May 2012
May 15, 2012 (Tuesday) — 7:00 p.m.
BACKYARD HABITAT FOR BIRDS (& BUTTERFLIES & DRAGONFLIES & MORE)
Pat Sutton will present this program for the Ocean City Environmental Commission’s Lecture Series at the Ocean City Library, 1735 Simpson Avenue, Ocean City, NJ 08226. For more details go to the Ocean City Library calendar of events and scroll down to May 15.
May 17, 2012 (Thursday) — 6:00 p.m. dinner followed by program
BIRDS AND BIRDING AT CAPE MAY (Program and Booksigning)
Pat and Clay will present this program for the Appalachian Audubon Society at their annual banquet at the Radisson Penn Harris Hotel, 1150 Camp Hill Bypass, Camp Hill, PA 17011 (near Harrisburg). Reservations are required and must be received by May 11th ($32 / person sent to Appalachian Audubon Society, Andy Groff [AAS Treasurer], 1508 Carlisle Road, Camp Hill, PA 17011). 6:00 p.m. Silent Auction and Cash Bar; 6:45 p.m. Banquet Reception followed by program. Appalachian Audubon’s May 2012 Newsletter gives full details.
May 19, 2012 (Saturday) — evening banquet program
BIRD STUDIES AT NEW CAPE MAY
Celebrating the 2012 75th Anniversary of Bird Studies at Old Cape May
If there has been one constant in the ornithology of Southern New Jersey, it is change.
Shall we celebrate or lament change? It has been 75 years since the famous and timeless classic, Bird Studies at Old Cape May, was penned in 1937 by the noted ornithologist Dr. Witmer Stone. Learn about this great naturalist and his venerable work, and enjoy a modern perspective on the birdlife of Stone’s beloved Old Cape May. Join well-known Cape May naturalists and writers Clay and Pat Sutton as they explore the many changes in our bird populations over the last century. Learn how “New Cape May” relates to the old and why Stone’s landmark book is still highly relevant today.
This presentation is part of NJ Audubon’s Cape MAYgration Celebration. Registration is required.
May 20, 2012 (Sunday) — 10:00 a.m. to Noon
LEARN HOW TO CREATE A NO-FUSS WILDLIFE POND
Pat Sutton will present this 1-hour indoor presentation followed by a site visit to a nearby backyard wildlife pond in Goshen, NJ (in Cape May County), as part of NJ Audubon’s Cape MAYgration Celebration. Registration is required.
June 2012
June 16, 2012 (Saturday) — 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. LATE BLOOMERS PLANT SALE
at NJ Audubon Nature Center of Cape May, 1600 Delaware Avenue, Cape May, NJ 08204
We just had to do it again! Part two of our plant sale will be offered during the Harbor Fest celebration. Late-to-emerge perennials and bloomers like the milkweeds will be available. For more information, call the Nature Center at 609.898.8848.
July 2012
July 13, 14, & 15 (Friday, Saturday, Sunday) — 10:00 to 3:30
Tours of Private BUTTERFLY Gardens
- Friday, July 13: SOUTH “Cape Island”
- Saturday, July 14: MID-COUNTY “North Cape May to Rio Grande”
- Sunday, July 15: NORTH “Goshen to Dennisville”
Mid-July is the time of peak butterfly diversity and numbers. Gardens will showcase native nectar plants, key caterpillar plants, diverse design ideas, and a blizzard of butterflies and hummingbirds.
Limit: 25 per tour. Nine tours (July-Sept) / Cost per tour: $30 NJ Audubon members, $40 nonmembers. (Join three tours at a discounted rate of $75 members, $100 nonmembers.)
Register for tours through NJ Audubon’s Nature Center of Cape May, 1600 Delaware Avenue, Cape May, NJ 08204 (609-898-8848).
July 23, 2012 (Monday) — 6:00 to 8:00 p.m.
LEARN HOW TO CREATE A NO-FUSS WILDLIFE POND
One-hour indoor presentation followed by a one-hour outdoor visit to Sutton’s nearby wildlife garden ponds to see all the life they support. At the Cape May Court House Library, 30 Mechanic Street, Cape May Court House, NJ 08210, in their downstairs Storytime Room. FREE. To learn more, go to the Cape May County Library’s Calendar.
July 30, 2012 (Monday) — 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. HUMMINGBIRDS 101
It’s the peak of Ruby-throated Hummingbird migration through Cape May County. Hummingbirds have been here since mid-April, raised one or several families, and are now heading south to their winter home, tropical areas where plentiful insects and blooming flowers persist. Naturalist Pat Sutton will teach all about these unique and tiny birds, including how to attract them to your yard next spring. From 7:00-8:00 p.m. the group will visit Sutton’s nearby wildlife garden prior to sunset as countless hummingbirds tank up for the journey south.
At the Cape May Court House Library, 30 Mechanic Street, Cape May Court House, NJ 08210, in their downstairs Storytime Room. FREE. To learn more, go to the Cape May County Library’s Calendar.
August 2012
August 6, 2012 (Monday) — 6:00 to 7:30 p.m. SEASHORE WILDLIFE GARDENS
Naturalist Pat Sutton will cover how to attract butterflies, hummingbirds, and other wildlife to our gardens. Plants native to sandy seashore soils will be featured, especially those that provide nectar, berries, or serve as caterpillar food plants for local butterflies and moths. Eye-candy seaside gardens will be showcased.
At the Sea Isle City Library, 4800 Central Avenue, Sea Isle City, NJ 08243; 609-263-7301. FREE. To learn more, go to the Cape May County Library’s Calendar.
August 7, 2012 (Tuesday) — 9:00 to 11:00 a.m.
BUTTERFLIES & DRAGONFLIES OF SUMMER
Naturalist Pat Sutton will showcase the butterflies and dragonflies of Summer in a one-hour indoor primer (covering natural history and identification), followed by a leisurely one-hour outdoor walk (unless it is raining) to a nearby natural area. Cape May County hosts 107 butterflies and 111 dragonflies (and damselflies); a good portion of these fly in summer. Bring binoculars (and field guides if available).
At the Cape May Court House Library, 30 Mechanic Street, Cape May Court House, NJ 08210, in their downstairs Storytime Room. FREE. To learn more, go to the Cape May County Library’s Calendar.
August 17, 18, & 19 (Friday, Saturday, Sunday) — 10:00 to 3:30
Tours of Private HUMMINGBIRD Gardens
- Friday, August 17: NORTH “Goshen to Dennisville”
- Saturday, August 18: SOUTH “Cape Island”
- Sunday, August 19: MID-COUNTY “North Cape May to Rio Grande”
At the peak of Ruby-throated Hummingbird migration, we’ll savor an array of diverse gardens that have hosted nesting hummingbirds since May and are now drawing in dozens of migrants. Native nectar plants, healthy insect populations, water sources, and adequate cover are key elements of each garden.
Limit: 25 per tour. Nine tours (July-Sept) / Cost per tour: $30 NJ Audubon members, $40 nonmembers. (Join three tours at a discounted rate of $75 members, $100 nonmembers.)
Register for tours through NJ Audubon’s Nature Center of Cape May, 1600 Delaware Avenue, Cape May, NJ 08204 (609-898-8848).
September 2012
September 1, 2012 (Saturday) — 10:00 a.m.
HOW TO CREATE A BUTTERFLY AND HUMMINGBIRD GARDEN
Pat Sutton will present this eye-candy program (of wildlife gardens, garden visitors, and key native plants) in Burlington County at the Palmyra Cove Nature Park, 1300 Route 73 North, Palmyra, NJ 08065. Call Barbara Farnsworth at the Palmyra Cove Nature Park at 856-829-1900, ext 270, with any questions. The program will be followed by a walk through the 6-year-old nectar gardens at the Park, created and maintained by hummingbird gardening guru Ward Dasey. During the walk Ward will share information about nectar gardening in deer country.
September 4, 2012 (Tuesday) — 9:00 to 11:00 a.m.
BUTTERFLIES & DRAGONFLIES OF FALL
Naturalist Pat Sutton will showcase the butterflies and dragonflies of Fall in a one-hour indoor primer (covering natural history and identification), followed by a leisurely one-hour outdoor walk (unless it is raining) to a nearby natural area. Cape May County hosts 107 butterflies and 111 dragonflies. Fall is a special time to look for southern vagrants and to watch for the amazing Monarch migration. Bring binoculars (and field guides if available).
At the Cape May Court House Library, 30 Mechanic Street, Cape May Court House, NJ 08210, in their downstairs Storytime Room. FREE. To learn more, go to the Cape May County Library’s Calendar.
Sept. 14, 15, & 16 (Friday, Saturday, Sunday) — 10:00 to 3:30
Tours of Private MONARCH (butterfly) Gardens
- Friday, Sept. 14: MID-COUNTY “North Cape May to Rio Grande”
- Saturday, Sept. 15: NORTH “Goshen to Dennisville”
- Sunday, Sept. 16: SOUTH “Cape Island”
At the peak of Cape May County’s world-famous fall Monarch migration, tour diverse gardens that have hosted Monarchs since May. Each features native nectar plants and as many as five different kinds of milkweed (used by Monarchs for egg laying to create the next generation). Expect clouds of Monarchs and other butterflies, Monarch eggs, caterpillars, and maybe even a chrysalis. The complex Monarch migration will be both explained and enjoyed.
Limit: 25 per tour. Nine tours (July-Sept) / Cost per tour: $30 NJ Audubon members, $40 nonmembers. (Join three tours at a discounted rate of $75 members, $100 nonmembers.)
Register for tours through NJ Audubon’s Nature Center of Cape May, 1600 Delaware Avenue, Cape May, NJ 08204 (609-898-8848).
September 19, 2012 (Wednesday) — 6:00 to 7:30 p.m.
NATIVE FALL-BLOOMING PERENNIALS
Naturalist and wildlife gardener Pat Sutton will showcase native fall-blooming perennials and the birds, butterflies, moths, and other creatures that are dependent upon or will benefit from each of them.
At the Cape May Court House Library, 30 Mechanic Street, Cape May Court House, NJ 08210, in their downstairs Storytime Room. FREE. To learn more, go to the Cape May County Library’s Calendar.
September 24, 2012 (Monday)
BIRDS AND BIRDING AT CAPE MAY (Program and Booksigning)
Pat and Clay Sutton will present this program as part of the Cape May Birding Road Scholar program (formerly Exploritas, formerly Elderhostel), led by Mark Garland. Registration required.
September 24, 2012 (Monday) — HAWKS IN FLIGHT (Program and Booksigning)
Pat and Clay Sutton will present this program as part of the Cape May Birding Road Scholar program (formerly Exploritas, formerly Elderhostel), led by Mark Garland. Registration required.
October 2012
October 2, 2012 (Tuesday) — 9:30 to 11:00 a.m. MONARCHS & MILKWEEDS
Monarch butterflies make the most amazing migration of any insect in the world and it’s happening right here, right now! Join Naturalist Pat Sutton to learn all about the Monarch’s life cycle and journey from Mexico to the U.S. and Canada in the spring, and back to Mexico in the fall for the winter months. Their future depends on healthy milkweed stands here in the U.S. where their numbers multiply (spring through fall). Learn about the native milkweeds that you can plant in your garden to help create a path of milkweed from Mexico to Canada that will benefit Monarchs.
At the Sea Isle City Library, 4800 Central Avenue, Sea Isle City, NJ 08243; 609-263-7301. FREE. To learn more, go to the Cape May County Library’s Calendar.
October 10, 2012 (Wednesday) — 1:00 p.m. DRAGONFLY PRIMER
Pat Sutton will present this introduction to dragonflies (& damselflies), covering the most common species found here in Cape May County, their natural history (life cycle, seasonality, what they prey on, and who preys on them), and how to identify one from another. Learn how to attract these ferocious mosquito predators by creating a dragonfly pond right in your own yard.
Pat Sutton will present this program for the Acorn Garden Club at Trinity United Methodist Church, 20 N. Shore Road, Marmora, NJ 08223 (in northern Cape May County).
October 15, 2012 (Monday)
BIRDS AND BIRDING AT CAPE MAY (Program and Booksigning)
Pat and Clay Sutton will present this program as part of the Cape May Birding Road Scholar program (formerly Exploritas, formerly Elderhostel), led by Mark Garland. Registration required.
October 15, 2012 (Monday) — HAWKS IN FLIGHT (Program and Booksigning)
Pat and Clay Sutton will present this program as part of the Cape May Birding Road Scholar program (formerly Exploritas, formerly Elderhostel), led by Mark Garland. Registration required.
October 27, 2012 (Saturday) — 10:00 a.m.
HOW TO CREATE A BUTTERFLY AND HUMMINGBIRD GARDEN (program and book signing)
Pat Sutton will present this eye-candy program (of wildlife gardens, garden visitors, and key native plants) at Medford Leas, One Medford Leas Way, Medford, NJ 08055 (in Burlington County) in their Medford Campus Theater. Call Jane Weston for more information at 609-654-3007.
October 29, 2012 (Monday) — 6:00 to 7:30 p.m. NATIVE TREES
Naturalist and wildlife gardener Pat Sutton will showcase native trees and the birds, butterflies, moths, and other creatures that are dependent upon or will benefit from each of them.
At the Cape May Court House Library, 30 Mechanic Street, Cape May Court House, NJ 08210, in their downstairs Storytime Room. FREE. To learn more, go to the Cape May County Library’s Calendar.
November 2012
November 28, 2012 (Wednesday) — 6:00 to 7:30 p.m. HOW TO SPOT AN OWL
At the Cape May Court House Library, 30 Mechanic Street, Cape May Court House, NJ 08210, in their downstairs Storytime Room. FREE. To learn more, go to the Cape May County Library’s Calendar.
