NEWBURYPORT — Mass Audubon's Joppa Flats Education Center, One Plum Island Turnpike, is a natural history education and visitor center that is open to the public Tuesday through Sunday and Monday holidays, 8:30 to 4. Call 978-462-9998 for information about additional programs and events, or visit the Web site at www.massaudubon.org/joppaflats.
WHAT'S THAT BIRD?: This is a special Labor Day offering specifically for those who are beginning to look at birds. Each trip is limited to six participants. Children age 8 and up are welcome. Leaders: Harvey Paclat, David Weaver and Amesbury's Jock Purcell. Monday, Sept. 1, 9:30-11:30 a.m. or 12:30-2:30 p.m. Meet at the Education Center. Fee: $5 for Mass Audubon member; $7 for nonmembers. Registration is required.
INTRODUCTION TO BUTTERFLYING: Learn the basics about local butterflies and moths on a field trip with Dorothy Saffarewich of Newbury. Children age 8 and up are welcome. Tuesday, Sept. 2, 10 a.m.-noon. Meet at the Education Center. Fee: $5 for Mass Audubon members; $7 for nonmembers. No registration required.
WEDNESDAY MORNING BIRDING: Join Sanctuary Director Bill Gette for this weekly birding field trip in the Newburyport/Plum Island area. Wednesday, Sept. 3, 9:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. Meet at the Education Center. Fee: $12 for Mass Audubon members; $15 for nonmembers. Registration is not required.
PARENT/CHILD WALKABOUT: TIDE POOLING FOR TOTS: Creative movement, guided imagery, and lots of outdoor fun for families with children ages 3 to 6. Led by teacher-naturalist Lisa Hutchings. The fee covers one adult and one child. Choose morning or afternoon session. Friday, Sept. 5, 10 a.m.-11:30 a.m. or 1-2:30 p.m. Meet at the Parker River National Wildlife Refuge, Parking Lot No. 1. Fee: $10 for Mass Audubon members; $14 for nonmembers. Registration is required.
INTRODUCTION TO BIRDWATCHING: Get the basics on field identification, birding locations, and field guides. Sunday, Sept. 7; 9 a.m.-3 p.m. Meet at the Education Center. Fee: $30 for Mass Audubon members; $39 for nonmembers. Registration required.
SUNDAY SCIENCE SAFARI: ROCKY INTERTIDAL SAFARI: Learn about the ecology, natural history and environmental status of this Parker River National Wildlife Refuge ecosystem. For ages 7-12. Parents welcome but not required to stay. Sunday, Sept. 7; 1 p.m.-3:30 p.m. Meet at the Sandy Point State Reservation at the south end of Plum Island. Fee: $12 for Mass Audubon members; $16 for nonmembers. Registration is required.
SEABIRDS AND WHALES ON THE PRINCE: Board the Prince of Whales for a birding and whale watching trip guided by marine mammal naturalists and Joppa Flats staff. Monday, Sept. 8, 9:30 a.m.-3 p.m. Meet on the boardwalk off Merrimack Street in downtown Newburyport. Fee: $47. Registration is required by calling Newburyport Whale Watch at 1-800-848-1111.
HOMESCHOOL CLASS: MARINE PLANKTON: Includes class discussion, science experiments and time spent outdoors exploring nature. For ages 7 to 12. Parents are welcome but not required to stay. Choose morning or afternoon session. Monday, Sept. 8; 9:30-11:30 a.m. or 1-3 p.m. Meet at the Education Center. Fee: $11 for Mass Audubon members; $15 for nonmembers. Registration required.
FALL MIGRANTS AT GREAT MEADOWS: Mass Audubon ornithologist Simon Perkins focuses on migrating shorebirds and songbirds at the wildlife refuge in Concord. Tuesday, Sept. 9, 7:30-10:30 a.m. Meet at the Great Meadows National Wildlife Refuge in Concord. Fee: $15 for Mass Audubon members; $19 for nonmembers. Registration required.
WEDNESDAY MORNING BIRDING: Join Sanctuary Director Bill Gette for this weekly birding field trip in the Newburyport/Plum Island area. Wednesday, Sept. 10, 9:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. Meet at the Education Center. Fee: $12 for Mass Audubon members; $15 for nonmembers. Registration is not required.
WEDNESDAY EVENING LECTURE — BHUTAN: BIRDING AT THE TOP OF THE WORLD: Joppa Flats Sanctuary director Bill Gette takes participants on a journey to Bhutan. Wednesday, Sept. 10, 7:30-8:30 p.m. Meet at the Education Center. Fee: free for Mass Audubon members; $4 for nonmembers. Registration is not required.
IMAGINE, SING, AND LEARN: OH MY, A BUTTERFLY! Active play and learning with Joppa Flats teacher-naturalist Lisa Hutchings for pre-schoolers, age 3-6, with a favorite adult. Choose one of four sessions. Thursday, Sept. 12, 10 to 11:30 a.m. or 2:30-4 p.m.; Friday, Sept. 13, 10-11:30 a.m. or 1 to 2:30 p.m. At Education Center. Fee: $10 for members; $14 for nonmembers. Registration is required.
On Exhibit at Joppa Flats through Sept. 21: "Fishes of the Bahamas" — watercolor paintings by Newburyport artist John Soward.
