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Cape May Hawk Migration Sampler

Program Number: 15205RJ
Start and End Dates:
10/20/2013 - 10/23/2013;
Duration: 3 nights
Location: Cape May, New Jersey
Price starting at: $525.00 - Price may vary based on date, departure city
Program Type: Birding
Meals: 9; 3 Breakfasts, 3 Lunches, 3 Dinners    
Meal Options: Vegetarian    

Cape May is one of North America's best birding locales because of its location at the intersection of two major flyways. Amid Victorian architecture and seaside charm, go birding in Cape May Point State Park, and listen as local birders detail other local birding opportunities. Well-known naturalists provide illustrated, interactive lectures with birding tips and tricks, then accompany you on field trips where you can watch the hawk-banding process and hone your birding skills.




Highlights

• Enjoy a field trip to Cape May Point State Park, site of the world-famous Cape May Hawk Watch, where habitats include beach, dune, freshwater pond, marsh, field and coastal forest.
• Join renowned naturalist Mark Garland at birding hot spots in the South Cape May Meadows and the Beanery.
• Enjoy pre-breakfast beach bird walks and test your skills at Higbees Beach Wildlife Management Area and the New Jersey Audubon Morning Flight Project Platform.



Activity Particulars

Moderate amount of walking.




Date Specific Information

10-20-2013

Enjoy the latest in hearing technology — listening devices — on this date.



Coordinated by Mid-Atlantic Center for the Arts.




Cape May

More than 600 authentically restored Victorian structures make up this National Historic Landmark City on New Jersey's southern shore. Dubbed the nation's "First Seashore Resort," Cape May has been welcoming visitors to its white-sand beaches since the 1800s. Also a birding "hotspot," Cape May attracts more than 400 species of birds a year.



Accommodations
A basic Victorian-era hotel with modestly sized bedrooms. Loaded with character and clean, and for people who value the experience of an authentic turn-of-the century hotel.

Road Scholar Instructors
These instructors are participating on at least one date of this program. Please note that changes may occur.
Mary Stewart

Mary Stewart is the chief outreach officer for the Mid-Atlantic Center for the Arts & Humanities. She has a degree in art, a background in graphic arts and a love of history. Mary is a fiber artist, and fell in love with fabric and yarn early in life. She enjoys researching Victorian holiday celebrations, and conducts workshops to create vintage decorations and cards. Mary is a member of the Cape May Artists Cooperative Gallery, where she exhibits her one-of-a-kind bags, scarves and hats.
 
Robert Heinly

A former college professor, Dr. Robert Heinly is the Museum Education Director for the Mid-Atlantic Center for the Arts & Humanities. During his career as an educator, Robert served as a curriculum supervisor, administrator and mentor to student teachers. He is also an experienced living history re-enactor, having played roles at Independence Hall National Park. In Cape May, he has become Dr. Emlen Physick, the eccentric doctor who built the Physick Estate and was a civic gadfly in his era.
 
Rich Chiemingo

Rich Chiemingo is a museum educator for the Mid-Atlantic Center for the Arts & Humanities, as well as a lighthouse keeper at the Cape May Lighthouse and an observer at the World War II Lookout Tower. As a living history interpreter, he shares his perspective on American composer and band leader John Philip Sousa. Prior to retiring to the Cape May area, Rich has also held a career in the music industry, including a stint as a military bandsman.
 
Mark Garland

Mark Garland is a birding enthusiast who has worked six years as a naturalist and ranger with the National Park Service, 17 years with the Audubon Naturalist Society and four years with the New Jersey Audubon Cape May Bird Observatory. A University of Maryland School of Agriculture graduate, he authored the book "Watching Nature: A Mid-Atlantic Natural History," published by the Smithsonian Press, and he wrote the chapter "Canal Walk" in the anthology "City Birding."
 
Pat Sutton

Pat Sutton is a freelance writer, photographer, naturalist, educator, lecturer and wildlife garden consultant. She utilizes her own garden as a “teaching garden,” and features it in many programs and workshops, and shows it during private wildlife garden explorations that she has led for 21 years. Pat and her husband, Clay, are the authors of the landmark book, “Birds and Birding at Cape May,” a summary of their efforts over many years to document and protect the migration and the hometown that they so love. Pat has been a working naturalist since 1977, first for the Cape May Point State Park and then for 21 years with New Jersey Audubon’s Cape May Bird Observatory, where she was the naturalist and program director. Pat has a master’s from Rowan University in environmental education and an undergraduate degree in literature from the State University of New York at Oneonta.
 
Clay Sutton

A life-long resident of Cape May, Clay Sutton has worked for the past decade as a self-employed environmental consultant, naturalist and field biologist. He also has experience as an environmental planner and program administrator, and served as the vice president of an environmental consulting firm, specializing in threatened and endangered species. Clay was a long-time instructor for the American Birding Association’s Institute for Field Ornithology, and is the co-author of several books including “Hawks in Flight,” “How to Spot Butterflies,” “How to Spot Hawks & Eagles,” and “How to Spot an Owl.”
 
Meals and Lodgings
   Inn of Cape May
  Cape May, NJ 3 nights
 Inn of Cape May
Type: Hotel
  Description: Set aside your 21st Century mindset and return to an earlier era. Webster’s defines “quaint” as marked by skillful design, unusual or different in character or appearance, or pleasingly or strikingly old-fashioned. The Inn of Cape May is all of these. When it was built, it represented the latest in Victorian style. It is a classic representation of the Cape May of old, a good option for the budget conscious, and the place to feel what resort life was like in a simpler time. Each modestly-sized guest room has a different configuration with unpretentious furniture similar to what you would have seen in 1894. There may be either a queen- or a king-sized bed; few rooms have two beds. Because there were no closets then, there are shelves with clothes hooks. The concessions to modernity are retro-fitted bathrooms with showers, heat and A/C, and cable TV. The Inn of Cape May has a restaurant, bar, and in-ground pool. Public areas feature Victorian knick-knacks and architectural details. The quirky small elevator is original (and can only be operated by a member of the staff). What may be the most pleasing aspect for many is its location in one of the most delightful spots along the beachfront, within walking distance of the main pedestrian area, where you can relax during free time, rock on the verandah, and watch the ocean or the passing parade.
  Contact info: 7 Ocean Street
Cape May, NJ 08204 USA
phone: 609-884-5555
web: www.innofcapemay.com
  Room amenities: Guest rooms are located on 2nd through 5th floor, though Road Scholar participants are generaly placed on 3rd and above to be removed from street noise. Rooms are furnished with double, queen and/or king-sized beds, cable TV with remote control, heat and air conditioning. Every bathroom is equipped with a shower, though some are stall showers and some are in tubs. Some bathrooms are equipped with grab bars. As the bathrooms are a 20th century retrofit, the guest rooms are modestly-sized and differ in lay-out and configuration. Rooms are not equipped with telephones or alarm clocks. The room assignments are made based on needs of the group and can't be changed from one view to another.
  Facility amenities: The family owned and operated Inn of Cape May features fifty one unique hotel rooms, each furnished with wicker and antiques, many featuring views of the Atlantic Ocean. Although the building is historic, it offers modern day comforts such as a lobby seating area with gas fireplace, WiFi in the public areas of the first floor and the front desk that is staffed 24 hours a day. The hotel does have a vintage elevator, which is not self-service. It must be operated by hotel personnel who are available 24 hours a day. There is a first floor restaurant and bar. Free guest parking is available directly across the street. A 15 minute loading space is directly in front of the main entrance and a bellman is available for convenient check-in. There is an in-ground pool, open seasonally. The hotel is on the oceanfront, just a short walk from the main pedestrian shopping area and within easy walking distance of many fine restaurants.
  Smoking allowed: No
  Bathroom: Some rooms have tubs with showers; some only stall showers.
  Elevators available: Yes
  Additional nights prior: Call for rate. Rates vary by season.
  Check in time: 4:00 PM
  Additional nights after: Call for rate. Rates vary by season.
  Check out time: 11:00 AM


Travel Details
  Start of Program:
Program registration in hotel lobby 3PM to 5PM. Registration for guest rooms begins 4PM. Wine and cheese reception in dining room 5PM to 6PM. You will be staying at Inn of Cape May that night.
  End of Program:
Program ends at hotel after lunchtime (approximately 1:30pm).Box lunch available for early departures. You will be staying at Inn of Cape May the night before.
  Required documents:
The Road Scholar Health & Safety Form is required.
  Parking availability:
Parking is free for hotel guests. Participants will get a permit for their car at check-in.
Transportation
To Start of Program
  Location:  Cape May, NJ
  Nearest city or town:  Atlantic City, NJ
  Nearest highway: Garden State Parkway
  Nearest airport:  Philadelphia International Airport; Atlantic City Airport
  From End of Program
  Location: Cape May, NJ
    (Additional transportation information same as above)
Travel Details
 

Atlantic City

 

From Airport

 
 

Service:

 

Commercial Van/Shuttle
Royal Airport Limo
phone: 609-748-9777
Advanced Reservations Required

 

Per Person/One Way:

 

$60
Prices are subject to change.

 

Travel Time:

 

1 hour 

 

Distance:

 

50 miles

   

If two people are traveling together, it is usually more economical to rent a car, even though you don't need one in Cape May.

 

New York City

 

From Bus Terminal

 
 

Service:

 

Public Transportation
NJ Transit
phone: 973-491-9400

 

Per Person/One Way:

 

$33.25
Prices are subject to change.

 

Travel Time:

 

5 hours 

 

Distance:

 

250 miles

   

The hotel is about 3 blocks from the Cape May bus terminal. Local cab service is available: AArt's Taxi (609-898-7433) and AA Plus Cab, 609-889-9595.

 

Philadelphia

 

From Airport

 
 

Service:

 

Commercial Van/Shuttle
Rapid Rover
phone: 856-428-1500
Advanced Reservations Required

 

Per Person/One Way:

 

$185
Prices are subject to change.

 

Travel Time:

 

 

Distance:

 

90 miles

   

If two people are traveling together, it is usually more economical to rent a car, even though you don't need one in Cape May.

 

Philadelphia

 

From Bus Terminal

 
 

Service:

 

Public Transportation
NJ Transit
phone: 973-491-9400

 

Per Person/One Way:

 

$18.25
Prices are subject to change.

 

Travel Time:

 

4 hours 

 

Distance:

 

100 miles

   

The hotel is about 3 blocks from the Cape May bus terminal. Local cab service is available: AArt's Taxi (609-898-7433) and AA Plus Cab, 609-889-9595.

 
Driving Directions
  Altantic City Airport Take Atlantic City Expressway South to Exit 7 (Garden State Parkway). Take Garden State Parkway to its end. Take Rte. 109 into Cape May (through marina district). Stay in right lane and follow Lafayette St. to Madison Ave. (first traffic light). Turn left. Take Madison to Beach Ave., turn right. Take Beach to Ocean St. Turn right. Hotel is on your right. Approximate driving time 1 hour
  Baltimore, Washington DC I 95 to Delaware Memorial Bridge, to Rte 40 East, to Rte 55 South, to Rte 47 South, to Garden State Parkway South into Cape May. Follow Lafayette St. to Madison Ave.(first traffic light), turn left. Follow Madison Ave. to Beach Dr., turn right. The hotel is directly ahead on your right. or via the Cape May-Lewes Ferry, exit the terminal onto Rte 9, to Rte 109 South into Cape May. Follow Lafayette St. to Madison Ave.(first traffic light), turn left. Follow Madison Ave. to Beach Dr., turn right. The hotel is directly ahead on your right. (Approximately 3 hours from Baltimore and 4 hours from Washington.)
  New York Garden State Parkway South to Cape May. Follow Lafayette St. to Madison Ave.(first traffic light), turn left. Follow Madison Ave. to Beach Dr., turn right. The hotel is directly ahead on your right. (Approximately 3 hour drive.)
  Pennsylvania Walt Whitman or Ben Franklin Bridge to Rte. 42 South, to Atlantic City Expressway, to Garden State Parkway South into Cape May. Follow Lafayette St. to Madison Ave.(first traffic light), turn left. Follow Madison Ave. to Beach Dr., turn right. The hotel is directly ahead on your right. (Approximately 2 hour drive)
  Philadelphia International Airport Exit airport to I95 N. Take Walt Whitman Bridge to NJ. Take Rte 42 to Atlantic City Expressway to Exit 7 (Garden State Parkway). Take Garden State Parkway to its end. Take Rte. 109 into Cape May (through marina district). Stay in right lane and follow Lafayette St. to Madison Ave. (first traffic light). Turn left. Take Madison to Beach Ave., turn right. Take Beach to Ocean St. Turn right. Hotel is on your right. Approximate time 2hours.
Equipment Requirements: If you have binoculars or scopes, please bring them with you. Hat, suntan lotion, bug spray.
The prices listed for commercial services and facilities that are not included in the program cost, such as airport shuttles or extra nights lodging, are subject to change without notice. Since Road Scholar cannot guarantee the accuracy of these prices, we strongly suggest contacting the companies directly for the most up-to-date information.


Daily Schedule

Day 1: Welcome Reception and Orientation
(Sunday, October 20)
   
 Afternoon: 3pm: Program registration in hotel lobby. 4PM: Registration for guest rooms. 5pm: Wine and cheese reception in dining room.
 Dinner: 6pm: Dinner in hotel dining room. Choice of three menu options including a vegetarian option.
 Evening: 7:30pm: Introductions, review of week's programs, orientation to hotel and area.
   
Accommodations: Inn of Cape May
Meals Included: Dinner

Day 2: Field Trip to Cape May Point State Park Birding Skills workshops
(Monday, October 21)

Note: Field trip is rain or shine



   
 Breakfast: Breakfast at hotel. Choice of either a hot breakfast, oatmeal or cold cereal. Fruit, yogurt, toast basket available on request.
 Morning: Pre-breakfast field trip on beachfront in vicinity of hotel. Birding field trip to Cape May Point State Park, site of the world-famous Cape May Hawk Watch, where habitats include beach, dune, freshwater pond, marsh, field and coastal forest. Also includes a visit to the 1859 Cape May Lighthouse.
 Lunch: Lunch in the hotel dining.
 Afternoon: Building Better Birding Skills: classroom session with naturalist Mark Garland to develop observation and identification techniques and use of optics. Birds and Birding at Cape May: a powerpoint presentation by leading experts on the ecology and history of birding of Cape May.
 Dinner: 6pm: Dinner in hotel dining room. Choice of three menu options including a vegetarian option.
 Evening: Hawks in Flight: a powerpoint program presented by Pat & Clay Sutton on techinques to improve your identification skills with raptors.
   
Accommodations: Inn of Cape May
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 3: Field Trip to Cape May Point State Park Building Better Birding Skills Workshops
(Tuesday, October 22)

Note: Field trip is rain or shine



   
 Breakfast: Breakfast at hotel. Choice of either a hot breakfast, oatmeal or cold cereal. Fruit, yogurt, toast basket available on request.
 Morning: Field trip to Cape May Point State Park. Sights visited include the Hawk Watch platform and the nature trails in the park.
 Lunch: Lunch at hotel.
 Afternoon: Field trip to various other Cape May birding hotspots including the South Cape May Meadows and the Beanery. Exact itinerary will be decided by naturalist Mark Garland based on where the best birding can be found.
 Dinner: 6pm: Dinner in hotel dining room. Choice of three menu options including a vegetarian option..
 Evening: Building Better Birding Skills Workshop: program focuses on using field guides and other techniques to identify various birds from photographs. Participants will work in small groups with instructor. This is an elaboration on Monday afternoon's workshop.
   
Accommodations: Inn of Cape May
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 4: Magic & Mystique of Cape May lecture
(Wednesday, October 23)
   
 Breakfast: Breakfast at hotel. Choice of either a hot breakfast, oatmeal or cold cereal. Fruit, yogurt, toast basket available on request.
 Morning: "Magic and Mystique of Cape May:" Powerpoint presentaiton highlighting the birding and ecology of Cape May and why so many birds come to Cape May each year. Graduation and evaluation.
 Lunch: Lunch at hotel. Box lunch available for early departures.
   
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch

Free Time Opportunities
 
  Cape May, NJ Cape May County Historical Museum
(609) 465-3535 For additional information, visit www.cmcmuseum.org
  Leaming's Run Gardens
(609) 465-5871 For additional information, visit www.leamingsrungardens.com/
  Mid-Atlantic Center for the Arts
(609) 884-5404 or (800) 275-4278 For additional information, visit www.capemaymac.org
  Naval Air Station Wildwood
Aviation Museum PHONE (609) 886-8787 For additional information, visit www.usnasw.org
Important information about your itinerary: Every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy and completeness of the information featured on this website. Itineraries are based on our best information at this time. Circumstances beyond our control may require us to adjust itineraries or other details. We regret any inconvenience this may cause and appreciate your understanding. Information will be sent to you from your Program Provider approximately three weeks prior to the program start date. The prices listed for commercial services and facilities that are not included in the program cost, such as airport shuttles or extra nights lodging, are subject to change without notice. Since Road Scholar cannot guarantee the accuracy of these prices, we strongly suggest contacting the companies directly for the most up-to-date information.

Suggested Reading List


Birds and Birding at Cape May


Author: Clay & Patricia Sutton


Description: Birds and Birding at Cape May is a must have both for those who have birded Cape May for many years and those who wish to make their first visit to Cape May. The book includes 568 pages of text, maps, site descriptions (including precise directions to finding sites), a seasonal checklist of Cape May birds, summaries of hawk and seabird counts, short historical accounts of Cape May, more than 100 black and white and color photos, weather and birding at the Cape, a butterfly list of Cape May, and tidbits about Cape May’s history. Available through the Mid-Atlanitc Center for the Arts' Museum Shop- 609-884-5404, extension 142.



Watching Nature: A Mid-Atlantic Natural History


Author: Mark Garland


Description: In Watching Nature, naturalist Mark Garland takes readers on field trips among the plants and animals of the cool highlands of West Virginia, the forested ridges and valleys of western Maryland and central Pennsylvania, the gently rolling Piedmont region around Washington, D.C., and the flat coastal plain extending from southern New Jersey to Virginia Beach. Anecdotes from the author's own adventures - the nocturnal sighting of a rare bird, a feast of wild mountain blueberries, a winter afternoon at the shore - uncover the surprises that even the most familiar landscape can yield. Describing seasonal events such as Potomac valley wildflowers blooming in early spring, shorebirds converging on Delaware Bay mudflats in mid-May, and monarch butterflies migrating over mountain fields in early fall, the author also provides itineraries for visiting some of his favorite spots. Complete with black-and-white watercolor illustrations, maps, an extensive bibliography, and listings of resource organizations, Watching Nature emphasizes the accessibility of the natural world.





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