CLICK HERE FOR ALL OCAS EVENTS

We hold field trips at least once a month in Orange County, New York for group birding experiences. All levels of experience welcomed! Events are free unless noted as a very special occurrence.

Click to check our Facebook Events page for upcoming events. Weather-related announcements should be on our Fb.

Please email here Contact page or here info@orangecountynyaudubon.org to arrange an OCAS-led field trip or volunteer to host a pop-up yourself.

Spooky Season Cemetery Birding

Friday, October 23 from 4-6 pm

4 South Street, Port Jervis, NY 12771

A Halloween feature: cemetery birding! Cemeteries were among the first public green spaces in the US, and they continue to support biodiversity across cities and suburbs today. We will explore the intriguing natural features of Port Jervis’s Laurel Grove Cemetery just before dusk. Waterfowl, corvids, and hungry birds of prey are on the wishlist.

Image of a Great Blue Heron standing in shallow water

Field Trip Tips

All are welcome on OCAS field trips. Follow these tips for everyone to have the best experience:

Arrive on time so the group can depart together.
Bring binoculars and field guides, if you have them.
Wear appropriate shoes and clothes for the weather & terrain.
Leave your dogs at home.
Mute your cell phone before we start out.
Walk with the group and let the trip leader lead.
Stay on walking paths for minimal habitat disturbance.
Keep your talking to a minimum and use a quiet voice.
Share your sightings and your questions with the trip leader and the group!

UPCOMING MEARNS BIRD CLUB FIELD TRIPS:

Fellow birding organization Edgar A. Mearns Bird Club (EAMBC) also regularly hosts field trips across Orange County. PLEASE NOTE: Check the EAMBC website for any updates or cancellations before you join an EAMBC field trip. While most trips are open to non-members, the overnight field trips are for EAMBC members only.

RECENT OCAS FIELD TRIPS

Autumn Colors at the Middletown Reservoir

Saturday, October 17 from 11 am-1 pm

501 Highland Lake Road, Middletown, NY 10940

Local birder Amanda Krump takes us on a tour of the Middletown Reservoir, a 1,250-acre watershed and urban gem that hosts a variety of birds in all seasons. Mid-fall means kinglets, thrushes, and woodpeckers galore … and maybe even special sightings of resident Belted Kingfishers. Park at the intersection of Mapes and Highland Lake Road; the guided walk will start from the Caretaker Mansion and follow a flat, paved trail. Please email info@orangecountynyaudubon.org to register.

Fall Birding in the Shawangunk Grasslands

Saturday, October 17 from 9-11 am

890 Hoagerburgh Road, Wallkill, NY 12589

Join Dr. Walter Jahn at the Shawangunk Grasslands National Wildlife Refuge to witness fall migration in a quintessential habitat. The group will meet at the wildlife-viewing platform off of the main parking lot. Wear comfortable and sturdy shoes.

Monthly Trip to the Bashakill

Sunday, October 11 at 10 am

1131 S Road, Wurtsboro, NY 12790

10-11:30 am: Nature walk from main boat launch

2:30-4 pm: Kayaking from main boat launch

Meet at the main boat launch in the Bashakill Wildlife Management Area. We will hike along the old railway bed to look for migrating autumn birds and other wildlife. Then meet back at the boat launch with kayaks at 2:30 pm to take to the water. Please leave plenty of time to transport your kayaks and wear a life jacket.

Summer on the Delaware River

Friday, July 24 from 9 am to 10:30 am

Delaware River Water Gap, PA

Meet at the Eschbach Access along Route 209 (mile marker 6.4, 14 miles south of Milford, PA in Delaware River National Recreation Area). The dirt road from Route 209 leads to a parking area near the river just after the intersection with the McDade Trail. We will hike along the river for 1 ½ hours along the McDade trail, which stretches 30 miles from Milford to Smithfield Beach.

Bobolinks and Blooms

Thursday, July 9 from 6 pm to 8 pm

Knapps View, 1603 King’s Highway, Chester, NY

The Orange County Audubon Society and Chester Advisory Council invite you to explore the thriving wildlife at Knapps View. The town’s sustainable mowing practices have transformed this local treasure into a hotspot for Bobolinks, Purple Martins, pollinating insects, and colorful native wildflowers. Scenic views of Sugar Loaf Mountain are just the cherry on top. Bring plenty of water and comfortable shoes for the uphill, grassy hike. This special evening tour will be led by OCAS board members Nancy Farren and Jim Van Gelder.

Please RSVP at info@orangecountynyaudubon.org.

Birding the Heritage Trail

Tuesday, July 7 from 5 pm to 7 pm

6 1/2 Station Sanctuary, 88 6 1/2 Station Road, Goshen, NY

Join Dr. Walter Jahn at Orange County Audubon’s 6 1/2 Station Sanctuary in Goshen, NY, for a monthly birding outing. We will meet where the Heritage Trail crosses 6 ½ Station Road and walk along the paved path looking for avian life and other natural wonders.

Check the OCAS website or Facebook page before coming in case rain or thunderstorms force us to reschedule.

Female Bird Frenzy at Sterling Forest

Saturday, June 27 from 8 am to 10 am

Sterling Forest Powerlines, 244-249 Ironwood Drive, Tuxedo Park, NY

Expand your birding horizons with a female bird-focused trip to one of the best songbird hotspots in our area: the Sterling Forest State Park powerlines. Shrubby undergrowth and successional woods attract a huge range of bird diversity, including warblers, tanagers, buntings, cuckoos, and turkeys. Bright and boisterous males will try to steal the show, but we will pay extra attention to traveling and nesting females. Trails may be overgrown and infested with ticks, so dress accordingly.
Please park along the cul-de-sac at the end of Ironwood Drive, not in the private apartment complex.

Check the OCAS website or Facebook page before coming in case rain or thunderstorms force us to reschedule. Registration is recommended at info@orangecountynyaudubon.org.

Grassland Wildflowers and Birds

Thursday, June 25 from 6 pm to 8 pm

Schunnemunk Meadows, 340-400 Otterkill Road, New Windsor, NY

OCAS board members Nancy Farren and Jim Van Gelder will take us on a beautiful sunset stroll through the Schunnemunk Meadows to see native wildflowers, nesting birds, and the sunset over the Moodna Viaduct. The flat, paved trail will cover about 1.5 miles. Please wear comfortable walking shoes and bring water and bug spray.

Check the OCAS website or Facebook page before coming in case rain or thunderstorms force us to reschedule. Registration is recommended at info@orangecountynyaudubon.org.

The Art of Birding With Storm King Art Center

Saturday, April 25 from 9:30 am to 12 pm

1 Museum Road, New Windsor, NY

Come out on Earth Day weekend for a bird- and art-filled excursion led by Orange County Audubon Society board members Roberta Schiffer Rahmer and Diane Tuttle. The tour will traverse the meadows, ponds, and woods at Storm King Art Center to appreciate the variety of avian species and ecosystems that are an essential part of the sculpture installations.

Following the bird walk, artist Jenny Hersch will lead a hands-on creative workshop drawing on observations from the walk. Storm King offers an accessible cart service, ASL interpretation, and assisted listening devices. Email info@stormkingartcenter.org if you need specific accommodations.

This is a ticketed event hosted by Storm King. The ticket includes admission to the grounds for the day, plus the tour and workshop. Tickets will go on sale starting March 15 at 10 am. OCAS members can use the code OCAS2026 (all caps) for a $10 discount. Spots are limited, so sign up here: https://stormking.org/events/the-art-of-birding/.

Earth Day Sanctuary Cleanup

Wednesday, April 22 from 4 to 7 pm

88 6 1/2 Station Road, Goshen, NY

Celebrate Earth Day by helping Orange County Audubon Society clean up a beloved sanctuary. We will meet at the 6 ½ Station Sanctuary kiosk (rather than at the Heritage Trail) and start with a walk along the nature trails to the observation platform. After, we will spend some time clearing invasive species such as autumn olive, multiflora rose, and Japanese honeysuckle from the sanctuary fields. Work tools will be provided. Bring sturdy shoes and plenty of water and be sure to check for ticks before going home.

Please email info@orangecountynyaudubon.org to register as parking is limited.

Note: If you have a 2026 OCAS calendar, this cleanup replaces the one originally scheduled for April 18th.

Woodcock Dances at Highland Lakes State Park

Saturday, March 21 at 7 pm

55-223 Tamms Road, Middletown, NY

Join us on our annual field trip to view the evening courtship display of the American Woodcock. A short walk leads to a usually reliable viewing site. Return walk will be quite dark, so a flashlight or headlamp is suggested. Registration is mandatory: email frogilama@hotmail.com with your name, phone number, and number of participants.

126th Christmas Bird Count

Sunday, December 21st starting at 6 am

Since 1900 the Audubon Society has annually conducted its Christmas Bird Count. This year will be the 126th and we hope that you will be involved.

We have officially chosen the date of Sunday, December 21st to conduct our count. Our geographical region is Southern Orange County, which is then divided into smaller circles that we will be assigning to groups to do their count.

You can sign up by yourself or as a group. It is a lot of fun and a great way to get out of the house this winter, while at the same time providing invaluable research data that can help us keep track of population trends.

For additional information and/or to register, email us at
info@orangecountynyaudubon.org.

You may also click here to submit the participant survey.