2026 Spring Walks

The Mad River Valley is blessed with a variety of habitats, each attracting various species of birds.  Habitats include:  Deciduous Woods (hardwoods), Coniferous Woods (softwoods), Mixed Woods, Wetlands, Grasslands and Agricultural Lands, Residential, Riparian, Alpine (mountaintops).  Learning which species prefer which habitats is part of the fun of birding the Valley. Join us on our walks to explore our region along with other birding enthusiasts.

2026 Spring Schedule

4/30 (Thurs.) 7:00pm Woodcock Walk at Fayston Town Forest - Boyce Hill Road - Leaders Janet Saylor and Pat Folsom- If possible,  casual carpool from Fayston Park & Ride at 866 North Fayston Road (Fayston Town Hall) at 6:45 PM to meet at Fayston Town Forest at the end of Boyce Hill Road. NOTE: This is an evening walk. Bring a flashlight and wear light colored or reflective clothing. You may also want to bring a tarp or blanket to place on the ground for easy viewing.

5/7 (Thurs)  7:30am Center Fayston Road Mohr Property - Leader - Jeannie Elias - Meet 2 miles up Center Fayston Rd. from Route 100, just after the “S” curve. Park in unmarked driveway on the left. Sturdy footwear recommended.

5/9 (Sat.) 8:00am Pratt Refuge -Leaders Pat Folsom, Ali Wagner and Jeannie Elias - Casual carpooling, while optional, is strongly advised  as parking is limited. Meet to carpool at Harwood High School at 7:45 AM and then drive 2.1 miles up on Ward Hill Road off Route 100 in Duxbury near the hand-painted sign at the bottom of the driveway on the left that has a mailbox with Pratt on it. 

5/9 (Sat.) 2:30pm Birding by Ear Workshop, Moretown Town Hall 1147 Route 100B in Moretown - Presenter - Jeannie Elias. Learn more about identifying birds by their songs at this informative and fun workshop cosponsored by the Moretown Library and the Mad Birders.

5/10 (Sun.) 8AM-10AM Pony Farm Road Walk - Leader - Jeannie Elias. This bird walk is open to all, but is a follow up to the 5/9 Birding by Ear Workshop and will focus on identifying birds by ear, as well as by sight. Take Pony Farm Road uphill from the southern end of Moretown Village, the walk begins at 182 Pony Farm Road at the top of the first hill. Park at the Farmstand.

5/12 (Tues.) 8:00am Tree Identification Walk -Warren School Mad River Path- Leaders - Brandon Benedict– Washington County Forester, and Tammy Tuck. Learn how to identify many common and uncommon species of trees with help from our local County Forester. Park near Warren Dog Park just beyond Warren School.

5/14 (Thurs.) 7:30am Red Fence -Center Fayston Road - Leader Jeannie Elias  - Drive to driveway at 2738 Center Fayston Road (Small brown post on right side of road) Post is 2.738 miles up from Route 100 and PARK ON ROAD.

5/16 (Sat.) 8:00am Wallace Farm - Spring Migration Birdwalk at the Wallace Farm. Join us at the Farm at 1903 Blush Hill Road in Waterbury! All are welcome! Leaders Ali Wagner and Pat Folsom - You may also want to meet at the Waterbury Park and Ride @ 201 Lincoln Street (off Stowe Street) at 7:40 am for casual carpool.

5/18 (Mon.) 7:30 am Long Road - Leader -Jeannie Elias Park at beginning of Long Road near intersection with East Road in Waitsfield.

5/20 (Weds.) 7:30 am Freeman Hill Walk - Leader -Jeannie Elias. Meet at Mountain View Cemetery .2 miles up Freeman Hill Road from Route 100b in Moretown.

5/23 (Sat.) 8:00 am Knoll Farm Bird Walk. Leaders Nancy Turner and Tammy Tuck. Casual Carpooling is optional but strongly encouraged. Meet at Shaw’s Grocery Store in Waitsfield at 7:45 AM and drive to 700 Bragg Hill Road in Fayston. This walk will traverse the farm’s fields with the possibility of tall or wet grasses; wear appropriate footwear and be prepared to slowly walk up the farm’s hillside, with its amazing views into the valley below.

5/28 (Thurs.) 7:30 am  - Boyce Hill Road -Fayston Town Forest- Leaders Janet Saylor and Macy Moulton- If possible,  casual carpool from Fayston Park & Ride at 866 North Fayston Road (Fayston Town Hall) at 7:15 am to drive to the end of Boyce Hill Road.

5/30 (Sat.) 8:00 am Scragg Mountain -Waitsfield Town Forest  - Meet in the parking area at the end of Bowen Road -  Leaders- Janet Saylor and Tammy Tuck

6/4 (Thurs.) 7:30 am Moretown Common walk. Leader Pat Folsom- 3342 Moretown Common Rd. Shared driveway with (3316), house is up the hill at the end of  the driveway.

6/6 Sat. 8:00 am Bigger Picture/ Lawson’s Mad River Path Boardwalk- Park in parking area off Carroll Road Waitsfield -Leader - Pat Folsom

6/11 (Thurs.) 7:30 am Bee Walk -Join Spencer Hardy and Janet Saylor at Boyce Hill Road-Fayston Town Forest for a Bee Walk. If possible,  casual carpool from Fayston Park & Ride at 866 North Fayston Road (Fayston Town Hall) at 7:15 am to meet at Fayston Town Forest at the end of Boyce Hill Road. Spencer will help participants identify and learn about different species of bees, their preferred habitat and their role in maintaining the diverse ecosystems of Vermont.

6/13 (Sat.) 8:00 am Parker Property Granville - (Monitoring Walk) in Granville Leader Pat Folsom. Meet at 7:30AM at 3681 E. Warren Rd, Waitsfield (Pat’s) to carpool. 

6/19 (Friday) 7:00 am [Tentative] - Birding by Boat -Blueberry Lake Leader-Jeannie Elias Meet at north parking lot at the end of Blueberry Lake Road off Plunkton Road. Bring your own boat. All birders must bring and wear a Personal Flotation Device to participate in this event. Birders will very slowly circumnavigate the lake looking and listening for birds.

*6/4 or 6/11 Thursday (4 PM) Possible Pratt Refuge Trail Ribbon Cutting] Date and Details TBA

Check out some of the birds that we often see in the photos of summer visitors in the gallery below.