Birder field trips set

The Rochester Birding Association has scheduled nine free introductory field trips for people who want to learn about local birding hot spots and polish their bird identification skills. The first trip will be Sunday, January 23 and will focus on gulls and wintering waterfowl.

"The Rochester area is one of the top places in the U.S. to watch birds," said Bob Mauceli, RBA president. "These trips will be going to the best locations at the best times of year to see the birds that live in our area or migrate through it."

The RBA's series of beginner birder field trips are led by professionals or experienced birders. The tours are aimed at beginners.

"These field trips are designed to take enough time so that everyone on the trip sees each bird well and learns about its behavior and distinguishing characteristics," Mauceli said.

The January 23 field trip will visit the Irondequoit Bay outlet, the shore of Lake Ontario and the outlet of the Genesee River. Birders might expect to see a variety of wintering waterfowl and gulls including scoters, long-tailed ducks, goldeneyes and Bonaparte's gulls. The group will meet in the Irondequoit Bay parking lot at the northern terminus of I-590 at 8:30 a.m. Participants should dress warmly and bring binoculars and field guides if they have them.

Other field trips will go to Braddock Bay, Duran Eastman Park, Island Cottage Woods, Montezuma National Wildlife Refuge, Owl Woods, Badgerow Park, Hamlin Beach State Park and other nearby birding spots.

The Rochester Birding Association also conducts a full schedule of field trips and monthly meetings with educational programs. The organization was founded in 1975 by local birders.

For information about the free field trip, call 716-628-8226 or 473-1679 or visit Rochester Birding Association, www.rochesterbirding.com. For a schedule of field trips, please send a self-addressed, stamped envelope to Rochester Birding Association, 8 Chipmunk Trail, Pittsford, NY 14534 or check the RBA Website.