Events

Walking Tour of Sleightsburgh Spit

Location

Sleightsburgh Park, Port Ewen, NY

Port Ewen, NY, NY 12466

County: Ulster
Region: Mid Hudson

Date(s)

• September 13, 2016, 5:30PM

Details

Event Type Walk/Hike Description Join the Hudson River Maritime Museum and the John Burroughs Natural History Society for a guided walking tour of Sleightsburgh Spit in Port Ewen. Sleightsburgh Spit is a magnet for fall migrating birds. Its broad, exposed shoreline creates a unique habitat in Ulster County and is a popular stopover for migrating birds of all kinds. Tour begins at 5:30 PM on Tuesday, September 13th (low tide is at 6 pm) and ends around 7 pm. Tour guides will have high powered flashlights for the return walk at sunset, but participants are encouraged to bring their own flashlights. Sleightsburgh Spit itself has been built up over the years on the remains of a 19th century barge graveyard. Wooden canal boats and barges built for the Delaware & Hudson Canal and Hudson River shipping were abandoned near the mouth of Rondout Creek when they had outlived their usefulness. The tour begins with Sarah Wassberg leading a walk along Rondout Creek so participants can see the barge graveyard at its best at low tide and learn how the “graveyard” came to be. Then Mark DeDea will lead a longer walk down the wide path in the center of the spit and interpret migrating wildlife and local flora along the way, ending at a rock beach overlooking both Rondout Creek and the Hudson River where participants will hopefully be able to watch shorebirds and other waterfowl at their evening feed. This tour is through ungroomed trails with poison ivy, so participants are strongly encouraged to wear sturdy closed-toed shoes, socks, and long pants. Organization Hosting the Event Hudson River Maritime Museum, John Burroughs Natural History Society

Registration

Advance registration required.
Register online at: http://www.hrmm.org/store/p63/9%2F13%2F16_Walking_Tour_-_Sleightsburgh_Spit.html Or call 845-338-0071 ext. 11 to register by phone.
$10 for HRMM members, $15 for non-members.

Additional Information

Terrain is flat but a portion of the walk is on a narrow path. There is much poison ivy in evidence, so please wear long pants, socks, and high shoes.
Additional Equipment Required: Flashlights for return at dusk and/or binoculars for avid birders are recommended, but not required. Guides will have high-powered flashlights.

Event Duration (hours): 1
Difficulty: Easy
Not suitable for children under age 10.
Boots Needed: Yes

Family Friendly
Barrier Free or Wheelchar accessible? No
Additional Wheelchair Info: The second half of the walk