Join Brian Zylich and Hobie Iselin for an exploration of the different habitats at the Conte Refuge, beginning with a leisurely 1.2 miles on a flat, fully accessible boardwalk trail leading past open meadows and through mixed mature conifer and young deciduous forest. There are multiple platform lookouts and benches along the trail with places to rest. Our focus in this area will be on later migrant warblers and songbirds. The “new” pond, which requires some additional mobility on a gravel road, is included as an option. It may offer views of ducks, shorebirds, and other species including raptors. For those who wish to continue in the second half of the trip, we will explore open fields with the potential for many grassland species. This portion involves approximately 2 miles on a mostly flat dirt/rocky road with some slight hills. Meet at the Silvio O. Conte parking lot at 69 Moody Bridge Road in Hadley – plenty of parking is available, plus a porta-potty. Questions? Contact brian.zylich@gmail.com. Limited to 12 participants. (E, Accessible)

Field Trip designations:
(E) – Easy conditions, fairly accessible for most, usually flat terrain on improved trails or roads. 
(M) – Moderately difficult, more challenging trail conditions, short steep sections, longer hikes. 
(S) – Strenuous conditions, muddy or rocky trails, steep sections, difficult footing in part.