Field Trips and Meetings
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Field Trip – First Wednesday Walk – Hammonasset Beach State Park – 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, 203-710-2011, birdshop@sbcglobal.net

Indoor Program – Gospel of Beauty – Barbara Lamb and Donald Grant Mitchell

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

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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123rd Annual New Haven Christmas Bird Count – Chris Loscalzo compiler

Join other NHBC members in this fun event, steeped in tradition. Take part for a few hours or all day. Join birders in the field or report what you see in your backyard (if you reside within the count circle). 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 – New Year’s Hike – Lake Bethany – John Triana

Lake Bethany 179 hatfield hill road, Bethany, ct

This walk is at 9:00 am.  It was incorrectly listed on the website as starting at 8:00 am. 9:00 am is the correct time Get your new year off on the right foot by joining us on a hike at the Lake Bethany recreation area. Depending on conditions, we will either do a lap around the lake or take the

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Field Trip – First Wednesday Walk – Sherwood Island State Park, Westport – Tina Green – Cancelled

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

Canceled  the First Wednesday Walk Jan 4, 2023 at Sherwood Island State Park. The leader is unable to attend. A NHBC member could consider posting an Impromptu Walk at Sherwood Island in lieu of the scheduled walk   Join a midweek trip to this outstanding Long Island Sound birding spot. We check for loons, grebes, goldeneye, and other sea ducks.

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Indoor Program – Connecticut Wild Turkey Restoration – Paul Benjuntas

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

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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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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7th Annual Mega Bowl of Birding in Connecticut – Chris Loscalzo

Changed from February 4th due to cold weather The Seventh Annual Mega Bowl of CT and New Haven County is coming! WHO:  Any birder in CT can participate, either individually or as a member of a team.   Team size should range from 1-5 birders. Ideal is 2-4. WHAT: MEGA BOWL VII: an all-day birding extravaganza where you and your teammates

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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 (on the Second Wednesday!) 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

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Indoor Program – Armenia: Rich Birdlife in an Ancient Landscape – Judith Benka

Virtual Meeting

(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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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

This all-day trip includes stops at Sachuest Point NWR, Beavertail State Park, Moonstone Beach, Trustum Pond, and other great birding sites on the RI 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. We’ll also be on the

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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 – First Wednesday Walk – Stratford Shore and 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 oceanic 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 (Rte. 113); we carpool from there.  Leader: Frank Mantlik, 203-984-9410 or mantlik@sbcglobal.net

Indoor Program – Connecticut Bird Atlas Results – Dr. Chris Elphick

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

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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Field Trip -Edgewood Park, New Haven – Bill Batsford

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

Due to the forecast  for bad weather on Saturday this walk will be moved to Sunday March 12 Join Bill Batsford for 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. We will make a side trip to Evergreen

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Wingspan Game Night – Jack Swatt

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

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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Field Trip – The Richard English Memorial Field Trip: Lighthouse Point Park, Deer Lake Scout Reservation, and Hammonasset Beach State Park – Mike Horn

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

We first bird the harbor shore at Lighthouse Point Park for gulls, loons, ducks, and early returning shorebirds. We then proceed to the Richard English Bird Sanctuary at the Deer Lake Scout Reservation in Killingworth. We then proceed to Hammonasset Beach State Park. This is an all-day trip, but you may join us for all or part of it. Check

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Field Trip – First Wednesday Walk – CT Audubon Coastal Center, Milford – Jalna Jaeger

Milford Point 1 Milford Point Road, Milford, CT, United States

Enjoy an early spring trip to one of the best local birding spots. We look out into the marsh and along the shore for waterfowl, shorebirds, waders, and raptors. Meet at the Connecticut Audubon Coastal Center, 1 Milford Point Road, Milford. Leader: Jalna Jaeger, 203-246-0885 or jalnabird@gmail.com

Indoor Program – Genital Evolution in Birds – Dr. Patty Brennan

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

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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Webinar and Field Trip – Birding by Ear – Corrie Folsom-O’Keefe

Bent of the River 185 E. Flat Hill Rd, Southbury, CT, United States

Birding by Ear Webinar Series – Registration required Wednesdays, March 22, March 29 April 5, 2023 7–7:45 p.m.  and Birding by Ear Walk – Participants chosen via drawing Saturday, April 22, 2023 Group 1: 8–9:30 a.m. Group 2: 10–11:30 a.m.   NOTE: Watch for the NHBC email announcement to sign up for the webinar series and to be eligible for

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Field Trip – Kellogg Environmental Center and Osbornedale State Park, Derby – Maria Stockmal – canceled due to impending storm

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

This walk has been cancelled due to heavy rain forecast to Saturday We will meet at and explore the Kellogg Environmental Center grounds and then walk over to Osbornedale State Park to see what we find. Osbornedale Park offers a variety of species in its fields and forest, and around its ponds. It is always a surprise as species are

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Field Trip – East Rock Park with Ranger Dan – Cancelled

East Rock Park - English Drive Rice Field, New Haven, CT, United States

Update: the scheduled Saturday, April 29 bird walk in East Rock Park with leader Dan Barvir is CANCELLED due to a conflicting city-wide event Join Ranger Dan Barvir at this premier site for warblers and other spring migrants. Meet at the Rice Field (baseball field) end of East Rock Park on English Drive, New Haven. Leader: Dan Barvir, 203-208-1415 or danielb145@comcast.net

Field Trip – Introduction to Digitally-Assisted Birding and Walk at Lighthouse Point Park – Gail Martino

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

New technologies can help birders get the most out of their time birding. For example, smartphone applications such as Merlin and eBird can help birders identify and log the birds they see and hear. After an orientation to these two apps, we will explore Lighthouse Point Park, an excellent location for early migrants amid the park’s diverse habitats. Warblers, thrasher,

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Field Trip – First Wednesday Walk – John Oshlick

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

Note:  This is a date change from the yearbook.  It will be a "First Thursday Walk".  The new date is May 4th. 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

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Field Trip – River Road, Kent has been moved to Kent Falls State Park – Steve Broker

Kent train station

Kent Falls State Park, Kent, Connecticut Saturday, May 6, 2023, 8:00 a.m. to 12 Noon River Road in Kent is undergoing bridge repairs that prevent us from accessing this remarkable “riparian woodland corridor”.  In place of this annual trip, we explore the woodlands and fields of Kent Falls State Park in search of early neotropical migrants.  As time allows, we

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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 – Bent of the River Important Bird Area, Southbury – Morgan Evans – moved to May 7th

Bent of the River 185 E. Flat Hill Rd, Southbury, CT, United States

This walk has been postponed from April 30th due to bad weather.  The new date is May 7th Explore a prime birding location along the Pomperaug River in Southbury where more than 100 species of birds have been observed in a single day. This beautiful and highly diverse habitat is owned and maintained by Audubon Connecticut. The walk is open

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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, I-95 exit 55, or contact the trip

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Annual Banquet 2023

New Haven Bird Club Annual Celebration Thursday, May 11, 2023 6-10 PM Amarante’s Sea Cliff, Grand Ballroom 62 Cove Street, New Haven, CT $45/person: Dinner, Dessert, Cash Bar and Speaker Jim Zipp Costa Rica: A Birder's Paradise! Costa Rica is a birdwatcher's paradise, offering easy access, safety, friendly locals, and a vast array of stunning tropical birds. Jim Zipp and

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

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 and long 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

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Field Trip – Durham Hotspots – Steve Broker

Durham Skating Pond 81 Wallingford Rd, Durham, CT, United States

We visit several hotspots in the Town of Durham, Middlesex County. Durham Skating Pond (south side of Route 68 & west of Maple Street) is on White’s Farm property. Here, we scan the surrounding countryside for vultures, hawks and eagles, woodpeckers, flycatchers, swallows, ravens, sparrows, and blackbirds. Virginia Rail, Marsh Wren, and Swamp Sparrow are target species. A short car

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Field Trip – Lake Chamberlain, Lake Dawson and Lake Watrous – Bethany/ Woodbridge – Pat Leahy, Bill Batsford

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

Join us for a walk on Regional Water Authority properties in Woodbridge and Bethany, some of which are off-limits to the public. Pat Leahy has been maintaining a bluebird trail on several of the properties surrounding the reservoirs. Please be prompt! It will be difficult to join the group on route. We will carpool and proceed to trails on Lake

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

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

Rich meadows, farm fields, forested wetlands, trap rock ridge, and riparian woods hold breeding populations of sparrows and warblers, woodpeckers, hawks, Baltimore Orioles, Rose-breasted Grosbeaks, Indigo Buntings, and other field and woodland birds. Other migrating species are possible. We will meet at the parking lot on Patten Road. From exit 12 off Interstate 91 north or south, turn left onto

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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

Let’s keep the tradition going! We’ve been running a trip here since about 2002 or so. 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

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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, June 3, 2022) 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 — Chippens Hill Grassland Birds, Bristol, CT – Jack Swatt

The Chippens Hill area of Bristol historically has 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 – June Birding at Morris Creek Marshes, East Haven – Steve Broker

We bird Ora Avenue, Proto Drive, and the Morris Creek marshes for a diversity of birdlife in the breeding season. This highly developed area in East Haven manages to retain a rich avifauna year-round in spite of being sandwiched between Tweed-New Haven Airport and the East Haven Industrial Site. For many years, the road once known as Ora Avenue and

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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 – Steve Mayo

This is 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 and other information, contact Steve Mayo. Meet at various points and go out for all or part of the day.  Coordinator: Steve Mayo, 203-551-1707 or scmayo999@gmail.com

Field Trip – Shorebirds and Terns at Milford Point – Frank Mantlik

Milford Point 1 Milford Point Road, Milford, CT, United States

We’ll walk out on the sandbar to see a variety of shorebirds and terns. We’ll also check the Coastal Center grounds for songbirds. Beach walking is involved. Meet at the Connecticut Audubon Coastal Center, 1 Milford Point Road, Milford.  Leader: Frank Mantlik, 203-984-9410 or mantlik@sbcglobal.net

Hawk Watch / Bird Count at Lighthouse Point Park, New Haven: Daily September to December

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

Hawk Watch / Bird Count at Lighthouse Point Park, New Haven: Daily September 1 to December 6 Starts Friday, September 1, 2023, 7 a.m. Lighthouse Point Park on New Haven Harbor is one of the premier locations in southern New England for observing migrating raptors as well as a wide variety of songbirds. The watch starts daily at 7 a.m.

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Field Trip – First Wednesday Walk – Bauer Farm (Bauer Park), Madison – Chuck Imbergamo

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

Join us at this premier birding location where more than 160 species of birds have been observed. We’ll explore the fields, Community Gardens, and woodland trails for resident birds and early migrants. The terrain is easy and mostly flat. Meet at the Community Gardens parking area, 257 Copse Road, Madison. Leader: Chuck Imbergamo, imbercj@comcast.net

Indoor Program – Some Things I’ve learned from Eavesdropping on Singing Cardinals – Dr. Sylvia Halkin

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

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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Wingspan Game Night – Jack Swatt

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

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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Field Trip – Edgewood Park, New Haven – Bill Batsford,

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

  Join Bill Batsford at this urban park with diverse habitat including woodlands, fields, streams, and ponds. We have excellent chances for Wood Duck, a resident pair of Red-tailed Hawks, Belted Kingfisher, and others. Bald Eagle and Pileated Woodpecker are possible. In 2022 we were treated to a spectacular display of migrating Broad-winged Hawks kettling over the park, so there

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Field Trip – Fresh Meadows Preserve, Cheshire – Corrie Folsom-O’Keefe

Fresh Meadows Preserve corner of cook hill road and corliss lane, cheshire

Group 1: 8–9:30 a.m.; Group 2: 10–11:30 a.m. Cheshire Land Trust’s Fresh Meadows Preserve includes a variety of habitats that appeal to a wide variety of bird species looking for a place to rest and refuel on their southbound migration. With conifer groves, deciduous woodlands, and meadows, all located along the Mill River, it’s worth a visit. Expect a 1–2 mile walk on

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Field Trip – Great Meadows Unit, Stewart B. McKinney National Wildlife Refuge, Stratford – Corrie Folsom-O’Keefe

Great Meadows Stratford 498 Long Beach Blvd, Stratford, CT

The salt marshes of Connecticut express muted hues of gold and russet in autumn. These colors are the backdrop for the early fall migration. Visit one of the state's largest salt marshes to observe warblers, wading birds, shorebirds, migrating sparrows and swallows, Merlins, and Northern Harriers. Join Corrie Folsom-O'Keefe, Director of Bird Conservation for Audubon Connecticut, and Kris Vagos, wildlife

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Field Trip – First Wednesday -Lighthouse Point Park, New Haven – Frank Gallo

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

Join us on a visit to this premier local birding location, renowned for its migrating raptors and passerines. If the weather conditions are favorable, we may see hundreds of hawks in flight over the park. Meet at the Hawk Watch parking lot, Lighthouse Point Park, 2 Lighthouse Road, New Haven. If the gate is staffed, just let them know you

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