Upcoming Nature Trips

Below is a list of upcoming nature trips within NYC's 5 boroughs for the weekend of December 4th - 5th, 2010:

Audubon Center in Prospect Park (Brooklyn)
Saturday, December 4, 2010
Introduction to Birdwatching
Every Saturday, 12 - 1:30 p.m.
Explore the Park's natural areas and learn how to look for amazing birds.

Discover Tours
Every Saturday and Sunday, 3 p.m.
Discover the Prospect Park you never knew! Meet birds and other wildlife on this walk, guided by a naturalist.

Sunday, December 5, 2010
Morning Bird Walk: Twelve Birds of Winter
Meet the amazing birds of Prospect Park on this expert-guided walk. Start your Saturday morning surrounded by nature!


New York Botanical Garden (Bronx)
Saturday, December 4, 2010
Debbie Becker leads a free bird walk at the Garden every Saturday from 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. beginning at the Reflecting Pool in the Leon Levy Visitor Center


Brooklyn Bird Club
Sunday, December 5th, 2010
Prospect Park
No registration necessary. Meet 8 am at Grand Army Plaza entrance (Stranahan Statue)
Focus: winter species, sparrows, raptors, ducks
Trip Leader: Eddie Davis


New York City Audubon Society
Saturday, December 4, 2010, 8am – 9:30am
Van Cortlandt Bird Walks
Guide: Andrew Baksh or Urban Park Rangers. With the Van Cortlandt Park Conservancy, NYC Department of Parks and Recreation, and Urban Park Rangers.
Meet at Van Cortland 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 migrants and discuss a wide range of avian topics.
For more information, please call 718-548-0912.
No registration necessary.
No limit.
Free.


Protectors of Pine Oak Woods (Staten Island)
Saturday, December 4, 12:00 p.m. to 2:00 p.m.
Page Avenue Beach and Woods
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. 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 call Clay Wollney at (718)869-6327.

Saturday December 4, 1:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m.
Winter Scavenger Greenbelt Walk
Do you want to relieve cabin fever? Join Sandra Mechanic, naturalist and photographer, for an exciting day out. We will look for three trees that still have their leaves. Can you identify them? We will look for galls on golden rod and oak plants, rolled leaves and signs of insects. How many squirrels’ nests can we find? Let’s connect with nature and find a lot of special items like hickory nuts, twigs, abandoned bird nests, male deer rubbing his antlers on the base of a tree, insects leaving trails on overturned branches or logs. Dress warm and let’s have fun.
Meet at the end of Nevada Avenue in the parking lot.
For more information call Sandra Mechanic at (718) 967 1037.

Sunday, December 5, 9:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m.
Great Kills Park
Join Howie Fischer as he helps birders identify wintering waterfowl in the waters of Great Kills Park. This is the time of year for the arrival of wintering waterfowl such as Common Goldeneye, Bufflehead and Greater Scaup. Both the Red-throated and Common Loons as well as Horned Grebes are also possible. If our luck is good, we may find Snow Buntings or Lapland Longspur among the flocks of Horned Larks. We will search the tidal flats, beaches and the Nature Center for a variety of birds in the park. The recent burn may be excellent habitat for raptors. Bring a pair of binoculars and be sure to wear comfortable walking shoes.
Meet in the parking lot as you first enter the park at Buffalo Street and Hylan Blvd.
For more information call Howie Fischer at 718-981-4002.


Urban Park Rangers
Saturday, December 4, 2010

Van Cortlandt Bird Club: Bird Feeders
8:00 a.m.
The best way to help birds out during the harsh winter months -- no stopping once...
Location: Van Cortlandt Nature Center (in Van Cortlandt Park), Bronx
Cost: Free

Early Birding
8:00 a.m.
Join the Urban Park Rangers for early morning birding at Marine Park.
Location: Salt Marsh Nature Center (in Marine Park), Brooklyn
Cost: Free

Healthy Hike
10:00 a.m.
Let your feet do the walking while the Rangers do the talking on this fast-paced outing. If...
Location: Cunningham Park - Union Turnpike Parking Lot (in Cunningham Park), Queens
Cost: Free

Winter Tree ID
11:00 a.m.
How do you identify a tree when there are no leaves, flowers, or fruit? Let us teach you...
Location: Martling Pond (in Clove Lakes Park), Staten Island
Cost: Free

Native American Ethnobotany
12:00 p.m.
The forest of Inwood Hill Park provided the Lenape tribe with many natural resources vital...
Location: Inwood Hill Nature Center (in Inwood Hill Park), Manhattan
Cost: Free

Sunday, December 5, 2010

Slippery Seals and Wintry Waterfowl
11:00 a.m.
These marine mammals have been known to show up in the area during their migratory journey....
Location: Conference House Beach at Joline Avenue (in Conference House Park), Staten Island
Cost: Free

Nocturnal Hike
6:00 p.m.
Join us as we explore the wonderful world of wildlife after-hours. Bats, raccoons, and...
Location: Fort Totten Visitor's Center (in Fort Totten Park), Queens
Cost: Free