John Burroughs Natural History Society

KINGSTON POINT BIRDING ON NORTH STREET/IMMIGRANT’S WAY
2021-11-28 03:00 - 07:00 (America/New_York)
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

BREEDING BIRD ATLAS TOWN HALL
2022-03-17 15:00 - 16:30
The breeding season is ramping up! Birds are singing and early migrants are starting to return. Spring is just around the corner.
Join us as we kick off the third year of the Atlas with our first Town Hall of 2022, Thursday 3/17 at 7 pm.
We’ll talk about some of the bird species that are breeding now, learn about some of the recent changes to the eBird mobile app, and have time for open Q&A.
We look forward to seeing you!
REGISTER FOR THE MARCH TOWN HALL

SIGNS OF SPRING NATURE WALK
2022-03-20 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 20, 2022. 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.

BLOCK PARTY - CAMPING AT BEAVERKILL CAMPGROUND (ROSCOE,NY)
2022-03-20 04:00 - 13:00
Join other Atlas enthusiasts for three days of camping, camaraderie and Atlasing. We will set up camp at the Beaverkill Campground and Atlas nearby under visited prioirty blocks. For those of you not interested in camping please feel free to make a day trip out of it. Please contact Wendy Tocci at wtocci@gmail.com if you would like to attend. Early registration is encouraged as campsites will fill up quickly.

VERNAL EQUINOX WOODCOCK WALK
2022-03-20 14:00 - 16:00
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
2022-03-26 04:00 - 08:00
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
2022-04-03 11:00 - 13:00
Explore this new 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. Rain cancels.

WILDFLOWER WALK AT SHAUPENEAK RIDGE
2022-04-16 06:00 - 08:00
Take a slow stroll on a footpath through rich and rocky woodland, with modest elevation changes and a waterfall at the end as we look for spring wildflowers and anything else that catches our fancy. Bring binoculars—they are not only for looking at birds—and a bag lunch if you would like to picnic together at the end of the walk. This walk will be limited to 10 participants. Please contact Lynn Bowdery (lynn.bowdery@gmail.com ) to reserve your place and learn where to meet. Rain cancels.

BREEDING BIRD ATLAS TOWN HALL
2022-04-21 15:00 - 16:30
Each month will focus on a different topic tailored to what is happening in the breeding season. Q&A sessions are open to any topic, covering anything from bird identification to technical issues.
REGISTER FOR THE APRIL TOWN HALL

CROSSBILL EXTRAVAGANZA - SULLIVAN COUNTY/CATSKILLS
2022-04-21 - 2022-04-22
We will be visiting locations in Sullivan County and the Catskills to confirm breeding of Red Crossbills and other irruptive finches. Our travels may take us into other areas of the Catskills depending on eBird reports between now and then. Meet at 7 am at the Park and Ride in Kingston near thruway exit 19. For those of you coming from south of Kingston we can make arrangements to meet further south on Route 209 or closer to our destination in Sullivan County. Please contact Wendy Tocci at wtocci@gmail.com or (845)750-5409 if interested in attending.

BREEDING BIRD ATLAS EBIRD WORKSHOP
2022-04-23 09:00 - 11:00
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.
