Discover the Wonder of Nature in Winter January 2017 Highlights from the Audubon Society of Rhode Island

(November 28, 2016) – Don’t be a couch potato in January! Join a birding expert and search for waterfowl at the shore, head out and search for owls at night or learn to identify animal tracks in the snow. Winter is a wonderful time to get out and explore, just bundle up and go!

Unless noted, registration is required for all programs. Register online at www.asri.org.
A complete listing of programs are detailed in the Audubon Nature Tours and Programs, a free guide to connecting with the natural world. Download a copy online at www.asri.org.



January 4, 11, 18, 25, 2017 Wednesday Morning Bird Walks
Locations Around the State 9:00 – 11:00 am
Audubon offers FREE Wednesday Morning Bird Walks with naturalist Laura Carberry through the end of June, 2017. Walks will begin at 9:00 am. Each week a new birding destination will be chosen. Please visit the Audubon's website or Facebook Page for the location. You may also contact Laura at lcarberry@asri.org for more information.



January 7, 2017 Audubon Owl Prowl at Caratunk
Audubon Caratunk Wildlife Refuge
Seekonk, MA 7:00 – 9:00 pm
Bundle up and join us for a night hike on the Caratunk Refuge in search of owls. We will call for different species of owls as we travel through mixed and pine woods. While we never know if we'll actually get to hear or see an owl, participants will be sure to learn a lot and have a great night hike. Wear warm socks and shoes or boots and dress warmly. Bring a flashlight. Hike will be canceled in the event of inclement weather or icy trails.
Caratunk Wildlife Refuge, 301 Brown Avenue, Seekonk, MA; Program Fee: $10/member; $14/non-member. Ages: 12+. To register, visit www.asri.org.





January 11, 2017 Audubon Armchair Naturalist Lecture:
Weasels
Audubon Powder Mill Ledges Wildlife Refuge
Smithfield, RI 6:30 – 8:00 pm
Learn about all the elusive members of the Mustelid family found in Rhode Island. From the tiny long-tailed weasel, to mink, to otters and fisher, we will learn about their habits and adaptations and their important role in the local ecology.
Powder Mill Ledges Wildlife Refuge, 12 Sanderson Road, Smithfield, RI; Program Fee: $10/member; $14/non-member. Ages: Adult. Register online at www.asri.org.


January 11, 2017 Seals and Sea Ducks on Prudence Island
Prudence Island, RI 9:45 am – 3:00 pm
Explore beautiful Prudence Island! Begin by viewing the winter population of harbor seals that enjoy basking on the rocks off the southern tip of the island. After lunch, we will travel in a passenger van making several stops along the way to look for a variety of duck species in protected ponds and coves. We expect to see grebes, eiders, mergansers and more.
Narragansett Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve, Prudence Island, RI; Program Fee: $8/member adult, $4/member child; $12/non-member adult, $8/non-member child. Ages: 10+. For more details on Prudence Island trips and to register, visit www.asri.org.


January 14, 2017 Winter Big Day with Audubon
Winter Birding Van Trip
Locations Across Rhode Island 8:00 am – 5:00 pm
How many species can we find? This popular program has become a Rhode Island tradition. Set out with Audubon and cover many of the state's winter hot spots during this daylong van trip in search of our feathered winter residents. Barrow's Goldeneye, Eurasian Wigeon, Short-eared Owl and Snow Buntings are among the birds we hope to find. Dress warmly and pack a lunch and optics.
Departs from Fisherville Brook Wildlife Refuge, 99 Pardon Joslin Road, Exeter, RI; Program Fee: $50/member; $60/non-member. Ages: 16+. Register online at www.asri.org.


January 21, 2017 Animal Tracks and Signs for Families
Audubon Powder Mill Ledges Wildlife Refuge
Smithfield, RI 2:00 – 4:00 pm
Bring the kids and learn how to identify different tracks and other signs of our native mammals and birds. We will explore track patterns (can you hop like a 'bounder' or strut like a 'perfect stepper'), investigate artifacts and try our hand at making plaster tracks to take home. Participants will venture out on the trails to see what evidence can be found that wild things have been there. Although all are welcome, this class will be geared for families with children. Dress for the weather.
Powder Mill Ledges Wildlife Refuge, 12 Sanderson Road, Smithfield, RI; Program Fee: $10/member adult-child pair; $5 each additional member; $14/non-member adult-child pair; $7 each additional non-member. Ages: 5+. Register online at www.asri.org.





January 21, 2017 Introduction to Animal Tracking
Audubon Powder Mill Ledges Wildlife Refuge
Smithfield, RI 10:00 am – 12:00 pm
Join Audubon for an introduction to identifying local mammal tracks and other animal signs. Start inside for a presentation on track patterns, terms and models and then take a short hike on the trails to see what kinds of tracks and signs can be found. This class will be geared for an adult audience. Please wear warm footwear and dress for the weather.
Powder Mill Ledges Wildlife Refuge, 12 Sanderson Road, Smithfield, RI; Program Fee: $10/member; $14/non-member. Ages: Adult. Register online at www.asri.org.


January 27 & February 17, 2017 Owls and Ales
Two Dates Offered
Audubon Environmental Education Center
Bristol, RI 6:30 – 8:30 pm
Meet some of Audubon’s amazing owls in person! Come to Audubon for a presentation on these fascinating birds of prey, while enjoying locally brewed beers and snacks. Then take a guided walk through the refuge at night to look and listen for owls and other signs of wildlife. Leave the kids at home—this program is just for adults! Come prepared to go outside on a chilly evening.
Audubon Environmental Education Center, 1401 Hope Street, Bristol, RI; Program Fee: $30/member; $35/non-member. Ages: 21+. Register online at www.asri.org.


January 27, 2017 Owling at Fisherville Brook
Audubon Fisherville Brook Wildlife Refuge
Exeter, RI 7:00 – 9:00 pm
In a small group setting, spend time with one of Audubon's live owls and review what makes these birds so special. Then head out on the trails in search of these amazing creatures in their natural habitat. Fisherville is home to Barred Owls, Great Horned Owls and Screech Owls. Advance registration is a must; this program is limited to 12 participants. Adults only. Meet in the nature center and bring a flashlight.
Fisherville Brook Wildlife Refuge, 99 Pardon Joslin Road, Exeter, RI; Program Fee: $15/member; $20/non-member. Ages: Adult. Register online at www.asri.org.


January 28, 2017 Winter Beach Walk
Moonstone Beach
South Kingstown, RI 1:00 – 3:30 pm
Join naturalist Bob Kenney for an afternoon walk along Moonstone Beach, without the summer crowds or closed piping plover nesting areas. Our visit is timed to the low tide, perfect for beach combing and bird watching. Even though Moonstone is known as a “clothing optional” beach, the only option today is likely to be whether to wear three, four, or five layers. Bring your binoculars; we’ll have a spotting scope available. Expect to walk one or two miles in soft sand.
Moonstone Beach Road, South Kingstown, RI; Program Fee: $10/member adult, $5/member child; $14/non-member adult, $7/non-member child. Ages: All. Register online at www.asri.org.