Upcoming Nature Trips

Below is a list of upcoming nature trips by local birding/conservation groups for the weekend of May 17, 2014 to May 18, 2014:

Audubon Center in Prospect Park
Saturday, May 17, 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 17, 2014
Ridgewood Reservoir, Brooklyn/Queens Border
Leader: Peter Dorosh
Focus: peak of migratory birds
Car Fee: $10.00
Registrar: Peter Dorosh, email (preferred) prosbird@aol.com or text message to 1-347-622-3559
Registration Period: May 6th-May 15th

Sunday, May 18, 2014
Greenwood Cemetery NOTE NEW MEETING SPOT: 8 am at the east GWC entrance at 20th Street and Prospect Park West Ave (formerly 9th Ave) http://tinyurl.com/GWCBBCmay18
Leader: Ed Crowne
Focus: peak of migratory birds
Directions: Nearest train is F or G lines to 15th St/Prospect Park stop. Walk west 4 blocks on Prospect Park West. http://www.green-wood.com

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The Bronx Zoo
Saturday, May 17, 2014
Bronx Zoo Birdathon
The Wildlife Conservation Society is hosting a Bronx Zoo Birdathon on Saturday, May 17, during the peak of the spring migration season.

This first annual bird-watching event is open to experienced birders as well as families and novices. Participants will be able to observe wild birds during their seasonal migration and birds throughout the zoo’s exhibits. Prizes will be presented to those that are able to observe the most birds on their checklists.
Have any questions? Contact us at einfo@wcs.org

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Gowanus Dredgers
Saturday, May 17, 2014, 11:00am – 12:30pm
Gowanus Walking Tour with Conservancy
Reserve your ticket by sending an email to education@gowanuscanalconservancy.org. Tickets are $15 and can be paid by credit card or cash at the start of the tour, or by phone at 718-541-4378, Monday-Friday during regular business hours.

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Littoral Society
Saturday, May 17, 2014, 10:00am - 01:00pm
Horseshoe Crabs and Shorebirds
Meet at the Jamaica Bay Wildlife Refuge Visitor Center and carpool to the Broad Channel beach site to see the annual mating ritual of the horseshoe crab and the shorebirds that feed on the eggs of the crabs, with American Littoral Society naturalist, Don Riepe. This program is free and in partnership with NYC Audubon and Gateway National Recreation Area.
Contact : For questions and rsvp, please call (718)474-0896 or email: NEChapter@littoralsociety.org.

Saturday, May 17, 2014, 04:00pm - 07:00pm
Jamaica Bay Sunset Ecology Cruise
Guides: Mickey Maxwell Cohen and Don Riepe of the American Littoral Society
Departs from Pier 4, Sheepshead Bay, Brooklyn, NY. Join local, noted naturalists, Don Riepe and Mickey Maxwell Cohen for a special three hour cruise into the backwater marshes of the bay aboard the Golden Sunshine. Learn about the history and ecology of the bay and see mesting peregrine falcon, osprey, egrets, herons, ibis and many other bird species. This trip is in partnership with Gateway National Recreation Area.
Cost: $55 per person; includes narrated tour, wine, cheese, fruit and snacks.
To pay by credit card, click here. To pay by check, write check to "American Littoral Society" and mail to: American Littoral Society, 28 West 9th Road, Broad Channel, NY.
For questions email: NEChapter@littoralsociety.org or call the office at 718-474-0896.

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New York Botanical Garden (Bronx)
Saturday, May 17, 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 17, 2014, 8:00am – 9:30am
Van Cortlandt Bird Walk (spring)
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 212-691-7483. No registration necessary. No limit. Free.

Saturday, May 17, 2014, 9am – 12pm
Spring Migration on Randall's Island
Guides: Gabriel Willow, Chris Girgenti With Randall's Island Park Alliance, Inc. Meet on the N.W. corner of 102nd Street and the FDR Drive. We'll walk across the foot bridge to Randall's Island, an under-explored location on the East River that hosts restored freshwater wetlands and salt marsh. We'll look for spring migrants (both waterbirds and land birds) as we explore the results of recent restoration efforts. Two miles of walking and some modest climbs. Limited to 20. $32 (22)
Click here to read about the restoration of Randall's Island's salt marsh and freshwater wetlands.
Click here to register.

Saturday, May 17, 2014, 10am – 1pm
NYC Audubon Horsehoe Crabs and Shorebirds
Guide: Don Riepe with Gateway National Recreation Area Meet at the the Jamaica Bay NWR Visitor Center to see the annual mating ritual of the prehistoric horseshoe crab, along with red knots, sanderlings, and ruddy turnstones. Hike along the beach and marshland edges to see fiddler crabs, egrets, and othe wildlife. Bring lunch and binoculars. To register, contact Don Riepe at 718-474-0896 or donriepe@gmail.com. Limited to 25. Free

Saturday, May 17, 2014, 4pm – 7pm
Jamaica Bay Sunset Cruise
Guides: Don Riepe, Mickey Cohen with American Littoral Society Meet at Pier 2 in Sheepshead Bay, Brooklyn. Enjoy a three-hour narrated cruise aboard the 100-foot boat “Golden Sunshine.” Visit backwater marshes near JFK Airport, and learn about the 13,000-acre Jamaica Bay Wildlife Refuge. See nesting peregrine falcons, ospreys, egrets, shorebirds, and waterfowl. Includes refreshments. To register, contact Don Riepe at 718-474-0896 or donriepe@gmail.com. Limited to 140. $55

Sunday, May 18, 2014, 9am – 12pm
Nesting Peregrines and Red-Tails of the UPW Side
Guide: Gabriel Willow Meet in front of Riverside Church. Many New Yorkers are astonished to discover that their city of steel and glass is home to a large population of large birds of prey: The City boasts the world’s highest densities of the peregrine falcon, the world's fastest flyer, and a growing population of red-tailed hawks (several pairs of which have reached celebrity status). We’ll visit the nesting site of a pair of each of these fascinating species, and may glimpse parents feeding their chicks. Limited to 15. $39 (27) Click here to register.

Sunday, May 18, 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 17, 2014
Nature Walks, MN:
Native Plants, Wildflowers and Restoration in Central Park's Ramble

Children's Events, MN:
Interactive Nature Fair

Garden Tours, MN:
Native Plant Habitat at LCBH Community Garden

Garden Tours, MN:
Native Woodland Garden at NYU

Nature Walks, MN:
Spring Fungi Walk

Nature Walks, QU:
Spring Flora and Invasives Removal

Plantings / Actions, BK:
Gowanus Canal Planting

Sunday, May 18, 2014
Children's Events, MN:
Experience Life as a Plant

Nature Walks, SI:
Walking Among Wildflowers Hike

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Protectors of Pine Oak Woods (Staten Island)
Saturday, May 17, 2014, 10:00 A.M. to 2:00 P.M.
Forest Restoration Workshop in the Egbertville Ravine
Meet at the side of Meisner Road (toward the Eger Home) close to the intersection of Meisner and Rockland. We will follow the White Trail south to Nevada Avenue on the way uprooting and cutting Mutliflora Rose and pulling Garlic Mustard that compete with native plants. If you don’t have your own, Protectors will supply gloves, tools (and refreshments). After a two hour work session (our 213th trails) we will take a short walk over nearby trails.
Call Don Recklies at 718-768-9036 or Chuck Perry at 718-667-1393 for more information.

Saturday, May 17, 2014, 3:00 P.M. to 5:00 P.M.
Page Avenue Beach at low tide
We’ll begin with a look at the local geology then move to examining the flotsam and jetsam accumulated at the high tide lines to see what nature’s debris has to tell us. As the water recedes with the tide we’ll move into the intertidal zone to find out what sorts of living things survive in this challenging environment. A variety of crabs, snails, clams, worms and small fish are likely to be discovered at this time of year. It’s going to be muddy so dress appropriately. Meet at the parking lot at the bottom of Page Avenue below Hylan Boulevard.
For more information phone Clay Wollney at 718-869-6327.

Sunday, May 18, 2014, 9:00 A.M. to 11:00 A.M.
Allison Pond Park
Join naturalist Mike Shanley as he explores Allison Pond Park in search of early spring migrants. This park, a rich, woodland bordering the Goodhue Woods, offers excellent spring birding along stream and woodland trail. Please bring binoculars and dress accordingly. Meet at the corner of Prospect Avenue and Brentwood Avenue near Snug Harbor.
For more information e-mail Mike Shanley at Falecore@yahoo.com

Sunday, May 18, 2014, 10:30 A.M. to 2:30 P.M.
Greenbelt Loop and Lunch
We’ll walk 4.3 moderate miles starting and ending at the Greenbelt Nature Center, with lunch at High Rock. This walk includes a gradual climb up Moses’ Mountain. Bring ample water and lunch. Wear a long-sleeved shirt, comfortable pants and a hat. Shorts are not recommended. Meet at 10:30 a.m. sharp at the Greenbelt Nature Center on Rockland Avenue and Brielle Avenue. If it’s raining at the time of the walk, the event is postponed to Sunday, May 25.
For more information, e-mail Hillel Lofaso at hillel5757@gmail.com or call 718-477-0545.

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Queens County Bird Club
Saturday, May 17, 2014 – Sunday, May 18, 2014
Annual Weekend DoodleBash
Leader: Ian Resnick - 917-626-9562

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South Shore Audubon Society
May 18, 2014
Alley Pond Park, 76th Ave.

All walks start at 9:30 A.M.
There is no walk if it rains or snows or temperature is below 25°F.
Any questions please Call Steve at (516) 987-8103.
For directions to our bird-watching locations, click here.

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Staten Island Museum
Saturday, May 17, 2014, All Day
Big Day Bird Count
Location: Staten Island
Free
An all-day Citizen Science event for experienced birders! Call Ed Johnson for details and roundup info. 718.483.7110.

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Urban Park Rangers
Saturday, May 17, 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!

Birding: Hawk Watch at Pelham Bay Park, Bronx
11:00 a.m.
New York City is home to an amazing abundance of wildlife. Our Rangers will guide you to the best wildlife viewing spots in New York City. Birding programs are…
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!

Sunday, May 18, 2014
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!