Upcoming Nature Trips

Below is a list of upcoming nature trips within NYC's five boroughs for the weekend of May 14th - May 15th, 2011:

Audubon Center in Prospect Park (Brooklyn)
Saturday, May 14, 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, May 15, 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, May 14, 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 May 14th, 2011
"The Birdathon", International Migratory Bird Day
A global event celebrating the beauty of birds and habitats. This event encourages fundraising for conservation causes. For this year, a cause will be discussed and adopted by the Birdathon members, posted on the Prospect Sightings blog.
Prospect Park Birdathon leader Paul Keim 718-875-1151
If you are interested in forming a team with members or friends with encouragement for pledges and fundraising, or need more information, please contact the BBC Birdathon coordinator Peter Dorosh at Prosbird [AT] aol.com.


Sunday, May 15, 2011
"A Common Border treble trio": Evergreen Cemetery, Highland Park, Ridgewood Reservoir
Trip Leader: Peter Dorosh
Focus: Migration peak of Spring passerines
Car pool fee: $ 10.00
Registrar: Peter Dorosh, Email Prosbird [AT] aol.com or TEXT Message 347-622-3559
Registration period: May 3rd - May 12th


New York City Audubon Society
Saturday, May 14, 2011, 7:30am – 10:30am
StarrTrips in Central Park
Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, and Saturday mornings in Central Park, Saturday, April 2 – Wednesday, June 1 Join Starr Saphir for bird watching in Central Park. On Mondays and Wednesdays, meet at 7:30am sharp at 81st and Central Park West (SE corner). On Tuesdays, meet at 9am sharp at 103rd and Central Park West (parkside). On Saturdays, meet at 7:30am sharp at 103rd and Central Park West (parkside). All Starr Trips are non-smoking. No registration necessary. For more information, call Starr at 917-306-3808. $8 ($4 for full time students)

Saturday, May 14, 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, May 14, 2011, 1pm – 3pm
Explore The Bronx River By Rowboat
Guide: Chrissy Word With Rocking the Boat Launch from Hunts Point Riverside Park and explore the Bronx River aboard a hand-built wooden boat, led by experienced rowers. The Bronx River is the city’s only true river and hosts an abundance of wildlife, including herons and egrets, osprey, and belted kingfishers. Visit restoration sites and learn about the Bronx River eco-system, as well as its social and cultural history. Rowing optional! Limited to 20. $35 for adults, $25 for ages 18 and under. Click here to register!

Sunday, May 15, 2011, 9am – 12pm
Explore Roosevelt Island
Guide: Gabriel Willow Meet at the Roosevelt Island Tramway Station, Manhattan side, located at 59th Street and 2nd Avenue. Discover one of the lesser-known islands of the archipelago that is New York City. Once known as Blackwell’s Island for the family that farmed it, and later known as Welfare Island for the many city hospitals and institutions found there. We will visit architectural remnants of these eras and search for birds from this prime location in the center of the East River. We may see gulls, cormorants, and herons that nest on smaller islands nearby. Limited to 20. $20 Click here to register!


North Shore Audubon Society
Saturday, May 14, 2011
BIG DAY: Alley Pond Park
Start time: 6:30 a.m.
After lunch, continues at Jamaica Bay Wildlife Refuge
Leader: Barbara Garriel joint with Ian Resnick (QCBC)
Phone: 516-628-9022


Protectors of Pine Oak Woods (Staten Island)
Saturday, May 14, 9:45 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.
37th Annual Spring Ten Mile Walk of the SI Greenbelt (Pouch Camp)
Enjoy walking at a comfortable pace to see wonderful vistas, beautiful, spring woodlands and hear the latest about the imperiled Pouch Camp property. The walk will border the property and discussion will focus on what PPOW members and the public can do to support the preservation and conservation of the 140 acres of colorful woodlands. Meet at the beginning of the blue line trail at the end of Staten Island Boulevard (at the end of the road right above Petrides School which intersects Ocean Terrace). Bring lunch, a beverage and sturdy walking shoes.
For more information call Dominick Durso at (718) 967-0379 or Chuck Perry at (718) 667-1393.


Queens County Bird Club
Saturday, May 14, 2011, 12am – Sun, May 15, 12am
Big Day
Every year at about the peak of spring migration, birders across the nation participate in a “Big Day”. Queens county birders are invited to join with the Queens County Bird Club Inc. this May 14th as we cover various locations in arguably the best New York City borough to go birding in! The Queens County Bird Club Inc. has been performing a Big Day going back many many years. The information gathered is important “Citizen Science”: You'll join with other conservation minded people in collecting records needed to monitor and protect birds. The goal of a “big day” is to record as many species as possible within a 24 hr period. In practical terms the event takes place roughly from dawn to dusk - give or take, and differs from a winter CBC because we don’t tally numbers of individuals, just species. Another difference is we are not constrained by count circle boundaries, but by the boundaries of the county. Join us! Contact our Big Day coordinator and pledge your participation. We have a lot of areas to cover, and areas that need extra volunteers. Leader Ian Resnick 917-626-9562 avian [AT] nyc.rr.com


Staten Island Museum
Sunday, May 15, 2011, 1:00pm
Wildflower Walk at Mount Loretto
Join local naturalist Ray Matarazzo and investigate the wildflowers and plants of Staten Island largest coastal meadow. This walk is part of NYC Wildflower Week programming. Meet in the DEC parking lot off of Hylan Blvd. For more information call Ed Johnson at (718) 483-7110.

Sunday, May 15, 2011, 8:00pm-10:00pm
Horseshoe Crab Monitoring
Lend a hand with ecological research! Help count and tag Horse Shoe Crabs as part of a multi-state effort to monitor wildlife populations. Come for one night, or all three. Volunteers will measure shells & record data. In conjunction with NYC Audubon and Cornell University. For more information and locations contact Seth Wollney at swollney [AT] statenislandmuseum.org or call (718) 483-7105.


Urban Park Rangers
Saturday, May 14, 2011
Early Birding Walk at Van Cortlandt Park
8:00 a.m.
Spring is back and so are our fine-feathered friends!  Let's search for birds on a...
Location: Van Cortlandt Nature Center (in Van Cortlandt Park), Bronx
Cost: Free

Brooklyn/Queens Day Out
8:00 a.m.
Come on an all-day birding tour. Bring binoculars and a bag lunch. Transportation will be...
Location: Salt Marsh Nature Center (in Marine Park), Brooklyn
Cost: Free

On a Wing: Family Festival
12:00 p.m.; 3:00 p.m.
This ongoing series ends with a fun outdoor festival. Make a bird journal, view insect...
Location: Belvedere Castle (in Central Park), Manhattan
Cost: Free

Vigorous Hike: The McWalk
1:00 p.m.
Walk from McCarren Park to McGolrick Park and discover the past, present, and future of...
Location: Bedford Avenue and North 12 Street (in McCarren Park), Brooklyn
Cost: Free

Sunday, May 15, 2011

Wandering Warblers
10:00 a.m.
They're little, they're fast, they're beautiful, and they're back – the warblers!
Location: Crotona Nature Center (in Crotona Park), Bronx
Cost: Free

Strack Pond: A Haven for Herpetology
10:00 a.m.
Strack Pond in Forest Park is one of the best places in NYC to observe reptiles and...
Location: Forest Park Visitor Center (in Forest Park), Queens
Cost: Free

Canoeing Basics
11:00 a.m.; 2:00 p.m.
Explore the tranquility of Wolfe's Pond while getting to know inhabitants like egrets,...
Location: Wolfe's Pond Park Comfort Station (in Wolfes Pond Park), Staten Island
Cost: Free

Heather Garden Walk
12:00 p.m.
Stroll through the Heather Garden to see what's in bloom and enjoy the beautiful views of...
Location: Margaret Corbin Circle (in Fort Tryon Park), Manhattan
Cost: Free

Discover Tour: Spring Migration Hike
3:00 p.m.
Bring your binoculars and field guides as we walk to the top of Lookout Hill in search of...
Location: Audubon Center at the Boathouse (in Prospect Park), Brooklyn
Cost: Free