Field Trips

The Finger Lakes Bird Observatory, led by Max "Hummingbird" Baber, will be banding birds in the field on Houghton Road between the Black Diamond Trail and Cayuga Nature Center (parking lot is opposite 2090 Houghton Road). Members of the public are invited to observe our beautiful birds up close and to learn about the bird banding process.

Banding begins at dawn and lasts until around noon, subject to weather conditions. Stop by anytime between 6:10am and 11:40am to check it out. Generally speaking, the earlier the better.

If you want to follow along on a net check, muck boots are recommended as parts of the trail are very wet. (You do not have to go on a net check to see the birds up close.)

NOTE: bird banding is subject to weather cancellation from rain or strong wind. Check the calendar for updates.

Location: 5915 State Route 79, Mecklenburg

Ken Haas is once again offering a field trip starting at his home in Mecklenburg, with 10 acres including a half acre pond, mixed deciduous and coniferous young forest with some dense undergrowth, a swampy area and some shrubby areas. Single track and double track trails meander through most of the property. Easy walking. After that, we may drive down to nearby Cayuta Lake for some bonus birding.

Directions from Ithaca: take 79 west to Mecklenburg. Continue 0.8 miles out of the village up the hill and around to a straight stretch. Shortly before the road curves again, Turnpike Road comes in from the left. The driveway to Alder Pond is to the right directly opposite Turnpike Road. There is space for five cars to park on the property; if that is full, park along Turnpike Road (i.e., if you see cars parked on Turnpike Road, the lot is probably full at the property).

Meet at East Hill Plaza parking lot, by Collegetown Bagels, at the corner of Ellis Hollow Road and Pine Tree Road in Ithaca. We will head to Shindagin Hollow State Forest for warblers and other birds during this peak period of migration and breeding. We will walk 1-2 miles while birding along Shindagin Hollow Road, ending around 11 or 11:30 am. Wear good walking shoes (may be muddy), bring a hat, bug spray, water, and a snack. Please contact Laura if you have any questions (lms9@cornell.edu).

Location: 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.

Meet at the FLT trailhead on Texas Hollow Rd (eBird hotspot), Google Map), located opposite 3785 Texas Hollow Rd, Burdett, NY 14818.

 We will hike slowly down the FLT (or along the road, depending on participant preference) into Texas Hollow State Forest looking/listening for late migrants and breeding birds. Rustic trail conditions, likely muddy. Depending on motivation and bird activity, we may caravan to another nearby spot.