Birds, cicadas, moms and wild flowers
CORNWALL — Hudson Highlands Nature Museum is hosting a series of programs this weekend and next at its Outdoor Discovery Center on Muser Drive, across from 174 Angola Road, in Cornwall:
Birding basics
On Saturday, May 11, at 8:30 a.m., the Museum presents “Birding with the Bakers.” Join Sharon and David Baker, avid birding enthusiasts with world-wide experience, to learn the basics of this engaging hobby. Come for a birding presentation highlighted by David Baker’s photography.
After the program venture out with the Bakers in search of some of the more than 50 species of birds that have been sited on the museum’s property. This program is for adults and interested older children.
Admission: $7; museum members: $5. Bring your binoculars.
Cicadas are coming
Also on Saturday, May 11, but at 10 a.m., spend the morning with environmental educator Pam Golben learning about the 17-year life cycles of cicadas; 2013 is an emergence year where populations of adult cicadas may be abundant.
“This spring the 17-year cicada will emerge in the Hudson Valley,” Golben said in the museum’s press release announcing program. “For the past 17 years the baby cicadas or ‘nymphs’ have been underground slowly feeding on the juices of tree roots.
“Once the cicadas emerge, we can expect to hear them buzzing their song for about one month,’ she added.
Weather permitting after the program take a short walk to search for signs of cicadas at the Outdoor Discovery Center. Cicada craft for kids.
This program is for adults with or without children, and children ages 5 and older.
Admission: adults-$7, children-$5 museum members: $2 discount.
Guided Mother’s Day hike
On Sunday, May 12, at 10 a.m., the museum is offering a guided hike for moms at the Outdoor Discovery Center.
Join environmental educator Carl Heitmuller for a Mother’s Day morning of fresh air and sunshine. Take the family on a guided walk along the stroller friendly and gentle trails of the Outdoor Discovery Center to seek out the sights and sounds of spring.
For all ages.
Admission: $7/adults, $5/children; museum members: $2 discount.
Wildflower and heirloom vegetable sale
On Saturday, May 18, from 9 a.m. until 1 p.m. the museum will host its 9th annual wildflower and heirloom vegetable sale at the Museum’s Outdoor Discovery Center.
This year will include a focus on plants for pollinators like butterflies, bees and hummingbirds, a lady bug craft for kids and guided pollinator walks at 11 a.m. and 12:30 p.m.
Special offer this year for those who plan ahead and place their pre-paid order by Saturday, May 11, are deer resistant plant sets including:
Shady Woodland Garden: 7 plants $21 or 20 plants $59.
Bird Habitat Garden: 10 plants $30.
Sunny Rock Garden: 15 plants $45.
Also for purchase will be heirloom vegetable seedlings which are a variety of garden delights that are not genetically engineered.
Meet gardeners from the area, ask questions and get some great gardening tips.
To pre-order plant sets and for more information on this sale and or of the other programs, visit www.hhnaturemuseum.org or call 845-534-5506, ext. 204.