September Programs
September 5
Saturday
10 am
Bridgehampton
Snapping Turtles—Prehistoric Monster Hunt: Family Adventure
Walk Leader: Andy Sabin, President, South Fork Natural History Museum(SoFo) Board of Directors
Of ancient lineage, the Snapping Turtle—which can grow to a lengthof three feet from head to tail and weigh as much as 70 pounds—willbe the main subject of this adventure with Andy. You’ll also get toknow the Painted Turtle and perhaps meet up with the aptly namedStinkpot Turtle. Children love this walk.
September 6
Sunday
10 am- 2 pm
Southampton
Birding with SoFo to Celebrate World Shorebird Day
Walk Leaders: Lindsey Rohrbach and Frank Quevedo, Executive Director,South Fork Natural History Museum (SoFo)
The numbers of shorebirds around the world have been declining.Global recognition of this decline has resulted in the creation of WorldShorebird Day. The day will be commemorated by a worldwide shorebirdcount to encourage conservation and awareness of these birds. JoinSoFo on this Second Annual World Shorebird Day honoring thesemagnificent birds. No experience necessary. Binoculars and a FieldGuide to Birds of Eastern North America recommended.
September 6
Sunday
10 am
Sag Harbor
Bay Seining with Al Daniels
Program Leader: Al “Big Time” Daniels
You’ll have an up-close look at the marine creatures of the bay, theocean’s nursery, with fisherman Al “Big Time” Daniels as he sweepshis seining net through the near-shore waters of Noyac Bay and bringsin a variety of marine animals—small fish, scallops, crabs, and maybeeven a turtle—to surprise and delight you. This is an excellent adventurefor the whole family.
September 12
Saturday
9 am – 11 am
East Hampton
Monarch Migration: Georgica Pond Nature Paddle
Paddle Leader: Mike Bottini, wildlife biologist and author
2014 was not a good year for the Monarch butterfly; will 2015 be better?Join Mike for a nature paddle on Georgica Pond to look for Monarchbutterflies during the peak period of their migration south. Kayak, canoe,and SUP rentals available or bring your own. $40 single kayak; $60 tandemkayak; $50 paddleboard (SUP). Lifejackets are included.
September 12
Saturday
10 am
Bridgehampton (SoFo)
The Rarest Whale: North Atlantic Right Whale:Children 8+
Program Leader: Nicole Cummings, South Fork Natural History Museum(SoFo) Nature Educator
The North Atlantic Right Whale (Eubalaenaglacialis) is one of themost endangered marine mammals in the world’s waters, with lessthan 500 individuals left. Back in the whaling years, North AtlanticRight Whales faced threats from hunters. The whales’ baleen teeth,used to help catch small krill, were used by the hunters for a variety ofproducts such as sculptures and eyeglass frames. Although hunting ofright whales was made illegal in 1935, these gentle giants are still facingmany threats in our waters. Join Nicole to learn about these magnificentcreatures, the threats they face today, and how we can help.Afterward, we’ll pretend to be whale scientists and learn how to identifyand track these animals!
September 12
Saturday
7:30 pm
Bridgehampton (SoFo)
Nocturnal Insects: Adults & Children 6+
Program Presenter: Crystal Possehl, South Fork Natural History Museum(SoFo) Nature Educator
Do you enjoy the evening orchestra nature provides when you’re inyour backyard? Have you noticed or wondered what moths and otherinsects are gathering around your porch light? Did you know you canhave an insect adventure in your backyard with two lights and a sheet?Join Crystal for a short presentation about the moths, katydids, beetles,and even wasps that are attracted to different lights around our homesand then identify those attracted to the light-traps set up just outsidethe museum.
September 13
Sunday
2 pm
Bridgehampton (SoFo)
Balancing Green Time & Screen Time:Nature as a Family Practice:Concrete Ways to Bring Nature into YourFamily’s Life: For Adults with Children 4–8
Workshop Leader: Barbara Blaisdell, veteran teacher, parent, naturalist,artist, and South Fork Natural History Museum (SoFo) Board Member
Barbara has designed this series of four family workshops—specificallyfor families with children between the ages of 4 and 8—to provide youwith concrete, simple, and creative ways to bring green time into your
family life.
Organizing a Family Field Walk
Barbara will discuss how to outfit your family for a field walk, includinghow to keep yourself “tick free” and what supplies to take along.Parents and children will go out into the field behind SoFo and, by example,Barbara will demonstrate how to have an exciting, outdoor adventure.Be prepared for a few theatrics and lots of giggles. Bringbinoculars, if you have them, a collecting bag, and notebook with awriting implement.
September 19
Saturday
11 am
Bridgehampton (SoFo)
Fungi & Lichen, a Symbiotic Relationship—It’sMutual: Adults & Children 8+
Program Presenter: Dr. Tamson Yeh, Cornell Cooperative Extension of Suffolk County
Have you sometimes wondered what those mushrooms are growing ona tree, on your lawn, or on a fence post? Chances are they are fungi andlichens. In this program with Tammy, you’ll learn about one of nature’s most interesting symbiotic relationships, explore fruiting bodies, andfind out why lichens may be referred to as the “canary in the coalmine.” Tammy will have some great photos and examples, and be sure to bring a sample of your own (if you have one) and be prepared to show her (bring a photo) or explain to her where and when you found your puzzling example.
September 19
Saturday
2 pm
Bridgehampton (SoFo)
The Air That We Breathe: Children 6–9
Workshop Leader: Tyler Armstrong
What we call “air” is really a mix of many gases: nitrogen, oxygen, andcarbon dioxide make up about 99%, but that last one percent can containhundreds of other gases, each with unique properties. A few ofthese trace gases, like methane and even water, can trap heat in our atmosphere,adding to the greenhouse effect usually blamed on carbondioxide. Come experiment with different gases and learn about theseinvisible molecules that surround us and our planet.
September 19
Saturday
Dusk Until Midnight
Southold
Visit the Custer Institute
A SoFo NOYO* Adventure
The Custer Institute, the oldest public observatory on Long Island,welcomes visitors every Saturday evening from dark until midnight.Plan a visit to tour the observatory and view the night sky throughtheir powerful telescopes; it’s a delightful experience for the wholefamily. To plan your visit, go to the Custer website: www.custerobservatory.org. There you will find all the information you need! We, atSoFo, would love to hear about your visit to Custer or any otherNOYO Adventure you might like to share with us. To do so, pleasee-mail us at sofoedcomdir@optonline.net.
*Nature On Your Own Adventure
September 20
Sunday
10 am
East Hampton
A Mudflat Mystery Adventure: Children 6–9
Program Leader: Melanie Meade, South Fork Natural History Museum(SoFo)
A mudflat is the muddy part of the shore that is uncovered when thetide goes out. The soft mud is home to many burrowing invertebrateanimals; some have hard shells, like mud snails, and some do not, likeburrowing worms. Uncover the mysteries of the mudflat when you joinMelanie and discover what creatures live in the mud, how they areadapted to living between the tides, and how they eat, move, and avoidbeing eaten.
September 26
Saturday
7:45 am
Montauk
Birding with Frank—Fall Migration:Adults & Children 12+
Walk Leader: Frank Quevedo, Executive Director, South Fork NaturalHistory Museum (SoFo)
Montauk is one of Long Island’s best-known migration “traps”, areaswhere migrating birds congregate. When cold fronts are driventhrough by strong northwest winds, the migrants, flying at night, driftover the ocean. At dawn, with their energy reserves running low, theyseek the nearest land and fly north to Long Island’s south shorebeaches. Join Frank to observe the land and shorebirds that migratethrough this Atlantic Flyway “migration trap.”
September 26
Saturday
10 am
Southampton
A SoFo Teen Nature Survey for Future Biologists—Learning to Use Instrumentation for Data Collection
Survey Leader: Crystal Possehl, South Fork Natural History Museum(SoFo) Nature Educator
How do we know the climate is changing? How can we tell if humansare affecting the environment of eastern Long Island? We look back atjournals of local naturalists for clues; many were just average peoplewatching and recording the happenings around their homes. SoFoneeds the help of high school students to continue to collect importantbiological and abiotic data about our freshwater and saltwater habitats.Participants will visit North Sea beach and use various tools—an O2meter, a wind temperature meter, soil test kits, and a refractometer—totake measurements and then enter the data on information sheets. Youwill also study the plants of this area and, using dip and seine nets, observethe local marine life. This is a great program for students interestedin pursuing the study of biology.
September 26
Saturday
10 am
East Hampton
Creating Beach Memory Jars: Children of All Ages
Workshop Leader: Nicole Cummings, South Fork Natural History Museum(SoFo)
Wondering what you can do with all of those shells you collected onthe beach this summer? Join Nicole in creating your own beach memoryjar. This unique way of remembering your summer will be fun forthe entire family. We’ll walk along the beach and gather shells, driftwood,and anything else we wish to be a part of our memory jar. You’rewelcome to bring your previously collected shells to add to your jar.While collecting these items, we’ll talk about what kinds of animalsmake or live in the shells we have collected. Material Fee $5.
September 26
Saturday
10:30 am
Bridgehampton (SoFo)
Drawing with Natural Materials—Using NativeGrasses, Stems, Branches, & Traditional Brushes:Adults & Children 8+
Workshop Leader: Christine Morro. “Informed by landscape—walking observinglistening—I write, photograph, and create hand work from my experiencein wild places—form… shape… line… color… light… and mostlythe mystery of what cannot be intellectually articulated are the bones of mywork.” Go to forthetimebeing.weebly.com to learn more about Christine.
Moving from the lush vegetation of summer to the beginnings of fall,we will explore the primary and direct nature of drawing, approachingit through an exploration of mark-making using grasses, stems,branches, and traditional brushes. From cave art in Lascaux to the fingerpainting of preschoolers, drawing touches our primary urge to express.We will go out into the landscape, walk, observe, and experiencehow wild places inform the creative process…we will have an opportunityto collect our tools then enter the studio for a session of handwork. Whether we are complete beginners or have been making art foryears, our journey will be one of fresh discovery. This workshop is backby popular demand. Workshop and materials $5.
September 27
Sunday
7:30 pm – 8:30 pm
Bridgehampton (SoFo)
Full Corn Moon Hike
Walk Leader: Dai Dayton, President, Friends of the Long Pond Greenbelt
This full moon’s name is attributed to Native Americans because itmarked when corn was to be harvested. At the peak of harvest, farmerscan work late into the night by the light of this moon. Join Friends ofthe Long Pond Greenbelt and SoFo on this one-hour, leisurely-pacedhike through open-field trails. Afterward, stay for light refreshmentsand convivial conversation.