Upcoming Birding and Nature Trips

Below is a list of upcoming nature trips by local birding/conservation groups for Saturday, May 13, 2017 to Sunday, May 14, 2017:

Audubon Center in Prospect Park
Saturday, May 13, 2017, 12pm – 1pm
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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Bedford Audubon Society
Saturday, May 13, 2017
World Migratory Bird Day

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Brooklyn Bird Club
Saturday May 13, 2017
“The Birdathon”, International Migratory Bird Day
A global event celebrating the beauty of birds and habitats; this event encourages fundraising for conservation causes. For this year, the Brooklyn Bird Club’s Birdathon fundraising will support NYC’s Wild Bird Fund https://www.wildbirdfund.org/. For more information about the Birdathon and the history behind it, go to http://www.birdday.org/
If you are interested in forming a team with club members or friends, or if you need more information, please contact the BBC Birdathon teams’ coordinator Bobbi Manian at roberta.manian@gmail.com.

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Eastern Long Island Audubon Society
Saturday, May 13, 2017, 9:00am
William Floyd Estate
Leader: MaryLaura Lamont (Estate phone 631-399-2030)
MaryLaura will be leading this walk in celebration of INTERNATIONAL MIGRATORY BIRD DAY. The Estate has a variety of habitats: woods, fields, creeks and marshes that offer a host of choices for the birds. They tend to settle in for a day or two to rest and feed on their migration north. We hope to catch a glimpse of various migrating birds – and maybe a few surprises Cleared pathways are the majority of walking areas for us, but ticks may be anywhere on Long Island – and this is no exception!
The Main Entrance Gate is at 245 Park Drive, in Mastic Beach proceed to the parking area.

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Gateway National Recreation Area
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

Saturday, May 13, 2017 9:00am to 4:00pm
International Migratory Bird Day
Come celebrate International Migratory Bird Day with us here at the Refuge. This year's theme is Stopover Sites: Helping Birds Along the Way. See live birds from Volunteers for Wildlife, go on a Warbler Walk, and learn about ways you can help migratory birds.
Location: Jamaica Bay Wildlife Refuge
Fee Information: Free

Sunday, May 14, 2017, 10:00am to 1:00pm
Jamaica Bay Bird Walk
Meet for a slide program and hike around the refuge to look for many species of migratory birds. Leader: Don Riepe. For reservations call (718) 474-0896; e-mail: don@littoralsociety.org
Location: Jamaica Bay Wildlife Refuge
Fee Information: Free

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Great South Bay Audubon Society
Saturday, May 13, 2017 - 7:00am
Alley Pond Park
Leader(s): Mike Cooper (516-523-2369) Steve D’Amato (631-264-8413)
Northern State Pkwy to Exit 23, which reads: Cross Island Parkway, Union Turnpike and Alley Pond Park. Go to Union Turnpike (NOT Alley Pond Park). At the signal light, turn right onto Union Turnpike. Proceed to the next signal light which is Springfield Blvd and turn right. Go about 4 blocks to 76th Ave. Turn right onto 76th Ave. and proceed to Alley Pond Parking lot on your left.

Sunday, May 14, 2017 - 8:00am
Birding and Breakfast, Connetquot River SPP
Leader(s): Bob and Edith Wilson, Ken Thompson Helga Merryman
Continental breakfast hosted by Friends of Connetquot. Reservations required - call Connetquot River State Park Preserve at 581-1072 to register. Registration fee $4. plus $8 parking fee per car - unless you have yearly Empire pass.

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Green-Wood Cemetery
Sunday, May 14, 2017
"Birding in Peace" - Peak Spring Migration Birding
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 most active time of day for birds.

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

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Hudson River Audubon Society
Sunday, May 14, 2017, 8:00am
Mother’s Day Warbler Walk, Lenoir Nature Preserve
19 Dudley St. Yonkers
Meet us for our 25th year of this Audubon tradition. Spring migrants will be searched for; followed by refreshments at the nature center.
http://www.hras.org/wtobird/lenoir.html

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Huntington-Oyster Bay Audubon Society
Saturday, May 13, 2017 - 7:30am
Muttontown Preserve-International Migratory Bird Day Celebration Walk
Help us celebrate International Migratory Bird Day with a morning at Muttontown Preserve. The Preserve includes miles of marked nature trails with local wildflowers, trees, birds, mammals, reptiles, and amphibians. Today we will be looking for migrants, as well as breeders that have flown north to nest in our area.
Registration: 516-695-0763 or hobaudubon@gmail.com.
After the walk, we’ll head over the Wild Birds Unlimited in Syosset for snacks and coffee, which will be followed by a children’s craft program at noon.
Directions: Meet in the parking lot off of Muttontown Lane, which is on the south side of Route 25A, just west of Route 106 in East Norwich. Follow Muttontown Lane to the end.

Sunday, May 14, 2017 - 7:30am
West Hills Warbler Watch
Picturesque, well-groomed nature trails, including the historic Walt Whitman Trail to Jayne's Hill (Long Island's highest peak), wind through this mixed-deciduous forested park. We will investigate this lovely preserve for migrating warblers, as well as other birds.
Registration: 585-880-0915
Directions: Take Sweet Hollow Road and turn right into north entrance. Meet at the upper parking area by the Jayne's Hill Picnic Area.

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Linnaean Society of New York
Saturday, May 13, 2017
Bashakill Marsh and Environs
Leader: John Haas
Registrar: Dale Dancis — ddancis@gmail.com or 212-724-3269
Registration opens: Monday, May 1
Ride: $45

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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 April 29, May 13, and June 3, and Sundays, May 7 and May 21, 9:30-10:30am
Queens Botanical Garden Bird Walks
Guide: NYC Audubon with Queens Botanical Garden
We are happy to announce a new series of spring migration bird walks in partnership with Queens Botanical Garden. Register for one date or the whole series of five free walks (walk-ins welcome!). Explore the Garden in search of migrant songbirds and learn about the valuable resources that the Garden offers birds and other wildlife. Binoculars available. Limited to 25. Appropriate for all ages. To register, email info@queensbotanical.org or visit www.queensbotanical.org/calendar. Free with Garden admission

Weekly on Saturdays, until Jul 29, 2017
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, May 13, 2017, 2:00pm – 5:00pm
Afternoon Spring Walk at Inwood Hill Park
Guide: Nadir Souirgi
Meet at Muscota Marsh, just inside the Park entrance at Indian Road and 218th Street. Inwood Hill Park, simply put, is a jewel. Nestled between The Hudson River, Dyckman Street and Seaman Avenue, this last tract of largely undeveloped oak and tulip forest transports you to another world and another time. Glacial "pot holes", towering trees, and stunning river views create an unrivaled backdrop by which to observe the many migratory and breeding avian species that are drawn to this hotspot. Rose-breasted grosbeak, wood thrush, and yellow warbler breed here, and the Park includes one of only two of Manhattan's last remaining tidal salt marsh! Limited to 15. $36 (25)
Click here to register

Sunday, May 14, 2017, 8:00am – 11:00am
Spring Warblers
Class: Friday, May 12, 6:30-8:30pm
Trip: Sunday, May 14, 8-11am
Instructor: Joe Giunta, Happy Warblers LLC
First learn to identify the 30-plus species of warblers that migrate through our area each spring, using field marks and other techniques. Then go out in the field and reinforce what you’ve learned. Field trip to Central Park. Limited to 15. $72 (50)
Click here to register

Sunday, May 14, 2017, 9:30am – 11:30am
Spring Birding at Wave Hill, The Bronx
Monthly on the second Sunday, until Jun 11, 2017
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. Ages 10 and up welcome with an adult. NYC Audubon members enjoy two-for-one admission (see www.wavehill.org for more information)

Sunday, May 14, 2017, 10:00am – 1:00pm
Jamaica Bay Migration Bird Walk
Guide: Don Riepe with American Littoral Society and Gateway NRA
Meet at the Jamaica Bay Wildlife Refuge during peak spring migration for a slide program and hike around the reserve to look for many species of migratory birds. For reservations, call Don Riepe at (718) 474-0896 or e-mail donriepe@gmail.com. Free

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North Shore Audubon Society
Saturday, May 13, 2017, 6:30am – 5:00pm
"Big DAY" - start early at Alley Pond Park
Leader: Ian Resnick 917-626-9562
See "Walk locations" for directions. Parking lot 76th Ave east of Springfield Blvd.
Wear water-resistant footwear, bring binoculars and drinking water.
You do not need to stay the whole day. After lunch, the day continues for those who choose. Please call Ian to let him know if you are coming.

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NYC H2O
Saturday, May 13, 2017
Plumb Beach Cleanup
Bus transportation will be provided from Union Square leaving at 9:00am.

We will have an optional ecology lesson with marine biologist Helen Cheng after the cleanup. We will use a seinning net to catch critters that live in Jamaica Bay and put them in jars with water to study them before returning them to the water.
Lunch, gloves, garbage bags and pickers will be provided.

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Protectors of Pine Oak Woods
Saturday, May 13, 2017, 9:15am – 3:15pm
The Richard Buegler 10-Mile Greenbelt Walk
Following in the steps of founder an friend, Richard Buegler, participants will enjoy a pleasant walk through the woods of the Greenbelt, a woodland which defines the life’s work of Richard Buegler.

Beginning at Staten Island Boulevard, behind Petrides High School, we plan to walk the trails in search of pinkster azaleas, trout lilies and a colorful collection of migrating spring birds and emerging butterflies.

Meet behind the Michael Petrides School Complex on Staten Island Boulevard.
For additional information, contact: Dominick Durso at 917-478-7607, Don Recklies at 718-768-9036, Chuck Perry at 718-667-1393

Saturday, May 13, 2017, 12:00pm – 2:00pm
Richmond Town, Old Mill Road
Enjoy a walk back through Staten Island’s past as participants visit the ruins of three, pre-Revolutionary War mills, Bedell’s, Ketchum’s and Crocheron’s mills. Explore the watercourses which fed each mill. Discover the wildlife, the rich diversity of spaces which now call the mill creeks home.

Participants will meet in the parking lot on Old Mill Road beside St. Andrew’s Church.
For more information contact Ray Matarazzo at 718-317-7666

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Queens County Bird Club
Saturday, May 13, 2017
BIG DAY
Leader: Corey Finger - (518) 445-5829

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Urban Park Rangers
Saturday, May 13, 2017
Bird Walks at Van Cortlandt Nature Center (in Van Cortlandt Park), Bronx
8:00 a.m.–9:30 a.m.
Head to the park to join bird walks led by experts from the NYC Audubon! Bird walks focus on wildlife happenings in the park.
Free!

Birding: Spring Migration at Van Cortlandt Nature Center (in Van Cortlandt Park), Bronx
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!

Bird Walks with New York City Audubon at Queens Botanical Garden, Queens
9:30 a.m.–10:30 a.m.
Spot and identify creatures of flight and learn how Queens Botanical Garden provides important resources for birds—like water, shelter, and insects to eat.

Birding: Ridgewood Reservoir at Vermont Place Parking Lot (in Highland Park), Queens
11:00 a.m.–12:30 p.m.
Our Urban Park Rangers will guide you to the best wildlife viewing spots in the urban jungle.
Free!

Central Park Conservancy Family Discovery Day at East Pinetum (in Central Park), Manhattan
12:00 p.m.–3:00 p.m.
Join us for a day of discovery and learn first-hand about the people, plants, and wildlife that make Central Park thrive!
Free!

Meet Birds of Prey at Beach 87th Street (in Rockaway Beach and Boardwalk), Queens
4:00 p.m.–5:00 p.m.
This is an exciting chance to meet live hawks, owls, and falcons. Learn about the many adaptations that make these animals some of the most skilled hunters on the planet.
Free!

Sunday, May 14, 2017
Spring Birding at Wave Hill, Bronx
9:30 a.m.–10:30 a.m.
Explore the gardens and woodlands with naturalist Gabriel Willow on a quest to spot some of our favorite feathered friends as they return to the Hudson Highlands.

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Wild Bird Fund
Saturday, May 13, 2017, 9:00am - 11:00am
A Walk On The Wild Side: Mid Spring Migration
Spring Migration is in full swing! Time to get outside and see who’s around!
Please join WBF member and artist/naturalist Alan Messer for a Mid Spring Migration bird walk on May 13 (Rain Date, May 14).
In Central Park, this time is the peak season for many warbler, vireo, and thrush species. We will also see our resident birds in nesting behavior and migrant sparrows and finches. Enjoy our birds and blooms of spring.
We’ll be meeting at the Wild Bird Fund (565 Columbus Ave, New York, NY) at 9:00am 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