UPCOMING PRESENTATIONS:

The Evolution of Birds

Monday, April 29th at 5:30pm

Join Dr. Walter Jahn, biologist and OCAS board member, as he discusses the amazing story of the 150 million years of gradual change resulting in the modern diversity of birds. Participants may join in person at the SUNY Orange Rowley Center rm 010, or via Zoom at the following link:

https://sunyorange.zoom.us/j/92222084084

Click here for a map of the Rowley Center

Authors on McFarland, in collaboration with Orange County Audubon Society, present: Christian Cooper, author of “Better Living Through Birding”

Saturday, June 8th at 11:30am

Christian Cooper is a New York Times best-selling author, with his debut memoir, Better Living Through Birding.  He is also the host and a consulting producer for National Geographic TV’s hit series “Extraordinary Birder with Christian Cooper.” 

Practically born with a pair of binoculars in his hands, he served as president of the Harvard Ornithological Club in his college days.  Currently, as a vice president of NYC Audubon, he advocates for greater, safer access to green spaces for all, with a focus on outreach to youth in underserved communities.  A longtime activist on issues of racial justice and LGBTQ equality, Christian Cooper combined his passions in the BLM graphic short story “It’s a Bird” from DC Comics.  He continues to seek synergy at the intersections of storytelling, progressivism, and environmentalism.

Location: Albert Wisner Library, Warwick NY

Click here for a map of the Wisner Library

Click here to register

The Bald Eagle: the national symbol nesting near you

Saturday, April 6th at 1pm

Join Dr. Walter Jahn, biologist and OCAS board member, as he discusses the features and life history of the bald eagle as this once endangered icon nests near you. Participants may join in person at the Mamakating Environmental Education Center, or via Zoom at the following link:

https://sunyorange.zoom.us/j/92222084084

Click here for a map of the Mamakating Environmental Education Center

The Bald Eagle: the national symbol nesting near you

Monday, March 25th at 5:30pm

Join Dr. Walter Jahn, biologist and OCAS board member, as he shares information on the bald eagle. Participants may join in person at the Rowley Center room 010, SUNY Orange Middletown campus, or via Zoom at the following link:

https://sunyorange.zoom.us/j/92222084084

Click here for a map of the Rowley Center

Birding Beyond the Backyard

Tuesday, February 27th at 6:00 pm
Hosted by Moffat Library in Washingtonville NY

Do sparrows confuse you? Trouble telling Downy from Hairy? This program is for those who enjoy watching birds and want to know more about them. Presented by Jim Van Gelder, seasoned birder and OCAS Field Trip Committee chair, will cover basics of bird identification along with suggestions for equipment and good local birding spots.

Presented by Diane Tuttle

Spring Migration

Thursday, April 7, 2022 at 6pm

Hosted by the Albert Wisner Public Library

Click here to register now

Most of us can name at least a few birds that migrate during the spring, but did you know there are many other migratory wildlife in the Hudson Valley? Learn about local insects, amphibians, reptiles, fish and mammals that experience seasonal migration. You may be surprised!

Presented by Pam Golben

Migratory Birds

Saturday, March 12, 2022 at 11am

Hosted by Moffatt Library Washingtonville

Click here to register now

Join this virtual presentation with photographer and ornithologist Bill Fiero about the birds coming back to us. Bill is an experienced birder and presenter with great photos! He is currently participating in the Breeding Bird Atlas III. 

Presented by Bill Fiero

Native Plants Are for the Birds

Thursday, February 10, 2022 at 7pm

Hosted by Greenwood Lake Library

Click here to register now*

Join this virtual presentation that discusses the ways in which native plants are beneficial to our local ecology and wildlife, as well as ways we can adopt these plants in our own yards. Carolyn Summers runs the Flying Trillium Gardens and Preserve in Sullivan County.

Presented by Carolyn Summers

*When registering, you will be asked to enter your library card #. If you do not have a library card, just enter any random 14 digit number to register. Library card is NOT required.)

Winter Bird Identification

Sunday, December 5, 2021 at 2pm

Hosted by Woodbury Public Library

Click here to register now

Chilly days don’t drive all the birds away! Learn about birds local to our area in the winter months and how to get involved in citizen science bird counts.

Presented by James Van Gelder

After his presentation, enjoy crafting bird gliders and bird wind chimes. Children 4th Grade and up and their parents/guardians are welcome.

Registration is REQUIRED (Max 20 family groups)

PREVIOUS EVENTS:

David Sibley Presentation

Tuesday, October 12, 2021, 7 pm
Online event, Hosted by Saw Mill River Audubon Society

This is a special Zoom presentation by David Sibley, the internationally renown author and illustrator of the Sibley Guides and other books about birds and nature. This program is sponsored by several Westchester public libraries and promoted with our neighboring Audubon chapters across the Hudson river, including the Saw Mill
River Audubon. Registration information will be available both here and in the Fall 2021 issue of the Orange Owl.

Plant Natives! Gardening for Birds

Thursday, June 3, 2021 at 6:30pm
Online event, hosted by the Newburgh Free Library
Register here

Why are native plants so important to the survival of birds and pollinators? This multimedia program featuring images and sounds of local backyard bird species will explain why we should use more native plants in our landscaping and how to design and plant gardens that benefit people and wildlife. Presented by Melissa Peterson

Bird Photography

Thursday, May 6, 2021, 6:30pm
Online event, hosted by the Moffat Library of Washingtonville.
Register here 

If you enjoy nature and like taking photographs this is the program for you! This program is for new nature photographers who want to learn to take better photos. We will look at many beautiful photos and discuss composition, lighting, background and preparation. Presented by Diane Tuttle

Behind the Scenes at eBird

Tuesday, April 20, 2021, 7:00pm
Online event, co-hosted by OCAS, Sawmill River Audubon, Bronx River Sound Shore Audubon
Register here

Regional eBird reviewers Sean Camillieri and Kyle Bardwell will give us a peak behind the curtain at eBird to show us what happens AFTER we send in an eBird bird sighting checklist.  How can we use eBird to keep track of the birds we see? Register above for Zoom link and emailed reminders of this event.

Northern Cardinal Research with Brooke Goodman

Monday, April 12, 2021, 7:00pm
Online event, hosted by OCAS
Register here

Former OCAS intern Brooke Goodman will discusses her undergraduate research at SUNY Oswego which has included collecting and analyzing Northern Cardinal song to determine if Urban cardinals sing more frequently than Rural cardinals. Brooke will also talk about her work locating and banding nestling cardinals. 

Supporting Butterflies and Birds in Your Garden

Wednesday, March 31, 2021, 6:00pm
Online Event, Hosted by the Goshen Public Library
Registration here

Pollinator and bird populations are in jeopardy yet both are critical to the healthy functioning of our ecosystem. Learn more about Monarch butterflies, pollinators, and birds and how we can help support them with pollinator and bird-friendly landscaping practices. Presented by Melissa Peterson. 

Bird Friendly Backyard

Thursday, March 18, 2021, 6:00pm
Online event, hosted by the Albert Wisner Public Library.
Register here

What are the best ways to attract and benefit birds? This multimedia program featuring images, sounds and video of local backyard bird species will help us all become more Bird Friendly at home. Discover the best choices for bird feeders and seed, native plants, water features and bird houses to improve backyard bird habitat. Presented by Melissa Peterson.

Raptors for Rookies

Tuesday, March 2, 2021, 6:30PM
Online event, hosted by the Chester Public Library
To Register call: (845) 469-4252

Over twenty species of raptors may be spotted in our area including various kinds of eagles, hawks, falcons and owls. Saw Mill River Audubon Executive Director Anne Swaim will present a multimedia program with some of the best raptor images from local photographers, video clips and more. Find out when and where raptors may be seen and how they are doing in the mixed rural and suburban landscapes of the Lower Hudson Valley. 

Groundhogs and Groundhog’s Day

Tuesday, February 2, 2021, 6:30pm
Online event, hosted by the Moffat Library of Washingtonville
Register here or call 845-496-5483

Its Groundhog Day! Join us and learn some really cool facts about these chunky members of the squirrel family. Discover why we celebrate Groundhog’s Day and how groundhogs became the prognosticators of Spring! Presented by Pam Golben.

Winter Bird Identification

Thursday, January 14, 2021, 6:30pm
Online event, hosted by the Port Jervis Free Library
Register here
or call 845-856-7313 x 4

Woodpeckers – Virtual Program

Tuesday, November 10, 2020, 6:00PM
Online event, hosted by the Albert Wisner Public Library
Register here

Handsome and well dressed, woodpeckers are a favorite of many. Learn to identify 7 woodpecker species common to the Hudson Valley by sight and sound. We will also cover diet, nesting, anatomy, and why woodpeckers are able to hammer on trees without injuring themselves. Learn the difference between drumming, feeding and excavating behaviors and ways to deter woodpeckers if they’ve chosen your house for these activities. Presented by Pam Golben. 

Raptors for Rookies – Virtual Program

Thursday, October 15, 2020, 6:00PM
Online event, hosted by the Albert Wisner Public Library
Register here

Over twenty species of raptors may be spotted in our area including various kinds of eagles, hawks, falcons and owls. Saw Mill River Audubon Executive Director Anne Swaim will present a multimedia program with some of the best raptor images from local photographers, video clips and more. Find out when and where raptors may be seen and how they are doing in the mixed rural and suburban landscapes of the Lower Hudson Valley. 

Birds and Climate Change – Virtual Program

Wednesday, September 23, 2020, 6:30PM
Online event, hosted by the Goshen Public Library
Register here

Global Warming poses an existential threat to two-thirds of North American bird species – but there is still time to protect them. This program discusses factors effecting bird populations and what we can do as citizens to help birds and fight Climate Change if we act now. Presented by Melissa Peterson. 

Zoom Chat – Bird Photography

Thursday, August 27, 2020, 7:00pm

Do you like taking photos of birds? Would you like to take better photos of birds? Join Diane Tuttle for this informal and fun chat. Email us to rsvp. We will send you a Zoom invitation before the chat. Please let us know ahead of time if you would like to share a few photos.

Zoom Chat – Birding in Orange County

Thursday, July 30, 2020, 7:00pm

Do you have questions about birding in Orange County? Want to talk birds and share some of your best photos or recent birding brags with other birders? This will be an informal and fun chat led by Jim Van Gelder. Email us to rsvp. We will send you a Zoom invitation before the chat. Let us know ahead of time if you would like to share a few photos.

Spring Frog Identification

Wednesday, May 13, 2020, 7:00-8:00pm
via ZOOM, hosted by the Albert Wisner Public Library
Registration required

Winter Bird Identification

Wednesday, December 4, 2019, 6:30-7:45pm
Goshen Public Library
366 Main St., Goshen, NY 10924
Click here for directions

Come learn about the birds local to our area in the winter months and where to look for them. We will also discuss how to become involved in various citizen science bird counts. Register at www.goshenpubliclibrary.org or click here

Special Event: Climate Change Boot Camp

Saturday, October 26, 2019, 8:30am-12:30pm
Westchester County Center
198 Central Ave, White Plains, NY 10606
Click here for directions

This half day session will focus on our area. The goal is to “Get climate smart!” by learning about local effects of climate change, local, county and state responses and what you can do. Don’t be discouraged and overwhelmed; get encouraged and inspired to take action.

Registration is $12/person. REGISTER HERE

Schedule:
8:30am-9:00am Registration & Refreshments
9:00am-10:30am First Session: Local Effects to Expect & County Responses
10:30am-11:00am Break, Displays, Refreshments
11:00am-12:15pm Second Session: State and Community Responses
12:15pm Concluding Remarks & Next Steps

* Children’s Environmental Activities for Grades 4th-8th will be held at the same time as the Boot Camp. For more information and for children’s registration, contact office@sawmillriveraudubon.org

Speakers include Dr. Chandu Visweswariah, CEO, Utopus Insights and former IBM energy and environmental science Research Fellow; NY State Senator Peter Harckham and Westchester County Director Peter McCartt ,who will speak to their respective levels of government; and Midge Iorio, Executive Director, Bedford 2020, Sara Goddard, Rye City Councilmember and Founder, Rye Sustainability Committee, Lindsay Audin, Chair, Croton Sustainability Committee, to participate in the local government/community action round table.

Co-sponsored by Federated Conservationists of Westchester County and seven area Audubon chapters (listed below), with grant support from Audubon New York and venue support from the Westchester County Executive’s Office for Energy Conservation and Sustainability. Seven area Audubon chapters are co-sponsoring this event: Bedford Audubon, Bronx River-Sound Shore Audubon, Central Westchester Audubon, Hudson River Audubon, Orange County Audubon, Putnam Highlands Audubon and Saw Mill River Audubon.

Meet the Artist Reception: John C. Yrizzary “A Life’s Work”

Saturday, October 12, 2019, 2:00-4:00pm
Albert Wisner Public Library
1 McFarland Drive, Warwick, NY 10990
Click here for directions

Meet the Artist Reception. John is displaying key pieces of his work that represent his artistic development from undergrad at Yale School of Fine Arts to his current status as an acclaimed wildlife illustrator. John’s art will be on display for the month of October in the library’s lower gallery. Hosted by the Albert Wisner Public Library. This event is open to the public with advance registration at the library 845-986-1047.

OPEN MEETING:

Wednesday, October 2, 2019, 6:30pm
First Presbyterian Church
33 Park Place, Goshen, NY 10924
Click here for directions

All OCAS & National Audubon Members, Friends, Neighbors, and Interested Public are welcome.

Please join us: Come meet more OCAS members, be more involved in OCAS, and learn how you can contribute to protecting the birds we love and the habitat we share. RSVP here

Special Presentation: The Delaware River Watershed
Before the meeting portion of the evening, we will hear from Valerie Peckham, Audubon Pennsylvania Field Organizer. Valerie will explain how the public can help preserve and protect the Delaware River Basin, a key water source for over 15 million people. Over 13,000 square miles of land including parts of Orange, Ulster, Sullivan and Delaware counties contribute to this system. A healthy watershed means a significant positive effect on the region’s wildlife, water quality, flood control, and opportunities for recreation.

Autumn Bird Identification

Wednesday, September 18, 2019, 6:30-7:45PM
Albert Wisner Public Library
1 McFarland Drive, Warwick, NY 10990
click here for directions

The fall migration is here, bringing a host of common and uncommon birds. This program will cover the basics of bird identification and local birding hotspots. This program is good preparation for the Winding Waters Trail field trip in the Wallkill National Wildlife Refuge on September 21. (See Field Trips) Presented by Jim Van Gelder and co-sponsored by the Albert Wisner Public Library.  Click here to register. 

The Birds and The Seeds: Boosting Biodiversity with Native Plants

Wednesday, June 5, 2019 at 6:30 PM – 7:30 PM
Albert Wisner Public Library
1 McFarland Drive, Warwick, NY 10990
Click for directions

In this interactive and engaging workshop, participants will learn about seed saving, increasing biodiversity through native planting and walk away with seed bombs that you make yourself! If you’re interested in growing plants, playing in the dirt and learning about easy ways to make birds come to your yard, then this program is for you! Presented by Kelly Collins, Hopeful Roots LLC, Register by phone at 986-1047 ext 3 or  click here to register

Wed, May 1, 2019 at 6:30-7:30pm
Florida Public Library
4 Cohen Cir, Florida, New York 10921
Click here for Directions

What are the best ways to attract and benefit birds? This multimedia program featuring images, sounds and video of local backyard bird species will help us all become more Bird Friendly at home. Discover the best choices for bird feeders and seed, native plants, water features and bird houses to improve backyard bird habitat.

Wed, April 3, 2019 at 6:30-7:45pm
Midletown Thrall Library
11-19 Depot St., Middletown, NY 10940
Click here for Directions

Do sparrows confuse you? Trouble telling Downy from Hairy? This program is for those who enjoy watching birds and want to know more about them. Presented by Jim Van Gelder, seasoned birder and OCAS Field Trip Committee chair, will cover basics of bird identification along with suggestions for equipment and good local birding spots.

Thurs, March 7, 2019 at 6:30-7:45pm
Albert Wisner Public Library
1 McFarland Drive, Warwick, New York 10990
Click here for Directions

What are the best ways to attract and benefit birds? This multimedia program featuring images, sounds and video of local backyard bird species will help us all become more Bird Friendly at home. Discover the best choices for bird feeders and seed, native plants, water features and bird houses to improve backyard bird habitat. Our speaker is Anne Swaim, Executive Director, Saw Mill River Audubon.

Wed, Dec 5, 2018 at 6:30-7:45pm
Newburgh Free Library
124 Grand St, Newburgh, New York 12550
Click here for Directions

Come learn about the birds local to our area in the winter months as well as information about how to become involved in the various citizen science bird counts.

Wed, Oct 3 at 6:30pm – 7:45pm
Albert Wisner Public Library
1 McFarland Dr, Warwick, New York 10990
Click here for Directions

Come meet Patricia Johnson from the Center for Amphibian and Reptile Conservation and learn the 12 different species of turtle we have in New York and why it is important to preserve our remaining populations. Also learn what a wildlife rehabilitator does and how that contributes to conservation, as well as simple steps everyone can take to preserve these majestic animals. Special guest appearances by the Center for Reptile and Amphibian Conservation’s educational Turtles.

Click to visit the Turtle Advocate website.