Photo by Lou Buscher - Basha Kill bald eagle and eaglet, 2003 Photo by Alan A. Minkus Photo by Alan A. Minkus

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Basha Kill Area Association
BKAA 2013 Calendar of Events
All events free & open to the public!


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.


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