Thanks to all the folks who joined us for the Sunday Hike on Robinson’s Loop.  We had about 15  hikers.  The terrain was more challenging than usual due to recent logging and the consequent muck and fallen branches.

The groups today got more than they bargained for.   Most of us did three hours on the trail due, to map and memory confusion.  However, these intrepid folks still gave the hike a thumbs up.  Must be they are hardened hikers, ready for anything.

The tourists really did take a “tour” of the whole area.  They hiked the blue trail and then some.  John did a masterful job of getting everyone back to base camp.  Climbers made a perimeter hike of the orange and blue loops which entailed some bushwhacking over fallen trees and through a few multiflora bushes.  Undaunted  by mud and bugs, they persevered until the final mile when they opted to take the downhill route through the ski trails, which afforded a cool breeze and fewer insects.

The Sierra Inn was a welcome refuge for all after this challenging hike.

Check out the Facebook photos as well as those contained in this post.

Sunday’s hike at Wesley Hill Preserve was a great example of this year’s spring weather. Sixteen hikers braved chilly temperatures and rain and hail to enjoy the open views of the forest and the many different spring flowers.

Tony, Pati and Douglas were busy taking pictures throughout the hike and were rewarded with blue sky by the end of the hike.

On Friday, June 2, 2017, the Finger Lakes Land Trust will have a work day at the Wesley Hill Preserve. Please RSVP to the Nature Preserve Manager Jason Gorman, by emailing [email protected] or calling at 607-275-9487. Plan to meet at the Wesley Rd parking area at 2:00PM.  Wear work outdoor clothing with sturdy shoes. Bring your favorite work gloves – tools will be provided.

Please enjoy the gallery of pictures from all three photographers.

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So, you hiked MFBBH this past Sunday (and looked for Bluebirds, and more), … or maybe you didn’t.

Well, three years ago now when impetus by this ST Hike Planner was first identified to plan a Bluebird hike at MFBBH and Monkey Run Trails in Victor, there was no foresight that Spring 2017 would be the season that such would come to fruition.  Admittedly, the timing of GVC’s “All About Bluebirds” presentation scheduled for March 2017 at the Riviera Theater in Geneseo, and opportunity to piggyback on this presentation by syncing a ST hike two months later (in May), set the stage in January/February 2017 to plan a May 2017 Bluebird hike for ST hikers at MFBBH in Victor, NY.

Obviously, too, back three years ago or even three months ago, there was no foresight of what weather conditions would be come hike day, Sunday, May 7th 2017.  Come hike weekend during a Saturday preview hike, with the wetter than average March and April as wells as early May in 2017, we found the trail conditions at MFBBH & Monkey Run Trails to be, well, “very wet” in two words.  And so, an update of such was posted to the Hike Announcement.

Anatomy, as developed, of this targeted hike opportunity for ST hikers:  As planning progressed on this hike, it became identifiable as a special hike that Victor Hiking Trails (VHT) also would benefit in offering to VHT hikers, and so a joint ST/VHT hike effort came into being.  With both of the Co-Hike Planners being both ST & VHT hikers this seemed to naturally pair the two hiking groups (and of course geography had a major play as well, being that the hike locale is in Victor).  And with one added ST Hike Leader (Gene) behind the scenes for this Bluebird hike, who also has ST & VHT hiking experiences and birding experience, a hike in completion was hatched.  Add to this an additional birding expert, Richard Ashworth, for this hike, and a superb facility in Butler Cottage situated within MFBBH park for a joint ST/VHT potluck after-hike social and it seemed there was a unique formula for success of this planned hike.

Fortunate that while terra conditions were soggy for this hike, no rain fell on this parade of approximately two dozen hikers, and temps were in the 40s with cloudy skies prevailing (just as predicted in the weather forecast as Sunday approached).

The fast-paced group led by Dave traversed Monkey Run Trails, requiring entrance from Valentown Road approach due to White Brook having overflowed its bank and covering another trail entrance.  Most trails were in very good condition and some muddy sections near the creek. The group covered most MR trails in a little over an hour and then did an abbreviated MFBBH hike  The slower and shorter “Nature Walk” group led by Richard, a long time member and officer in the Rochester Birding Association and also Burroughs Audubon Nature Club in Fishers, observed and identified many birds, including Bluebirds of both genders, despite the time of day and cool damp weather.  Other sighted birds: Blue Jay, Mourning Dove, House Sparrow, Canada Goose, Mallard Duck, Redwing Blackbird, Turkey Vulture, Yellow Warbler, Goldfinch, Catbird Robin Swallow.  Some flora observed: Wildflowers – Geranium, Violets, Bloodroot, Trout Lily, Mayapple.

It was noticed that MFBBH contains many Ash trees, and noted that if these succumb to the Emerald Ash Borer their absence will be quite noticeable.

Butler Cottage at MFBBH held the after-hike social potluck dinner, were many tasty dishes were shared among hikers.

So, quite a successful joint ST/VHT event.

Reflecting on the three year impetus for this hike, … overall, lesson learned perhaps, is that a hike opportunity identified can be like wine.  Some identified come to fruition only years in the waiting, and no telling for sure how any will take final form.