Great Backyard Bird Count  

Esopus Bend Nature Preserve  

Sunday, February 15, 2026 (8:00 AM)  

Launched in 1998 by the Cornell Lab of Ornithology and National Audubon Society, the Great Backyard  Bird Count (GBBC) invites people to spend time in their favorite places watching, counting, and  reporting as many birds as they can find during a four-day period in February. These observations  help scientists better understand global bird populations prior to one of their annual migrations.  

Join us at 8:00 a.m., Sunday, February 15th for a two-hour GBBC in the meadow and wetlands of  Esopus Bend Nature Preserve in Saugerties. Participants should bring binoculars and be prepared for  potentially cold weather and icy trail conditions. Heavy rain or snow cancels the search. Children are  welcome and encouraged, but please do not bring pets. Pre-registration is required, meeting location  determined at time of registration. Contact Steve Chorvas (schorvas@gmail.com) to register, or for  additional information.  

Learn more about Ulster County’s avifauna all President’s weekend long by joining the John Burroughs  Natural History Society on any of several Great Backyard Bird Count events February 13-16, 2026.  Email JBNHSinfo@jbnhs.org for a complete schedule of events.

Signs of Spring Nature Walk  

Saturday, March 21, 2026 (8:00 AM)  

Celebrate the arrival of Spring with the Esopus Creek Conservancy and John Burroughs Natural History  Society on a guided nature walk in a variety of ecologically rich habitats in the Town of Saugerties on  Saturday, March 21, 2026. Depending on available time, conditions, and participant interest, we  will visit The Great Vly Wildlife Management Area, Esopus Bend Nature Preserve, and/or Bristol Beach  State Park on the Hudson River.  

Pre-registration required; meeting location determined at time of registration. Participants should  expect to use their own vehicle to drive to each location and have the option to stay for the duration or  leave whenever necessary.  

Bring binoculars, field guides, and spotting scopes if you have them, and be prepared for wet, muddy  trails, and early spring weather conditions. Light rain often makes for excellent birding and nature  observation, but heavy rain cancels the walk. Children are welcome and encouraged, please do not  bring pets.  

Contact the field trip leader, Steve Chorvas (schorvas@gmail.com) for additional information or to  register. This joint ECC/JBNHS Environmental Education Walk is free and open to the public, but pre registration is required and group size will be limited. For additional information about upcoming ECC  Nature Walks and Paddles, please visit www.esopuscreekconservancy.org. 

Spring Bird Migration  

Sunday, April 26, 2026 (7:30 AM) 

Esopus Creek Conservancy and John Burroughs Natural History Society are co-sponsoring a guided  nature walk through woodlands and wetlands in the Town of Saugerties on Sunday, April 26, 2026.  The first week in May is typically the peak migration period for neotropical birds at this latitude, and  early morning is the best time to see and hear recently arrived songbirds in their brilliant spring  plumage. We will explore a variety of ecologically rich habitats to experience this annual rite of spring,  identifying birds by sight and sound while pausing along the way to observe a diversity of wildflowers and animal life.  

Pre-registration required; meeting location determined at time of registration. Participants should  expect to use their own vehicle to drive to each location and have the option to stay for the duration or  leave whenever necessary.  

Bring binoculars, field guides, and spotting scopes if you have them, and be prepared for wet, muddy  trails, and spring weather conditions. Light rain often makes for excellent birding and nature  observation, but heavy rain cancels the walk. Children are welcome and encouraged, please do not  bring pets.  

Contact the field trip leader, Steve Chorvas (schorvas@gmail.com) for additional information or to  register. This joint ECC/JBNHS Environmental Education Walk is free and open to the public, but pre registration is required and group size will be limited. For additional information about upcoming ECC  Nature Walks and Paddles, please visit www.esopuscreekconservancy.org. 

Tree Identification Walk  

Sunday, May 03, 2026 (9:00 AM)  

Esopus Creek Conservancy and John Burroughs Natural History Society are co-sponsoring a Tree  Identification Walk at Esopus Bend Nature Preserve in Saugerties on Sunday, May 03, 2026. Vern  Rist will lead us at a leisurely pace through a variety of woodland habitats in the Nature Preserve.  Spring leaves should be starting to show as we observe and discuss bark and branch features that  provide clues to help identify the tree species.  

Pre-registration required; meeting location determined at time of registration. Bring binoculars and  tree guides if you have them, and be prepared for Spring conditions that may include cool air  temperatures and light rain. Heavy rain will cancel the walk. Children are welcome and encouraged,  but please do not bring pets.  

Contact Steve Chorvas (schorvas@gmail.com) for additional information or to register. This joint  ECC/JBNHS Environmental Education Walk is free and open to the public, but pre-registration is  required and group size will be limited. For additional information about upcoming ECC Nature Walks  and Paddles, please visit www.esopuscreekconservancy.org.  

Esopus Bend Butterflies  

Esopus Bend Nature Preserve  

Saturday, June 13, 2026 (8:00 AM) 

Esopus Creek Conservancy and John Burroughs Natural History Society are co-sponsoring a guided  nature walk at Esopus Bend Nature Preserve in Saugerties on Saturday, June 13, 2026, to observe  summer breeding birds and butterflies. We will focus our attention on early summer butterflies as we  explore the Preserve’s woodlands, wetlands, and meadow, pausing along the way to observe the  diversity of plant and animal life that inhabit the Preserve at this time of the year.  

Pre-registration required; meeting location determined at time of registration. Bring binoculars, insect  repellant, and field guides if you have them. Be prepared for potentially wet/muddy trails, tall grass,  and dress according to weather conditions. Light rain often makes for excellent nature observation,  but will inhibit most butterfly activity. Heavy rain cancels the walk. Children are welcome and  encouraged, please do not bring pets.  

Contact the field trip leader, Steve Chorvas (schorvas@gmail.com) for additional information or to  register. This joint ECC/JBNHS Environmental Education Walk is free and open to the public, but pre registration is required and group size will be limited. For additional information about upcoming ECC  Nature Walks and Paddles, please visit www.esopuscreekconservancy.org.