Bring your binoculars, camera, water bottle and hiking boots and join Staples high school Junior and wildlife photographer Jory Teltser search for and identify local birds at the Newman-Poses Preserve in Westport. The Newman Poses Preserve was named after actor Paul Newman and Lillian Poses, the first woman to graduate from NYU Law School. The Newman and Poses families who lived nearby donated the land for this nature preserve and enjoyed walking on the property.
When he first started birding in 2010, Jory was only 9. Now Jory is the President of the Connecticut Young Birders Club and spends most of his free time outside birding around Connecticut when not in class. Despite his age, Jory has the experience of a seasoned ornithologist, describing how bird populations began shifting long before he picked up a pair of binoculars.
Staples High School student Jory Teltser, 17, spends most of his free time birding in Connecticut. “You may see flocks of shorebirds in the thousands, but 20 years ago they were probably in the millions,” he said. “So you think that because there’s a ton here, they’re doing fine. But if you look back, a lot of birds are just not here.”
Jory said that birding has taken him to all 169 towns in Connecticut and has opened his eyes to ecosystems right in his backyard. Sherwood Island is only a five-minute drive from his home, and he spends hours each weekend there.
“I usually try to get my homework done Friday night and then bird Saturday and Sunday,” he said.
Last year, Jory set a goal of seeing 300 unique bird species in the state, which he accomplished, even if it meant skipping school a couple of times to drive across the state to find a rare bird.
“It’s more of an obsession,” he said, adding that his passion goes beyond the hobby stage. “For 99 percent of people, once you start birding, you can’t or won’t stop.”
Bring your binoculars, camera, water bottle and hiking boots and join high school Junior and wildlife photographer Jory Teltser search for and identify the birds in nature!
When: Saturday, April 21st
Time: 8:00am
Where: Newman-Poses Preserve
Directions & Parking:
The preserve can be accessed off Bayberry Lane (north of Easton Road/Rte 136). The entrance to the preserve is located between 307 and 313 Bayberry Lane. There is a small 3 car parking lot. If the lot is full, you can park at the turn off at the intersection of Easton Road/Route 136 and Bayberry Lane and walk 500 feet north to the entrance.