March 28, 2024

‘Tis the Season to Celebrate Nature!

December 2017 Highlights from the Audubon Society of Rhode Island

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(November 1, 2017) – Join the Audubon experts on a winter birding trip, search for owls on the evening trails, or create a festive wreath that entices your feathered friends. Take a break from the holiday rush and celebrate the natural world with your family this season!

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.

Owl Prowl at Fisherville Brook
Audubon Fisherville Brook Wildlife Refuge, Exeter, RI
December 1, 2017; 7:00 – 9:00 pm
Head out on the trails for an evening of fun learning about the owls of Rhode Island. Start with a presentation on these amazing creatures and visit with one of Audubon's live owls, then walk the evening trails in search of these intriguing birds in their nature setting. Dress warmly and bring a flashlight.  Fisherville Brook Wildlife Refuge, 99 Pardon Joslin Road, Exeter, RI; Fee: $10/member adult, $5/member child; $14/non-member adult, $7/non-member child. Ages: 7+. Register through the events calendar at www.asri.org.

Winter Birding Van Trip:
Waterfowl and Seabirds at the Shore
December 2, 2017; 8:00 am – 4:00 pm
Join Audubon for a trip to Rhode Island's coastal habitats and ponds in search of winter waterfowl and seabirds. Stop at birding hot spots to search for a variety of waterfowl including Barrow's Golden-eye, Canvasback, Eider and more. We'll be visiting scenic coastal locations such as Trustom Pond, Point Judith, Quonochontaug Pond and more. Please bring a lunch and optics. Dress for the weather.  Departs from Fisherville Brook Wildlife Refuge, 99 Pardon Joslin Road, Exeter, RI; Program Fee: $50/member; $60/non-member. Ages: 16+. Register through the events calendar at www.asri.org.

Audubon Christmas Tree Sale and Photos with Santa
Audubon Environmental Education Center, Bristol, RI
December 2, 2017; 9:00 am – 3:00 pm
Come pick out your freshly cut Christmas tree, grown locally on a Rhode Island tree farm. After browsing for your tree, your child’s picture can be taken with Santa and Mrs. Claus. Seasonal crafts and activities for children will be available and food donations will be collected for the local food bank. Admission is free. Audubon Environmental Education Center, 1401 Hope Street, Bristol, RI.

Audubon Holiday Craft Fair
Artisan Gifts with a Natural Flair
Audubon Powder Mill Ledges Wildlife Refuge, Smithfield, RI
December 2, 2017; 10:00 am – 4:00 pm
With local vendors selling a variety of nature and wildlife related wares, you are sure to find perfect gifts for the nature enthusiasts on your list. Jewelry, children's items, ornaments, stationery and other locally made treats are just a few items to choose from. The Audubon Nature Shop will also be featuring a variety of bird feeders, seed and field guides. Powder Mill Ledges Wildlife Refuge, 12 Sanderson Road, Smithfield, RI.

Needle Felted Owls
Audubon Environmental Education Center, Bristol, RI
December 3, 2017; 2:00 – 3:30 pm

Join Audubon educator and fiber artist Tala Wunderler-Selby and learn how to make different local mushrooms from wool. Participants will sculpt their own mushrooms using the technique of needle felting, which involves using a notched needle to “stab” fluffy, colorful wool until it become solid. This class is for beginners- no felting experience or artistic skills necessary! Make something special to give as a gift, or to keep for yourself. All materials will be provided.  Audubon Environmental Education Center, 1401 Hope Street, Bristol, RI; Program Fee: $25/member; $30/non-member. Ages: Teen to Adult. Register through the events calendar at www.asri.org.

Seals and Seabirds
Prudence Island, RI
December 4, 2017; 9:45 am – 3:00 pm
Head out to explore beautiful Prudence Island with a focus on seals and seabirds. We will make several stops to look for a variety of bird species in protected ponds and coves. Expect to see grebes, eiders, mergansers and many other species. After warming up while we eat lunch, we will head back out to the south end of the island to view the winter population of harbor seals that enjoy basking on the rocks just offshore.  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: 8+. Register and learn more about Prudence Island trips through the events calendar at www.asri.org.

FREE Wednesday Morning Bird Walks
Locations Across the State
December 6, 13, 20, 27, 2017; 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. You may also contact Laura at lcarberry@asri.org for more information. Locations determined weekly; Every Wednesday through June 2018; Ages: 14+.

Ducks at Trustom Pond
Trustom Pond National Wildlife Refuge, South Kingstown, RI
December 9, 2017; 8:00 – 10:30 am
Winter is great for "ducking!" Lauren Parmelee, Audubon Senior Director of Education, will help to hone your birding skills as you search for ducks, raptors and songbirds. This instructional walk is perfect for beginning and intermediate birders, so dress for the weather, grab your binoculars and join our adventure. Trustom Pond National Wildlife Refuge, 1040 Matunuck Schoolhouse Road, South Kingstown, RI; Program Fee: $15/member; $18/non-member. Ages: Teen to Adult. Register through the events calendar at www.asri.org.

Sea Glass Jewelry and Ornaments
Audubon Environmental Education Center, Bristol, RI
December 9, 2017; 11:00 am – 12:30 pm
Come create a beautiful pendant or holiday ornament 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. Audubon Environmental Education Center, 1401 Hope Street, Bristol, RI; Fee: $30/member; $35/non-member. Ages: Adult. Register online through the events calendar at www.asri.org.

Wildlife Wreath Making
Audubon Powder Mill Ledges Wildlife Refuge, Smithfield, RI
December 16, 2017; 10:00 am – 12:00 pm
Make a winter wreath that is both beautiful and edible to birds and other wildlife. Using wire or straw wreath bases, add greens, dried flowers, seed heads, leaves, fruit and nuts to entice your feathered friends to visit. All items will dry nicely if you prefer to keep the wreath for decorative purposes. Materials will be provided. Powder Mill Ledges Wildlife Refuge, 12 Sanderson Road, Smithfield, RI; Program Fee: $30/member; $35/non-member. Ages: 14+. Register through the events calendar at www.asri.org.

Paint and Sip: Winter Birds
Audubon Environmental Education Center, Bristol, RI
December16, 2017; 6:30 – 8:30 pm
Create your own beautiful painting while enjoying a glass of wine! No painting experience necessary- we’ll lead you through the creative process with step-by-step instruction. Start with a blank canvass, and leave with your own masterpiece! Did you paint winter birds last year? No problem—we will be creating a different painting this year. Registration is required. Audubon Environmental Education Center, 1401 Hope Street, Bristol, RI; Program Fee: $35/member; $40/non-member. Ages: 21+. Register through the events calendar at www.asri.org.

Owl Prowl at Fort Refuge
Fort Wildlife Refuge, North Smithfield, RI
December 21, 2017; 7:00 – 9:00 pm
Bundle up and head to the Fort Wildlife Refuge for the winter solstice. Your guide will call for different species of owls as you 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. Fort Nature Refuge, (Rt. 5), 1443 Providence Pike, North Smithfield, RI; Program Fee: $10/member; $14/non-member. Ages: 12+. Register through the events calendar at www.asri.org.

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