Upcoming Nature Trips

Below is a list of upcoming, nature trips within NYC's 5 boroughs for the weekend of January 22nd - 23rd, 2011:

New York Botanical Garden (Bronx)
Saturday, January 22, 2011
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


Linnaean Society of New York
Saturday, January 22, 2011
Pelham Bay Park
Leader: Rob Jett (aka "The City Birder")
Registrar: Louise Fraza (louisefraza@yahoo.com)
Registration opens Monday 1/10.
Ride: $15.


New York City Audubon Society
Saturday, January 22, 2011, 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 Cortlandt 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.

Saturday, January 22, 2011, 9:45am-3:30pm
"Save Pouch Camp" Hike in the Greenbelt, S.I.
Guide: Dominick Durso with Protectors of Pine Oak Woods
Meet on Staten Island Boulevard off Ocean Terrace, directly above the Michael Petrides School. Come explore the lovely and imperiled Pouch Camp property, located within Staten Island's Greenbelt preserve. Discover its wonderful vistas and woodlands on a leisurely 10-mile hike bordering the property, and learn what can be done to help preserve Pouch Camp's 143 acres. Street parking available. Bring lunch and water, and wear sturdy shoes. For more information please call Dominick Durso at 718-967-0379. No registration necessary. Free

Sunday, January 23, 2011, 9:30am – 11:30am
Nature in the Garden Discovery Walk
Explore Wave Hill’s woodlands and gardens and discover the world of insects, flowers, trees, birds and their fascinating habitats on this naturalist-led walk, offered jointly by Wave Hill and NYC Audubon. Ideal for ages 5 and up and their curious adult companions. Rain or shine, so dress for the weather! Space is limited; advanced registration recommended, online at www.wavehill.org, at the Perkins Visitor Center when you next visit or by calling 718.549.3200 x305. Fee: Free for Wave Hill Members/Non-members $5. Free for NYC Audubon Members with 2-for-1 admission to the grounds.


Protectors of Pine Oak Woods (Staten Island)
Saturday, January 22, 9:45 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Annual Winter Ten Mile Walk of the Greenbelt
Come join others who enjoy a cold day outdoors. It is ten moderate miles at a comfortable pace. Meet at the beginning of the Blue Trail at the end of Staten Island Blvd., off Ocean Terrace by the Sunnyside campus of the Petrides complex. Bring lunch and beverage and sturdy walking shoes. Dress warmly in layers. We go in all weather but walk is shortened if high pollution levels occur. Come see what the inter woodland has to offer: winter birds, bare forest trees, frozen ponds, evergreens and possibly some snow cover to detect deer visits, and always beautiful vistas.
For more information call Dominic Durso at (917) 478-7607, Charles Perry at (718) 667-1393 or Don Recklies at (718) 768-9036.

Saturday, January 22, 12 noon to 2:00 p.m.
Old Mill Road
We'll follow the multi-use trail overlooking Fresh Kills, pass the famous Hessian Spring as it crosses the path and view Fresh Kills estuary and work our way to the remains of Ketchum’s Mill. Along the way we’ll observe traces of the past, examine the present woodland ecosystems and search for evidence of present inhabitants especially deer and other mammals. Park at the start of Old Mill Road alongside St. Andrew’s church.
For more information call Clay Wollney at (718) 869-6327.


Urban Park Rangers
Saturday, January 22, 2011

Van Cortlandt Birding Walks: Head Bobbing
8:00 a.m.
Ducks start courting in winter. Catch their courtship dances and see if you can...
Location: Van Cortlandt Nature Center (in Van Cortlandt Park), Bronx
Cost: Free

Early Birding at Marine Park
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

Duck, Duck, Goose
10:00 a.m.
As the weather gets cold, the birding gets hot. Let's see which birds think NYC is...
Location: 72nd Road and Grand Central Parkway Service Road (in Flushing Meadows Corona Park), Queens
Cost: Free

Winter Birding
11:00 a.m.
See how many species you can add to your life list. Binoculars provided.
Location: High Rock Ranger Station (in High Rock Park), Staten Island
Cost: Free

Hibernation Hike
11:00 a.m.
HIke through the Ravine looking for dens of hibernating mammals. Learn why these...
Location: Prospect Park Picnic House (in Prospect Park), Brooklyn
Cost: Free

Fort Greene Park Winter Tree Identification
1:00 p.m.
On this leisurely stroll around the park we'll identify many of the more than 40 species of...
Location: Fort Greene Park Visitor Center (in Fort Greene Park), Brooklyn
Cost: Free

Sunday, January 23, 2011

Eagle Watch
8:00 a.m.
Majestic eagles soar above the tree tops and search for fish in the Hudson River. Bring...
Location: Inwood Hill Nature Center (in Inwood Hill Park), Manhattan
Cost: Free

Winter Tree I.D.
11:00 a.m.
Never "bark up the wrong tree" again once we teach you how to identify trees...
Location: Fort Totten Visitor's Center (in Fort Totten Park), Queens
Cost: Free

Whooo Said That?
1:00 p.m.
Winter is the best time to see wild owls in New York Cityso don't miss this...
Location: Pelham Bay Ranger Station (in Pelham Bay Park), Bronx
Cost: Free

Winter Hike: Top of Prospect Park
1:00 p.m.
Learn about the Battle of Brooklyn while hiking to Prospect Park's highest point....
Location: Lookout Hill (in Prospect Park), Brooklyn
Cost: Free

Owl Prowl
2:00 p.m.
We're on the prowl for the great horned owls of Alley Pond Park. Along the way we'll...
Location: Alley Pond Park Adventure Center (in Alley Pond Park), Queens
Cost: Free