Activities
Eastern Meadowlark by Sheri Douse
Walks and Hikes
with Genesee Valley Audubon Society are family friendly opportunities to explore nature first-hand with other environmental enthusiasts.
As part of our mission Genesee Valley Audubon Society wants to encourage all to get out and appreciate nature. To support that mission, we offer several local bird walks throughout the year. Our hope is that you will see something that peaks your interest enough that you will want to come out and experience one or more of our offerings, and bring along your family and friends. Everyone is welcome.
Registration is required for all activities. Please check here or our Facebook page for updates on upcoming GVAS activities and programs.
Duck, duck, goose, swan – Ontario Beach Park and Seabreeze
50 Beach Avenue
Rochester, NY 14612
Wednesday, March 12, 10:00am
Registration at https://tinyurl.com/yzea2jp7 by Monday, March 10
All are welcome to join Genesee Valley Audubon Society in search of overwintering ducks and other waterfowl. We will begin our day at the Genesee River harbor. We will meet in the parking area north of the Port Authority building just south of the Charlotte Pier. Next we will caravan down to the Irondequoit Outlet bridge at Seabreeze and pop over the bridge to the new Sandbar Park in Webster to see what birds we may find there. We will be alternating between standing and walking on cold, possibly icy/ snow-covered surfaces (parking lots and piers). Viewing from your vehicle down at Seabreeze and the Sandbar Park overlooking Irondequoit Bay is an option. We will be listening and watching for waterfowl and other birds that overwinter in our area. Dress for the weather and possible slippery conditions. Binoculars will enhance your enjoyment.
Nature Walk Along the Braddock Bay East Spit
Westpoint Marina
105 E Manitou Road
Rochester, NY 14612
Sunday, April 27, 8:30am-10:30am
Register https://tinyurl.com/9taxb4ez by Friday, April 25
Thank you for your interest in Genesee Valley Audubon Society’s (GVAS) walk along the east spit at Braddock Bay as we watch for waterfowl, overwintering residents, and possible early migrants. We will gather on the north end of the parking lot at Westpoint Marina at Braddock Bay, 105 E Manitou Road before 8:30am. Dress for the weather. We will be walking between the bay and the lake on a natural surface of sand and clay with scattered rocks and roots. Trail Assessment http://tinyurl.com/yw22p4tc
NOTE: Braddock Bay Raptor Research’s annual Bird of Prey Festival continues at the park starting at 11:00am parking near the Donald Schlieter Lodge.
Brickyard Trail at Sandra L. Frankel Nature Park
Spring Evening Outing
2300 Elmwood Ave
Rochester, NY 14618
Thursday, May 8, 7:00pm-9:00pm
Register https://tinyurl.com/4xdbvskn no later than Tuesday, May 6
Participants will meet in the parking lot next to Brighton Library, near the road, 2300 Elmwood Ave., 14618. Everyone is invited to join GVAS and Burroughs Audubon on a casual evening nature walk to watch for birds and listen for frogs and other wildlife. This short easy walk of about a mile and a half round trip will give us a chance to explore an urban wetland at dusk. Who knows what we will find? This relatively flat path surface is finely crushed stone and is plenty wide enough to accommodate any wheelchair or stroller. We will be crossing the road at a designated crosswalk to get to the path. Public facilities are available inside the library during hours of operation. Please direct any needs or concerns to June Summers at summers@frontiernet.net
Mount Hope Cemetery
1133 Mt. Hope Ave.
Rochester, NY 14620
Saturday, May 17, 8:00am-9:45am
Register at https://fomh.org/tours-events/tours/ one month ahead
The mature trees of this 200-acre 1838 Victorian cemetery are very attractive to migrating birds. Join us for a 1-mile stroll that is partly on pavement and partly on an uneven dirt path, with a hill. This is not accessible for strollers or wheelchairs. Meet at the gatehouse by the North Gate, the entrance that is across from Robinson Drive (NOT the entrance opposite the Distillery Restaurant). Parking is available inside the cemetery next to the 1862 chapel that is visible when you drive in the Gate. There is a $15 charge for this tour, which goes toward restoration work at the cemetery. Pre-registration will be available one month ahead of the tour at https://fomh.org/tours-events/tours/ or participants can just show up on the day of the tour. For questions, contact Joanne at jwmitchell@rochester.rr.com
Genesee Valley Park
Greenway/Erie Canal Trail
131 Elmwood Avenue
Rochester, NY 14611
Saturday, June 7, 9:00am-11:00am
Register https://tinyurl.com/37w3ebhx by Thursday, June 5
In celebration of the bicentennial of the Erie Canal and spring migration, GVAS will be featuring a late spring bird outing with the Erie Canal and a beautiful Fredrick Law Olmstead-designed park for our listening and viewing pleasure. Participants will meet in the sports complex parking lot at 131 Elmwood Avenue, 14611. This location is on the bus route. Handicapped parking is available. Please dress for the weather. Sunscreen, hat and water bottle are recommended. Most if not all of our explorations will take place on pavement. More detailed trail assessment will be available, if the snow ever melts. For questions or concerns contact Loretta at loretta.morrell.gvas@gmail.com
Follow Genesee Valley Audubon Society on Facebook or Twitter for updates.
Programs, Presentations & Events
are a great way to learn about a variety of environmental topics and get involved with nature.
Singers in the Dark, Conserving the Mysterious Whip-poor-will and Other Nightjars
American Bird Conservancy video
March 25, 2025, 7:30 pm, By Zoom
Registration required: email summers@frontiernet.net by March 23
There was a time when woods across central and southeastern North America were filled with the mysterious nighttime song of the Whip-poor-will. Often heard but not seen, this bird’s evocative call now evokes sadness and nostalgia for many, especially as its song slowly disappears across its range. The Whip-poor-will is a member of the nightjar family, birds known for their haunting songs and nocturnal habits. Like the Whip-poor-will, other nightjars like Chuck-will’s-widow and the Common Nighthawk are also declining due to habitat loss and pesticide use, among other human-caused threats. This American Bird Conservancy video takes an in-depth look at these three nightjars. After the program I will send links to sites with more information about Nightjars if you are interested.
Microplastic: Small Particle, Big Impact?
Kaeti Stoss, Environmental Education Specialist, at RIT
Tues. April 22, 2025, 7:30 pm, By Zoom
Registration required: email summers@frontiernet.net by April 20
Plastic pollution is a growing concern, especially the tiny particles known as microplastics, which may negatively affect human health and the environment. Scientists are researching where plastics come from, how we are all exposed to them, and how climate change plays a role in spreading plastics. That’s why the Rochester Institute of Technology is working to bridge this gap in understanding with a multidisciplinary approach, including a partnership with the University of Rochester in the Lake Ontario MicroPlastic (LOMP) Center – this complex issue requires many different ways of investigation and outreach. By involving residents in hands-on science outreach and projects, we aim to not only raise awareness but also empower people to be part of solutions that will protect their health and environment.
BOP – Bird of Prey Days
Braddock Bay Park
April 25-27
See www.BBRR.org for schedule of events
GVAS will have a table at this event Saturday and Sunday. Come visit us !!
To participate as a volunteer with any of these activities, please visit our Get Involved page.
Genesee Valley Audubon Society
P.O. Box 15512
Rochester, NY 14615
Email: summers@frontiernet.net