Bird-A-Thon 2025 is Here!

NOTE: This program is sold out. Please email to be added to the waitlist: info@bedfordaudubon.org
 
Silent flight, super night vision, exceptional hearing, 270 head rotation, and deep-rooted symbolism in myths and folklore make owls both mysterious and fascinating.  If you’re intrigued by owls, don’t miss Silent Hunters: An Exploration of Owls, a two-part program led by Naturalist Tait Johansson. In the first part of the program, Tait will share the ecology of local owl species, and ways to identify them by sight and sound. He’ll help uncover their secrets by guiding us through a hands-on pellet dissection as we learn what makes owls such stealthy predators. After a break in the program, we’ll reconvene at sunset for part two where we'll drive to several nearby locations to listen for, and possibly sight, owls in their natural habitat.

Part 1: Saturday, March 1, 1:00-3:00pm. Hands-on Info Session & Pellet Dissection
Part 2: Saturday, March 1, 6:00-8:00pm. Evening Owl Prowl

Cost: $10 (members); $15 (non-members). The fee will help offset the cost of materials for this
program including take-home owl identification packet, an owl pellet, and use of all equipment
needed during dissection. Level of Difficulty: Easy

Who needs leaves when there’s branches, bark, and buds? Many people identify trees by their leaves, but that can often be confusing even within the same species. Come to our popular Winter Tree ID for ways to identify trees beyond the leaves. Naturalist Tait Johansson will lead this nature walk in the sanctuary surrounding Bylane Farm, helping you develop a skill you’ll be able to use year-round! Please register early – this program typically fills up quickly.

Wednesday, March 12, 1:00-3:00pm. Cost: Free. Level of Difficulty: Easy-Moderate (based on some hills and bumpy trails). Please register with Susan at info@bedfordaudubon.org.

There’s never a “bad” time to get rid of invasives species.

Join BA Board member and Naturalist Steve Ricker for this month’s Habitat Renewal Day for an experiential session working outside in our sanctuary to start enhancing the quality of the increasingly rare shrub habitat around Bylane Farm! Together, we’ll identify and remove invasive, non-native shrubs which will be replaced with native shrubs. Tools and gloves will be provided, or you can bring your own (loppers and hand pruners are the most used tools). 
Plants with thorns and poison ivy may be present.

Saturday, March 15, 11:00am-12:30pm. Cost: Free. Level of Difficulty: Easy to Moderate. Please register with Susan at info@bedfordaudubon.org.

Q: What begins in water and ends (primarily) on land? A: The life of amphibians!

Vernal pools are breeding grounds for salamanders and wood frogs, so life begins in these temporary fresh-water “ponds” for these species. Don’t miss your chance to search for this life on our Exploration of Vernal Pools Nature Walk led by long time Bedford Audubon member Paul Lewis in this family-friendly program. Paul will guide us to these hidden treasures deep in our forest sanctuary and will talk about the vital importance of these seasonal wetlands as spawning grounds for salamanders and other  amphibians. 
Family friendly for children 10 years of age and older, must be accompanied by an adult.

Saturday, March 15, 1:30-3:30pm. Cost: Free. Level of Difficulty: Easy to moderate.
Registration is required by emailing Susan at info@bedfordaudubon.org.

The Green-winged Teal is the smallest dabbling duck in North America. With a little luck, we just might see hundreds of them on this month’s Field Trip to Wallkill National Wildlife Refuge and Black Dirt Region with Naturalist Tait Johansson. This area is rich with species of waterfowl, waterbirds, raptors, and songbirds. At this time of year, possible sightings also include hundreds of Northern Pintails, Horned Lark, Snow Bunting, and perhaps Lapland Larkspur. Tait also hopes for lingering Rough-legged Hawk and flocks of Snow Geese.

Sunday, March 16, 8:30am-2:00pm. Cost: Free. Level of difficulty: Easy to moderate. Secure
your place with Susan Sloan at info@bedfordaudubon.org.

The American Woodcock can usually be found on the ground – but not at dusk when its dancing begins!

Join Naturalist Tait Johansson together with the folks from Ward Pound Ridge Reservation, for Dance of the Woodcock at the reservation. In this rare evening walk, we’ll be in search of the American Woodcock, a secretive early migrant that performs a quirky courtship ritual in the hopes of attracting a mate. You’re sure to be amazed at this bird’s extraordinary display during which male woodcock “peents”, struts, hurls himself into the evening sky, and glides back down to the ground again. This trip is so popular that we’re offering it twice this year. Better sign up fast before it fills up!

Tuesday, March 18 and Wednesday, March 26, 6:45pm. Cost: Free. Level of Difficulty: Easy. Please email Susan to register at info@bedfordaudubon.org. Please be sure to let Susan know which date you will attend when emailing.