Paseos matinales

Early risers at AOS 2026 are invited to join us for morning bird walks in and around Amherst! These offer great opportunities to add to your life list and enjoy the natural beauty and exciting wildlife around this beautiful area. Details about meet-up times and locations will be added closer to the meeting dates. Please see our Field Trips page (coming soon!) for more adventurous outings during AOS 2026!

Orchard Hill

Organizador: Local Host Committee

Monday, 3 August, 6:30–7:30 a.m.

Friday, 7 August, 6:30–7:30 a.m.

Ubicación: Orchard Hill

Lugar de encuentro: TBA

Join us for an approximately one-hour bird walk at Orchard Hill on the University of Massachusetts campus. We will walk through the trails and experience one of the best birding locations in Hampshire County. We should see local year-round residents such as Rose-breasted Grosbeak (Pheucticus ludovicianus), Baltimore Oriole (Icterus galbula), and Northern Flicker (Colaptes auratus). Orchard Hill is a consistent migrant trap, so we have the potential to see early migrant warblers and other songbirds. It continues to host avian research including migratory movement and stopover, foraging, and movement. 

Sylvan Woods and Fields

Organizador: Local Host Committee

Tuesday, 4 August 2026; 6:15–8:15 a.m.

Ubicación:  Sylvan Woods and Fields

Lugar de encuentro: TBA

Join us for a morning bird walk at the Sylvan Woods and Fields. This walk will go through hardwood forests, hemlock groves (with individual trees in excess of 200 years old), and agricultural fields that furnish teaching and research opportunities for the UMass Center for Agriculture, Food, and the Environment. Species to expect are Wood Thrush (Hylocichla mustelina), Pine Warbler (Setophaga pinus), Scarlet Tanager (Piranga olivacea), Savannah Sparrow (Passerculus sandwichensis), and American Kestrel (Falco sparverius). The site also provides ample opportunities to see early migrants.

Wildwood Cemetery

Organizador: Local Host Committee

Thursday, 6 August, 6:15–8:15 a.m.

Ubicación: Wildwood Cemetery

Lugar de encuentro: TBA

Join us for a morning of birding at the historic Wildwood Cemetery in Amherst. A premier hotspot in Amherst, the walk will go through woodlands, gardens, and around the scenic pond. This popular spot to see migrants will offer the potential to see numerous species in the early stages of migration. Other species to expect are Eastern Bluebird (Sialia sialis), Chipping Sparrow (Spizella passerina), Blue-winged Warbler (Vermivora cyanoptera), Northern Flicker (Colaptes auratus), Pileated Woodpecker (Dryocopus pileatus), Green Heron (Butorides virescens), and Wood Duck (Aix sponsa).