Summer 2012 - Bedford Audubon Society

The
Celebrating 99 Years of Conservation 1913-2012
Summer is fast approaching as I write
this, my last letter as President of
Bedford Audubon.
Bedford Audubon Society has accomplished much in the past three
years. I leave the position of President
confident that our Executive Director,
Janelle Robbins, will continue to meet
every challenge with the grace and
quiet competence she has demonstrated during the past year. I thank all
of you who have supported Bedford
Audubon, especially those that took
the extra step to help us earn the Challenge Grant that was integral in funding repairs at Bylane Farm. Without
you we would not be able to carry on
our very important work and secure
the future for Bedford Audubon.
Your new President, Ted Anderson,
who will assume this leadership role
on July 1, also has a great passion for
the future of BAS and will lead our
organization into its next century of
work to conserve habitat, and educate
and empower our community on the
complexities of our natural surroundings. I wish him and all of you a wonderful summer of nature at its best.
With summer in mind, consider day
trips and short adventures at Bedford
Audubon’s four sanctuaries – they
contain avian, plant, butterfly, and
dragonfly diversity to delight and educate the entire family.
Or join our Naturalist-in-Residence
Tait Johansson and our other skilled
program leaders on one of our many
free programs. I hope each and every
one of you will make it a point to
reacquaint yourself with our seven
miles of trails, and with nature’s gifts
around every corner this summer. I’ll
see you there.
Walter Fowler
President
BIRDSCAPING
THE LEON LEVY
NATIVE GARDEN
By Lynn Becker, Native Garden Chair
B
edford Audubon is very happy to
announce a major expansion of the Leon
Levy Native Garden at Bylane Farm.The
Garden is a cornerstone of our Audubon at
Home program, and demonstrates the use of
native plants in a variety of residential, roadside, and field settings. For the past several
months, Bedford Audubon has been working
Monarda Didyma
with Larry Weaner Landscape Associates to
develop a comprehensive design and implementation plan.
Like all animals – including humans – birds need food, water, and shelter to
survive. But this region is highly developed, with networks of interstate highways
and roads, fragmenting habitat suitable for birds.As we begin our exciting renovation and expansion, I wanted to share with you some considerations that informed
our plant selections for the Garden that create island oases of birdscaped habitat
for feeding.
Making certain that birds have enough to eat at the Garden was a primary
consideration. Almost all birds eat opportunistically as food sources change
seasonally, requiring a wide variety of plant
material. Native plants provide seeds and
fruit of the right size, shape, and nutritional
content at the right time. In the spring and
early summer, many birds are insectivores;
Northern Mockingbirds, Eastern Bluebirds,
and Cedar Waxwings eat the insects that
flit around the blossoms of fruit trees.
Warblers, orioles, woodpeckers, American
Redstarts, and Scarlet Tanagers prefer the
insects
and larvae that inhabit the bark of
Viburnum Opulus
maples, oaks, and birches. Summer berries
in the Garden will attract birds, even with a wild abundance of fruits, for easy
observations: blueberries attract over 90 species of birds including Eastern
Bluebirds, Eastern Kingbirds, and Northern Flickers. And as fall and winter draw
close, fruits that persist, like viburnum, some cranberry varieties, small-hipped
roses, and Northern Bayberries, provide essential nutrition. Our design calls for
many of these trees as well as American Elms, Black Tupelos, American Hollies,
amelanchiers, Red Mulberries, sumacs, and elderberries.
Native grasses, annuals, and perennials are another valuable food source for
birds when fruit is scarce. Hummingbirds will flock to nectar-rich flowers,
especially the red varieties. Look for our Wild Columbine, Great Blue Lobelia and
Cardinal Flower, bee-balms, and native penstemon.Thistle seeds are a favorite of
Photo by Carol Gracie
President’s Letter
Photo by Carol Gracie
Summer 2012, Volume 62, No. 2
continued on page 3
2
Bedford Audubon Society • Visit our website at www.bedfordaudubon.org • Summer 2012
Calendar of Events
(See page 6-7 for full description of field trips)
Unless otherwise indicated, please register with Jeanne Pollock at [email protected] or 914.519.7801.
JUNE
June-August
8
9
13
16
16
17
20
20
28
30
JULY
7
11
MAPS bird banding – Science in Action
Register for Father’s Day Bird-feeder Building Workshop
9 –11 am
Nature Walk in Ward Pound Ridge
7:30 pm
Lecture: Conservation of Birds of Old Fields and Young Forests
7:30 – 9:30 am Field trip to Old Field Preserve, Waccabuc
2–4
Butterflies and Dragonflies at Bylane
9 – 11 am
Father’s Day Bird-feeder Building Workshop
Register for Butterfly Workshop
7 – 9:30 am
Bird & Butterfly Walk at Muscoot Farm
6:30 – 8 pm
Composting Workshop at Bylane
9 – 10:30 am
Composting Workshop at Bylane
AUGUST
3
7
9 am – 2 pm
8
7 pm
Register for Dragonfly Workshop
Birding Trip to Jamaica Bay, Queens
Presentation: “Nocturnal Bird Migration and the Phenomenon
of Morning Flight” at Bylane
10
11
18
21
9:30 – 11 am
Walk in the Herb Garden at John Jay Homestead
10 am – 3 pm Dragonfly Workshop at Bylane
10 am – 3 pm Birding Trip to Jamaica Bay, Queens
5:45 – 7 pm
SEPTEMBER
6
7 – 11 am
12
7:30 pm
15-16 9 am – 5 pm
Forest Walk at Bedford Audubon's Hunt-Parker Sanctuary
Migrating Warblers at Greenwich Point Park
Lecture: Stopover Ecology of Migrating Raptors
Migrating Broad-winged Hawks at Chestnut Ridge
10 am – 12pm Butterfly Workshop at Bylane
10 am – 3 pm Excursion to Master Gardeners Cornell Cooperative
Extension and Innisfree
14
24
28
28
29
10 am – 12 pm Butterfly Workshop at Bylane
9:45 am – 3 pm Excursion to Meadowlands Including Pontoon Boat Tour
10 am – 12 pm Butterfly Workshop at Bylane
2 – 4 pm
Dragonfly Walk at Bylane
10 am – 1 pm Family Nature Walk at Bylane
✄
BEDFORD AUDUBON MEMBERSHIP FORM
Please show your support for Bedford Audubon Society’s conservation and educational programs by making a
member’s gift today. Whether your donation is a first-time enrollment, membership renewal, or pledge of additional support, your
tax-deductible donation is truly needed and appreciated.
To donate, please fill out this form and mail with your check payable to:
Bedford Audubon Society, 35 Todd Road, Katonah, New York 10536.
If you wish to make a secure donation using a Visa or MasterCard, visit www.bedfordaudubon.org/donation or call 914.232.1999.
Please check one:
New Member or Renewal
$30
Gift Membership
$30
Student
$15
Supporter
$50
Contributor
$100
Patron
$500
I wish to make an additional donation of
Name
Address
City
State
Zip
Phone
E-Mail
$__________________________
My company has a matching gift program
(please include form).
I wish to leave Bedford Audubon Society in my will.
Please send me information about planned giving.
Bedford Audubon never sells or shares your personal information.
Thank you!
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Bedford Audubon Society • www.bedfordaudubon.org • Summer 2012
Workshops at Bylane
Be Green & Create “Brown Gold!” Composting in the
Vegetable Garden with Master Gardener Cathy Clare,
offered twice: Thursday, June 28, 6:30–8:00 pm and
Saturday, June 30, 9–11 am.
Amending your garden soil with compost is a fantastic route
to an abundant harvest of leafy greens, tomatoes, and other
healthy and delicious garden veggies. Learn how easy and
economical it is to create rich soil using organic waste in Bylane’s Bird Friendly Vegetable Garden.The session is hands-on,
so dress for gardening and plan to harvest herbs to bring
home! Please register with Janelle at 914.232.1999 by June 27.
Butterfly Workshop at Bylane Farm with Tait Johansson, July 7, 14, & 28, 10 am–12 pm. Learn the natural history and identification of our local butterflies with indoor
instruction and outdoor butterfly walks. Fee: $95, includes
course materials, but you must provide your own binoculars.
Limited to 8 people – sold out last year! Please register with
Tait at 914.232.1999 by June 20.
Dragonfly and Damselfly Workshop at Bylane with Tait
Johansson, Saturday, August 11, 10 am–3 pm. Learn the
natural history and identification of our local dragonflies and
damselflies. Fee: $75, includes field guide and insect net.
Bring footwear you don’t mind getting wet, and bring binoculars (close-focusing ones if you have them). Please register
with Tait at 914.232.1999 by August 3.
THANK YOU EMILY!
S
omers High School senior Emily Enoch has spent the past
four months interning
with Bedford Audubon.
Emily is a student in the
BOCES New Visions
Environmental Science
program and chose
Bedford Audubon for her
internship and research
experience.
While with us Emily
has honed her bird sight
and sound identification skills, logged bird observations at the
Bylane feeder garden into eBird, learned to identify trees in
the winter, and compiled our Eaglewatch data each week – all
while developing and conducting her Red-winged Blackbird
research project.
Emily is a Girl Scout, member of the Somers Track & Field
Team, and just competed in the Envirothon. Emily will be a
member of the 2016 graduating class at Salve Regina
University where she intends to major in both International
Studies and Environmental Studies, when she’s not spotting
shorebirds along the Newport shore.Thank you, Emily and
best of luck!
BIRDSCAPING
continued from page 1
American Goldfinches, while rudbeckia seeds are devoured
by Black-capped Chickadees, Northern Cardinals, sparrows,
nuthatches, Eastern Towhees, and Tufted Titmice. Similarly,
asters and sunflower seeds will attract Dark-eyed Juncos, sparrows, Red-winged Blackbirds, doves, American Goldfinches,
and Tufted Titmice. If you dead-head these flowers you’ll rob
birds of the seeds.The seeds of perennial grasses, including
Little Bluestem, Big Bluestem, and Purple Lovegrass provide
winter food for Dark-eyed Juncos and sparrows. The Garden
design includes an expansion of our current Feeder Garden
to provide seed all year long.
The design will be phased in as both budget and nature –
migration, nesting, and fledging – allow. Please keep in touch
with us to follow our progress, to volunteer, or learn more
about how you can birdscape your own garden!
Marty McGuire Scholarship Winners
Announced!
T
his year Bedford Audubon is awarding the Marty McGuire
Scholarship to two outstanding local students.
Gabrielle Froehlich is a junior at Fox Lane High School in
Bedford. She is an Honor Roll student, and a member of the
Science Research Club. As a participant in Fox Lane’s Science
Research Program, Gabby is conducting research on the interaction between invasive plant species and mosquito
reproductive success and survival rate, as related to mosquitoborne diseases, with Dr. Mike Rubbo at Teatown Lake. Gabby
is being awarded $500 to support her research on Japanese
Stilt Grass, and Phragmites. Good luck, Gabby!
Michael Rosenthal is a senior at John Jay High School in
Katonah. A graduate from the Hog Island Teen Ornithology
Summer Camp Michael previously worked with Dr. Mark
Weckel at Mianus River Gorge on the use of non-invasive
camera trapping to census coyote populations. For his Senior
Research Seminar in Environmental Studies Michael worked
with Dan Aitchison, the Head of Westchester County Deer,
Beaver, and Goose Management. Michael is being awarded
$500 to support his research on identifying Canada geese
nests and managing the non-native breeding population. He
will be attending Cornell University this fall. Best of luck,
Michael!
The scholarships will be presented on June 13 at 7:30 pm
at the monthly lecture at the Katonah Memorial House
Don’t Miss Peak Broad-winged Hawk Migration
at the Chestnut Ridge Hawkwatch, Arthur Butler Sanctuary, Bedford Corners, Weekend of September 15–16, 9
am–5 pm.This is traditionally the time when, depending
on prevailing winds, thousands of Broad-winged Hawks
pass over the ridge. Bedford Audubon’s Hawk Counter
and others will be at hand to point out this spectacular
sight. Last year, over 9,000 Broad-winged Hawks were
counted in a single day. Call ahead to verify the timing
914.232.1999. (M)
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Bedford Audubon Society • www.bedfordaudubon.org • Summer 2012
About Birds – The Ovenbird
By Tait Johansson
There is a singer everyone has heard,
Loud, a mid-summer and a mid-wood bird,
Who makes the solid tree trunks sound again.
Robert Frost, “The Oven Bird”
The song of the Ovenbird (Seiurus aurocapilla) is one of the
most familiar summer sounds of deciduous forest in the northeastern United States. This loud, chanting sound, often
rendered as “Teacher teacher teacher teacher teach!” can be
heard in our area in just about any larger patch
of forest from May into July. The Ovenbird is a
ground-dwelling warbler that superficially resembles a thrush; indeed in John James Audubon’s time
the Ovenbird was known as the Golden-crowned
Thrush. Its current name refers to its nest, a small
domed affair shaped rather like a Dutch oven,
constructed mostly of dead leaves on the forest’s
floor.
Though the Ovenbird’s olive-brown upperparts and white
black-streaked underparts do often cause it to be confused
with our brown forest thrushes such as the Wood Thrush and
Veery, it can be easily distinguished from any of these species
by its distinctive gait: the Ovenbird walks, bobbing its head in a
chicken-like strut, unlike our thrushes, which hop. And, given a
good look at the bird, its thin orangey crown stripe helps identify it as well.
The large tracts of forest Ovenbirds and other interior forest
bird species need for nesting habitat are increasingly broken up
into smaller fragments by development. With habitat fragmentation comes increased predation by house cats, raccoons,
opossums, and other mammalian predators associated with
humans, and increased brood parasitism by cowbirds.
Deforestation in the Ovenbird’s wintering grounds in
Central America, northern South America, and the
West Indies is also impacting their survival. Help
conserve Ovenbirds by preserving forests, keeping
cats and dogs away from nesting habitat, and
purchasing paper and wood supplies that are
certified by the Forest Stewardship
Council.
Ovenbird by Michael Hopiak/Courtesy Cornell Lab of Ornithology
Volunteer Spotlight – Ted Raymond
Bedford Audubon Summer Nature Almanac
This month we direct the spotlight on Ted Raymond. While Ted
doesn’t prefer the limelight, he deserves to be recognized for
all the work he has done – and continues to do – for Bedford
Audubon. Ted is a quiet man, but his willingness to step in to
help in many different capacities speaks volumes. He’s volunteered in the Native Garden for a
number of years, and for the last
several years has helped set up the
“monster screen” for the monthly
lectures at the Katonah Memorial
House. Ted has also been a diligent
and faithful Bald Eagle monitor for
several seasons.
“I like the serenity of Bylane and am
grateful that the generosity of others
made it possible; it’s a joy to volunteer
in the Bedford Audubon Native Garden
at Bylane,”Ted says,“and I don’t mind
Ted Raymond
the screen, either! “
The Raymond family is among the original Bedford settlers.
After returning from Pennsylvania about eight years ago,Ted
became a member of BAS and an active volunteer. His practical
skills often come in handy in his work in the Native Garden and
elsewhere.
Ted, we are truly grateful for all your contributions to
Bedford Audubon and hope you will be there for us in years to
come.Thank you!
June 1
Spring bird migration winding down – still a few Blackpoll
Warblers, Mourning Warblers, and other later migrants passing
through.Tulip trees in bloom.
June 20
Summer Solstice.
July 1
The first Solitary Sandpipers and Yellowlegs already heading
south from their northerly breeding grounds. Look for the
Solitaries at the muddy edges of ponds (even small ones).
July 12
Bird song mostly over; breeding territory boundaries
disintegrating as birds start to wander more widely.
July 30
Begging juvenile birds still following their parents around as
breeding season nears its close. Some Louisiana Waterthrushes
and Bobolinks already heading south for the winter.
August 15
Foliage of Red Maples growing in poorer sites (such as very wet
areas) begins turning yellow, red, or orange.
August 25
Fall warbler migration well underway.
August 31
Monarch butterflies and Common Green Darner dragonflies migrating south. Look for the Monarchs going by high overhead, and
stopping to refuel on goldenrod and other good nectar sources.
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Bedford Audubon Society • www.bedfordaudubon.org • Summer 2012
Bald Eagle Survey Wrap!
Monthly Lectures
All monthly lectures are free and open to the general public.The lectures are held at the wheelchair accessible
KATONAH MEMORIAL HOUSE (71 Bedford Road in Katonah). Please park alongside the meeting house side of the
driveway, and do not block the Fire Department access.
“Conservation of Birds of Old Fields and Young Forests”
Dr. Robert A. Askins, Wednesday June 13 at 7:30 pm.
As most open habitats in the region have been replaced with
forest, many shrubland species such as Brown Thrasher,Whiteeyed Vireo, and Yellow-breasted Chat have shown persistent,
long-term decreases in abundance. Is this a conservation
problem or a “return to normal” in a historically forested
landscape?
Dr. Robert Askins is the Katherine Blunt Professor of
Biology at Connecticut College, where he teaches courses in ecology, animal behavior,
conservation biology, and ornithology. In 2002 the second edition of Restoring North
America’s Birds; Lessons from Landscape Ecology, a book on the ecology and conservation of North American birds he co-authored with Julie Zickefoose, was published.
“Stopover Ecology of Migrating Raptors”
Dr. Laurie J. Goodrich, September 12 at 7:30 pm
SAVE T
HE DAT
E
!
Although hawkwatchers spend a lot of time watching birds fly past their lookout
points, very little is known about what migrating hawks do when not flying. Laurie
will describe the results of research at Hawk Mountain, Pennsylvania, to examine the
behavior and habitat use of migrating
hawks – data that’s crucial for conservation planning within migration corridors.
Dr. Laurie J. Goodrich is a Senior
Monitoring Biologist at Hawk Mountain
Sanctuary, Kempton, PA. Her work
includes supervising Hawk Mountain’s
raptor migration counts and database
management, acting as liaison with North
American raptor migration sites, and the
Veracruz (Mexico) River of Raptors program. She is also researching the effects of
forest fragmentation on nesting birds. Laurie serves on the Board of the Hawk
Migration Association of North America and other organizations.
BYLANE BOOK CLUB
F
or our next Book Club selection we have chosen a topic which will delight
most of us, namely the Monarch Butterfly! Watching these beautiful creatures in
our own meadows and backyards, we have wondered about their lives and habits,
and the precariousness of their existence. In Four Wings and a Prayer, author Sue
Halpern sets off on an adventure to delve into the secrets behind the Monarchs’
extraordinary migration from as far north as Canada to their wintering grounds in
Mexico. Combining science, memoir, and travel writing, Four Wings and a Prayer is
an absorbing travelogue, a fascinating meditation on a profound mystery of the
natural world, and a delightful read! It also makes the perfect complement and
follow-up to Bedford Audubon’s Butterfly Institute. Our meeting will take place on
Monday, August 6, 2012 at Bylane Farm, at 7 pm. Please contact Elizabeth Royston at
[email protected] or 914-617-2060 with any questions.
By Tait Johansson
T
his winter was the sixth consecutive year of our Wintering Bald
Eagle Monitoring Project. Four known
Bald Eagle roosts in Westchester and
Rockland Counties along the Hudson
River are monitored just before dusk, as
the Eagles come in to roost for the night.
The roosts are located in the Lower
Hudson River Important Bird Area
http://web4.audubon.org/bird/iba/
Normally there is an impressively
large population of Eagles that winter
in the IBA, but this year we recorded
the lowest seasonal numbers ever for
the survey. Our single-day high count at
the roost at New Croton Reservoir for
the season was only 13 (on January 19)
and at George’s Island only two (on the
same day), in contrast to season high
counts from the same roosts last year
of 71 at New Croton Reservoir on
February 14 and 35 at George’s Island
on both January 17 and 31. This
winter’s paucity of Eagles is almost
certainly due to the freakishly mild
temperatures,
which likely led to
much unfrozen
water to our north
in Canada, and
northern New
England and New
York, giving
members of this
largely fish-eating
species less motivation to head farther
south to our area in
search of open
water for fishing.
Many thanks to our dedicated volunteer monitors: Ted Anderson,
Michelle Cranwell, Chet Friedman,
Arthur Green, Tony Ianniello,
Elaine Kellogg, Jack Kozuchowski,
Christie Kral, Lois Kral, Diane
Lewis, Paul Lewis, Nannette Orr,
Elizabeth Royston, and Bonnie
Talluto, and Saw Mill River
Audubon. Bedford Audubon intern
Emily Enoch compiled the data for
the season, created weekly summaries,
and worked on the annual report.
Thank you all!
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Bedford Audubon Society • www.bedfordaudubon.org • Summer 2012
Field Trips and 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.
Bylane Farm directions: From Route 35, take Route
22 north. Go 1/2 mile and turn right on to Todd Road.
Parking is available in the driveway on the left and the
lots on the right side of the property.
Based on the recommendation of our counsel and
insurance company, it is required that all participants
carefully read and sign a release of liability available on
our website www.bedfordaudubon.org/waiver2011.pdf.
Participating in a field trip carries with it certain risks,
and this agreement is necessary for the well-being of
Bedford Audubon and all participants. We appreciate
your understanding.
JUNE
Science in Action: Call List
This is a unique opportunity to visit a Bedford Audubon’s bird banding station, hold a bird in your hand, and see for yourself how good
science is conducted.The Monitoring Avian Productivity and
Survivorship (MAPS) program provides critical information relating
to the ecology, conservation, and management of landbirds. Banding
takes place approximately every ten days from early June to August
and depends on distinct weather requirements. Call (914.232.1999)
or email Tait Johansson ([email protected]) to have
your name placed on the call list. Please note trails are muddy and
quite strenuous. (M-S)
Nature Walk in Ward Pound Ridge Reservation with Tait Johansson,
Saturday June 9, 9–11 am. Join Tait Johansson for a nature walk focusing on shrubland birds and butterflies preceding the Art in the Park
opening at Ward Pound Ridge Reservation (http://parks.westchestergov.com/ward-pound-ridge-reservation). Meet at Trailside Museum.
Parking fee may apply. (E)
Field Trip to Old Field Preserve, Waccabuc with Tait Johansson,
Saturday June 16, 7:30–9:30 am. Note: Originally scheduled for June
9. Depart Bylane at 7 am.This is a follow-up trip to the June 13
lecture by Dr. Robert Askins on shrubland birds. A variety of shrubland bird species breed in this 100-acre preserve, including
Blue-winged Warbler, Field Sparrow, and Indigo Bunting. (E-M)
Butterflies & Dragonflies at Bylane with Tait Johansson, Saturday,
June 16, 2–4 pm.This walk in the meadows of Bylane Farm will whet
your appetite to learn more about these fascinating, flying gems in
preparation for the Butterfly Workshops (July 7, 14 and 28) and the
Dragonfly Workshop (August 11). (E-M)
Father’s Day Bird-Feeder Building Workshop with Steve Robbins,
Sunday, June 17, 9–11 am. For children and their parents or grandparents. A wonderful way to start out Father’s Day! Our
knowledgeable leader will be at hand to help construct the feeders.
There is a $15 fee to cover cost of materials.To register, call
914.232.1999 by June 8. (E)
Bird & Butterfly Walk with Breakfast at Muscoot Farm with Tait
Johansson, Wednesday, June 20, 7–9:30 am. Meet at the parking lot of
Muscoot Farm on Route 100 in Somers and enjoy a light breakfast at
the picnic tables before heading out.The picturesque trails behind
this interpretive farm lead through some wooded areas and open
meadows, where we should see Green Heron, Blue-winged, Prairie
and Hooded Warblers, and Indigo Bunting. (E-M)
JULY
Trip to Master Gardeners, Cornell Cooperative Extension Dutchess
County, and Innisfree Garden, Millbrook, with Lynn Becker,Wednesday
July 11, 10 am-3 pm. Depart Bylane Farm at 9 am; return by 4 pm.With
Bedford Audubon’s Native Garden Committee Chair as our guide,
we’ll first explore Dutchess County’s Master Gardeners Cornell
Cooperative Extension’s site. CCE, which celebrates its 100th
Anniversary this year, provides research-based resources, tools, and
education for the residents and officials of the communities in
which they operate. Afterwards, we’ll visit the exquisite 150-acre
Innisfree Garden, where the ancient art of Chinese landscape
design has been reinterpreted to create a unique American garden.
Bring cash - entrance fee to Innisfree is $4, and we’ll have lunch at
a nearby restaurant. (E)
Except where noted, please register with Jeanne Pollock
at [email protected] or call 914.519.7801.
Email notice of a decision to postpone or cancel a
program based on anticipated inclement weather will be
sent to registered participants by 6 pm the day
before the event.
Excursion to New Jersey Meadowlands Including a Pontoon Boat
Tour With Naturalist Michael Newhouse and Bedford Audubon
Executive Director Janelle Robbins,Tuesday, July 24, 9:45 am–3 pm.
Depart Bylane at 8:30 am or meet at the Meadowlands at 9:45 am.
This unique, 900-acre urban wildlife preserve supports an amazing
diversity of vegetation, waterfowl, shorebirds, and much more. We’ll
have a privately guided, two-hour pontoon boat tour of the
Hackensack River and its tributaries, spotting wildlife and learning
about the salt marsh’s history. Afterwards we’ll picnic, visit the
award-winning nature center, and enjoy a trail walk. Bring binoculars,
lunch, sunscreen, and water.There is a $15 charge for the boat tour
(please bring cash). (E-M)
Dragonfly Walk at Bylane Farm with Tait Johansson, Saturday, July 28,
2–4 pm.This leisurely walk through the meadows of Bylane will
whet your appetite to learn more about these fascinating insects
in preparation for the Dragonfly Workshop on August 11. Bring
binoculars, sunscreen, and water. (E-M)
Family Nature Walk at Bylane Farm, Sunday July 29, 10 am–1 pm.
Bring your kids to Bylane and listen to naturalist Tait Johansson tell
about the birds, butterflies, dragonflies, and other wildlife that make
their home here. Afterwards we’ll picnic on the porch overlooking
the pond. Bring binoculars and your own lunch; Bedford Audubon
will provide beverages and dessert. (E-M)
AUGUST
Field Trip to Jamaica Bay Wildlife Refuge, Queens, with Tait
Johansson,Tuesday, August 7, 9 am–2 pm. Depart Bylane at 7:45 am.
This trip will coincide with high tide in the bay, which sends shore
birds in impressive numbers to the refuge’s impoundments. We
should also see herons, egrets, Glossy Ibis, and many other species.
Bring binoculars, lunch, sunscreen, plenty of cold drinks, and boots
you don’t mind getting muddy. (E-M)
Presentation: Nocturnal Bird Migration and the Phenomenon of
Morning Flight with Benjamin Van Doren, Wednesday, August 8 at
7 pm, Bylane Farm. Each year, millions of migratory songbirds travel
vast distances to reach their breeding grounds in North America in
spring and return south to their wintering grounds in fall – all under
the cover of darkness. Benjamin Van Doren, a rising freshman at
Cornell University, and past president of New York State Young
Birders Club, will discuss how and why birds engage in this behavior,
and how, with a suite of modern technologies (plus some patience
and concentration), we can use our eyes and ears to experience this
spectacular phenomenon. Benjamin will share the results of his
research, for which he placed 5th in the national Intel Science Talent
Search, investigating why these same nocturnal migrants often move
in unexpected directions the morning after a night of migration.
Please register early. Limited number of spaces available.
Stroll Through the Herb Garden of John Jay Homestead, Katonah
with BAS Member Michelle Cranwell, Friday August 10, 9:30–11 am.
The herb garden at this historic site was designed by Page Dickey,
garden designer, writer, and member of the New York Unit of the
Herb Society of America.The main paths radiating from the center
divide the beds into four quadrants of herbal plants: medicinal,
culinary, fragrant, and pest repellent. (E)
continued on next page
7
Bedford Audubon Society • www.bedfordaudubon.org • Summer 2012
Field Trip to Jamaica Bay Wildlife Refuge, Queens, with Tait Johansson, Saturday, August 18,
10 am–3 pm. Depart Bylane at 8:45 am. In case you couldn’t make the first trip, here is
another opportunity to experience the wonders of this “Birders’ Mecca.” Bring binoculars,
lunch, sunscreen, plenty of cold drinks, and boots you don’t mind getting muddy. (E-M)
Forest Walk at Bedford Audubon’s Hunt-Parker Sanctuary with Watershed Agricultural
Council Forester Brendan Murphy,Tuesday, August 21 at 5:45–7 pm. Brendan will lead a
walking lecture on healthy forests at our preserve. Come join us, and learn how our forests
protect our water quality and what makes a forest a healthy ecosystem. Rain date Thursday
August 23. (E-M)
SEPTEMBER
Migrating Warblers at Greenwich Point Park, Greenwich, with Tait Johansson,Thursday,
September 6, 7–11 am. Depart from Bylane at 6 am, or meet at Greenwich Point parking lot
by the concession stand near the entrance at 7 am. Located on the Atlantic Flyway,
Greenwich Point is a choice location for watching migrating birds, especially warblers, in
the fall. Bring binoculars and a snack. (E)
Trip/Events Highlights
Great Swamp Canoe Trip Recap
By Jane Smalley
F
ourteen Bedford Audubon members
were in for a treat on May 12 for the
Great Swamp canoe trip.The group
paddled a narrow and winding stream
with a gentle current for eight or nine
miles, with several beaver dams that
called for light maneuvering. Dr. Jim
Utter, President of the Friends of the
Great Swamp, led the way, pointing out
many species of birds, trees, and other
wildlife in the unique and important
wetland. The Great Swamp is an
Important Bird Area, providing critical
stopover habitat for migrating shore
News from Bylane
OFFICERS
Walter Fowler, President
[email protected]
Theodore Anderson,Treasurer
[email protected]
Janet Andersen, Secretary
[email protected]
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Lynn Becker
Carol Cioppa
Arthur Green
Christopher London
Marilyn Shapiro
Adam Zorn
COMMITTEE LEADERSHIP
Nancy Gold being assisted
over a beaver dam
birds and waterfowl, and is also one of
the last breeding sites for bog turtles in
Putnam and Dutchess Counties. If you
didn’t get a chance to join us this year,
mark it on your calendar for next!
By Janelle Robbins
The restoration of Bylane Farm marches on!
T
Bedford Audubon Society, Inc.
Board and Officers
hanks to the wonderful generosity of so many Bedford Audubon members,
the Board of Directors not only met but bested the fundraising challenge set
by the Samuel Freeman Charitable Trust! The Board raised more than
$11,000 for mold mitigation, inspiring the Trust to raise their contribution
from $10,000 to $15,000. The waterproofing and mold mitigation experts at
Neutocrete Systems, Inc. in Danbury have set to work in Bylane’s crawlspaces
and basement, and meeting room and library. Bedford Audubon has been incredibly lucky to work with Neutocrete – their team worked capably and closely
with us each step of the way, and donated back more than ten percent of their
time and services to help keep the project on track and on budget. Thank you,
Kevin and Tony!
While Neutocrete’s work is largely invisible to the casual visitor, one of the
most visible changes has been the installation of new windows throughout. The
Energy Star, true-divided light Andersen Windows make Bylane sparkle!
Modern treatments like low-E coatings and Forest Stewardship Council certified
wood make the windows an energy and ecological marvel, but the style and
finish are true to Bylane’s heritage. Thank you, Andersen Windows, Interstate
Lumber, and Our House Carpentry!
Work forges on in the Naturalist’s Residence to repair a persistent leak, and
there are still lots of painting and touch-up tasks needed inside and out. Bylane
is always a work in progress, so if you’d like to join the Facilities Committee to
help us make this treasure shine, please call Janelle at 914.232.1999.
Communications: Helle Raheem
Education: Linda R. Burke
Facilities: Carol Cioppa
Finance: Theodore Anderson
Henry Morgenthau Preserve: Marilyn Shapiro
Native Garden: Lynn Becker
Programs: Helle Raheem
Jeanne Pollock,Trip Registrar
Jane Shumsky, Hospitality
Sanctuaries: Adam Zorn
OTHER PROGRAMS
Book Club: Elizabeth Royston
Great Swamp: James Utter
Seed Sale: John Erickson & Steve Ricker
Vegetable Garden: Cathy Clare
STAFF
Executive Director: Janelle Robbins
Naturalist: Tait Johansson
Accountant: Sherrie-Sue Herz
Summer Interns: Kristen Wokanick
Melissa Chananie & Alec Cote
CONTACT INFORMATION
Bylane Farm, 35 Todd Road, Katonah, New York 10536
Phone: 914.232.1999
Website: www.bedfordaudubon.org
E-mail: [email protected]
Facebook: www.facebook.com/BedfordAudubonSociety
8
Bedford Audubon Society • www.bedfordaudubon.org • Summer 2012
New Board Member
D
uring the Annual Meeting, held at Katonah Memorial
House on May 9, Marilyn Shapiro was elected to
the Board of Directors. Marilyn is the President of the
Henry Morgenthau Preserve Committee, and has been a
non-voting member of the BAS Board since the 32-acre
preserve in Pound Ridge joined Bedford Audubon in 2009.
Welcome, Marilyn!
At the same meeting, a change to the bylaws extending
board members’ terms to three was approved, after which
Walter Fowler was reelected to serve a third term. In
addition, Pound Ridge architect Carol Cioppa was
reelected for a second term on the Board. It’s nice to have
you, Walt and Carol!
Board Secretary Janet Andersen and Communications
and Events Chair Helle Raheem both retired from the
board after two terms. Thank you for your service and
commitment, Jan and Helle!
The new board is effective as of July 1, 2012.
Calling all Volunteers
Summer’s the perfect time to get outdoors and volunteer!
Whether you have a spare afternoon or an opening every week in
your calendar, we have a volunteer position for you — we’re looking for volunteers in the Native Garden and Bird Friendly Vegetable Garden, to join our Trail Maintenance Crew, or to help with
MAPS.
If you’re looking for an indoor experience, volunteers can help
answer the phones or file, write for our website and newsletter,
and help with fundraising.
Volunteers are a wonderful part of the Bedford Audubon team –
join us today! If you’re interested in volunteering, please call
Janelle at 914.232.1999 or fill out an application online
www.bedfordaudubon.org/VolunteerApplication.pdf
Wish List
If you have any of these items or can arrange for free or reduced cost
items and services, please call Bylane for more details on our needs.
• Garden tools in good repair
• Work gloves
• Environmentally-friendly cleaning supplies
• New twin-sized linens such as sheets, pillow cases, and blankets
• Modern property surveys of our sanctuaries
• Energy Star certified dishwasher
The mission of the
Bedford Audubon Society is
to promote conservation and
protection of wildlife habitats
in the northern Westchester
and eastern Putnam region
through education,
advocacy, nature study
and birdwatching.
Our Mission
Postermaster: Address Correction Requested
Bedford Audubon Society
35 Todd Road
Katonah, NY 10536
PERMIT NO 4961
WHITE PLAINS NY
PAID
NONPROFIT ORG
US POSTAGE