Go Birding with the Best!

May 2023 Program Highlights from the Audubon Society of Rhode Island

May brings the best birding of the year so grab your binoculars and search for spring migrants with an expert. Join a bird banding program and learn about local species and what is gained from recording their movements. May is the perfect time to get outside, enjoy the warmer weather, and learn more about our feathered friends!

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. 

FREE MAY BIRDING WALKS WITH AUDUBON
Locations Across the State
Spring migration is here, with different bird species moving through each week. Audubon offers over 30 FREE birding walks throughout the month of May. These walks are geared for teen to adult, and novice birders are welcome. There are also Saturday programs geared just for families! Although all programs are free, registration is required.
For dates, details, and to register, visit the events calendar at www.asri.org/calendar. 

Sundays: Caratunk Wildlife Refuge, 301 Brown Avenue, Seekonk, MA
Mondays: Maxwell Mays Wildlife Refuge, 2082 Victory Highway, Coventry, RI
Parker Woodland Wildlife Refuge, Maple Valley Road, Coventry RI
Tuesdays: Fort Nature Refuge, (Rt. 5), 1443 Providence Pike, North Smithfield, RI
Wednesdays: Locations determined weekly. Registered participants will be sent details.
Thursdays: Marion Eppley Wildlife Refuge, Dugway Bridge Road, West Kingston, RI
Touisset March Wildlife Refuge, Touisset Road, Warren, RI
Emilie Ruecker Wildlife Refuge, Seapowet Road, Tiverton, RI
Fridays: Fisherville Brook Wildlife Refuge, 99 Pardon Joslin Road, Exeter, RI
Saturdays: These walks are perfect for beginners and families.
Powder Mill Ledges Wildlife Refuge, 12 Sanderson Road, Smithfield, RI
Caratunk Wildlife Refuge, 301 Brown Ave., Seekonk, RI
Fort Wildlife Refuge, 1443 Providence Pike, North Smithfield, RI

Bird Banding in Bristol
Audubon Nature Center and Aquarium, Bristol, RI
May 6, 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. 

Citizens Free Family Fun Day
Audubon Nature Center and Aquarium, Bristol, RI
May 6, 2023; 10:00 am – 3:00 pm
Thanks to Citizens, the Audubon Nature Center and Aquarium is open free to the public on the first Saturday of every month. Join Audubon for nature stories, animal discoveries, hikes, and more. No need to register!
10:00 am - 3:00 pm: Nature Craft Table
10:00 am: Nature Story
11:00 am and 2:30 pm: Animal Interview
1:00 pm: Spring Garden Visitors: Join a tour of the Audubon Palmieri Pollinator Garden! Learn the best practices for managing a garden to support pollinators and take away simple garden tips and tricks to use at home. Plan to walk on uneven ground and dress for the weather.
Audubon Nature Center and Aquarium, 1401 Hope Street, Bristol, RI; Free. Ages: All.

Mother's Day Paper-Crafting Workshop
Audubon Nature Center and Aquarium, Bristol, RI
May 6, 2023; 1:00 – 3:30 pm
Join a Mother's Day-themed paper-crafting workshop with Michelle Hirsh-Solis. Create four notecards and a matching gift box perfect for Mother's Day! Designs use a variety of techniques, materials are provided, and all skill levels welcome. Come alone or bring along a friend to de-stress, learn a new hobby, or re-kindle an old passion.
Audubon Nature Center and Aquarium, 1401 Hope Street, Bristol, RI; Fee: $20/member; $25/non-member. Ages: 10 and up. Register through the events calendar at www.asri.org/calendar. 

Contemporary Landscape
Art Exhibit by Melanie dai Medeiros
Audubon Nature Center and Aquarium, Bristol, RI
May 7 – June 24, 2023, 9:30 am – 4:30 pm
As a contemporary artist and resident of southeastern New England, Melanie dai Medeiros constructs the story of the land through found objects, shared narratives, and intimate observation. Living in Rhode Island, one becomes acutely aware of the history of the land. Foundations, stone wall remnants, fallen leaves, shells, and more leave evidence of the many generations of numerous living beings to have called this area home. In these paintings and drawings, Melanie dai depicts the past and present simultaneously. Her work will be on display through June 2023.
Audubon Nature Center and Aquarium, 1401 Hope Street, Bristol, RI; Free with Admission. Ages: All.

Spring Birding on Prudence Island
Prudence Island, RI
May 18, 2023; 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. Come explore forest edges, marshes, meadows and anywhere else the birding looks good.
Narragansett Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve, Prudence Island, RI; Fee: $12 member; $14/non-member. Ages: Teen to Adult. For more information on Prudence Island trips and to register, visit the events calendar at www.asri.org/calendar 

Turtle Time with Audubon!
Audubon Caratunk Wildlife Refuge, Seekonk, MA
May 21, 2023; 1:00 – 3:00 pm
Families have fun learning about local turtle species and where they live. Meet and greet Audubon turtles Otto and Speedy, who call Caratunk home. Then enjoy a 15-minute walk to spot wild turtles in the pond! Please dress for the weather.
Caratunk Wildlife Refuge, 301 Brown Avenue, Seekonk, MA; Fee: $5/member child; $7/non-member child. Ages: 5 and up. Register through the events calendar at www.asri.org/calendar. 

Spring Mushroom Hunting in Rhode Island: Two-Part Series
Audubon Nature Center and Aquarium, Bristol, RI
May 24 & 27, 2023
May 24, 2023; 1:00 – 2:30 pm: Indoor lecture with The Mushroom Hunting Foundation.
There are many types of mushrooms in our region. Some are poisonous, but their ecology is interesting...while others are simply delicious! Learn about fascinating fungi with Ryan Bouchard and Emily Schmidt, New England mushroom hunting educators.
May 27, 2023; 7:00 – 8:00 pm: Guided Walk & Wild Mushroom Cooking Class
Mushroom Hunting Foundation experts will lead participants around the Audubon wildlife refuge for a close look at local fungi in their natural habitats. Discover tips on mushroom photography and see firsthand how collecting tools are used. Then head back to the Nature Center and Aquarium for a wild mushroom cooking demonstration.
Audubon Nature Center and Aquarium, 1401 Hope Street, Bristol, RI; Fee for both sessions: $65/member, $70/non-member. Ages: Adult. Register through the events calendar at www.asri.org/calendar. 

Bird Banding at Caratunk
Audubon Caratunk Wildlife Refuge, Seekonk, MA
May 27, 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. 

Audubon Memorial Day Nature Activities
Audubon Nature Center and Aquarium, Bristol, RI
May 29, 2023; 10:00 am – 3:00 pm
Start the summer off right at Audubon! Bring the kids for up-close animal encounters, a wetland exploration, crafts and more. No registration required.
10:00-2:00: Craft Table
10:00 am: Nature Story
11:00 am & 2:30 pm: Animal Interview
1:00 pm: Wetland Exploration – Walk down to Audubon’s wetlands and discover creatures big and small that live in this unique habitat.
Audubon Nature Center and Aquarium, 1401 Hope Street, Bristol, RI; Free with Admission. Ages: All.