Upcoming Nature Trips

Below is a list of upcoming nature trips by local birding/conservation groups for the weekend of August 2, 2014 to August 3, 2014:

Audubon Center in Prospect Park
Saturday, August 2, 2014
Pop-Up Audubon
Saturdays and Sundays, April 5 – October 19, 12 – 5 p.m. / November – December, 12 – 4 p.m.
Free The Prospect Park Alliance presents Pop-Up Audubon, now in its second season, invites families to directly engage with nature through outdoor learning in locations around the Park.

Sunday, August 3, 2014
Morning Bird Walk: Early Migrants
Free Meet the amazing birds of Prospect Park on this expert-guided walk. Start your Sunday morning surrounded by nature!

Pop-Up Audubon
Saturdays and Sundays, April 5 – October 19, 12 – 5 p.m. / November – December, 12 – 4 p.m.
Free The Prospect Park Alliance presents Pop-Up Audubon, now in its second season, invites families to directly engage with nature through outdoor learning in locations around the Park.

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New York Botanical Garden (Bronx)
Saturday, August 2, 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, August 2, 2014, 8:00am – 9:30am
Van Cortlandt Bird Walk
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, August 2, 2014, 11am – 2pm
Shorebird Identification Workshop (trip - Jamaica Bay)
Instructor: Joe Giunta, Happy Warblers LLC Shorebirds are one of the most challenging groups of birds to identify, yet beautiful and fascinating once they can be distinguished. Learn to identify plovers and sandpipers (including "peeps") by learning behavior, field marks, and songs. Then take a field trip to Jamaica Bay to practice your new skills!
Limited to 12. $65 (45) for package of class and trip.
Click here to register!

Sunday, August 3, 2014, 7pm – 9pm
Sunset EcoCruise to the Harbor Heron Islands: Brother Islands
Guide: Gabriel Willow With New York Water Taxi Meet at South Street Seaport's Pier 16. We're excited about this summer's ecocruises; we’ve expanded our explorations of the City's island rookeries to three different locations! 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. To learn about specific cruise dates and register, visit New York Water Taxi online or by phone at 212-742-1969.
Limited to 140. Pricing varies by destination.

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Protectors of Pine Oak Woods (Staten Island)
Saturday, August 2, 2014, 2 P.M. to 4 P.M.
Long Pond Park
During the summertime, Long Pond Park is a likely place to observe a variety of animals from turtles and snakes to deer and chipmunks. We’ll also look for the bird life, examine the geology of the area and observe evidence of past human use of the area during this unhurried stroll through about one and a half miles of the park. Meet at PS 6, on Page Avenue and Academy Avenue about 3 blocks northwest of Hylan Boulevard.
For more information phone Clay Wollney at 718-869-6327.

Sunday, August 3, 2014, 11 A.M. to 1 P.M.
Wolfe’s Pond Park’s Ancient Trees
Walk the cool woods of this park made famous for its ancient trees, notably Tulip and Oak. We will also explore placid Acme pond. The entrance to the park is from Cornelia Avenue off Hylan Boulevard. Park closest to the restrooms, where we will meet. If it’s raining at the time of the walk, the event is postponed to Sunday, August 10.
For more information, e-mail Hillel Lofaso at hillel5757@gmail.com or call 718-477-0545.

Sunday, August 3rd, 2014, 2 P.M. to 4 P.M.
High Rock Park
Participants will experience the legacy of biodiversity left behind by the Wisconsin Glacier over 12,000 years ago. The topography of the area sheds light on the geological history of the area. Meet in the Nevada Avenue parking lot at High Rock Park.
For more information e-mail Will Lenihan at wleni5584@gmail.com or call 518-645-0220.

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Urban Park Rangers
Saturday, August 2, 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!

Idlewild Birding by Canoe Adventure at Idlewild Park, Queens
11:00 a.m.
Few experiences compare with being on the open water in New York City. Our trained Urban Park Rangers will lead you on canoe adventures that range from the gentle waters of…
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, August 3, 2014
Birding at Mosholu Avenue and Broadway (in Van Cortlandt Park), Bronx
10:00 a.m.
New York City is home to an amazing abundance of wildlife.
Free!