Upcoming Nature Trips

Below is a list of upcoming nature trips by local birding/conservation groups for the weekend of May 10, 2014 to May 11, 2014:

Audubon Center in Prospect Park
Saturday, May 10, 2014
Introduction to Birdwatching
Saturdays, through June 28, 12 – 1 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 May 10, 2014
International Bird Migratory Day "The Birdathon"
A global event celebrating the beauty of birds and habitats. This event encourages fundraising for conservation causes. For this year, a cause/theme will be discussed and adopted by the Birdathon team members under the club's auspices, and posted on the BBC Facebook webpage and Prospect Sightings blog prior to the event (see http://www.brooklynbirdclub.org).
If you are interested in forming a team with members or friends, or need more information please contact the BBC Birdathon coordinator Bobbi Manian by email bobbi.manian@alumni.lafayette.edu

For those who want to bird but not be part of an official team, there will also be two walks that day. In Prospect Park, Introduction To Birdwatching meets at Noon by the Audubon Center and will walk until 2:00. Bring your own binoculars. In addition, Janet Schumacher will be leading a walk in Greenwood Cemetery. Meet at 8 am at the entrance at PPW and 20th street. You can solicit pledges from friends/families for how many birds you see on the walks, or you can make a donation and give it to the leader.
Event Profile: http://www.birdday.org Theme: "Why Birds Matter"

Sunday, May 11, 2014
Prospect Park "Big Sit" in Butterfly Meadow
Meet: No registration necessary. Meet 7:30 am at Lookout Hill's Butterfly Meadow, http://tinyurl.com/BigSitMay11PP
Leader: Dennis Hrehowsik
Note: In case of inclement weather, call or text leader at 1-347-981-5361

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City Island Bird Walks
Saturday, May 10, 2014, 8:00 AM SHARP!
Spring Migration Walk
(Not Sunday, it’s Mother’s Day!)
Meet at Rodman’s Neck Parking Lot
All Walks are Free!

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Gowanus Dredgers
Saturday, May 10, 2014, 12pm – 2pm
Leader: Katie
We offer FREE self-guided canoeing and we promote the walking and bicycle tours that may be listed below. Canoe Gowanus Canal for Free events are our estuary stuardship days where you can stop by anytime during the event. Dates with names indicate members who are open to have people join the trip - arrive 5-10 min. before departure. Busy indicates time when canoes are in use but trip is "sold out".

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Linnaean Society of New York
Sunday May 11, 2014 (new date)
Brigantine
Leader: Rick Wright
Registrar: Kathleen Howley – kathleenhowley@gmail.com or 212-877-3170
Registration opens: Monday April 21
Ride: $40

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Littoral Society
Saturday, May 10, 2014, 2-5 PM
'Ship to Shore', a Sea to Table Tasting Cruise
Skyport Marina, Cabana Boat, East 23rd Street & FDR Drive, New York, NY.
$55.00: Early Oyster Tickets (until midnight, Saturday, May 3, 2014)
$65.00: Scallop Tickets (until midnight, Thursday, May 8, 2014)
$75.00 Full Price Tickets (until day of event).
Click here to purchase tickets.

Step aboard and sample oysters, clams, scallops, nuts, berries, beer and wine sourced from within 150 miles of New York City, and inspired by what Manhattan’s earliest residents might have been eating in 1609, when Henry Hudson sailed into New York Harbor. Discover the world between the city and the sea as experts discuss the secret lives of the fish, birds, plants of New York’s waterways. Learn about the once and future islands of New York City, once the home of hundreds of thousand of acres of oyster beds and marsh islands, and understand how sustainable seafood systems are fundamentally connected with local flora and fauna.

Event proceeds will help the American Littoral Society restore shorelines and marsh islands across New York and New Jersey.

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New York Botanical Garden (Bronx)
Saturday, May 10, 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, May 10, 2014, 8:00am – 9:30am
Van Cortlandt Park Nature Center
Guide: NYC Audubon, Van Cortlandt Park Conservancy With the Van Cortlandt Park Conservancy 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 residents and migrants and discuss a wide range of avian topics.
For more information, please call 718-548-0912.
No registration necessary. No limit. Free.

Sunday, May 11, 2014, 9am – 5pm
Sterling Forest Warblers
Guides: Don Riepe, Tod Winston Explore the woodland and pond habitat of the 20,000-acre Sterling Forest preserve during peak spring migration. Look for nesting warblers (including golden-winged, cerulean, hooded, prairie, and blue-winged) as well as spring wildflowers, reptiles, and amphibians. Visit the rustic visitor center. Trip involves 4-mile hike and some rocky terrain.
Bring lunch. Transport by passenger van. Limited to 11. $108 (75) Click here to register

Sunday, May 11, 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, May 11, 2014, 10am – 11am
Birding for Families
Sundays, March 2 - May 25, 10-11am Guides: NYC Audubon Offered by the Central Park Conservancy Meet at the Dana Discovery Center (inside the Park at 110th Street between Lenox and Fifth Avenues). Bring the kids and visit one of New York City’s richest bird habitats. Learn as a family how to spot and identify our feathered neighbors in their natural surroundings. Binoculars can be borrowed from the Visitor Center. For weather cancellation information, call 212-860-1370. Limited to 20. Age 5 and up.
Free. Click here to learn more and to register

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New York Wildflower Week
Saturday, May 10, 2014
Nature Walks, BK:
Sunrise Listening Tour

Children's Events, SI:
Spread the Love: Wildflower Seed Balls

Plantings / Actions, BX:
Butterfly Project Native Plant Share and Workshop

Garden Tours, BX:
Azaleas of NYBG

Garden Tours, BX:
NYBG Native Plant Garden Tour

Sunday, May 11, 2014
Plantings / Actions, MN:
Tree and Lawn Care in Sherman Creek

Garden Tours, BX:
Azaleas of NYBG

Garden Tours, BX:
NYBG Native Plant Garden Tour

Garden Tours, MN:
Wildflower Walk in Sherman Creek

Garden Tours, QU:
Native Gardens of Queens Botanical GardenTour

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Protectors of Pine Oak Woods (Staten Island)
Saturday, May 10, 2014, 6:30 P.M. to 8:30 P.M.
Long Pond Park on a Spring Evening
During a one and a half mile hike through the woodlands of Long Pond Park we will observe evidence of the geologic history and human influence on the park as well as look for evidence of wildlife of the park. Reptiles and amphibians are out of hibernation and we are likely to meet some of the local species. Meet at PS 6, on Page Avenue and Academy Avenue about 3 blocks NW of Hylan Boulevard.
For more information phone Clay Wollney at 718-869-6327.

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Urban Park Rangers
Saturday, May 10, 2014
Bird Walk at Van Cortlandt Nature Center (in Van Cortlandt Park), Bronx
8:00 a.m.
NYC Audubon experts lead the way as we marvel at quirky but logical bird behavior and delicate feathers in exquisite patterns. Bring binoculars if you have them and wear sturdy…
Free!

Pop-Up Audubon: Wonderful Warblers at Binnen Bridge (in Prospect Park), Brooklyn
12:00 p.m.–5:00 p.m.
The Prospect Park Alliance presents Pop-Up Audubon, now in its second season, which invites families to directly engage with nature through outdoor learning in locations around the Park.
Free!

Introduction to Bird Watching at Audubon Center at the Boathouse (in Prospect Park), Brooklyn
12:00 p.m.–1:00 p.m.
Join the Alliance to learn about the 250 species of birds that call Prospect Park home.
Free!

Freshkills Park Hike at Schmul Park, Staten Island
1:00 p.m.–3:00 p.m.
Join the Freshkills Park Staff as we hike areas we are developing into brand new parkland on Staten Island.
Free!

Sunday, May 11, 2014
Birding: Ridgewood Reservoir at Vermont Place Parking Lot (in Highland Park), Queens
10:00 a.m.
Enjoy a morning of birding around the newly restored Ridgewood Reservoir.
Free!

Springtime Hike at Breezy Point at Fort Tilden, Queens
10:30 a.m.–12:30 p.m.
Highlights will include dune foliage, shore birds and a surprising assortment of rocks and minerals used in the construction of the Breezy Point Jetty.
Free!

Pop-Up Audubon: Wonderful Warblers at Binnen Bridge (in Prospect Park), Brooklyn
12:00 p.m.–5:00 p.m.
The Prospect Park Alliance presents Pop-Up Audubon, now in its second season, which invites families to directly engage with nature through outdoor learning in locations around the Park.
Free!