March 19, 2024

Go Walking in Nature’s Winter Wonderland

January 2018 Highlights from the Audubon Society of Rhode Island

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(December 1, 2017) – Don’t be a couch potato in January! Join a birding expert and search for waterfowl at the shore, head out and prowl for owls at night, or learn to identify animal tracks in the snow. Nature in winter is truly a wonderland. Just bundle up and go!

Unless noted, registration is required for all programs. Register online through the events calendar 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.

FREE Wednesday Morning Bird Walks
Locations Across the State
January 3, 10, 17, 24, 31, 2018; 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 (ww.asri.org) or Facebook Page for the location. Contact Laura at lcarberry@asri.org for more information.
Locations determined weekly; Every Wednesday through June 2018; Ages: 14+.

Winter Big Day 2018
Birding Locations Across the State
January 4, 2018; 8:30 am – 5:00 pm
How many species can we find? This popular program has become a Rhode Island tradition. Set out with an Audubon guide and cover many of the state's winter hot spots during this daylong van trip in search of our feathered winter residents. Barrow's Goldeneye, Eurasian Wigeon, Short-eared Owl and Snow Buntings are among the birds we hope to find. Dress warmly and pack a lunch and optics.
Departs from Audubon Fisherville Brook Wildlife Refuge, 99 Pardon Joslin Road, Exeter, RI; Fee: $50/member; $60/non-member. Ages: 18+. Register through the events calendar at www.asri.org.

Owls of New England
Audubon Powder Mill Ledges Wildlife Refuge, Smithfield, RI
January 4, 2018; 6:30 – 8:00 pm
Did you know there are several species of owls that live here in New England? Some might live right near your back yard. Enjoy a pictorial look at our native owls, hear their calls and learn about their amazing adaptations. End with a visit from a live owl.
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: 8+. Register through the events calendar at www.asri.org.

Eco-engineers
Citizens Bank Free Family Fun Day
Audubon Environmental Education Center, Bristol, RI
January 6, 2018; 9:00 am – 5:00 pm
Thanks to Citizens Bank, the Environmental Education Center is open free to the public the first Saturday of every month. Join us for crafts, nature stories, animal discoveries, hikes and more.

Take our Eco-engineering challenge, combine science and art with crafts, and learn about awesome animal engineers! No registration necessary.
10:00 am - 2:00 pm: Science and Art Crafts
10:00 am: Animal Engineers Story
11:00 am and 1:30 pm: Eco-engineers Challenge - Kids brainstorm, design, build and test solutions to Eco-challenges. Recommended for children ages 6 and up.
2:30 pm: Animal Interview
Audubon Environmental Education Center, 1401 Hope Street, Bristol, RI. Ages: All.

Shared Perspectives
Photography Exhibit by Mary Cappy and Mike Kenfield
Audubon Environmental Education Center, Bristol, RI
January 7 – February 28, 2018; 9:00 am – 5:00 pm
Photographers, Mary Cappy and Mike Kenfield spend many hours taking photographs on nature walks. These images illustrate what catches their attention in nature and how their views differ on the same trail. Mary looks for textures and patterns in flora and fauna, while Mike is more focused on birds, specifically in flight. Often times they overlap. These photos reflect their different, yet shared perspectives. Meet the artists at the exhibit opening on January 7, 2018 from 1:00 to 3:00 pm.
Audubon Environmental Education Center, 1401 Hope Street, Bristol, RI. Ages: All.

Snowshoeing at Fort Refuge
Audubon Fort Wildlife Refuge, North Smithfield, RI
January 13, 2018; 10:00 am – 12:00 pm
Explore the beauty of the Fort Refuge in winter. Look for tracks and other signs of wildlife. If there is no snow, we will hike the trails. If the grounds are too icy, the program will be canceled. Please provide your own snowshoes - pairs can be rented from REI.
Fort Nature Refuge, (Rt. 5), 1443 Providence Pike, North Smithfield, RI; Fee: $10/member; $14/non-member. Ages: Teen to Adult. Register through the events calendar at www.asri.org.

Martin Luther King Day Nature Activities
Audubon Environmental Education Center, Bristol, RI
January 15, 2018; 10:00 am – 3:00 pm
Discover nature’s winter wonderland. Head out for a frosty walk then come back inside and warm up with a nature story. Meet a live animal and play fun animal games. No registration required.
9:00 am - 5:00 pm: Spot the Snowflake: Can you find ten snowflakes in our exhibit hall? Spot them all and receive prize to take home.
10:00 am - 2:00 pm: Nature Crafts
10:00 am: Winter Stories
11:00 am: Guided Winter Walk (weather dependent)
1:00 pm: Animal Games
2:00 pm: Animal Interview
Audubon Environmental Education Center, 1401 Hope Street, Bristol, RI; Free with Admission. Ages: All.

Owl Prowl at Caratunk Refuge
Audubon Caratunk Wildlife Refuge, Seekonk, MA
January 19, 2018; 7:00 – 9:00 pm
Bundle up for a winter night hike and search for owls at the Caratunk Wildlife Refuge. Your guide will call for different species of owls as we travel through mixed and pine woods. While we never know if we'll actually get to hear or see an owl, participants will be sure to learn a lot and have a great night hike. Wear heavy socks and shoes or boots and dress warmly. Bring a flashlight. Hike will be canceled in the event of inclement weather or icy trails.
Caratunk Wildlife Refuge, 301 Brown Avenue, Seekonk, MA; Fee: $10/member; $14/non-member. Ages: 8+. Register through the events calendar at www.asri.org.

Owling at Fisherville Brook
Audubon Fisherville Brook Wildlife Refuge, Exeter, RI
January 26, 2018; 7:00 – 9:00 pm
In a small group setting, spend time with one of Audubon's live owls and discover what makes these birds so special. Then head out on the trails in search of these amazing creatures in their natural habitat. Fisherville is home to Barred Owls, Great Horned Owls and Screech Owls. Pre-registration is a must; this program is limited to 12 participants. Adults only. Meet in the nature center and bring a flashlight.
Fisherville Brook Wildlife Refuge, 99 Pardon Joslin Road, Exeter, RI; Fee: $15/member; $20/non-member. Ages: 18+. Register through the events calendar at www.asri.org.

Owls and Ales
Two Dates Offered
Audubon Environmental Education Center, Bristol, RI
January 27, February 17, 2018; 6:30 – 8:30 pm
Meet some of Audubon’s amazing owl ambassadors up-close! Come to the Environmental Education Center for a presentation on these fascinating birds of prey and enjoy some locally brewed beers. Then take a guided walk through the wildlife refuge at night to look and listen for owls and other signs of animal life. Leave the kids at home —this program is just for adults! Come prepared to go outside on a chilly winter evening.
Audubon Environmental Education Center, 1401 Hope Street, Bristol, RI; Fee: $30/member; $35/non-member. Ages: 21+. Register through the events calendar at www.asri.org.

Introduction to Animal Tracking
Audubon Powder Mill Ledges Wildlife Refuge, Smithfield, RI
January 27, 2018; 10:00 am – 12:00 pm
Join Audubon and learn how to identify local mammal tracks and other animal signs. Start inside with a presentation to go over track patterns, terms and models. We’ll then take a short hike on the trails to see what kinds of tracks and signs can be found. This class is geared for an adult audience. Please wear warm footwear and dress for the winter weather.
Powder Mill Ledges Wildlife Refuge, 12 Sanderson Road, Smithfield, RI; Fee: $10/member; $14/non-member. Ages: Adult. Register through the events calendar at www.asri.org.

Animal Tracks and Signs for Families
Audubon Powder Mill Ledges Wildlife Refuge, Smithfield, RI
January 27, 2018; 2:00 – 4:00 pm
Learn how to identify different tracks and other signs of our native mammals and birds. Investigate artifacts, explore track patterns and make plaster tracks to take home. Try to hop like a 'bounder' and strut like a 'perfect stepper'! Venture on the trails to see what evidence can be found of wild things on the refuge. Although all are welcome, this class will be geared for families with children. Wear warm footwear and dress for the weather.
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: 6+. Register through the events calendar at www.asri.org.

Winter Beach Walk with Audubon
Moonstone Beach, South Kingstown, RI
January 28, 2018; 11:00 am – 1:30 pm
Join naturalist Bob Kenney for a mid-day winter walk along Moonstone Beach, without the summer crowds or closed piping plover nesting areas. Our visit is timed to the low tide at 11:14 am, perfect for some leisurely beach combing and bird watching. Even though Moonstone is known as a “clothing optional” beach, the only option today is likely to be whether to wear three, four, or five layers. Bring your binoculars; we’ll have a spotting scope available. Expect to walk one or two miles in soft sand.
Moonstone Beach Road, South Kingstown, RI; Fee: $10/member adult, $5/member child; $14/non-member adult, $7/non-member child. Ages: All. Register through the events calendar at www.asri.org.

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