Upcoming Nature Trips

Below is a list of upcoming nature trips by local birding/conservation groups for the weekend of June 15, 2013 - June 16, 2013:

Audubon Center in Prospect Park
Saturday, June 15, 2013
Introduction to Birdwatching
Saturdays, April 6 – June 29, 12 p.m.
Free
Explore the Park's natural areas and learn how to look for amazing birds.

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Brooklyn Bird Club
Saturday, June 15, 2013
Exploring the natural beauty of Long Island's central north coast
Leader: Peter Dorosh
Focus: Breeding birds, water birds, butterflies, flora and other natural delights
Car fee: $22.00
Registrar: Peter Dorosh, Email Prosbird@aol.com or TEXT Message 347-622-3559
Registration period: June 4th- June 13th
Note: This trip had a two car limit; locations are Avalon Preserve and East Farm Sanctuary, David Weld Sanctuary and Short Beach (long walk) or West Meadow Wetlands

http://www.avalonparkandpreserve.org

http://tinyurl.com/DavidWeldBBC

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Gowanus Dredgers
Saturday, June 15, 2013, 1pm – 5pm
Canoe Gowanus Canal
Where: 164 2nd Street, Brooklyn, NY 11231
Bring a friend for a self-guided Canoe trip sponsored by the Gowanus Dredgers to raise awareness of Harbor Issues
http://www.gowanuscana​l.org

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New York Botanical Garden (Bronx)
Saturday, June 15, 2013
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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New York City Audubon Society
Saturday, June 15, 9am – Sun, June 16, 6pm
Bashakill, Neversink, and Sterling Forest
Guide: Joe Giunta, Happy Warblers LLC Look for breeding American bitterns, cerulean, hooded, and golden-winged warblers, and more at these three great birding areas. An overnight stay will facilitate being in the right spot at the right time. Bring lunch for the first day, binoculars, and a spotting scope (if you have one).
Transport by passenger van included. Limited to 10. $275
Click here to register

Saturday, June 15, 2013, 8am – 9:30pm
Van Cortlandt Bird Walks
Guide: Andrew Baksh or Urban Park Rangers (first Saturday of the month) With the Van Cortlandt Park Conservancy and NYC Department of Parks and Recreation
Meet at Van Cortlandt Nature Center, Influential birders such as Roger Tory Peterson and Allan D. Cruickshank learned their craft on Van Cortlandt Park's ecologically diverse grounds, and these walks celebrate the tradition set by them. Participants will look for resident and migrant species and discuss a wide range of avian topics.
For more information, please call 718-548-0912. No registration necessary. No limit. Free

Saturday, June 15, 2013, 10am – 1pm
The Parakeets of Green-Wood Cemetery
Guide: Gabriel Willow With Green-Wood Cemetery Meet at the cemetery entrance at 5th Ave and 25th St., Park Slope, Brooklyn. While it might seem an odd place to go birding, Green-Wood Cemetery is rich in both history and wildlife. It is also the highest point in Brooklyn, affording marvelous views. We will explore its environs in search of spring migrants and its most unique avian residents: the huge flocks of brilliant green monk parakeets that nest there. Native to South America, these charming immigrants are surprisingly hardy and flourish even in our harsh winters.
Limited to 15. $30.
Click here to register.

Sunday, June 16, 2013
Sunset EcoCruise to the Harbor Heron Islands
Sundays, June 2 through August 11 South Street Seaport, Pier 17 7–8:30pm (Brother Islands; Hoffman and Swinburne Islands) 6-9pm (Jamaica Bay) Guide: Gabriel Willow With New York Water Taxi Meet at South Street Seaport's Pier 17. This summer we will once again be exploring the City's island rookeries with three different itineraries! Depending on which weekend you choose, cruises may visit the fascinating Brother Islands, the large egret and cormorant colonies on Hoffman and Swinburne Islands, or the great expanses of Jamaica Bay. Whichever your destination, you'll experience the wonders of New York's famous harbor at sunset and see some of the three thousand herons, egrets, and ibis nesting on these urban island treasures. Specific cruise dates and registration will be available soon. Limited to 90.
Pricing varies by destination.


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Protectors of Pine Oak Woods (Staten Island)
Saturday, June 15, 2013, 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.
Forest Restoration Workshop along the Red Trail in LaTourette
Meet at the back of the LaTourette Golf Course parking lot on Richmond Hill Road (close to the Edinboro Road entrance). We will walk the Red trail removing invasive vines that strangle or pull down shrubs and saplings. If you don’t have your own, Protectors will supply pruners, gloves and refreshments. After a two-hour work session (our 203rd 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.

Saturday, June 15, 2013, 11:00 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
Graniteville Quarry Walk
Dr. Alan Benimoff will lead a 1.5-hour walk highlighting the igneous rocks found here that formed 200 million years ago as the supercontinent Pangaea split apart. You will see a very rare example of a xenoilth that partially melted to form a trondhjemite. Dr. Benimoff will also show evidence that a glacier flowed over this area around 22,000 years ago. Meet in front of the park sign on the south side of Forest Avenue between Van Name Avenue and Simonson Avenue.
There is also a scheduled clean-up of the park that starts at 10 a.m. Call Dr. Benimoff at 718-477-1974.

Sunday, June 16, 2013, 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
High Rock Walk
Join naturalist Seth Wollney as he explores the beauty of High Rock Park. Participants will be searching for late migrants, nesting birds, turtles and other wildlife as we make our way toward Pouch Camp. After climbing a moderate slope, participants will view Pouch Camp from within High Rock and discuss Protectors’ role on the Committee to Save Pouch Camp and our effort to preserve the woodlands and scouting programs that take place on the property. Meet in the parking lot atop Nevada Avenue just inside High Rock Park.
Call Seth Wollney at 718-619-5905.

Sunday, June 16, 2013, noon to 2:00 p.m.
Reed’s Basket Willow Swamp
Discover this hidden natural park in Dongan Hills. Participants will visit the three bodies of water in the park and hike through the woodland slopes. Although none of the willows grown by the Reed family still exist, the woodlands and stream are still home to a wide variety of flora and fauna. Meet at the park entrance atop of Spring Street in Dongan Hills.
For more information call Clay Wollney at 718-869-6327.

Sunday, June 16, 2013, 2:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Afternoon Hike at Great Kills Park
Join naturalist Mike Shanley and explore Great Kills Park in summer. We will be exploring the shoreline and searching for birds, butterflies and other wildlife as we make our way out to Crooke’s Point. We will be meeting at the first beach parking lot across the street from the ranger station.
For more information call Mike Shanley at 917-753-7155.

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Queens County Bird Club
Saturday, June 15, 2013
Sterling Forest
All day Trip
Leader: John Collins (908-581-4976)
Meet at Visitor's center at 8am -NOT- the usual meeting location
Bring lunch A great place with many breeding birds, dragonflies galore, and rare flora. Last spring, Mississippi Kites nested right at the visitor's center.

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Staten Island Museum
Saturday, June 15, 2013, 10:00am - 12:00pm
Cicada Mania Continues: Buck’s Hollow
Location: Buck's Hollow
Free
Walk through Buck’s Hollow, where in 1979 and 1996 all three periodical cicada species were found.

Sunday, June 16, 2013, 12:00pm - 2:00pm
Magicicada Citizen Science Workshop (CICADA COUNT)
Location: Clove Lakes Park
Free
Calling all citizen scientists to count periodical cicadas during this year’s Brood II emergence.

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Urban Park Rangers
Saturday, June 15, 2013
Bird Walks at Van Cortlandt Nature Center (in Van Cortlandt Park), Bronx
8:00 a.m.–9:30 a.m.
Bird Walks focus on wildlife happenings in the park and are led by NYC Audubon experts or the Urban Park Rangers.
Free!

Bird Walks at The New York Botanical Garden at Watson Building, Room 302 (in Bronx Park), Bronx
11:00 a.m.
The diverse habitats of the Botanical Garden offer visitors a chance to see dozens of species of birds throughout the year. Bring your binoculars and walk the Garden grounds with an expert.

Summer Blooms, Bugs and Birds at Jamaica Bay Wildlife Refuge Visitor Center (in Jamaica Bay Park), Queens
2:00 p.m.–3:00 p.m.
Enjoy a walk around the refuge as we seek out some of the sights and sounds of summer.
Free!