Upcoming Birding and Nature Trips

Below is a list of upcoming nature trips by local birding/conservation groups for Saturday, December 16, 2017 to Sunday, December 17, 2017. Most organizations are participating in this year's annual Christmas Bird Count, however there are still a few trips for those not counting birds this weekend:

Alley Pond Environmental Center
Saturday, December 16, 2017, 7pm – 9pm
Stargazing - Winter Solstice
For more information and to register visit www.alleypond.com/adults

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Audubon Center in Prospect Park
Saturday, December 16, 2017, 12 pm – 1 pm
Introduction to Bird Watching
Join Prospect Park Alliance for a birdwatching walk and learn about Prospect Park’s magnificent array of birds and how to identify them!

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Gateway National Recreation Area
Saturday, December 16, 2017
Evening Owl Prowl
Location: Jamaica Bay Wildlife Refuge
Junior Rangers and their families are invited to an owl adventure.
View Details

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New York Botanical Garden (Bronx)
Saturdays -- 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
Meet at the Reflecting Pool at the Leon Levy Visitor Center
Included in All-Garden Pass
Get Tickets

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New York City Audubon
Saturday, December 16, 2017, 9:00am – 4:00pm
The Freshwater Ponds of Long Island's South Shore
Guide: Tod Winston
Visit up to seven South Shore freshwater ponds that provide refuge to a surprising variety of wintering waterfowl—and great viewing opportunities to birders. Possible sightings include hooded mergansers, green-winged teal, ring-necked ducks, northern pintails, and redheads. We’ll also make a short stop or two by the bay to look for loons, grebes, and sea ducks.
Transport by passenger van included. Limited to 12. $94 (66)
Click here to register

Saturday, December 16, 2017, 9:00am – 10:30am
Winter Walk in Van Cortlandt Park
Guide: Nadir Souirgi
Enjoy this ecologically diverse park with extensive woodlands and the Bronx's largest freshwater lake. Look for rarities such as wintering owls, land birds like snow buntings and Lapland longspurs, or even spot the odd migratory goose species like cackling goose, barnacle goose, or greater white-fronted goose. Limited to 15. $36 (25)
Click here to register

Sunday, December 17, 2017, 10am – 1pm
Winter Waterfowl ID Workshop Trip
Thursday, December 14, 6-7:30pm (class) and Sunday, December 17, 10am-1pm (trip)
Guide: Gabriel Willow
If it walks like a duck, and quacks like a duck, it's probably a duck . . . but is it a dabbling duck or a diving duck? Or could it be a grebe? This class will help you distinguish between ducks, geese, loons, grebes, and more. Following our class, we'll put our newfound skills to work as we seek out the diverse mix of dabbling ducks, bay ducks, sea ducks, grebes, loons, and cormorants to be found in Central Park's Reservoir.
Limited to 12. $65 (45)
Click here to register

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Protectors of Pine Oak Woods
Sunday, December 17, 2017, 11:00am – 1:00pm
Wolfe’s Pond Park Ancient Trees
Walk the end-of-autumn woods of this park made famous for its ancient trees, notably Tulip and Oak. We may also explore placid Acme pond. The entrance to the park is from Cornelia Avenue off Hylan Blvd. Park closest to the restrooms, where we will meet.
For more information, contact Hillel Lofaso at 718-477-0545.
Read More

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South Shore Audubon Society
Sunday, December 17, 2017
Jones Beach West End 2

From the Southern State Parkway, exit onto the Meadowbrook State Parkway south. After entering Jones Beach State Park, exit right (west) into the West End. Continue west to West End 2 parking lot; we meet in the northeast corner of the lot.

From the Wantagh State Parkway, travel south. Upon entering Jones Beach State Park, exit at Bay Drive and continue west to West End 2 parking lot; we meet in the northeast corner of the lot.

Directions via Google Maps

Bird walks led by a member of SSAS are conducted nearly every Sunday morning from late August through early June. Walks are open to the public and are free of charge. We especially encourage youngsters to attend.
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.

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Urban Park Rangers
Saturday, December 16, 2017
Nature Walk: Birds and the Winter Garden at Wave Hill House (in Wave Hill), Bronx
11:00 a.m.–12:00 p.m.
Take a guided, brisk walk to see birds and bird habitats in the garden. Along the way, hear about fascinating adaptations that help birds survive the cold.
Free!

Birding: Waterfowl at 155th Street and Baisley Boulevard (in Baisley Pond Park), Queens
11:00 a.m.–12:30 p.m.
New York City is home to an amazing abundance of wildlife. Our Urban Park Rangers will guide you to the best wildlife viewing spots in the urban jungle.
Free!

Nature Walk: Birds and the Winter Garden at Wave Hill House (in Wave Hill), Bronx
2:00 p.m.–3:00 p.m.
Take a guided, brisk walk to see birds and bird habitats in the garden. Along the way, hear about fascinating adaptations that help birds survive the cold.

Sunday, December 17, 2017
Birding: Waterfowl at Salt Marsh Nature Center (in Marine Park), Brooklyn
10:00 a.m.–11:30 a.m.
Our Urban Park Rangers will guide you to the best wildlife viewing spots in the urban jungle. Birding programs are appropriate for all skill levels. Beginners are welcome.
Free!