Our 2025 Fall SEED SALE IS ON!

Every order you place with us supports our research, education and conservation mission. We offer great prices, great selection and a great cause – what could be better than that?

Important Seed Sale Dates

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“First” Wednesday Bird Walk

Even though October’s First Wednesday Walk at Deans Bridge in Somers will take place a week later – on the Second Wednesday of the month – we will still experience fall migration for many species, including some warblers, and possibly even Swainson’s Thrush, Scarlet Tanager, and Rose-breasted Grosbeak, according to Naturalist Tait Johansson, who leads this walk. Join us for this fun, local walk and discover what we’ll see this month!

Wednesday, October 8, 7:30am-9:30am. Cost: Free. Level of Difficulty: Moderate (one part of the trail is steep). Please email Susan to register: info@bedfordaudubon.org

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Habitat Renewal Volunteer Session

All year long, there is important work to do to maintain our sanctuary for the birds and other wildlife that depend on it. Naturalist and Board Member Steve Ricker leads our vital restoration work to enhance the quality of the rare habitat that surrounds Bylane Farm. Join him to assist with this important part of our conservation mission. At the start of the session, Steve will provide tips to discern native plants from invasives and will be happy to answer questions.

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, October 11, 11am-12:30pm. Cost: Free. Level of Difficulty: Easy-moderate. Please email Susan to register: info@bedfordaudubon.org

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Public Lecture Series: The Fascinating World of Bats

With their swooping, nocturnal flights, leathery wings, and fabled connection to Dracula, bats have been viewed by generations of humans as fearsome creatures – the earthly counterpart to the mythical monsters for which some bat species are named. Despite their mysterious reputation, bats pose little risk to human populations, provide valuable ecosystem services around the world, and are remarkably diverse. However, their populations are currently facing immense pressure from habitat loss, climate change, and disease, putting many species at risk of extinction.  

Join Leah Cass at the Katonah Village Library to learn about the origins of bat mythology, global bat diversity, threats to bats, local monitoring efforts, and ways we can all contribute to the conservation of these captivating species.  Leah Cass is the Curator of Natural Resources for the Westchester County Department of Parks, Recreation, and Conservation. Her work focuses on the monitoring and conservation of locally threatened species and habitats including turtles, vernal pools, and bats.

Wednesday, October 15, 7:00pm (refreshments at 6:45pm), Katonah Village Library Garden Room. Cost: Free. No need to register, all are welcome.

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Third Thursday Walk

Join us for our ever-popular monthly walk at the Cross River Dam area in Katonah. Our Naturalist Tait Johansson will be on the lookout out for mid-October migrants such as Blue-headed Vireo, Hermit Thrush, Eastern Towhee, and Palm Warbler, and possibly a Bald Eagle. This is an easy walk, suitable for beginners and experienced birders alike, so sign up early if you want to join us. 

Thursday, October 16, 7:30am-9:30am. Cost: Free. Level of Difficulty: Easy. Please email Susan to register: info@bedfordaudubon.org

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Sparrow ID Workshop and Field Trip

Do sparrows confuse you? You’re not alone. With their strikingly similar appearances, sparrows can be tricky to identify — even for seasoned birders. Fear not – Naturalist Tait Johansson can help you distinguish these “little brown jobs” from one another in this two-part Sparrow Identification Workshop and Field Trip. In the first part, Tait will provide information on how to identify these underappreciated birds, from field markings, behaviors, and vocalizations; in the second part, we’ll take a field trip to Allen’s Meadows Park in Wilton, CT, a sparrow “hot spot,” to practice identifying them in the field. We’ll be on the lookout for Vesper Sparrow, Savannah Sparrow, White-crowned Sparrow, Lincoln’s Sparrow, and others. Workshop limited to 8 people, register early Please email Susan with questions or to register and pay by cash/check: info@bedfordaudubon.org. Click the button below to register by credit card securely online.

Saturday, October 18, 7:00am-11:30am. Cost: $25 members, $35 non-members.  

Sunday in the PArk with Bedford Audubon

Join us at Bedford Hills Memorial Park and rediscover the wonder of the birds and wildlife found right in your own backyard. Whether you’re new to birdwatching or a seasoned birder, this event offers something for everyone. We’ll have binoculars and a viewing scope on hand so you can get a closer look and Naturalist Tait Johansson will lead a guided nature walk to help you see familiar birds in a whole new way – and maybe even spot some unfamiliar ones. There will be fun, family-friendly activities, along with educational materials in both English and Spanish. Bring your family and friends, and meet us in the park for an afternoon of nature, learning, and connection!

This program is co-sponsored by the Town of Bedford Department of Recreation and Parks and is free and open to all ages. Families are welcome! Children must be accompanied by an adult.

Sunday, October 19, 1:00-3:00pm. Cost: Free. Level of Difficulty: Easy. Registrations are encouraged, but walk-ins are welcome! Email Susan to find out more or to sign up: info@bedfordaudubon.org

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Bird Feeding 101 Virtual Workshop

Get some perspective on feeding birds at Naturalist Tait Johansson’s virtual workshop. In this Zoom presentation, you’ll enjoy a “show and tell” of feeder styles, placement, and the varieties of seed and suet that attract different bird species. Tait will also talk about pests like squirrels and bears and ways to go beyond the birdfeeder to support birds through native plants. This workshop takes place during our Fall Seed Sale – so if you are interested in asking Tait questions about what seed you should purchase, this is the perfect opportunity for you!

Thursday, October 23, 6:30pm. Cost: Free.Please email Susan to register: info@bedfordaudubon.org. A Zoom link will be emailed to participants in advance of the presentation.

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Breakfast with the Hawks

You don’t want to miss this popular event at our Chestnut Ridge Hawkwatch Platform. Naturalist Tait Johansson, Lead Counter Nathan Bartels and Director of Conservation and Wildlife Management at Westmoreland Sanctuary Steve Ricker will be on hand to “show and tell” the raptors and other avian species flying above, while we enjoy bagels, hot cocoa, coffee and some homemade treats. This much-loved event is perfect for families. (All children must be accompanied by an adult.) Among others, Red-shouldered Hawks are on the move this time of year, and it’s also the time for a better chance of seeing a Golden Eagle! This event is cosponsored by Westmoreland Sanctuary.

Saturday, October 25, 9:00-11:00am. Cost: Free. Level of Difficulty: Moderate – the trail to the platform is about 1/4 mile, and somewhat steep in parts, with exposed root and rocks, including some smaller loose rocks in places. Please email Susan to register: info@bedfordaudubon.org

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Bird Banding Demonstration

Back by popular demand! Join Naturalist Tait Johansson and our skilled volunteers as they once again bring banding to our own backyard. Watch live bird banding in action; learn what data is recorded; and enjoy a rare up-close encounter with some of our local bird species. This demonstration at Bylane Farm is a great opportunity to learn more about our MAPS (Monitoring Avian Productivity & Survivorship) Station in the Hunt-Parker Sanctuary and Bedford Audubon’s contributions to this important research as Tait and a team of volunteers band birds, explaining every step along the way. This is a family-friendly event, but children must be accompanied by an adult.

Sunday, October 26, 8:00-10:00am. Cost: Free, but donations welcomed to support our research. Level of difficulty: Easy. Please email Susan to register: info@bedfordaudubon.org

Chestnut Ridge HawkWatch

Each autumn from late August to late November, Bedford Audubon staff and volunteers run our Chestnut Ridge HawkWatch located in Bedford Corners, New York. Going into our 44th year of formal raptor identification during the fall migration period, our data is combined with other HawkWatch sites to create population and migration analyses that help us better protect raptors and their habitat, and contributes to a hemispheric raptor conservation effort – and you can be part of it!

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 is not necessary.

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Memberships Matter

Bedford Audubon memberships help make all of these programs possible. To become a member, just click the box below. Do you have questions, suggestions, or other thoughts? Call the office at 914-232-1999 or email info@bedfordaudubon.org. We’d love to hear from you!