For The Outdoorsy
The East Hampton Trails Preservation Society's Lee Dion plans to lead a hike along the Northwest Path on Saturday beginning at 1 p.m. from the corner of Hand's Creek Road and Scoy's Path West.
The leisurely paced hike will include parts of the Paumanok Path. Hikers have the option of walking the entire 9.5 miles or a shorter, three to four-mile, stretch with a second hike leader.
On Sunday the society has Hither Hills in mind for a 10 to 11-mile hike beginning at 10 a.m. Rick Whalen will guide hikers on this longer of two treks. A shorter trip with a separate leader will also be offered.
Movable Feast
The full hike includes attractions like the Ram Level, the coastal trail, the Keyhole, Stephen Talkhouse Path, Fresh Pond, and Devil's Cradle. Those in for the long haul have been asked to bring a lunch. The meeting place is the Montauk Recycling Center.
A hike at an undisclosed location scheduled for Wednesday at 10 a.m. completes the society's outings for the week. Richard Lupoletti will guide hikers along a little-used trail in a developed area of town.
When connected with the newly acquired Watchtower property, this section of trail will become a link in the Paumanok Path between Northwest and Amagansett. Hikers have been asked to meet at 66 Oyster Shores Road off Springy Banks.
Sounds Of Nature
On Saturday from 10 a.m. until noon, the South Fork Natural History Society will offer "The Sounds of Nature With Kindermusik," for children 18 months to 7 years old. Ellen Johansen will have kids dancing and making music outdoors with natural objects.
Children can bring objects to use as instruments, such as a shell or seed pod, or they can experiment with Ms. Johansen's collection. The society suggests that participants bring beach chairs, or a blanket, and a snack.
Those interested can call the society's Natureline in Amagansett to learn where to meet.
Birding For Beginners
The Group for the South Fork has scheduled a "Birdwatching for Beginners" workshop for Saturday from 8 a.m. until 4 p.m., starting outdoors at Hunter's Gardens in Southampton.
A midafternoon classroom session is planned for the Quogue Wildlife Refuge Center. The workshop will finish up at Dune Road in Southampton with participants searching for wading birds and shore birds along Shinnecock Bay.
This is the time of year that migrating birds of the forests, fields, and marshes descend on the East End. The course costs $20 for members of the Group, $40 for nonmembers. All have been asked to pack a lunch and bring their own binoculars. Reservations are required and can be made by calling the Group's headquarters on Main Street in Bridgehampton.
Bike Tour
Volunteers interested in helping the Nature Conservancy protect nesting piping plovers and least terns have been asked to call the conservancy's East Hampton offices today in order to sign up for Saturday's outing and to learn the meeting place. Volunteer work days are scheduled for each Saturday in May.
The Cycle Path shop of Amagansett has again scheduled a two-to-three-hour guided bike tour of Hither Woods for Sunday. Participants should have some trail riding experience, and helmets are required. Bikers have been asked to meet at the shop at 3:30 p.m. on Sunday, or at the Montauk Recycling Center on Montauk Highway at 4 p.m.
The Cornell Cooperative Extension service has a "North Fork Spring Weekend" planned for Friday through Sunday. Activities include a hike through maritime forest in Orient State Park and a kayak trip through a salt marsh at Cedar Beach County Park. Visits to the Horton's Point Lighthouse and the Cedar Beach shellfish hatchery are also planned.
All-Inclusive
Accommodations will be provided by the Sunset Motel in Greenport. The cost of the weekend is $180 per person based on double occupancy. It includes lodging, meals (Saturday breakfast through Sunday brunch), guided tour fees, and all gratuities.
Advance registration and payment are required by calling the Marine Program headquarters in Southold.