March 28, 2024

Birds, Bees, Bugs and Coastal Creatures Too!

August 2018 Highlights from the Audubon Society of Rhode Island

Posted

New! Audubon is offering small group nature explorations designed with safety in mind. Get up close with some cool marine critters, learn all about the world of pollinators, net some amazing insects, or head out on a bird scavenger hunt!

Rhode Island COVID-19 safety guidelines will be followed for all programs. Small groups are led by Audubon naturalists. Family units are encouraged to participate together. Masks and social distancing are required. Participants must bring their own masks. Advance registration is required, and a parent or guardian must accompany children. Visit the events calendar at www.asri.org for safety guidelines and to register.

The Audubon Nature Center and Aquarium in Bristol, RI reopened on June 27, 2020.  To allow for social distancing and for the safety of staff and visitors, advance registration for timed ticket entry is required. For safety guidelines and details on how to register for your visit, go to www.asri.org.

Perfect Pollinators
Audubon Nature Center and Aquarium, Bristol, RI
August 3, 2020; 10:00 am – 12:00 pm
August 4, 2020; 2:00 – 4:00 pm
The Audubon gardens and fields are a BUZZ with activity! The beautiful flowers attract all sorts of butterflies, beetles and birds. Come discover pollinators and the plants that they love. Learn what you can do to attract them to your yard. Nets, bug boxes, field guides and magnifiers will be available for families to use, or bring your own! Wear sturdy shoes, bug spray, sun protection and bring a water bottle. There is a short walk between garden and field. Families will go home with an activity. For safety guidelines and advance registration, visit the events calendar at www.asri.org.
Audubon Nature Center and Aquarium, 1401 Hope Street, Bristol, RI; Fee: $20/member adult/child pair, $7 for each additional member; $25/non-member adult/child pair, $10 each additional non-member. Children 3 years and under are free. Ages: Appropriate for children ages 6 to 11 with other family members welcome. Register through the events calendar at asri.org.

Bugliest Bugs – Tales & Trails!
Two Locations Offered - Bristol and Smithfield, RI
Dates and Locations Listed below
August 4, 18, 19; 2020; 10:00 - 11:00 am
Enjoy an engaging story all about bugs then go investigate field, forest and garden to look for wiggly, squiggly, wormy, squirmy insects and other critters. Nets, bug boxes, field guides and magnifiers will be available. Wear sturdy shoes, bug spray, sun protection and bring a water bottle. Walk will be less than a mile. Families will go home with an activity. For safety guidelines and advance registration, visit the events calendar at www.asri.org

  • Audubon Powder Mill Ledges Wildlife Refuge, 12 Sanderson Road, Smithfield, RI; August 4, 2020
  • Audubon Nature Center and Aquarium, 1401 Hope Street, Bristol, RI; August 18, 19, 2020

Fee: $10/member adult/child pair, $5 for each additional member; $15/non-member adult/child pair, $7 each additional non-member. Children 3 years and under are free. Ages: Appropriate for children ages 3 ½ to 5 with other family members welcome. Register through the events calendar at www.asri.org.

Evening Walk at Touisset Marsh
Audubon Touisset Marsh Wildlife Refuge, Warren, RI
August 5, 2020; 7:00 – 9:00 pm
Take a leisurely walk along the lovely trails at Touisset Marsh Wildlife Refuge. Observe the twilight activities and watch for wildlife in the meadows and marsh. Wear sturdy, closed-toe shoes and insect repellent. Bring binoculars if you have them. For safety guidelines and advance registration, visit the events calendar at www.asri.org.
Touisset Marsh Wildlife Refuge, Touisset Road, Warren, RI; Fee: $10/member; $14/non-member. Ages: 8 and up.
Register through the events calendar at www.asri.org.

Summer Wildflowers with the Newcomb's Guide
Audubon Powder Mill Ledges Wildlife Refuge, Smithfield, RI
August 8, 2020; 2:00 – 4:00 pm
On languid summer days, the wildflowers fill the meadows and forest edges. Come to Audubon and learn to use the Newcomb’s Wildflower Guide, a great resource for identifying all types of herbaceous wild plants. Bring your own Newcomb’s Guide or buy one here. We'll also have copies on hand to try. Come wander on the wildlife refuge learning to identify different plants and flowers. Wear closed-toe shoes. Sunscreen, insect repellent and a hat are recommended. For safety guidelines and advance registration, visit the events calendar at www.asri.org.
Powder Mill Ledges Wildlife Refuge, 12 Sanderson Road, Smithfield, RI; Fee: $10/member; $14/non-member. Ages:
14 and up. Register through the events calendar at www.asri.org.

Paint & Sip – Owls
Audubon Nature Center and Aquarium, Bristol, RI
August 8, 2020; 6:30 – 8:00 pm
Create your own beautiful painting while enjoying a glass of wine! No artistic experience necessary - we’ll lead you through the creative process with step-by-step instruction. Start with a blank canvas and leave with your own masterpiece! If you had fun at a previous class, note that a new design will be used - so join us again! Registration is required. For safety guidelines and advance registration, visit the events calendar at www.asri.org.
Audubon Nature Center and Aquarium, 1401 Hope Street, Bristol, RI; Fee: $35/member, $40/non-member. Ages: 21 and up. Register through the events calendar at www.asri.org.

Bird Scavenger Hunt with Audubon
Three Locations Offered: Bristol, Smithfield, Exeter, RI
Dates and locations listed below
August 10, 11, 12, 14, 2020; 10:00 am – 12:00 pm
Audubon loves birds! Join an expert for an all-about-birds scavenger hunt! Look and listen for birds in a variety of habitats, and learn about all kinds of bird nests, behaviors, foods, songs and calls. Binoculars and field guides will be available or bring your own. Wear sturdy shoes, bug spray, sun protection and bring a water bottle. Walk will be one mile. Families will go home with an activity. For safety guidelines and advance registration, visit the events calendar at www.asri.org.

  • Audubon Powder Mill Ledges Wildlife Refuge, 12 Sanderson Road, Smithfield, RI; August 10, 2020.
  • Audubon Nature Center and Aquarium, 1401 Hope Street, Bristol, RI; August 11, 12, 2020.  Audubon Fisherville Brook Wildlife Refuge, 99 Pardon Joslin Road, Exeter, RI; August 14, 2020.

Fee: $20/member adult/child pair, $7 for each additional member; $25/non-member adult/child pair, $10 each additional non-member. Children 3 years and under are free. Ages: Appropriate for children ages 6 to 11 with other family members welcome. Register through the events calendar at www.asri.org.

Raptor Meet & Greet
Two Locations Offered; Bristol, Smithfield, RI
Locations and Dates listed below
August 11, 12, 20, 2:00 – 2:30 pm
Come meet Audubon birds of prey! Observe a hawk or owl up close with an Audubon naturalist and learn more about their amazing adaptations for survival. Ask questions, take photos and share your own encounters with wildlife. Learn what you can do to help protect these species. Hands-on activities are part of the fun! Explore the wildlife refuge before or after the program. For safety guidelines and advance registration, visit the events calendar at www.asri.org.

  • Audubon Powder Mill Ledges Wildlife Refuge, 12 Sanderson Road, Smithfield, RI; August 11, 2020
  • Audubon Nature Center and Aquarium, 1401 Hope Street, Bristol, RI; August 10 & 12, 2020, 2020

Fee: $7/member adult/child pair, $5 for each additional member; $10/non-member adult/child pair, $7 each additional non-member. Children 3 years and under are free. Ages: Appropriate for children ages 5 to 10 with other family members welcome. Register through the events calendar at www.asri.org.

Wildflower Walk and Talk
Audubon Nature Center and Aquarium, Bristol, RI
August 14, 2020; 9:30 – 11:30 am
Head outside with Scott Ruhren, Audubon Senior Director of Conservation, to learn about the wide variety of plants and wildflowers growing along the trails at the Audubon Nature Center and Aquarium. Scott will review how to identify the plants, discuss their importance as pollinators, and show participants how to spot invasive species. Wear sturdy shoes. For safety guidelines and advance registration, visit the events calendar at www.asri.org.
Audubon Nature Center and Aquarium, 1401 Hope Street, Bristol, RI; Fee: $10/member, $14/non-member Ages: Adult. Register through the events calendar at www.asri.org.

Sea Glass Jewelry Workshop
Audubon Nature Center and Aquarium, Bristol, RI
August 15, 2020; 11:00 am - 12:30 pm
Come design and create a beautiful pendant 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! For safety guidelines and advance registration, visit the events calendar at www.asri.org.
Audubon Nature Center and Aquarium, 1401 Hope Street, Bristol, RI; Fee: $20/member; $25/non-member. Ages: Adult. Register online through the events calendar at www.asri.org

Exploring Wetlands
Audubon Powder Mill Ledges Wildlife Refuge, Smithfield, RI
August 20, 2020;1:00 – 3:00 pm
Join an Audubon naturalist to discover what creatures live in wetlands! Dip your net into a swamp to find water bugs and look for frogs, turtles, and birds. Have fun while learning about the critters that make wetlands their home. Families will go home with an activity. For safety guidelines and advance registration, visit the events calendar at www.asri.org
Audubon Powder Mill Ledges Wildlife Refuge, 12 Sanderson Road, Smithfield, RI; Fee: $20/member adult/child pair, $7 for each additional member; $25/non-member adult/child pair, $10 each additional non-member. Children 3 years and under are free. Ages: Appropriate for children ages 6 to 11 with other family members welcome. Register in advance through the events calendar at www.asri.org.

Explore the Estuary for Kids!
Prudence Island, RI
August 20, 2020, 1:30 – 6:30 pm
Bring the kids to explore the amazing diversity of the estuary, from tidal creeks and salt marshes to the rocky shoreline! Kids will use different types of nets and search for fish, crabs and shrimp in the shallow waters of Prudence Island. Walk the shoreline to see what the tide has left behind and watch the ospreys and egrets hunt for food. This is a great family program! For safety guidelines and advance registration, visit the events calendar at www.asri.org.
Narragansett Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve, Prudence Island, RI; Fee: $6/member adult, $3/member child; $8/non-member adult, $5/non-member child. Ages: All. For more information on Prudence Island trips and to register online, visit the events calendar at www.asri.org.

Down by the Bay
Audubon Nature Center and Aquarium, Bristol, RI
August 20, 21, 2020: 2:00 – 4:00 pm
Join an Audubon naturalist to explore the rocky shore along Narragansett Bay. Can you find crabs, snails, clams and fish? Buckets, nets, and field guides will be available. The round trip walk down to the bay and back is approximately 1.5 miles. Families will go home with an activity. For safety guidelines and advance registration, visit the events calendar at www.asri.org
Fee: $20/member adult/child pair, $7 for each additional member; $25/non-member adult/child pair, $10 each additional non-member. Children 3 years and under are free. Ages: Appropriate for children ages 5 to 12 with other family members welcome. Register in advance through the events calendar at www.asri.org

Mini Fun Day at the Audubon Nature Center and Aquarium
Audubon Nature Center and Aquarium, Bristol, RI
Timed Ticket Entry Required
August 20, 2020; 10:00 am – 12:30 pm
Join Audubon for crafts, nature stories, animal discoveries, and more.
10:00 am - 12:00 pm: Nature Craft table
10:00 am & 12:00 pm: Nature Story
11:00 am: Animal Interview
For safety guidelines and to reserve a ticketed time entry, visit www.asri.org.
Audubon Nature Center and Aquarium, 1401 Hope Street, Bristol, RI ; Free with Admission. Ages: All

Catchin' Bugs!
Audubon Powder Mill Ledges Wildlife Refuge, Smithfield, RI
August 22, 2020; 10:00 – 11:30 pm
Come frolic and explore in the meadow on a lazy summer's day. Nets and magnifiers will be available as well as other fun items to explore with. Look for butterflies, flowers, insects, birds, toads and other critters that live in the meadow. Wear a hat, sunscreen and insect repellent and lightweight long pants, socks and closed-toe shoes. For safety guidelines and advance registration, visit the events calendar at www.asri.org.
Powder Mill Ledges Wildlife Refuge, 12 Sanderson Road, Smithfield, RI; Fee: $5/member child; $7/non-member child. Ages: 3 and up. Register online through the events calendar at www.asri.org.

Bugs & Bubbly: An Adult Evening Adventure
Audubon Nature Center and Aquarium, Bristol, RI
August 22, 2020: 7:30 – 9:30 pm
Join biologist and author Ginger Brown for a unique summer evening with the six-legged creatures that are active at night. Brown will lead a walk through the wildlife refuge to the boardwalk, where an ultraviolet light will be set up. This light attracts fascinating nocturnal insects, including beetles and moths. As you watch this live buggy event unfold before your eyes, wine and light snacks will be available. Bats and other nighttime creatures may show up as well! Leave the kids at home—this program is just for adults. Come prepared to walk the evening trails. You are welcome to bring a portable lawn or camp chair and applying bug repellent before arriving is recommended. For safety guidelines and advance registration, visit the events calendar at www.asri.org.
Audubon Nature Center and Aquarium, 1401 Hope Street, Bristol, RI; Fee: $25/member; $30/non-member. Ages: 21 and up. Register online through the events calendar at www.asri.org.

Wild Mushroom Workshop: Take the Mystery Out of Mushrooming
Audubon Powder Mill Ledges Wildlife Refuge, Smithfield, RI
August 29, 2020; 10:00 – 2:00 pm
Join Audubon for an introduction to mushrooms and fungus. Learn how to identify mushroom groups and species that grow in the area. Start inside with a presentation on mushroom identification and view wild mushrooms on display that were collected from other areas. Next, venture out for a hike in the woods with an expert guide to find mushrooms growing in the wild. Please note: Collecting mushrooms on Audubon properties is prohibited. Wear closed-toe shoes, socks and long pants and dress for the weather. For safety guidelines and advance registration, visit the events calendar at www.asri.org.
Powder Mill Ledges Wildlife Refuge, 12 Sanderson Road, Smithfield, RI; Fee: $30/member, $40/non-member. Ages: Adult. Register online through the events calendar at www.asri.org.

Scavenger Hunt at Caratunk
Audubon Caratunk Wildlife Refuge, Seekonk, MA
August 30, 2020; 12:00 – 3:00 pm
Head out in nature for a scavenger hunt with Audubon! Check in at the white barn and then hunt for clues as you explore the Caratunk Wildlife Refuge. Finish back at the barn for a prize. Dress for the weather and be prepared to hike on rocky, uneven trails. For safety guidelines and advance registration, visit the events calendar at www.asri.org.
Caratunk Wildlife Refuge, 301 Brown Avenue, Seekonk, MA; Fee: $10/member adult, $5/member child; $14/non-member adult, $7/non-member child. Ages: All. Register online through the events calendar at www.asri.org.

To Combat Climate Crisis: Livable RI Poster Campaign
Audubon Nature Center and Aquarium, Bristol, RI
Timed Ticket Entry Required
Through August 31, 2020; 9:00 am – 5:00 pm
Audubon’s summer art exhibit features the Livable RI Poster Campaign, which calls for a civic alliance to reverse global warming. The posters echo the art that built community around wartime efforts, especially those produced by the United States Food Administration during World War I. The poster artwork was generously donated by local artists and professionals eager to be part of a transformative civic response to the ominous threat of a changing climate. For safety guidelines and to reserve a ticketed time entry, visit www.asri.org.
Audubon Nature Center and Aquarium, 1401 Hope Street, Bristol, RI; July 12 through August 31, 2020; 9:00 am-5:00 pm. Free with Admission. Ages: All.

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