Save The Bay, Audubon Society of Rhode Island Team Up for Four Winter Birding Boat Tours

PROVIDENCE, RI – Save The Bay is teaming up with the Audubon Society of Rhode Island to offer four two-hour winter birding boat tours on Saturdays, February 7, February 21, and March 7 from 10 a.m. until noon, and Saturday, April 11, from 1:00 – 3:00 p.m.

The February and March tours will depart from Newport, exploring points along the lower Narragansett Bay, and weather permitting, the southern shore of Aquidneck Island. The April tour will depart from Westerly, cruising the lower Pawcatuck River and Little Narragansett Bay south toward Napatree Point.

“We often have birders on our seal tours, but these birding trips will take our guests to various sites specifically to look for birds that may not be seen on our seal tours,” said Save The Bay Captain Eric Pfirrmann. “And our excellent Audubon Society tour guides can make even a foggy day entertaining. This is a great trip for any birder – novice to expert,” he said.

From aboard Save The Bay’s vessels, M/V Elizabeth Morris and M/V Alletta Morris, birders will enjoy a unique vantage point to capture fresh views of the region’s winter shorebirds. “The birding boat tours with Audubon and Save The Bay offer birders a unique opportunity to observe sea ducks from the water,” explains Audubon Naturalist and expert birder Laura Carberry. “The boat can often navigate into shoreline nooks and crannies where birds may be hiding. Last year, we spotted Long-tailed Ducks, a Rough-legged Hawk, Goldeneye, an Iceland Gull, Eider, Scoter and more. I look forward to seeing what this year brings,” she said.

During the two-hour tours, Save The Bay and Audubon Society of Rhode Island educators will provide expert guidance and knowledge of birds and coastal habitat. Birders will be on the look-out for Harlequin, Bufflehead, Goldeneyes, Northern Gannet, and other visiting pelagic birds. Harbor seal sightings may be an added tour bonus.

For more information about Save The Bay’s Winter Birding Tours, and to register, visit  http://www.savebay.org/birding.

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