Fall Migration is Heating Up: October Environmental Education Events with Bedford Audubon

Join Bedford Audubon this October for peak bird migration. Hit the trails with our expert Naturalist-in-Residence to experience the miracle of migration and the awesome changing of the seasons!

Mark your calendars for the Third Thursday for the rest of the year. We’re starting a new tradition of meeting at the same location, same day and time, to enjoy and appreciate the changing of the seasons (and the species!). Make connecting to nature a habit!

August 25 through November 22, 9am-5pm, Science in Action: Experience the Miracle of Migration at the Chestnut Ridge HawkWatch. Join us at the Chestnut Ridge HawkWatch located at TNC’s Arthur Butler Sanctuary in Bedford Corners every day, weather permitting, to experience the miracle of raptor migration. Our data is combined with other sites across North America to create powerful population and migration analyses that help us better protect raptors and their habitat. No registration required—we’ll see you there!

Tuesdays through end of October, 9-11am, Volunteer: Leon Levy Native Garden with Garden Chair Liz Stein. Join us for morning of fun the Garden—learn about native plants, observe birds and butterflies in the Garden, and help keep our Garden growing throughout the season. No prior gardening experience necessary, just a willingness to get dirty! Cost: Free. Level of difficulty: Easy. If you’re a first-time volunteer with us, please register with Janelle at jrobbins@bedfordaudubon.org or 914.232.1999.

Friday, October 6 to Monday, October 9, Special Field Trip: Cape May Migration Bonanza with Naturalist Tait Johansson! Be part of a perennial favorite—our annual Columbus Weekend trip to Cape May. Fall is the best season to visit this world-class birding hotspot, and Tait will maximize your experience by leading you to a variety of habitats in search of migrating raptors, as well as other migratory and resident passerines and shorebirds. Register early! Cost: Lodging and meals on your own, $100 for members, $130 for non-members and we’ll credit $30 towards your membership. Level of difficulty: Easy-moderate. Please register with Susan at info@bedfordaudubon.org or 914.302.9713.

Wednesday, October 11, 7pm: Lecture: For the Birds: Protecting Wildlife through the Naturalist Gaze with Dr. Elizabeth Cherry at the Katonah Village Library. Join Elizabeth Cherry, Sociology professor at Manhattanville College, for a discussion on her research on birding. As an environmental sociologist, Liz studies the connections among people, animals, and the environment. In her talk, she will discuss how birders develop a special way of looking at birds and their place in the natural world, which leads them to devote their time to community science and wildlife conservation. Free. No need to register—we’ll see you at 7 for refreshments and the lecture will begin at 7:30. Please bring a reusable mug to reduce your ecological footprint.

Thursday, October 12, 9-11am, Special Event: Breakfast with the Hawks. Join us for a complimentary breakfast at the HawkWatch, right around the peak of Cooper’s Hawk migration. Perfect for families, though all children must be accompanied by an adult. Co-sponsored by Westmoreland Sanctuary. Meet at the HawkWatch platform at the Arthur Butler Sanctuary, 265 Chestnut Ridge Road, Bedford Corners. Cost: Free. Level of difficulty: Easy-moderate. Please register with Susan at info@bedfordaudubon.org or 914.302.9713.

Saturday, October 14, 8-9am, Bird Walk: Discover Migration at the John Jay Homestead with Naturalist Tait Johansson. Join Tait for a bird walk around the historic grounds at 8am, and then stay for the Farmers Market, which starts at 9am. Please note the Market has moved to the field adjacent to the Carriage Barn. Cost: Free. Level of difficulty: Easy. Please register with Susan at info@bedfordaudubon.org or 914.302.9713.

Thursday, October 19, 7:30-9:30am, Third Thursdays Bird Walk: Maple Avenue, Katonah with Naturalist Tait Johansson. Join Tait at this local migration hotspot for the second in our new series new series of bird walks at Maple Avenue on the third Thursday of every month. It’s a great way to hone your birding skills and mark the passing of the seasons and birds! Level of difficulty: Easy. Cost: Free. Please register with Susan at info@bedfordaudubon.org or 914.302.9713.

Friday, October 20, Deadline to Place Your Seed & Suet Order! Don’t forget to order your seed and suet from us during our fall fundraiser to triple your impact– feed the birds this winter, attract more birds to your yard to enjoy, and support our mission all at once!

Wednesday, October 25, 7:30-11:30am, Field Trip: Explore Croton Point Park with Naturalist Tait Johansson. Croton Point is a fine local birding spot, especially good in late October for sparrows, raptors, and other open country birds like Horned Larks. Meet at Bylane at 6:45am or at the Croton Point Park entrance booth at 7:30am. Cost: Free. Level of difficulty: Easy. Dress warm. Please register with Susan at info@bedfordaudubon.org or 914.302.9713.

Photo Credit: Charlotte Catalano