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.
White Breasted Nuthatch
GVAS is celebrating its 50th anniversary! 50 years of advocating for birds and the environment! Come celebrate with us.
Email update: Use Contact@GVAudubon.org for email change requests or other communication with us. Please add this email to your contacts list.
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.
Sit and Bird at Seneca Park
2222 St Paul, Rochester 14621
Sunday, September 20
9:00am-10:30am
Register by Friday, September 18 at https://mobilize.us/s/2BmnFj
GVAS invites you to bring a chair, blanket, or cushion and sit quietly and let nature come to you. Sit and Bird is a relaxing, meditative way to connect with nature, and where better than while also enjoying a beautiful Frederick Olmsted-designed park. The event leader will offer prompts to help you explore with your senses, or you can stroll around the trout pond and take it all in. Supplies will be offered if you would like to journal or sketch. Binoculars may enhance your experience, but are not necessary. This is a great opportunity for all abilities.
Parking and Meet Up: From St. Paul Blvd you will turn into the Seneca Park Zoo entrance. Drive past the zoo and down the hill to the trout pond. There are unmarked gravel parking spots on the west side of the pond. At this point the road is one way, continue down and around the east side of the trout pond past the Wegman Lodge to unmarked gravel parking spots along the west side.
Amenities and Trail Conditions: From the parking area to the trout pond trail it is necessary to navigate a thin strip to navigate a thin strip of lawn before reaching the paved pond trail. We will set up our chairs off the trail in a comfortable spot where there is a chance of viewing some wildlife. There are a couple of benches along the trail that may be available as well. Some binoculars and adaptive optic options will be available for your use during this event. For more details regarding accessibility see our Birdability.org trail assessment at http://tinyurl.com/bdfjnbmr If you have any questions about accessibility, please reach out to our Inclusion Point of Contact at loretta.morrell.gvas@gmail.com
Nature Outing, Thomas Creek Wetland in Fairport
Box Factory Parking Lot
2 Liftbridge Lane Box, Fairport 14450
Saturday October 17
9:00am – 10:30am
Register by Thursday, October 15 at https://mobilize.us/s/819oeK
Come explore a pocket of nature within a busy village setting. This outing is perfect for anyone new to birding or someone who needs an easy, slower-paced experience. No binoculars? No problem. We have options for you to borrow adaptive equipment for the duration of this field trip. All our outings are rain or shine unless reports of dangerous conditions.
Parking and Meet Up: This is a busy municipal parking lot located behind the Box Factory at 2 Liftbridge Lane. We will park as close to the canal as possible. We will notify participants in advance of what vehicle to be on the lookout for, and signage will be in place. Accessible parking with van access is available. Restrooms are available inside the Box Factory during business hours or on the west side of Main Street near the lift bridge.
Amenities and Trail Conditions: Our outing will begin on the canal footpath. Our route is out and back. Trail length is less than two miles. Thomas Creek Trail is a combination of tarmac, fine crushed stone, and boardwalk. While the boardwalk is relatively flat, the railing will more than likely hinder views for wheelchair users. The width of the boardwalk is 50”. The pace will be stop and go as we look and listen for birds and other wildlife. If you have any questions about accessibility, please reach out to our Inclusion Point of Contact at loretta.morrell.gvas@gmail.com or Linda Howell at h31884@rochester.rr.com
Nature Outing with Chickadees and Friends
along the Birdsong Trail at Mendon Ponds Park
27 Pond Rd, Honeoye Falls 14472
Saturday, November 7
10:00 am – noon
Register by Wednesday, November 4 at https://mobilize.us/s/8uspeb
All are welcome to participate in this outdoor adventure. Get back to nature by taking a walk in the woods, of no more than 2 hours in Mendon Ponds Park. Walk a trail and feed the chickadees, tufted titmice & nuthatches while enjoying nature. Fun for the whole family!! Binoculars may enhance your enjoyment; please bring your own, if you have them. Dress for the weather (wear boots, warm clothes, etc.). Seed will be provided.
Parking and Meet Up: Meet at the Nature Center Parking lot on Pond Rd off of Clover St (the southernmost of the 3 park entrances off Clover).
Amenities and trail conditions: Trail surface is all natural but well groomed. For trail details, check out the Birdsong trail assessment on Birdability here http://tinyurl.com/yrpudn4u If you have any questions or concerns, feel free to contact Joni Dubner at bajacool416@gmail.com If you have any questions about accessibility, please reach out to our Inclusion Point of Contact 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.
Audubon’s Focus on Conservation in the Western Hemisphere Conservation via Zoom
September 22, 2026, 7:30 pm, by Zoom
Register by Sunday, September 20 at https://mobilize.us/s/SXO5yG
This spring National Audubon Society released four short videos about their work throughout the Western Hemisphere, from Canada to South America. In these videos you will meet some of Audubon’s top scientists leading their conservation efforts to save habitat for birds and people too by choosing significant breeding, migratory stopovers, and wintering habitat to conserve for birds to use. Join us to learn about their process and how you can get involved. We will watch three out of four of the videos for the program and discuss them. I will put the link for the first video on the GVAS Facebook page and we will talk about it too.
Movie, The Extraordinary Caterpillar via Zoom
October 27, 2026, 7:30 pm, by Zoom
Register by Sunday, October 25 at https://mobilize.us/s/5xQEss
If you didn’t get to see this film this summer you get a second chance. “The Extraordinary Caterpillar follows scientists and community activists with a peek into the dazzling world of nature’s tiniest superheroes.” The film by Jeff McKay features Dr. Doug Tallamy, founder of the Homegrown National Park, Sam Jaffee, and Dana Buchbinder. It shines a spotlight on the vital—but often overlooked—role caterpillars play in biodiversity by acting as a tremendous engine of life The Extraordinary Caterpillar Movie explores how caterpillars and moths, as they become prey in the food web, are a true pillar of the web. They are especially important for birds: 95% of songbird species hatchlings are fed insects exclusively until they fledge. Juicy caterpillars are particularly good protein for hatchlings. There are so many more moth species than butterflies. They are everywhere, or would be if we would stop killing them. If we stop using pesticides and leaving bright lights on all night, more moths would survive the night. Bright lights in white or bluish hues attract moths to their death. They can’t leave. Try putting your lights on a timers, use motion-sensor lights, or just put in a yellow light bulb to save the lives of moths and leave more for birds to eat. Take the pledge to help caterpillars, moths, and birds.
November Program TBD
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