February Environmental Education: What to Do

Embrace Winter with Bedford Audubon Inside + Out this February!

There’s still time to participate in EagleWatch! It runs on Thursdays for the rest of this month beginning about 1.5 hours before sunset. Naturalist Tait Johansson and his team from Bedford Audubon and Saw Mill River Audubon will monitor roosting Bald Eagles within the Lower Hudson Valley Important Bird Area (IBA). If you’re interested in this citizen science project, please email Tait at tjohansson@bedfordaudubon.org or call 914.232.1999.

FEBRUARY PROGRAM

Do you know which event was named winner of Hudson Valley Magazine’s “Best Outdoor Winter Event” in 2019?
You guessed it… EagleFest! This Teatown event is a celebration of the Bald Eagle’s return to the Hudson Valley after being on the brink of extinction. Join Naturalist Tait Johansson at Bedford Audubon’s post at the New Croton Dam warming station. We’ll be viewing our nation’s symbol, the Bald Eagle, and monitoring local waterfowl along with other birds.
Saturday, February 8, 9:00am-4:00pm. Cost to visit us at the dam: Free (But there is a charge to the main Teatown event. Click Here for info/tickets to that.) Registration with Bedford Audubon not necessary to visit the dam.

Celebrate LOVE + birds as we head into Valentine’s Day!
Let your heart swell this February by joining us for a timely Monthly Lecture: Birds We Love by Naturalist Steve Ricker. You don’t have to be an experienced birder to recognize backyard birds, but if you are, do you pay attention to them? Learn about some common – and not-so-common – birds and their behaviors as Steve shares his experiences with birding along with anecdotes about his favorites. You’re sure to learn something and come away with a new appreciation for our beautiful, everyday birds!
Wednesday, February 12, 7:30pm. Please join us at 7:00pm for refreshments; lecture begins at 7:30. Katonah Village Library Garden Room. Cost: Free. Advance Registration not required.

About Steve: Bedford Audubon is thrilled to introduce Board Member Steve Ricker. He the Director of Conservation and Wildlife Management, Office Manager at Westmoreland Sanctuary in Bedford, New York.  Steve has been employed by Westmoreland for 30 years and enjoys teaching all ages about the wonders and importance of the environment.  Steve is also responsible for the management of the 645-acre public non-profit nature center including education, trails, administration, and habitat management.

Looking for a winter adventure?
You’re in luck… our Special Winter Birding Week-end Field Trip to Cape Ann/Plum Island might be just what you’re looking for! The coast of northeast Massachusetts is the winter home to a spectacular array of seabirds. Our masterful Naturalist Tait Johansson will guide this special trip around the region in search of such stunners as Harlequin Duck, King Eider, Barrow’s Goldeneye, Red-necked Grebe, Rough-legged Hawk, Iceland and Glaucous Gulls, Purple Sandpiper, Black Guillemot, Black-legged Kittiwake, Razorbill, Short-eared Owl, Snowy Owl, and Northern Shrike. The many other possibilities include Dovekie, Thick-billed Murre, and Eastern Screech Owl, and this winter, Townsend’s Solitaire. Add these to your year (or life) list this month!
Friday, February 14 through Monday, February 17. Cost: $100/members, or $135/nonmembers (and we’ll credit $35 to an annual membership). Travel, lodging, and meals not included in the cost. We will provide an itinerary, hotel suggestion, and coordinate meeting times + locations when you register. Please register with Susan at info@bedfordaudubon.org or 914-302-9713.

Old Faithful in Katonah?!
Yes… it’s our monthly Third Thursday’s Birdwalk, and there is reliably something there to make your day. Last month we saw lots of birds including a couple of Bald Eagles and a pair of Eastern Towhees. Join us and see for yourself what Tait can find!
Thursday, February 20, 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.

Not an early bird? No worries… we’ve got you covered!
Take advantage of our Field Trip to Shawangunk Grasslands National Wildlife Refuge and you don’t have to get up early. Join Tait on this early evening expedition to find Rough-legged Hawks, Northern Harriers, and Short-eared Owls. Family-friendly for children ages 12+ accompanied by an adult.
Wednesday, February 26, 3:30-6:30pm. Depart Bylane at 2pm. Cost: Free. Level of difficulty: Easy. Dress warmly! Please register with Susan at info@bedfordaudubon.org or 914-302-9713.

We can help you brush away the winter blues…
Give yourself something to look forward to as the days get longer by joining us for our second annual Paint Night. This special evening event is taking place at our home, Bylane Farm. You don’t have to be an experienced painter or artist to participate… Emily will guide the group in creating a beautiful, nature-related painting on personal canvases.
Thursday, February 27, 6:00-8:30pm. Bylane Farm, 35 Todd Rd., Katonah. Cost: $35 (includes materials + refreshments). Space is limited to please secure your spot by today. CLICK HERE TO REGISTER.

Photo Credit: Photo of Bald Eagle taken by Skeeve on Pixaby.