19th Annual Hamilton County Adirondack Boreal Birding Festival

The Hamilton County Department of Tourism and Audubon NY welcomes you this June for the 19 th Annual Adirondack Boreal Birding Festival.

The Adirondack Park in upstate New York is a bird-watching haven! In June, the Adirondack Boreal Birding Festival in Hamilton County celebrates the height of the breeding season with 4 days of birding hikes, walks, safaris, outings, and presentations throughout the county.

Joan Collins, owner of Adirondack Avian Expeditions & Workshops, LLC, leads birding tours year-round, is a New York State licensed guide, an Adirondack 46er, and has climbed all the Adirondack fire tower peaks. She writes the Birdwatch column for Adirondack Explorer magazine, and has published several journal, magazine, and newspaper articles on wildlife and conservation topics in various publications including Audubon, Conservationist, Adirondack Life Magazine, Adirondack Explorer, New York Birders, LOCALadk Magazine, and The Kingbird. Joan authored several warbler species accounts, in addition to serving as a peer reviewer for The Second Atlas of Breeding Birds in New York State. She is a past President of the New York State Ornithological Association and Editor of New York Birders. She served for many years as a Board of Directors member of the Audubon Council of New York State and Northern New York Audubon Society, and as a past President. Joan is a frequent keynote speaker and presenter on ornithology topics.

Follow Joan on Facebook at: https://www.facebook.com/AdirondackAvian
Her website can be found at: http://www.adirondackavianexpeditions.com/

Rich Hanlon is a birder, naturalist educator, author, NYS licensed guide, and owner/operator of Wild Neighbors Nature Connection, LLC with an Environmental Studies degree from Penn State University ('09) and 17 years of experience investing in his passion of helping people to experience transformational connection with nature's community. Most of his work involves guided birding in the northern Adirondacks and young naturalist series at local rec parks. He is a relational birder, meaning that his focus is on the connections between birds and their environment. With him, you can expect to learn as much about the habitats of our feathered neighbors as the birds themselves. Rich lives in Duane Center, NY, just a little north of Paul Smith's with his wife Erin and their dog Polly.

Follow Rich on Facebook at: http://www.Facebook.com/adknatureguide
His website can be found at: http://www.wnnc.net

Pat Bixler is an experienced hiker, birder, and licensed guide who has spent countless hours in the Adirondack wilderness. He is an official 46er, Northville-Placid trail finisher, and can also be found on his kayak or mountain bike. During the summer months, Pat serves as a steward on the summit of Whiteface Mountain protecting the sensitive alpine habitat and interpreting the flora and fauna for visitors. Through all of this, he has found a personal connection to our feathered friends and hopes to share that experience with you. Pat lives in Saranac Lake, NY, just outside of the High Peaks region of the Adirondacks.

Mike & Wanda Moccio have visited the Adirondacks since their college days. While working in their careers in Connecticut, Mike’s newfound interest in bird watching inspired him to help establish the Cove Island Wildlife Sanctuary in Stamford, Connecticut, dedicated to conserving habitat for birds and other wildlife. This sanctuary is now an Important Bird Area (IBA). Mike and Wanda became NYS-licensed hiking guides to lead and engage bird-watching participants. They also participate in breeding and waterfowl surveys for various state and federal organizations. They retired in 2016 and currently reside in Indian Lake, NY.

Schedule:

Friday, June 6, 2025
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John Dillon Park: Birding by Habitat 1:00 pm
***Handicapped Accessible***

Explore three different habitats and experience the different birds that make a home in each. We’ll walk the wide, level, handicapped accessible trails at beautiful John Dillon Park through forest, edge, and lakeshore habitats. Expect to encounter forest songbirds such as a variety of vireos, warblers, thrushes, and woodpeckers. GUIDES: Rich Hanlon and Pat Bixler
EVENT LENGTH: 4 hours.
LIMIT: 20
BRING: Bug protection, hat, sunscreen, water, snacks, binoculars, hiking boots, and appropriate
clothing.
MEET: John Dillon Park Welcome Center, 2150 Tupper Rd, Long Lake, NY 12847
GPS Waypoint: 44.027388, -74.472106
DIRECTIONS: From Hoss’s Country Corner in the town of Long Lake, travel 4.8 miles north on Rt 30. Turn right onto John Dillon Access Rd. You will pass by a beautiful gate with a woodland scene. Drive down the 2-mile dirt and gravel road. It’s important to go slow, watch for other vehicles and wildlife, and take it all in. At the end of the 2-mile road, will be the Welcome Center. John Dillon Park | Paul Smith's College

DINNER: ADIRONDACK HOTEL on Long Lake – 5:30 PM

After a long day of birding, join us for dinner at the Adirondack Hotel on Long Lake. The Adirondack Hotel is nestled in the charming oasis of Long Lake, NY. Originally built in the 1850’s, we are the only remaining hotel of its kind within the Adirondack Park. We are situated perfectly across from the town beach, Helm's seaplane rides Tours and Excursions in the Adirondacks | Experience Our Adirondacks and a variety of local shops- Shopping | Experience Our Adirondacks.
MENU: Choose ONE of the selected menu options:
1. Sliced Roast Beef with mushroom gravy, mashed potatoes, and seasonal vegetables.
2. Grilled pork chop with caramelized onions and apples with mashed potatoes and seasonal vegetables.
3. Chicken Picatta with wild rice and seasonal vegetables.
4. Potato gnocchi in a light garlic cream sauce, butternut squash, and broccolini.Salad, dessert, coffee, & tea included.
* Cash Bar will be available. *
COST: $36 per person, including tax and tip. Reservations and payment must be made with the venue by May 23rd. For reservations call: 518-624-4700 between 12 – 8 pm. Please indicate which menu option you are choosing and make any dietary restrictions known upon reservation.
DIRECTIONS: From Inlet/Raquette Lake: Head North on NY 28N E/ NY 30 N, turn left onto Main Street, destination will be on the left. From Speculator/Indian Lake: Head northwest on NY30N, turn left on NY 28 S/NY 30 N, turn right onto NY 28 NE/ NY 30 N, turn left onto Main Street, the destination will be on the left. Adirondack Hotel on Long Lake | Experience Our Adirondacks, 1245 Main St, Long Lake, NY 12847.