Great South Bay Audubon Society

09/04/2026

Regrettably, our presentation on Isaac Green has been postponed until further notice.

08/10/2026

Bring your lawn chairs to Brookside Preserve, 59 Brook Street, Sayville, this Saturday for Islip Arts Council's Shakespeare in the Park. A Midsummer Night's Dream. Show starts at 2pm. Parking is available across the street in the HS parking lot.

08/03/2026

Get ready! Hoping the weather cooperates for our last free Yoga in the Park. Keep your fingers crossed for sunshine and meet us at Brookside Preserve, 59 Brook Street in Sayville. Please park across the street in the HS lot.

07/25/2026

It was a beautiful day for our America 250 Birds of Prey demonstration. Take a look for yourself.

07/23/2026

Come on over to Brookside Preserve this Saturday. We are having a Birds of Prey demonstration with Sweetbriar Nature Center.

07/13/2026

Had a very relaxing yoga practice on Saturday at Brookside Preserve. Tara, the instructor made the event so relaxing with music and the birds also helped to set the mood. We have one more yoga event in August. It’s an event you don’t want to miss.

06/11/2026

Join us at Brookside this summer for some fun in the sun!

05/09/2026

Take some time today to get outside and record birdsong on your Merlin app., or record on ebird. You might be surprised to see what’s in your backyard.

04/25/2026

04/17/2026

The Right Birdhouse for Every Backyard Bird

Not all birdhouses are equal — and the wrong hole size means
no bird moves in. Each species has specific requirements for
entry diameter, box style, and mounting height. Here are nine
of the most common North American cavity-nesting birds and
exactly what each one needs.

1. Chickadee — 1⅛" round entry hole. Small enclosed box,
mounted 5–15 ft high in a tree or post.

2. Tufted Titmouse — 1¼" round entry hole. Enclosed box
similar to chickadee style, slightly larger interior.

3. European Starling — 1¾" round entry hole. Standard
enclosed box, mount 10–25 ft high.

4. Purple Martin — Colony house with multiple 2⅛" round
holes. America's most social cavity nester — groups
of 4–24 compartments preferred.

5. Eastern Bluebird — Open-front or 1½" hole box. Mount
4–6 ft high on a fence post in open meadow or yard.
Face east or northeast.

6. Carolina Wren — Open-front box, mounted low — no higher
than 5 ft. Dense shrubs nearby preferred.

7. Brown Creeper — Triangular bark-mimicking box, mounted
flat against tree trunk. Unique design matches their
bark-climbing behavior.

8. Chimney Swift — Vertical tower box with oval or round
entry at top. Mount high and in the open — swifts
need clear airspace to enter in flight.

9. Eastern Screech-Owl — Tube or barrel-style box with
3" entry hole. Mount 10–30 ft high on a tree. No
perch needed — owls do not use them.

Key rule: Face boxes east or northeast. Never add a perch —
it gives predators a foothold.