Welcome to Queens County Bird Club

Whether you’re a beginner or an expert, prefer short trips or birding all day, you will feel at home!

The Queens County Bird Club Inc. is a “Full Service” organization of naturalists:
Monthly Meetings – Noted speakers, vivid presentations
Field Trips – half-day, all-day, weekend
Conservation – projects, advocacy, support

NEXT MEETING is LIVE – Wednesday, April 16th, 2025 7:30 – 9:30 pm.

Presentation – “The Birds of Trinidad and Panama” – with Ashley Pichon

Ashley Pichon officially started birding in March of 2022, with the North Shore Audubon Society. She bought her camera around the same time and began learning bird photography alongside traditional birding. Both quickly became an obsession. Ashley spent her first year in the field being mentored by members of the NSAS, without whom she says she’d know “nothing.” The following year, she met several people who specifically traveled to bird. One day, after someone else dropped out of a trip, they invited Ashley to Trinidad. Without considering any of the details, she booked her flight that day and downloaded a new bird pack into Merlin. Two months later, she joined a group of birders and bird photographers on what was a seminal trip through the various bird habitats on the island. When she returned, she was fully hooked and soon ventured to Anton Valley, Panama. This presentation will feature many of the birds and habitats Ashley encountered while traveling through both countries.

Venue: Alley Pond Environmental Center – NEW BUILDING
229-10 Northern Blvd
Douglaston, NY 11362 (map)

Upcoming field trips – see Calendar link for details and registration info

Shu Swamp – Eric Miller

When: Sunday, April 19th – 8am to 12pm
Where: Shu Swamp
Description:

Explore this beautiful natural area, part of a system of interconnecting waterways that empty into Mill Creek, then Oyster Bay. Shu Swamp at this time is a magnet for Purple Finch and migrating warblers. Paths are muddy – wear waterproof shoes or boots. Park on the lot on Frost Mill Road, just south of the LIRR overpass – see map

Please call the trip leader to register for this trip.
Cape May, NJ Trip (tentative) – Joe Schiavone 203-640-2927

When: Friday to Sunday, April 25 – 27, 2025
Where: Cape May, NJ area
Description:

Many birders descend upon the Cape May area every spring to witness the spectacle of migration. To some, May is the best month for birding at Cape May, when migrating and resident songbirds, shorebirds, raptors, waders, seabirds all add to the excitement of birding in this relatively small area. It’s no accident that the World Series of Birding is held this month!. With so many great individual birding destinations scattered around southeastern New Jersey, you have plenty of choice locations to visit, with short driving distances between them. Several different habitat types can be covered in a few days, including ocean shore, salt marsh, freshwater marsh, field and forest. Migrants pour through all month and many interesting nesting species are present.
Please call the trip leader to register for this trip.
Forest Park – Jean L. (917-575-6824 – text)

When: Sunday, May 4th – 7:30am to 12:30pm
Where: Forest Park
Description:

Enjoy a jaunt through Forest Park, including a stop at the “Water Hole”, which many returning warblers include in their itinerary.

Meet at Park Lane South and Mayfair Rd, Richmond Hill, NY 11418. See map.

You must contact the trip leader to register. Prefer text 917-575-6824 or email dm5078@aol.com.
Big Day – Multiple Queens Sites/Leaders: Ian Resnick (917-626-9562) & Eric Miller (917-279-7530)

When: Saturday, May 10th 6:30am – 4:00pm
Where: Queens – Alley Pond Park / Jamaica Bay Wildlife Refuge / Ridgewood Reservoir / Forest Park
Description:

Big Day is an informal competition in which we try to see as many species as possible in one day.

Ian Resnick (917-626-9562) is the leader for Alley Pond Park and Jamaica Bay Wildlife Refuge.

Eric Miller (917-279-7530) is the leader for Ridgewood Reservoir and Forest Park.

Please register with the leader if you plan on joining us for the field trip.
Doodletown/Sterling Forest – Ian Resnick – 917-626-9562

When: Saturday, May 17th
Where: Doodletown Meeting Point
Description:

All day trip. Historic, scenic Doodletown is a magnet for warblers, including Hooded and Cerulean.

Involves some easy hiking on hilly paths. Please pack your own lunch. Contact trip leader for meeting time. Use link above for trailhead parking location.

Contact Trip Leader to register for this trip.
QCBC Monthly Meeting – “Romania” with Mack Chitulescu

When: Wednesday, May 21st 7:30pm – 9:30pm
Where: Alley Pond Environmental Center – NEW BUILDING
229-10 Northern Blvd
Douglaston, NY 11362 (map)
Description:

Birding in Romania. More details to follow closer to the date of the event.
Bashakill and Shawangunk – Ian Resnick 917-626-9562

When: Saturday, May 24th
Where: Bashakill meeting point
Description:

All day trip. Explore the Bashakill Wildlife Management Area in Sullivan County, NY, featuring extensive marsh and forested areas between two mountain ranges. Plus a side trip to Shawangunk Grasslands NWR.

Please contact trip leader for meeting time and location. Ask whether to pack a lunch or whether to plan on eating lunch out.

You must contact the trip leader to register.
Ward Pound Ridge – Eric Miller – 917-279-7530

When: Sunday, June 1st
Where: Ward Pound Ridge – Westchester County
Description:

QCBC’s annual trip to Ward Pound Ridge Reservation in northern Westchester County.

There are two meeting places, depending on your time of arrival. You must be inside the Ward Pound Ridge entrance prior to 8 am to avoid a vehicle use fee.

This is a socially-distanced trip with limited registration. You must contact the trip leader to register.
QCBC Monthly Meeting – “”Birding in England with side trips to Amsterdam and Germany” with Jennifer Pines

When: Wednesday, June 18th 7:30pm – 9:30pm
Where: Alley Pond Environmental Center – NEW BUILDING
229-10 Northern Blvd
Douglaston, NY 11362 (map)
Description:

More information to follow closer to the date of the meeting.
Nickerson Beach – Mike Zito 516-507-9419

When: Saturday, June 21st 7:30am – 12:30pm
Where: Nickerson Beach meeting point
Description:
The first part of this trip is Nickerson Beach, where we will view various species of terns, hopefully some that are rare to our area. Common Terns, which nest on this beach, will be abundant.
Plumb Beach – Joe Schiavone (203) 640-2927

When: Sunday, July 20th 7:30am – 10:30am
Where: Plumb Beach
Description:

This mini-trip will explore the marshy areas of Plumb Beach. Expecting to find Saltmarsh Sparrows, perhaps a Nelson’s too, as well as Clapper Rails.

Contact the trip leader to register for this trip.

Hear a podcast of “It’s In Queens” featuring an interview with QCBC President Ian Resnick here.