Sunday, May 5, HARLEM VALLEY RAIL TRAIL (Columbia County; morning)

Coordinator: Marian Sole 203-710-9096 mrnsole7@gmail.com (Joint trip with the Alan DeVoe Bird Club.)

This former railroad bed has been turned into a paved public trail, running north to south through extreme southeastern Columbia County. We’ll walk a mile or so on a portion of the trail that is home to many woodland species. Cerulean Warbler, Worm-eating Warbler, and Hooded Warbler have all been observed in the area in recent years.

Meet at 7:30 a.m. at the Under Mountain Road parking area. From the north: Taconic Parkway south to Route 23. Take Rt. 23 east to Hillsdale and pick up Route 22 south at the stop light. Take Route 22 south from Hillsdale 8.6 miles to Under Mountain Road. Under Mountain Road is on your left, five-tenths of a mile past the Citgo gas station located at the intersection of Route 22 and Columbia County Route 3. There is a bright blue sign just before Under Mountain Road directing motorists to the trail. Turn left on to Under Mountain Road (if you pass the scenic pull-off along Route 22, you’ve missed the turn for Under Mountain Road). Proceed three-tenths of a mile to the trail parking lot on your left.