Saturday January 21, 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 12, 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).
NEW! Saturday March 24, 8am
(Alternate date, Sunday, April 1 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 as we also will walk 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, March 31st, 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 includes a variety of presentations with slideshow on wildlife and plants of the Basha Kill and explanation of the program. After training, you sign up for three shifts (three hours each) on Saturdays and Sundays from mid-April through early July.
Please call Maryallison Farley at 845-888-0261 to register.
Saturday, April 14, 7:45pm
(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 21, 9:30-10am
(Registration and site assignments)
31st 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 21st through Sunday, July 1st
Nature Watch at the South Road Boat Launch
Join trained BKAA Nature Watch Volunteers at the South Road boat launch to learn more about many residents of this amazing wetland. View the nesting bald eagles 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 between
April 21st and July 1st. Call Maryallison Farley at 845-888-0261 or Patricia
Diness at 845-386-5024 for more details.
Saturday, May 5, 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.
Saturday, May 19, 10am
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, May 20, 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.
Sunday, June 3, 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 16,10am
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, June 24,10am
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.
NEW! Tuesday, July 3,8:30pm
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.
NEW! Saturday, July 14, 8am to 10am
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
repellant. Meet at the Stop Sign parking area, off Haven Road (South
Road side). For information, contact Jack at (845)856-0706 or cell at
(845)649-8720.
Saturday, August 4, 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.
Saturday, August 11, 6am
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 1, 8:15pm
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.
Saturday, September 22, 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 & for more details.
Sunday, September 30, 9:30am
Hike the Shawangunk Ridge with Mike Medley
Moderately 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.
NEW! Sunday, October 7, 9:45am
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. There
are two ways to reach the trailhead:
1.Travel independently. Find directions
to the trailhead and the hike’s description on the NY/NJ Trail Conferences
website - type “Minisink Trail” in the site’s search box.
2. 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.
