Calling all night owls: A prowl at Sweetbriar Nature Center
By Jennifer Donatelli
Who-o-o do you hear calling from the trees at night?
If you were one of the visitors who attended “Owl Prowl Sunday” at Sweetbriar Nature Center on Oct. 20, you may have seen and heard from the resident owls that make their home at the preserve. The nighttime event, held from 6-8 p.m. at the center’s Smithtown location, allowed attendees to meet and learn about owls before embarking on a walk into the darkness of the night to call out to some of these nocturnal birds.
Using flashlights to walk Sweetbriar’s grounds, viewers attempted to observe these birds in their natural habitat.
“During this time of year,” Elizabeth Santosus, Chairman of the Board of Sweetbriar Nature Center explained, “owls are looking for their perfect match, and scouting territories to raise their young.”
Santosus further explained how owls share a sort of “love language,” which can be heard through hoots, chuckles and caws, and differs between species of the bird.
Sweetbriar Nature Center is a non-profit organization that encourages responsible decision making, appreciation and respect for the unique wildlife and ecosystems found on Long Island. The Nature Center is situated on 54 acres of varied garden, woodland, field and wetland habitats, along the Nissequogue River. Hundreds of species of plants and animals call this preserve their home.
In addition to this mission, the Steven Goldman Wildlife Rehabilitation Clinic, which operates out of the center, provides quality medical care and rehabilitation for all injured, sick and orphaned wildlife. Its staff and volunteers, who receive hundreds of calls a day about distressed or injured wildlife, treat more than 2,000 animals — including raptors, rabbits and songbirds — a year.
“Everything that we do here is for the benefit of the animals,” explains Sweetbriar Curator and Wildlife Rehabilitation Director Janine Bendicksen.
“Many of the animals that get brought in to us are often at death’s door, sick enough that they allow a human to pick them up,” she continued.
Around 100 of Sweetbriar’s permanent residents are animals that are permanently injured or otherwise unreleasable. A few birds, including a great horned owl named Lily, have been there over 20 years.
“A lot of people unfortunately don’t know what’s going on in their own backyard, or how to treat nature or wildlife. Sweetbriar does a tremendous service [in educating the public] through their programming, both in person and also through their social media, which has a global following,” said Maureen Calamia, a Sweetbriar board member.
Whether you want to learn about metamorphosis and butterflies, explore the treasures of the tropical rainforest or examine predator/prey relationships, Sweetbriar Nature Center has a program for it. The center conducts live programs at schools and libraries designed to facilitate student participation through the use of live animals, hands-on activities and interactive experiences.
With only four dedicated staff members, Sweetbriar relies on the ongoing support of volunteers and donors. There is never a charge to come and visit, but donations are always appreciated.
To learn more about the programs at Sweetbriar, or to sign up for an event, visit www.sweetbriarnc.org
