Bees, Butterflies, Birds…And Some Giant Whales!
June 2019 Highlights from the Audubon Society of Rhode Island
Swallow-Tail-on-sweet-pepper-bush-by-Jennifer-Hill
Start your summer off right – in the great outdoors! Join Audubon to search for birds on the water, explore a pollinator garden, and get up-close with some giants of the sea. It’s a busy time at Audubon – come join the fun in June.
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.
Citizens Bank Free Family Fun Day
Audubon Nature Center and Aquarium, Bristol, RI
June 1, 2019; 9:00 am – 5:00 pm
Thanks to 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 need to register!
June 1, 2019: Oceans
10:00 am – 2:00 pm: Nature Craft table
10:30 am and 2:30 pm: Nature Story
11:00 am: Shore Hike: Take a guided walk to the seashore, and use nets and buckets to look for sea life. Wear sturdy shoes that can get wet, bring sunscreen and a water bottle.
1:30 pm: Animal Interview: Tide Pool Critters
Family Fun Activities: 10:00 am – 2:30 pm
Exhibit Hall: 9:00 am – 5:00 pm
Trails and Pollinator Garden: Dawn to Dusk
Audubon Nature Center and Aquarium, 1401 Hope Street, Bristol, RI; Free. Ages: All.
FREE Wednesday Morning Bird Walks
Locations Across the State
June 5, 12, 19, 26, 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 the Audubon website (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+.
Birds and Boats: Kayak Paddle
Westerly, RI
June 6, 2019; 10:00 am – 3:00 pm
Join expert guides from the Audubon Society of Rhode Island and the Wood-Pawcatuck Water Association for a guided kayak tour of the beautiful Pawcatuck River. Travel 7.5 miles down river in search of songbirds, Osprey and herons. Boats and gear are provided. Please bring lunch, snacks, water, sunscreen, binoculars and bug screen. This program is limited to 8 participants; advance registration is required. Rain date is June 7, 2019.
Departs from DEM Boating Ramp, Post Office Lane, Westerly, RI; Fee: $100/person. Ages: 11 and up. Register at wpwa.org/events.php
Whales on the Lawn Festival
Audubon Nature Center and Aquarium, Bristol, RI
June 8, 2019; 11:00 am – 3:00 pm
Have you ever been up-close with a HUGE life-sized whale? Join the Audubon Society of Rhode Island, New Bedford Whaling Museum, and Whale and Dolphin Conservation for World Oceans Day! Get up close and personal with these giants of the sea. Three life-sized inflatable whales will be on display, ranging from 43 to 65 feet in length. Bring the kids for games, crafts, a whale scavenger hunt and other family activities. The art exhibit “Ghost Whales” by artist Kristian Brevik will also open.
A donation of $5.00 per person is suggested and will be shared among the participating organizations to assist in conservation efforts of local whale species.
Audubon Nature Center and Aquarium, 1401 Hope Street, Bristol, RI; June 8, 2019; 11:00 am-3:00 pm; Ages: All.
Entangled: Ghost Whales
Artwork by Kristian Brevik
Audubon Nature Center and Aquarium, Bristol, RI
June 8 – August 10, 2019; 9:00 am – 5:00 pm
The North Atlantic Right Whale has been critically endangered for years. Artist Kristian Brevik explores the relationship of humans to whales through unique art sculptures. The skeletons of the whales, revealed in lighted sculptures, bring a heavier gravity to the effects of human activity on these creatures. Meet the artist on Saturday June 8, 2019 from 11:00 am to 3:00 pm.
Audubon Nature Center and Aquarium, 1401 Hope Street, Bristol, RI; Free with Admission. Ages: All.
Sea Glass Jewelry 201
Audubon Nature Center and Aquarium, Bristol, RI
June 8, 2019; 11:00 am – 12:30 pm
Have you worked with sea glass at Audubon before? Come back for this advanced class to learn the next level of wire wrapping techniques. Program includes all materials to make one sea glass pendant.
Audubon Nature Center and Aquarium, 1401 Hope Street, Bristol, RI; June 8, 2019; 11:00 am-12:30 pm; Program Fee: $20/member; $25/non-member. Ages: Adult. Register through the events calendar at www.asri.org.
Walk on the Wild Side
Caratunk Wildife Refuge, Seekonk, MA
June 9, 2019; 1:00 – 3:00 pm
Take a guided tour of the Caratunk Wildlife Refuge and learn about its history and wildlife, from rolling barns to river otters. Please dress appropriately, bring binoculars and water.
Caratunk Wildlife Refuge, 301 Brown Avenue, Seekonk, MA; Fee: $8/Members, $10/non-Members. Ages: 12 and up. Register through the events calendar at www.asri.org.
Basics of Wire-wrapping Jewelry
Audubon Nature Center and Aquarium, Bristol, RI
June 9, 2019; 10:30 am – 12:00 pm
Have you come across a pretty rock on the beach and wanted to turn it into jewelry? Come learn the basics of wire-wrapping, including what types of objects work best, tools to use, and how to size pieces properly. Participants may bring rocks and minerals to wrap if they wish, but all materials will be provided to make necklaces and dangly earrings.
Audubon Nature Center and Aquarium, 1401 Hope Street, Bristol, RI; Fee: $12/member, $15/non-member. Ages: Adult. Register through the events calendar at www.asri.org.
Protecting Pollinators
Audubon Powder Mill Ledges Wildlife Refuge, Smithfield, RI
June 12, 2019; 6:30 – 8:00 pm
The pollinators of the world are losing ground at an alarming rate. Take a look at what you can do on your property to encourage and help pollinators. The workshop will cover food, nesting, and sheltering needs of pollinators as well as simple changes you can make to your gardens, maintenance schedule and use of pesticides.
Powder Mill Ledges Wildlife Refuge, 12 Sanderson Road, Smithfield, RI; Fee: $10/member; $14/non-member. Ages: Adult. Register through the events calendar at www.asri.org.
Twilight River Cruise Aboard the Explorer
East Providence, RI
June 14, 2019; 7:00 – 8:00 pm
Join an Audubon naturalist aboard the Blackstone Valley’s Explorer for a relaxing evening cruise along the beautiful and historic Blackstone River. Sit back and gaze out over the river and watch for birds and other wildlife. The Explorer is a covered boat and will go out rain or shine. Co-sponsored with the Blackstone Valley Tourism Council.
Departs from Al’s Waterfront Restaurant, 28 Water Street, East Providence, RI; Fee: $12/member; $15/ non-member. Ages: 7 and up. Register through the events calendar at www.asri.org.
Birding Connecticut Hot Spots with Audubon
June 20, 2019; 7:30 am – 5:00 pm
Join Audubon and explore a large diversity of habitats in nearby Connecticut — forest roads, open fields, a fish hatchery, ponds, and more. How many species can be found? Last year Cerulean Warblers and Sedge Wrens were spotted. Audubon volunteer Don Heitzmann will lead a day of birding and exploration. Bring lunch, water, snacks and binoculars. Trip will be cancelled in case of bad weather.
Departs from Powder Mill Ledges Wildlife Refuge, 12 Sanderson Road, Smithfield, RI; Fee: $50/member; $60/non-member. Ages: Teen to Adult. Register online through the events calendar at www.asri.org.
Explore the Estuary for Kids!
Two Dates Offered
June 20, August 20, 2019; 1:30 – 6:30 pm
Bring the kids along to explore the amazing diversity of the estuary, from tidal creeks and salt marshes to the rocky shoreline! Kids will use different nets and search for fish, crabs and shrimp in the shallow waters of Prudence Island. Walk the shoreline to see what the tide has left behind and watch the ospreys and egrets hunt for food. This is a great family program!
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: 7 and up. For more information and to register for Prudence Island trips, visit the events calendar at www.asri.org.
Introduction to Tree I.D.
Audubon Powder Mill Ledges Wildlife Refuge, Smithfield, RI
June 22, 2019; 10:00 am – 12:00 pm
Come learn to recognize major families of trees and shrubs as well as a number of common species in the wild and home landscape. Invasive species and good choices of plantings to attract wildlife will also be discussed. The workshop will both indoors and out, so dress for the weather and wear sturdy shoes.
Powder Mill Ledges Wildlife Refuge, 12 Sanderson Road, Smithfield, RI; Fee: $10/member; $14/non-member. Ages: Adult. Register through the events calendar at www.asri.org.
Planting for Pollinators and a Healthy Garden: Garden Walk and Talk
Audubon Nature Center and Aquarium, Bristol, MA
June 22, 2019; 10:00 – 11:00 am
Why do our gardens need pollinators? Join Master Gardeners Kathy Jenal and Terry Meyer to discover what you can do in your backyard to support pollinators and grow beautiful, healthy plants. Tour the Audubon Nature Center and Aquarium’s new pollinator garden to gather ideas and watch pollinators at work. Registration is required.
Audubon Nature Center and Aquarium, 1401 Hope Street, Bristol, RI; Fee: $8/member, $10/non-member. Ages: Adult. Register through the events calendar at www.asri.org.
Family Twilight Hike with Audubon
Fort Wildife Refuge, North Smithfield, RI
June 27, 2019; 7:00 – 9:00 pm
Find out why Audubon naturalists enjoy evenings on the trails! Join a guided night hike and listen for animal sounds, test your night vision and discover what is happening in nature when the sun goes down. Wear sturdy shoes, bring a flashlight and dress for the cool night air.
Fort Nature Refuge, (Rt. 5), 1443 Providence Pike, North Smithfield, RI; Fee: $10/member adult, $5/member child; $14/non-member adult, $7/non-member child. Ages: 9 and up. Register through the events calendar at www.asri.org.
Butterfly Count on Prudence Island
Two Dates Offered
June 27, August 6, 2019; 1:30 – 6:30 pm
Spend the day on Prudence Island identifying and counting as many butterfly species as possible in an effort to track populations and abundance on the Island. This is a great way to see Prudence Island as well as the diversity of habitats, flora, and fauna present.
Narragansett Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve, Prudence Island, RIFee: $8/member adult, $4/member child; $12/non-member adult, $8/non-member child. Ages: 10 and up. For more information and to register for Prudence Island trip, visit the events calendar at www.asri.org.
Bats at Eppley
Audubon Marion Eppley Wildlife Refuge, West Kingston, RI
June 28, 2019; 7:00 – 9:00 pm
Join us for a rare treat to visit the Audubon Marion Eppley Refuge at night. Begin indoors with a presentation about bats and then venture out in search of these plentiful winged creatures. Bring a flashlight and insect repellent and dress for a cool night.
Marion Eppley Wildlife Refuge, Dugway Bridge Road, West Kingston, RI; Fee: $10/member; $14/non-member. Ages: 9 and up. Register through the events calendar at www.asri.org.
Bird Banding with Audubon
Three Dates Offered
Audubon Nature Center and Aquarium, Bristol, RI
June 29, July 20, August 17, 2019; 9:30 – 11:30 am
Join Audubon for a bird banding demonstration in which experts capture, band, measure and release songbirds in order to gather data on their movements. Birds will be gently removed from tall “mist nets” set in Audubon’s shrubby habitats. The techniques of identifying, measuring, weighing, and banding the birds will be demonstrated before they are released. The migratory habits and life history of each captured species will be discussed.
Audubon Nature Center and Aquarium, 1401 Hope Street, Bristol, RI; Fee: $8/member adult, $4/member child; $12/non-member adult, $6/non-member child. Ages: 6 and up. Register through the events calendar at www.asri.org.
StoryWalk®
Audubon Nature Center and Aquarium, Bristol, RI
Exhibit Opening: June 29, 2019; 1:00 – 3:00 pm
StoryWalk® Runs June 29 – July 14, 2019
Come stroll through an outdoor story at Audubon! Laminated pages from the children’s book Underground by Denise Fleming are installed along an outdoor path. As visitors walk the trail, they are directed to the next page in the story. With bold illustrations and brief text, this story is ideal for toddlers and preschoolers but can be enjoyed by all ages. A great read-aloud for a summer day! Join the opening celebration on Saturday June 29, 2019 from 1:00 to 3:00 pm with a scavenger hunt and craft table.
The Rogers Free Library in Bristol presents this StoryWalk® in partnership with the Audubon Society of Rhode Island. The StoryWalk® Project was created by Anne Ferguson of Montpelier, VT and developed in collaboration with the Kellogg-Hubbard Library. The Friends of the Rogers Free Library have provided grant funding for this project.
Audubon Nature Center and Aquarium, 1401 Hope Street, Bristol, RI; June 29 – July 14, 2019; Free with Admission. Ages: All