To search for all future field trips/walks, try entering the word field or walk. For meetings, enter the word meeting.
Note: This is a change in date from the Yearbook, the walk was moved from 09/29, Saturday to 10/7, Sunday 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
When one has been an avid student of field-birding for a time, one eventually will "discover" a bird rare to their area. Our speaker has found his share of rarities over the years, including several first records for Connecticut. Many birders have caught the "rarity bug," resulting in some miraculous finds in recent years. Mr. Mantlik will discuss methods to
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 in one of
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. NEW Directions: Take Exit 62 off I-95 (the usual Hammonasset exit).
Join a fall walk to see what can be found at these picturesque locations. Lake Chamberlain, a Regional Water Authority property, has an active bluebird population, many woodpeckers, and a number of waterfowl that visit the lake before heading further south when the lake freezes over. The walk at Lake Chamberlain is relatively easy. After birding the RWA property, we
This walk has been cancelled due to impending stormy weather. 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. Branford Supply Ponds is Chestnut Street off Route 1. m.stockmal@snet.net cell - 203-305-3728
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 highest concentrations of this diving duck in the state. Fresh
CANCELLED DUE TO STORM We will be holding a joint bird walk with the Regional Water Authority across their Genesee property in Madison. Several timber harvests in this area within the last five years has changed the habitat. Meet at the Genesee recreation parking lot. The address for the parking lot is 1825 Durham Rd. (Rt. 79) in Madison. It
CANCELLED DUE TO STORM 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 view of the lower Quinnipiac River. Meet at Quinnapiac Meadows/Fargeorge Wildlife Preserve. Go south on Quinnipiac Avenue from Rt. 80 (Foxon Road). Turn
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 Frank Gallo, author of the new book, Birding in Connecticut, for a virtual journey to a variety of Connecticut’s birding locales, from hot spots to less-known gems. Frank will concentrate on an array of sites statewide that may offer good birding in winter. Frank Gallo is a leading expert on finding birds in Connecticut and has led birding expeditions
Visit one of the best birding locations in the state. We’ll look for sea ducks, raptors, grassland birds, lingering shorebirds, passerines, and western vagrants. We’ll visit several locations in the park, including Meig’s Point, the Moraine Trail, Willard’s Island, the west end, and the Campgrounds area. Anticipate a fair amount of walking and dress for the weather. Meet at the
Join this group discussing "The Feather Thief by Kirk Wallace Johnson". The group meets in the WC meeting room at Whitney Center. Call Kris Johnson for questions - 203-288-3087
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 at Hammonasset Beach State Park parking area on Boston Post Road, Madison, just left (east) of main entrance road. birdshop@sbcglobal.net cell - 203-710-2011
Great Gull Island lies at the eastern end of Long Island Sound. The former site of an army fort, its overgrown battlements are now defended by the largest concentration of nesting Common Terns in the world (9,500 pairs). The boulders dumped around the edge of the island to stabilize the shoreline, as well as some of the retaining walls of
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
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
The Connecticut Bird Atlas aims to map all bird species found in the state during both nesting and non-nesting seasons. From 2018 through 2020, birders are documenting the distribution, abundance, and breeding activities of birds at sites throughout the entire state. The resulting data will be used to document changes since the last comprehensive survey of the state’s birds, held
The best thing about the bleak midwinter is the birding! Join us on a winter walk at Stratford Point, a beautiful coastal spot at the mouth of the Housatonic River going into Long Island Sound. We will walk the loop at Stratford Point in search of wintering ducks such as the Long-tailed Duck and Common Goldeneye, uncommon gulls, and Snowy
We’ll look for waterfowl, birds of prey, and winter passerines 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 weather concerns. Meet at the commuter lot, Exit 35 off
We start at Maple Hollow in Bakerville at 8:00 AM. After birding in this vicinity, we continue to the center of New Hartford and its main parking lot for brief R&R, then head off for Lake McDonough, followed by Barkhamsted Reservoir. After scoping the reservoir for Bald Eagles on the nest, we make a series of stops along Routes 181
Held on Super Bowl Weekend!!! Come join in on a fun and friendly event! Compete with other birders and win prizes and get your team’s name inscribed on the prestigious Mega Bowl Trophy! We will bird New Haven County from Milford to Madison and north to Waterbury and Meriden, CT, and have fun birding and socializing with other birders. Birders
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 at Hammonasset Beach State Park parking area on Boston Post Road, Madison, just left (east) of main entrance road. ctgregh@yahoo.com
Sign up with Gail Martino to feature your story for member's night. Each speaker will be allotted ten minutes to show slides or tell a story. The Valentine's Day theme of the night will be "Love Is for the Birds." For those of you participating in the CT Bird Atlas project, this is a great chance to highlight some of
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
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
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 St. (Rt. 113); we carpool from there. mantlik@sbcglobal.net cell - 203-984-9410
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
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
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 Coastal Center parking lot. jalnabird@gmail.com cell -203 246 0885
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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.
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
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
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
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