All events are free and open to the public unless otherwise indicated in the description.
To save your money and to help save the planet, we encourage carpooling for all events.
Occasionally events have to be cancelled due to unusually bad weather conditions. For all our events, if you have any doubt about whether the event is going to happen, please check for a cancellation notice on this website; if there is nothing here then phone the contact person for your event.
NOTE: CLICK ON HEADING TO COLLAPSE AND EXPAND DESCRIPTION.
march
23mar7:30 am5:00 pmMontezuma NWR and Wetlands Trip7:30 am - 5:00 pm(GMT-04:00)
Join DOAS Board Director, Chris DeCesare, on Saturday, March 23rd for a birding field trip to Montezuma National Wildlife Refuge and the adjacent Wetlands Complex to view migratory
Join DOAS Board Director, Chris DeCesare, on Saturday, March 23rd for a birding field trip to Montezuma National Wildlife Refuge and the adjacent Wetlands Complex to view migratory waterfowl and shorebirds on their annual journey north to their breeding grounds. The area is comprised of 50,000 acres of wetlands and upland habitat north of Cayuga Lake and is a globally significant Important Bird Area because of the number of waterfowl that stop there during migration season. Past sightings include a variety of ducks, snow geese, swans, bald eagles, herons and sandhill cranes.
Snow Geese, Photo by Rod Sutton
Participants can plan to meet at Montezuma National Wildlife Refuge Headquarters at 10:00am. Those wishing to carpool can meet at the Dietz Street Parking Lot, across from the YMCA in Oneonta at 7:30am.
The trip will begin at the refuge headquarters and then proceed by car to hotspots around the complex. There may be a small amount of walking on level ground; restrooms are available at the refuge headquarters. There is no charge for admission.
This is an all-day trip with an expected return to Oneonta around 5:00pm. Participants should plan on bringing a bag lunch, snacks, water, etc. For more details, contact Chris DeCesare at 607-244-5496 or chris.decesare444@gmail.com.
(Saturday) 7:30 am - 5:00 pm(GMT-04:00)
Dietz Street Parking Lot Carpool Location
april
14apr6:45 pm8:15 pmWoodcock Walk at Parslow Road6:45 pm - 8:15 pm(GMT-04:00)
In collaboration with Otsego Land Trust REGISTER to attend at
REGISTER to attend at https://otsegolandtrust.org/events/annual-woodcock-guided-walk
Space is limited, so please register as soon as you can – 11 spaces remaining on 3/14/24.
On Sunday, April 14 from 6:45 to 8:15 PM, join Otsego Land Trust and Delaware-Otsego Audubon Society for our annual Woodcock Walk at the Parslow Road Conservation Area. DOAS locals Sandy Bright and Charlie Scheim will lead a walk to observe the spring courtship ritual of the woodcock.
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 6:45 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
Please let us know you are coming!
REGISTER to attend at https://otsegolandtrust.org/events/annual-woodcock-guided-walk
Space is limited, so please register as soon as you can – 11 spaces remaining on 3/14/24.
For questions, don’t hesitate to get in touch with cherise@otsegolandtrust.org.
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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.
REGISTER to attend at https://otsegolandtrust.org/events/annual-woodcock-guided-walk
(Sunday) 6:45 pm - 8:15 pm(GMT-04:00)
Parslow Road Conservation Area
127 Parslow Road
19apr7:00 pm7:45 pmA Florida Birding Photo Journey with Rick Bunting7:00 pm - 7:45 pm(GMT-04:00)
Join Delaware-Otsego Audubon Society for a special live presentation at the Foothills Performing Arts Center, 24 Market St., Oneonta on Friday, April 19, 2024 at
Join Delaware-Otsego Audubon Society for a special live presentation at the Foothills Performing Arts Center, 24 Market St., Oneonta on Friday, April 19, 2024 at 7:00pm. (PLEASE NOTE LOCATION AND TIME CHANGE FROM OUR REGULAR FRIDAY EVENING PROGRAMMING.) Presenting for the evening’s program is a DOAS member favorite – area photographer and naturalist, Rick Bunting. Rick spent time in Florida recently, and came home with photos of natural wonders both common and uncommon, all of which will amaze and at times amuse us. There will be stories as well, delivered in Rick’s unique style. Experience his enthusiasm, respect and ever-present creativity as he shares his photographs of Florida’s avian life. This program is free and open to the public and will begin promptly at 7:00pm – please arrive early. The venue at Foothills Performing Arts Center is 100% ADA Accessible. Please enter at the Market Street (bricked) entrance and use the elevators to the indicated location. Signage will be available.
Limited refreshments will be available.
We will present this in-person program on zoom as well. Click HERE to register for the program on Zoom.
Our featured presenter will be well-known local photographer Rick Bunting. His photos of his “week of Birding in Florida” will delight us all. Since his retirement from SUNY Potsdam and the Crane School of Music, Rick pursues his passion for photography full time. Also an accomplished and well-known musician, Rick photographs wherever he travels.
(Friday) 7:00 pm - 7:45 pm(GMT-04:00)
Foothills Performing Arts Center
24 Market Street
20apr8:00 am10:00 amEarth Festival Morning Bird Walk8:00 am - 10:00 am(GMT-04:00)
Join DOAS Member and Area Birder, Bob Donnelly for the annual Earth Festival Bird Walk at 8am on Saturday, April 20. Participants should meet at
Join DOAS Member and Area Birder, Bob Donnelly for the annual Earth Festival Bird Walk at 8am on Saturday, April 20. Participants should meet at the Milford Central School parking lot at 7:50am, near the Earth Festival Entrance. Carpools to Riddell State Park will leave promptly at 8am and will return in time for the 10am start of the EF Event. All are welcome to attend, regardless of age or birding experience. The walk is expected to return in time for the 10am start of Earth Festival! Look for the DOAS exhibit area in the gym when you return!
Riddell State Park offers a variety of trails from easy to moderate to intermediate, that travel through acres of forested woodlands, and wide fields and along the Schenevus Creek. Our walk should cover about 2 miles total of easy walking, on a combination of flat to rolling terrain, with some trails having slopes and roots exposed. Waterproof footwear is recommended, water and sunscreen as needed. Restrooms are available at Milford Central School before and after the trip. There is a bathroom available at Riddell.
Baltimore Oriole; Photo by Rod Sutton.
(Saturday) 8:00 am - 10:00 am(GMT-04:00)
Milford Central School
42 West Main Street
20apr10:00 am3:00 pmEarth Festival at Milford Central School10:00 am - 3:00 pm(GMT-04:00)
We are looking forward to seeing everyone again this year at Earth Festival! Stop by for some fresh-brewed bird-friendly coffee and take a bag
We are looking forward to seeing everyone again this year at Earth Festival! Stop by for some fresh-brewed bird-friendly coffee and take a bag or two home for your morning pleasure! We’ll have information on membership available as well as registration for our 2024 Audubon Summer Day Camp Program, non-lead Ammunition information and our Golden Eagle Display!
DOAS Board Director, Susan O’Handley will also be presenting the following programs:
11:30 am
Register at https://www.occainfo.org/calendar/earth-festival-workshop-working-towards-a-net-zero-carbon-household
Over the last 4 years, the O’Handley family has been working on shifting their household towards zero-carbon goals and has been able to significantly reduce their carbon impact. In this program, Susan O’Handley will delve into the why, the how, and the how much – demonstrating all the ways this transition has resulted in daily quality of life improvements in their 1902 Victorian farmhouse and the ability to save money on their monthly expenses.
12:30pm
Register at: https://www.occainfo.org/calendar/earth-festival-workshop-birds-and-climate-change
This program will overview the challenges that bird populations are expected to face as climate change warming scenarios take place and will look deeper into the impacts on key local species. We will feature online tools that participants can use to gain information on projected trends in populations, changes in breeding and wintering habitats, as well as tools to help track these changes over time. We will also examine ways that people and our local communities can help to prepare for and offset some of these impacts.
Susan O’Handley is a career Environmental Education professional turned techie, who now works with small businesses in the digital marketing space. She has been involved with local Audubon chapters for over 30 years and has served on the Board of Directors for the Delaware-Otsego Audubon Society since 2012 (10 years as a Co-President). Susan also works with the Audubon NY/CT Council Board which is composed of 27 Audubon Chapters in NY State and 6 Chapters in CT, and serves on the Advisory Board for Audubon NY/CT State Office as the Chapter Representative.
(Saturday) 10:00 am - 3:00 pm(GMT-04:00)
Milford Central School
42 West Main Street
28apr10:00 am11:30 amGreat Blue Heron Rookery Walk10:00 am - 11:30 am(GMT-04:00)
In collaboration with Otsego Land Trust REGISTER to attend at
REGISTER to attend at https://otsegolandtrust.org/events/hike-to-a-blue-heron-nesting-grove
Space is limited, so please register as soon as you can – 11 spaces remaining on 3/14/24.
On Sunday, April 28th from 10:00 am to 11:30 am, join Otsego Land Trust and Delaware-Otsego Audubon Society for a unique perspective into the world of nesting Blue Herons at a privately conserved property in Van Hornesville. DOAS co-president Andy Mason will lead a walk to observe the Blue Heron Rookery.
About our Guide
Andy Mason is co-president of the Delaware-Otsego Audubon Society. He is past chair of the Audubon Council of NY State, and past president of the NY State Ornithological Assoc. He has been an active birder for over 30 years, participated in the NY State Breeding Bird Atlas, and has lead bird workshops for the Appalachian Mountain Club. He also serves as president of the Schoharie Land Trust.
Cost: FREE
Please let us know you are coming!
REGISTER to attend at https://otsegolandtrust.org/events/hike-to-a-blue-heron-nesting-grove
Space is limited, so please register as soon as you can – 11 spaces remaining on 3/14/24.
For questions, don’t hesitate to get in touch with cherise@otsegolandtrust.org.
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Otsego Land Trust is a community-based nonprofit that protects fields, forests, waterways, and scenic views 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.
REGISTER to attend at https://otsegolandtrust.org/events/hike-to-a-blue-heron-nesting-grove
Space is limited, so please register as soon as you can – 11 spaces remaining on 3/14/24.
(Sunday) 10:00 am - 11:30 am(GMT-04:00)
Van Hornesville, NY
may
11may8:00 am10:00 amOneonta Susquehanna Greenway Bird Walk8:00 am - 10:00 am(GMT-04:00)
Join DOAS Board Director, Charlie Scheim and Member Sandy Bright on Saturday, May 11 at 8:00am for a walk to view returning migrant birds on
Join DOAS Board Director, Charlie Scheim and Member Sandy Bright on Saturday, May 11 at 8:00am for a walk to view returning migrant birds on the Susquehanna Greenway Trail. 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.
(Saturday) 8:00 am - 10:00 am(GMT-04:00)