March 28, 2024

It’s the Best Time of Year for Birds and Birders… Audubon offers over 30 Guided Bird Walks in May!

May 2021 Highlights from the Audubon Society of Rhode Island

Posted

(March 30, 2021) – It’s the best birding of the year! Grab your binoculars and head out to look for beautiful spring migrants. Now is the time to hit the trails with Audubon and explore those special places in Rhode Island to search for birds.

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. Visit the events calendar at www.asri.org for safety guidelines and to register.

May Birding Walks With Audubon
Spring migration is here! May is the peak month for the spring bird migration, with something different moving through each week. Get in on the best birding of the year with Audubon! Novice birders are welcome. Walks are geared for teen to adult. Masks and social distancing are required. Fee: $5/member, $10/non-member. Ages: 14+. Register through the events calendar at www.asri.org

Sundays
Audubon Nature Center and Aquarium, Bristol, RI
May 2, 9, 16, 23, 30, 2021; 8:30-9:30 am.

Caratunk Wildlife Refuge, Seekonk, MA
May 2, 9, 16, 23, 2021; 7:30 – 9:30 am

Mondays
Fort Nature Refuge, (Rt. 5), 1443 Providence Pike, North Smithfield, RI
May 3, 10, 17, 24, 2021; 8:00-9:00 am.
Note that no walk will be held on Memorial Day, May 31.

Tuesdays
Maxwell Mays Wildlife Refuge, 2820 Victory Highway, Coventry, RI
May 18, 2021; 8:00 am-10:00 am.

Audubon Parker Woodland Wildlife Refuge, Maple Valley Road, Coventry, RI
May 25, 2021; 8:00 – 9:30 am

Wednesdays
Locations determined weekly, please visit the Audubon website or Facebook page for details; May 5, 12, 19, 26, 2021; 9:00-11:00 am.

Thursdays
Marion Eppley Wildlife Refuge, Dugway Bridge Road, West Kingston, RI
May 6, 13, 20, 27, 2021; 8:00-10:00 am.

Fridays
Fisherville Brook Wildlife Refuge, 99 Pardon Joslin Road, Exeter, RI
May 7, 14, 21, 28, 2021; 8:30 – 10:30 am

Citizens Bank Free Family Fun Day
Audubon Nature Center and Aquarium, Bristol, RI
May 1, 2021; 10:00 am – 3:00 pm
Thanks to Citizens Bank, the 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. Face masks and social distancing are required. Participants must bring their own masks.

Please note that due to COVID safety guidelines, Audubon may need to limit the number of visitors inside the Nature Center and Aquarium at any one time. Families are encouraged to enjoy the outdoor trails, rose-pollinator garden, and boardwalk while they wait for entrance. Masks are required and we encourage smaller groups to visit for the safety of all.

Migratory Birds
10:00 am – 3:00 pm: Scavenger Hunt
10:30 am & 2:30 pm: Nature Story
11:00 am: Family Hike on the Wildlife Refuge
1:30 pm: Animal Interview
Audubon Nature Center and Aquarium, 1401 Hope Street, Bristol, RI; Free. Ages: All.

Fairy Gardens for Adults
Audubon Nature Center and Aquarium, Bristol, RI
May 2, 2021; 2:00 – 3:30 pm
Fairies aren’t just for kids! Create a miniature garden for magical guests. Landscape a planter with fairy-friendly plants and natural materials, build a tiny house, and create some whimsical furniture to make your backyard fairies and gnomes feel right at home! Fairy gardens make a unique spring decoration and are a relaxing and fun creative outlet. Face masks and social distancing are required. Participants must bring their own masks. Advance registration is required.
Audubon Nature Center and Aquarium, 1401 Hope Street, Bristol, RI; Fee: $25/member; $30/non-member. Ages: 16 and up. Register online through the events calendar at www.asri.org

Counting the Birds of the Four Seasons
Art Exhibit by Amy Veldman-Wilson
Audubon Nature Center and Aquarium, Bristol, RI
May 2 – June 30, 2021; 9:00 am – 5:00 pm
Block Island resident Amy Veldman-Wilson has featured birds in her art for over 10 years. The Island offers a wide variety of bird species, from shorebirds to birds of prey as well as song birds and dabblers. She has spent many hours observing and photographing birds, whether in her back yard or by the sea. The artist works in a variety of mediums, capturing birds in connection to their environment. Amy’s art has been selected for international exhibitions and awards, and her daughter Maya Veldman-Wilson will also display her bird photography in the exhibit.
Audubon Nature Center and Aquarium, 1401 Hope Street, Bristol, RI; Free with admission. Ages: All

Raptors on the Refuge
Audubon Caratunk Wildlife Refuge, Seekonk, MA
May 5, 2021; 1:00 – 3:00 pm
Meet a live Audubon Raptor Ambassador (bird of prey) and take a walk with a naturalist through the fields and forest of Caratunk to find raptors in the wild! Dress for the weather and bring binoculars. All ages welcome. Face masks and social distancing are required. Participants must bring their own masks. Note: This a family program, not intended for professional wildlife photography.
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 online through the events calendar at www.asri.org

Gardening for Birds and Butterflies
Virtual program
May 5, 2021; 10:00 – 11:00 am
Refuge Manager and gardener, Kim Calcagno, will introduce participants to gardening techniques, design ideas and plant choices for attracting birds, butterflies and other creatures to your yard. Considerations for wind and water, breeding habitat, as well as use of native plants will be discussed. Tips and techniques for deterring unwanted critters will also be offered. Participants will be emailed handouts and plant lists get you started on transforming your landscape into healthy habitat.
Fee: $10/Audubon Society of Rhode Island members, $14/non-Members; Ages: Teen to Adult. Register through the events calendar at www.asri.org.  Registered participants will be sent the Zoom link

White Barn Story Time: Tuesday
Audubon Caratunk Wildlife Refuge, Seekonk, MA
May 6, 2021; 2:00-3:00 pm
Come to the big barn at Caratunk for special story time that focuses on nature! Enjoy Tuesday written and illustrated by David Wiesner all about amphibians. Kids imagine a Tuesday evening in spring on a pond where exciting things are happening! Meet a live amphibian after the story. Face masks and social distancing are required. Participants must bring their own masks. Advance registration is required.
Caratunk Wildlife Refuge, 301 Brown Avenue, Seekonk, MA; Fee: $8/member child; $12/non-member child. Ages: 3 and up. Register online through the events calendar at www.asri.org

Mother's Day Teacup Gardens
Audubon Nature Center and Aquarium
May 7, 2021; 7:00 – 9:00 pm
Join Audubon for a special Mother’s Day program and make a one-of-a-kind mini garden inside a beautiful teacup! Keep it as a desk decoration or give it as a unique Mother’s Day gift. We will provide all supplies necessary, just bring your creativitiy! Tea and an assortment of desserts will be offered throughout the event. Face masks and social distancing are required. Participants must bring their own masks. Advance registration is required.
Audubon Nature Center and Aquarium, 1401 Hope Street, Bristol, RI; Fee: $10/member, $15/non-members. Ages: 16+. Register online through the events calendar at www.asri.org

Bird Banding with Audubon
Four Dates Offered
Audubon Nature Center and Aquarium, Bristol, RI
May 8, June 12, July 10, August 14, 2021; 9:15 – 11:15 am
Join Audubon for a bird banding demonstration in which experts capture, band, measure and release songbirds in order to gather data on their movements. Birds will be gently removed from tall “mist nets” set in Audubon’s shrubby habitats. The techniques of identifying, measuring, weighing, and banding the birds will be demonstrated before they are released. The migratory habits and life history of each captured species will be discussed. Bring a camera and binoculars. Please register early. Face masks and social distancing are required. Participants must bring their own masks. Advance registration is required.
Audubon Nature Center and Aquarium, 1401 Hope Street, Bristol, RI; Fee: $10/member adult, $5/member child; $14/non-member adult, $7/non-member child. Ages: 6 and up. Register online through the events calendar at www.asri.org

Birding with Kids
Audubon Powder Mill Ledges Wildlife Refuge, Smithfield, RI
May 8, 2021; 9:00 - 10:30 am
The month of May is the perfect time to get outdoors, take a stroll and try out the largest growing hobby in the country – birding! Bring some binoculars, your favorite field guide and join an Audubon naturalist to search for some common birds to get your family started. Explore the wildlife refuge and learn optics, spotting birds, and how to identify them. This class is great for families with children aged 6 and older. Dress for the weather and wear sturdy, closed toe shoes. Binoculars can be borrowed if you don't have your own. Face masks and social distancing are required. Participants must bring their own masks. Advance registration is required.
Powder Mill Ledges Wildlife Refuge, 12 Sanderson Road, Smithfield, RI; Fee: $5/member; $7/non-member. Ages: 6 and up. Register online through the events calendar at www.asri.org

Sea Glass Jewelry Workshop
Audubon Nature Center and Aquarium, Bristol, RI
May 8, 2021; 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! This class fills quickly. Advance registration is required as space is strictly limited to 10 participants. Face masks and social distancing are required. Participants must bring their own masks.
Audubon Nature Center and Aquarium, 1401 Hope Street, Bristol, RI; May 8, 2021. 11:00 am-12:30 pm; Fee: $20/member; $25/non-member. Ages: Adult. Register online through the events calendar at www.asri.org

Hawks & Hoots
Two Sessions Offered
Audubon Nature Center and Aquarium, Bristol, RI
May 15, 2021; 10:00 to 11:45 am or 1:00 pm to 3:15 pm
Audubon hosts Hawks & Hoots, a celebration of birds of prey! Get up-close to hawks and owls in small-group stations, safely distanced throughout the grounds of the Audubon Nature Center and Aquarium in Bristol. Talk with Audubon educators who care for these birds, learn about their amazing adaptations, and discover the various habitats that they call home. A wonderful opportunity to ask questions and take photos! Children will receive a special Hawks & Hoots fun pack to take home.

Designed with safety in mind, Hawks & Hoots is a birding celebration for nature enthusiasts of all ages. Each two-hour session is limited to 40 guests, divided into “flocks” of ten people that are guided by an Audubon staff member as they move through the owl and hawk stations. Face masks and social distancing are required. Participants must bring their own masks. Advance registration is required, tickets will not be sold at the door. Register early as each session is limited to 40 guests.

Admission:
Adult: $12/member, $16/non-member
Child (ages 4 - 12): $8/member, $11/non-member
Children age 3 and under are free
Purchase tickets through the events calendar at www.asri.org
Audubon Nature Center and Aquarium, 1401 Hope Street (Route 114), Bristol, RI.

Birding the Uplands
Audubon Powder Mill Ledges Wildlife Refuge, Smithfield, RI
May 22, 2021; 9:00-11:00 am
Join us for a morning of birding in the dry upland forest and low shrub areas at Powder Mill Ledges Wildlife Refuge. Look for warblers, thrushes, sparrows, raptors and maybe some towhees, too! Bring binoculars, insect repellant, water and dress for the weather. Face masks and social distancing are required. Participants must bring their own masks. Advance registration is required.
Powder Mill Ledges Wildlife Refuge, 12 Sanderson Road, Smithfield, RI; Fee: $10/member; $14/non-member. Ages: Teen to Adult. Register online through the events calendar at www.asri.org

Make Your Own: Flower and Plant Press
Audubon Powder Mill Ledges Wildlife Refuge, Smithfield, RI
May 22, 2021; 2:00 – 4:00 pm
Whether you'd like to preserve that special rose, the wildflowers in your yard, or create your own herbarium specimens, having a flower press can be a great way to dry and flatten flowers and leaves. All materials will be provided, and each participant will assemble their own adjustable plant press to take home. If there is time, we may take a short walk to look for a few flowers to press. Face masks and social distancing are required. Participants must bring their own masks. Advance registration is required.
Powder Mill Ledges Wildlife Refuge, 12 Sanderson Road, Smithfield, RI; Fee: $40/member; $50/non-member. Ages: Teen to Adult. Register online through the events calendar at www.asri.org

Purple Martins!
Audubon Caratunk Wildlife Refuge, Seekonk, MA
May 29, 2021; 2:00 – 4:00 pm
Purple Martins are fascinating! Join Audubon for a presentation on these unique birds and enjoy a short walk to the field habitat to observe the resident Purple Martins as they roost on their gourd-shaped birdhouses. Please dress for the weather. Face masks and social distancing are required. Participants must bring their own masks. 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 online through the events calendar at www.asri.org

Bluebird Walk and Talk
Audubon Caratunk Wildlife Refuge, Seekonk, MA
May 30, 2021; 8:00 – 10:00 am
Join Audubon and discover the beautiful Eastern Bluebirds that call Caratunk home. Learn about their natural history, how to identify them, and more. Enjoy a walk to the field habitat to watch Eastern Bluebirds in action and check out their homes and neighbors. This is an outdoor program so please dress appropriately and bring your binoculars if you have them. Face masks and social distancing are required. Participants must bring their own masks. 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 online through the events calendar at www.asri.org

Memorial Day Nature Activities
Audubon Nature Center and Aquarium, Bristol, RI
May 31, 2021; 10:00 am – 2:30 pm
Bring the kids for up-close animal encounters, hikes, crafts and games. Face masks and social distancing are required. Participants must bring their own masks. No registration required.
10:00 am-2:00 pm: Craft Table
10:30 am &2:30 pm: Nature Story
11:00 am: Coastal Hike
1:30 pm: Animal Interview
Audubon Nature Center and Aquarium, 1401 Hope Street, Bristol, RI; Free with Admission. Ages: All.

Audubon Private Birding and Natural History Tours
Get out in nature…it’s the safest place to be!
Let an Audubon guide take your group of up to four people on a private two-hour natural history or birdwatching tour in Southeastern New England. Tours will be designed with ages and interests in mind. Visit asri.org/private-nature-tours or contact Lauren Parmelee at lparmelee@asri.org  or call 401-949-5454 ext. 3111 for details and pricing.

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