New: Sundays at Sheldrake
in January
by Mary B. Davis of the Sheldrake Environmental Center
(December 8, 2003) Do you feel that winter lethargy setting
in? Resist the temptation to sit indoors by the television
set or
even
to nap in front
of a warm fire. Instead, put on plenty of layers of clothing
and head outside to Sheldrake Environmental Center, 685 Weaver
Street in Larchmont. The cold may sting your face, but you'll
be rewarded in many ways. Not only will you feel invigorated,
but you'll find interesting surprises... discover some of
the winter survival secrets of the animal world; learn to
interpret the stories of tracks written in snow, mud and
sand; add a new note of fun to your winter activities wherever
you go by learning where to look for hidden signs of life.
Join Sheldrake Naturalist Taro Ietaka for "Sundays at
Sheldrake" from 1:30 to 3:00 pm for walks and workshops
every Sunday (rain or shine) starting January 4th. All you
need to do is bring your family and your curiosity and you'll
find out things you never noticed or knew before about the
life right in your own backyard throughout the winter.
Did
you know that there is a beautiful butterfly with brown velvet
wings edged in yellow that appears on mild winter days; that
the chipmunk is only taking a nap in one of his underground "rooms";
that many birds perform courtship displays in the middle
of winter; and that the Great Horned Owl lays its eggs in
February? Join us on Sundays and learn about these wonders
of nature and more.
January Topics:
4th – Winter Mushroom Fun. We’ll create spore
print art and use mushrooms as a canvas for our own drawings.
This entertaining and informative program will include a
walk around the pond to appreciate bracket fungi.
11th – What’s for Lunch? Build a Bird
Feeder. Walk the conservancy to look for winter birds and discover
the foods they prefer. Join our workshop to build and decorate
your own bird feeder so you will be able to watch birds in
your backyard year-round! Registration is required and there
will be a materials fee of $ 5 per feeder.
18th - Nests. Though many feathered friends fly south for
the winter, they leave behind their summer homes. We’ll
look at actual nests to see the different construction techniques
and materials and have the chance to build our own. On our
walk we will look for birds nests, squirrel drays, and other
animal homes.
25th – Animals in Winter. Even if some animals hibernate
for the winter, nature lovers don’t! We’ll go
for a walk to look for the signs of life around our conservancy,
and discuss the different techniques animals use to get through
the long, cold winters.
For more information (or to register for January 11th) please
call 834-1443
Illustration courtesy
of James Coe who grew up in Larchmont, NY. The Great Horned
Owl appears in his book: Eastern Birds (St.
Martins Press, 2001). A limited edition print is also available;
see www.JamesCoe.com
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