Check back here frequently to keep up with everything that's happening in Sapsucker Woods.  Click here to also look ahead on our interactive online events calendar.

Weekend Bird Walks (Saturdays & Sundays) Guided beginner bird walks are offered every  Saturday & Sunday at 8:00 AM through September and October, and at 9:00 AM for November and December (weather permitting).  These walks are aimed at beginner bird watchers and last approximately 1-1.5 hours. Come dressed for the weather and meet outside the Visitors' Center-some binoculars are available for use.  Hope to see you there!

• Nest Monitoring Walks (May-July, Tuesdays, 1:00-2:00 PM)
  

Learn more about the birds that are breeding in the Ithaca area by going on a guided nest monitoring walk in Sapsucker Woods. Tuesdays from 1-2 PM during May, June, and July (weather permitting). Meet outside the Visitors' Center and dress for the weather. Some binoculars are available to use.  We'll be focusing on a group of 10 nestboxes near Kip's Barn, but will also be keeping our eyes open for signs of natural nests in the surrounding environment.  There's a chance of a little bit of wet ground (as we'll be off trail), so wear outdoor close-toed shoes.  If the weather is bad (raining and/or cold) the walk will be canceled.

• Beginner Bird Walks in May! (Saturdays, Sundays, & Wednesdays)
  

Guided beginner bird walks are offered every Wednesday morning from 8-9 AM, every Saturday at 7:30 and 9:00 AM, and Sunday morning from 9-10:30 AM for the month of May.  These walks are aimed at beginner bird watchers, begin at 7:30 A.M., and last approximately 1-1.5 hours. Come dressed for the weather and meet outside the Visitors' Center-some binoculars are available for use.  Hope to see you there!

• May Wildflower Walks (Sundays at 1:00 PM)
  

This year, with the help of the Cornell Plantations, we will be offering guided wildflower walks in Sapsucker Woods at from 1-2pm on Sundays during May (except for Commencement Sunday on May 24).  Walks will be led by Cornell Plantations staff, and will focus on the ephemeral wildflowers of Spring.  Meet at the Visitors' Center and dress for the weather. Hope to see you there!

• Bird Walks at the Newman Arboretum (Fridays at 8:00 AM)
  

During the month of May, Cornell Plantations and Cornell Laboratory of Ornithology are teaming up to offer Friday morning beginner bird walks at 8:00 AM in the F.R. Newman Arboretum at Cornell Plantations. Walks will be held rain or shine, and are free and open to the public.  Meet at the parking area near the arboretum ponds (map here). These walks are aimed at beginner bird watchers and will last approximately 1 hour.

• February 9-15, 2009: Darwin's finches on Display!

February 12, 2009, marks the 200th anniversary of the birth of Charles Darwin, and serves as the centerpiece of this year’s international celebration of Darwin’s life called “Darwin Days.”  Darwin’s life and accomplishments have inspired generations of naturalists to observe nature through the lens of natural selection,and his seminal work On the Origin of Species changed the way we understand the world’s diversity.  For the last 15 years Darwin’s life has been celebrated during a week of festivities and learning opportunities called “Darwin Days,” and two years ago, Cornell University and the Museum of the Earth began raising awareness of Darwin here in Ithaca. This year, the Lab of Ornithology joins its Discovery Trail partner in hosting a series of activities and displays that examines the role of birds in understanding evolution.   Throughout the week, specimens of the Galapagos finches that inspired Darwin’s thoughts on natural selection and adaptive radiation will be on display in the Lab’s Visitors’ Center. February 14th: Darwin Days birthday celebration! On Saturday,  February 14th,  we will host a series of activities from 10-3 P.M. that will challenge you to be an observer like Darwin, inspire you to  create your own beaks out of paper, and even give you the chance to isolate your own DNA and take it home with you!  If you’ve ever been interested in learning more about the intricacies of evolution, join us for this day of fun and learning.

• February 13, 2009: "Scions of Air" art opening and reception, 5-7 p.m.
  

Please join us to welcome the art opening of "Scions of Air", an exhibition of paintings and illustrations by Rochester-based artist Melissa Mance, on Friday, February 13 from 5-7 p.m.  The artist will be on hand to discuss her works with visitors, and refreshments will be served.  "Scions of Air" will be on display from February 13-April 30, 2009.  Artist's Statement: Birds have been a fascination of mine since childhood.  My passion for representing birds in my art began with the influence of my father (who carves and paints wooden decoys) and his illustrated field guides. This passion has led me to travel all over the country to find and sketch the birds that fill the pages of those guidebooks. As an artist I seek the singular beauty of a moment of the bird’s presence that defines the essence of the bird itself. Ultimately by translating this connection into lasting portraits of the birds, I hope to inspire the viewer to take a similar journey and foster the desire to protect and preserve our natural world.

• November-March 30: "The Lost Bird Project", sculptures by Todd McGrain

Nearly a hundred people gathered in the Visitors’ Center this past November to celebrate the public opening of Todd McGrain’s masterful new exhibition called “The Lost Bird Project,” which immortalizes five North American birds that have been driven to extinction in modern times: the Passenger Pigeon, the Carolina Parakeet, the Labrador Duck, the Great Auk, and the Heath Hen. Using a combination of giant bronze sculptures and large haunting illustrations, McGrain’s work inspires us to remember what we have lost to fuel our resolve to work towards greater conservation of wildlife. In his own words, McGrain explained that his initial inspiration was to create a tribute to their tragic loss: “We’ve lost these species, and there are virtually no memorials to them. Without the memories of the birds, no one will continue to be touched by their loss.”  You can hear more from Todd about the Lost Bird Project at his upcoming Monday Night Seminar on March 30, 2009.  You can also explore his website <www.toddmcgrain.com> as well as a videotaped interview online over at All About Birds!

• Saturdays and Sundays through March: FeederWatch Weekends

Guided Bird Walks, Bird ID help, and information about Project FeederWatch   Have you ever needed some motivation to get out and bird during the winter? Do you find the “little brown birds” of winter to be a bit confusing? Take your winter birding to the next level and visit during our Weekend FeederWatch every winter weekend until April. From 10:00–11:00 a.m., join a guided bird walk through Sapsucker Woods to view the ingenuity of these hearty winter birds. Then, from 11:00 a.m.–1:00 p.m., a docent will be present to help with bird identification and to explain Project FeederWatch. Stop by and say “Hi!” We’ll guarantee a warm spot to watch a diverse and interesting assemblage of birds and an engaging walk exploring Sapsucker Woods in the winter.  Some binoculars are available in the Visitors' Center, and guided walks are dependent on trail conditions.