Upcoming Nature Trips

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

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

Sunday, March 27, 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 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
Saturday, March 26th, 2011
Staten Island
Trip Leader: Steve Nanz
Focus: early spring migrants, sparrows, upland species, raptors, water birds and late ducks, beach species
Car Fee: $22.00
Registrar: Heidi Nanz email heidi.steiner [AT] verizon.net or call before 8 PM (718) 369-2116
Registration period: March 15th- March 24th


Littoral Society
Saturday, March 26, 2011, 10am - 1pm
NYC Audubon Early Spring Migrants
Meet 10am at the Jamaica Bay refuge for hike around the ponds and gardens to look for the first returning birds of spring. We should see egrets, oystercatchers, ibis, phoebes, osprey and many other wintering species as well. Call refuge to reserve: (718) 318-4340; E-mail: donriepe [AT] gmail.com


New York City Audubon Society
Saturday, March 26, 2011, 8am – 11am
Beginning Birding (trip to Central Park)
Classes: Mondays, March 14 and 21, 6:30-8:30pm
Trips: Sat., March 19, 10am-2pm (Jamaica Bay) 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
Click here to register

Saturday, March 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.

Sunday, March 27, 2011, 9:30am – 11:30am
Battery Park: Birding Along the Hudson
Meet in the park at the corner of Greenwich St. and Battery Place. Explore the Hudson River’s avian ecology starting at the tip of Manhattan! 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. (Members of other host organizations also enjoy member prices when walks take place at their location.)


Protectors of Pine Oak Woods (Staten Island)
Sunday, March 27, 2011, 9:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m.
High Rock Park
The early bird gets the worm and the first birds of the spring migration are arriving to dig them up. A walk through High Rock Park will offer great looks at the earliest arrivals of spring. Eastern Phoebe, both kinglets, Pine Warblers and other passerines are chasing the first signs of spring through the woodlands of Staten Island. Meet in the High Rock Park lot atop Nevada Avenue.
For more information call Howie Fischer at (718) 981-4002.

Sunday, March 27, 2011, 11:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.
South Shore Beach Walk
Be ready to do a lot of walking on sand. We will meet at the Conference House Pavilion at the end of Hylan Blvd and walk the beach to Lemon Creek then back again. Along the way we will pass Mount Loretto and the fishing pier at Sharrott Avenue. Expect to find a variety of seashells and other evidence of marine and intertidal life as well as flotsam and jetsam of human activities.
For more information call Clay Wollney at (718) 869-6327.

Sunday, March 27, 2011, 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.
The Night Life of Pouch Camp
Walk the border of the Pouch Camp property at night to discover the creatures alive in the woodlands. With good luck and patience we will hear, and maybe see Screech Owl and Great Horned Owl. Though ambient light brightens the night sky flashlights are acceptable. Meet in the High Rock Park parking lot atop Nevada Ave.
For more information call Cliff Hagen at (718) 313-8591.


Queens County Bird Club
Sunday, March 27, 2011, 12pm
NY Botanical Gardens (Bronx)
Leaders: Rick and Linda Kedenburg kedenbird [AT] optonline.net 631-734-7144
See "Birding Site Maps" Page


Urban Park Rangers
Saturday, March 26, 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

Early Spring Migrants
10:00 a.m.
Here come the warblers! The very first of the migratory birds are coming through, and...
Location: Alley Pond Park Adventure Center (in Alley Pond Park), Queens
Cost: Free

Strack Pond: A Haven for Herpetology
11:00 a.m.
Strack Pond in Forest Park is one of the best places in New York to observe reptiles and...
Location: Forest Park Visitor Center (in Forest Park), Queens
Cost: Free

Spring Meanderings
11:00 a.m.
Dust off your hiking boots and welcome springtime on the trails!
Location: Van Cortlandt Nature Center (in Van Cortlandt Park), Bronx
Cost: Free

Nature Photography Club
2:00 p.m.
We'll look for secret and corners of the park to photograph, so bring your camera!
Location: High Rock Ranger Station (in High Rock Park), Staten Island
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

Sunday, March 27, 2011

Early Morning Birding
8:00 a.m.
Join the Urban Park Rangers for early morning birding at Central Park.
Location: Belvedere Castle (in Central Park), Manhattan
Cost: Free

Return of the Plover
1:00 p.m.
Now that winter is over, it's time for the return of the piping plover. Learn about...
Location: Beach 38th Street and Boardwalk (in Rockaway Beach), Queens
Cost: Free

Spring Has Sprung
1:00 p.m.
Spend the morning hiking along Fort Totten Parks's shorelines and wooded areas. Enjoy...
Location: Fort Totten Visitor's Center (in Fort Totten Park), Queens
Cost: Free

Search for the Timberdoodle
6:30 p.m.
As the sun settles in for the night, the American Woodcock (nicknamed the...
Location: Pelham Bay Ranger Station (in Pelham Bay Park), Bronx
Cost: Free