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© 2026 Eastern Long Island Audubon Society
Join us on the first Monday of the month for our public program!
Eastern Long Island Audubon Society is a Chapter of the National Audubon Society serving the communiites from Patchogue to Montauk along the South Shore of Long Island, including western Riverhead, Brookhaven, Southampton and East Hampton.
Monday Evening, February 2, 2026 at 7:00 p.m.
Wacky, Weird & Wonderful
Things Birds Do!
Presented by Dianne Taggart
Did you know birds can dance, fight or blow bubbles during courtship? Or that they can stay in the air for months? Or protect themselves by vomiting? Using photos and fun/interesting facts, Dianne Taggart, long time birder, will tell you about our wonderful wild birds.
This is the first meeting of the new year. It will be a Zoom meeting. So stay nice and toasty and join via Zoom.
Click here to register on Zoom
Monday Evening. March 2, 2026 at 7:00 p.m
Berries for Birds
A North Fork Audubon Society Initiative
Presented by Ellen Birenbaum
Migrating and overwintering birds need calorie-rich berries to survive. Loss of habitat for berry producing native trees and shrubs has contributed to a precipitous drop in our migratory bird population. To address this problem, North Fork Audubon Society’s Berries for Birds initiative advocates cooperative conservation to encourag people to create new ecological networks by planting native berry-producing trees and shrubs where we live and work.
The Berries for Birds presentation reviews the science of co-evolution of native plants, insects and birds, the nutritional properties of berries by season and describes in detail the nutritional properties of berries by season and describes in detail the wide range of berry producing trees and shrubs native to the east end of Long Island.
Watch for announcements to find out where this program will be held.
Winter Field Trips
Saturday, January 31, 2026 -- Meet at 9:30 am
Shinnecock Bay by Boat - Sold Out
This is a joint field trip with Quogue Wildlife Refuge and Southampton Stony Brook Marine Science. Meet at 9:30 am at the Marine Science building, Shinnecock Hills. This two-hour trip will explore all the mammals and winged creatures who call Shinnecock Bay their home during cold winter days. There is a fee for this trip – $40 for QWR and ELIAS members, $45 for non-members. Registration information is available by contacting QWR at programs@Quoguewildliferefuge.org
Saturday, February 7, 2026. Meeting at 8:15AM
Dune Road in Winter
Meet at 8:15AM, at the Shinnecock Inlet, Hampton Bays
(use Oakland’s Restaurant for your GPS)
Usually, Dune Road is a Summer Destination, but the Winter time can be exciting as well - and much less worry about traffic! Or Permits to Park!!!! We will start our approximate 2 hour drive and stop at the Shinnecock Inlet. The tide will be rising, and food for the winter visiting ducks and water-fowl will be heading toward the ocean. We can watch them in the Bay as well as the area around the rock jetty. Next stop: The Old Bridge and then the Ponquouge Pavillion, which usually hosts Snow Bunting and maybe a surprise Pipit?? Watch for wintering Yellow-rumped Warblers and perhaps a rare gull among the “regulars”. Traveling along, keep your eyes out for hawk and owls (?!?) with luck. We will be stopping at Tiana Bayside as well as the Ocean parking lot.
Restrooms are somewhat limited along Dune Road in the Winter - there is a HUGE porta-potty at the end of the Old Bridge Road, which is surprisingly well-maintained (usually…), so plan ahead, OK? Obviously, DRESS FOR THE WEATHER! Dune Road can feel colder than the mainland - wind is usually a given. Warm shoes, hat, gloves, a sturdy coat, a light snack, and water. Binoculars - if you don’t have any, or wish to try a stronger pair, check out the Loaner Backpacks ELIAS has provided the local Libraries. Scope? If you have one, bring it! Many waterfowl are out quite a distance from shore.
Please register with Eileen Schwinn (beachmed@optonline.net) - any change of plans, due to weather or anything unforeseen - we will be in contact, OK? The leaders on the trip - a couple of folks on the Board of Directors of ELIAS. It’s a great trip in the summer - but many of us find the winter just as exciting!!! Hope you can make this one - and it’s being offered as an alternative if you just don’t see yourself on a Boat in Shinnecock Bay in the Winter!
Sunday, February 15, 2026 -- Meet at 11:45 for noon departure
Shinnecock Bay by Boat, yes, another opportunity
Another opportunity to see the waterfowl and mammals on Shinnecock Bay by Boat! This time, CRESLI (Coastal Research and Education Society of Long Island) leads the trip, with plenty of space for ELIAS members to join in! This two-hour trip begins at 12 noon from the dock at the Marine Science Building in Shinnecock Hills. With a $40 fee, payable to CRESLI, please register with Eileen Schwinn, beachmed@optonline.net, for the trip.
Saturday, March 7, 2026 -- Meet at 8:30 am
Elizabeth A. Morton National Wildlife Refuge
Our annual walk to have birds eating right out of our hands! Starting a 8:30 am, this two/three hour walk along the paths, past fields, woods, freshwater ponds and streams, leads us to Little Peconic Bay. Oh, yes, the leader will provide bird seed to all, to share with the hungry birds along the way! Contact Byron Young, youngb53@optimum.net, to register.
