The mission of the South Fork Natural History Museum (SOFO) is to stimulate interest in, advance knowledge of, and foster appreciation for the natural world with special emphasis on the unique natural environment of Long Island’s South Fork.
SOFO’s Calendar of Events with program descriptions and registration information can be found on the SOFO website: http://www.sofo.org/calendar
Website: www.sofo.org ● email: info@sofo.org
Advance reservations are required for all programs.
To register please call SOFO at (631) 537-9735 or contact us by email at: info@sofo.org
For SOFO members: programs are free unless otherwise stated.
Level of membership indicates the number of people entitled to a free program.
For SOFO non-members: programs are $10 child, $15 adult,
includes museum admission that day. Under 3 is free.
Off-site programs, non-members: $5 per person, under 3 is free.
If you are not already a member, we invite you to join the museum. Find out about membership levels at www.sofo.org/membership. For full information on the South Fork Natural History Museum (SOFO), including entrance fees and hours of operation, please refer to the website: www.sofo.org.
February
Sunday
February 1
9:00AM
Southampton
Winter Specialties of Shinnecock ─A Search for Avian Visitors of the North with Aidan Perkins. This program is for Adults.
Walk Leader: Aidan Perkins, Wildlife Biologist
The barrier beach area at Shinnecock is one of the few remaining undeveloped dune/salt marsh habitats on the eastern end of Long Island, an area that frequently has wintering snowy owls and short-eared owls. Shinnecock Inlet can host thousands of scoters, eiders, and other sea ducks. Join Aidan on one of SOFO’s most popular birding walks. Bring binoculars or a spotting scope and a bird field guide (if you have one).
Sunday
February 1
5:30-6:30PM
Bridgehampton
South Fork Natural History Museum
Full Snow Moon Hike. Free for All Ages
Co-sponsored by Friends of the Long Pond Greenbelt and the South Fork Natural History Museum (SOFO).
Walk Leader: Jean McDermott, FLPG
The Farmer’s Almanac tells us that since the heaviest snow usually falls during this month, native tribes of the north and east most often called February’s full moon the Full Snow Moon. Join us on this leisurely paced hike through Vineyard Field’s open field trails, behind the South Fork Natural History Museum (SOFO). Meet at the SOFO Museum parking lot, 377 Bridgehampton Turnpike, 200 yards north of the RR tracks.
Saturday
February 7
9:00AM
Montauk
Winter Sea Ducks with Aidan Perkins. This program is for adults.
Walk Leader: Aidan Perkins, Wildlife Biologist
Montauk is famous for the massive numbers of sea ducks that spend the winter in the area. During this walk, we will be focusing on these winter sea ducks and some of their identification challenges. While watching these ducks, we will likely also encounter many other winter bird species like Red-throated Loons, Great Cormorants, and Purple Sandpipers.
Saturday
February 7
3:00PM
Bridgehampton
South Fork Natural History Museum
East End Environment Lecture: Thar She Blows: Whaling in New York with Dr. Tara Rider, Stony Brook University. Co-sponsored with Bridgehampton Museum. This free program is for adults and children ages 8+.
Presenter: Dr. Tara Rider, School of Marine and Atmospheric Sciences, Stony Brook University
While Native Americans were the first people to whale in New York, Europeans arriving on the shores of New York quickly came to see these ocean mammals as a valuable commodity. Starting in the 1640s, Long Island towns such as East Hampton and Southampton formed local shore whaling companies that led to the whale becoming New York’s first “cash crop.” This industry would then help drive the local economy in the 19th century as young men travelled the world, pursuing whales for their oil and bones. Today, whales continue to attract New Yorkers, though no longer for hunting, but rather for whale watching. This presentation will explore how whaling has shaped New York’s maritime communities and culture.
Sunday
February 8
11:00AM
Amagansett
Nature Hike at Promised Land, Amagansett. This program is for adults and children ages 7+.
Walk Leader: Sydney Mantione, SOFO Environmental Educator
On this 2.0mile nature walk at Napeague State Park along the Promised Land Trail we’ll look for animal tracks, deer signs, cottontail rabbit signs and winter birds.
Saturday
February 14
11:00AM
Bridgehampton
South Fork Natural History Museum
NEW! SOFO’s Bug Club: Bugwatching Buddies with Moe Kennedy. This Week: Bug Themed Valentines with Candy Treats. This program is for ages 5-16.
Club Leader: Moe Kennedy, SOFO Environmental Educator
We Love Bugs! Celebrate Valentine's Day by making a bug-themed valentine for your friends and family. Crafting materials and Valentine's candy will be provided.
Saturday
February 14
7:30PM
Bridgehampton
South Fork Natural History Museum
Eastern Tiger Salamander Search with Andy Sabin. This program is for families/children ages 6+.
Walk Leader: Andy Sabin, President, South Fork Natural History Museum Board of Directors
“Salamander Commander” Andy Sabin will take us into the nighttime woods in search of the largest of our native salamanders, the endangered Eastern Tiger Salamander. Don’t miss a rare opportunity to see this salamander as it makes its way to the pond to mate and to lay its eggs. Please bring a flashlight and wear boots, as late winter rains will make the ground soggy. This walk will take place only if there have been heavy rains.
Sunday
February 15
11:00AM
Bridgehampton
South Fork Natural History Museum
Feeding Winter Birds: Make a Natural Bird Feeder. This program is for all ages.
Program Leader: Rebecca Rogers, SOFO Environmental Educator
In winter ,birds sometimes need a little help getting enough food to make it through very cold, snowy weather. You can help the birds by making bird feeding stations from natural materials and adding high energy bird foods like peanut butter and winter bird seed. All materials will be provided.
February 16-20
11:00AM:
Bridgehampton
South Fork Natural History Museum
FREE, School Break Week Outdoor Walks: All Ages
- Monday: Animal Tracks─Who was Here
- Tuesday: How Plants Survive Winter
- Wednesday: Searching for Winter Wildlife
- Thursday: Scavenger Hunt
- Friday: Where Do Bugs Go in Winter
Wednesday
February 18
1:00-3:00PM
Wading River
East End Outdoor Nature Education at Wildwood State Park, Wading River. This program is for all ages.
Program Leader: Crystal Possehl-Oakes, SOFO Outdoor Education Specialist
SOFO is offering a monthly program which will take place on the 3rd Wednesday of the month at 1 pm geared towards homeschooling families. Programs will have a variety of activities to strengthen language development, literacy, math, and science and will take place at various locations on Eastern Long Island.
We will continue our adventures on Wednesday February 18, 2026 at Wildwood State Park in Wading River searching for signs of winter forest animals and identifying leaves and evergreen plants. We will enjoy some fun stories, simple nature journals, beginner graphing, and worksheets to take home.
Program Leader: Crystal Possehl-Oakes has worked as an environmental educator at SOFO since 2005 and part-time since 2019 after her son Wyatt was born. “Wyatt and I look forward to meeting you and learning with you!”
There is a $10/child material fee (participating adult included) for this program. This program fee will also provide non-members with free admission to the museum on a day of their choice. Advanced reservations are required for all events.
Saturday
February 21
10:00AM
TBD
Young Birders Club Walk with Aidan Perkins. This free program is for children and young adults ages 8-18.
Club Leader: Aidan Perkins, Wildlife Biologist
Birding is a great way to make new friends, learn about the environment, and get outdoors. Join our Young Birders Club! The Club meets at 10AM on the third Saturday of every month and is open to anyone ages 8 to 18 who is interested in learning about birds. Since Long Island has many great habitats that are home to a wide variety of species, we concentrate on birding in local areas.
Please bring binoculars if you have them (we will have a few pairs to lend) and a field guide to birds of the eastern United States. If you don’t have a field guide, we’ll have one here for you to use.
Saturday
February 21
10:30AM
Bridgehampton
South Fork Natural History Museum
Birding for Beginners. This free program is for all ages.
Walk Leaders: Cindy Lenkiewicz and Dave Polek
Explore Birding as a new hobby: Take a walk with volunteer docents Cindy & Dave and learn how to identify the birds that we might find, including blue jay, black-capped chickadee, starling, northern mockingbird and red-tailed hawk. Listen to the voices and observe the behavior of the birds to help identify them. No prior experience required. Bring binoculars if you have them.
Sunday
February 22
10:30AM & 1:30PM
Bridgehampton
South Fork Natural History Museum
Food Chain Stories and Feed the Animals. This program is for families and is free with Museum Admission.
Program Leader: Crystal Possehl-Oakes, SOFO Outdoor Education Specialist
Join us for some fun stories explaining the food chain, watch some of SOFO’s resident animals enjoy their favorite foods and create your own food chain craft.
Sunday
February 28
1:00PM
Westhampton
Seal Walk with SOFO. This program is for adults and children ages 8+.
Walk Leader: Tommy Steinbrecher, SOFO Environmental Educator
Several species of seals come to visit Long Island during the colder winter months in search of food. The three most common species that visit Long Island at this time of year are harbor seals, gray seals, and harp seals. Join us for a guided walk during low tide and learn more about these mammalian winter visitors and how to safely view them.