Bird Walks & Events — 2026
To receive program and/or event announcements please send us an email requesting that you would like to be added to our email list at lhasct@me.com
Bird with LHAS on Weekday Mornings
Date: TBA
Time: TBA
Location: TBA
Beginning in mid-April, join us for weekly jaunts to birding hotspots this spring. Depending on birder schedules and the weather, you will be notified of the day, meeting place, and time.
If you would like to participate, contact Pam Hicks with your email or texting number at smilesmyles@yahoo.com or 203-922-2684
Annual Woodcock Walk at Boyd Woods Sanctuary
April 18, 2026
Saturday, 7:00 p.m.
Location: Boyd Woods Sanctuary, Litchfield
Our walk will begin with a check of Margery’s Bird Pond, where the wood frogs should be out and about (and very noisy!).Next, we’ll head to the Monarch Meadow to await “the dance of the woodcock.” Year after year, the woodcocks (sometimes as many as seven or eight) have performed their mating ritual overhead and are easily viewed from this vantage point.Also, close by, we’re likely to hear our resident Barred Owls hooting back and forth.If there’s enough interest, we can walk through the nearby conifers with the hope of seeing them.Sanctuary managers Rich and Debbie Martin will guide you on this walk. Bring a flashlight. Wear boots, as trails are soggy in spring. Dress warmly. No dogs allowed! Meet at the Boyd Woods Sanctuary parking lot on Route 254 in Litchfield.
For additional information, contact Debbie Martin at barnowl524@hotmail.com or 860-819-7462
Birding at Hammonasset Beach State Park
April 21, 2026
Tuesday, 8:30 a.m.
Location: Hammonasset State Park, Madison
Join us for a trip to the shore. Hammonasset contains diverse coastal habitats, providing excellent birding. A combination of walking/driving to different areas of the park. Meet outside the park at the Shoreline Greenway Trail parking area (east of the main entrance road) on Boston Post Road (U.S.Route 1), Madison. If you would like to carpool, meet at the commuter lot off of Route 8 north (new exit 46; old exit 42) on Route 118 in Harwinton at 7:15 a.m.Pack a lunch to enjoy with the group after seeing some cool shorebirds.
Birding duration about 3 hours. Scopes are welcome.
Let us know if we can count you in by texting Pam Hicks at 203-922-2684 or Celeste Echlin at 860-485-2567.
Wigwam Brook Sanctuary Pollinator Garden Clean-up
April 22, 2026
Wednesday, 10:00 a.m. – Noon
Location: Wigwam Brook Sanctuary, Litchfield
Skunk cabbage blooming, wood frogs quacking, Mourning Cloaks fluttering about — all harbingers of spring and a reminder that it’s time to prepare the gardens at Wigwam Brook Sanctuary, Rt. 254 in Litchfield, for another season of pollinator activity. We’ll cut down dead plants and grasses, removing visible weeds and other plant debris in the garden.In honor of Earth Day, we’ll also pick up litter in the parking lot and trim invasives along the entrance trail. Bring gloves, your favorite gardening tools, spray for ticks, and lots of energy! Rain date: April 23, same time.
To sign up, email Vickie Dauphinais at vdauphinais1@gmail.com.
Barkhamsted Earth Day Nature Festival
April 26, 2026
Sunday, 12:30 p.m.
Location: Peoples State Forest, Barkhamsted
Visit our table at the 11th Annual Barkhamsted Earth Day Nature Festival at Matthies Grove, Peoples State Forest, 106 East River Road, Barkhamsted.We’ll have fun activities for kids as well as info for adults on native plants, birds, and other nature topics. The event runs from 12:30 to 4 p.m., followed by a birds of prey show at 4:15. The festival is sponsored by the town of Barkhamsted and Friends of American Legion and Peoples State Forests (FALPS).
Kalmia Sanctuary Pollinator Clean-up in Harwinton
April 28, 2026
Tuesday, 10:00 a.m. – Noon
Location: Kalmia Sanctuary, Harwinton
It’s time to prepare the gardens at Kalmia Brook Sanctuary for another season of pollinator activity. We’ll cut down dead plants and grasses, removing visible weeds and other plant debris in the garden. In honor of Earth Day, we’ll also pick up litter in the parking lot and trim invasives along the entrance trail. Bring gloves, your favorite gardening tools, spray for ticks, and lots of energy! Rain date: April 29, same time.
To sign up, email Vickie Dauphinais at vdauphinais1@gmail.com.
Discover Spring at Boyd Woods Sanctuary
May 3, 2026
Sunday, 3 p.m. – 5 p.m.
Location: Boyd Woods Sanctuary, Litchfield
Join LHAS Nature Explorers for a hike at Boyd Woods Sanctuary to enjoy all that spring has to offer. Our adventure begins at the sanctuary’s bird blind, where we’ll get a front-row seat to migrating birds as they stop to rest and refuel. Once we’ve had our fill of close-up views, we’ll head out to scout the meadows and deep woods for orioles, vireos, and towhees. We’ll stop by Margery’s Pond to catch the “spring symphony” of croaking frogs and get a glimpse of all the critters and plants coming to life.Come ready to get your hands dirty.Wear waterproof footwear for pond exploration. Fun for all ages! Meet at the Boyd Woods parking lot on Route 254 in Litchfield.
Pre-registration appreciated at lhasjunior@gmail.com.
Bird Walk at Bent of the River Audubon Center
May 8, 2026
Friday, 8:00 a.m.
Location: Bent of the River, Southbury
We will bird along the Pomperaug River to the historic barn and beyond. The Bent of the River is managed for shrub-land birds including Prairie and Blue-winged Wablers, Field Sparrows, and Indigo Buntings. The river has nesting Common Mergansers and Eastern Kingfishers. Meet at the Bent of the River parking lot at 185 East Flat Hill Road in Southbury.
Questions? Contact Donna Rose Smith at 1ffastbird@gmail.com.
Spring Swift Swirl
May 9, 2026
Saturday, 7:30 p.m.
Location: Bent of the River, Southbury
Come to the Mitchell School in Woodbury to see Chimney Swifts return to their spring roost site — a recognized IBA (Important Bird Area) — from winter soujourns in Brazil. Swirling swaths of twittering swifts will come to roosting chimneys for the night in aerobatic splendor, some eventually to nest. This will be a sweet Mother’s Days treat, so come to enjoy this rite of spring! Other possible treats: early nighthawks or roosting bats. Meet at 7:30 outside the Canfield Corner Pharmacy at the junction of Route 6 (Main Street North) and Route 47 in Woodbury.
For more information, call Russ Naylor at 203-841-7779; leave a message for a return call.
Birds & Botany Walk at White Memorial
May 12, 2026
Tuesday, 8:30 a.m.
Location: WMCC, Litchfield
Ann Orsillo and Eileen Cooper will lead this walk to find birds, wildflowers, and other interesting plants. Meet in the White Memorial Conservation Center museum parking lot. Bring binoculars, magnifying glass (we have some loaners), and insect repellent. Heavy rain cancels.
For questions, call Ann at 910-880-1518. Please register for the walk at https://whitememorialcc.org/calendar/.
Bird Walk on the Appalachian Trail
May 15, 2026
Friday, 8:30 a.m.
Location: Cornwall Bridge, CT
We will start under the bridge on River Road in Cornwall Bridge. We will carpool to the end of the road to bird the Appalachian Trail. Past migrants found were Worm-eating, Black-thoated Green, Hooded, And Wilson’s Warblers. It’s alway fun is to see Eastern Phoebes nesting on the rock overhangs along the trail.
Questions? Contact Donna Rose Smith at 1ffastbird@gmail.com.
Bird Walk with Goshen Land Trust
May 16, 2026
Saturday, 7:30 a.m.
Location: Goshen, CT
Join Ann Orsillo for this walk on a Goshen Land Trust property.Meet at 193 Pie Hill Road (one end of Pie Hill Road is across from the Goshen Fairgrounds). Bring binoculars (some loaners available) and insect repellent. Heavy rain cancels.
For questions, call Ann at 910-880-1518.
Bird walk at Ripley Waterfowl Conservancy
May 17, 2026
Sunday, 8:00 a.m.
Location: Litchfield, CT
Join us along with Ripley Waterfowl Conservancy for a morning birding walk through Ripley fields. Spring migration will bring back Bobolinks, Eastern Bluebirds, American Kestrels, warblers, and more. Bring your binoculars and enjoy a morning hoping to see many amazing species! LHAS member Marie Kennedy will lead the walk. Meet at Constance B. Ripley (CBR) Field, 69, Brush Hill Road, Litchfield.
Registration is required: https://ripleywaterfowlconservancy.ddockforms.com/?form=7ed508ea-ec5b-4cb5-9b0e-8bbf9f6626d2.
Bird Milford Point Coastal Center
May 19, 2026
Tuesday, 8:30 a.m.
Location: Milford, CT
Meet at the Audubon Coastal Center parking lot, 1 Milford Point Road, Milford. If you would like to carpool, meet at the commuter lot off of Route 8 north (new exit 46; old exit 42) on Route 118 in Harwinton at 7:15 a.m. Pack a lunch to enjoy with the group after seeing some cool shorebirds. Birding duration 2-3 hours.Scopes welcomed!
Let us know if we can count you in by texting Pam Hicks at 203-922-2684 or Celeste Echlin at 860-485-2567.
Bird Walk in Mohawk State Forest
May 22, 2026
Friday, 8:00 a.m.
Location: Goshen, CT
We will bird by foot and car, looking for Northern Waterthrushes and Ruby-throated Hummingbirds, and listening for orioles, flycatchers, and vireos. Meet at the entrance parking area, 20 Mohawk Mountain Road (Route 4) in Goshen.
Questions? Contact Donna Rose Smith at 1ffastbird@gmail.com.
Birding on Lower River Road, West Cornwall
May 29, 2026
Friday, 8:00 a.m.
Location: West Cornwall, CT
On past visits to this under-birded spot, we have had Ruffed Grouse, Blackburian Warbler, Acadian Flycatcher, and other northern species. To get there from Route 7, cross the West Cornwall covered bridge and turn right down River Road. If coming from the east, turn left onto River Road (do not cross the covered bridge). Meet at the parking area past the Trinity Retreat Center at the end of the road.
Questions? Contact Donna Rose Smith at 1ffastbird@gmail.com.
Picnic and Birding at Shepaug Dam
May 31, 2026
Sunday, 9:00 a.m.
Location: Southbury, CT
Russ Naylor will lead us on a bird walk to the Shepaug Dam to find breeding birds — warblers (Pine, Prairie, Blue-winged, etc.), edge and field species (Eastern Towhees, Field Sparrows, American Bluebirds), plus some special treats: a Cliff Swallow colony, Spotted Sandpipers, ravens, Common Mergansers, Osprey, perhaps even a Bald Eagle or two. Some of these birds will be nesting, and we’re apt to be serenaded by Orchard Orioles and Warbling Vireos. After our walk, we’ll enjoy an informal picnic (bring your lunch and beverage) and swap bird or outdoor tales in the late-spring warmth (we hope!).
Meet at 7:30 outside the Canfield Corner Pharmacy at the junction of Route 6 (Main Street North) and Route 47 in Woodbury.
For more information, call Russ Naylor at 203-841-7779; leave a message for a return call.