Connecticut Ornithological Association | COA

CT Audubon EcoTravel: Wood-Warblers of Cockaponset State Forest
2026-05-14 06:00 - 15:00 (America/New_York) | Cockaponset State Forest, Haddam, CT, United States
Wood-Warblers of Cockaponset State Forest
Thursday, May 14 6 a.m. – 3 p.m.
Cockaponset State Forest, named after a Native American chief buried in the Ponset section of Haddam, is the second largest forest in the state forest system, encompassing over 16,000 acres. It offers a great habitat for migrating songbirds and provides for a busy morning of warblers, vireos, thrushes, and more. The focus will be species setting up breeding territories, and other species still continuing their journey northward to boreal breeding grounds.
Leader: Andy Griswold.
Fee: $90. Members: $75

CT Audubon, RTP Estuary Center: Birding Tricks and Tips Webinar - Zoom Meeting
2026-05-13 18:00 - 19:00 | Online, CT, United States
Wednesday, May 13, 2026
6:00pm – 7:00pm
Spring is an exciting time to go birding in Connecticut, as many species are making their way through and into the state during migration. However, all the singing birds and bright plumages can feel overwhelming, especially if you are new to birding.
In this webinar, Conservation and Education Coordinator Joe Attwater will share tips to help you make the most of your time outside. He will cover birding equipment, strategies for finding birds during migration, and how to identify them by sight and sound, as well as species to watch for throughout the season.
Free to Attend
Suggested donation $10
Register here: Birding Tricks & Tips Webinar – The Connecticut Audubon Society

New Canaan Nature Center: Spring Early Morning Walks
2026-05-13 08:30 - 10:00 | New Canaan Nature Center, 144 Oenoke Ridge, New Canaan, CT, 06840, United States
Spring Early Morning Walks with Frank Gallo
Wednesday, April 1, 8, 15, 22 May 13 & 20

8:30am – 10:00am

Meet Senior Naturalist Frank Gallo for bird walks on the beautiful grounds at the Nature Center Center. We’ll be keeping track of and learning about the birds we see as we generate a database and new bird lists for Bristow Sanctuary and NCNC. Binoculars are available if needed

All walks will meet in the lower parking lot at NCNC

All walks are free of charge but we do ask that you register

Register Here

Audubon Shop: Spring Migration Walks
2026-05-13 08:00 - 10:30, 2026-05-09 08:00 - 10:30 | The Audubon Shop (for Hammonassett trips), 907 Boston Post Rd, Madison, CT, 06443, United States
Join Jerry and co. for a small group Spring Migration Bird Walk at Hammonasset, on of Connecticut’s premier birding “hotspots”.
Hammonasset Beach State Park here in Madison is widely regarded as one of the premier birding spots in CT and springtime migration is a lot of fun. Approximately 250 species of birds occur there annually, as the park boast diverse habitats such as marsh, open water, woodland, grassland, and shoreline areas. Tropical migrants in their bright breeding finery will be seen as they return north to nesting grounds. We’ll be searching with eyes and ears for shorebirds, ducks, birds of prey, and vibrant songbirds. This is a good chance to learn bird song.
Our weekend Spring Bird Walks run Saturday April 18 through June 13, 2026. Always a surprise and always entertaining, birding on the shore of CT is one of the highlights of spring. Get outdoors and enjoy a Saturday morning in the fresh air! No need to pre-register. Our number one priority is to keep every safe. We reserve the right to cancel a trip, should circumstances change.

Meet Jerry at 7:50am in the parking lot at the shop
Charge is $6/person, paid in cash before we depart the shop
Please bring binoculars, or they are available at the shop beforehand for $4
We will carpool to the park
If you have a telescope or a camera, bring it!

New Haven Bird Club: Hartman Park Field Trip
2026-05-13 06:30 - 11:00 | Branford Commuter Parking Lot, Branford, CT, United States
Field Trip – Hartman Park, Lyme – John Oshlick

May 13, 2026 @ 6:30 am – 11:00 am

Hartman Park is known for its mix of forest and wetland that hosts many of Connecticut’s breeding birds, including Cerulean Warbler. There is also a power cut which may have Prairie, Blue-winged, Magnolia and other warblers. Both Cuckoos have been seen here as well. The Hartman Park walk involves a moderate distance walk on moderately strenuous terrain.
Meet at the commuter parking lot, Exit 55 off I-95; we carpool from there.
Leader: John Oshlick, 203-584-1955 or john.oshlic@gmail.com

Menunkatuck Audubon: Bird Feathers and Their Fascinating Functions - Zoom Meeting
2026-05-12 19:00 - 20:00 | Online, CT, United States
Tuesday, May 12, 2026
7:00 PM 8:00 PM

Join birder, photographer, and author Heather Wolf as she returns to talk about feather functions — some subtle, some spectacular, all fascinating. As always, she’ll bring beautiful images from the field and leave time for questions.

Heather is the author of Find More Birds and Birding at the Bridge. 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.

View Heather’s earlier presentations:
Birding Brooklyn Bridge Park
Find More Birds: 111 Surprising Ways to Spot Birds Wherever You Are

Litchfield Audubon: Birds and Botany
2026-05-12 08:30 - 10:30 | White Memorial Conservation Center, 80 Whitehall Rd,, Litchfield, CT, 06759, United States
Birds & Botany Walk at White Memorial
May 12, 2026
Tuesday, 8:30 a.m.
Location: WMCC, Litchfield

Ann Orsillo and Eileen Cooper will lead this walk to find birds, wildflowers, and other interesting plants. Meet in the White Memorial Conservation Center museum parking lot. Bring binoculars, magnifying glass (we have some loaners), and insect repellent. Heavy rain cancels.

For questions, call Ann at 910-880-1518. Please register for the walk at https://whitememorialcc.org/calendar/.

CT Audubon, Pomfret: Early Morning Bird Walks
2026-05-12 08:00 - 10:30 | CT Audubon Center at Pomfret, 218 Day Road, Pomfret Center, CT, 06259, United States
Join Andy on a guided bird walk through the meadows and forests of Pomfret. As the landscape wakes up in April, these habitats come alive with birdsong, movement, and seasonal surprises. You’ll stroll at an easy pace, listening and looking for a variety of woodland and meadow species—and with luck, we may hear or even spot the iconic Pileated Woodpecker, a frequent presence along this route. Wear drab-colored clothing and sturdy footwear. Bring your binoculars.
$5 CAS members, $20 nonmembers
No registration required

Branford Land Trust: Mother's Day Bird Walks
2026-05-11 09:00 - 11:00, 2026-05-10 09:00 - 11:00 | Stony Creek Trolley Trail, West Point Road, Branford, CT, United States
BRANFORD LAND TRUST:

The Branford Land Trust is hosting two spring bird walks on Mother’s Day weekend, Saturday, May 10 and Sunday, May 11 beginning at 9:00 a.m. Local birder Chris Woerner will lead these popular walks along the Stony Creek Trolley Trail and into the Land Trust’s Vedder property.

Chris, a long-time Stony Creek resident, has been birding for decades locally as well as in South America, Europe, and Asia. He enjoys sharing his extensive knowledge with young and old alike. He’ll help us identify the birds by sight and by call. It should be a fun and exciting walk for both adults and families.

We’ll meet in Stony Creek at the far end of West Point Rd. across from the Willoughby Wallace Library. You can choose the day that fits best into your schedule, or for birding enthusiasts, you can even come both days-since the birds we sight will vary on each day.

Bring binoculars if you have them; if not, a few will be available. Walking is partly flat, partly on a hill with rocky, irregular terrain. All ages welcome, but no dogs please. Rain or shine unless weather is dangerous; if in doubt, check our website or Facebook page: www.facebook.com/branfordlandtrustCT.

The event is free and open to the public. Please wear appropriate dress and comfortable, supportive walking shoes since some walking can be over uneven surfaces. Bring water. For more information: info@branfordlandtrust.org.

CT Audubon, Pomfret: Nightingale Forest Preserve Walk
2026-05-11 08:00 - 10:00 | Nightingale Forest Preserve North, Pomfret, United States
Nightingale Forest Preserve North Bird Walk
Monday, May 11, 2026, at 8 a.m.

Explore this newly preserved Wyndham Land Trust property. We will bird areas in the 220-acre expansion.

Limit: 8 people. Fee: $20 members; $30 non-members.

Please register by emailing Andy Rzeznikiewicz at arzeznikiewicz@ctaudubon.org or calling 860-928-4948.

CT Audubon, Pomfret: Mother's Day Bird Walk
2026-05-10 08:00 - 10:00 | CT Audubon Center at Pomfret, 218 Day Road, Pomfret Center, CT, 06259, United States
Mother’s Day Bird Walk
Sunday, May 10, 2026, at 8 a.m.

r.Bring your mother or grandmother to see the colorful birds of spring. This is the peak of migration, and many species can be found, including Bobolink and Scarlet Tanager

Limit: 12 people. Fee: $10 members; $20 non-members; mothers free.

Please register by emailing Andy Rzeznikiewicz at arzeznikiewicz@ctaudubon.org or calling 860-928-4948.

Mattabeseck Audubon Society: Spring Birding at our Helen Carlson Sanctuary
2026-05-10 08:00 - 10:00 | Helen Carlson Sanctuary, 79 South Road, Portland, 06480, United States
Join Elena Coffey for a bird walk at Mattabeseck Audubon Society’s Helen Carlson Sanctuary. This birding hotspot was donated to MAS in 1976 by local resident Helen Carlson to preserve it forever. Shortly thereafter, with a grant from the Rockfall Foundation in Middletown, MAS worked with students from Long Lane School to create a nature trail and boardwalk through the wetland and adjacent forest. In 1978, the trail was opened to the public, and the site was dedicated to Mrs. Carlson. For about 20 years, MAS maintained the nature trail and boardwalk and followed a plan to nurture the cranberry plots in much the same way as was done during the days of commercial production. This included regular flooding and draining, mowing, and periodic sanding to rejuvenate plant production. A family of beavers moved into the sanctuary about the year 2000, raising the water level and completely changing the ecosystem. The continuous high water caused by the many dams constructed by the new residents virtually wiped out the cranberries and other acid-loving plants that colonized the site. The boardwalk rotted and had to be discontinued, and other parts of the trail became impassable. The site is now an open water marsh with emergent water plants and home to many different species of birds and animals.
Hard rain cancels. There is no rain date.
Parking available near the MAS sign in the open area under the evergreens.
Wear waterproof boots, bring bug spray. If you need a pair of binoculars to borrow, let Elena know ahead of time.
Call or text: Elena Coffey at 860-305-1965

RESCHEDULED to May 10th - New Haven Bird Club: River Road in Kent Field Trip
2026-05-10 07:30 - 13:00 | Kent, Old Train Station, 43 Railroad St, Kent, CT, United States
The New Haven Bird Club has rescheduled its walk on Saturday, May 9, 2026
to Sunday, May 10th. We meet at 7:30 a.m. at the old train station in Kent,
3 Railroad Avenue, and will carpool to the site, as parking there is
extremely limited.
Field Trip – River Road, Kent – Travels Along a Riparian Woodland Corridor – Allan Welby

May 10, 2026 @ 7:30 am – 1:00 pm

River Road in Kent along the Housatonic River provides a major north-south riparian corridor for spring migration. River Road has produced a nice variety of Northwestern Connecticut nesting species including Acadian and Least Flycatchers; Yellow-throated and Blue-headed Vireos; Winter Wren; and Cerulean, Golden-winged, and Worm-eating Warblers. The vast uninterrupted forest rising from the river is an ideal location for a moderate to strenuous walk on beautiful terrain.
Meet in Kent at the old train station, 3 Railroad Avenue, just north of the intersection of Routes 7 & 341. We carpool from there.
Leader: Allan Welby, 630-303-3411 or antpitta4@yahoo.com

Hartford Audubon Society: Machimoodus Bird Walk
2026-05-10 07:30 - 10:30 | Machimoodus State Park, Lawn Ave & High St, Middletown, CT, United States
Machimoodus – State Park – May 10, Sun 7:30 am
128 Leesville Rd, Moodus
From Goodspeed Opera House, follow 149 north to Rt 151
Bear left on 151 and parking lot entrance is on left in 1 mile
This state park is an area new to most HAS members. It has woods, a hemlock ravine, grassy fields, and early successional habitat along the Salmon River. Indigo Bunting, Prairie, Blue-winged and B-T Green Warblers, and Orchard Oriole are expected (but we guarantee nothing)
Alberta & Rob Mirer – twomirers@comcast.net -860-891-8364
Ernie Harris – pdlqlt@mac.com -860-603-2655

New Haven Bird Club: Big Day Marathon
2026-05-10 06:00 - 17:00 | Eli Whitney Museum, 915 Whitney Avenue, Hamden, CT, United States
Big Day Marathon

May 10, 2026 @ 6:00 am – 5:00 pm

Take part in all or part of this event. We’ll focus on New Haven area hotspots, seeking 100–130 species. We start at East Rock and search several other local migrant traps, as well as the coast from Lordship to Hammonasset. The Big Day could potentially involve several miles of walking on more strenuous terrain.
Meet at the Eli Whitney Museum parking lot, 915 Whitney Avenue, Hamden.
Leader: John Oshlick, 203-584-1955 or john.oshlic@gmail.com

Litchfield Audubon: Spring Swift Swirl
2026-05-09 19:30 - 20:30 | Mitchell School, Woodbury, CT, United States
Spring Swift Swirl
May 9, 2026
Saturday, 7:30 p.m.
Location: Bent of the River, Southbury

Come to the Mitchell School in Woodbury to see Chimney Swifts return to their spring roost site — a recognized IBA (Important Bird Area) — from winter sojourns in Brazil. Swirling swaths of twittering swifts will come to roosting chimneys for the night in aerobatic splendor, some eventually to nest. This will be a sweet Mother’s Days treat, so come to enjoy this rite of spring! Other possible treats: early nighthawks or roosting bats.

Meet at 7:30 outside the Canfield Corner Pharmacy at the junction of Route 6 (Main Street North) and Route 47 in Woodbury.

For more information, call Russ Naylor at 203-841-7779; leave a message for a return call.

CT Audubon, RTP Estuary Center: Shorebird Walk
2026-05-09 13:00 - 15:00 | Griswold Point, Old Lyme, 98 Griswold Point Rd, Old Lyme, CT, United States
Saturday, May 9, 2026
1:00pm – 3:00pm
Griswold Point
Old Lyme, CT
Members: $13
Non-members: $18

The Connecticut River is a major migratory flyway for shorebirds, as many species use the river as a feature on their journeys north. We’ll search for sandpipers and plovers at one of the best spots in southeastern CT.
The walk will be approximately 1 mile on level sandy terrain. Exposure to sun, heat, and wind possible depending on weather. No restrooms on site.
Register here: Shorebird Walk | May 9, 1:00pm – 3:00pm | RTP Estuary Center | 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, Birdcraft: Birding 101 with Nicole Defelice
2026-05-09 09:00 - 11:00 | Birdcraft Sanctuary, 314 Unquowa Road, Fairfield, CT, 06824, United States
May 9, 2026
9:00 a.m.

Birdcraft Museum
314 Unquowa Road
Fairfield, CT 06824

(203) 259-0416 ext. 305
mwilson@ctaudubon.org

Free; registration required

Celebrate Migratory Bird Day at Birdcraft by learning how to bird! Bring your own binoculars or borrow ours. Nicole Defelice will demonstrate the finer points of finding and identifying birds. We’ll practice IDing paper birds before heading out to find the real thing.
Register here: Birding 101 with Nicole Defelice | May 9, 20269:00 a.m. | Birdcraft | The Connecticut Audubon Society

CT Audubon, RTP Estuary Center: Spring Bird Walk #2
2026-05-09 09:00 - 11:00 | Fenwick Grove, Old Saybrook, United States
Saturday, May 9, 2026
9:00am – 11:00am
Fenwick Grove
Old Saybrook, CT
Located at the mouth of the Connecticut River and on Long Island Sound, Old Saybrook is situated perfectly to attract a wide variety of species. We’ll search for songbirds, shorebirds, and lingering waterfowl in a small patch of coastal forest. The walk will be approximately .5 miles on level dirt trails. No restrooms on site.
Members: $13
Non-members: $18
Register here: Spring Bird Walk – The Connecticut Audubon Society

Hartford Audubon Society: Mount Auburn/Plum Island, MA Field Trip
2026-05-09 08:00 - 17:00 | Mount Auburn, 580 Mount Auburn Street, Cambridge, MA, United States
May 9 Mount Auburn & Plum Island, MA – May 9 – Sat 8 am
580 Mt Auburn St, Cambridge, MA
Mount Auburn Cemetery entrance inside front gate.
After cemetery we drive to Plum Island, Newburyport, MA
Mount Auburn Cemetery is famous as a Spring migration hotspot with many species of warblers present. From there we will drive (1 r) to Plum Island in Newburyport to see more warblers, waterfowl and shore birds. One of our most popular trips!
Jon Ward – JWard88787@aol.com – 860-416-3958 T

CT Audubon, Coastal Center @ Milford Point: Coastal Bird Walk #3
2026-05-09 08:00 - 11:00 | Connecticut Audubon Society Coastal Center at Milford Point, 1 Milford Point Rd, Milford, CT, 06460, United States
Saturday, May 9, 2026
8:00am – 11:00am
Coastal Center at Milford Point

1 Milford Point Road
Milford, CT 06460
203-878-7440
milford@ctaudubon.org

Members $15
Non-members $20

Join local birding expert Matt Joyce for a spring bird walk! The Coastal Center is a hub for wildlife all times of the year, so we’ll take you to some of our favorite sites around the sanctuary’s salt marsh, woodlands, and sandbar to look for a variety of birds. Beginner birders are welcome. The Coastal Center has a limited supply of binoculars to loan out if needed.
This will be a casual walk for 2-3 hours, depending on the weather and birding conditions. The walk is fairly flat, but will take place on loose sand with little shade. Please bring good walking shoes, binoculars, and water. Dress appropriately for the weather, as it tends to be windy at the coast. There are bathrooms on site at the Coastal Center.
This walk is subject to cancellation in the event of bad weather. If a walk is cancelled, you will be offered to transfer your registration to a rescheduled date or receive a refund.

Coastal Bird Walk | May 9, 8:00am – 11:00am | Milford Point | 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, Pomfret: Little River Preserve Bird Walk
2026-05-09 08:00 - 10:00 | Little River Preserve, Hampton, CT, United States
Little River Preserve Bird Walk
Saturday, May 9, 2026, at 8 a.m.

Owned by the town of Hampton, this new preserve has a diversity of habitats that should attract lots of interesting birds. Hooded Warbler, Baltimore and Orchard Orioles, and several flycatcher species are just a few of the possibilities.

Limit: 10 people. Fee: $20 members; $30 non-members

Please register by emailing Andy Rzeznikiewicz at arzeznikiewicz@ctaudubon.org or calling 860-928-4948.

Mattabeseck Audubon Society: Spring Birding at Cogichaug Greenway
2026-05-09 08:00 - 10:00 | Coginchaug Greenway, 86 Strickland Road, Middlefield, CT, 06455, United States
Meet MAS board member, Michael Good, at Strickland Road Trail Head for a delightful walk in Middlefield, CT. Plan to see field nesting species such as Bobolink.
Contact Michael to let him know you will be attending at michaeldg@aol.com

Greenwich Audubon Bird Tours and Breakfast co-sponsored by COA
2026-05-09 07:00 - 22:00 | Greenwich Audubon Center, 613 Riversville Road, Greenwich, CT, 06831, United States
Saturday, May 9, 2026

Spring Bird Tours and Bird Breakfast
Bird Tours 7 AM.

Breakfast 9 AM, plus bird banding.
Greenwich Audubon Center
613 Riversville Rd, Greenwich, CT, 06831, CT
Details and registration info to come.
This event is co-sponsored by the Connecticut Ornithological Association and Greenwich Audubon Center.

Oak Lawn Cemetery Association: Bird Walk
2026-05-09 07:00 - 09:30 | Oak Lawn Cemetery, 1530 Bronson Road, Fairfield, CT, United States
The Oak Lawn Cemetery Association will host a guided bird walk on its historic grounds on Saturday, May 9th at 7:30 AM. This tour will be conducted by the team of Tina Green, a bird expert and past president of the Ornithological Association and Charlie Stebbins, a member of Oak Lawn’s Board and co-chair of our Grounds and Arboretum Committee.
Join us as we walk Oak Lawn’s winding roadways bordering its wetlands, nature preserves, and the banks of the Mill River.The tour will be designed to identify local as well as migratory birds in the area and species of trees that make up their habitat. after your burning experience you are welcome to continue with a self guided audio walking tree tour of our arboretum which also provides info about some of Fairfield‘s historically important citizens and their contribution to Fairfield‘s development. This event is free and open to the public.It will meet at the cemetery office at 7 AM located just inside the entrance gate at 1530 Bronson Rd. in Fairfield.

Audubon CT Greenwich: Spring Migration Bird Tour
2026-05-09 07:00 - 08:30 | Greenwich Audubon, 613 Riversville Road, Greenwich, CT, 06831, United States
SATURDAYS APRIL 4-11-18-25, MAY 2-9 2026. 7 AM – 8:30 AM
Join Bird Education Specialist Ryan MacLean for a morning bird tour at the Greenwich Audubon Center! The center’s open fields, apple orchard, wetlands, and woodlands provide great habitat for migrating birds such as warblers, vireos, tanagers, thrushes, orioles, and others. Binoculars will be available for those who don’t have them. Meet in the Audubon Center in Greenwich parking Lot.
The program is FREE but participants must register in advance through our online ticket sales page with additional contributions optional. Please select the date from the registration page of the program you wish to attend. There will be no ticket sales at the door the day of the program. Please be prepared to show proof of your ticket registration, either as a printed copy of your registration receipt or your registration confirmation email on your phone.
Program Fee: Admission is FREE but donations are encouraged. Your contributions help support our conservation work, including advocating for the protection of birds and the habitats they depend on for survival.
RSVP is Required
Recommended for ages 6 and up.
Please register for the quantity of ALL members in your party. The rate for children and adults is the same.
We will meet you in our parking lot at the start of the program.
For questions, please contact Ryan MacLean at Ryan.MacLean@audubon.org or 203-930-1353.
ALL CHILDREN ATTENDING MUST BE SUPERVISED BY A PARENT OR LEGAL GUARDIAN FOR THE DURATION OF THE PROGRAM
