Don’t be solitary like the sandpiper we might see!
Instead, start your August with us! Hopefully we’ll beat the heat on our monthly foray to Deans Bridge for our First Wednesday’s Bird Walk. Join Naturalist Tait Johansson as we look for Wood Duck, Great Blue Heron, Yellow Warbler, possibly Solitary Sandpiper, and so many others on our regular visit to track the changing seasons through the numbers and species of birds present in the different habitats we explore.
Wednesday, August 2, 7:30-9:30am. Cost: Free. Level of Difficulty: Moderate (there is a steep incline). Email Susan to register.

Where might you see flocks of hundreds of migrating shorebirds such as sandpipers and plovers?
On a Field Trip to Jamaica Bay Wildlife Refuge! This refuge covers 9,000 acres (20 square miles) of open bay, saltmarsh, mudflats, upland field and woods, two man-made brackish ponds—the 117-acre “East Pond” and 45-acre “West Pond,” and small fresh water ponds. Join Naturalist Tait Johansson for high tide at the Refuge’s East Pond at near peak shorebird migration. We’ll also be on the lookout for Glossy Ibis, Great Blue and Yellow-crowned Night Herons, Ospreys, egrets, and many others! Bring binoculars, lunch, sunscreen, plenty of cold drinks, and boots/footwear that you won’t mind getting muddy. The group will meet at the Visitors’ Center at 8:00am.
Saturday, August 5, 8:00am-1:30pm. Cost: Free. Level of Difficulty: Easy to moderate. Email Susan to register.

We’re heading to Somers to check out butterflies and dragonflies!
Named after the last natural brook-trout spawning stream in Westchester, Angle Fly Preserve is a vital sanctuary for area wildlife. With 654 acres of diverse habitat, this Somers preserve forms an open space link between the town’s Reis Park and Westchester County’s Lasdon Arboretum. Its continuous open space corridors vital for many species of wildlife. We’re pleased to partner with Somers Land Trust for an Angle Fly Preserve Nature Exploration and hope you’ll join us! We’ll be around the two ponds near the entrance to the preserve with Naturalist Tait Johansson who will help us find butterflies and dragonflies – and of course we’ll be on the lookout for birds, too!
Sunday, August 6, 9:00am-11:00am. Cost: Free. Level of Difficulty: Easy. This is a drop-in event, so registration is not necessary. Binoculars will be available to borrow or bring your own. Adult and kid friendly. Email Susan with questions.

Treat yourself to a morning of relaxation in a beautiful sanctuary.
The third of our monthly meditations in the native garden and sanctuary around Bylane. Escape the bustle of your day for an hour and join local Reiki Master Practitioner, Catherine Downs, at Bylane for a Nature Meditation. Based on the Japanese practice of Forest Bathing (Shinrin-Yoku), it will include a seated, guided reiki inspired meditation, and an immersive slow walk focusing on using the senses to connect to the natural world around us.
Sturdy shoes are recommended, plus layers of clothing depending on the weather and maybe a hat. Participants should also bring something to sit on – a blanket, cushion, or beach/camp chair.
Tuesday, August 8, 9:00-10:00am. Cost: Free. Level of Difficulty: Easy-Moderate (may include an incline on the trail). Email Susan to register.

We’re mixing things up this month!
Naturalist Tait Johansson’s Third Thursday’s Bird Walk will take place on the fifth Thursday this month, but don’t let that stop you from coming along. If you missed seeing warblers during spring migration, join us in search of them before they head out! Many warblers are already migrating by mid-August. We’ll also be looking for other songbird migrants while we have the chance.
Thursday, August 31, 7:30-9:30am. Cost: Free. Level of Difficulty: Easy (this walk is mostly flat with only a gently incline). Email Susan to register.

HawkWatch is here!
Spectacular flocks of Broad-winged Hawks pass through our area in mid-September, but Accipiters such as Sharp-shinned and Cooper’s Hawks provide the most consistent flight throughout the fall hawk-watching season. Join us for Science in Action: Chestnut Ridge Hawkwatch to experience the miracle of raptor migration. Our data is combined with other Hawkwatch sites to create population and migration analyses that help us better protect raptors and their habitats.
Hawkwatch takes place daily through mid-November from 9:00am-5:00pm (weather permitting) at the Arthur Butler Sanctuary, 265 Chestnut Ridge Road, Mount Kisco. The viewing platform is open to the public so registration not necessary. Look for specific HawkWatch programs beginning in September.

PHOTO: Solitary Sandpiper (AdobeStock)