Field Trips and Meetings
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Field Trip – First Wednesday Walk: Hammonasset Beach State Park, Madison – Jerry Connolly

Shoreline Greenway Trail Eastern Trailhead Parking Lot - Hammo Shoreline Greenway Trail Eastern Trailhead Parking Lot, Madison, CT, United States

At any time of year, Hammonasset is a true gem. Enjoy a mid-week trip to explore this birding hotspot for fall migrants. The varied habitat attracts shorebirds, waterfowl, raptors, and songbirds. Meet outside the park at the Shoreline Greenway Trail parking area on Boston Post Road, Madison, just east of the park's main entrance road. Leader: Jerry Connolly, birdshop@sbcglobal.net, 203-710-2011.

Field Trip – Quinnipiac Trail, Prospect – John Triana

Boardman Drive Boardman drive, Prospect, CT, United States

Join us for a vigorous walk along the Quinnipiac Trail from Cornwall Avenue in Prospect through Regional Water Authority and Prospect Land Trust property off of Boardman Drive. Expect many steep areas with rough terrain. Wear appropriate footwear and bring water. Inclement weather cancels. Meet at the end of the cul-de-sac on Boardman Drive, Prospect. We’ll carpool to Cornwall Avenue

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Indoor Meeting – Barn Owls and Barn Owl Restoration – Joseph Zbyrowski

Whitney Center, Cultural Arts Center 200 Leeder Hill Drive, Hamden, CT, United States

Join us for a presentation by local raptor specialist, Joseph Zbyrowski, during which he will emphasize barn owl characteristics, physical features, and behavior. He will also discuss restoration methods to encourage owls to nest and reproduce. Joseph has been working with hawks and owls for more than 30 years. He is a retired teacher of environmental science; master bird-bander; and

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124th Annual New Haven Christmas Bird Count

Whitney Center, Cultural Arts Center 200 Leeder Hill Drive, Hamden, CT, United States

Join other NHBC members in this fun event, steeped in tradition. Join birders in the field or report what you see in your backyard (if you reside within the count circle). Take part for a few hours or all day. The results of the count are sent to the National Audubon Society for inclusion in an international census of early

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Field Trip – Second Wednesday Walk: Sherwood Island State Park, Westport – Tina Green

Sherwood Island State Park 390 Sherwood Island Connector, Main parking lot, Westport, CT, United States

Join a midweek trip (on the Second Wednesday!) to this outstanding Long Island Sound birding spot. We check for loons, grebes, goldeneye, and other sea ducks. The fields are a good place to look for Snow Buntings, Horned Larks, and sparrows. Meet at Sherwood Island State Park: take Exit 18 off I-95 in Westport and head south on the Sherwood

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Indoor Meeting – History of the New Haven Bird Club – John Triana

Whitney Center, Cultural Arts Center 200 Leeder Hill Drive, Hamden, CT, United States

The NHBC was organized on April 3, 1907. In the lead-up to the Club’s centennial in 2008, John did extensive research on NHBC’s history. This included stories about the women and men who have contributed to the Club’s success over the last century. John will review the highlights of those 100 years and bring us up-to-date with additions to the

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Field Trip – Milford Hotspots in Winter – Frank Mantlik

Milford Commuter Lot exit 35 111 Schoolhouse rd, Milford, CT, United States

We'll look for waterbirds and fowl including Long-tailed Ducks, scoters, and loons, as well as shorebirds, gulls, and raptors as we visit Milford hotspots that will likely include Milford Point, Mondo Ponds, and Caswell Cove. Dress warmly and plan to carpool. The trip ends by noon. Inclement weather will probably cancel the trip. Check with the leader if you have

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The Eighth (REALLY THE NINTH) Annual Mega Bowl of Birding in New Haven County

Birders of all ages and skill levels are welcome to participate in a fun and friendly event! Go birding for all or part of the day to see how many species you can observe. Earn points for each species found. The rarer the species, the more points earned. Birders can participate alone or in a group of up to five people. Compete

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Mega Bowl Compilation Dinner (location to be announced!)

Birders of all ages and skill levels are welcome to participate in a fun and friendly event! Go birding for all or part of the day to see how many species you can observe. Earn points for each species found. The rarer the species, the more points earned. Birders can participate alone or in a group of up to five people. Compete

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Field Trip – First Wednesday Walk: Hammonasset State Park, Madison – Greg Hanisek

Shoreline Greenway Trail Eastern Trailhead Parking Lot - Hammo Shoreline Greenway Trail Eastern Trailhead Parking Lot, Madison, CT, United States

Enjoy a mid-week field trip to Hammonasset Beach State Park, one of the state’s best birding locations in any season of the year. We will look for sea ducks, grassland species, and rarities. Meet outside the park at the Shoreline Greenway Trail parking area on Boston Post Road, Madison, just east of the park's main entrance road. Leader: Greg Hanisek,

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Indoor Meeting – Crested Caracaras, 32 years later – Joan Morrison (Virtual only)

Virtual Meeting

**This virtual-only meeting will start at 7p.m.** Dr. Joan Morrison will share highlights from her research on the federally threatened Crested Caracaras in Florida, uncovering new insights into their breeding biology, diet, social behavior, and spatial ecology. Her work has been pivotal in understanding these birds; their intelligence and gregarious nature makes them challenging to study. The primary threat to

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Field Trip – White Memorial Foundation: Birding and Tracking – Craig Repasz

White Memorial Foundation 80 Whitehall Road, Litchfield, CT, United States

White Memorial Foundation is a 4,000-acre nature preserve. The diverse mixture of habitats includes mature deciduous and evergreen forests, as well as fields of tall grass, weeds, and shrubs that are managed for various stages of succession. One of the best birding sites in the state and an Important Bird Area, White Memorial Foundation has approximately 35 miles of woodland

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Field Trip – Sachuest Point NWR and Rhode Island Coast – Chris Loscalzo

the Branford commuter lot, Exit 55 off I-95. 342 East Main Street, Branford, CT, United States

Snow date - Sunday, February 23, 2025 This all-day trip includes stops at Beavertail State Park, Moonstone Beach, Trustum Pond, and other great birding sites along the Rhode Island coast. We will see lots of sea ducks including all three scoter species, Common Eider, and Harlequin Duck. We’ll look for birds of prey, including Rough-legged Hawk and several owl species.

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Field Trip – First Wednesday Walk: Stratford Shore & Great Meadows – Frank Mantlik

Dunkin Donuts - Frash Pond, Stratford 60 access road, Stratford, CT, United States

Join us on a visit to this excellent birding area. We’ll look for shorebirds birds such as Long-tailed Duck and scoters, as well as raptors and shorebirds. Meet at the Dunkin Donuts parking lot at 60 Access Road, Stratford, near the intersection with Main Street (Route 113); we carpool from there. Leader: Frank Mantlik, mantlik@sbcglobal.net, 203-984-9410.

Indoor Meeting – Environmental Justice through Bird Watching and Music-Making – Diego Soto (Virtual only)

Virtual Meeting

**This virtual-only meeting will start at 7p.m.** Historically redlined neighborhoods are the most undersampled urban areas for bird biodiversity today, a fact which can impact conservation priorities and further urban environmental inequities. Diego Ellis Soto’s research in this area goes beyond the traditional extent of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) disciplines and takes a look into the role humans

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Field Trip – Edgewood Park, New Haven – Chris Howe and DeWitt Allen

Edgewood Park 361 West Rock Ave, New Haven, CT, United States

A late winter walk at this urban park with varied habitat including woodlands, fields, streams, and ponds. Wood Duck, Hooded Merganser, Kingfisher, Yellow-bellied Sapsucker, and Brown Creeper are all possible. Walking is easy and flat with one dirt path through a wooded area. Total distance is approximately 2.5 miles. Meet at the Edgewood Park parking lot next to the tennis

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Indoor Meeting – Phantasms and Fallacies: Problems and Pitfalls in Bird Identification – Julian Hough

Whitney Center, Cultural Arts Center 200 Leeder Hill Drive, Hamden, CT, United States

Why is it that a large group of birders can look at one species and all of them will misidentify it? Why do certain people consistently find an inordinate number of rare birds? Why are some birders seemingly able to identify birds at great distance on brief or distant views with Ninja-like ability? These questions and many more will be

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Field Trip – The Richard English Memorial Field Trip: Lighthouse Point to the Richard English Refuge – Mike Horn

Lighthouse Point 21 Lighthouse Rd, New Haven, CT, United States

Bird the harbor shore at Lighthouse Point Park for gulls, loons, ducks, and early returning shorebirds. Then we proceed to the Richard English Bird Sanctuary at the Deer Lake Camp in Killingworth. Check with the trip leader for approximate arrival time at each location. Bring lunch and dress warmly. Meet at the Hawk Watch parking lot, Lighthouse Point Park, 2

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Field Trip – Bauer Park, Madison – Mike DiGiorgio

Bauer Park 257 Copse Road,, Madison, CT, United States

Join nationally-recognized wildlife artist and birder Mike DiGiorgio for a walk to look for resident and migrating songbirds. We'll explore the fields, gardens, and woodland trails. Birders of all ages and skill levels, including beginners, are welcome. Meet at the Community Gardens parking area, 257 Copse Road, Madison. Leader: Mike DiGiorgio, mdigiorgio@comcast.net.

Field Trip – Kellogg Environmental Center and Osbornedale State Park, Derby – Maria Stockmal

Kellog Environmental Center 500 Hawthorne ave, Derby, CT, United States

Osbornedale State Park offers a variety of species in its fields and forest, and around its ponds. It is always a surprise which species will be discovered as we walk through the park. We may see a flyover Bald Eagle, nesting Bluebirds, early warbler migrants, Green Heron, and Orchard Oriole, as well as Indigo Bunting, Rose-Breasted Grosbeak, and the various

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Field Trip – First Wednesday Walk: East Rock Park, New Haven

Eli Whitney Museum 915 Whitney Ave., Hamden, CT, United States

East Rock Park in early May is one of the best places in the state to see migrant warblers. Fifteen to twenty species are possible on a good day. Meet at the Eli Whitney Museum parking lot, 915 Whitney Avenue, Hamden. Leader: John Oshlick, john.oshlic@yahoo.com, 203-584-1955.

Annual Banquet – Speaker Frank Mantlik

Amarante's Restaurant 62 Cove St, New Haven, CT, United States

Don’t miss this festive event! Watch for emails and check the NHBC Newsletter and website for information on how to make reservations and for other details. Speaker – Frank Mantlik Join us for our Annual Banquet which will feature Frank Mantlik as speaker. Frank’s lifelong passion for birding has greatly enriched our Club and the local birding community. His popular

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Field Trip – Whip-poor-will Walk in Naugatuck State Forest, Naugatuck – Jack Swatt

Naugatuck State Forest 1021 Hunters Mountain Road, Naugatuck, CT, United States

Rain date: Saturday, May 10, 2025 Jack Swatt, New Haven Bird Club Life Member and Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP) volunteer Whip-poor-will monitor, will lead a walk to listen and look for Whip-poor-will at the Naugatuck State Forest. Jack will give a short talk on the status of Whip-poor-wills in the Northeast and Connecticut. We will then

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Field Trip – River Road – Travels Along a Riparian Woodland Corridor – Craig Repasz

rt 7 and 341 in kent rt 7 and 341, Kent, CT, United States

River Road in Kent along the Housatonic River provides a major north-south riparian corridor for spring migration. River Road has produced a nice variety of Northwestern Connecticut nesting species including Acadian and Least Flycatchers; Yellow-throated and Blue-headed Vireos; Winter Wren; and Cerulean, Golden-winged, and Worm-eating Warblers. The vast uninterrupted forest rising from the river is an ideal location for a

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Field Trip – Big Day Marathon – John Oshlick

Eli Whitney Museum 915 Whitney Ave., Hamden, CT, United States

Take part in all or part of this event. We’ll focus on New Haven area hotspots, seeking 100–130 species. We start at East Rock and search several other local migrant traps, as well as the coast from Lordship to Hammonasset. The Big day could potentially involve several miles of walking on more strenuous terrain. Meet at the Eli Whitney Museum

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Field Trip – Hartman Park, Lyme – John Oshlick

the Branford commuter lot, Exit 55 off I-95. 342 East Main Street, Branford, CT, United States

Hartman Park is known for its breeding population of Cerulean Warbler. There is also a power cut which may have Prairie, Blue-winged, Magnolia and other warblers. Both Cuckoos have been seen here as well. The Hartman Park walk involves a moderate distance walk on moderately strenuous terrain. Meet at the commuter parking lot, Exit 55 off I-95. Leader: John Oshlick,

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Field Trip – Sleeping Giant State Park – Jim Sirch, Craig Repasz, DeWitt Allen

Sleeping Giant 200 Mount Carmel Ave, Hamden, CT, United States

Sleeping Giant dominates the landscape north of New Haven. The park hosts diverse habitats: riparian woods, rivers and streams, stands of white pines, mature deciduous forests, and cliffs and meadow edge. Although it is famous for its ankle-twisting and heart-pumping terrain, we will bird along the uphill but (mostly) smooth-surfaced Tower Path. As we move slowly along the Path, we

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Field Trip – Naugatuck State Forest, Naugatuck – Chris Loscalzo

Rt 8 exit 25 commuter parking lot 245 Cross Street, Naugatuck, CT, United States

Join us at the peak of spring migration on this moderately strenuous hike in a fine birding location. We’ll search for migrants and residents. We often see more than 15 species of warblers on this trip, including resident Hooded, Chestnut-sided, Prairie, and Worm-eating Warblers. Yellow-bellied Sapsuckers, Scarlet Tanagers, Rose-breasted Grosbeaks, Blue-gray Gnatcatchers, and many other birds are residents here, too.

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Field Trip – Lake Chamberlain, Bethany – Pat Leahy

Lake Chamberlain Recreation Area corner of sperry rd and morris rd, Bethany, CT, United States

Join Pat Leahy for a walk on Regional Water Authority property in Bethany. Pat has been maintaining a bluebird trail on several of the properties there. Bluebirds, swallows, and spring migrants are plentiful. Walking is not strenuous and on well-maintained trails. Meet at Lake Chamberlain Regional Water Authority parking area on Sperry Road, south of Morris Road, Bethany. Leader: Pat

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Field Trip – Julius M. Hansen Park, North Haven – Craig Repasz and DeWitt Allen

Julius M. Hansen Park 53 Patten road, North Haven, United States

Rich meadows and fields, forested wetlands, trap rock ridge, and riparian woods host breeding populations of sparrows and warblers, woodpeckers, hawks, Baltimore Orioles, Rose-breasted Grossbeaks, Indigo Buntings, and other field and woodland birds. Other migrating species are possible. Meet at the Hansen Park parking lot down a driveway just east of 52 Patten Road, North Haven. Leaders: Craig Repasz, crepasz@hotmail.com,

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Field Trip – Barn Island Wildlife Management Area, Stonington – Chris Loscalzo

the Branford commuter lot, Exit 55 off I-95. 342 East Main Street, Branford, CT, United States

Barn Island WMA is a large expanse of varied habitat along the Connecticut shore near the Rhode Island border, including large tracts of salt marsh, deciduous woodlands and a large brushy field. We’ll see 60+ species of birds, with notable resident species including White-eyed and Yellow-throated Vireo, Saltmarsh Sparrow and Willow Flycatcher likely to be seen. This is a good spot to

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Field Trip – Lake Watrous, Woodbridge – Pat Leahy

Lake Bethany 179 hatfield hill road, Bethany, ct

Join Pat Leahy for a walk on protected Regional Water Authority property in Woodbridge. Views of the lake and dam, some wetlands and lakeside forest. The trip will be a 3 mile hike on a flat trail. Meet at Lake Bethany Regional Water Authority parking area on Hatfield Hill Road, Bethany. We will carpool to Lake Watrous from there. Leader:

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Field Trip – Chippens Hill Grassland Birds, Bristol – Jack Swatt

Roberts Field parking area 400 Perkins Street, Bristol, CT

The Chippens Hill area of Bristol has historically been farmland. The Environmental Learning Centers of Connecticut and the city of Bristol are working to save some of the habitat where Bobolinks, Meadowlarks, and Grasshopper Sparrows have been found. Join Jack Swatt for a tour of these areas in search of these declining species. Bring plenty of water and be prepared to walk

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Field Trip – First Wednesday Walk: Mohawk Mountain State Park – Greg Hanisek

Mohawk Mountain State Park mohawk mountain state park, cornwall, CT, United States

Greg Hanisek, one of the best birders in the state, will lead the walk in this scenic and spacious forest in the northern part of the state. Nesting species here include Blue-headed Vireo, Hermit Thrush, Canada Warbler, and Black-throated Blue Warbler. Meet at the entrance to Mohawk Mountain State Park on Route 4 in Cornwall, four miles west of Goshen.

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New Haven Summer Bird Count

A wonderful opportunity to work on your song identification skills and see what birds are nesting in your area. For the names of area captains, to join a team, and for other information, contact Steve Mayo. Meet at various points. Coordinator: Steve Mayo, scmayo999@gmail.com, 203-772-9842.