Tuesday April 23, 2024 
Pine Bush Big Birding Morning
Saturday, June 1, 8am-1pm
Suitable for teens and adults.
Join one of our four experts and birdwatch with us from 8:00 am to 12:00 pm. Four teams will divide and conquer the Albany Pine Bush Preserve hiking trails in all regions. Your eyes and ears will help give us a snapshot of the birds in the preserve during the breeding season. We’ll regroup at noon at the Discovery Center for a light lunch to discuss our findings and see who saw the most birds, the most interesting bird, etc. We will begin at the Discovery Center but will be caravanning to the different trailheads for the surveys. This opportunity is free! Reservation required for all attendees (regardless of age). Children under 18 must be accompanied by an adult. Space is limited so please reserve your spot for this Community Science opportunity at www.albanypinebush.org/ events or call 518-456-0655.
Llama and Alpaca Parasite Management Workshop
Learn how to keep your camelids healthy, happy, and free from parasites! This meeting will be held on May 16th, 2019 at Sweet and Savory Farmette (West Hoosick Rd, Buskirk, NY 12028) from 6:00-7:30pm. In addition to the farmers of Sweet and Savory Farmette, our guest speaker Emaly Leak, will guide us through ways to prevent parasites through management, how to tell if our llamas or alpacas have parasites, how to run your own fecal analysis with a microscope, and strategies to treat your animals if they do have parasites.
To take advantage of the early registration price of $10, please register by May 14th, 2019. Registration at the door is $15 per person. Register online at https://tinyurl.com/LlamaAlpacaWorkshop or contact (518) 765-3518 or cce-caahp@nullcornell.edu.
Wild About Winter Raptor Fest!
GREENWICH — See live owls, hawks and falcons up close and in flight at Grassland Bird Trust’s 9th annual Winter Raptor Fest! Follow a trail through a new and expanded WILD Encounter to meet and learn about native raptors in the “natural” habitats they depend on for their survival. Keep an eye out for live porcupine, opossum, red or gray fox and other mammals along the way!
A NEW Arctic habitat at this year’s WILD Encounter features Short-eared owls, Snowy owls and other wintering raptors on their summer breeding grounds!
Raptor photo booth, Horse-drawn “Birding” Wagon, “For the Birds” store, hands-on activities for kids, food vendors and more, round out this exciting weekend where raptors rule! All activities take place under cover except Birding wagon; event will be held rain or shine.
Winter Raptor Fest returns to the Washington County Fairgrounds on May 18 & 19. Members receive discounted admission and free event poster. EVENT HOURS: Saturday 10-4, Sunday 11-4. Visit www.winterraptorfest.com for program schedule and fees or call 518-499-0012 for more info.
Citizen Science Opportunity: DEC Seeks Turkey Hunters for Ruffed Grouse Drumming Survey
Turkey hunters in pursuit of that wary gobbler in the spring are ideally suited to monitor ruffed grouse during the breeding season. Turkey hunters can record the number of grouse they hear drumming while afield to help DEC track the distribution and abundance of this game bird. To get a survey form, go to DEC’s website or call (518) 402-8883.
To participate in DEC’s Summer Wild Turkey Sighting Survey or other wildlife surveys, visit the “Citizen Science” page of the DEC website.