Take part in one of the earliest and largest citizen science projects in the 
countryand contribute to science! The Great Backyard Bird Count (GBBC), February 12 – 15, 2016, is a free, fun, and easy event where people all over the world count birds to create a real-time snapshot of bird populations. You, your friends and family can count birds for as little as 15 minutes (or for as long as you wish) on one or more days of the four-day event and report your sightings online at www.birdcount.org
ANYONE can take part in the Great Backyard Bird Count, from beginning bird watchers to experts, and you can participate from your own backyard, a state park, or anywhere in the world! Need to brush up on your bird ID skills beforehand? Why not join State Park Service staff in any one of these great programs:
January 28
Backyard Bird-feeding
4 to 5 p.m.
Fee: $5 Adults and children 12 & Up; $3 children ages 6-11; pre-registration required
Kittatinny Valley State Park, Visitor Center
(973) 786-6445
For adults and children ages 6 & up; ADA accessible. Learn to identify winter birds and how to attract them to your yard by making your own pinecone-and-peanut butter birdfeeder during this indoor program.
February 4
Owls: Hunters of the Night
4:30 to 5:30 p.m.
Fee: $3 Adults and children 12 & Up; $1 children ages 6-11; pre-registration required
Kittatinny Valley State Park, Visitor Center
(973) 786-6445
For adults and children ages 6 & up; ADA accessible. Everything you ever wanted to know about owls will be presented in this slide-show, followed by a short outdoor “owl-prowl.”
Winter Waterfowl Walk
10 a.m. to noon; pre-registration required
FREE
Liberty State Park, Nature Interpretive Center
(201) 915-3402, ext. 109
ADA Accessible. When the weather gets cold, numerous species of waterfowl head to the park. Join us for a walk along the river to see which birds have arrived for the winter. Dress to be outdoors. Bring binoculars if you have them, we have a limited number that can be borrowed.
Bird Walk at Spruce Run Recreation Area
8 a.m.
FREE
Spruce Run Recreation Area
Meet in Tower Lot
Sponsor: Hunterdon Bird Club
(908) 638-8572
Join Hunterdon Bird Club for a guided bird walk in Spruce Run Recreation Area. For additional information go to Hunterdon Bird Club on Facebook.
February 7
Nature Hike
1 p.m.
FREE
Cheesequake State Park, Nature Center
(732) 566-3208
Meet at the Nature Center for a guided hike through the trails of Cheesequake. Focus on the winter birds of the area. Ages 9+
Winter is for the Birds
1 p.m.
FREE; pre-registration required
Delaware and Raritan Canal State Park
Bulls Island Recreation Area (2185 Daniel Bray Highway Stockton, NJ 08559)
(609) 924-5705
Bring your kids to learn the common winter birds and make a feeder for our feathered friends
February 11
Backyard Bird-feeding
4 to 5 p.m.
Fee: $5 Adults and children 12 & Up; $3 children ages 6-11; pre-registration required
Kittatinny Valley State Park, Visitor Center
(973) 786-6445
For adults and children ages 6 & up; ADA accessible. Learn to identify winter birds and how to attract them to your yard by making your own pinecone-and-peanut butter birdfeeder during this indoor program
February 20 PLEASE NOTE THE DATE CHANGE!!!!
(we) Love Birds!
8:00 AM – 10 AM
FREE
Brendan T. Byrne State Forest-Pakim Pond Pavilion
609-412-3394 – Terry Schmidt
Meet at Pakim Pond Pavilion for a morning of bird watching, hiking and winter plant identification through different habitats. A handful of naturalists will be on hand to share their knowledge of bird species, as well as botanical references. Dress for the elements. Bring binoculars and field guides and sketch books. We will also have a breakfast potluck at the pavilion during the morning events. Bring something to share. Your choice to walk, sit, or explore the area as you spend a morning learning about birds and recording your sightings for our group list for the Great Backyard Bird Count!
