Q-MoB Spring Guided Birding Dusk Walk: Field Farm (Williamstown, MA)

Steven Miller, Vice President of Hoffman Bird Club, leads us in a dusk walk through one of the best locations in Berkshire County to see & hear both spring migratory and indigenous bird species at a time when many species are actively mating and caring for newborns. This is an amazing place to learn about birds because it has so many intersecting eco-systems that provide habitat for a broad range of species:

Top Birding Spots at Field Farm

• : A highly recommended spot for listening to birds. Check wetlands here for , , and .
• Protected Meadows: The hay fields on both sides of Sloan Road are famous for (though they may just be starting to arrive in late April) and .
• North Trail & Oak Loop: These trails offer a mix of open pasture and mature oak forest, where you can listen for , , and .
• Apple Trees near the Guest House: Often a good location to spot .Noble Horizons +5

Species to Look For in Late April. At this time, you'll hopefully see/hear a mix of residents and early migrants:

• Iconic Residents: American Kestrel, Pileated Woodpecker, and Eastern Bluebird & if we're lucky &/or
• Spring Migrants: Tree Swallows, Eastern Phoebes, Palm Warblers, and Yellow-rumped Warblers.
• Wetland/Field Specialists: American Woodcock (often active at dusk), Savannah Sparrows, and Red-winged Blackbirds.

WHAT TO BRING:

• flashlight or headlamp
• rain-gear & appropriate footwear (that can get muddy),
• srping can be very changeable weather in the Berkshires, so bring wool hat, fleece, sweater, gloves or other layers should it become colder, windier, or wetter than the forecast predicted
• binoculars if you have them, although we'll have 10 pairs we could lend out
• snacks & water
• hiking poles if you have them (you can borrow a pair from us if you need a little mobility assistance)
• $10-$20 Tax-Deductible Donation, unless 1) this is your very 1st Q-MoB activity; 2) you are low-income, 3) you are a Q-MoB Monthly Donor or Work-Study Volunteer

WHAT NOT TO BRING: Please don't bring dogs, as they tend to scare birtds

WEATHER: Please check the weather in Williamstown before you leave your home to join us, so you can dress for the weather. Often in the spring the weather can change, so be prepared for unexpectedly colder or wetter conditions.

CARPOOLING/RIDE-SHARE: Carpooling is a great way to get to know other men, save money on gas, and help to reduce your carbon footprint and save the planet. If you need a ride or are open to carpooling, please indicate that when you are registering, & our ride coordinator will try to match you with people nearby who are interested in carpooling or offering rides.

OR : Please donate $10-$20 to help assure Q-MoB can continue to offer more than 20 activities & multiple resources & services to rural queer men all over the region. If you attend 2 or more Q-MoB events/month, please consider becoming a monthly sustaining donor member. By donating $25, $50, $75, or $100/month you can help to sustain the incredible variety of activities, services, and resources Q-MoB provides and assure all of these activities are accessible to men regardless of their age, income, or ability, and best of all you can avoid having to donate at each and every event you attend. Monthly Sustaining Members pay only once a month and then can attend all our regular activities FREE.

REACHING US DAY OF HIKE: Day of walk, If you have trouble finding us, will be late, or can't make it, please call/text Bart at 413-344-8162. IMPORTANT: If you don't register for this walk, we will not be able to let you know if we unexpectedly have to cancel because of a dangerous weather condition or other unexpected circumstances. Please always register for our events & let us know your cell # so we can text you if we have to make any unexpected changes or you have trouble finding us. Safety depends on communication.

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Host or Publisher Q-MoB (Queer Men of the Berkshires)