All Over Albany

Animal walk-and-talks at the Pine Bush

There are all sorts of animals that either live in, or make their ways through, the Albany Pine Bush: coyotes, porcupines, foxes, fishers, deer, and so on.

The Albany Pine Bush Discovery Center has a bunch of family-friendly talk-and-walk programs about these animals coming up over the next month...

The events start at the Albany Pine Bush Discover Center (195 New Karner Road). Programs are $3 per person or $5 per family. Registration is required, either online or via phone: 518-456-0655

November 5: Prickly Porcupines
"Porcupines, also known as quill pigs are the only mammal in North America with quills and they live here in the Pine Bush. Join us for a talk and a walk to learn more about these interesting and elusive animals. We will walk approximately one mile. Ages 6+." 10:30 am-noon

November 6: Fox Trot
"Join us for a short inside presentation on the two species of fox that live here in the Pine Bush. We will then continue outside for a 0.9 mile hike to look for signs that they are out and about around the trails. All ages." 1-2:30 pm

November 12, 27 and December 18: Oh Deer!
"Would you like to learn more about white-tailed deer in the Albany Pine Bush? Come and join us for an afternoon program on the largest mammal in the Pine Bush. We will start inside with a short introduction to deer anatomy and behavior and then continue outside for a 0.9 mile hike looking for signs of deer in their habitat. Ages 6+." November 12 11 am-12:30 pm / November 27 1-2:30 pm / December 18 1-2:30 pm

November 19 and 23: Wild and Wiley Turkeys
"It's that time of year when our thoughts turn to turkeys! Come discover the life of wild turkeys in the Pine Bush and learn about turkey sounds, flight, habitat and the bird that almost became our national symbol. We will start indoors for a brief introduction then continue outside with a 0.9 mile hike over rolling terrain to search for signs of turkey in their habitat. At the end of the program, each participant will have the chance to make a turkey call craft. All ages." November 19 1-2:30 pm / November 23 10 am-11:30 am

December 3: Cunning Coyotes
"Did you ever hear a coyote howl? Do you wonder where they are going or what they might be doing? Come find answers to these questions and more at the Albany Pine Bush Discovery Center. We will start inside with a short talk about the history and biology of the eastern coyote then hike 0.9 mile in the Preserve as we pause for coyote signs and explore the habitat of one of the smartest, most elusive animals in the Pine Bush. Ages 6+" 10:30 am-noon

December 4: Feisty Fishers
"Are fishers cats? Do they really eat fish? Come find answers to these questions and more at the Albany Pine Bush Discovery Center. We will start inside with a short talk about the history and biology of the fisher. Then we will continue outside for a walk in the Preserve as we look for signs of the fisher. We plan to walk approximately one mile. Ages 6+." 1-3 pm

December 17: CSI: Critter Scene Investigation
"How are your detective skills? Do you have what it takes to be on a team of nature investigators, solving Pine Bush mysteries, by examining evidence? Join us for a 30 minute indoor introduction followed by a 0.9 mile outdoor trek to look for clues and evidence of what lives in the Pine Bush. All ages." 10:30 am-noon