Birders and ornithologists will be visiting the Ithaca and the Finger Lakes region during the New York State Ornithological Association Conference the weekend of September 19 to 21 (Osprey photo by Paul Konrad).

Hosted by the Cayuga Bird Club, the New York State Ornithological Association Conference will take place in Ithaca from September 19 to 21 for a weekend celebrating birds and birders. The event will take place on the shore of Cayuga Lake in the beautiful Finger Lakes region of the state, a popular area for fall field trips. The conference is open to the public and it brings birders together from across the state and beyond, offering attendees a variety of social, educational, and birding activities during a peak fall migration period.

You will also have a chance to see why Ithaca has been named the “#1 Best Town to Visit” in 2025; and don’t forget, the Cornell Lab of Ornithology is located in Ithaca too! Local field trips will help birders visit area hotspots including Montezuma National Wildlife Refuge, speakers are featured, vendor displays will be on hand, and there will be a silent auction featuring items generously donated by vendors and the local community. To learn more about the New York State Ornithological Association Conference, you can refer to NYSOA 2025