December Brings Frosty Festive Fun to Audubon!
December 2025 Highlights from the Audubon Society of Rhode Island
(November 6, 2025) – Take a break from the holiday rush and enjoy some time in nature this season. Bundle up for an owl prowl on a crisp winter’s night, get creative and craft an owl ornament or try a waterclolor class, join a jolly bird walk and more.
Celebrate nature in December – register early and get in on the 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.
Supermoon Owl Prowl
Audubon Powder Mill Ledges Wildlife Refuge, Smithfield, RI
December 1, 2025; 6:30-8:30 pm
Join an Audubon Naturalist for a frosty evening walk during December’s full moon at Powder Mill Ledges. We will meet inside the building for an introduction to resident owls then go onto the trails in search of them. Dress for the weather by wearing layers, sturdy shoes/boots, and bring a flashlight. This program is appropriate for ages 10 and up. This hike will be cancelled in the event of inclement weather. Advanced registration is required. This program does not include a presentation with a live Audubon owl.
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.
NEIDart Audubon Exhibition 2025
Audubon Nature Center and Aquarium, Bristol, RI
Through December 31, 2025
Tina McCurdy is a fine artist who captures nature’s details through her work. She earned her BFA in Illustration from RISD, where she focused on scientific and medical illustration. Over the years, she has expanded her work to include whimsical subjects. Her artwork ranges in scale from tiny, detailed canvases to large, vibrant murals.
Each piece is created with passion and curiosity, as McCurdy explores techniques across a variety of mediums and surfaces.
Her work will be on view at the Audubon Society of Rhode Island Nature Center and Aquarium through December 31, 2025. Learn more about Tina McCurdy and NEIDart at www.neidart.com
Audubon Nature Center and Aquarium, 1401 Hope Street, Bristol, RI; Free with Admission. Ages: All.
Wednesday Morning Bird Walks with Audubon
Locations Across Rhode Island
December 3, 10, 17, 2025; 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. (Note: there is no walk on December 24 or 31.)
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.
Family Owl Prowl
Audubon Nature Center and Aquarium, Bristol, RI
December 4, 2025; 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.
Bristol Bimonthly Bird Walks
Audubon Nature Center and Aquarium, Bristol, RI
December 5 and 12, 2025; 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 fall birding! Offered every other Friday this fall and 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.
Raptor Photo Shoot
Audubon Powder Mill Ledges Wildlife Refuge, Smithfield, RI
December 6, 2025; 10:00am-12:00pm
Calling all photographers! Take advantage of this special opportunity to get up close with a Great Horned Owl, Eastern-screech Owl, Red-tailed Hawk, and Barred Owl. Each bird will be presented in a natural setting for that perfect shot. No tents. No crowds. No jostling for position. While you click, a naturalist will discuss each species, their natural history, and ecological place in Rhode Island. Register early, space is limited.
Powder Mill Ledges Wildlife Refuge, 12 Sanderson Road, Smithfield, RI; Fee; $75 per member/ $85 per non-member. Ages: Adult. Register online through the events calendar at asri.org/calendar.
Hoots and Hot Chocolate at Caratunk
Audubon Caratunk Wildlife Refuge, Seekonk, MA
December 13, 2025; 3:00-4:30pm
There are amazing species of owls that live in New England. You might have one in your own back yard! Sip some hot cocoa and sample some cookies while we take a pictorial look at our native owls, hear their calls, learn about their remarkable adaptations and meet a live owl. This program is designed for families with children aged 6 and up. Advance registration required.
Caratunk Wildlife Refuge, 301 Brown Avenue, Seekonk, MA; Fee: $15 member adult/ $7 member child $20 nonmember adult/$10 nonmember child. Ages: 6 and up. Register online through the events calendar at asri.org/calendar.
Owls and Ales
Audubon Caratunk Wildlife Refuge, Seekonk, MA
December 19, 2025; 6:30-8:30pm
Meet one of Audubon’s amazing birds of prey in person! Come to the Caratunk Wildlife Refuge for a presentation on these fascinating birds while enjoying locally brewed beers. Then take a guided walk through the wildlife refuge at night to look and listen for owls and other signs of animal life. Leave the kids at home —this program is just for adults. Come prepared to go outside on a chilly winter evening and bring a flashlight. Meet in the barn.
Caratunk Wildlife Refuge, 301 Brown Avenue, Seekonk, MA; December 19, 2025; 6:30-8:30 pm; Fee: $30/member; $35/non-member. Ages: 21 and up. Register online through the events calendar at asri.org/calendar.
Seals and Sea Ducks
Prudence Island, RI
December 19, 2025; 9:45am-4:45pm
Join us for an all-day adventure exploring Prudence Island. We’ll search for all kinds of birds but will primarily focus on visiting different habitats and areas of scenic beauty in search of sea ducks and other waterfowl species that spend the winter in Narragansett Bay. Visit the south end of the island where you might see harbor seals hauled out on rocks just offshore. The day will include some short walks (1-1.5 miles each) depending on recent sightings, and trail/road conditions. Reservations are required due to limited van space.
Narragansett Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve, Prudence Island, RI. Fee: $12/member, $14/Non-member. Ages: Adult. Register online through the events calendar at asri.org/calendar.
Winter Watercolors
Audubon Nature Center and Aquarium, Bristol, RI
December 20, 2025; 6:00-7:30pm
Join Audubon for a relaxing evening of winter-themed watercolor painting. Guided by simple techniques, participants will create their own snowy landscapes and seasonal scenes.
No experience necessary – this program is open to all skill levels. Just bring your enthusiasm for the arts and you’ll leave with your own seasonal masterpiece to take home.
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.
Needle Felted Owls
Be festive! Craft a felted owl ornament with Audubon on December 22 in Smithfield, RI.
Audubon Powder Mill Ledges Wildlife Refuge, Smithfield, RI
December 22, 2025; 5:30-7:00pm
Looking to craft a holiday gift or decoration? Join Audubon and learn to felt a small, three-dimensional owl. No prior needle felting experience is necessary. All materials will be provided.
Powder Mill Ledges Wildlife Refuge, 12 Sanderson Road, Smithfield, RI; Fee: $25/member, $30/non-member. Ages: 14 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
December 27, 2025; 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: Where’s the Wildlife? Have you ever wondered where the wild animals go in the winter? Join an Audubon naturalist to learn more about the unique strategies and adaptations local wildlife species have to help them survive the cold through an interactive presentation and up-close look at real animal biofacts. For ages 6+.
Bank of America Free Family Fun Days will also be offered on January 31 and February 28, 2026.
Audubon Nature Center and Aquarium, 1401 Hope Street, Bristol, RI; Fee: Free. Ages: All.
December School Vacation Week
Audubon Nature Center and Aquarium, Bristol, RI
Crab illustration by Tina McCurdy. Her work will be on view at the Audubon Nature Center and Aquarium through December 31, 2025.
December 29, 30, 31, 2025; 10:00am-3:00pm
Not sure what to do during school vacation week? Join Audubon for a week full of exciting nature activities!
Special programs and activities available each day and are free with admission. Registration not required.
10:00am: Nature Story
11:00am: Animal Interview
1:00pm: Special programs designed for children ages 6+.
Monday, December 29: Turtle Time – Explore how turtles experience the world by learning about their characteristics, senses, and other adaptations.
Tuesday, December 30: Sharks Big and Small – Meet Audubon’s live sharks in the aquarium and learn how sharks are uniquely adapted to marine life.
Wednesday, December 31: Feather Investigation – Discover how birds stay warm in the winter, blend in with their habitat, and fly though the sky. Investigate different types of feathers and bird biofacts up close.
Audubon Nature Center and Aquarium, 1401 Hope Street, Bristol, RI; Free with Admission. Ages: All.