October 2022 Programs

The cooler days are perfect for getting outside to experience nature, whether it’s digging in the garden or searching the trees for migrating birds. Don’t sweat the FALL stuff – we’ve got a great line-up this month.

Don’t be left out! If you participate in our programs, we hope you’ll consider becoming a member of Bedford Audubon. Membership fees and donations are critical to keeping us going. Plus, members get priority registration and other benefits. Become a member>>

Thistle while you work…
We’re thrilled to partner with Healthy Yards for our NEW Seed Gathering Workshop and hope you’ll join us! Most plant species are eager to spread voluntarily, for no cost, but they can use your help. Whether you’re new to seed saving or want to brush up on the practice, or if saving seeds from your garden sounds good, you won’t want to miss this event. You’ll learn how to collect seeds as we harvest from our own Leon Levy Native Garden and the surrounding meadow.
Sunday, October 2, 2:00-4:00pm. Cost: Free. Level of Difficulty: Easy. Email Susan to register.

Divide and conquer!
Don’t put your gardening tools away yet; rather, join us for a Dig and Divide Workshop with Healthy Yards. Cooler weather is typical at the beginning and end of the growing season, which means plants concentrate on root growth. This is the best time to dig up the plant, divide the roots, and replant. Learn all about this at the home of Filippine Hoogland as she hosts this informative workshop.
Sunday, October 9, 2:00-4:00pm. Cost: Free. Level of Difficulty: Easy. Email Susan to register. 

Change of date!
As we’ve said, the walk must go on, so Tait’s First Wednesday’s Bird Walk is taking place the second week of October this month only due to Yom Kippur. We like to track the seasons through the numbers and species of birds we see in the various habitats around Dean’s Bridge Road in Somers. We’ll explore water, wetland, grassland, and woodland areas in the hopes of catching sight of lots of birds!
Wednesday, October 12, 7:30-9:30am. Cost: Free. Level of Difficulty: Easy-moderate. Email Susan to register.

We’re going to shed light on the effects of lights in the night…
More than 80% of Americans can no longer see the Milky Way from where they live. Artificial light at night has changed the way we live, sometimes for the better, but it also has had deleterious effects on our bodies, our minds and the behavior and survival of creatures with whom we share the earth. Learn more at our Monthly Lecture: The Impact of Artificial Light at Night presented by Lawrence M. Faltz, MD MACP. In his lecture, Dr. Faltz will discuss how artificial light spreads throughout the environment, the ways it affects our physiology, and impacts the health of humans and birds. He’ll also provide some guidance on how we can control it.

About Lawrence L. Faltz, MD, MCAP
Dr. Faltz is a physician and was the Chief Medical Officer of Phelps Hospital for 23 years. A former NIH research investigator, he is Professor of Medicine at the Zucker School of Medicine at Hofstra/Northwell and Master of the American College of Physicians. A life-long amateur astronomer, he was president of Westchester Amateur Astronomers for 5 years and now edits its monthly newsletter. He is also a member of the International Dark-Sky Association.
Wednesday, October 12, 7:00pm. Cost: Free. The program will be held in the Garden Room of the Katonah Village Library. Please join us for refreshments at 6:30pm; the lecture begins at 7:00. No registration is necessary– see you there! And please bring a reusable mug to reduce your ecological footprint.

Grab breakfast with us… it’s our tweet!
Join Naturalist Tait Johansson and Board Member Steve Ricker for a complimentary Breakfast with the Hawks during this fall’s Chestnut Ridge Hawkwatch. This much-loved event is timed to take advantage of peak Red-shouldered Hawk migration and is perfect for families. (All children must be accompanied by an adult.) It’s also the time of year for a better chance of seeing a Golden Eagle! Bedford Audubon Counter and Spotter will also be on hand to “show and tell” what they are seeing. Co-sponsored by Westmoreland Sanctuary.
Sunday, October 16, 9:00-11:00am. Cost: Free. Level of Difficulty: Easy-moderate (due to the climb to the viewing platform). Email Susan to register.

Start the day off with friendly faces.
Join Naturalist Tait Johansson for his Third Thursday’s Bird Walk – a relaxing and fun way start to a fall day. Kinglet and sparrow migration will be in full swing. We’ll also be on the lookout for late warblers such as the Pine and Palm Warblers. Don’t miss out on this popular walk at a beautiful time of year!
Thursday, October 20, 7:30-9:30am. Cost: Free. Level of Difficulty: Easy. Email Susan to register.

Did you know that by feeding birds in the fall, the migrating (and resident) birds you help can lead to an increase in the size + diversity of winged visitors to your backyard next spring?
It’s true! While it can take a few days for birds to find a new feeder, once they do, keeping it filled will help birds imprint on the location of your reliable food source. Not to mention how happy you’ll make resident birds during the colder months as natural food sources get depleted. Still not sure about bird feeding? Join Naturalist Tait Johannsson for a Virtual Workshop: Bird Feeding 101. You’ll see a “show + tell” on bird feeder styles, placement, and varieties of seed and suet that attract different bird species. After this workshop, you’ll have the knowledge to set out your feast and be entertained watching your feathered guests dig in!
Wednesday, October 26, 6:00pm. Cost: Free. Email Susan to register. A Zoom link will be emailed prior to the workshop.

Photo of Barn Owl (AdobeStock)