Join us for a leisurely birding experience at Sheep Hill with former Audubon chapter president and Williamstown local Tommy Richey. We will start at the farmhouse – looking for birds in the willows around Josiah’s Pond and the wetlands boardwalk before continuing a short way (< 0.25 miles) along the Sheep Hill trails. Tommy will guide you by sound and sight to meet migratory birds passing through Williamstown. Target birds include yellow warbler, eastern phoebe, american kestrel and field sparrows. Open to any level of birder – absolute beginner to expert!
Meet at the farmhouse. Please leave furred friends at home. Suggested donation $5 – $10.
For general or accessibility questions, see below or email programs@rurallands.org.
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Parking at Sheep Hill: There are two small-sized crushed stone parking lots: one is at the bottom of the driveway by the road and the other is behind the farmhouse. There is one ADA-compliant parking spot just in front of the farmhouse. Overflow parking is available at the Bullock Ledge Wildlife Management Area Parking just before the Sheep Hill driveway. Please be careful walking along Rt. 2 if you park here!
Facilities at Sheep Hill: Wheelchair accessible bathrooms are available in the farmhouse, which also has heated indoor space and seating.
Surfaces & Terrain: Birding near the pond can be done from the crushed stone driveway. The boardwalk is made of composite material. We will otherwise be on mowed grass. The trails are mowed grass but can be muddy or wet in spots. The longest trail covered is Meadow Walk, ~0.25 miles with less than 50 ft elevation gain. There are various picnic tables and chairs around the pond to provide seating.
What to bring: Please check the weather before arriving and bring appropriate clothing that will be warm. Binocular are available for loan.
Cancellation: Adverse weather such extreme cold or heavy rain will cancel this event. A cancellation email will be sent to registered participants the night prior to the event and updates will be posted to this page and on social media. If you have registered but find you will not be able to attend, you can make your spot available for another person by going to ‘manage my bookings’ at the bottom of this page and hitting ‘cancel’ next to the program name.