Connecticut Ornithological Association | COA

Birding for Pleasure: Bobolinks and More Walk @ Frederick White Farm
2026-05-30 08:30 - 11:00 (America/New_York) | Frederick White Farm, Maple Avenue, Durham, CT, 06422, United States
Count the Bobolinks and More!
Join Birding for Pleasure in Durham & Middlefield for a bird walk at Frederick White Farm.
Free – Saturday May 30, 2026 at 8:30 AM – about 11 AM
Meet at Frederick White Farm open space. Park on side of dirt road down the hill. Address: 70 Maple Ave, Durham, CT.
Frederick White Farm is an important habitat for the Bobolink, a migratory songbird who travels all the way from South America to nest in the grasses at this town-owned farm.
Elena Coffey is a Birding for Pleasure volunteer and specializes with birding-by-sound. She is on the executive board of Mattabeseck Audubon Society, a member of the New Haven Bird Club and the Connecticut Ornithological Society. When she was in her twenties, Elena saw a tree full of colorful migrating warblers and she was hooked on birding! Elena will help build your birding skills by recognizing bird sounds while learning about the musical Bobolinks.
Run completely by volunteers, Birding for Pleasure’s goal is to engage communities in conversation, restoration and enjoyment of grasslands focusing on birds, wildlife and their habitats.
* 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 wet or muddy.
* No dogs.

A few binoculars may be available to borrow during the walk.
Registration suggested at https://durhamlibrary.libcal.com/event/16809250?hs=a
We encourage you to RSVP to help us with planning.
Heavy rain or lightning cancels the event.
Youth must be accompanied by a parent or responsible adult.

Birding for Pleasure and Hartford Audubon: Bird Walk at Frederick White Farm
2026-06-13 09:00 - 11:30
Count the Bobolinks and More!

Join Birding for Pleasure in Durham & Middlefield with the Hartford Audubon Society for a bird walk at Frederick White Farm – an important habitat for Bobolinks.
Date: Saturday June 13, 2026
Time: 9 AM – to about 11 AM
Location: Meet at Frederick White Farm open space,
70 Maple Ave, Durham, CT
Park on side of dirt road down the hill.
Youth must be accompanied by parent or responsible adult.
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.
Peter Picone will lead this walk. He is a Connecticut DEEP Wildlife Division habitat biologist and received the 2025 Tom ODell Outstanding District Service Award from the Connecticut River Coastal Conservation District. The Award recognizes Pete’s contributions to the Connecticut Envirothon and for his efforts to enhance habitat for wildlife through outreach and education about native plants and invasive plant management.
Run completely by volunteers, Birding for Pleasure’s goal is to engage communities in conversation, restoration and enjoyment of grasslands focusing on birds, wildlife and their habitats.

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 wet. It 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
Heavy rain or lightening cancels.
Rain-date is Wednesday June 17, 2026 led by Debbie Evans.
**Reservations are suggested. Admission is free.**
We encourage you to RSVP to help us with our planning at:
https://durhamlibrary.libcal.com/event/16756526?hs=a

—————————

Birding for Pleasure: Count the Bobolinks and More!
2026-06-17 09:00 - 11:30
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.libcal.com/event/16790372?hs=a
Heavy rain or lightening cancels.
Birding For Pleasure’s next walk is Saturday July 18, 2026 at 8 a.m. led by Melissa Baston.
