John Burroughs Natural History Society

SHOREBIRDS AND ICE CREAM
2021-08-06 14:00 - 16:00 (America/New_York)
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 water chestnut harvesting provides landing pad shorebirds 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 at Port Ewen’s Frozen Rainbow. 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.

BUTTERFLIES AT JUNIPER FLATS
2021-08-07 05:00 - 08:00
SATURDAY, AUGUST 7, 9:00 A.M.
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 )

GREIG FARM BIRDS AND BUTTERFLIES
2021-09-05 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
2021-09-11 04:00 - 07:00
SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 11, 8:00 AM – 11:00 AM
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.

ANNUAL FALL MEMBERS’ PICNIC
2021-09-12 09:00 - 13:00
Enjoy friends, food, and the view from the pavilion at beautiful Hasbrouck Park in Kingston. Program to be announced later. Catering by Kingston’s own Stone Soup Food Company, which did such a great job at our last catered picnic in 2019, with a buffet of delicious dishes for all tastes and diets.
And don’t forget the raffle! Bring your items to donate and cash to buy raffle tickets. The cost of the lunch will be $20 per person with checks made payable to JBNHS c/o Lin Fagan, 281 West Chestnut Street, Kingston, NY 12401. Payment must be received by September 6th.

SPARROW WALK AT THE FARM 1
2021-09-25 03:00 - 07:00
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.

SPARROW WALK AT THE FARM 2
2021-10-02 03:00 - 07:00

TREE IDENTIFICATION WALK AT EBNP
2021-10-03 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 Sunday, October 03, 2021. 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 preregistered. Please do not bring pets. Contact Steve Chorvas (schorvas@gmail.com) for additional information or to register.

OPEN DISCOVERY AT JOPPENBERGH MOUNTAIN
2021-10-03 06:00 - 10:00
Joppenbergh Mountain has been through a lot of changes in the past two hundred or so years. Come for a walk to explore its biodiversity, history, recreational trails and views. Hiking shoes, drinking water, binoculars and magnifiers are recommended, and there might be blackflies, mosquitos and ticks. This trip will be limited to 10 participants. Pack a lunch for a picnic at the end of the walk, if desired. For an after-walk treat, the Rosendale Farmers Market will be on at Willow Kiln Park from 10AM to 2 PM (as it is every Sunday from June-October) and requires patrons to wear masks. PRE-REGISTER with Lynn Bowdery (lynn.bowdery@gmail.com or 845-255-6690) for this field trip. Rain cancels

FALL BIRDING WILDCARD
2021-10-23 03:00 - 07:00
Field trip leader Peter Schoenberger will choose the target species, destination, and meet-up location of this outing dependent on recent sightings and will be determined by the Friday before the field trip. PRE-REGISTER with Peter (pdsis@yahoo.com or 914 466-2707) beforehand.

ELECTION DAY SPARROWS
2021-11-02 04:00 - 19:00
PRE-REGISTER with Mark DeDea (forsythnature@aol.com ) to find out meeting time and location. Fulfill your civic duty and join JBNHS at a sparrow hotspot. 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.

KINGSTON POINT BIRDING ON NORTH STREET/IMMIGRANT’S WAY
2021-11-28 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 sparrows and their allies. Waterfowl and eagles can be expected as well. Please dress warmly and bring along your spotting scope (no sharing for now). 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
2021-12-11 - 2021-12-12
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 depending 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 CHRISTMAS BIRD COUNT
2021-12-17 - 2021-12-18
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 CHRISTMAS BIRD COUNT
2021-12-28 - 2021-12-29
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 CHRISTMAS BIRD COUNT
2021-12-31 - 2022-01-01
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 (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.
PLEASE UNDERSTAND THAT CBCs MUST BE CONDUCTED A LITTLE DIFFERENTLY AGAIN THIS YEAR AS INSTRUCTED BY THE NATIONAL AUDUBON SOCIETY.
1) THERE WILL BE NO COMPILATION GET TOGETHERS AFTER THE COUNTS
2) FIELD PARTIES IN THE SAME VEHICLE WILL BE LIMITED TO “FAMILY UNITS” OR “SOCIAL PODS”
3) IT WILL BE HIGHLY UNLIKELY THAT NEW BIRDERS WILL BE ADDED TO ESTABLISHED FIELD PARTIES THIS
YEAR. CONTACT CBC COMPILER TO FIND IF THERE ARE POSSIBILITIES TO BIRD PORTIONS OF A SECTOR
LACKING COVERAGE.

ALL DAY ANNUAL WINTER BIRD COUNT AT EBNP
2022-01-07 - 2022-01-08
The 16th annual Esopus Bend Nature Preserve Winter Bird Count (WBC) will be conducted on Saturday, January 08,2022. 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, Whitewinged 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 7th.

WALLKILL VALLEY RAPTOUR
2022-01-08 - 2022-01-09
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
2022-01-14 - 2022-01-15
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 1/16/22

WINTER MINDFULLNESS WALK AT NYQUIST-HARCOURT
2022-01-23 03:00 - 07:00
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.

GREAT BACKYARD BIRDCOUNT - FORSYTHE NATURE CENTER
2022-02-18 10:30 - 12:00
The Great Backyard Bird Count is sponsored by the Cornell Lab of Ornithology, National Audubon Society, and Birds Canada. Locally, JBNHS members will lead introductory walks with a focus on identifying winter backyard birds, how to use eBird, and how to get involved in other Citizen Science projects like the NYS BBA3. Suggestions on optics and identification apps/books or answers to any other questions the novice may have will also be provided. These walks are family friendly with hopes of simulating a greater interest in birds and birding.
FREE and OPEN TO THE PUBLIC
Contact Mark DeDea (forsythnature@aol.com ) to register.

GREAT BACKYARD BIRDCOUNT - NYQUIST-HARCOURT SANCTUARY
2022-02-19 03:00 - 05:00
The Great Backyard Bird Count is sponsored by the Cornell Lab of Ornithology, National Audubon Society, and Birds Canada. Locally, JBNHS members will lead introductory walks with a focus on identifying winter backyard birds, how to use eBird, and how to get involved in other Citizen Science projects like the NYS BBA3. Suggestions on optics and identification apps/books or answers to any other questions the novice may have will also be provided. These walks are family friendly with hopes of simulating a greater interest in birds and birding.
FREE and OPEN TO THE PUBLIC
Contact Deb Weltsch (dweltsch13@gmail.com ) to register.

GREAT BACKYARD BIRDCOUNT – CATSKILLS VISITOR CENTER
2022-02-19 06:00 - 07:00
The Great Backyard Bird Count is sponsored by the Cornell Lab of Ornithology, National Audubon Society, and Birds Canada. Locally, JBNHS members will lead introductory walks with a focus on identifying winter backyard birds, how to use eBird, and how to get involved in other Citizen Science projects like the NYS BBA3. Suggestions on optics and identification apps/books or answers to any other questions the novice may have will also be provided. These walks are family friendly with hopes of simulating a greater interest in birds and birding.
FREE and OPEN TO THE PUBLIC
Contact Olivia Bernard (obernard@catskillcenter.org ) to register

GREAT BACKYARD BIRDCOUNT – WALKILL VALLEY RAIL TRAIL (BINNEWATER RD)
2022-02-20 03:00 - 05:00
The Great Backyard Bird Count is sponsored by the Cornell Lab of Ornithology, National Audubon Society, and Birds Canada. Locally, JBNHS members will lead introductory walks with a focus on identifying winter backyard birds, how to use eBird, and how to get involved in other Citizen Science projects like the NYS BBA3. Suggestions on optics and identification apps/books or answers to any other questions the novice may have will also be provided. These walks are family friendly with hopes of simulating a greater interest in birds and birding.
FREE and OPEN TO THE PUBLIC
Contact Matt Corsaro (mattcorsaro@yahoo.com ) to register.

GREAT BACKYARD BIRDCOUNT – KINGSTON POINT
2022-02-20 03:00 - 17:00
The Great Backyard Bird Count is sponsored by the Cornell Lab of Ornithology, National Audubon Society, and Birds Canada. Locally, JBNHS members will lead introductory walks with a focus on identifying winter backyard birds, how to use eBird, and how to get involved in other Citizen Science projects like the NYS BBA3. Suggestions on optics and identification apps/books or answers to any other questions the novice may have will also be provided. These walks are family friendly with hopes of simulating a greater interest in birds and birding.
FREE and OPEN TO THE PUBLIC
Contact Wendy Tocci (wtocci@gmail.com ) to register.

GREAT BACKYARD BIRDCOUNT – ESOPUS BEND NATURE PRESERVE
2022-02-21 03:00 - 05:00
The Great Backyard Bird Count is sponsored by the Cornell Lab of Ornithology, National Audubon Society, and Birds Canada. Locally, JBNHS members will lead introductory walks with a focus on identifying winter backyard birds, how to use eBird, and how to get involved in other Citizen Science projects like the NYS BBA3. Suggestions on optics and identification apps/books or answers to any other questions the novice may have will also be provided. These walks are family friendly with hopes of simulating a greater interest in birds and birding.
FREE and OPEN TO THE PUBLIC
Contact Steve Chorvas (schorvas@gmail.com ) to register.

JBA/JBNHS WINTER TREE ID WALK AT BURROUGHS SANCTUARY
2022-02-26 05:00 - 07:00
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
2022-03-05 03:00 - 07:00
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..

NEW YORK CITY PIPING PLOVER PROJECT - MARCH GENERAL MEETING
2022-03-10 13:00 - 15:00
Our March meeting will be in person at Kingston’s Hudson River Maritime Museum Wooden Boat School building (50 Rondout Landing, Kingston, NY). The public is welcome to attend. Chris Allieri will present a program about the NYC Plover Project (https://nycploverproject.org/). There will be a JBNHS membership business meeting following Chris’ presentation. While masks are no longer required indoors, it is still a good idea to wear one.

CROSSBILL TRAINING
2022-03-14 15:00 - 16:00
Photo Courtesy of Joan Collins
As we noted in the latest newsletter, this is an amazing year for crossbills. In fact, there probably won’t be a better year during the Atlas to find crossbills and get them on the map.
If you’ve been wanting to learn more about these mysterious wanderers from the North, now’s the time. Matt Young with the Finch Research Network is coming to talk to us about how to find crossbills (and siskins!) and document them for the Atlas. The training will be followed by regional field trips!
The online training will take place next Monday, 3/14, at 7 pm. Matt will give a short presentation to go over identification of crossbills and conifer trees, talk about crossbill breeding phenology and how it relates to the cone crop, and help us interpret crossbill breeding behavior. Followed by open Q&A. All are welcome. Registration required.
Throughout the rest of March and April, a team of crossbill enthusiasts will lead trips all across the state to help get these birds on the map! Keep an eye on the Atlas calendar and your inbox for dates and locations.
We’re calling it the Crossbill Extravaganza! We hope you’ll join us!
REGISTER HERE FOR CROSSBILL TRAINING
