Enjoy a weekend of birding trips in the Adirondacks this winter. Participants will look for winter irruptive species such as Bohemian Waxwings, Evening Grosbeaks, and Pine Grosbeaks, along with year-round boreal residents such as Ruffed Grouse, Black-backed Woodpecker, Canada Jay, and Boreal Chickadee. There is a bumper seed crop on the Ash Trees which has already enticed large numbers of Evening Grosbeaks into the Adirondacks this fall. While cones are in short supply this winter, there is an abundance of fruit to attract Bohemian Waxwings and Pine Grosbeaks. And of course, we will be on the lookout for northern owls also!
Field Trips: Joan Collins will lead field trips on both days. Both Saturday and Sunday morning, meet outside the Adirondack Hotel at 7 a.m. (near the bridge over Long Lake on Route 30). Participants can drive in their own vehicles, or car-pool, if they are comfortable, to reduce the number of cars in the train. These trips are all day long with a lunch break in the middle, so expect to be out until 4pm ish.
Gear: Wear appropriate winter gear including BOOTS. Sneakers are not going to be suitable for this adventure. While there isn’t hiking involved, there is a lot of road standing, watching and walking to be had and you must have appropriate foot gear. Dress in layers and for quick changes in weather. Hat, gloves, warm jacket, layers layers layer!
Social Dinner: This year, we are once again adding a social dinner back into the weekend plan! On Saturday evening, we can gather in the Adirondack Hotel dining room at 6 p.m. to enjoy a meal together.
Registration is required to attend the field trips. Call the Long Lake Parks and Recreation Department at 518-624-3077 to register. There is a maximum of 25 participants for each field trip.
Places to Stay:
A few possible places to stay in Long Lake (central Adirondacks):
- Adirondack Hotel (near the bridge over Long Lake) – hotel with a restaurant: https://adirondackhotel.com/
- Long View Lodge (on the southern end of the lake) – lodge with a restaurant: https://thelongviewlodge.com/
- Shamrock Motel and Cottages (a motel unit or cabins on the lake with kitchen): http://www.shamrockmotellonglake.com/
- Motel Long Lake and Cottages (also a motel unit or cabins (all recently renovated) on the lake with a kitchen): https://www.motellonglake.com/
Breakfast/Lunch: Stewarts opens at 5 a.m. and offers quick breakfast items. Depending on the itineraries for Saturday and Sunday, lunch can be ordered (if needed) from the ADK Trading Post in Long Lake, and other options to be announced. (Menus will be provided in the morning).
The Winter Birding Weekend is sponsored by the Long Lake Parks and Recreation Department and cosponsored by Northern New York Audubon.
