(rain date 4/17)
Delaware-Otsego Audubon Society, in partnership with Otsego Land Trust presents our annual Spring Woodcock Walk. Join Charlie Scheim
Event Details
(rain date 4/17)
Delaware-Otsego Audubon Society, in partnership with Otsego Land Trust presents our annual Spring Woodcock Walk. Join Charlie Scheim and Sandy Bright at the Otsego Land Trust’s Parslow Road Conservation Area at 127 Parslow Road, Hartwick, to observe the courting displays of the woodcocks that inhabit this protected property. In our experience, these displays occur shortly after sunset, which is around 7:43 p.m. that day. We’ll meet in the parking lot at 7:15pm and take the trail to the woodcocks’ location. The path is fairly level, although at times quite uneven, and may be muddy and wet. Total distance will be about .5 mile; the second half of the walk will be in darkness, so it’s advisable to a bring a flashlight. Note that there are no restroom facilities at the parking lot. Attendance for this program is limited to 20 people; registration is required.
This event is currently at capacity, but in case we have cancellations, you can sign up for our waiting list at the link below.
The woodcock usually spends its time hidden on the forest floor probing for earthworms in moist soil, but on spring evenings males migrate to open fields, first issuing buzzy “peent” calls and then rising high above their singing grounds in a whirling flight. They then zig-zag back down to earth with liquidy chirps and the wind singing through their wings.
The woodcock usually spends its time hidden on the forest floor probing for earthworms in moist soil, but on spring evenings males perform a dance in scrub fields to attract potential mates. This wonderful display occurs in three parts: the strut, the launch skyward, and the spiral back to earth accompanied by buzzy calls and twittering wing sounds.
The walk will begin at 7:15 PM in the parking lot with an introduction to the woodcock and its habits, and a walk on the trail listening and looking for the birds that inhabit this protected property. The sun is expected to set around 7:30 pm at which time the group will position itself in the best location to view and count the Woodcocks. The trail will be a path through forests and fields that is fairly level, although at times quite uneven, and at times muddy and wet. Note also that there are no restroom facilities at the parking lot. The round-trip distance will be approximately a half mile, and the second half of the walk will be in darkness, so it is useful to bring a flashlight. Then, participants will walk on the trail discussing the varied habitats on the property as they make their way to the best spot to observe the woodcocks. Waterproof footwear, a headlamp or flashlight, and binoculars are recommended.
American Woodcock spend most of their time hidden in fields and on the forest floor, where they probe for earthworms. But on spring nights, males perform very conspicuous displays, giving a buzzy “peent” call, then launching into the air. Their erratic display flight includes a distinctive, twittering flight sound and ends with a steep dive back to the ground. The wet thickets, shrubby swamps, and open fields at Parslow Road Conservation Area are ideal habitats for these interesting birds that have unfortunately seen a population decline over the years.
About our Guides
Sandy Bright has been a birder for over 20 years. She authors the Bird Sightings column for the Delaware-Otsego Audubon Society (DOAS) newsletter and has been the Coordinator for the Oneonta Christmas Bird Count since 2013. Professionally, Sandy is a retired Oneonta elementary teacher, where she taught from 1992 till 2018.
Charlie Scheim has been a birder since college (1970s) He is now on the Board of Directors and is the Treasurer and Field Trip Coordinator of DOAS. He is also a Regional Coordinator for the NYS Breeding Bird Atlas and is the Coordinator for the Fort Plain Christmas Bird Count. Charlie is a retired math professor from Hartwick College, where he taught from 1980 to 2018.
Together they lead a number of bird walks each year, give various educational presentations, and participate in many citizen science bird surveys.
Cost: FREE
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Parslow Road Conservation Area is owned and protected by Otsego Land Trust for public enjoyment. The mission of Otsego Land Trust is to improve the quality of life throughout the Upper Susquehanna region by working with landowners and partners to protect and conserve our farmland, forests, and waterways in perpetuity.
The Delaware-Otsego Audubon Society, a chapter of the National Audubon Society, envisions a healthy world where people and wildlife thrive and natural resources are protected. The mission of Delaware-Otsego Audubon Society is to protect our natural environment and connect people with nature to benefit birds and other wildlife through conservation, education, research and advocacy.
On Friday, April 17, 2026 at 7:30 p.m., Delaware-Otsego Audubon will host John Hannan and his special program, “Protecting Birds Across Their Whole Migratory Paths
Event Details
On Friday, April 17, 2026 at 7:30 p.m., Delaware-Otsego Audubon will host John Hannan and his special program, “Protecting Birds Across Their Whole Migratory Paths – Good News for Linking Habitat Conservation Across the Americas.”
Audubon is encouraging chapters to engage in full-life cycle bird conservation efforts, from their local sanctuaries and Important Bird Areas to the key migratory stop over and wintering grounds our nesting species use. Bedford Audubon Board President, John Hannan, has worked with multiple bird conservation organizations across the Americas doing just that. Come enjoy his beautiful imagery of birds and landscapes while learning about some of the key hemispheric bird conservation initiatives happening right now across the Americas.
This work, being done by a wide ranging coalition including National Audubon, will build long-term sustainable economies and community benefits while protecting the same birds we work to safeguard right here in New York State. From massive endeavors to preserve more than 1.2 million acres of high Andes habitat to community science projects you can participate in, John will present an uplifting view of bird conservation in the Americas and ways you can be part of it.
Presenter Bio: John is a Somers, NY resident, long-time Bedford Audubon member, and an avid naturalist, conservationist, and photographer. John has been part of the Audubon family at many levels, including on staff at National Audubon, a past Chair of the Audubon NY State Chapters’ Council, and past and current president of Bedford Audubon’s Board of Directors. John has consulted to ABC, BirdsCaribbean, Manomet, and the Smithsonian Migratory Bird Center. In 2024 he retired from BirdLife International, the world’s largest partnership of bird conservation organizations spanning more than 119 countries with 124 partners and hundreds of collaborating organizations, including the National Audubon Society.
Photos above: Canada warbler and Blackburnian warbler, both by John Hannan. Below: John, far right
We envision a healthy world where people and wildlife thrive and natural resources are protected. The mission of Delaware-Otsego Audubon Society is to protect...
We envision a healthy world where people and wildlife thrive and natural resources are protected. The mission of Delaware-Otsego Audubon Society is to protect our natural environment and connect people with nature to benefit birds and other wildlife through conservation, education, research and advocacy.
7:30 a.m. – 12 p.m.
Rain date 5/8
Join Pam Peters and Eileen Kline on Pam’s property outside of
Event Details
7:30 a.m. – 12 p.m.
Rain date 5/8
Join Pam Peters and Eileen Kline on Pam’s property outside of Franklin. The 2.5 mile walk will start in an open field and move through mixed deciduous woods on old logging roads. Terrain is uneven and rocky with a few short steep sections. There are resting benches in the field; a bathroom is available at Pam’s house at beginning and end of the walk. All levels of experience are welcomed. Bring water, snacks, bug spray and hiking sticks if needed. Registration is limited; please email Pam Peters by May 1st at ovenb1rdp@gmail.com to register and for directions.
Join DOAS on Saturday, May 9 at 8:00am for a walk to view returning migrant birds on the Susquehanna Greenway Trail. Charlie Scheim and Sandy
Event Details
Join DOAS on Saturday, May 9 at 8:00am for a walk to view returning migrant birds on the Susquehanna Greenway Trail. Charlie Scheim and Sandy Bright will lead the walk. This is an easy hike on unpaved but level ground which may be slightly muddy. No restrooms are available. There are a few benches along the way.
Participants will meet at 8 a.m. in the parking lot by the fields near the school district bus garage, just past the transfer station for a two-hour walk to view returning migrant birds on the Greenway trail, located on Silas Lane, off Rte. 205 in Oneonta.
Contact Charlie Scheim at 607-434-4880 or scheimc@hartwick.edu for more information.
We envision a healthy world where people and wildlife thrive and natural resources are protected. The mission of Delaware-Otsego Audubon Society is to protect...
We envision a healthy world where people and wildlife thrive and natural resources are protected. The mission of Delaware-Otsego Audubon Society is to protect our natural environment and connect people with nature to benefit birds and other wildlife through conservation, education, research and advocacy.
We are looking forward to seeing everyone again this year at Earth Festival! Join us at the new Earth Festival location in Chase Auditorium on
Event Details
We are looking forward to seeing everyone again this year at Earth Festival! Join us at the new Earth Festival location in Chase Auditorium on SUNY Oneonta’s campus.
DOAS will offer informational exhibits and will sell coffee, hats and mugs. Register here to make Acopian BirdSavers window treatments, designed to reduce bird-window collisions.
Join long-time birder Bob Donnelly on an early morning trip to look for snipe, rails, and bitterns in the Onderdunk Road area in Sharon Springs
Event Details
Join long-time birder Bob Donnelly on an early morning trip to look for snipe, rails, and bitterns in the Onderdunk Road area in Sharon Springs on Sunday, May 10. Meet at Bob’s Country Store, 102 NY-165, Roseboom at 6:00 a.m.
New Zealand is a fascinating island nation, characterized by soaring, snowy peaks in the south and bubbling hot springs in the north. It’s home to
Event Details
New Zealand is a fascinating island nation, characterized by soaring, snowy peaks in the south and bubbling hot springs in the north. It’s home to bizarre birds like flightless, nocturnal Kiwis and Kākāpōs (the heaviest parrot on earth), and mischievous alpine parrots called Keas. Fans of The Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings will recall the beautiful landscapes of New Zealand where these trilogies were filmed on location, leveraging the country’s diverse landscapes for the movies.
Kathryn and Al Davino made their winter escape to New Zealand in February of 2025, and she returned bubbling over with photos and stories about this captivating place. Share the adventure on May 15 at Elm Park Methodist Church, Oneonta, NY OR on Zoom at 7:30 p.m.
About the Presenter: Kathryn Davino is a retired High School Biology Teacher from Delaware Academy in Delhi. She is an enthusiastic birder, gardener, and watcher of wildlife. She has served on the DOAS Board of Directors since 2016.
We envision a healthy world where people and wildlife thrive and natural resources are protected. The mission of Delaware-Otsego Audubon Society is to protect...
We envision a healthy world where people and wildlife thrive and natural resources are protected. The mission of Delaware-Otsego Audubon Society is to protect our natural environment and connect people with nature to benefit birds and other wildlife through conservation, education, research and advocacy.
Saturday, May 16 is this year’s Big Day for DOAS.
The Big Day is a group effort in which birders, working alone, in pairs, or in small
Event Details
Saturday, May 16 is this year’s Big Day for DOAS.
The Big Day is a group effort in which birders, working alone, in pairs, or in small groups, can maintain social distance and adopt infection-avoidance procedures while enjoying the outdoors. We will try to locate as many bird species as we can in a single fun day. Birders can spend any amount of time they choose within that 24 hours, and report on their efforts to the Big Day coordinator, Charlie Scheim.
Everyone is welcome, novice or experienced. If you are interested and have not participated before, please contact Charlie at 607-434-4880 (voice or text) or scheimc@hartwick.edu to get information on joining in the fun.
DOAS BIG DAY BIRD COUNT RULES (Modified from ABA):
A Big Day Count is a single-team effort in which the primary objectives are (1) to identify as many bird species as possible during a single calendar day and (2) to strive to have all team members identify all species recorded.
Counting
Count only species listed in a recognized field guide.
Birds must be conclusively identified by sight or sound. Use common sense: if in doubt about the bird’s identity, don’t count it.
An introduced species may be counted.
Birds counted must be alive, wild, and unrestrained. Domestic species are not to be included. Birds attracted to tape-recorders or feeders may be counted. Injured birds may be counted if wild and unrestrained. Eggs do not count as birds.
Time – All counting must be within a single 24-hour period, on a single calendar day, determined by where the Count begins or ends.
Area– Any geographic area within the region served by DOAS may be covered. A team’s coverage area may overlap that of other teams.
Travel – Travel may be by any means, provided that all participants remain within direct voice-contact distance during all travel (except for separate motorized travel or for “timeouts” for gas, food, rest, etc.).
Participants
Any number of participants may constitute a team.
Nonparticipating companions may accompany the team and may record or may drive vehicles.
Conduct
Each participant must:
remain within direct voice-contact distance of all other participants at all times, except during time-outs.
make every reasonable effort to identify personally and to help other team members identify every species counted by the team.
count only birds personally and unquestionably identified.
review the Big Day Count Rules before the start of the Count.
Outside Information
During the Count, teams must make every reasonable effort to avoid receiving bird-finding help from nonparticipants.
Any information received prior to the Count may be used during the Count.
Ethics– Each participant should strive to maintain proper birding ethics at all times.
