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Birding Retreat
Led by naturalists Michael Shaw and Paul Porter, this immersive three-day retreat explores the area’s most celebrated habitats, including the Montezuma National Wildlife Refuge, the Montezuma Audubon Center, and the Cornell Lab of Ornithology. Along the way, you’ll deepen your understanding of migration patterns, species identification, and the remarkable diversity that defines this corridor.
Pricing includes accommodations, programs, and select dining; pricing varies based upon your selected accommodation. Spa services are available à la carte.
A Sense of Place
Set directly along one of North America’s most vital migratory flyways, Aurora offers an extraordinary vantage point for birding in the Finger Lakes. Each season, thousands of birds pass through this region, making Aurora a natural gathering place for both seasoned enthusiasts and curious beginners.
Retreat Schedule
Monday: Arrival & Evening Inspiration
- 3:00 PM | Check-In
- 4:30 PM | Welcome Dinner & Orientation
- 8:00 PM | Bat & Owl Prowl
Tuesday: Field Trips & Free Time
- 7:00 AM | Bald Eagle Boat Tour 1
- 8:00 AM | Bald Eagle Boat Tour 2
- 9:00 AM | Breakfast on Your Own
- 9:30 AM | Excursion to Cornell Lab of Ornithology
- 11:00 AM | Guided Tour of Sapsucker Woods
- 12:30 PM | Lunch at Ithaca Bakery
- 2:30 PM | Option: Leisure Time & Spa Access
- 2:30 PM | Option: Trip to Montezuma Audubon Center
- 5:30 PM | Dinner on Your Own
Wednesday: Reflection & Departure
- 7:00 AM | Boxed Breakfast on the Shuttle
- 7:30 AM | Excursion to Montezuma Wildlife Refuge
- 10:00 AM | Return to Aurora
- 11:00 AM | Check-Out & Farewell
This schedule is subject to change.
Retreat Host
Michael Shaw
Outdoorsman & Field Guide
Mike’s lifelong love of the outdoors means he knows just where the birds like to hang out. He makes every walk fun, informative, and approachable—perfect for beginners and seasoned birders alike. Growing up on his grandfather’s acres of woods just north of Aurora and spending time on Cayuga Lake, Michael has long been familiar with the beauty of this region. Michael spent his childhood scrambling through these woods with his nine siblings, learning to create shelters and hunting on the land.
Retreat Host
Paul Porter
Resident Ecologist & Outdoor Programming Manager
Formally trained at the prestigious Merrist Wood College in Guildford, England, Paul’s early career was spent in the UK National Parks where he developed a love of traditional woodland management, including tree coppicing, green woodworking, and charcoal making. He subsequently spent several years in Canada managing more than 60,000 acres of wetlands in the Atlantic migratory bird flyway. Since the early 2000s, Paul has worked in land conservation in Central and Northern NY, managing more than 55 public access nature preserves. He brings his conservation expertise to our nature preserve and his love of traditional crafts to our outdoor programs with an array of fun-filled, hands-on experiences for visitors.
