The history of birds, formal studies of ornithology and birdwatching owe much to the efforts of British natural historians, scientists and collectors. In the 17th and 18th centuries artists helped systematically cataloguing and depicting both British and world birds. By the 19th century artists tried to depict all the species they came across during their world travels. Mark Aronson, the… ..
Join the New Haven Parks Department for the Annual Migration Festival. Lighthouse Point Park is located on the Atlantic flyway, a major route for butterflies, hawks, and many other bird species in their annual migration south for the winter months. Events include bird watching walks, hawk displays, butterfly observations, and the annual hawk count, among others. Meet at Lighthouse Point… ..
Yes, The Big Sit!® is on! The Big Sit®, established by the NHBC, has become an international event, with birders from all over the world trying to record as many species of birds as possible in one day from one 17-foot diameter circle. There are local circles at a number of birding hot spots throughout Connecticut. Join other birders at… ..
Explore fields, community gardens, and woodland trails for resident birds and migrants. The terrain is easy and mostly flat. Meet at the Bauer Park Community Gardens parking area, 257 Copse Road, Madison. Leader: Chuck Imbergamo, imbercj@comcast.net
Chris Loscalzo will give a zoom presentation on the identification of the 27 species of sparrows known to have occurred in Connecticut as preparation for his walk to be held on Saturday, October 17, 2026, at the old Country Club of Woodbridge; see Outdoor schedule. The talk will last 45 to 50 minutes and will focus on the important identification… ..
Join Chris Loscalzo for a walk on this former golf course (now a valued open space as the fairways have transformed into weedy and brushy fields) as he looks for sparrows and other late fall migrants. The walk will be preceded on Friday, October 16th by a presentation on sparrow identification via Zoom when Chris will review the ID of… ..
Ansonia Nature Center encompasses a variety of habitats: a pond, grassy fields, thickets, wetlands, and woods. In late October we can expect numerous sparrow species, raptors, and woodpeckers, along with migrating songbirds, including some warblers. Join Ranger Evelyn and NHBC's Kelly Meineke and explore. Leaders: Ranger Evelyn, 203-736-1053 or ansnaturectr@ansoniact.org and Kelly Meineke, 203-736-7888 or meinekek@gmail.com
The Friends of the Farm River and Estuary invite the New Haven Bird Club to share a walk along the tracks of the Shoreline Trolley Museum in East Haven through several productive habitats. The timing may be good for us to find a mix of resident and migrating salt marsh birds, raptors, and woodland species. Plus a ride on an… ..
Join Pat Leahy for a walk on protected Regional Water Authority property in Woodbridge. We will see fall migrants and winter residents. There are some mild slopes on a well-maintained road. Meet at Lake Chamberlain Regional Water Authority parking area on Sperry Road, the second metal gate south of Morris Road, Bethany. We carpool to Lake Dawson from there. Leader:… ..
Lighthouse Point Park is a premier location in southern New England for observing migrating raptors and 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. We meet by the tall lone tree on top of the hill. If the gate is staffed, just let them… ..
We bird several hotspots in the Town of Cheshire, including Broad Brook Reservoir. The Reservoir annually hosts 200-400 Ruddy Ducks in fall, one of the highest concentrations of this diving duck in the state. The Reservoir is level walking (100 yards) on leaf-covered paved road. Other locations will be chosen according to current conditions and bird sightings. Meet at 894… ..
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 Corrie Folsom-O'Keefe, Director of Bird Conservation for the CT Office of the National Audubon Society, for a walk at Hammonasset Beach State Park, one of CT's most productive birding destinations at all seasons of the year. We'll look for shorebirds, waterfowl, raptors, late migrants, and other over-wintering birds. The park's varied habitats include over 400 acres of salt marsh,… ..
Vermont Center for Ecostudies biologist Eric Hanson will discuss the amazing recovery of loons in Vermont over the past 30 years, the threats that they face, and the conservation actions that have brought them back. We’ll explore their fascinating behaviors and natural history, from territorial takeovers to visual and verbal communication. The Vermont Loon Conservation Project is a program of… ..
Join us for a walk on Regional Water Authority property in Bethany. The swallows will be gone but we will see fall migrants and winter residents. Walking is on fairly flat and well-maintained trails and is not strenuous. Meet at Lake Chamberlain Regional Water Authority parking area on Sperry Road, the second metal gate south of Morris Road, Bethany. Leader:… ..
The "Birds in Words" book club will meet on Monday, November 16, 2026 from 6:30 to 8:00 pm at the Mitchell Library in New Haven. Feel free to bring snacks to enjoy and share! The club will discuss The Story of Birds: A New History from Their Dinosaur Origins to the Present by Steve Brusatte. Tens of billions of birds… ..
Lighthouse Point Park is a premier location in southern New England for observing migrating raptors and 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. We meet by the tall lone tree on top of the hill. If the gate is staffed, just let them… ..
At any time of year, Hammonasset is a true gem. Enjoy a mid-week trip to explore this birding hotspot. 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 or birdshop@sbcglobal.net
In 1900, ornithologist and Bird-Lore editor Frank Chapman called for “a Christmas bird-census” to counter the ongoing slaughter of millions of North American birds. Two pioneer counts were held in Connecticut, and in 1901 Aretas A. Saunders held New Haven’s first Christmas Bird Count (CBC) in Edgewood Park. The CBC, sponsored by National Audubon Society, has matured over the past… ..
Join other NHBC members in this fun event, steeped in tradition. Join birders in the field or report what you see in your backyard (if you reside within the count circle). Take part for a few hours or all day. 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… ..
Join Dr. Sarah Knutie, Associate Professor of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology at the University of Connecticut, for a presentation on the remarkable birds of the Galápagos Islands of Ecuador. Learn about the unique birdlife of this iconic island ecosystem and what makes it one of the world’s most important places for studying evolution, ecology, and conservation.
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… ..
Enjoy a mid-week field trip to Hammonasset Beach State Park, one of the state’s best birding locations 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 road. Leader: Chris Loscalzo, 203-214-3473… ..
The Annual Mega Bowl of Birding in Connecticut Saturday, February 6, 2027, 6 a.m. to 5 p.m. Mega Bowl Compilation Dinner Sunday, February 7, 2027, 5–7 p.m. Kellog Environmental Center, 500 Hawthorne Ave, Derby Birders of all ages and skill levels are welcome to participate in a fun and friendly event! Go birding for all or part of the day… ..
The Annual Mega Bowl of Birding in Connecticut Saturday, February 6, 2027, 6 a.m. to 5 p.m. Mega Bowl Compilation Dinner Sunday, February 7, 2027, 5–7 p.m. Kellog Environmental Center, 500 Hawthorne Ave, Derby Birders of all ages and skill levels are welcome to participate in a fun and friendly event! Go birding for all or part of the day… ..
Join Matt Joyce, Conservation Science Manager at the Connecticut Audubon Society, for a presentation detailing the ongoing conservation efforts to preserve Connecticut's charismatic shoreline bird species. This presentation will show the challenges faced by these birds; the techniques the Audubon Alliance staff and volunteers use to monitor and protect species such as Piping Plover, American Oystercatcher, Least Tern, and Common… ..
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… ..
Snow date - Sunday, February 28, 2027 This all-day trip includes stops at Beavertail State Park, Moonstone Beach, Trustum Pond, and other great birding sites along 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.… ..