Birding & Spring Nature
May 15 – 17, 2020
As springtime awakens, Mohonk is the perfect place for bird watchers of all levels.
Join us on Birding & Spring Nature weekend with environmental educators for hikes, bird walks, workshops, and an exploration of the natural world as it awakens on our mountaintop. Our Birding and Spring Nature display tables will be available throughout the weekend: peruse our collection of reference material on the natural world, and some of our natural items.
Birding & Spring Nature program is led by Kurt Weiskotten, who has been the program leader since 1985.
Availability is limited. For reservations, please call .
SCHEDULE OF EVENTS
First Walk: The View at Cope’s Lookout
Meet the leaders and fellow participants on this casual search for the first birds of the weekend. An easy walk along carriage paths and through the woods to one of the best views at Mohonk.
After Dinner Visit to the Barn
Work off the evening meal on this casual stroll to the Mohonk Barn with Kurt Weiskotten to see what creatures are out and about in the twilight.
Early Morning Bird Walk
The leaders invite all birders, of all levels, on a variety of early morning jaunts in search of spring migrants that dropped in overnight. More species of birds occupy the property during this weekend than any other time of year, so don’t miss the feathery excitement.
Essentials Of Birdwatching
Birdwatching is one of the fastest-growing outdoor recreational activities in the U.S. and caters to people of all ages. All that is needed is a pair of binoculars and the simple “know how” on what to look and listen for. This “birding basics” presentation by Mike Losito is designed to spark the curiosity of those looking for new ventures and opportunities in the world of nature.
Bird Walk With Kurt
Based on participant suggestions, the group will travel to a popular local spot in search of songbirds to listen to, observe, identify, and discuss.
Availability is limited. For reservations, please call .
MEET OUR PROGRAM LEADERS
Kurt Weiskotten
Kurt has devoted his life to birds and nature in all forms and enjoys spending time on ocean shores and Adirondack mountain tops. He has a BS and MS from the SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry at Syracuse and spent a summer deep in the north woods of the Upper Peninsula of Michigan studying boreal flora and ornithology. His furthest travels have taken him to Mt. Everest base camp and Mandalay. He has worked as a freelance artist, environmental educator, wetland scientist, and is currently an environmental scientist with Greenman-Pedersen, Inc. Consultants in Albany.
Mike Losito, Ph.D.
Mike is a Certified Wildlife Biologist and Professor of Wildlife Management at the State University of New York at Cobleskill where he has been teaching ornithology for 24 years. He has led students on field trips to more than 17 states as well as Canada and Panama. He received the SUNY Chancellor’s Award for Excellence in Teaching in 2015 and the University of Maine Professional Excellence Alumni Award in 2018. He is a Master Bird Bander and a Life Member of the National Geographic Society.
Wayne Gall, Ph.D.
Wayne has led numerous nature programs at Mohonk Mountain House. He served as the Buffalo Museum of Science’s first Administrator/Naturalist of Tifft Nature Preserve from 1983-1987, then Research Fellow and Curator of Entomology for the museum from 1987-2001. From 2001-2016 he was Western Regional Entomologist for the NYS Department of Health. Since May 2016, Wayne has been Entomologist (Identifier) for US Department of Agriculture’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service. Wayne earned his MS in Entomology at the University of Wisconsin-Madison and Ph.D. in Zoology from the University of Toronto.
Greg Budney
Greg is a former Audio Curator of the Cornell Lab of Ornithology’s Macaulay Library of Natural Sounds, the world’s largest collection of wildlife sound recordings. He is also a leading bird sound recordist and has produced numerous audio guides to sounds of North American birds. He has trained hundreds of biologists and citizen scientists in techniques for capturing the sounds of wildlife for research, conservation, and education.
When you visit for Birding & Spring Nature Weekend, your overnight package includes:
- Three meals daily featuring fresh, locally sourced cuisine from our farm-to-table partners
- Access to more than 85 miles of the Hudson Valley’s best hiking trails
- Boating, fishing, and swimming on Lake Mohonk
- Daily Guided “House History” Tours of our National Historic Landmark resort
- Guided Nature Hikes with stunning views of the Catskill Mountains
- Yoga, Meditation, and Fitness Classes
- Indoor Heated Pool with underwater music
- Afternoon tea and cookies in our historic Lake Lounge
- Complimentary greens fees on our Scottish-inspired golf course
- Nightly Evening Entertainment
- Special Events and more! See schedule of activities >
A la carte experiences available to overnight guests:
- A full menu of nature-inspired treatments at our award-winning spa
- The Carriage Lounge, featuring a full bar and handcrafted cocktails as well as hyperlocal draft beer and hard cider
- An award-winning wine list in our Main Dining Room
- Horseback riding, carriage rides, and pony rides