Upcoming Trips

Below is a list of upcoming local trips for the weekend of November 21st - 22nd, 2009:

Protectors of Pine Oak Woods
Saturday, November 21, 9 a.m. to 11 a.m.
The Birds of Great Kills Park
Meet Howie Fischer in the first large parking lot, in from the Hylan Boulevard entrance opposite Buffalo Street. We will then go to the flats facing the bay, to find and “scope” for migrant waterfowl that are arriving at this time of year. If it is low tide, we may find some lingering shorebirds as well. We hope to find loons, grebes and a variety of sea and bay ducks. Perhaps some passerine birds such as towhees, sparrows and finches will still be lingering near the nature center feeders and pond. Binoculars are needed.
Call Howie at 718-981-4002 for more information.

Saturday, November 21, 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Forest Restoration at Egbertville Ravine
Meet at the side of Meisner Ave. (toward the Eger Home) close to the intersection of Meisner and Rockland Avenues. We will follow the White Trail south toward Eleanor Street and uproot or prune invasive vines that strangle the trees and shade out our native plants. We will try to uproot some of the spreading multiflora rose. If you don’t have your own, Protectors will supply gloves and pruners (and refreshments). After a two hour work session, 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.

Saturday, November 21, 1 p.m. to 3 p.m.
Blue Trail to Latourette Woods
Join naturalist Sandra Mechanic on a stroll through the Latourette Woods. Admire the famous Frank Lloyd Wright house along the way and see a pair of very tall 100+ year old American Larch or Tamarack trees, conifers with needles and cones but not evergreen since they annually shed their needles. The trail passes through a large forest of mixed age Tuliptrees and numerous other tree species we can easily identify as it winds down to Meisner Pond. Park and meet near the end of Old Mill Road, near St Andrews Church, off Arthur Kill Road.
For more information, phone Sandra Mechanic at 718-967-1037.

Sunday, November 22, 10 a.m. to 12 noon
High Rock Park, an award winning Environmental Center
Join Cathy Zelonis in a walk around the wetland (the Loosestrife Swamp) to look and listen for bird songs. We shall identify the plants we see, including Skunk Cabbage, Spicebush and the beautiful Tupelo tree. We’ll walk uphill and identify forest trees and shrubs and find their fruits, which feed wildlife in winter. Bring water and dress for the weather. Meet in the parking lot at the top of Nevada Ave.
For more information call Cathy at 917-596-4198.

Sunday, November 22, 1 p.m. to 3 p.m.
Thanksgiving at Buck’s Hollow, a Lowland Forest Walk
Learn which trees are native and the few that are not. Naturalist & photographer Sandra Mechanic will show how to recognize them by the MAD Horse acronym as a mnemonic to aid identification. We will identify trees by bark, bud and leaves on the ground. Sandra will explain the names as we pass the famous Spring Peeper and Wood Duck Ponds on our way to see Heyerdahl Hill and the N.Y. State rare Persimmon Trees. Meet at the intersection of Manor Road and Rockland Avenue, near the wide entry road to Eger Home up the hill. Bring binoculars and tree guides. Wear study shoes.
For more information, phone Sandra Mechanic 718-967-1037.

Sunday, November 22, 6 p.m. to 8 p.m.
Owl Prowl, Long Pond Park
Meet owl specialist Cliff Hagen at the South-east corner of Amboy Rd and Page Ave.
For directions or more information call Cliff at 718-313-8591. Read exciting walk description for the first Owl Prowl on October 25.


Queens County Bird Club
Sunday, Nov. 22nd, 2009, 8:00am
Pelham Bay Park
Meet at Orchard Beach parking lot.
Leader: George Dadone, (917) 748-5716 (georgedadone@aol.com)


Urban Park Rangers
Saturday, November 21, 2009

Early Birding
8:00 a.m.
Join us for bird watching!
Location: Fort Greene Park, Brooklyn
Cost: Free

Mid-Fall Migrants
10:00 a.m.
Before the winter waterfowl arrive, the last stragglers from the fall migration make their…
Location: Van Cortlandt Park, Bronx
Cost: Free

Healthy Hike
10:00 a.m.
Let your feet do the walking while the Rangers do the talking on this fast-paced…
Location: Forest Park, Queens
Cost: Free

Fun with Fungus
11:00 a.m.
Come and learn the basics of mycology as we search for mushrooms around the park.
Location: Central Park, Manhattan
Cost: Free

Turkey-cology
1:00 p.m.
The elusive Meleagris gallopavo (wild turkey) has been long a favorite challenge of…
Location: Marine Park, Brooklyn
Cost: Free

Turkey Trot
1:00 p.m.
Ben Franklin once believed that the turkey ought to be our national bird. Come find out why…
Location: Midland Beach Playground, Staten Island
Cost: Free

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Sunday, November 22, 2009

Turkey Count Hike
10:00 a.m.
Join us on our annual turkey count as we try to find this elusive bird on the Siwanoy Trail.
Location: Pelham Bay Park, Bronx
Cost: Free

Nuts about Squirrels
1:00 p.m.
Learn everything you ever wanted to know about our fine furry tailed friends who make our…
Location: Owl's Head Park, Brooklyn
Cost: Free