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Field Trips and Programs

  • Schenectady Christmas Bird Count

    • 20 Dec 2025
    • Schenectady

    Coordinator/Compiler: Larry Alden 518-495-6535 overlook@nycap.rr.com



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  • Southern Rensselaer County Christmas Bird Count

    • 27 Dec 2025
    • Rensselaer County

    Coordinator/Compiler: Naomi Lloyd 518-596-5964 naomi_kestrel@yahoo.com

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  • New Year's Day Bird Count at Five Rivers EEC

    • 1 Jan 2026
    • 8:45 AM
    • Five Rivers EEC, Albany County

    Coordinators: Five Rivers EEC 518-475-0291 (daytime) and Cindy Edwardson cjredwardson@gmail.com 218-348-1859

    Five Rivers Environmental Education Center, located on Game Farm Road in Delmar is a large area of fields and forest and is one of the premier birding locations in the Capital District. This year marks the 43rd Annual New Year’s Day Bird Count at Five Rivers. The goal of the count is to identify all the bird species present on January 1st. This also marks the start of Five Rivers’ annual bird list. HMBC joins the event again this year and encourages members to participate.

    Groups will go out at 9:00 a.m., but birders are welcome to come earlier to get a head start.

    Everyone will meet up at the Visitor Center at 11:00 a.m. for a compilation of species observed.

    Call ahead to Five Rivers in case of inclement weather.

    Meet at 8:45 a.m. at Five Rivers EEC in Delmar.

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  • Troy Christmas Bird Count

    • 3 Jan 2026
    • Troy

    Coordinator/Compiler: Larry Alden 518-495-6535 overlook@nycap.rr.com

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  • Birding Magee Marsh and Beyond

    • 5 Jan 2026
    • 6:30 PM
    • Zoom

    Speaker: Rob Ripma

    Description: Join Rob Ripma for an in-depth look at one of North America’s premier birding experiences: migration in Northwest Ohio. From the world-famous Magee Marsh to hidden local gems, Rob shares what makes this region so remarkable during peak migration and what you can expect when birding here. Experience the excitement, diversity, and beauty of spring along Lake Erie through Rob’s expert perspective.

    Bio: Rob is a lifelong Indiana resident and co-owner of Sabrewing Nature Tours. He has birded extensively throughout the Americas and also spent time birding in Asia, Africa, and Europe. Rob is currently the Secretary for Ohio’s Black Swamp Bird Observatory (BSBO). He also serves as the field trip coordinator for BSBO’s Biggest Week in American Birding annual event. He speaks at various organizations and schools about birds and birding, sharing his knowledge and experiences in the field.

    Photos are both taken by Jamie Cunningham who is one of our photo guides at Sabrewing.


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  • Washington County Grasslands WMA

    • 10 Jan 2026
    • 2:00 PM
    • 31 Jan 2026
    • Washington County

    Exact date TBA

    Coordinator: Naomi Lloyd naomi_kestrel@yahoo.com

    With almost 500 acres of protected fields and meadows, the Washington County Grasslands WMA is a winter treasure. We will meet in the early afternoon and search for Snow Buntings, Horned Larks, Rough-legged Hawks and other diurnal species. Snowy Owl is always a possibility in an irruption year. As the afternoon wears on, we can hope to see the changeover from day to night shift, as Short-eared Owls displace Northern Harriers from their hunting grounds. The exact date of this trip will depend upon weather conditions, snow depth, etc.

    Because we will be birding from the road, it will be necessary to share vehicles and to limit the number of participants to 16. A maximum of five vehicles would be best. Contact the coordinator for reservations and other information. If there is interest the trip will be repeated in February.

    Meet at 2:00 p.m. at the parking lot on Blackhouse Road.

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  • Deadline for reservations for Cape Ann & Newburyport/Plum Island MA

    • 18 Jan 2026
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  • TBA

    • 2 Feb 2026
    • Zoom


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  • Washington County Grasslands WMA

    • 7 Feb 2026
    • 2:00 PM
    • 28 Feb 2026
    • Washington County

    Exact date TBA

    Coordinator: Naomi Lloyd naomi_kestrel@yahoo.com

    With almost 500 acres of protected fields and meadows, the Washington County Grasslands WMA is a winter treasure. We will meet in the early afternoon and search for Snow Buntings, Horned Larks, Rough-legged Hawks and other diurnal species. Snowy Owl is always a possibility in an irruption year. As the afternoon wears on, we can hope to see the changeover from day to night shift, as Short-eared Owls displace Northern Harriers from their hunting grounds. The exact date of this trip will depend upon weather conditions, snow depth, etc.

    Because we will be birding from the road, it will be necessary to share vehicles and to limit the number of participants to 16. A maximum of five vehicles would be best. Contact the coordinator for reservations and other information. If there is interest the trip will be repeated in February.

    Meet at 2:00 p.m. at the parking lot on Blackhouse Road.


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  • Cape Ann & Newburyport/Plum Island MA

    • 14 Feb 2026
    • 16 Feb 2026
    • Cape Ann & Newburyport/Plum Island MA

    Coordinators: Gregg Recer and Cathy Graichen gregg.recer@gmail.com 518-330-4552 (GR)

    The Cape Ann and Newburyport/Plum Island, Massachusetts areas are prime winter birding locations. We expect to divide our time between Cape Ann’s shoreline and Newburyport/Plum Island looking for white-winged gulls, wintering sea ducks such as Harlequins, scoters, eiders and other winter visitors like Purple Sandpipers, loons, grebes, alcids, field birds, Snowy Owls, etc. Participants will have Friday to travel at their leisure so that we can begin birding as a group first thing Saturday morning. Limit eight participants. By Club policy, this overnight trip is for members, with non-members accommodated if room is available and at the leader’s discretion.

    RESERVATIONS REQUIRED. Contact Gregg Recer by January 18th to reserve a spot and for hotel reservation information.


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  • TBA

    • 2 Mar 2026
    • Zoom


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  • Vosburgh Swamp WMA

    • 14 Mar 2026
    • 8:00 AM
    • Vosburgh Swamp WMA, Greene County

    Joint trip with Alan Devoe Bird Club.

    Coordinator: Alan Mapes 518-817-1512

    On this morning trip, we will hike to the marsh for waterfowl and migrant land birds. We will also check the Hudson River for waterfowl and Bald Eagles.

    Meet at 8:00 a.m. at the Four Mile Point Preserve parking lot on Four Mile Road. From Mansion Street in the village of Coxsackie, go south on New York State Route 385 (Washington Avenue), approximately 2.5 miles to a left turn onto Four Mile Point Road. Proceed to the bottom of the hill – the parking area is straight ahead where the road takes a 90-degree bend to the right.

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  • Five Rivers Woodcock Watching

    • 23 Mar 2026
    • 7:00 PM
    • Fiver Rivers EEC, Albany County

    Coordinator: Drew Hopkins

    A short talk about the wondrous bird and its virtually unique adaptations, followed by a walk to see if we can observe one in the  field.

    Meet inside the Five Rivers visitor center at 7:00 p.m.


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  • Vischer Ferry Nature and Historic Preserve (VFNHP)

    • 5 Apr 2026
    • 8:00 AM
    • Vischer Ferry Nature and Historic Preserve (VFNHP), Saratoga County

    Coordinator: David Massa davidpmassa@gmail.com

    We will start out on this trip looking for spring waterfowl such as American Wigeon, Green and Blue-winged Teal, Gadwall, Northern Shoveler, Northern Pintail, Wood Duck, Ring-necked Duck, Hooded Merganser, and Pied-billed Grebe. Other possibilities include Virginia Rail, American Bittern, Palm Warbler, and Rusty Blackbird.

    Meet at 8:00 a.m. at the VFNHP main entrance, at the intersection of Riverview and Van Vranken Roads in Clifton Park.


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  • Powell Sanctuary

    • 11 Apr 2026
    • 8:00 AM
    • Powell Sanctuary, Columbia County

    Joint trip with Alan Devoe Bird Club.

    Coordinator: Kathy Schneider 518-248-8665 fallline@nycap.rr.com

    This 145-acre preserve has been owned and managed by the Alan Devoe Bird Club since 1959. It features a beaver pond with an observation blind, neighboring farm fields, and Dorson’s Rock, a sandstone ledge that offers good hawk watching and a panoramic view of the Hudson Valley. There are 3 miles of moderate, well-marked trails throughout the sanctuary, which is mostly woods. The club’s list for this site has more than 200 species, including 20 species of warblers.

    Meet at 8:00 a.m. at Wilson M. Powell Wildlife Sanctuary, 75 Hunt Club Road, Old Chatham. From the junction of County Route 13 and Albany Turnpike in the hamlet of Old Chatham, travel southwest on County Route 13 for 0.9 miles to Pitt Hall Road on the left, where two signs mark the road to Powell House and the sanctuary. Follow Pitt Hall Road 0.25 miles, then bear left (east) onto Hunt Club Road and continue 0.25 miles to the main parking lot.

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  • Deadline for reservations New York State Museum Ornithology Collection

    • 18 Apr 2026

    Coordinators: Tristan Lowery 646-323-8914 tristanlowery@gmail.com and Jeremy Kirchman jeremy.kirchman@nysed.gov


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  • New York State Museum Ornithology Collection

    • 25 Apr 2026
    • 8:00 AM

    Coordinators: Tristan Lowery 646-323-8914 tristanlowery@gmail.com and Jeremy Kirchman jeremy.kirchman@nysed.gov

    The Hudson-Mohawk Bird Club is pleased to offer once again this special behind-the-scenes tour of the New York State Museum’s extensive and awe-inspiring ornithological collections, generously hosted by the museum’s Curator of Birds, Dr. Jeremy Kirchman. We’ll meet up at a to be determined hotspot near the museum for some early spring birding (Albany’s Corning Riverfront Park, Washington Park, and Normanskill Farm are likely destinations), before heading over to the State Museum for Dr. Kirchman’s always fascinating guided tour. The museum tour will last about an hour.

    RESERVATIONS REQUIRED. The birding part of this trip is open to all but there is a limit of 15 participants for the State Museum tour on a first-come, first-served basis, with preference given to HMBC members. This is a popular and exclusive event on the club’s field trip calendar, so if you’ve been on the museum tour previously, you’re welcome to sign up for a waiting list spot, but preference will be given to those who haven’t attended previously. Please email both trip coordinators no later than April 18 to sign up.

    We’ll announce a meeting place and time for the pre-museum birding (likely 8:00 a.m.) at a later date (registered participants for the museum tour are free to skip the birding half of this trip if they choose). Museum parking is free on Saturday in the visitor’s lot off Madison Avenue immediately next to the museum.


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  • Hannacroix Creek Preserve

    • 26 Apr 2026
    • 8:00 AM
    • Hannacroix Creek Preserve, Greene County

    Coordinator: Rich Guthrie 518-810-7086 richardpguthrie@gmail.com

    On this trip we’ll be looking for migrant warblers, vireos and of course, (New) Baltimore Orioles. The moderately easy trail goes around attractive nesting and migrant songbird habitats with a scenic creek and waterfall. Louisiana Waterthrush nest here regularly and migrant warblers are drawn to the varied habitats along the trailsides. Let's see if we can add some interesting species to the list of 148 species recorded for this eBird Hotspot. We will start at the main entrance to the Preserve. If time permits, we will also explore the trail leading down to the Hudson River where Bald Eagles and migrant waterfowl are often seen.

    Meet at 8:00 a.m. at the main entrance, just off New York State Route 144, just south of the Albany/Greene County line (Coeymans/New Baltimore).

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  • Beginner Birder Workshop - Migrants at Five Rivers EEC

    • 1 May 2026
    • 8:30 AM
    • Five Rivers EEC, Albany County

    This trip is geared towards novice birders.

    Coordinator: Scott Stoner scottjstoner@aol.com

    Join us for a leisurely morning walk through some of the varied habitats of Five Rivers as we explore fields, ponds, woodlands, and marshes for migrant and resident birds. Be prepared for wet trails.

    Meet at 8:30 a.m. in the parking lot at Five Rivers EEC in Delmar.

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  • Bog Meadow Brook Trail

    • 2 May 2026
    • 8:00 AM
    • Bog Meadow Brook Trail, Saratoga County

    Coordinator: Ron Harrower ronharrower14@gmail.com

    Bog Meadow Brook Trail, an old rail trail just east of Saratoga Springs, runs along the northern edge of a swamp and consists of wetland habitat with two ponds with a wet mixed forest in between. This varied habitat provides a good migration stop for many warblers and other passerine species, while the ponds and wetlands will have waders and marsh birds, and shorebirds are likely if the edges are exposed.

    Meet at 8:00 a.m. at the trailhead pull-off on Meadowbrook Road, about 0.3 miles west of Stafford Bridge Road / New York State Route 67.

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  • Deadline for reservations North Country Breeders

    • 3 May 2026

    Coordinators: Gregg Recer/Cathy Graichen, gregg.recer@gmail.com 518-330-4552 (GR)

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  • Anchor Diamond Park

    • 3 May 2026
    • 7:00 AM
    • Anchor Diamond Park, Saratoga County

    Coordinator: Dan Leonard dannyboy67leonard@gmail.com

    246-acre Anchor Diamond Park at Hawkwood is located at the corner of New York State Route 50 and Middleline Road in the Town of Ballston. On this trip, we’ll bird some of the network of trails that crisscross streams and wooded wetlands in this beautiful gem of a park. So be prepared to encounter SOME mud. Past visits to this park in early May have yielded Red-shouldered Hawk, Winter Wren, Rusty Blackbird, woodland thrushes, Louisiana Waterthrush, and other spring warblers.

    Meet at 7:00 a.m. at the parking lot off Middleline Rd, about 500 ft off New York State Route 50.

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  • Buckingham Pond

    • 6 May 2026
    • 7:00 AM
    • Buckingham Pond, Albany County

    Coordinator: Tristan Lowery 646-323-8914 tristanlowery@gmail.com

    At first blush, Albany’s Buckingham Pond looks like an unremarkable urban duck pond, with a busy playground, picnic area, and usually a flock of Mallards of questionably wild credentials plying its calm waters or huddled on the closely mown shoreline. But this small, unassuming city park provides some much-needed habitat variety in an otherwise residential neighborhood – and in spring, Buckingham Pond can be a surprisingly effective migrant trap, making it a productive and convenient stop for area birders. We’ll spend the early morning in search of warblers, flycatchers, vireos, and other migrant songbirds in the wooded edges of the park, while keeping an eye out for waterfowl, shorebirds, and waders on the pond.

    Meet at 7:00 a.m. at the Buckingham Lake Park parking lot on Berkshire Boulevard.


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  • Birds & Breakfast at Five Rivers EEC

    • 9 May 2026
    • 6:00 AM
    • Five Rivers EEC, Albany County

    Coordinator: Sue Rokos szrokos@gmail.com 518-535-0006

    Our annual celebration of spring migrants will be held at Five Rivers Environmental Education Center, located along Game Farm Road in Delmar. The center has an excellent trail system through a variety of habitats. You can expect to see and hear many resident and migrant species, including warblers, thrushes, vireos, and orioles, along with a few waterfowl and herons. A typical year results in about 70 species; a good year for migrants can top 90!

    An early group will meet in the parking lot at 6:00 a.m. Additional groups will leave at 7:00 a.m. and 8:00 a.m. You may join one of these groups or go out on your own as we try to find as many species as possible. We’ll rally at the Visitors Center at 10:30 a.m. for coffee, bagels, fresh fruit and a list compilation. The breakfast is free, but donations are welcomed!

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  • Vischer Ferry Nature and Historic Preserve (VFNHP) Migrants

    • 10 May 2026
    • 7:30 AM
    • Vischer Ferry Nature and Historic Preserve, Saratoga County

    Coordinators: Gregg Recer and Cathy Graichen gregg.recer@gmail.com 518-330-4552 (GR)

    This is one of the club’s most popular spring trips. We will explore this varied site for warblers and other songbirds as well as marsh species including herons and rails.

    Meet at 7:30 a.m. at the VFNHP main entrance, at the intersection of Riverview and Van Vranken Rds. in Clifton Park.

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  • Century Run

    • 16 May 2026
    • NYS Region 8

    Compiler: Larry Alden 518-495-6535 overlook@nycap.rr.com

    This is the Club’s 81st consecutive Century Run, where teams of birders try to find as many species of birds as possible on count day within the eleven-county NYS Region 8. Each group must stay together and jointly identify species reported. The Century Run is not so much a field trip, but a challenge where you or your group tries to identify as many birds as possible within a set 24-hour period. A good Century Run (so named for the goal of reaching a “century,” or at least 100 species) calls for proper planning to hit a wide variety of habitats at the best time. Some groups try to cover the whole HMBC area; others limit themselves to a smaller geographic area – a single county, town, etc. Also, there is nothing that says you can’t go out on your own and bird where you want and at your own pace to see what you can find. Groups informally compete for bragging rights, but the results do provide a good snapshot of what birds can be found in our area in a single day.

    Reports should be emailed to the compiler by May 25 in order to be counted and published in “Feathers”, the Club newsletter. Reports should include the following: species identified, hours afield, team members, and geographical areas (counties) covered. Also, please send an email to the HMBirds group (groups.io/g/hmbirds/messages) with the total number of species observed, and highlights for your group.

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  • Schodack Island State Park

    • 17 May 2026
    • 7:30 AM
    • Schodack Island State Park, Rensselaer County

    Coordinator: Naomi Lloyd naomi_kestrel@yahoo.com

    Schodack Island State Park sits along the eastern shore of the Hudson River just south of Castleton-on-Hudson. Approximately seven miles of Hudson River and Schodack Creek shoreline bound the 1,052-acre site. A portion of the park shelters a Bird Conservation Area (BCA) that is home to Cerulean Warblers and a Great Blue Heron rookery. Resident songbirds are plentiful. Previous Club trips have seen about 50 species, including a dozen or more warbler species. Keep your windows open as you drive along the park entrance, it is a very “birdy” stretch of road. Depending upon where the Cerulean Warblers are nesting, we will walk about 3-4 miles along level paths.

    Meet at 7:30 a.m. at the Schodack Island State Park main parking lot at its south end. There is no admission fee before 8:00 a.m.


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  • The Crossings of Colonie

    • 20 May 2026
    • 7:00 AM
    • The Crossings of Colonie, Albany County

    Coordinator: Tristan Lowery 646-323-8914 tristanlowery@gmail.com

    The Crossings of Colonie is one of the more popular suburban parks in the Capital District and has become a favorite hotspot for birders as well. While most of the park consists of mowed lawns crisscrossed by paths for joggers and dogwalkers, and its most prominent feature for most visitors is a large man-made pond (albeit one that can host a surprising variety of waterbirds), there’s also enough woodland, meadow, and wetland habitat here to make it a productive location for birding during spring migration. And if we luck out with enough late spring rain – as we often do – the grassy areas of the park may become sufficiently sodden to generate temporary shorebird habitat in the form of lagoon-like puddles that can attract surprisingly large flocks of plovers and shorebirds. If they are present, this is a good opportunity to view shorebirds in our area relatively up close.

    Meet at 7:00 a.m. at the South Pavilion parking lot on the west end of the park, accessed by driving through the park following its main drive from the main entrance on Albany Shaker Road all the way to the end. Feel free to bring a scope for viewing shorebirds if you have one; the shorebird puddles are located near this parking lot and scopes can easily be returned to your vehicle before we venture elsewhere around the park. This is a weekday tour and the leader will likely opt to leave for work after about two hours of birding, but other participants are free to continue as they see fit.

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  • Garnsey Park

    • 23 May 2026
    • 7:30 AM
    • Garnsey Park, Saratoga County

    Coordinator: Rich White richard.cw12@gmail.com

    We’ll bird some of this lovely 151-acre town park of mixed, mostly moderately graded terrain. It will be wet in places, so plan footwear accordingly. There are several short loops that we’ll stitch together in pursuit of spring migrants and locals.

    Meet in the parking lot of Garnsey Park at 1481 New York State Route 146, Rexford 12065 -- the dirt access drive for the park is on the north side of New York State Route 146 just east of Garnsey Road. Meet at 7:30 a.m.

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  • Hidden Lake Girl Scout Camp

    • 24 May 2026
    • 7:30 AM
    • Hidden Lake Girl Scout Camp

    Coordinator: Kate Schnurr 518-253-6158 thekatwho@msn.com

    Hidden Lake is on 400 acres in the southern Adirondack Park, approximately three miles from Lake George Village. The camp has trails through wooded areas: around the main pond, campsites and by a stream that empties into a small pond. We can expect to encounter higher elevation nesting birds. In the past Mourning, Blackburnian, Black-throated Green, and Black-and-white Warblers, Blue-headed Vireo, Red-eyed Vireo, Cedar Waxwing, Rose-breasted Grosbeak, and Scarlet Tanagers have been observed.

    Meet at 7:30 a.m. at the Exit 8 Park & Ride to carpool.

    If you wish to drive to camp it is 1799 NY-9N Scenic, Lake Luzerne, NY 12846

    https://goo.gl/maps/LVzdaMjofXtnv7V18

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  • Beginning Birder Workshop - Saratoga National Historical Park and Battlefield

    • 25 May 2026
    • 8:00 AM
    • Saratoga National Historical Park and Battlefield, Saratoga County

    Coordinators: Gregg Recer and Cathy Graichen gregg.recer@gmail.com 518-330-4552 (GR)

    Saratoga Battlefield is a great location to learn many of the common grassland and open-country breeding species of the region such as Bobolink, Eastern Meadowlark, Savannah and Field Sparrows, American Kestrel, Eastern Towhee, and several wood-warbler species. We will cover some of the park trails on foot and can expect to spend the entire morning. This trip will be geared toward novice birders, but all are welcome.

    Meet at 8:00 a.m. in the parking lot near the park’s visitor center off New York State Route 32.

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  • Cherry Plain State Park

    • 30 May 2026
    • 7:00 AM
    • Cherry Plain State Park, Rensselaer County

    Coordinator: Naomi Lloyd naomi_kestrel@yahoo.com

    Cherry Plain State Park is situated on the Rensselaer Plateau of the Capital District. The relatively high elevation, cool climate and a variety of forested and wetland habitats make this a good area for northern species. Nesting species include Least Flycatcher, Dark-eyed Junco, White-throated Sparrow, Scarlet Tanager, Common Raven, Broad- winged Hawk, Black-throated Blue, Black-throated Green, Magnolia, Blackburnian, Chestnut-sided, Black-and-White and Yellow-rumped Warblers. Ovenbird, Northern Waterthrush, Veery, Hermit Thrush and Winter Wren also nest here.

    Meet at 7:00 a.m. at the Hannaford parking lot on the right side of New York State Route 43, just past the intersection of New York State Route 150 in West Sand Lake, to carpool to the park.

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  • Strawberry Fields Nature Preserve

    • 31 May 2026
    • 8:00 AM
    • Strawberry Fields Nature Preserve, Montgomery County

    Coordinator: Ellen Pemrick 518-366-5360 lnmp@nycap.rr.com

    Strawberry Fields is located on Cranes Hollow Road in the Town of Amsterdam. It includes a nature preserve protected under a conservation easement with Mohawk Hudson Land Conservancy, a family home, and a working farm, and features 2.5 miles of trails through fields and forest. Birds found here include Bobolink, Eastern Bluebird, Baltimore Oriole, Common Yellowthroat and Ovenbird. We’ll walk the trails and see what turns up. Be prepared for possible wet or muddy conditions and tall grass.

    Meet at 8:00 a.m. in the designated parking area at the preserve. Directions can be found at

    www.mohawkhudson.org/our-preserves/strawberry-fields-nature-preserve

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  • Alfred Z. Solomon Grasslands Trail

    • 20 Jun 2026
    • 8:00 AM
    • Alfred Z. Solomon Grasslands Trail, Washington County

    Coordinator: Naomi Lloyd naomi_kestrel@yahoo.com

    Grassland Bird Trust’s Alfred Z. Solomon Grassland Bird Viewing Area on the New York State Birding Trail, a premier destination for viewing wintering hawks and owls, is now open to the public! The newly created trail has boardwalks allowing access to new areas to allow closer observation of breeding birds in this mixed open habitat. We will be looking to add species of breeding birds to the GBT’s data, including American Kestrel, Eastern Meadowlark, Bobolink, Eastern Bluebird, and Savannah Sparrow as well as resident flycatchers and warblers. Upland Sandpipers have been recorded breeding here some years. The new trail wanders down from the viewing platform across the fields to wetland and stream areas.

    Meet at 8:00 a.m. at the Alfred Z Solomon Grassland Bird Viewing Area parking lot on County Route 42, Fort Edward.

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  • Into the Beyond

    • 21 Jun 2026
    • TBA

    Exact Date and location TBA

    Coordinator: David Harrison 908-892-5495 david.harrison57@earthlink.net

    Explore the further reaches of Region 8! Fulton, Montgomery, Warren, northern Washington or northern Saratoga are on the table for this Leader’s Choice trip. Date and meeting location TBA


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  • North Country Breeders and Cookout

    • 27 Jun 2026
    • 28 Jun 2026
    • Hamilton County

    Coordinators: Gregg Recer and Cathy Graichen gregg.recer@gmail.com 518-330-4552 (GR)

    We plan to explore a variety of Adirondack breeding habitats, focusing on some of the best sites in Hamilton County NY such as Ferd's and Sabattis Bogs for boreal species, and locations like Moose River Plains, Little Tupper Lake and Moss Lake for northern breeding warblers, finches and wetland species. Twenty or more breeding warbler species are possible. The trip will begin early Saturday morning at Ferd's Bog. On Saturday evening we plan to have a group cook-out at a state park or campground facility in the area. Limit ten participants. By Club policy, this overnight trip is for members, with non-members accommodated if room is available and at the leader’s discretion.

    RESERVATIONS REQUIRED. Contact Gregg Recer by May 3rd to reserve a spot and for hotel reservation information.

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  • Counting Common Nighthawks

    • 25 Aug 2026
    • 6:00 PM - 7:30 PM
    • Albany Pine Bush Discovery Center, Albany County

    Coordinators: Scott Stoner and Denise Hackert-Stoner scottjstoner@aol.com

    The Common Nighthawk is perhaps best referred to as the "Uncommon Nighthawk" as this dusk- and dawn-feeding aerial insectivore sadly is in decline. Although it breeds throughout much of North America, it is no longer observed during the summer in many urban and suburban areas. A long-distance migrant, Common Nighthawks travel in large flocks, on one of the longest migration routes of any North American bird. Most travel over land through Mexico and Central America to reach their wintering grounds in southern South America. Although numbers on individual nights are unpredictable, the bulk of southbound migration occurs from mid-August until early September. Once again, HMBC will be viewing and counting any nighthawks that pass overhead. Tuesday 8/25 is a joint program with Albany Pine Bush.

    Meet at the parking lot at the Albany Pine Bush Discovery Center, located at 195 New Karner Road (New York State Route 155) in Albany. Bring a chair and binoculars. We will begin each night at 6:00 p.m. and count until 7:30 p.m.


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  • Counting Common Nighthawks

    • 26 Aug 2026
    • 6:00 PM - 7:30 PM
    • Albany Pine Bush Discovery Center, Albany County

    Coordinators: Scott Stoner and Denise Hackert-Stoner scottjstoner@aol.com

    The Common Nighthawk is perhaps best referred to as the "Uncommon Nighthawk" as this dusk- and dawn-feeding aerial insectivore sadly is in decline. Although it breeds throughout much of North America, it is no longer observed during the summer in many urban and suburban areas. A long-distance migrant, Common Nighthawks travel in large flocks, on one of the longest migration routes of any North American bird. Most travel over land through Mexico and Central America to reach their wintering grounds in southern South America. Although numbers on individual nights are unpredictable, the bulk of southbound migration occurs from mid-August until early September. Once again, HMBC will be viewing and counting any nighthawks that pass overhead. 

    Meet at the parking lot at the Albany Pine Bush Discovery Center, located at 195 New Karner Road (New York State Route 155) in Albany. Bring a chair and binoculars. We will begin each night at 6:00 p.m. and count until 7:30 p.m.


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  • Counting Common Nighthawks

    • 27 Aug 2026
    • 6:00 PM - 7:30 PM
    • Albany Pine Bush Discovery Center, Albany County

    Coordinators: Scott Stoner and Denise Hackert-Stoner scottjstoner@aol.com

    The Common Nighthawk is perhaps best referred to as the "Uncommon Nighthawk" as this dusk- and dawn-feeding aerial insectivore sadly is in decline. Although it breeds throughout much of North America, it is no longer observed during the summer in many urban and suburban areas. A long-distance migrant, Common Nighthawks travel in large flocks, on one of the longest migration routes of any North American bird. Most travel over land through Mexico and Central America to reach their wintering grounds in southern South America. Although numbers on individual nights are unpredictable, the bulk of southbound migration occurs from mid-August until early September. Once again, HMBC will be viewing and counting any nighthawks that pass overhead. 

    Meet at the parking lot at the Albany Pine Bush Discovery Center, located at 195 New Karner Road (New York State Route 155) in Albany. Bring a chair and binoculars. We will begin each night at 6:00 p.m. and count until 7:30 p.m.


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  • Saratoga Spa State Park

    • 29 Aug 2026
    • 8:00 AM
    • Saratoga Springs State Park, Saratoga County

    Coordinator: Ron Harrower ronharrower14@gmail.com

    Picnic table graveyard? Hardly! Explore this very productive area at the south end of Saratoga Spa Park. From weedy brush lot to capped landfill and through woods, this spot has earned attention as a haven for migrants in its many edge habitats. Expect warblers, sparrows, flycatchers, and vireos. The path is level and mostly gravel.

    Meet at 8:00 a.m. at the Carlsbad parking area. From New York State Route 50 or U.S. Route 9, take East-West Road through the south end of the park. Carlsbad parking lot is just west of the Peerless Pool lot. Admission is charged after 8:30 a.m. so please be prompt.

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  • Hand Hollow Conservation Area

    • 30 Aug 2026
    • 8:00 AM
    • Hand Hollow Conservation Area, Columbia County

    Coordinator: Marian Sole 203-710-9096 mrnsole7@gmail.com

    Columbia Land Conservancy owns and manages 433 acres at Hand Hollow Conservation Area for the protection of wildlife and open space. The property has an active beaver pond and two lakes, and trails that pass by ponds, creeks, wet meadows and a hemlock ravine. We will be looking for migrant songbirds as well as lingering residents.

    Meet 8:00 a.m. at the parking lot. From the intersection of New York State Route 22 and U.S. Route 20 in New Lebanon, take U.S. Route 20 4.5 miles to County Route 9. Take County Route 9 south 1.2 miles and turn west (right) into a parking lot across from the farmhouse just past the pond.


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  • Fall Migrants at Albany Pine Bush Preserve

    • 6 Sep 2026
    • 8:00 AM
    • Albany Pine Bush Preserve, Albany County

    Coordinators: Tom and Colleen Williams twill0526@gmail.com

    Come explore the Karner Barrens East unit of Albany Pine Bush Preserve, via the "yellow" perimeter trail, and "blue" dune overlook trail. We will be looking for warblers, vireos, and flycatchers. The dune overlook trail has a moderate climb and descent. This is approximately a three-mile loop. Take proper precautions to avoid ticks.

    Meet at 8:00 a.m. at the Albany Pine Bush Discovery Center parking lot, located at 195 New Karner Road (New York State Route 155) in Albany.

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  • Hawk Watching and Songbirds at Thacher State Park

    • 13 Sep 2026
    • 9:30 AM
    • Thacher State Park, Albany County

    Coordinators: Tom and Colleen Williams twill0526@gmail.com

    We will be looking for migrating Broad-winged Hawks that use the warming air thermals along the face of the escarpment to continue their migration south. Other raptors may be seen using the thermals for similar reasons. Osprey, Bald Eagles, Red-tailed Hawks, Sharp-shinned and Coopers Hawks are among those that can be seen soaring over the Helderbergs. Ruby-throated Hummingbirds also migrate over the escarpment very low and fast, and sparrows and warblers can also be found along the trails around the overlook.

    Meet at 9:30 a.m. at the upper level of the overlook at John Boyd Thacher Park in Voorheesville.

    www.google.com/maps/@42.651048,-74.0078436,317m/data=!3m1!1e3


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  • Nutten Hook

    • 19 Sep 2026
    • 8:00 AM
    • Nutten Hook, Columbia County

    Coordinator: Kathryn Schneider 518-248-8665 fallline@nycap.rr.com

    Nutten Hook is part of Stockport Flats, a Hudson River Estuarine Research Reserve site in Columbia County. The area includes the remains of the largest icehouse on the Hudson as well as a loop trail that borders the river for a quarter mile. The return path cuts inland through oak woods, abandoned farmland, and tidal marshes. Bald Eagles and early fall migrants are expected.

    Meet at 8:00 a.m. in the parking area by the pavilion, which is west of the railroad tracks, and past the buildings on Ice House Road. Ice House Road. is off New York State Route 9J in Stuyvesant.

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  • Normanskill Farm

    • 20 Sep 2026
    • 7:30 AM
    • Normanskill Farm, Albany County

    Coordinator: Tristan Lowery 646-323-8914 tristanlowery@gmail.com

    Normanskill Farm is a city-owned complex comprising trails, community gardens, historic buildings, and a working farm that offers some of the best birding to be found within the Albany city limits. Birding here can be especially good here in the fall and a productive outing here can turn up a great variety of southbound migrants and lingering breeders in the woodlands, fields, and gardens that lie alongside the Normanskill Creek. We’ll spend the better part of a late fall morning here exploring the grounds in search of songbirds like warblers and sparrows, as well as waterfowl, shorebirds, and raptors on the water and overhead.

    Meet at 7:30 a.m. at the Normanskill Farm parking lot on Mill Road. From Delaware Avenue (New York State Route 443), heading west, turn left on Mill Road just before the bridge over Normanskill Creek. Parking lot is on the left 0.25 miles down along Mill Road.

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  • Saratoga Battlefield

    • 27 Sep 2026
    • 8:00 AM
    • Saratoga Battlefield, Saratoga County

    Coordinator: Jamie Kane jamielynnkane@gmail.com

    This popular trip features beautiful foliage and a good chance to see hawks, woodpeckers, sparrows, bluebirds and late migrants as we walk the woods and grasslands of the battlefield.

    Meet at 8 a.m. in the parking lot near the park’s visitor center off New York State Route 32.


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  • Five Rivers EEC

    • 3 Oct 2026
    • 8:00 AM
    • Five Rivers EEC, Albany County

    Coordinator: Tristan Lowery 646-323-8914 tristanlowery@gmail.com

    Early October birding in the Capital Region offers the opportunity to experience fall foliage and fall migration both peaking around the same time and Five Rivers is a great location to witness both natural spectacles. We’ll spend the morning here in search of fall migrants in a variety of habitats around the property. Sparrows should be especially abundant this time of year, and we’ll have a good chance of picking out Lincoln’s, Swamp, White-crowned Sparrows out of larger flocks of White-throated and Song Sparrows. Later migrating warblers such as Yellow-rumped and Palm Warbler are often still moving through, as well as both species of kinglet, Blue-headed Vireos, and Hermit Thrushes. It’s also a good time of year to keep our eyes skyward, as both waterfowl and raptors should be heading south. Just a warning though: walking around Five Rivers in fall can sometimes be a wet and muddy affair, so dress appropriately.

    Meet at 8:00 a.m. in the parking lot at Five Rivers Environmental Education Center in Delmar.

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  • Bog Meadow Brook Trail

    • 4 Oct 2026
    • 8:00 AM
    • Bog Meadow Brook Trail

    Coordinator: Ron Harrower ronharrower14@gmail.com

    Bog Meadow Brook Trail, an old rail trail just east of Saratoga Springs, runs along the northern edge of a swamp and consists of wetland habitat with two ponds with a wet mixed forest in between. In October, sparrows are moving in and late migrants are still present. There should be a good variety of waterfowl and lingering shorebirds are possible.Meet at 8:00 a.m. at the trailhead pull-off on Meadowbrook Road, about 0.3 mile west of Stafford Bridge Road / New York State Route 67.

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  • Mohawk-Hudson Bike-Hike Trail

    • 24 Oct 2026
    • 8:00 AM
    • Mohawk-Hudson Bike-Hike Trail, Albany County

    Coordinator: Naomi Lloyd naomi_kestrel@yahoo.com

    On this trip along the Mohawk River and its backwaters in Niskayuna, we will look for waterfowl, gulls, and sparrows. Our walk will take us east past farm fields and Niska Isle, usually the most productive stretch. We will retrace our path and check for waterfowl at Lock 7. This is approximately 3.5 miles total. The meeting place has been changed in an effort to avoid the crowds of runners and bikers. We will be walking downriver for a change!

    Meet at 8:00 a.m. at the parking area where the Train crosses Lock 7 Road. Bring a spotting scope if you wish to scan the waterfowl groups.

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  • Collins Lake

    • 31 Oct 2026
    • 8:00 AM
    • Collins Lake, Schenectady County

    Coordinator: Dan Leonard dannyboy67leonard@gmail.com

    We will visit Collins Lake to view late migrating waterfowl from the beach and the east side of the lake. We will also take a walk east along the north side of the Mohawk River for fall sparrows. Fox Sparrows have been seen in previous years. Foliage will be off the trees to make finding LBJs (Little Brown Jobs) a bit easier.

    Meet at 8:00 a.m. at the beach parking lot at Collins Lake. Bring a scope if you have one.

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  • Tomhannock Reservoir

    • 14 Nov 2026
    • 8:30 AM
    • Tomhannock Reservoir, Rensselaer County

    Coordinator: Naomi Lloyd naomi_kestrel@yahoo.com

    Join us for a morning trip around the Tomhannock Reservoir. We hope to find a variety of waterfowl as well as resident and migrant passerines. Rarities have turned up at the Tomhannock in the fall and we often find Bald Eagles.

    Meet at 8:30 a.m. at the parking area at the intersection of Lake Shore Drive and New York State Route 7 at the west end of the causeway. Bring a scope if you have one.


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  • North Country Winter Birding

    • 11 Dec 2026
    • 13 Dec 2026
    • Jefferson and St. Lawrence Counties

    Coordinators: Gregg Recer and Cathy Graichen gregg.recer@gmail.com 518-330-4552 (GR)

    On this early winter trip, we'll explore some of the best winter birding locales in Jefferson and St. Lawrence Counties in New York, including Cape Vincent, Perch River WMA, Robert Moses SP and the St Lawrence River. Expected birds include wintering waterfowl, loons, grebes, gulls, hawks and field birds. Will also be searching for rare or irregular species such as Snowy Owl, winter finches, Bohemian waxwing. Cape Vincent is a well-known winter vagrant trap and we'll be alert for any reports of chaseable rarities. Participants will have Friday to travel at their leisure so that we can begin birding as a group first thing Saturday morning. Limit eight participants. By Club policy, this overnight trip is for members, with non-members accommodated if room is available and at the leader’s discretion.

    RESERVATIONS REQUIRED. Contact Gregg Recer by November 1st to reserve a spot and for hotel reservation information.

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  • Schenectady Christmas Bird Count

    • 19 Dec 2026

    Coordinator/Compiler: Larry Alden 518-495-6535 overlook@nycap.rr.com

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  • Southern Rensselaer Christmas Bird Count

    • 26 Dec 2026

    Coordinator/Compiler: Naomi Lloyd 518-596-5964 naomi_kestrel@yahoo.com

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  • Troy Christmas Bird Count

    • 2 Jan 2027

    Coordinator/Compiler: Larry Alden 518-495-6535 overlook@nycap.rr.com

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