Upcoming trips

Below is a list of upcoming local trips for the weekend of October 17th - 18th, 2009:

The Linnaean Society of New York
Sunday, October 18th, 2009
Staten Island Sites
Leader: Howard Fischer
Registrar: Louise Fraza (louisefraza@yahoo.com)
Registration opens Monday 10/5.
Ride: $20.


New York City Audubon Society
Saturday, October 17, 10 - 11:30am
Birds and History of Fort Greene Park
With City of New York, Department of Parks and Recreation, Urban Park Rangers
Guide: Urban Park Rangers
Meet at the Ft. Greene Visitor Center, located inside the park on top of the hill near the entrance on Dekalb Avenue and Washington Park. Join the Urgan Park Rangers and learn about Fort Greene's rich history and discover which birds call it home. Limited to 25. Free.
Note: Washington park is the name of the actual street, not Washington park street or Washington park ave, as there are streets with those name.

Sunday, October 18, 9:30 - 11:30am
NYC Audubon at Wave Hill
Guides: Gabriel Willow
Meet at the Perkins Visitor Center and learn about bird species found in the area and their interconnectedness with the natural world on these captivating yet peaceful walks. Wave Hill’s garden setting overlooking the Hudson River flyway provides the perfect habitat for native and migrating birds. Ages 8 and up welcome with an adult. Limited to 25.
$10
Registration not required. Inclement weather cancels; call 718.549.3200 x245 by 8am the day of the session to confirm.


Protectors of Pine Oak Woods
Saturday, October 17, 1 p.m. to 4 p.m.
Clay Pit Ponds State Park Preserve: Pine Barren Trees and Wildlife
Find out why Protectors urged the preservation of this parkland and how we got our name in 1975. It has rare Southern pine and oak trees, nothing like our Greenbelt forest. With a park permit, Sandra will lead us into the restricted area where few have trod. We will check in the sand or mud for deer prints throughout the park. We’ll find the diseased clones of the American Chestnut that has produced flowers and fruit the past few years and the healthy 7 to 8 inch diameter chestnut tree, now 20+ feet tall and 9 to 10 inches in diameter and still disease free. The normal trunk-splitting at the base is not indicative of chestnut blight unless a fungus growth is observed.
Meet at the old park office building at the end of Carlin Avenue, off Sharrotts Road in Rossville. Wear waterproof shoes.
Call Sandra Mechanic at 718-967-1037 for more information.

Saturday, October 17, 2 p.m. to 4 p.m.
Page Avenue Beach at low tide
We’ll begin with a look at the local geology then move to examining the flotsam and jetsam accumulated at the high tide lines to see what nature’s debris has to tell us. As the water recedes with the tide we’ll move into the intertidal zone to find out what sorts of living things survive in this challenging environment. A variety of crabs, snails, clams, worms and small fish are likely to be discovered. We will return them to their natural homes. It’s going to be muddy so dress appropriately.
Meet at the parking lot at the bottom of Page Avenue below Hylan Blvd.
For more information phone Clay Wollney at 718-869-6327.

Sunday, October 18, 10 a.m. to 12 noon
Clay Pit Ponds State Park/Preserve
Take a walk with Cathy Zelonis through this rarely visited park to find the trees that match the leaves we find on the ground, some of which you will never find in our Greenbelt or other parks. Look for fruits left on trees and shrubs for animals’ food. Find out how Protectors of Pine Oak Woods got its name in 1975 by helping to save this mini pine barrens. Bring water, and dress for the weather.
Meet at the parking lot at the end of Carlin Ave. off Sharrotts Road in Rossville.
For more information call Cathy at 917-596-4198.

Sunday, October 18, 1:30 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Willowbrook Park: Gateway to the Greenbelt
This is a beautiful walk along the white trail to the Nature Center and back, starting at the Willowbrook Park archery field. If you don’t know Willowbrook Park, you are in for a surprise. Rich woodlands, streams and lush fernbeds await your discover. See the results of habitat restoration through mitigation, not a bad job! Willowbrook Park entrance is on Victory Blvd. by the College of Staten Island and is accessible via public transportation. Bring beverage and snacks. Walking will be wet in spots.
Call walk leader, Hillel Lofaso for more details at (718) 751-6629.


Urban Park Rangers
Saturday, October 17, 2009

Early Morning Birding
8:00 a.m.
Learn everything you need to know about birds with the Rangers.
Location: Marine Park, Manhattan
Cost: Free

Birds and History of Fort Greene Park
10:00 a.m.
Join the Urban Park Rangers & NYC Audubon and learn about Fort Greene's rich history as…
Location: Fort Greene Park, Brooklyn
Cost: Free

Hawk Watch
10:00 a.m.
Take a hike up Moses Mountain to a wonderful viewing area at the top. Catch a glimpse…
Location: High Rock Park, Staten Island
Cost: Free

Cass Gallagher Hike
11:00 a.m.
The sky is blue, the air is crisp, and a soft breeze rustles through the last leaves. No…
Location: Van Cortlandt Park, Bronx
Cost: Free

Creepy Crawlers Extravaganza: Gone Batty
6:00 p.m.
Experience how bats search for food in the twilight hours. We'll identify bats and…
Location: Bloomingdale Park, Staten Island
Cost: Free

Sunday, October 18, 2009

Canoeing the Creek
10:00 a.m.
Enjoy this womderful route through the tidal waters of Lemon Creek. You'll see egrets,…
Location: Lemon Creek Park, Staten Island
Cost: Free

Fall Migration
11:00 a.m.
It’s that time of year again, when many birds head south in preparation for the…
Location: Broad Channel American Park, Queens
Cost: Free

Fall Warbler Watch
12:00 p.m.
Sharpen up those birding skills on a birding walk designed to spot the colorful and elusive…
Location: Pelham Bay Park, Bronx
Cost: Free

Canoeing the Creek
1:00 p.m.
Enjoy this womderful route through the tidal waters of Lemon Creek. You'll see egrets,…
Location: Lemon Creek Park, Staten Island
Cost: Free