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
April 28, 2024
Sunday, 8:00 a.m.
Event: Spring Bird Walk at Bent of the River Audubon Center
See mid-spring woodpeckers, waterfowl, sparrows, swallows, and other birds in passage as we hike part of Bent of the River’s trails, sampling a variety of riparian and upland habitats. We will have a good chance to spot warblers, vireos, orioles, and other first-arrival neotropical migrants. Meet at Bent of the River’s parking lot, 185 East Flat Hill Road, Southbury.
For more information, call Russ Naylor at 203-841-7779; leave a message for a return call.
Weekly Spring Birding
Location, Date & Time TBD
Please join us for weekly jaunts to birding hotspots as taught to us by our famous leader, Ray Belding. Depending on birder schedules and weather, you will be notified of the day, meeting place and time.
If you would like to join, contact Pamela Hicks (coordinator) with your email or texting number at smilesmyles@yahoo.com or 203-922-2684
May 3, 2024
Friday, 7:30 a.m.
Event: Birding Along River Road in Cornwall Bridge
Look for spring migrants while walking along the Housatonic River on the Appalachian Trail. This walk has a greater diversity of habitat types than River Road in Kent. We usually walk for 2 1/2 hours all the way downriver to the large fields, but participants can follow the well-worn trail back at any time. Directions: River Road is at the junction of Route 7 North and Route 4 West. Traveling west on Route 4, turn right immediately after crossing the bridge. We will meet under the bridge to carpool to a parking area at the end of the road, as parking is limited.
For more information, contact Donna Rose Smith at drsmith006@sbcglobal.net
May 4, 2024
Saturday, 7:30 a.m.
Event: Bird Walk at White Memorial Conservation Center
Join members Ann Orsillo and Eileen Cooper for a casual walk to learn about plants and birds. Beginners and experts are both welcomed. Meet in the White Memorial museum parking lot. Bring binoculars (we have some to loan) and insect repellent. Heavy rain cancels
Contact Ann Orsillo at: 910-880-1518 or spoonbill@optonline.net if you plan to attend.
May 5, 2024
Sunday, 11:00 a.m.
Event: LHAS Nature Explorers Celebrate Spring at Boyd Woods Sanctuary
Join LHAS Nature Explorers for a hike at Boyd Woods Sanctuary to enjoy all that spring has to offer. The sanctuary with its mix of conifers, shrubland, open fields, and forest habitat is a great place to see and hear migrating birds, such as warblers, vireos, orioles, towhees, and others. The ponds and the bordering brook on the property will offer a glimpse of all the critters and plants coming to life.Listen for toads and frogs calls. Maybe spot a Jack-in-the-Pulpit or a lovely Trillium. Come ready to get your hands dirty. Wear waterproof footwear for pond exploration. Fun! Appropriate for kids and adults. Meet at Boyd Woods Sanctuary parking lot on Route 254 in Litchfield.
Pre-registration is appreciated at lhasjunior@gmail.com. For questions, call Vickie Dauphinais at 860-805-9167. Heavy rain cancels.
May 10, 2024
Friday, 7:30 a.m.
Event: Birding Along River Road in West Cornwall
This walk has the river on one side and open, shrubby habitat near the railroad track a short distance away. Expect to find woodland species and edge specialists such as Yellow Warbler, Chestnut-sided Warbler, and more. Directions: From Route 7 North, turn to go over the covered bridge and turn right onto Lower River Road.Parking is past the Trinity Retreat Center.
For more information, contact Donna Rose Smith at drsmith006@sbcglobal.net.
May 11, 2024
Saturday, 10:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.
Event: Celebrate World Migratory Bird Day at Sharon Audubon
LHAS will have a table with bird info and kids’ activities at Sharon Audubon’s event. World Migratory Bird Day is a global event that brings attention to the phenomenon of bird migration. Each year has a theme that seeks to generate conservation actions on behalf of migratory birds, whether that’s the importance of unpolluted water (last year’s theme) or of the availability of insects (this year’s). An artist is chosen each year to bring the theme’s priority bird species to life. This year’s focal species include two that Sharon Audubon works with at the center: American Kestrel and Wood Duck.Sharon Audubon staff also work with Purple Martins and Chimney Swifts, both of which are entirely dependent on insects for their survival.
May 12, 2024
Sunday, 8:00 p.m.
Event: Spring Swift Swirl
Come see newly arrived Chimney Swifts as they return from winter sojourns in South America, to enter a well-known spring roost site (and recognized Important Bird Area, or IBA) at Mitchell School in Woodbury. This is a spring/ fall staging roost site for migrants as well as an established nesting site for these masters of aerial living. Other sky-feeding wayfarers, such as Night Hawks and swallows, plus the occasional bat, are also possible visitors. Meet at 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.
May 13, 2024
Monday, 7:30 a.m.
Event: Birding at Bent of the River Audubon Center
Bent of the River has open meadows and riparian and woodland habitats, where we will look for migrants and nesting species. The landscape is managed for shrub-land nest species such as Prairie and Blue-winged Warblers and Field Sparrows. Indigo Buntings are common here. Meet at Bent of the River’s parking lot at 185 East Flat Hill Road in Southbury.
For more information, contact Donna Rose Smith at drsmith006@sbcglobal.net.
May 18, 2024
Saturday, 10:00 a.m.
Event: CT Botanical Society Walk at Boyd Woods Sanctuary
Join LHAS and Connecticut Botanical Society member Eileen Cooper on a walk at Boyd Woods Sanctuary as she and others search the sanctuary for wildflowers. Everyone is welcome to attend and she will produce a plant survey for LHAS.
May 25, 2024
Saturday, 8:30 a.m.
Event: Warbler Walk
Join Marie Kennedy for a walk on Prospect Mountain Road to search for warblers. During the walk, you will be able to listen and look for birds as they sing to establish their territory and search for a mate. The walk is easy and takes place on the road, and we will also take the pond’s loop trail. Please wear sturdy shoes.The meeting point is at the Grannis Pond Kiosk, located at 133 Prospect Mountain Road, Bantam.
For more information, contact Marie at 914- 393-6270 or mariekennedy226@gmail.com.
May 26, 2024
Sunday, 7:30 a.m.
Event: Beginning Birding at White Memorial Conservation Center
Join Fran Zygmont for a beginner bird walk. No experience necessary. Fran will go over some of the basics about bird watching and share his knowledge about what to look and listen for. There will be ample opportunity to ask questions and to see a variety of birds. Meet at the White Memorial museum parking area and bring your binoculars. Rain will cancel.
For more information contact Fran at fzygmont@charter.net.