Field Trips

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, 8:00m for September, 8:30am for  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’.

September 2026

Wednesday, September 2, Madam Brett Park – Leader: Barbara Michelin (845-242-2301). Meet at parking lot on Tioronda Ave, Beacon at 8:00am. Take Rte.9D into Beacon. At traffic light intersection of 9D and Tioronda Ave. (before bridge on 9D), turn right and continue on Tioronda Ave., turn left under the old railroad bridge. Parking lot is on left.

Wednesday, September 9, Peach Hill Park – Leaders: Ken & Carol Fredericks (845-452-7619). Meet at the parking lot, Edgewood Rd., off Salt Pt. Turnpike, (look for signs, directions on website at 8;00am.

Saturday, September 12, Empire Trail – Leader: Janet Allison (845-264-3222). Please call for time & meeting place.

Wednesday, September 16, Vassar Farm – Leader: Kate Shaughnessy (845-242-3476). Meet at new parking lot just off the traffic circle at 8:00am.

Saturday, September 19, Pine Island – Leader: Barbara Michelin (845-242-2301). Please call for time & meeting place.

Wednesday, September 23, HVRT/Coleman St.– Leader: Janet Allison (845-264-3222). Meet in the parking lot (off Rt. 22/44 north of Amenia) at 8:00am.

Wednesday, September 30, Montgomery Place – Leader: Ken & Carol Fredericks (845-452-7619). Meet in the parking lot (26 Gardener Way, Red Hook) at 8:00am.

October 2026

Saturday October 3, Peach Hill Park, – Edgewood Rd – Leader: Ernie Welch (razor06bill@gmail.com). Meet at the parking lot, Edgewood Rd., off Salt Pt. Turnpike, (look for signs, directions on website) at 8:30am. Please contact Ernie if you plan to attend.

Wednesday, October 7, Greig Farm – Leader: Ernie Welch (razor06bill@gmail.com). Meet in the parking lot for Greig Farm Market (227 Pitcher Lane, Red Hook) at 8:30am.

Sunday,  October 11,  DRT/Lake Walton – Leader: George Mohl (845-590-0411) – Birding with a camera. Please call for time and meeting place. Join club member George Mohl with your camera for a walk at Lake Walton off the Hudson Valley Rail Trail. Parking is at Lake Walton Road rail trail lot – see link for location https://maps.app.goo.gl/nunxJrFnXkXjED5o6 .

George will be leading a bird walk focusing on using a camera to get the best shots of our local birds. The trip will concentrate on any photo opportunities that present themselves as well as best practices for using a camera. For beginners and more experienced photographers alike!

Wednesday, October 14, Stony Kill Farm, Wappingers Falls – Leader: Barbara Michelin (845-242-2301).  Meet at the Manor House parking lot Rt. 9D, Town of Wappingers at 8:30am.

Saturday, October 17,  Croton Point Park – Leader: Barbara Michelin (845-242-2301). Please call for time and meeting place.

Wednesday, October 21, Tymor Forest – Leaders: Ken & Carol Fredericks (845-452-7619). Meet at the barns (249 Duncan Rd. off CR-21/Bruzgul Rd., Lagrangeville) at 8:30am.

Wednesday, October 28, Nuclear Lake – Leader: Janet Allison  (845-264-3222). Meet at the parking lot at the intersection of Rt. 55 and Old Rt. 55 in Poughquag at 8:30am.

November 2026

Wednesday, November 4,  Rockefeller Univ. Field Research Station, Millbrook – Leaders: Ken & Carol Fredericks (845-452-7619). Meet at Tyrell Rd., (off South Rd.), Millbrook at 9:00am.

Wednesday, November 11, Thompson Pond – Leader: Janet Allison (845-264-3222). Meet there (335 Lake Rd., Pine Plains) at 9:00am.

Saturday, November 14, Vassar farm – Leader Carol Fredericks (845-452-7619). Call for time and meeting place.

Wednesday, November 18, Bowdoin Park – Leader: Barbara Michelin (845-242-2301). Meet at the upper-level parking area (127 Sheafe Rd. Wappingers Falls) at 9:00am.

Wednesday, November 25, Vassar Campus – Leader: Ernie Welch (razor06bill@gmail.com). Meet at south end of parking lot off Raymond Ave., Poughkeepsie at 9:00am.

Saturday, November 28, Southern Duck Tour – Leader: Barbara Michelin  (845-242-2301). Call for time and meeting place.