Photo Credit: Wolfgang Wander
Walk Leader: John Turner, noted author, environmentalist, and member of the South Fork Natural History Museum (SOFO) Board of Directors
Join John for a trip to the end of Long Island where, at Montauk Point, we’ll scan the ocean waters for numerous sea duck species that typically over winter there. Sea ducks expected include eiders, scoters, long-tailed ducks, and red-breasted merganser. We’ll also be on the lookout for gannets, winter gulls and razorbills and, of course, seals, and talk about efforts to give greater protection to the area. For more information about these “feathered marvels” see John’s Eco-links article featured on the front page of the 2020 winter edition of the SOFO Naturalist, SOFO’s quarterly newsletter, which can be found on the home page of the museum’s website: www.sofo.org.
Advanced reservations are required for all events. For more information, reservations, and directions to meeting places, please call: (631) 537-9735.
Photo Credit: Xylia Serafy
Walk Leader: South Fork Natural History Museum (SOFO) Environmental Educator
With the cold of winter, many northern animal visitors come to the South Shore of Long Island to find food—among them Pinnipeds, or seals. The three most common species of seals that visit Long Island at this time of year are Harbor Seals, Grey Seals, and Harp Seals. Join us on a walk toward the ocean at Cupsogue Beach County Park, where at low tide you can expect to see some of these seals sunning themselves on the distant sandbar. It may be cold and windy, so please bundle up.
Advanced reservations are required for all events. For more information, reservations, and directions to meeting places, please call: (631) 537-9735.
Photo Credit: Petar Milošević
Program Leader: Paul King III, South Fork Natural History Museum (SOFO) Environmental Educator
Italian Wall Lizards are the only lizard that can be found living in our natural environment on Long Island. Released from a pet shop in Hempstead New York, they have made their way much farther west and east, and we can expect them to continue until they reach the end of Long Island. They are highly adaptable and show evidence of quick evolution. How do these lizards survive the winter? Do they harm our native wildlife? How do they spread? Come learn all about these fascinating little creatures.
Advanced reservations are required for all events. For more information, reservations, and directions to meeting places, please call: (631) 537-9735.
Photo Credit: Evan Marks
Walk Leader: Frank Quevedo, Executive Director, South Fork Natural History Museum (SOFO)
The barrier beach area at Shinnecock is one of the few remaining undeveloped dune/salt marsh habitats on the eastern end of Long Island, an area that frequently has wintering snowy owls and short-eared owls. Join Frank on one of SOFO’s most popular birding walks. Bring binoculars or a spotting scope and a bird field guide (if you have one). This walk is for adults and teens, although children over the age of 10 may attend.
Advanced reservations are required for all events. For more information, reservations, and directions to meeting places, please call: (631) 537-9735.
Photo Credit: Peter Paplanus
Program Leader: Sarah Bailey, South Fork Natural History Museum (SOFO) Environmental Educator
Meet the museum’s salamanders and learn more about their fascinating life history! Many of Long Island’s salamanders spend the coldest winter months underground, but three species emerge in late winter or early spring to make incredible migrations to breed. We will learn about the preferred habitat and identifiable characteristics of our native species, while paying special attention to understanding why our mole salamanders migrate.
Advanced reservations are required for all events. For more information, reservations, and directions to meeting places, please call: (631) 537-9735.