SUNDOWN FOREST OPEN DISCOVERY
Sundown Wild Forest is located in the southern Catskills. We will explore the flora and fauna in this mature second growth forest. Forest succession and regrowth will be discussed. We will walk on trails for the most part, with short forays off-trail. Trail conditions are generally good, with some short steep slopes and occasional downed …
GRASSLAND BIRD WALK AT THE FARM HUB
Please email trip leader Applied Farmscape Ecology Program Coordinator Teresa Dorado (tdorado@hvfarmhub.org) to participate on this outing. Registration will be limited. This is a rare opportunity to visit what has become a desirable location for breeders like Horned Lark illustrating the improved farming practices of this property as it leaves behind it’s old monoculture ways.
DRY BROOK RIDGE HIKE
We will travel to Hardenburgh and hike to Dry Brook Ridge, starting at the Millbrook Road trailhead. The hike will be about 8.5 miles out & back with an elevation gain of 2500'. This will be combined hiking and breeding bird atlasing, so plan for about 8 hours total. We will meet at 6:30AM at …
DAMSELS AND DRAGONS AT BURROUGHS SANCTUARY
Join local aquatic ecologist and nature photographer Frank Beres (othernaturephoto@gmail.com) at Black Creek Trail parking area on Floyd Ackert Road to explore this fascinating group of insects. Learn about the natural history of one of the most ancient lineages and pick up tips to discover, identify, and photograph a diverse variety of striking and colorful …
BREEDING BIRDS AND BUTTERFLIES
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, 2023 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 …
BBA CAMPING AND BLOCK PARTY
Spend Big Atlas Weekend with other Atlas enthusiasts for three nights 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 small groups in nearby priority blocks. For those of you not interested in camping please feel free to make a day trip out of it. Early …
EASTERN NABA BUTTERFLY COUNT
Rain Date: Sunday, July 2 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, July 1, 2023. The Eastern Catskills count circle includes a …
BUTTERFLIES AT THORN PRESERVE
The Catskill Center’s Thorn Preserve can be bustling with butterflies during this timely visit while the Common Milkweed is in bloom. Please register with Steve Chorvas (schorvas@gmail.com ) who will lead this walk and provides comprehensive knowledge of butterfly life and the plants they are dependent upon. Attendance may be limited.
WADERS AND ICE CREAM
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. If water chestnut harvesting provides landing pads, there might be shorebirds not always easy to locate in county, too. After a tough evening of scanning the river for peeps and …
FERN WALK AT BURROUGHS SANCTUARY
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 one, and binoculars are useful, too. You might want to stay and visit Slabsides, …
DOWNLOAD THE REFRIGERATOR READY FIELD TRIP LIST FOR 2024
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.
JBNHS FIELD TRIPS ARE BACK!!!
All participants should be aware of existing guidelines and new field trip protocol listed below:
(Scheduled field trips are listed below the guidelines)
Participant responsibility agreement while attending a JBNHS field trip or outing. Please note that there will be no physical sign-in sheet until further notice. By registering, each participant acknowledges both his/her understanding and acceptance of the Individual’s Responsibilities stated below.
Individual’s Responsibilities are:
1. To stay with the group, follow trip leader’s requests, and do not separate unless you notify trip leader
2. To understand that out-of-doors activities involve hazards and that one participates at one’s own risk
3. To wear with clothing and footwear appropriate to the terrain, and for sun and insect challenges as well
4. To adhere to the ABA Birding Code of Ethics, respect and preserve the flora, fauna, and properties we visit
5. To be mindful and courteous to other participants
Additionally, we will ask that all participants:
1. Fully vaccinated participants are not required to wear a mask for JBNHS field trips
2. Unvaccinated participants are required to wear a mask and when unable to do so, must social distance.
3. Optics may be shared if those involved are comfortable with doing so
4. Carpooling is at the discretion of participants.
5. Preregistration is required for all field trips and participation may be limited.
These guidelines are subject to change if the COVID-19 mutations make more restrictions necessary.