Experience Bird Banding with Audubon! - July 2023 Highlights from the Audubon Society of Rhode Island

(May 31, 2023) – Come to Audubon and experience a morning of bird banding, where experts capture, band, measure, and release songbirds in order to record their movements. Or join a cool evening exploration and discover fields of fireflies, listen to a chorus of frogs and insects, or head out with a naturalist in search of bats. Get outside this summer and discover nature 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/calendar. 


Citizens Free Family Fun Day
Zach the Raven: StoryWalk® and Book Signing
Audubon Nature Center and Aquarium, Bristol, RI
July 1, 2023; 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!
10:00 am - 3:00 pm: Craft Table
10:00 am: Nature Story
11:00 am and 2:30 pm: Animal Interview
1:00 pm: StoryWalk® Ribbon Cutting: Audubon’s Zach the Raven is now featured in his own children’s book! Audubon educator Tracey Hall recently published a story all about Zach, his history, and life at Audubon. It has been transformed into a StoryWalk® where families can get outside, follow the pages on a self-guided trail, and learn all about this fascinating bird!

After the ribbon-cutting, join a meet and greet with Zach and Tracey* and stay for a book signing. Guests may enjoy the StoryWalk® self-guided trail any time after the ribbon cutting, it will be available to visitors to enjoy through August 1, 2023.
* For Zach’s comfort and safety, the meet and greet is limited to 25 people, but visitors can say hello to Zach at other times in his aviary behind the Nature Center.
Audubon Nature Center and Aquarium, 1401 Hope Street, Bristol, RI; Free. Ages: All.


Foraged Art
Audubon Nature Center and Aquarium, Bristol, RI
July 2 – August 31, 2023;9:30 am – 4:30 pm
Rebecca McAssey creates her foraged art pieces using items from nature. Nothing is glued or taped in place, it's all a balancing act. The pieces are photographed, then most items end up in her compost bin, while others are dried and saved for use in future pieces, there are no originals. Sometimes Rebecca has a plan, other times she lets the flowers inspire her. Rebecca’s art will be on display from July 2 through August 31, 2023.
Audubon Nature Center and Aquarium, 1401 Hope Street, Bristol, RI; Free with Admission. Ages: All.


Explore the Estuary for Kids!
Prudence Island, RI
July 6, 2023; 1:30 – 6:30 pm
Bring the kids along to explore the amazing diversity of the estuary, from tidal creeks and salt marshes to the rocky shoreline! Kids will use different nets and search for fish, crabs, and shrimp in the shallow waters of Prudence Island. Walk the shoreline to see what the tide has left behind and watch the ospreys and egrets hunt for food. This is a great family program!
Narragansett Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve, Prudence Island, RI; Fee: $8/member adult, $4/member child; $12/non-member adult, $8/non-member child. Ages: All. For more information on Prudence Island programs and to register, visit the events calendar as www.asri.org/calendar. 


Fireflies!
Audubon Powder Mill Ledges Wildlife Refuge, Smithfield, RI
July 7, 2023; 7:00 – 9:00 pm
Join Audubon naturalist Kim Calcagno for an evening celebrating the living lightshow that is the firefly. Learn about how they use their flickering lights to communicate and how to recognize them during the day. Make a glowing firefly craft to take home and end the evening by going out to the fields to watch for their blinking displays. Program will be rescheduled in the case of inclement weather. Rain date would be July 8.
Powder Mill Ledges Wildlife Refuge, 12 Sanderson Road, Smithfield, RI; Fee: $10/member adult, $5/member child; $14/non-member adult, $7/non-member child. Ages: 6 and up. Register through the events calendar at www.asri.org/calendar. 


Beeswax Wraps
Audubon Nature Center and Aquarium, Bristol, RI
July 8, 2023; 10:30 am – 12:00 pm
Single-use plastics are filling up our oceans and landfills. Be part of the solution by making your own re-usable, eco-friendly lunch wraps! Use cotton fabric, bees wax, buttons, and string to create a flexible wrap that can be used to transport food, cover bowls, and protect your leftovers. It's washable, keeps your food fresh, and smells great. No prior sewing or crafting skills are needed. We will provide all the materials to make two wraps per person, but if you have a favorite fabric or button you would like to use, bring it along! Skip the plastic wrap and sandwich bags—use your sustainable and stylish bees wax wrap instead.
Audubon Nature Center and Aquarium, 1401 Hope Street, Bristol, RI; Fee: $15/member; $20/non-member. Ages: 16 and up. Register through the events calendar at www.asri.org/calendar. 




Where Does All That Stormwater Go?
Two Walking Tours Offered
Stormwater Innovation Center, Roger Williams Park, Providence, RI
July 12, August 9, 2023; 11:00 am – 12:00 pm
Did you know that Roger Williams Park in Providence has over 30 green infrastructure projects? These are important tools that filter stormwater and help stop harmful pollutants from entering ponds and waterways. Green infrastructure investments made by the Providence Parks Department work to improve water quality in this city park that sees over a million visitors each year. Join a walking tour and learn about how these projects work and get stormwater-friendly landscaping tips for your own yard. It might just change the way you think about rainstorms! Meet at the Seal House in RWP (near the Japanese Garden and Carousel.)
Departs from the Roger Williams Park Seal House. July 12, August 9, 2023; 11:00 am-12:00 pm. Free. Ages: 5 and up. Register through the events calendar at www.asri.org/calendar. 


Froggy Foray
Audubon Caratunk Wildlife Refuge, Seekonk, MA
July 13, 2023; 7:00-9:00 pm
Hop on over to the Caratunk Wildlife Refuge and enjoy an immersive evening with the frogs that call this refuge home! Listen as the gray tree frog calls from the forest, see the bullfrog lounge on the lily pads, and observe many more frog sightings!
Dress for the weather; the trails can be muddy at times, so wear shoes that can get dirty. Bring bug spray and a flashlight.
Caratunk Wildlife Refuge, 301 Brown Avenue, Seekonk, MA; Fee: $10/member adult, $5/member child; $14/non-member adult, $7/non-member child. Ages: 3 and up. Register through the events calendar at www.asri.org/calendar. 


Saturday at the Salt Marsh
Audubon Touisset Marsh Wildlife Refuge, Warren, RI
July 15, 2023; 8:00 – 10:00 am
Come to Touisset Marsh Wildlife Refuge to learn about the importance of the salt marsh ecosystem and observe the plethora of wildlife that call the marsh their home. Learn about the many different parts of a single salt marsh, how wildlife use these beautiful habitats, and how salt marshes protect our coastal communities. Park next to the fire station.
Touisset Marsh Wildlife Refuge, Touisset Road, Warren, RI; 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. 


Edible Wild Plants Walk
Audubon Nature Center and Aquarium, Bristol, RI
July 20, 2023; 1:00 – 4:00 pm
The East Bay region is home to over 90 species of edible wild plants, some of which are more nutritious and/or flavorful than their cultivated counterparts. These include native species like spicebush and sassafras, edible weeds like purslane and chicory, and edible invasives like wineberry and black locust. Join Russ Cohen, expert forager and author of “Wild Plants I Have Known...and Eaten”, on an evening ramble to learn about at least two dozen edible plant species, including coastal species like orach and sea rocket. Russ will present information on identification tips, edible portion(s), season(s) of availability and preparation methods. He will also provide general guidelines for safe and environmentally responsible foraging.
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. 


Bats and Beer
Audubon Fisherville Brook Wildlife Refuge, Exeter, RI
July 21, 2023; 7:30-9:00 pm
Head to Audubon for an evening of fun discussing the fascinating world of bats and tasting some local brew. Start with a brief presentation and learn about the bats that live in our area. Then head out onto the trails in search of these winged creatures. Stop at the pond to watch bats at work catching their evening meal and to look for the resident family of beavers at work. Bring a flashlight. For ages 21+.
Fisherville Brook Wildlife Refuge, 99 Pardon Joslin Road, Exeter, RI; Fee: $20/member; $25/non-member. Ages: 21 and up. Register through the events calendar at www.asri.org/calendar. 


Pollinator Garden Tour
Audubon Nature Center and Aquarium, Bristol, RI
July 22, 2023; 2;00 – 3:00 pm
Explore the Audubon Palmieri Pollinator Garden in its summer splendor! Join Audubon staff for a guided tour to learn about our plant selection, maintenance choices, and the pollinators that make the garden their home.
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: All. Register through the events calendar at www.asri.org/calendar. 


Summer Craft Table
Audubon Nature Center and Aquarium, Bristol, RI
July 22, August 19, 2023;1:00 – 3:00 pm
While visiting Audubon's Nature Center and Aquarium, stop by our summer craft table for some free creative fun!
Audubon Nature Center and Aquarium, 1401 Hope Street, Bristol, RI; 10:00 am-3:00 pm; Free with Admission.
Ages: All.

Recycled Papermaking Workshop
Audubon Powder Mill Ledges Wildlife Refuge, Smithfield, RI
July 22, 2023; 10:00 am – 12:00 pm
Learn how to fashion decorative paper out of old fibers, recycled paper, and tissue paper. Learn how to finesse fine sheets and thick sheets and to embed items such as pressed flowers, threads, and glitter to make interesting designs. Water is used to suspend the fibers, so dress for mess.
Powder Mill Ledges Wildlife Refuge, 12 Sanderson Road, Smithfield, RI; Fee: $15/member; $20/non-member. Ages: 12 and up. Register through the events calendar at www.asri.org/calendar. 


Audubon Bird Banding at Caratunk
Audubon Caratunk Wildlife Refuge, Seekonk, MA
July 22, 2023; 9:15 – 11:15 am
Come to Audubon and experience bird banding, where experts capture, band, measure, and release songbirds in order to record their movements. Birds will be gently removed from tall “mist nets” set in the shrubby habitats on the grounds of the Nature Center and Aquarium. 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.
Caratunk Wildlife Refuge, 301 Brown Avenue, Seekonk, MA; Fee: $10/member adult, $5/member child; $14/non-member adult, $7/non-member child. Ages: 6 and up. Register through the events calendar at www.asri.org/calendar. 


Aromatherapy Candle Making
Audubon Nature Center and Aquarium, Bristol, RI
July 23, 2023;1:00 – 2:00 pm
Join Audubon naturalist and herbalist Tina Lidano and learn how to make candles for aromatherapy. All materials provided for each participant to create one completed candle. If you have a clean jar or item that is heat resistant that you would like to upcycle, please feel free to bring it along! Participants under 18 must be accompanied by a guardian.
Audubon Nature Center and Aquarium, 1401 Hope Street, Bristol, RI; Fee: $20/member; $25/non-member. Ages: 13 and up. Register through the events calendar at www.asri.org/calendar. 


Audubon Bird Banding in Bristol
Audubon Nature Center and Aquarium, Bristol, RI
July 29, 2023; 9:15 – 11:15 am
Come to Audubon and experience bird banding, where experts capture, band, measure, and release songbirds in order to record their movements. Birds will be gently removed from tall “mist nets” set in the shrubby habitats on the grounds of the Nature Center and Aquarium. 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: $10/member adult, $5/member child; $14/non-member adult, $7/non-member child. Ages: 6 and up. Register through the events calendar at www.asri.org/calendar. 


Sea Glass Workshop
Audubon Nature Center and Aquarium, Bristol, RI
July 29, 2023; 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.