Birding

Have you ever walked through the woods looking for owls during the day? Owls are most active at night, of course, but if you know what to look for you can find their daytime roosts. Together we'll discover what our local owls look like, what they eat, and what they sound like. As a special activity, everyone will help to dissect an owl pellet.

Come to Joppa Flats Education Center for an afternoon full of family fun! Adults and children can spend quality family time in the great outdoors finding, observing, and admiring local wildlife. Can you imagine seeing a Bald Eagle or a Snowy Owl on a winter walk? Families will travel in their cars to several birding hot spots on the Parker River National Wildlife Refuge with Joppa Flats naturalists in the lead. Once there, we'll walk on cleared trails to search for the birds that are here for the winter. Then, we'll wrap up with hot chocolate back at Joppa Flats.

Join The Trustees of Reservations at Crane Wildlife Refuge on the Crane Estate in search of the Snowy Owl! Wide-open coastal sites are the location of choice for wintering Snowy Owls; common perches are dunes and salt hay staddles. In winters past, the owls have been frequent visitors to the Crane Wildlife Refuge. Join us for a family snowy owl prowl as we hike the dunes in search of these magnificent birds. As a family hike, this hike will be shorter and slower than our standard snowy owl prowl, focusing on engaging children in the natural world. If you are an adult with no or older children who would prefer a more serene hiking experience, please check out or standard Snowy Owl Prowl events. 

Family pricing includes 2 adults and up to 2 children. If your family is larger, please purchase 2 family tickets. 

Please note: We will be hiking up and down dunes, through soft sand, for approximately 2 miles. Sturdy shoes are necessary and trekking poles are recommended for anyone with balance concerns. Because we will be looking for Snowy Owls on distant dunes, please bring binoculars if you have them. We will have a few pairs available for use to share between us.