Frosty Trails, Owls and Ales! February 2017 Highlights from the Audubon Society of Rhode Island

(January 3, 2017) – Experience snowshoeing under a full moon or take a walk to look for sea birds at the shore. Bring a friend, bundle up and join an Audubon expert to discover those natural wonders found only during the winter months.

Unless noted, registration is required for all programs. Register online at www.asri.org.
A complete listing of programs is detailed in the Audubon Nature Tours and Programs, a free guide to connecting with the natural world. Download a copy online at www.asri.org.


February 1, 8, 15, 22, 2017 Wednesday Morning Bird Walks
Locations Around the State 9:00 – 11:00 am
Audubon offers FREE Wednesday Morning Bird Walks with naturalist Laura Carberry through the end of June, 2017. Walks will begin at 9:00 am. Each week a new birding destination will be chosen. Please visit the Audubon's website or Facebook Page for the location. You may also contact Laura at lcarberry@asri.org for more information.


February 4, 2017 We Love Birds!
Citizens Bank Free Family Fun Day
Audubon Environmental Education Center
Bristol, RI 9:00 am – 5:00 pm
Share your love for our feathered friends this winter! Make a bird-seed valentine, create your own bird feeder from natural and recycled materials, and get up-close with an amazing owl. Programs and admission are free thanks to Citizens Bank. No need to register.
9:00 am – 5:00 pm:
Spot the Bird - find all ten birds hidden in the exhibit hall and receive a prize!
10:00 am-2:00 pm: Bird Seed Valentine
10: 00 am and 2:30 pm: Bird Nature Story
11:30 am: Owl Presentation
1:30 pm: Build-A-Feeder or a Bird House: Use recycled materials to build your own!
Audubon Environmental Education Center, 1401 Hope Street, Bristol, RI; Free. Ages: All.



February 8, 2017 Audubon Armchair Naturalist Lecture:
Seeds
Audubon Powder Mill Ledges Wildlife Refuge
Smithfield, RI 6:30 – 8:00 pm
Without seeds, there would be little food, no flowers, and not much chance of large terrestrial life. Come and learn the basic ins and outs of seeds - their form and function and amazing variety. From the dust-sized seeds of lady slippers, to the huge coco de mer (aka double coconut), seeds are supremely adapted survivors. We will examine a number of specimens and also dissect some flowers and fruits to access their seeds.
Powder Mill Ledges Wildlife Refuge, 12 Sanderson Road, Smithfield, RI; Program Fee: $10/member; $14/non-member. Ages: Adult. Register online at www.asri.org.


February 10, 2017 Snowshoeing By The Full Moon
Audubon Fisherville Brook Wildlife Refuge
Exeter, RI 7:00 – 9:00 pm
A white expanse of snow blanketing the forest, the moon creeping up through the pines, and the stars twinkling overhead. All set the scene for a guided full moon snowshoe walk at Fisherville Brook Wildlife Refuge. Note: participants must provide their own snowshoes. If the trails are too icy the program will be cancelled. If there is no snow, we will have a moonlit hike on the trails.
Fisherville Brook Wildlife Refuge, 99 Pardon Joslin Road, Exeter, RI; Program Fee: $10/member; $14/non-member. Ages: Teen to Adult.
Register online at www.asri.org.



January 11, 2017 Seals and Sea Ducks on Prudence Island
Prudence Island, RI 9:45 am – 3:00 pm
Explore beautiful Prudence Island! Begin by viewing the winter population of harbor seals that enjoy basking on the rocks off the southern tip of the island. After lunch, we will travel in a passenger van making several stops along the way to look for a variety of duck species in protected ponds and coves. We expect to see grebes, eiders, mergansers and more.
Narragansett Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve, Prudence Island, RI; Program Fee: $8/member adult, $4/member child; $12/non-member adult, $8/non-member child. Ages: 10+. For more details on Prudence Island trips and to register, visit www.asri.org.


February 18, 2017 Winter Birding at Sachuest Point
Sachuest Point National Wildlife Refuge
Middletown, RI 10:30 am – 1:00 pm
Sachuest Point National Wildlife Refuge is one of the few “hot” winter birding spots in Rhode Island. Winter specialties include Horned Larks, Snow Buntings, Northern Harriers, Purple Sandpipers, and a variety of sea ducks. The stars of the show are Harlequin Ducks, and in some years Snowy Owls. Meet in the refuge parking lot, and then head for the shore to look for waterfowl and other winter residents of the rocky seashore and scrubby coastal habitats. Be sure to dress for the cold and the wind.
Sachuest Point National Wildlife Refuge, 769 Sachuest Point Road, Middletown, RI; Program Fee: $10/member adult, $14/non-member adult, Ages: Teen to Adult. Register online at www.asri.org.



February 11 & 18, 2017 Felted Bird Houses
Audubon Environmental Education Center
Bristol, RI 2:00 – 4:00 pm
Create your own beautiful bird house using colorful wool in this two-session class. Join Audubon educator and fiber artist Tala Wunderler-Selby to learn the traditional art of wet felting, using sheep’s wool, water, soap and a little elbow grease. Design your bird house in a rainbow of colors or in natural hues, and then create a three-dimensional vessel. Hang your house outdoors, or place it inside for a unique decoration. No experience needed. All materials will be provided. Advance registration is required.
Audubon Environmental Education Center, 1401 Hope Street, Bristol, RI; Program Fee: $60/member; $65/non-member. Ages: Teen to Adult. Register online at www.asri.org.

February 17, 2017 Owls and Ales
Audubon Environmental Education Center
Bristol, RI 6:30 – 8:30 pm
Meet some of Audubon’s amazing owls in person! Come to Audubon for a presentation on these fascinating birds of prey, while enjoying locally brewed beers and snacks. Then take a guided walk through the refuge at night to look and listen for owls and other signs of wildlife. Leave the kids at home—this program is just for adults! Come prepared to go outside on a chilly evening.
Audubon Environmental Education Center, 1401 Hope Street, Bristol, RI; Program Fee: $30/member; $35/non-member. Ages: 21+. Register online at www.asri.org.


Through February 28, 2017 Nature's Kaleidoscope, Leaf Rotation: Photography by Brian Wood
Audubon Environmental Education Center
Bristol, RI 9:00 am – 5:00 pm
Discover nature's magnificent hidden patterns and soothing layers through camera rotation photography. Trees provide heart and home to us all – and their leaves are more than just an essential part of life on earth, they are also extremely beautiful. This style of foliage photography unlocks a hidden world of beauty and breathtaking geometry.
Audubon Environmental Education Center, 1401 Hope Street, Bristol, RI; January 8 to February 28, 2017; Free with Admission; Ages: All.