It's Christmas Bird Count Time!

This early-winter bird census is a National Audubon Society community science program that relies on volunteers across the Western Hemisphere to go out over a 24-hour period on one calendar day to count birds. There are three local Counts in this region – plenty of opportunity to add to the 123-year strong tradition. New or inexperienced birders will be paired with more experienced groups, and fun is almost guaranteed! Each Count is organized by a Compiler who assigns volunteers to specific routes through a 15-mile diameter circle. Monday, January 2, Putnam County, NY, Christmas Bird Count. Email Compiler Charlie Roberto at chasrob26@gmail.com

We like to track the seasons through the numbers and species of birds we see in the various habitats around Dean’s Bridge Road in Somers. We’ll explore water, wetland, grassland, and woodland areas in the hopes of catching sight of lots of birds!

Cost: Free.Level of Difficulty: Easy-moderate. Email Susan to register.

Field Trip to Greenwich Point, a designated Important Birding Area (IBA)!Bundle up for our annual Field Trip to Greenwich Point with Naturalist Tait Johansson. Greenwich Point is an Important Bird Area (IBA) and is essentially an island connected to the mainland by a causeway on which the park access road, Tod’s Driftway, is located. One of the factors for the IBA designation is due to the presence of high concentrations of winter waterfowl; Tait will lead us in search of waterfowl including Brant, Long-tailed Duck, Common Goldeneye, along with both Loons and Horned Grebe. Maybe we’ll get lucky and see a Fox Sparrow or Snow Bunting!
Cost: Free. Level of Difficulty: Easy. Email Susan to register.

Don’t miss the exclusive re-screening of the 3D film, Wings Over Water!
You are invited! Join the five Westchester Audubon chapters for a special re-screening at the Jacob Burns Film Center in Pleasantville, NY, of the 45-minute 3D film, Wings Over Water, produced by award-winning local filmmakers Andy Young and Susan Todd. Wings Over Water tells the story of the epic journeys of three amazing bird families – the Sandhill Crane, the Yellow Warbler, and the Mallard Duck – with extraordinary footage of their fascinating behaviors. The screening will be followed by a reception and panel discussion with Susan Todd and Saw Mill River Audubon Executive Director Anne Swaim, in the Jacob Burns Media Arts Lab. 

This presentation is organized by Films on Purpose in partnership with all five Westchester County Audubon chapters: Central Westchester Audubon, Bronx River-Sound Shore Audubon, Bedford Audubon, Hudson River Audubon and Saw Mill River Audubon.

Purchase tickets directly from the Jacob Burns Film Center HERE.

Deer Management in Westchester County and Beyond
“New Yorkers greatly appreciate white-tailed deer and enjoy them in many ways. However, deer often cause problems for farmers, homeowners, and foresters and can cause road hazards. If not properly managed, deer numbers can increase dramatically. This increases problems for people and reduces the quality of the habitat for deer and other wildlife.” - New York’s Deer Management Program, NY State Department of Environmental Conservation 

Deer numbers in most of New York are controlled by regulated recreational hunting, which is the most practical means of controlling deer populations over large areas. At our January lecture, meet our two speakers who are responsible for implementing local deer management programs: Board member Philip Settembrino, Head of Bedford Audubon’s Deer Management Program, and Doug Erickson, President of the Westchester County Bowhunters Association. After a short presentation about the where, why, and how of deer management, our speakers will be open to questions and discussion.

The presentation will begin at 7:00 PM, but please join us for refreshments from 6:45pm. This is a public lecture so registration is not required.

Please join us for a VIRTUAL Book Club Discussionof The Birds of Pandemonium: Life Among the Exotic and Endangered by Michele Raffin.  The author is the founder of Pandemonium Aviaries, a conservation organization specializing in protecting birds by “banking” living birds and growing their numbers with the goal of saving species from extinction.

The book is “about one woman’s crusade to save precious lives, bird by bird, and offers insights into how following a passion can transform not only oneself but also the world.”

Cost: Free. Registration is required. Email Susan to register. A Zoom link will be sent to registrants prior to the lecture.

Start the day off with friendly faces.
Join Naturalist Tait Johansson for his Third Thursday’s Bird Walk – a relaxing and fun way to start your day. Don’t miss out on this popular walk any time of year! 
Cost: Free. Level of Difficulty: Easy. Email Susan to register.

The Season Finale to Bedford Audubon’s 2022 Hawkwatch Season!
Join Naturalist Tait Johansson on Zoom for a round-up of our complete 2022 Hawkwatch season at the Chestnut Ridge viewing platform at Butler Memorial Sanctuary. From late August up until Thanksgiving, our professional staff, Rich and Adam, were on the platform diligently collecting migration data and helping visitors spot and identify the raptors. It was a fantastic season with absolutely massive kettles (groupings) of broad winged hawks early in the season. We also saw beautiful Bald Eagles and Golden Eagles. The raptors we observe here migrate from their northern breeding grounds of Quebec, the Canadian Maritimes, and northern New England to their wintering grounds in the southern United States and Central and South America. We are fortunate enough to be located over their regular flyway. Long-term data on migratory populations is vital for avian and climate change research.
Cost: Free. Email Susan to register. A Zoom link will be sent to participants prior to the presentation.

Working outside to remove invasive plants from areas around gardens, fields, trails, nature center, etc.  Professional naturalists are on hand to teach you how to identify and remove invasive plants and explain why this is so vital to the ecosystem.  In some sessions, we will be replanting native plants. Tools and gloves are provided, but you can bring your own.  Loppers and hand pruners are the most used tools.  Plants with thorns will be present.  

This is a great and fun way to get some exercise, fresh air and contribute to the community’s birds, animals and plants.