In June, N.J. birders should flock to Warren County's Old Mine Road

This spectacular road is worth the trip for its serenity and beauty alone.

THIS IS THE TIME of year when many birders put their binoculars away because spring migration has officially come to an end. There are no more warblers to chase or rare flycatchers and thrushes, so why go birding?

Well, there will still be some shorebirds in South Jersey, but that entails a long ride mostly in traffic as people head down the Shore.

Alas, all is not lost. Take those binoculars back out of that closet or drawer because there is some great birding to pursue through the next month. (Be advised, you will need to drive some distance.)

What and where is this great June birding location? We're focused on Old Mine Road, in the Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area, Warren County. This route follows the Delaware River north from the spot that I-80 meets the Delaware River. This spectacular road is worth the trip for its serenity and beauty alone -- since it is almost completely covered by a forest canopy.

The best part of this location? Birding here is awesome. On a good day, you can find close to 20 species of warblers, including the cerulean warbler, America's most declining warbler; northern parula, which only breeds in New Jersey; hooded warbler; worm-eating warbler; Louisiana waterthrush; blue-winged warbler; chestnut-sided warbler; and black-throated green warbler.

Old Mine Road may be the only route in the state that gives you a great chance to get the Empidonax flycatcher grand slam, with Acadian, alder, willow and least flycatchers possible to see from the road. A symphony of bird song will welcome you with some of American's finest songsters present, such as wood thrush, veery, Eastern wood-peewee, tose-breasted grosbeak and indigo bunting, as well as Baltimore and orchard orioles.

This is a great location to test your knowledge of bird calls, plus this amazing road often provides opportunities to see a black bear, bobcat, common raven and pileated woodpecker.

New Jersey Audubon has a trip planned June 18 for Old Mine Road. For more information, visit njaudubon.org.

This column is compiled and written by Pete Bacinski, longtime New Jersey birder and retired NJ Audubon All Things Birds program director. Questions or comments should be directed to him by emailing petebacinski@comcast.net.

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