~ HOFFMANN BIRD CLUB ~

 

 

 

 

 

   

 

 

The Hoffmann Bird Club is Berkshire County’s premier ornithological organization. It was established in 1940 with a mission of promoting the study of birds in the county. The club was founded under the auspices of the Berkshire Museum and is named in honor of Ralph Hoffmann, a naturalist born in Berkshire County.

 

 

Field Trips: Times listed are departure times; please arrive a few minutes early to meet the leader(s) and carpool when possible. When carpooling, participants are expected to contribute towards gas expenses. Local trips generally last until lunch, unless otherwise noted. Participants under 18 must be accompanied by a parent or guardian.  Dress for the weather, wear proper footwear, and bring binoculars (if you have them). It’s always a good idea to contact the Trip Leader to let her/him know you are coming.

 

Our new Beyond Your Backyard Trips are coming soon. Call Dave Monk at 655-8594 or email him at outreachhoffmannbirdclub.org to learn how we might help extend your birding knowledge.

 

 

Unless otherwise noted, all telephone numbers are in area code 413

 

September 2009

 

Sat 9/5   Explore Lanesborough                                7:30AM

We’ll watch for migrating songbirds and raptors on a walk around the pond and on former cross-country ski trails. We’ll check the caves and springs at the site. Meet at the old Brodie Ski Touring Center, 770 Rte. 7, Lanesborough. Leader: Matt Kelly (458-3290, peace@vgernet.net).

 

Sun 9/6    Pittsfield State Forest                7:30AM

We will look for migrating, warblers, thrushes and vireos in the state forest and visit the hawk watch site to look for migrating raptors. Meet at Lanesborough Post Office on Rt. 7.  Leader:

Gael Hurley (281-1017, gael19@nycap.rr.co)

 

 

Sun 9/13   Springside Park                             7:30AM

Meet at playground parking lot off North St. (Rte. 7), Pittsfield to look for migrating songbirds and sparrows in a variety of habitats. Leader: Noreen Mole (413-442-6327, Smole@berkshire.rr.com

 

Sat 9/19   Blueberry Hill Hawk Watch/Picnic   7:30AM

(Combined event with the Allen Bird Club).  

Watch for raptors overhead and migrating passerines in the woods at Blueberry Hill Hawk Watch in West Granville. Meet Tom Begley (655-0112, AT8395@aol.com ) at Price Chopper parking lot on the Pittsfield-Lenox Rd., Lenox to carpool. Bring a dish to share.

 

Fri 9/25–Sun 9/27    Cape May                          TBA

Join us for this 3-day, 2-night trip to Brigantine NWR and Cape May Point. Make your own motel reservations. Call the Cape Harbor Motor Inn: (609) 884-0018. Please contact leader Chris Blagdon (684-1808, ceblagdon@nycap.rr.com) about local departure time and place

 

October 2009

 

Sat 10/3   The Meadows, Northampton      7:00AM

Search for sparrows in the Meadows along the Connecticut River. A 3/4-day trip; bring lunch. Meet at the Allendale Shopping Center, Cheshire Rd

 Pittsfield. Leader: Chris Blagdon, (684-1808,  ceblagdon@nycap.rr.com  ).

 

 

Wed 10/7   Becket Quarry                             7:00AM

Take an autumn walk at the Becket Quarry to look for fall migrants. The trip will end before noon. Meet at McDonald’s in Lee. Leader: Dave St. James
(443-9456, dpstj@bcn.net).

 

Sun 10/18    Leaders choice                TBA

Destination, time and meeting place are to be determined. Check the Hoffmann hotline at (hotline@hoffmanbirdclub.com or call leaders Bob Wood and Holly Higinbotham for details (684-3724, higinbo@hotmail.com.

 

 

Sat 10/24-Sun 10/25    Rhode Island Coast

              Allendale Shopping Ctr, Pittsfield                                6:30AM

                              or McDonalds in Lee                                7:00AM        

Overnight trip to the R I Atlantic coast in search of migrating shorebirds, passerines, ducks and hawks. For lodging see websites of Anchor or Scarborough Beach Motels in Narragansett. For more lodging details or if you plan to leave from Lee call leader Dave Monk (655-8594, mamonks@verizon.net)

 

 

Sat 10/31    Berkshire Lakes

                     McDonalds on Rt.20 in Lee:                                8:00AM

     Cheshire Lake North End Boat Ramp:                                8:45AM

     (combined trip with the Allen Bird Club)

A trip for those unable to make the waterfowl census on Sun. 11/1.  We will look for migrating waterfowl on the Berkshire Lakes. Leader:Chris Blagdon (684-1808, ceblagdon@nycap.rr.com).

 

November 2009

 

Sun 11/1   63rd Bartlett Hendricks                                7:00AM

                  Memorial Waterfowl Census                    

Join the annual census of the central Berkshire lakes and wetlands! Meet at the Berkshire Museum, 39 South St., Pittsfield. Bring lunch and a scope. Trip ends around 3:00PM. Coordinator: Tom Tyning (442-2165, ttyning@berkshirecc.edu).

 

 

Sat 11/14    NW CT Waterfowl Census      9:00AM

Meet at Bartholomew’s Cobble. Bring lunch and a scope. Trip ends around 2:00PM. Leader Kate Ryan (528-4355, DivinDucky@aol.com).

 

 

 

December 2009

 

Sat 12/5     Cape Ann                               TBA

All-day trip to Gloucester and Rockport to find sea ducks and alcids. Bring lunch. For more details     contact leaders Noreen Mole (442-6327, Smole@berkshire.rr.com) or Chris Blagdon

 (684-1808,ceblagdon@ nycap.rr.com.com)

 

 

Sat 12/19   North Berkshire Christmas Count

Count species in Williamstown, New Ashford, North Adams, and Adams with members of N.  Berkshire Audubon. Contact Gary Soucie (458-0309, wf5f@roadrunner.com) or Pam Weatherbee (458-3538) for more information. Blizzard date: 12/20

 

Sun 12/20 Central Berkshire Christmas Count

Join a team and keep the tradition going. Sign up at Members Night (12/1), or contact count leader Tom Collins (499-2799, tcbirder@nycap.rr.com) for departure place and time. Blizzard date: 12/27.

 

January 2010

 

 

Fri 1/1  South Berkshire Christmas Count   

Join a team and welcome the new year with some winter birding. Contact René Laubach (637-0320, rlaubach@massaudubon.org)  to sign up or for more information about time and place..

 

February 2010

 

Sat 2/6    Breakfast and Winter Birds                                7:30AM

Meet at Ozzie’s Restaurant, Maple St., Hinsdale (across from the post office) at 7:30AM for breakfast. We will then look for wintering birds around Ashmere Lake and nearby areas. Mostly roadside birding. Leader Tom Begley (655-0112, AT8395@aol.com ).

Sat 2/13–Sun 2/14   Winter Coastal Trip       TBA

The club’s annual full-day or overnight trip to Cape Ann, Salisbury Beach, Joppa Flats, and Parker River NWR. Contact Chris Blagdon (684-1808, ceblagdon@nycap.rr.com) for departure time and place details.

 

March 2010

 

 

Sat 3/13      Leader’s Choice           7:00AM

A search for signs of spring in Berkshire County. Meet at the Berkshire Museum on South St., Pittsfield. Leader: Dave St. James (443-9456, dpstj@bcn.net)

 

Sat 3/20   Connecticut Coastal Caravan   7:00AM

A full day trip to the Connecticut Coast from New Haven to the Rhode Island line looking for wintering waterfowl. Bring a scope. Lunch optional.  Return  after dinner. Contact leader Dave Monk in advance (655-8594, mamonks@verizon.net) to help set up carpooling arrangements.  

 

April 2010

 

 

Sun 4/11     Birding Williamstown             7:30AM

A leisurely morning walk looking for birds at a few locations in Williamstown and South Williamstown.

Beginners are welcome. Meet at Field Farm on Sloan Rd. in South Williamstown. Leader: Carrie Jones (664-2004, carriejb_2003@hotmail.com).

 

Sat 4/17     Monterey                                      7:30AM

Half-day trip to Monterey, including Bob’s Way and Diane’s Trail, to search for early spring migrants. Meet at the Price Chopper parking lot in Great Barrington. Leader: Kate Ryan (528-4355, DivinDucky@aol.com).

 

Sat 4/24     Woodcocks in Flight                6:30PM

Meet at the Price Chopper parking lot on the Pittsfield/Lenox Road in Lenox for this evening trip in search of displaying woodcocks along New Lenox Rd.  Leader: Noreen Mole. (442-6327, smole@berkshire.rr.com) 

 

May 2010

 

Sat 5/1   Warner Farm, Cummington        7:30 AM

Search for American Bittern, both Waterthrushes, Virginia Rails, Cuckoos and more!  Meet at “The Creamery on Route 9 in Cummington.  Leader: Charles Quinlan: (413-634-0334). (Email contact:

Matt Kelly peace@vgernet.net

 

Sun 5/2 White Memorial, Litchfield, Ct                                6:30AM

A ¾ day trip to White Memorial Sanctuary. The park   has 4000 acres of fields, woods, lakes and marshes to explore. Bring a lunch. Contact leaders: Noreen Mole (442-6327, smole@berkshire.rr.com) or Tom Begley (655-0112, AT8395@aol.com)

 

 

 

Sat 5/8     Tyringham Valley                       7:00AM

Meet at the Tyringham Cobble parking lot on Jerusalem Rd. in Tyringham to search for spring migrants.  We will also visit other popular spots in the valley. Light hiking and roadside birding.  Bring lunch. Contact Ed Neumuth at (413-884-4961, Eneumuth@gmail.com ).

 

Sun 5/9   Post Farm and Woods Pond                                7:00AM

Morning walk in search of spring migrants and rails. Meet at the Price Chopper parking lot on the Pittsfield-Lenox Rd., Lenox. Leader Gael Hurley (281-1017, Gael19@nycap.rr.com).

 

Fri 5/14–Sat 5/15    Century Run                       Sign up for one of the Century Run/Birdathon teams to join in the fun and friendly competition. Details and sign-up sheets at the banquet on 5/7, or watch the hotline for more information.

 

Fri 5/21      Skinner State Park                 7:00AM

A ¾ day trip to South Hadley to look for Cerulean Warbler and Worm-eating Warbler. Moderate walking. Meet at Allendale Shopping Ctr., Pittsfield. Bring lunch. Leaders: Tom Begley (655-0112, AT835@aol.com) and Noreen Mole (442-6327, smole@berkshire.rr.com)

Sat 5/22 New Ashford/Mount Greylock    7:00AM

We will walk about 4 miles at a birding pace along a marsh and a wooded stream, on back roads and trails, and along limestone cliffs at the base of Mt. Greylock. This is territory rarely visited. The terrain is a bit strenuous. Meet at JW Kelly’s Real Estate, Rte. 7, New Ashford. Leader: Matt Kelly (458-3290, peace@vgernet.net).

 

Sun 5/23    A Walk in the Woods                 7:00AM

Join us for a pleasant walk at a location of the leader’s choice. Beginners encouraged. Meet at the Lanesborough post office on Route 7. Leader Noreen Mole, (442-6327, Smole@berkshire.rr.com)

 

Fri 5/28 Hand Hollow Conservation Area                                                7:00AM

                  and Ooms Pond, East Chatham, NY          

Two recently opened wonderful birding spots. Bring lunch. Target species: Mourning, Bay-Breasted, Canada, and Blackburnian Warblers. Meet at site or meet Tom Collins at the Pittsfield Plaza,      W. Housatonic St., Rte. 20, to carpool at 6:30AM. Contact trip leader Clellie Lynch for more details  (518-794-9063, ClellieL@aol.com).

 

Sat 5/29   Bartholomew’s Cobble                                6:30AM

(Combined event with the Allen Bird Club) 

This is a half-day trip to Bartholomew’s Cobble. Meet at the Cobble or call trip leader Chris Blagdon (684-1808, ceblagdon@nycap.rr.com) to carpool from the Price Chopper parking lot on the Pittsfield Lenox Rd. at 5:30AM..

 

Sun 5/30     Hawley Bog                                    6:30AM

Pleasant walking on the short trail through the bog to search for migrating song birds.  Meet at Moran Wildlife Management Area, Rt.8A in Windsor. Contact Leaders Bob Wood and Holly Higinbotham (684-3724, higinbo@hotmail.com)

June 2010

 

Wed 6/2  Breeding Birds in Hinsdale        7:00AM

We search for waterfowl, passerines, and hawks in the varied habitats bordering the Housatonic River in the Hinsdale “area of critical environmental concern,” and Lake Ashmere. Meet at Hinsdale Town Hall, south of the traffic light on Rte. 8 in Hinsdale. Leader: Lynne Roberson (655-8815, DLRoberson22@cs.com).

 

 

 

 

Sat 6/5   New Marlboro                                6:30AM

We will search the back roads and local hot spots for breeding birds. Meet at McDonald’s on Rte. 7 in Great Barrington. For more information, please contact trip leader Brian Faggioni (274-0149, faggioni@verizon.net).

 

Sun 6/6   Birds & Breakfast on Mt. Greylock   7:00AM

Join us as we look for migrant songbirds and enjoy breakfast at Bascom Lodge on Mt Greylock.  Leader: Tom Collins (499-2799, tcbirder@nycap.rr.com).

 

Sat 6/12   Tyringham Cobble            7:00AM

Morning trip to the Cobble. Meet Kate Ryan
(528-4355, DivinDucky@aol.com) at the Cobble parking lot on Jerusalem Rd. in Tyringham

 

Sun 6/13   Leader’s Choice                                7:00AM

A morning trip to a local area of the leader’s choice. Meet at the Lanesborough post office on Rte. 7. Leader: Noreen Mole (442-6327, Smole@berkshire.rr.com).

 

Wed 6/16   October Mountain                        6:00AM

Meet Dave St. James (443-9456, dpstj@bcn.net) at McDonald’s on Rte. 20 in Lee for this annual trip to October Mountain State Forest.

 

Sat. 6/19    Mount Greylock                                6:00AM

(Combined event with the Allen Bird Club)

Join us for this half-day trip to Mount Greylock in search of migrants and woodland species.   Leaders: Kathy and Myles Conway (269-7130,

kmconway@nre.umass.edu)

 

July 2010

 

 

Sat 7/24    Field Farm                                7:00AM

A walk through varied habitats looking for nesting bobolinks, buntings, kestrels, and other migrants.  Expect wet conditions.  Meet at Field Farm on Sloan Rd. in South Williamstown. Leaders: Marina Brodskaya (458-0309, wf5f@roadrunner.com) and Katharine Wiencke (458-1846, kwiencke@verizon.net).

 

August 2010

 

8/22–9/4   Evening Nighthawk Watch        5:45PM

Bring a chair, relax, and watch the migration until 7:45PM each evening at the public gardens at 350 Williams St., Pittsfield. Coordinators: Scott and Joan Robinson (637-3408, ssr01240@yahoo.com).

 

 

 

The Hoffmann Bird Club is Berkshire County’s premier ornithological organization. It was established in 1940 with a mission of promoting the study of birds in the county. The club was founded under the auspices of the Berkshire Museum and was named in honor of Ralph Hoffmann, a naturalist born in Berkshire County.

 

Meetings are held from September through May and are open at no charge to anyone interested in birds and bird study.

 

Field trips are led by experienced birders, and everyone, including beginners, is welcome.  Field trips offer an excellent opportunity to explore first hand the bountiful nature and natural history of the Berkshire region.

 

The Marilyn Flor Day Camp Scholarship Fund is sponsored by the Hoffmann Bird Club. An aspiring young local naturalist is the annual recipient to a scholarship to Mass Audubon’s Summer Camp Program at Pleasant Valley Wildlife Sanctuary in Lenox.

 

Check www.hoffmannbirdclub.org for updates and more detailed information on field trips and presentations listed in this schedule, along with links to birding-related sites on the Web.

 

Membership in the Hoffmann Bird Club is open to anyone interested in birds and bird study. The membership form is on the next page. Tear it out, fill it out and join today!