Albany Rural Cemetery in the Town of Colonie is one of the most historic burial grounds in the United States – and it’s also a great place for birding in a beautifully-landscaped, park-like setting. We’ll visit Albany Rural Cemetery at the very onset of the peak weeks for fall songbird migration, so a variety of southbound warblers, vireos, kinglets, and flycatchers may be possible, in addition to many year-round species. Depending on where the birding takes us along the cemetery’s meandering trails, we may also find ourselves by the graves of such national and local luminaries as 21st President of the United States Chester A. Arthur, Erastus Corning and Erastus Corning 2nd, Daniel Manning, Erastus Dow Palmer, Stephen Van Rensselaer, and Thurlow Weed.
Meet at 7:30 a.m. at the cemetery chapel and mausoleum. From Broadway (NY-32) Heading north through Menands, turn left onto Cemetery Avenue at the prominent Albany Rural Cemetery gate. Continue west on Cemetery Avenue, keeping right at the St. Agnes Cemetery gate and continue past the Albany Rural Cemetery office to the chapel. There is adequate visitor parking at the chapel.
Note: Lots of photo ops here - birds love to perch on the monuments!
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Hawk Watching and Songbirds at Thacher State Park
When: 14 Sep 2025
9:30 AM
Location: Thacher State Park
Coordinators: Tom and Colleen Williams <twill0526...>
We will be looking for migrating Broad-winged Hawks that use the warming air thermals along the face of the escarpment to continue their migration south. Other raptors may be seen using the thermals for similar reasons. Osprey, Bald Eagles, Red-tailed Hawks, Sharp-shinned and Coopers Hawks are among those that can be seen soaring over the Helderbergs. Ruby-throated Hummingbirds also migrate over the escarpment very low and fast, and sparrows and warblers can also be found along the trails around the overlook.
Meet at 9:30 a.m. at the upper level of the overlook at John Boyd Thacher Park in Voorheesville. www.google.com/maps/@42.651048,-74.0078436,317m/data=!3m1!1e3
