Last
updated 3/19/13NYSYBC FIELD TRIPS & OTHER EVENTS
Observing American Golden-Plovers from Skinners Lane, August 2012
Near Wallkill River NWR, Orange County -
photo
by Carena PoothNYSYBC
conducts field trips all over New York State with the help of our Partner Organizations.
These trips are an excellent way to meet fellow young birders and see some awesome
birds! Each field trip is led by an expert birder who is very familiar with the
area and its birds.
NYSYBC field trips are open ONLY to:
- young birders (age 10-19) and
their parents.
PLEASE NOTE: Young birders who have attended a previous NYSYBC trip may go on additional field trips only if they have become NYSYBC members. - Youth Member alumni who have maintained uninterrupted membership as Supporting Adults since their 20th birthday.
- Other adults specifically invited. Supporting adults wishing to attend a trip, please as early as possible.
ALL YOUNG BIRDERS UNDER AGE 12 must be transported and accompanied throughout the trip by a parent.
Because these trips require a good deal of planning and coordination, attendees are required to in advance with name, address, age, and transportation plans (see calendar below for deadline dates). In addition, ANY BIRDER UNDER THE AGE OF 18 MUST SUBMIT A COMPLETED PERMISSION FORM by the applicable deadline specified below, and a MEDICAL AUTHORIZATION FORM before the first trip they attend each calendar year.
Non-members may attend one NYSYBC field trip (and their parents may attend with them if they wish) but must become NYSYBC Youth Members before attending any subsequent field trips. Exception: Out of state residents between the ages of 10 and 19 who visit the state occasionally may attend two field trips per year as non-members.
TRIPS ARE SUBJECT TO CANCELLATION due to weather or if too few registrations are received by the stated deadline. We use email to communicate in these situations.
Sunday January 20, 2013 (Sunday) - 2013 Kickoff Meeting - Ward Pound Ridge Reservation, Cross River - Westchester County
Bird Walk Leader: Paul Lewis of Bedford Audubon Society
This is our annual club kickoff. We will start the day with a two-hour bird walk. After that, we'll head inside and warm up with hot drinks and snacks. Thus fortified, we will begin our annual kickoff meeting!
This year's event will include keynote speaker Hope Batcheller (NYSYBC alumna and Cornell University student) and discussion sessions on specific birding topics.
We'll also talk about the 2013 field trip schedule, World Series of Birding, Super Bowl of Birding, NYSYBC scholarship program, NYSOA annual meeting, and election of officers as well as volunteer leadership positions. Youth Members are encouraged to attend. It's YOUR club, and this is your chance to have a say in how it is run and what activities it will offer.
A morning snack and beverages will be provided, along with pizza for lunch (or bring your own food if you prefer).
The meeting is open to 2013 NYSYBC Youth Members, their parents, and specifically invited adults only.
Photo taken at the meeting by Mike McBrien (Michael McBrien's dad).
by 1/4/13 (send us a quick email with your name, address, age, and transportation plans); permission form due by 1/11/12.
February - no trip this month. We are getting ready for spring excitement!!!
March 24, 2013 (Sunday) - Jamaica Bay
Bird Walk Leader: Tait Johannsen of Bedford Audubon Society
This is a good time of the year for ducks, early migrants, and maybe even a few shorebirds. We will meet at the Visitors Center at 7:30 AM. To get there from the Belt Parkway take exit 17 S, Cross Bay Blvd. Proceed south on Cross Bay Boulevard across the Joseph Addabbo - North Channel Bridge. Turn right into the Visitors Center parking lot at the traffic light, 1.5 miles after the bridge.
Bring your lunch to eat with the group after our walk.
It can be muddy so boots are recommended.
As of 3/19, the weather forecast is calling for partly cloudy skies and temperatures in the upper 30s, rising to the mid-40s by lunchtime.
by 3/8/13 (send us name, address, age, and transportation plans); permission form due by 3/15/13.
April 7, 2013 (Sunday) - Central Park Birding & Audubon Watercolor Exhibit Tour at the New-York Historical Society Museum
Great Egret - NYSYBC trip to Central Park
photo
by Carena Pooth
We will bird Central Park in the morning, enjoy a group lunch, and visit the New-York Historical Society Museum to view the first part of
a sweeping three-part exhibition to showcase every masterpiece from its unparalleled collection of John James Audubon's preparatory watercolor models for the sumptuous double-elephant-folio print edition of The Birds of America (1827-38). Over three years Audubon's Aviary: The Complete Flock (Parts I–III), will feature all 474 stunning avian watercolors by Audubon in the collection, alongside engaging state-of-the-art media installations that will provide a deeper understanding of the connection between art and nature.
The above description of the exhibition is an excerpt from the information posted on the New-York Historical Society website. Click on the link to learn more!
by 3/22/13 (send us name, address, age, and transportation plans); permission form due by 3/29/13.
Check back for meeting time & location details coming soon.
May 18, 2013 (Saturday) - Bashakill
Wildlife Management Area - starting at 5am with later meeting time (7am) for those who cannot get there that early
Sponsoring NYSYBC Partner: Sullivan
County Audubon Society
Early Morning at Bashakill
photo
by Carena PoothThis outstanding birding area in southeastern Sullivan County attracts birders from all over the northeast. Most come in April and May to look for migrating birds that stop to rest and feed in the trees and shrubbery adjacent to the large wetlands, but the birding is excellent much of the year.
This BCA (Bird Conservation Area) is comprised of the Bashakill Wildlife Management Area. Habitat is primarily non-tidal emergent wetlands through which the Bashakill River meanders. Wetlands are surrounded by deciduous woods and mixed woods, with some shrub lands. The area hosts a number of rare plants and animals (Spreading Globeflower, Ironcolor Shiner, Spotted Sunfish and Long-tailed Salamander). Limestone caves exist in the area as well. The area supports characteristic breeding wetland-dependent species (such as Great Blue Heron, Virginia Rail, Sora and Common Moorhen), abundant waterfowl and several species at risk. And in May, WARBLERS!
Species at risk include: Pied-billed Grebe, American Bittern, Least Bittern, Osprey, Bald Eagle, Northern Harrier, Sharp-shinned Hawk, Cooper's Hawk, Northern Goshawk, and Red-shouldered Hawk.
by 5/3/10 (send us name, address, age, and transportation plans); permission form due by 5/10/13.
June 2, 2013 (Sunday) - Doodletown - Rockland County
Sponsoring NYSYBC Partner: Edgar
A. Mearns Bird Club
Early Morning at Bashakill
photo
by Carena Pooth
Doodletown is part of the Palisades Interstate
Park. The beginning of the outing will involve
a steep walk along an old roadway. At the top of the hill is a reservoir. Everyone
should carry water and a snack if they desire. Sneakers or
light boots are suggested. The
walk will start at 8am.
To get an idea of what this trip will be like, check out Brent Bomkamp's report about the NYSYBC field trip to Doodletown in June 2009.
by 5/17/13 (send us name, address, age, and transportation plans); permission form due by 5/24/13.
November 1-3, 2013 (Friday-Sunday) - NYSOA Annual Meeting (Nassau County, Long Island)
The NYSOA Annual Meeting is one of the largest birding and ornithology events in New York State.
There will be AWESOME field trips in the area, many well-known speakers, fascinating workshops, an informative paper session, and a banquet highlighted by the event's keynote speaker. Check back for more details!
More information and registration forms will be available soon on the NYSOA website.
Please note that this event requires a special NYSOA/NYSYBC permission form for attendees under the age of 18.
December 2013 - Christmas Bird Count
There is no NYSYBC field trip planned for December. Instead, we ask young birders to participate in one or more Christmas Bird Counts. Each year, the CBC season runs from December 14th through January 5th. Check with your local bird club or visit NYSOA's online CBC calendar to find out how you can get involved in CBCs in your area!
