Upcoming Birding and Nature Trips

Below is a list of upcoming nature trips by local birding/conservation groups for the weekend of Saturday, November 7, 2015 to Sunday, November 8, 2015:

Audubon Center in Prospect Park
Saturday, November 7, 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

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Brooklyn Bird Club
Sunday, November 8, 2015
Fresh Kills Park and Staten Island Locales
Leader: Seth Wollney
Focus: sparrows, raptors, early winter species
Car Fee: $22.00
Registrar: Peter Dorosh, Prosbird@aol.com or text only cell 347-622-3559
Registration Period: October 31st - November 5th
Note: Fresh Kills Park section partly opened to the public this past summer. Site profile http://freshkillspark.org/

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Fresh Kills Park (Staten Island)
Saturday, Nov 07, 2015 10:00am
Freshkills Park Site Tour

Site tours are approximately an hour and a half long and tell the story of the past, present and future of Freshkills Park development via a guided bus ride through the site. Stops at the top of the park’s hills offer beautiful panoramic views of Staten Island. Space is limited, all ages welcome. Free. Meet at the St. George Ferry Terminal Information Booth (across from Au Bon Pain).
Sign Up at EventBrite

Saturday, Nov 07, 2015 1:00pm
Freshkills Park Site Tour

Site tours are approximately an hour and a half long and tell the story of the past, present and future of Freshkills Park development via a guided bus ride through the site. Stops at the top of the park’s hills offer beautiful panoramic views of Staten Island. Space is limited, all ages welcome. Free. Meet at the St. George Ferry Terminal Information Booth (across from Au Bon Pain).
Sign Up at EventBrite

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New York Botanical Garden (Bronx)
Saturday, November 7, 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, November 7, 2015, 9am – 3pm
Beginning Birding (trip - Jamaica Bay)
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, November 7, 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, November 7, 2015, 9am – 3pm
Ducks, Raptors, and More, at Pelham Bay Park, The Bronx
Guide: Gabriel Willow
Come explore the lovely coves and rocky outcroppings of Pelham Bay Park, looking for wintering ducks, migrating raptors, and more. Pelham Bay Park's combination of open water, salt marsh, rocky shore, both young and old growth forest, rare coastal tall grass meadows, and patches of dry and wet oak savanna are not just unique within the City, but also on this continent! Bring lunch and water. Transport by passenger van included. Limited to 12. $102 (71)
Click here to register

Sunday, November 8, 2015, 9:30am – 7:00pm
Snow Geese and Tundra Swans of Brigantine, NJ
Guide: Joe Giunta, Happy Warblers LLC
Brigantine, part of the National Wildlife Refuge System, is one of the East Coast's premier sites for waterbirds, offering a diversity of species and panoramic views. Bring lunch and water. Transport by passenger van included. Limited to 12. $125 (87)
Click here to register

Sunday, November 8, 2015, 9:30am – 11:30am
Fall Birding at Wave Hill, the Bronx
Guide: Gabriel Willow with Wave Hill
Naturalist Gabriel Willow contributes his extensive knowledge of bird species and their behaviors on these captivating walks. Wave Hill’s garden setting overlooking the Hudson River flyway provides the perfect habitat for resident and migrating birds. Advanced registration is recommended, either online at www.wavehill.org, at the Perkins Visitor Center, or by calling 718-549-3200 x251. (Walks run rain or shine; in case of severe weather call the number above for updates.) Ages 10 and up welcome with an adult. NYC Audubon members enjoy two-for-one admission (see www.wavehill.org for more information). Meet at Perkins Visitor Center at 9:30am

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North Shore Audubon Society
Saturday, November 7, 2015
Massapequa Preserve
Meet: LIRR parking lot
Leader: Joyce Bryk 621-6678

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)
Saturday, November 7, 2015, 8:00 am – 10:00 am
Wolfe’s Pond Park
Join birder Antony Ciancimino for a guided walk around Wolfe’s Pond and a stroll along the beach at Wolfe’s Pond Park. Search for and identify migrant waterfowl both on the pond and in the bay. Shorebirds are also possible on the beach and the pond’s sandbars and shallows. Meet at the end of Holten Avenue, near the corner for Purdy Place.

Saturday, November 7, 2015, 1:00 pm – 3:00 pm
Long Pond Park
We’ll explore Long Pond Park, keeping an eye out for the local population of white-tailed deer and particular migrant species of birds and invertebrate species. Long Pond Park hosts an uncommon mixture of woodlands and wetlands which provide a peaceful home to a diverse range of wildlife. Its beauty is easily appreciated and is one of the most pristine natural areas in all of New York, covering over 100 acres. Meet at the corner of Eugene Street and Adelphi Avenue, right by the intersection of Page Avenue and Amboy Road (http://goo.gl/maps/UCsFg). Parking is available on Eugene Street.

Sunday, November 8, 2015, 12:00 pm – 2:00 pm
Late Fall Beach Walk from Lemon Creek to Wolfe’s Pond Park
Beachcomb the autumn shoreline to discover what the tides have brought in and take a look at the characteristics of the shoreline as winter approaches. Watch for ducks and other waterfowl and search the intertidal zone for invertebrates. Dress warmly and wear water-proof footwear. Meet at the Lemon Creek Park parking lot at the end of Seguine Avenue.

Sunday, November 8, 2015, 1:00 pm – 3:00 pm
Wolfe's Pond Park
Containing mature upland woods, swamp forest, open marsh, ponds, and shoreline along the Raritan Bay, Wolfe’s Pond Park is one of the most diverse parks on Staten Island. We will enjoy an investigation of various ecosystems within the park. Meet at the comfort stations at the end of the parking lot. The entrance to the parking lot is located off of Cornelia Avenue (http://goo.gl/maps/n8XBa).

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Queens County Bird Club
Saturday, November 7, 2015
APEC and Douglaston Marsh
Leader: Eric Miller 917-279-7530
Meet at APEC parking lot
Birding Site Maps

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South Shore Audubon Society
Sunday, November 8, 2015
Massapequa Preserve

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, November 7, 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 8, 2015
Fall Birding at Perkins Visitors Center (in Wave Hill), Bronx
9:30 a.m.–10:30 a.m.
Naturalist Gabriel Willow contributes his extensive knowledge of diverse bird species and their behavior on these captivating walks through the gardens and woodlands. Observe…

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Young Birders Club
Sunday November 8, 2015
Rockland Lake - Rockland County
Sponsoring NYSYBC Partner: Ralph T. Waterman Bird Club
We will be spending the morning at beautiful Rockland Lake, known as a location where migrating waterfowl congregates to rest and feed. There are also many landbirds in the woods and brushy areas surrounding the lake. The trail is level and paved.

Permission form due by 10/28/15. If you have not yet submitted a 2015 medical form (page 2 of the permission form) please submit it with your permission form.