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‘Skyhunters’ swoop into Cornwall for live bird presentation

‘Skyhunters’ swoop into Cornwall for live bird presentation

One of Brian Bradley’s owls swoops to his hand at the bird demonstration at Cornwall Library, July 26.

Lans Christensen

CORNWALL — Master falconers Brian and Teddy Bradley brought their “Skyhunters in Flight” program to the Cornwall Library Friday, July 26.

This was the second of two summer camp sessions offered by the library for kids in grades one through four. The Bradleys have more than 30 years of experience raising and training predatory birds and brought a varied group of nocturnal and daytime hunters.

They started with two nocturnal hunters, a Great Horned Owl and a Barn owl.

An owl rests on his handler’s arm.Lans Christensen

“Birds are a most important part of nature ... they protect the environment and maintain balance by control of other species numbers,” Mr. Bradley told the kids. “They eat sick animals helping stop disease that would effect a species of land animals ... and control numbers of creatures that might overpopulate.”

Birds circulated among the kids, giving them an up-close and fascinating look at the aviators.

Nocturnal hunters operate by their hearing more than sight and the Great Horned Owl had been trained that the sound of a clicker meant a nice treat. Brian made the “click” and the owl immediately flew to him for a meaty treat. A Harris’s Hawk even responded to its name, “Rip,” and when the kids shouted “Rip” in unison the hawk flew from Teddy to Brian in a dash.

The presentation was informative, educational, and thoroughly enjoyable.

A hawk in flight.Lans Christensen

Lans Christensen
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Latest News

Lelah M. Somers

Lelah M. Somers

DOVER PLAINS — Lelah M. Somers, 97, a longtime Dover Plains, New York, resident, passed away peacefully on Saturday, Oct. 10, 2026, at Ferncliff Nursing Home in Rhinebeck, New York. Lelah was born on July 3, 1929, in Pawling, New York, to the late Byron and Lelah (Watts) Brill. Lelah grew up in Pawling and on Nov. 22, 1946, in Pleasant Valley, New York, she married James F. Somers, Sr. Mr. Somers passed away on Sept. 3, 1970. Lelah worked for New York State as a therapy aide for thirty-years and as a senior companion for New York State for thirty-two-years, with specific care provided to the mentally disabled.

She enjoyed taking care of the mentally disabled, was a wonderful mother to her four children, always putting her family first. She is survived by her son, James F. Somers, Jr. and his wife Donna of Dover Plains; two daughters, Doreen Monica of Wingdale, and Frances “Fran” Horton of Dover Plains, who was also her caregiver for many years; seven grandchildren, Debbie, Margie, Leah, Stephanie, Deirdra, Benji and Jimmy and several great grandchildren and great-great grandchildren, and many nieces and nephews, and her step-son, Kenny Elliott. In addition to her parents and husband, Lelah was predeceased by her daughter and son-in-law, Carol “DeeDee” Maile and Gil Maile, her son-in-law, Stephen Monica, and her son-in-law, Benny Horton as well as her companion of over forty-years, Andrew “Mac” McAlravey and her siblings, Ferris Brill, Eleanor Barryann, Richard Brill, William Brill and Barney Brill.

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Provided

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L. Tomaino
I lost the ability to paint after the accident. I struggled to paint again.
— Justine Valla

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David Ruchman’s “Acquired Taste”

David Ruchman’s “Acquired Taste”

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Bleacher and Everard Photography

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Jane Herold’s beautifully simple dinnerware.

Provided

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Provided

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