Designed for beginning and novice birders, this walk will go beyond visual identification and into a broader understanding of ecology (for those already familiar with the hobby). SRSP is actually a great place to learn non-water birds because the year-round residents exhibit a variety of key aspects of birding - color design, body shape, feeding habits, bird sounds, flight differences, and habitat. SRSP is home for several similar pairs or triples of species that will hone invaluable birding skills. We will provide you with identification strategies, discuss guides, and phone apps before the walk which will be focused on your observations. At the end, you will be given a list of resources to continue with the hobby, and a matrix that summarizes the attributes of each common bird found in SRSP to super charge your explorations into bird ecology.
Meet at the White Barn parking lot. Tickets are $10 for general audiences, $5 for youth (12-17 year olds; must be accompanied by a parent or legal guardian), students, Sugarloaf members, Sugarloaf volunteers, and free for children under 12. Wear sun protection and comfortable shoes, bring at least a quart of water, and if desired, a snack. We recommend bringing binoculars if you have them, and downloading one of the following free apps to your phone: eBird, Merlin, or the Audubon Society Bird Guide. Please ensure the guide of your choosing is downloaded in your phone before coming to the park and that you've made an account, as there is no cell service at the park outside of WiFi at the Visitor Center. Heavy rains cancel; parking fees apply.
Ease of access: Creekside Trail has two trailheads. The trailhead from the White Barn is ADA compliant for about 0.1 miles. Our route for this hike veers off to the left across a narrow bridge and single-track trail that connects with Hillside. Hillside Trail is a gravel and dirt fire road with two 100-ft hills and a small stream crossing. Meadow is a mostly-flat fire road manageable by strollers and wheelchairs from the trailhead to about a mile in, although officially not an ADA-compliant trail.
