Upcoming Birding and Nature Trips

Below is a list of upcoming nature trips by local birding/conservation groups for the weekend of Saturday, October 31, 2015 to Sunday, November 1, 2015:

Audubon Center in Prospect Park
Saturday, October 31, 2015, 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

Sunday, November 1, 2015, 10 am – 11 am
Early Morning Birdwalk: Feather Friends
Observe Park regulars like chickadees, early winter residents like Northern Shovelers, and the returning ducks that spend the winter in the Lake. Led by the Brooklyn Bird Club, this tour leaves promptly at 10 am.

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Brooklyn Bird Club
Saturday, October 31, 2015
Floyd Bennett Field Preserve
Leaders: Tom Stephenson and Heydi Lopes
Focus: sparrows, raptors, early winter species
Car Fee: $10.00
Registrar: Bobbi Manian roberta.manian@gmail.com
Registration Period: October 24th - October 29th

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New York Botanical Garden (Bronx)
Saturday, October 31, 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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Newtown Historical Society
Sunday, November 1, 2015, 9:00am
Ridgewood Reservoir

On Sunday, November 1st, 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.

You may wish to bring binoculars and cameras.

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New York City Audubon Society
Saturday, October 31, 2015, 8am – 11am
Beginning Birding (trip - Central Park)
Classes: Thursdays, October 22, October 29, and November 5, 6:30-8:30pm
Trips: Saturdays, October 31, 8-11am, and November 7, 9am-3pm
Instructor: Tod Winston
Learn the keys to identifying the spectacular variety of birds that migrate southwards through New York City every fall. Even if you've never picked up a pair of binoculars, you’ll soon be identifying warblers, thrushes, waterbirds, and more—both by sight and by ear. Three fun and educational in-class sessions and two field trips to Central Park and Jamaica bay (transport to Jamaica bay included). Limited to 12. $172 (120)
Click here to register

Saturday, October 31, 2015, 8:00am – 9:30am
Van Cortlandt Bird Walks, The Bronx
Guides: NYC Audubon 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 31, 2015, 9am – 1pm
Fall Migration on Randall's Island
Guides: Gabriel Willow, Christopher Girgenti of Randall's Island
With Randall's Island Park Alliance, Inc.
Meet on the N.W. corner of 102nd Street and 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 fall migrants as we explore the results of recent restoration efforts. Two miles of walking and some modest climbs. Limited to 20. $40 (28)
Click here to register

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North Shore Audubon Society
Saturday, October 31, 2015
Jamaica Bay NWR
Leader: Lenore Figueroa 718-343-1391

Notes: Walks are for beginners and experienced birders alike. Weather permitting, walks start at 9:30 AM unless indicated. 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 http://northshoreaudubon.org/for directions. We would like to encourage carpooling, where possible.

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Protectors of Pine Oak Woods (Staten Island)
October 31, 2015, 9:00 am – 4:00 pm
Fall 10 mile Greenbelt Hike
Where: Petrides Complex
Free
Contact: Dominick Durso 917-478-7607

Our Fall 10 mile Greenbelt Hike will be on October 31st. Colors should be in peak with contrasting greens. Wear comfortable boots and long pants. Ten moderate miles in all weather. Park at the end of Staten Island Blvd a Block off Ocean Terrace just above Petrides Campus. Bring lunch and adequate beverage. The walk starts on Staten Island Boulevard, behind the Petrides complex at 9:15AM.
For more information call Dominick Durso at 917-478-7607

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South Shore Audubon Society
November 1, 2015
Mill Pond Park

Notes:
All walks start at 9:00 A.M.
There is no walk if it rains or snows or temperature is below 25°F.
For more information or in case of questionable weather conditions, please phone Joe at 516 467-9498
For directions to our bird-watching locations, click here.

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Urban Park Rangers
Saturday, October 31, 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!

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, November 1, 2015
Early Morning Birdwalk: Feather Friends at Audubon Center at the Boathouse (in Prospect Park), Brooklyn
10:00 a.m.–11:00 a.m.
Observe Park regulars like chickadees, early winter residents like Northern Shovelers, and the returning ducks that spend the winter in the Lake.
Free!

Moses Mountain Hike at Greenbelt Nature Center (in Blood Root Valley), Staten Island
1:00 p.m.–3:00 p.m.
Join us for a jaunt to Moses Mountain to experience the forest in its full fall glory and enjoy the 360-degree panoramic view and look for birds of prey.
Free!