New Jersey birding team treks 700 miles, identifies 200 birds in 24 hours

Highland Hawks place fourth at World Series of Birding Binoculars at the ready, the Highland Hawks combed the state with one thing in mind: identifying as many species of birds as possible in a 24-hour period. The birding team—comprised of Dennis Miranda from Vernon, Steve Rodan from Cape May, and Stephen Kloiber from Pen Argyl, PA — tested its skills against a long list of competitors at the 27th Annual World Series of Birding, and placed 4th, spotting and identifying 200 birds. The event, sponsored yearly by the New Jersey Audubon Society, helps focus attention on New Jersey’s strategic importance to migrating birds and helps organizations like the Conservancy raise money to protect natural habitat. This was the 15th year the Conservancy participated in the event. The team traveled over 700 miles throughout the state, from Vernon down through Forsythe Wildlife Refuge in Oceanville and then all the way to Cape May. Despite a strong breeze, they still managed to find the swift peregrine falcon and the tiny ruby-throated hummingbird. About eighty percent of all the birds on the list are heard rather than seen, which means you have to know your bird calls for over 150 species. The team raised over $16,000 through pledges made for each species spotted. The money raised will be used to help the Conservancy continue its efforts to preserve open space lands and protect water resources in New Jersey.