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Bird song can be wonderfully confusing and terrifyingly daunting for beginners. Join us for a seminar presentation in the Barn at the Audubon Connecticut’s Bent of the River to begin learning bird song. After the presentation we will practice our new skills with a bird walk through a prime birding location along the Pomperaug River. More than 100 species of
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, 203-946-6086 or dbarvir@newhavenct.net
Children with accompanying adults are invited to this walk by the park's Mill River, where we’ll look for warblers and other spring migrants. Other interested adults are also welcome to join us in this famous spring birding place. Meet at 9:00 AM in the Eli Whitney Museum parking lot, 915 Whitney Avenue, Hamden, and bring binoculars and a field guide if
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 to birders of all levels; families are welcome. We will not only see and hear birds, but will
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. Leaders: John Oshlick, 203-584-1955 or john.oshlic@gmail.com; Bill Batsford, 203-494-4325 or william.batsford@yale.edu
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. Meet at the Eli Whitney Museum parking lot, 915 Whitney Avenue, Hamden. Leader: John Oshlick, 203-584-1955 or john.oshlic@gmail.com
Help the Eli Whitney Museum, Principal Gardener & Artist in Residence Alexis Brown, and the Mill River Watershed Association plant bird-friendly native plants for enhancing the landscape around the covered bridge and the trail along the river adjoining East Rock Park. The NHBC provides information about invasive plants inhibiting growth of native bird-friendly food-producing plants and trees. Work for 2
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 fifteen species of warblers on this trip, including resident Hooded, Chestnut-sided, Prairie, and Worm-eating Warbler. Yellow-bellied Sapsuckers, Scarlet Tanagers, Blue-gray Gnatcatchers, Rose-breasted Grosbeaks, and many other birds are resident
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. Meet at the commuter parking lot, I-95 exit 57. Note: the yearbook indicated exit 55 which is closed. Leader: John Oshlick, 203-584-1955 or john.oshlic@gmail.com
Sleeping Giant looms large and 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 explore the gentle trail on the north side. We will first explore the Mill
The New Haven Bird Club traveled to River Road in May 1991 and documented the first nesting of Yellow-throated Warbler in Connecticut. Subsequent NHBC trips to River Road have produced a nice variety of Northwestern Connecticut nesting species. We return this year to River Road at the peak of the spring migration. In his 1978 publication, 25 Birding Areas in
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
This will be our 15th annual trip to this excellent birding spot. We’ll meet at the commuter lot at Exit 57 off I-95 and carpool to Barn Island. The area consists of large expanses of salt marsh, tidal pools, wetlands, woodlands, and open fields. We should see wading birds, shorebirds, and area residents such as Saltmarsh Sparrow, Marsh Wren, White-eyed
With its rich meadows and fields, forested wetlands, traprock ridge, and riparian woods this park holds promise of becoming a prominent birding destination for the Club. We will meet at the parking lot on Patten Road. From exit 12 off Interstate 91, turn left onto Blakeslee Avenue and follow it until it ends at Bassett Road. Take a right at
Note: this walk was listed as Mohawk Mountain State Park in the Yearbook. It has been changed to White Memorial Foundation. The White Memorial Foundation is a 4,000 – acre nature preserve with extensive woodlands, conifer plantations, wetlands, thickets, and fields. The preserve is home to more than 115 breeding species and is visited by many migrants. Notable breeding species
Jack Swatt, New Haven Bird Club member and 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 wait for dusk to fall while we listen for the distinctive call. A sighting?
Find a trail and hike it this weekend! Connecticut Trails Day is organized and produced by Connecticut Forest & Park Association. NHBC sponsors hikes along the West River in New Haven on both days (Pond Lily Preserve, Edgewood Park, and West River Memorial Park), in cooperation with the West River Watershed Coalition and the Connecticut Fund for the Environment. Details
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 leader Steve Mayo. Meet at various points. Leader: Steve Mayo, 203-393-0694 or scmayo999@gmail.com
The West River Memorial Park is a designated IBA (Important Bird Area) and is part of the New Haven Harbor Urban Refuge Partnership. The Urban Oasis here improves annually, and the Osprey platform has been active with the same male-female pair for many years. By this time in June, the chicks will have hatched and be visible on the nest,
The location of the block(s) will be announced a few weeks prior to the event. You are invited to join the New Haven Bird Club as we lead a field trip to observe and document breeding bird activity in Connecticut Atlas blocks that are not being covered by a Block adopter. We will travel to one of the more remote
This will be our fourth trip to this evolving and ever-improving site in the heart of downtown New Haven. An environmentally-focused family-friendly late afternoon walk on a falling tide as the shorebird migration gets under way. We’ll begin with a one-mile walk along the trail to the urban oasis and circle to the harbor, traveling through three separate ecosystems as
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
This festive event is sponsored by the New Haven Department of Parks, Recreation and Trees (NHDPRT), the New Haven Bird Club, and other fine organizations. Depending on coronavirus restrictions and safety precautions, there may be hawk watching, bird banding, live raptor demonstrations, bird walks, and more. Check the NHDPRT and NHBC websites for current information. Meet at Lighthouse Point Park,
Edgewood Park and West River Memorial Park make up an Important Bird Area and include a two mile section of the West River. These parks look particularly “hot” on the radar maps for New Haven that show which areas are most used by birds in fall migration. The walking is easy and flat and includes one dirt path through a
Cheshire Land Trust’s Fresh Meadows Wildlife Sanctuary 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 mostly level ground. Do
The golf course is located on more than 700 acres, with woods and ponds surrounding the course. It’s a great place to see birds year-round. We’ll be visiting the course when there are no golfers, so we’ll be able to walk the cart paths and wooded trails without being disturbed or disturbing others. We’ll be looking for fall migrants such
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. Leader: Frank Gallo, 203-644-2163 or peeplo@aol.com Follow all Covid precautions. Preregistration capped
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
THE BIG SIT!®, established by the NHBC, has become an international event, with birders from all over the world participating. The object is to record as many species of birds as possible in one day from one 17-foot diameter circle. Local circles are at a number of birding hot spots throughout Connecticut. Join other birders in one of the established
Visit one of our state’s best fall birding spots, where the abundance of some migrants and sightings of less common species can make for a truly memorable trip. The walking is easy, all on level ground. Meet outside the park at the Shoreline Greenway Trail parking lot on Boston Post Road. Directions: Take Exit 62 off I-95. At the end
Join a fall walk to see what can be found at these picturesque locations. The group will explore trails at Lake Bethany then proceed to properties not open to the public, Lake Watrous and Lake Dawson. Fall Migrants should be working their way through the area and the scenery will be breathtaking. Walking is not strenuous and is on well maintained trails. Meet at
We bird several hotspots in the Town of Cheshire, including Broad Brook Reservoir, Boulder Knoll, and Fresh Meadows Wildlife Sanctuary (Cheshire Land Trust). Broad Brook Reservoir annually hosts 200-400 Ruddy Ducks in fall, one of the highest concentrations of this diving duck in the state. Boulder Knoll is good for sparrows at this time of year. Fresh Meadows offers a
Fargeorge Preserve is always full of surprises. We have had everything from woodcock to eagles to Snow Geese, lots of fall migrants, wintering ducks and more. It is a varied habitat with excellent views of the lower Quinnipiac River. Walking is on flat surfaces. From Route 80, go south on Quinnipiac Avenue. Make a right just past the railroad overpass. Go
Join a midweek trip 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 Island Connector. Drive into the
Join us for a vigorous walk around Lake Hammonasset in search of fall birds. The walk will be a loop of the entire lake. The terrain is easy to moderate, but there are plenty of uneven surfaces, so wear sturdy shoes. Meet at the Lake Hammonasset recreation parking lot on Route 80 in Killingworth. Leader: John Triana, 203-430-2473 or jtriana1@sbcglobal.net Follow all Covid
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
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
Join a midweek trip 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 Island Connector. Drive into
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
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 lot on Boston Post Road. Directions: Take Exit 62 off I-95. At the end of the connector
THE MEGA BOWL OF BIRDING IN 2021! The Mega Bowl is a fun and friendly activity that celebrates birds, birders, and birding! Participants go birding alone or in small groups in the CT county of their choice, trying to observe as many species as they can. Birders are awarded points for seeing each species observed, with a range of 1
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.
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. As one of the best birding sites in the state and an Important Bird Area, White Memorial Foundation has approximately 35 miles
This all-day trip includes stops at Sachuest Point NWR, Beavertail State Park, Moonstone Beach, Trustum Pond, and other great birding sites on 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. We’ll also be on
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
Join us to hear about Julie Zickefoose's lastest book, Saving Jemima: Life and Love with a Hard Luck Jay. When Jemima, an orphaned Blue Jay, is brought to wildlife rehabilitator Julie Zickefoose, she is a palm-sized bundle of gray-blue fluff. But she is starved and very sick. Julie’s constant care brings her around, and as Jemima is raised for eventual
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. Steve Mayo, Coordinator, 203-551-1707 or scmayo999@gmail.com
We’ll walk out on the sandbar at near high tide to see the variety of shorebirds and terns, which will begin feeding as the tide falls. 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
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. and continues as long as the hawks keep flying. Stop by anytime. Meet at the Hawk Watch parking lot, Lighthouse Point Park, 2 Lighthouse