Photo: Lang Elliott

Time

9:30 AM

Location

Hinchcliff Family Preserve – town of Spafford

Registration

None required — free and open to the public.  The walks are free but donations are heartily welcomed. We will be keeping a tally of bird species found on Land Trust properties during Spring Bird Quest. Please let us know if you would like to make a pledge per bird species found and we will let you know the total count once the numbers are in.  Contact us at info@fllt.org or by calling (607) 275-9487. General donations are welcome too.  Gifts can be made online – please click the box that says “This gift is in honor or memory of someone” and type in: Spring Bird Quest.

Description

Join us for a walk led by experienced birder Mark Chao above the eastern shore of Skaneateles Lake. The Hinchcliff Family Preserve offers impressive vistas and diverse habitats including grassy clearings and hemlock-hardwood forests, as well as several ephemeral and perennial streams, gullies, and waterfalls. This walk may involve some limited steep climbs. Bring binoculars if you have them.  Beginning birders welcome! See the full list of Spring Bird Quest events on Memorial Day weekend.

Directions

The Hinchcliff Family Preserve lies at the end of Covey Road off Route 41 in Spafford, Onondaga County. From Skaneateles, take Route 41 south for 14 miles, then turn right onto Covey Road. The preserve’s parking lot lies at the end of the road. From Ithaca or Cortland, take Route 13 north to Route 281 north, then take a left onto Route 41 north in Homer. Stay on Route 41 north for about 11 miles, then take a left onto Covey Road to the preserve.

From the High Vista Nature Preserve, head north on Vincent Hill Rd. toward Route 41 north. Turn left onto Route 41 and drive approximately one mile to turn left on Covey Road. The preserve’s parking lot lies at the end of the road.

Policies

Except in the case of extreme weather, walks go rain, sun or snow. Please check our Facebook page or this web page for updates.

Please refrain from bringing dogs as they may impede the observation of wildlife.