Celebrate the Holidays AND Birds with Bedford Audubon this December!

With the new year on the horizon, December is a wonderful time for reflection and to appreciate what we have in our backyard. Take some time this month to step outside and experience nature with us – you’re sure to enjoy the calm and see the beauty of our local birds and wildlife.

December also means 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. We have four local Counts in this region – plenty of opportunity to add to the 120-year strong tradition. New or inexperienced birders will be paired with more experienced groups, and fun is almost guaranteed! Check the event listing below for details on how to sign up and be a community scientist!

How would you like to polish your birdwatching skills with birds that actually cooperate?
If this sounds good, then you won’t want to miss our Field Trip to Read Sanctuary/Marshlands Conservancy.  We’re sure to see waterfowl which often stay put and allow for sustained observation. This is a favorite birding trip among members – main targets are waterfowl and loons on the Sound, Great Horned Owls, and lingering songbirds.
Saturday, December 7, 8:00am-12:30pm. Depart Bylane at 7:15am or meet us at the boathouse on Playland Lake at 8:00am. Cost: Free. Level of difficulty: Easy-Moderate. Please register with Susan at info@bedfordaudubon.org or 914-302-9713. 

Join a century old tradition of collecting data that is a treasure chest for scientists and gives us insight into the long-term health + status of bird populations in North America.
There are two Christmas Bird Counts in December (and two more in January!). Each Count is organized by a Compiler who assigns volunteers to specific routes through a 15-mile diameter circle. Contact the compiler for details and to sign up for the count for which you’d like to participate:
Saturday, December 14, Peekskill, NY Christmas Bird Count. Email Compiler Mike Newhouse at mnewhouse@ene.com.
Sunday, December 15, Greenwich-Stamford Christmas Bird Count. Contact Compiler Cynthia.ehlinger@gmail.com or 203-219-1963.
Wednesday, January 1, Pawling, NY (Hidden Valley) Christmas Bird Count- Email Compiler Carena Pooth at pawlingcbc@watermanbirdclub.org.
Saturday, January 4, Putnam County, NY, Christmas Bird Count. Email Compiler Charlie Roberto at chasrob@optonline.net.

Give yourself a pre-holiday gift of nature + friendly cheer this December!
Embrace the crisp winter air and join us for our monthly Third Thursday’s Bird Walk! We have a good chance of seeing wintering waterfowl such as Buffleheads and Common Mergansers on the reservoir, and possibly a Bald Eagle!
Thursday, December 19, 7:30am-9:30am. Meet at the intersection of Maple Avenue + Reservoir Road (right at the dam). Cost: Free. Level of difficulty: Easy. Please register with Susan at info@bedfordaudubon.org or 914-302-9713.

Photo Credit: Cardinal (Pixabay)