Bundle Up and Discover the Beauty of Nature in Winter…
It’s the Safest Place to Be!
February 2021 Highlights from the Audubon Society of Rhode Island
(January 5, 2020) – Join Audubon and search for animal tracks in the snow or owls in the evening. Virtual birding and natural history workshops are also offered with coordinating winter nature walks! Nature is simply beautiful in winter…and one of the safest places to be!
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 www.asri.org for safety guidelines and to register.
NEW! Audubon Virtual Birding Workshops with Coordinating Nature Walks
Audubon is offering online winter birding workshops with several sessions and convenient times. Learn from the experts safely at home, then join a nature walk that is designed to complement these workshops and follows COVID-19 safety guidelines. (Note that in-person nature walks are optional, and require additional registration and participation fee.)
Winter Ducks: A Virtual Workshop
February 2, 2020; 6:30 pm
Join Audubon birding expert Laura Carberry for an online workshop and learn how to identify ducks and other waterfowl in Rhode Island. Learn easy duck identification tips and discover some of the best places to find these beautiful winter residents. Consider joining “Ducks at Trustom Pond” field program on February 5, 2021, where Laura will lead a winter walk and help participants identify waterfowl in person. (Program listed below)
Fee: $10/Audubon society of Rhode Island members, $14/non-Members; Register through the events calendar at www.asri.org.
Ducks at Trustom Pond
Trustom Pond National Wildlife Refuge, South Kingstown, RI
February 5, 2021; 1:00 – 4:00 pm
Winter is the perfect season for ducks! Head to Trustom Pond National Wildlife Refuge for a winter walk to see how many duck species can be found. This walk will take place in the afternoon to get the sun at our backs for a perfect look. Dress warmly. Face masks and social distancing are required. Participants must bring their own masks.
Advance registration is required.
Trustom Pond National Wildlife Refuge, 1040 Matunuck Schoolhouse Road, South Kingstown, RI; Fee: $10/member; $14/non-member. Ages: 8 and up. Register through the events calendar at asri.org
It’s the Year of the Finch: A Virtual Workshop
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.
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.
White Barn Story Time: Good-Night Owl
Audubon Caratunk Wildlife Refuge, Seekonk, MA
February 4, 2021; 2:00-3:00 pm
Come to the big barn at Caratunk for special story time that focuses on nature! Enjoy Good-Night, Owl! by Pat Hutchins, a story about those who cannot sleep with all the noise the forest animals are making. After the story, families meet a live owl. 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: $8/member child; $12/non-member child. Ages: 3 and up.
Register through the events calendar at asri.org.
Citizens Bank Free Family Fun Day
Audubon Nature Center and Aquarium, Bristol, RI
February 6, 2021; 10:00 am – 3:00 pm
Thanks to Citizens Bank, the Nature Center and Aquarium is open free to the public the first Saturday of every month. Join us for nature stories, animal discoveries, hikes and more. Face masks and social distancing are required. Participants must bring their own masks. No need to register!
10:00 am – 3:00 pm: Scavenger Hunt
10:30 am and 2:30 pm: Nature Story
11:00 am: Refuge Hike (weather permitting)
1:30 pm: Animal Interview
Audubon Nature Center and Aquarium, 1401 Hope Street, Bristol, RI; Free. Ages: All.
Finding Animals: Tracks & Signs
Audubon Caratunk Wildlife Refuge, Seekonk, MA
February 7, 2021; 9:00-11:00 am
Join Audubon and learn about tracks and signs that animals leave behind. Face masks and social distancing are required. Participants must bring their own masks. Advance registration is required. This program is outside, so please dress for the weather and wear warm boots.
Caratunk Wildlife Refuge, 301 Brown Avenue, Seekonk, MA; Fee: $10/member adult, $5/member child; $14/non-member adult, $7/non-member child. Ages: 7 and up. Register through the events calendar at asri.org.
Winter Birding at Fort Wildlife Refuge
Audubon Fort Wildlife Refuge, North Smithfield, RI
February 7, 2021; 12:00-2:00 pm
Walk the trails and visit the pond area at Fort Wildlife Refuge to look for signs of winter birds. Bundle up for the weather and wear sturdy, warm footwear. Face masks and social distancing are required. Participants must bring their own masks. Bring binoculars if you have them. Advance registration is required.
Fort Nature Refuge, (Rt. 5), 1443 Providence Pike, North Smithfield, RI; Fee: $10/member; $14/non-member. Ages: 10 and up. Register through the events calendar at asri.org.
Naked Tree I.D.
Audubon Powder Mill Ledges Wildlife Refuge, Smithfield, RI
February 13, 2021; 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 to help determine deciduous species and learn about evergreen species as well. 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: $10/member; $14/non-member. Ages: Adult. Register through the events calendar at asri.org.
Sea Glass for Kids
Audubon Nature Center and Aquarium, Bristol, RI
February 16, 2021; 2:00-3:00 pm
Our popular Sea Glass workshop is now available for kids! Come design and 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! Face masks and social distancing are required. Participants must bring their own masks. Advance registration is required. An adult must accompany the child.
Audubon Nature Center and Aquarium, 1401 Hope Street, Bristol, RI; Fee: $10/member child, $12/non-member child. Ages: 8 and up. Register through the events calendar at asri.org.
Ecology of a Woodpile
Audubon Caratunk Wildlife Refuge, Seekonk, MA
February 16, 2021; 1:00-2:30 pm
Explore the living communities below the woodpiles, fallen trees, dead leaves and rocks that operate like larger eco-systems. This outdoor program is appropriate for all ages, but participants should dress to explore outside in cold weather. 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: 7 and up. Register through the events calendar at asri.org.
Nests and Dens: Animal Homes
Audubon Caratunk Wildlife Refuge, Seekonk, MA
February 18, 2021; 11:00 am – 12:30 pm
Take a mid-morning hike to search for homes created by animals in the forest and field areas. The bare trees and winter wind-blown land often reveal the past season’s shelters and hidden havens. Search for bird and insect nests as well as dens of active animals. This outdoor program is appropriate for all ages, but participants should be prepared to explore outside in cold weather. Please dress warmly, wear sturdy shoes, and bring binoculars if you have them. 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: 7 and up. Register through the events calendar at asri.org.
Prowl for Owls at Caratunk!
Audubon Caratunk Wildlife Refuge, Seekonk, MA
February 21, 2021; 6:00-7:30 pm
This evening hike is always a hoot! Come walk the trails of Caratunk and look and listen for local owls. Learn about the species that can be found in New England. Please dress for the weather, wear sturdy boots and bring a flashlight. 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.
Snowshoeing by The Full Moon with Audubon
Audubon Fisherville Brook Wildlife Refuge, Exeter, RI
February 26, 2021; 6:30-8:30 pm
A white expanse of snow blanketing the forest, the moon creeping up through the pines, and the stars twinkling overhead. All set the scene for a guided full moon snowshoe walk at Fisherville Brook Wildlife Refuge. Participants must provide their own snowshoes – they can be rented from REI if needed. If there is no snow we will have a moonlit hike on the trails. Face masks and social distancing are required. Participants must bring their own masks. Advance registration is required.
Fisherville Brook Wildlife Refuge, 99 Pardon Joslin Road, Exeter, RI; Fee: $15/member; $20/non-member. Ages: Teen to Adult. Register through the events calendar at asri.org.
Owls and Ales with Audubon
Audubon Nature Center and Aquarium, Bristol, RI
February 27, 2021; 6:30 – 8:30 pm
Meet some of Audubon’s amazing owls in person! Come to the Audubon Nature Center and Aquarium for a presentation on these fascinating birds of prey, while enjoying locally brewed beers. Then take a guided walk through the refuge at night to look and listen for owls and other signs of animal life. Leave the kids at home – this program is just for adults! Come prepared to go outside on a chilly evening. 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: $30/member; $35/non-member. Ages: 21 and up. Register through the events calendar at asri.org.
Whooo Wants to Meet an Owl?
Audubon Caratunk Wildlife Refuge, Seekonk, MA
Meet and greet a live owl in the white barn and learn about the wild owls that make Caratunk their home. This is a great family program! 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; February 28, 2021; 1:00-3:00 pm; Fee: $15/member adult/child pair, $5/each additional child; $20/non-members adult/child pair, $7/each additional child. Ages: 7 and up. Register through the events calendar at asri.org.
Prudence Island
Private Adventure with Friends and Family
Spend the day safely exploring beautiful and charming Prudence Island with education staff from the Narragansett Bay Research Reserve. With over three-quarters of the island protected, and a variety of habitats to explore, there are endless options for an outdoor friends and family private adventure! The experience can be designed with your group’s interests and ages in mind. For more details and to schedule contact: Maureen Dewire, Maureen.Dewire@dem.ri.gov or
401-683-1478. Due to a limited availability, it is recommended to book this program well in advance. Ages: All.
Narragansett Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve, Prudence Island, RI; Fee*:
Half Day: $8/member adult, $5/member child; $10/non-member adult, $7/non-member child
Full Day: $12/member adult, $8/member child; $15/non-member adult, $10 non-member child
*Cost does not include round-trip ferry travel ($11/person ages 12-adult and $5/person for children).
12 Sanderson Road ~ Smithfield, RI 02917-2600 ~ Phone: (401) 949-5454 ~ Fax: (401) 949-5788 – www.asri.org email: audubon@asri.org