Connecticut Ornithological Association | COA

Hartford Audubon Society: Big January - All month
2026-01-01 02:00 - 2026-02-01 01:59 (America/New_York) | Hartford County, Hartford, CT, United States
Big January All MonthAll of Hartford County

It’s that time of year! The Hartford Audubon Society (HAS) is pleased to announce our ninth annual Hartford County Big January of Birding birdwatching challenge. The goal of the activity is to encourage folks to get outside during the month of January and see as many species of wild birds in Hartford County as possible. The challenge is free to people of all ages and is not intended to be competitive — please share your findings and encourage new birders.

And this year, the CT Ornithological Association is running an all-CT Big January, so you can do both ours in Hartford County AND the statewide challenge too!

To participate in both challenges, birders should enter their daily or periodic observations into ebird.org, the free birdwatching site maintained by the Cornell University Lab of Ornithology. If you don’t use eBird, you can list your species, date seen, location, and brief description, and send it via email or mail directly to me right at the end of January. It must be received by Wednesday, February 4th. You do not need to be a HAS member or reside in Hartford County to enter. At the end of the month, Hartford Audubon will retrieve all the data and award certificates and prizes. There are four categories:

Youth (ages 4-10) who must see at least 25 species to enter
Teen (ages 11-17) who must see at least 35 species to enter
Weekend Warrior (adults ages 18 and up who can’t get outdoors during the week) who must see at least 50 species to enter
Adults (ages 18 and up who can get outdoors during the week) who must see at least 60 species to enter.

All entries that meet the minimum number of species for each challenge group will receive a certificate of achievement. A special prize will be awarded for the highest species count for each challenge group, and the coveted “Golden Grebe” award will be given to the birder finding the most unusual bird.

January, 2026 may be a very interesting month and a joyful way to enter the new year. There are some rarities showing up this week – I hope they will stay until after January 1st! I’ve never seen a barnacle goose in Connecticut!

Wishing everyone a healthy and birdy 2026,

Sarah Faulkner

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Sarah Faulkner sffaulkner@comcast.net 860–543–1280 T

Hartford Audubon Society: Station 43 Beginners Bird Walk
2026-01-03 09:00 - 12:00 | Station 43, 990 Main St., South Windsor, CT, United States
Jan 3 Station 43 Beginners Bird Walk #2 Sat 9 am953 Main St, South WindsorCorner of Newberry Rd and Main StPark along road near intersection.
The second of four morning walks designed for beginners at Hartford Audubon’s oldest sanctuary. Station 43 is an excellent birding area year–round and on each walk we will look for seasonal birds. The walk is roughly 2.5 miles (3 hours) long over flat terrain but we may encounter areas with water/ice covering parts of the path. Waterproof boots suggested.
Jon Ward jward88787@aol.com 860–416–3958 T

Hartford Audubon Society: Meeting, Birdman of the Senate
2026-01-13 19:00 - 21:00 | St. James’s Episcopal Church, 1018 Farmington Ave., West Hartford, CT, 06127, United States
Jan 13 ✪ Monthly Meeting ✪ Tue 7:30 pmSocial Time at 7:00pmSt James’s Episcopal Church,1018 Farmington Ave, West Hartford
Speaker: Will McLean Greeley, AuthorBirdman of the Senate: Senator George P. McLean and the Migratory Bird Treaty ActPresentation by ZOOM.
Greeley, McLean’s great–great nephew, will discuss his biography of Senator George P. McLean, titled A Connecticut Yankee Goes to Washington: Senator George P. McLean, Birdman of the Senate. Connecticut’s own Senator McLean helped establish legal protections for birds, including thepassage of the 1918 Migratory Bird Treaty Act.
Alison Wilcox Speakers@HartfordAudubon.org 860–707–5907 T

Hartford Audubon Society: Cape Ann Trip - January 17-18, 2026
2026-01-17 02:00 - 2026-01-19 01:59 | Newburyport, MA, Newburyport, MA, United States
Cape Ann & Newburyport, MA 2 days
Contact Wendy or Fran at least one week in advance for details Barrow’s Goldeneye, Snowy Owl, alcids, sea ducks, and northern rarities are the targets of this perennial favorite trip. Be prepared for severe cold and windy weather and hope for moderate temps.Contact leader for motel (to get the reduced rate) and meeting time.
Wendy Parsons flowers76@sbcglobal.net 860–471–3700 TFran D’Amico frandamico525@yahoo.com 203–237–2734

Cancelled due to cold weather: Hartford Audubon Society: Hartford County Boat Launch Tour
2026-01-24 07:30 - 11:00 | Hartford County, Hartford, CT, United States
Cancelled due to cold weather:
Jan 24 Hartford County Boat Launch Tour Sat 7:30 am12 South River St, EnfieldDonald Barnes Boat Launch
This is a morning tour of eight area boat launches, from Enfield to Rocky Hill. It will last until approximately 11am. Dress warmly and bring a scope if you like. Bad weather may cancel the trip.
Paul Cianfaglione pgcianfaglione@gmail.com 860–836–3443 TAl Gatti algatti22@gmail.com 860–916–7142 T

Hartford Audubon Society: Cape Cod Tour - January 31 - February 1, 2026
2026-01-31 02:00 - 2026-02-02 01:59 | Cape Cod, Orleans, MA, United States
January 31 – Feb 1 2026 – Cape Cod Tour, MA Sat 2 daysMeet and stay at The Cove, Orleans, Massachusetts
Contact Peter for reservations and details
This is New England late–winter birding at its finest. We should see alcids and waterfowl.
Peter Stephan stephraf@aol.com 860–729–8374 T

Hartford Audubon Society: Monthly Meeting
2026-02-10 19:00 - 21:00 | St James Episcopal Church, 1018 Farmington Ave,, West Haven, United States
Feb 10, 2026 – Tue 7:30 pm – Social Time at 7:00pm
St James’s Episcopal Church,1018 Farmington Ave, WH
Speaker: Connor Hogan: Director, McLean Game Refuge
McLean Game Refuge: Managing For Biodiversity
Discover the McLean Game Refuge of today with Director Connor Hogan! Join us for a better understanding of what goes into managing for biodiversity on this special property, which encompasses ~4,410 acres.
Alison Wilcox Speakers@HartfordAudubon.org 860-707-5907 T

Hartford Audubon Society: Beginner's Bird Walk
2026-02-28 08:00 - 10:00 | Station 43, 990 Main St., South Windsor, CT, United States
Feb 28 2026 Sat 8am
Station 43 Beginners Bird Walk #3
953 Main St, South Windsor
Corner of Newberry Rd and Main St
Park along road near intersection
The third of four morning walks designed for beginners at Hartford Audubon’s oldest sanctuary. Station 43 is an excellent birding area year-round and on each walk we will look for seasonal birds. The
walk is roughly 2.5 miles (3 hours) long over flat terrain but we may encounter areas with water/ice covering parts of the path.
Jon Ward
jward88787@aol.com
860-416-3958 T

Hartford Audubon Society: Birding with your Phone
2026-03-04 19:00 - 20:30 | Online, CT, United States
Mar 4, 7:00 pm– Birding With Your Phone
Virtual Workshop via Zoom – RESERVATION REQUIRED
A 1-1/2 hour, virtual hands-on workshop with Ken Elkins. Ken will teach attendees how to use and refine the use of eBird, Merlin, several bird guides, and more.
Registration is required, so email Sarah to reserve a space. Participants will be sent a list of apps to have before the workshop.
Sarah Faulkner sffaulkner@comcast.net / 860-543-1280 T

Hartford Audubon Society: Monthly Meeting - Chasing Dragon and Damselflies
2026-03-10 19:00 - 21:00 | St James Episcopal Church, 1018 Farmington Ave,, West Haven, United States
March 10 2026 – ✪ Monthly Meeting Tue 7:30 pm
Social Time at 7:00pm
St James’s Episcopal Church,1018 Farmington Ave, WH
Speaker: Jay Kaplan: Director of Roaring Brook Nature Center
Chasing Dragons: 30 years of dragonflies and damselflies in the Farmington River Valley
Odonata (dragonflies and damselflies) are indicator species of healthy ecosystems. Come learn about how the composition of odonata has changed along the lower Farmington River and Salmon Brook over the last 30 years.
Alison Wilcox Speakers@HartfordAudubon.org 860-707-5907 T

Hartford Audubon Society: Wildlife Series - Project Puffin
2026-03-17 19:00 - 21:00 | McAuley Residence Auditorium, 275 Steele Rd., West Hartford, CT 06117, CT, United States
March 17, 2026 – Wildlife Series – Tue 7:30 pm
Social Time at 7:00pm
McCauley Residence Auditorium
Speaker: “Seabird Sue” Schubel: Seabird Biologist, Educator
Celebrating 50 Years of Project Puffin — from Maine to the World!
In the late 1800s, puffins were almost eliminated from the Maine coast. In 1973 an experiment to bring them back to their former nesting island of Eastern Egg Rock was begun. Learn about this success story and how years of effort resulted in a thriving colony off of Maine.
Alison Wilcox Speakers@HartfordAudubon.org 860-707-5907 T

Hartford Audubon Society: Woodcocks at Nod Brook
2026-03-21 19:00 - 21:00 | Nod Brook, 82 Hopmeadow St (Rt 10),, Simsbury, CT, United States
March 21, 2026 – Woodcocks at Nod Brook – Sat 7:15 pm
82 Hopmeadow St (Rt 10), Simsbury
Back of the first parking lot of the Tower Office Park
See the unique mating display or “sky dance” of the American Woodcock on a relatively short evening trip.
Short distance 0.25 mile – lasts about 1 hour after dusk. Must stand still/quiet while waiting for birds. Dress and layer for cold.
Brian Toal – BrianToal@SBCGlobal.net

Hartford Audubon Society: Field Trip to Sachuest Point, RI
2026-03-28 08:30 - 17:00 | 769 Sachuest Point Road, Middletown, RI, 769 Sachuest Point Road, Middletown, RI, United States
March 28, 2026 – Sachuest Point, RI -Sat 8:30 am
769 Sachuest Point Rd, Middletown, RI
Meet at the Sachuest Point Visitor Center parking lot
View Harlequin Ducks and seabirds that are hard to see in CT. We will also visit Trustom Pond, Ninigret, and locations showing rarities. Level walking on shoreline trail about 2-3 miles. Dress warmly and bring a lunch.
Jon Ward – jward88787@aol.com – 860-416-3958

Hartford Audubon Society: Field Trip - Silver Sands State Park
2026-03-29 08:00 - 11:00 | Silver Sands State Park, 1 Silver Sands Parkway, Milford, CT, United States
March 29, 2026 – Silver Sands State Park, 1 Silver Sands Pkwy, Milford – 8 am
Meet in main parking lot
Contact Maggie to verify this date. This is a good trip to try for sea ducks and sparrows while hoping for a Rough-legged Hawk. Dress warmly. Flat shoreline walk about 2 miles for about 3 hours.
Maggie Peretto – wings.mp@gmail.com – 860-604-4903
Ernie Harris – pdlqlt@mac.com – 860-603-2655

Hartford Audubon Society: Field Trip - Fannie Stebbins Wildlife Refuge
2026-04-01 08:00 - 11:00 | Fannie Stebbins Wildlife Refuge, Longmeadow, MA, United States
April 1, 2026 – Fannie Stebbins Wildlife Refuge – 8 am

202 Bark Haul Rd, Longmeadow, MA
Park by sign at the end of the road
A wonderful mix of ponds, swamps, woods, and fields, Fannie Stebbins has ideal habitat for a wide variety of birds. The loop trail we will take is 2.2 miles long and brings us along or through all of the habitats. This is an easy walk, although it may be wet or muddy
in places. Bring bug spray.
Jon Ward
jward88787@aol.com
860-416-3958 T

Hartford Audubon Society: Field Trip - Great Pond, Simsbury
2026-04-04 08:00 - 11:00 | 156 Great Pond Road, Simsbury, CT, 156 Great Pond Road, Simsbury, CT, United States
April 4, 2026 – Great Pond, Simsbury – Sat 8 am
156 Great Pond Rd, Simsbury

Between Laurel Ln and Old Farms Rd
Meet in parking lot at end of entrance dirt road
An easy walk over a newly widened road leads to Great Pond, where we will see waterfowl, shorebirds, migrating warblers and the many types of birds that call this area home. Usually lasts about 3 hrs, but can leave at any time. Maximum distance is 1.5 miles.
Bring a spotting scope if you have one.
Jon Ward – jward88787@aol.com –
860-416-3958 T

Hartford Audubon Society: Field Trip - Greenstone Hollow
2026-04-11 08:00 - 10:00 | Greenstone Hollow, 31 Ridge Blvd., East Granby, CT, United States
April 11, 2026 – Greenstone Hollow – 8 am
31 Ridge Blvd, East Granby
Park on north side of road
All are welcome on this exploration of our Greenstone Hollow Nature Preserve. Woodland, water and shrub meadow habitats will hopefully provide 20-40 species during the Spring migration.
About 1.5 miles of easy walking for up to 2 hours. Can leave at any time. Wear waterproof footgear if it has rained recently.
Chris & Diane Fisher ChrisF001@aol.com – 860-967-5976 T

Hartford Audubon Society: Meeting - Madagascar, An Island with Amazing Wildlife
2026-04-14 19:00 - 21:00 | St James Episcopal Church, 1018 Farmington Ave,, West Haven, United States
April 14, 2026 – ✪ Monthly Meeting ✪
Tue 7:30 pm – Social Time at 7:00pm
St James’s Episcopal Church,1018 Farmington Ave, WH
Speaker: Angela Dimmitt: President of the Western CT Bird Club
Madagascar- A Mysterious Island with Amazing Wildlife
The island of Madagascar is an ecological wonder with over 90% of its birds, animals, insects, reptiles, and plants found nowhere else on Earth! The people of Madagascar too are very interesting, with possible Indonesian origins although the island is off the east coast of Africa. Their language, Malagasy, is unlike any other.
Alison Wilcox Speakers@HartfordAudubon.org 860-707-5907 T

Hartford Audubon Society: Station 43 Beginner's Bird Walk
2026-04-15 08:00 - 11:00 | Station 43, 990 Main St., South Windsor, CT, United States
April 15, 2026 Station 43 Beginners Bird Walk #4 Wed 8 am
953 Main St, South Windsor
Corner of Newberry Rd and Main St
Park along road near intersection.
The fourth of four morning walks designed for beginners at Hartford Audubon’s oldest sanctuary. Station 43 is an excellent birding area year-round and on each walk we will look for seasonal birds. The walk is roughly 2.5 miles (3 hrs) long over flat terrain but we may encounter muddy areas and water covering parts of the path. Bring spotting scope if you have one. High, water-proof boots and insect repellent are suggested.
Jon Ward – jward88787@aol.com – 860-416-3958 T

Hartford Audubon Society: Farmington River Park Bird Walk
2026-04-18 08:00 - 11:00 | Farmington River Park, 458 Tunxis Ave, Bloomfield, CT, United States
April 18, 2026 – Farmington River Park – Sat 8:00 am
458 Tunxis Avenue, Bloomfield, CT. Meet in Parking Lot
Enjoy a morning trip exploring the Farmington River and neighboring woodlands. This is a new area for Hartford Audubon. This is an exploratory walk to see what can be found in the area. About a two-mile walk. There are some ups and downs, and several places may be muddy. River conditions may send us on a different trail.
Larry Lunden larrylunden@hartfordaudubon.org 860-953-1847

Hartford Audubon: Wildlife Series - The Wonders of Bird Migration
2026-04-21 19:00 - 21:00 | McAuley Residence Auditorium, 275 Steele Rd., West Hartford, CT 06117, CT, United States
April 21, 2026 – Wildlife Series
Tue 7:30 pm
Social Time at 7:00pm
McCauley Residence Auditorium
Speaker: Fran Zygmont: Conservationist and former Litchfield Hills Audubon President
The Wonders of Bird Migration
A longtime avid birder with a keen interest in bird migration, Fran Zygmont will tell of travels of migratory birds to and from their wintering grounds. Why do birds undertake these long journeys and what challenges do they face? What tools do we have to study their movements? Fran will answer these questions and explain how weather plays a part in migration. He will also reveal some amazing facts you’ll hardly believe!
Alison Wilcox Speakers@HartfordAudubon.org 860-707-5907 T

Hartford Audubon: Glastonbury Great Pond Bird Walk
2026-04-22 08:00 - 10:00 | 451 Great Pond Road, Glastonbury, CT, 451 Great Pond Road, Glastonbury, CT, United States
April 22, 2026 – Glastonbury Great Pond – Wed 8 am
Entrance is just beyond 451 Great Pond Rd, Glastonbury, on left
From Rt. 17 – use south entrance to Great Pond Rd and drive in 0.2 mi. Park on south side away from hydrants.
Great Pond offers great treetop, pond and mudflat visuals of migrants, including shorebirds. Great Pond has had over 140 recorded species: Wild Turkey, flycatchers, warblers, kinglets, herons and ducks. 2.5 mile walk. Hilly terrain. Bring bug spray and sturdy shoes. Extend your morning by birding nearby Cotton Hollow and Ferry Road, a CT River ferry landing.
Annette Pasek – apasek@cox.net – 860-490-8357 T

Hartford Audubon Society: Great Pond, Simsbury - Bird Walk
2026-04-25 08:00 - 10:00 | 156 Great Pond Road, Simsbury, CT, 156 Great Pond Road, Simsbury, CT, United States
April 25, 2026 – Great Pond, Simsbury – Sat 8 am
156 Great Pond Rd, Simsbury

Between Laurel Ln and Old Farms Rd
Meet in parking lot at end of entrance dirt road
April 26th is the first day of the Spring census. We will try for forest birds before they migrate (like Juncos), early spring migrants (Pine warbler, Blue-headed vireo) and whatever else we can see and hear. This is a good walk for beginning birders; we will have extra binoculars. The 2-hour walk is mostly level easy walking on forest paths and rock path over the dam. Beware of the occasional tree root. If it’s a wet spring, boots are a good idea; though most of paths should be dry. Bug spray good idea. A scope is helpful for scouting the pond, as is Merlin for birding by song.
Donna Summers djsummers2@comcast.net – 860-966-1642 T
Sarah Faulkner sffaulkner@comcast.net – 860-543-1280 T

Hartford Audubon Society: Keney Park Bird Walk
2026-04-25 08:00 - 11:00 | Keney Park, 171 Windsor Ave, Windsor, CT, 06095, United States
April 25, 2026 Keney Park – Hartford’s Jewel – Sat 8 am
244 Greenfield St. Parking, Hartford
That address should take you to the parking lot where we meet.The walk is flat and easy walking on both paved and wooded trails. We will hopefully see Bluebirds, fall/spring warblers and others as we enjoy this hidden jewel of a park. The walk will be between 2 – 2-1/2 hours long, depending on what we come across. Great for beginners, but always good for seasoned veterans. Dress appropriately for the weather and use bug spray.
Annette Pasek – apasek@cox.net – 860-490-8357 T

Hartford Audubon Society: Annual Spring Census
2026-04-25 08:00 - 2026-05-17 17:00
April 25, 2026 – Annual Spring Census – Sat 3 weeks
All Towns in the Greater Hartford Area
Join fellow HAS members for our annual Spring census, which will end on Sunday, May 17th. Unlike our other bird counts, this count is by towns in the greater Hartford area and lasts 3 weeks. Bird as much or as little as you like and report to as many town captains as you wish. A list of captains will be released at a later date.
Bill Asteriades bill.asteriades@gmail.com – 860-690-1152 T
Doug Beach – beachgolfdesign@att.net – 860-878-1364T

Hartford Audubon Society: Roaring Brook Nature Center Bird Walk
2026-04-26 07:00 - 09:00 | Roaring Brook Nature Center, 70 Gracey Road, Canton, CT, 06019, United States
April 26, 2026 – Roaring Brook Nature Center – Springtime Bird Walk – Sun 7:00 am
Roaring Brook Nature Center, 70 Gracey Rd, Canton
Meet in the Nature Center parking lot.
Ideal area for a morning walk during spring migration as 50 species may be seen or heard. Look for warblers, vireos, orioles, tanagers and more. Dress for weather and wear footwear for possible wet ground conditions. Rain cancels walk. Lasts until about 9am.
Jay Kaplan – jaybrd49@aol.com – 860-707-5246 T

2026-04-29 08:30 - 10:30 | Lewis Farm Sanctuary, 1035 Hill St., Suffield, CT, United States
April 29, 2026 – Lewis Farm Sanctuary – Wed 8:30 am
1035 Hill St, Suffield
Park off road on WEST side only (by sign for Sanctuary)
Use caution: poor sight line for passing cars
Bring your binoculars, apply some bug spray and wear light hikers
as we set off on the beautifully maintained trails in this sanctuary.
We will cover mixed terrain of low hills and mostly dry trails,
crossing a babbling brook and meandering around a pond. We
will keep our eyes peeled for warblers and other spring birds.
When our necks are tired from scanning the treetops, we can
admire the variety of wildflowers that sprout up near the trail. Join
us for a couple of hours as we explore this very special property.
Abby Wolcott – abwol81@cox.net – 860-436-7667 T

Hartford Audubon Society: Fannie Stebbins Wildlife Refuge Bird Walk
2026-05-02 08:00 - 11:00 | Fannie Stebbins Wildlife Refuge, Longmeadow, MA, United States
May 2 Fannie Stebbins Wildlife Refuge – Sat 8 am
202 Bark Haul Rd, Longmeadow, MA
Park by sign at the end of the road
A wonderful mix of ponds, swamps, woods, and fields, Fannie
Stebbins has ideal habitat for a wide variety of birds. The loop trail
we will take is 2.2 miles long and brings us along or through all of
the habitats. This is an easy walk, although it may be wet or muddy
in places. Bring bug spray.
Jon Ward – jward88787@aol.com

Hartford Audubon Society: Greenstone Hollow Bird Walk
2026-05-04 08:00 - 10:00 | Greenstone Hollow, 31 Ridge Blvd., East Granby, CT, United States
Greenstone Hollow – 31 Ridge Blvd, East Granby – Park on north side of road
Monday, May 4 – 8 am
Enjoy a morning walk at a Hartford Audubon sanctuary with shrub,
swamp, marsh, wet meadow, pond and wooded habitats. Flat easy
walking. About one mile over 2 hours. Expect mud and water if it
has rained. Many habitat types: woods, marsh, shrub field, beaver
pond, cedar woods. Should be very good for spring warblers.
Larry Lunden larrylunden@hartfordaudubon.org / 860-953-1847

Hartford Audubon Society: Farmington River/Barkhamsted Bird Walk
2026-05-05 08:00 - 10:00
Farmington River Barkhamsted – May 5 – Tuesday – 8 am
Enter 20 River Rd, Barkhamsted in Google Maps
From Rt 44 drive north on 181 – 0.15 miles to first dirt rd on right
We will meet at the kiosk along the dirt road.
Lower Greenwoods – Boneyard Walk. Spend a morning on an easy
walk looking for migrants on MDC property along the West
Branch of the Farmington River. Walk will be on mostly level dirt
road. May be muddy if recent rainfall. The walk will last about 2
hours. This walk is in memory of Mickey Nordell, who offered
this trip every spring until her death in March of 2020.
Gina Decker – grodckr21@gmail.com – 860-733-2670 T
Cathy Delasco cathy_cosgrove@yahoo.com – (860) 324-4709 T
