Parks, Audubon, and Little Stony Point to collaborate on nature programs

Update 2-25-22

Winter Tree Identification – January 9th A dozen participants gathered at Hubbard Lodge for both an indoor slide show and an outdoor exploration of the varied and many different trees found in this lovely parkland. Lauren Martin, our newest board member, led the program and was helped with two other NYS Parks staff. We identified trees by their bark, by their buds and twigs, and by any remaining leaves found on their branches.

Bird Identification Workshop – February 6th A dozen or so adults and a few young folks gathered at Hubbard Lodge on a seasonal winter day to learn the basics of bird identification. Parks naturalist Lauren Martin presented a highly interactive program, engaging participants in several hands-on activities designed to test their powers of observation over some 20+ backyard feeder birds. Once the visual basics were covered – size, shape, colors, features, and patterns – she offered some recordings of local birds and asked those gathered to try to imitate what they were hearing. We heard many cooing doves, and whistling cardinals!

We then went outside and re-learned the different features of our binoculars, and how best to use them in the field. Once everyone was on the same page, we walked over to Evan Thompson’s bird feeding station to observe White-Throated Sparrows, Juncos, Blue Jays, and woodpeckers. All in all, a successful afternoon of learning new skills and putting them together in the field….

For immediate release:   November 2nd, 2021

Contact:  Pete Salmansohn, Putnam Highlands Audubon.    845 661 1552   puffpete@gmail.com

Three area conservation organizations have announced the launch of an ongoing series of collaborative nature programs, beginning in November with a workshop entitled, “The Basics of Bird-Feeding.”  Representatives from NYS Parks, the Little Stony Point Citizens Association and Putnam Highlands Audubon Society met in late October to discuss the possibilities and benefits of collaborating, as well as to work out details which now include proposals for at least one event each month until summer.

“We’re excited about this,” says Evan Thompson, manager of Fahnestock and Hudson Highlands State Parks, “because it fits right into our vision of linking state parks with the local community, and I think this new cooperation and these new programs will serve that purpose well.  Our first program on bird feeding is timely because we’ve just recently set up a variety of different feeders here at Little Stony Point, and our friends at Audubon can help provide the expertise needed to answer all the relevant questions.”

“Our vision,” says Audubon’s Pete Salmansohn, “is to provide engaging, educational, and fun programs that focus on local natural history.  The folks at Little Stony Point have a great new visitor/volunteer center which we can use in inclement weather and they are one hundred percent behind this.  Plus, we have the whole seventeen acres of parkland that go right down to the river.  It couldn’t be better.”

The new workshops will be offered at times when out-of-town visitation to the adjacent Washburn trailhead is low so that local residents will find room for parking.  “We want to see our neighbors use the parks in their own backyards,” says John Martin, president of the Little Stony Point Citizens Association.  “Too often people from Philipstown and Beacon have probably been scared off by the crowds of hikers here, especially on warm weekend days.  But we’re presenting the bird feeder program at 9 a.m., for example, and that’s before the parking lot gets crowded, especially in mid-November.”

Our first multi-organization event – The Basics of Bird Feeding (Nov. 12th) – was a great success, and was held at the Little Stony Point Visitor Center.  Our next program will be held on Sunday, December 12th at 2:00 pm, again at Little Stony Point, and will focus on Winter Wildlife: Hibernation, Adaptations and More!  “Come learn about hibernation and other tactics wildlife use to survive the harsh conditions of winter. We have mammal pelts to observe and feel different types of fur. Bring your sense of curiosity and ask us all the questions that have been burning inside you!  Adults and childen 8 and up.  

On Sunday, January 9th, we will choose from two different programs, with the weather and snow conditions determining which one will be a go. If there is snow on the ground, we’ll look for Animal Tracks and Traces. If no snow, we’ll offer a workshop on identifying trees in winter by their twigs. 2:00 pm Little Stony Point Visitor Center or Hubbard Lodge; stay tuned!

Because of the popularity of nature hikes and workshops, interested parties need to sign up beforehand to reserve a spot for Basics of Bird-feeding, November 13th, 9:00 a.m. Go to www.putnamhighlandsaudubon.org and click on “upcoming events” for more information and a place to register. Information can also be found at www.littlestonypoint.org. On Sunday, December 12th, at 2 pm park and Audubon naturalists will present “How Animals Survive the Winter.”