Upcoming Birding and Nature Trips

Below is a list of upcoming nature trips by local birding/conservation groups for the weekend of Friday, January 1, 2016 to Sunday, January 3, 2016:

Audubon Center in Prospect Park
Sunday, January 3 , 10 am – 11 am
Early Morning Bird Walk: Bring in the New Year with Birds
Join the Prospect Park Alliance and explore the Park’s nature trails and discover the beautiful plumage and fascinating behavior of the Park’s wintering ducks. Please note this tour leaves promptly at 10 am. Led by the Brooklyn Bird Club.

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Brooklyn Bird Club
Saturday, January 2, 2016
Marathon Tour of Brooklyn's Southern Beaches
Leader: Peter Dorosh
Focus: winter gulls, ducks, sea bird waterfowl, waterbirds; dune species.
Registrar: Peter Dorosh 347-622-3559 (text only) prosbird@aol.com (for more info)
Meet: 8:00 am at the Q train stop "Brighton Beach" off hours section benches by token booth http://web.mta.info/nyct/service/qline.htm
Note: The total hike will approach 9 miles, birding first Brighton Beach, Sheepshead Bay, little known Manhattan Beach, Plumb Beach, then in reverse back towards Coney Island, Norton Point and Coney Island Creek. This is an all day affair. We return to Stillwell Avenue train terminal. Dress warm or appropriate winter wear and proper footwear. We may stop in a diner or eatery on Emmons Ave.

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Gateway National Parks
Friday, January 1, 2016
New Year’s Day Beach Walk
Location: Fort Tilden, Building 1. | Map
Time: 11:00 AM to 1:00 PM
Fee Information: FREE
Contact Phone Number: (732) 291 – 0055
Meet at Ford Tilden in Breezy Point for a brisk hike along the beach, dunes and woods to welcome in the New Year. Look for Saw-whet and Snowy Owls. Warm up and enjoy light refreshments afterward at the Rockaway Artists Alliance building.
Leaders: Mickey Maxwell Cohen and Don Riepe. With American Littoral Society and NYC Audubon.
2 mile hike.

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Littoral Society
Friday, January 1, 2016, 11:00am - 01:00pm
New Year's Day Beach Walk
Meet at Fort Tilden in Breezy Point. Walk will be led by Mickey Cohen and Don Riepe. The walk is in partnership with Gateway National Recreation Area and the NYC Audubon Society.
Following the walk, enjoy refreshments and cookies at the Rockaway Artists Alliance building. No reservations necessary.
Location : Fort Tilden, NY

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New York Botanical Garden (Bronx)
Saturday, January 2, 2016
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
Friday, January 1, 2016, 11am – 1pm
New Year's Day Beach Walk at Fort Tilden
Guide: Don Riepe, Mickey Cohen with American Littoral Society and Gateway NRA
Meet at Fort Tilden in Breezy Point for a brisk hike along the beach, dunes and woods to welcome in the new year. Look for Saw-whet and Snowy Owls.
Enjoy champagne, coffee and cookies afterward at the Rockaway Artists Allianced bldg.
Leaders: Mickey Cohen, Don Riepe. With American Littoral Society and Gateway NRA.
For info, call (718) 474-0896. No reservations necessary. Free

Sunday, January 3, 2016, 10am – 1pm
Central Park Winter Walk
Guide: Gabriel Willow
Meet at the entrance to Central Park at Central Park West and 72nd Street. Some of the best sightings await hardy nature-lovers willing to venture out in winter! Several species of owls can be seen in Central Park for example, but generally only in the colder months. "Winter finches" such as Pine Siskins, Redpolls, and Crossbills have also been found at the feeders or in conifers in the park. Observing the adaptations for cold-weather survival among Blue Jays, Titmice, and other resident species is fascinating as well. Warm up after the walk with a hot chocolate by the fireplace at the Loeb Boathouse. Limited to 15. $36 (25)
Click here to register

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Protectors of Pine Oak Woods
Friday, January 1, 2016, 10:00am – 2:00pm
26th Annual New Year’s Day Walk to Crooke’s Point
Cost: Free
Contact: Jim Scarcella / Cliff Hagen 718-873-4291 / 718-313-8591
Join NRPA and PPOW for a healthy start to a fantastic New Year. Gather in the parking lot at Hylan Blvd. and carpool to the last lot before Crooke’s Point. The group will observe wintering birds and dormant grasses while discussing ideas and concerns for the year ahead. After a half mile walk to the point, we will share treats and tales in celebration of the New Year. We continue to the harbor before returning to the cars.

Saturday, January 2, 2016, 12:00pm – 2:00pm
Clay Pits “After the Rut”
Cost: Free
Contact: Clay Wollney 718-869-6327
The deer have recently finished the rutting season and the males are calming down. The antlers, which are no longer needed, are shed at this time. In addition to searching for shed antlers, we will examine the impact that the large number of deer living here have had on this unique and shrinking pine – oak ecosystem. Additionally, we will take a look at the new developments along the park boundaries in terms of their impact on the park and contemplate the impact of recreational use in terms of the original reasons that the park exists in the first place.

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South Shore Audubon Society
Sunday, January 3, 2016
Mill Pond Park

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.