First Wednesday Bird Walk

Start September off right! Join guest leader Nadav Snir-Zelniker at our First Wednesday Walk location at Hilltop Hanover Farm, an oasis of open fields and woodland edges in Yorktown Heights. Nadav is a longtime member of Bedford Audubon, a veteran of numerous walks with Tait, and a skilled birder in his own right. 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, September 2, 7:30am-9:30am. Cost: Free. Level of Difficulty: Easy. Please email to register: info@bedfordaudubon.org.

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Library Lecture Series

What can bird photography reveal about the science of avian ecology? In this engaging lecture, Journey to the Interface of Science and Photography: Avian Ecology Meets Bird Photography, Dr. Loren Merrill takes us from his early work as a graduate student, postdoctoral researcher, and environmental consultant to his current career as a photographer and science writer. Along the way, we’ll enter the hidden world of the cowbird, explore how early-life stress can shape development, and discover how land managers are working to protect California’s Least Terns, Tricolored Blackbirds, and Northern Harriers. Loren will then bring science and photography together, sharing his bird photography and science writing and offering a behind-the-scenes look at how his scientific background continues to shape his work.

Dr. Loren Merrill has spent nearly three decades working with birds, beginning as a high school intern with the Audubon Society’s Project Puffin in 1995. His research has explored avian ecology, animal behavior, physiology, and disease ecology, with work ranging from Brown-headed Cowbirds to Green Herons. Today, Loren combines his scientific expertise with photography and science writing, contributing to Northern Woodlands Magazine, Birding Magazine, and Down East Magazine, while leading photography workshops and nature walks.

Wednesday, September 16, 7:00pm. Cost: Free. No registration required, open to all. Please join us for refreshments in the Garden Room of the Katonah Village Library from 6:45pm ahead of the presentation at 7pm.

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Fall Warblers ID Workshop + Field Trip

Join Naturalist Tait Johansson for a special two-part Fall Warbler ID Workshop and Field Trip designed to help birders of all levels sharpen their skills in identifying warblers during the unique challenges of fall migration. As these colorful songbirds make their southbound journey, they trade their bright breeding plumage for more subtle hues, making identification tricky, even for experienced birders. During this workshop and field trip you will learn tips and tricks to recognize fall warblers in the field. Workshop at Bylane Farm, field trip the next morning on Reservoir Road in Katonah. Workshop limited to 10 people; register early.

Wednesday, September 16, 10:00am – 12:00pm (workshop at Bylane Farm) and Thursday, September 17, 6:30am – 7:30am (field trip to Maple Ave/Reservoir Road). Cost: $25 members, $40 non-members. Level of Difficulty: Easy. Register by clicking below, or emailing: info@bedfordaudubon.org

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Third Thursday 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. This walk is a relaxed opportunity to build your skills, and enjoy the changing seasons with fellow bird enthusiasts. Come see what we can find!

Thursday, September 17, 7:30am-9:30am Cost: Free. Level of Difficulty: Easy. Please email to register: info@bedfordaudubon.org.

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Field Trip to Hawkwatch

Join our team for a Field Trip to the Hawkwatch Platform and see what’s moving through the skies above our area. Naturalist Tait Johansson and Hawkwatch Counter Christine Waas will be on hand to help identify and explain the birds we see and provide some context for our observations. We’ll be watching for kettles of migrating raptors, along with other birds passing overhead, from this high vantage point above I-684, with sweeping views across the Arthur Butler Sanctuary and beyond to Long Island Sound. Learn how hawk migration is monitored and why long-term observations like these are important for understanding raptor populations and migration patterns. Come see if we can top last year’s numbers!

Saturday, September 19, 11:30am-2:00pm. 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 to register: info@bedfordaudubon.org.

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Pollinator Tour and Bee Workshop

Explore the Leon Levy Native Habitat Garden at Bylane Farm during Westchester Pollinators’ Open Garden Tour and see ecological beauty in action. Designed to bring conservation to life, our garden demonstrates how thoughtfully planned native landscapes can support wildlife, strengthen ecosystems, and inspire people. While you’re here, enjoy a sneak peek at our new Accessible Garden and Path and learn more about this exciting addition to our sanctuary. Docents will be on hand to answer questions and share tips for creating a vibrant, bird-friendly habitat in your own yard!

Arrive at 1:00pm to Discover the Fascinating World of Bees during our free, 30-minute educational mini-workshop and walk. Learn about bees’ essential role as pollinators while separating fact from fiction about these remarkable and often misunderstood insects.

Sunday, September 20, 1:00pm-4:00pm. Cost: Free. Level of Difficulty: Easy. Please email to register: info@bedfordaudubon.org.

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Raptor ID Workshop

Sharpen your raptor identification skills and pick up expert tips in this two-part Raptor ID Workshop and Field Trip with Naturalist Tait Johansson. The program will begin with an info session at Bylane Farm during which Tait will guide you through various traits and behaviors of raptor families that will help you identify them in flight. The group will then head to the Chestnut Ridge viewing platform at the Arthur Butler Sanctuary in Mount Kisco to put new skills into practice. This event is timed to coincide with the peak migration of raptors such as Broad-winged Hawk, American Kestrel, Osprey, and Sharp-shinned Hawk. Workshop limited to 10 people; register early.

Friday, September 25, 9:00am – 2:00pm. Cost: $25 members, $40 non-members. Level of Difficulty: Moderate (the trail to the platform is somewhat steep in parts).

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Photography Workshop

This in-depth 4-hour photography workshop, Better Bird Shots: A Conceptual and Technical Approach to Improving Your Bird Photography, led by Dr. Loren Merrill, is designed for anyone interested in improving their bird photography skills, from beginners to experienced photographers.

The workshop emphasizes classroom learning and covers both Loren’s conceptual approach to bird photography and the technical elements needed to create impactful images. He will discuss preferred camera settings for different scenarios, with particular attention to photographing birds in flight under varying environmental conditions. Toward the end of the workshop, participants will have the opportunity to put these techniques and settings into practice, photographing birds at the feeders and elsewhere on the Bylane Farm grounds.

Dr. Loren Merrill is a photographer and science writer with a doctorate in avian ecology, animal behavior, and physiology. His deep knowledge of bird behavior informs his photography and teaching. An award-winning instructor and mentor, Loren works closely with participants to help them achieve their goals.

Saturday, September 26, 8:00am – 12:00pm. Cost: $200 per person. Class size limited to 10 people. For more information, email: info@bedfordaudubon.org.

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Members’ Only Bird Walk

Join us for a special Members’ Walk at a location specially selected by Naturalist Tait Johansson. This Leader’s Choice field trip is open to Bedford Audubon Members only. Not a member? Not a problem! You can support us with your membership HERE. Membership status will update immediately.

The destination is part of the adventure! Tait will make the decision closer to the trip date, based on recent bird sightings, rarities, and his local knowledge. The location will be no more than 30 minutes’ drive from Bylane Farm. If you register, you’ll be notified of the details a few days before the trip.

Sunday, September 27, time tbd. Cost: Free for Members. Level of Difficulty: Easy. Please email to register: info@bedfordaudubon.org.

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Bylane Book Club

Join Melanie Brocklehurst for a lively discussion of Bird City: Adventures in New York’s Urban Wilds by Ryan Goldberg. Over the course of a year, Goldberg explores New York City’s birdlife, visiting all five boroughs and following both common and rare species through the seasons. Along the way, he introduces readers to the passionate birders, scientists, and other New Yorkers who are helping us understand and protect the city’s birds. Engaging, informative, and full of surprising discoveries, Bird City offers a fresh perspective on the urban landscape and the wildlife thriving all around us. Read the book and come ready to share your thoughts, questions, and favorite discoveries with fellow bird lovers.

Monday, September 28th, 6:30pm. Cost: Free. Please email to register: info@bedfordaudubon.org.

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Field Trip to Central Park

Birds migrating along the East Coast in fall flock to Central Park as a welcoming place to rest and store up energy for the next leg of their journey. Join Tait Johansson on our fall Field Trip to Central Park to discover the ecological value of the park’s man-made bird habitats, which include meadows, grassy knolls, rocky outcrops, woodlands, ravines, streams, ponds, lakes, and a reservoir. The park is a truly exceptional birding location for migrating warblers, thrushes, sparrows, and many other songbirds. The group will meet at 7:15am at 72nd Street and Central Park West, the entrance to Strawberry Fields. We’ll stop at the boathouse where you can purchase lunch or bring your own.

Tuesday, September 29, 7:15am-1:30pm. Cost: Free. Level of Difficulty: Easy-Moderate (due to the length of the walk). Please email 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!