Upcoming Birding and Nature Trips

Below is a list of upcoming nature trips by local birding/conservation groups for Saturday, April 8, 2017 to Sunday, April 9, 2017:

Audubon Center in Prospect Park
Saturday, April 8, 2017, 12pm – 1pm
Introduction to Bird Watching
Join Prospect Park Alliance for a birdwatching walk and learn about Prospect Park’s magnificent array of birds and how to identify them!

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Bedford Audubon Society
Saturday, April 8, 2017, 8am – 11am
Birding Hotspot: The Great Swamp in Patterson
Leader: Naturalist Tait Johansson
Join Naturalist Tait Johansson in exploring the Great Swamp in Patterson in a search for Wood Duck, Wilson’s Snipe, Rusty Blackbird, and other signs of spring. We’ll possibly visit a few other early spring locales as well. Meet at Patterson Environmental Park.
Cost: Free
Level of Difficulty: Easy
Please register with Susan at info@bedfordaudubon.org or 914.302.9713

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Brooklyn Bird Club
Saturday, April 8, 2017
“Brooklyn Patch Boiding”
Leader: Peter Dorosh
Focus: A fun discovery tour of selected parks under 60 acres
Registrar: Peter Dorosh Prosbird@aol.com or text 347-622-3559
Registration Period: April 1st - April 6th
Note: Likely locations are Brooklyn Bridge Park, Fort Green Park, Bush Terminal Pier Park and nearby Owls Head Park (optional)

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Eastern Long Island Audubon Society
Saturday, April 8, 2017, Meet at 8:30am
North Fork Preserve
Leader: Mary Laura Lamont

North Fork Preserve is in Jamesport. It is now clearly marked with a sign on Sound Avenue, just east of Chapel Lane. Follow the long, paved driveway to the parking area by the former hunting lodge. Vernal ponds, meadows and wooded areas attract a variety of visiting migrants and nesting warblers, in addition to raptors, and thrushes. Each day is different during migration season. Dress for ticks, however, we will be on mowed paths for most of the walk.

All levels of naturalists — including beginners — are most welcome on Eastern Long Island Audubon field trips. Most trips are free to attend, however, sometimes the place we are visiting has a fee. We try to make a note of it in the notice.

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Feminist Bird Club
Saturday, April 8, 2017
Prospect Park
For meeting time and locations, contact the trip leader at mollyhadams [AT] gmail.com

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Gateway National Recreation Area
Multiple Days: 04/08/2017, 05/21/2017 10:00am to 11:30am
Osprey Watch Guided Walk
Learn all about the amazing Osprey on this guided walk of the West Pond Trail. We’ll talk about their incredible migration and the inspiring story of how conservation efforts were able to bring this species back from the brink of extinction.
Location: Jamaica Bay Wildlife Refuge
Fee Information: Free

Every Sunday Weekly from 03/12/2017 to 05/28/2017
Birding for Beginners
Join us for an introductory nature walk where you will learn the essentials of birdwatching.
Location: Jamaica Bay Wildlife Refuge
Fee Information: Free

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Green-Wood Cemetery
Sunday, April 9, 2017 at 6:30am
"Birding in Peace": Birds of Early-Spring Migration
Our April tours will be a feast for the ears and eyes with the trilling song of Pine Warblers and drumming pronouncements of Woodpeckers on newly blossoming trees (including magnolias, maples, quinces, and dogwoods). We’ll discover thousands of songbirds resting before their trip north as well as arriving herons and egrets at Green-Wood’s glacial ponds.

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New York Botanical Garden (Bronx)
Saturdays -- 9/3/2016 - 6/24/2017: 11:00 a.m.
Debbie Becker leads a free bird walk at the Garden every Saturday from 11am to 12:30pm beginning at the Reflecting Pool in the Leon Levy Visitor Center

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New York City Audubon Society
Saturday, April 8, 2017, 8am – 2pm
Beginning Birding
Classes: Wednesdays, March 29; April 5 and 12, 6:30-8:30pm
Trips: Saturday, April 8, 8am-2pm (Jamaica Bay) and Saturday, April 15, 8-10:30am (Central Park)
Instructor: Tod Winston
Learn the keys to identifying the spectacular variety of birds that migrate northwards through New York City every spring. Even if you’ve never picked up a pair of binoculars, you’ll soon be identifying warblers, thrushes, waterbirds, and more—both by sight and by ear. Three fun and educational in-class sessions, coordinated with field trips to Jamaica Bay and Central Park (transport to Jamaica Bay included). Limited to 12. $180 (126)
Click here to register

Saturday, April 8, 2017, 5:00pm – 9:30pm
The Sky-Dance of the Woodcock
Guide: Gabriel Willow
The American Woodcock is a remarkable bird: It is in the sandpiper family but lives in woodlands, often far from beaches. The male performs an incredible crepuscular aerial display and song early in the spring, soon after the snow melts in the northern U.S. There are a few places around New York City where they perform this display. Let’s go look for it (and bats and owls and other critters, too) at Floyd Bennett Field. Bring binoculars, comfortable shoes, a headlamp or flashlight, and a snack for a post-woodcock picnic. Transport by passenger van included. Limited to 12. $90 (63)
Click here to register

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North Shore Audubon Society
Saturday, April 8, 2017, 9:30am – 12:00pm
Walk: Oceanside - Marine Nature Study Area
Leader: Ralph 516-785-3375
See "Walk locations" for directions.
Wear water-resistant footwear, bring binoculars and drinking water.

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NYC H2O
Saturday, April 8, 2017, 10:00am – 1:00pm
Lemon Creek Beach Clean

Description
Bus transportation will be provided from Union Square leaving at 8:30am.
Gloves, garbage bags and pickers will be provided.
Rain date is Sunday April 9 at 10am.

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Protectors of Pine Oak Woods (Staten Island)
Sunday, April 9, 2017 @ 1:00pm – 3:00pm
Goodhue Woods

Come explore one of New York City’s newest park properties. The woodlands and fields of the Goodhue property are a rare forested north shore property and it deserves to be investigated. Participants will look for evidence of the area’s geologic history, observe its present ecosystems, and discuss its relation to adjacent areas in the same watershed.
For more information contact Clay Wollney at (718) 869-6327.

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Queens County Bird Club
Saturday, April 8, 2017
Shu Swamp
Leader: Rich Kelly - 516-509-1094

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South Shore Audubon Society
Sunday, April 2, 2017
Massapequa Preserve

All walks start at 9:00 A.M.
There is no walk if it rains or snows or temperature is below 25°F.
For more information or in case of questionable weather conditions, please phone Joe at 516 467-9498
For directions to our bird-watching locations, click here

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Urban Park Rangers
Saturday, April 8, 2017
Birding: Spring Migration at Winchester Boulevard, under Grand Central Parkway (in Alley Pond Park), Queens
9:00 a.m.–10:30 a.m.
Our Urban Park Rangers will guide you to the best wildlife viewing spots in the urban jungle.
Free!

Discovery Walks for Families: Beginning Birders at Belvedere Castle (in Central Park), Manhattan
10:00 a.m.–11:30 a.m.
Bring your family for a guided walk and discover why Central Park is a sanctuary for plants, animals, and humans alike.
Free!

Sunday, April 9, 2017
Spring Birding at Wave Hill at Wave Hill, Bronx
9:30 a.m.–10:30 a.m.
Welcome migratory birds back to Wave Hill this spring and explore the gardens and woodlands with naturalist Gabriel Willow.

Birding for Beginners at Wolfe's Pond Park Comfort Station (in Wolfe's Pond Park), Staten Island
10:00 a.m.–11:30 a.m.
Novice and experienced welcome!
Free!

Birding: Hawk Watch at Pelham Bay Park, Bronx
11:00 a.m.–12:30 p.m.
Our Urban Park Rangers will guide you to the best wildlife viewing spots in the urban jungle.
Free!

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Young Birders Club
Sunday, April 9, 2017
Wallkill River National Wildlife Refuge / Black Dirt Region (Orange County)
Wallkill River NWR, Liberty MarshSponsoring NYSYBC Partner: Bedford Audubon Society. Trip Leader: Tait Johansson

This trip will be led by Tait Johansson, a longtime friend of NYSYBC who has taken us on great trips to a number of places in the past.

The Wallkill River Refuge was established in 1990 and encompasses 5100 acres. Most of the refuge is located in Sussex, New Jersey but the northern part, Liberty Marsh, is in Orange County, New York.

The 2.75 mile Liberty Loop links with the Appalachian Trail and circles wetlands and mudflats. The marsh attracts migrating shorebirds, waterfowl and raptors. The area is also known for its Black Dirt which is rich in organic matter. Grassland birds, shorebirds and geese feed from the furrows and ditches.

More than 225 bird species have been observed on the refuge throughout the years. It offers excellent viewing opportunities for birds and a variety of wildlife.

Be prepared -- trails may be muddy at this time of year.

New Trip Registration Form due by 3/31/17 (even if you submitted one for the March trip). If you have not yet submitted a 2017 medical form (page 2 of the trip registration form) please submit it with your registration form.