December 2022 Programs
Our Dean’s Bridge walk is great for new and experienced birders!
Join Naturalist Tait Johansson for his popular First Wednesday’s Bird Walk. Birds we might spy include Ring-necked Duck and other waterfowl, Brown Creeper, Winter Wren, and Swamp Sparrow.
Wednesday, December 7, 7:30-9:30am. Cost: Free. Level of Difficulty: Moderate. Email Susan to register.
Two Important Bird Areas (IBA) in one day? YES!
Join Naturalist Tait Johansson for a Field Trip to Milford Point and Silver Sands State Park. Milford Point is one of Connecticut’s most-visited bird viewing areas as the marsh, sandbars, and barrier beach are some of the most important shorebird migratory stopover areas on Long Island Sound, providing foraging areas and resting areas for tens of thousands of shorebirds each year. Silver Sands is comprised of woodland edge, grassland, beach and restored salt marsh and dune areas. It is also an IBA for wintering and nesting birds. Its areas of dense cover provide good habitat for songbirds, especially sparrows. We’ll be looking for Clapper Rail, Red-throated Loon, Long-tailed Duck, Horned Lark, Snow Bunting, Orange-crowned Warbler, and many others. Tait says, “There has recently been a White Ibis with some Yellow-crowned Night-Herons nearby; if still present, we will look for those birds too.”
Saturday, December 10, 8:00am-1:00pm. Cost: Free. Level of Difficulty: Easy-Moderate. Meet at 8:00am at Milford Point Road or meet at Bylane to caravan at 6:45am. Bring lunch. Registration is limited and required. Email Susan to register.
A roadshow of National Audubon Society’s 2022 Photography Awards will be on display at Bylane Farm this month!
Bedford Audubon is proud to host a Traveling Exhibit featuring the 2022 Audubon Photography Awards winning image. In the 13th year of this contest, winning photos, videos, and honorable mentions were selected from over 2,400 entrants from all 50 states, Washington, DC, and Canada to appreciate the wonder of birds and the places they inhabit. Stunning winning images will be on display for a limited time this month.
The exhibit is open to the public on December 8, 9, and 12-16 from 10:00am-4:00pm at Bedford Audubon, 35 Todd Road, Katonah, NY. For questions, please call 914-232-1999 or email info@bedfordaudubon.org.
Get some exercise and fresh air while learning about habitats…
Join Naturalist & Properties Committee Chair Steve Ricker for another Habitat Renewal Day! You’ll learn about invasive plants, including identification and their negative effect on the ecosystem while working to remove the invasives in our sanctuary and gardens. In some sessions, we will be replanting native plants. This is a great and fun way to get some exercise, fresh air, and contribute to the communities’ wild animals and plants. Tools and gloves will be provided, or you can bring your own. (Loppers and hand pruners are the most used tools). Plants with thorns will be present.
Saturday, December 10, 11:00am-12:30pm. Cost: Free. Level of Difficulty: Easy-moderate. Email Susan to register.
Give yourself the gift of friendly birding this month.
Embrace the crisp winter air and join Naturalist Tait Johansson for his monthly Third Thursday’s Bird Walk. There’s a good chance we’ll see wintering waterfowl such as Common Mergansers on the reservoir, Ravens, and possibly a Bald Eagle!
Thursday, December 15, 7:30-9:30am. Cost: Free. Level of Difficulty: Easy. Registration is limited and required. Email Susan to register.
The arrival of the winter solstice means things will only get brighter!
Although it marks the astronomical first day of winter and shortest day of the year in our area, it also means the days will start getting longer. Experience this magical day by joining Naturalist Tait Johansson for a Solstice Field Trip to Edith Read Sanctuary & Marshlands Conservancy. Possible bird sightings include Greater White-fronted Goose, Great Horned Owl, Red-throated and Common Loons, Long-tailed Duck, and Fox Sparrow.
Wednesday, December 21, 8:00am-12:00pm. Cost: Free. Level of Difficulty: Easy-Moderate. Email Susan to register.
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. There are three local Counts in this region – plenty of opportunity to add to the 123-year strong tradition. New or inexperienced birders will be paired with more experienced groups, and fun is almost guaranteed! Each Count is organized by a Compiler who assigns volunteers to specific routes through a 15-mile diameter circle. Contact the compiler for the Count in which you’d like to participate:
Saturday, December 17, Peekskill, NY Christmas Bird Count. Email Compiler Mike Newhouse at Michael.Newhouse@wsp.com
Sunday, December 18, Greenwich-Stamford Christmas Bird Count. Email Cynthia Ehlinger at cynthia.ehlinger@gmail.com
Monday, January 2, Putnam County, NY, Christmas Bird Count. Email Compiler Charlie Roberto at chasrob26@gmail.com
