Bird Quest is a half-day event from 7:00 AM to noon on the first Saturday in May (May 7, 2011), with the purpose to find as many different bird species as possible in Gloucester County. This event is family and child friendly. It is a unique way for the entire family to discover the birds of Gloucester County. As you learn the birds you will also discover the natural places and varied habitats we have in the county. There are plenty of public sites you can visit in Gloucester County.
We are very excited to be in a new location this year for the picnic – Washington Lake (the swimming lake not the Park). This new location was needed to provide the event room to grow and will provide a spectacular setting for our picnic. Washington Lake is located at 353 Chapel Heights Road, Sewell, NJ 08080 (directions below).
The rules are simple: Identify as many different bird species as you can between 7am and noon staying within the boundary of Gloucester County. You can participate in one of the following ways:
Form a team, plan your route (locations you will visit) for the day of the event and record all the bird species you see within Gloucester County. Hand in your results at Washington swimming Lake by noon to be eligible for prizes.
Join one of the buses lead by a bird expert. These buses will visit a few locations in the County where bird experts will help you to identify the many bird species. The buses will meet back at Washington swimming Lake at noon.
Join one of three guided walks, each lasting between an hour and an hour and a half, in various natural places in Gloucester County lead by a bird expert who will help you identify the bird species present. These walks will be paced and placed so you can participate in all of the walks or just one or two while you spend the rest of the time birding on your own. Hand in your results at Washington swimming Lake at noon to be eligible for prizes. No matter how you participate, everyone meets at our new location: Washington (swimming) Lake between noon and 12:30 to hand in their results (total number of bird species seen that day from 7am to noon), share stories, activities, games, and for a free lunch. The emphasis of this event is on learning and sharing, not on the competition. Everyone who participates receives a t-shirt, lunch, and is eligible for a variety of prizes. This year we will encourage children of all ages to explore the new location and see live animals up close. The day will culminate in a presentation from a wildlife handler from Woodford Cedar Run Wildlife Refuge who will have live birds and animals. They will discuss what these animals eat, where they sleep, and the habits and habitats of each species.
- 7:00-8:30: Maple Ridge: From the intersection of Rt 553 (Woodbury-Glassboro Rd) and Mantua Ave in Wenonah (and Holy Nativity Lutheran Church), travel .75 mile south on Rt 553 to the intersection with Bark Bridge Rd. Turn right onto Bark Bridge Rd, and park alongside the road. Meet in the closed-off parking lot. Enter the parking lot from Bark Bridge Road -- the normal entrance may be blocked off -- we have permission from the landowner to be there -- please do not park at Hutchinson Cabinets.
- 9:00-10:30: Field of Dreams: From Interstate 295, Exit 21, take Crown Pint Road (Rt 44) West. In about .25 miles, take a right onto River Road. Park in the parking lot, and. meet in the back corner of the lot. The parking lot is off of Crown Point Road and there is a Field of Dreams sign on Crown Point Road.
- 11:00-12:00: Washington Lake (also the picnic location): Take Rt 47 south to East Holly Ave (about .5 mile south of Atkinson (Bethel Mill) Park. Make a left onto E Holly Ave, then take the first right onto Oak Avenue. Take the 3rd left onto Chapel Heights Rd/County Rd 639. Go .5 mile; entrance will be on the left. Meet at the pavilion.
The cost to participate is $12 per person. In addition, you can purchase additional t-shirts, bird identification flash cards or tree identification ($6), or “The Natural Places of Gloucester County” book ($12) created by the Nature Club to promote the natural beauty of our County which will help you identify birds or locations to visit during the event.
Want to sign up for BirdQuest? Click on the link to Download the Registration form, or use the form included in the Bird Quest 2011 Flyer. Send in the completed form with your check (made out to The Gloucester County Nature Club) to GCNC, ATTN: Brian Hayes, P.O. Box 563, Sewell, NJ 08080.
You say you don't know one bird from another? The Gloucester County Nature Club offers a series of training sessions in the weeks leading up to the event itself to teach you everything from the basics of bird watching to identifying birds not by sight but by their songs or calls. These trainings are worthwhile even if you already know how to identify birds. They can help you discover the natural places of Gloucester County as well. During the trainings you will visit some of the many local places where you can enjoy nature anytime of the year. These locations are perfect for photography of animals and plants of Gloucester County.
If you have questions you can call Brian Hayes at 856.582.7000 x110 or email at bhayes@eirc.org.