Upcoming Birding and Nature Trips

Below is a list of upcoming nature trips by local birding/conservation groups for Saturday, May 18, 2019 to Sunday, May 19, 2019:

Bedford Audubon Society
Saturday, May 18, 2019, 7:30am - 12:00pm
Doodletown Road
Doodletown Road, Rockland County, NY
Come with us to a special place where everyone goes to find Hooded and Cerulean Warblers.
Naturalist Tait Johansson will guide you on a Field Trip to Doodletown Road which is not only known as the best place in the area to find these breeding warblers but is also a fine spot for many other songbirds, migrants and breeders alike. Enjoy the walk up the rugged trail past the ruins of a “lost civilization.”
Saturday, May 18, 7:30am-12noon. Depart Bylane at 6:30am or meet at the Doodletown Trailhead at 7:30am. Cost: Free. Level of Difficulty: Moderate. Please register with Susan at info@bedfordaudubon.org or 914-302-9713.
See more details

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Brooklyn Bird Club
Saturday, May 18, 2019, 7:15am - 12:00pm
Prospect Park Saturday Walk
Leader: Dennis Hrehowsik Meet at Ocean/Parkside Avenues, “The Pergola” at 7:15 am No registration necessary.
Please review our trip guidelines here: http://brooklynbirdclub.org/information-registration

Saturday, May 18, 2019, 12:00pm - 2:00pm
Prospect Park: Birdwatching for Beginners
Leader: Cyrus Baty
Birdwatching for Beginners meets at the Prospect Park Audubon Center at The Boathouse at 12 noon.
Bring binoculars if you have them; otherwise, binoculars are available for loan.

Sunday, May 19, 2019, 9:00am - 10:30am
Fort Greene Park, North Brooklyn
Meet 9 am at the Urban Park Rangers Visitors Center https://tinyurl.com/FtGreeneVCtr
Leader: August Davidson-Onsgard AugustDavidsonOnsgard.com
Focus: Spring migration of songbirds at a historical park. The park’s May list is 78 species to date. No registration necessary. Nearest train stations: DeKalb Avenue station; exit and walk 5 blocks east on DeKalb Avenue; Also Fulton Ave A and […]

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Eastern Long Island Audubon Society
Saturday, May 18, 2019, 9:00am
Hallockville Museum Farm and Hallock State Park Bird Walk
Leader: MaryLaura Lamont
Sparrows, wood warblers, orioles, vireos, and grosbeaks can all be found in the fields, woods and pond of these two attached parcels of land, bordering Long Island Sound. It is a good “resting and refueling” spot for birds of all kinds before they take off over the wide Sound to their northern breeding grounds. The $8.00 fee goes towards the educational programs of Hallockville Museum Farm. Call (631) 298-5292 to register or for details.

Sunday, May 19, 2019, 8:00am
Hunters Garden
Leader: Eileen Schwinn
Located on the west side of Route 51 in Northampton (border of Brookhaven and Southampton Townships, just north of Sunrise Highway), Hunters Garden is a DEC managed area which is truly unique. Vernal ponds and dirt trails lead us in a rather hilly section of the South Shore. Cuckoo, Scarlet Tanager, Vireos, Wood and Hermit Thrush, Gnat catchers, as well as many warblers, are likely to be seen. Dress for ticks, and bring a snack/water. We will meet at the clearing at the end of the dirt road (which will, hopefully, have an open yellow gate), approximately one mile from the Route 51 “entrance”. Contact Eileen at beachmed@optonline.net for more information.

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Feminist Bird Club
Sunday, May 19, 2019
Horseshoe Crab Festival at Jamaica Bay Wildlife Refuge

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Gateway National Park
Saturday, May 18, 2019, 10:00am — 11:00am
Birding for Beginners
Day(s): Every week on Saturday until September 28, 2019
View Details

Sunday, May 19, 2019, 8:30am — 1:00pm
Horseshoe Crab Festival
View Details

Sunday, May 19, 2019, 10:00am — 11:30am
Osprey Watch Guided Walk
Day(s): Every week on Sunday until September 29, 2019
View Details

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Great South Bay Audubon Society
Saturday, May 18, 2019 to Sunday, May 19, 2019 - 7:00am
Sterling Forest and Bashakill
Leader(s): John Gluth (631-827-0120)

From Tappan Zee Bridge, take I-87 to Sloatsburg exit 15A, take the exit for Rte 72 (Sterling Mine Rd.), 1-mile up Rte 17. Continue west on Rte 72 for 3 Miles until you reach Rte 84, Long Meadow Rd. Continue up long Meadow Rd to Sterling Lake Rd (4 Mi). Turn left there and continue to Park Visitors Center parking lot on Old Forge Rd. Overnight at Wurtsboro Days Inn (845-888-8727).

(Nature walks will be cancelled if it is raining or snowing.)

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Green-Wood Cemetery
Saturday, May 18, 2019, 6:00am - 7:30am
Birding in Peace
Peak Spring Migration From Ruby-throated Hummingbirds to over 20 species of colorful wood-warblers, our peak migration tours will feature many of the 163 bird species that have been recorded at Green-Wood during the month of May. Beginning just after sunrise, we will experience spring’s dawn chorus at the active time of day for birds.

Sunday, May 19, 2019, 6:00am - 7:30am
Birding in Peace
Peak Spring Migration From Ruby-throated Hummingbirds to over 20 species of colorful wood-warblers, our peak migration tours will feature many of the 163 bird species that have been recorded at Green-Wood during the month of May. Beginning just after sunrise, we will experience spring’s dawn chorus at the active time of day for birds.

$10 for members of Green-Wood and BHS / $15 for non-members

Green-Wood’s official birding checklist is available to pick up from the security guard at the main entrance on 25th Street or to print here. Comfortable footwear is recommended.

For this program you will check in at the Gothic Arches, right at the main entrance. Click here for our inclement weather policy.

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Huntington-Oyster Bay Audubon Society
Sunday, May 19, 2019, 8:30am
Doodletown
Great spot to see upstate birds, including Cerulean and Hooded Warblers!
Registration: Call 631-885-1881 to register.

Directions: Travel west over the Tappan Zee Bridge to exit 13. Take the Palisades Interstate Parkway north. Go north to Route 6 to the Bear Mountain traffic circle. Leave the circle at the first exit, the Bear Mountain State Park exit. At the light, follow the left fork south along 9W. Within less than 1 mile there will be several small parking areas near two, white concrete abutments indicating the bridge over Doodletown Brook. Park along the road.

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Linnaean Society of New York
Saturday, May 18, 2019 (Rain Date May 19)
Doodletown
Leader: Paul Keim
Registrar: Anne Lazarus — amlazarus47@gmail.com or 212-673-9059
Registration opens: Monday, May 6
Ride: $30

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New York City Audubon
Saturday, May 18, 2019, 7:30am – 2:30pm
The Birds of Rockefeller State Preserve, NY
Guide: Tod Winston
Explore the forested hills, fields, and ponds of this lovely preserve, a former country estate of the Rockefeller family. We'll look for migrant songbirds as well as local breeding species like Eastern Bluebird, Pileated Woodpecker, Yellow-throated Vireo, and Blue-winged Warbler. Bring lunch. Transport by passenger van. Limited to 12. $122 (85)
Click here to register

Saturday, May 18, 2019, 9:00am – 10:30am
Van Cortlandt Bird Walks, The Bronx
Saturdays, April 27-July 20, 9-10:30am
Guide: NYC Audubon 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 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, call 212-691-7483. No registration necessary. No limit. Free

Saturday, May 18, 2019, 9:30am – 10:30am
Queens Botanical Garden Bird Walks
Saturdays, March 30 and April 27 and May 18, 9:30-10:30am
Sundays, April 7 and April 14, 9:30-10:30am
Guide: NYC Audubon with Queens Botanical Garden
Explore Queens Botanical Garden in search of migrant songbirds and learn about the valuable resources the Garden offers birds and other wildlife. Binoculars available. Register for one date or the whole series of five walks (walk-ins welcome). To register, email info@queensbotanical.org or visit www.queensbotanical.org/calendar. Each walk limited to 25. Free (with Garden admission)

Saturday, May 18, 2019, 1pm – 4pm
Nesting Peregrines and Red-tails of the Upper West Side
Guide: Gabriel Willow
Many New Yorkers are astonished to discover that their city of steel and glass is home to a diverse population of large birds of prey: the City boasts the world’s highest densities of the Peregrine Falcon—the world’s fastest flyer—and a growing population of Red-tailed Hawks (several pairs of which have reached celebrity status). We’ll visit the nesting site of a pair of each of these fascinating species, and may glimpse parents feeding their chicks. Limited to 15. $36 (25)
Click here to register

Saturday, May 18, 2019, 2:00pm – 3:30pm
An Afternoon Bird Walk in Central Park
PLEASE NOTE: This date has been changed
Guide: Jeff Ward
Search for spring migrants on a leisurely afternoon walk through Central Park's best birding spots with Jeff Ward, NYC Audubon’s newest trip leader (see Winter 2018-2019 The Urban Audubon for a profile on Jeff). Each walk limited to 15. $36 (25) per walk
Click here to register

Sunday, May 19, 2019, 8am – 12pm
Birding Gems of Staten Island: Clove Lakes Park
Guide: Gabriel Willow
Journey to the "forgotten borough" to discover some of the beautiful forests and incredible birding spots of Clove Lakes Park. Look for ducks and seabirds in New York Harbor on our way across on the ferry ride and then catch a bus to the Park. Numerous warblers, vireos, tanagers, and other migratory songbirds can be seen here, as well as nesting Eastern Screech-Owls and Great Blue Herons. We'll even see one of the largest and oldest trees in New York City. Limited to 15. Bus fare ($2.75 each way; please bring your MetroCard or exact change) not included in registration price. $43 (30)
Click here to register

Sunday, May 19, 2019, 8:00am – 9:30am
North Brooklyn Bird Walks
Where: Msgr. McGolrick Park, Russell Street and Nassau Ave, Brooklyn, NY 11222
DescriptionDescription:Come along with Heather Wolf, author of Birding at the Bridge and web developer for Cornell Lab of Ornithology's eBird.org, for a leisurely walk through McGolrick Park to see spring migrants and breeding bird residents in North Brooklyn. Registration required. Limited to 20. Free

Sunday, May 19, 2019, 8:30am – 2:00pm
3rd Annual Horseshoe Crab Festival at Jamaica Bay
With American Littoral Society, Gateway National Recreation Area
Join us for a day of celebrating the annual arrival of horseshoe crabs to our local shores. During the full and new moons of May and June, these prehistoric animals, which date back approximately 400 million years, come ashore to mate. The females lay billions of eggs at the high tide line each season. At the same time, thousands of migrating shorebirds arrive in the northeast bays to feed on the eggs, regaining the body weight they lost during their long journey north. At the festival you’ll see and hold live horseshoe crabs and learn about their important ecological and medicinal values. For more information on the festival, contact the American Littoral Society at 718-474-0896 or email Don Riepe at donriepe@gmail.com.
The program is free, but suggested donations of $20 for adults and $10 for children to NYC Audubon are suggested to offset the festival cost. No registration required.
To inquire about van transportation from Manhattan, call NYC Audubon at 212-691-7483 x304.

Sunday, May 19, 2019, 9:00am – 10:30am
Pelham Bay Park Bird Walk Series
Sundays, March 24-June 30 9-10:30am
Guide: NYC Audubon with Pelham Bay Park
Before May 20th: Meet at Orchard Beach Parking Lot
May 20th-June 30th: Meet at Rodman's Neck Parking Lot
Join us to explore some of the best birding NYC has to offer. Come discover Pelham Bay Park's diverse habitat that attracts a variety of spring migrants. No registration necessary. No limit. Free

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Northshore Audubon Society
Saturday, May 18, 2019, 8am – 12pm
NYIT de Serversky Center
Leader: Liz (516) 404-1984‬
Where: NYIT de Seversky Mansion, 1 Northern Blvd, Glen Head, NY 11545, USA (map)

Please inform walk leader that you are attending.
See "Walk Locations" for directions.
Wear water-resistant footwear, bring binoculars and drinking water. Wear long pants and socks so you do not touch poison ivy.

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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 WILD!
Sunday, May 19, 2019, 9:30am
Old Croton Aqueduct - Part 4 (of 8) Dobbs Ferry to Yonkers

For the full information about each walk click HERE

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Protectors of Pine Oak Woods
Saturday, May 18, 2019, 10:00am-12:00pm
Ambling through Arden
Carlton Blvd. and Legate Avenue, Staten Island
Participants will meet at the north end of Carlton Boulevard (west off Woodrow Road), and then wander through Arden Heights Woods to get some idea of the changes the Department of Parks might soon making. We’ll admire this largest of NYC hardwood wetlands, and maybe even get a little lost on the yet ill-marked trails. (It may be buggy in the low areas, so you might want to bring spray.) Inclement weather will cancel.
For more information call Don Recklies at (718) 768-9036.

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Queens County Bird Club
Sunday, May 19, 2019
Doodletown
Leader: Ian Resnick (917) 626-9562

Trip Etiquette
• Non members are welcome on our trips and we would appreciate a nominal $5 (or more!) voluntary donation for non-member participation. We prefer if you offer instead of being asked.
• All persons (member or not) are required to offer contribution if they get a ride with another.
• All persons are requested to Notify the leader at least 2 days in advance if they want to go on a trip.
• Be on time. We depart promptly.

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South Shore Audubon Society
Sunday, May 19, 2019
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, May 18, 2019
Bird Walk at Van Cortlandt Nature Center (in Van Cortlandt Park), Bronx
9:00 a.m.–10:30 a.m.
Join us in the park as we focus on wildlife happenings in the park on a walk led by NYC Audubon experts.
Free!

Bird Walk with NYC Audubon at Queens Botanical Garden, Queens
9:30 a.m.–10:30 a.m.
In this special series with NYC Audubon, spot and identify creatures of flight and learn how Queens Botanical Garden provides important resources for birds—like water, shelter, and insects to eat.

Sunday, May 19, 2019
Birding: Warbler Watch at Clove Lakes Park, Staten Island
9:00 a.m.–10:30 a.m.
Our Urban Park Rangers will guide you to the best wildlife viewing spots in the urban jungle.
Free!

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Wild Bird Fund
Saturday, May 18, 2019, 9:00am - 11:00am
Take a Walk on the Wild Side
Wild Bird Fund Center, 565 Columbus Avenue New York, NY 10024 United States
Take a bird walk in Central Park - a Living Treasure hunt for spring migrants. Accidental birder Ricki Ravitts will lead the hunt for flighty warblers, shy thrush, jewel-toned tanagers and orioles - or whatever crosses our path. Ricki began birding some years ago when she saw her first warbler, "Did I just see a little yellow bird wearing a black Zorro mask?" Yes, indeed. Her obsession grew over years of birding in local parks, plus trips throughout Central and…
Find out more »