|
| |
 Field Trips,
Programs, and Special Events
Each trip is given one of three levels of
difficulty: Easy, Moderate, or Strenuous. Please discuss your level of mobility
with the registrar to ensure that the field trip is appropriate for you. Except
where noted, register with
Joan E. Becker by e-mail or
telephone at (914) 232-4806.
Our October 2008 through June
2009
programs will take place at
The Katonah Memorial
House
71 Bedford Road, Katonah, NY 10536
Click for directions and a map to the Library and
Memorial House
Many of our field
trips are held at BAS Headquarters at Bylane Farm.
To get to Bylane Farm, take I-684 to exit 6. Go east on Route 35 for about
0.5 miles to Route 22. Go north on Route 22 for about 0.8 miles and turn right
onto Todd Road for about 0.6 miles. Look for a white mailbox on the right with
the address 35 Todd Road. The offices are on the left, but park in the small
parking lot on the right. The office phone number is (914) 232-1999.
|
|
|
Each trip is given one of three levels of
difficulty: Easy, Moderate, or Strenuous. Please discuss your level of
mobility with the registrar to ensure that the field trip is appropriate for
you.
Edith Read Sanctuary (Playland) and Marshlands
Conservancy, Rye, NY With Tait Johansson
Tuesday, December 9, 9:00 a.m.–3:00
p.m. Carpool from Bylane Farm
Located on the shore of the Long Island Sound, along the Atlantic migratory
flyway, the 179-acre Edith Read Sanctuary is home to a great diversity of marine
life. In winter, the 85-acre lake, a mixture of salt and fresh water, hosts over
5,000 ducks. The sanctuary has been recognized by National Audubon as an
Important Bird Area due to its significant habitats and flyway.
Marshlands Conservancy, located off Route 1 in Rye, is also on
the migratory flyway. This 173-acre wildlife sanctuary is composed of a
diversity of habitats—forest, meadow, salt marsh, and seashore. The preserve has
three miles of trails and one-half mile of shoreline along the Long Island
Sound. Bring lunch and dress warmly. Degree of Difficulty: Easy.
Register with Joan E. Becker by
e-mail or
by telephone at (914) 232-4806.
Return to Top of Schedule
|
Myxomycetes! The Enigma of Slime Molds—A Window to
the Imagination With David Rose, Past President of the
Connecticut-Westchester Mycological Association (COMA)
 Wednesday,
December 10, 7:30
p.m.
Please
note meeting place!
Katonah Memorial House, 71
Bedford Road, Katonah
Please do not block Fire Department access in
the driveway - park alongside the meeting house side of the driveway
Wheelchair accessible
In this illustrated talk, David
Rose will explore the natural history of myxomycetes, commonly known
as “slime molds.” Slime molds are colorful, harmless organisms that
inhabit damp woodland environments. So perplexing to science that
they have been classified variously as animals, plants, and fungi
(they are actually protists), these organisms are remarkable for
their delicate beauty and their surprising transformation from an
animal-like to a plantlike stage. Though they are not mushrooms,
slime molds reproduce by spores and have traditionally been studied
by mycologists for their resemblance to the fungi.
David W. Rose is an archivist,
writer, and past president of the Connecticut-Westchester
Mycological Association (COMA). As archivist, he has organized the
records of many prominent mycologists and botanists at The New York
Botanical
Slime mold (Hemitrichia_serpula) |
Garden, and as consulting
archivist he has processed the Charles Horton Peck Papers of the New
York State Museum and the records of the North American Mycological
Association (NAMA). Since 1998 his column, “Notes from Underground,”
appeared in the COMA newsletter, Spores Illustrated, and now
appears in FUNGI, a journal of amateur and professional
mycology. “Notes from Underground” is a periodic essay using
literary models and historical perspectives to explore the
backwaters of mycology: the poetics of fungi and the individuals who
have studied their marvels, all to illustrate that “mushrooms are a
window to the imagination.” David is presently Archivist of the
March of Dimes Foundation and author of
the first photographic history of the foundation in the Arcadia
Images of America series.
The program is free and open to the public. |
Return to Top of Schedule
We’re repeating last year’s smashing
success!
“A Bronx Extravaganza!” Field Trip to The New York Botanical
Garden’s Holiday Train Show, Visit to the Arthur Avenue Market, and Lunch at
Pasquale’s Rigoletto With Bedford Audubon Director Carol Gracie
Friday, December 12, 9:00
a.m.–4:30
p.m. Carpool from Bylane Farm
From November 23 through January 13, the Enid A. Haupt Conservatory at the
Botanical Garden is one of the favorite holiday
destinations in New York City. It has a unique appeal to a wide audience, from
children, who marvel at the trains that crisscross the exhibit; to architects,
who admire the exquisite reconstruction of New York City landmark buildings; to
botanists and gardeners, who eagerly study the botanical materials used to
recreate the dozens of buildings.
The field trip will have the added advantage of the expertise of
Carol Gracie, who has worked at The Garden for over 30 years. After visiting the
Holiday Train Show, the group will stop at the vibrant Arthur Avenue market in
the “Little Italy” of the Bronx and then go to the popular Pasquale’s Rigoletto
Restaurant for lunch.
A $12 per-car parking fee applies except for members of NYBG. An
admission fee of $20 ($18 for seniors; free for members of NYBG) applies as
well. Lunch is not included. Registration is limited to 10 people, so sign up
early for this popular excursion! Degree of Difficulty: Easy.
Register with Joan E. Becker by
e-mail or
by telephone at (914) 232-4806.
Return to Top of Schedule
Christmas Bird Counts
Whether you are a novice or an experienced birder, you can
participate. Click for More About the
Christmas Bird Counts
Greenwich-Stamford: Sunday, December
14
The Greenwich-Stamford CBC will be organized by Brian
O’Toole and Gary Palmer. To participate of for more information contact Brian by
e-mail
or phone 203-869-5272 ext.228.
Peekskill: Saturday, December 20
Contact BAS Board Member John Askildsen
by e-mail or by telephone at
845-677-3993 to participate. All skill levels are welcome.
Putnam County: Saturday, January 3
This CBC is coordinated by Charlie Roberto. Charlie can be contacted at
by e-mail
or phone 914-271-0840.
Return to Top of Schedule
Nature Hike at Hunt-Parker Sanctuary With
Tait Johansson
Wednesday, January 7, 10:00
a.m.–noon
Meet at Bylane Farm
After the holidays, a nature walk is a solace to body and soul. This leisurely
stroll through the meadow and woods will focus on trees in winter. Even without
leaves, trees and bushes are easily identifiable at this time of year,
especially when Bedford
Audubon’s knowledgeable naturalist Tait Johansson is at hand. Bring binoculars
(you may still see winter birds) and dress warmly! Come back to Bylane for hot
cider and cookies! Degree of Difficulty: Easy to Medium.
Register with Joan E. Becker by
e-mail or
by telephone at (914) 232-4806.
Return to Top of Schedule
|
Demystifying Bird
Photography: Pointers and Pitfalls With Photographer Sean Sime
Wednesday, January 14, 7:30
p.m.
|
Northern Flicker by Sean Sime |
Please
note meeting place!
Katonah Memorial House, 71
Bedford Road, Katonah
Please do not block Fire Department access in
the driveway - park alongside the meeting house side of the driveway
Wheelchair accessible
Like bird watching, bird photography has enjoyed a
tremendous increase in interest in recent years. Nowadays it seems
that almost everyone is an amateur bird photographer. Now you can
learn from the Pro and help improve your skills as Sean Sime shares
his methods for taking stunning photos of birds.
Sean Sime, a self-proclaimed “photographer and bird
nut” received a Master’s degree in Photojournalism and Documentary
Photography at the International Center for Photography in New York.
He resides in New York City and spends hours at the Jamaica Bay
Wildlife Refuge in Queens with his camera ready for the
prize-winning shot. Sean has also traveled around the world,
providing photo documentation for UNICEF in Africa and photographing
endangered species in South America. The results of his combined
interests in birds and photography have appeared in many
publications including Life Magazine,
The New York Times Sunday Magazine, North American Birds,
and Birder’s World.
The program is free and open to the public. |
Return to Top of Schedule
Winter Walk in the Meadowlands With Biologist and
Naturalist Michael Newhouse and BAS Director John Askildsen
Saturday, January 17, 7:30 a.m.–3:00
p.m. Carpool from Bylane Farm
The Meadowlands and its expansive wetlands have long been recognized as a
critical resource for wildlife, especially birds. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife
Service has designated the Meadowlands/Hudson River Complex as part of New
Jersey’s North Atlantic Coast Waterfowl Focus Area and converted it into a
unique urban wildlife preserve. The Sawmill Creek Wildlife Management Area is a
900-acre wetland complex within the Meadowlands District, which supports large
numbers of
waterfowl and shorebirds during migration.
Trip co-leader Michael Newhouse is a former research biologist at
the Institute of Ecosystem Studies in Millbrook, NY. He is now a naturalist with
the New Jersey Meadowlands Commission. His most recent research has focused on
the spread of Lyme disease in small mammal populations. Degree of Difficulty: Medium.
Register with Joan E. Becker by
e-mail or
by telephone at (914) 232-4806.
Return to Top of Schedule
Nature Hike at Croton Point Park, Croton-on-Hudson With
Tait Johansson
Thursday, January 22, 9:00
a.m.–11:30
a.m. Carpool from Bylane Farm or
join the group at Croton Point Park at 9:30
a.m.
Bedford Audubon naturalist Tait Johansson will lead a walk at this impressive
Hudson River nature park. Highlights may include
sightings of Bald Eagles and a couple of species of owls that make the Point
their winter home. Numerous species of ducks can also be seen out on the river
and along the shore. Degree of Difficulty: Easy to Medium.
Register with Joan E. Becker by
e-mail or
by telephone at (914) 232-4806.
Return to Top of Schedule
The Great Hudson River Excursion With John Askildsen
Saturday, February 7, 8:30
a.m.–1:00
p.m. Carpool from Bylane Farm or
meet at the Croton River Landing, past the Croton train station at 9:00
a.m.
The Hudson River in winter attracts thousands of ducks and geese and a variety
of birds of prey including Bald Eagles, both Black and Turkey Vultures, hawks,
and even ravens. BAS board member John Askildsen will guide us to several
locations along the river for a leisurely and entertaining day of wildlife
watching. This field trip coincides with Teatown Reservation’s EagleFest. Bring
lunch or purchase it at a local deli. After the trip, make sure to stop by the
DEP and Bedford Audubon’s warming tent at the Croton Dam. Further details will
follow. Degree of Difficulty: Easy.
Register with Joan E. Becker by
e-mail or
by telephone at (914) 232-4806.
Return to Top of Schedule
|
Reptile Ecology and Conservation
in the USA With Herpetologist
Peter Warny
Wednesday, February 11, 7:30
p.m.
|
Peter Warny - Photo by Phillip Auerbach |
Please
note meeting place!
Katonah Memorial House, 71
Bedford Road, Katonah
Please do not block Fire Department access in
the driveway - park alongside the meeting house side of the driveway
Wheelchair accessible
Bedford Audubon is pleased to welcome
back Peter Warny for a lecture on his passion and field of expertise—reptiles.
His presentation will focus on conservation of snakes, turtles and
alligators, as well as ongoing ecology and conservation projects and
habitat management.
Peter Warny, “The Reptile Man,” has
worked for National Audubon and the Nature Conservancy on
conservation projects both locally and in National Audubon
Sanctuaries around the country. He is currently a research associate
in the herpetology lab at Western Connecticut State University and
an associate researcher for the New York State Museum in Albany.
Peter has been studying the behavior and habits of snakes, turtles,
frogs and salamanders since childhood.
The program is free and open to the public. |
Return to Top of Schedule
The Second Annual “Walk for Drew” Nature Hike at
Franklin-Fels Sanctuary With BAS Naturalist Tait Johansson
Wednesday February 18, 9:00
a.m.–11:30
a.m.
Join Bedford Audubon naturalist Tait Johansson for a walk through
Bedford Audubon’s lesser known sanctuary in North Salem. The preserve has a few
steep inclines and generally provides for easy walking. Bring binoculars. This
walk is in memory of Andrew Reynolds, known to us as “Drew,” who died suddenly
on February 7, 2008. The inaugural walk was held on March 18, 2008. Drew was a
long-time friend, member and supporter of Bedford Audubon. Since one of Drew’s
main contributions to BAS was surveying and marking the trail system in
Franklin-Fels Sanctuary, we feel it appropriate to honor him with an annual walk
there. Degree of Difficulty: Easy to Medium.
Register with Joan E. Becker by
e-mail or
by telephone at (914) 232-4806.
Return to Top of Schedule
Bald Eagle Survey at the Croton Dam and Visit to Black
Rock Park, Croton-on-Hudson With Tait Johansson and Bedford Audubon Volunteers
Saturday, February 28, 3:30
p.m.–5:00
p.m.
Join the BAS eagle survey volunteers to learn more about Bald Eagles and their
increasing presence in our area. We’ll demonstrate how the data for the survey
is collected and used in larger scientific eagle studies. If conditions are
right, we will also take a trip to nearby Black Rock Park, where an impressive
number of duck species often congregate in winter. Last year’s report
“Monitoring of Wintering Bald Eagles in Westchester and Rockland Counties 2008”
is available on our website at
www.bedfordaudubon.org/eagles/2008eagles.pdf. Degree of Difficulty: Easy.
Register with Joan E. Becker by
e-mail or
by telephone at (914) 232-4806.
Return to Top of Schedule
|
Reading the
Forested Landscape With Terrestrial Ecologist Tom Wessels
Wednesday, March 11, 7:30
p.m.
Please
note meeting place!
Katonah Memorial House, 71
Bedford Road, Katonah
Please do not block Fire Department access in
the driveway - park alongside the meeting house side of the driveway
Wheelchair accessible
 “It
is wonderful to know nature through one-on-one encounters with other
organisms, but it is perhaps more empowering to gain
a fuller understanding of the patterns that have shaped its
landscapes…Reading the landscape is not just about identifying
landscape patterns; more importantly, it is an interactive narrative
that involves humans and nature…” Tom Wessels (1997).
This program is based on Tom’s book, Reading the
Forested Landscape, A Natural History of New England. It
introduces people to approaches used to interpret a forest’s history
while wandering through it. Using evidence such as the shapes of
trees, scars on their trunks, the pattern of decay in stumps, the
construction of stone walls, and the lay of the land, it is possible
to unravel complex stories etched into our forested landscape. This
process could easily be called “forest forensics” since it is quite
similar to interpreting a crime scene.
Tom Wessels is a terrestrial ecologist and founding
director of the master’s degree program in Conservation Biology at
Antioch University New England in Keene, New Hampshire. He serves as
an ecological consultant to the Rainforest Alliance’s SmartWood
Green Certification Program and in that capacity, helped draft green
certification assessment guidelines for forest operations in the
northeastern United States and adjacent Canada. Tom has conducted
landscape level workshops throughout the United States for over 30
years. His books include Reading the Forested Landscape, The Granite
Landscape, Untamed Vermont, and The Myth of Progress: Toward a
Sustainable Future. Tom will have copies of Reading the
Forested Landscape available for sale and signing.
The program is free and open to the public. |
Return to Top of Schedule
Late Winter Trip to Eastern Long Island
This trip is being planned for birding and hopefully to catch
a glimpse of the elusive Tiger Salamander. Please check back for updates on
this trip. Members will be notified in advance on the BAS listserve. You can
sign up for this convenient service at the top of this web page.
Return to Top of Schedule
Usher in Spring at the Bronx Zoo With Joan and Peter
Becker
Tuesday, March 24, 9:00
a.m.–4:30
p.m. Carpool from Bylane Farm
Experience one of the Tri-state area’s premier attractions with long-term
Bedford Audubon members and bird enthusiasts Joan and Peter Becker. Come
eyeball-to-eyeball with Laughing Kookaburras, Pink-cheeked Cockatoos, Andean
Condors, Tufted Puffins, High-flying Hornbills, and Helmeted Curassows to name
only a few of exotic the species you will ogle in the world famous House of
Birds, the Sea Bird Colony, Aquatic Bird House, Birds of Prey Aviaries, and
duck-filled Northern Ponds. And what zoo trip would be complete without visiting
Madagascan lemurs, great bears, snow leopards, Zoo admission fee applies. Degree of Difficulty: Easy to Medium.
Register with Joan E. Becker by
e-mail or
by telephone at (914) 232-4806.
Return to Top of Schedule
Photo Montage Courtesy of and Copyright © by
Rick Paris
rick@rickparis.com
www.rickparis.com
Copyright © 2001–2008 Bedford Audubon Society,
Inc.
For comments or questions contact
webmaster |
Bedford
Audubon Society