John Burroughs Natural History Society

BREEDING BIRD ATLAS EBIRD WORKSHOP
2022-04-23 09:00 - 11:00 (America/New_York)
Join regional coordinator Wendy Tocci for a workshop on using eBird and finding your location while in the field. In addition to a walk through of eBird we will also explore how to use Avenza when visiting blocks that do not have cell service. This workshop will be held at the stone house at Hasbrouck Park on Delaware Ave in Kingston. Registration is required to attend. Please contact Wendy Tocci at wtocci@gmail.com if you would like to attend.

SPRING MINDFULLNESS WALK ON WALLKILL VALLEY RAIL TRAIL
2022-04-24 04:00 - 08:00
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 suggestion s 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
2022-04-30 03:00 - 08:00
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
2022-05-01 03:30 - 08:00
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, May 1, 2022. The first week in May is typically the peak migration period for neotropical birds 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
2022-05-05 03:00 - 08:00
We will explore the sanctuary utilizing the easy walk along Pond Lane in search of neotropical migrants. These outings 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
2022-05-06 - 2022-05-07
JBNHS’ annual Big Sit is also our BIG fundraiser for the year (that’s why we do our’s 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 important rehabilitation work.

Bowdery’s Homestead Sit: Allan (with split shift coverage from his better half) and gifted birding grandkiddies will bird their yard with hopes of a good feeder bird to pad our cumulative list and raise the most money we can to distribute in June to important environmental and conservation concerns in the region.

Fagan Homestead Sit: Email Lin Fagan (faganlin@verizon.net ) to join team Turf for Surf or pledge your support to the wonderful NYC Piping Plover Project.

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. This year’s funds may help to install bee hives at the refuge! Please contact Donna Seymour (dseymour66@gmail.com ) to plan and schedule your shift.

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!

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 again bird for our friends at the Wallkill Valley Land Trust (WVLT). Please contact Sara DeAngelis (saradeangelis@me.com ) to help at this location.

Kingston Point Sit: Some use words like dynasty, this may be premature but another dominant performance this year and it would be hard to dispute. This perennial powerhouse will be birding to raise money to support the important NYS Breeding Bird Atlas.

Paradies Lane Purple Martin Colony Sit: Join Annie Mardiney (amardiney@gmail.com ) and team Charlie’s Bird Song to help bird and remember the martin colony’s late caretaker Charlie West with pledges going to the installation of a pollinator garden and plaque in Charlie’s memory.

Simmons Homestead Sit: The Wittenberg Warblers will be birding for the Friends of Feathered and Furry Wildlife Center rehabilitators.

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.

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.

Purchase a JBNHS Sweatshirt to support the Ulster County Big Sit:

Size

Small $25.00 USDMedium $25.00 USDLarge $25.00 USDX Large $25.00 USDXX Large $30.00 USD

If you are ordering online and would like to receive your sweatshirt by the day of the Ulster County Big Sit (5/7/22) please place your order by Friday, 4/15/22 at 5 pm. The overall deadline to order is Friday, 4/29/22 by 5 pm.
If ordering by check please make the check out to JBNHS and send it along with what you wish to order to:
Lin Fagan
281 West Chestnut St
Kingston, NY, 12401.
Your check and order must be received by Friday, 4/15/22 at 5 pm in order for you to receive your sweatshirt by the day of the Ulster County Big Sit (5/7/22). The overall deadline with which your check and order must be received is Friday, 4/29/22 by 5 pm.

SPRING MIGRATION AT HIGH BANKS
2022-05-09 02:00 - 18:00
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.

WARBLER WALK
2022-05-11 03:00 - 08:00
Please register with trip leader Gerhard Patsch (gerapa2001@yahoo.com ) to find out meeting location for this enjoyable outing during birder’s “holy week”. The group will visit environs near New Paltz and travel towards the Mohonk Preserve to search for neotropical migrants.

ULSTER COUNTY SPRING CENSUS: BIG DAY COUNT
2022-05-13 - 2022-05-14
This is the day we all look forward to….. the holiest day of the year! Spend the whole day in the field or just a few hours….who knows what may be found. Refer to your copy of Where to Bird in Ulster County or visit www.jbnhs.org for good birding locations. Submit your report in checklist order to Steve Chorvas (schorvas@gmail.com ) or P.O. Box 214, Saugerties, NY 12477). This information is combined in a regional report published by the New York State Ornithological Association.

HIKE TO WINDHAM HIGH PEAK
2022-05-20 - 2022-05-21
Enjoy spring and welcome migrants back to their breeding ground. Windham High Peak rises to 3524 feet. This hike on the Escarpment Trail will be about 6.5 miles round trip with an elevation gain of 1500 feet. The trail has steep climbs alternating with moderate sections. Depending on the group and how long we linger on the summit (there are several excellent viewpoints), allow 4 to 6 hours. Given the season, good bird activity is expected. We will observe and record breeding behaviors as we hike. Meet at the Kingston traffic circle at 7:00 AM to car pool for the 1-hour drive to the trailhead in Maplecrest. Limit of 12 participants. Heavy rain cancels. Contact Dave Hayes (vireo44@gmail.com) for questions or to register.

BBA BLOCK PARTY - CAMPING AT BEAVERKILL CAMPGROUND (ROSCOE,NY)
2022-06-11 - 2022-06-15
Join other Atlas enthusiasts for three days of camping, camaraderie and Atlasing. We will set up camp at the Beaverkill Campground (https://www.dec.ny.gov/outdoor/24455.html) and Atlas in nearby under visited priority blocks. Campsites will be provided by the Breeding Bird Atlas. For those of you not interested in camping please feel free to make a day trip out of it. Contact Wendy Tocci at wtocci@gmail.com or (845)750-5409 for more details and if you would like to attend. Early registration is encouraged as campsites will fill up quickly.

SUMMER MINDFULLNESS WALK AT THE ASHOKAN RAIL TRAIL
2022-07-16 04:00 - 08:00
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.

MOTH NIGHT AT BURROUGHS SANCTUARY
2022-07-23 16:00 - 18:00
A fun and unusual outing for our field trip schedule and what better way to celebrate National Moth Week. Enjoy Mathew’s extensive knowledge and enthusiasm for the subject and see if you retained any identification skills from last year! Bring along a folding chair and snack and a head lamp may come handy too. Please register with Joan Burroughs (jjjburroughs@yahoo.com ) to participate and get directions to Pond House parking and contact trip leader Mathew Rymkiewicz (dendroicist@gmail.com ) with any questions.

BUTTERFLIES AT JUNIPER FLATS
2022-08-06 05:00 - 08:00
This Scenic Hudson property can often provide a nice variety of butterflies with a good selection of host plants and flowers to nectar upon. Please contact Steve Chorvas (schorvas@gmail.com ) to register and receive instructions for where to meet.

WADERS, SHOREBIRDS (MAYBE) AND ICE CREAM
2022-08-12 14:00 - 17:00
August may be hot and humid but “fall” migration is underway and the Esopus Meadows can often harbor large concentrations of waders like Great Egrets. and, if the water chestnut harvesting machine heaps up piles that they can stand on, shorebirds which are not always easy to locate in county. After a tough evening of scanning the river for peeps we recommend you try to recuperate over a soft serve cone post outing but unfortunately Port Ewen’s Frozen Rainbow has closed and altered our plans. Mickey’s Igloo, Boice’s, or Jolly Cow are great alternatives and can be discussed as we contemplate subtle identification of peeps. Contact Wendy Tocci (wtocci@gmail.com )to register. Scenic Hudson’s Esopus Meadows Preserve is located at 269 River Road in the Town of Esopus.

FERN WALK AT BURROUGHS SANCTUARY
2022-08-27 06:00 - 08:00
The John Burroughs Nature Sanctuary offers a wealth of plant biodiversity to be enjoyed. Join Lynn Bowdery for a leisurely examination of the ferns we find along some of the trails. Bring your fern guide and a magnifier if you have them, and binoculars are useful, too. You might want to stay and visit Slabsides, John Burroughs’ cabin, which is open noon to 4pm on 2nd and 4th Saturdays in the summer. Contact Lynn Bowdery (lynn.bowdery@gmail.com) to register for this trip, which is a joint offering with the John Burroughs Association.

GREIG FARM BIRDS AND BUTTERFLIES
2022-09-04 04:30 - 08:00
Please contact Steve Chorvas (schorvas@gmail.com or 246-5900) to register and learn meet up details. The property owner has graciously allowed birders (and b-fliers) to explore this open agricultural habitat for fall shorebirds, grassland sparrows, and good late season butterflies.

FALL MIGRANTS AT BURROUGHS SANCTUARY
2022-09-10 04:00 - 07:00
This is a co-sponsored bird walk with the John Burroughs Association at the wonderful Burroughs Sanctuary. We will bird the improved trail system (rated as easy to moderate) searching for transient passerines. Contact trip leader Mark DeDea (forsythnature@aol.com ) to register. Follow the “Path through History” signs at the intersection of Floyd Ackert Road and Rt. 9W in West Park and turn west onto Floyd Ackert Road (at End Cut restaurant) and continue for about a mile, past Burroughs Drive continue a short distance and make a left at the next sanctuary entrance with the new sign marked with Black Creek Trail and Pond Entrance to park.

JBNHS ANNUAL PICNIC
2022-09-11 09:00 - 13:00
Join us at Hasbrouck Park in Kingston at the Pavillion. Stone Soup will again be catering a delicious and varied banquet for us while we get together to socialize and enjoy hearing Scott Lenhart, Wallkill River National Wildlife Refuge, tell us about the great things happening in our favorite local NWR, the Shawangunk Grasslands National Wildlife Refuge. And don’t forget our famous raffle! Bring items for the raffle and cash to buy raffle tickets. To participate, please send a check for $20 per person made out to JBNHS, to Lin Fagan, 281 West Chestnut Street, Kingston, NY 12401.

AUTUMN VLY AND BEARPEN MOUNTAINS HIKE
2022-09-24 04:00 - 10:00
This hike led by Dave Hayes will ascend Vly (3529’) and Bearpen (3600’) Mountains, a moderate 6.7 mile round
trip. The summits of both mountains contain a small amount of first growth hardwood forest – never logged, barked,
cleared or intentionally burned. The first growth forest is stunted due to wind, ice damage and thin soils. Trees 3 feet in
diameter may only be 20 feet tall but can be 200 to 300 years old. There are no views from Vly, but several excellent
views from Bearpen. Interestingly, these are the only Catskill peaks over 3500 feet to be outside the Blue Line of the
Catskill Park. They are among the 3 highest peaks lacking any spruce or balsam at any elevation. Bearpen Mountain
was once home to the Princeton Ski Bowl. The ski area opened in 1955 with large crowds and deep snow that permitted
skiing until mid-May. Meet Dave Hayes (vireo44@gmail.com) at the Ashokan Rail Trail parking area in Shokan at
8:00AM. From there it is about 40 minutes to the trailhead in Halcott Center. Parking is limited, carpooling is
encouraged. Bring plenty of water and something for a summit lunch. If there have been recent rains, there can be
muddy sections.

TREE IDENTIFICATION WALK AT EBNP
2022-10-01 05:00 - 08:00
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, October 1, 2022. Vern Rist will lead us at a leisurely
pace through a variety of woodland habitats. Fall color should be starting to show as we observe and discuss how and
why the leaf color changes and some clues to help identify the tree species.
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, and be prepared for Autumn conditions that may include cool air
temperatures and light rain. 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.

SPARROW WALK AT THE FARM
2022-10-02 03:00 - 08:00
PRE-REGISTER with the Hudson Valley Farm Hub’s Applied Farmscape Ecology Program Manager Anne Bloomfield
(anne@hvfarmhub.org) for field trip meeting details. This is a rare opportunity to enjoy the wonderful habitat that has
been created on this private property by practices Anne can discuss along the walk. Targets for this trip are sparrows
and their allies. We will visit farmland habitat and weedy edges for LBJ’s and maybe a skulker or two.

AUTUMN MINDFULLNESS WALK AT THE KINGSTON LINEAR TRAIL
2022-10-08 04:00 - 06:00
This walk is part of the O+ Festival.
Greenline, Kingston Plaza terminus of the Midtown Linear Park
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 Matt Corsaro via email (mattcorsaro@yahoo.com) to register
or ask questions. Group size will be limited to eight.

The 12th annual O+ Festival Kingston — a celebration of art, music and wellness — with headliners Mercury Rev andKimbra plus over 40 musical acts representing a wide cross-section of styles and genres. Dozens of artists, ranging from film, to dance, sculpture, projection, murals and performance art will showcase their work throughout the city of Kingston. The festival will feature cycling events, our beloved Literary SalO+n, late night comedy and an array of public wellness workshops throughout the weekend ranging from yoga to financial literacy for creatives, sound healing and more. And, of course, all of the participating artists and musicians, receive health and wellness care in the O+ Clinic, throughout the festival weekend in exchange for their work. This exchange of the art of medicine for the medicine of art is at the heart of our mission.
To participate please purchase an O+ Festival wristband . The wristband will get you full access to all events for the entire weekend. The suggested donation for a wristband is $60, $30 for students and free for children under 12. Follow this link to purchase online. PAY WHAT YOU CAN WRISTBANDS ARE ALSO AVAILABLE AS WALK-UP THROUGHOUT FESTIVAL WEEKEND AT HO+ME BASE (the park at the intersection of Wall St. and North Front St. in Uptown Kingston) & ALL VENUES.

SPARROW WALK AT THE FARM
2022-10-09 03:00 - 08:00
PRE-REGISTER with Peter Schoenberger (pdsis@yahoo.com or 914 466-2707) for field trip meeting details. Targets for this trip are sparrows and their allies. We will visit farmland habitat and weedy edges for LBJ’s and maybe a skulker or two.

AUTUMN TREE ID AT FALLING WATERS
2022-10-15 06:00 - 08:00
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.
