Above: Brant in flight / George Armistead
new jersey:
winter birding in the mid-atlantic
December 1 to 7, 2022
There is space available for either one single traveler or one couple willing to share a room. Full payment is due at this time, and the single supplement must be added for single travelers. Proceed to the registration link below for more instructions.
Leaders: Adam Betuel, Georgia Audubon's Director of Conservation, joined by local guide George Armistead
Group Size: Maximum group size of 9 / The tour can run with 6+ participants at a higher per person cost (see below).
Member Price: $3,500* per person
Non-member Price: $3,550* per person (includes a one-year Georgia Audubon membership)
Single Supplement for non-shared hotel room: $350 per person
*Based on double occupancy and 9 participants.
Depending on group construction, solo travelers may be forced to pay a single supplement. All efforts will be made to pair individuals to avoid this expense though it cannot be guaranteed. Impacted travelers, should they decide to cancel, will be reimbursed following the cancellation policy below.
New Jersey? In the winter? Yes!!! While the Garden State is most famous for its migratory seasons at well-known hotspots like Cape May, it has lots of interesting avian life during the cooler months as well. After the summer crowds wind down, the birds wind up, with sea ducks, raptors, and sparrows featuring well. Snowy Owls, Snow Buntings, Harlequin Ducks, eiders, and Brant make their way to the Jersey shore during the winter and are just a few of the possible highlights. Additionally, early December is the peak of rarity season for the region, so you never know what might turn up!
On this 7-day trip, we will get our fill of exciting oceanic birds, denizens of the far north, and plenty of other worthwhile birds that rarely make their way to the warmer southeast. Georgia Audubon's Director of Conservation, Adam Betuel, will team up with birding all-star George Armistead to show you Cape May, Forsyth NWR, Barnegat Lighthouse State Park, and other top-notch birdwatching destinations. George Armistead is a lifelong Philadelphian and chief network officer at Rockjumper Worldwide Birding Adventures. He has guided trips to all seven continents, and authored two books on birds, including The ABA Field Guide to the Birds of Pennsylvania. He also serves as an associate at the Academy of Natural Sciences of Philadelphia. For this tour, we will be based out of only a few locations, meaning fewer early morning check-outs and more comfort after long days logging new birds. Join Adam and George for a laid back, bird-filled adventure sure to impress.
Group Size: Maximum group size of 9 / The tour can run with 6+ participants at a higher per person cost (see below).
Member Price: $3,500* per person
Non-member Price: $3,550* per person (includes a one-year Georgia Audubon membership)
Single Supplement for non-shared hotel room: $350 per person
*Based on double occupancy and 9 participants.
Depending on group construction, solo travelers may be forced to pay a single supplement. All efforts will be made to pair individuals to avoid this expense though it cannot be guaranteed. Impacted travelers, should they decide to cancel, will be reimbursed following the cancellation policy below.
New Jersey? In the winter? Yes!!! While the Garden State is most famous for its migratory seasons at well-known hotspots like Cape May, it has lots of interesting avian life during the cooler months as well. After the summer crowds wind down, the birds wind up, with sea ducks, raptors, and sparrows featuring well. Snowy Owls, Snow Buntings, Harlequin Ducks, eiders, and Brant make their way to the Jersey shore during the winter and are just a few of the possible highlights. Additionally, early December is the peak of rarity season for the region, so you never know what might turn up!
On this 7-day trip, we will get our fill of exciting oceanic birds, denizens of the far north, and plenty of other worthwhile birds that rarely make their way to the warmer southeast. Georgia Audubon's Director of Conservation, Adam Betuel, will team up with birding all-star George Armistead to show you Cape May, Forsyth NWR, Barnegat Lighthouse State Park, and other top-notch birdwatching destinations. George Armistead is a lifelong Philadelphian and chief network officer at Rockjumper Worldwide Birding Adventures. He has guided trips to all seven continents, and authored two books on birds, including The ABA Field Guide to the Birds of Pennsylvania. He also serves as an associate at the Academy of Natural Sciences of Philadelphia. For this tour, we will be based out of only a few locations, meaning fewer early morning check-outs and more comfort after long days logging new birds. Join Adam and George for a laid back, bird-filled adventure sure to impress.
Questions? Contact Adam Betuel by email or at 678-973-2437.
Credit card processing fees are included in the registration price.
Please reference the companion document to learn more.
Credit card processing fees are included in the registration price.
Please reference the companion document to learn more.
trip overview
Click on each day for more information.
day 1: arrive in philadelphia
After arrival and if time allows, we will squeeze in some afternoon birding around the very birdy city of Philadelphia. Later that evening, we will all sit down for a nice welcome dinner and discuss the plan for the coming days
Overnight: Philadelphia
Overnight: Philadelphia
day 2: delaware down to lewes
We’ll get a jump on the day and head out early (pre-dawn) to try and be in position to see some big flocks of geese. Large groups of Snow Geese, sometimes well into five figures, often have settled in by December or are migrating, and increasingly Ross’s, Greater White-fronted, and Cackling Geese occupy the area as well. With some luck we could encounter flocks of Tundra Swans, or blackbird flocks, too, that number in the tens or even hundreds of thousands. We’ll spend the night in the cozy town of Lewes, near the Dogfish Head Brewery, where we can enjoy some good food and quality brews, too.
Overnight: Lewes
Overnight: Lewes
day 3: the ferry, delaware bay, & cape may
After a little more morning birding around Lewes, perhaps seeking Snow Buntings around Cape Henlopen, we’ll hop on the Cape May – Lewes Ferry and head across the mouth of the Delaware Bay to fabled Cape May. The Ferry ride can be blustery and cold or almost balmy and pleasant, but regardless should hold some good birds, often including Northern Gannet, Great Cormorant, Surf and Black Scoters, with chances for Parasitic Jaeger, Razorbill, and perhaps other goodies, too. We’ll arrive into Cape May for a little afternoon birding at this magnificent bird migration hub before we head up the beach to our accommodations in Ocean City, our home for the next four nights.
Overnight: Ocean City
Overnight: Ocean City
day 4: forsyth nwr & ocean city
This morning we will spend the majority of the day at the Forsyth National Wildlife Refuge. At Forsyth we can expect to find Brant, ducks of all varieties including American Black Duck, Common Merganser, and Northern Pintail, in addition shorebirds and their nemesis, the Peregrine Falcon. In the afternoon, we will head back to spots close to Ocean City. Birding here could turn up both Common and Red-throated Loons, a number of gull species, and potentially a few hardy Yellow-rumped Warblers, the northernmost wintering wood warbler.
Overnight: Ocean City
Overnight: Ocean City
day 5: cape may & the bayshore
We’ll spend the morning hitting the other hotspots that dot Cape May. Early December is peak vagrant season, so usually there is a bird or two from western North America to pursue if we choose, and it’s also a good time for rare raptors like Golden Eagle, Northern Goshawk, and at times Rough-legged Hawk, too. The beach vistas overlooking the sea present a bevy of bayducks, and jetty birds, while Bunker and Lighthouse Ponds often host Eurasian Wigeons along with the Americans, Ruddy Ducks, Buffleheads, and more. Every year is different, but if it is a good year for finches, this is prime time for Red Crossbill, Purple Finch, Pine Siskin, and maybe even others, like Evening Grosbeak. As the sun gets higher, we’ll venture away from the coast, looking for birds of farmlands. Short-eared Owls could be on the hunt, and the farm fields could yield Snow Buntings or blackbird flocks that can hold Rusty or even rarer species like Yellow-headed. As we go, we should bump into Hermit Thrush, Fox Sparrow, various woodpeckers, and maybe game birds like Wild Turkey. Destinations later in the day could yield secretive birds that enjoy their feet wet like Clapper and Virginia Rails, as well as the timberdoodle, better know as the American Woodcock.
Overnight: Ocean City
Overnight: Ocean City
day 6: barnegat lighthouse
Barnegat Lighthouse is famous for the waterfowl and marine birds that can be spotted on its rocks, sandy beaches, and the offshore waters. Most desired of all is the Harlequin Duck. Barnegat consistently produces these clown-like swimmers. Additionally, we hope to spot all three scoters, Common and King Eiders, Long-tailed Ducks, Great Cormorants, and diving Northern Gannets. Purple Sandpipers will share slippery stones with Ruddy Turnstones. Windswept sands may harbor Snow Buntings along with Savannah Sparrows (including the frosty-looking “Ipswich” subspecies), sprinting Sanderlings, as well as tiny Bonaparte’s Gulls next to giant Greater Black-backs. After getting our fill at Barnegat, the rest of the day will be spent cleaning up any birds missed over the previous few days. With this time of year often producing rare birds and vagrants, this portion of the day will allow us to either give them a chase or slot in spots missed on previous days during vagrant hunts.
Overnight: Ocean City
Overnight: Ocean City
day 7: morning birding before departure
We will finally bid Ocean City goodbye and bird our way towards Philadelphia. There will be no issue making it back to the city before afternoon or evening return flights, hopefully with a larger life list and plenty of great memories.
Number of bird species expected: 140-160
additional details
Price Includes:
Price Does Not Include:
Payments:
Note: Payment in-full is required at this time. (updated 9/7/2022) Participants may pay in-full by choosing the Georgia Audubon Member or Non-Member price. For those who wish to pay in two installments, we will accept a $500 down-payment at the time of registration ($550 for non-members). The final payment, including the single supplement (if selected), will be due by September 1, 2022.
COVID-19 TRAVEL PRECAUTIONS:
Until further notice, all participants in the Georgia Audubon Travel Program must be fully vaccinated and boosted against COVID-19 at the time of their travel date. According to the CDC, individuals are considered fully vaccinated when they have received their primary series of COVID-19 vaccine and a booster. Some people may be eligible to receive two boosters, but a second booster is not required to travel with Georgia Audubon at this time. Participants will also be expected to adhere to all local travel guidelines and restrictions at the destination at the time of travel. If you are unable or unwilling to comply with the COVID-19 travel precautions, please do not register for this event at this time.
Cancellation Policy:
If notice of cancellation by the participant is received by July 1, 2022, a refund of all payments made will be given (less a $50 administrative fee). If notice of cancellation is received between July 2, 2022, and September 1, 2022, a 50% refund of the tour fee will be given unless the space(s) can be filled, in which case a full refund will be given (less a $50 administrative fee). Thereafter, all deposits and payments are non-refundable unless the space(s) can be filled, in which case a full refund will be given (less a $50 administrative fee). In the event of tour cancellation due to weather, strike, war, quarantine, or other unforeseen emergency situation, a 100% refund will be given, less any expenses incurred by the tour operator.
Travel Insurance:
We recommend purchasing travel insurance in case you must make an unforeseen trip cancellation past our refund period. Check with your own insurance carrier or consider a travel insurance specialist.
- One local expert birding tour leader (George Armistead) and a co-leader from Georgia Audubon (Director of Conservation Adam Betuel). Additionally, there will be a second local guide/driver.
- Accommodations in all destinations (double room). A non-shared room is available for an additional fee.
- All transportation during the trip including pick-up and drop-off at the airport.
- All meals, including basic non-alcoholic beverages, from dinner on Day 1 to breakfast on Day 7.
- All entrance fees to parks & reserves
- Taxes
Price Does Not Include:
- Airfare and any accompanying baggage fees
- Alcoholic or specialty beverages/coffee
- Snacks, beverages, room service, or sightseeing not specified in itinerary
- Souvenirs
- Laundry
- Travel insurance (strongly recommended)
- Medical costs
- Guide & driver gratuity
- Personal communications (hotel phone calls, cell phones, etc.)
- Any other incidentals that participants may wish to purchase
Payments:
Note: Payment in-full is required at this time. (updated 9/7/2022) Participants may pay in-full by choosing the Georgia Audubon Member or Non-Member price. For those who wish to pay in two installments, we will accept a $500 down-payment at the time of registration ($550 for non-members). The final payment, including the single supplement (if selected), will be due by September 1, 2022.
COVID-19 TRAVEL PRECAUTIONS:
Until further notice, all participants in the Georgia Audubon Travel Program must be fully vaccinated and boosted against COVID-19 at the time of their travel date. According to the CDC, individuals are considered fully vaccinated when they have received their primary series of COVID-19 vaccine and a booster. Some people may be eligible to receive two boosters, but a second booster is not required to travel with Georgia Audubon at this time. Participants will also be expected to adhere to all local travel guidelines and restrictions at the destination at the time of travel. If you are unable or unwilling to comply with the COVID-19 travel precautions, please do not register for this event at this time.
Cancellation Policy:
If notice of cancellation by the participant is received by July 1, 2022, a refund of all payments made will be given (less a $50 administrative fee). If notice of cancellation is received between July 2, 2022, and September 1, 2022, a 50% refund of the tour fee will be given unless the space(s) can be filled, in which case a full refund will be given (less a $50 administrative fee). Thereafter, all deposits and payments are non-refundable unless the space(s) can be filled, in which case a full refund will be given (less a $50 administrative fee). In the event of tour cancellation due to weather, strike, war, quarantine, or other unforeseen emergency situation, a 100% refund will be given, less any expenses incurred by the tour operator.
Travel Insurance:
We recommend purchasing travel insurance in case you must make an unforeseen trip cancellation past our refund period. Check with your own insurance carrier or consider a travel insurance specialist.