Upcoming Nature Trips

Below is a list of upcoming nature trips by local birding/conservation groups for the weekend of September 27, 2014 to September 28, 2014:

Audubon Center in Prospect Park
Saturday, September 27, 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, September 28, 2014, 8 a.m.
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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Brooklyn Bird Club
Saturday, September 27, 2014
Brooklyn "Wildcard"
Leader: Keir Randall
Focus: Best birding activity cluster or rare birds will be determined by the week's listserve reports for Brooklyn area
Car fee: TBA by leader
Registrar: Dennis Hrehowsik, email deepseagangster@gmail.com
Registration period: Sept 16th - Sept 25th

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Littoral Society
Saturday, September 27, 2014, 3-6pm
Jamaica Bay Sunset Ecology Cruise
Guides: Don Riepe and Mickey Maxwell Cohen
Join us for a three hour cruise of the backwaters of Jamaica Bay aboard the 100' boat the "Golden Sunshine". Learn about the history, ecology, management and wildlife of this 13,000 acre preserve and see egrets, herons, oystercatchers, peregrine falcons, osprey and many more species of birds.
Cost: $55 for adults, $20 for children under 16. Includes wine and cheese, drinks, fruit, snacks. To reserve please send a check to the American Littoral Society, 28 West 9th Road, Broad Channel, NY 11693.
This event is in partnership with NYC Audubon and Gateway National Recreation Area.
Questions: donriepe@gmail.com or call (718)474-0896.

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New York Botanical Garden (Bronx)
Saturday, September 27, 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, September 27, 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, September 27, 2014, 8:30am – 11:00am
Birding Gems of Queens: Strack Pond in Forest Park
Guide: Jeff Kollbrunner Meet at the corner of Woodhaven Boulevard and Forest Park Drive. Visit "Strack Pond"—a natural kettle pond where herons and a variety of songbirds may be seen including cedar waxwings, white-crowned, swamp, and fox sparrows, thrushes, and warblers. Also look for birds of prey like great horned owls, eastern screech owls, and red-tailed hawks. Limited to 15. $50 (35) per walk
Click here to register

Saturday, September 27, 2014, 3pm – 6pm
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 catamaran “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 wine and other refreshments.
To register, contact Don Riepe at 718-474-0896 or donriepe@gmail.com. Limited to 140. $55

Sunday, September 28, 2014, 9am – 5pm
Birding by Canoe in Constitution Marsh
Guides: Gabriel Willow, Constitution Marsh Naturalist With Constitution Marsh Audubon Center and Sanctuary Join Gabriel willow and a Constitution Marsh naturalist to explore Constitution Marsh Audubon Sanctuary—a spectacular 271-acre tidal marsh just outside of Cold Spring, NY. Observe marsh birds up close as you canoe through this pristine freshwater habitat—possible sightings include Virginia rails, spotted sandpipers, and bald eagles. Then look for warblers and other spring migrants on the sanctuary's trails and enjoy a picnic lunch while learning more about the marsh's ecology. Bring lunch. Transport by passenger van included. Limited to 12. $143 (100)
Click here to register

Sunday, September 28, 2014, 10am – 11am
Birding for Families in Central Park
Guide: 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. As a family, learn how to spot and identify our feathered neighbors in their natural surroundings. Binoculars can be borrowed from the Dana Center.
For weather cancellation information, call 212-860-1370.
Limited to 20. Age 5 and up.
Free

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Northshore Audubon Society
Saturday, September 27, 2014
Alley Pond Park
Leader: Joan Parry (365-7191), Trudy Horowitz (718-224-8432)
Notes:
Walks are for beginners and experienced birders alike.
Weather permitting, walks start at 9:30 AM unless indicated otherwise.
If in doubt, please call the trip leader.
Please note: all phone numbers are area code 516 unless otherwise indicated.
In most cases, the contacts are also leaders for the respective walks.
Go to our website at www.northshoreaudubon.org/ for directions.
We would like to encourage carpooling, where possible.

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Protectors of Pine Oak Woods (Staten Island)
Saturday, September 27, 2014, 1 P.M. to 3 P.M.
Reed’s Basket Willow Park
Discover this hidden natural park in Dongan Hills. We’ll visit the three bodies of water in the park and stroll through the woodlands. Although none of Reed’s basket willow still grow near the swamp from which the park gets its name, the woodlands and stream is still home to a wide variety of flora and fauna. Meet at the park enterance atop Spring Street in Dongan Hills.
For more information phone Clay Wollney at 718-869-6327.

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Queens County Bird Club
Sunday, September 28, 2014
Kissena Corridor
Leader: Eric Miller 917-279-7530
Meet at velodrome lot 7:45am
Site Maps here

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Urban Park Rangers
Saturday, September 27, 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: Brooklyn Road Trip at Salt Marsh Nature Center (in Marine Park), Brooklyn
10:00 a.m.
Take a trip in search of early fall migrants with our Rangers.
Free!

Birding at Bartow-Pell Mansion Museum (in Pelham Bay Park), Bronx
3:30 p.m.
Join naturalist and photographer Debbie Becker on a trail walk as the great fall migration gets under way with hawks, eagles, warblers, and hummingbirds returning to their winter…

Sunday, September 28, 2014
Birding for Families at Charles A. Dana Discovery Center (in Central Park), Manhattan
10:00 a.m.–11:00 a.m.
Experience the coming of fall in Central Park when it becomes a precious bird habitat and migration hot spot!
Free!

Sneak 'Peak' at Freshkills Park at Freshkills Park Parking Lot, Staten Island
11:00 a.m.–4:00 p.m.
Join us to celebrate the potential of the future of Freshkills Park at our annual festival with activities like kayaking, biking, birding, art and more on Staten Island!
Free!