Upcoming Nature Trips

Below is a list of upcoming nature trips by local birding/conservation groups for the weekend of Saturday, May 30, 2015 to Sunday, May 31, 2015:

Audubon Center in Prospect Park
Saturday, May 30, 12–1 pm
Introduction to Bird Watching
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.

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Brooklyn Bird Club
Saturday, May 30, 2015
Doodletown, Harriman State Park
(NOTE: club members only, limit 16 participants)
Leader: Tom Stephenson
Focus: breeding birds at a premier location
Registrar: Marisa Wohl email marisaw@earthlink.net
Registration Period: May 19th - May 28th

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Littoral Society
Saturday, May 30, 2015, 03:00pm - 06:00pm
Jamaica Bay Ecology Cruise
Learn about the history, management, ecology, and wildlife of the bay aboard the 100' boat "Golden Sunshine" leaving from Pier 2, Sheepshead Bay. See nesting egrets, herons, ibis and many other species. Cost: $55 for adult admission and $20 for children, includes 3-hour narrated tour of backwater marshes, wine and cheese, fruit, snacks. To reserve a spot, call (718) 474-0896; e-mail: donriepe@gmail.com; or visit https://jamaicabayecologycruise.eventbrite.com/.
Location : Pier 2, Sheepshead Bay, Brooklyn, NY

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New York Botanical Garden (Bronx)
Saturday, May 30, 2015
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 30, 2015, 8:00am – 9:30am
Outdoorfest - Birding and Yoga at Van Cortlandt Park
Guides: NYC Audubon, Van Cortlandt Park Conservancy
With the Van Cortlandt Park Conservancy and Outdoorfest
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.
After the bird walk, join the folks from Outdoorfest for a free yoga class, held just outside of the Nature Center.

Saturday, May 30, 2015, 3pm – 6pm
Jamaica Bay Sunset Ecology Cruise
Guides: Don Riepe, Mickey Cohen
With American Littoral Society
Meet at Pier 4 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 31, 2015, 9am – 2pm
Spring Migration on Randall's Island
Guides: Gabriel Willow, Randall’s Island Park Alliance Staff
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 in 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. Limited to 20. $40 (28)
Click here to register

Sunday, May 31, 2015, 10am – 11am
Birding Basics for Families
Guides: NYC Audubon
Offered by the Central Park Conservancy
Meet at the Charles A. Dana Discovery Center, inside the Park at 110th Street between Fifth and Lenox Avenues. Experience Central Park when it becomes a precious bird habitat and migration hot spot! Join Conservancy Discovery Guides and NYC Audubon Society on this walk to learn how to spot our feathered neighbors and their foreign cousins as they make their annual trip along the Atlantic Flyway. Witness firsthand how the Conservancy's work has made the Park a sanctuary for these birds. Binoculars can be borrowed from the Visitor Center.
For weather cancellation information, call 212.772.0288 . Limited to 20. Age 5 and up. Free.

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Queens County Bird Club
Saturday, May 30, 2015
Alley Pond Park
Leader: Eric Miller 917-279-7530
Meet: 76th Ave Lot at 7:30 am

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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Staten Island Museum
Saturday, May 30, 2015, 11:00am - 3:00pm
NatureFest 2015
Location: Willobrook Park, 1 Eaton Place, Staten Island
Free
Free family fun at the Museum's annual environmental fair. Activities for the whole family. Nature walks, arts and crafts, environmental information, and more.
We are always looking for nature partners! If you are interested in being a presenter at NatureFest 2015, contact Will Lenihan at 718.483.7110.
*Rain date: Sunday, May 31.

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Urban Park Rangers
Saturday, May 30, 2015
Bird Walks at Van Cortlandt Park at Van Cortlandt Nature Center (in Van Cortlandt Park), Bronx
8:00 a.m.–9:30 a.m.
The history of birding and Van Cortlandt Park are inseparable. Influential birders such as Roger Tory Peterson got their starts on Van Cortlandt’s ecologically diverse grounds.
Free!

Birding: Hawk Watch at Unisphere (in Flushing Meadows Corona Park), Queens
10:00 a.m.–11:00 a.m.
Our Rangers will guide you to the best wildlife viewing spots in the urban jungle.
Free!

NatureFest 2015 at Carousel for All Children (in Willowbrook Park), Staten Island
11:00 a.m.–3:00 p.m.
Naturefest is a family celebration of environmental awareness and local natural history.
Free!

Pop-Up Audubon: Wonderful Warblers at Eastwood (in Prospect Park), Brooklyn
11:00 a.m.–4:00 p.m.
Through fun games, experiments and citizen science projects, learn why warblers are so wonderful.
Free!

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, May 31, 2015
Birding Basics for Families at Charles A. Dana Discovery Center (in Central Park), Manhattan
10:00 a.m.–11:00 a.m.
Experience Central Park when it becomes a precious bird habitat and migration hot spot!
Free!

Natural Areas Exploration Day and Audubon Spring Migration Walk at Randalls Island Natural Areas (in Randall's Island Park), Manhattan
10:00 a.m.–1:00 p.m.
Come explore Randall’s Island’s wetlands and other natural areas. All ages are welcome. Learn from natural areas experts and explore the island’s diverse plant and animal communities.
Free!

Birding: Hawk Watch at Pelham Bay Park, Bronx
11:00 a.m.–12:00 p.m.
The old Pelham Bay landfill remains closed to the public, making it a great place to watch migrating birds of prey.
Free!

Pop-Up Audubon: Wonderful Warblers at Eastwood (in Prospect Park), Brooklyn
11:00 a.m.–4:00 p.m.
Through fun games, experiments and citizen science projects, learn why warblers are so wonderful.
Free!