Upcoming Nature Trips

Below is a list of upcoming nature trips within NYC's five boroughs for the weekend of February 12th - 13th, 2011:

Audubon Center in Prospect Park (Brooklyn)
Saturday, February 12

Great Backyard Bird Count
Saturday, February 12 and Sunday, February 13, 12 p.m. and 3 p.m.

Introduction to Birdwatching
Every Saturday, 12 - 1:30 p.m.
Explore the Park's natural areas and learn how to look for amazing birds.


Linnaean Society of New York
Saturday, February 12, 2011
Floyd Bennett Field and Dead Horse Bay
Leader: Rob Jett a.k.a The City Birder
Registrar: Ellen Hoffman (ehof33 AT gmail.com)
Registration opens Monday 1/31.
Ride: $15.


Littoral Society of New York
February 12, 2011. (10:00 a.m. - 12:00 noon)
Explore the Mysterious Back Woods at Fort Tilden
Accompany naturalist Mickey Maxwell Cohen of the American Littoral Society as he enters Fort Tilden's long-hidden back woods to search for winter birds and botany and long hidden military fortifications of World War II.
Reservations required: (718) 318 - 4300.


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


New York City Audubon Society
Saturday, February 12, 2011, 8:00am – 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, February 12, 2011, 10am-1pm
Winter Wildlife Walk at Jamaica Bay
Guide: Don Riepe
With Gateway National Recreation Area
Meet at the Jamaica Bay Wildlife Refuge Visitor Center for a hike along the trails to look for signs of wildlife. Look for owls, ducks, geese, and other overwintering birds and learn how plants and animals adapt to winter. To register, contact Don Riepe at 718-318-9344 or donriepe AT gmail.com. Free

Sunday, February 13, 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, February 12, 2011, 12 noon to 2:00 p.m.
Conference House Park Beach and Woods
Past and present blend in Conference House Park where history stretches back thousands of years with the seasonal occupation of the Lenape and hundreds of years with the habitation of the Dutch and English. We’ll observe evidence of the human occupation of the area, observe local geology and discover what the natural and unnatural debris at the high tide line has to reveal.
Meet at the parking lot at the end of Hylan Blvd. on the left.
For more information call Clay Wollney at (718)869-6327.


Staten Island Museum
February 13, 2011 (9:00am - 11:00am)
Wolfe's Pond Park
Free. What wildlife remains active and how do they survive during the cold of winter?
Meet at the field station in the main parking lot at the end of Cornelia Street and find out.
For more information call Seth Wollney at (718) 483-7105.


Urban Park Rangers
Saturday, February 12, 2011

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

Van Cortlandt Birding Walks: Cardinal Couples
8:00 a.m.
Mated pairs of cardinals often winter together.  Find some happy couples on our walk...
Location: Van Cortlandt Nature Center (in Van Cortlandt Park), Bronx
Cost: Free

The Four Elements of Survival: Part III
1:00 p.m.
In this four part series, you'll learn about the four basic elements of wilderness...
Location: Forest Park Visitor Center (in Forest Park), Queens
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

Winter Tree I.D.
2:00 p.m.
Test your identification skills and study the trees in their dormant state on a hike...
Location: Dana Discovery Center (in Central Park), Manhattan
Cost: Free

Sunday, February 13, 2011

History of Blue Heron Park
11:00 a.m.
Blue Heron Park is a Forever Wildlife site and home to many fascinating animals, from...
Location: Blue Heron Nature Center, Staten Island
Cost: Free

Wildlife Valentines
11:00 a.m.
Wind, waves, colors, and calls...come with your sweetheart to learn about the...
Location: Forest Park Visitor Center (in Forest Park), Queens
Cost: Free

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