This walk is for kids and their parents or guardians. The Sanctuary offers a diverse habitat of trees, shrubs, ferns, wildflowers along with a variety of small animals and birds. It is located on the north side of the Harbor Hill terminal moraine, and has over 1800 feet of beach and bluff frontage, a northern hardwood forest, a kettlehole community, a woodland swamp, and an overgrown field. Among the vast array of trees is a tulip tree which is the tallest tree recorded on Long Island. The moist woodlands are dominated by a red maple canopy, while young alders, spicebush, and viburnums compose the understory. Today we will wander the woods and discuss the the forest ecosystem, the role geology plays in shaping local systems, and identify many of the plant and animal species we encounter along the way.

Directions: From NY 25A (North Country Road) turn right at the top of the hill west of Smithtown onto Edgewood Avenue; drive 1 mile and turn left onto Nissequogue River Road; drive 3 miles to the end and turn left onto Horse Race Lane; drive 0.5 of a mile to a grassy triangle with trees and turn left onto Boney Lane; drive 0.2 of a mile to the entrance on the right.

Leader: John Turner, call 516-695-0763 to register.

Sunday, September 12, 8:30 AM – Jamaica Bay Wildlife Refuge

Known internationally as a premier US birding spot. 

Directions: Take Southern State Pkwy to Cross Bay Blvd south, exit 17S, then head south.  After crossing the bridge, look for parking lot entrance on the right side 1.25 miles from the bridge.  Turn right at the traffic light, meet in the parking lot.

Leader: Sharon Brody (516-433-5590).

Sunday, September 26, 9:00 AM – Hawk Watch at Robert Moses State Park

Best place to see migrating raptors on LI.  Great viewing platform.  Walks in the surrounding areas should turn up other early migrants.

Directions: Take Sagtikos Parkway South to the northeast corner of Parking Field 5, at Robert Moses State Park.  We will meet at viewing platform at east end of parking lot.

Leader: Blair Broughton (516-802-5356).

Sunday, October 3, 8:00 AM, Hook Mountain Hawk Watch.

Hook Mountain is in Nyack, right over the Tappan Zee Bridge.  If we are lucky, there is the possibility of seeing hawks at just about eye level.  This hawk watch is located 730 feet above sea level, with beautiful views of the Hudson River.  There is a short, but strenuous hike up the mountain to the hawk watch.  If the hawk watch is slow, we will search for migrants on the trails.

Directions: From the New York State Thruway, take exit 11 (Nyack).  Proceed to Route 9W.  Turn left onto 9W.  Continue past the traffic light, past Christian Herald Road to the top of the hill.  At about 1.8 miles from the turn onto 9W, look for the unpaved parking and pull off on the right. (Limited parking, rough surface.)  We will meet by the cars.  Approximate travel time from Syosset is a little over 1 hour.

Leaders: Benjamin Van Doren and Stella Miller (516-695-0763).

Saturday, October 9, 9:00 AM – Jones Beach

We will be looking for early fall migrants that take shelter on the barrier beach before continuing south.  These could include many of our rarer shorebirds, any Neotropical songbird, and plenty more.

Directions: Take the Wantagh or Meadowbrook Parkway and follow signs to the Coast Guard Station at the West End.  Meet at the little Coast Guard parking lot with the restrooms.

Leader: Sharon Brody (516-433-5590).

Sunday, October 10, 10:00 AM, (meeting time 8:45) – Young Naturalist Trip for kids and their families

Today we will go to the Dwarf Pine Plains to search for buck moths and to watch their annual autumnal meeting flight.

Directions: We'll meet at the Exit 49 Park and Ride of the L.I.E. at 8:45AM and head east from that point.

Leader: John Turner. Call Stella Miller (516-695-0763) to register.

Sunday, October 17, 9:00 AM - Quaker Ridge Hawk Watch at Audubon Center in Greenwich

An easy drive to see some of the fall raptor migration, especially Broad-winged Hawks. A great place to view as the Center has many conveniences.

Directions: From the Hutchinson Parkway in the Bronx, exit to I-684 North. Take this to exit 3N and head north onto Route 22. At the first light, turn right onto Route 433. Drive 2 miles to the stop sign at the intersection of John St. The Audubon entrance gate is on your left.

Leader: Blair Broughton (516-802-5356)