Paddling, Hiking, Birding
The Group for the South Fork has listed its fall explorations. First up is a canoe trip through Three Mile Harbor from 3:30 to 5:30 p.m. on Saturday. The Group suggests that a paddle through the salt mashes on the north end of the Harbor is a great way to celebrate National Coast Week. The trip, led by Mike Bottini, will be followed by refreshments, shellfish, and a sunset (clouds willing) at a harborside restaurant. Canoe rentals are $35. Interested paddlers are asked to call the Group at its Bridgehampton office.
The Group is also offering a walk through the walking dunes of Napeague with Betsey Perrier, landscape designer. She intends to point out the unique ecosystem that includes hollies, maples, oaks, shadbushes, grasses, sundews, cranberries, goldenrods, and asters. Walkers will begin at 1:30 p.m. on Sunday and return by 3:30 p.m.
Around The Light
Penny Lieberman will lead tours of the beaches and trails around the Montauk Lighthouse today from 1:30 to 2:45 p.m. Tomorrow, Saturday, and Sunday, she will lead two tours per day.
The morning tour begins at 11 a.m. and ends at 12:45 p.m. Tomorrow and Saturday's afternoon walks run from 1:30 to 2:45 p.m. The Saturday afternoon tour of Montauk Point's environs is scheduled from 3 to 4:15 p.m.
All of the walks start from the flagpole in front of the Lighthouse Museum. The cost is included in the museum's $3 charge, $2.75 for seniors, and $1 for kids ages 6 to 12. Children 6 and under get into the museum for free, but the walk is not recommended for them.
The East Hampton Trails Preservation Society has three walks planned for this week. On Saturday, beginning at 9 a.m., Gene Makl will lead a five-and-a-half-mile, "movable feast" hike into the Grace Estate by way of Whalebone Landing Road, Northwest Harbor, Scoy's Pond Road, and the Northwest Path, ending at the leader's house for coffee, tea, bagels, muffins, and "sprightly conversation." Hikers are asked to meet at the intersection with Scoy's Path West.
Canoe Hikers
The following day Mike Bottini will head up a group of canoers on Fresh Pond in Hither Hills beginning at 10 a.m. Canoe hikers may bring their own boats, or rent one for $30 from Mr. Bottini, who asks participants to meet at the Hither Hills overlook in Montauk just a bit east of where Old Montauk Highway splits from Montauk Highway. Boaters will need a high-clearance vehicle (not necessarily four-wheel drive) to get to the Pond.
Richard Lupoletti will lead the society's three-mile walk through the hardwood forest of Cedar Point Park on Oct. 5. The walk will lead to the view from cliffs high above Gardiner's Bay. Hikers are asked to meet at the Park Ranger's cabin near the park entrance in Northwest at 10 a.m.
On Saturday the Nature Conservancy is offering a tour of Amagansett's Atlantic Double Dunes beginning at 9 a.m. Tom Damiani, an expert birder, will lead the group, who will view migrating hawks and other birds. Due to its fragile nature, the preserve is open to guided tour only. Binoculars are suggested. Re servations are required and can be made by calling the conservancy's East Hampton office.
Guided Hikes
The Nature Conservancy and Cornell Cooperative Extension have team ed up to offer a nature weekend at the conservancy's Mashomack Preserve. The weekend, which begins Oct. 17 and runs through Sunday af ter noon, features guided nature hikes, marsh explorations, birdwatching, kayaking and home-cooked meals.
The fee is $250 per person based on double occupancy. Space is limited, and there is a registration deadline of Oct. 6. Those interested are asked to call the preserve on Shelter Island.