Upcoming Nature Trips

Below is a list of upcoming nature trips within NYC's five boroughs for the weekend of March 19th - 20th, 2011:

Audubon Center in Prospect Park (Brooklyn)
Saturday, March 19, 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.

Sunday, March 20, 2011

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, March 19, 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, March 19, 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, March 19, 2011, 10am – 2pm
Beginning Birding
Jamaica Bay Wildlife Refuge, Crossbay Boulevard, Queens, NY
Classes: Mondays, March 14 and 21, 6:30-8:30pm
Trips: Sat., March 19, 10am-2pm (Jamaica Bay Wildlife Refuge) and Sat., March 26, 8-11am (Central Park)
Instructor: Starr Saphir
Learn how to identify the birds that migrate through New York City from Central and South America on their way north. Includes two classes, and then two trips—one to Central Park to see vireos, warblers, and tanagers, and one to Jamaica Bay to see herons, egrets, and shorebirds. Limited to 13. $85


Protectors of Pine Oak Woods (Staten Island)
Saturday, March 19, 2011, 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.
Red Dot Trail at High Rock
Meet in the Nevada Avenue parking lot at High Rock Park. We plan to follow the Red Dot Trail that loops behind the administration buildings and cut invasive vines that strangle the young trees. We will also use our weed wrenches and pick-mattock on clumps of multi-flora rose and devil's walking stick that grow beside the trail. If you don't have your own, Protectors will supply pruners, gloves and refreshments. We will follow the two hour work session with a short walk along nearby trails. After a two hour work session (our 177th consecutive monthly workshop), we will take a short walk over nearby trails.
For more information call Don Recklies at (718) 768-9036 or Chuck Perry at (718) 667-1393.


Urban Park Rangers
Saturday, March 19, 2011

Van Cortlandt Birding Walks: Oh, Tail Feathers
8:00 a.m.
Depending on their position, a bird's tail feathers can express alarm, help with balance,...
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

Fort Tryon Park Scenic Hike
10:00 a.m.
Enjoy the beautiful hilly landscape of Fort Tryon Park and the breathtaking views of the...
Location: Margaret Corbin Circle (in Fort Tryon Park), Manhattan
Cost: Free

Health Hike
10:00 a.m.
Let the Rangers do the talking while you do the walking on this fast-paced hike.
Location: Cunningham Park Parking Lot (in Cunningham 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: Crotona Nature Center (in Crotona Park), Bronx
Cost: Free

Tides and Time
1:00 p.m.
If you don’t know what causes the tides, this is the chance for you to learn about...
Location: Salt Marsh Nature Center (in Marine Park), Brooklyn
Cost: Free

Making Tracks
2:00 p.m.
Learn how to identify and locate animal tracks found in and around woodland areas, then...
Location: Blue Heron Nature Center, Staten Island
Cost: Free

Sunday, March 20, 2011

Spring Birding
9:00 a.m.
Stroll down the famous 'bird alley' of Inwood Hill Park, and search for black-capped...
Location: Inwood Hill Nature Center (in Inwood Hill Park), Manhattan
Cost: Free

Salamander Search
11:00 a.m.
Did you know New York State is the salamander capitol of the world? Delve into their domain...
Location: Prospect Park Picnic House (in Prospect Park), Brooklyn
Cost: Free

Celebrate Spring in Central Park
11:00 a.m.
Take a walk through Central Park in search of the first sign of spring right before the...
Location: Belvedere Castle (in Central Park), Manhattan
Cost: Free

Get Your Garden Growin'
1:00 p.m.
Break ground with us, and learn tips about “going green” this spring in the...
Location: Van Cortlandt Nature Center (in Van Cortlandt Park), Bronx
Cost: Free

Vernal Pond Equinox
2:00 p.m.
Celebrate the coming of spring by exploring the vernal ponds of Blue Heron Park.
Location: Blue Heron Nature Center, Staten Island
Cost: Free