Upcoming Nature Trips

Below is a list of upcoming nature trips by local birding/conservation groups for the weekend of August 10, 2013 - August 11, 2013:

Bedford Audubon Society
Sunday, August 11, 2013, 10 am-3 pm
Explore Jamaica Bay National Wildlife Refuge
Did you miss our first trek to Jamaica Bay? Never fear, Naturalist-in-Residence Tait Johansson has a repeat performance planned! Join us for high tide in the bay, which sends shorebirds in impressive numbers to the refuge’s impoundments.
Bring binoculars, lunch, sunscreen, plenty of cold drinks, and boots you don’t mind getting muddy
Depart from Bylane 8:45am or Meet at Visitors Center at 10am
Cost: Free. Level of difficulty: Easy to moderate
Register with Ms. Jeanne Pollock at jpollock@bedfordaudubon.org or 914.519.7801

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Brooklyn Bird Club
Saturday, August 10, 2013
Jamaica Bay Wildlife Refuge, Queens
Trip Leader: Bob Washburn
Focus: Shorebirds, early warblers, waders, waterfowl
Car Fee: $12.00
Registrar: Bob Washburn, email nyc_bob@earthlink.net
Registration period: July 30th -August 7th
Note: High Tide 11:29 am

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Gowanus Dredgers
Saturday, August 10, 2013, 1pm – 5pm
Canoe Gowanus Canal (Pamela S)
Bring a friend for a self-guided Canoe trip sponsored by the Gowanus Dredgers to raise awareness of Harbor Issues www.gowanuscana​l.org

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New York Botanical Garden (Bronx)
Saturday, August 10, 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, August 10, 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

Shorebird Identification Workshop (trip - Jamaica Bay)
Saturday, August 10, 2013, 10am – 1pm
Identifying shorebirds or "peeps" can be tricky, even for the experts. Come study some of the most puzzling species that stop through our area during migration with expert Joe Giunta, and then enjoy a class field trip to Jamaica Bay to practice your newfound skills.
Limited to 12. $45
For directions click here
Click here to register!

Sunday, August 11, 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.
To learn about specific cruise dates and buy tickets, visit www.nywatertaxi.com/tours/audubon or call 212-742-1969.

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Protectors of Pine Oak Woods (Staten Island)
Saturday, August 10, 2013, noon to 2:00 p.m.
Buck’s Hollow
From the meeting point at the entrance road to Eger Nursing Home participants will hike to Buck’s Hollow making time for observations at Buttonbush Swamp along the way. Participants will then explore the surrounding wilds of the Greenbelt for signs of high summer.
For more details call Clay Wollney at 718-869-6327.

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Queens County Bird Club
Sunday, August 11, 2013
Minitrip - Jamaica Bay Wildlife Refuge
Leader: Seth Ausubel - (917) 842-4002
Description: Seth will guide us around the East and West Ponds looking for returning shorebirds.

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Urban Park Rangers
Saturday, August 10, 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!

Birding at Prospect Park Picnic House, Brooklyn
10:00 a.m.
Birding programs are appropriate for all skill levels and beginners are welcome. To enhance your experience we encourage you to bring binoculars and field guides, or ask a…
Free!

Sunday, August 11, 2013
Birding Walk at Wave Hill at Perkins Visitors Center (in Wave Hill), Bronx
9:30 a.m.
Naturalist Gabriel Willow contributes his extensive knowledge of diverse bird species and their ecology and behavior on these captivating walks among the gardens and woodlands of…