March 28, 2024

It’s the Best Time of Year for Birds and Birders!

FREE Guided Bird Walks! May Highlights from the Audubon Society of Rhode Island

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It’s the best birding of the year! Grab your binoculars and search for spring migrants. So take time to hit the trails and explore those special places in Rhode Island with Audubon!

Unless noted, registration is required for all programs. Register online and view a complete listing of programs through the events calendar at www.asri.org.


FREE 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. Register online through the events calendar at www.asri.org.
Sundays
Caratunk Wildlife Refuge, 301 Brown Avenue, Seekonk, MA
May 5, 19, 2019; 8:00 am-10:00 am.
Mondays
Fort Nature Refuge, (Rt. 5), 1443 Providence Pike, North Smithfield, RI
May 6, 13, 20, 2019; 8:00-10:00 am.
Note that no walk will be held on Memorial Day, May 27.
Tuesdays
Maxwell Mays Wildlife Refuge, 2820 Victory Highway, Coventry, RI
May 7, 21, 2019; 8:00 am-10:00 am.
Caratunk Wildlife Refuge, 301 Brown Avenue, Seekonk, MA
May 14, 28, 2019; 8:00-10:00 am.
Wednesdays*
Locations determined weekly, please visit the Audubon website or Facebook page for details, no registration necessary; May 1, 8, 15, 22, 29, 2019; 9:00-11:00 am.
Thursdays
Marion Eppley Wildlife Refuge, Dugway Bridge Road, West Kingston, RI
May 2, 9, 16, 23, 30, 2019; 8:00-10:00 am.
Touisset Marsh Wildlife Refuge, Touisset Road, Warren, RI
May 2, 16, 30, 2019; 9:30 am-12:00 pm.
Emilie Ruecker Wildlife Refuge, Seapowet Avenue, Tiverton, RI
May 9, 23, 2019; 9:30 am-12:00 pm.
Fridays
Fisherville Brook Wildlife Refuge, 99 Pardon Joslin Road, Exeter, RI
April 26, May 3,10, 17, 24, 31, 2019; 8:30-10:30 am.
* Free Wednesday Birding Walks will continue through June 2019.

Spring Warbler Workshop
Audubon Fisherville Brook Wildlife Refuge, Exeter and John H. Chafee Nature Preserve, North Kingston
May 2 & 4, 2019

This two-part class combines a warbler identification workshop at Fisherville Brook with a field visit to Rome Point. Join Audubon birding expert Laura Carberry for a presentation on how to identify spring warblers that visit Rhode Island then take those skills out into the field and view the birds wintering in our area. Fee: $30/member; $40/non-member. Ages: 16+. Register online through the events calendar at www.asri.org.
- Fisherville Brook Wildlife Refuge, 99 Pardon Joslin Road, Exeter, RI; May 2, 2019; 6:30-7:30 pm.
- Rome Point, John H. Chafee Nature Preserve, North Kingstown, RI; May 4, 2019; 8:00 – 10:00 am.

Audubon Nature Drawing Series
Audubon Powder Mill Ledges Wildlife Refuge, Smithfield, RI
May 2, 9, 16, 2019; 6:30-8:00 pm

Get up-close and sketch nature with unique natural objects from Audubon’s preserved collections. Develop skills using different drawing exercises. The first two sessions will feature specimens from Audubon collections. The final class will feature live drawing from one or two of Audubon’s animal ambassadors. Participants should bring their favorite sketchbook and drawing media such as pencils, charcoal, or pastels. Powder Mill Ledges Wildlife Refuge, 12 Sanderson Road, Smithfield, RI; Fee: $45/member; $60/non-member. Ages: Teen to Adult. Register online through the events calendar at www.asri.org.

Citizens Bank Free Family Fun Day
Audubon Nature Center and Aquarium, Bristol, RI
May 4, 2019; 9:00 am – 5:00 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 crafts, nature stories, animal discoveries, hikes and more. No need to register!
May 4, 2019: Migratory Birds
10:00 am -2:00 pm: Nature Craft table
10:00 am – 2:00 pm: Spot the Bird. Can you spot 10 birds in our exhibit hall? Spot them all and receive a prize to take home.
10:30 am & 2:30 pm: Nature Story
11:00 am: Build a Birdfeeder
1:30 pm: Animal Interview
Audubon Nature Center and Aquarium, 1401 Hope Street, Bristol, RI; Free. Ages: All.

Paint & Sip
Audubon Nature Center and Aquarium, Bristol, RI
May 4, 2019; 6:30-8:30 pm

Create your own beautiful painting while enjoying a glass of wine! No art 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! Registration is required.  Audubon Nature Center and Aquarium, 1401 Hope Street, Bristol, RI; Fee: $35/member, $40/non-member. Ages: 21+. Register online through the events calendar at www.asri.org.

Succulent Mini-Garden: Make & Take Workshop
Audubon Caratunk Willdife Refuge, Seekonk, MA
May 5, 2019; 1:00 – 3:00 pm

Crate a beautiful succulent garden in this Make & Take Workshop. A great gift or a beautiful addition to your home, we’ll provide all the supplies needed for the garden including a variety of succulents, decorative mini mushrooms, fences, lady bugs, pot, soil and care instructions. Caratunk Wildlife Refuge, 301 Brown Avenue, Seekonk, MA; Fee: $30/member, $35/non-member. Ages: Teen to Adult. Register online through the events calendar at www.asri.org.

Appreciating Our Ecosystem
Artwork by Mara Sfara Audubon Nature Center and Aquarium, Bristol, RI
May 5 – June 30, 2019; 9:00 am – 5:00 pm

Mara Sfara creates visually stunning paintings of birds and other animals with the hope to educate and inspire children and adults on the value of nature. Sfara’s artwork leads to curiosity and discovery of the natural world. Meet the artist at the exhibit opening on May 5, 2019 from 1:00 to 3:00 pm.  Audubon Nature Center and Aquarium, 1401 Hope Street, Bristol, RI; Free with Admission. Ages: All.

Audubon Spring Birding Van Trip
Locations Across Rhode Island
May 9, 2019; 8:30 am – 4:00 pm

Climb aboard the new Audubon van and explore the many birding hot spots of Rhode Island during this exciting time of the year. Warblers, vireos and other spring beauties will make for an unforgettable trip. Visit many favorite birding spots, as well as some lesser-known locations. Be sure to pack a lunch and bring your binoculars.  Departs from Fisherville Brook Wildlife Refuge, 99 Pardon Joslin Road, Exeter, RI; Fee: $50/member, $65/non-member. Ages: 14+. Register online through the events calendar at www.asri.org.

Sea Glass Jewelry Workshop
Audubon Nature Center and Aquarium, Bristol, RI
May 11, 2019; 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! Advance registration is required.  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.

Warblers at Mount Auburn
Day Trip to Cambridge, MA
May 12, 2019, 6:30 am – 4:30 pm

Spring migration is the best time to visit the beautiful Mount Auburn Cemetery in Cambridge, Massachusetts. The cemetery is a green oasis in the middle of the greater-Boston urban environment, and is known as a great spot to see a wide variety of migrants. The warblers get up early, so we will be starting early too! Departs from Powder Mill Ledges Wildlife Refuge, 12 Sanderson Road, Smithfield, RI; Fee: $70/member; $80/non-member. Ages: Teen to Adult. Register online through the events calendar at www.asri.org.

Mother's Day Hike - Bluebirds and Purple Martins of Caratunk
Audubon Caratunk Wildlife Refuge, Seekonk, MA
May 12, 2019; 1:00 – 2:30 pm

Join other nature enthusiasts and walk off your Mother's Day brunch at Caratunk! Hike the trails around the fields and learn about the resident Eastern Bluebirds and Purple Martins. Light refreshments will be served. Caratunk Wildlife Refuge, 301 Brown Avenue, Seekonk, MA; Free. Ages: Teen to Adult. Register online through the events calendar at www.asri.org.

Spring Birding on Prudence Island
Prudence Island, RI
May 16, 2019; 7:30 am – 3:00 pm

The spring bird migration will be in full-swing by mid-May, and Prudence Island is a wonderful place to see a wide variety of species thanks to the diversity of habitats. Explore forest edges, marshes, meadows and other areas where the birding looks good. Narragansett Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve, Prudence Island, RI; Fee: $10/member adult, $5/member child; $14/non-member adult, $7/non-member child. Ages: Teen to Adult. For more information on Prudence Island trips and to register, visit www.asri.org.

Cut Paper Illustration
Audubon Nature Center and Aquarium, Bristol, RI
May 18, 2019; 1:00-3:00 pm

Audubon's resident turtles are the inspiration for this introductory class in the art of cut paper. Using a palette of paper along with a turtle pattern, participants will learn the basics of cut paper while creating their own customizable piece of art. All materials provided, but please bring along your favorite pair of scissors and come prepared to have fun! Audubon Nature Center and Aquarium, 1401 Hope Street, Bristol, RI; Fee: $25/member, $30/non-member. Ages: Adult. Register online through the events calendar at www.asri.org.

Bird Banding with Audubon
Audubon Nature Center and Aquarium, Bristol, RI
May 18, 2019; 9:30 – 11:30 am

Join Audubon for a bird banding demonstration. 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. Audubon Nature Center and Aquarium, 1401 Hope Street, Bristol, RI; Fee: $8/member adult, $4/member child; $12/non-member adult, $6/non-member child. Ages: 6+. Register online through the events calendar at www.asri.org.

Bluebird Walk with Audubon
Audubon Caratunk Wildlife Refuge, Seekonk, MA
May 26, 2018; 9:00 – 11:00 am

Come to Caratunk and learn all about beautiful Eastern Bluebirds. Discover their natural history, learn how to identify them and more. Head out to the fields to watch them in action and check out their homes and neighbors. Bluebird boxes will be available for sale. Please dress appropriately for the weather and bring binoculars. Caratunk Wildlife Refuge, 301 Brown Avenue, Seekonk, MA; Fee: $8/member adult/child pair, $4 additional member; $10/non-Member adult, $5/member child; Ages: 10+. Register online through the events calendar at www.asri.org.

“Don’t Dump, Donate!”
E-Waste and Recycling Two-Week Event
Audubon Nature Center and Aquarium, Bristol, RI
May 31 – June 14, 2019; 9:00 am – 5:00 pm

The Audubon Society of Rhode Island partners with Goodwill Industries to host a recycling event. Old electronic, textiles, clothes, shoes and select household goods are welcomed! Drop off your goods at the Audubon Nature Center and Aquarium in Bristol, RI from May 31 to June 14, 9:00am to 5:00pm daily. No need to call or register in advance. See the full list of accepted items and event details on the events calendar at www.asri.org.

Audubon Nature Center and Aquarium, 1401 Hope Street, Bristol, RI; Free.

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