Below are the birding/nature trips for the weekend of October 9-10, 2021:
Bedford Audubon Society
Chestnut Ridge Hawkwatch
August 26, 2021 - November 24, 2021, 9:00am - 5:00 pm
Description:It's officially Hawkwatch Season! Spectacular flocks of Broad-winged Hawks pass through our area in mid-September, but Accipiters such as Sharp-shinned + Cooper's Hawks provide the most consistent flight throughout the fall hawk-watching season. Join us for Science in Action: Chestnut Ridge Hawkwatch to experience the miracle of raptor migration. Our data is combined with other Hawkwatch sites to create population and migration analyses that help us better protect raptors and their habitats. Hawkwatch takes place daily through November, 9:00am-5:00pm (weather permitting). Arthur Butler Sanctuary on Chestnut Ridge Road in Bedford Corners. Registration not necessary, but please abide by current Covid-19 guidelines based on your vaccination status.
Registration: Registration required by emailing Susan at info@bedfordaudubon.org or by calling 914-302-9713.
Prospect Park Saturday Fall Migration Walks
Leader: Dennis Hrehowsik
Description: Meet 7:45 am at the "Pergola" entrance on Ocean and Parkside Avenues.
Registration: No registration necessary; however, if more than 20 people show up we will split the group.
Saturday, October 9, 2021, 10:00am - 12:00pm
Leader: A member of the Brooklyn Bird Club
Description: Whether you're just starting out or have already joined the birding ranks, this introductory walk is for you. Join a member of the Brooklyn Bird Club to learn the basics of birding and search for the dozens of species that visit Prospect Park through all seasons. All levels are welcome.
Registration: No registration necessary.
Feminist Bird Club
Big Sit at Shirley Chisholm State Park
Sunday, October 10, 2021, 7:00am - 6:00pm
Leaders: __
Description: Want to bird but also sit down a lot? We got you covered! Join Feminist Bird Club at Shirley Chisholm State Park's Big Sit on October 10! The Big Sit will last all day, but will be broken into 2 hour shifts. Due to space limitations within the circle, SCSP staff will be limiting each shift to 10 individuals.
Registration: Register via Eventbrite
Fun with Fungi: Mushroom Walk for Kids
Saturday, October 9, 2021, 10:00am - 11:30am
Description: Green-Wood is a special place for fungi of all kinds. Sigrid Jakob and Potter Palmer, members of the New York Mycological Society and founders of the Green-Wood Fungi Phenology Project, will lead a mushroom walk into the depths of Green-Wood's lovely and extensive woodlands where all types of fascinating fungi will be encountered: amanita, russula, ....
Birding in Peace
Sunday, October 10, 2021, 7:15am - 8:45am
Before our gates open to the general public, birding expert Rob Jett leads these peaceful Sunday morning walking tours to discover the many birds that call Green-Wood home.
Hudson River Audubon Society
The Big Sit and Hawk Watch at Lenoir Nature Preserve
Saturday, October 9, 2021, 10:00am
Description: 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!
Registration: bochnikm@cs.com
Linnaean Society of New York
Leader: Seth Wollney
Description: This annual trip is led by a professor in the biology department at the College of Staten Island. It starts at Conference House Park, overlooking Raritan Bay at the southernmost point of New York State, where four historic buildings trace the history of the borough of Staten Island over the course of three centuries. We will hear about the history of the park while enjoying views of gulls, loons, hawks, and as we walk the trails, woodland birds. From Conference House Park we will drive to several other destinations along the south western coast of Staten Island, usually including Mount Loretto (Bald Eagles), Great Kills Park (Royal and Caspian Terns, Little Blue Heron, Saltmarsh Sparrows), Arden Avenue Beach (hoping to see a Lesser Black-backed Gull that has returned for so many years that the locals have named it Lester), Oakwood Beach (Yellow-crowned Night Herons), Miller Beach (gulls and terns) and/or anywhere else that our leader expects interesting birds to be at the time.
Registration: Mary Beth Kooper — marybeth@nyc.rr.com
9th Annual Starr Saphir Memorial Fall Migration Walk, Central Park
Leader: Lenore Swenson
Description: The Fall and Spring Memorial walks honor Starr Saphir, a legend for her birding skills who led walks for nearly forty years in Central Park and elsewhere. She also taught course in beginning birding at NYC Audubon, and was an inspiration to many. These walks, led by her longtime friend and mentee, will follow traditional paths and principles ("please don't point at the birds") of "Starr Trips" of the past. The Fall walk covers many areas of Central Park's north end in search of fall migrants, particularly warblers.
Registration: Lenore Swenson — lenoreswenson@gmail.com
Littoral Society
Fort Tilden Hawk Walk
Sunday, October 10, 2021, 10:00am - 1:00pm
Leader: Don Riepe
Description: Meet at the little church in Fort Tilden. We will hike along the beach, dunes, and woodland trails to look for eagles, hawks, falcons, osprey, other raptors, and monarch butterflies as they migrate south along the coast. We will also visit the hawk watch platform on top of Battery Harris East.
Registration: Register via website
New York City Audubon
World Migratory Bird Day: Conference House Park Walk, Staten Island
Saturday, October 9, 2021, 8:00am -10:00am
Leader: Anthony Ciancimino
Description: Meet at the Visitor Center & Lenape Gallery at Satterlee Street and the end of Hylan Boulevard (parking available). From songbirds to seabirds, discover a diversity of southbound fall migrants with long-time birder and Staten Island resident Anthony Ciancimino.
Registration: No registration necessary. No limit. Free.
Morning Fall Migration Walk in Prospect Park
Leader: Gabriel Willow
Description: Join Gabriel Willow for a leisurely walk to get to know the fall migrants of 'Brooklyn's backyard'. Beautiful Prospect Park has a wide variety of habitats that attracts a number of both breeding and passage migrant bird species, with even more recorded than in Central Park. We will explore the Park's meadows, forests, and waterways in search of migratory warblers, vireos, thrushes, tanagers, waterfowl, and more.
Registration: Via Eventbrite
Canarsie Park Bird Walks
Saturdays, September 18th, October 2nd, and October 9th, 8-10am
Leader: Mike Yuan
Description: Meet at the Canarsie Park House at Seaview Avenue and East 88th street. Experience fall migration on the Brooklyn coast with Mike Yuan, NYCA Board Executive Vice President. All birding levels welcome. No registration necessary. Limited to 15. Free.
Harlem Goes Birding! Birding Field Trip in North Central Park
Saturday, October 9, 2021, 8:30am - 11:00am
Leader: Christian Cooper, Efua Peterson
Description: Let's get out and bird! Meet at the Dana Discovery Center on the Harlem Meer to explore the north end of Central Park and all the wonderful birds it has to offer. Then, join us for a potluck picnic in the park. Bring something to eat and drink (non-alcoholic, please) and a little extra to share. Beginners of all ages welcome! Binoculars available to borrow.
World Migratory Bird Day: Gantry Plaza State Park, Queens
Leader: Akilah Lewis
Description: Meet in front of the Pepsi-Cola sign with NYCA Young Conservationists Council member Akilah Lewis. Enjoy a slow-paced migratory bird tour of a waterfront park in an urban landscape.
Registration: Registration not required. Limited to 15. Free.
Fall Migrants of Inwood Hill Park
Leader: Annie Barry
Description: Join Annie Barry for a hike through a mature forest in search of kinglets, warblers, flycatchers, sparrows, thrushes, and more, then search the shore of the Inwood Hill Park saltmarshes for herons and ducks. Some hilly walking required. Limited to 15. $36.
Van Cortlandt Park Bird Walks
Saturdays, September 4 - November 27, 9:00am - 10:30am
Leader: NYC Audubon
Description: Explore Van Cortlandt Park's ecologically diverse grounds and celebrate a long tradition of birding in the park. We will look for various resident and migratory bird species and discuss a wide range of avian topics.
Queens Botanical Garden Bird Walk
Saturday, October 9, 2021, 9:30-10:30am
Leader: NYC Audubon with Queens Botanical Garden
Description: Explore Queens Botanical Garden in search of migrant songbirds and learn about the valuable resources that the Garden offers birds and other wildlife. Binoculars available. Register for one date or the whole series of five walks (walk-ins welcome). Visit www.queensbotanical.org/calendar to register.
Registration: Each walk limited to 25. Free (with Garden admission)
World Migratory Bird Day: Crotona Park Bird Walk, the Bronx
Saturday, October 9, 10:00 - 11:30am
Leader: Shawn Cargil
Description: Meet at 1700 Crotona Avenue. Among naturalists, Crotona park is widely known for its variety of tree species and gorgeous 3.3-acre lake, which serves as home to turtles, ducks, and fish. Restrooms and water bottle fill station accessible at meeting location. Comfortable footwear is recommended, walk will be on mostly paved, flat surfaces. Take the Bx 17 bus or 2 train to 174th Street.
Governors Island Bird Walk
Saturdays, July 10-October 30, 2021, 2-3:30pm
Description: Meet the birds of Governors Island with one of our expert guides! Over 220 bird species have been spotted on the island, which provides excellent habitat all year round. Whether you're an expert birder or a beginner, these tours will help you discover all of the bird life the island has to offer. Binoculars are available to borrow. Reserve your spot by signing up at Nolan Park #17. Limited to 10. Free.
Registration: Not required.
Newtown Historical Society
Mount Olivet Nature Tour
Leader: Rob Jett
Description: Explore the nature and history of this 171 year old cemetery.
Registration: Contact via email - newtownhistory@gmail.com
North Shore Audubon Society
Garvies Point Preserve
Saturday, October 9, 2021, 9:30am - 12:00pm
Leader: Lindy - (516) 628-1315
Description: This is the Fall "Big Day" - seeing as many species as possible in a 24-hour period.
Registration: Limited registration. You must register via email to nsaudubonsociety@gmail.com, and you will receive a confirmation email. If you become unable to attend, please email to allow someone on the waiting list to take your slot.
"Birdability" Nature Excursion - Port Washington
Saturday, October 9, 2021, 10:30am - 1:00pm
Leader: Jill Vomacka - (516) 361-3288
Description: "Birdability" field trip for those who use wheelchairs, walkers, or canes, or who do not wish to walk far. Participants may stay in car and communicate via walkie-talkies, to be provided. Walking will be limited to wheelchair-accessible areas. Limited to 5 cars.
Annual Big Sit at Clove Lakes Park
Leader: Ray Matarazzo
Description: Each year birders and nature enthusiasts gather for a day of leisure to conduct the Big Sit. The intent of a Big Sit is to identify each species of bird from a set location. Rather than move about to find birds, participants sit and await the arrival of different species. This year, participants will gather in the upper field of Clove Lakes Park, behind the intersection of Rice Avenue and Royal Oak Road in the lawn area with crab apples. The large radio tower is west of the location and could be used as a landmark for locating the group. Howie Fischer will be on hand for the entire six hours; however, people are free to stop in as convenient and assist with the count. Please, bring your own lawn chairs and stay for as long as you like.
Registration: For more information call Ray Matarazzo at 718-317-7666.
Queens County Bird Club
Big Sit
Leader: Corey Finger 10000birdsblogger@gmail.com
Description: The QCBC "Big Sit" takes place from dawn to dusk. You may come and go as you choose. Park in the lot shown in the map. Then, proceed west on Range Road (may also be called Murray Rd or Center Rd) until you reach the observation platform near Battery Harris East. You need to climb up several flights of stairs to access the platform.
Registration: Registration not required.
Mill Pond Park
Leader: Members of SSAS
Description: Use street parking on the westbound side of Merrick Road. The park is four blocks west of the Wantagh State Parkway.
Registration: Registration is required by calling Joe Landesberg at 516-467-9498
Birding: Fall Migrants at Crotona Nature Center (in Crotona Park), Bronx
Description: Join the Urban Park Rangers on a birding adventure around Crotona Park to look for Fall migrants that include warblers, raptors and more!
Birding: Birding 101 at 164th Street and Oak Avenue (in Kissena Park), Queens
Description: Join the Urban Park Rangers on a birding adventure around Kissena Park to look for Fall migrants that include warblers, raptors and more!
Rover as a Fledgling
Some Recent Photos