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D Holmes

Field Trips

Join us as we travel throughout Hampden County (and beyond!) in search of birds. We offer a wide variety of field trips throughout the year, where you can be in the company of experts and beginners alike as you explore the habitats and behavior of wild birds.

2024_12-07 Cape Ann

December 2024

Saturday

,

December 7, 2024

Cape Ann

Full Day

Seabirds, ducks, and alcids

Meet in the parking lot of Salt Water Grille (the old Friendly's) off rotary of Rte. 128 in Gloucester at 8:45 a.m.

TRIP LEADER(S)

Dan Burt 860-933-2107, dtburt123@gmail.com

2024_12-14 Springfield Area Christmas

December 2024

Saturday

,

December 14, 2024

Springfield Area Christmas Count

Full Day

Be a part of a local effort to document bird populations since 1956. New counters are needed and welcome. Call coordinator for details on how to help.

TRIP LEADER(S)

Howard Schwartz 323-6967

2024_12-21 Cobble Mt. (Westfield Area) Christmas Count

December 2024

Saturday

,

December 21, 2024

Cobble Mtn (Westfield Area) Christmas Count

Full Day

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 potluck supper for participants at 4:30 p.m.  

TRIP LEADER(S)

Janice Zepko, jzepko@comcast.net

2025_01-04 Falmouth & Sandwich

January 2025

Saturday

,

January 4, 2025

Falmouth & Sandwich

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.

TRIP LEADER(S)

Vince Yurkunas, VGY54@aol.com and JaniceZepko, jzepko@comcast.net

2025_01-11 Local Hotline

January 2025

Saturday

,

January 11, 2025

Local Hotline

Half Day

Call leader for details.

TRIP LEADER(S)

April Downey 530-5764 and Bambi Kenney 504-8459

2025_01-25-26 Rhode Island Hotspots

January 2025

January 25-26, 2025

Saturday

,

January 25, 2025

Rhode Island Hotspots

Weekend

Seabirds, ducks and wintering songbirds

Make reservations at the Howard Johnson Inn (401-849-2000) in Middletown, RI. Contact leader 10 days in advance for details.

TRIP LEADER(S)

Janice Zepko, jzepko@comcast.net and Tim Souza 519-3942, tsou420@gmail.com

2025_02-22 Plum Island & Salisbury

February 2025

Saturday

,

February 22, 2025

Plum Island & Salisbury

Full Day

Raptors, waterfowl, and alcids

Meet in the commuter lot behind McDonald's near Turnpike entrance in Ludlow at 6:30 a.m.

TRIP LEADER(S)

Janice Zepko, jzepko@comcast.net

2025_03-08 Canal Park, South Hadley

March 2025

Saturday

,

March 8, 2025

Canal Park, South Hadley

2 Hours

Ducks and early arrivals

Bring your spotting scope if you have one, and be prepared to enjoy some easy birding. Meet at the new South Hadley Public Library, 2 Canal St., South Hadley at 8:00 a.m. Call leaders for details.

TRIP LEADER(S)

Harvey Allen 207-7272

2025_03-15 Stebbins Refuge

March 2025

Saturday

,

March 15, 2025

Stebbins Refuge

2-3 Hours

Ducks and early arrivals

Meet at sign on Bark Haul and Pondside Roads in Longmeadow at 7:30 a.m.

TRIP LEADER(S)

Steve Svec 335-4078

2025_03-22 Breakfast & Upriver to Turners Falls Copy

March 2025

Saturday

,

March 22, 2025

Breakfast & Upriver to Turners Falls

Half Day

Migrant ducks

Details will be emailed to members prior to this trip.

TRIP LEADER(S)

Howard & Marcy Schwartz 323-6967

2025_03-27 Woodcock Walk at Stebbins

March 2025

Thursday

,

March 27, 2025

Woodcock Walk at Stebbins Refuge

1 Hour

Woodcock

Woodcocks are easiest to find at dusk in the springtime, when the male performs a marvelous display flight, or 'sky dance.' Wearing boots is recommended, as the fields are often muddy.  Also, bring a flashlight to see your walking path clearly. Meet at the sign on Bark Haul and Pondside Roads in Longmeadow at 7:30 p.m. 

TRIP LEADER(S)

Michele and Chris Moore, mkeane_moore@hotmail.com

2025-04-05 Longmeadow and Agawam

April 2025

Saturday

,

April 5, 2025

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.

TRIP LEADER(S)

Michele Keane-Moore, mkeane_moore@hotmail.com

2025_04-19 Five Bridge Road/Grand Trail Trunk

April 2025

Saturday

,

April 19, 2025

Five Bridge Road/Grand Trail Trunk

3-4 Hours

Early spring migrants, possible rails and bittern.

Meet at the intersection of New Holland Road and Five Bridge Road in Brimfield at 6:30 a.m.  Easy walking along roads and well-maintained trails.  Bring water and a snack if desired.

TRIP LEADER(S)

Vince Yurkunas, VGY54@aol.com

2025_04-23 Stebbins Refuge Morning Walk

April 2025

Wednesday

,

April 23, 2025

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.

TRIP LEADER(S)

Al & Lois Richardson 736-0846, ALNLOISR@AOL.COM

2025_04-26 Ashley Ponds, Holyoke

April 2025

Saturday

,

April 26, 2025

Ashley Ponds, Holyoke

3 Hours

Songbirds and waterbirds

Meet in the back parking lot of Holyoke Pediatrics just west of Exit 12 (old Exit 15) off I-91 at 7:30 a.m.

TRIP LEADER(S)

Steve Svec 335-4078

2025_04-27 Fort River Refuge Walk

April 2025

Sunday

,

April 27, 2025

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.

TRIP LEADER(S)

Tim Carter 323-0601 and Beth Spirito 348-7447

2025_04-30 Stebbins Refuge Morning Walk

April 2025

Wednesday

,

April 30, 2025

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.

TRIP LEADER(S)

2025_05-03 Plum Island

May 2025

Saturday

,

May 3, 2025

Plum Island

Full Day

Spring migrants

Meet in the commuter lot behind McDonald’s near Turnpike entrance in Ludlow at 6:30 a.m.

TRIP LEADER(S)

Tim Carter 323-0601 and Beth Spirito 348-7447

2025_05-04 Dismal Brook Wildlife Preserve, North Granby, CT

May 2025

Sunday

,

May 4, 2025

Dismal Brook Wildlife Preserve, North Granby, CT

2-3 Hours

Spring migrants and nesting species

Granby Land Trust's premier birding site, offering many spring migrants and nesting species, including Virginia Rail. An out-and-back walk (2.5 miles), level and easy except for one brief, moderate incline (200 yards). Meet at 7:30 a.m. in the preserve parking lot, 253 Loomis St, North Granby, CT. The lot is located 1/4 mile south of the Southwick/Granby town line.

TRIP LEADER(S)

John Weeks 959-222-9978, aerie.john@cox.net

2025_05-06 Ludlow Reservoir Morning Walk

May 2025

Tuesday

,

May 6, 2025

Ludlow Reservoir Morning Walk

2 Hours

Waterbirds and songbirds

Meet at parking lot for bike trail on Rte. 21 at 7:30 a.m.

TRIP LEADER(S)

Howard & Marcy Schwartz 323-6967

2025_05-07 Stebbins Refuge Morning Walk

May 2025

Wednesday

,

May 7, 2025

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.

TRIP LEADER(S)

Bobby Olsen 508-509-0127, thebigrock9@gmail.com

2025_05-08 Rail Trail Evening Walk

May 2025

Thursday

,

May 8, 2025

Rail Trail Evening Walk

2 Hours

Roost time calls of wetland and grassland residents

Meet at the Station Road parking lot of the Norwottuck Rail Trail off South East St. in South Amherst at 6:00 p.m.  Call leader for details.

TRIP LEADER(S)

Harvey Allen 207-7272

2025_05-10 Mt. Tom Morning Walk

May 2025

Saturday

,

May 10, 2025

Mt. Tom Morning Walk

3 Hours

Spring migrants, Winter Wren and possible Worm-eating Warbler

Meet at the Rte. 141 entrance to the Mt. Tom State Reservation at 7:30 a.m.

TRIP LEADER(S)

2025_05-11 Mother's Day Walk at Robinson State Park

May 2025

Sunday

,

May 11, 2025

Mother's Day Walk at Robinson State Park

Half Day

Nesting and migrant songbirds

Meet on Colemore St. opposite the North St. entrance at 7:30 a.m.

TRIP LEADER(S)

Steve Svec 335-4078

2025_05-12 South Hadley Falls below the dam

May 2025

Monday

,

May 12, 2025

South Hadley Falls below the dam

2-3 Hours

Waterbirds

Come out and watch birds feed on Shad at the base of the dam!  Bring your spotting scope if you have one, and be prepared to enjoy some easy birding. Probabilities include Bald Eagle, Black Vulture, Cormorant, Mergansers, Great Blue Heron and more, right from the parking lot of the new South Hadley Public Library.  Meet at the Library, 2 Canal St., South Hadley at 9:00 a.m. Call leader for details.

TRIP LEADER(S)

Harvey Allen 207-7272

2025_05-14 Stebbins Refuge Morning Walk

May 2025

Wednesday

,

May 14, 2025

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.

TRIP LEADER(S)

2025_05-15 Stony Brook Wetlands, Ludlow

May 2025

Thursday

,

May 15, 2025

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 mosquitoes.   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.

TRIP LEADER(S)

Craig Allen 467-3028

2025_05-16 Allen Bird Club May Count

May 2025

Fri.-Sat., May 16-17, 2024

Friday

,

May 16, 2025

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.  Potluck supper for participants at 7:00 p.m. on Saturday.  

TRIP LEADER(S)

Contact Janice Zepko for details, jzepko@comcast.net.

2025_05-18 Mt. Holyoke - Skinner State Park

May 2025

Sunday

,

May 18, 2025

Mt. Holyoke - Skinner State Park

3 Hours

Worm-eating and Cerulean Warblers

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 7:30 a.m.

TRIP LEADER(S)

Tim Carter 323-0601 and Beth Spirito 348-7447

2025_05-21 Stebbins Refuge Morning Walk

May 2025

Wednesday

,

May 21, 2025

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.

TRIP LEADER(S)

Bobby Olsen 508-509-0127, thebigrock9@gmail.com

2025_05-24 Hadley Hotspots

May 2025

Saturday

,

May 24, 2025

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 8:00 a.m.  Call leader for details.

TRIP LEADER(S)

Harvey Allen 207-7272

2025_05-25 Quabbin Reservoir

May 2025

Sunday

,

May 25, 2025

Quabbin Reservoir

3 Hours

Songbirds, waterbirds, and eagles

Meet at the Visitor's Center at 7:30 a.m.

TRIP LEADER(S)

Tim Carter 323-0601 and Beth Spirito 348-7447

2025_05-31 Walk at the McDonald Nature Preserve, Wilbraham

May 2025

Saturday

,

May 31, 2025

Walk at McDonald Nature Preserve, Wilbraham

2-3 Hours

Late migrants and resident songbirds

Enjoy songbirds in the McDonald fields, woodlands and white cedar swamp. Meet at Wilbraham Middle School on 466 Stony Hill Road in Wilbraham at 7:00 a.m.  Bring water and a snack.  Wear footwear appropriate for wet trails.  Be prepared for ticks and mosquitoes.  Wear footwear appropriate for wet trails.  Be prepared for ticks and mosquitoes. 

TRIP LEADER(S)

BobbyOlsen 508-509-0127, thebigrock9@gmail.com and Sue Burk530-3434, smburk43@gmail.com

2025_06-01 Lake Wallace, Belchertown

June 2025

Sunday

,

June 1, 2025

Lake Wallace, Belchertown

2-3 Hours

Songbirds, waterfowl, resident Virginia Rail

Meet at the Dunkin' Donuts, 37 State St. (Rte 202/Rte 21), Belchertown at 7:30 a.m.

TRIP LEADER(S)

Tim Carter 323-0601 and Beth Spirito 348-7447

2025_06-06 Little River Breeding Bird Count

June 2025

Fri.-Sat., June 6-7, 2025

Friday

,

June 6, 2025

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. Friday to 6:00 p.m. Saturday.  Compilation and pizza at 6:30 p.m. on Saturday.  

TRIP LEADER(S)

Contact Janice Zepko at jzepko@comcast.net for details.

2025_06-12 Adirondacks, New York

June 2025

June 12-15, 2025

Thursday

,

June 12, 2025

Adirondacks, New York

4 Days

Nesting boreal species

Moderate hiking involved. Make reservations at Sandy Point Motel (518-624-3871) in Long Lake as early as possible. Call leader at least 10 days in advance for details.

TRIP LEADER(S)

Myles & Kathy Conway 269-7130 or 413-687-5037

2025_06-21 Tyringham and Post Farm

June 2025

Saturday

,

June 21, 2025

Tyringham and Post Farm

Half Day

Wetland and upland species

Some easy hiking.  Meet at McDonald's in Lee just north of Turnpike Exit 10 (old Exit 2) at 6:30 a.m.

TRIP LEADER(S)

Myles & Kathy Conway 269-7130 or 687-5037

2025_06-22 Southwick/Suffield WMA

June 2025

Sunday

,

June 22, 2025

Southwick/Suffield WMA

3 Hours

Resident songbirds and possible nesting rarities

Meet at the Suffield WMA parking area at 7:00 a.m.  To get there from intersection of Rtes. 10/202 and 57 in Southwick, head east on Depot St, turn right onto Sheep Pasture Rd, continue onto Point Grove Rd, parking area is on left just after Connecticut line.  

TRIP LEADER(S)

John Weeks 959-222-9978, aerie.john@cox.net

2025_06-28 Fort River Refuge Walk

June 2025

Saturday

,

June 28, 2025

Fort River Refuge Walk

2-3 Hours

Breeding species

Meet in the refuge parking lot on 69 Moody Bridge Rd. in Hadley at 7:30 a.m.

TRIP LEADER(S)

Tim Carter 323-0601 and Beth Spirito 348-7447

2025_August Nighthawk Watch at Longmeadow Flats

August 2025

Friday

,

August 1, 2025

Nighthawk Watch at Longmeadow Flats

Evening

Nighthawks

Date to be announced.  Check website or call for details.  Meet at the viewing platform on the corner of Pondside Rd. and Birnie Rd. at 6:45 pm.  Mosquito repellent suggested.

TRIP LEADER(S)

Al & Lois Richardson 736-0846, ALNLOISR@AOL.COM

2025_08-16 Plum Island

August 2025

Saturday

,

August 16, 2025

Plum Island

Full Day

Shorebirds, ducks, hawk, and egrets

Meet in the commuter lot behind McDonald’s near Turnpike entrance in Ludlow at 6:30 a.m.

TRIP LEADER(S)

Tim Carter 323-0601 and Janice Zepko, jzepko@comcast.net

2025_08-23 Longmeadow & Agawam

August 2025

Saturday

,

August 23, 2025

Longmeadow & Agawam

3 Hours

Shorebirds, egrets, and herons.

Meet at Pynchon Point Park on River Road in Agawam at 7:30 a.m.

TRIP LEADER(S)

Michele Keane-Moore, mkeane_moore@hotmail.com and Janice Zepko, jzepko@comcast.net

DISCLAIMER: Members and non-members attend trips at their own risk.  Neither the Allen Bird Club, nor any trip leader, nor any driver shall be responsible for any injury suffered by any trip participant.  By participating in any trip, the participant acknowledges that he or she alone shall be solely responsible for any and all injuries suffered by the participant on any Allen Bird Club trip.

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