First Wednesday Bird Walk

Join Naturalist Tait Johansson at our First Wednesday Walk location at Hilltop Hanover Farm, an oasis of open fields and woodland edges in Yorktown Heights. Open to birders of all experience levels, this outing offers a welcoming opportunity to explore a new site while continuing the tradition of our monthly walk.

Wednesday, July 1, 7:30am-9:30am. Cost: Free. Level of Difficulty: Easy. Please email Susan to register: info@bedfordaudubon.org.

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Bird Trivia Night

Put your bird knowledge to the test at our Bird Trivia Night! Gather your family and friends, brush up on your bird facts, and join us for a spirited summer evening of avian brain-teasers on the patio at Bylane Farm. Questions will cover a wide array of bird-related topics.

Come with a team or arrive solo and let us match you with fellow bird enthusiasts (maximum five people per team). Whether you’re an eagle-eyed expert or simply here to have a good time, you’ll enjoy an evening of friendly competition, fun, and community. Sips and snacks will be served, and prizes will be awarded. The games begin at 6:30 PM, but you’re welcome to join us from 6:00 PM to mingle in the garden.

Thursday, July 9, 6:30pm (doors open at 6:00pm). Cost: $15 per person.

REGISTER HERE

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Butterfly Workshop

Join Naturalist Tait Johansson for an engaging introduction to the natural history and identification of local butterflies in our Butterfly Workshop at Bylane Farm. This two-part program begins indoors at Bedford Audubon’s historic headquarters, where Tait will share information about the ecology, behavior, and flight periods of butterflies, along with tips for identifying the species commonly found in our region.

The learning continues outdoors as we explore the Bedford Audubon Native Habitat Garden and trails throughout the surrounding sanctuary, putting those new identification skills into practice while searching for butterflies in their natural habitats. Limited to just ten participants, this intimate workshop offers a deeply immersive experience with ample opportunities for questions and personalized attention. Binoculars will be available to borrow.

Saturday, July 11, 10:00am-1:00pm. Cost: $25 members, $40 non-members. Level of Difficulty: Easy.

REGISTER HERE

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Habitat Renewal Workshop

Naturalist Tait Johansson will lead this month’s volunteer session in which we will be working in the sanctuary to restore vital bird habitats. Tait will teach you how to identify and remove invasive plants and why this practice is so vital to the ecosystem. The session will be conducted entirely outside on our sanctuary and grounds. This is a great way to get some exercise, fresh air, and contribute to our communities’ wild animals and plants. Tools and gloves are provided, but you can bring your own. Loppers and hand pruners are the most used types. Plants with thorns as well as Poison Ivy will be present. Volunteer sessions take place once a month.

Sunday, July 12, 9:00am-10:30am. Cost: Free. Level of Difficulty: Easy. Please email Susan to register: info@bedfordaudubon.org.

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Bylane Book Club

Join the Bylane Book Club for a discussion of Crow Talk by Eileen Garvin, led by Melanie Brocklehurst. Set against the wild beauty of the Pacific Northwest, this moving novel follows an ornithologist, a musician, and a young boy whose lives become unexpectedly intertwined through the rescue of an injured crow. Together, we’ll reflect on the book’s themes of grief, friendship, resilience, and the healing power of both human connection and the natural world. Whether you’re an avid reader, a bird enthusiast, or simply curious about the remarkable intelligence of crows, all are welcome to join the conversation.

Monday, July 13, 6:30pm. Cost: Free. Please email Susan to register: info@bedfordaudubon.org.

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Third Thursday Bird Walk 

Naturalist Tait Johansson leads our popular, easy-going Third Thursday walk, which takes place at the Cross River Reservoir Dam area in Katonah and is a favorite for birders of all levels. The reservoir and surrounding woodlands, wetlands, and open areas attract a wide variety of species, making each walk a unique experience.

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

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Shorebirds Workshop

This two-part program begins at Bylane Farm, where Naturalist Tait Johansson will provide an introduction to shorebird identification and ecology, exploring the field marks, habitat preferences, foraging strategies, and behaviors that distinguish these diverse and highly adapted species. Participants will learn how to recognize key groups of shorebirds and gain insight into the remarkable migrations that bring them through our region each year.

We’ll then apply these concepts during a field visit to Jamaica Bay Wildlife Refuge. Timed to coincide with high tide, when feeding birds are concentrated on the East Pond, the outing offers an exceptional opportunity to study hundreds of Short-billed Dowitchers, Semipalmated Sandpipers, Least Sandpipers, and a variety of other shorebird species at close range. By combining classroom instruction with field observation, this program provides a deeper understanding of shorebird ecology while helping participants develop the skills needed to identify these challenging birds in the field.

Saturday, July 18, 8:00am-2:30pm. Cost: $25 members, $40 non-members. Level of Difficulty: Easy.

REGISTER HERE

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Bird Banding Demonstration

Join Bedford Audubon Executive Director Medha Pandey and Naturalist Tait Johansson along with 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. This is a family-friendly event, but children must be accompanied by an adult.

Sunday, July 19, 8:00am-10:00am. Cost: Free, but donations to support our work are greatly appreciated. Level of Difficulty: Easy. Please email Susan to register: info@bedfordaudubon.org.

 

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Milford Point

Join Naturalist Tait Johansson on a Field Trip to the Coastal Center at Milford Point. Milford Point is part of the Stewart B. McKinney National Wildlife Refuge and is adjacent to CT DEEP’s 550-acre Wheeler Marsh Wildlife Management Area. Together, these protected habitats offer some of Connecticut’s premier birdwatching opportunities. The site’s diverse coastal habitats attract an impressive variety of resident and migratory birds throughout the year, making it an exceptional destination for birding. This field trip usually fills up, so register early to secure your spot.

Friday, July 24, 8:00-11:30am. Cost: Free. Level of Difficulty: Easy. Please email Susan to register: info@bedfordaudubon.org. Parking is limited at Milford Point so please carpool. You can let Susan know when registering if you are interested in sharing a ride.

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Garden Volunteer Sessions

You don’t need to be a gardening expert to join native garden volunteer and educator Beth Metzger and other volunteers as we work in the Leon Levy Native Habitat Garden at Bedford Audubon. We rely on volunteers of all ages and abilities, and volunteering is a great way to get hands-on experience with cultivating native plants and gardening techniques, and learn about the birds, butterflies, and pollinators that call the Leon Levy Native Habitat Garden their home. Tools and gloves are provided, but you can bring your own. Plants with thorns as well as Poison Ivy will be present. Volunteer sessions take place on Wednesday mornings.

Wednesdays, 8:30am-10:30am. Cost: Free. Level of Difficulty: Easy. Please email Susan to register: info@bedfordaudubon.org.

 

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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!