Spring is Nature’s Invitation to Get Outside and Explore!
May 2025 Highlights from the Audubon Society of Rhode Island
(April 3, 2025) – Celebrate Mom with a nature hike and mimosa, grab a friend and hit the trails for FREE May birding walks, or pick up a paintbrush at the new Maxwell Mays Art Studio. It’s time to get out with Audubon and look for signs of spring on the wildlife refuges!
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.
Go Birding With the Best!
May Bird Walks; Red-eyed Vireo by Jason Major.
Audubon Offers 35 FREE Birds Walks in May
Locations Across Rhode Island
May brings the best birding of the year, so grab your binoculars and search for spring migrants with an expert on a FREE May birding walk. Learn about local species and the habitats they depend on. May is the perfect time to get outside, enjoy the warmer weather, and learn more about our feathered friends! All free birding walks require advance registration – visit the events calendar at asri.org/calendar.
Open Art Studio on Thursday: Walk & Work
Audubon Maxwell Mays Wildlife Refuge, Coventry, RI
May 1, 8, 15, 22, 29, 2025; 4:30-8:00pm
Enjoy a short nature walk and share your work with other artists. Meet weekly every Thursday afternoon to enjoy an open studio and end the session with lively conversation and sharing of ideas.
Maxwell Mays Wildlife Refuge, 2082 Victory Highway, Coventry, RI; Every Thursday from May 1 thru October 23, 2025; Fee per session: $30/member, $40/non-member. Ages: Teen to Adult. Register online through the events calendar at asri.org/calendar.
Art Exhibit by JooHee Yoon: Illustrated Birds of Rhode Island
Audubon Nature Center and Aquarium, Bristol, RI
May 3-June 30, 2025; 9:30am-4:30pm
Artist Talk and Opening Reception: May 3, 2025
Providence illustrator JooHee Yoon shares a glimpse into her artistic process, celebrating the many feathered creatures that can be found in the Ocean State. Featuring a chronicle of birding during the past year that resulted in an illustrated bird guide, this exhibition showcases how the book was made, tracing the steps from ideation to print production. The art on display will include finished illustrations, sketches, bird photos taken by the artist, and samples of the spreads from the finished book, highlighting the spot printing method.
Yoon’s work is often featured in periodicals such as The New York Times, and has appeared in picture books, posters and textiles. Much of her process is informed by experimentation with traditional printmaking techniques. She has taught at RISD along with giving workshops and lectures at other universities
May 3, 2025; Artist Talk: 2:00-3:00pm, Reception 3:00-4:00pm.
The artist’s illustrated bird guide “Birds of Rhode Island” will be available for purchase.
Audubon Nature Center and Aquarium, 1401 Hope Street, Bristol, RI; May 3-June 30, 2025; 9:30am-4:30pm; Free with admission. Ages: All.
Early Morning Bird Walk: Spring Ephemerals and Breakfast
Audubon Maxwell Mays Wildlife Refuge, Coventry, RI
May 3, 2025; 8:00am-12:00pm
Start the morning off with an early bird walk to hear spring warblers, orioles, vireos and more in the upland forest. Search for early spring flowers called ephemerals. Following the walk enjoy a scrumptious fireside breakfast at the lakeside cabin, then head back out onto the trail to do a little more birding. Please bring your binoculars and dress for the weather.
Maxwell Mays Wildlife Refuge, 2082 Victory Highway, Coventry, RI; Fee: $25/member; $30/non-member. Ages: 14 and up. Register online through the events calendar at asri.org/calendar.
Saturday ‘Bagels & Brushes’
Open Studio & Plein Air Painting on the Refuge
Audubon Maxwell Mays Wildlife Refuge, Coventry, RI
May 3, 2025; 9:00am-1:30pm
It’s open Studio! Bring your artwork on Saturdays to share and work in the Maxwell Mays Art Studio space or outdoors En Plein Air. Bagels and morning coffee and tea provided. Meet in the parking lot at 9:00am.
Maxwell Mays Wildlife Refuge, 2082 Victory Highway, Coventry, RI; Every Saturday from April 12-October 18, 2025; Fee per session: $30/member, $40/non-member. Ages: Teen to Adult. Register online through the events calendar at asri.org/calendar.
Wednesday Walk and Watercolor: Four Class Series
Audubon Maxwell Mays Wildlife Refuge, Coventry, RI
May 7, 14, 21, 28, 2025; 9:00am-1:00pm
Come to the Maxwell Mays Art Studio for walks and watercolor painting. A new watercolor technique will be explored each week and put into practice with a seasonal theme. At end of each class a matted 8″x10″ painting will be ready for you to take home and frame. Beginners welcome, all materials and morning coffee/tea provided. Meet at the parking lot.
Maxwell Mays Wildlife Refuge, 2082 Victory Highway, Coventry, RI; Fee for four-week session: $120/member, $130/non-member. Ages: Teen to Adult. Register online through the events calendar at asri.org/calendar.
History and Ecology of Native Indigenous Plants
Audubon Maxwell Mays Wildlife Refuge, Coventry, RI
May 7, 2025; 4:00-5:00pm
Join an exploration of indigenous plants, learn the value of traditional ecological knowledge, and hear the stories that connect us to the gifts of our ecology with Silvermoon LaRose of the Tomaquag Museum. Please wear comfortable and sturdy walking shoes or boots. The trails can be muddy in the spring. Bring a hat, sunblock, and water bottle.
Maxwell Mays Wildlife Refuge, 2082 Victory Highway, Coventry, RI; Fee: $10 member adult/$5 member child; $14/non-member adult, $7/non-member child. Ages: 8 and up. Register online through the events calendar at asri.org/calendar.
New! Mimosas & Mother Nature: A Mother’s Day Hike
Audubon Nature Center and Aquarium, Bristol, RI
May 10, 2025; 10:00-11:30am
Celebrate Mother’s Day in nature with a relaxing hike and a refreshing mimosa! Join us at the Audubon Nature Center and Aquarium for a scenic walk through beautiful trails, and explore the wonders of spring. Along the way, we’ll highlight local plants, wildlife, and the vibrant beauty of the season. After your hike, enjoy a well-deserved mimosa (or two!) in a serene setting while soaking in the views. It’s the perfect way to show Mom just how special she is—through nature, relaxation, and a little bubbly!
Audubon Nature Center and Aquarium, 1401 Hope Street, Bristol, RI; Fee: $30/member adult, $35/non-member adult, Ages 21and up. Register online through the events calendar at asri.org/calendar.
Two Part Full Moon Hike
Audubon Caratunk Wildlife Refuge, Seekonk, MA
Join Audubon to see and hear what various habitats offer under bright moon light. Enjoy evening hikes with an expert naturalist in May and June to compare the same landscape and discover the changes, new foliage growth, and sounds that a month can bring.
Part One: May 12, 2025; 8:00-9:30pm
Part Two: June 11, 2025; 8:30-10:00 pm
Caratunk Wildlife Refuge, 301 Brown Avenue, Seekonk, MA; Fee for two evening hikes: $20/member; $25/non-member adult. Ages: 12 and up. Register online through the events calendar at asri.org/calendar.
Horseshoe Crab Expedition at Gaspee Point
Gaspee Point, Warwick, RI
May 15, 2025; 8:00-9:30pm
Join Audubon on a full-moon night for a unique experience to learn about the fascinating anatomy and life history of horseshoe crabs and their important role in coastal ecosystems. Start the expedition with a short introduction and then spend the rest of the time walking along the beach in search of these captivating critters! Parking details will sent to registered participants.
Gaspee Point Warwick, RI; Fee: $10/member; $14/non-member. Ages: 10 and up. For additional details and to register, visit the events calendar at asri.org/calendar.
Spring Birding on Prudence Island
Prudence Island, RI
May 15, 2025; 7:30am-3:00pm
Spring bird migration will be in full swing by mid-May, and Prudence Island is a wonderful place to see a wide variety of species thanks to the diversity of habitats. Come explore forest edges, marshes, meadows and anywhere else the birding looks good.
Narragansett Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve, Prudence Island, RI; Fee: $12/member, $14/non-member. Ages: Teen to Adult. For additional details on Prudence Island trips and to register, visit asri.org/calendar.
Meadow Birds and Mimosas
Audubon Caratunk Wildlife Refuge, Seekonk, MA
Two Dates Offered: May 17 and July 12, 2025; 10:00-11:30am
What are those tall structures that have been erected in the meadows at Caratunk? Join an Audubon naturalist and learn all about these structures, their uses and how they support bird populations – all while enjoying a morning mimosa! Then hike out to observe these structures in use and leave with information on how you can create similar homes for species like Purple Martins, Chimney Swifts, and Eastern Bluebirds.
Caratunk Wildlife Refuge, 301 Brown Avenue, Seekonk, MA; Fee: $20/member; $25/non-member. Ages: 21 and up. Register online through the events calendar at asri.org/calendar.
Horseshoe Crab Expedition at the McIntosh Wildlife Refuge
Audubon Nature Center and Aquarium, Bristol, RI
May 17, 2025; 12:00-1:30pm
Join Audubon for a unique experience to learn about the fascinating anatomy and life history of horseshoe crabs and their important role in coastal ecosystems. Start the expedition with a short introduction and then walk along the beach in search of these captivating critters and the shorebirds that feast on their eggs.
Audubon Nature Center and Aquarium, 1401 Hope Street, Bristol, RI; Fee: $10/member; $14/non-member. Ages: 10 and up. Register online through the events calendar at asri.org/calendar.
Yoga at Audubon
Audubon Nature Center and Aquarium, Bristol, RI
May 18, June 22, 2025; 9:00-10:00am
Experience the joy and benefits of practicing yoga while connecting with nature. Led by certified yoga instructor Joanne DeCataldo, this class is designed for people of all skill levels and abilities. Proceeds support Audubon scholarships, education programs, and animal care.
Audubon Nature Center and Aquarium, 1401 Hope Street, Bristol, RI; Fee: $15/member; $20/non-member. Ages: Teen to Adult. For details and to register, visit the events calendar at asri.org/calendar.
Turtle Time: A Family Celebration of World Turtle Day
Turtle Time on May 23; Eastern Painted Turtle courtesy Audubon society of Rhode Island
Audubon Nature Center and Aquarium, Bristol, RI
May 23, 2025; 6:30-7:30pm
Celebrate World Turtle Day with your family on May 23 at the Audubon Nature Center and Aquarium! Meet a variety of turtles up close and personal—touching, learning, and even snapping a picture with them! Discover the secrets of different turtle species, their unique habits, and how they contribute to our ecosystems.
From box turtles to aquatic turtles, you’ll have the chance to interact with them and ask all your turtle questions. It’s a fun, interactive evening of education and exploration—perfect for nature-loving families.
Audubon Nature Center and Aquarium, 1401 Hope Street, Bristol, RI; Fee: $10/member adult, $5/member child; $14/non-member adult, $7/non-member child. Ages: 6 and up. Register online through the events calendar at asri.org/calendar.
Fourth Fridays: The Fresh Palette
Monthly Watercolor Class
Audubon Maxwell Mays Wildlife Refuge, Coventry, RI
May 23, 2025; 7:00-9:30pm
Enjoy the company of a small group in the quiet respite of the Maxwell Mays Art Studio. Create an original 11”x14” seasonal matted watercolor. Beginners welcome; all supplies included. Meet in the parking lot.
Maxwell Mays Wildlife Refuge, 2082 Victory Highway, Coventry, RI; Fee per session: $55/member, $65/non-member. Ages: Teen to Adult. Register online through the events calendar at asri.org/calendar.