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
Birding Around Newburyport, MA
February 20-22, 2026
Friday-Sunday
Dave Tripp will once again escort LHASers around the Newburyport, Amesbury, and Salisbury areas in search of wintering northern birds. In the past, this trip has seen rare birds like Great Gray Owl, Boreal Chickadee, Varied Thrush, Townsend’s Solitaire, and Harris’ Sparrow. Other uncommon birds encountered in the past are Short-eared Owls, “white-winged” gulls, Barrow’s Goldeneye, Rough-legged Hawks, and Northern Shrike. An added bonus is a day trip to Gloucester and Rockport on Cape Ann, which may add Razorbills, Thick-billed Murres, Harlequin Ducks, Black Guillemots, and more gulls and waterfowl.
If you plan to go, email Dave at dtrippjr@gmail.com. We will stay at the Fairfield Inn in Amesbury; check websites to find the best rate.
Shepaug Dam Bald Eagles
March 1, 2026
Sunday, 9:00 a.m.
Weather permitting, join Russ Naylor for a trip to witness late-winter staging/migration by our national bird at the Shepaug Dam Bald Eagle Observatory in Southbury. We will also see Black Ducks, Common Mergansers, Ring-necked Ducks, and other waterfowl. Some other possible avian treats: Great Blue Heron, ravens, Red-tailed Hawks, bluebirds, and other Housatonic River birdlife. Meet at the Canfield Corner Pharmacy at the junction of Main Street North (Route 6) and Route 47 in Woodbury.
For details, call Russ at 203-841-7779; leave a message for a return call
Woodcock Welcome at the Bent
March 29, 2026
Sunday, 7:00 p.m.
Come visit the North Meadow at Bent of the River Audubon Center in Southbury to see and hear American Woodcocks in courtship display performing their “timberdoodle” tunes as a herald of spring. We’ll meet at 7 p.m.to walk the meadow seeking early spring migrants — Wood Duck, Common Merganser, Eastern Phoebe, American Robin, and others — before witnessing the comical concert of the woodcocks. Meet at the North Meadow visitor parking lot, 185 East Flat Hill Road, Southbury.
For details, call Russ at 203-841-7779; leave a message for a return call
Annual Woodcock Walk at Boyd Woods Sanctuary
April 18, 2026
Saturday, 7:00 p.m.
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.
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. 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
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.
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
See April 22 for details. Rain date: April 29, same time.