Celebrate Nature This Season!
LONG-TAILED DUCK PHOTO ED HUGHES
December 2018 Highlights from the Audubon Society of Rhode Island
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(November 2, 2018) ??? Join the Audubon experts on a winter birding trip, search for owls on the evening trails, or create a festive wreath that entices your feathered friends. Take a break from the holiday rush and celebrate the natural world with your family this season!
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.
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Audubon Photos with Santa and Annual Tree Sale
Citizens Bank Free Family Fun Day
Audubon Nature Center and Aquarium, Bristol, RI
December 1, 2018; 9:00 am ??? 4:00 pm
Come to Audubon and pick a freshly cut tree from a local Rhode Island farm and have your child???s picture taken with Santa and Mrs. Claus. After the event, your picture can be posted in a special addition of the East Bay Newspapers. There will seasonal crafts and activities available. Admission is free.
Audubon Nature Center and Aquarium, 1401 Hope Street, Bristol, RI; Free. Ages: All.
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Audubon Holiday Craft Fair
Artisan Gifts with a Natural Flair
Audubon Powder Mill Ledges Wildlife Refuge, Smithfield, RI??
December 1, 2018; 10:00 am ??? 4:00 pm
With local vendors selling a variety of nature and wildlife related wares, you are sure to find perfect gifts for the nature enthusiasts on your list. Jewelry, children’s items, ornaments, stationery and other locally made treats are just a few items to choose from. The Audubon Nature Shop will also be featuring a variety of bird feeders, seed and field guides.
Powder Mill Ledges Wildlife Refuge, 12 Sanderson Road, Smithfield, RI; Free. Ages: All.
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Winter Birding Van Trip: Waterfowl and Seabirds at the Shore
Locations Across the State
December 1, 2018; 8:00 am ??? 4:00 pm
Join Audubon for a van trip to Rhode Island’s coastal habitats and ponds in search of winter waterfowl and seabirds. Stop at different birding hot spots to search for a variety of waterfowl including Barrow’s Golden-eye, Canvasback, Common Eider and more. We’ll be visiting beautiful coastal locations such as Trustom Pond, Point Judith, and Quonochontaug Pond. Please dress for the weather, bring a lunch and optics.
Departs from Fisherville Brook Wildlife Refuge, 99 Pardon Joslin Road, Exeter, RI; Fee: $50/member; $60/non-member. Ages: 16+. Register through the events calendar at www.asri.org.
Cocoa & Coffee at Caratunk
Audubon Caratunk Wildlife Refuge, Seekonk, MA
December 2, 2018; 1:00 ??? 3:00 pm
Bring the kids to the big white barn at Caratunk for come cocoa or??coffee, cookies and casual fun.??Visitors will??meet an animal, create a craft, sip some cocoa and take an easy hike.??Cocoa and crafts will be available from 1:00 – 3:00 pm, with an??animal interview at 2:00 pm. Dress for the weather.
Caratunk Wildlife Refuge, 301 Brown Avenue, Seekonk, MA; Fee: $8/member adult & child; $10/non-member adult & child; All additional children $4;??Ages: All. Register through the events calendar at www.asri.org.
FREE Wednesday Morning Bird Walks
Locations Across the State
December 5, 12, 19, 2018; 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 the Audubon website (ww.asri.org) or 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+.
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Owl Prowl at Eppley
Audubon Marion Eppley Wildlife Refuge, West Kingston, RI
December 6, 2018; 7:00-9:00 pm
Bundle up and join Audubon at the Marion Eppley Refuge on an early December night in search of owls. Start indoors in the Cook House to meet a live owl and then venture out with an Audubon guide who will call for different species as you travel through meadow and pine woods. While we never know if we’ll actually get to hear or see an owl, participants will be sure to learn a lot and have a great night hike.
Marion Eppley Wildlife Refuge, Dugway Bridge Road, West Kingston, RI; Fee: $10/member; $14/non-member. Ages: 14+. Register through the events calendar at www.asri.org.
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Sea Glass Jewelry Workshop
Audubon Nature Center and Aquarium, Bristol, RI
December 8, 2018; 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 into creative jewelry 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: $30/member; $35/non-member. Ages: Adult. Register online through the events calendar at www.asri.org.
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Seals, Birds and the History of Prudence Island
Prudence Island, RI
December 8, 2018; 9:45 am ??? 4:45 pm
Come to Prudence Island for an all-day adventure and exploration of this beautiful island. Make several stops to look for a variety of birds in protected ponds and coves. Grebes, eiders, mergansers and more may be seen. In the afternoon, shift gears and seek out the resident harbor seals, often visible close to shore on the island’s southern tip. Along the way, your guide will share with you the centuries-old history of human land use on Prudence Island.
Narragansett Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve, Prudence Island, RI; Fee: $10/member adult, $5/member child; $14/non-member adult, $7/non-member child. Ages: 10+. For more information on Prudence Island trips and to register, visit the events calendar at www.asri.org
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Sachuest Point Birding
Sachuest National Wildlife Refuge, Middletown, RI
December 9, 2018; 9:00 ??? 11:00 am
Take a break from holiday prep! Go birding with Audubon birding expert Lauren Parmelee at Sachuest Point to look for winter waterfowl. All birding levels welcome! Dress for the weather and bring binoculars if you have them.
Sachuest Point National Wildlife Refuge, 769 Sachuest Point Road, Middletown, RI; Program Fee: $10/member; $14/non-member. Ages: Teen to Adult. Register through the events calendar at www.asri.org.
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Woodlands Before Winter
Audubon Parker Woodland Wildlife Refuge, Coventry, RI
December 10, 2018; 9:30 am ??? 12:00 pm
Parker Woodland offers some of the best hiking in Rhode Island. Join Audubon Senior Director of Conservation Scott Ruhren on a hike up and down rolling hills in mature forests to see the seasons change into winter. This is a mostly hilly hike on established trails. Please dress for the weather and wear sturdy walking shoes.
Parker Woodland Wildlife Refuge, Maple Valley Road, Coventry, RI; Fee: $10/member; $14/non-member. Ages: 6+. Register through the events calendar at www.asri.org.
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Wreath Making for Wildlife
Audubon Powder Mill Ledges Wildlife Refuge, Seekonk, MA
December 15, 2018; 10:00 am ??? 12:00 pm
Make a winter wreath that is both beautiful and edible to birds and other wildlife. Using wire or straw wreath bases, add greens, dried flowers, seed heads, leaves, fruit and nuts to entice your feathered friends to visit. All items will dry nicely if you prefer to keep the wreath for decorative purposes. Each participant will make one wreath, materials will be provided. Participants may bring their own needle nose pliers or wire snips.
Powder Mill Ledges Wildlife Refuge, 12 Sanderson Road, Smithfield, RI; Program Fee: $30/member; $35/non-member. Ages: 14+. Register through the events calendar at www.asri.org.??