American Littoral Society: Upcoming Ecology Walks/Trips

The American Littoral Society   Caring for the coast since 1961

Oystercatchers. Photo by Don Riepe  Northeast Chapter Upcoming Spring Ecology Walks and Trips!   Early Spring Bird Walk Saturday, March 29, 2014 10 AM - 1 PM Guide: Don Riepe, American Littoral Society  Meet at the Jamaica Bay Wildlife Refuge Visitor Center and hike around the ponds and gardens to look for egrets, ibis, osprey, oystercatchers and many other early migrants as well as wintering birds. In partnership with Gateway National Recreation Area (GNRA) and NYC Audubon. RSVP: NEChapter@littoralsociety.org or call (718)474-0896.  Spring Tide Walk at Riis Park Sunday, March 30, 2014 10:30 AM - 12:30 PM Guide: Mickey Maxwell Cohen, American Littoral Society   Meet at the (free) parking lot at Jacob Riis Park near the Entry Pavilion and walk the winter-ravaged beach with Mickey and learn the science of beach dynamics. Check the flotsam and jetsam along the tide line while learning about the surprising wartime history of the area.  In partnership with GNRA. Contact: bmcohen2@gmail.com or call(718)474-0896. Hike the Trails of the North Forty Natural Area Sunday, April 20, 2014 10:30 AM - 12:30 PM Guide: Mickey Maxwell Cohen, American Littoral Society  Meet at the Ryan Visitor Center, Floyd Bennett Field, Brooklyn, NY. Discover birds, early wildflowers and hidden W.W. II military bunkers in this developing maritime woodland.  In partnership with GNRA. Contact: bmcohen2@gmail.com or call (718)474-0896. Sterling Forest Warblers Day Trip with NYC Audubon Saturday, May 10, 2014 9 AM - 5 PM Guide: Tod Winston, NYC Audubon   Explore the woodland and pond habitat of the 20,000-acre Sterling Forest preserve during peak spring migration. Look for nesting warblers (including golden-winged, cerulean, hooded, prairie, and blue-winged) as well as spring wildflowers, reptiles, and amphibians. Visit the rustic visitor center. Trip involves 4-mile hike and some rocky terrain. Bring lunch. Transport by passenger van. Meet on the street by NYC Audubon office (71 West 23rd Street, between 5-6 Aves.) Limited to 11. Cost: $108; ($75 for NYC Audubon members).  For reservations, contact Adriana Palmer at NYC Audubon at (212) 691-7483 or apalmer@nycaudubon.org.    A Springtime Hike at Breezy Point   Sunday, May 11, 2014 10:30 AM - 12:30 PM Guide: Mickey Maxwell Cohen, American Littoral Society   Meet at Fort Tilden, Building 1 and carpool in a caravan to the little known western tip of the Rockaway Peninsula.  Highlights will include dune foliage, shore birds and a surprising assortment of rocks and minerals used in the construction of the Breezy Point Jetty.  Binoculars, a hammer, collecting bag, eye protection and a magnifying glass will be helpful.    (2 miles)  Bus: Q22, Q35.  In partnership with GNRA. Contact:bmcohen2@gmail.com or call 718-474-0896.  Horseshoe Crabs and Red Knots. Photo by Don Riepe Horseshoe Crabs and Shorebirds Saturday, May 17, 2014 10 AM - 1 PM Guide: Don Riepe, American Littoral Society  Meet at the Jamaica Bay Wildlife Refuge Visitor Center and carpool to a Broad Channel beach site to see the annual mating ritual of the horseshoe crab and the shorebirds that feed on the eggs of the crabs. With NYC Audubon and GNRA. RSVP:NEChapter@littoralsociety.org or call (718)474-0896. Jamaica Bay Sunset Ecology Cruise Saturday, May 17, 2014 4 PM - 7 PM Guides: Mickey Maxwell Cohen and Don Riepe, American Littoral Society   Departs from Pier 4, Sheepshead Bay, Brooklyn, NY at the corner of Emmons Avenue and Bedford Avenue. Come aboard the Golden Sunshine for a special three hour cruise into the backwater marshes of the bay. Learn about the history and ecology of the bay and see mesting peregrine falcon, osprey, egrets, herons, ibis and many other bird species. Cost: $55 per person; includes narrated tour, wine, cheese, fruit and snacks. This trip is in partnership with GNRA and NYC Audubon. For questions:NEChapter@littoralsociety.org or call (718)474-0896. To pay by credit card, click here.  To pay by check, make check payable to American Littoral Society, 28 West 9th Road, Broad Channel, NY 11693. Horseshoe Crabs and Shorebirds Saturday, May 31, 2014 10 AM - 1 PM Guides: Don Riepe and Mickey Maxwell Cohen, American Littoral Society  Meet at the Jamaica Bay Wildlife Refuge Visitor Center and carpool to the Broad Channel beach site to see the annual mating ritual of the horseshoe crab and the shorebirds that feed on eggs of the crabs, with naturalists, Don Riepe and Mickey Maxwell Cohen.  This program is free and in partnership with NYC Audubon and Gateway National Recreation Area. RSVP: NEChapter@littoralsociety.org or call (718)474-0896. Mickey Maxwell Cohen giving ecology talk aboard the Golden Sunshine, 2013. Photo by Don Riepe.    OVERNIGHT TRIPS     Birds and Wildlife of Southeast Arizona with NYC Audubon April 5-13, 2014 (Update: This trip is sold out) Trip Leaders: Don Riepe, American Littoral Society and Carol Borneman of NPS.   Visit Saguaro Cactus National Park, Chiricahua National Monument, Ramsey and Madera Canyons as well as many other scenic and birding hotspots. Cost: $1800, includes lodging, transportation, guides, park fees, welcome barbeque and most meals. (Airfare not included, contact Don Riepe for group flight information). For questions email:donriepe@gmail.com or call (718)474-0896. Midweek Seashore Adventure on Fire Island Tuesday, June 3 - Thursday, June 5, 2014 Trip Leaders: Mickey Maxwell Cohen, American Littoral Society and Lenore Swenson, NY Linnean Society.   The American Littoral Society joins the Appalachian Mountain Club for three exciting, high energy days hiking the beach, seining for near shore critters, star watching and canoeing/kayaking, while engaging in stimulating discussions with trip leaders, Mickey Maxwell Cohen and Lenore Swenson. This will be the 19th consecutive Midweek Seashore Adventure with the AMC at its retreat on the beach at Atlantique, Fire Island. A special feature this year will include an easy four hour hike to the mysterious Sunken Forest in Sayville. Cost: $140 for two nights, two breakfasts, two dinners. For reservations email: ficres@earthlink.net. For program details contact Mickey atbmcohen2@gmail.com or call 212.510.8880. Montauk Summer Weekend with NYC Audubon  June 6-8, 2014 Trip Leaders: Mike Bottini, Mickey Maxwell Cohen and Don Riepe of the American Littoral Society.    A great natural history weekend. Visit the "Walking Dunes" (cranberry & orchid bogs), Lighthouse Beach (tidal pools), Camp Hero Bluffs, Point O'Woods Walk and Big Reed Pond. See nesting pine and prairie warblers, bank swallows, screech owls, Baltimore orioles and enjoy the beautiful beaches.  Cost: $385.00 includes 2 nights at the historic Montauk Manor House (heated indoor/outdoor pools), 4 meals plus a wine & cheese welcome reception, 5 guided hikes, 2 evening programs, an evening star watch, plus free pickup at the LIRR station in Montauk. Optional paddleboarding/kayak trip.  For questions and reservations email: NEChapter@littoralsociety.org or call (718)474-0896.   To pay by credit card, click here.  To pay by check, make check payable to American Littoral Society, 28 West 9th Road, Broad Channel, NY 11693. Gaspé Peninsula, Quebec with NYC Audubon  June 21 - 29, 2014 (Update: This trip is sold out) Trip Leaders: Don Riepe and Carole Borneman Visit Bonaventure Island and see the gannet colony along with other coastal scenic areas. See moose, black bear, nesting bald eagles and rural wilderness.  For questions email: donriepe@gmail.com or call (718)474-0896. Cape Ann Whale Watch Weekend with NYC Audubon  August 14 - 17, 2014 Trip Leader: Don Riepe, American Littoral Society Spend three nights in historic Gloucester, MA. Cost: $395.00 per person double occupancy. ($180 single supplement). Cost includes lodging, half-day whale watching trip, lobster dinner, Essex River marsh cruise, canoeing on the Ipswich River, guided hike at nearby state park and visit to Parker River Wildlife Refuge.  For questions email:donriepe@gmail.com  or call (718)474-0896.    To pay by credit card, click here.  To pay by check, make check payable to American Littoral Society, 28 West 9th Road, Broad Channel, NY 11693.     Humpback Whale in Cape Ann, MA. Photo by Don Riepe.  Join us in 2014!  2014 looks to be another busy year as we continue our efforts to raise environmental awareness and restore our urban coastlines through education, community & youth engagement, advocacy and habitat restoration. Our work would not be possible without the support of our dedicated volunteers, community members, NGO partners and funders like you so we thank you for your support and we hope you join us in 2014!  For volunteer opportunities, news and upcoming events,  join our mailing list.   You can also become a member or donate!