Time: 7:00 am -9:00 am
Place: Hidley Farm
Address: 287 Hidley Road, Wyantskill, New York 12198
Join ASA and local wildlife ecologist and artist Steve Sanford for an Early Morning Bird Walk at conserved Hidley Farm in Wyantskill. This walk is for beginner and expert birders alike.
We will begin at 7:00 AM and walk through farm fields and woods. We expect to see and hear scores of breeding birds and some of the later migrants.
No special footwear is necessary but participants should bring binoculars and shoes or boots that could stand some morning dew.
We will meet at a designated parking spot near 287 Hidley Road, Wyantskill (look for the ASA EVENT sign at the gravel road) and walk, watch and listen for about 2 hours.
Group size is limited to 20 people – please register in advance.
In the event of heavy rains on the 27th, the walk will be convened the following morning, on May 28th
Steven Jay Sanford developed his love of birds from his earliest memories growing up on Long Island’s Great South Bay. His passion for the natural world led to Cornell University (Class of ’75) and then a 35-year career in natural resource conservation. He retired in 2010 from NYSDEC as their Chief Ecologist. He now spends his time with his wife Susan on their farm in southern Washington County, where he pursues his creative passions – including: drawing, painting and carving; designing, building and restoring boats; and “playing” with the landscape on their Pencil Brook Farm.
Steve shares his knowledge with others via the internet and in-person, regularly leading bird walks and contributing artwork for the benefit of numerous not-for-profits. He is also dedicated to celebrating and documenting the history of waterfowl hunting on Long Island through several organizations.
His artistic achievements include a feature article in Adirondack Life (June 1978), numerous Best-in-Shows at the former U. S. National Decoy Show, and more recent juried art events – including the ASA’s Landscapes for Land’s Sake. His work – and numerous tutorials - can be viewed at www.stevenjaysanford.com