I started mothing
I originally planned to send this newsletter out monthly — which I think I still will do in the slower, winter months — but the creatures are truly out and about in the summer, and I learned about so many new events since sending out the first edition. I wanted to send out an official email with the big, updated list of events. Thank you to everyone who emailed or dm-ed with suggestions!
I had also planned a creature-filled week that I was excited to share with you. Specifically, I was going to bird on a boat, whale-watch, and walk with bats, but my plans were torn asunder when I got COVID last weekend and instead spent my days feeling wretched in bed. This summer surge is no joke (and I’m thankful for the The Sick Times’ newsletter for weekly updates on Covid-19 trends in the U.S.) But I did manage one outing last week, when I went mothing for the first time in New York City!
What is mothing, you might ask? It’s like birding, but for moths, kind of. I actually went long on mothing yesterday in this piece for Defector, which goes a lot deeper into how you can attract moths, what equipment you might need, and some books that might help, as well as some insights from an icon named Gary. Ever since that jaunt, I’d been itching to see what moths my own borough has to offer. I figured I’d start in Prospect Park, which has a decently sized forest. I dug around iNaturalist to see if anyone had gone mothing in the park — any photo of a moth on a white sheet is guaranteed evidence of mothing — and decided to try and set up by a little clearing by the woods above the Boathouse.
My partner T and I set out on a lethargic B48 on a swampy Monday evening, made worse by the fact that we were wearing long-sleeved shirts and long pants to ward off mosquitoes. I’d purchased a photo backdrop stand and matching white sheet, a chunky portable battery, a UV blacklight, and the best moth identification guide for this region of North America. We got to the park after sunset and assembled everything with the help of my headlamp. By the time we’d set up, I was slick with sweat and bug spray and extremely stressed that my partner would regret joining me on this excursion. But in a matter of minutes, a fluttering thump landed on the sheet. Our first moth!
As I got closer, I reflexively started cooing. He was so large and decidedly furry around his head. (I assumed the moth was a he due to his enormous feather-duster antennae, designed to sieve the air for female moth pheromones.) He had those classic big black moth eyes and stared out fixedly on the sheet. I felt foolish for having ever doubted New York City’s beautiful moth denizens. He was stunning!
We snapped a photo to identify it, and my heart sank when I saw the species name: Lymantria dispar, or the dreaded spongy moth (which was previously known by another name.) Not only is this moth not native to NYC, it is an incredibly destructive invasive species. Spongy moth caterpillars are so ravenous that they can strip a tree of its leaves, and outbreaks of spongy moths can damage thousands of acres of forest. My heart sank. I had just become enchanted by this beautiful brown moth. Was I now duty-bound to kill him?
I was not emotionally prepared to take a life that night, and furthermore decided that the death of one boy moth would do little to staunch the spongy invasion in the park. He was the first of several stunning spongy boys that flocked to my sheet that night, each of whom I observed with a melancholic awe. But soon a lovely native moth appeared, with pearly white wings streaked with the faintest lines of rust. My phone told me it was a lesser maple spanworm. Hello there, friend!
We stayed out for a little over two hours, and as we mothed, several people approached us to ask what we were doing. Was it some sort of performance art? Was it some kind of research? No, I answered, just some good old recreational mothing. We showed these people the moths we saw, and everyone agreed the spongy moths were quite beautiful.
Next week is National Moth Week, which means there’s never been a better time to moth. I want to go out again elsewhere in Prospect Park, which is open until 1 am — very convenient for aspiring moth-ers! As always, let me know if you see any cool creatures, moths or otherwise, around the city. And with that, please enjoy the list of events below: we’ve got pollinators of all kinds, shorebirds, bats, and trees galore!
One more thing: When I first posted about Creatures NYC, I did not anticipate the demand, and had to upgrade my Buttondown membership to accommodate this many subscribers. I’m now paying $29 a month to host this newsletter. If you’d like to help me offset those costs, you can choose to pay a monthly subscription (at a level of your choosing).
Everything below is free unless indicated. Some events require registration, so please click through for more information.
July
🐝 Bryant Park Apiary Class: Fri. July 19 @ noon. Visit the Reading Room for beekeeping classes presented by our partners at New York City Beekeepers Association. You’ll learn about honey bee colonies and the vital role they play in the natural environment. We welcome gardeners, prospective beekeepers, and anyone interested in learning more about bees and beekeeping!
🎣 Community Science Fishing at Brooklyn Bridge Park: Fri. July 19 @ 4pm. Learn the basics of catch-and-release line fishing from the Brooklyn Bridge Conservancy’s own expert anglers and contribute to community science efforts assessing the health of the East River. No experience or supplies needed – equipment is provided but please note only a limited rods are available to loan and will be handed out on a first come, first served basis. All ages welcome. Registration recommended.
🦗 Insect Exploration at Fort Totten Park, Queens: Fri. July 19 @ 8pm. Rangers will show you how to attract and identify the diverse menagerie of friendly nocturnal insects that fill the night skies of your local park.
🌴 Marine Park Forest Restoration: Sat. July 20 @ 9:30am. Volunteer with the Stewardship Team to protect the forested areas in Marine Park! Volunteers will contribute to ongoing restoration work and learn the importance of species diversity to ecosystem health. Come dressed in sturdy boots or shoes, long sleeves, long pants, and clothing that can get dirty. Registration required.
🪶 NYCHA in Nature Birding in Gowanus: Sat. July 20 @ 10am. Join NYC Bird Alliance, Gowanus Canal Conservancy, and the Public Housing Community Fund to look and listen for birds this summer! We'll stroll through the Gowanus and Wyckoff Gardens NYCHA complexes, which are full of large trees and lush vegetation, perfect habitat for song birds. Registration encouraged.
🦋 Moth Night at the Staten Island Museum: Sat. July 20 @ 8:30pm. Kick off National Moth Week with science and art activities after dark! Revel in the beauty and learn about the life cycles and habitats of moths. Bring a flashlight for the Night Walk and discover what insects find our light attractors appealing. $10 Adults, $5 Children. Registration recommended.
🦀 Meet the Critters: Sun. July 21 @ 11am. Learn about the unique characteristics of Marine Park’s Salt Marsh Nature Center critters during this up-close and fun introduction with the Urban Park Rangers.
🐦 Classic Harbor Line NY Harbor Eco-Cruise: Sun. July 21 @ 6:30pm. Join urban naturalist Gabriel Willow for a captivating 3-hour cruise through the heart of our city, where history and nature converge in breathtaking harmony. Visit abandoned islands where herons, egrets, cormorants, and ibis nest. $125. Registration required.
🐦 Classic Harbor Line NY Harbor Eco-Cruise: Mon. July 22 @ 6:40pm. Join urban naturalist Gabriel Willow for a captivating 3-hour cruise through the heart of our city, where history and nature converge in breathtaking harmony. Visit abandoned islands where herons, egrets, cormorants, and ibis nest. $125. Registration required.
🦋 A Mothing Movie & Demonstration in Ft. Greene Park: Wed. July 24 @ 7pm, movie at 8:4pm. Join us in Fort Greene Park for a screening of the new documentary from acclaimed filmmaker Michael Gitlin profiling the lives, histories, and shifting scholarship around moths and their significance to our world! After the screening, we'll invite the audience to participate in a mothing demonstration using a sheet and ultraviolet light to attract and interact with some of the wildlife in Fort Greene Park! Free with RSVP.
🦇 Evening Bat Walk at Marine Park: Thurs. July 25 @ 7:30pm. Join Marine Park Alliance and Gotham Bat Conservancy President Ryan Mahoney for a demonstration of the acoustic radar tracking that guides bats and informs them where to find food. Long sleeves & pants are optional but do be sure to bring your best bug repellant! Meet Ryan at Seba Playground, Gerritsen Ave. & Seba Ave.
🌳 Intro to Dendro "Happy Hour" in Central Park: Fri. July 26 @ 6pm. Spend two hours walking with local dendrologist, Carey Russell, while unpacking the what, where, and why of our local park and street trees. Seriously...isn't learning the names of the trees around you one of the simplest, most pleasant, and most revolutionary things you could do with your time. Let me help you get started. $21.05, Registration required.
🦋 Moth Night on Sandy Hook: Fri. July 26 @ 8pm (RESCHEDULED). Celebrate National Moth Week with the Littoral Society and learn about these incredible nocturnal creatures! We will join a moth expert for a hands-on, interactive session to observe the process of identifying moths. This event is $30 for non-members of the Littoral Society.
🦇 Bat Walk at the Ridgewood Reservoir: Fri. July 26 @ 8pm. At this event run by NYC H20, join naturalist Gabriel Willow to observe and learn about bats at the Ridgewood Reservoir. Registration required.
🪶 Intro to Birding in Marine Park with Heydi Lopes: Sat. July 27 @ 9am. Explore the beauty of Brooklyn’s largest green space, Marine Park! Consisting of grassland and salt marshes, this park is habitat for a variety of migratory songbirds and waterbirds. This series is hosted in partnership with the Marine Park Alliance.
🐦 Queer Birders Walk in Prospect Park: Sat. July 27 @ 10am. Join NYC Queer Birders for a birding walk in Prospect Park. Meet at Dog Beach. There are bathrooms a 0.6 miles walk from our starting location. There will be using a mix of paved and dirt paths with some light slopes.
🌳 Legumes + Tree Identification Workshop in Central Park: Sat. July 27 @ 10am. Join dendrologist Carey Russell on a walk dedicated to trees with compound leaves, or leaves that consist of multiple leaf blades called leaflets. Given that this is a relatively large group of trees, they have been divided into two separate walks. Part I is dedicated to the legumes, including those non-legume species that are frequently confused due to their higher number of leaflet pairs. $21.05, registration required.
🌳 Hickory & Ash Tree Identification Workshop in Central Park: Sat. July 27 @ 1pm. Join dendrologist Carey Russell on a walk dedicated to trees with compound leaves, or leaves that consist of multiple leaf blades called leaflets. Part II is dedicated to compound leaves with fewer leaflets pairs like hickory, ash, and palmately compound leaves like buckeye. $21.05, registration required.
🐝 8th Annual Kingsland Wildflowers Festival: Sat. July 27 @ 2pm. Kingsland Wildflowers is a native rooftop meadow in Greenpoint, Brooklyn and a thriving wildlife habitat. This annual festival aims to bring awareness to Greenpoint’s and the surrounding communities' long-standing environmental burdens; transition to a cleaner, healthier future; as well as the global climate crisis and the potential for local, community-based solutions. Come to enjoy the native plantings and views, art exhibitions, a native plant sale, rooftop tours, and more!
🌳 "Simple & Entire" Tree Identification Workshop in Central Park: Sun. July 28 @ 10am. Join dendrologist Carey Russell on a walk dedicated to look more closely at a variety of trees whose leaves all share a similar morphological characteristic. That trait being simple leaves with entire margins, or leaf edges with no teeth or other distinguishing characteristics. $21.05, registration required.
🌳 Birch Tree Identification Workshop in Central Park: Sun. July 28 @ 1pm. Learn how to confidently identify our 5 native birch trees: white, yellow, black, grey, and river birch. We will also cover a few non-birch species within the birch family, such as hornbeam and hop-hornbeam, as well as important species that frequently share the same habitat within the willow and holly families. $21.05, registration required.
🪲 Insect Exploration Hunt at Inwood Hill Park: Sun. July 28 @ 1pm. Join the Urban Park Rangers as we explore the park’s looking for insects such as ants, wasps, beetles, butterflies, mantids and many more. Learn more about how insects are great for the environment.
August
🦇 The Hidden Ecology of Central Park After Dark - Bats, Fireflies & More: Fri. August 2 @ 8pm. Discover the many nocturnal wonders of Central Park. Look & listen for bats, fireflies, moths, raccoons, and more. Walk through the park while urban naturalist Gabriel Willow points out its thriving natural nightlife. Learn how to identify and track nocturnal creatures. $35 plus eventbrite fees.
🦇 The Hidden Ecology of Prospect Park After Dark - Bats, Fireflies & More: Sat. August 3 @ 7:30pm. Discover the many nocturnal wonders of Prospect Park. Look & listen for bats, fireflies, moths, raccoons, and more. Walk through the park while urban naturalist Gabriel Willow points out its thriving natural nightlife. Learn how to identify and track nocturnal creatures. $35 plus eventbrite fees.
🦉 Accessible Birding in Fort Tryon Park with Alex Wang: Sat. August 3 @ 11am. Join NYC Bird Alliance to bird in Fort Tryon Park’s 67 acres, which are accessible to birders of all abilities and disabilities. Accessible-friendly routes including many well-paved walkways are suitable for birders with strollers, carriages, wheelchairs, walkers, canes, etc. Accessibility is enhanced by birding guide and educator Alexandra Wang (Avian Alex), M.S. Ed., who offers augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) pamphlets, Braille pamphlets and plush birds for an inclusive birding tour. Registration encouraged but not required.
🎣 Community Science Fishing at Brooklyn Bridge Park: Sat. August 3 @ 3pm. Learn the basics of catch-and-release line fishing from the Brooklyn Bridge Conservancy’s expert anglers and contribute to community science efforts assessing the health of the East River. No experience or supplies needed – equipment is provided but please note only a limited rods are available to loan and will be handed out on a first come, first served basis. All ages welcome. Registration recommended.
🌾 Ridgewood Reservoir Volunteer Landscaping: Sun. August 4 @ 10am. Join NYC H2O and the NYC Parks Department to remove invasive plants and plant native plants at Ridgewood Reservoir. The Ridgewood Reservoir in Highland Park is a 50+ acre natural oasis that straddles the border of Brooklyn and Queens. A lush and dense forest has grown in its two outside basins while a freshwater pond with waterfowl sits in the middle basin. This fresh water source is critical to migrating birds on the Atlantic Flyway. Registration required.
🌸 Spring Plant ID Walk at the Ridgewood Reservoir: Sun. August 4 @ 1pm. Join urban naturalist Caitlin Lynch for a walk exploring Ridgewood Reservoir’s plant life. Caitlin will teach about common and scientific plant names, how to identify certain species, their characteristics, their family relationships, their uses and some botanic terms. The tour will include weedy plants, herbaceous plants, flowering plants, trees, grasses and common invasives. Open to all ages. Registration required.
🍄 Fungi walk in High Rock Park, Staten Island: Sun. August 4. Join the NY Mycological Society on a jaunt in High Rock Park, one of New York City’s mycorrhizal hot spots, for a summer walk. Bring paper bags, a hand lens, a knife, a tackle box (if you have one), water and a lunch. Open to NYMS members; membership costs $20.
🐦 Sunset Kayak and Marsh Island Tour: Fri. August 9 @ 5pm. Join the Jamaica Bay Rockaway Parks Conservancy for a sunset kayak tour exploring Jamaica Bay’s Subway Island. We’ll explore the shoreline salt marsh, which hosts a critical habitat for many iconic bird species, such as egrets, herons, gulls and ibises. We’ll enjoy the setting sun and views as we paddle under the A train trestle to the western edge of the island, traveling along the shoreline of Brant Point Wildlife Sanctuary, and taking in sweeping views of the Bay. Kayaks, paddles and PFDs are generously provided free of charge by the Community Boat House. Registration required.
🌳 Intro to Dendro "Happy Hour" in Central Park: Fri. Aug. 9 @ 6pm. If you're ready to start learning how to identify the trees of our city's parks & streets with confidence, you've come to the right place! Isn't learning the names of the trees around you one of the simplest, most pleasant, and most revolutionary things you could do with your time? Let me help you get started. $21.05, Registration required.
🪼: Community Science Seining: Sat. August 10 @ 10am: Discover the amazing biodiversity of the East River as Brooklyn Bridge Park staff and marine biologists use a seine net to catch-and-release incredible organisms that live below that water’s surface. Be ready for exciting discoveries! All ages are welcome at this free event.
🌲 Conifers I - The Pine Family: Tree Identification Workshop: Sat. August 10 @ 10am. We've all heard of pines, spruces, and firs. Now let's learn to easily tell them apart, while learning a few species of each, including those pine species from Europe and Asia commonly found in urban green spaces. $21.05, Registration required.
🌲 Conifers II - The Cypress Family: Tree Identification Workshop : Sat. August 10 @ 1pm. We explore and learn to identify members of the cypress family. You likely have already heard of several, such as juniper (never to be called "cedar" again), bald cypress, and the now famous dawn redwood. $21.05, Registration required.
🦅 Birding — Raptors in Staten Island: Sun. August 11 @ 11am. Join the NYC Parks Dept. for a raptor walk in Staten Island. Our Urban Park Rangers will guide you to the best viewing spots in New York City to see birds of prey. Birding programs are appropriate for all skill levels and beginners are welcome. Join the Urban Park Rangers as we explore Freshkills’ marshy ecosystem and determine what kind of raptors make it their home. In-person registration.
🌳 Pride Hike at Forest Park — Nature Is For All: Sun. August 11 @ 11am. Join the NYC Parks Dept to learn more about queer way that nature has evolved in parks. Rangers will provide a fun and inclusive space for the LGBTQ+ community while hiking on the Orange Trail in Forest Park. During the hike, Rangers will talk about plants and animals that live in the park and why it is important to create safe spaces for everyone in the great outdoors. In-person registration.
🐢 Nature Scavenger Hunt at Corona Park: Sun. August 11 @ 1pm. With programs led by our Urban Park Rangers, kids will get to experience nature in a hands-on and fun way. Embark on an adventure-filled scavenger hunt at Willow Lake! Join us for a day of exploration and discovery as kids uncover hidden treasures amidst the scenic beauty of nature. This event is specifically for kids. In-person registration.
🦅 Governors Island Bird Tour with NYC Bird Alliance: Sat. August 10 @ 2pm. Nearly 240 bird species have been spotted on Governors Island, which provides excellent habitat all year round. Whether you’re an expert birder or a beginner, these tours will help you discover all of the birdlife the island has to offer. Binoculars are available to borrow. The tour will meet on Governors Island in front of the NEW location of our seasonal environmental center: Colonels Row House 405B.
🪶 Wildlife Outing at Madison Square Park with NYC Bird Alliance: Thurs. August 15 @ 8am. Join a wildlife outing in Madison Square Park to discover the flora and fauna that make the park ecologically rich. Registration link to come.
🐟 Wetlab Trivia Night at Pier 40: Thurs. August 15 @ 6:30pm. A trivia night themed around science, waterways and Hudson River wildlife. Maximum team size: 6 participants
$10 registration to participate.
🦜 Accessible Birding in Carl Schurz Park with Alex Wang: Sat. August 17 @ 11am. In the Upper East Side, Carl Schurz Park is a picturesque green space that warblers, sparrows, and raptors use as a stopover during migration. Registration not required but encouraged.
🐢 Turtle Viewing at Van Cortland Nature Center: Sat. August 17 @ 11am. Join the NYC Parks Dept as you come out of your shell and into the park! Join the Urban Park Rangers and meet the wildlife ambassadors of Van Cortlandt Nature Center, then enjoy a walk around Hester and Piero’s Mill Pond and discover the many cold-blooded buddies that inhabit the lakes and ponds of New York City!
🦜 Governors Island Birds & Bees Tour: Sat. August 17 @ 2pm. Join NYC Bird Alliance and The Bee Conservancy for a special tour highlighting the birds and bees around Governors Island, including the Urban Farm. Since 2018, The Bee Conservancy has established a Bee Santuary on Governors Island, complete with native flower beds, honey bee hives, and native bee homes. Nearly 240 bird species have been spotted on Governors Island, which provides excellent habitat all year round.The tour will meet on Governors Island in front of the NEW location of our seasonal environmental center: Colonels Row House 405B. No registration required. Binoculars are available to borrow.
🦢 Queer Birders at Alice Austen House: Sat. August 17. “Exciting event with more details to come.”
🪶 Birding by Boat with the Bronx River Alliance: Sun. August 18 @ 9am [NEW DATE]. Join NYC Bird Alliance and the Bronx River Alliance for a special birding by boat event! This guided tour takes paddlers through the lower saltwater portion of the Bronx River (to the river mouth and back), featuring a duality of estuarine and urban habitat. While on the way we will get the chance to look at a wide variety of shorebirds, as well as other wildlife. Binoculars and other equipment will be provided. This event costs $30, registration required.
🦜 Prospect Park Birding Walk with Megan Thornton: Sun. August 18 @ 10 am. Join Queer Birders for a walk in Prospect Park. Meet at the Boathouse.
🦋 Insect Ecology and Conservation Awareness at the Ridgewood Reservoir: Sun. August 18 @ 11am. Join Urban Park Rangers for a nature walk focused on our smallest animals and learn why it is important to restore healthy ecosystems for the insects that are disappearing. Rangers will highlight various insect species found around the Ridgewood Reservoir, discuss ways to create healthy habitats for insects, and reduce negative human impacts on them. In-person registration.
🍄 Mushroom ID Hike at Alley Pond Park: Sun. August 18 @ 12pm. Prepare to be amazed by the wonders of the forest and the incredible diversity of mushrooms waiting to be discovered. Don't miss out on this opportunity to connect with nature, expand your knowledge, and make lasting memories. Join us for this adventure you won't want to miss! In-person registration.
🪨 Geology: Highbridge Rocks!: Sun. August 18 @ 1pm. New York City is the site of ancient earth-shaking and earth-shaping events. The bedrock that anchors the city’s skyscrapers tells a story of a place going back more than a billion years. The island of Manhattan is built on three strata known as Manhattan Schist, Inwood Marble, and Fordham Gneiss. Join our Urban Park Rangers on this hike and learn about why Manhattan rocks! Rocks are not creatures but this event looks so fun!
🪺 Build it Yourself: Bird Houses in Sparrow’s Nest Community Garden: Tues. August 20 @ 5pm. Feeding birds is a wonderful way to create a safe environment and provide them with accessible food and habitat. Moreover, wild birds offer numerous environmental benefits, making bird feeding an excellent way to bring bird enthusiasts together in your garden. You are invited to participate in a hands-on workshop where you can learn how to construct your own bird feeder.
🕷️ Eight Legged August in Staten Island: Thurs. August 22 @ 10am. Spiders are usually associated with the autumn season, but August is actually a great time to find spiders. Learn fun facts about spiders and their webs, hear a story, design your own spider and web, and, weather permitting, search around the building, the garden, and take a short walk on the trail in search of spiders, harvestmen, and other amazing arachnids and insects. Recommended for ages 4-8 with adult chaperone.
🌳 Intro to Dendro "Happy Hour" in Central Park: Fri. Aug. 23 @ 6pm. If you're ready to start learning how to identify the trees of our city's parks & streets with confidence, you've come to the right place! Isn't learning the names of the trees around you one of the simplest, most pleasant, and most revolutionary things you could do with your time? Let me help you get started. $21.05, Registration required.
🐦 19th Annual Shorebird Festival at Jamaica Bay: Sat. August 24 @ 11am. Join us in learning all about NYC’s beautiful shorebirds and explore the natural habitat of the Jamaica Bay Wildlife Refuge, filled with marshland, fresh and brackish water ponds, and grassy fields. Registration link to come.
🦅 Governors Island Bird Tour with NYC Bird Alliance: Sat. August 24 @ 2pm. Nearly 240 bird species have been spotted on Governors Island, which provides excellent habitat all year round. Whether you’re an expert birder or a beginner, these tours will help you discover all of the birdlife the island has to offer. Binoculars are available to borrow. The tour will meet on Governors Island in front of the NEW location of our seasonal environmental center: Colonels Row House 405B.
🐦 Nature Exploration: Brookfield Park: Sun. August 25 @ 9am. On nature exploration hikes, we will discover the plants and animals that inhabit the urban forest. To enhance your experience, please bring your own binoculars and field guides. Rangers will introduce you to the many species of birds, plants and other living species within Brookfield Park. In-person registration.
🐍 Urban Wildlife — Reptiles and Amphibians of Corona Park: Sun. August 25 @ 1pm. Join the Urban Park Rangers as we explore the park, looking for and learning about the turtles, snakes, frogs, and salamanders that call New York City home. In-person registration.
🐦 Birding Walk at Ridgewood Reservoir: Sat. August 31 @ 10am. Join the Queer Birders to see the birds of the Ridgewood Reservoir. Meet at the Vermont Place Entrance, across from the parking lot.
🌻 Facing Climate Change in La Plaza Cultural: Wed. August 28 @ 6pm. Face climate despair head-on in these monthly, peer-to-peer meet ups. Meet other community gardeners and land stewards to learn and exchange tips for gardening with climate change and workshop community preparedness in your neighborhood. Register here.
🦅 Accessible Birding in Fort Tryon Park with Alex Wang: Sat. August 31 @ 11am. Beautiful Fort Tryon Park commands sweeping views of the Palisades and the Hudson River from soaring cliffs of bedrock in northern Manhattan. Past encounters include a variety of birds such as Bald Eagles and Ruby-throated Hummingbirds. Fort Tryon Park’s 67 acres are accessible to birders of all abilities and disabilities. Registration not required but encouraged. No limit.
🪻 3rd Annual Brooklyn Wildflower Festival: Sat. August 21 @ 1pm. Join the rangers at Shirley Chisolm State Park in Brooklyn for the 3rd Annual Wildflower Festival! The end of August is a glorious time in the park filled with blooming sunflowers, goldenrod, black-eyed Susans, and other wildflowers that attract pollinators and birds who are getting ready for fall and winter! Guided wildflower hike at 2pm. Guided bike tour at 4pm.
September
🐢 Discovery Hike — Pond Ecology in Crotona Park: Sun. Sept 1 @ 1pm. Lakes and ponds are thriving habitats to various species of birds, invertebrates, fish, reptiles, amphibians and plants. Join the Urban Park Rangers as we explore Crotona Park lake. Learn more about some commonly found species in our water bodies. In-person registration.
🦜 Fall Migration Birding in Brooklyn Community Gardens: Sat. Sept 7 @ 2pm. Join NYC Parks GreenThumb at Highland Park Community Garden for the most sacred time of year for birding as birds make their way down the Atlantic Flyway. We'll walk through different gardens and discover together what birds we can find. This is a beginning birding class, no experience needed. Limited binoculars will be available. Register here.
🦅 Governors Island Bird Tour with NYC Bird Alliance: Sat. Sept 7 @ 2pm. Nearly 240 bird species have been spotted on Governors Island, which provides excellent habitat all year round. Whether you’re an expert birder or a beginner, these tours will help you discover all of the birdlife the island has to offer. Binoculars are available to borrow. The tour will meet on Governors Island in front of the NEW location of our seasonal environmental center: Colonels Row House 405B. No registration required. Free.
🌾 Ridgewood Reservoir Volunteer Landscaping: Sun. Sept. 8 @ 10am. Join NYC H2O and the NYC Parks Department to remove invasive plants and plant native plants at Ridgewood Reservoir. The Ridgewood Reservoir in Highland Park is a 50+ acre natural oasis that straddles the border of Brooklyn and Queens. A lush and dense forest has grown in its two outside basins while a freshwater pond with waterfowl sits in the middle basin. This fresh water source is critical to migrating birds on the Atlantic Flyway. Registration required
🎣 Community Science Fishing at Brooklyn Bridge Park: Fri. Sept 13 @ 4pm. Learn the basics of catch-and-release line fishing from the Brooklyn Bridge Conservancy’s own expert anglers and contribute to community science efforts assessing the health of the East River. No experience or supplies needed – equipment is provided but please note only a limited rods are available to loan and will be handed out on a first come, first served basis. All ages welcome. Registration recommended.
🦜 Summer on the Hudson: Birding Walks: Fri. Sept 13 @ 5:30pm. Meet at 120th Street and Riverside Drive and explore Riverside Park on a family-friendly bird walk. Bring binoculars!
🦅 Birding — Hawk Watch at Pelham Bay Nature Center: Sat. Sept 14 @ 10am. Join the Rangers as they hike up the hills of the Bronx-Pelham Landfill, a site closed off to the public. Once known as Tallapoosa Point, the decommissioned landfill is now home to an abundance of wildlife and a popular fly over for hawks and other raptors. Registration is required. Registration opens Wedesday September 4.
🪱 Tiny Terrariums at Wave Hill House: Sat. Sept 14 @ 10am. Explore the bustling world of tiny creatures in the dirt right beneath your feet. We'll learn about soil and decomposers as we craft mini jar habitats. While jars are provided, we encourage families to go green and bring their own glass or plastic containers from home.
🦇 Bats of Marine Park, Brooklyn: Sat. Sept 14 @ 12pm. Join Gotham Bat Conservancy for an event discussing the bats present in Marine Park, Brooklyn, and the important habitat Marine Park provides.
🦇 Don’t Be Afraid, Go Batty at Marine Park: Sat. Sept 14 @ 1:30pm. Bats are an essential part of a healthy, robust ecosysystem. Marine Park offers several environments that support bats. Find out how and why bats are important with a presentation by Ryan Mahoney, President and Principal Biologist of the Gotham Bat Conservancy. Meet in the Salt Marsh Nature Center, E33rd and Ave. U for this free program. Sponsored by the Salt Marsh Alliance, Inc.
🍄🟫 Socrates X Noguchi Field Guide Connections — Mycelium: Sat. Sept 21 @ 11am. Learn about mold, fungus, and mycelium and how they support life and growth in the natural environment. Participants will explore connections in Isamu Noguchi’s work and create drawings and prints with mushrooms. Facilitated by Sol Aramendi. Registration opens August 21 at 12 pm. Pre-registration is recommended, with a limited number of walk-up spots available.
🦜 Warbler Watch at Pelham Bay Nature Center: Sun. Sept 22 @ 11am. Our Urban Park Rangers will guide you to the best viewing spots in New York City to see spring migratory birds. Birding programs are appropriate for all skill levels and beginners are welcome. Approximately 45 species of warblers migrate every season! Join the Urban Park Rangers to learn about these amazing animals on a fun and informative nature walk through NYCs largest park. Binoculars will be provided.
🦋 Monarch Mania: 7th Annual Pollinator Festival: Sat. Sept. 28 @ 10am Join us at the Jamaica Bay Wildlife Refuge for a festival celebrating monarch butterflies and other pollinators! Come learn from naturalists and experts about our local pollinators, including butterflies, moths, bees, and birds. Activities and crafts for the whole family. This is a free event but donations to support this festival are kindly appreciated. No registration required.
🪼 Community Science Seining: Sat. Sept 28 @ 10am: Discover the amazing biodiversity of the East River as Brooklyn Bridge Park staff and marine biologists use a seine net to catch-and-release incredible organisms that live below that water’s surface. Be ready for exciting discoveries! All ages are welcome at this free event.
🍄 Fantastic Fungi Mushroom ID Hike at Seton Falls Park: Sat. Sept 28 @ 11am. This Urban Park Ranger led hike will take you through the forest to learn how to identify fungi. Participants will learn about the crucial role that mushrooms play in an ecosystem and how natural decomposition takes place. In-person registration.
October
🎣 Community Science Fishing at Brooklyn Bridge Park: Sat. October 5 @ 4pm. Learn the basics of catch-and-release line fishing from the Brooklyn Bridge Conservancy’s own expert anglers and contribute to community science efforts assessing the health of the East River. No experience or supplies needed – equipment is provided but please note only a limited rods are available to loan and will be handed out on a first come, first served basis. All ages welcome. Registration recommended.
🦅 7th Annual Raptorama! Part 1 Jamaica Bay: Sat. October 12 @ 10am. It's that time of the year again, time for Raptorama! Meet at the Jamaica Bay Wildlife Refuge Visitor Center to learn about the hawks and owls of Jamaica Bay. See some of these amazing raptors during a live demonstration, and go on walks with experts to get a look at hawk species flying south for the winter. While this event is free, donations to support this festival would be appreciated. Registration link to come.
🦅 7th Annual Raptorama! Part 2 Marine Park: Sat. October 19 @ 2pm. It's that time of the year again, time for Raptorama! For Part 2 of this annual festival, meet us at Marine Park's Salt Marsh Nature Center to learn about hawks, eagles, owls, and more. See some of these amazing raptors during a live demonstration, and go on walks with experts to get a look at hawk species flying south for the winter. While this event is free, donations to support this festival would be appreciated. Registration link to come.
Ongoing:
🐋 Whale-watching on the American Princess: The American Princess is a ferry vessel with indoor/outdoor seating that departs from Pier 3 in Sheepshead Bay, Brooklyn in the waters around NYC on Weds-Sun. all summer. You might see humpback whales, pods of bottlenose dolphins, and seabirds or falcons diving for prey. American Princess partners with Gotham Whale, a nonprofit dedicated to the study, advocacy for and education about the whales and marine mammals of New York City. Adult tickets are $69, special pricing for seniors and kids. It’s a splurge, but a lovely jaunt around the ocean. The last time I went, I saw three humpback whales!
🐢 Nature Exploration: Wildlife Appreciation: Join Prospect Park Alliance for nature education programs on Thursdays and Fridays at the Prospect Park Audubon Center, the first urban Audubon Center in the nation. From noon to 3pm, learn about the plants and animals living in the lake and lullwater, test the water quality, and observe pond samples. From 2-3pm, join naturalists to learn more about the animals in the Audubon Center’s collection. From 3-4pm, enjoy a birding or nature walk and pick up some litter on the way!
🐦 Classic Harbor Line NY Harbor Eco-Cruise: Throughout July and August, join urban naturalist Gabriel Willow for captivating 3-hour evening cruises through the heart of our city and see a number of abandoned islands where birds love to nest!. North Brother & South Brother Islands, nestled in the East River, are a nationally recognized haven for colonial water birds, gulls, herons, cormorants, and egrets. $125. Registration required.
🌳 Forest Restoration Fridays in Forest Park, Queens: Join NYC Parks and The Forest Park Trust for Forest Restoration Fridays this summer to engage in hands-on forest restoration work, including invasive species removal, trail restoration, and possible planting in our park. The events are from 10am to 12pm. Registration is required. All tools will be provided, and no prior experience is needed. Please come dressed in sturdy, closed-toe shoes and bring your own water bottle.
🦐: Shoreline Strolls at Gansevoort Peninsula: On Saturday afternoons, stroll along the a sandy shoreline beach to a pine grove, pile field and salt marsh at Gansevoort Peninsula in Hudson River Park. You’ll have the chance to learn more about these fascinating ecosystems from our River Project team. Grab your binoculars and try to spot some of the shorebirds seen regularly dabbling in our salt marsh, or see if you can spot some of the resident hawks that use the light poles.
🦪 Shoreline Cleanup with the Billion Oyster Project: On Thursdays at 2pm, loin us in collecting debris from New York City's shorelines to prevent it from re-entering the waterways when the tide returns. This is important in achieving our goal of protecting the biodiversity that lives near our reef sites.
🦀 Hudson River Park’s Wetlab Look-ins: On Tuesdays and Wednesdays from 3-6pm and Saturdays from 11a-5pm, visit Hudson River Park’s Wetlab to see a rotating exhibit of fish and invertebrates collected in the park as part of an ongoing Fish Ecology Survey. Animals are also regularly released to ensure that their behaviors are minimally impacted, meaning there’s always something new to explore at the Wetlab.
🌹 New York Restoration Project: Everyone deserves access to high-quality public green space. If you’re interested in forest stewardship, volunteer with the NYRP in the parks of northern Manhattan clearing invasive plants, mulching, and clearing litter. Volunteer dates listed in the link above. Registration required.
🐟 Open Hours at Brooklyn Bridge Park Environmental Education Center: Visitors of all ages can get to know Brooklyn Bridge Park with rotating monthly educational themes, a 250 gallon aquarium filled with critters from the East River, a 10’ scale model of Brooklyn Bridge Park, crafts, a reading corner, and much more. New 2024 hours are Thursdays 3-5 PM, Fridays 3-5 PM, and Saturdays 1-5 PM! All sessions are free and drop-in.
Thanks for reading! As always, you can view this email online for potentially updated list of events.