Protectors of Pine Oak Woods Announces Upcoming Walks in Staten Island

Upcoming Walks Sponsored by Protectors of Pine Oak Woods (Staten Island):

Saturday, October 29, 9:45 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.
Protectors' 10 Mile Greenbelt Walk - Colors should be at peak with some contrasting greens. Wear comfortable boots and long pants. Ten moderate miles in all weather. Park and meet at the end of Staten Island Boulevard, a block off Ocean Terrace, just above the Petrides Campus. Bring lunch and adequate beverage. For more information call Dominick Durso at 917-478-7607, or Don Recklies at 718-768-9036.

Sunday, October 30, 10 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.
Crooke's Point - Learn about the problem first hand with a site tour and discussion with Cliff Hagen. See for yourself the rich biodiversity of Crooke's Point and the importance the site plays in the migration of birds, butterflies and dragonflies. Participants are then encouraged to attend the November 2 Forum and hear from the experts and ask questions. Park in the lot closest to the bathhouse nearest Crooke's Point in Great Kills Park. For more information call Cliff Hagen at 718-313-8591.

Sunday, October 30, 9 a.m. to 11 a.m.
Mount Loretto Unique Area - Sparrows abound this time of year in the fields of Mount Loretto. Likewise, the ponds and shoreline are busy with the escapades of migrating waterfowl. And, overhead, the hawk migration is in full swing. Join Howie Fischer to enjoy this birding bonanza. Meet in the parking lot across Hylan Boulevard from the CYO Center. For more information call Howie Fischer at 718-981-4002.

Wednesday, November 2, 6 p.m. to 9 p.m.
Protectors Semi-Annual Fall Meeting - Future of Crooke's Point Forum - Expert panel of Parks Department project managers and naturalists discuss the benefits and effects of planned restorations at Crooke's Point in Great Kills Park. This free meeting is for Protectors members and the general public. Join us at the Staten Island Zoo at 614 Broadway. Registration and refreshments starting at 6 p.m. Please contact Protectors at (718) 751-6629 for more information.

Saturday, November 5, 10 a.m. to 12 noon
Conference House Beach - Past and present blend in the Conference House park where history stretches back thousands of years with the seasonal occupation of the Lenape and hundreds of years with the habitation of the Dutch and English. We'll observe evidence of the human occupation of the area, observe local geology and discover what the natural and unnatural debris at the high tide line has to reveal. Meet at the parking lot at the end of Hylan Blvd. on the left. For more information phone Clay Wollney at 718-869-6327.

Sunday, November 6, 1 p.m. to 3 p.m.
Crooke's Point, Forum Follow-up - Join local naturalist, Paul Lederer, for an ecological study and discussion on the impact of the proposed "restoration" of Crooke's Point, one of Staten Island's finest migratory stopover sites. Park in the lot closest to the bathhouse nearest Crooke's Point in Great Kills Park. For more information call Cliff Hagen at 718-313-8591.

Saturday, November 12, 10 a.m. to 12 noon
Reeds Basket Willow - Discover this hidden natural park in Dongan Hills. We'll visit the three bodies of water in the park and hike through the woodlands. Although none of the willows grown by the Reed family still exist, the woodlands and stream are still home to a wide variety of flora and fauna. Meet at the Spring Street entrance in Dongan Hills. For more information call Clay Wollney at 718-869-6327.

Saturday, November 13, 2011, 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Geologic Tour of Graniteville Quarry Park with Dr. Alan Benimoff - He discovered a rare sequence of 200 million year old rocks here back in 1977. He will also show you evidence that a glacier flowed over this area about 22,000 years ago. Meet on the South side of Forest Ave between Van Name and Simonson Ave. For more information contact Dr. Benimoff at 718-477-1974 or e-mail alan.benimoff@csi.cuny.edu

Sunday, November 13, 5:30 p.m. to 7 p.m.
Owl Prowl at High Rock Park - Explore the dark corners of High Rock Park and search for owls with Cliff Hagen. Walk the trails at night and seek out the quiet areas that owls prefer to hunt. A bright moon will light the way, but flashlights are acceptable. Meet in the main parking lot atop Nevada Avenue. For more information call Cliff Hagen at 718-313-8591.

Saturday, November 19, 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.
Forest Restoration Workshop, LaTourette Blue Trail - Meet at the bike path entrance on the Old Mill Road next to St. Andrews Church (the old one). We will walk to the T-junction of the bike path where we will turn up the Blue Trail and cut invasive vines that strangle saplings along the trail. If you don't have your own, Protectors will supply gloves and pruners (& refreshments). After a two hour work session (our 185th consecutive monthly workshop), we will take a short walk over nearby trails. For more information call Don Recklies at 718-768-9036, or Chuck Perry at 718-667-1393.

Saturday, December 3, 10 a.m. to 12 noon
Old Mill Road - We'll follow the multi-use trail overlooking Fresh Kills, pass the famous Hessian Spring as it crosses the path and view Fresh Kills estuary and work our way to The Remains of Ketchum's Mill. Along the way we'll observe traces of the past, examine the present woodland ecosystems and search for evidence of present inhabitants especially deer and other mammals. Park at the start of Old Mill Road alongside the church. For more information phone Clay Wollney at 718-869-6327.

Sunday, December 4, 9 a.m. to 11 a.m.
Wolfe's Pond Park - Hurricane Irene has changEd Wolfe's Pond into a tidal creek, a new habitat attracting an assortment of new wildlife. Late migrating shorebirds and sparrows, as well as wintering waterfowl, will busy themselves feeding among this diverse ecosystem. Meet in the main parking lot beside the restrooms. For more information call Howie Fischer at 718-981-4002.

Saturday, December 10, 10 a.m. to 12 noon
Long Pond - From reptiles and amphibians to birds and mammals, we'll look for signs of animal life during this one and a half mile hike through the woodlands of Long Pond Park. In addition evidence of the geologic history and human influence on the park will also be observed. Meet at PS 6, on Page Avenue and Academy Avenue about 3 blocks NW of Hylan Blvd. For more information phone Clay Wollney at 718-869-6327.

Saturday, December 10, 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.
Forest Restoration Workshop, The Greenbelt - For the 186th consecutive monthly restoration we will meet in the parking lot of the Greenbelt Nature Center at the junction of Rockland Avenue and Brielle Road. We will walk sections of the White and Blue Trails where we will spend two hours removing vines from saplings along the trails. If you don't have your own, Protectors will supply gloves and pruners (& refreshments). After a two hour work session, we will take a short walk over nearby trails. For more information call Don Recklies at 718-768-9036, or Chuck Perry at 718-667-1393.

Saturday, December 17, 5:00 p.m. to 6:30 p.m.
Owl Prowl at Allison's Pond - Gateway to the Goodhue Woods, Allison's Pond Park hosts a number of resident screech owls in search of voles, moles and mice. Walk quietly along the stream toward Goodhue and listen to the owl's call. Join Cliff Hagen as he mimics the calls and attracts the owls within sight. Meet at the corner of Prospect Avenue and Brentwood Avenue. For more information call Cliff Hagen at 718-313-8591.

Saturday, January 7, 9 a.m. to 11 a.m.
Great Kills Park - Join Howie Fischer as he searches for sparrows, lark, swallows and warblers surviving a harsh winter on the natural bounty of Crooke's Point. Also, scan the waters offshore to see a collection of waterfowl, possibly numbering in the thousands. For more information call Howie Fischer at 718-981-4002.

Sunday, January 8, 5:30 p.m. to 7 p.m.
Owl Prowl at Blue Heron Park - The deep cold of winter sends signals to resident owls to begin courtship. Visit the park at night and listen to the calls of screech owls and great horned owls during a quiet walk through the dark corners of Blue Heron Park. Meet at Blue Heron Park Nature Center, 222 Poillon Avenue. For more information call Cliff Hagen at 718-313-8591.