Upcoming Nature Trips

Below is a list of upcoming nature trips within NYC's five boroughs for the weekend of January 29th - 30th, 2011:

New York Botanical Garden (Bronx)
Saturday, January 29, 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


Brooklyn Bird Club
Saturday January 29th, 2011
Prospect Park
Meet 9 am at Grand Army Plaza entrance (Stranahan Statue)
Focus: winter species, sparrows, raptors, ducks
Trip Leader: Nancy Tim


New York City Audubon Society
Saturday, January 29, 2011, 8:00am – 9:30am
Van Cortlandt Park
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 29, 2011, 9:15am – 2:00pm (Rain/snow date: Saturday, February 12)
Waterfowl and Woodlands: Birding the Greenbelt, SI
Guide: Gabriel Willow With the NYC Department of Parks & Recreation and the Greenbelt Conservancy Meet at the Manhattan terminal of the S.I. Ferry and begin your tour on water, as we make our way to the Greenbelt, a 3,000-acre flagship park of New York City. Explore Willowbrook Park, a part of the Greenbelt which boasts abundant waterfowl and wooded trails. Includes refreshments afterwards at the Greenbelt Nature Center and transportation on Staten Island. Limited to 20. $35 Click here to register


Protectors of Pine Oak Woods (Staten Island)
Saturday, January 29, 2011, 12 noon to 2:00 p.m.
Long Pond Park
Evidence of animal life as well the geologic history and human influence will be observed as we take an unhurried stroll on a one and a half mile hike through the park. Meet at PS 6, on Page Avenue and Academy Avenue, about 3 blocks northwest of Hylan Blvd.
For more information call Clay Wollney at (718) 869-6327.

Sunday, January 30, 2011, 9:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m.
Wintering Waterfowl of Great Kills Park
Walk the mud flats and beach front for an investigation of wintering waterfowl. Dozens of waterfowl species call the Raritan Bay home for the winter. A brief search is sure to uncover Bufflehead, Brant, Goldeneye, Grebes and Geese. Expect a cold wind and dress appropriately. Meet in the main entrance parking area on Hylan Blvd. across from Buffalo St. From there the group will proceed to the main parking lot by the beach.
For more information call Howie Fischer at (718) 981-4002.

Sunday, January 30, 2011, 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.
Conference House Park
Walk the trails of Staten Island’s southern tip exploring the beach and woodland for our night time neighbors. Screech Owl and Great Horned Owl utilize the park throughout the year and with luck we will hear their calls. Though ambient light brightens the night sky flashlights are acceptable. Meet at the parking lot at the end of Hylan Blvd. on the left.
For more information call Cliff Hagen at (718) 313-8591.


Urban Park Rangers
Saturday, January 29, 2011

Van Cortlandt Birding Walks: Critical Facts
8:00 a.m.
Minute mounts of fat can protect tiny bodies in the coldest months, but where does a bird...
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

Winter Waterfowl
10:00 a.m.
Ducks and geese fly thousands of miles to spend the winter in Central Park. Explore...
Location: Belvedere Castle (in Central Park), Manhattan
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

Birds of "Paradise"
11:00 a.m.
Enjoy a walk through this diverse habitat to see winter waterfowl, shorebirds, and many...
Location: Intersection of 130th St & 11th Ave (in Powell's Cove Park), Queens
Cost: Free

Winter Tree I.D.
1:00 p.m.
Just because the leaves are gone doesn't mean you can't identify trees! Learn to use...
Location: Van Cortlandt Nature Center (in Van Cortlandt Park), Bronx
Cost: Free

Sunday, January 30, 2011

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

Loons, Grebes, and Buffleheads...Oh My!
10:00 a.m.
Come walk along the waters of Little Neck Bay to discover the diverse winter birding in...
Location: Fort Totten Visitor's Center (in Fort Totten Park), Queens
Cost: Free

Seal Shore Safari
2:30 p.m.
Seals hang out by the beach between December and March and you'll get to see them during...
Location: Orchard Beach Nature Center (in Pelham Bay Park-Orchard Beach), Bronx
Cost: Free