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Recap by Ken Thompson, Edith Wilson, and Judy Davis
This morning was our winter birding and breakfast at Connetquot
River State Park Preserve. It was also our first snow fall of the
season. Surprisingly eighteen people showed up including two kids
who also brought their parents. These Birding & Breakfast programs
usually draw large numbers of people; it seems the collaboration of
Great South Bay Audubon Society, Friends of Connetquot, and the NY
State Park’s Environmental Office is working well. Annie McIntyre
from the Environmental Office presented an informative PowerPoint
introduction to birding while we enjoyed the breakfast sponsored by
the Friends of Connetquot and supplied by Pamela Hunter, Lauren
Schnal, and Emily Efstration, all part of the Environmental Office
staff. The bagels, cake and donuts with coffee, tea, hot chocolate
and juice were delicious. Volunteer Christine Hartmann braved the
snow as well in order to bring three Northern Bobwhite quails Cathy
Wilvert has kept—from her quail reintroduction program at Connetquot
Preserve—for educational purposes such as this. Everyone enjoyed the
opportunity to view these elusive birds up close.
After breakfast we went out to look at some birds. Everyone
absolutely enjoyed walking around and looking at the birds while it was
snowing. I am amazed that everyone appreciated and enjoyed the woodland
park environment and the fresh falling snow. Nevertheless, falling snow
did hamper looking at the ducks on the lake so we just set the scopes up
on the bird feeders and the folks were ecstatic with the good looks they
were able to get through a scope at woodpeckers, chickadees and other
typical feeder birds. A great park, a great crew and a great crowd made
for a great winter morning.
Click the photos to enlarge
Photos Courtesy of Judy Davis
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