Upcoming Nature Trips

Below is a list of upcoming nature trips by local birding/conservation groups for the weekend of Saturday, February 28, 2015 to Sunday, March 1, 2015:

Audubon Center in Prospect Park
Saturday, February 28, 2015, 12 PM – 1 PM
Introduction to Birdwatching
Look! Up in the sky, it’s a bird! But what kind of bird is it? Join the Prospect Park Alliance to learn about the magnificent array of birds that call Prospect Park home. Led by the Brooklyn Bird Club.

Sunday, March 1, 2015, 8 am – 9 am
Early Morning Birdwalk: Gulls Galore
Think all gulls are the same? Take another look by joining the Alliance to explore the Park’s nature trails and discover all the different species of gulls in Prospect Park. Rain or shine. Led by the Brooklyn Bird Club.
Please note that this tour leaves promptly at 8 am.

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Brooklyn Bird Club
Saturday, February 28, 2015
Fort Tilden Winter Birds
Leader: Dennis Hrehowsik
Focus: Coastal birds, dune species and waterfowl, gulls, raptors
Car fee: $12.00
Registrar: Bobbi Manian, email Roberta.manian@yahoo.com
Registration Period: Feb 17th - Feb 26th

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Linnaean Society of New York
Saturday — Sunday, February 28 – March 1
Montauk Weekend
Leader: Joe DiConstanzo
Registrar: Dale Dancis – ddancis@gmail.com or 212-724-3269
Registration opens: Monday, February 2
Ride: $80

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New York Botanical Garden (Bronx)
Saturday, February 28, 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, February 28, 2015, 10:30am – 4:00pm
Snow Birds of Floyd Bennett Field and Fort Tilden
Guide: Gabriel Willow
Winter brings many rare birds to NYC that can’t be found here at any other time! Perhaps most exciting are the “snow birds”, such as snow buntings and snowy owls, of the Arctic tundra that can occasionally be found in tundra-like habitats further south, . We will travel to the abandoned runways of Floyd Bennett Field (America's first municipal airport) in search of these and other winter visitors (such as horned lark, American tree sparrow, and rough-legged hawk). We will then head to Fort Tilden and Breezy Point to look for wintering ducks, grebes, loons, and other seabirds along the beaches.
Transport by passenger van included. Limited to 12. $97 (67.50)
Click here to register

Sunday, March 1, 2015, 12pm – 2pm
Winter EcoCruise
Guide: NYC Audubon Guide Meet at South Street Seaport’s Pier 17 and come aboard NY Water Taxi’s eco-friendly vessel for a winter adventure in New York Harbor! Look for harbor seals on the rocky shores of Governor’s Island and the more remote Hoffman and Swinburne Islands. Learn about the surprisingly diverse winter birds of New York City, including ducks, geese, loons, and sandpipers, many of which migrate south from the Arctic. See the Statue of Liberty and pass under the Verrazano Bridge.
Dress warmly! . Limited to 90. To register, contact New York Water Taxi at 212-742-1969 or www.nywatertaxi.com. $35 for adults; $25 for children under 12; $105 for family pack for 2 adults and 2 children

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Protectors of Pine Oak Woods (Staten Island)
Saturday, February 28, 2015, Noon to 2 p.m.
Clay Pit Ponds State Park Preserve
Join Gert Coleman to walk the trails, identify leaves and plants, and observe the wonders of old clay pits reclaimed by nature. Bring a notebook to record your thoughts. Meet in the parking lot by the Visitors’ Center at 2351Veterans Road West.
For more information participants can e-mail gert.coleman@verizon.net.

Sunday, March 1, 2015, 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 Spring Street entrance in Dongan Hills at the corner of Spring Street and Medford Road.
For more information call Clay Wollney at 718-869-6327.

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Queens County Bird Club
Saturday, February 28, 2015
Barnegat Light, NJ.
Leader: Ian Resnick 917-626-9562
CANCELLED

MINI TRIPS: Break after lunch +/-
ALL DAY TRIPS: BYO lunch, dinner out. {optl}
WEEKEND TRIPS: Two + days / Overnight

Trip Etiquette
Please register for trips

- Register. Let leaders know you're coming!
- Car pooling or skipping requires planning
- Be advised if there are last minute changes or cancellations. These cannot be communicated to unknown persons.
- Be on time! Most trips begin birding by 8am!
- Please arrive before the starting time so we do not waste precious early morning bird activity.
- Plan your travel time.

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Urban Park Rangers
Saturday, February 28, 2015
Introduction to Bird Watching at Audubon Center at the Boathouse (in Prospect Park), Brooklyn
12:00 p.m.–1:00 p.m.
Look! Up in the sky, it’s a bird! But what kind of bird is it? Join the Prospect Park Alliance to learn about the magnificent array of birds that call Prospect Park home.
Free!

Sunday, March 1, 2015
Early Morning Birdwalk: Gulls Galore at Audubon Center at the Boathouse (in Prospect Park), Brooklyn
8:00 a.m.–9:00 a.m.
Think all gulls are the same? Take another look by joining the Prospect Park Alliance to explore the park’s nature trails and discover all the different species of gulls in Prospect Park.
Free!

Birding: Owls at Alley Pond Park Adventure Center (in Alley Pond Park), Queens
4:00 p.m.
Our Rangers will guide you to the best wildlife viewing spots in the urban jungle. Learn about the basic biology and habits of these fascinating nocturnal raptors.
Free!