Hawkwatch is winding down. Don’t miss it!
Spectacular flocks of Broad-winged Hawks passed 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. Check our program list for our end of season wrap up!

Fox Sparrow fossils from ~11,000 years ago have been found in PA, VA and CA.
You might not find fossils, but seeing an actual Fox Sparrow is a possibility on our November First Wednesday’s Bird Walk. Naturalist Tait Johansson leads this monthly visit to Deans Bridge Road in Somers for an exploration of water, wetland, grassland, and woodland habitats. We’ll also be on the lookout for Green-winged Teal, Hermit Thrush, Winter Wren, and so much more. Come along with us and see what we find!
Wednesday, November 6, 7:30-9:30am. Cost: Free. Level of Difficulty: Easy-Moderate (there is a steep incline on the trail). Please email Susan to register.

Get some relaxation before the bustle of the holiday season kicks in!
Break from your morning routine and enjoy the benefits of being outdoors at our November Nature Meditation guided by local Master Reiki Practitioner and certified ANFT Forest Therapy Guide, Catherine Downs. Catherine will lead us in a seated, guided reiki inspired meditation followed by an immersive slow walk focusing on using the senses to connect to the natural world. This is the final outdoor Nature Meditation until the spring; look for a special Winter Solstice Forest Bathing experience with Catherine in December.
Thursday, November 7, 10:00-11:00am. Cost: Free. Level of Difficulty: Easy-Moderate (depending on the walk). Please email Susan to register.

We’re pulling out OWL the stops for a new workshop!
You may have dissected an owl pellet in school – or maybe your kids have. Or maybe you missed out completely. Whatever the case, you’re invited to our new Owl Pellet Dissection Workshop, a hands-on program led by environmental educator and Bedford Audubon Board member Dr. Linda Burke. In this unique and informative program, you’ll learn all about owls, predators who hunt various animals, often at night, swallowing them whole. But what happens to the undigestible part of the prey, such as bones, hair, or feathers? That’s where the pellet comes in! Each participant will dissect one of these regurgitated balls to find out what the owl had eaten… will it be voles, mice, rats, birds or moles?
Sunday, November 10, 1:00-3:00pm. Cost: $10 (Members); $15 (Non-members). Fee covers all materials (pellets, dissection tools) and an information packet to take home. Class size is limited to 12 dissectors; children aged 10 and over are welcome but must be accompanied by an adult. Please CLICK HERE for online tickets or email Susan to register or for questions.

Experiential learning available!
Volunteers needed to roll up your sleeves for Habitat Renewal! Join Naturalist and Board member Steve Ricker as he leads this vital restoration work to enhance the quality of the rare habitat that surrounds the historic Bylane Farm. Steve will start by providing tips to discern native plants from invasives and will be happy to answer questions throughout the session. Tools and gloves will be provided, or you can bring your own (loppers and hand pruners are the most used tools). Plants with thorns, and poison ivy may be present.
Saturday, November 16, 11:00am-12:30pm. Cost: Free. Level of Difficulty: Easy-Moderate (depending on the work needed on this day). Please email Susan to register at info@bedfordaudubon.org.

From frost to flourish, our quartet of habitat garden gurus packs a powerful punch!
What should you do to prep your garden for winter? Not much, but not nothing either! Gain hands-on experience on putting your garden to bed in a brand-new Winter Garden Prep Workshop led by Board member, Naturalist, and Garden Committee Chair Steve Ricker, Garden Committee members Missy Fabel and Beth Metzger, and Naturalist Tait Johansson. You’ll learn best management practices for supporting resident and migrating birds, bees, and wildlife throughout the winter and this quad of experts will share their top must-have native plants to include in your own habitat garden – all while sipping hot cocoa in the Bedford Audubon Habitat Garden! Bring garden gloves and pruners, if you have them, for practice in the garden where you’ll also be able to gather seeds from our native plants to take home!
Sunday, November 17, 11:00am-1:00pm. Cost: $15 (Members); $20 (Non-members). The fee will help offset the program costs and includes handouts of everything covered in the workshop along with a list of resources. Please CLICK HERE for online tickets or email Susan to pay by check or for questions.

That’s a wrap… almost!
Bedford Audubon participates in the global network of hawk watches that, annually, compile hemispheric-wide population indexes of all migratory raptors. As we near the end of this year’s count period, come to our Public Lecture: Raptor Extravaganza – 2024 Chestnut Ridge Hawkwatch Report. Board President John Hannan, Lead Counter Rich Aracil, and Naturalist Tait Johansson will share highlights and data from the season, and insights in how our HawkWatch integrates into the broader network across the Americas spanning from Quebec in Canada to the pampas in Argentina.
Wednesday, November 20, 7:00pm, Katonah Village Library. Cost: Free. Advance registration is not required; all are welcome. Please join us for refreshments at 6:30pm ahead of the presentation at 7:00pm.

Did you know… Buffleheads are mostly monogamous, unlike most ducks.
Join Naturalist Tait Johansson in marking the passing of the seasons and changing of birds on our monthly Third Thursday’s Bird Walk in the Cross River Dam area of Katonah. We’ll be on the lookout for Bald Eagles and waterfowl such as Common Merganser and yes, Bufflehead, that should be starting to arrive from the north. We may also see lingerers like Eastern Towhee and Ruby-crowned Kinglet. This is an easy and friendly walk, great for beginners and experienced birders alike.
Thursday, November 21, 7:30-9:30am. Cost: Free. Level of Difficulty: Easy. Please email Susan to register.

Do you like surprises?
If so, save the date for Naturalist Tait Johansson’s Leader’s Choice Field Trip! November is the best month for rarities – any bird that is not typically found in a locale. Ahead of this special trip, Tait will scout the latest and greatest for the group to see and based on what he finds, will decide where we will head. Plan to head out in the morning to a location no more than 1.5 hours’ drive. Tait will make the decision closer to the trip date based on bird sightings, rarities, and his local knowledge. If you register, you will be notified of the details a few days ahead of time.
Sunday, November 24, 8:00am-1:00pm (time is approximate).  Cost: Free. Level of Difficulty: Easy-Moderate, depending on location. Please email Susan to register.