Upcoming Birding and Nature Trips

Below is a list of upcoming nature trips by local birding/conservation groups for Saturday, October 8, 2016 to Sunday, October 9, 2016:

Brooklyn Bird Club
Saturday, October 8, 2016
Sparrows of Fort Tilden and Riis Parks, Gateway NP, Queens
Leader: Rusty Harold
Focus: Peak of sparrow, swallow, and raptor migration; beginning sea duck migration
Car fee: $12.00
Registrar: Donna Evans email devansny@earthlink.net
Registration Period: Oct 1st – Oct 6th
Location checklist: http://tinyurl.com/FortTildenbirds

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Freshkills Park (Staten Island)
Sunday, October 09, 2016, 1:00pm
Freshkills Park Kayaking
Leader: Micha Bochart
Join the Freshkills Park Team and Kayak Staten Island for a kayaking experience like no other! This excursion will take you into the William T. Davis Wildlife Refuge and up close to some of the varied wildlife that call Freshkills Park home.

Freshkills Park has changed its policy to require a $10 donation to the Freshkills Park Alliance with kayak registration. This contribution will help the Alliance continue to provide this program.

Space is limited and demand is very high for the kayak tours. Please contact us as soon as possible if you will not be able to make this trip. In order to receive a full refund, reservations must be cancelled no later than 72 hours prior to the kayak tour start time. If you have your own kayak, let us know if you plan to bring it to the park.

Kayaks, life vests, and brief safety training will be provided. Kayak tours are limited to participants ages 16 and over, in good health and with basic swimming skills. Be prepared to get wet! Space is very limited.

Tickets go on sale September 25th. Location provided with registration confirmation.
Sign Up at EventBrite

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Gateway National Park
Saturday, October 8, 2016, 10:00am to 1:00pm
Fall Raptor Migration
Fee Information: Free
Hike along the beach, dunes and woodlands of the fort and visit the hawk watch platform on top of Battery Harris East to observe the many species of raptors migrating along the coast.
Leader: Don Riepe. To reserve call (718) 474-0896 or email: donriepe@gmail.com
This is a partnership program with NYC Audubon, The American Littoral Society and Gateway NRA. All ages welcome.
Location: Fort Tilden-Building 1

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Hudson River Audubon Society
Saturday, October 8, 2016
The Big Sit
Meet at Lenoir Nature Preserve behind the Lenoir Mansion anytime between 8AM and 3PM
A great way to enjoy birds without an effort!
The object of the "BIG SIT" is to tally as many bird species as we can in a day from a single position. We'll be out on the Lenoir lawn (at our hawk watch sight) overlooking the Hudson River and Palisades. Bring a chair, drink and snacks and join us anytime on that day and help us find the birds! http://www.hras.org/wtobird/lenoir.html

Hudson River Audubon Society field trips are free. Non-members/ newcomers are welcome and are encouraged to join us as members ($20 introductory offer).

Bring binoculars and field guides if you have them. Some are available for loan for those who need them. Dress appropriately for the weather. For more information call Michael Bochnik at (914) 237-9331

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Huntington-Oyster Bay Audubon Society
Sunday, October 9, 2016 - 9:00am
Robert Moses SP Hawk Watch
some of the birds flying by at eye level, always has expert hawk watchers to answer any questions you may have. Exploring the surrounding areas should turn up other migrants as well as possible rarities.

Registration: 631-885-1881 or email aveblue@gmail.com

Directions: Proceed south on Robert Moses Parkway, over the bridge to Robert Moses State Park. From the water tower circle (check for peregrine falcon), proceed east to parking lot #5. We will meet in the NE corner of the parking lot.

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Linnaean Society of New York
Sunday, October 9, 2016
Staten Island Conference House Park / Mount Loretto
Leader: Howard Fischer
Registrar: Judy Rabi — jsrabi@verizon.net or 917-658-1832
Registration opens: Monday, September 26
Ride: $20

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New York Botanical Garden (Bronx)
Saturdays -- 9/3/2016 - 6/24/2017: 11:00 a.m.
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
Saturdays, September 3-November 26, 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

Saturday, October 8, 2016, 8am-4pm
Migration Along the Barrier Islands, Queens
Guide: Tod Winston
Look for migrating raptors and songbirds as they stop and rest along Long Island's barrier islands. We'll venture to some of the best spots in the vicinity of Jones Beach to find what surprises the north winds have brought us. Bring lunch, water, and binoculars. Transport by passenger van included. Limited to 12. $122 (85)
Click here to register

Saturday, October 8, 2016, 10am-1pm
Fall Raptor Migration
Guide: Don Riepe
With American Littoral Society
Meet at Fort Tilden Building No. 1. Hike along the beach, dunes and woodlands of the fort and visit the hawkwatch platform on top of Battery Harris East to observe the many species of hawks and falcons migrating along the coast. To reserve, call (718) 474-0896 or e-mail: donriepe@gmail.com
Free.

Thursday, October 6, 7-8:30pm (class); Saturday, October 8, 2:30-5:30pm (trip)
Sparrow ID Workshop
Instructor: Gabriel Willow
Sparrows are one of the most challenging groups of birds to identify, yet beautiful and fascinating once they can be distinguished. Learn to identify those LBJs (little brown jobs) by studying behavior, field marks, and songs. Sparrow species seen in prior years include field, swamp, savannah, white-crowned, and Lincoln's. Limited to 12. $65 (45)
Click here to register

Sundays October 9, November 13, December 11, 9:30-11:30am
Fall Birding at Wave Hill, The Bronx
Guide: Gabriel Willow
With Wave Hill
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. Advanced registration is recommended, either online at www.wavehill.org, at the Perkins Visitor Center, or by calling 718-549-3200 x251. (Walks run rain or shine; in case of severe weather call the number above for updates.) Ages 10 and up welcome with an adult. NYC Audubon members enjoy two-for-one admission (see www.wavehill.org for more information). Limited to 20. Meet at Perkins Visitor Center at 9:30am

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Newtown Historical Society
Saturday, October 8, 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 environment, 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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North Fork Audubon Society
Saturday, October 8, 2016
Birdwalks with Rick
8:00 AM The Red House at Inlet Pond County Park (map)
Join Rick Kedenburg for walk in Inlet Pond County Park, meet at the Red House at 8AM. Rain cancels. For info: 631-734-7144 or kedenbird@optonline.net

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North Shore Audubon Society
Saturday, October 8, 2016, 8am
Alley Pond Environmental Center
Leader: Trudy - 718-224-8432

Walks are for beginners and experienced birders alike. Weather permitting, walks start at 9:30 AM unless indicated.
If in doubt, please call the trip leader.
Please note: all phone numbers are area code 516 unless otherwise indicated. In most cases, the contacts are also leaders for the respective walks. We would like to encourage carpooling, where possible.
Please note there is a $10 per car fee at Sands Pt. Call leader for parking ideas.
Schedule note: *** indicates 8 am official start time
*indicates new parking location

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Protectors of Pine Oak Woods (Staten Island)
Sunday, October 9, 2016 @ 1:00pm – 3:00pm
Monarch Butterfly Migration Talk and Walk/Butterfly Tagging
Where: Conference House Park
Cost: Free
Contact: Paul Lederer 718-354-9200
Come tag monarch butterflies with naturalist Paul T. Lederer who will discuss this insect’s biology and behavior. Monarch butterflies migrate in the fall from as far north as Canada on their journey to their overwintering sites in Mexico. Come and enjoy the experience of seeing these marvels of nature up close and personal!

It is suggested that the participants wear long pants and shoes that cover the entire foot as well as socks that cover the ankle since we will be walking through beach grass and dunes.

We will meet at the Conference House Park parking lot near the Visitors Center, 7455 Hylan Boulevard. NOTE: PARTICIPATION IS LIMITED

To ensure your reservation call Paul at his cell phone 718-354-9200. If you get his voice mail, please leave the following information: your name, your phone number (cell phone is preferred), the number in your party.

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Queens County Bird Club
Saturday, October 8, 2016
Big Sit
Leader: Corey Finger - 518-445-5829
Where: Fort Tilden (Gateway National Recreation Area)
Click here for more info
Rain date Sunday, October 9th

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Urban Park Rangers
Saturday, October 8, 2016
Bird Walks at Van Cortlandt Nature Center (in Van Cortlandt Park), Bronx
8:00 a.m.–9:30 a.m.
About 230 different bird species have been recorded in Van Cortlandt Park and over 60 species breed here!
Free!

Raptor Fest at Unisphere (in Flushing Meadows Corona Park), Queens
12:00 p.m.–3:00 p.m.
Experience the thrill of viewing New York's premier predators live and up close. Join NYC Parks at the annual Raptor Fest hosted by the Urban Park Rangers.
Free!

Sunday, October 9, 2016
Fall 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 bird species and their behaviors on these captivating walks.
Free!

Birding: Fall Migration at Anne Loftus Playground (in Fort Tryon Park), Manhattan
10:00 a.m.–11:30 a.m.
Our Rangers will guide you to the best wildlife viewing spots in the urban jungle. Birding programs are appropriate for all skill levels and beginners are welcome.
Free!

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Wild Bird Fund
Saturday, October 8, 2016 @ 9:00am - 11:00am
Migration Time
October is here and fall migration is in full swing!
Please join WBF member and artist/naturalist Alan Messer for a bird walk on Saturday October 8th (rain date: Sunday Oct. 9)
In Central Park, we’ll check the Reservoir for waterfowl, and the nearby Pinetum for woodpeckers, nuthatches, chickadees and kinglets. As we walk to the Ramble for warblers, finches, sparrows, and thrushes, we’ll keep our “eyes out” for raptor migration overhead.
We’ll be meeting at the Wild Bird Fund (address below) at 9 AM SHARP.
The walk is $15; for members of WBF, it is $10.
(Interested in becoming a member? It’s only $10 a month! Click here for more info!)
RSVP required: events@wildbirdfund.org