Brought to you by Connecticut Ornithological Association
Birding for Pleasure: Count the Bobolinks and More!
Count the Bobolinks and More!
Wednesday June 17, 2026
Time: 9 AM – 11:30 AM
Location: Frederick White Farm open space,
70 Maple Ave, Durham.
Park on side of dirt road down the hill.
Join Birding for Pleasure in Durham & Middlefield for a bird walk at Frederick White Farm – an important habitat for Bobolinks. The Bobolink is a migratory songbird who travels all the way from South America to nest in the grasses at this town-owned farm. During this walk we will observe and count the Bobolink and other grassland species as we explore the farm fields for hidden treasures.
Deborah Evans will lead this walk and is an expert at finding birds. She is a member of the Connecticut Ornithological Society (COA) and Mattabeseck Audubon Society (MAS). She is an Area Captain for the Christmas Bird Count MAS team and a past MAS board member. The most notable bird found in her segment of the circle was a Long Eared Owl in 2024. She also participates in the Summer Bird Count and the Big Sit. She has been one of Connecticut’s top 100 Birders on the eBird App for the last three years. Her spark bird was the American Kestrel and often nests at White Farm. Deborah’s young grandchildren are excited to learn bird sounds and to find their own “spark bird”.
Run completely by volunteers, Birding for Pleasure’s goal is to engage communities in conversation, restoration and enjoyment of nature focusing on grasslands birds, other wildlife and their habitats.
Youth must be accompanied by parent or responsible adult.
- Please bring your binoculars, drinking water, bug repellent and wear waterproof shoes or boots. The walk around the farm is mostly flat and may be muddy.
- No dogs.
Vortex binoculars are available through a CVEF grant for check-out at the Durham and Middlefield Public Libraries during their regular business hours.
A few binoculars may be borrowed during our walk.
**Reservations are suggested to help us with our planning at: https://durhamlibrary.
Heavy rain or lightening cancels.
Birding For Pleasure’s next walk is Saturday July 18, 2026 at 8 a.m. led by Melissa Baston.
Related Events
Birding Events in Connecticut
If you have an upcoming birding-related event in Connecticut, including walks or indoor programs, and would like them listed on the COA’s Connecticut Birding Events Calendar, please email the details of your event to ctbirdingcalendar@gmail.com.
Please include: event title, event date, start and end times, location, a concise description that also mentions fees, if any, and organizer contact information. If your organization posts events regularly, contact us at the email address above more information on easily sharing your events.