Bedford Audubon will be bringing back in-person programs in July, according to Executive Director Suzanne Cahill. “In partnership with Lewisboro Land Trust, we’ve purchased new headsets to be used on guided walks so participants can hear our naturalist, Tait, while staying socially distanced,” Cahill says. “Our summer interns have arrived, and work is being done in our sanctuaries, including bird banding, gardening and trail maintenance.”

Bedford Audubon’s mission is to connect people with nature. Audubon members help support that mission while enjoying access to Audubon’s programs, trails and sanctuaries. One such sanctuary is Hunt-Parker, whose 338 acres and five miles of trails cover diverse habitats, including shrub lands, wetlands and fields, and host a variety of birds, butterflies, dragonflies, reptiles, amphibians and mammals.

Among the bird species that can be spotted in Hunt-Parker’s shrub lands and wetlands are red-tailed hawk, migrating American kestrel, great blue heron, song sparrow and tree swallow. Green frog, painted turtle and northern water snake also reside in the wetlands. The fields are home to butterfly and dragonfly species, such as the great spangled fritillary and pearl crescent butterflies, the eastern forktail damselfly and Halloween pennant dragonfly. A variety of mammals live in Hunt-Parker, including eastern cottontail, red fox, eastern coyote, bobcat and southern flying squirrel. Bylane Farm and the Leon Levy Native Garden are co-located with the Hunt-Parker Sanctuary.

To become a member of Bedford Audubon and receive free access to its sanctuaries and most of its programs, including bird walks, lectures and community science research, visit BedfordAudubon.org. Donations and volunteering are also appreciated.

Location: Bedford Audubon Society, Bylane Farm, 35 Todd Rd., Katonah, NY. For more info, call 914.232.1999, email [email protected], or visit BedfordAudubon.org.