Prowl for owls, go snowshoeing under the full moon at Audubon events in February

Journal Staff
·2 min read

If cabin fever is setting in during the dark days of winter, the Audubon Society of Rhode Island has some cold-weather fun to look forward to in February, including a nighttime owl prowl and snowshoeing under the full moon.

An Audubon guide will lead the Feb. 2 Owl Prowl at Caratunk Wildlife Refuge in Seekonk, Massachusetts, from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. and offer information on species that are found in New England. Dress warmly, wear sturdy walking shoes and bring a flashlight.

Learn about barred owls and other local species during a Feb. 2 Owl Prowl at Caratunk Wildlife Refuge in Seekonk, Mass.
Learn about barred owls and other local species during a Feb. 2 Owl Prowl at Caratunk Wildlife Refuge in Seekonk, Mass.

Owl fans will also want to check out the popular adults-only Owls and Ales event on Feb. 11 from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. at the Audubon Nature Center and Aquarium in Bristol. Meet some of Audubon's owls while enjoying locally brewed beers, and then take a guided walk through the refuge's trails to look and listen for owls and detect other signs of animal life.

More:Who's that? A guide to winter owls in RI

More:Want to meet owls, hawks and other raptors? Here's where to find them in RI

And then you can learn how to make owls from wool at the Needle Felted Owls workshop at Caratunk on Feb. 18 from 2 to 3:30 p.m. No felting experience or artistic skills are needed, and all materials will be provided.

Make an owl out of felted wool at Audubon's Feb. 18 workshop at the Caratunk refuge.
Make an owl out of felted wool at Audubon's Feb. 18 workshop at the Caratunk refuge.

If you're looking for more outdoor fun, Audubon is offering two snowshoe hikes, a full-moon trek on Feb. 4 from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. at Fisherville Brook Wildlife Refuge in Exeter, and a daytime event on Feb. 11 from 10 a.m. to noon at Fort Wildlife Refuge in North Smithfield. If there's no snow cover and the grounds aren't too icy, attendees will take a guided hike on the trails. Participants must bring their own snowshoes. (Rentals are available at REI.)

Walking RI:A birder's paradise by the shore in Middletown

Looking for a great birdwatching spot? Try this former Navy site in North Kingstown

Plenty more events are in store, including Wednesday-morning bird walks with naturalist Laura Carberry at multiple Audubon locations; a family-friendly winter walk to identify tracks and other signs left by animals on Feb. 12 at Caratunk; and a slate of events during school vacation week, Feb. 20-24, at the Powder Mill Ledges Wildlife Refuge in Smithfield and the Nature Center and Aquarium in Bristol.

Advance registration is required, and some events are weather-dependent. For details and registration, go to asri.org/calendar.

This article originally appeared on The Providence Journal: Owl Prowl, snowshoe treks on tap at Audubon refuges in February