Upcoming Birding and Nature Trips

Below is a list of upcoming nature trips by local birding/conservation groups for Saturday, March 18, 2017 to Sunday, March 19, 2017:

Bedford Audubon Society
Saturday, March 18, 2017, 8:30am – 2:00pm
Walkill National Wildlife Refuge and Black Dirt Region
Join Naturalist Tait Johansson and the group in search of exciting spring migrants like Rusty Blackbird, Wood Duck, and large flocks of waterfowl that often include hundreds of Northern Pintail and Green-winged Teal. Possible stop at Shawangunk Grasslands on the return trip for Rough-legged Hawks and Eastern Meadowlark, among others.
Depart Bylane at 7am
Cost: Free
Level of Difficulty: Easy-moderate
Please register with Susan at info@bedfordaudubon.org or 914.302.9713

Sunday, March 19, 2017, 1pm – 3pm
Vernal Pools at Hunt-Parker Sanctuary
Under the leadership of long-time Bedford Audubon Member Paul Lewis, you'll visit these hidden treasures deep in the forest and learn about the vital importance of these seasonal wetlands as spawning grounds for salamanders and other amphibians.
Family friendly for children 10 years of age and older, must be accompanied by an adult.
Cost: Free
Level of difficulty: Moderate
Meet at Bylane Farm at 12:45pm wearing boots suitable for water
Please register with Susan at info@bedfordaudubon.org or 914-302-9713

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Brooklyn Bird Club
Saturday, March 18, 2017
Ridgewood Reservoir to Jamaica Bay
Leader: Steve Nanz
Focus: Wetland species, freshwater and salt water ducks, early upland species
Car fee: $12.00
Registrar: Marisa Wohl email marisaw@earthlink.net
Registration Period: March 11th - March 16th

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Gateway National Recreation Area
Saturday, March 18, 2017
Nurture Nature Retreat and Wild Walk
Learn to live more deeply, more connected, and more in love with nature, including human nature. Through One Earth Conservation's Nuture Nature Program, which aims to inspire, motivate, educate and support people to take care of themselves, their organizations and the biotic community as a whole.
Registration is required: www.oneearthconservation.org
Location: Jamaica Bay Wildlife Refuge
Fee Information: Free

Every Sunday Weekly from 03/12/2017 to 05/28/2017
Birding for Beginners
Join us for an introductory nature walk where you will learn the essentials of birdwatching.
Location: Jamaica Bay Wildlife Refuge
Fee Information: Free

Sunday, March 19, 2017, 4:30pm to 6:00pm
Spring Peepers Guided Walk
Join a Park Ranger for a guided walk on the East Pond Trail for signs of the coming spring season. If we're lucky, we'll be serenaded by the evening chorus of amorous spring peepers. Discover more about these tiny but fascinating tree frogs on a stroll to Big John's Pond.
Location: Jamaica Bay Wildlife Refuge
Fee Information: Free

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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
Sunday, March 19, 2017, 8:30am – 10:30am
Central Park Winter Walk
Guide: Gabriel Willow
Meet at Central Park West and 72nd Street. Some of the best sightings await hardy nature-lovers willing to venture out in winter. Several species of owls are found in Central Park in the colder months, along with "winter finches" such as pine siskins, redpolls, and crossbills. Observing the adaptations for cold-weather survival among blue jays, titmice, and other resident species is fascinating as well. Warm up after the walk with a hot chocolate by the fireplace at the Loeb Boathouse. Limited to 15. $36 (25)
Click here to register

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North Shore Audubon Society
Saturday, March 18, 2017, 9:30am – 11:30am
Massapequa Preserve
Leader: Ralph (516) 785-3375

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Protectors of Pine Oak Woods (Staten Island)
Sunday, March 19, 2017, 1:00pm – 3:00pm
Crooke’s Point at Great Kills Park
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, 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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South Shore Audubon Society
Saturday, March 11, 2017
Hempstead Lake State Park

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, March 18, 2017
Birding Bootcamp at Wave Hill House (in Wave Hill), Bronx
9:30 a.m.–1:30 p.m.
New and experienced birders are invited to join expert birder, naturalist and educator Gabriel Willow to discover the many groups of birds that call NYC their home.

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Wild Bird Fund
Saturday, March 18, 2017, 9:00am - 11:00am
Take a Walk on the Wild Side: Early Spring 2017
Spring is almost here – time to get outside and see who’s around!
Please join WBF member and artist/naturalist Alan Messer for an early spring walk on Saturday March 18 (rain date March 19).
In Central Park, we’ll check the Reservoir for any lingering waterfowl, and as we walk to the Ramble for warblers, finches, sparrows, and thrushes, we’ll keep our “eyes out” for our woodpecker neighbors, hawks, and early migrating phoebes and warblers.
We’ll be meeting at the Wild Bird Fund (address below) at 9am 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