Bird Walks & Events — 2024
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
October 18-20, 2024
Friday-Sunday
Event: Fall Birding in and around Cape May, NJ
Cape May is one of the most well known East Coast birding destinations. We will go to some well-known and not-so-well-known birding sites throughout the county and stop at the Edwin B. Forsythe National Wildlife Refuge on the way home to net around 130 species. On past trips, we have seen some great birds and had some great experiences. Ten rooms have been reserved for Thursday, Friday, and Saturday nights at the Hyland Motor Inn in Cape May Courthouse; cost: TBD (last year for Thursday, Friday, and Saturday nights was $304). We will begin birding early Friday morning. This year’s trip coincides with the Cape May Bird Observatory Fall Bird Festival, so we will make an attempt to visit the birding expo. Deadline to RSVP and register: September 27th.
To reserve a room, share a room, line up a ride, get a basic itinerary and/or payment instructions, contact Dave Tripp at dtrippjr@gmail.com.
October 27, 2024
Sunday, 2:00 p.m.
Event: Experience the Spooky Side of Nature
If you dare, join the LHAS Nature Explorers for a guided walk on a trail and encounter spooky spots with spiders, crows, owls, and more. Do an activity at each spot.Wear your costume, if you like. If you make it back to where you started, you can enjoy cider and donuts. Free for kids of all ages! Meet at the Boyd Woods Audubon Sanctuary parking lot on Route 254 in Litchfield. Rain cancels. Pre-registration appreciated at lhasjunior@gmail.com.
For questions, call Vickie Dauphinais at 860-805-9167.
November 2, 2024
Sunday, 11:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
Location: Harwinton Public Library
Event: Discovering Birds in Your Backyard
Naturalists, Karen Geitz and Josh Szwed, will give a brief presentation on our resident birds and an introduction to the new birding backpack. Followed by a stroll around the library grounds to practice identifying birds using binoculars and the Merlin App. There will be games and prizes. Suitable for families and children ages 6+
November 10, 2024
Sunday, 1:00 p.m.
Event: Annual Duck Ramble
Noted birder Fran Zygmont will lead LHAS’ Annual Duck Ramble to help us identify the various ducks and other birds on Bantam Lake and nearby locales. Meet at the White Memorial museum parking lot. Note that we’re starting at 1 PM to take better advantage of daylight! For more information contact Fran at fzygmont@charter.net.
November 17, 2024
Sunday, 1:00 p.m.
Event: Family Duck Ramble
Bring the kids to learn how to sight and identify waterfowl on Bantam Lake. After scanning the lake for waterfowl, we will walk around White Memorial’s Point Folly, located on North Shore Road in Bantam. Bring binoculars, if you have them (LHAS may have some you can borrow) and dress for the weather conditions. Meet by the entrance to Point Folly.
December 15, 2024
Sunday, All Day
Event: Christmas Bird Count
The Audubon Christmas Bird Count (CBC) in our area this year will take place December 15. If you want to help, email Dave Tripp at dtrippjr@gmail.com and he will put you in contact with the captain for your area. At the end of the day, we will gather at a local restaurant to compile our results and enjoy a meal.(LHAS picks up the tab!)
December 15, 2024
Sunday, 11:00 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.
Event: CBC 4 Kids
Children and parents are invited to experience this wholesome family-centered citizen science adventure. We will meet at the White Memorial A.B. Ceder Room (lower floor of the museum building) for a brief orientation. Then we will walk to the feeders outside the museum and around Ongley Pond to count birds by sight, using binoculars, and by sound, using the Merlin app. Afterward, we will gather in the Ceder Room to tabulate the results and enjoy pizza, cookies, and hot chocolate. A great way to spend a winter day and help scientists capture vital information about bird populations. Wear warm jackets and boots.Binoculars will be provided. Bring your own, if you have a pair. Any questions, call Vickie Dauphinais at 860-805-9167. Pre-registration is appreciated at lhasjunior@gmail.com.