Field Trips

Woodcocks and Owling, with Bob McGuire and Suan Yong
Friday, April 3, 2026, 6:30pm - 9:00pm
Meet at the Cornell Lab of O parking lot

We will spend the evening listening for woodcocks skydancing, maybe even see one before it's too dark, and perhaps a snipe if we're lucky. We'll then go owling in some of the area woods. Dress for cooler evenings. Rain date is the following day (Saturday, April 4). Forecast currently shows likely rain on Friday and even Saturday, so check the club calendar for postponement or cancellation.
Contact suan.yong@gmail.com for more information.

Around the Lake, with Steve Kress
Saturday, April 11, 2026, 7am - 5pm
Meet at Stewart Park, East Parking Lot

Steve will lead a trip around the lake to look for migrating waterfowl and other early migrants coming through. Meet to carpool at Stewart Park’s east end (turn right once across the railway tracks) Dress for the weather, and bring water and snacks. We may stop along the way for food.

For more information, contact Suan (suan.yong@gmail.com).

Derby Hill, with Meena Haribal
April 9 or 10 or 11 or 12, 2026, 7am - 5pm
Meet to carpool at Cornell Lab of Ornithology parking lot

Derby Hill, located on the southeast corner of Lake Ontario near Oswego, is a hotspot for Spring raptor migration, but only when the wind and weather is favorable. On good days, over 10,000 Broad-winged Hawks have been observed, but all manner of raptors, like Sharp-shinned and Cooper’s Hawks, Ospreys, Bald and Golden Eagles, Northern Harriers, falcons, etc., can be seen.

Meena will lead a full day trip to Derby Hill sometime within the April 9-12 window, depending on the weather. She will aim for a weekend trip, but if the weather does not cooperate, it may take place on a weekday.

If you register with Meena at mmh3@cornell.edu before April 6, she will notify you about the day of the trip. You can also keep watch on the club’s calendar.

The trip will leave from the CLO visitor parking lot at 7:00 am, so come a few minutes earlier. The drive is about two hours, and we will have a short stop in-between. We will aim to return around 5:00 pm.

Bring binoculars and a scope if you have one. Bring food and drinks, as there is nothing available at the watch. Dress in layers, as the lakeshore might be cooler than inland.

Myers Park, with Suan Yong
Saturday, April 18, 2026, 8am - 11am.
Myers Park, meet at pavilion closest to the spit

Join Suan for a morning of birding at Myers Park and adjacent Salt Point. Meet at Myers Park, out near the pavilion closest to the spit.  Dress for the weather and bring water and a snack. Email suan.yong@gmail.com with questions.

Dryden Lake, with Gladys Birdsall
Sunday, April 26th. 7:30am - 11:00am.
Meet at Dryden Lake near the platform

Join Gladys for a morning of birding at Dryden Lake, looking for migrant songbirds and late migrating waterfowl. Dress for the weather and bring a scope if you have one. Questions, email Gladys at: gjb5@outlook.com

Danby Area, with Dan Toronto and Leah Dodd
Saturday, May 2, 2025, 7am - 11am.
Meet at Jennings Pond.

Dan Toronto and Leah Dodd will lead a field trip to a variety of habitats in and around Danby. This will likely include a scan of Jennings Pond, stops along Michigan Hollow Rd., a good listen at the Hillview Swamp, and, for those that might be interested, a walk up Steam Mill Rd. Species may include Bobolink, Savannah Sparrow, Black-throated Green Warbler, Blackburnian Warbler, Blue-headed Vireo, and Virginia Rail. The locations may vary based on recent sightings. The trip will start at 7am at Jennings Pond Park off of Bald Hill Rd. We may carpool from there. Dress for the weather. Bring binoculars and bug spray. We have a scope. More are welcome. Email danielktoronto@gmail.com with questions.

Monkey Run South, with Diane Morton and Stephanie Herrick
Sunday, May 3, 2026, 7am - 11am
Meet at the end of Monkey Run Road (off of Route 366 in Varna)

Join Diane and Stephanie for a morning of birding at Monkey Run, a site known for Ruffed Grouse, Pine Warbler, and Winter Wren, with plenty of habitat for seeing the variety of migrants and local breeders who might be moving through during this exciting time of year for birding.

Andrew Farm Birding (Trumansburg), with Scott Sutcliffe
Sunday, May 10, 2025, 7:30 am to 9:30 am.
Andrew Farm, 6300 Waterburg Rd., Trumansburg NY.

You’re invited to join me and other friends for an early-morning bird and wildflower walk on my 100-acre farm in Trumansburg. My farm, most of which is protected by conservation easements with the Finger Lakes Land Trust, is a haven for birds with a couple of miles of foot-friendly trails along a forested stretch of Taughannock Creek, through Woodcock fields, and ending at grassland bird meadows. We will gather and bird from my barn (barn list is 60+ species), then amble along the trails, all of which are relatively tick free.

Please park in the side field, marked with a peace flag then amble up to the barn. I am looking forward to birding and visiting with you.

P.S.  You are welcome to walk and bird additional trails after the group walk.

Finger Lakes National Forest, with Jared Dawson
Sunday, May 17, 2026, 7am - 1pm

Join Jared in exploring the Finger Lakes National Forest, especially the Teeter Pond-Horton Meadow area, and also the Foster Pond area, looking for bobolink and meadowlark, and a range of warblers, orioles, grosbeaks, etc. Check back later for meeting point and further details.