December 2020 Highlights from the Audubon Society of Rhode Island
(November 9, 2020) – Join the Audubon experts on a winter birding walk, search for owls on the evening trails, or bring the kids for a snowman adventure. Take a break from the holiday rush, get outside, and celebrate the natural world with your family this season!
Rhode Island COVID-19 safety guidelines will be followed for all programs. Small groups are led by Audubon naturalists. Family units are encouraged to participate together. Masks and social distancing are required. Participants must bring their own masks. Advance registration is required.
Visit the events calendar at
for safety guidelines and to register.
Audubon Private Birding and Natural History Tours
Get out in nature…it’s the safest place to be!
Let an Audubon guide take your group of up to four people on a private two-hour natural history or birdwatching tour in Southeastern New England. Tours will be designed with ages and interests in mind. Visit asri.org/private-nature-tours or contact Lauren Parmelee at lparmelee@ asri.org or call 401-949-5454 ext. 3111 for details and pricing.
Wednesday Morning Bird Walks
Locations Across Rhode Island
Audubon offers small-group Wednesday Morning Bird Walks with naturalist Laura Carberry. Each week a new birding destination will be chosen. Face masks and social distancing are required. Participants must bring their own masks. Advance registration is required. Location will be sent to registered participants in advance.
Locations determined weekly; Every Wednesday through June 2021; 9:00-11:00 am; Fee: $5/member, $10/non-member. Ages: 14+. Register through the events calendar at asri.org.
Bird Friendly Coffee Lecture
Audubon Nature Center and Aquarium, Bristol, RI
December 3, 2020; 7:00-8:00 pm
Come learn how your morning cup of coffee connects to the environment around you. Atmospheric chemist Julie Snow works with the Smithsonian Migratory Bird Center and a Philadelphia coffee roaster to spread awareness of the impacts of coffee on deforestation and its connection to loss of winter habitat for migrating birds, climate change, and environmental justice issues. Snow also runs a non-profit coffee company that she uses as an example of sustainable choice and how we can help mitigate these issues. Face masks and social distancing are required. Participants must bring their own masks. Advance registration is required.
Audubon Nature Center and Aquarium, 1401 Hope Street, Bristol, RI ; Fee: $5/member, $7/non-member. Ages: Adult. Register through the events calendar at asri.org.
White Barn Story Time: A Quiet Night
Audubon Caratunk Wildlife Refuge, Seekonk, MA
December 3, 2020; 2:00-3:00 pm
Come to the big white barn at Caratunk for special story time that focuses on nature! Listen to A Quiet Night by Marilyn Singer, a fun and silly participation story about nighttime critters that young children meet while camping. Families meet an owl after the story. Face masks and social distancing are required. Participants must bring their own masks. Advance registration is required.
Caratunk Wildlife Refuge, 301 Brown Avenue, Seekonk, MA; December 3, 2020; 2:00 -3:00 pm; Fee: $8/member child; $12/non-member child. Ages: 3 and up. Register through the events calendar at asri.org.
The Sensational Snowman Adventure
Audubon Nature Center and Aquarium, Bristol, RI
December 5, 2020; 10:00 am – 1:00 pm
Join Audubon for a morning of snowman fun! Bundle up and venture outdoors to find all ten of our sensational snowmen hidden on the trails. Prizes will be given to all participants and children will take home a special snowman craft kit.. Special snowman stories will be read at 10:30 am and 12:00 pm.
If it snows, try your hand with snow painting! Face masks and social distancing are required. Participants must bring their own masks. Activities are free with paid admission. No registration needed.
Audubon Nature Center and Aquarium, 1401 Hope Street, Bristol, RI; Free with admission. Age: all.
Family Fun Cooking for the Birds
Audubon Nature Center and Aquarium, Bristol, RI
December 5, 2020; 11:00 – 11:45 am
Become a “bird chef” and create unique and tasty dishes for the feathered friends in your backyard! This fun and easy activity puts pantry items to use and helps birds by provided extra food during the cold winter season. Face masks and social distancing are required. Participants must bring their own masks.
Please note that this activity is not recommended for participants with nut or seed allergies. Registration is required as class will be limited to 10 children.
Audubon Nature Center and Aquarium, 1401 Hope Street, Bristol, RI; Fee: $5/member child, $7/non-member child. Age: 5+. Register through the events calendar at asri.org.
Holiday Card Workshop
Audubon Caratunk Wildlife Refuge, Seekonk, MA
December 5, 2020; 2:00-4:00 pm
Everyone loves getting mail, especially beautiful cards during the holidays! Why not create hand-made cards for your friends and family this year to make their holidays extra special?
This workshop will offer three card designs using a variety of techniques. Participants will create two of each design. Join in, regardless of skill level, for a couple hours of creativity and laughs.
Come alone or bring a friend to de-stress, learn a new hobby, or re-kindle an old one. Face masks and social distancing are required.
Participants must bring their own masks. Advance registration is required.
Caratunk Wildlife Refuge, 301 Brown Avenue, Seekonk, MA; Fee: $15/member; $20/non-member. Ages: 10 and up. Register through the events calendar at asri.org.
Fairy Houses for Adults
Audubon Nature Center and Aquarium, Bristol, RI
December 5, 2020; 1:30 – 3:30 pm
Fairies aren’t just for kids! Use natural materials such as shells, seeds, moss, and stones to create an enchanting home for magical guests.
Fairy houses make a unique holiday or winter decoration and are great for a creative outlet.
Program includes all materials needed to complete your magical dwelling. Face masks and social distancing are required. Participants must bring their own masks. Advance registration is required.
Audubon Nature Center and Aquarium, 1401 Hope Street, Bristol, RI; Fee: $25/member; $30/non-member. Ages: 16 and up. Register through the events calendar at asri.org.
Owl Prowl at Fort Refuge
Two Dates Available
Audubon Fort Wildlife Refuge, North Smithfield, RI
December 6, 17, 2020; 7:00-9:00 pm
Visit Fort Refuge on a winter night to search for owls. An Audubon naturalist will call for different species as you walk through the forest. We never know if we’ll hear or see an owl, but participants will learn a lot and have a great night hike. Please dress for the weather, wear sturdy walking shoes and bring a flashlight. Face masks and social distancing are required. Participants must bring their own masks. Advance registration is required.
Fort Nature Refuge, (Rt. 5), 1443 Providence Pike, North Smithfield, RI; Fee: $10/member; $14/non-member. Ages: 12 and up. Register through the events calendar at asri.org.
Animal Nests and Dens at Fort Refuge
Audubon Fort Wildlife Refuge, North Smithfield, RI
December 10, 2020; 12:00 am – 2:00 pm
The change in the tree and skyline of late fall offer a new way for us to observe the forest and field landscapes. Join Audubon to look for signs of animal activity of seasons past. Search for bird and insect nests as well as dens of active animals. Bring binoculars if you have them. Face masks and social distancing are required. Participants must bring their own masks. Dress for the weather. Please note, there are no restrooms or indoor facilities at Fort Refuge. Advance registration is required.
Fort Nature Refuge, (Rt. 5), 1443 Providence Pike, North Smithfield, RI; Fee: $5/member child; $7/non-member child. Adults accompanying children are free. Ages: 3 and up. Register through the events calendar at asri.org.
The Winter Residents of Caratunk
Audubon Caratunk Wildlife Refuge, Seekonk, MA
December 10, 2020; 1:00-3:00 pm
Take a walk through the wildlife refuge and learn about the animals that call it home during the winter months. Where do they live, how do they stay warm and what do they eat? Questions like these will be answered as you spend a nice day hiking Caratunk. Wear sturdy shoes as the program will be outdoors. Face masks and social distancing are required. Participants must bring their own masks. Advance registration is required.
Caratunk Wildlife Refuge, 301 Brown Avenue, Seekonk, MA; Fee: $10/member adult, $5/member child; $14/non-member adult, $7/non-member child. Ages: 10 and up. Register through the events calendar at asri.org.
Owling at Fisherville Brook
Audubon Fisherville Brook Wildlife Refuge, Exeter, RI
December 11, 2020; 7:00 – 9:00 pm
In a small group setting, spend time with one of Audubon’s live owls and review what makes these birds so special. Then head out on the trails in search of these wild birds in their natural habitat. Fisherville is home to Barred Owls, Great Horned Owls and Screech Owls. Pre-registration is a must; this program is limited to 12 participants. Face masks and social distancing are required. Participants must bring their own masks. Meet in the nature center and bring a flashlight. Advance registration is required.
Fisherville Brook Wildlife Refuge, 99 Pardon Joslin Road, Exeter, RI; Fee: $15/member; $20/non-member. Ages: 16 and up. Register through the events calendar at asri.org.
Sea Glass Ornaments Workshop
Audubon Nature Center and Aquarium, Bristol, RI
December 12, 2020; 11:00 – 12:30 pm
Come design and create a beautiful ornament 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! This class fills quickly so don’t wait. Face masks and social distancing are required. Participants must bring their own masks. Advance registration is required as space is strictly limited to 10 participants.
Audubon Nature Center and Aquarium, 1401 Hope Street, Bristol, RI; Fee: $20/member; $25/non-member. Ages: Adult. Register through the events calendar at asri.org.
Wildlife Wreathmaking with Audubon
Audubon Powder Mill Ledges Wildlife Refuge
December 12, 2020; 10:00 am – 12:00 pm
Join Audubon to 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 our feathered friends to visit.
All items will dry nicely if you prefer to keep the wreath for purely decorative purposes.
Each participant will make one wreath.
All materials will be provided.
Participants may choose to bring their own needle nose pliers or wire snips. Face masks and social distancing are required. Participants must bring their own masks. Advance registration is required.
Powder Mill Ledges Wildlife Refuge, 12 Sanderson Road, Smithfield, RI; Fee: $40/member; $45/non-member. Ages: Teen to Adult. Register through the events calendar at asri.org.
Birds That Like Bark
Audubon Caratunk Wildlife Refuge, Seekonk, MA
December 12, 2020; 10:00 am -12:00 pm
Enjoy a December morning walk to search for birds that forage for food in the trees at Caratunk. We will focus on species that obtain their food from inside the bark of trees, obtaining much needed winter energy.
Dress warmly, bring binoculars and camera if you wish to try to photograph these delightful, resourceful birds. Face masks and social distancing are required. Participants must bring their own masks.
Advance registration is required.
Caratunk Wildlife Refuge, 301 Brown Avenue, Seekonk, MA; Fee: $10/member adult, $5/member child; $14/non-member adult, $7/non-member child. Ages: 10 and up. Register through the events calendar at asri.org.
Winter Tree ID
Audubon Caratunk Wildlife Refuge, Seekonk, MA
December 20, 2020; 1:00 -3:00 pm
Identifying trees in winter can be tricky. Come and learn how to identify some of the trees on the Caratunk Wildlife refuge while you enjoy a winter hike. Face masks and social distancing are required. Participants must bring their own masks. Advance registration is required.
Dress warmly and wear sturdy shoes as this is an outdoor program.
Caratunk Wildlife Refuge, 301 Brown Avenue, Seekonk, MA; Fee: $10/member adult, $5/member child; $14/non-member adult, $7/non-member child. Ages: 10 and up. Register through the events calendar at asri.org.
December School Vacation Week with Audubon
Audubon Nature Center and Aquarium, Bristol, RI
December 28 – 31, 2020; 10:00 am – 2:00 pm
Don’t know what to do with the family during the school vacation break? Audubon is the solution! Join us for winter fun for all ages.
Special programs and activities are available each day and are free with admission.
Register in advance for special programs, as space may be limited due to COVID-19 restrictions. Face masks and social distancing are required. Participants must bring their own masks.
Nature Stories will be offered each day at 10:30 a.m. and 2:30 pm, as well as an animal interview at 1:30 pm. Nature crafts will be available daily for children to take home.
The following special programs for children are available each day at 11:00 am. These programs are recommended for children ages 6+ and registration is encouraged, as space is limited.
Monday 28th: Surviving the Cold! – It’s cold out there! Join us Audubon and conduct some experiments to find out how animals survive the winter.
Tuesday 29th: Owl Pellet Dissection – Learn all about how owls hunt, then use simple and safe tools to take apart an owl pellet. Identify the bones inside and discover what your owl ate!
Wednesday 30th: Veggie Stamp Printing – Make some unique cards for any occasion using vegetable stamps.
Thursday 31st: Winter Nature Hike – Bundle up for an invigorating walk around Audubon’s beautiful refuge before ringing in the new year!
Audubon Nature Center and Aquarium, 1401 Hope Street, Bristol, RI; Free with admission. Age: all.
12 Sanderson Road ~ Smithfield, RI 02917-2600 ~ Phone: (401) 949-5454 ~ Fax: (401) 949-5788
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