Upcoming Nature trips

Below is a list of upcoming nature trips within NYC's 5 boroughs for the weekend of December 18th - 19th, 2010:

Audubon Center in Prospect Park (Brooklyn)
Saturday, December 18, 2010
Christmas Bird Count
Spend the pre-holiday weekend out in nature, all while doing your part to support the bird population.

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.


New York Botanical Garden (Bronx)
Saturday, December 18, 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
Saturday, December 18th, 2010
110th Christmas Bird Census
Teams Coordinator: Heidi Steiner-Nanz (718) 369-2116 (call early eve before 8 pm) or email heidi.steiner [AT] verizon.net
Compiler: Rick Cech, assisted by Paul Keim
Comments: Coordinator assigns trip leaders and participants, assimilating teams and establishing starting points with team leaders. Please call early as possible for participation in this great event. Time is needed to plan and figure out the details. The count dinner will be held at the Prospect Park Audubon Center. Help and assistance is needed for dinner setup, email Mary Eyster profmaryjo [AT] aol.com to volunteer. There is a $5 donation to Audubon required for the event. See your field leader for details.


New York City Audubon Society
Saturday, December 18, 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.

Sunday, December 19, 2010, 8am – 2pm
Central Park Christmas Bird Count
Meet at the South Pump Station of the Reservoir (inside the park at the southeast corner of the reservoir, near 85th St. and 5th Ave.). All counting groups will be escorted by the Urban Park Rangers.
12:30pm: Data tally and refreshments at the Arsenal Gallery (3rd floor of the Arsenal, at 64th St. off 5th Ave.).
Dress warmly and don't forget your binoculars! For more information, contact NYC Audubon at (212) 691-7483 or email:
ChristmasBirdCount [AT] nycaudubon.org
$5 registration fee payable the day of the event (children under 18 are FREE).
RSVP: Call (212) 360-1324 or email rsvp [AT] parks.nyc.gov


Protectors of Pine Oak Woods (Staten Island)
Saturday, December 18, 2010, 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.
LaTourette multi-purpose path (the bike path)
Meet at the bike path entrance on the Old Mill Road next to St. Andrews Church (the old one). We will walk along the path to the T-junction and either return by the Blue Trail above where we will cut invasive vines that strangle saplings there or work our way back along the bike path cutting invasive vines from saplings on the north side of the trail. If you don’t have your own, Protectors will supply gloves and pruners (& refreshments). After a two hour work session (our 174th consecutive monthly workshop), we will take a short walk over nearby trails.
For more information call Don Recklies at (718) 768-9036 or Chuck Perry at (718) 667-1393.

Saturday, December 18, 2010, 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.
The Goodhue Watershed Owl Prowl
Each winter Cliff Hagen surveys the local population of owls. Join the survey and help seek and count the owls of this watercourse that flows from the Goodhue Woods, through Alison Pond and into Snug Harbor. Meet at the entrance to Alison Pond. Flashlights are not so good when searching owls, but are acceptable.
For more information call Cliff Hagen at 718-313-8591.


Queens County Bird Club
Sunday, December 19, 2010
Queens Christmas Bird Count
Coordinator: Ian Resnick (718) 631-9643
A planning meeting will be held THIS Wednesday, December 15th, 8pm, at the Alley Pond Environmental Center.


Staten Island Museum
Saturday, December 18, 2010
Staten Island Christmas Bird Count
Experienced Birders: Join a team and count Staten Island's bird population. Part of the annual National Audubon Society count.
To learn how to get on a team, call Ed Johnson at (718) 483-7110.
Round up results, 7:30pm at the Museum.


Urban Park Rangers
Saturday, December 18, 2010

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

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

Native American Pathways
1:00 p.m.
For thousands of years before European settlers arrived, the New York City region was home...
Location: Van Cortlandt Nature Center (in Van Cortlandt Park), Bronx
Cost: Free

Sunday, December 19, 2010

Christmas Bird Count
8:00 a.m.
Calling all bird enthusiasts! Whether it’s your first time or you’re an avid...
Location: Fort Greene Park Visitor Center (in Fort Greene Park), Brooklyn
Cost: Free

111th Annual Central Park Christmas Bird Count
8:00 a.m.
Take part in this annual citizen-science tradition started by ornithologist Frank Chapman...
Location: South Pump Station (85th Street & 5th Avenue) (in Central Park), Manhattan
Cost: $5 registration fee payable the day of the event (children under 18 are FREE).

Duck, Duck, Goose
10:00 a.m.
As the weather gets cold, the birding gets hot. Search for the ducks and geese that think...
Location: Albert H. Mauro Playground (in Flushing Meadows Corona Park), Queens
Cost: Free

Winter Waterfowl
11:00 a.m.
Winter birds are flying in to take temporary residence in Little Neck Bay. Take a walk...
Location: Fort Totten Front Gate (in Fort Totten Park), Queens
Cost: Free

Winter Raptor Watch
1:00 p.m.
Search for Prospect Park’s top predators. This is your chance to see hawks, eagles,...
Location: Prospect Park Picnic House (in Prospect Park), Brooklyn
Cost: Free

South Pole Expedition
1:00 p.m.
You won't fine any penguins here, but it can get chilly at the southernmost tip of New York...
Location: Conference House Park Visitors Center (in Conference House Park), Staten Island
Cost: Free

How Animals Survive the Winter
2:00 p.m.
Migration and hibernation are two methods used by some animals to survive periods of cold...
Location: Crotona Nature Center (in Crotona Park), Bronx
Cost: Free