Upcoming Birding and Nature Trips

Below is a list of upcoming nature trips by local birding/conservation groups for the weekend of Saturday, August 13, 2016 to Sunday, August 14, 2016 (updated 8/2/16):

Eastern Long Island Audubon Society
Saturday, August 13, 2016 – 8:00am
The Isle of Cupsogue
Get to Cupsogue before 8:00 am and it’s FREE PARKING! The trip to the shoreline will begin around 8:15 am. We will meet at the western end of the parking lot. Low tide for that day is 11:22 am, so we will take a comfortable walk of about 1 mile to the crossable mud flats, where we will see south-bound migrating shorebirds, and some summer residents as well. Bring sunscreen, water, and sand-walking/water-walking foot ware – or go barefoot! The crossing is mushy but not harsh on the feet. For more information, please contact Eileen Schwinn, the Trip Leader (various other ELIAS Members/Directors will also be in attendance!) by email: beachmed@optonline.net or call 516-662-7751. Heavy rain or severe weather conditions (high wind or lightning ) will cancel this trip. Binoculars are necessary, and scopes are helpful.

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Freshkills Park (Staten Island)
Sunday, August 14, 2016, 10:00am
Bus Tour
Learn about the past, present and future of Freshkills Park development during a guided bus ride through the park. Stops at the top of the park’s hills offer beautiful panoramic views of Staten Island. This tour departs from the Staten Island Ferry Terminal in St. George.
Sign Up at EventBrite

Sunday, August 14, 2016, 1:00pm
Bus Tour
Learn about the past, present and future of Freshkills Park development during a guided bus ride through the park. Stops at the top of the park’s hills offer beautiful panoramic views of Staten Island. This tour departs from the Staten Island Ferry Terminal in St. George.
Sign Up at EventBrite

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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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Littoral Society
Wednesday, August 11th - Monday, August 15, 2016
Cape Ann Whale Watch Weekend
The weekend includes three nights lodging in historic Gloucester, Massachusetts, an easy canoe trip on the quiet Ipswich River, a sunset cruise on the Essex River, a coastal hike, plus a lobster dinner at the Gloucester House. On the way back, we'll visit the Parker River National Wildlife Refuge.
Cost: $425/person for double occupancy; single supplement is $180 extra.
For more information, please call (718) 474-0896; e-mail: donriepe@gmail.com

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New York City Audubon Society
Saturday, August 13, 2016, 9:30am-2pm
Shorebird Walk in Jamaica Bay, Queens
Guide:Gabriel Willow
Meet at the Jamaica Bay Wildlife Refuge. We'll search the mudflats and ponds for breeding herons and egrets, Forster's and Common Terns, Clapper Rail, and American Oystercatcher, as well as migratory plovers and sandpipers that will already be headed south. Limited to 15. $40 (28)
Click here to register

Sundays July 10, August 14, September 11, 9:30-11:30am
Summer Birding at Wave Hill
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, August 13, 2016 @ 10:00am – 2:00pm
Forest Restoration Workshop along the LaTourette bike path
Cost: Free
Contact: Don Recklies 718-768-9036 / Chuck Perry 718-667-1393
Note that this workshop is on the 2nd Saturday of the month.
Meet at the bike path entrance on the Old Mill Road (west of Richmond Hill Road) next to St. Andrews Church.
We will walk west along the bike path cutting invasive vines that stranger saplings along the trail (our 239th monthly workshop). If you don’t have your own, Protectors will supply the gloves, pruners and refreshments.
After the work session we will take a short walk over nearly trails.
Community Service Credits are available.

Sunday, August 14, 2016 @ 1:00pm – 3:00pm
Crooke’s Point
Cost: Free
Contact: Paul Lederer 718-354-9200
Maritime sand spits such as Crooke’s Point are dynamic topographical features 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. We will meet at the Beach Center Parking Lot in Great Kills Park. To get to the Beach Center Parking Lot take Hylan Boulevard to Buffalo Street and drive down Buffalo Street to just where the dirt permit road begins.
For more information or directions contact Paul at his cell phone 718-354-9200.

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Urban Park Rangers
Sunday, August 14, 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.

Birding in Central Park at Belvedere Castle (in Central Park), Manhattan
10:00 a.m.–11:30 a.m.
Come birding with the Urban Park Rangers in Central Park!
Free!

Hallett Nature Sanctuary at Hallett Nature Sanctuary (in Central Park), Manhattan
11:00 a.m.–1:00 p.m.
During these limited hours, visitors can explore the normally-closed Hallett Sanctuary at their own pace along the rustic trail.
Free!