Upcoming Events

CVAS Book Club

We will discuss Conversations with Birds by Priyanka Kumar. In 20 essays, Kumar brings her childhood connecIons with birds of the Himalayas to life as she navigates the complexiIes of living and working in Los Angeles. "... seeds of transformaIon lie dormant in our hearts," she writes. "SomeImes it takes just the right bird to awaken us."

Directions: Use Parking Lot A and enter the front door to the lobby. Proceed to the large staircase on your right and go up one floor. At the top of the stairs turn right. The Conference Room is the first door on your right. Or, use an elevator to the left of the staircase in the lobby. You can download our reading list here.

Corning Christmas Bird Count

The Corning Christmas Bird Count will be Saturday, December 14. Christmas Bird Counts are conducted in circles with a 7.5-mile radius. The center of the Corning Christmas Bird Count Circle is at the intersection of Scott Road in the Town of Erwin and the Conrail railroad tracks. Anyone living within 7.5 miles of that point can submit their feeder counts to Bill Ostrander, browncreeper9@gmail.com. The feeder counts should consist of a list of species observed and the largest number of each species that are observed at one time on the count day. Anyone wishing to join one of the field parties to do travelling counts in assigned areas should contact Bill Ostrander by Wednesday, December 11. Participants are invited to meet at Bob Evans, 1 South Buffalo Street, Riverside at 5:30 p.m. on Saturday, December 14, to have dinner and compile the day’s data. An interactive map of the Corning Circle may be accessed here.

CVAS Monthly Meeting

Meet at Appleridge (Map), for a lively discussion about birding and a presentation from one of our knowledgeable hosts. A bird identification workshop precedes the program at 7:00 p.m.; the program begins at 7:30p.m. All are welcome to these free events. Appleridge is wheelchair accessible. You can connect on Zoom by sending a request to windingwayhorse@aol.com.

The December 19th CVAS meeting features photographs taken by members. As you review the many photos of birds/nature/other wildlife you have taken, please pull out a few of your favorites (10 or so) to show at the December meeting in the West End Room at Appleridge, 168 Miller St., Horseheads. Shots that are interesting or have a story to go with them are always welcome, regardless of photo quality. Bring them on a flash drive or, if that’s not possible, contact Brian Dugan at bldtraveler14871@yahoo.com to find another way to show your photos. And if you know someone who is a bird photographer, please share this announcement with them.

Elmira Christmas Bird Count

The Elmira Christmas Bird Count will be Wednesday, January 1. The center of the Elmira Christmas Bird Count Circle is at the intersection of Butler Avenue and Cornell Street in the Town of Horseheads. Anyone living within 7.5 miles of that point can submit their feeder counts to Bill Ostrander, browncreeper9@gmail.com. The feeder counts should consist of a list of species observed and the largest number of each species that are observed at one time on the count day. Anyone wishing to join one of the field parties to do travelling counts in assigned areas should contact Bill Ostrander by Saturday, December 28. Participants are invited to meet at Curly’s Chicken House, 2100 Lake Road, Elmira at 5:30 p.m. on Wednesday, January 1, to have dinner and compile the day’s data. An interactive map of the Elmira Circle may be accessed here.

CVAS Book Club

We will discuss Crossings: How Road Ecology is Shaping the Future of the Planet by Ben Goldfarb. Environmental journalist Ben Goldfarb travels throughout the U.S. and around the world to investigate how roads have transformed our planet, while at the same time bringing death and disruption to millions of animals. He meets with conservationists, engineers, animal rehabbers, and community organizers to learn how they are creating a better future for all living beings.

Directions: Use Parking Lot A and enter the front door to the lobby. Proceed to the large staircase on your right and go up one floor. At the top of the stairs turn right. The Conference Room is the first door on your right. Or, use an elevator to the left of the staircase in the lobby. You can download our reading list here.

Climate Watch

If you would like to participate in a Bluebird Survey that aims to measure the effect of climate change on Eastern Bluebird ranges, contact Bill Ostrander, browncreeper9@gmail.com, for an area assignment. Each survey consists of 12 5-minute point counts. This is a National Audubon Society citizen science project. For background information check out Audubon Climate Watch..

CVAS Book Club

We will discuss Soil: The Story of a Black Mother's Garden by Camille T. Dungy. In her memoir of motherhood, gardening, and environmental justice, Dungy recounts her seven-year odyssey to diversify her garden amid restrictions on what can and cannot be cultivated in her Colorado community. She warns of the perils of homogeneity in our gardens and in our communities, and why diversity always matters.

Directions: Use Parking Lot A and enter the front door to the lobby. Proceed to the large staircase on your right and go up one floor. At the top of the stairs turn right. The Conference Room is the first door on your right. Or, use an elevator to the left of the staircase in the lobby. You can download our reading list here.

CVAS Book Club

We will discuss The Comfort of Crows: A Backyard Year by Margaret Renkl. Renkl moves through the seasons, from a crow on New Year's Day to lingering bluebirds in December. She writes of "radiant things that burst forth in the darkest places, in the smallest nooks and deepest cracks of the hidden world." Original artwork is by Billy Renkl.

Directions: Use Parking Lot A and enter the front door to the lobby. Proceed to the large staircase on your right and go up one floor. At the top of the stairs turn right. The Conference Room is the first door on your right. Or, use an elevator to the left of the staircase in the lobby. You can download our reading list here.

CVAS Book Club

Celebrate National Poetry Month! Bring a favorite short nature poem to share.

Directions: Use Parking Lot A and enter the front door to the lobby. Proceed to the large staircase on your right and go up one floor. At the top of the stairs turn right. The Conference Room is the first door on your right. Or, use an elevator to the left of the staircase in the lobby. You can download our reading list here.

CVAS Book Club

We will discuss Our Little Farm: Adventures in Sustainable Living by Peter and Miriam Wohlleben. The Wohllebens invite readers to their farm, where they describe how to plant and rotate crops, harvest and preserve nature's bounty, and tend to the needs of their animals and environment. They live according to their values as they care for Earth, home, and family.

Directions: Use Parking Lot A and enter the front door to the lobby. Proceed to the large staircase on your right and go up one floor. At the top of the stairs turn right. The Conference Room is the first door on your right. Or, use an elevator to the left of the staircase in the lobby. You can download our reading list here.

CVAS Book Club

We will meet to discuss our next book list.

Directions: Use Parking Lot A and enter the front door to the lobby. Proceed to the large staircase on your right and go up one floor. At the top of the stairs turn right. The Conference Room is the first door on your right. Or, use an elevator to the left of the staircase in the lobby. You can download our reading list here.

Montezuma Audubon Society
The Montezuma Audubon Society has birding and boating events all season long! Visit the Montezuma Audubon website for more information and to register.

Birding Festivals
A great way to enjoy bird watching is by going to festivals—they're organized to get you to great birding spots at a great time of year, and they're a great way to meet people. Experts and locals help you see more birds, and you'll meet other visitors who share your hobby. While you're there, keep an eye out for Cornell Lab representatives, as they do attend several festivals each year. You can find a complete list of birding festivals here.