Head south for the winter — to Jamaica Bay

PHOTO BY JERIN ARIFAL / NPS

The National Park Service has a full list of events for the Jamaica Bay area during the winter months, from bird walks to nature hikes.

Posted: Thursday, January 4, 2018 10:30 am

by Anthony O’Reilly, Editor | 0 comments

What if we told you some of the best winter activities could be found in the great outdoors? Odds are, you’d probably laugh and return to sipping your hot cocoa while cozied up in a pair of warm pajamas.

But the truth is, there is a full calendar of events planned for the Jamaica Bay area that can be enjoyed even during sub-freezing temperatures. Below are just a few.

“They get a fair amount of year-round visitation,” said Don Riepe, Northeast Chapter president of the American Littoral Society. “There are birds there, mostly water fowl, ducks and geese ... We’ve had an incursion of snowy owls this year.”

This Saturday, nature enthusiasts will be “Turning Over a New Leaf” from 10 to 11:30 a.m. as a guided walk will take place through the East Pond trails.

There will be many other opportunities to join park rangers, Riepe and Mickey Cohen, also of the society, in January and February.

Cohen on Jan. 28, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., will be leading a hike of the North Forty Natural Area at Floyd Bennett Field to “discover the enigmas of the winter woods.”

On Feb. 11, nature enthusiasts can explore “usually-hidden biological treasures” at Fort Tilden during low tide, from 10 a.m. to noon.

And when the weather starts to get a little warmer, Riepe will be leading a “Bird Walk Late Winter Thaw” tour at the Jamaica Bay Wildlife Refuge Center in Broad Channel Feb. 24, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., showing hikers different winter birds and the early signs of spring. Reservations are required for this walk, so if you’re interested call the Littoral Society at (718) 474-0896 or email donriepe@gmail.com.

The society will also be hosting “survival walks” during the winter, where Cohen and Riepe will be detailing how wildlife keeps warm during the coldest months.

“I talk about how the animals adapt to the winter ... what kinds of plants you can see,” he said. “Hard winters are actually good for some of the plants.”

Riepe encourages everyone wishing to attend any event to “dress comfortably,” especially on days when there is strong wind.

The Littoral Society won’t be the only one hosting winter walks and tours.

Park rangers will encourage you to put your head in the clouds Jan. 13, from 11 a.m. to noon, at the wildlife refuge center. Attendees will learn how to identify different types of clouds and be educated on how they could impact the weather.

There will be a “Winter Nature Hike” Jan. 20, from 10 to 11:30 a.m., where rangers will show “where all the animals go during the winter.”

Before the Big Game, participate in the “Superb Owl” hike Feb. 4, from 1 to 2:30 p.m., to see owls, hawks and more along the West Pond Trail.

And while we can’t guarantee Bill Murray will be there, a “Groundhog Day Hike” will take place from 10 to 11:30 a.m. Feb. 2, where attendees will learn about the behaviors of the animals.

And while we can’t guarantee Bill Murray will be there ... wait, this seems familiar.

For more information on these events and more, or for a full list of everything going on this season, visit bit.ly/2ClwEoI or call (718) 354-4606.