Field Trips
Hooded Merganser with Crawdad ©Deb Tracy-Kral
Club walks will be open to all club members and the public. If you plan to attend our walks regularly and are not a member, please consider joining to support our organization and its activities. As a courtesy, contact the leader so they know you plan to attend. Be on the lookout for our MailChimp emails (to members) announcing any cancellations due to weather or other circumstances. Cancellations are also announced on our website. For general questions about Field Trips, please contact Ernie Welch (razor06bill@gmail.com) or Barbara Michelin (845-242-2301).
Field Trip starting times change throughout the year. In general, 8:30am for the month of April, 8:00am for May and June, 7:30am for July and August, 8:30am for September and October, and 9:00am for November through March. Dress for the weather and bring snack and beverage.
For more information and directions to most of our birding locations, see our Where to Bird page. Additional information on some Field Trip locations is included in the online 3rd edition of Where to Bird in Dutchess County, a 2016 update of the second edition (now out of print).
Note: Updates are in ‘red’.
April 2025
Wednesday, April 2, DRT/Gold’s Gym – Leaders: Ken & Carol Fredericks (845-452- 7619). Meet at the parking lot behind Gold’s Gym, 258 Titusville Rd., Poughkeepsie at 8:30am.
CANCELLED. Sunday, April 6, Woodcock Watch at Cary/IES – Leader: Mike Farigone at 6:45pm. Parking area is on the east side of Route 82, approximately one mile north of State Troop K Barracks and the junction of Routes 82 and 44, on the east side of Route 82, across from the Cary Greenhouse complex. Please call Barb Michelin at 845-242-2301 if you plan to attend. Rain date April 14th. Bring a flashlight.
Wednesday, April 9, Stony Kill Farms – Leader: Barbara Michelin (845-242-2301). Meet at the Manor House parking lot (69 Farmstead Ln off Rt.9D, Wappingers Falls) at 8:30am.
Wednesday, April 16, Thompson Pond – Leader: Janet Allison (845-264-3222). Meet there (335 Lake Rd., Pine Plains) at 8:30am.
Wednesday, April 23, Buttercup West – Leader: Barbara Butler (914-474-5981). Meet at the parking lot (Stissing Mt. Ln. & right onto Mountain Rd., Stanfordville – off Rt.82) at 8:30am.
Sunday, April 27, Pond Gut – Leader: Barbara Michelin (845-242-2301). Meet at 95 Pond Gut Road (off Gidley Rd., Pleasant Valley) at 8:30am.
Wednesday, April 30, Vanderbilt Mansion – Leader: Ernie Welch (email: razor06bill@gmail.com). Meet at the visitor parking lot (Rt.9, Hyde Park) at 8:30am.
May 2025
Sunday, May 4, Fahnestock State Park, Carmel, NY- Leader: Russ O’Malley (845-464-1147). Please call if you plan to attend.
Wednesday, May 7, Ferncliff Forest, Rhinebeck – Leaders: Ken & Carol Fredericks (845-452- 7619). Meet there (Mt. Rutsen Rd., Rhinebeck) at 8:00am.
Saturday, May 10, Bashakill WMA – Leader: Ken & Carol Fredericks (845-452-7619). Call for time and meeting place.
Wednesday, May 14, Peach Hill Park, Poughkeepsie – Leader: Jim Closs (845-663-8264). Meet at the parking lot, Edgewood Rd., off Salt Pt. Turnpike, (look for signs, directions on website) at 8:00am. Hot Dog Roast to follow. Bring your own hot dogs.
Wednesday, May 21, Nuclear Lake – Leader: Barbara Butler (914-474-5981). Meet at the intersection of Rt.55 and Old Rt.55 in Poughquag at 8:00am.
Saturday, May 24, Doodletown – Leader: Ernie Welch (email razor06bill@gmail.com). Email Ernie Welch for time and meeting place.
Wednesday, May 28, 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 8:00am. Plan to carry lunch.
