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.

Trip leaders are responsible for preparing a trip write-up and posting it on Groups.io. Leaders, if you need to change a trip schedule, contact Bob Slechta (845-541-8210) or Joyce Depew (845-978-9952).

Field Trip Schedule through December 2026

There’s no need to sign up for field trips, and you don’t have to be a club member to join us. Just show up at the designated meeting location. Any last-minute changes or cancellations will be posted in our Groups.io email group.

October

October 25, 2026, Sunday, Wallkill River National Wildlife Refuge, Pine Island, New York: Meet Johanna Bloomfield (541-778-1754) at 9 am at the Oil City Road platform. We’ll be looking for herons, egrets, ducks, and Sandhill Cranes.

November

November 7, 2026, Saturday, 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, and we’ll search for Northern Harriers, Horned Larks, and Snow Buntings.

November 22, 2026, Sunday, Eastern Orange Lakes: Meet Bob Slechta (845-541-8210) at 9:30 am in the parking lot of the mini mall near the intersection of Route 94 and Orrs Mills Road in Salisbury Mills. We’ll check the local lakes for waterfowl and other birds as they work their way south.

November 28, 2026, Saturday, Shawangunk Grasslands National Wildlife Refuge: Meet Tom and Jane (845-443-5440) at 4 pm in the refuge parking lot to look for Northern Harriers and Short-eared Owls.

December

December 19, 2026, Saturday, Audubon Christmas Bird Count: If you want to participate in this annual national bird census, contact Karen Miller (845-381-3283).

January

January 16, Saturday, New York State Waterfowl Count: Contact Bob Slechta (845-541-8210) if you would like to participate.

January 30, Saturday, Eagle Trip, Putnam and Westchester Counties: Meet Gerhard Patsch (845-288-0620) at 9 am at the scenic overlook on Route 202/6 (the Goat Trail) 3/4 of a mile south of the eastern end of the Bear Mountain Bridge. 100+ Bald Eagles are possible.

February

Keep your eyes open for a popup trip, which will be announced on the Mearns Groups.io group.

March

March 13, Saturday, Black Dirt Region: Meet Joyce Depew (845-978-9952) in the parking lot of the the Jolly Onion restaurant in Pine Island at 9 am to search for Horned Larks, Snow Buntings, and Northern Harriers.

March 20, Saturday, Wallkill River National Wildlife Refuge: Meet Rich Van Tiegham (201-370-2721) at the Oil City Road platform at 9 am for a good mix of waterfowl and, with luck, Sandhill Cranes.

March 28, Sunday, Eastern Orange Lakes: Meet Bob Slechta (845-370-2721) at the Station Road mini mall on Route 94 in Salisbury Mills at 9 am for migrating waterfowl.

April

April 11, Sunday, Wallkill River National Wildlife Refuge: Meet Johanna Bloomfield (541-778-1754) at the Oil City Road platform and see how the variety of birds has changed since our last visit.

April 25 Sunday, 6 1/2 Station Road with Liz McKnight (201-400-1428) This trip is always productive on the spring migration heat up! Meet at 8:30am where 6 1/2 Station Road and Heritage Trail meet.

April 28 Wed, Rail Trail with Joyce DePew (845-978-6652) meet at the Wurtsboro Fire House at 8:30am and bird the new location, Rail Trail to Linear Park.

May

May 1 Saturday, Kenridge Farm-Cornwall with Brenda Jordan (207-461-0348) Meet at the Dog Park off Angola Road at 8AM as Spring migration heats up at the Hot Spot!

May 8, Saturday, BASHAKILL!! with Joyce Depew (845-978-9952) 8 AM at the first DEC parking lot on the left on Haven Road before you cross the kill going east. With luck there is a possibility of seeing 70 species.

May 15-16, Saturday-Sunday, THE BIG SIT-Details to come.

May 22, Saturday, Return to Kendrige Farm with Brenda Jordan (207-461-0348). Meet at the Dog Park off Angola Road at 8AM to see new species coming through near the end of migration.

May 29, Saturday, Shawangunk Grassland NWR with Tom and Jane 9845-443-5440) Be there at 8AM for Grassland Species. Bobolinks, Northern Harriers , Kestrel and maybe a Henslow’s Sparrow.

June 12th or 19th, Saturday, Annual Picnic and Winding Hills Park. The club with provide a sub or two and others are asked to bring a salad, chips, or dessert.