Field Trips
RT Waterman Bird Club Field Trip photo courtesy of Ernie Welch
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’.
January 2025
Sunday, January 5, Jones Beach/West End – Leader: Ernie (845-518- 8441). Please call for the time and meeting place.
Cancelled: Wednesday, January 8, Stony Kill Farms – Leader: Barbara Michelin (845-242-2301). Meet at the Manor House parking lot, 79 Farmstead Ln, Wappingers Falls at 9am.
Wednesday, January 15, James Baird State Park – Leader: Barbara Butler (914-474-5981). Meet at the parking lot at the end of Baird Park Road (https://maps.app.goo.gl/eGezzvYQtxD3sN4Z7) at 9am.
Saturday, January 18, Waterfowl Count (Snow Day: Sunday, January 19)
If you are an active birder and would like to participate, please contact Debbie van Zyl and she will get you linked up with one of our leaders.
We have 9 sectors and really need some help to get the whole county covered and even have a vacancy for a leader in the south-eastern part of the county if anyone feels up to the task.
Wednesday, January 22, Thompson Pond – Leader: Janet Allison (845-264-3222). Meet there (335 Lake Rd., Pine Plains) at 9am.
Friday, January 24, Shawangunk Grassland NWR – Leader: Barbara Michelin. Please call for the time and meeting place.
Wednesday, January 29, Mills Norrie Point SP, Staatsburg – Leaders: Ken & Carol Fredericks (845-452-7619). Meet at the parking lot at 9am.
February 2025
Wednesday, February 5, Mills Mansion – Leaders: Ken & Carol Fredericks (845-452-7619). Meet at 138 Mansion Road parking lot, Staatsburg at 9:00am.
Saturday, February 8, Rye Playland – Leader: Ernie Welch (razor06bill@gmail.com). Please contact him for time and meeting place.
Wednesday, February 12, Dutchess Rail Trail/Hopewell Jct. – Leader: Barbara
Michelin (845-242-2301). Meet at the depot parking lot at 9am.
Wednesday, February 19, Tymor Forest – Leader: Barbara Butler. Meet at the barns (249 Duncan Rd.) at 9:00am.
Saturday, February 22, Croton Point Park – Leader: Russ O’Malley (845-464-1147). Please call for time and meeting place.
Wednesday, February 26, Vassar Farm – Leader: Ernie Welch (razor06bill@gmail.com). Meet at the barns parking lot, new circle at Raymond Ave. & Rt. 376, Poughkeepsie at 9:00am.
March 2025
Wednesday, March 5, Mills Norrie Point SP, Staatsburg – Leaders: Ken & Carol Fredericks (845-452-7619). Meet at the Education Center parking lot (Staatsburg) at 9:00am.
Saturday, March 8, Empire Rail Trail/Stormville – Leader: Russ O’Malley (845-464-1147). From Rt. 55 take Rt. 216 to So. Greenhaven Rd. to parking lot on right. Meet there at 9am. Please call if you plan to attend.
Wednesday, March 12, Harlem Valley Rail Trail/Coleman Station – Leader: Janet Allison (845-264-3222). Meet at the parking lot off Rt. 22/44 north of Amenia at 9am.
Wednesday, March 19, James Baird State Park – Leader: Barbara Butler (914-474-5981). Meet at the restaurant parking lot (off Taconic State Parkway north of Rt. 55) at 9:00am.
Wednesday, March 26, Bowdoin Park – Leader: Barbara Michelin (845-242-2301). Meet at the upper-level parking area (off Sheafe Rd., Wappingers Falls) at 9:00am.
Saturday, March 29, Bonticue Property – Leader: Janet Allison (845-264-3222). Please call for time and meeting place.
