Feelingfrustrated about the decline of wildlife?

Empower yourself to make a difference by reading thismonth’s Bylane Book Club selection, Nature’s Best Hope by DouglasW. Tallamy. Garden Director Mathew McDowell will join MelanieBrocklehurst for the virtual discussion of this book, which hasawakened thousands of readers to an urgent situation: wildlifepopulations are in decline because the native plants they depend on are fastdisappearing. His solution? Plant more natives.

In this newbook, Tallamy takes the next step and outlines his vision for a grassrootsapproach to conservation. Nature’s Best Hope shows how homeownerseverywhere can turn their yards into conservation corridors that providewildlife habitats. Because this approach relies on the initiatives of privateindividuals, it is immune from the whims of government policy. Even moreimportant, it’s practical, effective, and easy—you will walk away with specificsuggestions you can incorporate into your own yard.

This book isavailable to borrow from the Westchester Library System or is available topurchase across a variety of platforms in print, electronically and on audio.

Registration required by emailing Susanat info@bedfordaudubon.org or by calling 914-232-1999. A Zoom link will be emailed toparticipants on January 4th prior to the virtual meeting which you can use tojoin the discussion. We look forward to seeing you!

Let the cold invigoratewhile birding at a locale justly celebrated for its bird life!

It might be cold, but you’re sure toenjoy our popular Field Trip to Greenwich Point Park withNaturalist Tait Johansson. Greenwich Point is an IBA (Important Bird Area). Itspeninsular geography boastsa readily-available habitat and is an important migrant stopover for as many as266 species of birds, some on the state and global endangered list. Inthe past, we’ve seen owls, Brant,Long-tailed Ducks, scoters, goldeneyes, loons, and other waterbirds, someinteresting songbirds, and more!

Cost: Free. Level of Difficulty: Easy.Depart Bylane at 7:00am to caravan or meet in the lot on the right after the gatehouse at 8:00am.Registration is limited and required by emailing Susan at info@bedfordaudubon.org or calling 914-302-9713.

* Note that Covid restriction may result in a location change.

Birds as architects? You bet!

Explore the amazing variety of bird nests through a Virtual Multimedia Presentation from Anne Swaim, Executive Director, Saw Mill River Audubon. From the massive nests of eagles to walnut-sized hummingbird nests, from cavity-nesters inside trees to ground-nesters to birds that weave intricately woven baskets that hang from branches, birds are master builders! Find out about how different birds develop from eggs to nestlings to fledglings and what to do if you find a nest or young birds in need of help.

Registration required by CLICKING HERE. You will receive a link to the event in a confirmation email after you register and in a reminder email before the event starts

Are you dreaming of springtime gardening?

If you’re feeling stuck inside and can’t wait until warmer weather arrives, spring into action with Garden Director Mathew McDowell’s Virtual Workshop: Planning and Sourcing a Native Garden. With the new year beginning, now’s the perfect time to start figuring out your planting plans and sourcing natives for greener days ahead. But what to plant and where to get it? We’ll go over how to perform a site assessment to help you figure out which plants are likely to do well in your local conditions. From there we’ll be talking about where to buy and what to look for, with a particular focus on making sure your plants are ethically sourced and ecologically responsible.

Registration required by emailing Susan at info@bedfordaudubon.org or by calling 914-302-9713. A Zoom link will be emailed to participants on prior to the workshop.

Hark! Who goes there?

Discover the secretive world of wildlife in winter with our two-part Virtual Workshop and Walk: Who Was Here? Signs and Tracks in Winter. Winter is upon us and though it may seem the woods and yards have become a barren landscape there is still many wonders to behold. Board member and naturalist Steve Ricker will help you discover the signs and tracks of our winter wildlife with the snow acting like a detective’s dusting powder.  All the clues that our animal neighbors leave behind will be explored: footprints, holes, food leavings, scat, etc.  Similar to bird watching, Steve will also explain the more advanced aspect of tracking - interpreting animal behavior.  It can be thrilling to retrace an animal’s footprints to tell the story of what they were up to from the signs and tracks you discover.

Wednesday, January 20,7:00pm Part 1 – Virtual Workshop; Saturday, January 23, 2:00pm Part 2 – Guided Walk at Westmoreland Sanctuary. Cost: Free. Registration required by emailing Susan at info@bedfordaudubon.org or by calling 914-232-1999. A Zoom link will be emailed to participants on prior to the workshop.

Jump start your morning with some freshair and friendly people.

Pop over to Tait Johansson’spopular Third Thursday’s Bird Walk on Maple Avenue inKatonah to see what’s hanging around! There are no guarantees, but there’s sureto be something to make your day!

Cost:Free. Level of Difficulty: Easy. Registration is limited andrequired by emailing Susan at info@bedfordaudubon.org or calling 914-302-9713.