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• Field Trip: Arcadia Wildlife Sanctuary

  • When
    Sat, September 26, 2026
  •  
    8:00 AM - 11:00 AM
  • Location
    127 Combs Road, Easthampton, MA
  • Spaces left
    3

  Register

  Join Amanda Kallenbach exploring Arcadia's diverse habitats, including flood plain forest and marsh. We'll walk some of the nature center trails, check out the blind at Hulbert's Pond (this involves a narrow spiral staircase), then head to the Connecticut River Oxbow area. If time allows, we'll continue to the grasslands of the west meadows in search of sparrows and other migrants. Plan on traveling 2–3 miles on mostly flat, uneven terrain, including wooded trails, paved and gravel roads, and taller, wet grass (may be muddy areas). Meet in the nature center parking lot at 127 Combs Road in Easthampton at 8:00 am. Restrooms are available in the nature center, which opens at 9:00 am. There are a few benches along the nature center trails, but none in the meadows. Heavy rain cancels. Questions? Email Amanda at amanda.kallenbach@gmail.com. Limited to 10 participants. (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.
  

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• Field Trip: Just Roots Community Farm

  • When
    Sun, September 27, 2026
  •  
    8:00 AM - 11:00 AM
  • Location
    28 Glenbrook Drive, Greenfield, MA
  • Spaces left
    6

  Register

  Join Sam McGullam, Josh Rose, and Alex Fuselier as we search for fall migrants among the fields and hedgerows surrounding this working CSA farm in Franklin County. We’ll be on the lookout for sparrows, fall warblers, and raptors; the farm has also been known to host some impressive flocks of ravens. Plan on walking up to 2 miles along mostly flat dirt roads and grass paths between farm fields that may be rutted with uneven footing. Depending on the weather, there may be mud or wet grass. If rest stops are needed, there are two picnic tables near the community garden and one small bench by the pollinator garden. Meet at Just Roots Community Farm at 28 Glenbrook Drive in Greenfield. Follow the signs for CSA parking, pass the red barn on your right, and park in the large dirt lot by the greenhouse down the hill. There is a porta-potty in the parking lot and by the community garden near our meeting place. Questions? Contact Sam at sam.mcgullam@gmail.com. Limited to 14 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.
  

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• Field Trip: Podick/Katherine Cole/Szala Conservation Areas & Food Bank Farm

  • When
    Sat, October 03, 2026
  •  
    7:00 AM - 10:00 AM
  • Location
    Route 116 at Sunderland Road, Amherst, MA
  • Spaces left
    8

  Register

  Join Dave King on a morning prowl along wooded trails and fields through a network of conserved forest, active farmland, a forested stream and beaver wetlands to look for woodland and farmland bird species. Late migrant songbirds featuring sparrows are a possibility, as are hawks overhead. We’ll traverse 2-3 miles on wooded trails and farm roads. Be sure to wear appropriate footwear. Insect repellent is recommended. There are no facilities. We'll meet at 7:00 in the parking area at the junction of Route 116 and Sunderland Road. Questions? Contact Dave at daveking@umass.edu. 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.
  

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• Field Trip: Bird Track & Sign at the Quabbin Reservoir

  • When
    Sat, October 03, 2026
  •  
    9:00 AM - 12:00 PM
  • Location
    Ware, MA
  • Spaces left
    8

  Register

  Note: The exact gate location will be updated closer to the event. Join Bryan DiFabio for an exploration of the Quabbin Reservoir and all the ecosystems it supports; mixed forests, wetlands, power line right-of ways, and sandy/muddy beaches.

  Regardless of gate choice, the walk will take place on wide walking paths and full beach access at a rather slow pace. There may be areas we explore that have mud. Wearing proper waterproof boots or even muck boots is recommended. There may be detours taken for a closer look at sign as it is discovered. In some cases, uncovered sign may be passed around the group, but in others it must be left undisturbed.

  Track and sign may present itself in some unexpected scenarios. Though it may be more likely that bird tracks will be found on the beach, they are not completely excluded from footpaths. The focus of the entire walk will be to look for bird tracks, nests and eggs, feathers, and feeding sign. A discussion will take place as these bird clues are discovered to determine who, why, what, and how.

  The chosen location will have ample dirt lot parking, but no restroom. Questions? Email Bryan at Bryan@DFABio.com. Limited to 12 participants. (M)

  If you’re able, prior to the field trip, consider participating in the online training Introduction to Bird Track & Sign happening on October 1. Learn more and register here.

  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.
  

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• Field Trip: Overnight Trip to Cape May, NJ

  • Start
    Fri, October 09, 2026
  • End
    Thu, October 15, 2026
  • Location
    Cape May, NJ
  • Spaces left
    0

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  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.

  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.
  

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• Field Trip: Quabbin Park – Hank’s Meadow

  • When
    Sun, October 11, 2026
  •  
    8:00 AM - 10:00 AM
  • Location
    Ware, MA
  • Spaces left
    4

  Register

  Join Greg Brown for a 2.5 mile loop from the Hanks Meadow parking area, west along the shoreline and back up through the woods to the main road. Trail is moderate difficulty and may be muddy in spots – wear good boots! Our path will go through a variety of habitats, where we may see any number of fall migrants along with year-round residents. Possible sightings include warblers (pine, palm, yellow-rumped, black-throated green), woodpeckers, eagles, ravens, and towhees. We will meet at 8:00 am at the Hanks Meadow parking lot and return to the same place by 10:00 am at the latest. Bring water, snacks, binoculars, appropriate footwear, and outerwear. Note: there is usually a porta-potty at the parking lot, but this is not guaranteed. Questions? Contact gwb@gregorywbrown.com. Limited to 10 participants. (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.
  

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• HBC's October Meeting: "Warblers of Mexico: Endemics, near endemics and migrants" with Larry Therrien

  • When
    Tue, October 13, 2026
  •  
    7:15 PM
  • Location
    Hitchcock Center for the Environment, 845 West St, Amherst, MA 01002

  

  Larry Therrien is bringing us his latest warbler program, this time focusing on the warblers of Mexico.  Mexico hosts a number of endemic and near endemic species as well as many migratory warblers and has the highest count of new world warblers of any country in the world.  The journey will cover areas throughout Mexico from Baja California to the Gulf of Mexico. 

  

  Larry Therrien is probably the most prolific birder in western Massachusetts and can be found birding most days in Hampshire County and around the Quabbin.  He is the eBird reviewer for the three counties of the Connecticut River Valley of Massachusetts, a former member of the Massachusetts Avian Records Committee, annually conducts a number of breeding bird surveys of various types, and guides in the area. The number of checklists he has submitted to eBird is the most in the state by a very wide margin (more than twice the second-place observer) and ranks 10th in the entire US. He has traveled extensively in Central and South America as well as throughout the Caribbean with the focus of most of these trips being new world warblers. We can follow his adventures through his blog "Quabbin Birding and Beyond", or his more targeted and international passion through "The Pursuit of Warblers". He lives in Belchertown with his wife Sherri and their dog Wilson.

  
  

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• Field Trip: Birdability Celebration Outing, Lake Wallace

  • When
    Fri, October 23, 2026
  •  
    8:30 AM - 11:00 AM
  • Location
    Lake Wallace Accessible Trail, 70 State Street, Belchertown, MA
  • Spaces left
    16

  Register

  Lake Wallace provides a biodiverse environment and many birding opportunities. Join naturalist and birder Bill Randolph and birder Carol Fournier during the autumn migration season to observe the diverse species at this special location. We’ll be watching for herons, various species of duck and woodpecker, Eastern Phoebe, Cedar Waxwing, a variety of sparrows, and more. The Lake Wallace trails provide wide sloping surfaces, and an observation platform for viewing a wide variety of wildlife in their natural habitat.

  The .5 mile Sensory Trail portion includes signage that incorporates Braille lettering in some areas, and a cable guide to assist. The Lampson Brook Loop Trail is about 1.25 miles total. Participants can opt to choose the Sensory Trail portion for a self-guided experience. 

  There is a large accessible parking lot with four handicapped spots and an accessible outdoor porta-potty on the site as well as accessible restrooms at the nearby Belchertown Recreation Center that is open between 8:30 am and noon on Fridays. There is a picnic area with a pavilion for those who might like to gather following the trip. For more information contact Bill at warandolph@comcast.net. Limited to 20 participants. (A) 

  Field Trip designations:
  (A) – Designed to be accessible to people with mobility limitations, disabilities, or access challenges.
  (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.
  

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• Field Trip: Accessible Little Sit at Arcadia

  • When
    Sun, October 25, 2026
  •  
    9:00 AM - 11:00 AM
  • Location
    127 Combs Road, Easthampton, MA

  Arcadia Wildlife Sanctuary is hosting an end-of-Birdability Week Little Sit, co-led by Hampshire Bird Club and Arcadia birders and naturalists. Enjoy a free, drop-in (no registration required) morning of casual birding in place. Bring a chair, a snack, and/or a buddy, as well as your binoculars. John Green, Arcadia's Teacher/Naturalist, will help identify birds by sight and sound.

  Accessibility notes: The site is in a mowed field close to the treeline, and is about 200 feet from the entry to the Visitor Center over a combination of terrain including pavement, hard-packed gravel, and mowed flat field. Chairs will be available to borrow if needed, but bringing your own is encouraged. The parking area has two accessible spots, and the bathrooms have an ADA accessible stall. Bathrooms and water will be available in the nearby Visitor Center for the duration of the Little Sit. Please email Arcadia@MassAudubon.org with any access questions or needs. No registration required. (A)
  

  Field Trip designations:
  (A) – Designed to be accessible to people with mobility limitations, disabilities, or access challenges.
  (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.

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• Field Trip: Halloween Pilgrimage to Satan's Kingdom and Hell's Kitchen

  • When
    Sat, October 31, 2026
  •  
    7:30 AM - 4:00 PM
  • Location
    Northfield, MA (see meeting location)
  • Spaces left
    11

  Register

  Join Josh Rose and Sam McGullam for a day-long tour of a few seasonally appropriate birding spots throughout Franklin County. We will start with a walk along the power canal in Turners Falls, then carpool/caravan to Northfield to bird our way through Satan's Kingdom and Hell's Kitchen. We'll make a stop to purchase lunch, though you are free to bring your own. After lunch, participants who want to continue will have the option of birding some additional areas, potentially including the Northfield vicinity (Bennett Meadow, Pauchaug Brook) or back down around Gill and Turners Falls (Barton Cove, Canalside Rail Trail, Turners Falls Airport). This trip involves mostly walking on paved roads (up to 2 miles total at our various stops), and a bit of birding from cars. Please note that the Hell’s Kitchen stop involves a short slope from the road down to the water’s edge; with no real parking, the view from the pavement is limited by vegetation.

  We will meet at the Migratory Way parking lot at the Turners Falls power canal (take the 11th Street bridge over the canal, turn left on G Street, and drive until you see the gate ahead and parking lot on the left). We will make a restroom stop between the power canal and Satan’s Kingdom, and then stop for lunch at a spot with facilities a few hours later. Questions? Contact programs@hampshirebirdclub.org. Limited to 14 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.
  

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• Field Trip: Berkshire Lakes

  • When
    Sun, November 01, 2026
  •  
    6:00 AM - 3:30 PM
  • Location
    Cheshire, Richmond, Pittsfield area, MA
  • Spaces left
    0

  Join waitlist

  Join Scott Surner for a day-long trip to the Berkshire Lakes in search of migratory ducks and other waterfowl, as well as nonmigratory apple cider donuts. Possible stops include Cheshire Reservoir, Pontoosuc Lake, Onota Lake, and Richmond Pond, and we’ll also stop at Moran Wildlife Management Area in Windsor to look for Northern Shrikes. Most of our birding will be done from the roadside or a short distance from our vehicles. Not much walking will be required on this trip. Bring a scope if you have one. We will meet at 6:00 am in the Stop & Shop parking lot at 228 King St in Northampton, then split into vehicles to carpool. We will return by 3:30 pm. Dress warmly and pack lunch. There will be at least two restroom breaks. Questions? Email Scott at ssurner@aol.com. Limited to 15 participants. (E) 

  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.
  

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