Audubon Offers over 30 Guided Birding Walks in May

Birding enthusiasts eagerly await the arrival of colorful songbirds each spring in the Ocean State. These Neotropical migrants include warblers, tanagers, vireos, and others that visit Rhode Island in the summer and head back south for the winter. “It is awe-inspiring that tiny, feathered jewels, like the Ruby-throated Hummingbird which weighs just 4 grams, can make their way from the subtropics to New England and back again every year,” says Lauren Parmelee, Audubon senior director of education. “It is a joy to experience spring migration, when we welcome so many birds back to Southern New England.”

Each year approximately 25 species of warblers can be regularly spotted in Rhode Island, but that number rises if you are lucky enough to observe uncommon or rare species. The Ocean State is not only a summer home to many colorful warblers, but our area also serves as a stopover for several species that are making their way to northern forests. The greatest diversity of spring migrants usually peaks in mid-May, and that’s why many birding enthusiasts refer to this season as their favorite time of the year.

Audubon invites all Rhode Islanders to get out and discover the joy of birding! FREE birding walks are offered throughout the month of May at locations across the state. Novice birders are welcome. Just grab your binoculars, join an Audubon expert, and search for spring migrants on the trails!

Please register online through the Audubon events calendar. Programs are free, but advance registration is required so you can be contacted directly about cancellations.

Sundays
Caratunk Wildlife Refuge, 301 Brown Ave., Seekonk, MA.
May 5, 12, 19, 26, 2024; 7:30 – 9:30 am

Mondays
Emilie Reucker Wildlife Refuge, Seapowet Road, Tiverton, RI.
May 6, 20, 2024; 9:30 a.m. – 11:30 a.m.

Touisset Marsh Wildlife Refuge, Touisset Road, Warren, RI.
May 13, 2024; 9:30 a.m. – 11:30 a.m.

Tuesdays
Claire D. McIntosh Wildlife Refuge (Audubon Nature Center & Aquarium)
1401 Hope Street, Bristol, RI.
May 7, 14, 21, 28; 8:30 – 9:30 a.m

Wednesdays*
Locations are determined weekly. Locations will be confirmed with registered participants.
May 1, 8, 15, 22, 29 2024; 9:00-11:00 am.

Thursdays
Marion Eppley Wildlife Refuge, Dugway Bridge Road, West Kingston, RI.
May 2, 9, 16, 23, 30, 2024; 8:00-11:00 am.

Fridays
Fisherville Brook Wildlife Refuge, 99 Pardon Joslin Road, Exeter, RI.
May 3, 10, 17, 24, 31 2024; 8:30 – 10:30 am

Saturdays
Powder Mill Ledges Wildlife Refuge, 12 Sanderson Road, Smithfield, RI.
Wings By Sight: Birding for the Hard of Hearing Community (HH)
May 4, 2024; 9:00 a.m. - 11:00 a.m.

Caratunk Wildlife Refuge, 301 Brown Avenue, Seekonk, MA.
Wings By Sight: Birding for the Hard of Hearing Community (HH)
May 11, 2024; 9:00 a.m. - 11:00 a.m.

Powder Mill Ledges Wildlife Refuge, 12 Sanderson Road, Smithfield, RI.
May 18, 2024; 9:00-11:00 am.

Caratunk Wildlife Refuge, 301 Brown Avenue, Seekonk, MA .
May 25, 2024; 9:00-11:00 am.

Latest News and Events

December 19, 2024

Winter Wildlife Survival Strategies

While humans may take their cozy homes for granted when winter sets in, the strategies that wildlife have developed to cope with the plunging temperatures, biting wind and lack of food are as creative and innovative as they are necessary.

July 19, 2024

Audubon Avian Research Launches Study on Insect Diversity and Abundance

A bird’s food may be small but it plays a clear and critical role in species survival, not to mention habitat conservation and ecosystem balance, both important for wildlife and humans alike. This effort to create a “Bird Food Baseline” is part of the overall RI Audubon Avian Research Initiative.

June 14, 2024

From DDT to SGARs, Audubon Society of Rhode Island Advocates Against Pesticides

On June 14, 1972– 52 years ago today– the Environmental Protection Agency issued the final order banning all DDT products. Audubon Society of Rhode Island helped advocate for this ban: and our fight against dangerous pesticides continues today.