January 2020
ALL DAY NYSOA WINTER WATERFOWL COUNT
This annual statewide count includes waterfowl and their allies as well as eagles. Data collected will aid in understanding population trends and conservation practices of Atlantic Flyway waterfowl. The survey will include open bodies of water, especially along the Hudson, Esopus, Wallkill, and Rondout Rivers and possibly the Ashokan Reservoir as well as open agricultural areas where geese may graze. Contact Steve Chorvas (schorvas@gmail.com or 845-246-5900) for assignment. NOTE: snow/rain date on Sunday 1/19/20
Find out more »February 2020
ESOPUS MEADOWS
We will pay a winter visit to some classic locations in Esopus to see what’s happening along the Hudson in mid-winter. Group will start at Esopus Meadows and work north, with possible stops at High Banks Preserve, along River Road and/or at Sleightsburg Spit. Wear appropriate footwear for conditions and cold temperatures. Meet at Esopus Meadows Preserve/Lighthouse Park. Snowy or icy precipitation cancels. Contact Matt Corsaro for more information or to register: mattcorsaro@yahoo.com
Find out more »GREAT BACKYARD BIRD COUNT
This is an important global citizen scientist bird count. Birdwatchers of all ages count birds to create a real-time snapshot of where birds are. For information on how to participate, go to https://gbbc.birdcount.org/
Find out more »KINGSTON POINT BIRDWALK
On Great Backyard Bird Count weekend (BirdCount.org ) we will visit Mark DeDea’s (forsythnature@aol.com ) “backyard” or local patch. The area around the mouth of the Rondout Creek hosts the last of winter’s stragglers and the very first signs of spring arrivals. Please note we will meet at the south end of North Street at improved parking area near trolley tracks/Greenline (close to the Rondout Creek). A spotting scope will come in handy on this outing.
Find out more »JBA/JBNHS WINTER TREE ID WALK AT BURROUGHS SANCTUARY
The first in a series of outings co-sponsored with the John Burroughs Association at the wonderful Burroughs Sanctuary. After two hours spent identifying trees by bark,structure, and bud on the improved trail system (rated as easy to moderate) along the trail to Chodikee Lake participants can explore Slabsides and learm more about the interesting life of our famous namesake. Contact trip leader Tom O’Dowd (tkodowd@gmail.com or 914 213-7079) with any questions regarding the tree walk and meet Tom at Pond…
Find out more »March 2020
EARLY MIGRANTS ON THE RONDOUT
Join Mark DeDea (forsythnature@aol.com ) and celebrate the approach of spring and many fond memories of this longtime JBNHS favorite. Meet at the Rosendale Shopping Center Parking Lot on Rt.32. Party will travel upstream to the High Falls area, noting early harbingers of spring. GREETINGS
Find out more »VERNAL EQUINOX WOODCOCK WALK
Celebrate the Vernal Equinox with one of the year’s great events. Join Christine Guarino (chrissy.guarino@gmail.com ) for an evening stroll in the Shawangunk Grasslands to hear and possibly see male woodcocks perform their courting flights. We should hear early amphibians and maybe an owl or two also. Meet at the refuge entrance on Hoagerburg Road (Ulster Cty. Rt. 18), field party will make the short walk to the east (and the main refuge parking lot).
Find out more »SIGNS OF SPRING NATURE WALK
The Esopus Creek Conservancy and John Burroughs Natural History Society are co-sponsoring a guided nature walk to observe early signs of spring in a variety of ecologically rich habitats in the Town of Saugerties on Sunday, March 22, 2020. Depending on available time, conditions, and participant interest, we will visit The Great Vly Wildlife Management Area, Esopus Bend Nature Preserve, Falling Waters Preserve, and/or the Saugerties Lighthouse peninsula on the Hudson River. Meet 8:00 a.m. in the Saugerties Village Beach…
Find out more »TIVOLI BAYS BIRDING – CANCELED
THIS FIELD TRIP HAS BEEN CANCELED We will explore the tidal marshes and upland habitat of this DEC property. Bald Eagles, waterfowl, and other early migrants (like Rusty Blackbird) are reasonable expectations on this walk. Meet trip leader Jess Prockup (procolinos@gmail.com ) at the Bard College parking lot on Gatehouse Drive just north of sharp turn on Dutchess County Rt.103 and Cruger Island Road. Field party will walk down Cruger Island road to the bays and the causeway and trails…
Find out more »April 2020
SPRING IN ROSENDALE – CANCELED
THIS FIELD TRIP HAS BEEN CANCELED We will ascend all or part of Joppenburgh Mountain to look for early migrant birds, spring wildflowers and other signs of spring. Group will likely also visit nearby areas including the Wallkill Valley Rail Trail and possibly Snyder Field. Meet at the Willow Kiln parking area, at base of Joppenburgh, behind Rosendale Theatre. Heavy rain or a late snow cancels. Contact Matt Corsaro for more information or to register: mattcorsaro@yahoo.com
Find out more »DOWNLOAD THE REFRIGERATOR READY FIELD TRIP LIST FOR 2020
The field trips of JBNHS are oriented to nature study. They are free and open to the public. We do, however, sometimes visit sites that charge admission fees, which are the responsibility of the participants. Children are very welcome on field trips, but pets are not. Although there is a brief courtesy waiting period for latecomers, the meeting times are important: please arrive in time to sign up with the leader.