March Environmental Education: What to Do

Warm Up to Spring: March Environmental Education Events with Bedford Audubon

Spring is in the air! It might not feel like it to you, but the Red-winged Blackbirds that were at our feeders this week are a sure indicator! As winter winds down, natural food sources get depleted – help birds as they migrate by purchasing seed from Bedford Audubon!
CLICK HERE to shop online and support backyard birds and Bedford Audubon at the same time!

Where can you see 500 ducks, 230 bird species, and a mixed habitat of forest, meadow, salt marsh + shore?
Tait Johansson scheduled this late winter trip to Read Sanctuary + Marshlands Conservancy in Rye just in time for displaying waterfowl, early returning spring migrants, Fox Sparrows, Great Horned Owls and much more.  Thursday, March 7, 8am-1pm. Depart Bylane at 7:15am or meet us at the boathouse on Playland Lake at 8am. Cost: Free. Level of difficulty: Easy to moderate. Secure your place with Susan Fisher at info@bedfordaudubon.org or 914-302-9713.

The early bird catches the worm.
Beat the winter blues by joining us for Paint Night. Space is limited – register today so you don’t miss out! No experience necessary. Artist Charlotte Holden will guide you in creating a beautiful painting on your own canvas. Sign up with your friends or meet new ones for this special evening event.  Thursday, March 7, 6-9pm. Bylane Farm (35 Todd Rd., Katonah) Cost: $30 (includes all materials). Register online at Eventbrite or with Susan at info@bedfordaudubon.org or 914-302-9713. Bylane Farm, 35 Todd Rd., Katonah.

Owls are smarter than Blue Jays… Not!
“Owls can’t learn beans compared with ravens and jays; they are, however, ‘superb killing machines,’ with ‘virtually silent flight’ and wonderful ears—’sightless owls can catch mice by sound alone.’” – Publisher’s Weekly review of Owls Aren’t Wise and Bats Aren’t Blind by Warner Shedd, our Book Club selection. Join us for a discussion, led by Melanie Brocklehurst, of this fascinating book, which is “an entertaining dose of scientific reality for any nature enthusiast or armchair adventurer.” Monday, March 11, 6:30pm. Bylane Farm (35 Todd Rd., Katonah) Join us at 6:30pm for refreshments; book discussion begins at 7pm. Cost: Free. Register with Susan at info@bedfordaudubon.org or 914-302-9713.

I can’t make a real difference to the environment. Oh, but you can. We all can. And we’re going to explore how…
We welcome David J. Ringer, Chief Network Officer for National Audubon Society, at our Monthly Lecture Series to talk about how Audubon is engaging nationally and connecting locally to be the voice for birds. From Audubon’s brand-new college campus program to native plants to local action on climate change, we’ll dig in to strategies for protecting birds and engaging the next generation. The lecture will be followed by a Q&A to provide a national to local perspective of what we can do in our own neighborhoods and yards. This promises to be a calendar highlight. Wednesday, March 13, 7pm. Join us for refreshments at 7pm; lecture begins at 7:30pm. Katonah Library, Garden Room. Cost: Free

What kind of duck has sharp claws? The Wood Duck!
Join Tait Johansson for a visit to Wallkill National Wildlife Refuge and Black Dirt Region to see them! Along with Wood Ducks, we’re likely to see other exciting spring migrants such as Rusty Blackbird and large flocks of waterfowl that often contain hundreds of Northern Pintail and Green-winged Teal. Saturday, March 16, 8:30am-2pm. Depart Bylane 7am. Cost: Free. Level of difficulty: Easy to moderate. Secure your place with Susan Fisher at info@bedfordaudubon.org or 914-302-9713.

Bald Eagle, Wood Duck, Barred Owl, Raven… oh my!
These are a few of the amazing species that have been spotted on our monthly Third Thursdays Maple Avenue Bird Walk in Katonah. Join Tait in marking the passing of the seasons and changing of birds at this local hotspot. Thursday, March 21, 7:30-9:30am. Meet at Cross River dam. Cost: Free. Level of difficulty: Easy. Secure your place with Susan Fisher at info@bedfordaudubon.org or 914-302-9713.

Lazy frogs? Green frogs don’t chase their prey – they eat whatever comes their way!
Find these and much more on an exploration of our Vernal Pools at Hunt-Parker Sanctuary, led by long-time Bedford Audubon member Paul Lewis. You’ll visit these hidden treasures deep in the forest and learn about the vital importance of these seasonal wetlands as spawning grounds for salamanders and other amphibians. Family friendly for children 10 years and older: must be accompanied by an adult. Saturday, March 23, 1-3pm. Meet at Bylane Farm at 12:45pm wearing boots suitable for water. Cost: Free. Level of difficulty: Moderate. Level of difficulty: Easy-moderate. Secure your place with Susan Fisher at info@bedfordaudubon.org or 914-302-9713.

Photo Credit: Male Red-winged Blackbird by Holly Ellerbusch.