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For more information on how you and your children can connect with nature click on the logo above. When you click on this link you will be leaving the Iroquios NWR website.

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Beginning birders and nature enthusiasts. Here is your chance to learn more about the natural world in your own back yard. Iroquois National Wildlife Refuge has been recognized by the National Audubon Society as an "Important Bird Area" and offers many opportunities year round for bird and other wildlife observation or nature study.

Photo of birders on observation platform; Photo credit- James Tench

In partnership with the Iroquois National Wildlife Refuge members of the Buffalo Audubon Society will present special wildlife and nature observation programs at the Refuge. Most of the programs are scheduled for Saturdays spring and fall. The programs are free to the public and everyone is invited.    

Here are the types of programs scheduled:

"Focus on ..." is a guest lecture series to focus nature related subjects and will take place in the auditorium of the Refuge Office, 1101 Casey Road.  

Eagle Watch - (Formerly called Scope Watch) -- for the whole family. Come to Cayuga Overlook and join experienced birders as we scope out migrating ducks, swans, geese and nesting bald eagles. Cayuga Overlook has been listed as a Watchable Wildlife Site.

Birding Field Trips - Explore INWR and surrounding bird hot spots by car or by foot (weather permitting).  See what the Refuge has to offer. In 2009 each field trip will have a theme such as raptors, waterfowl, marsh birds, etc.

Nature /Bird Walks - (the whole family).  Bring the kids and look for birds, wildlife and other signs of spring.  Binoculars may be helpful.  Don't forget your camera.   Walks will be between 1 - 2 miles in length over generally flat terrain.  Dress for the weather. Bring insect repellent, sun block and drinking water, as needed. 

Owl Prowls - An after dark exploration for owls on the prowl.   Be prepared for on and off-road walk.  You may need to caravan to another site(s) at the leader's discretion.  Bring a flashlight.  New this year, due to the popularity of this activity, pre-registration is required so that enough leaders can be scheduled.

Woodcock Walk - Enjoy a spring evening looking and listening for this elusive bird.  We may event get to witness its curious mating ritual.  Meet at Swallow Hollow Nature Trail.

Special Evening Program - Find out about our local owls.  Spend a summer evening learning about the critters and insects that come out at night.  Do some star gazing.   A fun night for the whole family.  Meet at Kanyoo Nature Trail.  

Canoe Trip -Bring a canoe for a great trip on Oak Orchard Creek. Meet at the bridge on Knowlsville Road. Life jackets or other personal flotation device is required. No alcohol.

The 2009 schedule is finalized. 2009 schedule of programs (4.02 MB pdf file)

You will need This link opens in a new windowAdobe Reader software to open the pdf document above. If you do not have this software, you may obtain it free of charge by following the link above.

Programs may be subject to change.

To check for updates contact Buffalo Audubon Society.

Saturday,
March 28
1 pm - 4 pm -- Eagle Watch (Weather Permiting) Meet at Cayuga Overlook.

7:30 - 9:30 pm -- Owl Prowl. Meet at the refuge office, 1101 Casey Road. There will be a brief orientation and then groups will caravan/car pool to the prowl location. NEW! Pre-registration is required. Call refuge office at 585-948-5445.

Saturday,
April 4
9 am - 12 pm -- Raptor Field Trip -- Bring your own car to caravan to look for birds of prey.
1 pm - 2 pm -- Focus On... Nature Sketching with Mary McAndrew. Bring a sketch pad and pencils;

1 pm - 4 pm -- Eagle Watch (Weather Permiting) Meet at Cayuga Overlook.

Saturday,
April 11
9 am - noon -- Waterfowl Field Trip -- Bring your own car to look for migrating ducks and geese. Meet at Cayuga Overlook.
1 pm - 2 pm -- Focus on...Breeding Bird Surveys with refuge biologist Dawn Washington
1 pm - 4 pm -- Eagle Watch. Meet at Cayuga Overlook.
7:30 pm - 9 pm -- Woodcock Walk. Meet at Swallow Hollow.
Saturday,
April 18
9 am - noon -- Birding Field Trip to Batavia Waste Water Treatment Plant (WWTP). Meet at Cayuga Overlook at 9 am and caravan or meet at the WWTP at 9:30 am.
1 pm - 2 pm -- Focus On...Bald Eagles with Mike Allen.
1 pm - 4 pm -- Eagle Watch. Meet at Cayuga Overlook.
Saturday,
April 25

Spring Into Nature - a variety of family activities, exhibits and presentations at the refuge office.

1 pm - 4 pm -- Eagle Watch. Meet at Cayuga Overlook.
Saturday,
May 2
8 am - 10 am-- Warbler Walk on Swallow Hollow
10 am - noon - Warbler Walk -- meet at Swallow Hollow. We will check out Oak Orchard WMA (across the road) for migrating warblers and other birds.

1 pm - 2 pm -- Focus On...Skulls and Bones with Bob VanStone.

3 pm - 4 pm -- Tree ID Walk with Marie & Iesa Erck. Meet at Kanyoo Nature Trail.
6 pm - 8 pm -- Secretive Birds of the Marsh Field Trip-- meet at Kanyoo Trail. We will caravan to birding sites to search for Bitterns, Rails and other birds that live in the marsh..
8:30 pm - 10:30 pm -- Owl Prowl. Meet at the refuge office, 1101 Casey Road. There will be a brief orientation and then groups will caravan/car pool to the prowl location. NEW! Pre-registration is required. Call refuge office at 585-948-5445.
Sunday,
May 3
9 am - 1 pm -- Canoe Trip. Meet at Knowlesville Road Bridge. Bring your own canoe. Personal floatation devices required. Alcohol is not allowed on the refuge.
Saturday,
May 9

International Migratory Bird Day

8 am - 10 am -- Warbler Walk on Kanyoo Trail
10 am - 12 pm -- Warbler Walk -- Meet at Kanyoo Trail. We caravan to look for Prothonotary Warblers.
1 pm - 2 pm -- Focus On...Hummingbirds with Karen Colton.

Saturday,
June 20

Special Evening Program
8 pm - 9 pm -- Owls of the Night -- Wendi Pencille with live owls
9 pm -- Kids Activities
9-11 pm -- Bugs by Nightlight -- Toby Mansfield
9- 11 pm -- Star Gazing with the Rochester Astronomy Club

Fall Programs - 2009

Saturday, August 29 9 am - 11 am -- End of Summer Birds Field Trip -- meet at Kanyoo Trail. We'll caravan to look for shorebirds and warblers.
Saturday, September 26 1 pm - 3 pm -- Nature Walk -- Join Chuck Rosenburg for a Tree ID walk. Meet at Kanyoo Trail.
Sunday, October 4 9 am - 1 pm -- Canoe Trip. Meet at Knowlesville Road Bridge. Bring your own canoe. Personal floatation devices required. Alcohol is not allowed on the refuge.
Saturday, October 24 7:00 - 9:00 pm -- Owl Prowl. Meet at the refuge office, 1101 Casey Road. There will be a brief orientation and then groups will caravan/car pool to the prowl location. NEW! Pre-registration is required. Call refuge office at 585-948-5445.


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This page updated: March 18, 2009