March 28, 2024

Muddy Boots and Froggy Nights…it’s Spring in Rhode Island!

March 2021 Highlights from the Audubon Society of Rhode Island

Posted

(February 2, 2021) – It’s time to get your boots a little muddy! Head out in warmer weather and experience the amazing flight of the American Woodcock, search for frogs as they emerge with song, or enjoy a guided birding walk. Outdoors is one of the safest places to be!

Rhode Island COVID-19 safety guidelines will be followed for all programs. Small groups are led by Audubon naturalists. Family units are encouraged to participate together. Masks and social distancing are required. Participants must bring their own masks. Advance registration is required. Visit the events calendar at www.asri.org for safety guidelines and to register.

Audubon Private Birding and Natural History Tours
Get out in nature…it’s the safest place to be!
Let an Audubon guide take your group of up to four people on a private two-hour natural history or birdwatching tour in Southeastern New England. Tours will be designed with ages and interests in mind. Visit asri.org/private-nature-tours or contact Lauren Parmelee at lparmelee@asri.org or call 401-949-5454 ext. 3111 for details and pricing.

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. Face masks and social distancing are required. Participants must bring their own masks. Advance registration is required. Location will be sent to registered participants in advance.
Locations determined weekly; Every Wednesday through June 2021; 9:00-11:00 am; Fee: $5/member, $10/non-member. Ages: 14+. Register through the events calendar at www.asri.org.

Sunday Morning Bird Walks with Audubon
Audubon Nature Center and Aquarium, Bristol, RI
Join a small group for Sunday morning bird walks on the grounds of the Audubon Nature Center and Aquarium in Bristol with Lauren Parmelee, Audubon Senior Director of Education. Many birds can be found around the feeders and in the fields and wetlands of this beautiful wildlife refuge. Dress warmly and bring binoculars and a field guide if you have them. Masks and social distancing are required for all programs. Participants must bring their own masks. Advance registration required as group size is limited. Walks are weather dependent.
Audubon Nature Center and Aquarium, 1401 Hope Street, Bristol, RI; Sunday Mornings through May, 2021, 8:30 – 9:30 am; Fee: $5/ members, $7/non-members. Ages: 12 and up. Register online through the events calendar at www.asri.org.

Hidden Beauty: A Celebration of Life Under the Waves
Art Exhibit by Isabelle Cadene
Audubon Nature Center and Aquarium, Bristol, RI
March 2- April 25, 2021; 9:00 am – 5:00 pm
Incorporating biological illustration with modern techniques, artist Isabelle Cadene strives to translate life and organic movement to the two-dimensional world. The artist is a Boston native and in her senior year at Roger Williams University. From a young age, Isabelle loved art, and the natural world has always been a consistent source of inspiration. Whether it be birds, reptiles, plants, or fish, the small organic details of nature have always been the most attractive subject matter. Upon graduation, Isabelle hopes to continue her studies of the ocean and its inhabitants.
Audubon Nature Center and Aquarium, 1401 Hope Street, Bristol, RI; March 2-April 25, 2021,
9:00 am – 5:00 pm; Free with admission. Ages: All.

The Ecology of Vernal Pools
Audubon Powder Mill Ledges Wildlife Refuge, Smithfield, RI
March 3, 2021; 7:00-8:30 pm
These mysterious spring time pools often come and go without much notice, but there are many creatures that would disappear without them. Come learn what makes a vernal pool so special, where you can find them, and why some animals lives depend on them. Face masks and social distancing are required. Participants must bring their own masks. (Program may be held virtually if RI COVID-19 mandates do not allow in-person gatherings.)
Powder Mill Ledges Wildlife Refuge, 12 Sanderson Road, Smithfield, RI; March 3, 2021; 7:00-8:30 pm; Fee: $10/member; $14/non-member. Ages: Teen to Adult. Register online through the events calendar at www.asri.org.

White Barn Story Time: The Salamander Room
Audubon Caratunk Wildlife Refuge, Seekonk, MA
March 4, 2021; 2:00-3:00 pm
Come to the big barn at Caratunk for a special story time that focuses on nature! Enjoy The Salamander Room by Anne Mazar. This gentle story is about a child who imagines how to change his room into a habitat for a salamander. After the story, take a guided exploration of the wetlands to look for salamanders and other creatures that live under leaves, logs, and rocks. Face masks and social distancing are required. Participants must bring their own masks. Advance registration is required.
Caratunk Wildlife Refuge, 301 Brown Avenue, Seekonk, MA; Fee: $8/member child; $12/non-member child. Ages: 3 and up. Register online through the events calendar at www.asri.org.

Citizens Bank Free Family Fun Day
Audubon Nature Center and Aquarium, Bristol, RI
March 6, 2021; 10:00 am – 3:00 pm
Thanks to Citizens Bank, the Nature Center and Aquarium is open free to the public the first Saturday of every month. Join us for nature stories, animal discoveries, hikes and more. Face masks and social distancing are required. Participants must bring their own masks. No need to register!
10:00 am – 3:00 pm: Scavenger Hunt
10:00 am & 2:30 pm: Nature Story
10:30 am – 12:00 pm: Why We Love Ducks
Join Audubon and discover some of the amazing features of these beloved webbed-foot birds. Learn about some of the places you might find ducks in Rhode Island and take a walk down to the swamp, the pond and the shore to see if any of these incredible birds can be found.
1:30 pm: Animal Interview
Audubon Nature Center and Aquarium, 1401 Hope Street, Bristol, RI; Free. Ages: All.

Feeding the Birds – Workshop
Audubon Nature Center and Aquarium, Bristol, RI
March 7, 2021; 1:00-2:00 pm
Watching birds in your backyard will brighten your days! Join Audubon for an hour-long workshop to learn all about the various bird foods and feeder options available. Tips on how to set up a backyard feeder station and how to identify visiting birds will be included. Face masks and social distancing are required. Participants must bring their own masks. Advance registration required.
Audubon Nature Center and Aquarium, 1401 Hope Street, Bristol, RI; Fee: $5/members, $7/non-members. Ages: Teen to Adult. Register online through the events calendar at www.asri.org.

Sea Glass Jewelry Workshop
Audubon Nature Center and Aquarium, Bristol, RI
March 13, 2021; 11:00 am – 12:30 pm
Come design and create a beautiful pendant with sea glass found on local beaches. Learn how to choose the right piece of glass and transform it using quick and easy wire wrapping techniques. Program includes all materials. Find something special on the beach? Bring that too! This class fills quickly. Advance registration is required as space is strictly limited to 10 participants. Face masks and social distancing are required. Participants must bring their own masks.
Audubon Nature Center and Aquarium, 1401 Hope Street, Bristol, RI; Fee: $20/member; $25/non-member. Ages: Adult. Register online through the events calendar at www.asri.org.

Froggy Nights at Caratunk
Audubon Caratunk Wildlife Refuge, Seekonk, MA
March 19, 2021; 6:30 – 8:30 pm
The sunshine of early spring starts warming the wet earth during the day, causing a froggy night! Take a guided evening walk on the Caratunk Wildlife Refuge and listen to the calls of spring peepers and wood frogs found in the wetlands. Be sure to dress for the weather. Face masks and social distancing are required. Participants must bring their own masks.
Caratunk Wildlife Refuge, 301 Brown Avenue, Seekonk, MA; Fee: $10/member adult, $5/member child; $14/non-member adult, $7/non-member child. Ages: 6 and up. Register online through the events calendar at www.asri.org.

Fairy Houses for Adults
Audubon Nature Center and Aquarium, Bristol, RI
March 20, 2021; 1:30 - 3:30 pm
Fairies aren’t just for kids! Use natural materials such as shells, seeds, moss, and stones to create an enchanting home for magical guests. Fairy houses make a unique spring decoration and are a relaxing and fun creative outlet. Program includes all materials needed to complete your magical dwelling. Advance registration is required.
Audubon Nature Center and Aquarium, 1401 Hope Street, Bristol, RI; Fee: $25/member; $30/non-member. Ages: 16 and up. Register online through the events calendar at www.asri.org.

Pysanky Workshop
Audubon Powder Mill Ledges Wildlife Refuge, Smithfield, RI
March 20, 2021; 10:00 am – 12:00 pm
Come try your hand at Pysanky, the Ukrainian tradition of dyeing eggs. Participants will learn about design, planning and, finally, dyeing their eggs. Handouts will also be given regarding where to obtain Pysanky tools and dyes to continue the tradition at home. All supplies are provided. Participants will make one egg. Wear clothes that can get messy, as dyes are permanent. Face masks and social distancing are required. Participants must bring their own masks.
Powder Mill Ledges Wildlife Refuge, 12 Sanderson Road, Smithfield, RI; Fee: $25/member; $35/non-member. Ages: 9 and up. Register online through the events calendar at www.asri.org.

Spring Nature Walk
Audubon Caratunk Wildlife Refuge, Seekonk, MA
March 21, 2021; 1:00 - 3:00 pm
Take a walk on the trails and observe signs of Spring at Caratunk. Look for skunk cabbage, ferns and more! This is a weather dependent program. Please wear appropriate shoes and dress for the weather. Bring binoculars if you have them. Face masks and social distancing are required. Participants must bring their own masks.
Caratunk Wildlife Refuge, 301 Brown Avenue, Seekonk, MA; Fee: $10/members, $14/non-member. Ages: 12 and up. Register online through the events calendar at www.asri.org.

Li'l Peeps
Audubon Nature Center and Aquarium, Bristol, RI
March 25, April 1, 8, 15, 29, May 6, 2021; 10:00 am – 3:00 pm
This popular program introduces children ages 18 months to 2 years to the delights of nature through age-appropriate, hands-on activities. Along with a nature lesson, activities may include nature walks, crafts, songs and stories. This is also a wonderful opportunity to make new friends with the other children and parents. Registration is required as space is limited and fills very quickly. Adults must accompany children and there are no refunds for missed classes. In order to maintain an age-appropriate program we ask that older siblings not accompany the parent/child team. Face masks for adults and social distancing are required. Participants must bring their own masks. Advance registration is required.
Audubon Nature Center and Aquarium, 1401 Hope Street, Bristol, RI; 10:00-10:45 am; Fee: $40/member child, $50/two member siblings, $45/non-member child, $55/two non-member siblings Other. Ages: 18 to 24 months. Register online through the events calendar at www.asri.org.

Woodcock Walk with Audubon
Audubon Caratunk Wildlife Refuge, Seekonk, MA
March 26, 2021; 6:30 – 8:30 pm
Join Audubon on a walk in early spring to observe the unique and enchanting courtship display of the American Woodcock. The hike begins at dusk. Please wear sturdy hiking shoes and warm, dark clothing. Bring binoculars, a flashlight, and water. Flash photography is not allowed. Meet in the big white barn. Face masks and social distancing are required. Participants must bring their own masks. 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.

Creating Spaces for Pollinators
Audubon Powder Mill Ledges Wildlife Refuge, Smithfield, RI
March 31, 2021; 7:00-8:30 pm
The pollinators of the world are losing ground at an alarming rate. Take a look at what you can do on your property to encourage, assist, and help save pollinators. We will look at the food, nesting, and sheltering needs of pollinators and hummingbirds as well as simple changes you can make to your gardens, maintenance schedule and use of pesticides to encourage these vital little beings. Face masks and social distancing are required. Participants must bring their own masks. (Program may be held virtually if RI COVID-19 mandates do not allow in-person gatherings.)
Powder Mill Ledges Wildlife Refuge, 12 Sanderson Road, Smithfield, RI; Fee: $10/member; $14/non-member. Ages: Adult. Register online through the events calendar at www.asri.org.

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