Upcoming Nature Trips

Below is a list of upcoming nature trips within NYC's five boroughs for the weekend of October 29th - October 30th, 2011:

Audubon Center in Prospect Park (Brooklyn)
Saturday, October 29, 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, October 30, 2011, 8 a.m.
Discover Tour
Every 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, October 29, 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, October 29, 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
Saturday, October 29th, 2011
Fall along the Rockaway Inlet
Trip Leader: Peter Dorosh
Focus: Raptors, seabird flights along the shore, early winter passerines and late stragglers in various locales
Car pool fee: $12.00
Registrar: Peter Dorosh, Email Prosbird [AT] aol.com or TEXT Message 347-622-3559
Registration period: Oct 18th-Oct 27th

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New York City Audubon Society
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, October 29, 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, October 29, 2011, 9am – 1pm
Sparrow ID Workshop (Field Trip)
Instructor: Gabriel Willow Sparrows are one of the most challenging groups of birds to identify, yet beautiful and fascinating once they can be distinguished. Learn to identify those LBJs (little brown jobs) by learning behavior, field marks, and songs. Seven sparrow species were seen on last year's field trip, including field, swamp, savannah, white-crowned, and Lincoln's. Limited to 13. $45 for package of class and trip. ***Note: Registration is currently open to NYC Audubon contributing members only, and will open to non-members on August 19, 2011. (If you are interested in becoming a contributing member and supporting NYC Audubon's bird conservation work, please contact Membership Coordinator Emily Loffredo at (212) 691-7483.)
Click here to register

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Protectors of Pine Oak Woods (Staten Island)
Saturday, October 29, 2011, 9:45 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.
Protectors’ 10 Mile Greenbelt Walk
Colors should be at peak with some contrasting greens. Wear comfortable boots and long pants. Ten moderate miles in all weather. Park and meet at the end of Staten Island Boulevard, a block off Ocean Terrace, just above the Petrides Campus. Bring lunch and adequate beverage.
For more information call Dominick Durso at 917-478-7607, or Don Recklies at 718-768-9036.

Sunday, October 30, 2011, 10 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.
Crooke’s Point
Learn about the problem first hand with a site tour and discussion with Cliff Hagen. See for yourself the rich biodiversity of Crooke’s Point and the importance the site plays in the migration of birds, butterflies and dragonflies. Participants are then encouraged to attend the November 2 Forum and hear from the experts and ask questions. Park in the lot closest to the bathhouse nearest Crooke’s Point in Great Kills Park.
For more information call Cliff Hagen at 718-313-8591.

Sunday, October 30, 2011, 9 a.m. to 11 a.m.
Mount Loretto Unique Area
Sparrows abound this time of year in the fields of Mount Loretto. Likewise, the ponds and shoreline are busy with the escapades of migrating waterfowl. And, overhead, the hawk migration is in full swing. Join Howie Fischer to enjoy this birding bonanza. Meet in the parking lot across Hylan Boulevard from the CYO Center.
For more information call Howie Fischer at 718-981-4002.

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Urban Park Rangers
Sunday, October 30, 2011
Nature Exploration: Halloween Hike
11:00 a.m.
Hiking is the ultimate way to enjoy the outdoors and reduce stress. Regardless of the...
Location: Blue Heron Nature Center, Staten Island
Cost: Free

Insect Exploration
1:00 p.m.
Learn the myths and facts about creepy crawly creatures...
Location: Fort Greene Park Visitor Center (in Fort Greene Park), Brooklyn
Cost: Free