March 18, 2024

Frosty Trails, Owls and Ales!

February 2022 Highlights from the Audubon Society of Rhode Island

Posted

(January 4, 2022) – Take a winter birding walk, sample some tasty ales as you learn all about owls, or pull on some snowshoes and hit the trails. Bring a friend, bundle up and join an Audubon expert to discover those natural wonders found only during the winter months.

Note: Masks are required for all indoor guests ages 2 and up at the Audubon Nature Center and Aquarium, during any Audubon indoor programs, or participants on Audubon van trips, regardless of COVID-19 vaccination status.

Visit the events calendar at www.asri.org/calendar  register for programs.

Wednesday Morning Bird Walks
Locations Across Rhode Island
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 2022; 9:00-11:00 am; Fee: $5/member, $10/non-member. Ages: 14+. Register through the events calendar at www.asri.org/calendar.

Let's Take a Walk! I’ve Got a Rock
Audubon Powder Mill Ledges Wildlife Refuge, Smithfield, RI
February 1, 2022; 10:00 – 11:00 am
Nurture your child’s curiosity about geology through play with rocks. Children will examine rocks from private collections and then go outside on a rock scavenger hunt.
Powder Mill Ledges Wildlife Refuge, 12 Sanderson Road, Smithfield, RI; Fee: $5/member child; $7/non-member child. No charge for accompanying adults. Ages: 3 and up. Register through the events calendar at www.asri.org/calendar

Citizens Bank Free Family Fun Day
Audubon Nature Center and Aquarium, Bristol, RI
February 5, 2022; 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!
Citizens Free Family Fun Day: Animal Valentines
10:00 am – 3:00 pm: Take-home craft bags
10:00 am: Nature Story
11:00 am & 2:00 pm: Animal Interview
1:00 pm – Animal Valentines: How do animals show appreciation for each other? Learn about some of the special behaviors that birds and other animal exhibit in the spring.
Audubon Nature Center and Aquarium, 1401 Hope Street, Bristol, RI. Free. Ages: All.

Osprey Monitor Program
Training Sessions
February 6, 13, 17, 2022: Times and Locations Listed Below
Since 1977, the Osprey Monitoring Program has carefully tracked the population of Osprey in the Ocean State as their numbers recovered from the detrimental effects of pesticides. Attend a free session to learn more about the program and how to become a monitor. Attendees must have binoculars or a spotting scope, access to a computer, and be age 18 or older.
Feb. 6, 2022, 12:00 – 3:00 pm: Caratunk Wildlife Refuge, 301 Brown Ave, Seekonk, MA.
Feb. 13, 2022, 12:00 – 3:00 pm: Audubon Nature Center and Aquarium, 1401 Hope Street, Bristol, RI.
Feb. 17, 2022, 5:30 – 8:00 pm: Rhode Island Natural History Survey, 1 East Farm Road, Kingston, RI.

Valentine Card Crafting Workshop
Audubon Nature Center and Aquarium, Bristol, RI
February 6, 2022; 1:00 – 3:00 pm
Join the fun in a Valentine-themed card making workshop! Create four designs using a variety of techniques. Materials are provided and all skill levels welcome. Come alone or bring along a friend to de-stress and learn a new hobby.
Audubon Nature Center and Aquarium, 1401 Hope Street, Bristol, RI; Fee: $15/member; $20/non-member. Ages: 10 and up. Register through the events calendar at www.asri.org/calendar.

Stories in the Stars
Audubon Nature Center and Aquarium, Bristol, RI
February 10, 2022; 7:00 – 8:00 pm
Bring the family and join an Audubon naturalist to discover the legends of the night sky. Begin inside with a brief discussion of astronomy and learn what stars and constellations are visible this time of year. Listen to few stories from different cultures explaining why the stars and the night sky look the way they do, then step outside to view the stars and enjoy a cup of hot cocoa!
Audubon Nature Center and Aquarium, 1401 Hope Street, Bristol, RI; Fee: $8/member adult, $4/member child; $12/non-member adult, $8/non-member child. Ages: 6 and up. Register through the events calendar at www.asri.org/calendar.

Sea Glass Jewelry Workshop
Audubon Nature Center and Aquarium, Bristol, RI
February 12, 2022; 1:00 – 2:30 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! This class fills quickly, advance registration is required.
Audubon Nature Center and Aquarium, 1401 Hope Street, Bristol, RI; Fee: $20/member; $25/non-member. Ages: Adult. . Register through the events calendar at www.asri.org/calendar

Snowshoeing at Fort Refuge
Audubon Fort Wildlife Refuge, North Smithfield, RI
February 12, 2022; 10:00 am – 12:00 pm
Explore the beauty of the Fort Wildlife Refuge in winter. Look for tracks and other signs of wildlife. If there is no snow, there will be a guided hike on the trails. If the grounds are too icy, the program will be canceled. You must provide your own snowshoes - pairs can be rented from REI if needed.
Fort Nature Refuge, (Rt. 5), 1443 Providence Pike, North Smithfield, RI; Fee: $10/member; $14/non-member. Ages: 12 and up. Register through the events calendar at www.asri.org/calendar.

Snowshoeing by the Full Moon
Audubon Fisherville Brook Wildlife Refuge, Exeter, RI
February 16, 2022; 6:30-8:30 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. Participants must provide their own snowshoes - they can be rented from REI if needed. If there is no snow, there will be a guided moonlit hike on the trails. If the trails are too icy, the program will be cancelled.
Fisherville Brook Wildlife Refuge, 99 Pardon Joslin Road, Exeter, RI; Fee: $15/member; $20/non-member. Ages: Teen to Adult. Register through the events calendar at www.asri.org/calendar.

Full Moon Hike
Audubon Caratunk Wildlife Refuge, Seekonk, MA
February 16, 2022; 4:30 - 6:30 pm
Watch and listen for wildlife while enjoying a peaceful night hike under a full moon. Dress for cold weather and wear warm boots. Bring a flashlight. Hot refreshments will be served.
Caratunk Wildlife Refuge, 301 Brown Avenue, Seekonk, MA; Fee: $10/member adult, $5/member child; $14/non-member adult, $7/non-member child. Ages: 12 and up. Register through the events calendar at www.asri.org/calendar.

Owl Prowl at Powder Mill Ledges
Audubon Powder Mill Ledges Wildlife Refuge, Smithfield, RI
February 17, 2022; 7:00 – 9:00 pm
Visit Powder Mill Ledges on a winter night to search for owls. An Audubon naturalist will call for different species as we walk through the forest. We never know if we'll hear or see an owl, but 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 or icy trails. Advance registration is required.
Powder Mill Ledges Wildlife Refuge, 12 Sanderson Road, Smithfield, RI; Fee: $10/member; $14/non-member. Ages: 10 and up. Register through the events calendar at www.asri.org/calendar.

Family Game Night with Audubon
Audubon Nature Center and Aquarium, Bristol, RI
February 18, 2022; 7:00 - 9:00 pm
Join Audubon for an evening of games, snacks, and fun prizes! Bring your old board games and puzzles to play, trade, reuse, and recycle. Prizes for game winners and light refreshments provided by Audubon.
Audubon Nature Center and Aquarium, 1401 Hope Street, Bristol, RI; Fee: $8/member adult/child pair, $5/each additional member; $12/non-member adult/child pair; $7/each additional non-member. Ages: All. Register through the events calendar at www.asri.org/calendar.

White Barn Story Time & Meet an Owl
Audubon Caratunk Wildlife Refuge, Seekonk, MA
February 19, 2022; 11:00 am-12:00 pm
Come to the big barn at Caratunk for special story time that focuses on nature! Children enjoy the classic story The Mitten by Jan Brett about a boy who drops a white mitten in the snow. The surprise ending is wonderfully funny! After the story, meet a live owl, look at some owl biofacts, and learn about the owl species that live at Caratunk. This is a program for families with young children, ages 3 and up.
Caratunk Wildlife Refuge, 301 Brown Avenue, Seekonk, MA; Fee: $5/member child; $7/non-member child. Ages: 3 and up. Register through the events calendar at www.asri.org/calendar.

Gardening Workshop: Medicinal Plants for Native Pollinators
Audubon Nature Center and Aquarium, Bristol, RI
February 20, 2022; 1:00 – 2:00 pm
Are you an herbalist or gardener that is interested in designing native or medicinal gardens? Join Audubon naturalist Tina Lidano as she explores native medicinal plants, their role in our ecosystem, and how they support native pollinators. This one-hour talk will discuss pollinators and their adaptations and food sources as well as native and naturalized plants. Learn when pollen is produced and explore nectar sources for native plants and seeds.
Audubon Nature Center and Aquarium, 1401 Hope Street, Bristol, RI; Fee: $5/member, $7/non-member. Ages: Adult. Register through the events calendar at www.asri.org/calendar.

Tracking Animals in Winter
Audubon Caratunk Wildlife Refuge, Seekonk, MA
February 22, 2022; 10:00 am-12:00 pm
Take a winter hike at Caratunk and look for signs of animals that live on the wildlife refuge. Come search for footprints, feathers, fur, and scat. Advance registration is required. Dress for the weather and wear warm boots as most of this program will be held outside.
Caratunk Wildlife Refuge, 301 Brown Avenue, Seekonk, MA; Fee: $10/member adult, $5/member child; $14/non-member adult, $7/non-member child. Ages: 7 and up. Register through the events calendar at www.asri.org/calendar.

Winter Birding at Caratunk
Audubon Caratunk Wildlife Refuge, Seekonk, MA
February 23, 2022; 10:00 am-12:00 pm
Join an Audubon naturalist to walk the trails and visit the pond at Caratunk Wildlife Refuge looking for signs of winter birds. Bundle up for the weather and wear sturdy, warm footwear. Advance registration is required.
Caratunk Wildlife Refuge, 301 Brown Avenue, Seekonk, MA; Fee: $10/member adult, $5/member child; $14/non-member adult, $7/non-member child. Ages: 10 and up. Register through the events calendar at www.asri.org/calendar.

Prowl for Owl at Caratunk
Audubon Caratunk Wildlife Refuge, Seekonk, MA
February 25, 2022; 6:30 pm-8:30 pm
Visit Caratunk Wildlife Refuge on a winter night to search for owls. An Audubon naturalist will call for different species as you walk through mixed and pine woods. 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.
Caratunk Wildlife Refuge, 301 Brown Avenue, Seekonk, MA; Fee: $10/member; $14/non-member. Ages: 12 and up. Register through the events calendar at www.asri.org/calendar.

Owls and Ales
Audubon Nature Center and Aquarium, Bristol, RI
February 26, 2022; 6:30 – 8:30 pm
Meet some of Audubon’s amazing owls in person! Come to the Audubon Nature Center and Aquarium for a presentation on these fascinating birds of prey and enjoy some locally brewed beers. Then take a guided walk through the refuge at night to look and listen for owls and other signs of animal life. Come prepared to go outside on a chilly evening. For ages 21+.
Audubon Nature Center and Aquarium, 1401 Hope Street, Bristol, RI; Fee: $30/member; $35/non-member. Ages: Adult. Register through the events calendar at asri.org/calendar. Register through the events calendar at www.asri.org/calendar.

Herbal Tea Blending
Audubon Caratunk Wildlife Refuge, Seekonk, MA
February 26, 2022; 10:00 am – 12:00 pm
Learn the art of creating healthy herbal tea blends using New England Medicinal plants! Join Maggie Hatzpanian, nurse-herbalist, for this fun and interactive class where tea blends will be created for participants to take home. All materials supplied.
Caratunk Wildlife Refuge, 301 Brown Avenue, Seekonk, MA; February 26, 2022; 10:00 am-12:00 pm; Fee: $50/member; $55/non-member. Ages: Teen to Adult. Register through the events calendar at www.asri.org/calendar.

Prudence Island
Private Adventure with Friends and Family
Spend the day exploring beautiful and charming Prudence Island with education staff from the Narragansett Bay Research Reserve. With over three-quarters of the island protected, and a variety of habitats to explore, there are endless options for an outdoor friends and family adventure! The experience can be designed with your group’s interests and ages in mind – activities could include birding, viewing harbor seals hauled out on nearshore rocks, beachcombing, hiking the woodland trails, learning about island history – you get to choose!
Narragansett Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve, Prudence Island, RI; Fee*: $12/member adult, $6/member child; $18/non-member adult, $9 non-member child. Contact: Maureen Dewire at Maureen.Dewire@dem.ri.gov  or by phone at 401-683-1478. *Cost does not include round-trip ferry travel.



Comments

No comments on this item Please log in to comment by clicking here

Share!
Truly local news delivered to every home in town