January 18, 2019

Snowshoeing and Stargazing in February!

February 2019 Nature Programs and Events
at Audubon Society of Rhode Island

February is full of frosty fun at Audubon. Hit the trails with snowshoes, search for eagles on a river cruise, or enjoy winter stargazing at Caratunk. Grab your hat and mittens and enjoy some outdoor winter explorations!

Download a beautiful color copy of our Program Guide featuring December 2018 - February 2019 Nature Programs:

Unless noted, registration is required for all programs. Register online through the events calendar. You may also click on each program title to register or learn more.

---

FREE Wednesday Morning Bird Walks
Locations Across the State
February 6, 13, 20, 27, 2019; 9:00 – 11:00 am

Audubon offers FREE Wednesday Morning Bird Walks with naturalist Laura Carberry. Each week a new birding destination will be chosen. Please visit this web page or our Facebook Page for the location. Contact Laura at lcarberry@asri.org for more information.

Locations determined weekly; Every Wednesday through June 2019; 9:00-11:00 am; Ages: 14+.

Eagle Cruise on the Connecticut River
February 16, 2019; 7:00 am – 4:00 pm

Join Audubon for a winter trip on the Connecticut River to search for eagles, hawks, waterfowl, seals and other mammals. Binoculars will be available, as well as complimentary tea and coffee. The boat has a heated cabin, but dress very warmly as the best views are from the deck. After the tour, visit to the Connecticut River Museum and enjoy the Eagles of Essex exhibit. Bring a lunch, camera and optics. NOTE: Children must be at least 12 years to register.

Van departs from Powder Mill Ledges Refuge, 12 Sanderson Rd. Smithfield, RI; Fee: $70/member; $80 non-member. Ages: 12 to adult. Register here.

Sea Glass Jewelry
Audubon Nature Center and Aquarium, Bristol, RI
February 16, 2019; 11:00 am – 12:30 pm

Come 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! Advance registration is required.

Audubon Nature Center and Aquarium, 1401 Hope Street, Bristol, RI; Fee: $20/member; $25/non-member. Ages: Adult. Register here.

Snowshoe Sunday at Caratunk
Audubon Caratunk Wildlife Refuge, Seekonk, MA
February 17, 2019; 8:00 – 10:00 am

Audubon opens the gates early to explore Caratunk by snowshoe (weather permitting). After some fresh air and exercise, return to the barn for hot cider and pastries. If there is not enough snow, participants will take a hike. Please dress appropriately and bring your own snowshoes. (REI rents snowshoes.)

Caratunk Wildlife Refuge, 301 Brown Avenue, Seekonk, MA; Fee: $10/member adult, $5/member child; $14/non-member adult, $7/non-member child. Ages: 12+. Register here

February School Vacation Week
Audubon Nature Center and Aquarium, Bristol, RI; February 18 – 22, 2019; 10:00 am – 2:00 pm
Audubon Powder Mill Ledges Wildlife Refuge, Smithfield, RI; February 19 – 22, 2019

Don't know what to do with the family during the February school vacation break? Audubon is the solution! Come meet some awesome owls, hawks, turtles and other cool critters! Vacation week is WILD at Audubon, so bring the kids and join the fun.

Vacation Week Nature Activities at the Nature Center and Aquarium (1401 Hope St, Bristol, RI) are free with admission. No registration required. Daily programs at the Powder Mill Ledges Wildlife Refuge (12 Sanderson Road, Smithfield, RI) require advanced registration. 

Seal Tour of Prudence Island
Prudence Island, RI
February 21, 2019; 1:30 – 6:30 pm

Enjoy a beautiful afternoon on Prudence Island and look for winter wildlife. Make a few stops around the island, including the south end, which is home to a large wintering population of harbor seals. Learn about the natural history of seals while viewing them from the shoreline (or the comfort of a heated van!). Keep an eye out for the many species of ducks and waterfowl that spend the winter here.

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: 8+. For more information on Prudence Island trips and to register, click here.

Owls and Ale
Audubon Nature Center and Aquarium, Bristol, RI
February 23, 2019; 6:30 – 8:30 pm

Meet some of Audubon’s amazing birds of prey and enjoy a presentation on these fascinating birds while enjoying locally brewed beers. Then take a guided walk through the refuge to look and listen for owls and other signs of animal life. Leave the kids at home—this program is just for adults! Dress for a chilly evening. Must be 21 or older to attend.

Audubon Nature Center and Aquarium, 1401 Hope Street, Bristol, RI; Fee: $30/member; $35/non-member. Ages: 21+. Register here.

Winter Birding at Sachuest Point
Sachuest Point National Wildlife Refuge, Middletown, RI
February 23, 2019; 10:30 am – 1:00 pm

Sachuest Point National Wildlife Refuge is one of the few places in Rhode Island where the “hot” birding comes during the winter. Winter specialties include Horned Larks, Snow Buntings, Northern Harriers, Purple Sandpipers, and a variety of sea ducks. The stars of the show are Harlequin Ducks, and in some years Snowy Owls. Meet Bob Kenney in the refuge parking lot. Dress very warmly for cold and wind and bring your optics.

Sachuest Point National Wildlife Refuge, 769 Sachuest Point Road, Middletown, RI; Fee: $10/member adult, $5/member child; $14/non-member adult, $7/non-member child. Ages: 10+. Register here.

Beekeeping Basics and More!
Audubon Nature Center and Aquarium, Bristol, RI
February 24, March 10, 17, 24, 31, April 7, 2019; 2:00 – 4:30 pm

Looking for a way to do your part to help out pollinators? This six-session course will teach the basics of keeping honeybees. Local beekeeper Kevin England will discuss topics varying from honeybee health, to equipment and hive construction. This course will provide the information you need to start with backyard beekeeping. Find out why there is so much "buzz" about bees!

Audubon Nature Center and Aquarium, 1401 Hope Street, Bristol, RI; Fee for six week session: $65/member, $72/non-member. Ages: Adult. Register here.

Preschool Adventures
Audubon Nature Center and Aquarium, Bristol, RI
February 26, March 5, 12, 19, 2019; 10:00 – 11:00 am

Nature comes alive for children ages 3-5. Children will participate in games, hikes, crafts, songs, hands-on activities and more as they are introduced to the wonders of nature. Space is limited to 12 children so please register early. Adults must accompany children and there are no refunds for missed classes. Younger siblings are not permitted to attend.

Audubon Nature Center and Aquarium, 1401 Hope Street, Bristol, RI. Fee for four week series: $40/member child, $50/two member siblings; $44/non-member child, $54/two non-member siblings. Ages: 3-5. Register here.

Avian Obsession
Art Exhibit by Evan Lipton
Audubon Nature Center and Aquarium, Bristol, RI
Through February 28, 2019; 9:00 am – 5:00 pm

Evan Lipton has been drawing as far back as he can remember. When birding became his passion at the age of sixteen, his art followed the same path. He combined his love of birds with his drawing, and he’s been pursuing the use of different mediums ever since—including pen, colored pencil, and watercolor. Nearly daily birding excursions continue to inspire him as the hundreds of species that nest, winter, and migrate through Rhode Island flit through thickets, paddle along the bay, and soar overhead.

Audubon Nature Center and Aquarium, 1401 Hope Street, Bristol, RI; Free with admission*. Ages: All. *Admission: Members (2 adults and up to 4 children) free; Non-Member Adults $6.00; Non-Member Senior $5.00;  Non-Member Child (4-12) $4.00; Children 3 and under free.

Audubon Osprey Monitor Training
See Locations and Times Below
February 24, 26, March 3, 10, 2019

Since 1977, the Osprey Monitoring program has carefully tracked the Osprey population in Rhode Island as it recovered from the detrimental effects of pesticides. Attend this two-hour training session to learn about the program and how to become a monitor. Attendees should be over 16, have binoculars or a spotting scope and have access to a computer. For more information, click here.

• Caratunk Wildlife Refuge, 301 Brown Avenue, Seekonk, MA; February 24, 2019; 11:00 am-1:00 pm; Free. Ages: 16+.
• Audubon Nature Center and Aquarium, 1401 Hope Street, Bristol, RI; February 26, 2019; 6:00-8:00 pm; Free. Ages: 16+.
• Powder Mill Ledges Wildlife Refuge, 12 Sanderson Road, Smithfield, RI; March 3, 2019; 1:00-3:00 pm; Free. Ages: 16+.
• Fish & Wildlife Kettle Pond Visitor Center, 50 Bend Rd, Charlestown, RI; March 10, 2019; 1:00-3:00 pm; Program Free. Ages: 16+

---

Past Events - February

Tracking Animals at Caratunk
Audubon Caratunk Wildlife Refuge, Seekonk MA
February 2, 2019; 11:00 am – 12:30 pm

Discover the tracks that animals leave behind! Begin in the barn and learn about tracks and see some examples close-up. Then head out on the trails to find some signs that animals have left behind. Hikers should dress appropriately and wear boots. Participants must be age 12 or older. Some parts of the trail are rocky and uneven.

Caratunk Wildlife Refuge, 301 Brown Avenue, Seekonk, MA; Fee: $10/member adult, $5/member child; $14/non-member adult, $7/non-member child. Ages: 12+. Register here.

Citizens Bank Free Family Fun Day
Owl Valentine
Audubon Nature Center and Aquarium, Bristol, RI
February 2, 2019; 9:00 am – 5:00 pm

Thanks to the Citizens Bank, the Audubon Nature Center and Aquarium is open free to the public the first Saturday of every month. Join us for crafts, nature stories, animal discoveries, hikes and more. No registration required.

10:00 am - 2:00 pm: Owl Valentine Craft table
10:00 am - 2:00 pm: Spot the Owl. Can you spot 10 owls in our exhibit hall? Spot them all and receive a prize to take home.
10:30 am & 2:30 pm: Owl Nature Story
11:30 am: Meet an Owl
1:30 pm: Nature Valentine: Use tree “cookies,” shortening, and bird seed to make special valentines for the feathered and furry friends in your backyard.

Audubon Nature Center and Aquarium, 1401 Hope Street, Bristol, RI; Free. Ages: All. No need to register.

Felted Bird Houses
Audubon Nature Center and Aquarium, Bristol, RI
February 2 & 9, 2019; 2:00 – 4:00 pm

Create your own beautiful birdhouse using colorful wool in this two-session class. Participants will join Audubon educator and fiber artist Tala Wunderler-Selby to learn the traditional art of wet felting, using sheep’s wool, water, soap, and a little elbow grease. Design your birdhouse in a rainbow of colors or in natural hues, and then create a three-dimensional vessel. Hang your house outdoors or place it inside for a unique decoration.

Audubon Nature Center and Aquarium, 1401 Hope Street, Bristol, RI; Fee: $60/member; $65/non-member. Ages: Adult. Register here.

Basics of Wire Wrapping Jewelry
Audubon Nature Center and Aquarium, Bristol, RI
February 3, 2019; 1:00 – 2:30 pm

Have you ever come across a pretty rock and wanted to turn it into jewelry? Come to Audubon and make your own wire-wrapped jewelry pieces. This class will focus on the basics of wire wrapping including the tools you need, what types of objects to use, and how to size pieces properly for a project. Materials will be supplied, but participants may bring their own if desired. The class will focus on necklaces and dangling earrings. Advance registration is required as space is limited.

Audubon Nature Center and Aquarium, 1401 Hope Street, Bristol, RI; Fee: $12/member, $15/non-member. Ages: Adult. Register here.

Naked Tree I.D.
Audubon Powder Mill Ledges Wildlife Refuge, Smithfield, RI
February 9, 2019; 10:00 am – 12:00 pm

Okay, now that I have your attention…come and learn to identify some common trees when they are 'buck nekkid' in winter. Discuss branching patterns, bark and buds, all to help us determine deciduous species. Evergreen species will be discussed as well.

Powder Mill Ledges Wildlife Refuge, 12 Sanderson Road, Smithfield, RI; Fee: $10/member; $14/non-member. Ages: Adult. Register here.

See the Stars at Caratunk
Audubon Caratunk Wildlife Refuge, Seekonk MA
February 10, 2019; 6:00 – 8:00 pm

Learn about the winter constellations at Caratunk and then head outdoors to view the moon, the Orion Nebula and more. Francine Jackson, Staff Astronomer at Brown University will lead this evening program. There will be a couple of telescopes available, but feel free to bring your own. Please dress appropriately the weather. Hot drinks and light snacks will be provided.

Caratunk Wildlife Refuge, 301 Brown Avenue, Seekonk, MA; Program Fee: $10/member adult, $5/member child; $14/non-member adult, $7/non-member child. Ages: 8+. Register here.