Spring is Near!

Despite last week’s significant snowstorm reminding us all that it was still winter, the vernal equinox will indeed occur early this week.

With longer days to come, the new season will begin heralding the emergence of a myriad of wildflowers and the unfurling of tree leaves throughout our area.

Common Shadbush – downy underside of emerging leaves

Emerging False Hellebore leaves

Consider these activities as part of your adventures this spring –

• Vernal Equinox Hike (March 20, 1-2pm)
• Parent and Me Hike at Kinns Road Park (March 29, 9:30-10:30am)
• Signs of Spring (April 1, 11am-1pm)
• Parent and Me Hike at Veterans Memorial Park (April 5, 9:30-10:30am)
• Wild and Wacky Woodcock Walk (April 6 and 11; each at 7-8:30pm)
• Stewardship Hike at Peter Desrochers Memorial Trails (April 7, 1-3pm)
• Fire Ecology Walk (April 8 @ 11am)
• Birdwatching – Vischer Ferry Nature and Historic Preserve (April 16, 8am-noon)
• 2.6-mile Spring Hike (April 17, 1-3:30pm)
• Woodcock Walk (April 18 @ 7pm)
• Great Dune Hike (April 19, 11am-1pm)
• Pond Trek (April 21, 10-11:30am)
• Earth Day Celebration (April 22 @ 9am)
• Capital Region Grown Up Egg Hunt (April 23, 1-3pm)
• Bird Walk at Albany Rural Cemetery (April 29, 7:30-10am)
• Birdwatching – Peebles Island State Park (April 30, 8:30am-noon)
• Stewardship Hike at Hayes Nature Park (May 5, 1-3pm)
• Birdwatching – Papscanee Island Nature Preserve (May 6, 7:30am-noon)
• Learn to Fish Day (May 6, 9am-1pm)
• Wildflower Walk along Zim Smith Trail – Town of Halfmoon (May 6, 10am-noon)
• Birdwatching – Vischer Ferry Nature and Historic Preserve (May 7, 7:30am-noon)
• Vischer Ferry History and Nature Celebration (May 12-13)
• Birds and Bagels (May 13, 7-9:30am)
• Birdwatching – Dusk at 100 Acre Woods (May 13, 7-9:30pm)
• 7^th Annual Winter Raptor Fest (May 13-14, 10-4pm and 11am-4pm, respectively)
• Birdwatching – Bog Meadow Brook (May 14, 7:30am-noon)
• Spring Bird Walk (May 20, 8-11am)
• Birdwatching – Schodack Island State Park (May 21, 7:30am-noon)
• Karner Blue Butterfly Walk (May 27, 11am-12:30pm; May 29, 1-2:30pm)
• Stewardship Hike at Steinmetz Site (June 2, 1-3pm)
• 23^rd Annual Guided Bike Tour (June 4, 1-4pm)
• Birdwatching – H.G. Reist Sanctuary (June 10, 8am-noon)
• Wildflower Walk along Zim Smith Trail – Town of Ballston (June 14, 5:30-7:30pm)

I have compiled five new wildflower field guides; you can view or download them here.  I hope they help you learn about wildflowers that can be viewed at some of our local nature preserves, parks and trails.

Lastly, I have scheduled several wildflower walks this year, including those listed above.  Please join me.

Happy trails!