The Great Outdoors

Join the Nature Center for Wednesday Warbler Walks May 14, 21 and 28 at 7:45 a.m. Local bird expert Hank Weber will lead the walks to spot the illusive warbler. “With warblers, you have to learn to bird-by-ear. You are going to hear lots of them in the trees and then comes the fun and challenge of actually spotting them,” said Weber.
Experienced and beginning birders welcome. Loaner binoculars will be available. No registration is required and participation is free.
You’ll have bushels of fun at the Rye Nature Center’s annual Strawberry Sunday May 18, 1 to 4 p.m, rain or shine. All ages are invited to plant a strawberry plant, take guided nature walks, create grass head people, decorate a birdhouse and sift “gold” at a miner’s table. You’ll also want to sample that strawberry shortcake, and smoothies and sundaes. Admission is free.
For more information on Nature Center programs and events, visit www.ryenaturecenter.org or call 967-5150.
Recycling is one way to reduce the garbage stream in Westchester County. Reusing is another. In a Recycled Crafts program children will use everyday materials to create unique nature crafts Saturday, May 10, 10 a.m. at Read Sanctuary. Participants can bring recyclables of their own or use what is provided.
Children and adults of all ages will enjoy “Butterflies for Beginners” Saturday, May 17, 1 p.m. at Read. Another creature of flight and beauty, hundreds of butterflies are attracted to the Sanctuary due to the plethora of host and food sources. You will learn basic butterfly ecology and recognition, and take a walk to see what species are present. Binoculars provided.
For information on Read events, call 967-8720.
Children are invited to sketch along with naturalist Megan Aitchison at the Marshlands Conservancy Saturday, May 10, 2 p.m. Young artists will be encouraged to discover a new appreciation of nature and their own skills. All materials provided.
Bring binoculars to the Marshlands, where you should see brightly colored warblers, nesting tree swallows and eastern kingbirds newly arrived from Argentina during the Spring Migration Bird Walk Sunday, May 11, 7:30 a.m. Beginners welcome.
Join the Wildflower Walk, Sunday, May 18, 2 p.m., and discover some of the spring wildflowers that have been coming up at the Marshlands for hundreds (probably thousands) of years. The woods are full of viburnum blossoms and the one-flowered cancer root is hidden in the meadow, to name two. Bring a notebook.
The horseshoe crab is a truly remarkable ancient animal. You will learn about its use in the biomedical field, its importance to migrating shorebirds, its total harmlessness to humans and its ability to survive unchanged for 350 million years during the Blue Bloods of the Coast workshop Saturday, May 24, 2:30 p.m. at Marshlands.
Join other bird enthusiasts on a Spring Migration Bird Walk to see Indigo buntings and Marsh wrens that are staying to nest at Marshlands and the shorebirds that will be heading up to the Artic Sunday, May 24, 7:30 a.m.
For additional information on Marshlands events, call 835-4466.