May 2026 Bird Walks in & around the Hudson Valley

Columbia County - Alan Devoe Bird Club

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

SAT MAY 9, 2026
OLANA
Coordinator: Frank Smith, 917-254-1237
Meet 8:00 am at the lower parking lot (by the large barn and pond) at Olana State Historic Site, Route 9G. Join us for this very popular (birders & birds) walk through Olana’s artist-designed landscape while keeping eyes and ears open for spring migrants and breeding residents.

SAT MAY 16, 2026
CENTURY RUN
Coordinator: Sue Senecah, 518-210-3027
Join Alan Devoe Bird Club members and friends as we try to see and hear over 100 species in one day. Potluck lunch and tally at Sue Senecah’s (435 Bushnell Road, Chatham) the following day (Sunday May 17th) at 4:00 pm. This is our Club’s main fund-raising event of the year. Please consider participating and/or sponsoring a birder.

SUN MAY 17, 2026
RAIL TRAIL WITH NYS YOUNG BIRDERS
Coordinators: Marian Sole & Autumn Hopkins, 203-710-9096
Join ADBC and the NYSOA Young Birders as we search for warblers along the Harlem Valley Rail Trail. Cerulean Warblers have been sighted on this stretch in past seasons. Meet 7:30 am at the trail designated parking area on Under Mountain Road, off Route 22 in Copake NY. If coming from the South on Route 22 turn right 9.1 miles from Millerton. If you come from the North on Route 22, Under Mountain Road is on the left 8.8 miles from Hillsdale town center.

SAT MAY 23, 2026
P.S. 21 CENTER FOR CONTEMPORARY PERFORMANCE
Coordinator: Mayuko Fujino, 347-237-0935
Meet 8:00 am in the main parking lot at 2980 Route 66, Chatham. We will be joined by members of the Feminist Bird Club as we explore the trails & property around PS 21 and the adjacent Crellin Community Park.

SAT MAY 30, 2026
SKY HIGH FARM
Coordinator: Sarah Workneh, 312-545-5361
Meet 8:00 am at 1131 County Route 7 in Ancram (the former Sigler Farm). This will be our second public walk at Sky High Farm. The team at Sky High Farm has been busy working on sustainable farming techniques. We are excited to survey the evolving bird life in the fields and border habitat.

Dutchess County - Waterman Bird Club

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

Sunday, May 3
Fahnestock State Park
Leader: To be announced.

Wednesday, May 6
Ferncliff
Leader: Kate Shaughnessy (845-242-3476).
Meet there (Mt. Rutsen Rd., Rhinebeck) at 7:30am.

Sunday, May 10
Bashakill
Leader: Ernie Welch (email: razor06bill@gmail.com). Please contact for time & meeting place.

Wednesday, May 13
Peach Hill Park
Leader: Ernie Welch (email: razor06bill@gmail.com). Meet at the parking lot, Edgewood Rd., off Salt Pt. Turnpike, (look for signs, directions on website at 7:30am.

Saturday, May 16
May Census

Wednesday, May 20,
Nuclear Lake
Leaders: Ken & Carol Frederick (845-452-7619). Meet at the intersection of Rt.55 and 150 Old Rt.55 in Poughquag at 7:30am.

Saturday, May 23
Poet’s Walk
Leader: Kate Shaughnessy (845-242-3476). Please call for time and meeting place.

Wednesday, May 27
Tamarack Preserve
Leader: Barbara Michelin (845-242-2301). Meet at club house parking lot on Turkey Hollow Rd. (turn off Rt. 44 – #4754 Rt.44, Millbrook, before Amenia) at 7:30am. Plan to carry lunch.

Ulster County - John Burroughs Natural History Society

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

SAT, May 2
JBNHS ULSTER COUNTY BIG SIT 2026
JBNHS’ 11 th annual Big Sit is also our BIG fundraiser for the year (that’s why we do ours in May) but serves too as a friendly competition between established sits. The challenge is twofold; first how many species can you identify by sight and sound from a 17’ diameter circle and more importantly how many friends and family can you get to pledge to your effort. To learn how to join and/or donate, please visit here.

SUN, May 3
SPRING MIGRATION AT NYQUIST- HARCOURT WILDLIFE SANCTUARY
7:00 am - 12:00 pm. This Wallkill Valley Land Trust holding is 56 acres of floodplain forest and an oxbow wetland that has frontage along the Wallkill River and neighbors a community garden. These habitats have a network of trails that make birding easy but occasionally wet (mucks are always a good idea here). Meet up will be at the municipal lot just off 133 Huguenot Street in the Village of New Paltz. Please register with trip leader Deb Weltsch (dwelstch13@gmail.com ) to attend.

SUN, May 3
SPRING TREE IDENTIFICATION WALK ESOPUS BEND NATURE PRESERVE
9:00 am - 12:00 pm. It’s a wonderful time of year to visit the Esopus Creek Conservancy’s Esopus Bend Nature Preserve regardless of the focus but a true joy to celebrate the woody plants and trees in the preserve with some giant specimens of several species to enjoy. Make sure to bring along binoculars to help with bud and flower identification if not for looking at a tree top warbler. Other signs of spring flora and fauna will be noted along this walk as well. Please make sure to register with Steve Chorvas (schorvas@gmail.com) for this co-sponsored outing. Please visit www.esopuscreekconservancy.org to learn about other outings and ways to support and volunteer at the preserve.

MON, May 4
SPRING MIGRATION AT HIGH BANKS
6:00 am - 10:00 pm. An early morning visit during spring migration to this Scenic Hudson property in the Town of Esopus should provide a generous selection of neotropical migrants. Please register with trip leader Jessica Cukrovany (procolinos@gmail.com). There is an initial climb of 200 feet on the trail, but walking is easy after that and a panoramic view of the mid-Hudson Valley can be enjoyed while scanning the treetops for colorful songsters.

THU, May 7
PEACH HILL SPRING MIGRATION
7:00 am - 12:00 pm. This 159-acre park is a former apple orchard and is the highest point in Poughkeepsie. All attributes making it a great location to receive spring migrants and if conditions and timing are right, a very good fall out spot for new arrivals in the morning. Please register with Tracy Little (mycoleydog@netscape.net ) to plan your morning. Meet at Peach Hill Park (32 Edgewood Drive Poughkeepsie NY12603) at 7:00 AM or at the Kingston Thruway traffic circle park and ride to carpool at 6:15 AM.

THU, May 7
NATURE WALK KINGSTON O&W TRAIL
8:30 am - 10:00 am. A series of local walks planned to start the day right with fresh air, shining sun, and birds singing. These will be short, easy strolls designed to have you home earlier to be a “productive” part of society (domestic chores) yet allowing an hour and a half of escapism and camaraderie from said society. This particular walk will explore the Kingston portion of the paved O&W rail trail. Meet up for this walk is at parking lot at 495 Washington Ave. Please register with Charlotte Adamis (charlotteadamis@gmail.com) to find out meet-up location and other details.

FRI, May 9
ULSTER COUNTY SPRING CENSUS: BIG DAY COUNT
This is the day we all look forward to…. the holiest day of the year! Spend the whole day in the field or just a few hours…. who knows what may be found? Refer to your copy of Where to Bird in Ulster County or visit www.jbnhs.org for good birding locations. Submit your report in checklist order to Steve Chorvas (schorvas@gmail.com ) or P.O. Box 214, Saugerties, NY 12477). This information is combined in a regional report published by the New York State Ornithological Association.

WED, MAY 13
SPRING MIGRATION AT IMMIGRANT’S WAY
7:00 A.M. Please register with trip leader Mark DeDea (forsythnature@aol.com ) to participate on this easy walk along the paved Empire State Trail that runs parallel to Hudson River through Ulster County’s newest state park. We will start at Kingston Point Beach and walk north to East Kingston (round trip of a little more than four miles).

THU, MAY 14
NATURE WALK KINGSTON GREENLINE WEST
8:30 A.M. Join in on a new series of local walks planned to start the day right with fresh air, shining sun, and birds singing. These will be short, easy strolls designed to have you home earlier to be a “productive” part of society (domestic chores) yet allowing an hour and a half of escapism and camaraderie from said society. This particular walk will explore the western end of the KingstonGreenline along the Midtown Linear Park. Please register with Charlotte Adamis (charlotteadamis@gmail.com ) to find out meet up location and other details.

THU, MAY 21
NATURE WALK KINGSTON WVRT/ROCKWELL
8:30 A.M. Join in on a new series of local walks planned to start the day right with fresh air, shining sun, and birds singing. These will be short, easy strolls designed to have you home earlier to be a “productive” part of society (domestic chores) yet allowing an hour and a half of escapism and camaraderie from said society. This particular walk on the Wallkill Valley Rail Trail just outside of the City limits has a nice blend of mixed hardwood/hemlock woods and a powerline cut that runs parallel to the trail, this varietyof habitat is home to quite a few breeding birds. Please register with Charlotte Adamis (charlotteadamis@gmail.com ) to find
out meet up location and other details

SAT, MAY 23
SPRING MIGRATION AT BASHAKILL WMA
The “Bash” is considered one of the best birding locations in our region, especially during spring migration with hopes of species like Prothonotary and Cerulean for the day list. It is wonderful to again have this trip on our schedule and shouldn’t be missed. Please email Tracy Little (mycoleydog@aol.com ) with questions or to register. Meet up to carpool at the Kingston Park and Ride (I-587/Exit 19 Roundabout) for a 6:00 A.M. departure or meet at the “Birder’s parking lot” (turn left off of Haven
Rd. after crossing the Bashakill) for a 7:00 A.M. start time.

THU, MAY 28
NATURE WALK KINGSTON WILTWYCK CEMETERY
8:30 A.M. Join in on a new series of local walks planned to start the day right with fresh air, shining sun, and birds singing. These will be short, easy strolls designed to have you home earlier to be a “productive” part of society (domestic chores) yet allowing an hour and a half of escapism and camaraderie from said society. This particular walk will explore one of Kingston’s oldest green spaces; with a blend of historic headstones, grand old trees, and one of the better spots for birding in Kingston during spring migration. Please register with Charlotte Adamis (charlotteadamis@gmail.com ) to find out meet up location and other details.

Greene County - Larry Federman

Spring Birding Series at RamsHorn
Every Friday, ending on May 29th
Meet at the RamsHorn-Livingston Sanctuary parking lot at the end of Grandview Avenue in the Village of Catskill at 7:30am. The cost is $10/pp. Contact lgambon@gmail.com for questions.

Berkshire County, MA - Hoffmann Bird Club

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

SAT May 2
Birding for beginners, Adams
9:00 am. New to birding? Not sure where to start? This session will start with a discussion on basic tools, practices, and strategies for identifying birds and connecting with your local environment. For more information and to RSVP, visit here.

SUN May 3
Cummington
7:50 am. Old Creamery Co-Op 445 Berkshire Trail, Cummington, MA. Search for American Bittern, waterthrushes, Virginia Rails, cuckoos & more! This trip involves driving to 4-6 birding spots, some easy to moderate walking on grassy paths or along roadsides. For more information and to RSVP, visit here.

SUN May 3
Birds and Blooms, Bartholomew’s Cobble
5:00 pm - 7:00 pm. Bartholomew’s Cobble 105 Weatogue Road, Sheffield, MA. Join naturalist Zach Adams for a guided walk along the Housatonic River looking for spring ephemerals and migrating warblers. Bartholomew’s Cobble is famous for its spring wildflowers and is the top birding location in the Berkshires according to eBird. For more information and to RSVP, visit here.

WED May 6
Privacy Campground, Hancock
7:00 am. Privacy Campground 2458 Hancock Road, Williamstown, MA. Join us to look for warblers and other spring migrants on trails winding through 485 acres, including a pond and brook, woods, and loads of birdy brush. For more information and to RSVP, visit here.

FRI May 8
Joffe Nature Sanctuary
8:00 am. Joffe Nature Sanctuary is a New Marlborough Land Trust property. The property consists of two interlocking loop trails, ideal for families with children. For more information and to RSVP, visit here.

SAT May 9
Monument Mountain in May, Great Barrington
8:00 am. Meet at the Flag Rock Trailhead parking area on Rt.183 in Housatonic just north of Taft Farms. For more information and to RSVP, visit here.

SUN May 10
New Ashford
7:00 am. Join us to explore birding spots in the New Ashford area. Meet at JW Kelly’s Real Estate, Route 7, New Ashford. For more information and to RSVP, visit here.

WED May 13
Hand Hollow Conservation Area and Ooms Pond, East Chatham, NY
7:00 am. Morning walk in search of warblers and other migrants. The Hand Hollow portion is an easy 2-hour walk. For more information and to RSVP, visit here.

FRI May 15
75th Annual Century Run 🍎
Join a team and continue the tradition of a Big Day! For more information and to RSVP, visit here.

SUN May 17
Bobolinks at Field Farm, Williamstown
7:00 am. Field Farm 554 Sloan Road, Williamstown, MA. Join leader Peter Rogers to view the breeding Bobolinks at the peak of their activity! For more information and to RSVP, visit here.

WED May 20
Tyringham
7:00 am. Big Y (Lee) 10 Pleasant St, Lee, MA. Search for spring migrating and resident warblers, flycatchers, swallows, and raptors at several sites in the beautiful Tyringham Valley. For more information and to RSVP, visit here.

SAT May 23
October Mountain State Forest
7:00 am. Join our annual trip to October Mountain State Forest. This trip involves driving to multiple birding spots with some walking along roadsides. For more information and to RSVP, visit here.

SUN May 24
Springside Park (Spring trip)
7:00 am. 874 North Street, Pittsfield, MA. Look for migrating songbirds and sparrows at the largest municipal park in Pittsfield, walking some of the many woodland trails on the 237 acres. For more information and to RSVP, visit here.

Berkshire County, MA - Berkshire Bird Observatory

Weekly Spring Bird Walks

Ben Nickley, of Berkshire Bird Observatory, leads a weekly bird walk right in the town of Great Barrington. Come explore GBLC’s wonderful Riverfront Trail with us in pursuit of birds while enjoying the onset of spring in good company.

Our Spring Bird Walk series will run from April through May. Our group meets outside the Berkshire Food Co-op at 5:00 PM each Tuesday. Learn to find, identify and more fully appreciate our migratory and resident birds on these community bird walks. Meet other wonderful people while exploring outside together! Bring binoculars if you have them--if not, we can share. Everyone is welcome! Beginners are especially encouraged to join.

These bird walks are free and open to all. Please consider supporting BBO’s nonprofit work by making a donation here.

Event date/time: Every Tuesday at 5:00 PM (April through May 2026)

Event Address: Berkshire Food Co-op, 34 Bridge St, Great Barrington, MA 01230
Contact us at: ben@berkshirebirds.org
In collaboration with Great Barrington Land Conservancy (GBLC) and Berkshire Food Co-op

Register Here.