Upcoming Birding and Nature Trips

Below is a list of upcoming nature trips by local birding/conservation groups for the weekend of Saturday, April 16, 2016 to Sunday, April 17, 2016:

Audubon Center in Prospect Park
Saturday, April 16, 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 16, 2016
Tenafly Nature Center and Palisades Stateline Hawk Watch
Leader: Peter Dorosh
Focus: Woods birding, early songbirds and warblers, raptors; location debut
Car fee: $20.00
Registrar: Peter Dorosh Prosbird@aol.com or text only cell 347-622-3559
Registration Period: April 9th – April 14th
Site profile: http://www.tenaflynaturecenter.org

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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.

Sunday, April 17, 2016, 10:00am to 12:00pm
Fort Tilden Historic Walking Tour
Fee Information: Free
Join a Park Ranger for a walking tour of historic Fort Tilden, and its role in the 20th century coastal and air defense.
Contact Phone Number: 718-338-3799

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New York Botanical Garden (Bronx)
Saturday, April 16, 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 16, 2016, 8-10:30am
Beginning Birding (Central Park 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 16, 2016, 9am-4pm
Spring Migration in Pelham Bay Park, The Bronx
Guide: Gabriel Willow
Explore the lovely coves and rocky outcroppings of NYC’s largest park, Pelham Bay Park, seeking out migrating songbirds, late-wintering birds, ducks, and a breeding pair of great-horned owls! The rich and diverse habitat makes this park an urban gem and a great home for wildlife. Past rarities include a northern goshawk and a purple sandpiper. Bring lunch, water, and binoculars. Transport by passenger van included. Limited to 12. $90 (63)
Click here to register

Saturday, April 16th, 2016, 10am-1pm
Spring Bird Migration
Guide: Don Riepe with American Littoral Society and Gateway NRA
Meet at the Jamaica Bay Refuge for a slide program and hike around the gardens and ponds. Learn about the mystery of bird migration and look for warblers, thrushes, ibis, and other recent arrivals. For reservations, call Don Riepe at (718) 474-0896 or e-mail donriepe@gmail.com.
Free

Sunday, April 17, 2016, 9:30am-3pm
Birding Gems of Staten Island: Spring Hike in the Greenbelt
Guide: Gabriel Willow with NYC Parks and the Greenbelt Conservancy
Meet at the Manhattan terminal of the Staten Island Ferry and begin your tour on water as we cross the Upper Bay. Explore trails within the 3,000-acre Staten Island Greenbelt and visit High Rock Park, Walker Pond, and the Pouch Camp property: 143 acres of unspoiled woods and wetlands. Look for spring migrants and learn about the Greenbelt’s ecology. Trip involves approximately 3.5 miles of hiking. Transportation on Staten Island included. Limited to 19. $43 (30)
Click here to register

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Protectors of Pine Oak Woods (Staten Island)
Saturday, April 16, 2016 @ 10:00am – 2:00pm
Forest Restoration Workshop
Cost: Free
Contact: Don Recklies, 718-768-9036 / Chuck Perry, 718-667-1393
Meet in the Nevada Avenue parking lot of High Rock. We will uproot the Oriental Wisteria that has gotten a foothold on the slope of Loosestrife Swamp close to the park entrance. If you don’t have your own, treatment Protectors will supply gloves and pruners (& refreshments). After a two hour work session (our 235th monthly workshop), we will take a short walk over nearby trails.
For more information contact Don Recklies at (718) 768-9036 or Chuck Perry at (718) 667-1393.

Sunday, April 17, 2016 @ 12:00pm – 2:00pm
Sharrott’s Avenue Beach
Cost: Free
Contact: Clay Wollney 718-869-6327
Beachcomb the spring shoreline of the Prince’s Bay and Mt. Loretto beach and discover what the tides have brought in. Take a look at the characteristics of the shoreline as the warm season approaches. With any luck we are likely to see signs of life in the form of ducks and other waterfowl and search the intertidal zone for the invertebrates that are present at this time of year. Dress appropriately; wear water-proof footwear and be prepared for sand and mud. Meet at the parking lot at the end of Sharrott’s Avenue at Hylan Boulevard by the fishing pier.
For more information contact Clay Wollney at (718) 869-6327

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Queens County Bird Club
Saturday, April 16, 2016, 8am – 1pm
Marine Nature Study Area, Oceanside
Leader: Pat Aitken - 516-857-7567

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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Staten Island Museum
Saturday, April 16, 2016, 1:00pm - 3:00pm
Spring Bird and Wildflower Walk
Location: Wolfe's Pond Park
Free/Donations Welcome
Discover the ephemeral beauty of spring wildflowers at Wolfe’s Pond Park (map), including: trout lily, Canada mayflower, and spring beauty. Spring migratory birds are also likely to abound. Bring sturdy shoes, binoculars, and field guides for a walk with Ray Mattarazo

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Urban Park Rangers
Saturday, April 16, 2016
Birding: Spring Migration at Prospect Park Picnic House (in Prospect Park), Brooklyn
10:00 a.m.–11:30 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!

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Young Birders Club
Sunday April 17, 2016
Central Park - New York County (Manhattan)
Trip Leader: Isaiah Sigman
NYSYBC member Isaiah Sigman, who is very familiar with birding and birders at Central Park, will lead our walk. Central Park is one of the best birding spots in the United States, attracting birders from all over the world. Birds migrating, spring and fall, along the East Coast find Central Park a welcoming place to rest and stoke up energy for the next leg of their journey. For more details about birding in Central Park, visit nycaudubon.org/manhattan-birding/central-park.

Watch your Inbox for directions and details on meeting time and location.
Bring binoculars and a camera.
Permission form due by 4/8/16.