Allen Bird Club

 

 

Field Trip Schedule

Please check this webpage prior to any trip for changes and/or cancellations. 

 

September 2019
 October 2019
 November 2019
 December 2019
January 2020
 February 2020
 March 2020
 April 2020
May 2020
 June 2020
 July 2020
 August 2020

NOVEMBER 2019

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16 Sat.     North Shore of Massachusetts - Full Day
Seabirds, ducks, and alcids. Meet in the commuter lot behind McDonald’s near Turnpike entrance in Ludlow at 6:30 a.m.
Janice Zepko, jzepko@comcast.net and Chris Blagdon

DECEMBER 2019

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14 Sat.     Springfield Area Christmas Count
Be a part of a local effort to document bird populations since 1956. New counters are needed and welcome. Call coordi nator for details on how to help. Compilation and pot luck for participants at 6:30 p.m.
George Kingston 525-67421

21 Sat.     Cobble Mt. (Westfield Area) Christmas Count
This Westfield area count has been conducted since 2000. New counters are needed and welcome. Call coordinator for details on how to help. Compilation and pizza for participants at 4:30 p.m.   Janice Zepko, jzepko@comcast.net

JANUARY 2020

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4 Sat.     Plymouth, Sandwich, Falmouth - Full Day
Seabirds, ducks, and wintering songbirds. Meet in the commuter lot behind McDonald’s near Turnpike entrance in Ludlow at 6:30 a.m.
Craig Allen, allenec2@juno.com and Janice Zepko, jzepko@comcast.net

18 Sat.     Local Hotline - Half Day
April Downey 566-8064 and Bambi Kenney 413-789-6138

24-25 Sat.-Sun.     Rhode Island Blitz - Weekend
Fast paced search for wintering birds, 75-90 species likely. Make reservations at the Howard Johnson Inn (401-849-2000) in Middletown.
Contact leader 10 days in advance for details. Tom Swochak 485-8378, westfield.yoga@verizon.net and Janice Zepko, jzepko@comcast.net

FEBRUARY 2020

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8 Sat.     Amherst to Turners Falls - 3/4 Day
Wintering birds. Meet at Atkins Farms on 1150 West St., Amherst (Rte. 116) in the parking lot south of the building at 8:30 a.m. Call leader for details.
Harvey Allen 253-7963

22-23 Sat.-Sun.      Cape Ann & Plum Island - Weekend
Raptors, waterfowl, and alcids. We will be staying at the Fairfield Inn in Amesbury. Contact leaders for reservation information. Meet in parking lot of Salt Water Grille (the old Friendly's) off rotary of Rte. 128 in Gloucester at 9:00 a.m. on Saturday. Notify leaders of your plans at least 10 days in advance.
Myles & Kathy Conway 269-7130 or 413-687-5037

MARCH 2020

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28 Sat.     Breakfast & Upriver to Turners Falls - Half Day
Migrant ducks. Meet at Sylvester’s on Pleasant Street in Northampton for breakfast at 7:30 a.m. Howard Schwartz 323-6967

APRIL 2020

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Woodcock in East Longmeadow - Evening
We will meet at the Meadowbrook School on Parker St. just south of Porter Rd. in East Longmeadow. Date and time to be announced.
George Kingston 525-6742

4 Sat.      Longmeadow and Agawam - Half Day
Ducks and early arrivals. Meet at Pynchon Point Park on River Road off Rte. 57 in Agawam at 7:30 a.m.
Al & Lois Richardson 736-0846, ALNLOISR@AOL.COM

18 Sat.     Stebbins Refuge Morning Walk - 3 hours
Waterbirds and early songbirds. Meet at sign on Bark Haul and Pondside Roads in Longmeadow at 7:30 a.m.
Janet Orcutt 732-2412

19 Sun.     Fort River Refuge Walk - 2-3 Hours
Spring migrants. Meet in the refuge parking lot on 69 Moody Bridge Rd. in Hadley at 7:30 a.m. Tim Carter 323-0601

25 Sat.     Ashley Ponds, Holyoke - 3 Hours
Songbirds and waterbirds. Meet in the back parking lot of Holyoke Pediatrics just west of Exit 15 off I-91 at 7:30 a.m.
Janice Zepko, jzepko@comcast.net

26 Sun.     Explore a Wilbraham Hotspot - 2-3 Hours
Arriving songbirds. Meet at Rice’s Fruit Farm on 757 Main Street in Wilbraham at 7:00 a.m. for a cup of coffee! or at 7:30
to go birding! Depending on the weather, the trails may be very muddy. Bring water and a snack.
Bobby Olsen 508-509-0127 and Sue Burk 530-3434, smburk43@gmail.com

29 Wed.     Stebbins Refuge Morning Walk - 2-3 Hours
Waterbirds and arriving songbirds. Bring footwear appropriate for wet trails. Meet at sign on Bark Haul and Pondside Roads in Longmeadow at 7:30 a.m.
Al & Lois Richardson 736-0846 ALNLOISR@AOL.COM

30 Thurs.     Ludlow Reservoir Morning Walk - 2 Hours
Songbirds and waterbirds. Meet at parking lot for bike trail on Rte. 21 at 7:30 a.m. Howard & Marcy Schwartz 323-6967

MAY 2020

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Westover Grasslands, Chicopee - Half Day
Date to be announced. Upland Sandpiper, Kestrel, Grasshopper Sparrow, Bobolink and Meadowlark. Registration is required. Leader will need the name and address of any participants. Limited to 20 people - your spot must be reserved well in advance to meet requirements set out by WAFB.
Call to register. Howard Schwartz 323-6967

2 Sat.      Stanley Park, Westfield - 2-3 Hours
Arriving songbirds. Use the Park entrance on Court St. opposite The Woodward Center of Westfield State University. Pass the tennis courts, go around the bend to the left and park at the end of the road, across from the entrance to the Wildlife Santuary. Meet at 7:30 a.m.
Janice Zepko, jzepko@comcast.net

3 Sun.     Lake Wallace, Belchertown - 2-3 Hours
Spring migrants, waterfowl, resident Sora and Virginia Rail. Meet at the Dunkin’ Donuts, 37 State St. (Rte 202/Rte 21), Belchertown at 7:30 a.m.
Tim Carter 323-0601

6 Wed.     Stebbins Refuge Morning Walk - 2-3 Hours
Waterbirds and songbirds. Bring footwear appropriate for wet trails. Meet at sign on Bark Haul and Pondside Roads in Longmeadow at 7:30 a.m.
April Downey 566-8064, apd428@gmail.com

7 Thurs.     Rail Trail Evening Walk - 2 Hours
Roost time calls of wetland and grassland birds. Meet at the Station Rd parking lot of the Norwottuck Rail Trail off South East St. in So. Amherst at 6:00 p.m.
Call leader for details. Harvey Allen 253-7963

9 Sat.      Mt. Tom Morning Walk - 3 Hours
Spring migrants, possible Worm-eating Warbler. Meet at the Rte. 141 entrance to the Mt. Tom State Reservation at 7:30 a.m.
Al & Lois Richardson 736-0846, ALNLOISR@AOL.COM

10 Sun.     Mother’s Day Walk at Robinson State Park
Songbirds. Meet on Colemore St. opposite the North St. entrance at 7:30 a.m. John Hutchison 562-3976

13 Wed.     Stebbins Refuge Morning Walk - 2-3 Hours
Waterbirds and songbirds. Bring footwear appropriate for wet trails. Meet at sign on Bark Haul and Pondside Roads in Longmeadow at 7:30 a.m.
Janet Orcutt 732-2412

14 Thurs.      Stony Brook Wetlands, Ludlow - 3 Hours
Wetland and grassland species. An easy 2-3 mile walk on flat terrain. Bring footwear appropriate for wet trails. Be prepared for ticks and mosquitos. Meet on Tilley St. (unsigned, except for a NO EXIT sign), off West St. in Ludlow, near Ludlow/Granby line at 7:30 a.m. Parking is on either side of Tilley St. before the yellow gate. Al & Lois Richardson 736-0846, ALNLOISR@AOL.COM

15-16 Fri.-Sat.     Allen Bird Club May Count
Bird an assigned area in central Hampden County from 6:00 p.m. Friday to 6:00 p.m. Saturday. Pot luck supper for participants at 7:00 p.m. on Saturday.
Contact Janice Zepko for details, jzepko@comcast.net.

17 Sun.      Mt. Holyoke - Skinner State Park - 3 Hours
Worm-eating and Cerulean Warbler. Moderate 1 mile walk. Meet at the Park’s main entrance off Rte. 47 in Hadley at the parking area just before the toll gate at 8:00 a.m. Janet Orcutt 732-2412

20 Wed.     Stebbins Refuge Morning Walk - 2-3 Hours
Waterbirds and songbirds. Bring footwear appropriate for wet trails. Meet at sign on Bark Haul and Pondside Roads in Longmeadow at 7:30 a.m.
John Hutchison 562-3976

22 Fri.     Holyoke Dam and Fish Lift - 2-3 Hours
See what the Shad run will bring in for birds! Meet in the parking area at the end of the Fishway entrance road, 1 N Bridge St. in Holyoke at 9 a.m. Turn left at the Fishway sign on Rte. 116, just before the South Hadley Falls Bridge. To use navigation system for directions, type in Holyoke Fishway. Call leader for details. Harvey Allen 253-7963

23 Sat.     Quabbin Reservoir - 3 Hours
Songbirds, waterbirds, and eagles. Meet at the Visitor’s Center at 7:00 a.m. Janet Orcutt 732-2412

24 Sun.      Hollow Rd, Hampden - 3 Hours
Resident songbirds. Meet in the parking lot of Laughing Brook Wildlife Sanctuary at the junction of Main St. and Glendale Rd. in Hampden at 7:30 a.m.
Donna Morrison 596-3537

25 Mon.     Hadley Hotspots - Half Day
Grassland birds, Orchard Oriole, and Vesper Sparrow. Meet in the Fort River Refuge parking lot on 69 Moody Bridge Rd. in Hadley at at 8:00 a.m.
Call leader for details. Harvey Allen 253-7963

JUNE 2020

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5-6 Fri.-Sat.     Little River Breeding Bird Count
Help monitor the breeding birds in the Little River IBA (Important Bird Area) in parts of Granville, Blandford, Russell, and Southwick. 6:00 p.m. first day to 6:00 p.m. next day. Compilation and pizza party at 6:30 p.m. on Saturday. 
Contact Janice Zepko, jzepko@comcast.net for details.

13 Sat.     Tyringham & October Mtn. - 3/4 Day
Wetland and upland species. Some easy hiking. Meet at McDonald’s in Lee just north of Turnpike Exit 2 at 6:30 a.m.
Myles & Kathy Conway 269-7130 or 413-687-5037

19-21 Fri.-Sun.     Vermont Blitz - 3 Days
Bird the hills and valleys of Vermont with a focus on boreal species. Early morning uphill walk for those who want to try for Bicknell's Thrush. Notify leader of your plans at least 15 days in advance for details, including overnight accommodations. Tom Swochak 485-8378, westfield.yoga@verizon.net

27 Sat.     Ashfield Walk in the Wilds - Half Day
Hilltown nesters. Meet in the back parking lot of Holyoke Pediatrics, just west of Exit 15 off I-91 at 7:30 a.m. Depending on weather, be prepared for mud on trails.
Jana Byrdd, janadanu@comcast.net and Grace & John Fleming 413-283-9577

JULY 2020

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11 Sat.     Hawley Bog Preserve - 3/4 Day
Walk the boardwalk to enjoy resident bird species. Also, delight in the variety of unique plant species, including carnivorous plants such as bladderwort and sundews. Meet at the Park and Ride Lot in Whately at 8:00 a.m. Take Rte. 91 N to exit 24, turn right onto Rte. 5, and then turn left at the first set of lights to find the lot. Bring water and lunch. Call leader for details. Harvey Allen 253-7963

18 Sat.     ABC Potluck Picnic - TBA

AUGUST 2020

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15 Sat.     Canoe or Kayak the Conn. River - 3/4 Day
Bring your own boat. Trip will occur only if water level is low in the river. Call leader for details. Harvey Allen 253-7963

22 Sat.      Longmeadow & Agawam - 3 Hours
Shorebirds, egrets, and herons. Meet at Pynchon Point Park on River Road in Agawam at 7:30 a.m. Leader TBA
Contact Janice Zepko, jzepko@comcast.net for details.

Nighthawk Watch at Longmeadow Flats - Evening
Date to be announced. Call for details. Meet at sign on Bark Haul and Pondside Roads in Longmeadow at 6:30 p.m.
Al & Lois Richardson 736-0846, ALNLOISR@AOL.COM

PLAN IN ADVANCE - SEPTEMBER 2020


18-20 Fri.-Sun.     Brigantine & Cape May - 3 Days
Make reservations at the Cape Harbor Motor Inn (609-884-0018) as early as possible. Notify leader if you plan to go.
Myles & Kathy Conway 269-7130 or 413-687-5037

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