Arrival of Spring!

Despite the weekly snowstorms this month, 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 –

• Spring Equinox Hike (March 20 @ 5pm)
• Signs of Spring Nature Walk (March 24 @ 11am)
• Maple Sugar Open House (March 24 @ 1:30pm)
• Terrific Turtles (March 25 @ 1pm)
•  Almost Full Moon Hike (March 30 @ 5:30pm)
• Signs of Spring (March 31 @ 2pm)
• Moonlit Hike (March 31 @ 7:30pm)
• Fox Trot (April 2 @ 1pm)
• Wild and Wacky Woodcock Walk (April 5 @ 7pm)
• Night Walk with George Steele (April 6 @ 7pm)
• Astronomy Party (April 7 @ 8pm)
• West Sky Trail (April 13 @ 1pm)
• Woodcock Walk (April 13 @ 7pm)
• Early Migrants at Five Rivers Environmental Education Center (April 14 @ 7:30am)
• Signs of Spring Hike at Woodlawn Preserve (April 14 @ 11am)
• Bird Walk at Vischer Ferry Nature & Historic Preserve (April 15 @ 8am)
• Wild and Wacky Woodcock Walk (April 17 @ 7pm)
• Bird Walk at Albany Rural Cemetery (April 21 @ 7:30am)
• Early Spring Wildflowers at Thacher Park (April 21 @ 10am)
• Bird Walk at Peebles Island State Park (April 28 @ 8am)
• Moonlit Hike (April 28 @ 7:30pm)
• Wildflower Walk at Shenantaha Creek Park (May 1 @ 5:30pm)
• Mohawk Landing Nature Preserve (May 4 @ 1pm)
• Bird Walk along Stillwater School Nature Trail (May 5 @ 7:30am)
• Birds and Breakfast at Five Rivers (May 12 @ 6am)
• Spring Migration Bird Walk at Woodlawn Preserve (May 12 @ 7:30am)
• Bird Walk at Vischer Ferry Nature & Historic Preserve (May 13 @ 7:30am)
• Wildflower Walks along Historic Champlain Canalway Trail – A Trek Through Two Towns (Part 1 – May 15 @ 5:30pm)
• Bird Walk at Schodack Island State Park (May 20 @ 7:30am)
• Bird Walk at Normanskill Farm (May 26 @ 7:30am)
• Spring Bird Walk (June 2 @ 8am)
• Bird Walk at Galway Nature Preserve (June 17 @ 8am)

I have compiled two new wildflower field guides and updated/expanded another; 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!