Upcoming Birding and Nature Trips

Below is a list of upcoming nature trips by local birding/conservation groups for the weekend of Saturday, June 11, 2016 to Sunday, June 12, 2016:

Audubon Center in Prospect Park
Saturday, June 11, 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
Friday, June 11 - Monday, June 13, 2016
Birding the Bashakill and the Shawangunks Valley
Leader: Mike Yuan
Focus: Breeding birds, water and marsh birds
Registrar: Mike Yuan, email mjyuan@gmail.com
Registration Period: April 15th – June 1st
Car Fee: $100
Stipend for Leader (per person): $20
Note: Trip capped at 8 participants. This trip ends Monday afternoon.

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Gateway National Recreation Area
Every Sunday Weekly and Every Saturday Weekly from 06/04/2016 to 09/03/2016 11:00AM to 12:00PM
Birding for Beginners
Join us for an introduction to this fun hobby. Learn the basics of birding. Bring binoculars and a field guide or borrow them from wildlife refuge!
Location: Jamaica Bay Wildlife Refuge
Fee Information: Free

Every Sunday Weekly and Every Saturday Weekly from 05/28/2016 to 08/28/2016 9:30AM to 11:30AM
Camp Gateway Walk-up and Paddle
Try kayaking! Open to the public, ages 6 and up with an adult. No reservation required. Bring a snack, water and sunscreen.
Bus: Q35
Location: Floyd Bennett Field – Brooklyn, Seaplane Ramp
Fee Information: FREE
Contact Name: Ryan Visitor Center
Contact Phone Number: 718-338-3799

Every Saturday Weekly from 05/28/2016 to 08/27/2016 1:00PM to 3:30PM
Canarsie Walk-up and Paddle
Kayak tryouts for those who have never done it before. Open to the public, ages 6 and up with an adult. No reservations required.
Location: Canarsie Pier, Brooklyn
Fee Information: FREE
Contact Name: Ryan Visitor Center
Contact Phone Number: (718)338-3799

Every Sunday Weekly from 06/05/2016 to 09/04/2016 11:00AM to 12:00PM
Fort Tilden Bunkers Walking Tour
Join a Park Ranger for an exploration of Fort Tilden's gun batteries, and find out about the fort's role in the defense of New York Harbor.
1 mile.
Location: Fort Tilden-Building 1
Fee Information: Free

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Linnaean Society of New York
Saturday, June 11, 2016 (rain date Sunday, June 12)
Ward Pound Ridge for Butterflies
Leader: Rick Cech
Registrar: Lenore Swenson — lenoreswenson@gmail.com or 212-533-9567
Registration opens: Monday May 30
Ride: $30

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New York Botanical Garden (Bronx)
Saturday, June 11, 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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Newtown Historical Society
Sunday, June 12, 2016 at 9AM - 12PM
All Faiths Cemetery
67-29 Metropolitan Avenue

Join naturalist Rob Jett and Christina Wilkinson of the Newtown Historical Society on a walk through All Faiths Cemetery. We will observe the natural environ- ment, including birds, butterflies, plants and trees and discuss the history of the cemetery, it's role in the development of Middle Village and visit the graves of noteworthy people who are buried there. Meet up in front of the cemetery office on the north side of Metro. Bring binoculars and water and wear comfortable shoes. Terrain is hilly.

This event is free and is part of the bicentennial celebration of Middle Village. Sponsored by Juniper Park Civic Association, Newtown Historical Society and All Faiths Cemetery. For more information call 718-366-3715.

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New York City Audubon Society
Saturday, June 11, 2016, 9am–Sunday, June 12, 2016, 6pm
Bashakill, Shawangunk, and Doodletown, NY
Guide: Joe Giunta, Happy Warblers LLC
Look for breeding eastern meadowlarks, American bitterns, cerulean warblers, and more at these three great birding areas. An overnight stay will facilitate being in the right spot at the right time. Bring lunch for the first day, binoculars, and a spotting scope (if you have one). Transport by passenger van included. Limited to 10. $290 ($55 single supplement)
Click here to register

Saturday, June 11, 2016, 7:30am-12:30pm
Explore the Meadowlands by Pontoon Boat, Secaucus, NJ
Guide: Tod Winston and NJ Meadowlands Docent
With NJ Meadowlands Commission
Explore the Meadowlands' Mill Creek Marsh, a 225-acre restored wetland off the Hackensack River. We'll take a relaxing pontoon boat ride in search of egrets, night-herons, belted kingfishers, and marsh wrens--along with nesting osprey and peregrine falcons. Bring lunch. Transport by passenger van included. Limited to 12. $101 (71)
Click here to register

Saturday, June 11,2016, 8-11:00am
Prospect Park Bird Walk
Guide: Gabriel Willow
Meet under the arch in Grand Army Plaza. Join Gabriel Willow for a leisurely walk to see later-spring migrants and breeding bird residents of 'Brooklyn's Backyard', beautiful Prospect Park. Prospect Park has a wide variety of habitats that attracts a large number of migrants and breeding bird species - significantly more than Central Park in fact. We will explore the park's meadows, forests, and waterways in search of waterfowl, warblers, tanagers, and some of the other species that call the park home. Limited to 15. $36 (25)
Click here to register

Saturdays, May 7-July 30, 8-9:30am
Van Cortlandt Bird Walks, The Bronx
Guides: NYC Audubon, Van Cortlandt Park Conservancy 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

Sundays April 10, May 8, and June 12, 9:30-11:30am
Spring Birding at Wave Hill, The Bronx
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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Queens County Bird Club
Saturday, June 11, 2016
Explore the Alley Creek wetlands with the Natural Areas Conservancy
This is a chance to discuss their plans for the area north of Northern Blvd, as well as to provide birding assistance.
REGISTRATION REQUIRED – use this link
Where: Alley Pond Environmental Center, 22806 Northern Blvd, Little Neck, NY 11362

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South Shore Audubon Society
Sunday, June 5, 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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Urban Park Rangers
Saturday, June 11, 2016
Birdwatching at the Ridgewood Reservoir at Ridgewood Reservoir's Vermont Place Entrance (in Highland Park), Queens
8:00 a.m.–10:30 a.m.
Start your day off with an early morning bird-watching walk led by the Brooklyn Bird Club.
Free!

Jane's Walk: Exploring the Wetlands at Alley Pond Park at Alley Pond Environmental Center, Queens
10:30 a.m.–12:00 p.m.
Join the Natural Areas Conservancy as we tour the landscape and discuss our plans for restoration.
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, June 12, 2016
Summer 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.