MHI Calendar 2010 Q2

The Mill House Inn East Hampton NY - “Your Home in the Hamptons” highest diversities of birds as well as some of its largest migratory and breeding congregations. Many of Long Island’s priority species are beachnesting birds that are found in few other places in the state, including the federally threatened Piping Plover. This region supports more than 400 breeding pairs of Piping Plovers that make up approximately 25 percent of the Atlantic Coast population and over 10 percent of the global population. Despite these numbers, the Piping Plover remains a federally threatened species and Long Island’s nesting populations are considered vulnerable. In this special program you’ll have an opportunity to learn about Piping Plovers, their identification, breeding behavior, and habitat requirements, and how you can help with local monitoring efforts and habitat protection. The program will be followed by a field trip to nesting sites to see these small, stocky shorebirds known for their "peep-lo" call and rapid "peck-and-run" behavior. Carolyn Spilman, a wildlife biologist, started the Long Island Bird Conservation Program with Audubon New York in May 2007. The program focuses its efforts on beach nesting birds and their conservation issues. Children over the age of 8 may attend. Space is limited, so make your reservations early.

Tues 5/18 SoFo Nature Story and Craft Hour – Rainy Days 10:00 am – 11:00 am $2 materials fee For children ages two to four, Tuesdays mornings - 10 a.m. to 11 a.m., $2 material fee.These programs, with SoFo Nature Educator Crystal Possehl, will foster your child's innate sense of wonder, while emphasizing a respect for other creatures and a sense of caring for the earth. Each program will leave time for let's pretend activities, lots of questions, and the fun of creative exploration. Join Crystal and her puppet friend, Lodo the River Otter for these weekday stories and art projects. Craft: Paper Towel Tube Rain Stick. Advance reservations are necessary, as space in these programs is limited. Advance reservations are required for all events. Call 631 - 537-9735 for reservations and information about meeting places. There is no charge for SoFo members. Non-members are charged $7 per adult, $5 per child 12 through three years of age, two2 and under free. Fees include admission to the museum on the day of the program.

Sat 5/22 Sunflowers, Sunflowers, Sunflowers 10:00 am (Bridgehampton) Program Leader: Heather Abrams, SoFo Nature Educator. What are the parts of a sunflower? How do sunflowers grow? Why are they special?

One reason is how fast they grow. They can sprout in only one week. Sunflowers are important to many of our local animals. Some use them for food, others for nectaring. Children will join Heather to learn about some of our native sunflowers, plant some sunflower seeds for their own garden and for SoFo’s Butterfly Garden, and then create their own paper-plate sunflower, stem and all. This program is for children 4 to 8 years of age.

Sat 5/29 Life of the Field – Family Nature Walk 10:00 am (Bridgehampton) Walk Leader: Crystal Possehl, SoFo Nature Educator. The field behind the South Fork Natural History Museum – SoFo, is resplendent with life.

On this walk we’ll use all our senses to help us learn about the many plants, birds, mammals, and insects that call this field home. Crystal will teach us about plant identification, help us to identify the birds in the field by sight and by song, and point out which birds prefer to nest in the boxes we’ve put up and which prefer to nest in bushes. There are wooden boards in the field and we will have a chance to look under them and, with luck, discover a hidden vole, shrew, or even a snake. Plus, we’re sure to see lots of insects that love the dark, damp earth under these boards.

This one hour walk is recommend for adults and children 5 years of age and older. Long pants, socks, and bug repellent are musts!

Sat 5/29 Shorebirds at Shinnecock 8:00 am (Hampton Bays) Walk Leader: Hugh McGuinness. Join Hugh McGuinness, master birder and science educator at the Ross School, on this shorebird migration walk. In addition to seeing migrating shorebirds you’ll be on the lookout for the Seaside Sparrow, Salt marsh Sharp-tailed Sparrow, Clapper Rail, Boat-tailed Grackle, and other specialties of the area. You can also check out the ocean for pelagic birds, which sometimes come in close at this time of year. This walk is for adults; however, children in fifth grade and up may attend.

EAST HAMPTON TRAILS PRESERVATION SOCIETY Amagansett, NY 11030 631.329.4227 Contact hike leaders directly for information regarding the scheduled hikes.

SOUTHAMPTON TRAILS PRESERVATION SOCIETY Bridgehampton, NY 11932 631.537.5202 Most Thursdays S.T.P.S. has a work party. Volunteers are always welcome. Call Ken Bieger, 631-283-5432.

GROUP FOR THE EASTEND 2405 Main Street, Ste. 7, Bridgehampton, NY 11932 631.537.1400 Unless indicated, GSF’s explorations are free of charge. For information please contact Steve Biasetti at 631-537-1400 ext. 15 or sbiasetti@groupforthesouthfork.org THE NATURE CONSERVANCY Mashomack Preserve, Shelter Island, NY 11964 631.749.1001 31 North Main Street, East Hampton NY 11937 631-324-9766 innkeeper@millhouseinn.com www.millhouseinn.com