Observing Birds in the Wild with Ben Nickley

Discover birds of the Northeast with Berkshire Bird Observatory’s Ben Nickley. Enjoy a lively talk followed by a guided walk through nature.

Learn all about birds of the Northeast and how to identify the many species that inhabit the forests, fields, waters, and marshes around us. Join Ben Nickley of the Berkshire Bird Observatory for a short but lively presentation followed by a guided walk on the grounds, offering a deeper connection to the natural world through birdwatching.

Along the way, you’ll also explore the property’s bluebird boxes and even a kestrel box on site, providing a unique glimpse into local nesting habitats.

Meet Your Instructor: Ben Nickley, Berkshire Bird Observatory

Ben Nickley is a scientist with a passion for birds and the ecosystems they are an integral part of. Always fascinated by nature, he got his start in science at Ohio State University where his research was recognized with an award at the Denman Undergraduate Research Forum. Since then, Ben has travelled across North America pursuing bird field studies for nonprofits, universities, and state governments—picking up his master’s in biology along the way. He is the author of several peer-reviewed articles and has presented his work at international conferences. Helping others connect with the natural world through birds is his forte and central to his mission. His role as Executive Director is to oversee the day-to-day operations of Berkshire Bird Observatory and steer its development. Ben feels privileged to have landed in the Berkshires and could not think of a better place to do the work he loves.

Taconic Ridge Farm is a member of TheWorkshopExperience.org, a group of friends and neighbors who produce exceptional experiential learning through open gardens and workshops on a wide variety of topics in the Roeliff Jansen region, where the Hudson Valley and Berkshires meet.