Nature Program Calendar ~ Spring 2015

N AT U R E P R O G R A M C A L E N D A R ~ S P R I N G 2 0 1 5
SPRING BIRD WALKS
April & May bird walks are a spring tradition.
Get out & enjoy two local ‘birding’ hot spots. Bring binoculars &/or camera.
Loaner binoculars may be available. No charge or RSVP required.
Questions? Call Ted Gilman at x353.
• Saturdays (7:00-8:45 am @ Audubon Greenwich)
Meet in Audubon Greenwich parking area on Riversville Road.
• Wednesdays (7:00-8:30 am @ Fairchild Garden)
Meet in Fairchild Wildflower Garden parking area on North Porchuck Road.
Saturday, March 14
Family Nestbox Workshop 2:00-3:30 pm
Bring your family to learn how you can host bird families in your own yard or
neighborhood by providing nestboxes for various species of birds. Ted Gilman will
show a variety of nestboxes and the birds which use them, as well as discussing
their placement and maintenance. Families wishing to build their own nest box
can pre-order a kit through the Audubon Nature Store or select from a variety
of pre-assembled boxes (avail. in the Nature Store). Ages 5 & up. RSVP requested.
Call Ted at 203-930-1353 to attend and/or order kits to build your nestbox.
Friday, March 20
Woodcock Watch 6:45-7:45 pm
American Woodcock are sandpiper relatives that
live in young forests and shrubby old fields across
eastern North America. Their cryptic plumage and
low-profile behavior make it hard to find except
in the springtime at dawn or dusk, when males
show off by giving loud, nasal “peent” calls and
performing dazzling aerial displays. Join Audubon
naturalists in search of unique Woodcock flight
patterns and listen for their crepuscular calls.
Ages 6 & up. RSVP required. Rain Date: March 21.
Saturday, April 11
Audubon Volunteer Open House 1:00-1:45 pm
Get oriented and get involved! Learn about the many ways Audubon volunteers
protect and enhance the Audubon Greenwich sanctuary and education center.
After a short presentation, stay for a Q&A session. After, guests can join the vernal
pool program (2 pm). No charge for open house but RSVPs are appreciated.
Saturday, April 11
Ponds and Vernal Pools –
Search for Frogs, Salamanders & More 2:00-3:30 pm
We’ll have a brief indoor talk and then walk to our nearby vernal pool and our
teaching pond to look and listen for breeding wood frogs, spring peepers, spotted
salamanders, and other pond life. All ages. RSVP appreciated to Ted: x353.
Denis Hayes & Surprise Musical Guest
Wednesday, April 15 ~ 6:30-9:00 pm
A special celebration with Denis Hayes, the National Coordinator of the
first Earth Day. Hayes will speak about major environmental issues and
Cowed, a new book he co-authored with wife, Gail Boyer Hayes. Their
revealing analysis of how our beneficial, centuries-old relationship with
bovines has evolved into one that now endangers us, recommends new
sustainable solutions to remedy the situation. The surprise guest will
be announced March 25! Seating limited and advance tickets required.
$40/$60/$100 tickets available starting March 25! Book signing & reception
starting at 6:30 pm, followed by the main show in Kiernan Hall.
Saturday, April 18
Birding Class - Birding By Ear 9:30 am-12:00 pm
American Woodcock
Saturday, April 4
Birding 101: Bird Watching Basics 9:30 am-12:00 pm
An introduction to ornithology and the tools/skills used in bird study. Enjoy a
walk, learn how to use binoculars, guides, and other print and on-line resources
that make birding so much fun. Ideal for adults and interested youth. $12 adults;
No Charge for youth. RSVP required to Ted: x353.
Saturday, April 4
Springtime Sunset and Moonlight Walk 7:45-9:15 pm
Join us as we seek out the sights, sounds, and smells of a spring evening visiting
field, pond, forest, and lake in search of wildlife. We will also listen overhead and
look at the moon in search of silhouettes of night-flying springtime bird migrants.
Ages 7 and up. Registration limited. RSVP by email: greenwichcenter@audubon.org
or call 203-930-1353.
SECOND SUNDAY HIKES
April 12, June 14 • 9:30 - 11:00 am
Join a regularly scheduled guided hike on the second Sunday of every month.
Hiking groups will meet before 9:30 am at the Audubon Greenwich parking
lot. For hiking location and degree of difficulty, contact Jeff at 203-613-8813.
RSVP required by email greenwichcenter@audubon.org. Suggested donation: $5.
Indoor discussion of how and why birds vocalize, introduction to useful bird
sound recordings, and outdoor walk to practice Birding By Ear skills. For adults and
interested youth. Ideal for adults and interested youth. $12 adults; No Charge for youth.
RSVP required to Ted: x353.
Thursday, April 23
Birding with Yeats: A discussion with Lynn Thomson
6:30-8:00 pm
Join noted author Lynn Thomson for a book signing and
conversation with Audubon Connecticut Executive Director
Stewart Hudson. Birding with Yeats documents the five-year
period when she and her youngest son start bird watching,
when he was 13, as a way to spend time in nature and away
from everyday stress. Reception preceeds the discussion.
RSVP to 203-930-1349. Suggested donation $10.
Saturday, April 25
Birding in Central Park & Audubon Art Tour
‘Audubon’s Aviary: Part III of the Complete Flock.’
8:00 am-5:00 pm
Start with a guided birding experience in Central Park. Then, after lunch, tour the
New York Historical Society’s final year in this ground-breaking art exhibit. Trip
itinerary online. Space limited & RSVP required. $40 via the Audubon van or $10 to
join group in NYC. Guests pay other costs (tour, lunch, train, etc.)
edible Native & Invasive Plants
Sunday, April 26
Search for bird species during a statewide, weekend-long fundraising bird watching
event. For each species spotted, sponsors donate towards Audubon’s bird
conservation mission. Meet at 7 am in the lot. To sponsor or help with Bird-A-Thon
efforts, contact Jeff at 203-930-1349.
Indoor Lecture (10:30 am-12 noon)
Preserving Native Plant Knowledge
A lecture designed to expose the audience to a
wide-range of useful plants that grow in New
England. $12 (Member) / $15 (Non-member).
All ages, if youth are suitably interested.
Saturday, May 23
Turtle Time 2:00-3:30 pm
ID & Use of Edible Native Plants
RSVP required for each session.
Space limited for afternoon. 203-930-1349
Eastern Box Turtle
Learn about turtle natural history, nesting behavior,
how to help protect turtles, and meet some of our local
turtle species. Then join our naturalist for a hike to
Mead Lake in search of nesting turtles. All ages. RSVP to Ted at 203-930-1353.
Field Walk (1:00-3:30 pm)
A follow-up on the morning lecture, discover
southern New England’s edible native plants in
the field with Arthur Haines. Learn their uses and
how to prepare them. Field session space is limited.
$20 (Member) / $25 (Non-member.) Ideal for adults
and interested youth.
Saturday, May 16
2015 Bird-A-Thon Bird Walk 7:00-8:45 am
Arthur Haines,
Author and
Research Botanist
from the New
England Wild
Flower Society
Saturday, May 2
Spring Wildflower Ecology & Photo Walk 2:00-3:30 pm
Come walk with us to seek out our early spring wildflowers, snap some photos
and learn about their life histories, ecological niches and insect pollination partners.
Ages 5 & up. RSVP to Ted: x353.
Saturday, May 2
Slow Food Potluck & Full Moon Hike 6:30-9:00 pm
A special night beginning with a family-friendly potluck dinner and ending with
a night hike under the full moon. Guests donate $10 (per adult) for Audubon and
bring a home-cooked dish for 4-6 people. Ideally, ingredients would be mainly
organic or local or both, but this is not required. Sponsored by the Metro North
chapter of Slow Food USA (www.facebook.com/SlowFoodMetroNorth).
RSVP required. Send with dish info. with # of guests by email or call Jeff: x349.
International Migratory Bird Day
SATURDAY, MAY 9
Early Morning Bird Walk & Breakfast
Join an annual Audubon tradition, as people of all ages rise and shine, in
search of birds and the signs of spring. Meet in main parking area to hike.
After, meet in the Center for a hearty, home-cooked ‘bird breakfast’ (8 am)
prepared by Audubon volunteers. After breakfast, join a family-friendly
program where kids can meet bird biologists, take a walk to learn about
banding, and enjoy hand-on fun and games. All ages welcome but RSVPs
are required for breakfast ($10/person). Contact Jeff to sign-up: 203-930-1349.
6:30-8:00 am: Early Morning Bird Walk (free)
8:00-9:30 am: Annual Bird Breakfast Event ($10 pp)
9:30-10:30 am: Bird Banding & Science Demo (free)
Saturday, May 30
TRIP: “Meadows & Marshlands” 1:00-4:00 pm
Join Ted Gilman for a birding trip to the meadows, forest, and saltmarshes of
the Marshlands Conservancy, a great coastal sanctuary in Rye, NY in search of
songbirds, shorebirds, and other wildlife. Ages 8 & up. RSVP to Ted at 203-930-1353.
sustainable Food & Farm expo
SUNDAY, MAY 31 ~ 10:00 am-5:00 pm
Learn about fun food and garden topics sure to inspire guests to grow and
enjoy more wholesome foods. Expertly curated by the Fairfield Green Food
Guide, all proceeds benefit Audubon. Enjoy a tiered general admission
($15-25) for exhibits, vendors, and workshops on compost secrets,
veggie gardening, bee & chicken keeping, and more. Tasting
sessions ($10 extra per) will explore the tastes and finer
features of honey, chocolate, olive oil, and wine. All ages
welcome. Program details online and space limited for tastings.
Advance tickets highly recommended for tastings.
Saturday, June 6
Trails Day Hike 10:00 am-12:30 pm
A 3-mile guided hike through a variety of habitats connected by Audubon and
Greenwich Land Trust trails. Terrain is moderately technical with some steep and
rocky sections. Bring sturdy shoes and water for breaks. Free. Hikers age 10 & up
suggested. RSVP requested.
Sunday, June 7
Annual Summer Bird Count Pre-dawn to 2:30 pm
A great chance to use your birding skills for science. Survey teams begin early and
then gather in the afternoon for a count compilation meeting at the Center. Suitable
for adults and interested youth. To join a team, contact Ted Gilman at 203-930-1353.
Saturday, June 20
Pollinator Safari – For National Pollinators Week 2:00-3:00 pm
Did you know that pollinators provide us with a cornucopia of fruits, vegetables and
other products? Learn about the insects and other animals we depend on. The
program will begin indoors and continue on the trails. Ages 5 & up. RSVP requested.
Saturday & Sunday, June 27 & 28
BOAT TRIP: Explore Calf Island,
a unit of McKinney National Wildlife Refuge
Join Audubon and The Friends of Calf Island for a cruise and island exploration of
Calf Island in Greenwich. Space limited and RSVP required. Details on website.
RSVP HOTLINE: 203-930-1349 or greenwichcenter@audubon.org • Programs: $3/members; $5/non-members and suitable for all ages, unless otherwise indicated.
203-869-5272 • http://greenwich.audubon.org • 613 Riversville Road, Greenwich, CT 06831
STAY UP-TO-DATE WITH AUDUBON EVENTS BY EMAIL! Send a blank email to: AudubonGreenwichNews-subscribe@yahoogroups.com for weekly program reminders.