Discover Wildlife in Winter
January 2025 Program Highlights from the Audubon Society of Rhode Island
(November 25, 2024) – Pull on your warm mittens and hat to search for owls on the frosty evening trails. Head to the shore with an expert and learn how to identify winter waterfowl or bring the kids and discover cool facts about feathers and how birds stay warm in winter. Get off the couch and head out with Audubon this winter!
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/calendar.
Free Family Fun Day – Feather Investigation!
Audubon Nature Center and Aquarium, Bristol, RI
January 4, 2025; 10:00 am – 3:00 pm
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. No need to register!
10:00 am – 3:00 pm: Craft Table
10:00 am – Nature Story
11:00 am and 2:30 pm – Animal Interview
1:00 pm – Feather Investigation! Discover how birds stay warm in the winter, blend in with their habitat, and fly through the sky. Investigate different types of feathers and bird biofacts.
Audubon Nature Center and Aquarium, 1401 Hope Street, Bristol, RI; Free. Ages: All.
Audubon Wednesday Morning Bird Walks
Locations Across Rhode Island
January 8, 15, 17, 22, 29, 2025
Audubon offers small-group Wednesday Morning Bird Walks with naturalist Laura Carberry. Each week a new birding destination will be chosen. Advance registration is required. Location will be sent to registered participants in advance.
Locations determined weekly; Every Wednesday through June 2025; 9:00-11:00 am; Fee: $5/member, $10/non-member. Ages: 14+. Register online through the events calendar at asri.org/calendar.
Li’l Peeps
Audubon Nature Center and Aquarium, Bristol, RI
January 9, 16, 23, 30, February 6,13, 2025; 10:00-11:00 am
This popular program introduces children ages 18 months to 2 years to the delights of nature. Along with a nature lesson, activities may include nature walks, crafts, songs and stories. This is also a wonderful opportunity to make new friends with the other children and parents. Registration is required as space is limited and fills quickly. Adults must accompany children and there are no refunds for missed classes. In order to maintain an age-appropriate program we ask that older siblings not accompany the parent/child team.
Audubon Nature Center and Aquarium, 1401 Hope Street, Bristol, RI;; Fee: for six week series: $60/member child, $76/two member siblings; $65/non-member child, $82/two non-member siblings. Ages: 18 to 36 Months. Register online through the events calendar at asri.org/calendar.
Owl Prowl at Powder Mill Ledges
Powder Mill Ledges Wildlife Refuge, Smithfield, RI
January 10, 2025; 6:30-8:30 pm
Visit Powder Mill Ledges Refuge at night to search for owls! An Audubon naturalist will call for different species as you follow trails through the forest. While we never know if we’ll hear or see an owl, participants will learn a lot and have a great night hike. Please dress for the weather, wear sturdy walking shoes, and bring a flashlight. The hike will be cancelled in the event of inclement weather. Advance registration is required.
Powder Mill Ledges Wildlife Refuge, 12 Sanderson Road, Smithfield, RI; Fee: $15/member; $20/non-member. Ages: 10 and up. Register online through the events calendar at asri.org/calendar.
Seaweed Science in Narragansett Bay
Audubon Nature Center and Aquarium, Bristol, RI
January 11, 2025; 10:00 – 11:00 am
Uncover the mysteries of our local seaweeds and learn how important they are to marine life and our communities. Meet Rebecca Venezia, PhD graduate student from the University of Rhode Island, who is studying the long-term changes in habitat-forming seaweeds in Narragansett Bay from the 1960s to 2010s. Learn what seaweeds are present in the Bay, why they are so important, and the roles they play in the local community. All ages are welcome.
Audubon Nature Center and Aquarium, 1401 Hope Street, Bristol, RI; Free with admission. Ages: All.
Winter Beach Walk with Audubon
Moonstone Beach, South Kingstown, RI
January 12, 2025; 12:00-2:00 pm
Join naturalist Bob Kenney for a mid-afternoon winter walk along Moonstone Beach, without the summer crowds or closed piping plover nesting areas. The program is timed to the low tide, perfect for some leisurely beach combing and bird watching. Even though Moonstone is known as a “clothing optional” beach, the only option today is likely to be whether to wear three, four, or five layers. Bring your binoculars; there will be a spotting scope available. Expect to walk one or two miles in soft sand.
Advance registration is required.
Moonstone Beach Road, South Kingstown, RI; Fee: $15/member; $20/non-member. Ages: Teen to Adult. Register online through the events calendar at asri.org/calendar.
New! Audubon Field Naturalist Series
Go ahead, indulge your curiosity and delve into the complexities of the natural world!
Gain confidence in your knowledge of local habitats, plants, birds, pollinators, mammals and more. Explore seasonal topics in small-group workshops and field explorations with expert scientists and naturalists. Advance courses will be offered along with workshops for beginners. Start in January with a course on tracking, then look for new offerings in the months ahead. For ages 16 to adult. Register at asri.org/calendar
Wildlife Tracks & Signs
Three Session Course: Virtual and In-person
Audubon Powder Mill Ledges Wildlife Refuge, Smithfield, RI
January 15, February 8, March 29, 2025
Learn the art and science of interpreting wildlife tracks and signs. This three-part workshop is for both curious beginners to experienced naturalists who want to learn more and practice their skills. The classes will be spread over 3 months and include indoor and outside learning. Advance registration required, must sign up for all three sessions.
Powder Mill Ledges Wildlife Refuge, 12 Sanderson Road, Smithfield, RI; Ages: 16 to adult. For details and to register, visit asri.org/calendar.
Owl Prowl
Two Dates Offered
Caratunk Wildlife Refuge, Seekonk, MA
January 17, February 21, 2025; 6:30-8:30 pm
Come and walk the trails of Caratunk at night to look and listen for our resident owls. Learn about the behavior and biology that makes these raptors so mysterious. Please dress for the weather, wear sturdy shoes for hiking, and bring a flashlight. For families with children ages 10 and up. (The hike will be canceled in the event of inclement weather or icy trails)
Caratunk Wildlife Refuge, 301 Brown Avenue, Seekonk, MA; Fee: $15/member; $20/non-member Ages: 10 and up. Register online through the events calendar at asri.org/calendar.
Hoots and Hot Chocolate
Powder Mill Ledges Wildlife Refuge, Smithfield, RI
January 18, 2025; 3:00 – 4:30 pm
There are a number of amazing species of owls that live in New England. You might have one in your own back yard! Sample some hot cocoa and cookies while we take a pictorial look at our native owls, hear their calls, learn about their remarkable adaptations and meet a couple of live owls. For families with children ages 6 and up. Advance registration required.
Powder Mill Ledges Wildlife Refuge, 12 Sanderson Road, Smithfield, RI; Fee: $14/member adult; $7/member child; $18/non-member adult; $9/non-member child. Ages 6 and up. Register online through the events calendar at asri.org/calendar.
Sea Glass Jewelry Workshop
Audubon Nature Center and Aquarium, Bristol, RI
January 18, 2025; 1:00 – 2:30 pm
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! 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 online through the events calendar at asri.org/calendar.
Owling at Fisherville Brook
Fisherville Brook Wildlife Refuge, Exeter, RI
January 24, 2025; 7:00-9:00 pm
In a small group setting, spend time with one of Audubon’s live owls and review the adaptations that make 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 Saw-whet Owls. Pre-registration is a must; this program is limited to 12 participants. Meet in the nature center and bring a flashlight.
Fisherville Brook Wildlife Refuge, 99 Pardon Joslin Road, Exeter, RI Fee: $15/member; $20/non-member. Ages: 16 and up. Register online through the events calendar at asri.org/calendar.
Photos: Wood Ducks by Allen Schenck
Barred Owl by Peter Ryan