June Newsletter 2025
View from Mahanna Cobble, pic by D Dutra
REMINDER: SPRING GATHERING, GRAFTON LAKES STATE PARK, SUNDAY, JUNE 1
Join us at the THC Spring Gathering at Grafton Lakes State Park, at the Deerfield Pavilion on Sunday, June 1. If you haven’t registered it is OK to show up! See the outings page for more information.
SPRING BIRDING AROUND THE TACONICS
One of the best things about our often cold and rainy transition to spring is the way we tiptoe into it slowly. This allows us time to observe the emergence of spring ephemerals and to be able to digest the arrival of avian migrants, often one or just a few species at a time rather than at an onslaught. In general, seeking a variety of habitats is a good way to ensure you see a range of birds. Check out ponds, streams, wetlands, boardwalks if available, deep forest, and fields. That should cover it!
Below are places serious local birders recommend for the variety of birds consistently seen. The great thing about birding though is that you can do it in your own backyard and neighborhood, just by being observant and quiet and spending time outdoors!
If you’re stuck inside or the weather is miserable or it’s dark out, here are two book recommendations:
Birding to Change the World, by Trish Okane and The Backyard Bird Chronicles, by Amy Tan
The Merlin App is a great aid to sound identification, but please do not play the songs and calls during the breeding and nesting season, since this greatly disturbs the bird’s serious seasonal business. And sign on to Cornell’s ebird citizen reporting app if you are sure of your species.
So grab your binoculars and go early!
In Albany County:
The Hollyhock Hollow Sanctuary which was previously owned by the American Audubon Society and is now owned by Mohawk Huson Land Conservancy has a variety of birds to observe.
Five Rivers Environmental also offers a variety of types of bird, from meadow to woods to wetlands.
In Saratoga County:
The Wilton Preserve, Bog Meadow Brook Trail, Saratoga Battlefield, and Vischers Ferry offer a variety of birding experiences that don’t involve long distance driving.
In Rensselaer County:
In Hudson Taconic Land’s (formerly RPA) Albert Family Community Forest look for a scarlet tanager that hangs around the welcome center.
Dyken Pond Environmental Education Center is also known for birding.
Grafton Lakes State Park not only has good birding but they occassional offer birding events.
In Columbia County:
Overmountain, owned by the Columbia Land Conservancy, (CLC) is the place to go for swallows and bobolinks in the fields and warblers in the woods.
Drowned Lands, also owned by CLC, in the southern part of the county is renowned for birding as well.
In Berkshire County:
Ashuwillticook Trail—This rail trail offers some spectacular birding through a wetlands just north of the parking area at the northern end of the Cheshire Reservoir. A bonus is that you can ride your bike through there.
Canoe Meadows in Pittsfield has a trail that meanders along oxbows.
Housatonic Flats in Great Barrington, a BNRC property, runs along the Housatonic River, where you can spot Great Blue Herons
Parsons Marsh in Lenox off Undermountain Road, also owned by BNRC, has a 1/3 mile boardwalk to a large marsh that is handicap accessible.
Bartholomew’s Cobble in Sheffield, while famous for its spring ephemerals, also has a myriad of species reported in by Cornell’s ebird app.
Field Farm in Williamstown checks in with dozens of species.
Hopkins Memorial Forest, just west of Williamstown, affords a deep woods habitat that rises to elevation and the TCT.
Harmon Pond in Williamstown at the junction of Rts. 2 and 43 within the Margaret Lindley Park, has kingfishers, and after doing the trail you can picnic at the swimming pond.
OUTINGS: Refer to the THC website outings page for details about the outings and how to register. We schedule on a monthly and short-term basis, so check the website periodically.
Sunday, June 1: SPRING GATHERING, GRAFTON LAKES STATE PARK (GLSP)
Monday, June 2: Grafton Lakes State Park, Mill Pond to White Lily Pond RT B-
Tuesday, June 3, Afternoon ramble at Kinderhook Preserve, East Nassau NY C
Wednesday, June 4: Coxsackie Four Mile Preserve Paddle B
Monday June 9th: Long Path reroute and extension C+
Tuesday, June 17: Mountain Laurel Hike: Bear Mountain (Mt. Riga State Park) Salisbury, CT. B
Wednesday, June 25: Another Mountain Laurel Hike: Bob’s Way & Mt. Hunger at Konkapot Ridge, Monterey, MA. B-
Thursday June 26th: Harlem Valley Rail Trail Bike B
Thursday, June 26: Hand Hollow C
Wednesday, July 2: Snow Hole, Petersburg Pass B-
Monday, July 14 Burbank Preserve & Brothers Trails Lenox MA C+
Monday, July 21, Troy Waterfalls C
Quote: “It’s probable that in the artistic hierarchy, birds are the greatest musicians existing on our planet.” — Olivier Messiaen
White trillium, pic by M Waldman
Mahanna Cobble, lunch stop, pic by D Dutra
Cherry Plain State Park, pic by J Gorman
Azaleas, Pittsfield State Forest, pic by M Waldman
Lady Slippers, near TCT, pic by M Waldman
Cherry Plain State Park, pic by M Waldman
Fungi, pic by M Waldman