Field Trip and Meeting Schedule
ABOUT OUR FIELD TRIPS AND MEETINGS:
The Beckham Bird Club conducts field trips throughout the year, except from the middle of June until the middle of August. We welcome birders of all ages and skill levels on our field trips, especially beginning birders. The Beckham Bird Club welcomes guests, non-members and out-of-town visitors to participate in field trips and meetings. Field trips mostly visit a variety of birding spots in the Louisville area, with regular outings to more distant locations.
Monthly meetings are held on the second Tuesday of each month except March (annual dinner) and June (club picnic.) Meetings begin at 7 p.m. and are held at St. Mark’s Episcopal Church, 2822 Frankfort Ave, Louisville, KY 40206, 38.254256, -85.689458. St. Mark’s is at the corner of Frankfort Avenue and Kennedy Ave. Please enter by way of the back door near the parking lot. Members and non-members are welcome. Speakers are announced a month in advance in the newsletter.
A NOTE ABOUT CARPOOLS AND SHARING RIDES
Due to potential liability issues, the Beckham Bird Club does not organize or arrange carpools or ride-sharing for its field trips or other activities. However, the BBC believes that sharing transportation is good for the environment and invites members to share rides if possible. The BBC suggests that one way to arrange ride sharing is via the Beckham Bird Club group on the Discord mobile app. DO NOT attempt to make such arrangements via the field trip channel, since its usage is restricted to offcial BBC communications. Instead, use the open "chit-chat-channel" to either search for or offer rides.
FIELD TRIP INFORMATION AND GUIDELINES
1. IMPORTANT: Field trips are subject to cancellation, rescheduling or relocation due to weather, habitat conditions or other circumstances. If there is constant rain, extreme hot or cold temperatures, ice or snow, you should contact trip leaders for the latest update on the trip. Trip leaders will post information about any changes on the birdky listserv and - time permitting - on the field trip list below. To look for updates, go to http://birding.aba.org/maillistdigest/KY. To subscribe, go to https://www.freelists.org/list/birdky.
2. Arrive a few minutes before the scheduled start time. Trips depart at the stated time. Arriving early will give you time to sign the release form and prepare to go.
3. Please stay with the leader. Do not go ahead of the leader(s) or lag behind. If you need to leave early, let the leader know when you do.
4. DOGS AND OTHER PETS ARE NOT ALLOWED ON FIELD TRIPS. The presence of even the best-behaved dogs disturbs birds and other wildlife and makes observing them that much more difficult.
5. Try to minimize disturbance to the birds by talking in quiet tones and keeping to paths and trails unless the leader directs otherwise.
6. Smoking and vaping are not permitted during field trips. Please refrain from smoking or vaping until the field trip has concluded.
7. Minimize disturbance to other birders. If you need to use your cell phone or have a long conversation be considerate of the other members on the trip and step away from the group.
8. A NOTE TO NON-MEMBERS: You are welcome to participate in BBC field trips. If you find them to your liking and attend regularly, we respectfully request that you consider becoming a club member.
Monthly meetings are held on the second Tuesday of each month except March (annual dinner) and June (club picnic.) Meetings begin at 7 p.m. and are held at St. Mark’s Episcopal Church, 2822 Frankfort Ave, Louisville, KY 40206, 38.254256, -85.689458. St. Mark’s is at the corner of Frankfort Avenue and Kennedy Ave. Please enter by way of the back door near the parking lot. Members and non-members are welcome. Speakers are announced a month in advance in the newsletter.
A NOTE ABOUT CARPOOLS AND SHARING RIDES
Due to potential liability issues, the Beckham Bird Club does not organize or arrange carpools or ride-sharing for its field trips or other activities. However, the BBC believes that sharing transportation is good for the environment and invites members to share rides if possible. The BBC suggests that one way to arrange ride sharing is via the Beckham Bird Club group on the Discord mobile app. DO NOT attempt to make such arrangements via the field trip channel, since its usage is restricted to offcial BBC communications. Instead, use the open "chit-chat-channel" to either search for or offer rides.
FIELD TRIP INFORMATION AND GUIDELINES
1. IMPORTANT: Field trips are subject to cancellation, rescheduling or relocation due to weather, habitat conditions or other circumstances. If there is constant rain, extreme hot or cold temperatures, ice or snow, you should contact trip leaders for the latest update on the trip. Trip leaders will post information about any changes on the birdky listserv and - time permitting - on the field trip list below. To look for updates, go to http://birding.aba.org/maillistdigest/KY. To subscribe, go to https://www.freelists.org/list/birdky.
2. Arrive a few minutes before the scheduled start time. Trips depart at the stated time. Arriving early will give you time to sign the release form and prepare to go.
3. Please stay with the leader. Do not go ahead of the leader(s) or lag behind. If you need to leave early, let the leader know when you do.
4. DOGS AND OTHER PETS ARE NOT ALLOWED ON FIELD TRIPS. The presence of even the best-behaved dogs disturbs birds and other wildlife and makes observing them that much more difficult.
5. Try to minimize disturbance to the birds by talking in quiet tones and keeping to paths and trails unless the leader directs otherwise.
6. Smoking and vaping are not permitted during field trips. Please refrain from smoking or vaping until the field trip has concluded.
7. Minimize disturbance to other birders. If you need to use your cell phone or have a long conversation be considerate of the other members on the trip and step away from the group.
8. A NOTE TO NON-MEMBERS: You are welcome to participate in BBC field trips. If you find them to your liking and attend regularly, we respectfully request that you consider becoming a club member.
FIELD TRIP AND MEETING SCHEDULE
DOWNLOAD HERE
Monday, February 16
1:30 p.m. – 3:30 p.m.
easy
BECKLEY CREEK PARK – Creekside area – For winter visitors and residents. Meet at PNC Achievement Center.
GPS: 38.21735, -85.47685
(https://birdinghotspots.org/hotspot/L2108847)
Parklands staff
Curtis Carman
502-592-7618
Sunday, February 22
6:30 p.m. until dark
easy
BECKLEY CREEK PARK – GRAND ALLEE SECTION – For woodcocks. Meet at the entrance end of the soccer field/“Port-a-Potty” parking lot at the south end of the Humana Grand Allee just before the large bridge over the creek.
GPS: 38.209077, -85.474110
(https://birdinghotspots.org/hotspot/L2876955
Meg and Steve Brown
502-435-3967
Saturday, February 28
8:30 a.m. – noon
moderate
TURKEY RUN PARK – SEATON VALLEY Residents, winter visitors, especially sparrows. Meet at the Seaton Valley parking lot and walk the Louisville Loop toward the Sky Meadows area. Directions: From I-265 exit (19) Billtown Road, go south and turn left at the T; go 1.5 miles and turn right into Turkey Run Park entrance; parking lot is on the right. GPS: 38.131035, -85.518651 (https://birdinghotspots.org/hotspot/L4018634)
Kevin Flowers
502-648-6826
Sunday, March 1
8:30 a.m. – ??
easy
MUSCATATUCK NWR/HARDY LAKE – For waterfowl, cranes and others. Meet at the Muscatatuck visitor center at 8:30 a.m. Bring lunch. Directions: I-65 north from Louisvillle to Exit 50 (Seymour). Take US Highway 50 east about 3 miles to refuge entrance. About 1 hour north of Louisville. GPS: 38.959304, -85.798258
(https://birdinghotspots.org/hotspot/L1307600)
(https://birdinghotspots.org/hotspot/L2034604)
(https://birdinghotspots.org/hotspot/L768475)
Pat Bell
502-498-3543
Saturday, March 7
8:30 a.m. – noon
easy/moderate
MILES LAKES/OXBOW SECTIONS – BECKLEY CREEK PARK – Residents, winter visitors, early migrants. Meet at the paddling put-in parking lot about a half mile from the park entrance on Shelbyville Road. GPS: 38.230555, -85.467853 https://birdinghotspots.org/hotspot/L1462737)
Kirk Huffstater
303-345-5020
Tuesday, March 10
ANNUAL MARCH DINNER MEETING—Details in the February and March Observer
Saturday, March 14
8:30 a.m. – noon
easy
FOX HOLLOW FARM: Resident, winter and possible early migrants on the farm. NOTE: route has some off-road trails and a hill to ascend-descend.
GPS: 38.371241, -85.523302
Kevin Flowers
502-648-6826
Sunday, March 15
8:30 a.m. – noon
easy
POPE LICK PARK – For residents, winter birds, early migrants. From Gene Snyder get off at Taylorsville Rd toward Fisherville, go about a mile, & take a right on South Pope Lick Rd. Follow signs to Pope Lick Park, part of the Parklands. Meet at the John Floyd Community Building next to the main parking lot. (formerly called Floyds Fork Park) GPS: 38.184655, -85.488095 (https://birdinghotspots.org/hotspot/L596209)
Meg and Steve Brown
502-435-3967
Saturday, March 21
8 a.m. – noon
easy
BECKLEY CREEK PARK – GRAND ALLEE SECTION – For residents, winter birds and early migrants. Meet at the parking lot by the fountain. GPS: 38.21482, -85.47455
(https://birdinghotspots.org/hotspot/L2876955
Kirk Huffstater
303-345-5020
BBC FIELD TRIPS ARE SMOKE-FREE and VAPE-FREE
In response to member concerns and after careful consideration, the Beckham Bird Club board determined that, effective August 2022, field trips will be no-smoking and no-vaping events. The past policy of asking participants who smoke and vape to step away from the main group proved both ineffective and unworkable. Therefore, participants are asked to refrain from smoking or vaping for the duration of the field trip.
1:30 p.m. – 3:30 p.m.
easy
BECKLEY CREEK PARK – Creekside area – For winter visitors and residents. Meet at PNC Achievement Center.
GPS: 38.21735, -85.47685
(https://birdinghotspots.org/hotspot/L2108847)
Parklands staff
Curtis Carman
502-592-7618
Sunday, February 22
6:30 p.m. until dark
easy
BECKLEY CREEK PARK – GRAND ALLEE SECTION – For woodcocks. Meet at the entrance end of the soccer field/“Port-a-Potty” parking lot at the south end of the Humana Grand Allee just before the large bridge over the creek.
GPS: 38.209077, -85.474110
(https://birdinghotspots.org/hotspot/L2876955
Meg and Steve Brown
502-435-3967
Saturday, February 28
8:30 a.m. – noon
moderate
TURKEY RUN PARK – SEATON VALLEY Residents, winter visitors, especially sparrows. Meet at the Seaton Valley parking lot and walk the Louisville Loop toward the Sky Meadows area. Directions: From I-265 exit (19) Billtown Road, go south and turn left at the T; go 1.5 miles and turn right into Turkey Run Park entrance; parking lot is on the right. GPS: 38.131035, -85.518651 (https://birdinghotspots.org/hotspot/L4018634)
Kevin Flowers
502-648-6826
Sunday, March 1
8:30 a.m. – ??
easy
MUSCATATUCK NWR/HARDY LAKE – For waterfowl, cranes and others. Meet at the Muscatatuck visitor center at 8:30 a.m. Bring lunch. Directions: I-65 north from Louisvillle to Exit 50 (Seymour). Take US Highway 50 east about 3 miles to refuge entrance. About 1 hour north of Louisville. GPS: 38.959304, -85.798258
(https://birdinghotspots.org/hotspot/L1307600)
(https://birdinghotspots.org/hotspot/L2034604)
(https://birdinghotspots.org/hotspot/L768475)
Pat Bell
502-498-3543
Saturday, March 7
8:30 a.m. – noon
easy/moderate
MILES LAKES/OXBOW SECTIONS – BECKLEY CREEK PARK – Residents, winter visitors, early migrants. Meet at the paddling put-in parking lot about a half mile from the park entrance on Shelbyville Road. GPS: 38.230555, -85.467853 https://birdinghotspots.org/hotspot/L1462737)
Kirk Huffstater
303-345-5020
Tuesday, March 10
ANNUAL MARCH DINNER MEETING—Details in the February and March Observer
Saturday, March 14
8:30 a.m. – noon
easy
FOX HOLLOW FARM: Resident, winter and possible early migrants on the farm. NOTE: route has some off-road trails and a hill to ascend-descend.
GPS: 38.371241, -85.523302
Kevin Flowers
502-648-6826
Sunday, March 15
8:30 a.m. – noon
easy
POPE LICK PARK – For residents, winter birds, early migrants. From Gene Snyder get off at Taylorsville Rd toward Fisherville, go about a mile, & take a right on South Pope Lick Rd. Follow signs to Pope Lick Park, part of the Parklands. Meet at the John Floyd Community Building next to the main parking lot. (formerly called Floyds Fork Park) GPS: 38.184655, -85.488095 (https://birdinghotspots.org/hotspot/L596209)
Meg and Steve Brown
502-435-3967
Saturday, March 21
8 a.m. – noon
easy
BECKLEY CREEK PARK – GRAND ALLEE SECTION – For residents, winter birds and early migrants. Meet at the parking lot by the fountain. GPS: 38.21482, -85.47455
(https://birdinghotspots.org/hotspot/L2876955
Kirk Huffstater
303-345-5020
BBC FIELD TRIPS ARE SMOKE-FREE and VAPE-FREE
In response to member concerns and after careful consideration, the Beckham Bird Club board determined that, effective August 2022, field trips will be no-smoking and no-vaping events. The past policy of asking participants who smoke and vape to step away from the main group proved both ineffective and unworkable. Therefore, participants are asked to refrain from smoking or vaping for the duration of the field trip.