As this crazy year winds down, we hope you’ll join us for holiday fun and outdoor adventures.

With a new year on the horizon, December is a great time for reflection and for celebration of the good things that surround us. In the spirit of the season, we hope you’ll join us at next Sunday’s virtual Open House so that together we can toast to holiday cheer, happy times, and YOU!

Bird seed is finally arriving!
Thank you to all who supported our seed sale and look forward to seeing those of you who are picking up your orders. We appreciate your patience while waiting for orders to come in.
Pick-up is on Saturday, December 5th from 10am-noon at Bennie’s Feed Barn (45 Main St., Beddford Hills) Deliveries will take place the week of December 7. Questions? Email Suzanne Cahill at info@bedfordaudubon.org or call 914-232-1999.

Greater or Lesser Scaup… can you tell the difference?
For a chance to see these confusing ducks, join Naturalist Tait Johansson for a Field Trip to Read Sanctuary/Marshlands Conservancy.  With a mixture of salt and freshwater habitat, we just might see both species – Greater Scaup tend to choose saltwater bodies, while Lesser Scaup are found in freshwater zones further inland. We’ll also be on the lookout for other waterfowl and loons on the sound, and lingering songbirds. Hooooo knows… maybe we’ll even see a Great Horned Owl!
Sunday, December 6, 8:00am-12:30pm. Cost: Free. Level of Difficulty: Easy-Moderate. Depart Bylane at 7:15pm or meet us at the boathouse on Playland Lake at 8:00am. Registration is limited and required by emailing Susan at info@bedfordaudubon.org or calling 914-302-9713.

Have some fun this holiday season at our VIRTUAL Holiday Open House!
This annual celebration is a favorite of Bedford Audubon staff + board members because it’s a time that we can express our gratitude to you, our members, donors, and volunteers, for all that you do. Although it’s not in-person, Although it’s not in-person, we’ve planned an exciting interactive event that will include a Fireside Chirp, Members’ Photo/Video Montage, Games, Holiday Toast (the sparkling wine will be our tweet!) and more. (CLICK HERE for details).
Sunday, December 6, 3:00-5:00pm. RSVP by Monday, November 30 (member deadline is Wednesday, December 2nd) and we will provide a gift bag containing a token of our appreciation, a mini bottle of sparkling wine, and other goodies to enjoy at our Open House. (Once you RSVP, we’ll let you know when you can swing by Bylane to pick up the gift bag.) RSVP HERE.

As the year winds down, take a morning to connect with nature and some friends from Bedford Audubon.
Join Naturalist Tait Johansson for our monthly Third Thursday’s Bird Walk. There’s a good chance we’ll see wintering waterfowl which often stay put and allow for sustained observation – a great way to polish your birdwatching skills!
Thursday, December 17, 7:30-9:30am. Cost: Free. Level of Difficulty: Easy. Registration is limited and required by emailing Susan at info@bedfordaudubon.org or calling 914-302-9713.

Winter gardens can be full of life!
Though active growth has stopped, there’s no reason the winter garden has to be dull for you or for birds. Join Garden Director Mathew McDowell for his Zoom Workshop: Native and Near-native Evergreen and Seasonal Accent Plants for Winter. In it, Mathew will discuss a number of wildlife friendly, regionally native plants that both add visual interest to the winter landscape and enhance habitat.
Thursday, December 17, 12:00pm. Cost: Free. Registration is required by emailing Susan at info@bedfordaudubon.org or calling 914-302-9713.

Photo Credit: Northern Saw Whet Owl (Pixabay)