| 2010 Beginner Field Trips: |
All RBA field trips are open to everyone (members and non-members alike), they are free of charge and there is no pre-registration required.Any questions regarding length of a trip, level of physical activity needed for a trip, recommended footwear or any other questions should be addressed to the individual leader(s) of each trip.
Trips begin within a few minutes of the starting time so be sure to be at the meeting location about 10 minutes before the listed time. Also, please make sure you have enough gas in your vehicle so the trip doesn't have to wait for you to go fill up.
A field guide, such as The Sibley Guide, Peterson's Field Guide or The National Geographic Guide, are helpful on trips to be able to see what field marks to look at for each bird. If you don't have one, don't worry as the leaders always have some to share. If you have a pair of binoculars, bring them too. If you want to look through someone else's binoculars on a trip please ask. This is an excellent way to get a feel for the differences in binoculars and which binocular works best for you.
The pace and focus of beginner trips may not be satisfying to experienced birders.
Jan 23
Saturday | Irondequoit Bay, Lakeshore, Genesee River Outlet
Sharpen your skills on wintering waterfowl and gulls. Dress warmly in layers! Meet in the Irondequoit Bay Outlet parking lot at 8:30 a.m. Extra spotting scopes would be very helpful. Leader: Bob M. 264-1704; Co-leader: Kelly 473-1679. |
Jan 30
Saturday | Mendon Ponds Park
Looking for wintering birds. Bring some sunflower seeds and your camera to entertain the chickadees. Meet at the Visitor's Center on Pond Road near Clover Street at 9:30 a.m. Leader: Shirley 385-3907; Co-leader: Janet 787-0507. |
March 13
Saturday | Charlotte, Braddock Bay, Lakeshore Fields
Sharpen your skills on migratory waterfowl. Meet in Charlotte Beach Parking Lot at 8:30 a.m. Extra spotting scopes would be very helpful. Leader: Greg 227-5837; Co-leader: Cindy 482-7778. |
April 4
Sunday | Owl Woods and Hawk Watch Site
Sharpen your skills on roosting owls and migrating hawks. Meet in the Parking Lot on the right side of Manitou Beach Road across from the Owl Woods trail head at 8:00 a.m. The Owl Woods trails may be wet and muddy in spots. Boots are STRONGLY recommended. Leader: Carolyn C. 244-9638; Co-leader: Kimberly S. 503-2534. |
May 1
Saturday | Durand Eastman Park and Island Cottage Woods Area
Nearing the peak of migration, we can expect a variety of warblers, thrushes, Scarlet Tanager, and many other migrants on which to sharpen your skills. Meet in the lakeside parking lot off Lakeshore Boulevard just west of Lake Eastman (Parking Lot C) at 8:00 a.m. Trails may be wet and muddy in spots. Boots are STRONGLY recommended. Leader: Bob M. 865-4864; Co-leader: Carolyn R. |
Aug 28
Saturday | Montezuma National Wildlife Refuge
Sharpen your skills on the fall migration of shorebirds in this nearby birding treasure. Meet in the Bushnell Basin "Park and Ride" lot at 1:30 p.m. The meeting site is off Route 96 just south of Exit number 27 from I-490. Extra spotting scopes and FRS radios would be very helpful. Leader: Kimberly S. 503-2534; Co-leader: John B. 671-9639. |
Oct 16
Saturday | Charlotte, Durand Eastman Park and Irondequoit Bay
Looking for late shorebirds, migrating waterfowl and migrating songbirds. Meet at Charlotte Beach parking lot at 8:00 a.m. Dress warmly in layers. Extra spotting scopes will be very helpful. Leader: Kimberly S. 503-2534; Co-leader: John L. 586-0683. |
Dec 4
Saturday | Nations Road
Sharpen your skills on wintering hawks and Short-eared Owls. Other wintering birds such as Horned Larks, Snow Buntings and Lapland Longspurs are often present. Meet at the Tops Plaza in Avon -- on Routes 5 and 20, two miles west of I-390 -- at 2:30 p.m. Dress warmly. Extra spotting scopes and FRS radios would be very helpful. Leaders: Bob and Sandy 264-1704. |
