Monthly Meetings

Canceled due to Covid-19 Join Matt Bell as he talks about his experiences at Magee Marsh and The Biggest Week in American Birding, one of the largest birding festivals in the world. From numerous warblers that surround you at eye-level, to the lifelong friends made each year, the spectacle of The Biggest Week is one all birders should have on

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Called “rays of the sun (huitzitzil)” by the Aztecs, who also thought them reincarnations of brave warriors, hummingbirds have long captured imaginations and affection for their colors, boldness, and diversity. Wood has travelled to several neotropical regions and the southwestern United States, in addition to our own backyard in Connecticut, collecting observations and photographs of nearly 100 different hummingbirds. He

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The winter wildlife of Japan offers a number of spectacles unmatched in the wild! Tens of thousands of cranes of at least five species can be seen feeding on snowy fields or flying in to roost against the backdrop of glorious sunsets in Kagoshima. The famous dancing Red-crowned Cranes are in full performance in Kushiro. Snow Monkeys (Japanese Macaques) frolic

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Kristi Dranginis is the founder of Bird Mentor, a resource for live and online courses helping people worldwide build confidence learning about birds and the natural world. Through her courses, students are immersed in the principles of instinctive birding, deep nature connection, bird language, and her innovative model for advanced bird identification. She recently published a book entitled Identify Any

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Join us for an evening with Mary Ellen Lemay, Landowner Engagement Director for the Aspetuck Land Trust and Pollinator Pathway Facilitator for the Hudson to Housatonic partner network. With over 85 towns in CT and NY in various stages of launching Pollinator Pathways, this landowner-outreach strategy has taken the region by storm in only two years. By planting natives, avoiding

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Join us for an evening with Al Batt, Bird Watcher's Digest's beloved humor columnist who will be speaking about "spark birds."  What is your spark bird? Did a little birdie tell you to watch it or it would treat you like a statue in the park, did a penguin singing like a winter wren fly over your head,  or did

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Join us for an evening with Dr. Sean Williams, professor of Behavior, Ecology, and Ornithology at College of the Holy Cross, as he discusses his most recent research  Variation in seed availability of the boreal forests drives variation in redpoll abundance in New England winters. In some years, redpolls "irrupt" into southern New England, allowing for unique opportunities to study them.

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Kevin Powers, steward at Stellwagen Bank National Marine Sanctuary in Massachusetts, will provide an update on shearwater migration and research on coastal birds.

Join us for an evening with Maureen Heidtmann, Master Wildlife Conservationist, for an overview of bats of the world with an emphasis on our local species. She will cover the persisting myths and misconceptions about these fascinating creatures, the many roles bats play to ensure a healthy planet, and the perils bats face in their struggle for survival. She also

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Virtual meeting Each year bird-aircraft collisions (birdstrikes) cause millions of dollars in damage to both civil and military aviation. The Smithsonian’s Feather Identification Lab identifies over 10,000 birdstrike cases annually using microscopy, DNA, and the vast research collections housed at the National Museum of Natural History. Knowing the species of birds that cause damage is a fundamental step in birdstrike

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Low-cost audio recording hardware and high-performance sound analysis software have opened up new frontiers in bird conservation. Dr. Connor Wood of the Cornell Lab of Ornithology’s K. Lisa Yang Center for Conservation Bioacoustics traces his own involvement in the field of bioacoustics from the development of a new paradigm in Spotted Owl population monitoring and its evolution towards a program

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Virtual meeting Join us to learn about female bird song with Dr. Benedict from the University of Northern Colorado. Her research focuses on bird song as a model system for understanding how signals evolve in nature. Her current projects examine the function and evolution of male and female vocalizations among Colorado wren species, New World sparrows, and Old World warblers.

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Virtual Meeting Adriaan Dokter is a Research Associate at the Cornell Lab of Ornithology who studies avian populations and seasonal migrations of birds. He leverages or develops weather radar networks as well as individual tags to address questions in migration ecology. He will talk about his latest projects. Sign on information will be sent to members in an email message.

Join us to hear about Nick's Self-Found Big Year (SFBY)—a Big Year in which you cannot count birds found by other people. In other words, instead of chasing rare birds found by others, you are forced to find your own. The practice really encourages exploration and discovery. The talk will include an introduction to the SFBY and then a tour

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As birders and wildlife enthusiasts, we can't help but marvel at large gatherings of birds. Many bird species spend time in flocks that can range in size from just a few birds to tens of thousands, even millions. Flocks of birds, whether they be in the air or on the ground, can offer a magnificent spectacle. This presentation asks the

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Julian Hough of Nature Images will share his experiences birding Mexico's Yucatan Peninsula and Cozumel. NOTE: Please check the NHBC website and newsletter periodically for updated information on all programs.  We hope to resume in-person meetings in January 2022, but all plans are tentative at this time.

When we think of birds, we think of feathers. Feathers give birds their color, from the bright red of a male Cardinal to the iridescent reds and greens of Ruby-throated Hummingbirds. Feathers keep birds warm and dry: down provides excellent insulation against heat loss and water really does roll off a duck’s back. Feathers form the aerodynamic shape of the

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(NOTE: This program will be held in person even though its title mentions a virtual walking tour.) The Audubon Bird Mural Project is a collaboration between the National Audubon Society and Avi Gitler, an art dealer and collector. The Project is an impressive effort to create murals of more than 300 North American birds. Most of the murals are in

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A fateful bike ride crossed paths with the Osprey’s road to recovery and sparked Bob’s 30-year passion for photographing birds. This photo-essay is his documentation of the Osprey’s remarkable success story in Connecticut and some of the people who helped make it happen. It will include an illustrated life history of this unique raptor and its connection with the overall

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In March 2020, as many people began spending more time outside during the pandemic, Jim created a nature blog to help Connecticut residents discover more about nature right where they live. Join us as Jim presents a photographic essay through the seasons, sharing how extraordinary ordinary local wildlife can be. His presentation will feature many connections to Connecticut’s birdlife. Jim

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Donald Grant Mitchell was drawn to nature from a very early age. Growing up on a farm in Salem, Connecticut, nature was always close at hand. Educated in the classics, Mitchell had a studied knowledge of the philosophy of beauty, especially the beauty of nature, through his exposure to the great writers and philosophers from an earlier time. His farm,

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Due to a COVID outbreak in the New Haven Area we are going to do this presentation remotely.  Members will get an email with the details.   This presentation will provide the history and management of Wild Turkeys in our state. Topics include the rise and fall of turkey populations, life history, predators, management programs, and vocalizations. Paul Benjuntas will demonstrate

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(NOTE: This is a virtual presentation; the Zoom link will be sent to members via the NHBC email group) Armenia is a landlocked country surrounded by Turkey, Iran, Azerbaijan, and Georgia. It has a total area of just under 12,000 square miles, mostly mountainous, and from time immemorial has been a migration route for birds between the European continent and

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Many of the New Haven Bird Club members participated in the Connecticut Bird Atlas project in 2018-21. Join us for an early look into the results of the CT Bird Atlas project with Dr. Chris Elphick, an Associate Professor in the Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology at the University of Connecticut. His work focuses on the conservation ecology of

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WINGSPAN GAME NIGHT   The New Haven Bird Club will hold a Game Night for anyone who plays, or is interested in learning how to play Wingspan on Friday, March 17 from 7:00 to 9:30 p.m at the Whitney Center's Cultural Arts Center (same room where NHBC Monthly Meetings are held).   WINGSPAN is a board game that debuted in 2019 that uses bird behavior and characteristics to control the flow of the

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Most birds do not have a penis, and most ornithologists have not thought about bird penises much. However, evolutionarily, the loss of this organ in birds is an extremely significant event: why lose an organ that seems so handy to get sperm close to female eggs? The few birds that have kept their penis may offer some insights as to

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Thursday September 14, 2023 – Dr. Sylvia Halkin We start off our indoor program year with a presentation on Northern Cardinals by Dr. Sylvia Halkin, Professor Emerita at Central Connecticut State University. Her talk will include a description of how Northern Cardinals use their song repertoires to communicate with one another, plus information about changes in their song over the

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The New Haven Bird Club will hold a Game Night for anyone who plays, or is interested in learning how to play Wingspan on Friday, September 22nd from 6:30 to 9:00 p.m at the Whitney Center's Cultural Arts Center, 200 Leeder Hill Drive, Hamden CT (same room where NHBC Monthly Meetings are held).   WINGSPAN is a board game that debuted in 2019 that uses bird behavior and characteristics to control the flow

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Ken Elkins will discuss a special program he co-developed called “Bird Tales” for reaching people living with dementia. The program encourages connections with birds on a multi-sensory level, through sight, sound, smell, and touch. Ken is Director of the Connecticut Audubon Society Coastal Center at Milford Point.

The New Haven Bird Club will hold a Game Night for anyone who plays, or is interested in learning how to play Wingspan on Saturday October 14th from 2:00 to 5:00 p.m at the Whitney Center's Cultural Arts Center, 200 Leeder Hill Drive, Hamden CT (same room where NHBC Monthly Meetings are held).   WINGSPAN is a board game that debuted in 2019 that uses bird

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2023 is the 30th anniversary of the Connecticut Migratory Bird Conservation Stamp Program. Min will review the program and its impacts. Min serves as Migratory Bird Program Leader in the Wildlife Division, Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection, and is an Adjunct Professor at the University of Connecticut.

Join us for an online presentation showcasing a Texas tour by leader Frank Gallo of Sunrise Birding. Prepare to be transported on a captivating journey through some of Texas' most breathtaking birding destinations, where you'll have the opportunity to encounter numerous remarkable species. We will not be meeting in person for this presentation.

Join Sam Merker, postdoctoral researcher at the University of Connecticut, for an engaging presentation on the captivating life-history of the American Bittern. Discover insights into current research, including what researchers hope to uncover using data from the Connecticut Bird Atlas.  ******************************************************************************************* Please note: This meeting will be virtual only.  Members are sent a link to the meeting.

Embark on a virtual tour of Colombia's bird species with biologist and tour guide Diego Calderon. He has more than a decade of experience leading bird tours. His adventurous expeditions have taken him to remote areas, including the Pirre and Santa Marta Mountains, where he captured remarkable photographs and voice recordings of elusive birds like the Blue-bearded Helmetcrest and Santa

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Join Charles Roberto, birder extraordinaire and esteemed board member of the Teatown Lake Reservation, a nonprofit nature preserve and environmental education center in Westchester County, New York. He will guide us in an unforgettable exploration of Québec's mesmerizing Gaspé Peninsula. Experience the beauty of this enchanting region through stunning images captured during a trip with the National Audubon Society.

Join us to learn about Common Ground. Located in New Haven, it is the nation's longest-running environmental charter school, creating the next generation of successful college students and powerful environmental leaders. Our speaker will be Joel Tolman, a passionate educator and environmentalist who currently serves as Director of Community Impact & Engagement at Common Ground. NOTE: The April meeting is

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NOTE: For all hybrid indoor programs, the (in-person) social half-hour begins at 7 p.m. and the meeting and program begin at 7:30 p.m. After 11,000 years of Indigenous Peoples’ history and more than 400 years of inhabitants from Europe and the rest of the globe, New England presents us with a uniquely humanized American landscape. The soft, domesticated contours of

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Join Chris as he takes us through the various sparrow species found in Connecticut at the height of sparrow migration. Learn facts and useful ID points for these entertaining but underappreciated birds. Chris will discuss the sparrow species from the most to the least common. Chris is past-President of the New Haven Bird Club and the Connecticut Ornithological Association, the

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Don't be shy! This is your chance to shine! Members' Night is all about sharing your favorite photos, stories, and/or memories from birding adventures and bird club activities. You'll be among fellow birding enthusiasts who will truly appreciate your experiences. Details, including how to volunteer as a presenter, will be announced via the Club email group and on our website.

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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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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**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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**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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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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