Upcoming Nature Trips

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

Audubon Center in Prospect Park (Brooklyn)
Saturday, March 12, 2011
Introduction to Birdwatching
Every Saturday, 12 - 1:30 p.m.
Explore the Park's natural and learn how to look for amazing birds.


New York Botanical Garden (Bronx)
Saturday, March 12, 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, March 13th, 2011
Marine Park to Floyd Bennett "Green Hike"
A public transportation oriented trip and walking tour. [No cars]
Meet at 9 am at the Marine Park Salt Marsh Nature Center
For transportation directions: HopStop
Trip Leader: Peter Dorosh
Focus: Winter species passage, early spring migrants, waterfowl.
Contact information: Peter Dorosh, TEXT Message 347-622-3559
Note: The estimated walk will be about roughly 7 miles for the all day trip. Trip ends with the Q35 Green bus line or walk back to Kings Plaza


Linnaean Society of New York
Saturday, March 12, 2011
Jamaica Bay Wildlife Refuge
Leader: Alan Messer
No registration. Meet at Visitors Center at 10:00 a.m.
Public transportation.


Littoral Society of New York
March 13, 2011 (10:00 a.m. - noon)
Exploring the Trails at Dead Horse Bay
Hike the trails and beach at New York's best kept natural secret -- Dead Horse Bay, along the edge of Jamaica Bay. Join naturalist Mickey Maxwell Cohen, author of Exploring the Trails of Dead Horse Bay and discover little known woodlands, coastal thickets, and a treasure-laden beach. This is a partnership program with the American Littoral Society.
Sensible footwear; no sandals.
Reservations required: (718) 338-3799


New York City Audubon Society
Saturday, March 12, 2011, 8:00am – 9:30am
Van Cortlandt Park 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.

Sunday, March 13, 2011, 9:30am – 11:30am
Wave Hill: Birding Along the Hudson
Explore the Hudson River’s avian ecology starting at the tip of Manhattan and migrating north. Walks are every 2nd and 4th Sunday, and alternate between Wave Hill and other Hudson River sites. Wave Hill: Meet at the Perkins Visitor Center and Explore Wave Hill's woodlands and gardens on nature discovery walks. Ideal for ages 10 and up. Registration recommended: online, by calling 718.549.3200 x305 or at the Perkins Visitor Center. Severe weather cancels (For weather-related updates, call 718.549.3200 x245 by 8am the day of the walk). $10 for Wave Hill or NYC Audubon members/$18 non-members.


Staten Island Museum
Sunday, March 13, 2011, (9:00am - 11:00am)
Eco Walk: Early Signs of Spring
Investigate the early buds on the trees, newly arrived spring birds and other signs of the upcoming spring season in the woods and wetlands of Blue Heron Pond Park. Meet in the Nature Center, 222 Poillon Ave.
Call Seth Wollney at (718) 483-7105 for more information.
Free


Urban Park Rangers
Saturday, March 12, 2011

Van Cortlandt Birding Walks: Talons and Claws
8:00 a.m.
Avian toenails may share some similarities with our own, but you won't ever find them at a...
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.
Observe the hardy birds that spend their winter in Brooklyn.
Location: Wollman Rink and Flower Garden (in Prospect Park), Brooklyn
Cost: Free

Birding for Kids
11:00 a.m.
Bring the kids to the park for a day of birding by sight and ear. Perfect for children 12...
Location: Fort Totten Visitor's Center (in Fort Totten Park), Queens
Cost: Free

River Views
1:00 p.m.
Enjoy birding and a leisurely hike along the Hudson River. Bring your own...
Location: West 232nd Street and Henry Hudson Service Road Southbound (in Riverdale Park), Bronx
Cost: Free

Denizens of the Dark
5:00 p.m.
Join us for an after-hours hike as we search for bats, racoons, owls, and whatever else...
Location: Alley Pond Park Adventure Center (in Alley Pond Park), Queens
Cost: Free

Sunday, March 13, 2011

Seal Shore Safari
12:00 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

Spring Ahead at Alley Pond Park.
1:00 p.m.
Spring is just around the corner; let's see what's starting to peek through our forest.
Location: Alley Pond Park Adventure Center (in Alley Pond Park), Queens
Cost: Free

Inwood Hill Nighttime Hike
7:00 p.m.
Let's take a brisk night hike as we search for owls, raccoons, skunks, and other nocturnal...
Location: Inwood Hill Nature Center (in Inwood Hill Park), Manhattan
Cost: Free