No One Celebrates Autumn Quite like Audubon!

(September 5, 2023) – October brings owl prowls on moonlit trails, eerie folklore from long ago, and a fright-free Audubon Owl-een Celebration for families! Come make some festive felted pumpkins or rustle through the leaves on a guided birding walk. Come join the fun as Audubon celebrates fall!

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/calendar. 

Wednesday Morning Bird Walks
Locations Across Rhode Island
October 4, 11, 18, 25, 2023
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 2024; 9:00-11:00 am; Fee: $5/member, $10/non-member. Ages: 14+. Register online through the events calendar at www.asri.org/calendar. 

Citizens Free Family Fun Day
Pumpkin Palooza Puff Painting
Audubon Nature Center and Aquarium, Bristol, RI
October 7, 2023; 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 nature stories, animal discoveries, hikes and more. No need to register!
10:00 am - 3:00 pm: Craft Table
10:00 am: Nature Story
11:00 am and 2:30 pm: Animal Interview
1:00 pm: Pumpkin Palooza Puff Painting: Think fall! Use puff paint and create your own pumpkin designs to take home!
Audubon Nature Center and Aquarium, 1401 Hope Street, Bristol, RI; Free. Ages: All.

Indigenous People’s Day Nature Activities
Audubon Nature Center and Aquarium, Bristol, RI
October 9, 2023; 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.
10:00 am - 3:00 pm: Craft Table
10:00 am: Nature Story
11:00 am and 2:30 pm: Animal Interview
1:00 pm: Fall Foliage Walk
Audubon Nature Center and Aquarium, 1401 Hope Street, Bristol, RI; Free with Admission; Ages: All.

Birding Hammonasset and the Connecticut Shore
Van Trip with Audubon
October 10, 2023; 7:00 am – 5:00 pm
Travel by Audubon van to Hammonasset Beach State Park, the premier birding site in Connecticut. Observe migrating waterfowl, waders, shorebirds, raptors, warblers, sparrows and buntings. If we are lucky, Cave Swallow and Northern Saw-whet Owl may also be spotted. The trip also includes a stop at Lighthouse Point Park, one of the oldest hawk watch sites in the country, to watch accipiters, falcons, buteos, and eagles. The day ends with a stop at East Shore Park where migrant warblers, sparrows and swallows often linger. Please pack a lunch, snacks, water, binoculars, and dress for the weather.
Departs from Fisherville Brook Wildlife Refuge, 99 Pardon Joslin Road, Exeter, RI; Fee: $65/member; $75/non-member. Ages: Teen to Adult. Register online through the events calendar at www.asri.org/calendar. 

Mushrooms for Beginners
Prudence Island, RI
October 12, 2023; 1:30 – 6:30 pm
Learn all about wild mushrooms and how to identify local species that grow on Prudence Island. This is a great beginner program! Joe Metzen of Audubon, our mushroom guide for the day, will give a presentation on mushrooms, background history, and tips on working with field guides. Following this introduction, we will take a hike in the woods to see what we can find ourselves! Due to limited space, registration is required. What to Bring: snacks/water, bug spray, comfortable walking shoes.
Narragansett Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve, Prudence Island, RI Fee: $8/member $12/non-member. Ages: Adult. For more information on Prudence Island trips and to register, visit the events calendar at www.asri.org/calendar. 

Birdfeeding 101: Starting a Feeding Station
VIRTUAL PROGRAM
October 12, 2023; 6:30 – 8:00 pm
If you are fascinated by your feathered backyard visitors and want to learn how to get started feeding the birds, this Zoom class is for you. Discuss types of feeders, seed, and feeder placement as well as some tips and tricks for attracting the critters you want and deterring the ones you don't. Other factors for attracting birds to your yard such as water and landscape plantings will also be discussed. Registrants will be sent the Zoom link.
Virtual Class; October 12, 2023; 6:30-8:00 pm; Fee: $10/member; $14/non-member. Ages: Teen to Adult. Register online through the events calendar at www.asri.org/calendar. 

Native Seed Starting
Audubon Nature Center and Aquarium, Bristol, RI
October 14, 2023; 1:00 – 2:30 pm
Join Audubon staff for a Native Seed Starting workshop this October! Learn the best practices for seed collection, storage, and how to winter sow native plants for your pollinator and wildlife gardens. Participants will take home a pot of native seeds ready to bloom in spring.
Audubon Nature Center and Aquarium, 1401 Hope Street, Bristol, RI; Fee: $10/member adult, $5/member child; $12/non-member adult, $8/non-member child. Ages: 15 and up. Register online through the events calendar at www.asri.org/calendar. 

Needle Felted Pumpkins
Audubon Nature Center and Aquarium, Bristol, RI
October 15, 2023; 10:30 am – 12:00 pm
Create a pumpkin using soft, colorful wool! Join artist and educator Tala Wunderler-Selby and learn the basics of needle felting. We’ll use simple tools and wool roving to sculpt small pumpkins perfect for autumn and Halloween. No previous skill needed.
Audubon Nature Center and Aquarium, 1401 Hope Street, Bristol, RI; Fee: $25/member; $30/non-member. Ages: 13 and up. Register online through the events calendar at www.asri.org/calendar. 

Happy Owl-ween Celebration!
Audubon Nature Center and Aquarium, Bristol, RI
October 21, 2023; 10:00 am – 2:00 pm
Join Audubon for a different kind of Halloween celebration! Bring family and friends for a day full of fright-free tricks and treats along the trail. Enjoy outdoor explorations, games, crafts, and more. Owl presentations will take place at 10:30 am, 12:00 pm and 1:30 pm. Costumes are encouraged, and all ages are welcome. Advance registration is required.
Audubon Nature Center and Aquarium, 1401 Hope Street, Bristol, RI; Fee: $5/member child, $7/non-member child. Ages: 3-10. Register online through the events calendar at www.asri.org/calendar. 

Owl Prowl at Caratunk
Two Dates Offered
Audubon Caratunk Wildlife Refuge, Seekonk, MA
October 26 and December 7, 2023; 6:30 – 8:30 pm
Take an evening hike through the Caratunk Wildlife Refuge in search of owls in their natural habitat. A wonderful program for families with children over the age of 6. Please dress for the weather and bring a flashlight. Meet at the white barn. Advance registration is required.
Caratunk Wildlife Refuge, 301 Brown Avenue, Seekonk, MA; Fee: $10/member; $5/member child, $14/non-member child $7/non-member child. Ages: 6 and up. Register online through the events calendar at www.asri.org/calendar. 

Owl Prowl at Powder Mill Ledges
Audubon Powder Mill Ledges Wildlife Refuge, Smithfield, RI
October 27, 2023; 7:00 – 9:00 pm
Visit Powder Mill Ledges Wildlife Refuge at night to search for owls! An Audubon naturalist will call for different species as you follow trails through the forest. 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. Advance registration is required.
Powder Mill Ledges Wildlife Refuge, 12 Sanderson Road, Smithfield, RI; Fee: $10/member; $5/member child, $14/non-member child $7/non-member child. Ages: 10 and up. Register online through the events calendar at www.asri.org/calendar. 

A Scary Good Time: Eerie Folklore, Beer and Wine!
Audubon Caratunk Wildlife Refuge, Seekonk, MA
October 27, 2023; 8:00 - 10:00 pm
As Halloween approaches, join Audubon for an evening of folklore over local brews and wine. Begin with some eerie tales and stories of New England superstitions relating to nocturnal wildlife, then enjoy a leisurely stroll along the trails to observe these denizens of the night! Please dress for the weather and bring a flashlight. Participants must be age 21+. (One glass of local beer or wine included in registration price.)
Caratunk Wildlife Refuge, 301 Brown Avenue, Seekonk, MA; Fee: $20/member; $25/non-member. Ages: 21 and up. Register online through the events calendar at www.asri.org/calendar. 

Fall Hiking on Prudence Island
Prudence Island, RI
October 27, 2023; 9:45 am – 4:45 pm
Join a day of hiking on the many trails on Prudence Island. With 85% of the Island protected, there is natural beauty around every corner! Scenery includes coastline, salt marsh and forest. Hike will be at a moderate pace and participants should be able to walk approximately 5-6 miles total. Due to limited space, registration is required.
Narragansett Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve, Prudence Island, RI; Fee: $10/member; $14/non-member. Ages: Adult. For more information on Prudence Island trips and to register, visit the events calendar at www.asri.org/calendar. 

Frankenstein’s Pets: Taxidermy in Scientific Illustration Workshop
Audubon Powder Mill Ledges Wildlife Refuge, Smithfield, RI
October 28, 2023; 1:00 – 4:00 pm
Join scientific illustrator Alicia Schickle for an art-filled afternoon using uniquely preserved - and sometimes scary - creatures in Audubon’s taxidermy collection. This class is well suited for all skill levels - beginners are welcome - and previous art experience is not required. Already a professional artist? Come challenge your skills in proportions with these disproportional critters! Participants should bring an abundance of curiosity and their own preferred art materials. For details, visit the events calendar at asri.org/calendar. Advance registration is required.
Powder Mill Ledges Wildlife Refuge, 12 Sanderson Road, Smithfield, RI; Fee: $30/member, $40/non-member. Ages: Teen to Adult. Register online through the events calendar at www.asri.org/calendar. 

Backyard Birds and Blooms: Artwork by Vania Noverca
Audubon Nature Center and Aquarium, Bristol, RI
Through October 31, 2023; 9:00 am – 5:00 pm
Artist Vania Noverca celebrates the world around us, from our own backyards to the thickets found in local conservation land. She teaches art at the Narrows Center for the Arts in Fall River, and she uses her unique “classroom” to remind students to take time to observe the world around them, discuss native birds and plants, and talk about how we can make a difference by helping to preserve and protect our surroundings.  Audubon Nature Center and Aquarium, 1401 Hope Street, Bristol, RI; Free with Admission. Ages: All.