Hudson River Audubon Society

Nature Walks 2024

Upcoming Nature Walk on Sunday, November 10, at 10 AM. Debbi Dolan will be leading. Nature is very active in the fall, with bird migrations, changing leaves, and animals getting ready to hibernate, so come join us! Register with Debbi, so she knows you’re coming.

Meet at the Lenoir Nature Center, pictured below.

Debbi is Hudson River Audubon’s Conservation Chair. She has led many nature walks at the Lenoir Preserve. She knows all about the bird, butterfly and plant life that are there and how they change over the seasons. For what the last walk was like, on October 6, see below.

FYI: The walks are on level paved pathways, except for the Butterfly and Hummingbird Garden. A slightly inclined stairway leads to the garden, and the paths within are covered with wood chips. You can leave the walk before we enter the Copper Beech Trail, which leads through a wooded area, on a dirt path, with some rocks and roots to watch out for, and small inclines and descents. The walks are one and a half hours long and cover about a mile. Binoculars needed for optimum experience; loaners are available if you let Debbi know beforehand. Parking available; port-a-potties by Nature Center.

Debbi’s report on the last walk she led:

Nature Walk, October 6: What a fine day we had at lovely Lenoir with fair weather, splendid foliage and blooms, and a plethora of bird sightings. We witnessed the persistent efforts of a Cooper's Hawk to nab a squirrel. A Red-shouldered Hawk and a Sharp-shinned Hawk flew overhead, and we saw a kettle of nine Turkey Vultures. Also among our 32 bird species seen/heard were both Yellow-crowned and Ruby-crowned Kinglets, Northern Mockingbird, Song Sparrows, Lincoln's Sparrow, a Blue-headed Vireo, Pine, Yellow-rumped and Palm Warblers, American Goldfinches, and House Finches. Our winter visitors the Dark-eyed Juncos and White-throated Sparrows have arrived. A pair of Yellow-bellied Sapsuckers found bountiful insects in a cherry tree in the Butterfly garden, and a hummingbird darted by. Hydrangea, goldenrod, salvia and asters were abloom. An Eastern Phoebe showed up as we were leaving.

Enjoy the mementos of the walk, and hope to see you on the next one!

— Debbi Dolan