The Audubon Center and Sanctuary’s beautiful, well-maintained trails are open every day, dawn to dusk, but are normally off limits after the sun goes down. Tuesday evening, February 7 will be an exception, when Program Director Jennifer Schlick will lead an after dark trek of cross country skiing or a hike, depending on the weather. Here she is enjoying the Audubon trails during the day. (Photo by Jeff Tome)

Jamestown, NY – The beautiful, well-maintained cross country ski trails at the Audubon Center and Sanctuary are open every day, dawn to dusk, but are normally off limits after the sun goes down.

On Tuesday evening, February 7, from 6-9 pm Audubon is making an exception to the rule when Program Director Jennifer Schlick leads an after dark trek. It will be cross country skiing if the snow allows, or otherwise a hike.

This will be a wonderful opportunity to experience the creatures of the night with a naturalist who has been skiing Audubon’s trails since the 1970s.

Participants are asked to dress for the weather and bring their cross country skis or winter boots, depending on the snow cover. Snacks will be provided for after the outing, but trekkers are welcome to bring a nibble to share. If it is cloudy and snowless, a headlamp or flashlight might be needed.

Cost is $10 for members, $12 for non-members, $5 for children 12 and under. Fee includes refreshments.

Reservations are required by Monday, February 6, by calling (716) 569-2345, emailing info@jamestownaudubon.org, or using the on-line form. After that, call to check on available space.

The Audubon Center and Sanctuary is at 1600 Riverside Road, off Route 62 between Jamestown and Warren.

For more information on this and all Audubon Center and Sanctuary programs, call (716) 569-2345 or visit http://jamestownaudubon.org.

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On Groundhog Day, Thursday, February 2, the Audubon Center and Sanctuary’s Senior Naturalist Jeff Tome will lead a cross country ski of the grounds, looking for signs of animals, winter spiders, and groundhog shadows. A limited number of skis are available to be borrowed for the morning program.

On Thursday morning, February 2, from 10 am to noon, Jeff Tome will lead participants along Audubon’s trails. Flat, well-traveled and filled with great things to find, these trails are perfect for cross country skiing.

This will be an “easy ski,” going slow and looking for signs of animals, winter spiders, and more along the way. New skiers can even learn a little bit about how to cross country ski. Since it will be Groundhog Day, participants will see if they can see their shadows – and maybe a giant squirrel, too. Afterward, skiers will relax with some coffee or tea.

Jeff Tome has been skiing at Audubon for years. Since he escapes the office at lunch whenever possible for a quick spin around the ponds, he is very familiar with Audubon’s trails and what is happening outside.

A limited number of cross country skis are available to be borrowed for the program.

Participants are asked to dress lighter than they would expect: skiing is hard work, and you don’t want to be bundled up too much to prevent overheating. Dress with waterproof pants if possible, and wear layers that can be removed.

Cost is $10 for members, $12 for non-members, $5 for children 12 and under. Fee includes coffee/tea after the ski and perhaps skis if you don’t have your own.

Reservations are required by Tuesday, January 31, by calling (716) 569-2345, emailing info@jamestownaudubon.org, or using the on-line form. After that, call to check on available space.

The Audubon Center and Sanctuary is at 1600 Riverside Road, off Route 62 between Jamestown and Warren.

For more information on this and all Audubon Center and Sanctuary programs, call (716) 569-2345 or visit http://jamestownaudubon.org.

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Jamestown, NY – A threatened species is one that may become extinct if measures aren’t taken to protect it. An endangered species is one that has a very small population and is at greater risk of becoming extinct; many species that become extinct never make it to this list.

At the Audubon Center and Sanctuary’s First Friday Lunch Bunch on February 3, NYS Department of Environmental Conservation Senior Wildlife Biologist Connie Adams will give a presentation on “Common Terns and Peregrine Falcons.” The Common Terns pictured here were sighted on Chautauqua Lake. (Photo by Irene Bozogan)

At the Audubon Center and Sanctuary’s First Friday Lunch Bunch on February 3, NYS Department of Environmental Conservation Senior Wildlife Biologist Connie Adams will give a presentation on “Common Terns and Peregrine Falcons.” New York State lists common terns as a threatened species and peregrine falcons as an endangered species.

In the early 1900’s, common terns were almost exterminated by plume hunters. Protective legislation in 1918 allowed this species to make a comeback in the 1920’s and 1930’s. Today, common terns face a variety of threats.

Peregrine falcons were eliminated as a nesting species in New York by the early 1960’s, due primarily to pesticide residues in their bird prey. From 1974-1988 the release of young captive-bred birds helped lead to their return as a nesting species.

Adams’s talk will compare these two aerial predators, describing their life histories, habits, and how they make their living preying on aquatic and land-based quarry.

Adams has been a wildlife biologist with the New York State DEC since 2005 where she works with colonial water birds, migratory game birds including waterfowl and woodcock, peregrine falcons, and grassland birds. She worked on the project that hatched peregrine falcon chicks in a nesting box placed by the University of Buffalo at its South Campus.

Following the 11 am presentation, coffee and tea will be provided for a BYO brown bag lunch. The fee for attending is $5 for Audubon members and $7 for non-members.

The Audubon Center and Sanctuary is at 1600 Riverside Road, off Route 62 between Jamestown and Warren.

For more information, call (716) 569-2345 or visit http://jamestownaudubon.org.

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Gather up your mittens, hats, coats, boots, family and friends, because according to the Old Farmer’s Almanac the forecast for our area for February 4, 2012, calls for lake snows and cold temps—perfect weather for the annual Snowflake Festival at the Jamestown Audubon from 10:00AM – 4:30PM. Now I must admit, I’ve never been to the Snowflake Festival but after being a part of special events like Enchanted Forest, the Monarch Butterfly Festival, Art in the Woods, and others, I expect to be part of another great family friendly event.

Build a nest box for bluebirds or other cavity-nesting birds. - Photo by Suzette Paduano

Highlighting the festival this year is returning speaker Paul Fehringer, founder of Wild Spirit Education located in Delevan, NY. He will present two popular educational programs: Birds of Prey and Owl Ecology. His educational programs cover avian adaptations, bird identification, anatomy, predator/prey relationships, migration, and ornithology and also include live representation of raptors and non-releasable birds of prey. Fehringer has a degree in Environmental Studies and teaches part-time in high school and middle school. He is also a seasonal naturalist/interpreter at Letchworth State Park and for eight years he served as a Senior Naturalist for the Buffalo Audubon Society.

If you are looking for more live animals, you cannot pass up Amtilia Outreach run by Chris Duckett and Zac Caldwell. They bring their rescued reptiles and amphibians to the Audubon as well as hissing cockroaches and a tarantula—and yes, you can touch them. Many children spending their summers at the Audubon have participated in a lively educational experience with this group and we encourage everyone to stop by and visit Amtilia Outreach. You will also want to check out sledding demonstrations with Tails of the Tundra. These dogs are beautiful and work hard. Tails of the Tundra Siberian Husky Rescue is a nonprofit volunteer organization, formed to help Siberian Huskies and Siberian Husky Mixes that have been abused, neglected, abandoned, or surrendered by their owners. Their goals are to place these dogs in loving homes and to educate people about the characteristics of this wonderful, yet often misunderstood, breed.

If you prefer to spend most of your time outside at the event there will be free snowshoe demonstrations throughout day with instructors from Evergreen Outfitters. Audubon will also have skis on hand if you would like to explore more than five miles of snow covered trails. Go ahead and get a workout on your snowshoes and skis and then stop by and visit the Fluvanna Boy Scouts Troop #169 who will offer outdoor cooking demonstrations with lots of food samples to be handed out. Anyone who has ever camped or backpacked outside knows there is something extra special about the taste of food cooked outdoors after a long day of hiking.

Another long time favorite activity at the event is Bluebird house building which offers a hands-on opportunity to work side by side with Audubon volunteers as they help you put together your very own Bluebird house. They have been working hard to prepare these kits and have 300 houses waiting for you to put them together. If building things is to your liking, make sure to stop by the well attended activity in children’s crafts hosted by Audubon volunteers leaders Olivia Sechriest and Joyce Weber. Craft stations will be set up in the picturesque and scenic Audubon Sky Room on the third floor. If you liked what they did for the Monarch Festival, you’ll like they do for the Snowflake Festival.

Once you are warmed up inside and want to venture outside again consider saying hello to Liberty our resident non-releasable Bald Eagle. You can get a behind-the-scenes tour of what our volunteers do every day to take care of her. Linda O’Brien, one of our long-time dedicated eagle care volunteers, will take you on a tour and happily answer your questions. Perhaps you’ll even see another bald eagle flying in the sky as you take a walk with an Audubon Naturalist on the trails at the Audubon. This is a new feature of the Snowflake Festival, and you will not want to miss your chance to meet our naturalists in person.

If you prefer to stay warm inside, there will be several returning vendors and exhibitors eager to meet you and answer your questions. The Warren County Master Gardeners will offer suet logs for purchase and answer your questions about gardening and their organization. Perhaps you would like to take a warm furry cat home with you. The Chautauqua County Humane Society offers educational materials and information on their programs and will have cats available for adoption. Or maybe you are a dog lover and want to make sure your dog remains home safe and sound. Invisible Fence Brand of Erie, PA has professionally trained staff fully focused on protecting your pet with Invisible Fence systems. If you are looking to do some energy efficient remodeling at home, consider stopping by Braymiller Builders out of Hamburg, NY. They will display their windows, doors, and tub liner systems. Maybe you are feeling a bit nostalgic. Carol Spencer will demonstrate spinning with a wheel and drop spindle using yarn, fiber, wool, and more. Visit a similar vendor in Dun Roving Farm & Alpaca Store. They will sell Alpaca products including socks, hats, gloves, mittens, and scarves and show you where they came from as you view live Suri Alpacas. If you are looking for healthy skin care products discounted 50%, stop by BeautiControl. This will be a last chance offer. Make sure to stop by The Southern Tier Astronomical Recreation Society (STARS). This group emphasizes observational astronomy, public education and spreading the enjoyment of the starry skies. They run free public observing nights at easy to get to locations such as Luensman Overlook park in northern Chautauqua county and Long Point State Park near Bemus Point. Also consider visiting with members of the Jamestown Audubon Society Photography Club. They will be on hand to answer your photography questions and will have their work on display. Their images of flowers may make you think of gardening. Even though the ground will be covered with snow, there will be some of you eagerly waiting for spring. Gardening questions and more will be answered by members of the Chautauqua County Master Gardeners.

Watch dog sled demonstrations and meet the dogs! - Photo by Suzette Paduano

If you are inspired by local environmental organizations and missions, check out the JCC Earth Awareness Club whose club activities will be on display along with information on eco-friendly products and practices as well as information regarding local and global environmental issues. The Chautauqua Watershed Conservancy will also be on hand with an educational display about the conservancy and their local trails. Also, Teddy Heads from Williamsville, NY, a supporter of several animal and wildlife related charities, will bring smiles to your face as well as laughter and fun with their durable and comfortable animal themed hats in lots of styles and colors.

Look for other surprises both inside and out, and plan to spend the whole day at the Audubon with your family and friends. We’ll even cook for you. Audubon volunteers will prepare fresh, hot homemade meat lovers’ chili and vegetarian chili—a tradition at this event. There will also be Kielbasa and Baress hotdogs cooked on the grill with all your favorite toppings as well as fudge brownies, hot chocolate, fresh fruit and other baked goods. For those with a sweet tooth you won’t want to pass up Franklins Honey & Apples – They offer delicious Kettle Corn, Cotton Candy, Honey, Apple Chips, Honeystix, and even sell crocheted towels.

Sponsors who support our mission and supported this event include: United Refining Company in Warren, PA, WNY Energy $mart Communities, Herbs R4U, Lena’s Pizza, Gary’s Carstar, Caroll Rod & Gun Club, Chautauqua Watershed Conservancy, Randy Ordines, James M. Smith-CLU, Phil-N-Cindy’s, Dun Roving Farm and Alpaca Store, Franklin’s Honey & Apples, and Teddy Heads.

Admission for the event is $5 ages 12 and up and free for children under 12. Proceeds support and benefit the Jamestown Audubon’s mission to connect people to nature and promote environmentally responsible practices through education at our Center, Sanctuary, and in the community.

Visit Audubon at 1600 Riverside Road, just off Route 62 between Warren and Jamestown. The Center is currently operating on its winter hours and is open Monday and Saturday 10:00AM – 4:30PM and Sunday 1:00PM-4:30PM. The trails and Liberty viewing area are available from dawn to dusk every day free of charge. For information about upcoming events, visit http://jamestownaudubon.org or call 716-569-2345.

Lynn Crossfield is Special Events Coordinator and Volunteer Coordinator at Audubon.

Jamestown, NY – In addition to a vast array of both indoor and outdoor activities, many exciting and unusual animals will welcome visitors to this year’s Snowflake Festival on Saturday, February 4, at the Audubon Center and Sanctuary.

Various opportunities are available at different times throughout the 10 am to 4:30 pm event.

Paul Fehringer with Barred Owl - by Dave Cooney

Highlighting the festival is returning speaker Paul Fehringer, founder of Wild Spirit Education in Delevan, New York. With his live birds, Fehringer will give presentations on “Birds of Prey” at 11:30 am and “Owl Ecology” at 1 pm.

From Amtilia Outreach, Chris Duckett and Zac Caldwell will bring their rescued reptiles and amphibians as well as hissing cockroaches and a tarantula—and yes, you can touch them!

Andrea DiMaio and other Tails of the Tundra Siberian Husky Rescue representatives will give sled dog demonstrations and share information about the care of their beautiful animals. They will describe how their all-volunteer organization both finds homes for huskies in need and helps people keep their own dogs by offering education about the breed.

Dennis Wright will bring his horses and sleigh for horse-drawn sleigh rides from noon to 4 pm.

The Chautauqua County Humane Society will have cats available for adoption and offer educational materials and information on their programs.

In addition to having her Suri Alpacas in an outdoor pen for visiting, Darlene Lander of Dun Roving Farm & Alpaca Store will sell Alpaca products including socks, hats, gloves, mittens, and scarves.

Festival goers can also get a behind-the-scenes tour of what volunteers do every day to care for Liberty, Audubon’s resident non-releasable Bald Eagle.

Snowshoeing, skiing, shopping, bluebird house building, walking a trail with a naturalist, learning from a variety of displays and demonstrations, enjoying children’s crafts — with so much to see and do, you’ll want to spend the day!

Among your choices of nourishment are meat lovers and vegetarian chili, grilled Kielbasa and hot dogs, fudge brownies and other baked goods, hot chocolate, fresh fruit, kettle corn, cotton candy, apple chips and more.

Admission to the Snowflake Festival is only $5; children under 12 are free. Sleigh rides are $5 for ages 13 and over and $2 for 5-12 year olds; $5 covers materials for building a bluebird house.

A reminder: there is no ATM on the Audubon property.

Snowflake Festival sponsors include United Refining Company, WNY Energy $mart Communities, Herbs R-4-U, Carroll Rod & Gun Club, Chautauqua Watershed Conservancy, Gary’s Carstar, Lena’s Pizza, Randy Ordines, James M. Smith-CLU, Dun Roving Farm and Alpaca Store, Franklin’s Honey & Apples, Phil-N-Cindy’s, and Teddy Heads.

The Audubon Center and Sanctuary is at 1600 Riverside Road, off Route 62 between Jamestown and Warren. Winter hours are 10 am-4:30 pm Mondays and Saturdays, and 1-4:30 pm Sundays. The trails and Bald Eagle viewing are open dawn to dusk daily. For more information, call (716) 569-2345 or visit jamestownaudubon.org.

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Senior Naturalist Jeff Tome is looking forward to sharing his knowledge about “Winter Insects” on Saturday afternoon, January 21 at the Audubon Center and Sanctuary. Participants will spot insects during the walk outdoors following the indoor presentation, perhaps like this wooly bear caterpillar he photographed.

LEARN ABOUT WINTER INSECTS AT AUDUBON

Jamestown, NY – Beetles and caterpillars and flies, oh my!

These are just some of the insects that manage to survive in our winters – and that you can see and learn about at the Audubon Center and Sanctuary’s “Winter Insects” program.

On Saturday afternoon, January 21, from 1-3 pm, you can discover which insects ONLY come out in winter as well as some that are active all year long.

The event will begin inside with a brief presentation about the kinds of insects that function during the winter and how they do it, followed by a short walk outside to find some of these insects.

Participants are asked to dress for the weather, as part of the afternoon will be spent outside, regardless of temperatures. Wear warm, waterproof boots, dress in layers, and be prepared to walk about a mile in the snow.

Instructor Jeff Tome has been a naturalist since 1996. As an avid cross country skier, he started noticing many insects crossing his path even on the coldest of days. Since then, he has been working to find, photograph and identify some of these little-known winter residents.

Cost is $10 for members, $12 for non-members.

Reservations are required by Thursday, January 19, by calling (716) 569-2345, emailing info@jamestownaudubon.org, or using the on-line form.  After that, call to check on available space.

The Audubon Center and Sanctuary is at 1600 Riverside Road, off Route 62 between Jamestown and Warren.

For more information on this and all Audubon Center and Sanctuary programs, call (716) 569-2345 or visit http://jamestownaudubon.org.

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by Jeff Tome

Possibility. This is one of the best things about Audubon. There is always the possibility of almost anything happening. With a building set in the midst of a wild area, there is always the possibility of seeing something amazing amazingly close.

Today, a cooper’s hawk sat in a tree just a little ways from the building, watching the birdfeeder for a tasty bird to forget that it was there. Other days, I have seen hawks eat birds at the birdfeeder. On one unforgettable day, a giant rough-legged hawk ate an immature cooper’s hawk under the pine tree in the backyard, doing a victory dance around the body.

Other news from the trails lately includes sightings of river otters, blue herons, bald eagles, deer, and more. That’s the great thing about being at Audubon. Nothing is happening one minute. The next minute, a mink is swimming in the backyard pond. The building and trails are just full of possibility.

These things are going to happen regardless of whether you are there to see them. There will be bald eagles flying over and river otters diving in the pond whether there is a witness or not, but wouldn’t it be great to see that? Audubon’s trails and building are perfect for stumbling across wild happenings.

If that isn’t enough, the staff at Audubon will create some possibilities for you.

January 21st is shaping up to be one of those days full of possibilities.

This is the day of Doors Open Jamestown, which means admission to Audubon is free for the day. There will be lots of other places with free admission, like the Fenton, Roger Tory Peterson Institute and others. Keep an eye on the paper for more information about this annual event.

In addition to free admission, there will be some other great things happening at Audubon. Someone will be hanging out with our live animals, so you can come to Audubon and get a chance to touch the turtles or, if you are brave, feel the snake. Reptile experts will be on hand to show you some of the animals and let you touch them. If you are lucky, you may even get to see one eat!

If scaly beasts aren’t to your taste, there will be a table set up with fur from local animals. Discover the coarse hair on a bear or feel how soft a beaver can be. Keep an eye out in the backyard for muskrats and mink swimming in the ponds and deer browsing on the bushes along the edge.

There will also be a free workshop on saving energy from 10:00 am to noon, conducted by Wendy Sanfillipo of Cornell Cooperative Extension. Wendy is the WNY Energy $mart Communities Coordinator and has an amazing workshop on all the things that you can do to lower your energy bills. She will also be giving out free kits to save energy in the home. To attend this free workshop and get a kit, you have to call Audubon and register before January 18th so that materials can be prepared for you.

Energy conservation opens up even more possibilities. Think of all the great things you could buy if you had more money, which is one thing that conservation gets for you. Audubon, through a combination of solar panels and conservation, has had a negative electricity bill for the last two months in a row. Personally, my bills went down by a third when I started working to save energy.

Nature’s possibilities are endless, and there are some amazing things that happen out there. Another possibility that day is Audubon’s Winter Insect program. Most people think that winter is insect-free, but there are a remarkable number of insects that are active all winter long.

There are winter active moths and butterflies, caterpillars, mosquitoes and more. Some insects are even ONLY active in the winter.

The winter insect program will take place on January 21 from 1:00 to 3:00. The program is for adults and interested young adults, with a fee of $10 for members and $12 for non-members. Pre-registration is appreciated.

And even if you can’t come out for any of the great things on January 21st, there is always the possibility of something great happening on any given day at Audubon. On a short hike today at lunch, there was a deer that stood and watched me from 20 feet away. Mink tracks bounded across a pond and into a hole in the snow. A flock of birds, peeping, hinking and deeing, scattered across the trail in front of me. Caterpillars crawled across the snow and beetles hid in old woodpecker holes.

Whether you are at Audubon or elsewhere, life is full of possibilities. You just have to pay attention to see them.

Jeff Tome is a naturalist at the Audubon Center and Sanctuary, where he continues to marvel at all the things that happen outside. Jeff, along with some other Audubon staff and volunteers, will be available for Doors Open Jamestown on January 21st, when building admission is free. For more information on Audubon and its programs, visit http://jamestownaudubon.org.

If you have some photography questions for which you’d like some expert answers, you won’t want to miss the next Audubon Photography Club meeting on Thursday, January 12. This photograph of Allegany State Park in early winter is by Bill Smith, one of four panelists that will take on all photo questions.

Jamestown, NY – If you have photography questions for which you’d like some expert answers, you won’t want to miss the next Audubon Photography Club meeting on Thursday, January 12.

During the program at the Audubon Center and Sanctuary, a panel of four will take on all photo questions: camera use, gizmos, digital darkroom, etc.

The camera lesson that opens the 7-9 pm program will be three five-minute book reviews.

“Panning” – or photos showing motion — is the subject for the image critique that begins at 6:30 pm. Members are invited to photograph a moving object, trying out panning or partial panning and perhaps slower shutter speeds to indicate speed.

A social time follows the program.

Visitors are asked to pay $5 that can be applied toward the annual membership of $25 if application is made by the next meeting. Among the benefits of membership are discounts on photography classes, special gifts and giveaways from sponsors, the right to show photos at Club exhibits, and 10% discount at several local businesses.

The Jamestown Audubon Photography Club blog is at http://jasphotoclub.wordpress.com.

The Audubon Center and Sanctuary is at 1600 Riverside Road, off Route 62 between Jamestown and Warren.

For more information, visit http://jamestownaudubon.org or contact Suzette Paduano at (716) 763-9492 or Suzette_Paduano@yahoo.com.

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You won't get warts when you come to this program, even if you DO touch the toad. Photo by Terry Lorenc.

Jamestown, NY – The dictionary defines “superstition” as “any blindly accepted belief or notion” – and Nature is full of them.

On Friday evening, January 13, you can bust some nature superstitions and myths at the Audubon Center and Sanctuary.

Black cats and broken mirrors are associated with bad luck. Four leaf clovers and rabbit feet are associated with good luck. While some superstitions and myths are based in truth, with others, it is a puzzle as to where they originated.

The “Nature Superstitions” program will discuss some common nature superstitions, where they come from, and if there is any truth in them.

During this 6-8 pm event, you can share your own nature superstitions and meet some of Audubon’s misunderstood live animals.

Participants will be introduced to some animals that don’t have the best reputations, like toads that are accused of causing warts and snakes that are reputed to be slimy. This is an opportunity to see the animals up close and personal — and maybe touch one, as well!

Instructor Katie Finch is a teacher/naturalist at Jamestown Audubon and a casual hunter of four leaf clovers. She has never gotten warts from a toad. (Knock on wood.)

Cost is $10 for members, $12 for non-members, and $5 for children 12 and under.

Reservations are required by Wednesday, January 11, by calling (716) 569-2345, emailing info@jamestownaudubon.org, or using the on-line form. After that, call to check on available space.

The Audubon Center and Sanctuary is at 1600 Riverside Road, off Route 62 between Jamestown and Warren.

For more information on this and all Audubon Center and Sanctuary programs, call (716) 569-2345 or visit http://jamestownaudubon.org.

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by Katie Finch

Toads give you warts? Nope. It's a nature myth.

I had warts as a child. Not as bad as my younger sister who once had a wart on the end of her nose. But even on my fingers, mine were still ugly and painful. After many tears and several failed attempts at trying to get rid of them, my mother gave me a secret cure. I was to take a raw potato, cut it in pieces and rub each piece on my warts. Then I was to put it back together and bury it under a full moon and my warts would go away. With all the innocence of a 10 year old I followed my mother’s instructions and several days later, my warts started to fade!

I remember going outside at night with a trowel as the moon was peeking through the trees and digging a hole for my potato. I felt as if I was summoning some mysterious and ancient power that night. Now, this story is more about the power of positive thinking (and the resourcefulness of mothers) rather than the medicinal properties of a potato. But the recent recollection of this story got me thinking about where my mother got this information and how this kind of information is spread. Did she hear about it from her mother, who heard it from her mother, who heard it from her mother? Or did she just make it up?

Mother birds abandon their young if you touch them or the nest? Nope. It's a nature myth.

There are a multitude of old wives’ tales like the one above, as well as superstitions and myths about the natural world. These are usually blindly accepted and are passed down from generation to generation. And sometimes there’s a bit of truth in them. Superstitions are associated with good or bad luck. It is generally considered bad luck to have black cats cross your path but good luck to carry a buckeye in your pocket. Myths are unproven or false beliefs. Many people think that if you touch a baby bird, the mother will smell you and abandon the baby. We can probably come up with a very long list of notions like this.

Despite being untrue, these ideas are perpetuated, often for a very long time. I remember being told by my grandfather not to touch baby birds. I believed and probably shared that myth until I worked at a nature center and learned I could touch a baby bird without fear of causing its death. Despite the myth, if you do handle a baby bird, the parents will come back. Birds have a poor sense of smell.

As humans, we are both naturally curious and want to solve problems. Myths and superstitions are ways of both explaining and fixing the world around us, even if we don’t understand it completely. And therein lies the problem. We don’t understand. We often unintentionally spread myths, believing they are true. So, what? It is not a bad idea to tell kids not to pick up toads for fear of getting warts. It better protects the toad from the squeezing hands of children. However, it also teaches them to be unnecessarily fearful of toads. And the experience of catching a toad and looking at it up close and feeling its bumpy skin cannot be replicated.

Snakes are slimy? No, actually, they're not!

There are some myths, however, that have more serious consequences. For example, if you believe snakes to be evil, you are more likely to kill them when one shows up in your garden. The more we understand the truth about the natural world, the more we appreciate it. And the more we appreciate it, the more we value it. And the more we value it, the more we will work to protect it. And the more we work to protect it, the more of it is there for people to appreciate and enjoy in the future and so on and so on.

It turns out my mother didn’t believe in the medicinal power of potatoes, but just made it up with inspiration from Huckleberry Finn and Tom Sawyer. She thought a potato would be easier to access than a dead cat, recommended in Tom Sawyer by Huck as a cure for warts.

Speaking of superstitions, there is a Friday the 13th in January. What better day to learn about nature superstitions and myths? Join us at Audubon Friday night from 6-8pm for an indoor program where we’ll have fun busting more nature myths and meeting some of Audubon’s misunderstood animals.

Katie Finch is a naturalist at Audubon who doesn’t get warts from toads. (Knock on wood.)

Don’t forget—birdseed orders are due January 13 for pick-up on January 28!

Audubon is located at 1600 Riverside Road, just off Route 62 between Warren and Jamestown. The building is open from 10am-4:30pm Mondays and Saturdays and 1-4:30pm on Sundays. The trails and Liberty viewing are open dawn to dusk. Visit http://jamestownaudubon.org for more information or call (716) 569-2345.