The Allen Bird Club

Springfield, MA

2007-2008 Field Trips

For more information or trip details, call Seth Kellogg at 413-569-3335
or e-mail gcking@yahoo.com


Nov 2008Dec 2008 Jan 2009Feb 2009 Mar 2009Apr 2009
May 2009Jun 2009 Jul 2009Aug 2009   
        

Please call the trip leader at least 24 hours prior to any trip to check for changes and/or cancellations.

NOVEMBER 2008

1 Sat. Stebbins Refuge Trail Clearing - Half Day
Meet at sign on Bark Haul and Pondside Roads in Longmeadow at 8:00 a.m. Bring tools, gloves, bags.
Rain date, November 8th. Ed Dzielenski 567-3132

2 Sun. Berkshire Lakes - Half Day
Waterfowl. Meet at McDonald's in Lee just north of Turnpike
Exit 2 at 8:00 a.m. Chris Blagdon 1-413-684-1808

3 Mon. Regular Meeting - Jamaica Birding
Past president and current ABC members, George Kingston and Jean Delaney, will entertain us with their beautiful slides and stories of this tropical paradise.

8 Sat. Quabbin Reservoir - 3 Hours
Waterfowl, eagles and wintering birds. Meet at the Visitor's Center at 8:00 a.m. Janet Orcutt 732-2412

15 Sat. North Shore of Massachusetts - Full Day
Seabirds, ducks, and alcids. Meet in the commuter lot behind McDonald’s across from the Big Y shopping center in Ludlow near Turnpike entrance at 6:30 a.m. Seth Kellogg 569-3335

22 Sat. South Shore of Massachusetts - Full Day
Seabirds, ducks, and alcids. Meet in the commuter lot behind McDonald’s across from the Big Y shopping center in Ludlow near Turnpike entrance at 6:30 a.m. Steve Svec 736-0438

29 Sat. Cape Cod - Full Day
Seabirds, ducks and lingering songbirds. Meet in the commuter lot behind McDonald’s across from the Big Y shopping center in Ludlow near Turnpike entrance at 6:30 a.m.
Seth Kellogg 569-3335

DECEMBER

1 Mon. Regular Meeting – Birds, Beasts, and Beauty of Alaska
Barb and Doug James will present photographic highlights from their month-long summer travels in Alaska, including nesting seabirds, fishing brown bears, and calving glaciers.

20 Sat. Springfield Area Christmas Count
Call coordinator George Kingston at 525-6742 for details and territory assignments. Compilation and pot luck supper for participants at 6:30 p.m.

27 Sat. Westfield Area (Cobble Mt.) Christmas Count
Call coordinator Seth Kellogg at 569-3335 for details and territory assignments. Compilation and pizza for participants at 4:30 p.m.

JANUARY 2009

3 Sat. Sandwich and Falmouth - Full Day
Seabirds, ducks and wintering song birds. Meet in the commuter lot behind McDonald’s across from the Big Y shopping center in Ludlow near Turnpike entrance at 6:30 a.m.
Seth Kellogg 569-3335

5 Mon. Regular Meeting - Parrots in the Land of Oz
Parrots are everywhere in Australia. Their colors, behaviors and habitats are all described in depth by the scientists studying them and the Australians who live among them in this delightful film from Down Under.

17 Sat. Hotline - Half Day
Finches, waxwings and hawks. Meet at the parking lot across the street from Atkins Fruit Bowl on Rte. 116 in Amherst at 8:00 a.m. Please call leader in advance to confirm.
Harvey Allen 1-413-253-7963

24-25 Sat.-Sun. Rhode Island Blitz - 2 Days
Fast paced search for wintering birds, 75-90 species likely. Make reservations at the Howard Johnson Inn (1-401-849-2000) in Middletown. Call leader 10 days in advance for details.
Tom Swochak 568-0342

FEBRUARY

2 Mon. Regular Meeting - Silk Road and Steppe Eagles - Birding in Kazakhstan
Join Myles and Kathy Conway as they travel across the steppes and mountains of the ancient central Asian nation of Kazakhstan in search of raptors, snowcocks, and more.

14 Sat. Local Hotline - Half Day
Call leader for details. Steve Svec 736-0438

21-22 Sat.-Sun. Plum Island & Cape Ann - 2 Days
Raptors, waterfowl and alcids, 60-85 species likely. Make reservations at Cape Ann’s Marina Resort in Gloucester (1-800-626-7660). Call leader at least 10 days in advance for details. Myles & Kathy Conway 1-413-269-7130

MARCH

2 Mon. Regular Meeting - Captive Breeding of Bald Eagles
Wildlife rehabilitator, Tom Ricardi, will discuss the difficulties of breeding Bald Eagles in captivity and the rewards of reintroducing them into the wild. Tom will have live birds of prey on display at this fascinating presentation.

14 Sat. Walk & Wok, Birding Turners Falls and Chinese Lunch – Half Day
Late wintering birds and early migrant waterfowl. Meet in the back parking lot of Holyoke Pediatrics just west of Exit 15 off I-91 at 8:00 a.m. Steve Svec 736-0438

21 Sat. Connecticut Coast - Full Day
Seabirds, ducks, and small gulls. Meet at Dunkin Donuts parking lot in Enfield, left off ramp at exit 48 from I-91 southbound.
7:30 a.m. Patrick McMahon 1-413-357-6111

26 Thurs. Woodcock in East Longmeadow - Evening
Meet at the Meadowbrook School on Parker St. just south of Porter Rd. in East Longmeadow at 7:30 p.m.
George Kingston 525-6742

28 Sat. Local Ponds - Half Day
Ducks and early arrivals. Meet at Herzenberg Kitchens on River Road off Rte. 57 in Agawam at 7:00 a.m.
Seth Kellogg 569-3335

29 Sun. So. Hadley to Sunderland on CT River – Half Day
Ducks and early arrivals. Meet in the back parking lot of Holyoke Pediatrics just west of Exit 15 off I-91 at 7:30 a.m.
Steve Svec 736-0438

APRIL

4 Sat. Stebbins Refuge Trail Clearing - Half Day
Meet at sign on Bark Haul and Pondside Roads in Longmeadow at 8:00 a.m. Bring tools, gloves, and bags. In case of flooding, cleanup will be postponed until April 11th.
Ed Dzielenski 567-3132

5 Sun. Breakfast & Upriver Birding - Half Day
Ducks and eagles. Meet in Northampton’s commuter parking lot off Rte. 9 (Old Ferry Hill Rd.), 1/2 mile west of Exit 19 off I-91 at 7:30 a.m. Breakfast at Sylvester's before birding.
Seth Kellogg 569-3335 and Howard Schwartz 1-413-323-6967

6 Mon. Regular Meeting – The Challenges of Wildlife Photography
The most frequently asked question of a wildlife photographer is, “How did you get that shot?” This digital presentation by Mark Picard addresses that question and many other issues and obstacles involved in capturing extraordinary images of birds and other wildlife.

25 Sat. Southwick & Granville – 3 Hours
Granville Hawkwatch – 5 Hours (10 to 3)
Meet at Grist Mill Plaza in Southwick at the junction of Rte. 57 and Rtes. 10 and 202 at 7:00 a.m. For only hawkwatch at Blueberry Hill, see beginning of September for directions to site. Arrive and leave anytime. Bring a picnic lunch. Seth Kellogg 569-3335

29 Wed. Stebbins Refuge Morning Walk - 2-3 Hours
Warblers, thrushes and vireos. Bring footwear appropriate for wet trails. Meet at sign on Bark Haul and Pondside Roads in Longmeadow at 7:00 a.m. George Kingston 525-6742

MAY

2 Sat. Rice Nature Preserve, Wilbraham - 2-3 Hours
Arriving migrants and hawks. Meet at the tennis courts of Minnechaug Regional High School off Main St. in Wilbraham at 7:30 a.m. Wear appropriate footwear for rough terrain. Bring water and a snack. Kate Leary 1-413-596-9643

3 Sun. Ashley Ponds, Holyoke - 3 Hours
Arriving songbirds. Meet in the back parking lot of Holyoke Pediatrics just west of Exit 15 off I-91 at 7:30 a.m.
Steve Svec 736-0438

4 Mon. Annual & Regular Meeting - Birding Southern Texas in Winter
Southern Texas provides some of the best and most varied winter birding in the United States. Paul Roberts will introduce you to the wide variety of birds in one of the most rapidly changing birding regions iin North America.

6 Wed. 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 7:00 a.m. Eileen Rutman 734-0276

7 Thurs. Rail Trail Evening Walk - 2 Hours
Roost time calls of early arrivals and 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.
Harvey Allen 1-413-253-7963

9 Sat. Blandford & Granville - Half Day
Upland nesters. Meet at Blandford Town Hall on Rte. 23 in center of Blandford at 6:30 a.m.
Myles & Kathy Conway 1-413-269-7130

10 Sun. Robinson State Park Walk, Agawam - Half Day
Warblers, tanagers and thrushes. Meet on Colemore St. opposite the North St. entrance at 7:30 a.m.
John Hutchison 860-712-2894

12 Tues. Stebbins Refuge Evening Walk – 1-2 Hours
Beginners encouraged. Meet at sign on Bark Haul and Pondside Roads in Longmeadow at 6:00 p.m. Steve Svec 736-0438
13 Wed. Stebbins Refuge Morning Walk - 2-3 Hours
Waterbirds and migrant songbirds. Bring footwear appropriate for wet trails. Meet at sign on Bark Haul and Pondside Roads in Longmeadow at 7:00 a.m.
Al & Lois Richardson 736-0846 ALNLOISR@AOL.COM

14 Thurs. Ludlow Reservoir Morning Walk - 2 Hours
Migrant songbirds. Meet at parking lot for bike trail on Rte. 21 at 8:00 a.m. Kate Leary 596-9643

15-16 Fri.-Sat. Allen Bird Club May Census
Bird an assigned area in central Hampden County from 6:00 p.m. Friday to 6:00 p.m. Saturday. Pot luck supper for participants at 7:00 p.m. Call Seth Kellogg for details at 569-3335.

17 Sun. Mt. Holyoke - Skinner State Park - 3 Hours
Worm-eating and Cerulean Warbler. 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 8:00 a.m.
Janet Orcutt 732-2412

19 Tues. Stebbins Refuge Evening Walk – 1-2 Hours
Beginners encouraged. Meet at sign on Bark Haul and Pondside Roads in Longmeadow at 6:00 p.m. Steve Svec 736-0438

20 Wed. Stebbins Refuge Morning Walk - 2-3 Hours
Waterbirds and migrant songbirds. Bring footwear appropriate for wet trails. Meet at sign on Bark Haul and Pondside Roads in Longmeadow at 7:00 a.m.
John Hutchison 860-712-2894

21 Thurs. Hillcrest Cemetery Morning Walk - 2 Hours
Migrant songbirds. Meet at the parking lot of St. Catherine of Siena Church, 1023 Parker St., Springfield at 7:00 a.m.
Carol Shumway 783-7619

23 Sat. Bartholomew's Cobble – Half Day
Migrant songbirds. Meet at Bartholomew's Cobble in Sheffield at 6:30 a.m. Chris Blagdon 1-413-684-1808

24 Sun. Quabbin Reservoir – 3 Hours
Resident songbirds. Meet at the Visitor's Center at 7:00 a.m. Janet Orcutt 732-2412

25 Mon. Covey WMA, Belchertown – 3 Hours
Resident songbirds. From Rte. 9 in Belchertown turn onto East St. (west of main Quabbin entrance at a sign for Mass Wildlife District Office). Go 1.5 miles and park across the street from Mass Wildlife, CT Valley District Office. 7:00 a.m. 2-3 mile walk. Donna Morrison 596-3537

May 30 – June 1 Sat.-Mon. Monhegan Island, ME - 3 Days
Rarities and warblers. Make reservations at Shining Sails Bed & Breakfast (1-207-596-0041), The Island Inn (1-207-596-0371), or The Trailing Yew (1-207-596-0440) in Monhegan as early as possible. John Hutchison 860-712-2894 and Seth Kellogg 569-3335

JUNE

5-6 Fri. - Sat. Breeding Bird Census
Census of breeding birds in the Little River IBA (Important Bird Area) in Granville and Blandford. 6:00 p.m. Friday to 6:00 p.m. Saturday. Compilation and pizza for participants at 6:30 p.m. on Saturday. Call coordinator Seth Kellogg at 569-3335 for details and territory assignments.

7 Sun. Hollow Road, Wilbraham - 2-3 Hours
Resident songbirds. Meet in the parking lot of Laughing Brook Wildlife Sanctuary at the junction of Main St. and Glendale Rd. in Hampden at 7:00 a.m.
Donna Morrison 596-3537

9 Tues. Allen Bird Club Banquet
Join us for an evening of celebration at the Munich Haus in Chicopee. Reservation information will be mailed to members.

10 Wed. Canoe or Kayak the Quaboag - Half Day
American Bittern and Alder Flycatcher. Bring your own boat. Meet in Brookfield on Rte.148, 1/2 mile south of Rte. 9, at the boat launch on the left just before crossing the bridge. 7:30 a.m. Please call leader in advance to confirm.
Harvey Allen 1-413-253-7963

13 Sat. Tyringham Valley & Cobble - 3/4 Day
Upland nesters (American Bittern). Moderate 4 mile hike on the Appalachian Trail. Bring lunch. Meet at McDonald's in Lee just north of Turnpike Exit 2 at 6:30 a.m.
Kathy & Myles Conway 1-413-269-7130

14 Sun. Goshen – Half Day
Visiting varied habitats for most upland nesters possible. Short walks and roadside birding. Meet at Westfield City Hall, 59 Court St. at 6:00 a.m. Tom Swochak 568-0342

18 Thurs. Montague - Airport & Plains - Evening
Grasshopper Sparrow, Whip-poor-will! Meet at the Dairy Mart in the center of Sunderland at the junction of Rte. 47 and Rte.116 at 6:30 p.m. Please call leader in advance to confirm.
Harvey Allen 1-413-253-7963

20 Sat. October Mt., Washington - Half Day
Upland spruce nesters (Mourning Warbler). Meet at McDonald's in Lee just north of Turnpike Exit 2 at 6:30 a.m.
Kathy & Myles Conway 1-413-269-7130

21 Sun. Bird & Barbecue in South Vermont – 3/4 Day
Mountain nesters. Late lunch at Curtis' Bar-B-Q in Putney. Please call leader in advance to confirm. Kathy & Myles Conway 1-413-269-7130

27-29 Sat.-Mon. Adirondacks, New York - 3 Days
Boreal specialties. Rugged mountain hiking. Please call leader for details at least 10 days in advance to arrange accommodations. Myles & Kathy Conway 1-413-269-7130

JULY

5 Sun. West Hatfield and Williamsburg – 3 Hours
Upland nesters. Meet at Stop & Shop on Rte. 5, two left turns off Exit 21 of Rte. 91 northbound at 7:00 a.m. Please call leader in advance to confirm. Harvey Allen 1-413-253-7963

8 Wed. Stebbins Refuge Trail Clearing - Half Day
Meet at sign on Bark Haul and Pondside Roads in Longmeadow at 8:00 a.m. Bring lopping shears or hedge clippers if possible.
Ed Dzielenski 567-3132

11 Sat. Plainfield Walk - Half Day
Upland Nesters. Easy to moderate 3 mile walk. Bring waterproof boots for more comfortable walking in wet areas. Meet at Judy's home on 525 West Main St. (Rte. 116) in Plainfield at 7:30 a.m. Judy Williams 1-413-634-8099

25-26 Sat.-Sun. Cape Cod - Weekend or Day
Shorebirds, terns, seabirds. Meet at Chatham Lighthouse parking area at 9:00 a.m. Bring old sneakers for a walk on South Beach (NOTE: $30 per person boat fee). Make reservations at Eagle Wing Motel (1-800-278-5656) in Eastham. Possible whale watch on Sunday morning for overnighters.
Seth Kellogg 569-3335

AUGUST

7 Fri. Evening Owl Prowl in Southwick and Granville
Meet at Grist Mill Plaza in Southwick at the junction of Rte. 57 and Rtes. 10 and 202 at 7:00 p.m. Steve Svec 736-0438

23 Sun. Longmeadow & Agawam – 3 Hours
Shorebirds, egrets and herons. Meet at Bondi's Island boat ramp in Agawam at 7:30 a.m. Seth Kellogg 569-3335

25 Tues. Stebbins Refuge Nighthawk Watch - Evening
Meet at sign on Bark Haul and Pondside Roads in Longmeadow at 6:30 p.m.
Al & Lois Richardson 736-0846 ALNLOISR@AOL.COM

29 Sat. Canoe or Kayak the CT River - Half Day
Bring your own boat. Location is leader's choice, call for details.
Harvey Allen 1-413-253-7963



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