The Green-winged Teal is the smallest dabbling duck in North America.  With a little luck, we just might see hundreds of them on this month’s Field Trip to Wallkill National Wildlife Refuge and Black Dirt Region with Naturalist Tait Johansson. This area is rich with species of waterfowl, waterbirds, raptors, and songbirds. At this time of year, possible sightings also include hundreds of Northern Pintails, Horned Lark, Snow Bunting, and perhaps Lapland Larkspur. Tait also hopes for lingering Rough-legged Hawk and flocks of Snow Geese.
Friday, March 20, 8:30am-1:30pm. Cost: Free. Level of difficulty: Easy to moderate. Secure your place today – please email Susan to register: info@bedfordaudubon.org.

Vernal pools are breeding grounds for salamanders and wood frogs, so life begins in these temporary fresh-water “ponds” for these species. Don’t miss your chance to search for this life on our Exploration of Vernal Pools Nature Walk led by Naturalist Tait Johansson. In this family-friendly program. Tait will guide us to these hidden treasures deep in in theHunt-Parker sanctuary and will talk about the vital importance of these seasonal wetlands as spawning grounds for salamanders and other amphibians. Family friendly for children 10 years of age and older, must be accompanied by an adult.
Saturday, March 21, 12:30-2:30pm. Cost: Free. Level of Difficulty: Easy to moderate. Please email Susan to register: info@bedfordaudubon.org.

Back for spring! Join us at Bedford Hills Memorial Park to rediscover the beauty of our local birds and wildlife. Whether you’re new to birdwatching or a seasoned birder, this event offers something for everyone. We’ll have binoculars to lend you and a viewing scope on hand so you can get a closer look. Naturalist Tait Johansson will lead a guided walk to help you see familiar birds in a whole new way – and maybe even spot some unfamiliar ones. Bilingual volunteers and educational materials in English and Spanish will be available. Bring your family and friends, and meet us in the park for an afternoon of nature, learning, and connection!

Sunday, March 22, 1:00pm-3:00pm. Cost: Free. Level of Difficulty: Easy. For more information and to register, please email Susan: info@bedfordaudubon.org 

Join Melanie Brocklehurst at Bylane for our March read, Turningto Birds: The Power and Beauty of Noticing by author, renowned actor and NationalAudubon Society Board Director Lili Taylor.

Through a series of beautifully crafted essays, Taylorshares her intimate encounters with the birds that have captured her heart andimagination—from tracking flitting woodpeckers through oak trees to spottingmajestic blue jays perched on a Manhattan fire escape; from the exhilaration ofwitnessing a migratory flock  from the top of the Empire State Building tothe quiet joy of observing a nest of hatchlings in her own backyard. “By turnsintrospective, inquisitive, and funny, the book is a love letter to nature andthe solace it can provide” - The New Yorker.
Monday, March 23, 6:30pm. Cost: Free. Please emailSusan to register: info@bedfordaudubon.org

The American Woodcock can usually be found on the ground – but not at dusk when its dancing begins!  Join Naturalist Tait Johansson together with the folks from Ward Pound Ridge Reservation, for Dance of the Woodcock at the reservation. In this rare evening walk, we’ll be in search of the American Woodcock, a secretive early migrant that performs a quirky courtship ritual in the hopes of attracting a mate. You’re sure to be amazed at this bird’s extraordinary display during which male woodcock “peents”, struts, hurls himself into the evening sky, and glides back down to the ground again. This trip is so popular that we’re offering it twice this year. Better sign up fast before it fills up!
Tuesday, March 24 and Friday, March 27, 6:45pm. Cost: Free. Level of Difficulty: Easy. Please email Susan to register: info@bedfordaudubon.org. Please sure to let Susan know which date you will attend when emailing. This program is co-sponsored by Ward Pound Ridge Reservation.

The American Woodcock can usually be found on the ground –but not at dusk when its dancing begins!  Join Naturalist TaitJohansson together with the folks from Ward Pound Ridge Reservation,for Dance of the Woodcock at the reservation. In this rare eveningwalk, we’ll be in search of the American Woodcock, a secretive early migrantthat performs a quirky courtship ritual in the hopes of attracting a mate.You’re sure to be amazed at this bird’s extraordinary display during which malewoodcock “peents”, struts, hurls himself into the evening sky, and glides backdown to the ground again. This trip is so popular that we’re offering it twicethis year. Better sign up fast before it fills up!

Tuesday, March 24 and Friday, March 27, 6:45pm. Cost: Free. Levelof Difficulty: Easy. Please email Susan to register:info@bedfordaudubon.org. Please be sure to let Susan know which dateyou will attend when emailing. This program is co-sponsored by WardPound Ridge Reservation.

It’s that time of year! Spring is just around the corner, with early migrants already traveling north in search of nesting grounds. Soon, our sanctuaries and your backyard will be filled with these birds’ morning chorus. Our Bird-A-Thon is a great way to get out and see them in their dazzling breeding plumage while raising funds to help protect them. 

Last year’s Bird-A-Thon was a tremendous success: eight teams raised just over $46,700, identifying 173 species and more than 3,500 individual birds while exploring birding hotspots across the tri-state region. It was an incredible adventure for everyone involved — and this year promises to be even better.  Participating in Bird-A-Thon is easy. You can make a donation to support the effort - or take part in the action yourself: decide if you want to join an existing team, start your own team, or participate as an individual. 

Our 2026 fundraising goal is $50,000, which will support the restoration of 12 acres of vital shrubland habitat at Bedford Audubon’s Hunt-Parker Sanctuary. Come to our Launch Party and meet and mingle with fellow bird enthusiasts, learn what the Bird-A-Thon is all about, and get ready for the adventure ahead.

Sunday, March 29, 3:00-4:30pm. If you plan to come, please RSVP to ayoung@bedfordaudubon.org

Do you know which North American bird species is experiencing the most rapid decline? According to Cornell Lab’s All About Birds, it’s the Rusty Blackbird, whose population “has plunged an estimated 85–99 percent over the past 40 years.” On this local walk with Naturalist Tait Johansson, spotting one of these elusive birds is a real possibility.

As we explore the diverse habitats in the Dean’s Bridge area of Somers, we’ll also be on the lookout for early spring migrants like Ruby-crowned Kinglet and Palm Warbler, along with waterfowl such as Wood Duck, Green-winged Teal, and Pied-billed Grebe. This is a wonderful opportunity to welcome spring and discover the rich birdlife of our local landscape.

Tuesday, March 31, 7:30-9:30am. Cost: Free. Level of Difficulty: Moderate (there is a steep incline on the trail). Please email Susan to register: info@bedfordaudubon.org.