Walks / Field Trips

All levels of birders are invited, and every effort is made on all trips to help beginning birders.

If you are new to birding or have any special needs, please be sure to let the leader know at the start of the field trip. For up-to-date information about upcoming walks, including cancellations, monitor this website. Club members will receive email updates.

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

    Sleeping Giant State Park, Hamden 200 Mount Carmel Ave, Hamden, CT

    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… ..

  • Field Trip – Naugatuck State Forest, Naugatuck – Chris Loscalzo

    Rt 8 Exit 24 Commuter Parking Lot FX92+MF, Naugatuck, CT

    Join us at the peak of spring migration on this moderately strenuous 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 here, too.… ..

  • Field Trip – Lake Chamberlain, Bethany – Pat Leahy

    Lake Chamberlain Recreation Area, Bethany Corner of Sperry Rd and Morris Rd, Bethany, CT

    Join us for a walk on Regional Water Authority property in Bethany. Pat Leahy has been maintaining a bluebird trail on several of the properties there. Bluebirds, swallows, and spring migrants are plentiful. Walking is not strenuous and on well-maintained trails. Meet at Lake Chamberlain Regional Water Authority parking area on Sperry Road, the second metal gate south of Morris… ..

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

    Julius M. Hansen Park, North Haven 53 Patten Road, North Haven, CT

    Rich meadows and fields, forested wetlands, trap rock ridge, and riparian woods host breeding populations of sparrows and warblers, woodpeckers, hawks, Baltimore Orioles, Rose-breasted Grossbeaks, Indigo Buntings, and other field and woodland birds. Other migrating species are possible. Meet at the Hansen Park parking lot down a driveway just east of 52 Patten Road, North Haven. Leaders: Craig Repasz ,… ..

  • Field Trip – Barn Island Wildlife Management Area, Stonington – Chris Loscalzo and Dan Errichetti

    Barn Island Wildlife Management Area, Stonington 84RC+3W, Pawcatuck, CT

    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 and Yellow-throated Vireo, Saltmarsh Sparrow and Willow Flycatcher likely to be seen. This is a good spot to… ..

  • Field Trip – Lake Watrous, Woodbridge – Pat Leahy

    Lake Bethany 179 Hatfield Hill Road, Bethany, CT

    Join Pat Leahy for a walk on protected Regional Water Authority property in Woodbridge with views of the lake and dam, some wetlands, and lakeside forest. The trip will be a 3 mile hike on a flat trail. Meet at Lake Bethany Regional Water Authority parking area on Hatfield Hill Road, Bethany. We will carpool to Lake Watrous from there.… ..

  • Field Trip – Chippens Hill Grassland Birds – Jack Swatt

    Chippens Hill, Bristol 400 Perkins Street, Bristol, CT

    The Chippens Hill area of Bristol has historically 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… ..

  • Field Trip – First Wednesday Walk: Mohawk Mountain State Park – Jack Swatt

    Mohawk Mountain State Park, Cornwall Mohawk Mountain State Park, Cornwall, CT

    Join  us as we explore the birds 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. Mostly easy walking, with carpooling between sites. Meet at the entrance to Mohawk Mountain State Park on Route 4 in Cornwall, four miles west of Goshen.… ..

  • Field Trip – Ewen Farm Preserve, Orange – Bev Propen and Nancy Clark

    Ewen Farm Preserve, Orange 654 St Johns Road, Orange, CT

    A scenic late spring walk around former hay fields, past streams and a pond. Ewen Farm Preserve contains 43 acres of deep woods, meadows, ponds, wetlands, and fields that attract resident and migrating birds. A 75-yard boardwalk takes you through wetlands to the Indian River. The trail crosses wet areas; wear appropriate footwear. Meet at the intersection of St. John's… ..

  • Field Trip – Mendell’s Folly and Van Epps Preserve, Bethany – John Triana and Christin Arnini

    Van Epps Preserve, Bethany 390 Beacon Road, Bethany, CT

    REGISTRATION REQUIRED by June 10, 2026. REGISTRATION OPENS on June 4, 2026. Join us for a vigorous bird walk at Mendell’s Folly, one of the gems of the Bethany Land Trust’s parcels. The property includes a variety of habitats including streams, wetlands, fields, and upland deciduous and hemlock forest sections with rocky ledges. Expect some steep and rocky areas with… ..

  • Field Trip – Brooksvale Park, Hamden – Alan Malina and DeWitt Allen

    Brooksvale Park, Hamden 524 Brooksvale Ave, Hamden, CT

    Brooksvale is a city park with a small barnyard for children. The rest of the park features a tree-lined pond and streams, deep woods, field/wood edges, and a large weedy field with bluebird/swallow boxes and an array of bird-attracting feeders at a private residence just beyond the park. There is also easy access to the Farmington Canal Greenway Trail. Join… ..

  • Field Trip – Peoples State Forest, Barkhamsted – Paul Mahler and Michele McDermott

    Matthies Grove - Peoples State Forest, Barkhamsted 106 E. River Road, Barkhamsted, CT

    Peoples State Forest spans over 3,000 acres of diverse habitats and features 14 miles of trails, yet it has been infrequently birded over the years. Join us as we explore various hotspots within the forest. Species we’re likely to encounter include: Blackburnian, Canada, Black-throated Blue, and Black-throated Green Warblers, Northern Waterthrush, Ovenbirds, Red-breasted Nuthatches, Scarlet Tanagers, Least and Alder Flycatchers,… ..