2008 PROGRAMS

 
SATURDAY,  APRIL 19 - SUNDAY,  MAY 12, 2008
Annual Spring Census Period
Three-week census period. Chairperson: Jim Ford

Captains (subject to change). Check The Crest for up-to-date information.

          1.  Avon - Brian Toal
          2.  Barkhamsted - TBD
          3.  Bloomfield - Linda Clancy
          4.  Burlington - Margaret Schuster
          5.  Canton - Jay Kaplan
          6.  East Hartford - Debbie Wheeler
          7.  Ellington - Carl Ekroth
          8.  Farmington - Patsy Mason
          9.  Glastonbury - Bill Asteraides
        10.  Granby - John Weeks
         11.  Hartford - Jamie Meyers
        12.  Manchester - Tim Antonaitis
        13.  New Britain - Anthony Zemba
        14.  Newington - Roy Zartarian
        15.  Portland - TBD
        16.  Rocky Hill - Jim Ford
        17.  Simsbury - Roger Preston
        18.  South Windsor - Rob Mirer
        19.  Suffield - Arthur Sikes
         20.  West Hartford - Diane Tucker
        21.  Wethersfield - Steve Kotchko
         22.  Windsor - Mike and Judy Whittlesey

Saturday,  May 10, 2008
East Rock Park, New Haven
This is one of the best spots to see migrating warblers, often at eye level. This is the first place birds see after crossing Long Island Sound. Spring of 2003 had up to twenty-five species of warblers in one day! Meet at the Eli Whitney Museum parking lot at 7:00 AM.
Leader: TBD

 
Sunday, May 11 
Hammonasset Beginner’s Bird Walk III
 Come visit one of Connecticut’s best known birding areas. Hammonasset Beach State Park provides great birding year round and you can always count on a special bird or two to show up with each visit. We will study basic field marks on common species and rare ones alike. All level of birders are welcome.   Leader: Adrian & Beth Nichols (860) 526-7865,  Cell (860) 638-7518

NOTE: Due to the changes in the parking at Hammonasset, we will NOT meet at the main entrance gate at 8:00AM. Instead we will meet at the Fish Tale parking lot at 7:45 AM and leave there around 8:00 AM.

To get to the Fish Tale from the Hammonasset Connector turn LEFT at the light at the junction of US1 instead of going straight into the park. Fish Tale is on the left about 1/4 mile.

The park is now charging for entrance ($10 per day or $50 for season pass - cash only), if you don't have a pass we plan to carpool to the park with those who do.

If you have a pass or you are running late, we will regroup at the Nature Center parking lot inside the park

Thursday, May 15, 2008
Mt Auburn Cemetery and Plum Island
Visit the famous Cambridge, Massachusetts warbler hotspot, Mount Auburn Cemetery. It’s not only good for birds, it is also a beautiful park-like cemetery. Then it’s on to Plum Island at Newburyport for more warblers and shorebirds. We will be having dinner in Newburyport before leaving. This is a car-pooling trip. Call for further information. Meeting time is 7:00 AM at the cemetery.
Leader: Jim Moore
 

Saturday,  May 17, 2008
Barn Island WMA, Stonington
Come explore one of Connecticut’s finest coastal habitats with Audubon Connecticut’s Director of Bird Conservation, Patrick Comins. Not only is Barn Island a great place to look for shorebirds and waterbirds, but it is also a wonderful place for migrant landbirds. Meet at the parking lot of Barn Island at 8:30 AM. We will be keeping an eye on CT’s and RI’s RBAs in case there are other things nearby worthy of a chase. This trip will again be coordinated with New Haven Bird Club.
Leader: Patrick Comins

 
Saturday,  May 17, 2008
East Granby’s Great Swamp and Beaver Swamp
This is a great area for spring migrants. Expect to see many vireos, warblers, thrushes as well as Rusty Blackbird, Swamp Sparrow and Virginia Rail. If time prevails we’ll continue northward into Suffield to seek out some grassland birds such as Kestrel, Brown Thrasher and Grasshopper Sparrow. Meet at the “Rails to Trails” parking area off Route 20 in East Granby at 6:30AM.
Leader: Brian Kleinman

Sunday,  May 18, 2008
Litchfield and Kent
This trip should produce such excellent species as Cerulean and Hooded Warblers, and possibly Golden-winged Warblers, Cliff Swallows and many others. Bring lunch and meet at White Memorial Foundation parking lot in Litchfield at 8:00 AM. Note the later start time.
Leader: Kathy Hall

 
Sunday,  May 18, 2008
Nepaug Reservoir Area
This roving trip to an excellent area always produces interesting migrants. Come see Nepaug at it’s best. Meet at the restaurant parking lot at the intersection of Routes 44 and 202 at 7:30AM.
Leader: Jamie Meyers

Saturday,  May 24, 2008
McLean Game Refuge, Granby
Join our leader in a search for spring migrants and nesting species at this beautiful area. Hartford Audubon hasn’t visited this location for many years and it’s time. Meet at the Route 10 entrance parking lot at 7:00 AM.
Leader: Sam Fried

 
Saturday,  May 24, 2008
Birding by Ear at Northwest Park , Windsor
Come enjoy the sights and sounds of Northwest Park. This trip will focus on the basics of bird song and call notes. Our group will explore a variety of habitats that include grassland, shrubland and forest. We will be listening for Orchard Orioles,  Field Sparrows, Indigo Buntings and much more. Discussions about bird song will be encouraged. Meet in the Northwest Park main parking lot at 7:15AM.
Leader: Paul Cianfaglione

 
Saturday, May 31, 2008
100 species in Hartford!!??
Is it still possible in this day of declining open space? Join trip leader Jay Kaplan as we attempt to record 100 bird species within the Hartford City limits (some liberties to be taken with respect to town borders) . Meet at 6:30 AM just inside the entrance of Hartford’s Cedar Hill Cemetery. Participants should bring a lunch and a cheerful disposition. This trip will serve as a warm-up for next year’s return of “the lethal tour”, a longstanding Hartford Bird Study Club tradition that will be part of the 100th anniversary celebration. Contact leader for more information.
Leader: Jay Kaplan

 
Sunday,  June 1, 2008
Nehantic State Forest
We will be searching Nehantic State Forest in Lyme for breeding birds such as Worm-eating Warbler and Hooded Warbler. In the past we have had Prothonotary Warbler and Olive-sided Flycatcher. A variety of habitats present many possibilities. We may explore other birding spots in the area. Bring lunch and meet at 7:30 AM on Darling Road across the street from the ice cream place off Route 82, west of the Route 11 exit.
Leader: Louise Tucker

 
Saturday,  June 7, 2008
Station 43, South Windsor
A search for Least Bittern, Sora, Virginia Rail and Marsh Wrens. Meet at the intersection of Main Street and Newberry Road at 6:30AM for his morning trip.
Leader: Carl Ekroth

 
Sunday,  June 8, 2008
Barkhamsted and East Hartland
We’ll start off the morning with a easy walk down to the Indian Council Caves. Here we can expect to find Black-throated Blue and Canada warbler, along with Hermit Thrush, Yellow-bellied Sapsucker, andBrown Creeper. After the caves we will take a short drive into East Hartland and explore an area around Hurricane Brook where you can find Ruffed Grouse, Junco, Winter Wren, Acadian Flycatcher, Blue-headed Vireo and Blackburnian Warbler. If time prevails we’ll explore some other nearby areas. Meet at the entrance to the Indian Council Caves (Tunxis Trail) off Route 179 in Barkhamsted at 6:30AM.
Leader: Brian Kleinman 

SATURDAY & SUNDAY,  JUNE 14 & 15, 2008
Summer Bird Count
Join Hartford Audubon's members as we participate in COA's 13th Annual Summer Bird Count.  Species and numbers are counted on this two-day tally within our Christmas Count circle.  Bird one day or both and help accumulate breeding data for the state.
Jay Kaplan 

 
Sunday,  June 22, 2008
Hockanum River, Laurel Marsh Paddle
Meet at Laurel Marsh parking lot in Manchester, at 7:30am.  We will need to
shuttle cars to the take out area, in East Hartford.  Directions:   I-84 east,
exit 60.  Right turn at the light. ( route 44 and 6 )  Entrance to parking lot
is 200 feet on the right.  Reminder, you must wear a life jacket while on the
water.  Bring a snack, water and binoculars.  If pouring rain, it will be
cancelled.  Leader:  Jeff Feldmann     Jeff@jeffphotos.com 
 

 
Saturday,  July 12, 2008
Hammonasset Beginner’s Bird Walk IV
Come visit one Connecticut’s best known birding areas. Hammonasset Beach State Park provides  great birding year round and you can always count on a special bird or two to show up with each visit. We will study basic field marks on common species and rare ones alike. Meet at the main entrance gate at 8:00AM. All levels of birders are welcome.
Leader: Aaron Barriger

ADVANCED TRIP NOTICE  Saturday, September 13^th  Swallow cruise

We will once again join with the Mattabeseck Audubon Society to cruise the Connecticut River in search of swallows in fall migration.

Join us on Saturday, September 13, 2008, for an evening cruise aboard the River Quest leaving from the dock of the Connecticut River Museum in Essex to view the unique fall congregation of swallows before their journey south for the winter.

Please arrive by 5:00 p.m., boarding starts at 5:15 p.m.

We will cruise the river from 5:30 to 7:30. Don’t forget to dress warmly as it can be quite cold on the river.

The cost of the trip is $25 per person.

Potluck dinner, bring a dish to share and a beverage (with or without alcohol). MAS will supply dessert.

To reserve a spot send in the completed Swallow Cruise registration form with your payment (make checks payable to MAS). Space is limited.

Call 860-873-9304 for more information or to get the registration form online visit the MAS website at: http://www.audubon-mas.org.

Trip Information and forms will be available at the April, May & June meetings.

HAS Leaders: Adrian & Beth Nichols (860) 526-7865 or email: nichols.adrian@comcast.net