Upcoming Nature Trips

Below is a list of upcoming nature trips by local birding/conservation groups for the weekend of October 4, 2014 to October 5, 2014:

Audubon Center in Prospect Park
Saturday, October 4, 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, October 5, 2014, 8 a.m.
Early Morning Bird Walk: Hawk Watch
October is Hawk Month!

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.

Raptor Fest
Sunday, October 5, 2014, 12 – 3 p.m.
Learn about the amazing birds of prey known as raptors.

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Brooklyn Bird Club
Saturday, October 4, 2014
"Leader's Choice"
Leader: Steve Nanz
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: Heidi Steiner-Nanz, email heidi.steiner@verizon.net
Registration period: Sept 23rd - Oct 2nd

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City Island Bird Walks
Sunday, October 5, 2014, 8:00 AM SHARP!
Fall Migration Walk
Meet at Orchard Beach Parking Lot
All Walks are Free!

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Linnaean Society of New York
Sunday October 5, 2014
Conference House Park and Mount Loretto
Leader: Howard Fischer
Registrar: Sandra Maury – sandramaury39@gmail.com or 212-874-4881
Registration opens: Monday, September 22
Ride: $20

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New York Botanical Garden (Bronx)
Saturday, October 4, 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, October 4, 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, October 4, 2014, 8:30am – 11:00am
Birding Gems of Queens: “THE WATERHOLE” IN FOREST PARK Guide: Jeff Kollbrunner Meet at the corner of Park Lane South and Metropolitan Avenue. Visit "the waterhole"—a veritable migrant magnet when wet that is known for rarities, and where dark-eyed juncos, red-breasted nuthatches, pine siskins, and a variety of thrushes and warblers may be seen. 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

Sunday, October 5, 2014, 8am – 10am
Fall Migrants of Woodlawn Cemetery, The Bronx
Guides: Tod Winston, Joseph McManus With Woodlawn Conservancy Meet at the Jerome Avenue entrance of Woodlawn Cemetery. Join us for a morning bird walk and tour of beautiful Woodlawn Cemetery: Tod Winston and Joseph McManus will look for fall migrants and year-round residents on the expansive, wooded cemetery grounds, while a Woodlawn Conservancy docent shares fascinating stories about Woodlawn’s history and the interesting mixture of individuals interred there.
Bring water. Limited to 15. $35 (24)
Click here to register

Sunday, October 5, 2014, 10am – 1pm
Hawk Watch at Fort Tilden
Guide: Don Riepe With American Littoral Society Meet at 10am at Bldg. 1 in Fort Tilden for a hike to the hawk watch platform to view falcons, hawks, ospreys and other migrating raptors. We'll also hike along the beach and dunes to look for song- and shorebirds.
For more information, contact Don Riepe at 718-474-0896 or donriepe@gmail.com. No limit. Free

Sunday, October 5, 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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Newtown Historical Society
Sunday, October 5, 2014, 9am
Nature and history tour of the Ridgewood Reservoir
On Sunday, October 5, Newtown Historical Society will be offering a special nature and history tour of the Ridgewood Reservoir starting at 9am in the main parking lot on Vermont Place at Highland Park. We will view the historic structures in the recently renovated park, observe the natural world and discuss its future.

You can take public transportation to Highland Park. The B13 bus stops along Cypress Hills Street and the Q56 stops along Jamaica Avenue. The Cleveland Street stop on the J train is 3 blocks from the park. Or, you can drive or bike.

This tour will be led by special guest Rob Jett, author of The City Birder.

This tour is 100% FREE and will be a great experience for children and adults alike. For more info or to RSVP, write to NewtownHistory@gmail.com or call 718-366-3715.

It is suggested that you bring sunblock and water. You may also wish to bring binoculars and cameras.

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Protectors of Pine Oak Woods (Staten Island)
Saturday October 4, 2014, 8 A.M. to 10 A.M.
Mount Loretto Unique Area
Join birder, Anthony Ciancimino, for birding at Mount Loretto Unique Area. This spot is ideal for migrating sparrows, which will be the focus for this walk. Possibilities include white-crowned, lincoln’s, swamp, field, and chipping sparrows.
Meet at the parking lot along Hylan Boulevard, opposite the CYO center.
E-mail Anthony Ciancimino at sibirdwatcher@yahoo.com for more information.

Saturday, October 4, 2014, 1 P.M. to 3 PM
Old Mill Road
Park at the end of Old Mill Road, behind St. Andrew’s Church. We’ll stroll along the multi-use trail next to Fresh Kills, below the hills of LaTourette Golf Course and return along the Blue Trail. From the remains of colonial structures to the Hessian Spring and the remains of Ketchum’s Mill we will take a look into the influence of man and nature on the ecosystems bordering the Fresh Kills estuary.
For more information phone Clay Wollney at 718-869-6327.

Sunday, October 5, 2014, 3 P.M. to 5 P.M.
Wolfe’s Pond and Lemon Creek
Join Mike Shanley and survey Wolfe’s Pond and the surrounding areas at low tide. The pond is currently in a state of transition after recent storms have affected the berm, drastically altering the character of the pond and surrounding areas. We will discuss the history of the area, how the character of the pond has changed over time, and proposed remediation plans. We will also be keeping an eye out for seasonal birds such as Black and Royal Tern. Meet at the corner of Holton Avenue and Purdy Place.
For more information call Mike Shanley at 917-753-7155.

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Urban Park Rangers
Saturday, October 4, 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!

Highbridge Hawk Watch at West 172nd Street and Amsterdam Avenue (in Highbridge Park), Manhattan
9:00 a.m.–10:30 a.m.
Bring the whole family and roam the winter woods in search of hawks with expert naturalist Mike Feller.
Free!

Sunday, October 5, 2014
Birding: Fall Migration at Van Cortlandt Nature Center (in Van Cortlandt Park), Bronx
10:00 a.m.
Our Rangers will guide you to the best wildlife viewing spots in New York City.
Free!

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!

Raptor Fest at Peninsula (in Prospect Park), Brooklyn
12:00 p.m.–3:00 p.m.
Experience the thrill of viewing New York's premier predators, live and up close with the Urban Park Rangers and the Prospect Park Audubon Center.
Free!