John Burroughs Natural History Society

CAMPING ON THE CAPE
2019-09-05 - 2019-09-08 | Nickerson State Park, 3488 Main St, Brewster, MA, 02631, United States
This trip is currently full. To be put on a wait list please contact Wendy at wtocci@gmail.com
Join fellow JBNHS members for birding and camping on Cape Cod. We’ll be camping at Nickerson State Park in Brewster, MA. Nickerson State Park is a large state owned campground and park with miles of birding/walking/biking trails, several ponds and, most importantly, is the owl serenade at night. Screech, Barred and Great Horned have been reported. We’ll scour the local beaches for shorebirds and seabirds hitting locations such as the Wellfleet Bay Wildlife Sanctuary and Monomoy National Wildlife Refuge. An evening visit to Hemenway Landing to watch the Black-crowned and Yellow-crowned night herons leave their roosts will top off one of the days’ activities. We are also planning on a boat trip (details TBD).
Number of participants is limited to 25. We have reserved a group campsite that is restricted to tents only. Cost is $25 per person for camping. Meals and extracurricular excursions are separate.
If you are interested please contact Wendy Tocci (wtocci@gmail.com) to reserve your spot as well as to find out more details.

GREIG FARM BIRDS AND BUTTERFLIES
2019-09-01 04:30 - 08:00 (America/New_York)
Meet trip leader Steve Chorvas (schorvas@gmail.com or 246-5900) for an 8:15 am departure from the park and ride on Rt. 32, just south the Rt. 199 overpass, and west of the Kingston/Rhinecliff Bridge to carpool to Greig Farm or meet at the Red Hook Soccer Club Fields parking lot at 132 Rockefeller Lane in Red Hook at 8:30 am. The property owner has graciously allowed birders (and b-fliers) to explore this open agricultural habitat for fall shorebirds, grassland sparrows, and goodies like Common Buckeye and Pepper and Salt Skipper.

FALL BIRDING WILDCARD
2019-08-27 04:00 - 13:00
Field trip leader Peter Schoenberger will choose the target species, destination, and meet-up location of this outing dependant on recent sightings and will be determined by the Friday before the field trip. Carpooling is strongly encouraged and participants must pre-register with Peter (pdsis@yahoo.com or 914 466-2707) beforehand.

WILDFLOWERS AT NYQUIST-HARCOURT WILDLIFE SANCTUARY
2019-08-25 06:00 - 08:00
Take a leisurely walk with Lynn Bowdery (lynn@bowderys.com )along the meadow and woods paths, noticing the flowering plants along the way. Of course, we can look at and discuss other things that catch our attention. Binoculars can be useful to look at plants as well as birds and insects, so bring them if you wish. Depending on the weather, the paths can be wet or muddy, so wear appropriate shoes and bring your insect repellant of choice. Rain cancels. Meet at the Village of New Paltz parking lot off Huguenot Street.

DAMSELS AND DRAGONS AT BURROUGHS SANCTUARY
2019-08-10 05:00 - 07:00
The sixth in a series of outings co-sponsored with the John Burroughs Association at the wonderful Burroughs Sanctuary. After time spent searching for odonates around the sanctuary pond, participants can explore Slabsides and learn more about the interesting and influential life of our famous namesake. Contact trip leader Larry Federman (birderlarry@verizon.net ) with questions. Meet Larry at Pond House. 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 Global Palate 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; enter and follow Pond Lane to Pond House.

CANCELLED - MOTH NIGHT AT BURROUGHS SANCTUARY
2019-08-03 16:00 - 18:00
DUE TO INCLEMENT WEATHER THIS EVENT HAS BEEN CANCELLED
The fifth in a series of outings co-sponsored with the John Burroughs Association at the wonderful Burroughs Sanctuary, this one celebrating National Moth Week. Meet trip leader Mathew Rymkiewicz (dendroicist@gmail.com) at Pond House where lighting and other bait will be set up to attract our winged quarry. 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 Global Palate 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; enter and follow Pond Lane to Pond House.

SHOREBIRDS AND ICE CREAM
2019-08-02 14:00 - 16:00
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 shorebirds not always easy to locate in county. After a tough evening of scanning the water chestnut pads for peeps we will try to recuperate over a soft serve cone post outing at Port Ewen’s Frozen Rainbow. Meet trip leader Wendy Tocci (wtocci@gmail.com ) at Scenic Hudson’s Esopus Meadows Preserve (269 River Road Ulster Park, NY 12487) at 6:00 p.m. The party will likely walk the very short distance to the lighthouse park where parking is limited, so parking at Esopus Meadows Preserve is encouraged.

BARTHOLOMEW’S COBBLE
2019-07-14 04:00 - 13:00
Meet trip leader George Moxham (gfmoxham@gmail.com ) at 8:00 a.m. at the Kingston park and ride at the intersection of Washington Ave., State Rt. 28, I-587, and I-87 to journey to this Natural National Landmark. Created by geologic upheavals when the Taconic and Berkshire ranges were formed, this hundred foot high bedrock outcropping introduces visitors to a rugged and exotic landscape that also supports 800 species of plants (including one of North America’s greatest diversities of ferns) while offering terrific mountain vistas. There are five miles of trails on the property that travel through transitional forest and neighbor beaver ponds as well and are rated as moderate. Pack a lunch and wear sturdy, comfortable shoes for hiking. There is a $5 admission to the property.

FALL MIGRANTS AT BURROUGHS SANCTUARY
2019-07-14 04:00 - 07:00
The seventh in a series of outings co-sponsored with the John Burroughs Association at the wonderful Burroughs Sanctuary. After time spent on the improved trail system (rated as easy to moderate) searching for transient songbirds participants can explore Slabsides and learn more about the interesting and influential life of our famous namesake. Contact trip leader Mark DeDea (forsythnature@aol.com ) with questions. Meet Mark at Pond House. 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 Global Palate 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 enter and follow Pond Lane to Pond House.

FERN WALK AT BURROUGHS SANCTUARY
2019-07-13 04:00 - 08:00 | John Burroughs Sanctuary, 261 Floyd Ackert Rd, Highland, 12528
Another in a series of outings co-sponsored with the John Burroughs Association at the wonderful Burroughs Sanctuary. Various flora of summer will be observed and celebrated on the improved trail system (rated as easy to moderate) and following our walk participants can explore Slabsides and learn more about the interesting life and writings of our famous namesake. Meet trip leader Joe Bridges (jtpontes@aol.com ) at Pond House. 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 Global Palate restaurant) and continue for nearly a mile, pass Burroughs Drive on the left and then shortly thereafter turn left on Pond Lane follow to parking lot at Pond House.

“HENRY’S WALK” BUTTERFLIES AT THE "REC CENTER'
2019-07-07 05:00 - 09:00
We’ll remember Henry Halama’s wit, wisdom, and most importantly enthusiasm for the natural world and butterflies in particular at a new location he and trip leader Steve Chorvas often visited during butterfly season. Meet Steve (schorvas@gmail.com ) at the informal entrance of this Scenic Hudson property in the Town of Ulster on the north side of Kukuk Lane opposite houses numbered 102 and 106.

EASTERN CATSKILLS NABA BUTTERFLY COUNT
2019-06-28 - 2019-06-29
Rain Date: Sunday, June 30
Join a field team to census butterflies in Esopus Bend Nature Preserve, or one of dozens of other local sites as a participant in the annual Eastern Catskills North American Butterfly Association (NABA) “Fourth of July” Butterfly Count on Saturday, June 29, 2019. The Eastern Catskills count circle includes a number of productive butterfly locations in northern Ulster, southeastern Greene, and western Dutchess Counties, including Poet’s Walk Preserve, Esopus Bend Nature Preserve, The Great Vly WMA, Onteora State Park, Overlook Mountain, Lower Platte Clove, the eastern end of Ashokan Reservoir, and extensive open meadows in the Town of Ulster. Participants will be assigned to a field party to census one or more target locations within the 15-mile diameter count circle. Each field party will be assigned at least one individual knowledgeable in butterfly identification, so you don’t need to be a butterfly expert to participate. Full-day participation is not required, but you should be able to commit four to eight hours from 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. If you are interested in joining one of the field teams, or have additional questions about participating in a NABA Butterfly Count, please contact Steve Chorvas at schorvas@gmail.com no later than June 15.

BREEDING BIRD ATLAS PRIMER
2019-06-23 02:00 - 08:00
With the NYS BBA only a year away this is a great idea for our field trip schedule. Regional coordinator and field trip leader Wendy Tocci (wtocci@gmail.com ) will cover protocol with this visit to interesting breeding bird habitat. Please register with Wendy to find out the morning’s plans.

BREEDING BIRDS AT BURROUGHS SANCTUARY
2019-06-22 04:00 - 08:00 | John Burroughs Sanctuary, 261 Floyd Ackert Rd, Highland, 12528
Another in a series of outings co-sponsored with the John Burroughs Association at the wonderful Burroughs Sanctuary. A variety of forest breeding birds will be encountered on the improved trail system (rated as easy to moderate) and following our walk participants can explore Slabsides and learn more about the interesting life and writings of our famous namesake. Meet trip leader Mark DeDea (forsythnature@aol.com ) at Pond House. 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 Global Palate restaurant) and continue for nearly a mile, pass Burroughs Drive on the left and then shortly thereafter turn left on Pond Lane follow to parking lot at Pond House.

BREEDING BIRDS AND BUTTERFLIES
2019-06-16 04:00 - 08:00
The Esopus Creek Conservancy and John Burroughs Natural History Society are co-sponsoring a guided nature walk at Esopus Bend Nature Preserve in Saugerties on Sunday, June 18, 2019 to observe summer breeding birds and butterflies. We will identify birds by sight and sound as we explore the Preserve’s woodlands, wetlands, and meadow, pausing along the way to observe the diversity of plant and animal life that inhabit the Preserve. As the morning temperatures rise, we will focus our attention on early summer butterflies active in the Preserve at this time of the year. Meet at 8:00 a.m. in the Saugerties Village Beach parking lot on US Rte. 9W, just north of the Esopus Creek Bridge, at the foot of Partition Street in the Village of Saugerties. Bring binoculars, insect repellent and field guides if you have them. Be prepared for potentially wet/muddy trails, tall grass, and dress according to weather conditions. Light rain often makes for excellent birding and nature observation, but will inhibit or eliminate most butterfly activity. Heavy rain will cancel the walk. Children are welcome and encouraged, but please do not bring pets. Contact the field trip leader Steve Chorvas (schorvas@gmail.com ) for additional information or directions. This joint ECC/JBNHS Environmental Education walk is free and open to the public. Pre-registration is not required, but recommended in the event of unforeseen changes or cancellation. For additional information about upcoming ECC Nature Walks and Paddles, please visit www.esopuscreekconservancy.org.

JBNHS ANNUAL MEETING
2019-06-09 06:00 - 09:00 | Maurice D. Hinchey Catskill Visitors Center, 5096 Route 28, Mt Tremper, NY, 12457
This year we will visit the Maurice D. Hinchey Catskill Visitors Center in beautiful Mt. Tremper. An area in the pavilion has been reserved for our meeting and a bring your own lunch to follow. We will elect a new class of trustees, decide on our donations for the year, and discuss our role in the fast approaching NYSOA conference. The Visitor Center is located at 5096 Route 28, Mount Tremper, NY.

BREEDING BIRD ATLAS PRIMER
2019-06-08 02:00 - 08:00
With the NYS BBA only a year away this is a great idea for our field trip schedule. Regional coordinator and field trip leader Wendy Tocci (wtocci@gmail.com or (845)750-5409) will cover protocol with this visit to interesting breeding bird habitat. Please register with Wendy to find out the morning’s plans.

SPRING MIGRATION WILDCARD
2019-05-18 03:00 - 08:00
Where will a nice pocket of singing neotrops appear? Hopes are we have that answer for the start of this free-wheeling field trip. Please contact trip leader Peter Schoenberger (pdsis@yahoo.com ) with questions, to register, and plan meet up location.)

WARBLER WALK #2 - RESCHEDULED
2019-05-15 03:00 - 08:00
Meet Carol Weber (carolorganistin@gmail.com 914 388- 1569) and Gerhard Patsch (gerapa2001@yahoo.com ) at the Village of New Paltz parking lot off Huguenot Street. The group will visit environs near town and travel towards Mohonk to search for neotropical migrants. Feel free to meet in the field or leave early for work.

ULSTER COUNTY SPRING CENSUS: BIG DAY COUNT
2019-05-10 - 2019-05-11
This is the day we all look forward to. 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.

WARBLER WALK #1
2019-05-07 03:00 - 08:00
Meet Carol Weber (carolorganistin@gmail.com 914 388-1569) and Gerhard Patsch (gerapa2001@yahoo.com ) at the Village of New Paltz parking lot off Huguenot Street. The group will visit environs near town and travel towards Mohonk to search for neotropical migrants.

Ulster County Big Sit 2019
2019-05-03 - 2019-05-04
JBNHS’ annual Big Sit is also our BIG fundraiser for the year but serves too as a friendly competition between the three 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 and get friends and family to pledge to your effort. In the past money has been raised to support Glenn Proudfoot’s fine research with N. Saw-whet Owls, numerous enhancements at SGNWR, and Where to Bird in Ulster County panels now located at three locations about the county.

Great Vly Sit
Help support Glenn Proudfoot’s awesome N. Saw-whet Owl research work right here in Ulster County. Is this the year for the perennial runner-up sit?

Kingston Point Sit
This year we are raising money to support the wonderful New York State Young Birders Club. Afternoon shifts are still open for coverage. Contact Mark DeDea (forsythnature@aol.com ) if you’d like to help.

Galeville (SGNWR) Sit
Same great cause again for this location, the continued financial support of the Friends of the Shawangunk Grasslands National Wildlife Refuge. Please contact Donna Seymour (dseymour66@gmail.com ) to plan and schedule your shift.

New Location for a Sit?
Please contact Mark DeDea (forsythnature@aol.com ) with any questions and to let us know for promotional sake.

Donations can be based on a pledge per species or flat donation. To donate by check please make checks payable to JBNHS and note desired sit you’d like to support. Send in donations to the Treasurer at:
Lin Fagan
281 West Chestnut Street
Kingston, NY 12401.
To donate online:

SPRING MIGRATION AT HIGH BANKS
2019-04-29 02:00 - 19:00 | High Banks Preserve, 132 River Rd, Ulster Park, NM, 12487, United States
An early morning visit during spring migration to this new Scenic Hudson property in the Town of Esopus should provide a generous selection of neotropical migrants. Meet trip leader Jess Prockup (procolinos@gmail.com ) at the preserve parking lot at 132 River Road. 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.

SPRING BIRDS AND WILDFLOWERS IN SAUGERTIES
2019-04-28 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, April 28, 2019. 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 7:30 a.m. 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 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. Contact the field trip leader, Steve Chorvas (schorvas@gmail.com) for additional information or directions. This joint ECC/JBNHS Environmental Education walk is free and open to the public. Pre-registration is not required, but recommended in the event of unforeseen changes or cancellation. For additional information about upcoming ECC Nature Walks and Paddles, please visit www.esopuscreekconservancy.org.

KENNETH WILSON STATE PARK
2019-04-27 03:00 - 08:00 | Kenneth Wilson State Park, 859 Wittenberg Rd, Mt. Tremper, 12457, United States
This park offers a variety of habitats and all are easily accessible, with much of the walk on pavement. Join trip leader Peter Schoenberger (pdsis@yahoo.com) for the start of full blown neotropical bird migration, and if we’re quiet, maybe a drumming grouse too! Meet at the state park lot on Wittenberg Road in the Town of Woodstock at 7:00AM. If time allows we may travel to nearby Yankeetown Pond as well.

SPRING ON THE FLOODPLAIN
2019-04-20 06:00 - 08:00
This new offering for the field trip schedule will explore the Nyquist/Harcourt Sanctuary in New Paltz. Flora of the floodplain habitat will be the focus of this walk. Meet trip leader Nava Tabak (ntabak@scenichudson.org ) at the New Paltz Municipal Parking Lot off Huguenot Street, just east of the Wallkill River.

SPRING BIRDING WILDCARD
2019-04-13 03:00 - 08:00
Please register with trip leader Peter Schoenberger (pdsis@yahoo.com ) so we can make arrangements for our party’s travel and destination plans. The location for this outing will be determined that morning based on rare or unusual sightings somewhere in the Hudson Valley.

TREE ID AT EBNP
2019-04-06 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, April 06, 2019. Vern Rist will lead us at a leisurely pace through a variety of woodland habitats in the Nature Preserve. Meet 9:00 a.m. 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. Bring binoculars and tree guides if you have them, and be prepared for early spring conditions that may include cold air temperatures, snow, ice, or muddy trails. Heavy rain or snow will cancel the walk. Children are welcome and encouraged, but please do not bring pets. Contact Steve Chorvas (schorvas@gmail.com) for additional information or directions. This joint ECC/JBNHS Environmental Education walk is free and open to the public. Pre-registration is not required, but recommended in the event of unforeseen changes or cancellation. For additional information about upcoming ECC Nature Walks and Paddles, please visit www.esopuscreekconservancy.org.

TIVOLI BAYS BIRDING
2019-03-30 04:00 - 08:00
We will explore the tidal marshes and upland habitat of this DEC property. Careful, respectful observations of Bald Eagle family life will highlight the walk but waterfowl and other early migrants can be expected. 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 causeway which will surely be muddy. Please consider this and choose proper footwear.

SIGNS OF SPRING IN SAUGERTIES
2019-03-24 04:00 - 08:00
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 24, 2019. 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 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. Contact the field trip leader, Steve Chorvas (schorvas@gmail.com) for additional information or directions. This joint ECC/JBNHS Environmental Education walk is free and open to the public. Pre-registration is not required, but recommended in the event of unforeseen changes or cancellation. For additional information about upcoming ECC Nature Walks and Paddles, please visit www.esopuscreekconservancy.org.
