Greenburgh Public Library Blog

Birding and Explorer Bags at the Greenburgh Library

Do you enjoy nature and admire birds?  Birding is an ever-growing hobby in the United States.  Are you not sure how to get started?  Check out an Adventure by borrowing a bag of explorer tools along with ideas for exploring nature and learning about birds and trees in Westchester County. 

The Greenburgh Public Library is excited to share that we now have two Explorer Birding Bags available for checkout!  All bags come with the following: backpack, two pairs of binoculars, tree ID cards and magnifier, bird ID cards, activity cards, two magnifying bug boxes, and colored pencils and notepad.  The Explorer Bags can be used by adults, teens, and children!  These come to us courtesy of the Bronx River Sound Shore Audubon and the Central Westchester Audubon who provided them via generous donors!  

Explorer bags can be checked out for three weeks at a time! 

Diana Wendell, GPL Librarian holds an Explorer Bag with Sandra Morrissey, President - Bronx River Sound Audubon  

Contents of an Explorer Bag

Over the last few weeks, I had the chance to speak with the Presidents from the Central Westchester Audubon, Lisa Curtis and Bronx River Sound Shore Audubon, Sandra Morrissey.

Diana Wendell (DW) Greenburgh Library:  What do you like most about the Explorer Bags?

Lisa Curtis (LC):  I love them especially for children.  Using the contents of the bags will give kids opportunities to see new things in their own environments (i.e. sometimes even in their backyard!)

Sandra Morrissey (SM):  I love that the bags come with two binoculars.  This way folks can go out and experience birding with a friend or family member.  I also think it is great for people to try out the binoculars and then if they decide to purchase their own, they will have a better idea.

Lisa Curtis, Presidents of the Central Westchester Audubon

DW:  How did you get into birding?

LC:  What got me into birding was simple; it was a family thing. Birdfeeders, discussion about the birds seen and guidebooks were always out and about. I find birds and birding magical!   I have many, many 'favorite' birds but I guess it's a toss-up between a red-tailed hawk and a black-capped chickadee; they both tie me to many great memories.

SM:  My father was a forester and he owned several tree farms.  My siblings and I would go out there when we were kids and he would point out birds.  But what really got me started was setting up a bird feeder at my house when I was married.  One of my sisters gave me a bird guide and I just loved the process of figuring out what birds were stopping by my feeder.  In birding circles there is something known as a spark bird.  This is the particular bird that really hooks a person into being a birder.  Mine was a mourning dove. 

DW:  What do you personally enjoy about birding?

LC:  I very much enjoy the excuse to get outside and experience the natural world around us.  I'm constantly amazed at the wild things I get to see right here in Westchester county.

SM:  I really get a kick out of being able to identify the different birds.  You just never know what you are going to come across; it's like a Forrest Gump box of chocolates!

DW:  Do you have any interesting stories to share about individuals/families using the Explorer Bags from the public libraries?

LC:  Greenburgh is the first library that we have participated with for this program.  But we are excited to see where it leads and hope it brings new opportunities for growing the Central Westchester Audubon chapter's programs and services.

SM:  Same with us,  we are excited to get more folks into birding!

DW:  Is there anything you would like to share about birding with people who might be new to it?

LC: I'd like to share that it isn't as intimidating as it might appear to be.  Don't be afraid to get started as a beginner.  If you see another birder, don't hesitate to talk with them.  Birders are very generous with their time.  They are passionate about their hobby and happy to help others to become passionate as well!  Attend some chapter programs and meet some avid birders! (Click our logo above to visit our website.)

SM:  If you really like birding, invest in a birding guide; I like Peterson’s best for new birders.  Although the one App that’s really good for new birders is the Merlin app - free from Cornell Lab of Ornithology. It can ID birds by answering a few questions or by a picture or by sound. Also, set up a bird feeder or a bird feeding station in your yard; it's the best way to get started to watch the birds in your very own neighborhood!  Also having a birdbath is important too!  All birds need water.

DW:  Would you like to share anything about your Chapter?

LC:  Central Westchester Audubon is very excited to be participating with Greenburgh Library with this program.  We would very much like to hear from the community as to how they might like to get more involved with the chapter.  If you would like to get in touch, please send an email to:   info@cwasociety.org .

SM:  Bronx River Sound shore Audobon is also excited about the collaboration.  Check out our website!  All of our programs are free.  We are doing many programs online and due to high participation, we plan to continue.  This has brought many more people to participate.  We have joined with other chapters and are having nationally known speakers including David Rothenberg, author of WHY BIRDS SING and other books.  Click here to sign up for our programs.

Don’t miss the Greenburgh Library / Audubon Feb. 1, 2022 “Backyard Birding” online program.  Sign up by clicking here.

Check out our new birding webpage as well as our catalog and eLibrary to discover more information about birding.