birding experiences & field trip registration

Listed below are:

  • our weekly bird walks, 
  • other seasonal birding field trips,
  • our 2nd Sat general hike at Brinton Brook, and
  • our 2026-2027 Project FeederWatch, bird feeding watching, at the Croton Point Nature Center.

We also offer in-person and Zoom education programs and workshops.

Sign up for our “pop up birding” email notice list to get notices about pop-up trips scheduled with short notice to regional birding hotspots.

New to birding or group bird walks?
Here are some trip tips suggested by our leaders and participants.

Weekly Bird Walks to Westchester Hotspots

Below are walks that we offer every week to key birding hotspots in Westchester including Cranberry Lake Preserve, Croton Point Park, Edith Read Sanctuary (in winter months), Lyndhurst, Marshlands Conservancy (spring through fall), Muscoot Farm, Saxon Woods, and Rockefeller State Park Preserve.
  • We limit our walk size by free, advance registration for a better birding experience.
  • Because of last minute cancellations, we often draw from the walk’s waiting list in the days before each walk.
  • If a walk is showing as sold out, click through to get on the waiting list.
  • We offer free binocular loans on all walks.
  • If you are new to birding or to our bird walks, look over our Trip Tips

Regional / Special Field Trips

  • Below field trips are additional special trips that require registration. Click on images below to register. For all our events, be sure to check our website BEFORE traveling in case of uncertain weather.  We always post any event changes to the event calendar on the front page of our website.

Pelham Bay Birding with Jack Rothman
Sunday, September 20, 8:00 am to 10:00 am

Jack has birded Pelham Bay for many years so we are delighted to have him lead this special bird walk for us.  No registration needed! We will have extra binoculars to lend.  Meet at the start time at the parking alongside the running track of the Aileen B. Ryan Recreational Complex.  [Google map link to meeting place]

WEATHER NOTE: Walk will happen with light rain but will be canceled with heavy winds or lightning so check Jack’s birding web site at www.cityislandbirds.com before traveling if weather or roads are uncertain. Jack will post a notice there by 6:00 am if walk is cancelled.

State Line Hawk Watch
Friday, October 16
8:00 am to 12 noon
Fully accessible hawkwatch off the Palisades Parkways just over the NJ line.  Come later, leave earlier as desired.

See directions, details and more at registration here: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/field-trip-fri-oct-16-800-am-state-line-hawk-watch-tickets-1998359730749

Fire Island Lighthouse Hawk Watch
Tuesday, September 21
9:00 am to 12 noon

NO REGISTRATION NEEDED. Start time is when to meet us at the Fire Island Lighthouse Hawk Watch platform. Directions to nearest parking.

Join SMRA Executive Director Anne Swaim for a visit to the Fire Island Lighthouse Hawk Watch which is staffed on Tuesdays by volunteers Drew Panko, count compiler, and Trudy Battaly.

Meet the group from Saw Mill River Audubon at 9:00 am at the hawk watch viewing platform. (There is a public bathroom across the road from the viewing platform.)

Or meet us 8:45 am in the nearby parking and walk with us to the platform. (Platform is right at the end of the road on the right, on the way to the lighthouse.)

We are parking in the northeast corner parking lot #5 in Robert Moses State Park (corner closest to lighthouse), arriving there around 8:45 am, and then walking the road shoulder/sidewalk for about 1/4 mile to the hawk watch platform, meeting there at 9:00 am. 

As needed, people could be dropped at the road circle right in front of the Hawk Watch platform which does have ramp access. 

We expect to stay at the hawk watch for at least three hours and maybe longer depending on the flight. Or maybe less depending on conditions. You are welcome to stay longer or shorter as you wish, of course. There is also often interesting birding on the boardwalks to/from the Fire Island lighthouse or on the nearby beach.

Dress for the weather but in layers so you can adapt if the exposed sun is too warm or if the breeze off the ocean gets too cool. Bring water or other beverage and a snack or lunch, as you wish. Bring binoculars or let us know in advance if you want to borrow one or more from SMRA to use during this field trip.

The Hawk watch is staffed by volunteers with (usually) daily coverage from September through November along with other birder and bird photographers present most days during the fall raptor migration.

See data from Fire Island Hawk Watch

Open Field Trips

  • Below field trips do NOT require registration OR have registration through other organizations. For these events, be sure to check our website BEFORE traveling in case of uncertain weather.  We always post any event changes to the event calendar on the front page of our website.

Second Saturday Walks at Brinton Brook
9:00 am start
Led by SMRA Sanctuaries Chair Michael Madias, Jr, these monthly walks explore the trails of our largest sanctuary, Brinton Brook Sanctuary in Croton.  

No registration needed. Walks last about two hours.  Good for adults and ages 8 and up.

 Meet in the main parking lot here. Walks happen in rain or snow but check our website calendar if road conditions are uncertain.

Project FeederWatch at Croton Point Nature Center

Sundays, 9:30 am to 12 noon
November 1, 2026 to April 25, 2027

Come watch winter birds with us from the comfort of the cozy Croton Point Nature Center on Sundays, November 1 to April 25, from 9:30 am to 12 noon. Drop in for all or part of our counting time. Free and no registration needed.

SMRA is again partnering with Croton Point Park to sponsor Project FeederWatch at the Croton Point Nature Center. Whether you are just starting to watch birds or are an seasoned birder, all levels of experience are welcome to help count the feeder birds. Enjoy observing winter birds with the added bonus of friendly company, coffee, tea, and snacks. We have loaner binoculars or bring your own.

This is a good opportunity to learn how to ID our local winter birds and also offers good photography opportunities.

IMPORTANT: if the weather or roads are uncertain, visit our website to check the front page calendar in case we need to cancel Project FeederWatch for that week.  We will also add you to our private FeederWatch email list, if you wish. To do that, send an email to our office.

[Google map to Croton Point Nature Center] When you enter Croton Point County Park continue straight past the entrance booth and office and then straight along the right side of the large parking lot to the Croton Point Nature Center driveway at the back right hand corner of the large lot. Drive uphill to the Nature Center and bear right to continue around the small parking circle to park on the left with pull in parking.