Hampshire Bird Club upcoming events

Birding for Everyone: Sparrows (Thu, June 18, 2026)

Thu, 18 Jun 2026 23:00:00 GMT

Sparrows are ubiquitous birds in our area, ranging from the extremely easy to find to those that are reclusive. In advance of fall migration, where different sparrows will migrate through our area, we will review this family of birds to help you with identification and appreciation of this often taken for granted family of birds. The presentation will be brief (30 minutes or less) and will allow for plenty of time for your questions on any birding related topic.

Zoom meeting link

Learn more about the Birding for Everyone program.

All Birding for Everyone events are free and open to the public.

Field Trip: Birding the Arcadia Wildlife Sanctuary (Fri, June 19, 2026)

Fri, 19 Jun 2026 12:30:00 GMT

This is a monthly 12-part series. Join Bill Randolph for a yearlong birding exploration in Arcadia’s 734 acre sanctuary consisting of extensive grasslands and agricultural fields, mixed conifer and deciduous forests, along with different wetlands including Connecticut River oxbow, a series of ponds, floodplain forest and the confluence of the Mill River. The northbound, spring migration is over, and these new arrivals are in the midst of breeding and caring for their offspring. We will take several short walks throughout many distinct environments to maximize our chance of seeing as many different bird species as possible. This might include wood warblers, grassland sparrows, nesting swallows, and resident bald eagles and kestrels.

Plan on a few short hikes from the visitor center, then a short drive to the meadows along the oxbow. Plan on walking a total of 1–2 miles on a mix of up and down, uneven trails that can be muddy depending on recent weather. Tick protection is advised. We'll meet in the Arcadia Nature Center parking lot at 127 Combs Road in Easthampton. Restrooms are available in the Nature Center (opens at 9:00 am). There are a few benches along the trails near the nature center if rest stops are needed, but not in the meadows. Questions? Email Bill at warandolph@comcast.net. Limited to 12 participants. (E/M)

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.

Reminder: If you register and are unable to attend, please cancel your registration as space is limited and most trips have a waiting list. Please visit the link in your confirmation email or contact fieldtrip@hampshirebirdclub.org.

Birding for Everyone: Fort River Wildlife Refuge, Hadley (Sat, June 20, 2026)

Sat, 20 Jun 2026 12:45:00 GMT

We will return to Fort River in Hadley, which has become one of the hotspots in our area that attract the most diverse species of birds. The habitat work that has been undertaken in recent years contributes to this, of course. We will explore different habitats at the refuge to see what birds we can find in each.

Map link: https://maps.app.goo.gl/h7wihP6zhdFWkvm88

Questions? Email dallard@hampshirebirdclub.org.

Learn more about the Birding for Everyone program.

All Birding for Everyone events are free and open to the public.

Birding for Everyone: Apps, Field Guides, and eBird (Thu, July 16, 2026)

Thu, 16 Jul 2026 23:00:00 GMT

We talk a lot about identifying different types of birds over the course of the year, but less time on the actual tools used to do so. This month we will rectify this! We'll talk about popular field guides, apps, and the increasingly ubiquitous eBird during our monthly discussion. If you've wondered about what you should be using, this is the talk for you!

Zoom meeting link

Learn more about the Birding for Everyone program.

All Birding for Everyone events are free and open to the public.

Birding for Everyone: Pulaski Park, Holyoke (Sat, July 18, 2026)

Sat, 18 Jul 2026 12:45:00 GMT

Even though Pulaski Park is right in downtown Holyoke, it can hold some interesting birds. Last year on this trip we saw Bald Eagles, Yellow Warblers, Great Blue Herons, and even Osprey! This trip has minimal walking (the park itself is small) and we will keep an eye on the Connecticut River as well as birds within the park proper. We will have binoculars and at least one scope available so we all get good looks. Meet at the Mater Dolorosa School parking lot.

Map link: https://maps.app.goo.gl/EhNKAn1oeQ9GaLcq6

Questions? Email dallard@hampshirebirdclub.org.

Learn more about the Birding for Everyone program.

All Birding for Everyone events are free and open to the public.

Field Trip: Overnight Trip to Cape May, NJ (Fri, October 09, 2026)

Fri, 09 Oct 2026 04:00:00 GMT

For HBC members only. The Hampshire Bird Club is pleased to announce a multi-day birding trip to Cape May, New Jersey from October 9–15, 2026. Cape May is widely recognized as one of the premier birding hot spots in North America, renowned for its spectacular fall migration. Some of the areas we’ll visit during our stay include Higbee Beach, Cape May State Park & Hawkwatch Platform, South Cape May Meadows, Avalon Sea Watch, Nummy Island, a trip to Delaware in search of the Brown-headed Nuthatch, and an afternoon Marsh Tour.

Most walking during the trip will be on generally level paths and roadways. Some hikes may take place on sandy beaches, and participants should expect to cover a mile or two each day on foot.

This trip is limited to 8 observers. The trip fee is $310.00 per person, which covers the leader's costs and the Marsh Tour. Participants are responsible for arranging and paying for their own motel accommodations, food, and travel expenses. Based on double occupancy, a rough estimate for the total trip cost—including the leader fee, motel, gas, tolls, food, and ferry to Delaware—is approximately $1,600.00 per participant.

Participants must register online through the HBC website. Once you register, trip leader Scott Surner will provide the name and contact information for the group’s motel so participants can make their reservations directly. Questions? Email Scott at ssurner@aol.com. More information upon request. (M)

Note: overnight trips are limited to current HBC members only.

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.