December 2025
Dear Birders,
We hope you’ve enjoyed a lovely fall season outdoors! This autumn has been filled with EcoExplorer adventures, and birding on Easy Street with our homeschool students and our Audubon partners out east. Looking ahead, we’re gearing up for February break programming with local nonprofits and beginning to schedule classroom visits for the new year!
EcoExplorers
This fall, the CI Bird Sanctuary partnered with local homeschool families in Greenport, NY for a five-session program, alternating between classroom lessons and guided nature walks at Inlet Pond.
In the classroom, students explored the remarkable adaptations of local bird species through hands-on sensory activities. They investigated Osprey traits like reversible toes, sharp talons, and preening; learned about Turkey Vulture features such as their featherless heads and strong stomach acid; and, studied owls’ diets, examined feathers for silent flight, and modeled owl hearing through sound-mapping.
Our nature walks provided time to practice birdwatching skills, use mindfulness and perspective-taking tools, and collect real-time data on the birds we found.
Thank you to the families who joined us, we loved exploring the birds of Greenport together!
The CI Bird Sanctuary partnered with the Eastern Long Island Audubon Society and the North Fork Audubon Society for two wonderful days of winter birding charters out of Greenport. Aboard Easy Street, we kept warm with fresh scones, hot coffee, and the comfort of her indoor cabin. Each group enjoyed a scenic cruise to the Orient Point Lighthouse, where we spotted an impressive variety of winter birds and took in the beauty of the local ecosystem!
Birding with Our Audubon Partners
Last month, we hosted two groups of students aboard Stirling Harbor Foundation’s vessel Easy Street for an on-the-water birding experience. On the harbor, students played Bird Bingo and learned about the unique adaptations that help winter waterfowl stay warm in cold conditions. It was a fantastic way to experience winter birdlife up close and inspire the next generation of coastal stewards!
Kids on Deck: Discovering Winter Wildlife on the Water
This fall, CIBS hosted a tent at Oysterfest, where we distributed more than 2,000 square feet of wildflower seeds and shared information about the importance of planting native species for local bird populations. We also partnered with Planting Fields Arboretum to launch an invasive plant awareness campaign, helping community members understand how invasive species impact local habitats. We loved connecting with so many visitors and empowering our community to take meaningful action for birds. We look forward to bringing this campaign a step further next year by establishing native plots in our local community!
Rewilding Campaign
Get Involved
February Break Programs
We are bringing programming to local day camps to teach about winter birds like Loons, Barred Owls, and Turkey Vultures. Students will explore bird adaptations and go on guided nature walks to spot and record birds. We’re partnering with Planting Fields Arboretum, Grenville Baker and Oyster Bay–East Norwich Boys & Girls Clubs, and the Waterfront Center. Keep an eye out for sign-ups from these organizations!
Classroom Visits
We’re excited to bring our programs into K-5 classrooms across Long Island and NYC! If you’d like to schedule a visit from the CI Bird Sanctuary, please reach out. If you are interested in learning more about the programs we offer, explore our course catalog. We’d love to come share the world of birds with your students!
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Support Us
This Giving Tuesday, we hope you’ll consider supporting the CI Bird Sanctuary. Your gift helps us run our education programs, lead community events, and continue sharing meaningful birding experiences with people of all ages. Every contribution truly helps; thank you for being a part of our community!
