Upcoming Birding and Nature Trips

Below is a list of upcoming nature trips by local birding/conservation groups for Saturday, October 28, 2017 to Sunday, October 29, 2017:

Audubon Center in Prospect Park
Saturday, October 28, 2017, 12 pm – 1 pm
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!

**********

Bedford Audubon Society
August 25, 2017-November 22, 2017 @ Arthur Butler Sanctuary on Chestnut Ridge Road, Bedford Hills
Experience the Miracle of Migration at the Chestnut Ridge Hawkwatch
The HawkWatch starts August 25! Join us at the Chestnut Ridge HawkWatch at the Arthur Butler Sanctuary on Chestnut Ridge Road in Bedford Hills every day from 9am to 5pm, weather permitting, to experience the miracle of raptor migration. Our data is combined with other sites across North America to create powerful population and migration analyses that help us better protect raptors and their habitat.
See more details

**********

Brooklyn Bird Club
Saturday, October 28, 2017, 8:00am
Randall’s Island
Leaders: Chris Girgenti (of Randall’s Island Alliance) and Peter Dorosh
Focus: Open field birds, marsh birds and waterbirds
Meet: 8:00 am at the northeast corner of 102nd Street and 1st Avenue, New York City
Registrar: Peter Dorosh, Prosbird@aol.com or text only cell 347-622-3559 (for weather report)
Registration Period: Oct 21st – Oct 26th
Note: This is a new trip location for the club. The nearest subway is BMT “Q” to last stop 96th Street or IRT #6 to 103rd St. From the rendezvous meeting spot at 102nd, the group will walk east to the 103rd St pedestrian bridge (http://tinyurl.com/RandallsBr103) to Randall’s Island. Expect a significant amount of walking
Site profile: https://randallsisland.org/
Please review our general trip information and guidelines on this page.

**********

City Island Bird Walks
Sunday, October 29, 2017, 8:30am
Fall Migration Walk
Location: Hunter Island, Pelham Bay Park
Park in the Orchard Beach lot close to the beach on the left as you enter

Basic Information:
Our walks are free, informal, friendly and fun. The walks usually last about 4 hours, depending on many variables, which include weather, birds, and fatigue. If you want to leave early, there are no hard feelings.

Please come prepared! Bring binoculars and a field guide if you have one. I will bring a spotting scope but feel free to bring your own if you have one. Beginners especially welcome!

Sorry, no dogs!

Please email me if you need directions!

It’s time for a Fall walk. There should be some remaining migrants and some new winter species coming into the park. We’ll especially check for interesting sparrows. So come prepared with your binoculars, camera, long pants and hiking boots or old shoes.

If it’s raining hard, the walk is cancelled. If it’s one of those drizzly on and off again rain and you’re unsure about the walk, check the website and I will post if we have to cancel.

**********

Gateway National Parks
Saturday, October 28, 2017, 1:00pm to 2:30pm
Bird Topography
Location: Jamaica Bay Wildlife Refuge
Knowing the parts of a bird is important to improving observational and identification skills. This activity shares basic bird topography with beginner and young birders.
View Details

**********

Hudson River Audubon Society
Saturday, October 28, 2017
Lenoir Nature Preserve Hawk Watch
19 Dudley St. Yonkers
Meet at 10 AM behind the Lenoir Mansion
http://www.hras.org/wtobird/lenoir.html

**********

Linnaean Society of New York
Saturday, October 28, 2017
New Jersey Hotspots
Leader: Robert Machover
Registrar: Karen Asakawa — avocet501@gmail.com or 347-306-0690
Registration opens: Monday, October 16
Ride: $40

**********

New York Botanical Garden (Bronx)
Saturdays -- 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
Meet at the Reflecting Pool at the Leon Levy Visitor Center
Included in All-Garden Pass
Get Tickets

**********

New York City Audubon Society
Saturdays, September 2–November 25, 2017, 8-9:30am
Van Cortlandt Park Bird Walks
Guides: NYC Audubon with the Van Cortlandt Park Conservancy
Meet at Van Cortlandt Nature Center. The history of birding and Van Cortlandt Park are inseparable. Influential birders such as Roger Tory Peterson and Allan D. Cruickshank got their starts on Van Cortlandt’s ecologically diverse grounds. These walks celebrate the tradition set forth by these great ornithologists. Participants will look for various species of residents and migrants and discuss a wide range of avian topics. For more information, please call 212-691-7483. No registration necessary. No limit. Free

Saturday, October 28, 2017, 8am – 11am
Beginning Birding Trip
Classes: Thursdays, October 19, October 26, and November 2, 6:30-8:30pm
Trips: Saturdays, October 28, 8-11am, and November 4, 9am-3pm
Instructor: Tod Winston
Learn the keys to identifying the spectacular variety of birds that migrate southwards through New York City every fall. 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. Two fun and educational in-class sessions and field trips to Central Park and Jamaica bay (transport to Jamaica Bay included). Limited to 12. $179 (125)
Click here to register

Saturday, October 28, 2017, 9am – 1pm
Birding Gems of Staten Island: Clove Lakes Park
Guide: Gabriel Willow
Journey to the "Forgotten Borough" to discover some of the beautiful forests and incredible birding spots at Clove Lakes Park. Look for ducks and seabirds in New York Harbor on our way across on the ferry ride and then catch a bus to the park. Numerous warblers, vireos, tanagers, and other migratory songbirds can be seen here. We'll even see one of the largest and oldest trees in NYC! Limited to 15. Bus fare ($2.75 each way - please bring your MetroCard or exact change) not included in registration price. $43 (30)
Click here to register

Sunday, October 29, 2017, 8am – 11am
Prospect Park Bird Walk
Guide: Gabriel Willow
Join Gabriel Willow for a leisurely walk to get to know the fall migrants of 'Brooklyn's Backyard', beautiful Prospect Park. Prospect Park has a wide variety of habitats that attracts a number of both breeding and passage migrant bird species, with even more recorded than in Central Park. We will explore the park's meadows, forests, and waterways in search of migratory warblers, vireos, thrushes, tanagers, waterfowl, and more. Limited to 15. $36 (25)
Click here to register

Sunday, October 29, 2017, 9:30am – 7:00pm
Snow Geese and Tundra Swans of Brigantine, NJ
Guide: Joe Giunta, Happy Warblers LLC
Brigantine, part of the National Wildlife Refuge System, is one of the East Coast's premier sites for waterbirds, offering a diversity of species and panoramic views. Bring lunch and water. Transport by passenger van included. Limited to 12. $125 (87)
Click here to register

Sunday, October 29, 2017, 9:30am – 10:30am
Queens Botanical Garden Bird Walks
Guide: NYC Audubon with Queens Botanical Garden
Explore Queens Botanical Garden in search of migrant songbirds and learn about the valuable resources that the Garden offers birds and other wildlife. Register for one date or the whole series of five free walks (walk-ins welcome!). Binoculars available. Limited to 25. Appropriate for all ages. To register, email info@queensbotanical.org or visit www.queensbotanical.org.
Free with Garden admission

**********

North Shore Audubon Society
Saturday, October 28, 2017, 8am – 12pm
Bird banding demo
Location: JFK Preserve at Tobay Beach (west of Jones Beach)
Park here: 40.611281, -73.440968
This special parking lot is accessible by heading west from the southwest corner of the Tobay Beach parking lot.

To get to Tobay Beach, take "Ocean Pkwy" that runs from Jones Beach to Captree. Turnoff to Tobay is from WESTbound Ocean Pkwy. If going eastbound, you will need a U-turn about .2 mile past the Tobay Beach entrance. The U-turn is here: 40.610494, -73.425280

Apply for a PARKING PERMIT by mail in advance: http://oysterbaytown.com/wp-content/uploads/JFK-Permit-Application.pdf
Wear water-resistant footwear, bring binoculars and drinking water. Wear long pants and socks so you do not touch poison ivy.
Leader: Peggy - 516-883-2130
After bird banding demonstration at the JFK Preserve, participants may consider going to Jones Beach Coast Guard Station as a leaderless walk.

**********

Protectors of Pine Oak Woods
Saturday, October 28, 2017, 11:00am – 1:00pm
Weed and Herb Walk at Conference House Park
Join herbalist Gert Coleman for a walk through the paths and gardens at Conference House Park to identify both wild and cultivated medicinal and culinary plants. Meet in the parking lot at the end of Hylan Boulevard. E-mail gert.coleman@verizon.net for more information.

Saturday, October 28, 2017, 1:00pm – 3:00pm
Long Pond Park
In addition to the fall foliage, we will look for evidence of animal life from deer preparing for the rutting season to turtles and frogs that may still be active at this time of year. We’ll also look for the bird life, examine the geology of the area and observe evidence of past human use of the area during this unhurried stroll through about one-and-a-half miles of the park. Meet at PS 6, on Page Avenue and Academy Avenue, about 3 blocks NW of Hylan Blvd. For more information call Clay Wollney at 718-869-6327

Sunday, October 29, 2017, 9:15am – 3:00pm
The Richard Buegler Autumn 10-Mile Greenbelt Walk @ Deere Park
The Fall 10-miler will begin at Deere Park, the northern gateway to Staten Island’s magnificent centerpiece. The Greenbelt stretches south across the peak of Todt Hill and cascades through the deciduous woodlands that inhabit Staten Island’s heartland. Explore the woods and wetlands of our borough’s largest park with Protectors as we enjoy the fall foliage. Participants will meet along Staten Island Boulevard behind the Petrides Complex. For more information call Dominick Durso at (917) 478-7607.

**********

Queens County Bird Club
Saturday, Oct 28, 2017
Prospect Park and Greenwood Cemetery
Leaders: Arie Gilbert, Liz Patrick. 917-693-7178

We'll do Prospect in the early am, then Greenwood in the late morning as Prospect gets too busy.
Liz will buy everyone lunch at a gastropub.
Meet at entrance on Flatbush near Ocean/Empire for carousel

**********

South Shore Audubon Society
Sunday, October 29, 2017
Mill Pond Park

Use street parking on the westbound side of Merrick Road. The park is four blocks west of the Wantagh State Parkway.
Directions via Google Maps

Bird walks led by a member of SSAS are conducted nearly every Sunday morning from late August through early June. Walks are open to the public and are free of charge. We especially encourage youngsters to attend.
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.

**********

Urban Park Rangers
Saturday, October 28, 2017
Bird Walks at Van Cortlandt Nature Center (in Van Cortlandt Park), Bronx
8:00 a.m.–9:30 a.m.
Join NYC Audubon on birding walks through Van Cortlandt Park to discover wildlife happenings in the park.
Free!

Discovery Walks for Families: Beginning Birders - The North Woods at Charles A. Dana Discovery Center (in Central Park), Manhattan
10:00 a.m.–11:30 a.m.
Why do birds flock to Central Park every spring and fall? We’ll find out as we explore Central Park’s woodlands, and learn the basics of bird identification.
Free!

Sunday, October 29, 2017
Bird Walks with New York City Audubon at Queens Botanical Garden, Queens
9:30 a.m.–10:30 a.m.
Spot and identify creatures of flight and learn how Queens Botanical Garden provides important resources for birds— like water, shelter, and insects to eat.

Flora and Fauna Walk of Highbridge Park with Leslie Day at Dyckman Street and 10th Avenue Entrance to Highbridge Park (in Highbridge Park), Manhattan
10:00 a.m.–11:00 a.m.
Come on a morning nature walk through Highbridge Park, an ideal spot to see many species of animals, insects, and birds.
Free!

Discovery Walks for Families: Beginning Birders - Hallett Nature Sanctuary at Chess and Checkers House (in Central Park), Manhattan
10:00 a.m.–11:30 a.m.
Why do birds flock to Central Park every spring and fall? We’ll find out as we explore Central Park’s woodlands, and learn the basics of bird identification.
Free!

Birding: Raptor Migration at Gateway Drive and Erskine Street (in Spring Creek Park), Brooklyn
11:00 a.m.–12:30 p.m.
Birding programs are appropriate for all skill levels and beginners are welcome. To enhance your experience we encourage you to bring binoculars and field guides, or ask a Ranger to borrow a pair.
Free!

Hawk Watch at Moses Mountain at Moses Mountain, Staten Island
12:00 p.m.–2:30 p.m.
Join ecologist Seth Wollney to learn why hawks migrate and how to identify different species.
Free!

**********

Young Birders Club
Saturday October 28, 2017
Croton Point Park (Westchester County)
Sponsoring NYSYBC Partner: Bedford Audubon Society
Trip Leader: Tait Johansson
We'll return to Croton Point, this time for a fall trip, when the species mix will be different from what we've seen there in the winter. This trip will be led by our good and generous friend Tait Johansson of Bedford Audubon Society.

Croton Point Park is a 508-acre park situated on the largest peninsula on the Hudson River. It has been designated an Important Bird Area (IBA). A capped landfill is now a vast meadow abundant in species of birds (and butterflies in summer). Fall brings interesting sparrows and migrating waterfowl. In winter, Croton Point is a Bald Eagle hotspot. The park is also the site of the Croton Point Nature Center.
Fun fact: the historic wine cellars here are thought of be the oldest in New York State.

Watch your email Inbox for directions and details on meeting time and location.
Trip Registration Form is due by 10/20/17