according to a press release.
This geography makes Sandy Hook an excellent place to observe many species of migrating birds in a limited area. The bird “guest list” changes daily at Sandy Hook, depending on weather conditions and food supply, according to the press release.
The trip will be led by members of the Monmouth County Audubon Society who are familiar with Sandy Hook and its birds.
Linda Mack, past society president and Sandy Hook trip leader, said, “The lure of Sandy Hook isn’t just the birds. Sandy Hook is a peaceful, beautiful natural area with a variety of interesting habitats to explore and spring is one of the best times to visit because of the abundance of birds and wildlife.
“Falcons such as the American Kestrel and Peregrine Falcon migrate north along the coast. The songbirds begin arriving in late March, along with the Osprey and the federally threatened Piping Plover,” she said.
Anyone interested in participating in the April 14 event can meet at 10 a.m. in the parking lot of the former Sandy Hook Visitors Center, 1.8 miles north of the park entrance (across the road from the Spermaceti Cove observation boardwalk). The trip is open to members and non-members of the Monmouth County Audubon Society and participation is free. Advance registration is not required.
In other Audubon Society news, amateur naturalist and photographer Pamela Dimeler will present her program, “My Journey With a Pair of Great Horned Owls,” at a meeting of the society on April 11 at 8 p.m. at the Knights of Columbus hall, 200 Fair Haven Road, Fair Haven. The public is welcome; admission is free.
Dimeler is an amateur naturalist, photographer and videographer. She has been observing the activities of a pair of Great Horned Owls for three years and has studied and documented their various behaviors, according to the press release.
“King Tuft” and “Queen Athena” reside in Delaware County, Pa. Dimeler will share her observations through her photography and video clips, including examples of preening, flying, stretching, gular fluttering, mating and even hooting duets between the pair.
And, the Audubon Society announced the organization will sponsor up to $3,000 in scholarships for the fall 2018 semester.
“Thanks to the generosity of our members,” said Harden Fowler, the organization’s conservation chairman and the creator of this program, “our organization will be sponsoring this annual scholarship for the foreseeable future. We are very excited to be able to subsidize the education of future naturalists or conservationists.”
The Ted Engberg Wildlife Conservation Scholarship will be offered to Monmouth County high school spring graduates who will be continuing their education this fall in a field related to conservation. Criteria require that applicants be Monmouth County residents.
Full information on the scholarships and applications will be available after March 15 on the organization’s website, www.monmouthaudubon.org. Students can also get an application through their high school’s guidance office. The deadline for submitting an application is May 1.
The Monmouth County Audubon Society is a chapter of the National Audubon Society. Further information is available at http://www.monmouthaudubon.org or via e-mail at [email protected]