Upcoming Local Trips

Below is a list of local field trips for the weekend of June 6-7, 2009:

New York City Audubon Society
Saturday, June 6, 9-11am
Exploring Roosevelt/Welfare/Blackwell's Island
Guide: Gabriel Willow
Discover one of the lesser-known islands of the archipelago that is New York City. Roosevelt Island has a rich ecological and human history: located in the middle of the East River between Manhattan and the Brooklyn/Queens border, it has been known as Blackwell's Island for the family that farmed it (their farmhouse still stands today), and later as Welfare Island for the many city hospitals and institutions found there. We will visit fascinating architectural remnants of these eras, and search for birds from this prime location in the center of the East River. We could see some of the gulls, cormorants, and herons that nest on smaller islands nearby.
$20 ($18 for members)


New York City Audubon Society
Sunday, June 7, 9am-1pm
Biking & Birding: Clove Lakes and Silver Lake
Guide: Gabriel Willow
Journey to the quiet and less-visited borough to Staten Island to discover some of its best birding spots. We will take our bikes on the Staten Island Ferry, look for ducks and seabirds in New York Harbor on our way across, and then remount and ride to Staten Island's premiere "migrant traps," Clove Lakes Park and Silver Lake Park. Up to 25 species of warblers can be seen there, along with vireos, tanagers, orioles, and other colorful spring arrivals. Meet at the Staten Island Ferry Terminal in Battery Park. (Distance: 5 miles one-way.) Limited to 15.
$20 ($18 for NYC Audubon members at the Senior/Student level and up and Transportation Alternatives members)


Protectors of Pine Oak Woods
Saturday, June 6, 1 p.m. to 3 p.m.
Butterflies at Mt. Loretto
Join Sandra Mechanic, naturalist and photographer, for a delightful stroll through the meadows and ocean side to see what butterflies are feeding there. Want to learn how to identify and attract butterflies to your backyard? There are some 160,000 species of moths in the world, compared to 17,500 species of butterflies.
Bring your binoculars, guidebooks and the children. Be ready for a fun afternoon.
Meet at the Mt Loretto fenced-in parking lot opposite the CYO Bldg on Hylan Blvd, south of Sharrott Ave.
For more information phone Dick Buegler at 718-761-7496.


Protectors of Pine Oak Woods
Saturday, June 6, 1 p.m. to 3 p.m.
Page Avenue Beach and Woods
Depending on the weather, we may walk the beachfront or through the woodlands. In addition to examining evidence of the recent and long term history of the area, we’ll study the geology of the beach as well as the flotsam and jetsam accumulated at the high tide lines to see what nature's debris has to tell us. It may be muddy, so dress appropriately.
Meet at the parking lot at the end of Page Avenue on the left.
For more information phone Dick Buegler 718-761-7496 or Clay Wollney at 718-869-6327.


Protectors of Pine Oak Woods
Saturday, June 6, 7:30 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.
Rose or Strawberry Full Moon: Sunset-Moon Rise Walk at Mt Moses
Flashlight is required for each person in your group. You may bring a light refreshment to share with others. The walk is barely fifteen minutes each way. As we walk past the Rockland Avenue intersection, you will see the hundreds of trees and shrubs budding and wildflowers and grasses sprouting that NYCDEP planted in this newly designed flood control system. Look for the 1500 daffodil bulbs that Protectors planted last year in memory of those thousands at the World Trade Center who died on September 11 in NYC. The daffodils, now wilted, already bloomed in April along the entrance and lower sections of the trail. Children have always enjoyed this brief walk for an astronomy event and the sharing of refreshments at the top. The walk leader is Sandra Mechanic.
Meet at intersection of Rockland and Meisner Avenues.
For more information phone Dick Buegler 718-761-7496.


Urban Park Rangers
Saturday, Jun 06, 2009

Early Morning Birding
8:00 a.m.
MARINE PARK

Bird Club
9:00 a.m.
Multiple Parks Locations

Featured Creatures
11:00 a.m.
Multiple Parks Locations

Park to Park: Priory Pond
11:00 a.m.
Multiple Parks Locations

Native American Ethnobotany
12:00 p.m.
Multiple Parks Locations

National Trails Day
12:00 p.m.
Multiple Parks Locations

Nuts about Squirrels
1:00 p.m.
Multiple Parks Locations

The Reel Deal
2:00 p.m.
Multiple Parks Locations

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New York City Audubon Society
Sundays, June 7 through August 16
South Street Sea Port, Pier 17, 7-8:30pm
Fulton Ferry Landing, Brooklyn, 7:10-8:40pm
Sunset ECO-CRUISES to Harbor Heron Islands
Guide: Gabriel Willow with New York Water Taxi
This year's series celebrates the Hudson and Champlain Quadricentennial. Our expert naturalists will turn your Water Taxi into a time machine, illuminating the rich cultural and natural history of our harbor while pointing out birds and other wildlife and describing what the landscape must have looked like when Hudson arrived in 1609. View the mysterious lost islands of NYC where nesting colonies of herons have taken residence. Limited to 100.
$25 for adults, $10 for children under 12
To register, call New York Water Taxi at 212.742.1969 or visit their website


Urban Park Rangers
Sunday, Jun 07, 2009

Wildflower Walk
10:00 a.m.
Multiple Parks Locations

Marshy Macroinvertebrates
11:00 a.m.
Multiple Parks Locations

Ravine Walk
11:00 a.m.
Multiple Parks Locations