Events & Adventures

NYC Audubon Festivals

SIXTH ANNUAL "IT'S YOUR TERN!" FESTIVAL ON GOVERNORS ISLAND

[b]"It's Your Tern!" Festival on Governors Island 2018[/b][br]© NYC Audubon

"It's Your Tern!" Festival on Governors Island 2018
© NYC Audubon

Saturday, July 13, noon-4pm
Parade Ground Southeast Corner, Governors Island
With Trust for Governors Island, Friends of Governors Island, National Park Service, New York Harbor School, Earth Matter NY

Come celebrate Governors Island’s treasures: Common Terns and oysters! Common Terns, listed as a threatened species in New York State, have nested for several years on decommissioned piers on Governors Island’s waterfront. The colony has expanded over time and benefited recently from the introduction of oyster shells as a nesting material. Free activities at this year’s festival will include bird walks and talks, as well as hands-on activities for the whole family. Get to the festival by taking the ferry to Governors Island. The festival will take place at the southeast corner of the Parade Ground right across from St. Cornelius Chapel. No limit. Free

Click here for Google Map of the festival location

14TH ANNUAL JAMAICA BAY SHOREBIRD FESTIVAL AT JAMAICA BAY

[b]Lesser Yellowlegs[/b][br]© Debra Kriensky

Saturday, August 17, 8:30am-5:30pm
With American Littoral Society, Gateway National Recreation Area, and Rockaway Waterfront Alliance

During the past 40 years, over 40 species of shorebirds (including rare and accidental vagrants) have been recorded at Jamaica Bay Wildlife Refuge’s East and West Ponds from mid-July through October, with the greatest diversity and abundance usually occurring in August. We invite you to attend our 14th annual celebration at the Jamaica Bay Wildlife Refuge on Saturday, August 17. Activities at this day-long festival include hikes to the East and West Ponds, lectures by prominent shorebird experts, kids programs, and more. Learn about shorebird behavior and biology, as well as how to identify these birds in the field. Walk leaders include Kevin Karlson, Don Riepe, and Lloyd Spitalnik. The festival meets at the Jamaica Bay Wildlife Refuge Visitor Center. A full schedule of activities will be posted here closer to the time of the festival.

Limited free van transportation from Manhattan to the Jamaica Bay Wildlife Refuge Visitor Center is available for NYC Audubon members at the Student/Senior level and up. Meet at 71 West 23rd Street at 7:30am. Contact NYC Audubon at 212-691-7483 to reserve a seat. Limited van shuttle service will be available from the Broad Channel A Train Station to the Jamaica Bay Wildlife Refuge Visitor Center until 10:30am. For more information, contact NYC Audubon at 212-691-7483, American Littoral Society at 718-474-0896, or Don Riepe at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. . The program is free, but suggested donations of $20 for adults (children are free) to NYC Audubon are most welcome to offset the festival cost.