Upcoming Nature Trips

Below is a list of upcoming nature trips within NYC's five boroughs for the weekend of February 26th - 27th, 2011:

Audubon Center in Prospect Park (Brooklyn)
Saturday, February 26, 2011

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 Tour
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, February 26, 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
Sunday, February 27th, 2011
Winter Pines of our Local Area
A tour of Prospect Park, Brooklyn Botanic Garden, Greenwood Cemetery and Floyd Bennett Field (if time permits.)
Trip Leader: Peter Dorosh
Focus: Winter species usually seen near or within pine habitats.
Car Fee: $10.00
Registrar: Peter Dorosh, Email Prosbird [AT] aol.com or TEXT Message 347-622-3559
Registration period: Feb 15th- Feb 24th


New York City Audubon Society
Saturday, February 26, 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 26, 2011, 11am-1pm
Winter Seals and Waterbirds of NY Harbor
Guide: Gabriel Willow
Meet at South Street Seaport’s Pier 17 and come aboard NY Water Taxi’s eco-friendly vessel for a winter adventure in New York Harbor! Look for harbor seals on the rocky shores of Governor’s Island and the more remote Hoffman and Swinburne Islands. Learn about the surprisingly diverse winter birds of New York City, including ducks, geese, loons, and sandpipers, many of which migrate south from the Arctic. See the Statue of Liberty and pass under the Verrazano Bridge. Dress warmly and bring your binoculars. Limited to 90. $35 for adults; $25 for children under 12 (no member discount).
To register, contact New York Water Taxi at 212-742-1969 or click here to register online.


Protectors of Pine Oak Woods (Staten Island)
Saturday, February 26, 2011, 12 noon to 2:00 p.m.
Reed’s Basket Willow
Discover this hidden natural park in Dongan Hills. We’ll visit the three bodies of water in the park and hike through the woodlands. Although none of the willows grown by the Reed family still exist, the woodlands and stream are still home to a wide variety of flora and fauna. Meet at the Spring Street entrance in Dongan Hills.
For more information call Clay Wollney at 718-869-6327.

Sunday, February 27, 2011, 9:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m.
Winter Birding at Mount Loretto
Search the Raritan Bay from atop the bluffs and along the beach for wintering waterfowl and shorebirds. Grebes, loons, ducks and geese call the icy waters off Staten Island their southern home for the winter. The birds from northern fields also fly south to Staten Island to spend a chilly winter in the fields of Mount Loretto. Search the grassland for sparrows and hawks. Meet in the parking lot on Hylan Blvd. across from the CYO facility on the grounds of Mount Loretto.
For more information call Howie Fischer at (718) 981-4002.


Urban Park Rangers
Saturday, February 26, 2011

Van Cortlandt Birding Walks: Bugs Under Bark
8:00 a.m.
As the winter days set in, the search for protein gets harder for birds. If you would like...
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

Evolution of the Field Guide
12:00 p.m.
Take a tour through time as we take a look at how field guides have changed over the...
Location: Salt Marsh Nature Center (in Marine Park), Brooklyn
Cost: Free

The Four Elements of Survival: Part IV
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

Tree-mendous Trees
2:00 p.m.
Some trees are small; some are tall. Learn how to identify them and see the largest tulip...
Location: Martling Pond (in Clove Lakes Park), Staten Island
Cost: Free

Owl Watch
4:00 p.m.
Winter is a great time of year to observe and enjoy raptors in NYC. Bring your own...
Location: Belvedere Castle (in Central Park), Manhattan
Cost: Free

What's in the Park After Dark?
6:00 p.m.
Have you ever wondered what wildlife comes out to play when the people are away? Take a...
Location: Fort Totten Front Gate (in Fort Totten Park), Queens
Cost: Free

Sunday, February 27, 2011

Duck, Duck, Goose
11:00 a.m.
As the weather gets cold, the birding gets hot. Let's see which birds think NYC in...
Location: Parking lot on Baisley Boulevard and 155 Street (in Baisley Pond Park), Queens
Cost: Free