John Burroughs Natural History Society

AUTUMN TREE ID AT FALLING WATERS
2022-10-15 06:00 - 08:00 (America/New_York)
Let’s ID the leaves (and other tree parts) as they fall in Fall at Falling Waters. Take a leisurely and educational walk through this underappreciated 149 acre Scenic Hudson property along the river in in the hamlet of Glasco. Head east
on Josephs Drive from Rt. 9W just south of Saugerties. At York Street turn right and then a sharp left on Dominican Lane (996 Dominican Lane is address for the preserve). PRE-REGISTER with Tom O’Dowd (tkodowd@gmail.com)

OPEN DISCOVERY AT FRANNY REESE PARK
2022-11-05 11:00 - 13:00
PRE=REGISTER with trip leader Lynn Bowdery (lynn.bowdery@gmail.com) to visit this 251 acre bluff-top park in Highland overlooking the Hudson River and more importantly the Poughkeepsie waterfront. Lynn’s plan is to catch the
evening spectacle of crows going to their historical winter roosting site along the river from this promontory. Details for meeting location will be shared upon registration.

ELECTION DAY SPARROWS AT JUNIPER FLATS
2022-11-08 03:00 - 07:00
PRE-REGISTER with Mark DeDea (forsythnature@aol.com ) and find out meeting location. Fulfill your civic duty and join JBNHSers at the “old IBM Rec Center”. This Scenic Hudson property might sound more like a Utah sub-division but in approximately ten years of keeping track of bird sightings here has moved into 15th place on the list of birdiest places in Ulster County. Muck boots are recommended to keep feet dry from the morning dew/frost and dress in layers as temperatures could greatly change from start time to early afternoon.

JBNHS MEMBER’S WEEKEND TO MONTEZUMA AND ENVIRONS
2022-11-10 - 2022-11-13
A great chance to bird with fellow JBNHSers at a refuge and local environs known for its huge waterfowl
congregations. Nearby habitat is ideal (and timely for our visit) for sparrows and their allies, the burgeoning colony of
Sandhill Cranes, and a November rarity or two to chase will round out the long weekend’s itinerary. Lodging will be at
the Hampton Inn in Seneca Falls ($159. King. $169. Two Queens (good sharing option). Free, hot breakfast”
included. Contact field trip organizer Deb Weltsch (dweltsch13@gmail.com) to register or with question

JBNHS NOVEMBER MEETING
2022-11-17 13:00 - 15:00
Come to the last JBNHS members’ meeting of 2022 and enjoy a presentation, Dragon Hunting in the Hudson Valley,
by Frank Beres. Frank is an aquatic ecologist, naturalist, and photographer, as well as a new JBNHS Board member. He
has been discovering and documenting previously unidentified odonates in Ulster County. Check out his website:
https://othernature.smugmug.com/Photography. There will be a brief meeting after Frank’s presentation. The meeting
will be held in the conference room of the Hudson River Maritime Museum’s Wooden Boat School.

ASHOKAN RESERVOIR BIRDING
2022-11-19 03:00 - 07:00
Contact Dixon Onderdonk (dixononderdonk@gmail.com ) to register for this field trip with a focus on looking for eagles, loons, grebes, and waterfowl. Dress warmly and anticipate windy conditions. A spotting scope will help make this trip a better experience. Dixon will also disclose meeting location when birders register.

KINGSTON POINT BIRDING ON IMMIGRANT’S WAY
2022-11-26 03:00 - 07:00
Contact trip leader Mark DeDea (forsythnature@aol.com) to register for this outing. We will start our day at Kingston Point Beach and walk north along the old Immigrant’s Way which often harbors late migrants and holdovers/half-hardies while providing views of the Hudson. Waterfowl and eagles can be expected as well. Please dress warmly and bring along your spotting scope. A caloric, warm breakfast snack and beverage will be provided to start our day and help us fondly remember our favorite Beatle.

HOLIDAY LUNCH AND BIRDS TOO
2022-12-10 - 2022-12-11
Contact Mark DeDea (forsythnature@aol.com ) to confirm your participation and for info and directions. The party will bird a location within the NYML CBC circle dependant on conditions to scout for the following week’s Christmas Bird Count. After a few hours in the field participants will return to meeting place with lunch at a local establishment as an option.

NYML CBC - SAVE THE DATE!
2022-12-16 - 2022-12-17
Contact Steve Chorvas (246-5900 or schorvas@gmail.com ) for possible assignment in the Mohonk Lake/Ashokan Reservoir count circle no later than Saturday, December 4th. Reports from feeder watchers in the count circle are also desired.

NYUD CBC - SAVE THE DATE!
2022-12-27 - 2022-12-28
Contact Mark DeDea ( forsythnature@aol.com ) for possible assignment in the Ulster/ Dutchess count circle no later than Saturday, December 11th. Reports from feeder watchers in the count circle are also desired.

NYMS CBC - SAVE THE DATE!
2022-12-30 - 2022-12-31
The NYMS (Minnewaska/Shawangunk) Christmas Bird Count takes its fourth loop around the sun and is sure to be exciting with lots of our favorite winter birding spots within the circle. Contact Nick Martin (845-255-0752 or Nicholas.Martin@parks.ny.gov ) for possible assignment no later than Saturday, December 25th. Reports from feeder watchers in the count circle are also desired.

ALL DAY ANNUAL WINTER BIRD COUNT AT EBNP
2023-01-06 - 2023-01-07
The 17th annual Esopus Bend Nature Preserve Winter Bird Count (WBC) will be conducted on Saturday, January 07, 2023. Participants will census wintering birds throughout the 160-acre Nature Preserve, recording numbers of individuals and species diversity. WBC results will become part of the Preserve’s biodiversity database and will help provide future guidance for land management and stewardship decisions. Esopus Bend Nature Preserve is located on the banks of the Esopus Creek in the Village and Town of Saugerties in northern Ulster County. Previous counts conducted during early January have recorded a cumulative total of 70 species and a single-year high count of 966 individuals. Highlights from previous counts include Bohemian Waxwing, White-winged Crossbill, Gray Catbird, Field Sparrow, Savannah Sparrow, Winter Wrens, six species of woodpeckers, and double-digit numbers of wintering Hermit Thrushes. The WBC is a great way for birders and nature enthusiasts to start off the New Year and contribute to our knowledge of the winter bird population inhabiting Esopus Bend Nature Preserve. Additional field observers are always welcome and full day participation is not required, but you should be prepared to invest several hours out in the field under cold winter conditions. Pre-registration is required. Please contact Steve Chorvas (schorvas@gmail.com or 845-246-5900) to register, or for additional information, no later than 12:00 noon, Friday, January 6th.

WALLKILL VALLEY RAPTOUR
2023-01-08 03:00 - 07:00
Contact trip leader Christine Guarino (chrissy.guarino@gmail.com ) to register for this outing and find out meeting time and location. Carpooling (which is typical on this outing) may be limited to family units, social pods, and/or participant comfort level. Start the New Year right and get outdoors on this popular roadside trip between New Paltz and Wallkill. Wintering raptors, congregating waterfowl and gulls as well as half-hardies will be the focus on this outing. Possible drive through of Blue Chip and Watchtower Farms with stops along the Wallkill River and at Shawangunk Grasslands NWR (Galeville), and the Ulster County Fairgrounds.

ALL DAY NYSOA WINTER WATERFOWL COUNT
2023-01-14 03:00 - 12:00
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 1/15/23

WINTER MINDFULLNESS WALK AT NYQUIST-HARCOURT
2023-01-29 08:00 - 12:00
While this walk will include some conventional practice of field identification and a little time for socialization, it will focus on the direct experience of our bodies and senses underneath the labels and comparisons. Leader will offer suggestions for practices to direct the attention in a particular way. This may include short periods in which we’ll refrain from or minimize speaking. Please contact leader via email to register or ask questions. Group size will be limited to eight. mattcorsaro@yahoo.com

GREAT BACKYARD BIRD COUNT ULSTER COUNTY STYLE
2023-02-17 - 2023-02-20
Learn more about the Great Backyard Bird Count

JBA/JBNHS WINTER TREE ID WALK AT BURROUGHS SANCTUARY
2023-02-25 10:00 - 12:00
The first in a series of outings co-sponsored with the John Burroughs Association at the wonderful Burroughs Sanctuary. Contact trip leader Tom O’Dowd (tkodowd@gmail.com or 914 213-7079) to register for this outing. Enjoy a brisk, late winter walk identifying trees by bark,structure, and bud on the improved trail system (rated as easy to moderate).

EARLY MIGRANTS ON THE RONDOUT
2023-03-04 08:00 - 12:00
Join Mark DeDea (forsythnature@aol.com ) and celebrate the approach of spring and many fond memories of this longtime JBNHS favorite. Please register with Mark for meeting location and the morning’s plans. Party will travel upstream from Rosendale to the High Falls area, noting early harbingers of spring.

JBNHS MARCH MEETING
2023-03-16 18:00 - 20:00
JBNHS Board member and author Susan Fox Rogers will discuss her wonderful book “Learning the Birds: A Mid–life Adventure” and do a Q&A afterwards. There will be copies for sale and to sign. A business meeting will follow. The meeting will be at the Hudson River Maritime Museum’s Wooden Boat School Building.

SIGNS OF SPRING NATURE WALK
2023-03-19 08:00 - 12:00
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 19, 2023. 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 in the Saugerties Village Beach parking lot on Rte. 9W, just north of the Esopus Creek bridge, at the foot of Partition Street in the Village of Saugerties. Participants can stay for the duration, or drive to each location and leave whenever necessary. Bring binoculars, field guides, and spotting scopes if you have them, and be prepared for wet, muddy trails, and early spring weather conditions. Light rain often makes for excellent birding and nature observation, but heavy rain will cancel the walk. Children are welcome and encouraged, but please do not bring pets. Please register with field trip leader, Steve Chorvas (schorvas@gmail.com) and for additional information or directions. This joint ECC/JBNHS Environmental Education walk is free and open to the public. For additional information about upcoming ECC Nature Walks and Paddles, please visit www.esopuscreekconservancy.org.

VERNAL EQUINOX WOODCOCK WALK
2023-03-20 18:00 - 20:00
Celebrate the Vernal Equinox with one of the year’s great natural history events. Please register with trip leader 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).

TIVOLI BAYS BIRDING
2023-03-26 08:00 - 12:00
RESCHEDULED TO SUNDAY 3/26 DUE TO WEATHER
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. Please register with trip leader Jess Prockup (procolinos@gmail.com ). Field party will meet at the Bard College parking lot on Gatehouse Drive just north of sharp turn on Dutchess County Rt.103 and Cruger Island Road. The group will walk down Cruger Island road to the bays and the causeway and trails will surely be muddy. Please consider this and choose proper footwear (like muck boots)

OPEN DISCOVERY AT MILL BROOK PRESERVE
2023-04-16 15:00 - 17:00
Explore this preserve, the hidden gem in the heart of New Paltz, with Lynn Bowdery. We will look at and discuss whatever catches our attention as we explore the paths and waterways. At this time of year, there is a good chance of hearing and seeing American Toads and Spring Peepers calling in the beaver impoundments. Early wildflowers, birds, and insects will also be present. The footpaths might be muddy, so appropriate footwear is a must. Binoculars and magnifiers are recommended, and there might be blackflies, mosquitoes and ticks. This trip will be limited 10 participants. Please contact Lynn (lynn.bowdery@gmail.com ) to reserve your place and learn where to meet. Raincancels.

EBNP SPRING TREE WALK
2023-04-22 09:00 - 12:00
Esopus Creek Conservancy and the John Burroughs Natural History Society are co–sponsoring a Tree Identification Walk at Esopus Bend Nature Preserve in Saugerties on Saturday, April 22, 2023. Vern Rist will lead us at a leisurely pace through a variety of woodland habitats. Pre–registration is required and group size will be limited. Meet location determined at time of registration. Please bring binoculars and tree guides if you have them. Heavy rain will cancel the walk. Children are welcome and encouraged, but must be pre–registered. Please do not bring pets. Contact Steve Chorvas (schorvas@gmail.com) for additional information or to register.

SPRING MINDFULLNESS WALK ON WALLKILL VALLEY RAIL TRAIL
2023-04-23 10:00 - 13:00
While this walk will include some conventional practice of field identification and a little time for socializing, it will focus on the direct experience of our bodies and senses underneath the labels and comparisons. Leader will offer suggestions for practices to direct the attention in a particular way. This may include short periods in which we’ll refrain from or minimize speaking. Please contact leader via email (mattcorsaro@yahoo.com )to register or ask questions. Group size will be limited to eight.

KENNETH WILSON STATE PARK
2023-04-29 07:00 - 12:00
This park offers a variety of habitats and all are easily accessible, with much of the walk on pavement. Please register with trip leader Peter Schoenberger (pdsis@yahoo.com) to enjoy the start of the progression of neotropical bird migration, and if we’re quiet, maybe a drumming grouse too! If time allows we may travel to nearby Yankeetown Pond as well.

SPRING MIGRATION AND WILDFLOWERS IN SAUGERTIES
2023-04-30 07:30 - 12:00
The Esopus Creek Conservancy and John Burroughs Natural History Society are co–sponsoring a guided nature walk in woodlands and wetlands in the Town of Saugerties on Sunday, April 30, 2023. Late April/early May is an exciting time for neotropical migration at this latitude, and early morning is the best time to see and hear recently arrived songbirds in their brilliant spring plumage. We will explore a variety of ecologically rich habitats to experience this annual rite of spring, identifying birds by sight and sound while pausing along the way to observe a diversity of wildflowers and animal life. Meet up will be at the Saugerties Village Beach parking lot on Rte. 9W, just north of the Esopus Creek bridge, at the foot of Partition Street in the Village of Saugerties. Participants can carpool and stay for the duration, or drive to each location and leave whenever necessary. Bring binoculars, field guides, and spotting scopes if you have them, and be prepared for wet, muddy trails, and early spring weather conditions. Light rain often makes for excellent birding and nature observation, but heavy rain will cancel the walk. Children are welcome and encouraged, but please do not bring pets. Please contact the field trip leader, Steve Chorvas (schorvas@gmail.com) to register and for additional information or directions. This joint ECC/JBNHS Environmental Education walk is free and open to the public. For additional information about upcoming ECC Nature Walks and Paddles, please visit www.esopuscreekconservancy.org.

SPRING MIGRATION AT BURROUGHS SANCTUARY
2023-05-04 07:00 - 10:00
We will explore the sanctuary utilizing the easy walk along Pond Lane in search of neotropical migrants. This outing will have the birder home in plenty time for lunch, hopefully still in a glow after the morning walk. Please register with Mark DeDea (forsythnature@aol.com ) to participate.

ULSTER COUNTY BIG SIT
2023-05-06
JBNHS’ 8th annual Big Sit is also our BIG fundraiser for the year (that’s why we do ours in May) but serves too as a friendly competition between the established sits. Do you have a birdy back deck or favorite patch and a cause worth birding for? Why not join the challenge and see how many species you can identify from a 17’ diameter circle and get friends and family to pledge to your effort. In the past money has been raised to help worthy endeavors like numerous enhancements at SGNWR, support the wonderful New York State Young Birders Club, install Where to Bird in Ulster County panels now located at four locations about the county, and aid Annie Mardiney’s Wild Mountain Birds’ important rehabilitation work.
Great Vly Sit
Team Bobcat will again be birding Fradon Marsh from a pressure treated tower and greatly helping our cumulative JBNHS Big Sit total with all those wonderful marsh birds and maybe a surprise like another Black Tern. Support in 2021 allowed for the assembly and installation of over 30 Wood Duck boxes in the Vly! This year the Bobcats will hope to work the same magic for the Wood Ducks in Tivoli Bays.
Kingston Point Sit
Team CoCo Puffs will bird from Harrison Point looking out over Kingston Point Lagoon, the mouth of the Rondout, and down river while tallying new spring arrivals and raising needed funds for the important NYS Breeding Bird Atlas 3.
Galeville (SGNWR) Sit
Spend some time on the observation deck at Galeville (SGNWR) looking and listening for those ever important (and harder to find) grassland species. Team Shawangunk Redemption could have another Sandhill Crane up their sleeves. Pledges raised here will benefit continuing improvements at the refuge. Please contact Lynn Bowdery (lynn.bowdery@gmail.com) to plan and schedule your shift.
Thorn Preserve Sit
Please contact Dixon Onderdonk (dixononderdonk@gmail.com ) if you’d like to help. The Thorn Thrashers will bird to support JBNHS’ generosity on projects about the entirety of Ulster County; this year including Naturalist Backpacks.
Hayes’ Homestead Sit
Dave and Tracey will bird their yard and do so for as good a cause as you could find, Wild Mountain Birds and JBNHS trustee Annie Mardiney’s awesome work.
Nyquist-Harcourt Sit
The Oxbow Oddballs will appropriately bird for our friends at the WVLT and the wonderful work they do. This is a birdy location and the more eyes and ears the better so please contact Sara DeAngelis (saradeangelis@me.com ) to help or to pledge support.
Simmons Homestead Sit
The Wittenberg Warblers will be birding to support the good work of the Woodstock Land Conservancy.
Fagan Homestead Sit
One of the best views in town and a cemetery for neighbors, does it get any better? Treasurer Fagan definitely has the other Kingston beat in pedigree and if you support her birding could have fundraising bragging rights too. Lin will be raising money for Nature Backpacks for local libraries. One backpack will cost about $300 to assemble and can be checked out with a library card. They will include field guides, maps, magnifying hand lens, and binoculars. The well-equipped and sturdy backpacks should be usable for many years.
Bowdery Back Porch Sit
Located above the Wallkill River floodplain, with eager feeder birds, Allan, Lynn and possibly family and friends might spot something to add to the overall species total for the Sit. Our birding supports the good works of JBNHS.
New Location for a Sit?
Please contact Mark DeDea (forsythnature@aol.com ) with any questions and to let us know about a new sit for promotional/ fundraising sake.
Donations can be based on a pledge per species (specific sit or cumulative) or flat donation. Donations can be made online (click on the Support the Big Sit button below) or by check. Please make checks payable to JBNHS and note desired sit you’d like to support. Send in donations to Treasurer Lin Fagan, 281 West Chestnut Street, Kingston, NY, 12401.

SPRING MIGRATION AT HIGH BANKS
2023-05-08 06:00 - 10:00
An early morning visit during spring migration to this Scenic Hudson property in the Town of Esopus should provide a generous selection of neotropical migrants. Please register with trip leader Jess Prockup (procolinos@gmail.com) . There is an initial climb of 200 feet on the trail but walking is easy after that and a panoramic view of the mid Hudson Valley can be enjoyed while scanning the treetops for colorful songsters.
