March 19, 2024

Yum! Discover Sweet Maple Sugaring with Audubon

March 2019 Highlights from the Audubon Society of Rhode Island

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(January 30, 2019) – With warmer weather on the way, there is not a better time to get outside! Experience sweet maple sugaring, go birding with an expert, bring the kids to meet some cool reptiles or head out to Prudence Island for a seal watch. Just pull on those boots and go!

Unless noted, registration is required for all programs. Register online and view a complete listing of programs through the events calendar at www.asri.org.

Citizens Bank Free Family Fun Day
Radical Reptiles
Audubon Nature Center and Aquarium, Bristol, RI
March 2, 2019; 9:00 am – 5:00 pm

Thanks to the 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 registration required.
March 2, 2019: Radical Reptiles
10:00 am - 2:00 pm: Nature Craft table
10:00 am – 2:00 pm: Spot the Turtle. Can you spot 10 turtles in our exhibit hall? Spot them all and receive a prize to take home.
10:30 am & 2:30 pm: Nature Story
11:00 am: Vertebrates program
1:30 pm: Reptile Interview
Audubon Nature Center and Aquarium, 1401 Hope Street, Bristol, RI; Free. Ages: All. No need to register.

Snowshoe Sunday at Caratunk
Audubon Caratunk Wildlife Refuge, Seekonk, MA
March 3, 2019; 8:00 – 10:00 am

Audubon opens the gates early to explore Caratunk by snowshoe (weather permitting). After some fresh air and exercise, return to the barn for hot cider and pastries. If there is not enough snow, participants will take a hike. Please dress appropriately and bring your own snowshoes. (REI rents snowshoes.)
Caratunk Wildlife Refuge, 301 Brown Avenue, Seekonk, MA; Fee: $10/member adult, $5/member child; $14/non-member adult, $7/non-member child. Ages: 12+. Register through the events calendar at www.asri.org.

Audubon Winter Van Trip to Cape Ann
Cape Ann, MA
March 3, 2019; 7:00 am – 5:00 pm

Cape Ann is a historic fishing community in Massachusetts, known among birders for a great diversity of wintering sea birds. Razorbills, Dovekies, murres, guillemots, white-winged gulls, and other species have been spotted in the past. Join Audubon for a day of exploring Cape Ann hotspots including Gloucester Harbor, Eastern Point, Andrews and Halibut Points, and others. Visit the events calendar at ww.asri.org for details and to register.
Departs from Powder Mill Ledges Wildlife Refuge, 12 Sanderson Road, Smithfield, RI; Fee: $70/member; $80/non-member. Ages: Teen to Adult. Register online through the events calendar at www.asri.org.

Audubon Osprey Monitor Training
See Locations Below
March 3, 10, 2019; 1:00 – 3:00 pm

Since 1977, this monitoring program has carefully tracked the Osprey population in Rhode Island as it recovered from the detrimental effects of pesticides. Attend this two-hour training session to learn about the program and how to become a monitor. Attendees should be over 16, have binoculars or a spotting scope and have access to a computer. For more information, visit the events calendar at www.asri.org.
- Powder Mill Ledges Wildlife Refuge, 12 Sanderson Road, Smithfield, RI; March 3, 2019; Free. Ages: 16+.
- Fish & Wildlife Kettle Pond Visitor Center, 50 Bend Rd, Charlestown, RI; March 10, 2019; Free. Ages: 16+.

FREE Wednesday Morning Bird Walks
Locations Across the State
March 6, 13, 20, 27, 2019; 9:00 – 11:00 am

Audubon offers FREE Wednesday Morning Bird Walks with naturalist Laura Carberry. Each week a new birding destination will be chosen. Please visit the Audubon website (www.asri.org) or Facebook Page for the location. Contact Laura at lcarberry@asri.org for more information.
Locations determined weekly; Every Wednesday through June 2019; 9:00-11:00 am; Ages: 14+.

Composting 101
Audubon Powder Mill Ledges Wildlife Refuge, Smithfield, RI
March 6, 2019; 7:00 – 8:30 pm

Have you ever thought about starting a compost system, but just weren’t sure how to start? This introductory class will cover the steps of generating this dark, rich and FREE fertilizer at home.
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.

Seal Tour of Prudence Island
Prudence Island, RI
March 7, 2019; 1:30 – 6:30 pm

Enjoy a beautiful afternoon on Prudence Island and look for winter wildlife. Make a few stops around the island, including the south end, which is home to a large wintering population of harbor seals. Learn about the natural history of seals while viewing them from the shoreline (or the comfort of a heated van!). Keep an eye out for the many species of ducks and waterfowl that spend the winter here.

Narragansett Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve, Prudence Island, RI; Fee: $8/member adult, $4/member child; $12/non-member adult, $8/non-member child. Ages: 8+. For more information on Prudence Island trips and to register, visit the events calendar at www.asri.org.

Improv Comedy Night with The Bit Players
Audubon Nature Center and Aquarium, Bristol, RI
March 7, 2019; 6:30 – 8:00 pm

Leave the kids at home and come to Audubon for a night of improv comedy! The evening begins at 6:30 with craft beer and light snacks, the show starts at 7:00 pm. Local improv group The Bit Players will leave their cozy home at the Firehouse Theatre in Newport to become one with nature. Modeled after the hit TV show "Whose Line is it Anyway?” this show is full of hysterical characters, hilarious games and sidesplitting musical numbers. Everything is made up on the spot from your suggestions!
Audubon Nature Center and Aquarium, 1401 Hope Street, Bristol, RI; Fee: $20/member, $25/non-member. Ages: 21+. Register online through the events calendar at www.asri.org.

Owling Van Trip
Locations Across Rhode Island
March 8, 2019; 4:00-8:00 pm

Hop aboard the Audubon van with an expert guide to visit several locations around the state to look for these amazing birds. This unique program provides opportunities see or hear several species including Snowy, Short-eared, Barred, Screech and Great Horned Owls. Advance registration required.
Departs from Fisherville Brook Wildlife Refuge, 99 Pardon Joslin Road, Exeter, RI; Program Fee: $40/member; $50/non-member. Ages: 14+. Register online through the events calendar at www.asri.org.

Winter Wildlife on Prudence Island
Prudence Island, RI
March 9, 2019; 9:45 am-4:45 pm

Join an all-day adventure and explore beautiful Prudence Island. Traverse the island in a passenger van making several stops along the way to look for a variety of birds in protected ponds and coves. We expect to see grebes, eiders, mergansers and much more. In the afternoon, we'll shift gears and seek out our resident harbor seals, often visible close to shore on the island's southern tip.
Narragansett Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve, Prudence Island, RI; Fee: $10/member adult, $5/member child; $14/non-member adult, $7/non-member child. Ages: 12+. For details on Prudence Island trips and to register, visit the events calendar at www.asri.org.

Secrets of the Blossom: Poison, Medicine, Art
Photography by Jason Hack, MD
Audubon Nature Center and Aquarium, Bristol, RI
March 10 – April 30, 2019; 9:00 am – 5:00 pm

Jason Hack is an emergency physician and medical toxicologist who photographs both living and inanimate objects he finds in the environment around him. This collection includes many of the medicinal or poisonous flowers that he has come upon in Rhode Island— just waiting to be discovered and recognized. There is no outward indication of whether a blossom is used as a medicine or contains an injurious chemical—but it is often both. He views these flowering plants as if they hiding secrets within. Meet the artist at the exhibit opening and introductory talk on March 10, 2019 from 1:00 to 3:00pm
Audubon Nature Center and Aquarium, 1401 Hope Street, Bristol, RI; Free with Admission. Ages: All.

Animal Tracks and Signs
Audubon Lathrop Wildlife Refuge, Westerly, RI
March 14, 2019; 9:30 am – 12:00 pm

Animals leave all kinds of evidence of who they are and what they have been doing. Join Scott Ruhren, senior director of conservation, for an exploration of the Lathrop Wildlife Refuge. We will try to identify tracks, scrapes and more. Part of the walk will be on the edge of a marsh and salt pond and there could still be some snow.
Lathrop Wildlife Refuge, Route 1A, Westerly, RI; Fee: $10/member adult, $5/member child; $14/non-member adult, $7/non-member child. Ages: 8+. Register online through the events calendar at www.asri.org.

Audubon Maple Sugaring and Pancake Breakfast
Audubon Caratunk Wildlife Refuge, Seekonk, MA
March 16, 2019; 9:00 am – 12:00 pm

Step back in time at the Caratunk Wildlife Refuge to experience the history of maple sugaring. Discover how Native Americans started maple sugaring and how to make this sweet syrup in your own backyard. Taste first hand this delectable treat over breakfast. Sample pancakes, muffins and other tasty treats - all with fresh maple syrup. Tours begin every 15 minutes starting at 9:00 am. Please register in advance, this is a popular program and space is limited. Rhode Island maple syrup will be available for purchase.
Caratunk Wildlife Refuge, 301 Brown Avenue, Seekonk, MA; Fee: $12 member adult/ $6 member child; $14/non-member adult, $7/non-member child. Ages: 5+. Register online through the events calendar at www.asri.org.

Audubon Full Moon Trivia
Audubon Powder Mill Ledges Wildlife Refuge, Smithfield, RI
March 20, 2019; 7:00-9:00 pm

Calling all nature nerds! Audubon is offering its own version of Pub Trivia. Get your friends together in teams of up to four people and compete for fun prizes. We'll have some snacks and refreshments to enjoy while you show off your nature knowledge during this relaxing evening.
Powder Mill Ledges Wildlife Refuge, 12 Sanderson Road, Smithfield, RI; Fee: $15/member; $20/non-member. Ages: Adult. Register online through the events calendar at www.asri.org.

Author Meet and Greet
Raptors: Portraits of Birds of Prey by Author Traer Scott
Audubon Nature Center and Aquarium, Bristol, RI
March 21, 2019; 7:00 – 8:00 pm

Join author Traer Scott as she shares the fascinating story behind the making of her book Raptors: Portraits of Birds of Prey. Scott is an award-winning photographer and best-selling author of ten books including Shelter Dogs, Raptors: Portraits of Birds of Prey and the forthcoming City of Dogs. Her work has been exhibited around the world and has appeared in National Geographic, Time, La Monde, Life Magazine, Der Stern, The New York Times LensBlog and dozens of other national and international publications. Traer was the recipient of the 2010 Rhode Island State Council for the Arts Photography Fellowship Grant and the 2008 Helen Woodward Humane Award for animal welfare activism. Traer’s book will be available for purchase and signing at the event.
Audubon Nature Center and Aquarium, 1401 Hope Street, Bristol, RI; Fee: $5/member, $7/non-member. Ages: Adult. Register online through the events calendar at www.asri.org.

Audubon Mushroom ID Class
Audubon Caratunk Wildlife Refuge, Seekonk, MA
March 24, 2019; 1:00 – 3:00 pm

Learn the basics of mushrooming: identification, species, habitat, easily identifiable beginner mushrooms, cooking, preserving and more! A tasting is included. Please note that collecting/foraging is not permitted on Audubon Society of Rhode Island property.
Caratunk Wildlife Refuge, 301 Brown Avenue, Seekonk, MA; Fee: $20/member; $25/non-member. Ages: Teen to Adult. Register online through the events calendar at www.asri.org.

Turtle Monday
Audubon Caratunk Wildlife Refuge, Seekonk, MA
March 25, 2019; 1:00 – 3:00 pm

Come meet Otto and Speedy, the Caratunk turtles! We will learn about local turtles species, their habitats and have a treat to eat.
Caratunk Wildlife Refuge, 301 Brown Avenue, Seekonk, MA; Fee: $5/member, 7/non-member. Ages: 5+. Register online through the events calendar at www.asri.org.

Pysanky Workshop with Audubon
Audubon Powder Mill Ledges Wildlife Refuge, Smithfield, RI
March 30, 2019; 10:00 am – 12:00 pm

Come try your hand at the Ukrainian tradition of dyeing eggs called Pysanky. Participants will learn about design, planning and dyeing eggs. Handouts will also be given regarding where to obtain Pysanky tools and dyes. All supplies are provided. Participants will create one egg.
Powder Mill Ledges Wildlife Refuge, 12 Sanderson Road, Smithfield, RI; Fee: $25/member; $30/non-member. Ages: 12+. Register online through the events calendar at www.asri.org.

Raptor Photography Workshop
With Peter Green of Providence Raptors
Audubon Nature Center and Aquarium, Bristol, RI
March 30, 2019; 12:00 – 2:00 pm

Learn basic photography lessons, post-processing tips, birding ethics and more regarding photography of birds of prey. Participants will practice with a special appearance by one of Audubon’s avian ambassadors.
Audubon Nature Center and Aquarium, 1401 Hope Street, Bristol, RI; Fee: $45/member, $55/non-member. Ages: Adult. Register online through the events calendar at www.asri.org.

Woodcock Walk & Wine
Audubon Caratunk Wildlife Refuge, Seekonk, MA
March 31, 2019; 5:30-8:00 pm

Spring is in the air and so are the Woodcocks as they embark on their unique and amazing courtship ritual. Join Audubon on a walk to watch the Woodcock "sky dance" at dusk at the Caratunk Wildlife Refuge and after the hike, sit back and enjoy a glass of wine as the stars come out. Participants must be age 21+.
Caratunk Wildlife Refuge, 301 Brown Avenue, Seekonk, MA; Fee: $18/member; $20/non-member. Ages: Adult. Register online through the events calendar at www.asri.org.

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