Whoooo is Out in the Winter Woods?
January 2026 Highlights from the Audubon Society of Rhode Island
(December 4, 2025) – Bundle up for an owl prowl on a crisp winter’s night, grab a friend and learn how to track wildlife, or bring the kids to try their hand at frozen science experiments. Just pull on your warm and wooly mittens and head to Audubon for frosty fun!
Unless noted, registration is required for all programs. Register online and view a complete listing of programs through the events calendar at www.asri.org/calendar.
Bristol Bimonthly Bird Walks
Audubon Nature Center and Aquarium, Bristol, RI
January 2, 16, 30, 2026; 9:00-11:00 am
Join an Audubon naturalist for a morning stroll through the Claire D. McIntosh Wildlife Refuge in search of birds. Whether you’re a beginner or an experienced birder, you’ll enjoy spotting and learning about resident species and seasonal visitors. Bring your binoculars and experience the sights and sounds of winter birding! Offered every other Friday this winter in Bristol, RI.
Audubon Nature Center and Aquarium, 1401 Hope Street, Bristol, RI; Fee: $5/member, $10/non-member. Ages: 14+. Register online through the events calendar at asri.org/calendar.
Family Owl Prowl
Audubon Nature Center and Aquarium, Bristol, RI
January 3, 2026; 4:30-6:00pm
Take to the trails in search of owls! Join an Audubon naturalist in this guided hike of the Claire D. McIntosh Wildlife Refuge to listen and look for owls. While we never know if we’ll hear or see an owl, participants will learn a lot and have a great hike. Please dress for the weather and bring a flashlight. This program does not include a presentation with a live Audubon owl.
Audubon Nature Center and Aquarium, 1401 Hope Street, Bristol, RI; Fee: $10/member adult, $5/member child; $14/non-member adult, $7/non-member child. Ages: All. Register online through the events calendar at asri.org/calendar.
Wolf Moon Owl Prowl
Powder Mill Ledges Wildlife Refuge, Smithfield, RI
January 5, 2026; 6:30-8:30pm
Join Audubon at night to search for owls under a full moon! An Audubon naturalist will provide an introduction to resident owls and show talons, wings, skulls before you head onto the trails. While we never know if we’ll hear or see owls, the naturalist will call for different species in the forest. Please dress for the weather, wear sturdy walking shoes/boots, and bring a flashlight. Advance registration is required.
Powder Mill Ledges Wildlife Refuge, 12 Sanderson Road, Smithfield, RI; Fee: $10/member; $14/non-member. Ages: 10 and up. Register online through the events calendar at asri.org/calendar.
Wednesday Morning Bird Walks with Audubon
Locations Across Rhode Island
January 7, 14, 21, 28, 2026; 9:00 – 11:00am
Audubon offers small-group Wednesday Morning Bird Walks with naturalist Laura Carberry. Each week a new birding destination will be chosen. Advance registration is required. Locations will be sent to registered participants in advance.
Locations determined weekly; Every Wednesday through June 2026; Fee: $5/member, $10/non-member. Ages: 14+. Register online through the events calendar at asri.org/calendar.
Owls & Ales
Audubon Nature Center and Aquarium, Bristol, RI
January 9, 2026; 6:30-7:30pm
Did you know Rhode Island is home to multiple species of owls? Enjoy locally brewed beer while discovering the incredible species that call our region home. Learn to recognize their calls and uncover the remarkable adaptations that make them such skilled hunters. Meet one of Audubon’s live ambassador owls and head out on the refuge to listen for ones in the wild. For Ages 21 and up.
Audubon Nature Center and Aquarium, 1401 Hope Street, Bristol, RI; Fee: $30/member; $35/non-member. Ages: 21 and up. Register online through the events calendar at asri.org/calendar.
Winter Waterfowl Van Trip
Locations across Rhode Island
January 10, 2026; 8:00 am-4:00 pm
Join Audubon for a trip to Rhode Island’s coastal habitats and ponds in search of winter waterfowl and seabirds. Stop at birding hot spots to search for a variety of waterfowl including Barrow’s Golden-eye, Canvasback, Common Eider and more. We’ll be visiting scenic coastal locations such as Foster Cove at Ninigret Park, Trustom Pond, Quonochontaug Pond, Beavertail State Park and more. Please bring a lunch and optics. Dress for the weather.
Departs from Powder Mill Ledges Wildlife Refuge, 12 Sanderson Road, Smithfield, RI; Fee: $50/member; $60/non-member. Ages: 16 and up. Register online through the events calendar at asri.org/calendar.
Audubon Field Naturalist: Wildlife Tracks and Signs
Three-session Series
Audubon Wildlife Refuges
January 10, February 7, March 28, 2026; 10:00am-1:00pm
Learn the art and science of interpreting wildlife tracks and signs. Participants will learn gaits and patterns, track and scat identification, as well as some of the telltale signs and clues that wildlife leave behind. Practice identification using a step-by-step process and other resources. Interpretation areas will be marked ahead of time for the group to assess. Each session includes interactive presentations and activities indoors, and an opportunity to practice what you learned outside on the trails. Audubon Wildlife Refuge locations in Smithfield, North Smithfield, and Exeter, RI. Pre-registration is required.
For program details, information on locations, and to register, visit asri.org/calendar. Fee per session: $36/member, $42/non-member. Ages 15 to Adult.
Nature is the Muse: Paper Montage Artistry
Painting with Paper Exhibit by Artist Galen Snow
Audubon Nature Center and Aquarium, Bristol, RI
January 10 – February 28, 2026;9:30am-4:30pm
Artist reception Sunday, February 1, 2026; 2:00-4:00pm
Galen Snow creates paintings with paper. Growing up in the Pacific Northwest, she was outdoors as much as possible, raising and riding horses, sailing, skiing, hiking and creating gardens. Always inspired by nature, Galen has been an artist in her core since she could pick up a pencil or crayon and make a drawing. She lives in Little Compton where she is gratefully surrounded by the beauty that inspires her to create art every day.
Audubon Nature Center and Aquarium, 1401 Hope Street, Bristol, RI. Free with admission. Ages: All.
Owl Prowl at Caratunk
Caratunk Wildlife Refuge, Seekonk, MA
January 17, 2026; 4:30-6:30 pm
Come and walk the trails at night to look and listen for resident owls. Learn about the behavior and biology that makes these raptors so mysterious. Meet one of Audubon’s live ambassador owls and head out on the refuge to listen for ones in the wild. Please dress for the weather, wear sturdy shoes for hiking, and bring a flashlight. These programs are designed for families with children ages 10 and up.
Caratunk Wildlife Refuge, 301 Brown Avenue, Seekonk, MA; Fee: $15/member; $20/non-member. Ages: 10 and up. Register online through the events calendar at asri.org/calendar.
Winter Bird Feeding & DIY Feeders
Audubon Nature Center and Aquarium, Bristol, RI
January 17, 2026; 1:00-2:00pm
Give your backyard birds a boost this winter. Start with a short presentation on winter bird feeding diving into what species are around this time of year, what foods they need, and how you can support them as the seasons change. Then roll your sleeves up and create your own bird feeder to take home using simple, natural materials. All supplies will be provided.
Audubon Nature Center and Aquarium, 1401 Hope Street, Bristol, RI; Fee: $10/member; $14/non-member. Ages: 10 and up. Register online through the events calendar at asri.org/calendar.
Winter Hiking on Prudence Island
Prudence Island, RI
January 21, 2026; 9:45am-4:45pm
Head out for a day of winter hiking on the many trails on Prudence Island. With 85% of the island protected, there is natural beauty around every corner! Scenery includes coastline, salt marsh, meadow, and forest. Hike will be at a moderate pace, and participants should be able to walk approximately 5-6 miles total.
Narragansett Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve, Prudence Island, RI; Fee: $12/member, $14/non-member. Ages: Adult. For more information on Prudence island trips, register online through the events calendar at asri.org/calendar.
Owl Prowl at Powder Mill Ledges
Powder Mill Ledges Wildlife Refuge, Smithfield, RI
January 23, 2026; 6:00-8:00pm
Come and walk the trails at night to look and listen for our resident owls. Learn about the behavior and biology that makes these raptors so mysterious. Meet one of Audubon’s live ambassador owls, then head out on the refuge to listen for ones in the wild. Please dress for the weather, wear sturdy shoes for hiking, and bring a flashlight. Designed for families with children ages 10 and up. Powder Mill Ledges Wildlife Refuge, 12 Sanderson Road, Smithfield, RI; Fee: $15/member; $20/non-member. Ages: 10 and up. Register online through the events calendar at asri.org/calendar.
Wildlife Collage Making
Audubon Nature Center and Aquarium, Bristol, RI
January 23, 2026; 5:00-6:30pm
Get creative and celebrate the beauty of nature in this wildlife collage making program! Using old magazines, participants will design unique collages featuring animals, plants, and wild landscapes. Materials will be provided, and no art experience is necessary – just bring your love for nature and a willingness to get creative! Ages 14+ only.
Audubon Nature Center and Aquarium, 1401 Hope Street, Bristol, RI; Fee: $10/member; $14/non-member. Ages: 14 and up. Register online through the events calendar at asri.org/calendar.
Frozen Science Experiments
Audubon Nature Center and Aquarium, Bristol, RI
January 24, 2026; 12:00-1:00pm
Discover the cool side of nature! Join an Audubon naturalist and conduct frozen science experiments. From testing how salt changes ice to building their own frozen pond, children will learn how animals and ecosystems survive the cold.
Audubon Nature Center and Aquarium, 1401 Hope Street, Bristol, RI; Fee: $5/member child; $7/non-member child. Ages: 5 and up. Register online through the events calendar at asri.org/calendar.
Owling at Fisherville Brook
Fisherville Brook Wildlife Refuge, Exeter, RI
January 30, 2026; 6:30 – 8:30 pm
In a small group setting, spend time with one of Audubon’s live owls and review what makes these birds so special. Then head out on the trails in search of these wild creatures in their natural habitat. Fisherville is home to Barred Owl and Great Horned Owls. Pre-registration is a must; this program is limited to 12 participants. Adults only. This program will be fully outdoors so please dress for the weather. Meet in the nature center, bring a flashlight.
Fisherville Brook Wildlife Refuge, 99 Pardon Joslin Road, Exeter, RI; Fee: $15/member; $20/non-member. Ages: 16 and up. Register online through the events calendar at asri.org/calendar.
Bank of America Free Family Fun Day
Audubon Nature Center and Aquarium, Bristol, RI
January 31, 2026; 10:00am-3:00pm
Thanks to Bank of America, Audubon offers free admission to the Nature Center and Aquarium on Select Saturdays this winter. Bring the family for nature stories, animal discoveries, crafts, hikes, and more. No need to register.
10:00am – 3:00pm: Craft Table
10:00am: Nature Story
11:00am & 2:30pm: Animal Interview
1:00pm: Celebrate World Wetlands Day! Join Audubon to learn about the important roles these diverse habitats play in creating healthy ecosystems through an interactive presentation and hands-on activity. Then get up-close with a local turtle species that call the wetlands home!
For ages 6+.
Bank of America Free Family Fun Day will also be offered on February 28, 2026.
Audubon Nature Center and Aquarium, 1401 Hope Street, Bristol, RI; Fee: Free. Ages: All.
Photos:
Eastern Screech-Owl in the snow. Photo credit Peter Green.
Young visitor to the Audubon Nature Center and Aquarium, Bristol, RI. Photo credit Richard Staples.
Northern Mockingbird in snow. Photo credit Butch Lombardi.