Backyard (for now) Birding

#Recreate Local

Setting up an account on ebird.org is free. On the site, you can search Putnam County (or any area of the world) to see what birds have been sighted, you can see photos of different species and you can hear their songs and calls. Audubon.org is another site with great photos and a lot of information, and they have recently updated their site with beginner’s information specifically posted for those practicing social distancing!

Observing the actions of birds is very calming, even meditative. Depending on the time of year, you might see a ruby-throated hummingbird drinking from a butterfly bush or you could hear the squeaky whistles of a juvenile Cooper’s hawk. Birding is free, easy, and provides an inspirational connection to nature that you can start in your own backyard.

*The Fred Dill Wildlife Sanctuary in Carmel is listed as an ebird “hot spot.”

Photo Credit:  Peter Paradise Lake Carmel, NY Age 10.   Peter is a budding photographer and avid hockey player.  He is also an American Cancer Society Relay For Life volunteer. 

Thank you to Jean Wyckoff Tock for her guidance with this project.