South Fork Natural History Museum & Nature Center

MUSEUM CLOSED: School Group (10 am - 1 pm)
2026-06-02 10:00 - 13:00, 2026-06-01 10:00 - 13:00, 2026-05-29 10:00 - 13:00, 2026-05-21 10:00 - 13:00, 2026-05-20 10:00 - 13:00, 2026-05-19 10:00 - 13:00, 2026-05-18 10:00 - 13:00, 2026-05-11 10:00 - 13:00 (America/New_York)

Full Blue Moon Hike
2026-05-31 21:00 - 22:00 | SOFO
Join Friends of the Long Pond Greenbelt and South Fork Natural History Society on a leisurely-paced hike through open-field trails. Whenever two full Moons appear in a single month, the second is christened a “Blue Moon.” Due to our calendar days, the appearance of a Blue Moon is actually a relatively rare occurrence, as one rises on average only once every 2 1/2 to 3 years.
Co-sponsored by Friends of the Long Pond Greenbelt & SOFO.
Meet at the SOFO Museum parking lot, 377 Bridgehampton Turnpike, 200 yards north of the RR tracks. To register, email: info@longpondgreenbelt.org.
Hike Leader: Jean McDermott, 631-599-2391.

Story Time: Fantastic Flowers
2026-05-31 13:30, 2026-05-31 10:30 | SOFO
A common saying goes ”April showers bring May flowers.” Flowers add lots of color to our spring and summer, and bring many people enjoyment, but what is a flower for and what is it made of? Join us for some fun stories before we see what is flowering in SOFO’s pollinator gardens and learn how the different flower parts help the plant and animals.
Program Leader: Crystal Possehl-Oakes, SOFO Outdoor Education Specialist
This program is FREE for families, with Museum Admission.

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What Goes Buzz in the Night?
2026-05-30 21:00 | SOFO
Mothing or light-sheeting is an activity used by scientists studying nighttime insects to catch and identify local species. By setting up a light trap, a large light directed at a white sheet, we’ll be able to see which moths (and more!) are flying about our dark skies! Join SOFO educator Moe Kennedy and find out what goes “buzz” in the night.
Program Leader: Moe Kennedy, SOFO Environmental Educator
For non-members, there is a $5 fee per person for this program. Members are free. Advanced reservations are required for all events.

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Spring Migration – Birding at Hither Hills State Park Trail with Wayne Whitmore
2026-05-30 08:00 | Montauk
Montauk is a migration trap for migratory birds. Join Wayne, SOFO Board Trustee, on this leisurely paced bird walk in search of spring migrants and breeding warblers. Wayne will lead you on the access roads and nature trails in Hither Hills searching for the many birds that utilize this habitat. Some species likely to be observed are blue-winged warbler, American redstart, prairie warbler, yellow warbler, ovenbird, and many others. Please bring binoculars.
Walk Leader: Wayne Whitmore, SOFO Board Trustee
For non-members, there is a $5 fee per person for this program. Members are free. Advanced reservations are required for all events.

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Joint Bird Walk with NFAS - Mashomack Preserve, Shelter Island
2026-05-29 08:00 - 10:45 | Shelter Island
Frank Quevedo, Executive Director of SOFO, and Aidan Perkins, SOFO naturalist and Suffolk County “Big Year” record holder, will team up with North Fork Audubon Society (NFAS) to travel to Shelter Island and explore the Mashomack Preserve.
Co-sponsored with the North Fork Audubon Society
Walk leaders: Frank Quevedo and Aidan Perkins, SOFO
Photo: Great Blue Heron by J. Jensen

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MUSEUM CLOSED: School Group (10 am - 2 pm)
2026-05-28 10:00 - 14:00, 2026-05-26 10:00 - 14:00

MUSEUM CLOSED: Private Event
2026-05-24

Salamander Seining and Some Frogs Too! With Andy Sabin
2026-05-23 10:00 | SOFO
Many salamanders breed in water, and here’s your chance to see the larval aquatic stage of the endangered Eastern Tiger Salamander before it moves onto land to live. You’ll also see some of our local frog tadpoles as Andy Sabin—“Mr. Salamander”—wades into a freshwater pond and, using a seining net (a large two-person fishing net with weights at the lower edge and floats at the top), brings to the surface the pond-stages of these young animals, members of the Class Amphibia.
Walk Leader: Andy Sabin, President, SOFO Board of Directors
This program is for all ages.
For non-members, there is a $15 fee for adults and a $10 fee for children for this program. This program fee will also provide non-members with free admission to the museum on a day of their choice. Members are free. Advanced reservations are required for all events.

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Black Racer Snake Search with Andy Sabin
2026-05-23 09:30 | SOFO
Andy Sabin, known to us as the “Salamander Commander,” is equally as interested in snakes as he is in salamanders. In fact, Andy is fascinated by all kinds of reptiles and amphibians, so he is just the right person to lead us on a search for the Northern black racer snake (Coluber constrictor). What’s more, we’re in luck— the field behind SOFO, known as Vineyard Field, is the perfect habitat for this very active, diurnal (it comes out during the day) reptile. To ensure we can find them, we’ve put boards out in the field which these snakes like to hide under. So, we’re very likely to see some snakes on our search with Andy.
Walk Leader: Andy Sabin, President, SOFO Board of Directors
This program is for all ages.
For non-members, there is a $15 fee for adults and a $10 fee for children for this program. This program fee will also provide non-members with free admission to the museum on a day of their choice. Members are free. Advanced reservations are required for all events.

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Young Birders Club Meeting
2026-05-23 09:00
Please note: this program was rescheduled from 5/16.
Birding is a great way to make new friends, learn about the environment, and get outdoors. Join our Young Birders Club! The Club is open to anyone ages 8 to 18 who is interested in learning about birds. Since Long Island has many great habitats that are home to a wide variety of species, we concentrate on birding in local areas.
Please bring binoculars if you have them (we will have a few pairs to lend) and a field guide to birds of the eastern United States. If you don’t have a field guide, we’ll have one here for you to use.
Club Leader: Aidan Perkins, Wildlife Biologist
This FREE program is for adults and children ages 8-18. Advanced reservations are required for all events.

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Meet Rescued Birds of Prey with Evelyn Alexander Wildlife Rescue Center
2026-05-16 13:00 | SOFO
Meet two of the resident raptor ambassadors from the Evelyn Alexander Wildlife Rescue Center, the only wildlife hospital on the east end of Long Island. See these incredible birds of prey up close, learn all about their species and their personal journeys. You can also help save wildlife!
Co-sponsored with the Evelyn Alexander Wildlife Rescue Center (EAWRC)
Program Leader: Tammy Flanell, EAWRC
This FREE program is for adults & Children ages Pre-K and up. Advanced reservations are required for all events.

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Birding for Beginners−Spring Migrants in Vineyard Field
2026-05-16 10:30 | SOFO
Explore Birding as a new hobby: Take a walk with volunteer docents Cindy & Dave in the Vineyard Field behind the Museum. We’ll look for regular inhabitants in the field, and perhaps some spring migrants. We’ll also learn how to identify the birds that we might find, including blue jay, black-capped chickadee, starling, northern mockingbird and red-tailed hawk. Listen to the voices and observe the behavior of the birds to help identify them. No prior experience required. Bring binoculars if you have them.
Program Leaders: Cindy Lenkiewicz and Dave Polek, SOFO Docents
This FREE program is for adults, teens, and children 10 and up. Advanced reservations are required for all events.

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MUSEUM CLOSED: Outreach Event
2026-05-13, 2026-05-08

Seal Cruise, co-sponsored with CRESLI
2026-05-10 10:00 - 12:00 | Southampton
For the third year in a row, the Coastal Research and Education Society of Long Island (CRESLI) and the South Fork Natural History Museum and Nature Center (SOFO) are co-sponsoring seal cruises. Join us as a CRESLI scientist leads 2-hour expeditions to view, photograph, and gather information about the diversity and distribution of the seals in Shinnecock Bay. You’ll learn about the different species of seals in our waters, as well as the characteristics and behaviors that allow these animals to thrive. You’ll hear about the history of seal exploitation and recovery and see these animals in their natural habitat.
CRESLI Seal Cruises on the RV Peconic around Shinnecock Bay will meet and board 30 minutes before the listed departure time at the dock area (address: Stony Brook Marine Station, 8 Little Neck Road, Southampton, NY 11968).
This program is for adults, teens, and children ages 8+. The cost for the cruise is $40 per person.
Spaces are limited and registration is required. Registrations can be made by visiting cresli.org.

Spring Migration Bird Walk at Big Reed Pond
2026-05-10 09:30 - 11:30 | Montauk
Take a walk with the Montauk Library Bird Club, Third House Nature Center, and South Fork Natural History Museum, led by Frank Quevedo. Observe and learn to identify spring birds of Big Reed Pond, a National Natural Landmark in Montauk. This will be a slow-paced 3-mile hike through woodland and wetland, leading to a shallow freshwater pond. Please wear tick protection and appropriate footwear. All experience levels are welcome. A limited number of binoculars will be available to borrow. Registration is required.
Co-sponsored with Montauk Library Bird Club and Third House Nature Center
Walk Leader: Frank Quevedo, SOFO Executive Director
This FREE program is for adults & children ages 10 and up. Advanced reservations are required for all events.

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Memorial Nature Walk for Naturalist and SOFO Founder Larry Penny
2026-05-09 08:00 | SOFO
Larry Penny spent many years guiding children and adults in exploring and understanding our natural world. He was one of the original founders of the South Fork Natural History Society in 1989 and a noted East End naturalist and educator; his weekly column “Nature Notes” was featured in the East Hampton Star for many years. He served as East Hampton Town Natural Resources Director for 28 years. “He was a very good naturalist; I really admired him for his work, his writing, and his dedication to stopping development. “─ Andy Sabin, SOFO President.
Join us, and experience nature for yourself, in his memory.
Walk Leader: Frank Quevedo, SOFO Executive Director
This FREE program is for adults, teens, and children ages 8 and up. Light Refreshments provided. Advanced reservations are required for all events.

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MUSEUM CLOSED: Maintenance
2026-05-06

East End Environment Series: History of Oysters on Long Island
2026-05-02 16:00 - 17:00 | SOFO
Join us for a lecture presented by John “Barley” Dunne, director of the East Hampton Shellfish Hatchery, describing the fascinating history of the oyster in New York. Early 1900’s New York, specifically the east end of Long Island, was a major epicenter for growing, harvesting, and marketing the eastern oyster. The industry was fueled by aquaculture practices even in its infancy. Here is a look at the fascinating history of oysters and the industry that sprang up on the two forks of Long Island. Many fine photos depict the extent of the oyster community at the turn of the century and how a new industry is arising in the present. Barley will provide some oysters for your enjoyment after the lecture, as well as shucking lessons for those who are interested.
This FREE program is for adults and children ages 10+. Advanced reservations are required for all events.
Presenter: John “Barley” Dunne, Director of East Hampton Town Shellfish Hatchery

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Bugwatching Buddies Club: Start Seeing Monarchs Day
2026-05-02 11:00 | SOFO
When you think of migration, you probably think of birds going south for winter. However, one of the most famous migrating species is our very own Danaus plexippus, the monarch butterfly! As our milkweed plants start to grow back with the warming spring, the monarch butterflies return to lay their eggs on their favorite host plant, pollinating our gardens along the way. Come join SOFO to learn about the world of one of our favorite butterflies!
Club Leader: Moe Kennedy, SOFO Environmental Educator
This FREE program is for children ages 5-16. Advanced reservations are required for all events.

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