Meetings & Programs — 2024
Meetings, unless otherwise noted, are held, in-person, at the Litchfield Community Center, 421 Bantam Road (Rt. 202), Litchfield, CT. Additionally, for those that are not able to attend the monthly meeting at the Litchfield Community Center, the presentation will be available via Zoom. To register for the Zoom presentation, click on the link provided in the announcement write-up.
To be added to our mailing list to receive announcements to programs and events, please send your email contact information to: lhasct@me.com
Meetings:
Chimney Swifts: Mystery and Magic Revealed
March 4, 2024
Monday, 7:00 p.m.
Location: Litchfield Community Center, 421 Bantam Rd, Litchfield, CT
In her talk, Bethany Sheffer from Sharon Audubon answers the conundrum: Bats? Birds? Minions of the Underworld? If you have found strange-looking birds in your fireplace or heard a deafening cacophony of sounds from inside it, congratulations! You likely have Chimney Swifts! Once numerous, these birds have experienced sharp declines in their range across the eastern U.S.due to habitat loss during the last century. Tonight we unravel the mystery behind these unique and fascinating birds while giving you behind-the-scenes footage of Sharon Audubon’s work with them through its Wildlife Rehabilitation Clinic. Bethany Sheffer, Sharon’ Audubon’s volunteer coordinator/naturalist, holds a master’s degree in public administration and is a certified environmental educator and beekeeper. She also served as an AmeriCorps member as an environmental educator.
Unable to attend in-person at the Litchfield Community Center, you can click on the following link to register for the Zoom virtual viewing option. <Chimney Swifts>
Beavers, Otters, Muskrats, and Minks
April 1, 2024
Monday, 7:00 p.m.
Location: Litchfield Community Center, 421 Bantam Rd, Litchfield, CT
You’re walking along a riverside path when you hear a splash in the water. You’re expecting a jumping fish when you see a furry creature paddling along. You watch as it gets closer to shore. But what is it? A beaver? An otter? Or… something else? The suspect list includes Beaver, Muskrat, Otter, and Mink. Connecticut is home to all four of these semiaquatic mammals — those species adapted to freshwater habitats — which are also found around the globe. In North America, these are among the most enjoyable wild animals to observe. But many people find identifying them confusing, especially as they look like a swimming blob of fur. Join Master Wildlife Conservationist Ginny Apple as she discusses these fascinating mammals, which are all uniquely suited for their semiaquatic environments.
Unable to attend in-person at the Litchfield Community Center, you can click on the following link to register for the Zoom virtual viewing option. <Beavers & More>
Wood Warblers in Connecticut — and Elsewhere
May 6, 2024
Monday, 7:00 p.m.
Location: Litchfield Community Center, 421 Bantam Rd, Litchfield, CT
Chris Wood will give a presentation on one of our favorite bird families, the wood warblers. Photos and descriptions will highlight the presentation, which will offer tips for finding and identifying the colorful and engaging warblers that nest here in Connecticut or that visit during migration periods. Chris will also illustrate some of the warbler species from the western U.S. and the neotropics to emphasize the fantastic diversity among the 111 species that make up the Parulidae family. Chris has been an active birder for over 45 years and has traveled around the U.S. as well as several Central and South American countries. He is currently president of the Connecticut Ornithological Association. He is a regular contributor to COA’s journal, The Connecticut Warbler, and contributes photographs and commentaries to birding and conservation organizations.