Rhode Island Feeds

Parker Woodland Wildlife Refuge, Maple Valley Road, Coventry, RI
Sunday, Feb 12, 2012, 10am – 12pm

Join Audubon at the Parker Woodland Wildlife Refuge for an adventure in snowshoeing. Explore the snow-covered trails in search of tracks and signs of animals. What better time of year to visit a wildlife refuge? Participants must provide their own snowshoes - they can be rented from REI or Eastern Mountain Sports.

Note: If the trails are too icy or there is no snow, the program will be cancelled. This walk can be somewhat strenous.

Caratunk Wildlife Refuge, 301 Brown Avenue, Seekonk, MA
Saturday, Feb 11, 2012, 7 – 8:30pm

Enjoy a wonderful evening in search of owls at the Caratunk Wildlife Refuge, a location that usually is very productive. It may be a little chilly, but this is when the owls are most active. Take to the trails with an Audubon guide to look for these amazing birds in their natural setting.

Dress warmly.

Ninigret NWR/Kettle Pond Visitor Ctr.
Saturday, Feb 11, 2012, 10:30am – 12pm

More info: www.rifamiliesinnature.org

Fisherville Brook Wildlife Refuge, 99 Pardon Joslin Road, Exeter, RI
Friday, Feb 10, 2012, 7 – 9pm

Head out on the trails for an evening of fun - learning about the owls of Rhode Island. Start the evening 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 natural setting.

Dress warmly and bring a flashlight.Meet in the nature center

Audubon Environmental Education Center, 1401 Hope Street, Bristol, RI
Friday, Feb 10, 2012, 6:30 – 10pm

Dinner Reservations? Check! Verified Theatre Time? Check! Booked Babysitter? Uh oh. Don't fret, Let Audubon handle childcare for you with our new Parents Night Out Program. Kids ages 6 to 10 will enjoy a fun filled and educational evening under the supervision of Audubon Society of RI educators. While you enjoy your night out, your child will be involved in hands-on activities including hikes, games, crafts, a live animal interview and more. Their night will wind down with a snack and a nature movie while they await your arrival at pick-up time.

Drop-off starts at 6:30 pm and runs through 7:00 pm. Children can be picked up anytime between 9:00 and 10:00 pm. Pick-up ends promptly at 10:00 pm. Class size is limited to 20 children and advanced registration is required.

Fisherville Brook Wildlife Refuge, 99 Pardon Joslin Road, Exeter, RI
Wednesday, Feb 8, 2012, 6:30 – 8:30pm

A white expanse of snow blanketing the forest, the moon creeping up through the silhouettes of pines, and the stars twinkling overhead. All set the scene for a guided Full Moon Snowshoe Walk at Fisherville Brook Wildlife Refuge. The trail winds through the forest to apond where the moon will be rising. Survival of plants and animals as well as lunar folklore are discussed along the way. Participants must provide their own snowshoes - they can be rented from REI or Eastern Mountain Sports. Note: If the trails are too icy or there is no snow, the program will be cancelled.

Audubon Environmental Education Center, 1401 Hope Street, Bristol, RI
Tuesday, Feb 7, 2012, 7 – 8:30pm

Everything changes after dark -- the trails, the trees, and even the sounds. Join us this winter and spring for a moonlit walk. You'll get to test your night vision and other senses as we leisurely walk along the trails. You might hear the call of an owl or the howl of a distant coyote. After the hike enjoy some tasty treats for dessert. Be sure to dress for the weather, bring a flashlight, and let us know if you have any food allergies.

Repeats Each Full Moon:
Tuesday, 2/7
Thursday, 3/8
Thursday, 4/5

Powder Mill Ledges Wildlife Refuge, 12 Sanderson Road, Smithfield, RI
Saturday, Feb 4, 2012, 1 – 3pm

Okay, now that I have your attention, come and learn to identify some common trees when they are 'buck nekkid' in winter. We will discuss branching patterns, bark and buds to help us determine deciduous species and will talk about evergreen species as well. We will both indoors and outside for this class, so dress accordingly and for the weather.

Departs from Powder Mill Ledges Wildlife Refuge, 12 Sanderson Road, Smithfield, RI
Saturday, Feb 4, 2012, 12 – 3pm

Warm up with a bowl of soup at Powder Mill Ledges Wildlife Refuge before you brave the cold for a look at the natural beauty of the dormant season. Travel by van to the Audubon Newman Refuge in Smithfield to look for signs of plants and animals coping with the cold. Dress warmly and wear appropriate foot gear.

In case of bad weather, the date will be moved to February 11.

Audubon Environmental Education Center, 1401 Hope Street, Bristol, RI
Saturday, Feb 4, 2012, 9am – 5pm

Thanks to the Citizens Bank Foundation, 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. No need to pre-register.

75 Wrentham Rd, Cumberland, RI 02864
Friday, Feb 3, 2012, 7 – 8:30pm

Bundle up with boots (snowshoes) and enjoy a gibbous moon hike through the (snowy) fields and woods. Reflect on “WHOOS” about in the woods. Enjoy a hot drink and warm company after the hike.
Donation: $10

Friday, February 3 (snowdate, Sat Feb. 4) 7:00pm -8:30pm

More info: www.newdawnearthcenter.org

Departs from Charlestown Mini-Super, 4071 Old Post Road (Route 1-A), Charlestown, RI
Tuesday, Jan 31, 2012, 8 – 10:30am

Tuesday Morning Bird Walks will be continuing through the end of January. Phil Budlong will be coordinating the programs. Meet at the Charlestown Mini-Super on Route 1-A at 8:00 a.m. If you'd like advance details on the itinerary for that week, email Phil at pbudlong@cox.net.

Fort Nature Refuge, (Rt. 5), 1443 Providence Pike, North Smithfield, RI
Saturday, Jan 28, 2012, 1 – 4pm

Explore the beauty of the Fort Wildlife Refuge in winter! Look for tracks and other signs of wildlife. If there is no snow we will hike the trails. If the trails are too icy the program will be cancelled. You must supply your own snowshoes or they can be rented from REI or Eastern Mountain Sports.

Sachuest Point National Wildlife Refuge, Sachuest Point Road, Middletown, RI
Saturday, Jan 28, 2012, 10:30am – 1pm

Sachuest Point National Wildlife Refuge is one of the few places in Rhode Island where the hot birding comes during the colder months. Winter specialties include Horned Larks, Snow Buntings, Short-eared Owls, Purple Sandpipers, and the stars of the show, Harlequin Ducks. We'll meet in the refuge parking lot, then head for the shore to look for waterfowl and other winter residents of the rocky seashore and scrubby coastal habitats. Be sure to dress for the cold and the wind.

Norman Bird Sanctuary, 583 Third Beach Rd, Middletown, RI
Thursday, Jan 26, 2012, 6 – 7:30pm

Winter is a wonderful time of year to go bird watching, improve your naturalist skills, or simply hike with less worries of mosquitoes and ticks. Colorful ducks congregate along RI shores, rare birds are often sighted after seasonal storms, and it is also owl breeding season. This is the best time to hear owl hoots and screeches during the early evening hours as they search for mates and defend their territories. To celebrate the wonders of nature in winter, Norman Bird Sanctuary is offering several educational opportunities.

If you’re interested in winter birds and don’t want to travel, NBS is offering an Owl Prowl on Thursday, January 26th from 6:00 – 7:30 p.m. at the Sanctuary. This program starts indoors where you will learn about the different species of owls in Rhode Island, their unique adaptations, and then you will be introduced to one of our resident birds-of-prey. Following the presentation, we will head out on the trails in search of owls. We will make frequent stops to listen for their calls and to participate in some fun, night hike activities. This program is appropriate for ages 8 and up and registration is required. The cost is $8 for members and $10 for non-members.

For complete details for any NBS program, please visit: www.normanbirdsanctuary. Registration and payment is required in advance for all programs. To register, call 401-846-2577.

Departs from Charlestown Mini-Super, 4071 Old Post Road (Route 1-A), Charlestown, RI
Tuesday, Jan 24, 2012, 8 – 10:30am

Tuesday Morning Bird Walks will be continuing through the end of January. Phil Budlong will be coordinating the programs. Meet at the Charlestown Mini-Super on Route 1-A at 8:00 a.m. If you'd like advance details on the itinerary for that week, email Phil at pbudlong@cox.net.

Kettle Pond
50 Bend Road
Charlestown, RI 02813
Sunday, Jan 22, 2012, 9am – 4pm

Join with the other active members of the RI Sierra Club to discuss the club's activities and successes of the past year, and to look forward to the issues the club will be focusing on in 2012. Meet at the Sierra Club's office (42 Rice Street, Providence) at 8am to caravan or the Kettle Pond Visitors Center at 9am. The Retreat will run from 9am-3pm and will be followed by an hour of hiking. Please contact Ben Jones (ben@leftbrain.net) if you are interested in attending.

More info: rhodeisland.sierraclub.org…

Audubon Environmental Education Center, 1401 Hope Street, Bristol, RI
Saturday, Jan 21, 2012, 11:30am – 12:30pm

Take a wild adventure with Audubon!  Each Saturday provides the opportunity to go wild and discover nature.  These programs are free with admission and are open to all ages.

Nature Stories: Bring the brood, relax and enjoy a nature story reading by an Audubon naturalist.
September 17, October 8, November 12, December 10 and January 14, 2011: 11:30am and 1:30pm

Animal Interviews: Get up-close with creatures and learn about their habits and habitats.
October 15, November 19, December 17 and January 21, 2011: 11:30am

Nature Walk (weather permitting): Head out with an Audubon guide and search for nature discoveries along the way.
October 22: 3:00 pm

Fisherville Brook Wildlife Refuge, 99 Pardon Joslin Road, Exeter, RI
Friday, Jan 20, 2012, 7 – 9pm

In a small group setting, spend time with one of Audubon's live owls, reviewing what makes these birds so special, then head out on the trail in search of these wild birds. Fisherville is home to Barred Owl, Great Horned Owls and Saw-whet Owls. Pre-registration is a must; this program is limited to 12 participants. Adults only.

Departs from Charlestown Mini-Super, 4071 Old Post Road (Route 1-A), Charlestown, RI
Tuesday, Jan 17, 2012, 8 – 10:30am

Tuesday Morning Bird Walks will be continuing through the end of January. Phil Budlong will be coordinating the programs. Meet at the Charlestown Mini-Super on Route 1-A at 8:00 a.m. If you'd like advance details on the itinerary for that week, email Phil at pbudlong@cox.net.