Upcoming Nature Trips

Below is a list of upcoming nature trips within NYC's five boroughs for the weekend of September 24th - September 25th, 2011:

Audubon Center in Prospect Park (Brooklyn)
Saturday, September 24, 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.

Sunday, September 25, 2011, 2 - 3:30 p.m.
NYC Trees and Climate Change
Free Learn how our communities are connected through the environment.

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

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Gowanus Dredgers Canoe Club
Saturday, September 24, 2011, 1pm – 5pm
Canoe on Gowanus Canal
Bring a friend for a self-guided Canoe trip sponsored by the Gowanus Dredgers to raise awareness of Harbor Issues www.gowanuscanal.org
Unless otherwise noted, Gowanus canoeing events depart from 2nd St. near Bond St.
Directions to 2nd St. Canal Launch Site: Take the F Line or G Line to Carroll Street - exit to front of Bklyn-bound train and walk three blocks down 2nd Street to the Canal (away from Smith St). For a calender of walk-up canoeing events at each location Click Here

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New York Botanical Garden (Bronx)
Saturday, September 24, 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

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Brooklyn Bird Club
Sunday, September 25, 2011
Fort Tilden Park, Queens
Trip Leader: Rob Jett a.k.a. "The City Birder"
Focus: peak autumn passerines, sparrows
Car Fee: $12.00
Registrar: James Cooke, email james [AT] jamescooke.net or before 9PM 516-739-0647
Registration period: Sept 13th- Sept 22nd

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Linnaean Society of New York
Sunday, September 25, 2011
Riverside Park Bird Drip Sit
Leader: Geoffrey Nulle
No registration. Meet at Drip inside park, just south of 120th St. tennis courts. Arrive anytime, leave anytime. Some chairs provided.

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Littoral Society of New York
September 25, 2011. (4-7pm)
Jamaica Bay Sunset Cruise
The boat is the "Golden Sunshine" out of Sheepshead Bay from 4-7pm. The cost $45/person includes 3-hour narrated tour, wine & cheese, fruit,drink, snacks. Dress warmly as it is cooler on the water and bring binoculars. Learn about the history, ecology, wildlife of the bay and see migrating hawks, falcons, egrets, waterfoul and shorebirds. To reserve, send check to Don Riepe, 28 West 9th Road, Broad Channel, NY 11693. (Make check out to American Littoral Society).
For more info call (718) 318-9344; e-mail: donriepe [AT] gmail.com. ... With NYC Audubon and Gateway NRA

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New York City Audubon Society
Saturday, September 24, 7:30am – 10:30am
StarrTrips in Central Park
Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, and Saturday mornings in Central Park, Saturday, August 20 – Saturday, October 29 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, September 24, 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, September 25, 2011, 8am – 3pm
Explore the Birding Gems of Staten Island
Guide: Cliff Hagen Come visit some of the beautiful, bird-rich spots on Staten Island--which can be hard for car-less New Yorkers to get to. We'll start looking for migrating warblers, flycatchers and more along the lovely wooded and streamside trail of Clove Lakes Park... then move on to the pristine marsh habitat of Great Kills Park, looking for shorebirds and wading birds. Depending on time, we may make a third stop at North Mount Loretto State Forest. Bring lunch, water, and binoculars. Transport by passenger van included.
$75 Click here to register!

Sunday, September 25, 2011, 9:30am – 11:30am
Fall Birding at the Hudson River Museum
Guide: Joe Giunta, Happy Warblers LLC With Wave Hill Meet at the Hudson River Museum. This weekend, Wave Hill’s fall birding series migrates “upstate” to the Hudson River Museum in Yonkers. Join us on this family-friendly walk to observe hawks, falcons and other raptors on their southerly route along the Atlantic flyway. Perfect for budding naturalists and birders ages 8 and up. Reservations recommended, online at www.wavehill.org, by calling 718-549-3200 x245 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, NYC Audubon, and Hudson River Museum members/$18 non-members

Sunday, September 25, 2011, 4pm – 7pm
Jamaica Bay Sunset Cruise
Guides: Don Riepe, Mickey Cohen With American Littoral Society Meet at Pier 2 in Sheepshead Bay, Brooklyn. Enjoy a 3-hour cruise aboard the 100-foot boat "Golden Sunshine." Visit backwater marshes near JFK Airport and learn about the history and wildlife of the bay. See nesting peregrine falcons, osprey, egrets, shorebirds, and more. Includes refreshments. To register, contact Don Riepe at (718) 318-9344 or donriepe [AT] gmail.com. Limited to 140. $45

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Protectors of Pine Oak Woods (Staten Island)
Saturday, September 24, 8:00 a.m. to 10:00 a.m.
Great Kills Park/Crooke’s Point
After meeting in the main lot we will drive to the nature center and walk out to Crooke's Point all the while looking for migrant birds. Anything goes this time of year, warblers and sparrows, hawks, shorebirds and waterfowl are moving in good numbers. Meet in the parking lot at the intersection of Hylan Blvd and Buffalo St. at the entrance to the park.
For more information contact Howie Fischer at (718) 981-4002.

Saturday, September 24, 12:00 p.m. to 2:00 p.m.
Old Mill Road
We'll follow the multi-use trail overlooking Fresh Kills, pass the famous Hessian Spring as it crosses the path and view Fresh Kills estuary and work our way to the remains of Ketchum’s Mill. Along the way we’ll observe traces of the past, examine the present woodland ecosystems and search for evidence of present inhabitants especially deer and other mammals. Parking is available at the start of Old Mill Road alongside the church.
For more information phone Clay Wollney at (718) 869-6327.

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Urban Park Rangers
Saturday, September 24, 2011

Fitness Hike (vigorous)
9:00 a.m.
Hiking is the ultimate way to enjoy the outdoors and reduce stress. Regardless of the...
Location: Forest Park Visitor Center (in Forest Park), Queens
Cost: Free

Saltwater Fishing
11:00 a.m.
Mastering any new skill requires practice and patience. Fishing programs help develop these...
Location: Pier I (in Riverside Park South), Manhattan
Cost: Free

Nature Exploration (light)
11:00 a.m.
Hiking is the ultimate way to enjoy the outdoors and reduce stress. Regardless of the...
Location: Audubon Center at the Boathouse (in Prospect Park), Brooklyn
Cost: Free

Basic Canoeing
12:00 p.m.
Few truly unique experiences compare with being on the open water in New York City. The...
Location: Crotona Nature Center (in Crotona Park), Bronx
Cost: Free

Sunday, September 25, 2011

Saltwater Fishing
10:00 a.m.; 12:00 p.m.
Mastering any new skill requires practice and patience. Fishing programs help develop these...
Location: Ocean Breeze Pier, Seaview Avenue and Father Capodanno Boulevard (in Franklin D. Roosevelt Boardwalk and Beach), Staten Island
Cost: Free

Nature Exploration (light)
2:00 p.m.
Hiking is the ultimate way to enjoy the outdoors and reduce stress. Regardless of the...
Location: Pelham Bay Ranger Station (in Pelham Bay Park), Bronx
Cost: Free