John Burroughs Natural History Society

FERN WALK AT BURROUGHS SANCTUARY
2019-07-13 04:00 - 08:00 (America/New_York) | 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.

VERNAL EQUINOX WOODCOCK WALK
2019-03-20 14:00 - 16:00 | Shawangunk Grasslands NWR, Entrance Rd, Shawangunk, 12566
Celebrate the Vernal Equinox with one of the year’s great events. Join 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).

JBNHS Meeting
2019-03-14 14:00 - 16:00 | Hudson River Maritime Museum, 50 Rondout Landing, Kingston, 12401, United States
Highlights of cultural and biological experiences of three weeks in Northern Tanzania and Zanzibar
Join us as JBNHS trustee and Captain Coffee, Dixon Onderdonk presents on a once in a lifetime experience. Please stay after the presentation for our March meeting with important discussions and plans for 2019. Program starts at 6:00 p.m. on Thursday, March 14th and will again be held at the Hudson River Maritime Museum.

EARLY MIGRANTS ON THE RONDOUT
2019-03-09 04:00 - 07:00
Join Mark DeDea (forsythnature@aol.com) and celebrate the approach of spring and many fond memories of this JBNHS favorite. Meet at the Rosendale Shopping Center Parking Lot on Rt.32. Party will travel upstream to the High Falls area, noting early harbingers of spring.

WINTER TREE ID AT BURROUGHS SANCTUARY
2019-02-23 05:00 - 07:00
The first in a series of outings co-sponsored with the John Burroughs Association at the wonderful Burroughs Sanctuary. After two hours spent identifying trees by bark,structure, and bud on the improved trail system (rated as easy to moderate) along the trail to Chodikee Lake participants can explore Slabsides and learm more about the interesting life of our famous namesake. Contact trip leader Tom O’Dowd (tkodowd@gmail.com or 914 213-7079) with any questions regarding the tree walk and meet Tom at Pond House. Follow the “Path through History” signs at the interesection 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, then take first left AFTER Burroughs Drive. NOTE THE NEW MEETING PLACE FOR THIS FIELD TRIP.

OWL PROWL AT GALEVILLE
2019-02-16 11:00 - 13:00 | Shawangunk Grasslands NWR, Entrance Rd, Shawangunk, 12566
Shawangunk Grassland NWR (Galeville) is known for wintering raptors like Short-eared Owl, Rough-legged Hawk, and Northern Harrier and all should be present on our visit. Dress warmly for conditions on exposed, open habitat nearing sunset. Meet trip leader Mark DeDea (forsythnature@aol.com or 339-1277) at the refuge parking lot east of the main entrance on Hoagerburg Rd. (Ulster County Rte. 18) at 4:00 pm. Dependent on how cooperative the birds and Mother Nature are we may walk a little or benefit from the vehicles as windbreaks.

THORN PRESERVE WINTER BIRD WALK
2019-02-02 03:00 - 07:00 | Thorn Preserve, 55 John Joy Road, Woodstock, 12498, United States
Meet trip leader Mark DeDea (forsythnature@aol.com ) at 8:00 a.m. at the Thorn Preserve, a Catskill Center for Conservation property operated in partnership with the Woodstock Land Conservancy located at 55 John Joy Road in the Town of Woodstock. This small parcel has open fields and wet meadows that may attract wintering raptors, a wooded swamp with plenty of Winterberry for the Hermit Thrushes, and borders the Sawkill Creek which often holds waterfowl late into the winter

WINTER TREE ID AT JOPPENBERGH MOUNTAIN
2018-12-02 05:00 - 07:00 | Joppenbergh Mountain, Hardenburgh Lane, Rosendale, NY, 12472, United States
Contact trip leader Nava Tabak (navatabak@gmail.com ) with any questions regarding this outing. Meet Nava in the parking area by Willow Kiln Park, behind the Rosendale Theater, accessed by narrow Hardenburgh Lane at 10 AM. The path to the lookout rises a modest 200 feet in elevation but is steep and rocky in a few places- wear good shoes and bring hiking poles if you use them.

JBNHS MEETING - CANCELLED
2018-11-15 13:00 - 15:00
DUE TO IMPENDING STORM TONIGHT’S MEETING HAS BEEN CANCELLED
At the Hudson River Maritime Museum Riverport Boat School meeting room. Meet and mingle with new and old JBNHS friends and enjoy the program by Dixon Onderdonk: ” My presentation will include highlights of cultural and biological experiences of three weeks in Northern Tanzania and Zanzibar . I will share wildlife (birds and mammals primarily) encountered on safari in five national parks (Arusha, Tarangire, Lake Manyara, Serengeti and Jozani), the Ngorongoro Conservation Area including the Ngorongoro Crater. In addition I will discuss visits to various tribes and provide information about The School of Saint Jude’s where we spent the first six days of the trip.” (Dixon’s short essay “Three Weeks in Northern Tanzania” in the March-April 2018 Chirp gave us a taste of this trip.) Come and learn much more from Dixon in person, with his photographs as well. Dixon started and coordinates the JBNHS Coffee Club and is a current Board member of JBNHS. There will be refreshments and a brief business meeting.

JBNHS WEEKEND TRIP
2018-11-09 - 2018-11-12
