The Chenango Bird Club invites all to their next meeting and bird walk at 6 p.m., Wednesday, July 9, in the main parking lot of the Rogers Environmental Education Center and then carpool to Earlville State Forest. The Red Crossbill is a medium-sized finch with a crisscrossed bill. (Submitted photo)

EARLVILLE — The Chenango Bird Club invites all to their next meeting and bird walk at 6 p.m., Wednesday, July 9, in the main parking lot of the Rogers Environmental Education Center.

Chenango Bird Club Communications Chair Dan Pfeifer said after the short meeting, participants will carpool about eight miles away to Earlville State Forest for another great bird watching opportunity.

Earlville State Forest is located off of New York 12B in Earlville. Travel north from the traffic light in Earlville about one mile. Turn left onto Lebanon Road and go one and a half miles. Turn left onto Morgan Road and up the hill to the state forest access road. Park along the right-hand side of the access road.

“For those wishing to travel directly to Earlville State Forest, plan on meeting there around 6:30 p.m.,” said Pfeifer. “In the event of rain, we will stay at the Rogers Center, under cover, to socialize and share bird sightings."

“The state forest borders some private hay fields where we should find some grassland bird species,” he added. “And is a mix of conifer plantation and deciduous forest.”

He said the habitat is attractive to several bird species with the conifer plantation primarily made up with Norway Spruce.

Pfeifer noted the bird walk will be along a wide, fairly-level road and mentioned participants should bring binoculars, wear bug spray, dress appropriately for weather, and be mindful of ticks.

With luck, Pfeifer said he hopes to view the Red Crossbill on the outing.

According to the website All About Birds, the Red Crossbill is a medium-sized finch with a crisscrossed bill. Adult males are red with darker brownish-red wings, while female Crossbills are yellowish with dark, unmarked wings.

Ornithologists discovered there are varying populations of Crossbills which have diverse flight calls and bill shapes adapted for different types of cones. They use their unique bill to pry open conifer cones to remove the seed found inside.

Differentiating flight calls of various Red Crossbills can be challenging, yet it can be done. The flight call sound is jip-jip-jip and is usually heard when the birds are flying overhead.

For more information or if you have questions, contact Bird Club President John Knapp at 607-372-1242.