Fyke Events and Field Trips
Please register with the leader to facilitate planning and to enable last-minute communication about any changes or cancellation on account of the weather. Beginners are welcome.
September 1 - November 15, 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM
Mt. Peter Hawk Watch
Mount Peter would welcome new counters/leaders this fall. If you are all interested, consider becoming part of our hawk watch family and contact Judy Cinquina. Fyke members can also help with the count or just keep a lonely hawk watcher company. Best time to visit is between September 11 and 21 for "kettles" of Broad-winged Hawks climbing thermals up to the clouds. Mid to late October the Sharp-shinned and Cooper's Hawks flap and glide past the lookout following the migrant songbirds, and the end of October through November 15, the big guys come through—Red-shouldered and Red-tailed Hawks. Bald Eagles, Osprey, Peregrines, Northern Harriers, and Osprey are possible any time. And don't forget the homemade ice cream available at the Creamery below the lookout. The watch begins September 1, 2023, and continues daily from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. until November 15. Contact Judy Cinquina to volunteer or for more information.
Directions: click here to open Google Maps. The lookout is located on the top of 17A, between Greenwood Lake and Warwick, NY, and is marked by a pair of microwave towers. To reach the lookout, take Route 17 through Tuxedo to 17A and turn left. Follow 17A up the mountain and into Greenwood Lake. Keep right when you reach the lake and follow 17A up the second mountain. When you reach the top, you will see a sign for Bellvale Farms Creamery (excellent homemade ice cream) ahead. Turn right at the ice cream shop onto Kain Road and turn right again up the pot- holed dirt road to the lot or park down below.
October 8, 2023, Sunday
The Big Sit! at the Celery Farm
The Big Sit! is an annual, international, noncompetitive birding event. Our team, The Celery Stalkers, sits in a circle 17 feet in diameter for 24 hours counting all the bird species we see or hear. The center of our circle is the Pirie-Mayhood Tower. Observations can only be made within the 17 foot circle. If a bird is seen or heard from within the circle but is too distant to identify, you may leave the circle to get a closer look. Any new bird species seen or heard while out of the circle cannot be counted unless it is seen or heard by someone in the circle or you see it again when you return to the circle.
To sign up for a 2-3 hour team contact Carol Flanagan, carolflana@aol.com.
Every Sunday 8:00 AM to 9:00 AM at the Celery Farm
Usually on the Pirie-Mayhood Tower platformHour on the Tower
Everyone is invited to join with the group of regulars who keep a list of every species of bird they can identify over the course of one hour. It's a good way to improve your birding skills and catch up on Celery Farm news. The location may shift between the Pirie-Mayhood Tower platform on the east side of Lake Appert and the Warden's Watch platform near the Franklin Turnpike parking area. Contact Gaby Schmitt to find out where to meet up.
Self-Directed Exploration Open to Fyke Members
North Harpersfield Property
George Rand and Pamela Ryder invite Fyke members to visit 135 acres of forest, field, stream, and pond in upstate NY. Please download and print this document,which contains essential information you must read before your visit, including directions, contact numbers, waiver, lodging, and area attractions. You will also want to download and print this map of the property and this release and waiver document.