Autumn is Here! Celebrate with Audubon!

(August 30, 2021) – Throw on your fleece jacket, grab your binoculars, and hit the trails in search of fall migrants. Prowl for owls, meet a Peregrine Falcon, or just enjoy the cool weather as you explore nature in fall! And don’t forget to bring the kids to the Perfect Pumpkin Party. Come celebrate the splendor of autumn the Audubon way!

Masks are required during Audubon indoor programs and van trips for those who have not been vaccinated for COVID-19, including children.

Visit the events calendar at www.asri.org  to register for programs.

Wednesday Morning Bird Walks
Locations Across Rhode Island
Audubon offers small-group Wednesday Morning Bird Walks with naturalist Laura Carberry. Each week a new birding destination will be chosen. Advance registration is required. Location will be sent to registered participants in advance.
Locations determined weekly; Every Wednesday through June 2022; 9:00-11:00 am; Fee: $5/member, $10/non-member. Ages: 14+. Register through the events calendar at www.asri.org.

Owl Prowl at Powder Mill Ledges
Audubon Powder Mill Ledges Wildlife Refuge, Smithfield, RI
October 1, 2021; 6:30 – 8:30 pm
Visit Powder Mill Ledges Wildlife Refuge on an autumn night to search for owls. An Audubon naturalist will call for different species of owls as you walk through mixed and pine woods. While we never know if we'll hear or see an owl, participants will be sure to learn a lot and have a great night hike. Please dress for the weather, wear sturdy walking shoes, and bring a flashlight. Hike will be canceled in the event of inclement weather.
Powder Mill Ledges Wildlife Refuge, 12 Sanderson Road, Smithfield, RI; Fee: $10/member; $14/non-member. Ages: 10 and up. Register through the events calendar at www.asri.org.

For Goodness Snakes!
Audubon Powder Mill Ledges Wildlife Refuge, Smithfield, RI
October 2, 2021; 3:00 – 4:00 pm
Snakes are smooth, slinky, amazing animals. Come hear a fantastical tale about a special snake named Kartusch who teaches some furry creatures about being patient and using their senses. Then meet a live snake.
Powder Mill Ledges Wildlife Refuge, 12 Sanderson Road, Smithfield, RI; Fee: $5/member child; $7/non-member child. Ages: 5 and up. Register through the events calendar at www.asri.org.

Citizens Bank Free Family Fun Day
Audubon Nature Center and Aquarium, Bristol, RI
October 2, 2021; 10:00 am – 3:00 pm
Thanks to Citizens Bank, the Audubon Nature Center and Aquarium is open free to the public the first Saturday of every month. Join us for crafts, nature stories, animal discoveries, hikes and more. No need to register!
10:00 am – 4:30 pm: Take home craft bags
10:00 am: Nature Story
11:00 am & 2:00 pm: Animal Interview
1:00 pm: Book Worms - What’s eating your books? Learn about real life “book worms,” how you can protect you books from these critters and make a book worm bookmark for your books!
Audubon Nature Center and Aquarium, 1401 Hope Street, Bristol, RI; Free. Ages: All.

Used Nature Book Sale
Audubon Nature Center and Aquarium, Bristol, RI
October 2, 2021; 9:30 am – 4:30 pm
You never know what treasure you may find for yourself or perhaps a fellow nature enthusiast at the Audubon Used Nature Book Sale. All proceeds benefit Audubon education programming. Looking to clean out your library or closet at home? Drop off gently used nature books at the Nature Center and Aquarium from September 26 to September 29, 2021. Field guides, fiction, non-fiction, and children’s nature books are all welcome. Books must be nature-based and in good condition. Only books will be accepted. Please no encyclopedias, textbooks, pamphlets, or magazines.
Audubon Nature Center and Aquarium, 1401 Hope Street, Bristol, RI; Free. Ages: All.

Tenacious Women: A History of Preservation in New England
Audubon Nature Center and Aquarium, Bristol, RI
October 3, 2021; 1:00 – 2:00 pm
Women were at the forefront of New England's preservation movement. These women brought a passion for preservation to the communities where they lived. Yet their history has often been overlooked or lost from the record. Leigh Schoberth, Senior Preservation Services Manager at Historic New England, will trace women's participation in historic preservation and related disciplines through the late 19th and early 20th centuries and elevate their contributions in preserving New England's history.
Audubon Nature Center and Aquarium, 1401 Hope Street, Bristol, RI; Fee: $15/member; $20/non-member. Ages: Adult. Register through the events calendar at www.asri.org.

Meet a Falcon!
Audubon Powder Mill Ledges Wildlife Refuge, Smithfield, RI
October 3, 2021; 1:00 – 3:00 pm
Come to Audubon Powder Mill Ledges Wildlife Refuge to learn all about raptors! Explore biofacts like wings, skulls, feathers, and talons and meet a live Audubon raptor ambassador.
Powder Mill Ledges Wildlife Refuge, 12 Sanderson Road, Smithfield, RI; Fee: $10/member adult, $5/member child; $14/non-member adult, $7/non-member child. Ages: 7 and up. Register through the events calendar at www.asri.org.

Let's Take a Walk! Seeds
Audubon Powder Mill Ledges Wildlife Refuge, Smithfield, RI
October 5, 2021; 10:00 – 11:00 am
Learn about different types of seeds and take a walk on the wildlife refuge to look for different seeds of plants and trees. This is a family program for ages 2 and up.
Powder Mill Ledges Wildlife Refuge, 12 Sanderson Road, Smithfield, RI; Fee: $5/member child; $7/non-member child. Ages: 2 and up. Register through the events calendar at www.asri.org.

Hand-in-Hand
Audubon Powder Mill Ledges Wildlife Refuge, Smithfield, RI
October 7, 2021; 10:00 – 11:30 am
Celebrate autumn on the wildlife refuge with your young child. This parent/child program features nature discovery and exploration using your senses during a short walk. Come learn how to engage your little one in all the changes of the seasons.
Powder Mill Ledges Wildlife Refuge, 12 Sanderson Road, Smithfield, RI; Fee: $10/member adult-child pair; $5/each additional member; $14/non-member adult-child pair; $7/each additional non-member. Ages: 3 and up. Register through the events calendar at www.asri.org.

White Barn Story Time: A Quiet Night by Marilyn Singer
Audubon Caratunk Wildlife Refuge, Seekonk, MA
October 7, 2021; 2:00-3:00 pm
Come to the big barn at Caratunk for special story time that focuses on nature! Hear a story about Mitzi, a little witch who likes creepy things - including pets! Will she find a pet that makes her happy? After the story, look at some bat biofacts and learn about the little brown bat, a bat species that lives on the Caratunk. Wildlife Refuge. This is a program for families with young children, ages 3 and up.
Caratunk Wildlife Refuge, 301 Brown Avenue, Seekonk, MA; Fee: $5/member child; $7/non-member child. Ages: 3 and up. Register online through the events calendar at www.asri.org. 

Wildlife and Habitat Conservation Talk
Audubon Nature Center and Aquarium, Bristol, RI
October 7, 2021; 7:00 – 8:00 pm
Roger Williams Park Zoo’s Director of Conservation Programs, Lou Perrotti, will present the ongoing contributions to wildlife and habitat conservation happening in Rhode Island and around the globe. The talk will feature international projects from elephant conservation to amphibian rescue efforts in South America, as well as highlight RWPZ’s captive breeding and reintroduction efforts. These efforts aid many local threatened and endangered species like the American burying beetle, New England cottontail rabbits, and timber rattlesnakes.
Audubon Nature Center and Aquarium, 1401 Hope Street, Bristol, RI; Fee: $5/member, $7/non-member. Ages: Teen to Adult. Register online through the events calendar at www.asri.org. 

Nature in Autumn
Audubon Caratunk Wildlife Refuge, Seekonk, MA
October 8, 2021; 9:30 – 11:30 am
Take a hike in the fields and along rolling trails looking for migrating birds, late-season wildflowers, fruits, and beautiful autumn foliage. This is a beautiful time to be out in nature with the change of seasons and wildlife preparing for the coming winter. Dress for the weather with sturdy shoes. Bring water and a snack if desired.
Caratunk Wildlife Refuge, 301 Brown Avenue, Seekonk, MA; Fee: $10/member, $14/non-member. Ages: 12 and up. Register online through the events calendar at www.asri.org. 

Fall Birding on Prudence Island
Prudence Island, RI
October 9, 2021; 9:45 am – 4:45 pm
Head to Prudence Island for a full day of birding during fall migration. The island has an array of habitats including salt marsh, deciduous forest, meadow, shrubland, and pine barrens, ensuring a diversity of bird species and beautiful scenery! We will take several walks, many relatively short, but expect to walk a total of 3 to 4 miles over the course of the day. Due to limited space, registration is required.
Narragansett Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve, Prudence Island, RI; Fee: $12 member adult/ $6 member child; $18 nonmember adult/ $9 non-member child. Ages: 12 and up. To learn more about Prudence Island trips and to register, visit the events calendar at www.asri.org. 

Bird Photography Exploration
Two Dates Offered
Audubon Nature Center and Aquarium, Bristol, RI
October 10, November 28, 2021; 9:00 – 10:30 am
Are you interested in photographing birds but don't know how to start? Join Tom Younkin on a nature photography walk for instruction on the basics of bird photography. Topics include how to locate your subject, lighting considerations, and composition. A quality camera with a lens of 300mm or greater is recommended.
Audubon Nature Center and Aquarium, 1401 Hope Street, Bristol, RI; Fee: $15/member; $20/non-member. Ages: Adult. Register online through the events calendar at www.asri.org. 

Indigenous People’s Day Nature Activities
Audubon Nature Center and Aquarium, Bristol, RI
October 11, 2021; 10:00 am – 3:00 pm
Come discover why nature matters. Bring the kids for crafts, stories, an animal interview and more. No registration is required. Programs are free with admission.
10:00 am - 3:00 pm: Take-home Craft Bag
10:00 am: Nature Story
11:00 am and 2:30 pm: Animal Interview
1:00 pm: Maps and Compasses
Audubon Nature Center and Aquarium, 1401 Hope Street, Bristol, RI; Free with Admission. Ages: All.

Climate Reality
Audubon Powder Mill Ledges Wildlife Refuge, Smithfield, RI
October 14, 2021; 6:30 – 8:30 pm
Join Audubon naturalist Kim Calcago for a presentation on the state of climate change and both the troubling and promising trends being seen. As a certified member of Al Gore's Climate Reality Leadership Corp., Kim will take you through the latest data on what the nations and economies of the world are doing to combat the climate crisis. Find out what you can do to help. Free admission, pre-registration required.
Powder Mill Ledges Wildlife Refuge, 12 Sanderson Road, Smithfield, RI; Free. Ages: Adult. Register through the events calendar at www.asri.org.

Prowl for Owls at Caratunk!
Three Dates Offered
Audubon Caratunk Wildlife Refuge, Seekonk, MA
October 15, November 19, 30, 2021; 6:30 – 8:30 pm
Take an evening hike through Caratunk in search of owls in their natural habitat. A wonderful program for families with children over the age of 12. Please dress for the weather and bring a flashlight.
Caratunk Wildlife Refuge, 301 Brown Avenue, Seekonk, MA; Fee: $10/member, $14/non-member. Ages: 12 and up. Register through the events calendar at www.asri.org.

Hawk Watch at Napatree Point
Napatree Point Conservation Area, Westerly, RI
October 16, 2021; 10:00 am – 12:00 pm
Fall is a wonderful time to search for hawks in New England. In Rhode Island, Napatree Point is one of the best locations to look for accipiters, falcons and eagles. If the winds are right, there can be quite a great show. Swallows, monarch butterflies and any remaining shorebirds may also be spotted. Program is limited to 10 people, so register early. Advance registration is required.
Napatree Point Conservation Area, Westerly, RI (Watch Hill); Fee: $15/member; $20/non-member. Ages: Teen to Adult. Register through the events calendar at www.asri.org.

Nest, Dens and Burrows
Audubon Caratunk Wildlife Refuge, Seekonk, MA
October 16, 2021; 1:00 – 3:00 pm
Take an early afternoon hike through the fields and woods of Caratunk to search for birds, mammals, and insects preparing for the winter months. Look for what they built or left behind. A great family program for ages 4 and up.
Caratunk Wildlife Refuge, 301 Brown Avenue, Seekonk, MA; Fee: $5/member child; $7/non-member child. Ages: 4 and up. Register through the events calendar at www.asri.org.

Fall Birding Walk at Caratunk
Audubon Caratunk Wildlife Refuge, Seekonk, MA
October 17, 2021; 8:00 – 10:00 am
Join naturalist and science teacher Joe Koger to observe migratory birds passing through the Caratunk Wildlife Refuge. Discuss different habitats and ways to identify birds, including appearance, song, and behavior. Wear sturdy shoes and dress for the weather. Advance registration is required.
Caratunk Wildlife Refuge, 301 Brown Avenue, Seekonk, MA; Fee: $10/member, $14/non-member. Ages: 12 and up. Register online through the events calendar at www.asri.org. 

Owl Prowl at Fort Refuge
Audubon Fort Wildlife Refuge, North Smithfield, RI
October 18, 2021; 6:30 – 8:30 pm
Bundle up and visit Fort Wildlife Refuge on an autumn night to search for owls. An Audubon naturalist will call for different species as you walk through mixed and pine woods. While we never know if we'll hear or see an owl, participants will learn a lot and have a great night hike. Please dress for the weather, wear sturdy walking shoes, and bring a flashlight. Hike will be cancelled in the event of inclement weather.
Fort Nature Refuge, (Rt. 5), 1443 Providence Pike, North Smithfield, RI; Fee: $10/member; $14/non-member. Ages: 12 and up. Register through the events calendar at www.asri.org.

Herbal Plant Walk at Caratunk
Audubon Caratunk Wildlife Refuge, Seekonk, MA
October 20, 2021; 4:00 – 6:00 pm
Join Maggie Hatzpanian, nurse, herbalist and medicinal plant educator, for a walk through the woods, meadows and wetlands of Caratunk. Come and search for native New England medicinal plants. Maggie will share her knowledge of the plants, how best to ID them, their habitats, and medicinal properties. Advance registration is required.
Caratunk Wildlife Refuge, 301 Brown Avenue, Seekonk, MA; Fee: $15/member, $18/non-Member. Ages: 12 and up. Register online through the events calendar at www.asri.org. 

Nature Tales: Mousekin's Golden House by Edna Miller
Audubon Powder Mill Ledges Wildlife Refuge, Smithfield, RI
October 20, 2021; 10:00 – 11:00 am
Enjoy story time with your preschooler with a focus on nature. Program includes story time followed by a nature craft, short walk or live animal visit. Adults must accompany children.
Powder Mill Ledges Wildlife Refuge, 12 Sanderson Road, Smithfield, RI; Fee: $5/member child; $7/non-member child. Ages: 3-6. Register through the events calendar at www.asri.org.

The Power of One: Conscious Choices to Save Birds
Audubon Nature Center and Aquarium, Bristol, RI
October 24, 2021; 1:00 - 2:30 pm
Join Audubon Director of Avian Research Dr. Charles Clarkson and discover ways to help protect vulnerable and declining bird populations with purchasing power. From "bird friendly" coffee to sustainable seafood, many of our choices can have indirect impacts on wild bird populations. Learn which labels to look for when shopping and how your choices at the market have far-reaching impacts. We all have the power to help our feathered friends, come learn how to become a bird ambassador in ways you may not have imagined.
Audubon Nature Center and Aquarium, 1401 Hope Street, Bristol, RI; Fee: $10/member; $12 non-member. Ages: Adult. Register through the events calendar at www.asri.org.

Hiking Prudence Island
Prudence Island, RI
October 28, 2021; 1:30 – 6:00 pm
Prudence Island has several miles of hiking trails that cover a range of habitats from forested wetlands to coastal meadow and pine barrens. Head to Prudence for what is sure to be a beautiful fall hike. Pace will be moderate and approximately 4 to 5 miles will be covered through a mix of terrain. Please note that face masks will be required regardless of vaccination status while riding in the van. Due to limited space, reservations are required.
Narragansett Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve, Prudence Island, RI; Fee: $10/member adult, $5/member child; $12/non-member adult, $8/non-member child. Ages: 12 and up. To learn more about Prudence Island trips and to register, visit the events calendar at www.asri.org. 

The Perfect Pumpkin Party
Audubon Nature Center and Aquarium, Bristol, RI
October 30, 2021; 10:00 am - 4:00 pm
Join us for a different kind of autumn celebration and find out just how much fun a pumpkin can be! Search for hidden nature-themed pumpkins throughout the wildlife refuge - find them all and pick out a prize. Try fun pumpkin games, pumpkin decorating*, and collect stickers for your pumpkin “patch.” Visit the silly photo booth and try disguises for a festive family photo. Come in costume and receive a prize. No need to register.
Audubon Nature Center and Aquarium, 1401 Hope Street, Bristol, RI; Free with Admission. * Pumpkins for decorating must be purchased.

Fun Facts in a Surreal World: Photography and Art by Alicia Schickle
Audubon Nature Center and Aquarium, Bristol, RI
Through October 31, 2021; 9:30 am-4:30 pm
Alicia Schickle is a published scientific illustrator and a postbaccalaureate scholar at Roger Williams University. She is a passionate nature enthusiast and finds beauty both in scientific facts and the human condition. Alicia uses surrealism as a way to tap into sometimes uncomfortable emotions with a bit of whimsy. She tackles topics such as climate change, deforestation, and self-esteem in her art.
Audubon Nature Center and Aquarium, 1401 Hope Street, Bristol, RI; Free with Admission. Ages: All.