Upcoming Nature Trips

Below is a list of upcoming nature trips by local birding/conservation groups for the weekend of January 18, 2014 to January 19, 2014:

Brooklyn Bird Club
Saturday, January 18, 2014
Wallkill NWR, near Hamburg, New Jersey
Leader: Rob Bate
Focus: Raptors, late afternoon observation period for diurnal, crepuscular grassland species
Car fee: $35.00
Registrar: Monica Berger, email (preferred) monicabergerbklyn@gmail.com or call home phone 718 857-2714 before 9PM
Registration period: Jan. 7th - Jan. 16th
Note: this trips starts 9:30AM, returns late evening
http://www.fws.gov/refuge/Wallkill_River/

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Linnaean Society of New York
Saturday January 18, 2014
Shawangunk Grasslands for Eagles, Hawks and Owls
Leader: Diana Teta
Registrar: Dale Dancis – ddancis@gmail.com or 212-724-3269
Registration opens: Monday January 6
Ride: $40
Note: Lasts into the evening

Sunday January 19, 2014
Croton Point Park
Leader: Paul Keim
Registrar: Anne Lazarus – amlazarus@earthlink.net or 212-673-9059
Registration opens: Monday January 6
Public transportation

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New York Botanical Garden (Bronx)
Saturday, January 18, 2014
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, January 18, 2014, 10:30am – 4:00pm
Snow Birds of Floyd Bennett Field and Fort Tilden, Queens
Guide: Gabriel Willow Winter brings many rare birds to the City that can’t be found here at any other time! Perhaps most exciting are the “snow birds” of the Arctic tundra that can occasionally be found in tundra-like habitats further south, such as snow buntings and snowy owls. Look for these and other winter visitors such as horned larks, tree sparrows, and rough-legged hawks, as well as wintering ducks, grebes, and loons. Transport by passenger van included. Limited to 12. $75
**Note: the destination of this trip may vary depending on the unpredictable whereabouts of winter visitors; we will generally go where the birds are! Click here to register!

Sunday, January 19, 2014, 9:30am – 11:30am
Birding at Wave Hill
Guide: Gabriel Willow With Wave Hill Meet at the Perkins Visitor Center. Naturalist Gabriel Willow contributes his extensive knowledge of bird species and their behaviors on these captivating walks. Wave Hill’s garden setting overlooking the Hudson River flyway provides the perfect habitat for resident and migrating birds. Ages 10 and up welcome with an adult.
Reservations recommended; register online at www.wavehill.org, by calling 718-549-3200 x305, or at the Perkins Visitor Center.
Severe weather cancels; for updates call 718-549-3200 x245 by 8am the day of the walk.
NYC Audubon members enjoy two-for-one admission.

Sunday, January 19, 2014, 12pm – 2pm
Winter Seals and Waterbirds of NY Harbor
Sundays, January 12–March 9, 12-2pm Guide: Gabriel Willow With New York Water Taxi
NOTE: Tours are now scheduled to run from 12-2pm instead of 2-4pm. New York Water Taxi will update their website soon to reflect the change Meet at South Street Seaport’s Pier 16 and come aboard NY Water Taxi’s eco-friendly vessel for a winter adventure in New York Harbor. Look for harbor seals on the rocky shores of Governor’s Island and the more remote Hoffman and Swinburne Islands. Learn about the surprisingly diverse winter birds of New York City, including ducks, geese, loons, and sandpipers, many of which migrate south from the Arctic. See the Statue of Liberty and pass under the Verrazano Bridge.
Limited to 90. To register, contact New York Water Taxi at 212-742-1969 or www.nywatertaxi.com. $35 for adults; $25 for children under 12 (no member discount)

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Protectors of Pine Oak Woods
Saturday, January 18, 2014, 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.
Forest Restoration Workshop on the Blue and Red Trails
Meet in the Greenbelt Nature Center parking lot at Rockland Avenue and Brielle (additional parking at the Recreation Center nearby). We will remove invasive shrubs and vines from along the Blue Trail close to the Department of Parks restoration project at Rockland Avenue. Protectors will supply tools, gloves and refreshments. After a two hour work session (our 209th 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, January 18, 2014, 1:00 P. M. to 3:00 P. M.
Mt. Loretto Unique Area
With its bluffs nestled 85 feet above sea level, Mt. Loretto is home to beautiful vistas of the shore facing the Raritan Bay. The shoreline is home to some of Staten Island’s most unique natural artwork. Nestled in the meadow’s hills are a variety of plants and wildlife. Mt. Loretto is a habitat for harbor seals, monarch butterflies, wild rabbits, muskrats, ospreys and on occasion, bald eagles. Meet at the parking lot at Cunningham Road and Hylan Boulevard. (http://goo.gl/maps/3c5Fh).
For more information call John Paul Learn at 718-619-5051 or email at john.paul.learn@gmail.com.

Sunday, January 19, 2014, Noon to 2:00 P. M.
Acme Pond
The woodlands and ponds of this little known area will be explored during an approximately two mile hike. Once heavily farmed, the Acme Pond area has developed into a nicely wooded forest over the past 150 years. Sweetgum, white oak and hickory are the dominant trees. The pond is reputed to be the home of large bass and provides a secluded location for many birds as well as frogs and turtles. Meet at the corner of Hylan Blvd, and Holten Avenue.
For more information phone Clay Wollney at 718-869-6327.

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Urban Park Rangers
Saturday, January 18, 2014
Nature Walk at The Ridgewood Reservoir at Highland Park Entrance
10:00 a.m.
Enjoy the beautiful plants and wildlife of this hidden area that has been reclaimed by nature over decades of being closed to the public.
Free!