Wild Neighbors Nature Connection

11/04/2024

It’s in the . With our deciduous trees 🌳 looking so dismally brown and naked, our moss neighbors bring a pop of liveliness to the landscape. Mosses may inspire wonder, and mosses help the forest community in some very practical ways.

09/09/2024

Did you know that there are three species of chickadees that inhabit the eastern United States? The orange line on the map represents the current "hybrid zone" for black-capped and Carolina chickadees. Want to know how this hybrid zone is expected to shift due to climate change and the potential effect on Adirondack bird populations? Then plan a visit to The Wild Center this Saturday September 14th. More info in the comments.

09/03/2024

I’m excited to give this talk at The Wild Center 12:30pm-1:30pm on Saturday September 14th. If you share my fascination with chickadees and birds in general, I hope to see you there. Please follow the link and register in advance. -Rich

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Chickadees: a Pathway to Exploring our Northern Climate

with Rich Hanlon

Join us for an engaging talk dedicated to the fascinating world of chickadees! These small, charismatic birds are not only a common sight in our landscape but also serve as an invaluable gateway to understanding broader ecological and climate-related issues. In this program, we'll dive into the unique language of chickadees, their ecological roles, and how climate change is influencing their habitats and interactions.

Cost: Free for members or with paid admission

Join us for an engaging talk dedicated to the fascinating world of chickadees! These small, charismatic birds are not only a common sight in our landscape but also serve as an invaluable gateway to understanding broader ecological and climate-related issues. In this program, we'll dive into the uniq...

08/29/2024

Meacham Lake State Park beach at daybreak. I’ve been frequenting this location regularly the past several weeks to keep tabs on the seasonal migration of birds. It’s a beautiful location and it’s been extraordinarily birdy as of late. Highly recommend a visit. Also included is a flock of shorebirds who dropped by following the wind and rain that hit the area Tuesday night into Wednesday. This is what the results of “bird fallout” can look like in the .

08/21/2024

I'm excited to be providing this experience at The Wild Center on Saturday September 14th. Bird walk at 9:00am, Talk at 12:30pm. Bring your senses of wonder and curiosity! Please share to help spread the word about this fun event. Thank you!

Join us for an engaging talk dedicated to the fascinating world of chickadees! These small, charismatic birds are not only a common sight in our landscape but also serve as an invaluable gateway to understanding broader ecological and climate-related issues. In this program, we'll dive into the uniq...

08/19/2024

Spotted jewelweed exhibits an explosive seed dispersal method that is fun to help out with! The catapulting of seeds is a way that these beautiful plants have evolved to launch new seeds away from the parent plant into nearby soil that is not yet inhabited by jewelweed plants. It’s a gamble, but sometimes taking the chance lands these little seeds in places where they can flourish, producing an abundance of showy orange blooms and explosive seed pods in the year that follows. A popular late-summer endemic species for pollinating insects and hummingbirds to visit, the oils in the leaves of jewelweed plants is a remedy that counteracts the skin irritating oils of poison ivy for humans.

08/02/2024

It was during a birding by boat outing on a tributary to Lower Saranac Lake with Pat Bixler that we were visited by this family of otters. They stayed with us for 6 minutes before continuing downstream. First they were hunting for fish, then they were surprised and alarmed when they noticed us, then they tried to figure us out. What an amazing experience to start the day! This is the kind of stuff that happens when we bring a peaceful presence and remain in place for at least 20 minutes. Watch as the otters hunt for fish along the bank of the creek. Check out the changes in their movements and voices when they become aware of my presence. Do you want to observe wildlife like this? Whether you get there by foot or by boat, visit a spot where you can bring your peaceful presence, your patience, and your awareness. The hour immediately following sunrise is usually the best time of day for observing active wildlife.

07/18/2024

Look who joined me at my sit spot this morning, even making use of the toe of my boot for protective cover. It slithered onto the wooden platform about 1/2 hour after I arrived and basked at my feet for about 20 minutes before continuing on to another hiding place. I could feel its body pushing against my foot through my boot. A very special encounter with this stealthy scaled neighbor. Some of the best wildlife encounters result from choosing a sit spot where you’ll be present and still for an hour or more. You never know what neighbors will show up for a visit!

07/06/2024

Correction: the Wild Neighbors Nature Connection summer programming at Constable NY Recreation Park will begin on Tuesdays at 10:00am.

Don’t miss out on this opportunity!! Rich is our local friendly Nature Guide and he’s coming to our park!

$1 per youth per day (attending all is recommended)
$5 per youth for whole series
$10 per family for whole series

Please see the manager if financial assistance is needed.
Please pay on the first day.

07/04/2024

Friday morning from 9:00am-11:00am at Dewey Mtn Rec Center. Tomorrow’s focus will be on chickadees! Please register at the link provided.

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We are happy to announce a new series that is aimed at helping you to get to know the trails at Dewey in a new way!!​

Like us, birds have unique personalities. Which forest bird species is most like you? Enjoy a hike and meet the birds who are at home in the forest with Wild Neighbors Nature Connection Guide Rich Hanlon. Expand your understanding of birds and deepen your sense of connection with our world.

For each session, expect a 1-2-mile hike on Dewey Mountain’s moderately challenging hillside trails. Each session will begin at Dewey base lodge at 9:00am and we’ll be out on the trail for about two hours.
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This is an opportunity for families who want to help their young people develop lasting connections with the natural world in a fun and interactive setting. Wear hiking boots, dress for the weather, bring a snack and some water for after.

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Current events and programs at Dewey Mountain

06/25/2024

This sounds like a great nature connection opportunity for families with kids. I won’t be leading this one, but it sure sounds fun so I figured I’d share.

“Where outdoor recreation, experiential education, and the arts come together, naturally."