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.
Our group activities and programs are ready. Registration is required and we will be following NYS guidelines for gathering during COVID.
Our Covid-19 disclaimer is located below our list of Walks and Hikes. Please review this prior to attending any walk or hike listed. Please check here or our Facebook page for updates on upcoming GVAS activities and programs.
Nature Stroll, Log Cabin Road
Durand Eastman Park
Monday, March 13, 10:00am-11:00am
Get out and enjoy a wintery morning with an easy stroll along a paved road with gradual elevation. We will more than likely be parking in the Lot D parking lot on Lakeshore Blvd. Wear appropriate winter footwear. The road should be plowed, but we may encounter some snow and patches of ice. Bring binoculars, if you have them, because as always we will be looking to see what birds might be out and about along the sides of the road. Please preregister no later than Saturday, March 11. For questions or to register email Loretta Morrell at loretta.morrell.gvas@gmail.com
Looking for Early Migrants at Firehouse Woods
Parking at Lakeview Community Church at 30 Long Pond Road
Saturday, April 29, 8:00am-11:00am
April may be a little early for many of the migrant songbirds to return to our area, but we will start the day by checking out the woods along Lake Ontario to see what may be showing up early. If there is no activity we will go back to our cars and reconvene at the Westpoint Marina at 105 East Manitou Road. Wear sturdy footwear. The trail is usually muddy in spots this early in the spring. You may want to wear waders if you own them. The trail is a combination of natural surface and boardwalk. Preregister by Thursday, April 20. For questions or to register email loretta.morrell@gmail.com
Mount Hope Cemetery
North Gate of Mount Hope Cemetery
Sunday, May 7, 8:00am-10:00am
Join us at the North Gate of Mount Hope Cemetery for birding and history as we stroll through the older section of this 1838 Victorian cemetery. The large mature trees and bushes are very attractive to migrating birds. This walk is partly on paved roads and partly on a dirt path on uneven surfaces. Bring your binoculars. The North Gate is on Mt Hope Ave across from Robinson Dr. (This is NOT the gate that is across from the Distillery Restaurant.) Preregistration is required and will be available at the FOMH.org website starting one month before the event. There is a fee of $12 for this tour, which goes to the Friends of Mount Hope for restoration work in the cemetery. For questions, email Joanne Mitchell at jwmitchell@rochester.rr.com.
Christine Sevilla Outlook Loop at High Acres Nature Area
Saturday May 13, 9:00am
We will enjoy the wildflowers and early spring migrating birds as we walk the trails in Christine Sevilla Outlook Loop. This is reclaimed land from Waste Management and has been certified wildlife habitat since 2006. Dress for the weather. Trails are relatively flat, but will more than likely be muddy so wear appropriate footwear. Binoculars will enhance your enjoyment. Bug spray and sunscreen are recommended. There are no available facilities. Preregister no later than Thursday, May 11. For questions or to register email loretta.morrell.gvas@gmail.com.
Burger Park, part of the Braddock Bay Wildlife Management Area
99 Hogan Point Road, Hilton NY 14468
Monday, June 5, 9:00am-12:00pm
Spring migration is winding down and the summer breeding season has begun. We will be looking for grassland bird species as well as osprey, eagles and hawks that could be migrating overhead. We also will be checking out the woods near the lake hoping to catch sight of some of the songbirds and other species fueling up and getting down to establishing their territories and nesting. Trails could be muddy so wear sturdy footwear. Sunscreen and bug spray are recommended. Binoculars will enhance your enjoyment. There are no available facilities. Register by Saturday June 3. For questions or to register email loretta.morrell.gvas@gmail.com.
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Programs, Presentations & Events
are a great way to learn about a variety of environmental topics and get involved with nature.
In Search of the Great Gray Owl with Kyle Dugdeon – By Zoom
Tuesday, Feb 28, 2023, 7:30 pm
Kyle Dugdeon is a young aspiring writer and photographer from Oneida, NY, who set out to make a difference in life. He found himself in Bozeman, Montana, documenting the ecosystem of the Bridgerton Mountains range. Once he came across Great Gray Owls he became hooked. His search for them in the Bridgerton began. The photographs are fantastic. He also tells of his work to save at least part the forest from a US Forest Service project that would have wiped out all of the old growth forest the owls use. This video was brought to GVAS by Delaware-Otsego Audubon Society. You need to register; email June Summers at summers@frontiernet.net by February 26. If I don’t reply within several days please call me at (585) 355-1824.
The Nature of Oaks – by Zoom
Tuesday, March 28, 2023, 7:30 pm
Doug Tallamy is well known for his admiration of oak trees because of the high numbers (500 and up) of insect larva they support. Native plants support native insects that support native birds. In this video he is going to outline what is happening in and on oaks during each month of the year. You need to register; email June Summers at summers@frontiernet.net by March 26. If I don’t reply within several days please call me at (585) 355-1824.
Brickyard Trail at Sandra Frankel Nature Park, Spring Evening Walk
Tuesday, April 25, 2023, 7:00 – 9:00 pm
This is a joint trip with Burroughs Audubon Nature Club. Participants will meet in the parking lot in front of Brighton Library, near the road, 2300 Elmwood Ave., 14618. This is 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? Binoculars will enhance your enjoyment. Dress for the weather. We have to cross the road to get to the path which is flat and has a small stone surface. Registration is required. To register, email June Summers at summmers@frontiernet.net no later than Sunday, April 23.
Bird of Prey Festival 2023
April 28-30, 2023 <– Save the dates
Braddock Bay Raptor Research is excited to announce the dates for their annual migration celebration! All the programming will be in-person at Braddock Bay Park. The full schedule and registration information will be posted soon at BBRR.org. Also, check the website for Owl Prowls. GVAS has a field trip near Braddock Bay on Saturday April 29 before the BOP programming starts. See above Walks and Hikes section for details.
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