SOLD OUT! Silent flight, super night vision, exceptional hearing, 270° head rotation, and deep-rooted symbolism in myths and folklore make owls both mysterious and fascinating.
If you’re intrigued by owls, don’t miss Silent Hunters: An Exploration of Owls, a two-part program led by Naturalist Tait Johansson. In the first part of the program, Tait will share the ecology of local owl species, and ways to identify them by sight and sound. He’ll help uncover their secrets by guiding us through a hands-on pellet dissection as we learn what makes owls such stealthy predators. After a break in the program, we’ll reconvene at sunset for part two where we’ll drive to several nearby locations to listen for, and possibly sight, owls in their natural habitat.

Part 1: Saturday, March 1, 1:00-3:00pm. Hands-on Info Session & Pellet Dissection
Part 2: Saturday, March 1, 6:00-8:00pm. Evening Owl Prowl

Cost: $10 (members); $15 (non-members). The fee will help offset the cost of materials for this program including take-home owl identification packet, an owl pellet, and use of all equipment needed during dissection. Level of Difficulty: Easy. THIS PROGRAM IS SOLD OUT. Please email Susan to be placed on a waitlist.

Unlike the prominent white ring around its bill, the rusty ring on a male Ring-necked Duck’s neck is difficult to see.
Learn other ways to identify this diving duck and others by coming on our First Wednesday’s Bird Walk led by Naturalist Tait Johansson. This monthly walk around Deans Bridge Road in Somers boasts wetland, water, woodland, and grassland habitats that support various species of birds. In addition to Ring-necked Duck, we’ll be on the lookout for Wood Duck, Green-winged Teal, and Red-shouldered Hawk.
Wednesday, March 5, 7:30-9:30am. Cost: Free. Level of Difficulty: Moderate (there is a steep incline on the trail). Please email Susan to register.

Who needs leaves when there’s branches, bark, and buds?
Many people identify trees by their leaves, but that can often be confusing even within the same species. Come to our popular Winter Tree ID for ways to identify trees beyond the leaves. Naturalist Tait Johansson will lead this nature walk in the sanctuary surrounding Bylane Farm, helping you develop a skill you’ll be able to use year-round! Please register early – this program typically fills up quickly.
Wednesday, March 12, 1:00-3:00pm. Cost: Free. Level of Difficulty: Easy-Moderate (based on some hills and bumpy trails). Please email Susan to register.

There’s never a “bad” time to get rid of invasives species.
Join BA Board member and Naturalist Steve Ricker for this month’s Habitat Renewal Day for an experiential session working outside in our sanctuary to start enhancing the quality of the increasingly rare shrub habitat around Bylane Farm! Together, we’ll identify and remove invasive, non-native shrubs which will be replaced with native shrubs. 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, March 15, 11:00am-12:30pm. Cost: Free. Level of Difficulty: Easy to Moderate. Please email Susan to register.

Q: What begins in water and ends (primarily) on land? A: The life of amphibians!
Vernal pools are breeding grounds for salamanders and wood frogs, so life begins in these temporary fresh-water “ponds” for these species. Don’t miss your chance to search for this life on our Exploration of Vernal Pools Nature Walk led by long time Bedford Audubon member Paul Lewis in this family-friendly program. Paul will guide us to these hidden treasures deep in our forest sanctuary and will talk about the vital importance of these seasonal wetlands as spawning grounds for salamanders and other amphibians. Family friendly for children 10 years of age and older, must be accompanied by an adult.
Saturday, March 15, 1:30-3:30pm. Cost: Free. Level of Difficulty: Easy to moderate. Please email Susan to register.

The Green-winged Teal is the smallest dabbling duck in North America.
With a little luck, we just might see hundreds of them on this month’s Field Trip to Wallkill National Wildlife Refuge and Black Dirt Region with Naturalist Tait Johansson. This area is rich with species of waterfowl, waterbirds, raptors, and songbirds. At this time of year, possible sightings also include hundreds of Northern Pintails, Horned Lark, Snow Bunting, and perhaps Lapland Larkspur. Tait also hopes for lingering Rough-legged Hawk and flocks of Snow Geese.
Sunday, March 16, 8:30am-2:00pm. Cost: Free. Level of difficulty: Easy to moderate. Secure your place today – please email Susan to register.

The American Woodcock can usually be found on the ground – but not at dusk when its dancing begins!
Join Naturalist Tait Johansson together with the folds from Ward Pound Ridge Reservation, for   Dance of the Woodcock at the reservation. In this rare evening walk, we’ll be in search of the American Woodcock, a secretive early migrant that performs a quirky courtship ritual in the hopes of attracting a mate. You’re sure to be amazed at this bird’s extraordinary display during which male woodcock “peents”, struts, hurls himself into the evening sky, and glides back down to the ground again. This trip is so popular that we’re offering it twice this year. Better sign up fast before it fills up!
Tuesday, March 18 and Wednesday, March 26, 6:45pm. Cost: Free. Level of Difficulty: Easy. Please email Susan to register. Please sure to let Susan know which date you will attend when emailing.

Visit Panama without leaving New York!
In February, 12 Bedford Audubon members journeyed to Panama for a birding adventure led by our own Board President John Hannan! Hear all about the trip at this month’s Public Lecture: Discovering Panama and its Special Role in Hemispheric Conservation. Panama boasts the highest diversity of bird species in Central America and sits at the convergence of two continents making it the prime respite for migratory birds from both North and South America. The group travelled across several fascinating regions of Panama, meeting with nonprofits and members of First Nation communities who are all working on protecting Panama’s incredible biodiversity. Come to see the beautiful imagery of Panama’s birds and landscapes while learning about some of its key conservation initiatives that impact our migratory birds, all within the new discussion of Panama’s role as an international trade center.
Wednesday, March 19, 7:00pm (refreshments at 6:45pm). Cost: Free. Katonah Village Library Garden Room. No need to register.

Warblers anyone?
Join Naturalist Tait Johansson for our monthly Third Thursday’s Bird Walk in Katonah, and you might just catch a glimpse of the Pine Warbler! This warbler is a short-distance migrant and tends to migrate early and will be a hopeful sign of spring! Some other species Tait is hoping for include Bald Eagle, Brown Creeper, Common Raven, and Wood Duck, another early-returning migrant.
Thursday, March 20, 7:30-9:30am. Cost: Free. Level of Difficulty: Easy. Please email Susan to register.

Big news for this month’s book club!
Vice President and Program Committee Chair Melanie Brocklehurst is thrilled to announce that author Tina Morris will participate in this month’s Bylane Book Club discussion! There’s plenty of time to read her memoir, Return to the Sky – The Surprising Story of How One Woman and Seven Eagles Helped Restore the Bald Eagle and register for this very special event. In this book, Morris, one of the first women to engage in a raptor reintroduction program, shares a remarkable story that is as much about the human spirit as it is about birds of prey. Please join us over Zoom for this rare opportunity for a book club discussion that includes the author!
Monday, March 24, 6:30pm. Cost: Free. Please email Susan to register. A Zoom link will be emailed to you prior to the event.

Get ready to spring into action in your garden!
Is your garden ready for the awakening bees and returning birds? Learn the latest garden practices and techniques to support birds, bees and wildlife as they prepare to raise young at Bylane Farm’s Leon Levy Native Habitat Garden. Topics covered include spring flowers & shrubs, hummingbirds, spring garden prep, and nesting birds. Participants will gain hands-on experience working in our garden and learn how to apply what they’ve learned to their own gardens. Bring garden gloves and pruners. Class size is limited so register early!
Saturday, March 29, 11am – 1pm. Cost: $15 members, $20 non-members. Please email Susan to register.