Birders of ALL levels—from beginner to expert—are welcome on Mearns Club field trips. Please join us!

In January 2009, the Mearns Club adopted the American Birding Association Code of Birding Ethics. Please keep the tenets of the code in mind when participating in Mearns Club field trips.

Information, including maps, for the birding locations mentioned in the list of field trips here can found on the pages of the Birding Areas section of this website (see the navigation menu).

The leader’s phone number is included for each trip so that you can call if you have any questions. Any changes to the field trip schedule will be announced via the Mearns Groups.io group.

Field trip leaders are responsible for the following: (1) Sending out a trip cancellation notice, if necessary, via the Mearns Groups.io group, or notifying Bob Slechta (845-541-8210) or Joyce Depew (845-978-9952) so that they can send out a cancellation notice. (2) Sending a written trip report both to the Groups.io group and, more importantly, directly to Rich VanTieghem (rich.w2vt@gmail.com) for inclusion in the next Orange Feather.

Field Trip Schedule through March 2025

September

September 7, Saturday, Black Dirt Region, Pine Island, New York: Meet Dave Baker (845-440-4030) in the parking lot of the Jolly Onion Restaurant in Pine Island at 8:30 am, and we’ll see what shore birds we can find on the turf. A Buff-breasted Sandpiper would be nice!

September 14, Saturday, Bashakill Wildlife Management Area, Wurtsboro, New York: Meet Joyce Depew (845-978-9952) at 8:30 am at the first (Department of Environmental Conservation) parking area on Haven Road before you get to the bridge over the Bash. Philadelphia Vireo and Gray-cheeked Thrush are possible.

September 21, Saturday, Wallkill River National Wildlife Refuge, Winding Waters Trail, Pine Island, New York: Parking for the trail is located 1/2 mile west of the refuge platform on Oil City Road. Meet Johanna Bloomfield (541-778-1754) Rich Van Tieghem (201-370-2721) in the parking lot at 8:30 am. We should find a good mix of birds, including, with luck, a Connecticut Warbler!

September 28, Saturday, Stony Kill Farm, Wappingers Falls, New York: Meet Ernie Welch (845-518-8441) at 8:30 am for a good variety of species, especially sparrows and warblers. Stony Kill Farm is a New York State Department of Environmental Conservation property located at 79 Farmstead Lane, Wappingers Falls.

October

October 5, Saturday, 8:30 am, Hudson Highlands Nature Center, Outdoor Discover Campus (formerly Kenridge Farm), Cornwall, New York: Meet Amy Greher (845-774-9399) at the Cornwall dog park (off Muser Drive) at 8:30 am for Lincoln’s Sparrows, Palm Warblers, and more as birds head south for the winter.

October 9, Wednesday, 8:30 am, Goosepond Mountain State Park, Chester, New York: Meet Bob Slechta (845-541-8210) in the parking lot next to the McDonald’s on Brookside Avenue in Chester at 8:30 am. Discover how Goosepond Mountain compares to the Hudson Highlands Nature Center.

October 12, Saturday, 9 am, 6 1/2 Station Road Audubon Sanctuary, Goshen, New York: Meet Liz McKnight (201-400-1428) at 9 am where the Heritage Trail crosses 6 1/2 Station Road and discover what a great birding spot this refuge is.

October 20, Sunday, 9 am, Croton Point Park, Croton-on-Hudson, New York: Meet Zenon Bachir (845-202-0302) at 9 am at the toll booth entrance to Croton Point Park to see birds heading south along the Hudson River.

October 27, SundaySaturday, 9 am, Wallkill River National Wildlife Refuge, Oil City Road, southwest of Pine Island, New York: Meet Rich VanTieghem (201-370-2721) at the Oil City Road viewing platform at 9 am. Anything is possible at this time of year. LeConte’s Sparrow? Maybe!

November

November 2, Saturday, 9 am, Black Dirt Region, Orange County, New York: Meet Dave Baker (845-527-7508) at 9 am in the parking lot of the Jolly Onion restaurant in Pine Island, New York. We’ll search the Black Dirt for larks and buntings down from the Arctic.

November 24, Sunday, 9 am, Eastern Orange County Lakes, New York: Meet Bob Slechta (845-541-8210) at 9 am at the Station Road Square mini mall in Salisbury Mills, New York (located near the intersection of Route 94 and Orrs Mills Road) to search out ducks on the area’s lakes.

November 30, Saturday, 3:30 pm, Shawangunk Grasslands National Wildlife Refuge, Wallkill, New York: Meet Tom and Jane Crepet (845-443-5440) at 3:30 pm in the refuge parking lot off Hoagerburgh Road to catch the Short-eared Owls as they come out to hunt.

December

December 6–8, Friday–Sunday, Cape Ann, Massachusetts: If you’re interested in going on this outstanding trip, contact Jodi Brodsky at 845-282-1058 or jsbbirder@gmail.com. We’ll look for loons, eiders, scoters, Harlequin Ducks, Razorbills, and more!

December 14, Saturday, Audubon Christmas Bird Count: If you want to participate in this annual event, contact Karen Miller at 845-381-3283.

January

January 18, Saturday, NYSOA Winter Waterfowl Count: If you would like to participate in this fun day of counting ducks and geese, contact Bob Slechta (845-541-8210).

January 25, Saturday, 9 am, Eagle Viewing Along the Hudson River in Putnam and Westchester Counties: Meet Gerhard Patsch (845-258-0620) at 9 am at the scenic overlook parking lot 3/4 of a mile south of the Bear Mountain Bridge on Route 202/6 (“the Goat Trail”) for an enjoyable winter day of watching eagles and other birds.

February

February 22, Saturday, 9 am, Black Dirt Region, Orange County, New York: Meet Joyce Depew (845-978-9952) at 9 am in the parking lot of the Jolly Onion restaurant in Pine Island, New York. We’ll search for wintering larks, buntings, Rough-legged Hawks, and maybe some Snow Geese.

March

March 2, Sunday, 9:30 am, Rye, New York and Nearby Areas: Meet Bob Slechta (845-541-8210) at 9:30 am in the Rye Playland parking lot to hunt for Long-tailed Ducks, Purple Sandpipers, loons, grebes, and more.

March 15, Saturday, 9 am, Wallkill River National Wildlife Refuge, Oil City Road, southwest of Pine Island, New York: Meet Johanna Bloomfield (541-778-1754) at the Oil City Road platform at 9 am for lots and lots of ducks and, hopefully, some Sandhill Cranes.

March 23, Sunday, 9 am, Eastern Orange County Lakes, New York: Meet Bob Slechta (845-541-8210) at 9 am at the Station Road Square mini mall in Salisbury Mills, New York (located near the intersection of Route 94 and Orrs Mills Road) to chase down ducks and other waterfowl.