Field Trips

Meet at the gravel parking lot located opposite 2090 Houghton Rd (Google Map Link), for a morning of birding at the "upper loop" trail behind the Cayuga Nature Center. Located adjacent to the Black Diamond Trail, this parcel of overgrown field with a few small ponds is great habitat for birds like Field Sparrow and Brown Thrasher.

To overcome their financial difficulties, the Cayuga Nature Center recently sold this parcel via the Finger Lakes Land Trust to New York State Parks, who are interested in making this a stopover site along the Black Diamond Trail which they manage.

Directions from Ithaca: take 89 north, shortly after the Glenwood Pines restaurant, take a slight left uphill onto Perry City Road. Take the next right onto Garrett Road for about one mile, turn left onto Houghton Road. In 0.2 miles, the parking lot is to your right behind a row of tall spruce trees.

Meet at Cayuta Lake Boat Launch (eBird hotspot, Google Map) for lake scanning and a leisurely stroll along the access road looking for migrants and swampy forest birds. After birding here, we will drive over to one of the nearby hotspots - likely Cayuta Gulf for mature forest and creek specialists and spring ephemerals, with the possibility of continuing to another spot dependent on time and motivation. Bird lovers and bird curious folks of all kinds and abilities welcome.

Space may be limited. Email suan.yong@gmail.com to register by May 15.

Meet at Greensprings Cemetery (293 Irish Hill Road, Newfield)

Trip Leaders: Bob McGuire, Diane Morton, Ken Kemphues, Steve Kress.

Greensprings has excellent habitat for migratory birds at this time of year, including field birds such as Bobolinks and Field Sparrows. We'll also go into the Arnot Forest, which has many thrushes, warblers, vireos, and other returning songbirds at this time of year. Bring a snack and something to drink and dress for the weather. Waterproof boots may be helpful.

Directions from Ithaca: Take NY Route 13 south to Newfield (follow the right lane to Elmira where Routes 34 & 96 split off). At the roundabout, turn left, then take an immediate right. Go past the post office and cemetery, turn left onto Van Kirk Road. Continue south for 4 miles. Where Van Kirk bends nearly 90 degrees to the left, slow down, then go straight onto Irish Hill Road. Drive 1.2 miles to the Greensprings entrance, which will be on your left.

Meet 7:00am north of Trumansburg at 4431 E Seneca Road, just off of Hwy 96

- OR -

meet around 7:20am at the Interloken trail access on Seneca Road

Join Jared Dawson for a field trip to the western edge of the Cayuga Lake basin in the Finger Lakes National Forest, for some mixed habitat birding including a large pond, forest, and open grazing pasture with views of Seneca Lake to the west. Over the last 6 years I’ve had 12 species of warblers in the pond area, and the pasture is good for nesting Bobolinks and Brown Thrashers with occasional meadowlarks.

We will gather for carpooling at the parking lot of the American Legion at 4431 E Seneca Rd on the north side of Trumansburg just off of Hwy 96 (map link below). The Interloken trail is enjoyed by equestrians and thus the trails can be quite muddy in places depending on rainfall, so appropriate footwear is advised.

https://maps.app.goo.gl/Z5PYiKZUehSRJeLp7 is the site of the parking area on Seneca Rd at the Interloken trail access.

https://maps.app.goo.gl/ghU7A5yiDoFYekrQ6 is our gathering place at 7:00 am on the north side of Trumansburg just off of Hwy 96.

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: 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).

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.