Connecticut Ornithological Association | COA

COA: Shorebird Workshop at Milford Point - FULL
2026-08-30 12:00 - 14:00 (America/New_York) | Connecticut Audubon Society Coastal Center at Milford Point, 1 Milford Point Rd, Milford, CT, 06460, United States
This Workshop is fully subscribed.
Join us for an in-person Workshop led by local birding expert Julian Hough.
“Deciphering Peeps & Probers: a CT birding workshop” will be focused on why shorebirds are captivating, where to see them, aging them and why they are difficult to ID. Julian will focus his talk on the 8 species that most people see and struggle with identifying.

After the presentation, Julian and several others will bring small groups out to Milford Point’s shoreline for some field work to work on those ID skills.

To help prepare, Julian has created a wonderful pdf that’s available through his Substack – Birding on the Edge. To access it simply subscribe to the site and you’ll receive a welcome email to your inbox.
Reservations will be required – simply fill out the form below and you’re registered.
If you have any questions or need to cancel your RSVP, please email us at workshops@ctbirding.org

*Please note parking is limited at Milford Point, we request attendees carpool if they are able

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

Roaring Brook Nature Center: Saturday Morning Bird Walk
2026-09-05 07:30 - 09:00, 2026-09-19 07:30 - 09:00 | Roaring Brook Nature Center, 70 Gracey Road, Canton, CT, 06019, United States
Roaring Brook Nature Center:

Saturday Morning Bird Walk

Saturday, September 5 | 7:30 AM– 9:00 AM

Join us as we wander the trails through Werner’s Woods during the fall migration season. Binoculars and footwear for wet ground conditions are all you will need. Geared for all levels of birding expertise, but not for very young children.

Donations requested. Pre-registration not required.

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

White Memorial: Predators at Risk: The Deadly Journey of Rodenticides
2026-09-05 14:00 - 15:30 | White Memorial Conservation Center, 80 Whitehall Rd,, Litchfield, CT, 06759, United States
Predators at Risk: The Deadly Journey of Rodenticides with Mary-Beth Kaeser

September 5 @ 2:00 pm – 3:30 pm – Carriage House

For Ages 16 and up
From mice in the pantry to rats in the barn, rodents have posed health and economic challenges for people for thousands of years. Today, a variety of effective rodent control methods are available, with prevention serving as the most important and successful first line of defense.

The use of anticoagulant rodenticides, particularly second-generation anticoagulant rodenticides (SGARs), unintentionally poisons native wildlife when predators consume contaminated rodents. Species such as hawks, owls, eagles, bobcats, fishers, foxes, and other predators are especially vulnerable to these secondary effects. Integrated Pest Management (IPM) techniques offer safer, effective alternatives that reduce rodent populations without the use of poisons, helping protect wildlife and pets.
Join Raptor Rehabilitator Mary-Beth Kaeser, owner of Horizon Wings Raptor Rehabilitation and Education Center https://www.horizonwings.org/and her live avian ambassadors to learn more about what you can do to protect your home from rodents while protecting the other wildlife sharing your yard. Mary-Beth reports that close to 80% of the birds she rehabilitates have some level of rodenticide poisoning! This alarming statistic illustrates that the issue of rodenticide usage needs to be addressed.
A PowerPoint presentation will accompany this program. Due to its serious and disturbing nature, this presentation is open to individuals ages 16 and up.
,Free…but you must pre-register here: Predators at Risk Registration
Donations to this program will help fund White Memorial’s new aviary for our raptor ambassadors.

Friends of Greenwich Point: First Sunday Bird Walk at Greenwich Point
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.

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

CT Audubon, Birdcraft: Drum Like A Woodpecker
2026-09-12 12:00 - 13:00 | Birdcraft Sanctuary, 314 Unquowa Road, Fairfield, CT, 06824, United States
BIRDCRAFT:
Drum Like a Woodpecker | Sep 12, 12:00pm – 1:00pm | Birdcraft | The Connecticut Audubon Society

Saturday, September 12, 2026
12:00pm – 1:00pm
Birdcraft Museum
314 Unquowa Road
Fairfield, CT 06824
(203) 259-0416 ext. 305
mwilson@ctaudubon.org

Registration is necessary as spaces are limited.

Discover the Pileated Woodpecker and join our Woodpecker drumming circle! We’ll make paper Pileated Woodpeckers and red woodpecker hats (Pileated comes from the Latin word for “cap”). Learn how these birds “drum” on hollow trees to communicate, then head outside and make some noise!
Recommended for ages 4 to 8. Free; registration required. Drum Like a Woodpecker | Sep 12, 12:00pm – 1:00pm | Birdcraft | The Connecticut Audubon Society

White Memorial Conservation Center: Radical Raptors
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

CT Audubon, Fairfield: Backyard Birding Presentation
2026-09-17 10:30 - 11:30 | CT Audubon Center at Fairfield, 2325 Burr Street, Fairfield, CT, 06824, United States
Backyard Birding Presentation –

Thursday, September 17, 2026
10:30am – 11:30am
Fairfield Nature Center
2325 Burr Street
Fairfield, CT 06824
203-259-6305

$5 Members
Adult Program

Learn how to identify woodpeckers and other backyard birds by sight and sound, who is at the feeder during each season and what their feeding habits are. Also covered will be bird characteristics, ways to entice birds to your feeder, what feeders and seed to use, and where to place feeders for bird safety and best viewing. This program includes a PowerPoint presentation, and there will be samples of bird feeders and seed that can be used in your backyard to attract birds.

Register here: Backyard Birding Presentation | Sep 17, 10:30am – 11:30am | Fairfield Nature Center | The Connecticut Audubon Society

CT Audubon, Deer Pond Farm: Raptor Migration Watch Open House
2026-09-18 13:00 - 16:00 | Deer Pond Farm, 57 Wakeman Hill Road, Sherman, CT, 06784, United States
Raptor Migration Watch Open House

Friday, September 18, 2026
1:00pm – 4:00pm
Deer Pond Farm
Free
Registration required. Raptor Migration Watch Open House | Sep 18, 1:00pm – 4:00pm | Deer Pond Farm | The Connecticut Audubon Society

Menunkatuck Audubon: Online presentation - Fall Bird Migration
2026-09-23 19:00 - 20:00 | Online, CT, United States
Fall Bird Migration – Seas, Skies, and Land

Wednesday, September 23, 2026
7:00 PM 8:00 PM

Join Heather Wolf, one of our very favorite speakers and the author of Find More Birds: 111 Surprising Ways to Spot Birds Wherever You Are and Birding at the Bridge: In Search of Every Bird on the Brooklyn Waterfront, as she discusses what to look for during fall migration, which is happening right now! Come with your questions because, as always, Heather will share beautiful pictures, and we’re keeping plenty of time for Q&A.

Heather Wolf is a Brooklyn-based birder, photographer, and educator. She works with the Cornell Lab of Ornithology as a web developer, teaches birding classes at Brooklyn Botanic Garden, and gives walks and talks for various organizations in New York City and beyond.

Register to get Zoom Link.

CT Audubon, Birdcraft: Family Days: Song of the Hermit Thrush
2026-09-26 11:00 - 14:00 | Birdcraft Sanctuary, 314 Unquowa Road, Fairfield, CT, 06824, United States
Saturday, September 26
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

These ground-foraging birds might look unassuming, but they have one of the prettiest songs in Connecticut! Come build and decorate a model of one of these birds (and listen to their songs) at Birdcraft Family Days!
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. Birdcraft Family Days – Song of the Hermit Thrush | Saturday, September 26Come between 11am & 2pm (registration required) | Birdcraft | The Connecticut Audubon Society

COA: Hawk ID Workshop @ Lighthouse Point
2026-10-10 02:00 - 2026-10-11 01:59 | Lighthouse Point Park, 2 Lighthouse Rd, New Haven, CT, United States
Hawk ID presented by Steve Mayo
Hawk Identification in the field at Lighthouse Point. Steve will have cards and ID handouts.
Live – held in conjunction with Fall Migration Festival at Lighthouse Point Park in New Haven.
This free event is always a treat, with migrating raptors likely passing overhead. Steve combines strong visuals with insightful commentary that is both educational and often humorous, making this a great opportunity to sharpen your hawk identification skills while enjoying the spectacle of fall migration.
Free.
++
Because Lighthouse Point Park in New Haven closed in August due to extensive storm damage, we will be updating this event to be sure it can take place as planned.
Check back later for any additional news.

World Migratory Bird Day
2026-10-10 02:00 - 2026-10-11 01:59 | CT
World Migratory Bird Day (WMBD) 2026 features the theme “Every Bird Counts – Your Observations Matter!”
It highlights the power of community science in tracking and protecting migratory bird populations across the globe. Learn more here.

Mattabeseck Audubon: David Titus Memorial Sparrow Crawl
2026-10-10 08:00 - 10:00 | White’s Farm open space (Durham Fair Grounds), 70 Maple Ave #64, Durham, CT, 06422, United States
Mattabeseck Audubon Society:

October 10, 2026 (Saturday 8 a.m.)
David Titus Memorial Sparrow Crawl

Join Larry Cyrulik in a visit to the old field adjacent to the soccer parking on Long Hill Road, then to Middletown Nature Gardens (off Randolph Road), and lastly, to Durham Meadows fairgrounds.

Five species of sparrows may be noted, including the elusive White-crowned sparrow, as well as other fall migrants.

Meet at Middletown’s Long Hill Road soccer field parking lot. Call Larry for info 860-342-4785 or 860-635-1880.

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.

Woodcock Nature Center: Nighttime Wonders - Owl Prowl
2026-10-16 18:00 - 20:00 | Woodcock Nature Center, 56 Deer Run Road, Wilton, CT, 06897, United States
Friday, October 16 from 6 – 8 pm​​

​​An exciting evening adventure awaits!! We will explore the woods in search of native owls! During our guided hike, we’ll listen for their unique calls—and if we’re lucky, some wild owls may even respond to our recorded ones!

To close, we will gather around the campfire for games, s’mores, and cozy fun before heading home.​​​

Registration is required. $45 per child.

This program is for children in grades 5 – 8.

Invasive Plant Symposium
2026-10-28 09:00 - 17:00 | UConn Student Union, Hillside Road, Storrs, CT, United States
Invasive Plant Symposium, Wednesday, October 28, 2026, 9:00 AM-5:00 PM, UConn Student Union, Storrs, CT
The Connecticut Invasive Plant Working Group (CIPWG) 2026 symposium will be a full day in-person program on October 28, with some sessions directed to all attendees and other sessions in concurrent breakouts. This year’s theme is From Awareness to Action – Strengthening Our Response to Invasive Plants.
The morning session will include a keynote presentation by Tom Zetterstrom, Housatonic Valley Association: “Land Trust Decision Model for Invasive Control in Severe Impact Areas” and a Panel Discussion: “Myths of Invasive Plant Management.”
The afternoon breakout sessions are:
Group A (Concurrent):
1) Identification and Management of Invasive Vines: Dr. Bryan Connolly, ECSU; Pete Picone, CT DEEP
2) Rugged Native Plants for Restoration of Managed Areas: Frederick (Erik) C. Sechler, Jr., Native Plant Trust
3) Invasive Aquatics: Updates on Hydrilla and Water Chestnut: John Hall, Jonah Center for Earth and Art; Greg Bugbee, CAES
Group B (Concurrent):
4) Special Topics in Invasive Plant Management: Christian Allyn, Invasive Plant Solutions; Joshua Tracy, Regional Water Authority; Tim Mack, Hamden Land Conservation Trust
5) Building Layers for Biodiversity with Native Plants: Anna Fialkoff and Maggie Redfern, Connecticut College Arboretum
6) Herbicide Management of Invasives: Law and How to Apply it: Zach Donais, CT DEEP
CEU’s for organizations and Pesticide Recertification Credits are available.
$90 General Registration (in person attendance). $80 Recording Only; Student Registration Available.
More info: cipwg.uconn.edu/2026-symposium

CT Audubon, RTP Estuary Center: Where Are the Birds and How Do We Protect Them Lecture
2026-11-18 17:00 - 18:00 | Old Lyme Town Hall, 52 Lyme St., Old Lyme, United States
CT River Lecture Series –

Where are the Birds and How Do We Protect Them:

Results from the CT Bird Atlas, with Chris Elphick

The CT Bird Atlas is a project to map all species of birds that occur in the state of Connecticut. Connecticut conducted its first atlas from 1982-86, with the results published in 1994 as the Atlas of Breeding Birds of Connecticut by Louis Bevier. Field work for the second atlas took place between April 2018 and February 2022, and involved nearly a thousand volunteer birders, who submitted more than 600,000 bird observations. This talk will provide an overview of the results of the CT Bird Atlas, an overview of the Birds of Connecticut web site, and a discussion of the conservation implications of the project.
Chris Elphick is a professor of conservation biology in the Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology at the University of Connecticut. His research centers around describing, understanding, and mitigating biodiversity loss. He is also one of the lead investigators for the Connecticut Bird Atlas.

Wednesday, November 18, 2026
5:00pm – 6:00pm
Old Lyme Town Hall
52 Lyme St.
Old Lyme, CT
Program is free; registration required

Register here: CT River Lecture Series – Where are the Birds and How Do We Protect Them: Results from the CT Bird Atlas, with Chris Elphick | Nov 18, 5:00pm – 6:00pm | RTP Estuary Center | The Connecticut Audubon Society
