Field Trips and Meetings
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March Indoor Meeting – Dr. Bhart-Anjan Bhullar – The Dragon in the Dove: How Dinosaurs Became Birds and How Birds Remain Dinosaurs

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

Birds are living dinosaurs. The legacy of their monstrous forebears remains in the way they walk, fly, eat, and think. It remains in their embryos, which assume a dinosaur-like form before they transform into hatchling birds. New fossil discoveries and new information about embryonic development have overturned some of our previous assumptions about the early history of birds. Dr. Bhart-Anjan

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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 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 Cemetery if the Bald Eagles are again nesting there.  Meet at the Edgewood Park parking lot next to tennis

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April Indoor Meeting – Michael DiGiorgio – Illustrating the World of Birds

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

Join us as Michael DiGiorgio describes his journey from tracking and observing birds in the wild to learning how to express their beauty—and his feelings about them—in drawings and paintings. Along the way he meets the masters of bird art, finds his voice as an artist, and comes into his own as a nationally-recognized nature artist. The talk also will

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Field Trip and Trail Maintenance – East Rock, New Haven – Dan Barvir

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

Meet for a bird walk from 8–9:30 AM. Then join Park Ranger Dan Barvir to help with light trail maintenance along the river until noon. Bring work gloves and pruning shears if you have them.  Meet at the Eli Whitney Museum parking lot, 915 Whitney Avenue, Hamden. dbarvir@newhavenct.net  cell 203-946-6086

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

We first bird the harbor shore for gulls, loons, ducks, and early returning shorebirds. We then proceed to the Richard English Bird Sanctuary at the Deer Lake Scout Camp in Killingworth. We then proceed to Hammonasset Beach State Park. This is an all-day trip; bring lunch and dress warmly. This trip almost always has a high species count.  Meet at the

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Field Trip – Beaver Ponds Park, New Haven – Craig Repasz

munson street new haven 371 Munson Street, New Haven, CT, United States

Beaver Ponds Park is excellent habitat, offering fresh water wetlands, forests, and fields. We can hope for Wood Duck, Ring-necked Duck, Common Merganser, and a variety of sparrows and warblers. In the shadow of West Rock Ridge, Raven and Peregrine are also possible. Beaver Ponds Park is one of the many Urban Oasis sites in New Haven. Friends of Beaver

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Field Trip – First Wednesday at East Rock, New Haven – John Oshlick

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.  We expect lots of people for this walk.  Bill Batsford and Chris Wood will co-lead the walk.  Fifteen to twenty species are possible on a good day. Meet at the Eli Whitney Museum parking lot, 915 Whitney Avenue, Hamden. john.oshlic@yahoo.com  cell 203-584-1955

Field Trip – East Rock Park, New Haven – Dan Barvir

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

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. dbarvir@newhavenct.net  cell 203-946-6086

Field Trip – East Rock Park – Native Food Producing Plants and Birds: If You Plant Them They Will Come – Alexis Brown

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

The Eli Whitney Museum and Principal Gardener and Artist in Residence Alexis Brown will provide bird-friendly native plants for enhancing the landscape around the covered bridge and the trail along the river in East Rock Park. The NHBC provides information about the invasive plants inhibiting the growth of native bird-friendly food-producing plants and trees. Welcome to anyone who wants to

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Field Trip – Bent of the River Important Bird Area, Southbury – Corrie Folsom-O’Keefe

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

Cancelled due to Bad Weather! 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

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Field Trip – Family Walk at East Rock Park, New Haven – Flo McBride

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

Note: Cancelled due to Weather!!! On this walk by East Rock Park's Mill River, children with accompanying adults are invited to help us look for warblers and other spring migrants. Other interested adults are also welcome to join the walk in this famous spring birding place. Bring binoculars and a field guide if you have them. Meet at the Eli Whitney

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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. Meet at the commuter parking lot, I-95 exit 55. john.oshlic@yahoo.com  cell - 203-584-1955

May Annual Banquet – Shawn Carey – Tanzania: A Photographer’s Journey

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

Join wildlife photographer Shawn Carey on an adventure into the heart of Tanzania. We’ll take a safari vehicle into the country’s spectacular national parks and see the “Big Five”—African elephant, black rhino, Cape buffalo, lion, and leopard—in all their glory. Along the way, we’ll search for and photograph cheetahs, giraffes, black-backed jackals, and hippos. And we’ll encounter a panoply of

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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. john.oshlic@yahoo.com  cell - 203-584-1955  

Field Trip – River Road, Kent “Travels Along a ‘Riparian Woodland Corridor’” – Steve Broker

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

NOTE: THIS IS A DATE CHANGE FROM THE YEARBOOK.  MAY 19 CHANGED TO MAY 11 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

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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 fifteen 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 – Lake Chamberlain, Lake Dawson, and Lake Watrous, Woodbridge & Bethany – Pat Leahy

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 – Sleeping Giant Venue Change to Hansen Park – Jim Sirch

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

Change to the venue We will move the walk scheduled on May 18 at 7:30 to Julius M. Hansen Park in North Haven. With its rich meadows and fields, forested wetlands, trap rock 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 Rd. 

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Field Trip – Kellogg Environmental Center/Osbornedale State Park – Maria Stockmal

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

Join us on a visit to this excellent birding location where we look for late spring migrants and early nesting species. The center and park have open fields, woods, ponds, and streams.  Meet at Kellogg Environmental Center/Osbornedale State Park, 500 Hawthorne Avenue, Derby m.stockmal@snet.net  home phone 203-305-3728

Field Trip – Barn Island Wildlife Management Area, Stonington – Carolyn Cimino

commuter lot rt 95 at exit 57 Guilford Commuter Lot, 1691-1749 Boston Post Rd, Guilford, CT 06437, Guilford, CT, United States

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

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CT Trails Days: Find a trail and hike it this weekend!

CT Trails Day is organized and produced by the 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 for these and other sponsored hikes at

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Field Trip – Branford Supply Ponds, Branford – Maria Stockmal

Branford Supply Ponds Branford Supply ponds, Branford, CT, United States

Visit this first-rate birding spot to look for fall migrants and resident species. The area has varied habitats with woods, shrubby areas and a powercut. A variety of waterfowl can be found in the ponds.  Meet at Branford Supply Ponds parking lot, Chestnut Street, off Rte. 1, Branford. m.stockmal@snet.net  cell 203-305-3728

Field Trip – CT Bird Atlas Block Busting Event. Steve Broker

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 areas of Connecticut. This is good opportunity to hone your observation skills with experienced Bird

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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. ctgregh@yahoo.com

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 leader Steve Mayo. rsdmayo@sbcglobal.net   cell - 203-393-0694

Field Trip – Osprey Open Day at West River Memorial Park, Barnard Nature Center –

barnard nature center barnard nature center, new haven, CT, United States

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,

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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

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?

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Field Trip – Birds and Botany, Salt Meadow Unit, Westbrook – Cancelled

Stewart B. McKinney Refuge, Westbrook Stewart B. Mckinney Refuge, Westbrook, CT, United States

This trip has been cancelled   Salt Meadow Unit is the Refuge headquarters for the Stewart B. McKinney National Wildlife Refuge, the only NWR unique to Connecticut. We'll walk 2.5 miles at most to see the birds and the plants; some hills are present. Meet at the entrance to Salt Meadow Unit, 733 Old Clinton Road, Westbrook, CT. Take Exit 64

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Shorebirds and Terns at Milford Point, Milford

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

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. Meet at the CT Audubon Coastal Center, 1 Milford Point Road, Milford. Leader: Frank Mantlik, 203-984-9410 or mantlik@sbcglobal.net

Lighthouse Point Park Bird Walk / Prep for Migration Festival, New Haven

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

Join Park Ranger Dan Barvir on a late summer bird walk at Lighthouse Point Park on New Haven Harbor. Then, beginning around 9:30 a.m., we’ll perform some light trail maintenance and cleanup. This is a great way to enjoy looking at birds and at the same time help preserve their habitat. Meet at the Hawk Watch parking lot, Lighthouse Point

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Dover Beach Urban Oasis, New Haven – This walk has been Cancelled

Dover Beach Front Street and John Williamson Drive, New Haven, CT, United States

This walk may be rescheduled but is cancelled for now. This small waterfront park on the Quinnipiac River is part of the New Haven Harbor Urban Refuge Partnership. Native trees, shrubs, and flowers have been planted to provide cover, food, and habitat for wildlife and a place to learn, relax, and connect with nature. We’ll see summer resident birds and

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Bird Count / Hawk Watch, Lighthouse Point Park, New Haven

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

Daily September to December Starts Sunday, September 1, 2019, Daily, 7 a.m. Lighthouse Point Park on the 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

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First Wednesday Walk: CT Audubon Coastal Center, Milford

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

Join us as we look for shorebirds and terns at this excellent local birding location. We should also find raptors, waterfowl, long-legged waders, and migrating passerines. Ten or more species of shorebirds are possible, including American Golden-Plover. Meet at the CT Audubon Coastal Center, 1 Milford Point Road, Milford. Leader: Milan Bull, 203-610-5097 or mbull@ctaudubon.org

Mary Beth Kaeser – Secret Lives of Owls (with live birds)

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

Note: this is starting 30 minutes later than normal meeting time. It seems that owls have always been surrounded by an air of mystery, probably because most are nocturnal and not easily spotted in the wild. This meeting may be your chance to be only a few feet away from two Eastern Screech Owls, a Barred Owl, and a Great-horned

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Annual Migration Festival, Lighthouse Point Park, New Haven

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

This festive event is sponsored by the New Haven Department of Parks, Recreation and Trees; the NHBC; and other fine organizations. There will be hawk watching, bird banding, live raptor demonstrations, bird walks, and more. Chris Loscalzo will lead a walk at 8 a.m., Mike Horn will lead a 9:30 a.m. walk, and Flo McBride will lead a kid’s walk

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Edgewood Park, New Haven

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

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. We will see what we can find! The walk is open to birders

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First Wednesday Walk: Lighthouse Point Park, New Haven

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. Leader: Frank Gallo, 203-644-2163 or peeplo@aol.com

Osbornedale State Park, Derby

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

This walk was originally scheduled for Oct 20th.  It will now be held on Oct 6th. Osbornedale State Park offers a variety of habitats for a fall bird walk, from fields to ponds and woodland streams to deciduous forest. On this walk we explore these habitats in search of sparrows, kinglets, late migration warblers, woodpeckers, and more. The walk is

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Yale University Golf Course, New Haven

Yale Golf Course the course at yale, New Haven, CT, United States

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

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Andrew Griswold – An Amazing Year of Travel

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

Come on a trip around the world with one of Connecticut Audubon's EcoTravel leaders! Andrew Griswold has been the director of EcoTravel for Connecticut Audubon Society (CAS) since 1996. He graduated as an honor student in biology from Hartwick College, where he worked at their biological research station in the Bahamas studying avian ecology. Andy is the original concept creator

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THE BIG SIT!

Saturday–Sunday, October 12–13, 2019 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. The circles are located at a number of birding hot spots throughout CT. Join other birders

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Hammonasset Beach State Park, Madison

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

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 new parking lot on the Post Rd. Directions: Take Exit 62 off I-95 (the usual Hammonasset exit). At

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Fall Birds and Foliage along the West River, Bethany & Woodbridge

Lake Bethany 179 hatfield hill road, Bethany, ct

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. Meet at Lake Bethany Regional Water Authority parking

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Town Center Park, Hamden

town center park hamden 2761 dixwell ave, hamden, ct

Thursday, October 31, 2019, 3 p.m. & Saturday, November 2, 2019, 8:30 a.m. Two opportunities to explore Town Center Park in Hamden—Thursday October 31 at 3 p.m. (to coincide with the final Farmer’s Market of the season), plus the following Saturday morning, November 2, 2019, at 8:30 a.m., to allow for comparison of what’s seen at different times of day.

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Fargeorge Wildlife Preserve, New Haven

Fargeorge Preserve 1040 Quinnipiac ave, New Haven, CT, United States

Fargeorge Preserve is always full of surprises. We have seen everything from woodcock to eagles to snow geese, lots of fall migrants, wintering ducks, and more. It is a varied habitat with excellent view of the lower Quinnipiac River. Directions: Go South on Quinnipiac Avenue from Rt. 80. Make a right just past the railroad overpass. Drive through the open

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Town Center Park, Hamden

town center park hamden 2761 dixwell ave, hamden, ct

Thursday, October 31, 2019, 3 p.m. & Saturday, November 2, 2019, 8:30 a.m. Two opportunities to explore Town Center Park in Hamden—Thursday October 31 at 3 p.m. (to coincide with the final Farmer’s Market of the season), plus the following Saturday morning, November 2, 2019, at 8:30 a.m., to allow for comparison of what’s seen at different times of day.

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Cheshire Hotspots

boulder knoll farm 875 boulder road, cheshire, CT, United States

This walk was postponed to November 3 due to weather. We bird several hotspots in the Town of Cheshire, including Boulder Knoll, Broad Brook Reservoir and associated trails, Fresh Meadows Wildlife Sanctuary (Cheshire Land Trust), and the Farmington Canal Lock 12. Boulder Knoll is good for sparrows in fall. Broad Brook Reservoir annually hosts 200–400 Ruddy Ducks, one of the

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