Upcoming Spring Programs At The Dyken Center

April 16 – Earth Day Volunteer Day – enjoy the spring weather and come out to volunteer cleaning up trails. We need help with basic trail upkeep, picking up winter debris and clearing the trails for hiking season. We’ll provide snacks and drinks; 9 am to 12 pm.
May 15 – Birding Basics – this program is for folks who want to learn the beginning basics of birdwatching. From binoculars to field marks to bird calls, we’ll get you started on what can turn into a lifelong hobby of birdwatching; 8 to 10 am; free.
May 21 – Birding for 4-H Clubs – open to all kids and families in 4-H. Start or continue the Birds in Your Backyard series.  Identify and record at least ten birds. Pre-registration is required. The cost of $3 per member includes materials fee; 9 to 11 am.
May 22 –  Wildflowers – an easy walk to identify wildflowers and other spring plants of the Dyken Pond Center; 2 pm; free.
June 4 – National Trails Day – trail Clean-up in support of parks; 9 am to 12 noon; free barbecue for all volunteers at noon. Pre-registration for the BBQ is required by June 2.
Please visit the website periodically for updated programs at www.dykenpond.org.
What’s Going On
Visitors this past weekend were surprised at the deep snowpack still hanging around some sections of trail. Spring comes slowly to Dyken Pond! Wood frogs and yellow spotted salamanders have not ventured out of the Dyken Pond snowpack yet. The next warm rain will probably be the big night for amphibian migration. The first warm rains of spring above 40 degrees bring the amphibians who have been overwintering in the forest back to vernal pools and ponds to mate and lay their eggs. The Dyken Pond Center, located at 1,600 feet elevation, traditionally has one of the latest migration dates in the Capital Region.