July 2026 Bird Walks in & around the Hudson Valley

Sign the petition by the NYC Bird Alliance.

For over 40 years, NYC Bird Alliance scientists have monitored the wading birds of New York Harbor, building a long-term dataset that has revealed a serious crisis: local Black-crowned Night Heron populations have declined 55% since 2000. Without action, they could disappear from New York Harbor by 2037.

Because Black-crowned Night Heron are highly sensitive to environmental change, their decline serves as a warning signal for the entire harbor.

The good news? It’s not too late! We identified this decline early enough to act, and together we can protect this beloved bird and the harbor ecosystem we share. Add your name to this petition to NYS DEC and NYC Parks, and join NYC Bird Alliance in making that future possible.

For more details & to register, please visit:
https://www.alandevoebirdclub.org/AboutCalendar.htm

No bird walks this month!

For more details & to register, please visit:
https://watermanbirdclub.org/about-us/field-trips-2/

Wednesday, July 1
Dutchess Rail Trail, Hopewell Jct.
Leader: Barbara Michelin (845-242-2301). Meet at Train Depot parking lot, 84 Railroad Ave (off Rt 376) Hopewell Jct. at 8:00am.

Wednesday, July 8
Montgomery Place
Leader: Kate Shaughnessy (845-242-3476). Meet there (55 Montgomery Pl, Barrytown, NY 12507) at 8:00am.

Sunday, July 12
Thompson Pond
Leader: Ernie Welch (razor06bill@gmail.com). Meet there (335 Lake Rd., Pine Plains) at 8:00am.

Wednesday, July 15
Cary/IES – Gifford House
Leader: Janet Allison (845- 264-3222). Meet at the Gifford House parking lot (Rt.44, Millbrook) at 8:00am.

Wednesday, July 22
Mills Mansion
Leaders: Ken & Carol Fredericks (845-452-7619). Meet at the Mansion parking lot, Old Post Rd., Staatsburg at 7:30am.

Saturday, July 25
Buttercup East
Leader: Janet Allison (845-264-3222). Call for time and meeting place.

Wednesday, July 29
Rockefeller Univ. Field Station
Leader: Barbara Michelin (845-242-2301). Meet at Tyrell Rd., (off South Rd.) Millbrook at 8:00am.

For more details & to register, or to check out their nature walks focused on non-bird subjects, please visit: https://jbnhs.org/events/list/

Sun, July 12
SUMMER YOUNG NATURALIST OUTING
9:00 am - 12:00 pm. A timely visit to Thorn Preserve can hopefully provide a real spectacle of Baltimore Checkerspots and the fragrance of blooming Milkweed in the air. Many other insects, wildflowers, and birds call the preserve’s large meadow home for the summer and will be encountered on this special outing geared to stimulate and encourage young naturalists. Please email jbnhsinfo@jbnhs.org to find out more about participating.

Fri, July 24
EVENING PADDLE ON TIVOLI BAYS
Join JBNHS trustee Rogers in her “backyard” on a delightful BYOB event on the tidal backwaters of ecologically rich Tivoli Bays WMA. This is one of the most special places in our region and this quiet paddle is the best way to explore and have up close and unobtrusive encounters with more elusive marsh species like Least Bittern. Please register with Susan (susanfoxrogers@gmail.com ) to find out meet up time and location.

Saturday, July 4
Piaule Catskill Resort
Mossy Hill Road, Catskill, 8am. Take a walk through the woods with Larry Federman, former president of the Audubon Society of the Northern Catskills. Larry will use various techniques to attract and identify dozens of native bird species. $25. RSVP here.

For more details & to register, please visit: https://hoffmannbirdclub.org/events/

Sat, July 11
Money Brook Trail, Williamstown
7:00 am. Haley Farm Trailhead 1033 Hopper Rd, Williamstown, MA. Meet to look for nesting and juvenile birds. We hope to see Bobolinks and many other species. We’ll take an easy walk past fields along a grassy and rocky old road to the base of Money Brook Trail. Then there will be a moderate hike up this narrow trail with tree roots and rocks. For more information and to RSVP, visit here.