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.

Hi, ST team – am home and all is good.  I have a new heart valve and a pacemaker to keep me going.

Will see you on the slopes again soon – probably in a month.  Thank you for your thoughts and prayers.

For the last hike in February we were greeted with a light snow cover across the landscape. Thirteen hikers came out for a 30 degree hike, which followed last weekend’s 70° hikes. Fortunately, we had a number of hills to climb, which kept us warm.

After an hour hiking through the woods protected from the wind, the Climbers made it to the potato fields at the tops of the hills for views in all directions. The wind definitely picked up in the open field, but the sun was out and as many times as I have seen this view, I still enjoy it.

Douglas was taking pictures and noticed two coyotes crossing the field to the north. Making sure that Duffy stayed close by, we headed across the field and found the tracks first headed west, and then headed back east to the woods, after several shots from a hunter.  Duffy sniffed and barked at the footprints, but decided not to follow the tracks.

Meanwhile, the Tourtalists (Pati’s new name for the Naturalist/Tourist combo group) walked south along the valley to the old ski hill, where the climbers met them before heading up to the top.

On the return hike, Linda led the Tourtalists along the woods and across the rock bridge to our upper field. Pati found a brave fern standing tall above the snow, for a beautiful image of the hike.

Following the hike, everyone enjoyed deviled eggs, goat cheese with pulled pork sandwiches and potatoes. And, as is our tradition, we had fruit and cakes for desert – many hikers splurged and had helpings of each of the deserts![envira-gallery id=”255460″]