Connecticut Ornithological Association | COA

CT Audubon Deer Pond Farm: Winter Bird Behaviors (Class and Walk)
2026-01-31 10:00 - 12:00 (America/New_York) | CT Audubon Deer Pond Farm, 57 Wakeman Hill Road, Sherman, CT, 06784, United States
Winter Bird Behaviors (Class & Walk)

January 31, 10 AM to Noon

Join Sanctuary Manager/Naturalist Lori Lichtenauer at Deer Pond Farm for a program on seasonal differences in bird behavior. Some birds migrate south, but other birds tough it out year-long up north. While some of the more colorful, charismatic migratory birds are away for the winter, this is the perfect time of year to appreciate these year-round (and seasonal) avian residents. These small, smart birds are some of the most fun to watch all winter long. We will start off in the classroom, then go outside to observe winter birds at our feeders.

Click here to register for Winter Bird Behaviors program.

CT Audubon Deer Pond Farm: Love Birds - Avian Courtship
2026-02-12 19:00 - 20:00 | CT Audubon Deer Pond Farm, 57 Wakeman Hill Road, Sherman, CT, 06784, United States
Love Birds: Avian Courtship (via Zoom)

February 12, 7-8 PM, Free,

Just in time for Valentine’s Day, learn some of the fascinating courtship behaviors of birds. Avian scientist and Sanctuary Manager of Deer Pond Farm Lori Lichtenauer will share an overview of how male birds engage in dangerous and extreme acts all to attract a mate. She will discuss the evolutionary history behind water dancing grebes, food bearing waxwings, and sky-diving eagles. We will also discuss how birds promote pair bonding with their mates, which birds mate for life, and which ones mate for a season. Suggested donation $5.

Click here to register for the Love Birds: Avian Courtship Zoom program.

CT Audubon, Deer Pond Farm: Shepaug Eagle Viewing
2026-02-15 09:00 - 2026-03-15 13:00 | Shepaug Dam, River Rd., Southbury, CT, United States
DEER POND FARM:

Shepaug Eagle View in Southbury, CT. Now in its 40th season, this renowned winter birding destination is open from December 24, 2025 through March 15, 2026, on Wednesdays, Saturdays, and Sundays from 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. This is an ideal destination for birders, families, school groups, and nature enthusiasts of all ages.

Live Birds of Prey programs offered on most days operating.

Admission is free, Reservations required; please register for directions and more information.
See https://ctaudubon.org/deer-pond-farm-programs-classes/

CT Audubon Deer Pond Farm: Bird ID Apps - Class and Walk
2026-03-21 10:00 - 12:00 | CT Audubon Deer Pond Farm, 57 Wakeman Hill Road, Sherman, CT, 06784, United States
Bird ID Apps: eBird & Merlin (Class & Walk)

March 21, 10 AM-Noon

Prepare for spring migration by learning to use two of the most popular birding apps: eBird and Merlin. Join Lori Lichtenauer in the Deer Pond Farm classroom for an introduction to eBird: what it is, how to use it, and how scientists benefit from it. Explore the Merlin Bird ID app to help identify birds by sight and sound. We will then hit the trails to use the apps in the field. Learn about the powerful contribution you can make to science research just by birding. All birding levels are welcome.

Please have apps installed on your phone prior to class.

Click here to register for the Bird ID Apps Program

CT Audubon Deer Pond Farm: Bird Anatomy Basics
2026-03-26 19:00 - 20:00 | Online, CT, United States
Bird Anatomy Basics (via Zoom)

March 26, 7-8 PM

Birders are captivated by the song, flight patterns, and plumage of many birds. Enhance your birding experience with this simplified presentation on how birds have evolved. Learn about the incredible ways bird bodies have been shaped by their evolutionary history. Find out have been shaped by their evolutionary history. Find out how learning bird anatomy can help you hone your birding skills. Join avian expert Sanctuary Manager/Naturalist Lori Lichtenauer for this bird anatomy webinar via Zoom. Beginner-friendly class, all levels are welcome.

Click here to register for the Bird Anatomy Basics Program.

CT Audubon, Deer Pond Farm: Spring Bird Behaviors
2026-04-01 10:00 - 12:00 | Deer Pond Farm, 57 Wakeman Hill Road, Sherman, CT, 06784, United States
Spring Bird Behaviors (Class & Walk)

April 1, 10 AM-Noon

Enhance your birding experience by learning more about how birds interact with each other and their environment, the field known as behavioral ecology. Join Sanctuary Manager/Naturalist Lori Lichtenauer starting in the Deer Pond Farm classroom and ending outside. Lori will describe specialized bird behaviors for spring and how birds’ brains prepare them for these changes. Learn how birds manage to complete their harrowing migration journeys, find mates, territories, and begin their breeding process, all within a matter of weeks. The beginning of the breeding season is a busy time full of territory disputes, song, mate selection, and nesting. Learn how to identify these behaviors to make the most of your spring birding season. All birding levels are welcome.

Click here to register for Spring Bird Behaviors.

CT Audubon, Deer Pond Farm: Beginner Birding for Families and Kids
2026-04-25 10:00 - 12:00 | CT Audubon Deer Pond Farm, 57 Wakeman Hill Road, Sherman, CT, 06784, United States
Beginner Birding for Families & Kids (Class & Walk)

Kids Birding at Deer Pond Farm

April 25, 10 AM-Noon
Are you a curious young explorer looking to learn more about wildlife? Get ready for spring bird migration by joining Naturalist Lori Lichtenauer at Deer Pond Farm to discover the joy of birding. Starting in our classroom, Lori will describe what birding is, how to look and listen like a birder. Finding and watching birds is fun for the whole family and can help you learn about lots of other animals. We will then go out onto our teaching terrace for a binocular lesson and explore some of the trails to find some birds!

Recommended for ages 8 and up; but all ages welcome; parents must be in attendance with children.

Click here to register for the Beginner Birding for Families and Kids (Class & Walk).

CT Audubon, Deer Pond Farm: Beginner Birding
2026-04-25 10:00 - 12:00 | CT Audubon Deer Pond Farm, 57 Wakeman Hill Road, Sherman, CT, 06784, United States

CT Audubon, Deer Pond Farm: Bird Song Basics (via Zoom)
2026-05-05 19:00 - 20:00 | Online, CT, United States
Tuesday, May 5, 2026
7:00pm – 8:00pm

Birds’ songs are beautiful, but their singing is important for mating and territorial protection.  A well-performed song can be a matter of life or death!

Avian biologist Lori Lichtenauer will help you discover the incredible science of bird songs and learn how to ID your favorite birds by ear, just in time for peak migration.  Free; suggested donation $5.

To register: Birdsong Basics (via Zoom) | May 5, 7:00pm – 8:00pm | Deer Pond Farm | The Connecticut Audubon Society

CT Audubon, Deer Pond Farm: Birdwatching - Big Sit
2026-05-08 13:00 - 16:00 | CT Audubon Deer Pond Farm, 57 Wakeman Hill Road, Sherman, CT, 06784, United States
Birdwatching “Big Sit” Open House – Free

Friday, May 8, 2026
1:00pm – 4:00pm

Sitting in one area quietly can be a rewarding and low-effort way to observe birds. Join us at the Deer Pond Farm’s teaching terrace with avian biologist Lori Lichtenauer for this casual twist on the competitive “Big Day” of birding. We will observe birds soaring, in the meadows, and forest edges. Extra spotting scopes, binoculars, and lots of ID resources will be set up. All birding levels are welcome.
Register here: Birdwatching “Big Sit” Open House – The Connecticut Audubon Society

CT Audubon, Deer Pond Farm: Bird Hike
2026-05-09 08:00 - 10:00 | CT Audubon Deer Pond Farm, 57 Wakeman Hill Road, Sherman, CT, 06784, United States
Saturday, May 9, 2026 / 8:00am – 10:00am
During peak migration, millions of birds will be flying through CT, taking brief breaks at “stopover” sites. These sites provide important food and shelter for birds as they recover from their journeys. Join Lori Lichtenauer, Sanctuary Manager / Naturalist, at Deer Pond Farm to hike some of our birding “hotspots” in search of great bird diversity count

$5 – Members / $10 Non-members
Register here: Bird Hike – The Connecticut Audubon Society

CT Audubon, Deer Pond Farm: Beginner Birding (class & walk)
2026-05-09 13:00 - 15:00 | CT Audubon Deer Pond Farm, 57 Wakeman Hill Road, Sherman, CT, 06784, United States
Saturday, May 9, 2026
1:00pm – 3:00pm

Join us at Deer Pond Farm with avian biologist Lori Lichtenauer on this beginner-friendly program. You’ll learn about binocular types and use, how to find and ID birds. Learn about useful apps such as Merlin & eBird to advance your skills, and how to bird on your “best” behavior! We’ll start in the classroom, and end outside.
$5 – Members / $10 Non-members
Register here: Beginner Birding (class & walk) – The Connecticut Audubon Society

CT Audubon, Deer Pond Farm: Bird Walk
2026-05-16 08:00 - 10:00 | Deer Pond Farm, 57 Wakeman Hill Road, Sherman, CT, 06784, United States
Saturday, May 16, 2026
8:00am – 10:00am

Join Western CT Bird Club President, Angela Dimmitt, on a casual bird walk at Deer Pond Farm. Angela is a seasoned birder with a wealth of wisdom to share about local migratory birds. Many birds are passing through CT to the forests of Canada, while some will stay in CT to breed. All birding levels welcome.
$5 Members / $10 Non-members
Register here: Bird Walk – The Connecticut Audubon Society

CT Audubon - Deer Pond: Birding by Ear (class & walk)
2026-05-20 09:00 - 11:00 | CT Audubon Deer Pond Farm, 57 Wakeman Hill Road, Sherman, CT, 06784, United States
Wednesday, May 20, 2026
9:00am – 11:00am
Birds are often heard before being seen. Learn about bird songs with avian biologist and Deer Pond Farm Naturalist Lori Lichtenauer. She will describe song patterns and how to hear the difference between alarm and contact calls. Discover how keen listening skills can lead to unexpected wildlife finds. We’ll start in the classroom, and end outside.
$5 – Members / $10 Non-members
Register here: Birding by Ear (class & walk) – The Connecticut Audubon Society

CT Audubon - Deer Pond: Pileated Woodpeckers & Forest Birds (class/walk)
2026-06-14 10:00 - 12:00 | CT Audubon Deer Pond Farm, 57 Wakeman Hill Road, Sherman, CT, 06784, United States
Sunday, June 14, 2026
10:00am – 12:00pm
Join us at Deer Pond Farm for a program on Pileated Woodpeckers, and other forest birds, sharing the same habitat. Lori Lichtenauer Sanctuary Manager / Naturalist will share unique adaptations of the Pileated Woodpeckers to survive and thrive year-round in the forests of the northeast. You will learn how Pileateds excavate holes in trees for nesting and to find wood boring insects to eat. Pileated woodpeckers are some of the only birds capable of creating large cavities for nesting, roosting, and shelter in bad weather for a variety of bird species. Non-migratory birds like tufted titmice, house wrens, chickadees and more use old Pileated cavities as their nest sites. Learn about the ways the forest community benefits from the industrious nature of the Pileated. The program will start in our classroom, then we’ll be on the wooded trails around our main campus birding. All birding levels welcome. Recommended for ages 10 and up.
Registration required.$5 members; $10 non-members
Register here: Pileated Woodpeckers & Forest Birds (class / walk) – The Connecticut Audubon Society
