Walks

Most of our bird walks happen in the spring from late April through early June, which includes the spring migration season. Nature walks and Programs can happen any time. Walks are guided by experienced individuals, but everyone is welcome from novice to expert.

For sightings or hearings to become official club results they must have occurred on a scheduled walk and have been witnessed by two or more participants. 

Check this page frequently for any changes or cancellations, especially before heading out to a site. 

If you're going out by yourself during the spring or fall migration seasons, check the Cornell Lab of Ornithology's BirdCast site for up to date forecasts of best days. 

Keep in mind the following:

In order to conserve energy in flight, many birds migrate at night when the atmosphere is more stable, free of thermals, and cooler. Also, at night there is less danger from predators (hawks especially don't see as well at night as in the daytime). 

     Some species use the stars to navigate, although light pollution from urban areas has
    made this more difficult or impossible. 

     Birds migrating at night rest during the day. Best viewing will be in the morning and at
    dusk. 

  
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RECOMMENDED ANYTIME
Gunnery Sergeant Jeffrey S. Ames Accessible Nature Trail 

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Spring 2026 Bird Walks 

General Notes:
Check back for complete details, directions, and last minute changes.

If transportation to a club walk is a problem, email the bird club (address below) and we will try to help. 

Wednesdays, April 29 - June 10, Mill Brook, Northfield, 8:00 a.m.

Directions: Meet in the parking lot behind the Northfield Dickinson Library, 115 Main Street, Northfield. Walks usually last around two hours. 

Saturdays, meeting time unless otherwise indicated is 8:30 a.m. at the site. 

April 18 - Waterfowl Program at Branch Bridge, Lake Rohunta.
During early spring many species of ducks arrive on migration and pass through our area headed north. This trip will visit several ponds in the Petersham area in search of these transients as well as the few species that remain to nest. The first stop will be at Branch Bridge at Lake Rohunta (see directions). The trip will conclude with lunch at the Petersham country store. 

Directions: From the town hall drive south to Rte 2, then east for approximately 10 miles to Exit 71 (Rte 202). At the bottom of the ramp turn left and go .8 miles to Old South Street (sign), Athol. Follow Old South Street 1.4 miles to Branch Bridge Road (sign). Turn left and follow to Lake Rohunta and the bridge. 

Saturday, April 25, Eagle Reserve, 55 Winchendon Road, Royalston. Directions:  Head north on MA-10 to Winchester, NH: Turn right onto NH-119 E/Richmond Rd. Turn right onto NH-32 South which becomes MA-32 South. Turn left onto Winchendon Road. Destination will be on the left.  David H. Small Community Nature Trail at Eagle Reserve.  

Saturday, May 2, Camp Warwick (former prison Camp),  Warwick, MA. 

Directions: From Northfield, take Warwick Road to Warwick center. From Warwick center, drive southeast on Athol Road for about one and a half miles. Turn left onto Richmond Road. The remnants of the camp are about a mile and a half from that intersection and on the right. There is a white brick post marking the parking area. 

Saturday, May 9, Hinsdale Setbacks, Hinsdale, NH. 

Directions : The parking lot is in Hinsdale, NH at the corner of Rt 119 and Prospect Street.  If approaching from the south or east, go past the High School on your left, then down the hill. At the bottom of the hill, take a very sharp left turn into the parking lot. 

Saturday, May 16, Blake Town Forest, Gill, MA.

Directions: Blake Town Forest, Gill. From Northfield, drive West on Rt. 10 and turn left onto Turners Falls Road which shortly becomes West Gill Road.  Just before the now defunct Oak Ridge Golf Course, turn right onto Hoe Shop Road and drive 1/4 mile to the parking lot and kiosk on your right. From the West (Bernardston and Rt. I-91) head East on Rt. 10 and turn right onto Merrifield Rd . Proceed until Merrifield Road  comes to a T.  Turn right and pretty quickly just before the Fall River bridge turn left onto Hoe Shop Rd. Follow Hoe Shop Rd. for 1/4 mile to the parking lot and kiosk on your left.  

Saturday, May 23, Gunnery Sergeant Jeffrey S. Ames Accessible Nature Trail at Alderbrook (also known as the Alderbrook Meadows Wildlife Sanctuary. Description.
Directions: drive 2.2 miles south from the Northfield Town Hall on Main Street/MA Route 63 and look for the parking lot on your left. Carpooling from the Town Hall is recommended as the parking lot at Alderbrook is small. 

Saturday, May 30, Old Wendell Road, 9-Noon to observe Bobolinks in a meadow near the Northfield-Erving town line and walk part of the  New England National Scenic Trail.  More on Bobolinks 

Directions:  From the intersection of MA-10/63 south of Northfield center, drive 1.8  miles south and turn left onto South Mountain Road.  Drive 3.6 miles up South Mountain Road to the intersection with Old Wendell Road. Turn right onto Old Wendell Road and drive about a mile until you see the meadow on your right (there is a First Light tower in the meadow). Park alongside the road. 

Saturday, June 6, Paddling on Long Pond, beginning at 9:00 a.m.
Bring your canoe or kayak and meet at the canoe launch on Doane Hill Road in Royalston at 9:00 a.m. The Tully River/Long Pond area is rich in wildlife. Many wetland and bankside birds can be seen from your canoe or kayak, with the added advantage that you don't have to watch your feet all the time. Plan on a full morning of easy paddling as we cruise the shoreline watching for birds, aquatic mammals and their evidence. Bring plenty of water and a snack. Life vests are required.

Directions from Northfield to the Tully River canoe launch: From the center of Northfield drive east up Warwick Road  and at the junction with Wendell Road bear left into the village. At the stop sign continue straight onto Athol road and follow it for about 8 miles through Tully, past Packard Pond and a little beyond the Orange fire station, then turn left onto Fryville Road. At the junction with Rte 32 turn left, pass Tully Lake, and then turn right onto Doane Hill Road. Go down the road, past the Tully Lake campground to the canoe launch at the bottom of the hill just over the river. (Fryville Road and Doane Hill road are both signed.) Plan to arrive by 9 a.m. 

Saturday, June 13, Northfield Mountain Recreation and Environmental Center. 

This event includes a Thursday program and  a walk the following Saturday. See the Programs page for a description of the program: “Birds of Summer,” Thursday, June 11, 6-7:30 p.m. 

Directions: From downtown Northfield, drive 6.4 miles south on Millers Falls Road/ Rt. 63, then turn left into the Center located at 99 Millers Falls Road. If driving directly to the site along the Connecticut River, turn right at the "Riverview Picnic Area" sign across the road from the entrance to Northfield Mountain. 

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Click here to find out more about our usual venues and to review birding results of some past walks.    

Members Birding Notes
Reports by individual members are not official club walk results. For sightings or hearings to become official club results they must have occurred on a scheduled walk and have been witnessed by two or more participants. 

 Download - a printable two page PDF copy of a local bird checklist provided by the Athol Bird and Nature Club.

Warbler Identification Guide (from Cornell)