Upcoming Nature Trips

Below is a list of upcoming nature trips within NYC's five boroughs for the weekend of May 18, 2013 - May 19, 2013:

Gowanus Dredgers
Saturday, May 18, 2013, 1pm – 5pm
Canoe Gowanus Canal
Where: 164 2nd Street, Brooklyn, NY 11231
Bring a friend for a self-guided Canoe trip sponsored by the Gowanus Dredgers to raise awareness of Harbor Issues
http://www.gowanuscana​l.org

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New York Botanical Garden (Bronx)
Saturday, May 18, 2013
Debbie Becker leads a free bird walk at the Garden every Saturday from 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. beginning at the Reflecting Pool in the Leon Levy Visitor Center

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New York City Audubon Society
Saturday, May 18, 2013, 8am – 11am
Beginning Birding Field Trip: Central Park
Classes: Thursdays, May 9 and 16, 6:30-8:30pm Trips: Saturday, May 11, 9am-3pm (Jamaica Bay) and Saturday, May 18, 8-11am (Central Park)
Instructor: Tod Winston Learn to identify the spectacular variety of birds that migrate northwards through New York City from Central and South America. Includes two classes and two trips—one to Central Park to see warblers, tanagers, and vireos, and one to Jamaica Bay to see herons, egrets, and shorebirds. Limited to 13. $85 for package of 2 trips and 2 classes. Click here to register

Saturday, May 18, 2013, 8am – 9:30pm
Van Cortlandt Bird Walks
Guide: Andrew Baksh or Urban Park Rangers (first Saturday of the month) With the Van Cortlandt Park Conservancy and NYC Department of Parks & Recreation
Meet at Van Cortlandt Nature Center, Influential birders such as Roger Tory Peterson and Allan D. Cruickshank learned their craft on Van Cortlandt Park's ecologically diverse grounds, and these walks celebrate the tradition set by them. Participants will look for resident and migrant species and discuss a wide range of avian topics.
For more information, please call 718-548-0912. No registration necessary. No limit. Free

Saturday, May 18, 2013, 9am – 12pm
Spring Migration on Randall's Island
Guides: Gabriel Willow, Victoria O'Neill With Randall's Island Park Alliance, Inc. Meet on the N.W. corner of 102nd Street and the FDR Drive. We'll walk across the foot bridge to Randall's Island, an under-explored location in the East River that hosts restored freshwater wetlands and salt marsh. We'll look for spring migrants (both waterbirds and land birds) as we explore the results of recent restoration efforts. Two miles of walking and some modest climbs. Limited to 20. $25
Click here to read about the restoration of Randall's Island's salt marsh and freshwater wetlands.
Click here to register.

Sunday, May 19, 2013, 9am – 12pm
Nesting Peregrines and Red-Tails of the UPW
Guide: Gabriel Willow Meet in front of Riverside Church. Many New Yorkers are astonished to discover that their city of steel and glass is home to a large population of large birds of prey: The City boasts the world’s highest densities of the peregrine falcon, the world's fastest flyer, and a growing population of red-tailed hawks (several pairs of which have reached celebrity status). We’ll visit the nesting site of a pair of each of these fascinating species, and may glimpse parents feeding their chicks. Limited to 15. $30
Click here to register.

Sunday, May 19, 2013, 10am – 11am
Birding for Families
Guides: NYC Audubon Offered by the Central Park Conservancy Meet at the Dana Discovery Center (inside the Park at 110th Street between Lenox and Fifth Avenues). Bring the kids and visit one of New York City’s richest bird habitats. Learn as a family how to spot and identify our feathered neighbors in their natural surroundings. Binoculars can be borrowed from the Visitor Center. For weather cancellation information, call 212-860-1370. Limited to 20. Age 5 and up. Free.
Click here to learn more and register

Sunday, May 19, 2013, 1pm – 3pm
Explore the Bronx River by Rowboat
Guide: Chrissy Word With Rocking the Boat Meet at Rocking the Boat, at 812 Edgewater Road in the Bronx, and launch from the adjacent Hunts Point Riverside Park. Come explore the Bronx River aboard a hand-built wooden boat, led by experienced rowers. The Bronx River is the city’s only true river and hosts an abundance of wildlife, including herons and egrets, osprey, and belted kingfishers. Visit restoration sites and learn about the Bronx River eco-system, as well as its social and cultural history. Rowing optional! Limited to 20. $35 for adults, $25 for ages 18 and under.
Click here to register.

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NYC Wildflower Week
Saturday, May 18, 2013
Children's Events, MN: Interactive Nature Fair

Garden Tours, QU: Native Gardens of Queens Botanical Garden

Sunday, May 19, 2013
Botanical Walks, BK: Blooms and Bugs

Botanical Walks, MN: Spring Fungi Walk

Garden Tours, MN: Native Plant Habitat at LCBH Community Garden

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Protectors of Pine Oak Woods (Staten Island)
Saturday, May 18, 2013, 10:00 to 12 Noon
Exploring Clay Pit Ponds State Park Preserve
Join Gert Coleman to explore the trails and terrain of Protectors of Pine Oak Woods initial success story. The unique habitats of Clay Pit Pond Park host a varied collection of plants and animals not seen elsewhere on Staten Island. Wear sturdy shoes and a hat. Meet in the nature center parking lot along the service road.
For more information call Gert at 718-356-9235.

Saturday, May 18, 2013, 10:00 A.M. to 2:00 P.M.
Forest Restoration Workshop in the Egbertville Ravine
Meet at the side of Meisner Road (toward the Eger Home) close to the intersection of Meisner and Rockland. We will follow the White Trail south to Nevada Avenue where we will uproot the Mutliflora Rose and Garlic Mustard that competes there with native plants. If you don’t have your own, Protectors has tools (& refreshments). After a two-hour work session (our 201st monthly workshop), we will take a short walk over nearby trails.
Call Don Recklies at 718-768-9036 or Chuck Perry at 718-667-1393 for more information.

Sunday, May 19, 2013, 1:00 P.M. to 3:00 P.M.
Buck’s Hollow and surrounding Trails
Discover the woodlands and wetlands of this portion of the Greenbelt on an educational walk with Clay Wollney on the trails from Eger Nursing Home to Buck’s Hollow. Along the way enjoy the sounds of spring as nature comes alive beside Buttonbush Swamp and other specialized habitats of the Greenbelt.
For more information call Clay at 718-869-6327.

Sunday, May 19, 2013, 9:00 P.M. to 11:00 P.M.
Night Sounds of the Marsh
Spend an evening afield with Cliff Hagen as he shares the songs and calls of a spring night in the marshes of Saw Mill Creek Park. Rails and sparrows, owls, warblers and woodcock sing aloud through the night. Learn to identify the many species of birds by ear. Meet at the corner of Chelsea Road and River Road.
For more details call Cliff at 718-313-8591, or email chagen72 [AT] gmail.com.

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South Shore Audubon Society
Sunday, May 19, 2013
Jamaica Bay Wildlife Refuge

All walks start at 9:30 A.M.
There is no walk if it rains or snows or temperature is below 25°F.
Any questions please Call Steve at (516) 987-8103.
For directions to our bird-watching locations, click here.

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Staten Island Museum
Saturday, May 18, 2013, 10:00am - 2:00pm
Family Bird Day at Clove Lakes Park
Location: Clove Lakes Park
Free
Join Museum science and education staff as we teach birding basics and look for migratory birds. Many of these birds have traveled from South America all the way to Staten Island to nest and raise their young. Others are just vacationing here on their way farther north. Join walks, crafts, and games by the Martling Avenue Bridge. Bring your family to learn about these colorful bird families and be part of Environment for the America's International Migratory Bird Day celebration!
For more information call Claire Arthurs at 718.483.7104.

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Urban Park Rangers
Saturday, May 18, 2013
Bird Walks at Van Cortlandt Nature Center (in Van Cortlandt Park), Bronx
8:00 a.m.–9:30 a.m.
Bird Walks focus on wildlife happenings in the park and are led by NYC Audubon experts or the Urban Park Rangers.
Free!

Woodland Discovery Kit in Central Park at Charles A. Dana Discovery Center (in Central Park), Manhattan
10:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m.
Visit The Wild Garden: Discovering Central Park Woodlands exhibit and start exploring the North Woods on your own by borrowing a North Woods Discovery Kit stocked with binoculars, a hand lens, and…
Free!

Bird Walks at The New York Botanical Garden at Watson Building, Room 302 (in Bronx Park), Bronx
11:00 a.m.
The diverse habitats of the Botanical Garden offer visitors a chance to see dozens of species of birds throughout the year. Bring your binoculars and walk the Garden grounds with an expert.

Birding: Hawk Watch at Lafayette and Metcalf Avenues (in Soundview Park), Bronx
11:00 a.m.
Our Exploration series focuses on unique wildlife viewing opportunities during particular seasons.
Free!

On A Wing: Family Festival at Belvedere Castle (in Central Park), Manhattan
12:00 p.m.–3:00 p.m.
Get up close and personal with birds of prey as they fly under your arms in the Tunnel of Talons.
Free!

Sunday, May 19, 2013
Birding for Families at Charles A. Dana Discovery Center (in Central Park), Manhattan
10:00 a.m.–11:00 a.m.
Experience Central Park as a precious bird habitat and learn how to spot our feathered neighbors on a walk with NYC Audubon.
Free!

Woodland Discovery Kit in Central Park at Charles A. Dana Discovery Center (in Central Park), Manhattan
10:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m.
Visit The Wild Garden: Discovering Central Park Woodlands exhibit and start exploring the North Woods on your own by borrowing a North Woods Discovery Kit stocked with binoculars, a hand lens, and…
Free!