Upcoming Birding and Nature Trips

Below is a list of upcoming nature trips by local birding/conservation groups for the weekend of Saturday, April 9, 2016 to Sunday, April 10, 2016:

Audubon Center in Prospect Park
Saturday, April 9, 2016, 12pm – 1pm
Introduction to Bird Watching
Look! Up in the sky, it’s a bird! But what kind of bird is it? Take a tour and learn about the magnificent array of birds that call Prospect Park home. Led by Brooklyn Bird Club.

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Brooklyn Bird Club
Saturday, April 9, 2016
Brooklyn Wetlands and Marshes
Leader: Heydi Lopes
Focus: Species that visit and migrate through wetlands and marshes
Car fee: $12.00
Registrar: Dennis Hrehowsik, email deepseagangster@gmail.com
Registration Period: April 2nd – April 7th
Note: This themed trip focuses on migrating birds of Brooklyn’s wetlands; locations and itinerary decided by the leader.

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Eastern Long Island Audubon Society
Saturday, April 9, 2016 at 8:30am
North Fork Preserve Bird Walk
Trip Leader: MaryLaura Lamont
This early spring bird walk will be about a 2 mile walk through the new Suffolk County Park called the North Fork Preserve in Northville. This property abounds with woods, fields and freshwater ponds which attracts a variety of birdlife. Meet at the Clubhouse at the end of the entrance road on Sound Avenue in Northville, Riverhead. The entrance is just east of Church Lane. Contact: marylaura_lamont@nps.gov if you need more information!
Heavy rain cancels

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Gateway National Recreation Area
Every Saturday Weekly from 03/19/2016 to 08/27/2016
Canarsie Walk-up and Paddle
Location: Canarsie Pier – Brooklyn
Time: 1:00PM to 3:30PM
Fee Information: FREE
Contact Name: Ryan Visitor Center Contact Phone Number: 718-338-3799
Try kayaking! Open to the public, ages 6 and up with an adult. No reservation required.
Dress to get wet; bring sunscreen, a snack and water.

Saturday, April 9, 2016, 10:00am to 2:00pm
The Big Hike: Floyd Bennett Field
Fee Information: Free
Join a National Park Ranger for a brisk 3.5 mile hike across the runways, forests, fields and shoreline of Floyd Bennett Field's North side. Have lunch at the Ryan Visitor Center and then embark on the 3 mile afternoon leg of the hike, to the South side of Floyd Bennett Field.
Reservations are required for either hike. Dress for the weather, wear good walking shoes and bring water and a snack or lunch.

Sunday, April 10, 2016, 11:00am to 12:30pm
Bike Tour of Floyd Bennett Field
Fee Information: Free
Join a National Park Ranger for a guided bike tour of Floyd Bennett Field. See runways, shoreline, hangars and other historic and natural features on this fun 6.5 mile bike ride.
Reservations are required. Call 718-338-3799.
Bring your own bike and helmet, dress for the weather and bring water as well as a snack or lunch.

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New York Botanical Garden (Bronx)
Saturday, April 9, 2016
Debbie Becker leads a free bird walk at the Garden every Saturday from 11am to 12:30pm beginning at the Reflecting Pool in the Leon Levy Visitor Center

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New York City Audubon Society
Saturday, April 9, 2016, 8am-2pm
Beginning Birding (Jamaica Bay trip)
Classes: Wednesdays, March 30-April 13, 6:30-8:30pm
Trips: Saturday, April 9, 8am-2pm and Saturday, April 16, 8-10:30am
Instructor: Tod Winston
Learn the keys to identifying the spectacular variety of birds that migrate northwards through New York City every spring. 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, paired with field trips to Jamaica Bay and Central Park (van transport to Jamaica Bay included). Limited to 12. $179 (125)
Click here to register

Saturday, April 9, 2016, 9-10am
Queens Botanical Garden Bird Walks
Saturdays April 9, May7, June 4, and Sundays April 24 and May 22, 9-10am
Guide: NYC Audubon with the Queens Botanical Garden
Register for one or the series of five free nature walks in partnership with the New York City Audubon Society! The tours will introduce visitors to the feathered friends of the Garden like warblers, blue jays and robins as well as our favorite, the red-tailed hawk! Spot these creatures of flight, and learn about how QBG offers valuable resources for birds and other wildlife in the region. Binoculars available. Limited to 25. Appropriate for all ages. Free with Garden admission. To register, email info@queensbotanical.org or visit www.queensbotanical.org/calendar

Sunday, April 10, 2016, 9:30-11:30am
Spring Birding at Wave Hill, The Bronx
Sundays April 10, May 8, and June 12, 9:30-11:30am
Guide: Gabriel Willow with Wave Hill
Meet at the Perkins Visitor Center. 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. Walks run rain or shine. Ages 10 and up welcome with an adult. NYC Audubon members enjoy two-for-one admission. For more information, visit https://www.wavehill.org/events/spring-birding-10/

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Protectors of Pine Oak Woods (Staten Island)
Saturday, April 9, 2016 @ 3:00pm – 5:00pm
Great Kills Park
Cost: Free
Contact: Clay Wollney 718-869-6327
Meet at the first, sick beach front parking lot, about ¼ mile from the entrance to Great Kills Park. From this starting point near where the bath house once stood we will explore the shoreline and peat flats to discover which species of intertidal life are active in the spring. This ever-changing ecological niche is rich with grasses, crustaceans and plenty of bird life. Please dress appropriately for walking in this environment. For more information contact Clay Wollney at (718) 869-6327.

Sunday, April 10, 2016 @ 1:00pm – 3:00pm
Crooke’s Point
Cost: Free
Contact: Paul Lederer 718-987-1576
Maritime spits such as Crooke’s Point are dynamic typographical features which are formed and sculpted by water and wind action. Join naturalist Paul T. Lederer in a talk and walk where he will discuss the geology and human history of the site as well as the plants and animals that call this place home. Participants will meet at the Beach Center Parking Lot in Great Kills Park near the dirt road leading out to Crooke’s Point. To get to the Beach Center Parking Lot, cialis follow Buffalo Street to just before it turns into the dirt permit road.
For more information or directions contact Paul Lederer at (718) 987-1576.

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Queens County Bird Club
Saturday, April 9, 2016, 8:30am – 1pm
Shu Swamp
Leader: Rich Kelly - (516) 509-1094
Where: Shu Swamp Parking, 28 Frost Mill Rd, Mill Neck, NY 11765. Meet at 8:30am at gate.

Trip Etiquette
Please register for trips

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

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South Shore Audubon Society
Sunday, April 10, 2016
Norman J. Levy Park and Preserve

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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Sullivan County Audubon Society
Saturday, April 9, 2016, 7pm
Displaying Woodcocks
Meet leader Renee Davis at the Youngsville School parking lot on Shandelee Rd. We will carpool from there.
Call Renee at 482-5044 before 7 pm for more info or if weather is questionable.

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Urban Park Rangers
Saturday, April 9, 2016
Bird Walk with New York City Audubon at Queens Botanical Garden, Queens
9:00 a.m.–10:00 a.m.
Spot and identify creatures of flight and learn how QBG provides important resources for birds.

Birding: Spring Migration at Alley Pond Park Adventure Center (in Alley Pond Park), Queens
9:00 a.m.–10:30 a.m.
Our Rangers will guide you to the best wildlife viewing spots in the urban jungle.
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? Take a tour and learn about the magnificent array of birds that call Prospect Park home.
Free!

Sunday, April 10, 2016
Birding for Beginners at Wolfe's Pond Park Comfort Station (in Wolfe's Pond Park), Staten Island
10:00 a.m.–11:30 a.m.
Our Rangers will guide you to the best wildlife-viewing spots in the urban jungle.
Free!

Birding at Pelham Bay Nature Center (in Pelham Bay Park), Bronx
11:00 a.m.–12:30 p.m.
Our Rangers will guide you to the best wildlife viewing spots in the urban jungle.
Free!