Do you enjoy seal-watching? If the answer is "yes," opportunities abound.
New York State Parks Department naturalists will lead afternoon seal-spotting hikes in Montauk Point State Park on Saturday at 1 and Sunday at 2. Five species of seals are enjoying wintery waters here, so hikers should take binoculars to observe from a safe distance. The hikes are a moderately paced three miles and last about two hours.
Participants should wear footwear and clothing appropriate for cold-weather activities, and should meet 10 minutes prior to the start time at the restroom facilities at the Lighthouse's lower parking lot. Dogs are not permitted. The cost is $4 per person, cash only, though children under 3 can take part free of charge. Registration is required at 631-668-5000, extension 0.
Also, the South Fork Natural History Museum is co-sponsoring a seal cruise with the Coastal Research and Educational Society of Long Island at noon on Saturday. A society scientist will lead a two-hour expedition "to view, photograph, and gather information about the diversity and distribution of the seals in Shinnecock Bay."
The place to meet is the Marine Station at the Stony Brook Southampton campus. The cost is $40, and registration is required at sofo.org.
