Salem County, March 18, 2026
Salem County in spring can offer very interesting birding; it has early migrants and arrivals, but also can hold on to winter birds.
Salem County in spring can offer very interesting birding; it has early migrants and arrivals, but also can hold on to winter birds.
Arriving at the hawkwatch about 10:15, we found a moderate flight of accipiters underway, with constant Cooper’s and Sharpshinned Hawks in the air…. On our way home we found and identified a couple of interesting caterpillars.
Two trips in one – a scouting run and a fall field trip, in shorebird season.
A great day of bird photography at the rookery.
The ML Birders headed out to Belleplain State Forest on a gray and blustery day hoping to see some early arriving warblers. The birding gods were conspiring against them!
Mannington Marsh, the tidal estuary of the Salem River, is a beautiful place to look for waterfowl and early spring migrants.
A beautiful day, with thousands of Myrtle (Yellow-rumped) Warblers and plenty of hawks to watch.
The day was misty and cloudy. 22 species were seen at Amico Island, and 16 species were seen at Boundary Creek Park.
We had a beautiful warm, sunny morning, with no wind. After driving around the Shark River Estuary, we went to the Shark River inlet and then on to Silver Lake, Lake Como, Spring Lake and Wreck Pond.
It was a sunny, mild winter day with the temperature in the 40’s. We went first to Barnegat Light and walked out on the jetty.
The day was cold and sunny with the temperature in the low 20s to mid 30s for the Birders’ Nov. 14 trip to Brigantine.
Nine Bird Club members and three guests caravanned to Sandy Hook, the Gateway National Recreation Area, on a sunny but somewhat windy day. Despite a puzzling absence of shorebirds thirty-five species were identified, and a great day was had by all.
The day was gorgeous! Clear, sunny, pleasantly warm with a little breeze. We drove to the Heislerville area and out to the platform at Thompson’s Beach. We then drove down to Goshen to the Audubon Center and lastly to Reed’s Beach.
The day was misty and cool, and the ML birders saw 21 species at Brightview farm.
The ML birders visited Hawkins Road and the Burlington County Institute of Technology on this foray for local breeding species.
The ML Birders were anticipating a nice day for seeing waterfowl on the big ponds at Whitesbog. An added bonus would be seeing a pair of Ross’ Geese, which were seen a couple of days before our arrival.
Two ML Birders decided to test the old adage “there is no such thing as bad weather only bad clothing.” It was a cold and very windy but sunny day at Barnegat Light
Nine ML Birders made the trip to the refuge that was enhanced by a nice sunny day. We started birding around the parking area checking for land birds.
The Pathways trip to Bombay Hook NWR had one of those “I wish the weather was like this every day” days. Crystal clear blue skies, gentle breeze and temperature in the 70’s. The birds did not match the weather as the variety and number were not great.
It was a pleasant morning of mostly sun and little wind at Palmyra Cove. We managed to spot 29 species of birds and a few other flying critters (butterflies and dragonflies).
We could not have asked for a nicer day to end our trip season. Bright sun and warmer temperatures with just enough breeze for comfort. The fenced rolling pastureland with three gamboling horses tacking our progress made for great entertainment. We totaled 29 species seen and/or heard.
In a week of dreary weather the ML Birders caught only a few sprinkles and even a little sun on their trip to Fish House Cove and environs along the Delaware River.
Since this trip was originally scheduled for last fall the thought was to segue from the nice Fall to the pleasant weather of Spring. What greeted the birders was a hint of Winter in May!!