NEWSLETTER
Albany, N.Y. - The 2024 Barrens Birding Blitz (BBB) is an annual community event at the Albany Pine Bush Preserve. On Saturday, September 14, 2024 a team birding competition will take place from 6 am - 12 pm, culminating in an awards ceremony at the Discovery Center at 195 New Karner Road in Albany. Birdwatchers of all skill levels are invited to participate from novice to expert, teams are available for birding throughout the preserve as well as sit and spot teams.
Event committee member, Alex Soldo said, “The teams, both traversing and sit and spot, will divide and conquer the preserve hiking trails in all regions. Their eyes and ears will provide a snapshot of the birds in the preserve. Teams will compete to identify and record as many species as possible in the time allotted.”
Details about the event can be found at www.AlbanyPineBush.org/events. Participants are required to make a reservation with a $25 registration fee that includes a t-shirt, event guidelines, birding guide (score sheet), a chance to compete for team prizes and refreshments with birding friends old and new.
The Albany Pine Bush Preserve has more than 200 bird species who call the pine barrens home. The preserve is a New York State Bird Conservation Area, a National Audubon Society Important Bird Area and part of the New York State Birding Trail. This exciting birdwatching event will keep in guidance with the American Birding Association Code of Ethics and is presented by Hudson Mohawk Bird Club, the Albany Pine Bush Preserve and Friends of the Pine Bush Community.
BACKGROUND
The 3,400+ - acre Albany Pine Bush Preserve (APBP), located in New York’s Capital District, protects one of the best remaining inland pitch pine-scrub oak barrens in the world. This extraordinary fire-dependent ecosystem provides habitat for many plants and animals, including more than 20 percent of New York State’s wildlife Species of Greatest Conservation Need, such as the endangered Karner blue butterfly. The APBP is a National Natural Landmark, Maurice D. Hinchey Hudson River Valley National Heritage Area, National Recreation Trail Site, a New York State Unique Area, Birding Trail Site, Bird Conservation Area, and a National Audubon Society Important Bird Area. Characterized by rolling sand dunes and over 20 miles of trails, the APBP offers visitors many recreational opportunities including hiking, bird watching, cross-country skiing, horseback riding, mountain biking, hunting, fishing and canoeing. The Albany Pine Bush Preserve Commission is a public-private partnership created by the NYS Legislature in 1988 to protect and manage the APBP and provide the public with educational and recreational opportunities. The Management Plan for the APBP guides all aspects of expanding and managing the preserve. The Commission’s goal is a preserve of 5,380 acres.
As the gateway to the Pine Bush, the Discovery Center at 195 New Karner Road, Albany, is a “green” certified interpretive center where visitors come to understand why the Pine Bush is rare and special. A visit to this unique destination is an exciting exploration where learning comes naturally through interactive exhibits, an outdoor Discovery Trail, and numerous programs on the ecology, natural history, cultural history and management of the Pine Bush. Admission to the Discovery Center is free (there is a fee for some programs). The center is open daily weekdays 9am-4pm and weekends 10am-4pm. For more information, visit www.AlbanyPineBush.org or call 518-456-0655.
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