Connecticut Ornithological Association | COA

CT Audubon Birdcraft: Family Days - Swooping Swallows
2026-07-25 11:00 - 14:00 (America/New_York) | Birdcraft Sanctuary, 314 Unquowa Road, Fairfield, CT, 06824, United States
Birdcraft Family Days – Swooping Swallows

Have you ever seen the iridescent Tree Swallows flying over the Birdcraft Pond or fork-tailed Barn Swallows swooping over the CT River? Learn more about these acrobatic flyers and make a recycled-wood swallow to paint and take home!
This event is for kids ages 10 and under accompanied by an adult. Please wear art-appropriate clothing and footwear. (Note: model bird kits may contain small parts that would not be suitable for children under age 3.)
Registration is required because spaces are limited.
Saturday, July 25
Come between 11am & 2pm (registration required)
Birdcraft Museum
314 Unquowa Road
Fairfield, CT 06824
(203) 259-0416 ext. 305
mwilson@ctaudubon.org
$15 per model kit
Register here: Birdcraft Family Days – Swooping Swallows | Saturday, July 25Come between 11am & 2pm (registration required) | Birdcraft | The Connecticut Audubon Society

CT Audubon, Deer Pond Farm: Summer Bird Behaviors (class and walk)
2026-07-29 09:00 - 11:00 | CT Audubon Deer Pond Farm, 57 Wakeman Hill Road, Sherman, CT, 06784, United States
Wednesday, July 29, 2026
9:00am – 11:00am
Deer Pond Farm
57 Wakeman Hill Road
Sherman, CT 06784
860.799.4074

chagadorn@ctaudubon.org

Registration required.
$5 members; $10 non-members

Springtime is busy for birds with song, nesting, and breeding. By July, most young birds have fledged from their nests, and are venturing on their long journeys south for the very first time.

Join us at Deer Pond Farm for our Summer Bird Behaviors program to learn more about these amazing natural phenomena.

Starting in the classroom, avian expert Lori Lichtenauer will discuss how parent birds care for fledglings, bird molting patterns, when and how birds prepare for their long-distance migratory journeys. We will hit the trails for the last hour of the program.

Register here: Summer Bird Behaviors (class & walk) | Jul 29, 9:00am – 11:00am | Deer Pond Farm | The Connecticut Audubon Society

CT Audubon Deer Pond Farm: Summer Bird Behaviors
2026-07-29 09:00 - 11:00 | CT Audubon Deer Pond Farm, 57 Wakeman Hill Road, Sherman, CT, 06784, United States
Summer Bird Behaviors (class & walk)

Springtime is busy for birds with song, nesting, and breeding. By July, most young birds have fledged from their nests, and are venturing on their long journeys south for the very first time. Join us at Deer Pond Farm for our Summer Bird Behaviors program to learn more about these amazing natural phenomena. Starting in the classroom, avian expert Lori Lichtenauer will discuss how parent birds care for fledglings, bird molting patterns, when and how birds prepare for their long-distance migratory journeys. We will hit the trails for the last hour of the program.

Wednesday, July 29, 2026
9:00am – 11:00am
Deer Pond Farm
Registration required.
$5 members; $10 non-members
Register here: Summer Bird Behaviors (class & walk) | Jul 29, 9:00am – 11:00am | Deer Pond Farm | The Connecticut Audubon Society

CT Audubon, RTP Estuary Center: Family Shorebird Walk
2026-08-01 09:30 - 11:00 | Harkness Memorial State Park, 275 Great Neck Rd., Waterford,, CT, 06385, United States
Family Shorebird Walk

Saturday, August 1, 2026
9:30am – 11:00am
Harkness Memorial State Park
Waterford , CT, 06385
Members: $10
Non-Members: $15
Children Ages 12 and Under: $5

Mid-summer is a great time to look for shorebirds, as many species are already starting their southbound migration. Join us as we search for shorebirds and more at one of the best parks in southeastern CT. Suitable for ages 5 and up.

The walk will be approximately .75 – 1 miles on mostly level dirt, grass, and sandy terrain. Exposure to heat and wind possible depending on the weather. Restrooms on site.

Register here: Family Shorebird Walk | Aug 1, 9:30am – 11:00am | RTP Estuary Center | The Connecticut Audubon Society

Friends of Greenwich Point: First Sunday Bird Walk at Greenwich Point
2026-08-02 09:00 - 11:30, 2026-09-06 09:00 - 11:30, 2026-10-04 09:00 - 11:30, 2026-11-01 09:00 - 11:30, 2026-12-06 09:00 - 11:30 | Greenwich Point Park, 11 Tod's Driftway, Old Greenwich, CT, 06870, United States
Bring binoculars and join us for a casual walk around Greenwich Point Park, Old Greenwich, CT, in search of wild birds in diverse habitats. Held year-round on the first Sunday of every month at Greenwich Point Park, the walk begins at 9:00 am near the southern concession stand near the flagpole on the main beach. The walk lasts from 2 – 3 hours, but participants can leave at any time. All ages and levels of expertise are welcome.
No registration is required and the walk is free. For access for those without beach cards (normally restricted from April – October), let the front gate staff know you are coming for the bird walk for complimentary entry.
Sponsored by Friends of Greenwich Point.

Roaring Brook Nature Center: All About Owls
2026-08-05 13:00 - 15:30 | Roaring Brook Nature Center, 70 Gracey Road, Canton, CT, 06019, United States
Family Event – All About Owls

Wednesday, August 5 | 1 PM– 3:30 PM | Storytime at 1:30 PM

Drop in to celebrate International Owl Awareness Day (one day late) and learn about our wonderful owl residents. Meet Owlie.

Crafts and special themed activities.

Event free with paid admission to the Nature Center
No need to pre-register.

CT Audubon, RTP Estuary Center: Shorebird Sit
2026-08-08 09:00 - 11:00 | Great Island Boat Launch, Old Lyme, United States
Shorebird Sit

Saturday, August 8, 2026
9:00am – 11:00am
Great Island Boat Launch
Old Lyme, CT, 06371
Members: $13
Non-members: $18

A bird sit involves little to no walking, instead focusing on a single location and letting the birds come to you! We’ll search for migrating birds passing by the mouth of the Connecticut River, overlooking Great Island.

Exposure to sun, heat, and wind possible depending on weather. No restrooms on site.

Register here: Shorebird Sit | Aug 8, 9:00am – 11:00am | RTP Estuary Center | The Connecticut Audubon Society

CT Audubon Deer Pond Farm: Birding by Tree
2026-08-12 09:00 - 11:00 | CT Audubon Deer Pond Farm, 57 Wakeman Hill Road, Sherman, CT, 06784, United States
Birding by Tree (class & walk)

Wednesday, August 12, 2026
9:00am – 11:00am
Deer Pond Farm
57 Wakeman Hill Road
Sherman, CT 06784
860.799.4074
chagadorn@ctaudubon.org
Registration required
$5 members; $10 non-members

Register here: Birding by Tree (class & walk) | Aug 12, 9:00am – 11:00am | Deer Pond Farm | The Connecticut Audubon Society

CT Audubon, RTP Estuary Center: Shorebird Walk
2026-08-15 09:00 - 11:00 | Barn Island Wildlife Management Area, Stonington, CT, United States
Shorebird Walk

Saturday, August 15, 2026
9:00am – 11:00am

Barn Island Wildlife Management Area
Stonington, CT
Members: $13
Non-members: $18

The largest coastal wildlife management area in Connecticut, Barn Island’s diverse mix of coastal forests and salt marshes spans over 1000 acres, attracting a huge diversity of species. We’ll search for shorebirds, wading birds, and late summer migrants in one of the best spots along the coast. Walk will be approximately 1-1.5 miles on level dirt and grassy terrain. Exposure to sun, heat, and wind, depending on weather. No restrooms on site.

Register here: Shorebird Walk | Aug 15, 9:00am – 11:00am | RTP Estuary Center | The Connecticut Audubon Society

CT Audubon, RTP Estuary Center: Shorebird Walk
2026-08-22 09:00 - 11:00 | Bluff Point State Park, Bluff Point State Park, Groton, CT, United States
SHOREBIRD WALK:

Saturday, August 22, 2026
9:00am – 11:00am
Bluff Point State Park
Groton, CT
Members: $13
Non-members: $18

Bluff Point State Park is one of the largest coastal preserves in the state, and park of the newly formed CT National Estuarine Research Reserve system. The sandy beaches and numerous salt marshes attract a wide diversity of shorebird and wading bird species, and the coastal forests are home to many songbird and raptor species.
The walk will be approximately 2.5 miles out and back on level dirt trails. Exposure to wind, sun, and heat is possible depending on the weather. Portable toilets on site

Register here: | The Connecticut Audubon Society | Aug 22, 9:00am – 11:00am | RTP Estuary Center | The Connecticut Audubon Society

CT Audubon EcoTravel: Tree Swallow Cruises - Aug 30; Sept 5; Sept 13; Sept 20, 2026
2026-08-30 15:30 - 20:00, 2026-09-05 15:30 - 20:00, 2026-09-13 15:30 - 20:00, 2026-09-20 15:30 - 20:00 | Essex Steam Train, 30 Plains Road, Essex, CT, 06426, United States
Tree Swallow Cruises

Witness one of the most spectacular avian events when thousands of Tree Swallows congregate on the lower Connecticut River at sunset to settle in on a giant communal roost during their fall migration. Birds come from miles away, creating a ballet of synchronized flight before settling down for the night. Renowned ornithologist and artist Roger Tory Peterson wrote that “the tornadoes of Tree Swallows eclipsed any other avian spectacle I have ever seen.” Join Connecticut Audubon naturalists and journey from Essex, by train and then by boat to see the awe–inspiring display. Enjoy picturesque scenery from the 70–foot Mississippi–style river boat’s three decks. Snacks, a full bar, and restrooms are available on board. If you take only one trip this fall, make sure it’s this one!
Tours are approximately three and a half hours in length and vary in departure time from 3:30 – 5 pm, depending on the date chosen (the later in the month, the earlier the departure time).
Tours depart from the Essex Steam Train & River Boat in Essex. Appropriate for children eight years and over.

Aug 30; Sept 5; Sept 13; Sept 20
4:30pm – 8:30pm OR 3:30pm – 8:00pm
Essex, CT
Led By Matt Bell
Members: $55
Non-Members: $55
For more info and to register:
(860) 767-0660
ecotravel@ctaudubon.org
Register here: Tree Swallow Cruises | Aug 30; Sept 5; Sept 13; Sept 204:30pm – 8:30pm OR 3:30pm – 8:00pm | The Connecticut Audubon Society

Bent of the River Audubon: Fall Migration Hike
2026-09-05 09:30 - 11:00 | Bent of the River Audubon Center, 185 East Flat Hill Road, Southbury, CT, 06488, United States
September 5, 2026
9:30 – 11:00 AM
Rain Date September 6
Fall migration has migrating birds headed south towards their wintering grounds. Join Allison Middlemass, Coordinator of Community Conservation Programs, for a guided Fall migration birding hike where we will use binoculars to get a good view of birds, see the various habitats that our birds depend on, and discuss the ways scientists are tracking birds to help protect them. Binoculars will be provided for folks without their own to borrow for the duration of the hike. On the morning of the hike, we will meet in the visitor parking lot at 9:30 AM.

Program Fee: $15
Pre-registration is required by Noon on Friday, September 4, 2026 (space is limited)
Handicapped parking by the barn
Accessible bathroom on site
Please wear appropriate footwear

For questions, please contact Allison Middlemass at allison.middlemass@audubon.org or 203-405-9115 x115

To Register: (CT) Bent of the River – Fall Migration Hike 2026 | Audubon Connecticut

CT Audubon, EcoTravel: Long Island Shorebirds
2026-09-12 07:00 - 17:00 | Jamaica Bay NWR, 175-10 Cross Bay Blvd,, Queens, NY, United States
Saturday, September 12, 2026
7:00am – 5:00pm
Queens, New York
Led By TBD
Members: $155
Non-Members: $170
For more info and to register:
(860) 767-0660
ecotravel@ctaudubon.org

Each fall, shorebirds flock to Long Island on their journey south. Large flocks gather both at Jamaica Bay Wildlife Refuge and Jones Beach State Park, depending on the water levels. Jamaica Bay, located within Brooklyn and Queens, is one of the most important urban wildlife refuges, hosting a variety of habitats, including salt marsh, several fresh and brackish pools, and an open expanse of bay and islands. Jones Beach is home to staging areas for hundreds of American Oystercatchers, ducks, and more! Join us as we enjoy the signs of fall.

Register here: Long Island Shorebirds | Sep 12, 7:00am – 5:00pm | The Connecticut Audubon Society

CT Audubon RTP Estuary Center: Planting for Birds
2026-09-12 10:00 - 12:00 | Roger Tory Peterson Estuary Center, 100 Lyme Street, Old Lyme, CT, United States
RTP Estuary Center: Planting For Birds

Winter Session – Saturday, December 13; 10 am – 12 p.m.
Spring Session – Saturday, March 14; 10 am – 12 p.m.
Summer Session – Saturday, June 13; 10 am – 12 p.m.
Fall Session – Saturday, September 12; 10 am – 12 p.m.

While habitat loss poses challenges for birds and wildlife worldwide, creating backyard habitats offers a solution! In this four-part series, participants will learn about ways to improve backyard habitats throughout different seasons. Each program will focus on the seasonal needs of birds and specific ways to support them, using examples from the sanctuary grounds of the RTP Estuary Center in Old Lyme. Each session will include an indoor presentation and an outdoor exploration of the sanctuary grounds and gardens, accompanied by handouts that list the plants mentioned for each session.

Click here to learn about each session!

$20 for members/$25 for non-members for individual sessions
$75 for members/$95 for non-members for all four sessions

Register Here for All Four Sessions

Register Here for a Single Session

White Memorial Conservation Center: Radical Raptors - September 12, 2026
2026-09-12 14:00 - 15:30 | White Memorial Conservation Center, 80 Whitehall Rd,, Litchfield, CT, 06759, United States
White Memorial Conservation Center:
Meet our Radical Raptors with Colleen Harrak
September 12 @ 2:00 pm – 3:30 pm

For Ages 8 and up

Just who-who-whoo are those big, beautiful birds of prey you see perched atop fenceposts by day or hear calling outside your window by night? Environmental Educator Colleen Harrak highlights some of the hawks, owls, eagles, and falcons that call northwest CT home. You’ll even get to meet our Avian Ambassadors up close and personal! 2 p.m., A. B. Ceder Room, Members: $5.00 Non-Members: $10.00,

Pre-registration is required: Radical Raptors Registration

New Haven Bird Club: The Big Sit
2026-10-10 08:00 - 2026-10-11 17:00 | Connecticut, CT, United States
The Big Sit!™ 2026

October 10, 2026 – October 11, 2026

The Big Sit! is on! And has migrated back to the New Haven Bird Club, where it began in 1992. Although there are a few changes, most stays the same, including the primary rule: HAVE FUN! The Big Sit is a semi-competitive birding event originated by the New Haven Bird Club. It is open and FREE to anyone (individuals and teams) all over the world! How many birds can you identify in one day while staying within a 17-foot / 5.2-meter diameter circle? That’s the challenge of The Big Sit!
Final dates/times and registration will be announced in 2026! Visit the Big Sit website for more information.
The Big Sit!™ is a registered trademark of the New Haven Bird Club, Inc.
