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. Please note: if registration link is not working, copy and paste the URL into your browser.
Please check here or our Facebook page for updates on upcoming GVAS activities and programs.
Seneca Park Nature Outing
2222 St Paul Blvd
Saturday, September 7 at 10:00am – 12:00pm
Registration required at https://tinyurl.com/yw2hy9x8 by Thursday, September 5
To meet, keep driving past the zoo entrances. Continue past the barrier gate down the hill into the lower park. Pay attention to one-way signs. Park in the parking lot adjacent to Wegman Lodge. Come explore the trout pond and nature trail at Seneca Park coming up on Saturday, September 7. During this walk we will focus on looking for fall migrants before they head south while enjoying the beautiful views of one of Monroe County’s parks designed by Frederick Law Olmsted. We will stroll on tarmac around the pond located behind and below the Seneca Park Zoo, checking to see what birds we might be able to find. For those wanting a longer option, we will next explore the orange trail (natural moderately groomed) which runs between Saint Paul Blvd and the Park boundary. Binoculars, sunscreen, and bug spray and sturdy close-toed shoes will help with your enjoyment of the walk. For trail details, check out the trail assessment for Trout Pond and Trail Assessment for Orange Trail at Birdability.org. For questions or concerns email Loretta at loretta.morrell.gvas@gmail.com. Trail details: Trout Pond: https://tinyurl.com/32dx48xf Orange Trail: https://tinyurl.com/ywj97mr5
Genesee Riverwalk
Petten Street/Boardwalk River Street Marina
110 Petten Street
Thursday, October 10, 10:00am – 12:00pm
Registration required at https://tinyurl.com/7tket9zs by Tuesday October 8
Meet at the River Street Marina parking lot located on the west side of the Genesee River off Lake Avenue at the end of Petten Street just south of the O’Rourke Bridge (Pattonwood Drive). The parking lot is on the left. Street Address is 110 Petten Street. Participants will walk along a paved trail and along a boardwalk that stretches out over the river, ending at the north end of Turning Point Park. The river gorge is worth the walk on its own this time of the year, but we will also be looking for late fall migrants. You will want to wear comfortable walking shoes. There are some elevations along the trail, but they are gradual. Unfortunately, there are areas where the surface has heaved by harsh winter weather and rain. There are no facilities on the property, but the port authority building has public restrooms and is only about a mile north on Lake Avenue. At the end of our walk you might want to make arrangements to enjoy a meal at one of the area restaurants or make a stop at the original Abbott’s, if it is a pleasant day. If you have any questions or concerns, feel free to reach out to Loretta at loretta.morrell.gvas@gmail.com. More details about the trail are available at Birdability.org – http://tinyurl.com/y7rpcc7w.
Chickadee Walk Mendon Ponds Park
27 Pond Road
Saturday, November 2, 2024, 10:00 am
Registration required at https://tinyurl.com/bdz9bpn2 by Wednesday, October 30
Get your nature therapy by taking a walk in the woods; no more than 2 hours in Mendon Ponds Park. Walk a trail and feed the chickadees, tufted titmice and nuthatches while enjoying nature. Fun for the whole family!! All are welcome to participate in this outdoor adventure. We will meet at 10:00 am in the Nature Center Parking lot on Pond Rd off of Clover St (the southernmost of the 3 park entrances off Clover). Binoculars may enhance your enjoyment. Dress for the weather (wear boots, warm clothes, etc.). Seed will be provided – donation optional. Registration is required here by Wed Oct 30. If you have any questions or concerns, feel free to reach out to Loretta at loretta.morrell.gvas@gmail.com. For the Birdsong trail assessment at Birdability.org – http://tinyurl.com/yrpudn4u
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.
Motus and Migration Science
Bill DeLuca, PhD, National Audubon Society’s Senior Migration Scientist
September 24, 2024, 7:30 pm, By Zoom
Registration required: email summers@frontiernet.net by September 23.
Bill DeLuca, PhD will talk about the Motus Wildlife Tracking System and migration science. Dr. DeLuca will give us an introduction to Motus and how Audubon scientists use it to study bird migration. He will also give us an introduction to birdmigrationexplorer.org an Audubon site where you can explore. This is a very informative talk on migratory birds so we hope you will join us.
Movie: Wings Over Water
ROC Cinema
957 S. Clinton Ave.
Thursday, October 10, 2024, 7:00 pm
Registration required (limited seating) at https://tinyurl.com/bdu59w3d by October 7.
Free event with limited seating. As the glaciers retreated at the end of the last ice age, they left an astounding gift of connected rivers, lakes and wetlands across the heartland of North America. Today, these largely unknown water highways remain an oasis for sustaining wildlife, from the herds of bison that still roam the Great Plains to the vital honeybees that pollinate our crops and especially for the millions of magnificent birds that migrate along these “flyways.” Wings Over Water tells the story of the epic journeys of three amazing bird families – the Sandhill Crane, the Yellow Warbler and the Mallard Duck – with extraordinary footage of their fascinating behaviors. Audiences will be captivated by the triumphs and challenges of these remarkable creatures that defy all odds and soar across mountains, deserts, cities and forests as they head home to raise their young. Join us for a FREE showing for this wonderful documentary sponsored by the National Audubon Society, Ducks Unlimited and narrated by Michael Keaton. This look at wetland conservation is awe inspiring so we hope you will join us for this Free film. (Donations to GVAS are appreciated, but not required.) The ROC Cinema has a great snack menu, check it out at https://roccinema.com/food-and-drink/. The bar will not be open that evening. This movie is free and open to everyone but registration is required as seating is limited.
Supplementary Bird Feeding as an Overlooked Contribution to Local Phosphorus Cycles
Ethan S. Duvall, PhD Candidate at Cornell University
November 19, 2024 at 7:30 pm By Zoom
Registration is required by emailing summers@frontiernet.net by November 18.
Supplementary feeding of garden birds and gamebirds is a common practice worldwide. Bird feed is rich in phosphorus (P), which plays a key role in animal health and ecosystem function. However, much of the P in bird feed originates from mined rock deposits, which is then transported thousands of kilometers to feeder stations, where it represents an external source of nutrients for recipient ecosystems. Phosphorus provided to garden birds alone is equal to that supplied through the application of garden fertilizers. How does this change the ecosystems around our yards?
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