Field Trips
American Woodcock
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 2026
Wednesday, April 1, Dutchess Rail Trail at 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.
Wednesday, April 8, Stony Kill Farm – Leader: Barbara Michelin (845-242-2301). Meet at the Manor House parking lot (69 Farmstead Ln off Rt.9D) at 8:30am.
Saturday, April 11, Woodcock Watch at Cary/IES – Leader: Mike Fargione. Meet 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 (845-242-2301) if you plan to attend. Bring a flashlight.
Rain date: Sunday April 12.
Wednesday, April 15, Bontecue Preserve – Leader: Janet Allison (845-264-3222). Meet at parking lot on CR98 (off Rt. 44, Millbrook) at 8:30am.
CANCELLED: Wednesday, April 22, Pont Gut – Leaders: Ken & Carol Fredericks (845-452-7619). Meet there (95 Pond Gut Rd, off Gidley Rd., Pleasant Valley) 8:30am.
Friday, April 24, Amenia Rail trail “The Faulty Fledglings Walk” for over 70 years olds. Leader: Binnie Chase (303-827-6272). Meet at parking lot off Mechanic Street, Amenia at 8:30am.
Bring water and snack We will be having lunch at 4 Brothers in Amenia if you wish to join us. Canes, Walkers and wheelchairs welcome. Slow walkers expected. Contact Binnie for questions.
Saturday, April 25, Dutchess Gables – Leader: Janet Allison (845-264-3222). Must call Janet Allison for time and meeting place. Located on Homan Road in the Town of Stanford. See website link below:
https://www.winnakee.org/visit-our-parks-preserves/dutchess-gables-preserve/
Wednesday, April 29, Mills Mansion – Leader: Kate Shaughnessy (845-242-3476). Meet at Mansion Road parking lot, Staatsburg at 8:30am.
May 2026
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.
