Saturday January 12, 10 am
Cross Country Skiing With Mike Medley
Flat terrain on D&H Canal towpath, great for beginners and
intermediates. Dress in layers; bring water. Excursion lasts
at least 3 hours. Weather permitting, meet at Haven Road
DEC parking lot (209 side). Call Mike to register and/or check
snow conditions at 845-754-0743.
Sunday, February 10, 10am
Take Your Valentine
Cross Country
Skiing with Mike Medley
Enjoy the Basha Kill’s beauty once again on the D&H Canal towpath.
Dress in layers; bring water. Excursion lasts at least 3 hours. Weather
permitting, meet at Haven Road DEC parking lot (209 side). Call Mike
to register and/or check snow conditions at 845-754-0743.
Saturday March 23, 8:30am
(Alternate date, Saturday, March 30th if a late deep freeze)
“Wonderful Waterfowl”
Join birder extraordinaire John Haas at the Haven Road DEC parking
lot (209 side). You will see an array of migrating waterfowl and learn
to differentiate between the many species who stop here on their
way north. Boots may help when walking the Birch Trail (can be wet
this time of year) from South Road boat launch to see ducks, geese,
mergansers from this productive locale. Call John to register and/or
check outing’s status at 845-888-0240.
Saturday, April 6th, 9:30am-12 noon
Nature Watch Training
Become a BKAA Volunteer at the Basha Kill! Come to this training
to learn about bald eagle biology and the Basha Kill ecosystem so
you can volunteer with the Nature Watch Program. If you love the
Basha Kill and like to talk with people, this program is for you! Training
for this year includes a presentation by NYS DEC Biologist Tom Lake
from the Hudson River Estuary Program discussing bald eagle habitat
and biology. Nuts and bolts of the program will also be explained. After
the training, you sign up for three shifts (three hours each) on Saturdays
and Sundays from April 20th through June 30th. For more details, please
call Maryallison Farley at 845-888-0261 & please call her to register for
the program.
Saturday, April 13th, 7:30pm
(Rain date Saturday, April 21)
Star Walk with Bob Fiore
Very dependent on weather! Meet at Haven Road DEC
parking lot (209 side). Call Bob to register and/or check trip’s
status at (845)498-9001.
Saturday, April 20, 9:30-10am
(Registration and site assignments)
32st Annual Basha Kill Clean-up
Celebrate Earth Day! Enjoy a walk and fresh spring air while
ridding the wetlands of debris. Garbage bags are provided.
Wear boots, work gloves, and insect repellant. Bring chairs as
lunch, supplied by the BKAA, will be eaten al fresco in the
Haven Road DEC parking lot (209 side); also event’s registration site.
BKAA merchandise will be on sale and door prizes awarded. Call
Paula Medley at 845-754-0743 for further information.
Weekends from Saturday, April 20th through Sunday, June 30th
Nature Watch at the South Road Boat Launch
Join trained BKAA Nature Watch Volunteers at the South Road boat
launch (across from the BashaKill Vineyards at 1131 South Road,
Wurtsboro) to learn more about the many residents of this amazing wetland.
View the nesting bald eagles & ospreys and other birds. Equipped with
two powerful spotting scopes and lots of information, the Volunteers will
help you get to know the Basha Kill a little better. Bring your children,
other family members and friends of all ages for some fun in the outdoors!
From 10:00am to 4:00pm every Saturday and Sunday from April 20th
through June 30th. Call Maryallison Farley at 845-888-0261 or Patricia
Diness at 845-386-5024 for more details.
Saturday, May 4th, 8am
Spring Bird Migration with John Haas
Join John Haas at the Haven Road parking lot (Orchard and Stop
Sign Trail-South Road side) to view spring migrants, ranging from
Warblers to Vireos, Orioles, and more. We begin our walk here, then
move to the Nature Trail off South Road, past the main boat launch.
Call John to register and/or for more information at 845-888-0240.
Sunday, May 12th, 10am
Spring Wildflowers with John Kenney
See first blossoms of the season. You will be delighted! Meet at Haven
Road DEC parking lot (209 side). Call John to register and/or for more
details at 845-436-6046.
Saturday, May 18th, 1pm
Hike to Gobbler’s Knob with Mike Medley
Enjoy views of a beautiful 650 acre Shawangunk Ridge property which
is also site of the proposed Basherkill Subdivision. The hike gains 450
vertical feet from the parking area to the Knob which is almost 1,000 feet
high. Wear comfortable, sturdy shoes; bring water. Trip takes two hours.
Meet at the South Road fishing platform (Westbrookville end). To register
or for more information, contact Mike at 845-754-0743.
Sunday, June 9th, 10am
Happy for Herps with Bill Cutler
Join herpetologist Bill Cutler on a search for amphibians and reptiles.
Kids as well as adults love learning about them. Meet at the Haven
Road DEC parking lot (209 side). Call Bill to register and/or for additional
information at 845-807-0291.
Saturday, June 15,9am
Natural History Walk with Jack Austin
Stroll 2-3 miles on level terrain with naturalist Jack Austin as you see
and listen to what is nesting, growing, and maturing in mid-summer.
Wear good walking shoes as there may be wet areas and bring insect
repellent. Meet at the Stop Sign parking area, off Haven Road (South
Road side). For information, contact Jack at 845-856-0706 or reach him
on his cell at 845-649-8720.
Saturday, June 22nd, 8:30pm
Moonlight Walk with Gary Keeton
Amble along Haven Road and the Railroad Trail. Enjoy moonrise
over the ridge as you discuss the area’s natural history. Meet at the
Haven Road DEC parking lot (209 side). Contact Gary at 845-386-4892
for additional facts.
Sunday, June 29th, 10am
Blooms and Butterflies with John Kenney
See the next wave of wildflowers and a beautiful array of butterflies.
Meet at Haven Road DEC parking lot (209 side). Call John to register
and/or for further information at 845-436-6046.
Saturday, July 6th, 10am
History of D&H Canal with Gary Keeton
Join Gary for a walk through time. Ever wonder about local stone
walls and foundations? Curious about how people farmed the rocky
soils or the relationship between the Basha Kill and Pine Kill? Oh, and
learn about the canal, too! Meet at the DEC access road on Route
209 across from the Pinekill Deli in Westbrookville. Contact Gary at
845-386-4892 for particulars.
Sunday, July 14th, 10am
History of the D&H Canal with Gary Keeton
A reprise of the June walk. Meet at DEC access road on Route 209
across from the Pinekill Deli in Westbrookville. Contact Gary at
845-386-4892 for details.
Sunday, July 21st, 8:30pm
Moonlight Canoe/Kayak Adventure
with Scott Graber and Mike Medley
Experience the Basha Kill from a unique perspective! Must bring your
own vessel. Meet at South Road Boat Launch. Should register and
check trip’s status with Mike at 845-754-0743.
Saturday, July 27th, 5:30am
Sunrise Walk with Gray Keeton
Rise and shine! Enjoy the Basha Kill’s wonders from a different view.
Meet at Haven Road DEC parking lot (209 side). Call Gary at
845-386-4892 for information.
Saturday, September 28th, 10am
Canoe/kayak the Basha Kill
with Scott Graber and Mike Medley
Join naturalists Scott and Mike for a late season venture on this
first day of autumn. Bring your own vessel. Meet at the South Road
Boat Launch. Call Mike at 845-754-0743 to register and for more details.
Saturday, October 5th, 9:30am
Hike the Shawangunk Ridge with Mike Medley
JModerately difficult hike, lasting 4-5 hours. Wear comfortable, sturdy
shoes and bring water and lunch. Meet at the D&H Canal Kiosk at the
Pat Moore Memorial Picnic Grove on Sullivan Street in Wurtsboro.
Must register by calling Mike at 845-754-0743.
Sunday, October 13, 9:00am
Hike the Minisink Trail at Huckleberry State Forest
in the Town of Greenville with Mike Medley
Join Mike on a beautiful 5 mile loop hike on the Shawangunk Ridge.
Wear comfortable, sturdy shoes and bring water and lunch. Carpool or
travel in a caravan led by Mike. Meet at South Road fishing platform
(Westbrookville end) at 9:00am. Absolutely must register for this trip by
calling Mike at 845-754-0743.
